And tied up with Clearview is all kinds of far right low life including an NZ citizen by the name of Peter Thiel and the compay, Palantir, that he founded.
This sort of behaviour by some of the cops seems to go on and on. They act like they can do exactly what they want and the rules are what they decide. All the stuff around Nicky Hager and the other journalists, the roast busters, illegal traffic stops in wellington, under policing of some poor behaviour by people associated with RW blogging – the lists go on and on. Opposing liquor licences where there may be personal issues in play. Police Groups with guns being used multiple times with the need being some what blurry.
It must be demoralising for police staff who don't subscribe to any of this and frankly some of it has cost the taxpayer a fortune. Nobody ever seems to be reprimanded, fired or held responsible in any way. I think we need a royal commission into the police because nothing ever changes.
Now we have a new commissioner whose career path looks very much like he has been groomed for top jobs for about the last decade – so mainly under RW governments. Has he done anything about this suveillance or is he just going to approve it in retrospect?
Polls smolls…..ask about and reasonable people get what national are doing and it apalls them. Their lack of humanity by politicking through this will hurt them in September IMO.
Yes Francesca Out of step with the NZ population. That is why I would like to see "comments" allowed again on their articles. I would subscibe to receive the paper daily if they did !
"It’s a fair assumption to suggest that at the time of entering Parliament, an MP’s political views and beliefs are set and are the motivation to enter politics in the first place."
"Accordingly, to understand Ardern’s political ideology it is important to revisit 2008, when she entered Parliament as a Labour list-MP. Earlier in 2008 Ardern was elected president of the International Union of Socialist Youth. In early 2009, just two months after becoming an MP, Ardern presided over the union's World Council annual meeting in her capacity as president."
"Official records of that meeting give us insights into Ardern’s political ideology. For example, the meeting documents state the aim of the union is to “defend and spread our core socialist principles”. The 2009 union meeting is relevant not just because Ardern was president, but because the official resolutions outlined “progressive answers to the financial crisis” – aka the global financial crisis or GFC."
"Given Ardern and her comrades had “progressive answers to the financial crisis”, those answers might now be used to guide us through the turmoil and hardship of post-Covid-19. By the way, I have used "comrade" because it is how union members referred to themselves throughout the 2009 meeting."
"I do not use "comrade" disparagingly here, as indeed Ardern herself used the term 15 times in just seven minutes at this public event."
Comrade Ardern and her other comrades stated: “Redistribution will lead to more financial stability and justice. As IUSY we struggle for redistribution between the north and the south and for redistribution between the poor and the rich, because we believe in equality and justice.” On the same trajectory, Ardern and her comrades said: “Human beings are born with unequal resources available. We as young socialists believe in a social democratic system which secures a redistribution of resources.”
Which all raises the question; did she have a subsequent conversion to neoliberalism & kept quiet about it? Or is she a socialist wolf wearing neoliberal sheeps clothing? She may even explain that one can be both simultaneously, kinda like walking and chewing gum. We'll never know. Aotearoa lacks journos clever enough to ask her those questions.
Steve has vital questions of his own: "I wonder then what is the exact point whereby "inequality" becomes acceptable? For example, is a 20 per cent gap of "inequality" acceptable? Or does it need to be closer, like 10 per cent? Or do we all need to have the exact same amount of income and wealth?"
Waste of time. In the history of socialism, no socialist has ever spelt out a recipe for how it is meant to work. That's why Corbyn & Sanders felt obliged to fake it. Vapid vacuous innuendo, sadly, failed to turn them into winners. Credit Jacinda for not making the same stupid mistake. Well, not so obviously, perhaps…
Fools rush in where angels fear to tread? 😎 Well, correct me if I'm wrong. I suspect Savage et al promoted a scheme based on pragmatism more than design-based plan, but I agree state houses do seem sufficiently similar to imply a blueprint. As regards design of an alternative economy, history seems rather moot on that point.
A columnist somewhere the other day commended Grant Robertson for not yielding to to the Keynesian recipe. I'm tempted to feel that Aotearoa would benefit from his yielding somewhat, but let's see how the budget copes with circumstance first.
"A columnist somewhere the other day commended Grant Robertson for not yielding to to the Keynesian recipe. I'm tempted to feel that Aotearoa would benefit from his yielding somewhat, but let's see how the budget copes with circumstance first."
you appear somewhat confused…you do understand what Keynes advocated?
If you havnt read any of his theories (though ‘authoritatively’ reference them) then i suggest you do and you will quickly realise what nonsense your post was.
No point. Nobody in the media has claimed that the budget was Keynesian, as far as I know. So you have yet to demonstrate relevance.
I cited the columnist as an indicator of the non-Keynesian nature of Grant's design. Take up your grouch with the columnist, if you disagree. I'm agnostic on whether it is or not…
within the constraints of a decades long winding back of state capacity it would be difficult to imagine a more Keynesian response…the gov is not increasing taxes (nor reducing state demand) but rather stepping in to replace the lost demand from the private sector and it is doing so by expanding the fiscal envelope (borrowing) and providing employment….if that is not recognised by any of the columnists you peruse then you need to read better informed columnists.
Not saying you're wrong on that point, but I just took a look at Michael Reddell's budget analysis to see if he called it Keynesian. He didn't. He did have this interesting observation:
"For some reason, not known to me, the government is going to put lots more money in the NZSF over the next few years – beyond what the statutory formula provides for – as if having a flutter on the world markets, at your risk and mine, was an important part of a recovery programme."
So Grant the gambler. Does that fit the neoliberal model or the socialist model?
Well. You already know what I think about people "gambling in stock markets" privatising super provision, expecting it to magically build capability to supply resources to people in future, rather than investing in our own future capability and resilience.
I’ll put my capitalist hat on here. Government should be investing in infrastructure, services and people, not private corporations.
Note that Robertson s money into trade training, retraining and apprenticeships instead of continuing with "free" B com degrees for well off kids, is something I totally agree with.
Along with a lot of their other initiatives.
For your question. I think it is debatable. Thatcher apologists, claimed her sell offs of State infrastructure meant everyone, through their shares, still owned it. Similar to some here. Conveniently ignoring that so many who pay the higher prices of privatisation could never afford, shares.
You might want to check out the the published socialist histories of the UK Attlee government, postwar Denmark, postwar Netherlands, postwar Finland, Ireland's welfare system, as well as the crap ones like Cuba, Tanzania, and Nicaragua.
If $50b of state borrowing and dumptrucks of infrastructure and health investment, and utterly massive business tax breaks and wage subsidies isn't Keynsean, then you need a new version of Keynes.
"I do not use 'comrade' disparagingly here, as indeed Ardern herself used the term 15 times in just seven minutes at this public event"
The lecturer, Steve Elers, "doth protest too much, methinks."
Gertrude in 'Hamlet' said this about an actor who was overacting in an insincere way to incriminate Hamlet's uncle.
The lecturer wrote. "It's a fair assumption to suggest that at the time of entering Parliament, an MP's political views and beliefs are set and are the motivation to enter politics in the first place."
In the immortal words of Ardern and Robertson in response to leading questions from the Opposition, "Mr Speaker, I reject the premises of that question."
I note the weasel words in the opening quotation- 'assumption' and 'suggest'.
Who would believe that statement made this way? "At the time of entering Parliament, an MP's political views and beliefs are set and are the motivation to enter politics in the first place"?
In my lifetime I have changed my views about abortion, the infallibility of the Pope, homosexuality, cannabis, war, and the need to provide potatoes with every dinner.
To say that all views of all MPs are fixed, and further to argue that if an MP seems to acting differently that they are being deceitful about their true beliefs and motivations is stupid and a self-serving belief that attempts to self explain what is in itself a fixed belief- "That socialism is bad, all comrade socialists are bad, comrade Ardern is doing things that I don't approve of because she is doing things that I do approve but I don't like her doing them because at heart she is a comrade socialist and all comrade socialists are bad and I don't like socialism."
This is not the kind of thinking I like to read from someone who is a lecturer in communications.
Well, there's this thing called rhetoric. I suppose he was doing that. I never studied classics but the orators would pitch a stance, apparently, then back it up with reasoning. Ad nauseum, sometimes.
I agree that folks tend to amend views through life, but it is true that beliefs formed in formative years are enduring. Some politicians have a world-view seeming to be set in concrete, eh? They only get traction if supporters locked into the same world-view are numerous enough. Those flexible enough to take on board the world-view of others tend to do better at politics (the art of compromise).
"Vapid vacuous innuendo" just about sums it up – wonder if Elers ever put his 'thoughts' about John Key's 'motivations' on paper, or are only socialist motives 'suspect'?
As for Elers' 'concern' about the correct setting of an (un)acceptable ‘inequality threshold‘, that's an absolutely transparent attempt to delay significant redistribution of wealth. Yes yes, of course we all agree redistribution is urgently needed, but 'how much', and by what mechanism'? – let the hand wringing commence.
I don't share his stance re socialist motives – I see them as well-intentioned, altruistic idealists mostly. I remain puzzled about why they continue to refuse to learn from their experience of politics. Talk to them, they ain't obviously stupid. Corbyn & Sanders don't seem stupid to me. As people. It's the adherence to a failed belief system that makes them seem stupid to most voters.
I reckon they could have sold neosocialism as a tweaked evolutionary development of mid-20th century socialism. Just eliminate the bads and point out that the goods are timeless. Simple! You'd think any politico could figure out such an evident political strategy.
As regards specifying the inequality threshold, I advocated doing so by societal consensus onsite here a couple of years ago. I advocated it to Metiria Turei when she appealed to Green Party members for ideas on how to get the job done a couple of years prior to that. I presume she failed to adopt it due to preferring to have a political career by faking consensus rather than actually doing it.
Many people are selfish – what percentage of wealthy NZers (please don’t ask me to define ‘wealthy‘), and those with ambitions/expectations of being wealthy, would support a political party advocating a greater redistribution of wealth (hard-earned and otherwise) than we currently have? 30%, 20%, 10%…?
As a "well-intentioned, altruistic idealist" (thank-you), I don't know how to sell a 'wealth redistribution product' to the selfish, and it's no good asking selfish people for advice. Consider Lisa Owen's introduction to the post-budget edition of Checkpoint; "What's in it for you?"
Presumptions come easy to some – just an observation. Still, no-one’s perfect.
I didn’t know who the author was of that piece in Stuff but I can’t be bothered with his pseudo-academic musings. I’ve read enough from and about him in the last few weeks. Did you know that (Sir) Bob Jones labelled him as Man of the Year? I wonder when and where he’s going to stand for office. Enough said.
Elers only says one thing, and he says it every week. You should read his previous droppings, it's hard to know whether or not they are satire. Not great satire, mind – a proper parody of the frothing Cindyphobes would be much better written.
He never revisits his previous columns, which is not surprising. He got everything wrong about Ardern's leadership, but like a true obsessive, he does not let reality intrude on his world.
”Working humans are so much more than “resources”. This is one of the central lessons of the current crisis. Caring for the sick; delivering food, medication and other essentials; clearing away our waste; stocking the shelves and running the registers in our grocery stores – the people who have kept life going through the Covid-19 pandemic are living proof that work cannot be reduced to a mere commodity. Human health and the care of the most vulnerable cannot be governed by market forces alone. If we leave these things solely to the market, we run the risk of exacerbating inequalities to the point of forfeiting the very lives of the least advantaged.”
Freightways need a damn good kick up the arse. I have close family working as full time contract couriers and the whole business model in this country is suffering from the 'sin of cheapness'.
Thousands of drivers have been working around the clock to deliver the skyrocketing volumes of residential freight over the past few weeks.
But despite parcel numbers and hours being higher than ever, their pay has taken a significant hit.
One courier driver – who works for NZ Couriers – told RNZ she was arriving at her depot at 4.15am to start loading up and was not finishing until 6pm most days.
She used to deliver about 300 packages per day, but that had jumped to 600. She said she had been working such long hours she'd had to ask her partner to help so they could run two vehicles to keep up.
Her pay has dropped from an average of $6600 per month to $4800 last month – before tax.
Residential deliveries, which are taking up the vast bulk of their work at the moment, pay between 20c and $1 each.
I can fully testify to this, somedays they're working from 4am to 8pm handling an unprecedented surge in volume. Yes it is dangerous and almost certainly illegal, but at the same time they still get regularly abused by customers who think their precious delivery was an hour or two late.
Nonetheless Freightways have chosen to rort their own workers as a reward for this extraordinary effort:
Most couriers are independent contractors – meaning they should have control over their business, hours and working conditions.
But that was often not the reality of their working situation. During lockdown, NZ Couriers has told drivers to take the government's wage subsidy, which is only available for employees.
Their contract for May states: "For the 12 weeks that the government subsidy applies, $117 per day of contractor remuneration is assumed to have been received, and the company will contribute the balance up to 90 percent of run's listed minimum earnings or tickets redeemed, whichever is greater."
So on one hand they're treating the drivers as contractors which lets them get away with them working dangerously long hours, on the other they're treating them as employees and deducting any wage subsidy they received covering the quiet period at the beginning of the lockdown.
Turning all of the drivers into employees is not necessarily the desired solution, the 'wagies' who do work in the business are treated even worse than the contractors, probably deliberately so.
The couriers need a a less restrictive contract which would allow them to deliver for other companies. Uber has copped a lot of flack, and rightly so at times, but at least they let their drivers work for other rideshare companies. There is no reason why the likes of Fastways and CrestClean cannot do the same.
That's not a bad suggestion. The problem at the moment is the sham nature of their contracts, where they really are neither employees nor contractors and have the protections of neither.
The fact that are not self-employed was highlighted a few years back when a family member was working for one of them.
His run area was pretty poor and he worked hard with the customers to build up the run til it was nicely profitable. When it cam up for renewal the owner gave that run to a mate of the owners and put him on another shitty run-down run.
The companies don't want the capital and maintenance of the vehicles on their books; and probably for good reason. Drivers do tend to be a lot better at looking after them when the expenses come out of their pockets.
Also drivers tend to be a lot more proactive about looking after customers and building the business when it directly goes onto their bottom line. Many enjoy the modest freedom it brings, not having to account for every damned minute of their day to some petty manager is a small, but real pleasure.
Plus the ability to manage tax directly can work for them as well.
So there are good reasons for them to be contractors; but of course the downside is they are locked into one client which is where all the problem arise.
In this view a traditional union model might not be the best fit; but something like a 'Drivers Association' that provided a collection of services to assist owner drivers to negotiate and obtain good legal advice would be a step in the right direction.
Last week I was sent a pic of a van load of School packs, that were paid at 20 cents each. That worked out to be less than the cost of the fuel alone.
I remember having a chat with a taxi driver along the same lines. He was just about sold on it by the time he dropped me off at union HQ from the airport!
The Spanish security firm UC Global who were ostensibly protecting the Ecuadorean embassy but in ;spying comprehensively on Assange&his family,,friends, defense team and visitors and turning everything over to the CIA was recruited by Sheldon Adelson,Trumps;s second biggest donor for his 2016 campaign (10 mill).He also owns the Sands Hotel and Casino; (where Frank Sinatra and the Ratpack used to carouse)and is one of the most rabid advocates for Israel
“In February 2012, Adelson told Forbes magazine that he is “against very wealthy people attempting to or influencing elections. But as long as it’s doable Im going to do it. Because I know that guys like George_Soros have been doing it for years, if not decades. And they stay below the radar by creating a network of corporations to funnel their money. I have my own philosophy and I’m not ashamed of it”
"Morales was charged by a Spanish High Court in October 2019 with violating the privacy of Assange and abusing the publishers attorney-client privileges, as well as money laundering and bribery. The documents revealed in court, which were primarily backups from company computers, exposed the disturbing reality of his activities on the dark side.”
This is a rather sickening look in to the way the world works, money ,power, and influence
Thanks. It's almost as if there was/is a state-coordinated conspiracy against a journalist responsible for publicising information that embarrassed politicians and officials.
Are senior members of the caucus ready to sacrifice their colleagues low on the list? Then they can let Simon lead them to disaster. Following the election do the leadership purge.
The caucus don't need to see the polling results. It means they can concentrate on something that's a really big deal to them. Even writing this I can the likes of Chris Bishop going on about it.
The thing that is the most important in the world? Transparency.
Monday's caucus, imagine it. The Member for Northcote peeping up from the back,"Paula, you know how you told us we must use the word transparency at least 29 times everyday because transparency is important, are we going to be able to see the poll figures?"
Bridges interview was another train wreck I thought. When asked specifically what the National plan would be he instinctly went to his base. I paraphrase, "We'd help businesses go and and buy new tractors"
Yes – it will give Shane Jones plenty of cover for funding water storage schemes. It's unavoidable in the current environment – as anything that looks like economic development/job creation will get a big tick. It'll most likely be bad for fresh water quality.
This is because I'm not trying to paint a roof in Auckland this year (unlike last winter when it pissed down). How much do think I could get paid to come back over and do another one?
The trick is to use one of the new HVLP airless sprayers to put it on fast. Start at around 12:30pm once the roof is dry and be done by 2pm at the latest. If the temp is over 10 degC you can get away with it. Just.
NZ has plenty of water, we're just bad at managing it sustainably and future-proofing supply (also a sustainability issue).
For instance, putting in localised water storage for gardens, alongside teaching people how to garden with low and/or variable rainfall, would mitigate the problem of people now not being able to water their gardens.
There is no clear definition of a “weak positive” COVID-19 test result, apparently, or at least not one that has been communicated clearly to us, the public of NZ. Similar confusion about “elimination”, “eradication”, and other terms that are highly confusing to laypeople (e.g. containment, mitigation, suppression, etc.).
On another topic entirely ( for one of our super gardeners here). I can't get dried chick peas in bulk that I cook and freeze. I'm assuming a supply disruption. Looking up the plant it seems to be something that grows on marginal soils and like other peas & beans fixes nitrogen etc. Does anyone know if it is grown commercially here? Likewise lentils? And if we need to go for import substitution how long will I need to wait before it grows?
Most chickpeas for sale in NZ will be imported. There are some growers, but it's small scale.
Don't know about lentils, but I assume the same.
It's why the whole go vegan to prevent climate change is a fail. Large parts of vegan diets have to be imported.
We can change this, there are lots of crops we could be growing here but aren't. This is why I keep banging on about relocalising food supply. It's better for the climate, and food security (and it generally tastes better).
Sun Valley lentils are NZ grown, don't know about their chickpeas. (Also NZ grown are their pearl barley & split peas – just looking at a pack of their soup mix that I need to use up.)
recent discussions on line about how the wheat used to make bread for the North Island comes from Australia, rather than using the wheat in the South Island (something about the right kind of wheat for bread not being able to be grown in the NI). Freight costs apparently.
It was hard to buy organic oats at one point because all the farmers were selling to the Canadian market.
This shit is why I hate globalisation. It's fucking stupid. The reasons that these situations work is because no-one is accounting for ecological damage including climate change.
But yeah, it's a good idea to draw up a list of what we could be growing here. I'd put legumes high up the list.
The other part of the problem is that most food in NZ is grown for export, and if we look at the land being use for industrial dairy, it's going to be hard to convert that to other kinds of farming unless milk prices collapse because there is so much debt on the land and because the industry is basically a rort designed to keep extracting for maximum $.
I've gotten old – make more mistakes than I used plus I'm often drunk. What the hell is her excuse for butchering the English language. Do journalists need to have a cognitive deficit to qualify for the job?
Comments are funny, can't believe he's left the Tweet up. He gets support from people who call Adern our "tranny PM" (??), Covid Hoaxers & Pro Lifer conspiracists. Katie Hopkins, ffs. Oh yeah, apparently we're a communist country now.
I heard Trump wanting unity in appproaches. Given how he sees the world it was a sick joke. A life of "I don't need you, fuck off" suddenly changing to "I'm drowning please save me."
"It is perhaps laudable that many of the victors of capitalism’s spoils want to contribute to the common project of fighting the pandemic. But we should not forget that so many of the factors that have rendered the coronavirus particularly deadly in the United States — income inequality, the lack of a social safety net, the precarious standing of newly-essential gig workers, the obsession with freedom from government tyranny and the lack of a coherent civic identity — are direct products of the way we valorize self-making."
Well, while the rest of us were in lockdown and supposed to be writing the film script or learning French or whatever else we promised ourselves if we only had the time, a 6 year old figured out the bossanova:
New Zealanders have to start taking Internet security serious.
I think the way the money has been distributed for our virus hit economy stimulis has been quite wise as the money will flow through the economy and back to our governments tax take.
Michelle do you want some tissue.
I think that labour will still need the Green party to rule.
Wow that's awesome more putea invested in Maori arts and crafts.
I think that's a logical way to help deal with the droughts. Change the laws so anyone can have tanks to catch wai that falls from Tawhirimate.
Extreme climate change in the past won't be as extreme as we have now being influenced by the billions of tons of carbon we have spewing into our atmosphere warming our planet.
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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 ...
Note: this blog post has been put together over the course of the week I followed the happenings at the conference virtually. Should recordings of the Great Debates and possibly Union Symposia mentioned below, be released sometime after the conference ends, I'll include links to the ones I participated in. ...
The following was my submission made on the “Fast Track Approvals Bill”. This potential law will give three Ministers unchecked powers, un-paralled since the days of Robert Muldoon’s “Think Big” projects.The submission is written a bit tongue-in-cheek. But it’s irreverent because the FTAB is in itself not worthy of respect. ...
One Could Reduce Child Poverty At No Fiscal CostFollowing the Richardson/Shipley 1990 ‘redesign of the welfare state’ – which eliminated the universal Family Benefit and doubled the rate of child poverty – various income supplements for families have been added, the best known being ‘Working for Families’, introduced in 2005. ...
Buzz from the Beehive A few days ago, Point of Order suggested the media must be musing “on why Melissa is mute”. Our article reported that people working in the beleaguered media industry have cause to yearn for a minister as busy as Melissa Lee’s ministerial colleagues and we drew ...
1. What was The Curse of Jim Bolger?a. Winston Peters b. Soon after shaking his hand, world leaders would mysteriously lose office or shuffle off this mortal coilc. Could never shake off the Mother of All Budgetsd. Dandruff2. True or false? The Chairman of a Kiwi export business has asked the ...
Jack Vowles writes – New Zealand is said to be suffering from ‘serious populist discontent’. An IPSOS MORI survey has reported that we have an increasing preference for strong leaders, think that the economy is rigged toward the rich and powerful, and political elites are ignoring ‘hard-working people’. ...
Chris Trotter writes – MELISSA LEE should be deprived of her ministerial warrant. Her handling – or non-handling – of the crisis engulfing the New Zealand news media has been woeful. The fate of New Zealand’s two linear television networks, a question which the Minister of Broadcasting, Communications ...
TL;DR: The podcast above features co-hosts and , along with regular guests Robert Patman on Gaza and AUKUS II, and on climate change.The six things that mattered in Aotearoa’s political economy that we wrote and spoke about via The Kākā and elsewhere for paying subscribers in the ...
Policymakers rarely wish to make plain or visible their desire to dismantle environmental policy, least of all to the young. Photo: Lynn GrievesonTL;DR: Here’s the top five news items of note in climate news for Aotearoa-NZ this week, and a discussion above between Bernard Hickey and The Kākā’s climate correspondent ...
I like to keep an eye on what’s happening in places like the UK, the US, and over the ditch with our good mates the Aussies. Let’s call them AUKUS, for want of a better collective term. More on that in a bit.It used to be, not long ago, that ...
TL;DR: The global economy will be one fifth smaller than it would have otherwise been in 2050 as a result of climate damage, according to a new study by the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) and published in the journal Nature. (See more detail and analysis below, and ...
New Zealand is said to be suffering from ‘serious populist discontent’. An IPSOS MORI survey has reported that we have an increasing preference for strong leaders, think that the economy is rigged toward the rich and powerful, and political elites are ignoring ‘hard-working people’. The data is from February this ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters is understood to be planning a major speech within the next fortnight to clear up the confusion over whether or not New Zealand might join the AUKUS submarine project. So far, there have been conflicting signals from the Government. RNZ reported the Prime Minister yesterday in ...
Life throws curveballs, and sometimes, those curveballs necessitate wiping your iPhone clean and starting anew. Whether you’re facing persistent software glitches, preparing to sell your device, or simply wanting a fresh start, knowing how to factory reset iPhone without a computer is a valuable skill. While using a computer with ...
Gone are the days when communication was limited to landline phones and physical proximity. Today, computers have become powerful tools for connecting with people across the globe through voice and video calls. But with a plethora of applications and methods available, how to call someone on a computer might seem ...
Open access notables Glacial isostatic adjustment reduces past and future Arctic subsea permafrost, Creel et al., Nature Communications:Sea-level rise submerges terrestrial permafrost in the Arctic, turning it into subsea permafrost. Subsea permafrost underlies ~ 1.8 million km2 of Arctic continental shelf, with thicknesses in places exceeding 700 m. Sea-level variations over glacial-interglacial cycles control ...
The operating system (OS) is the heart and soul of a computer, orchestrating every action and interaction between hardware and software. But have you ever wondered where on a computer is the operating system generally stored? The answer lies in the intricate dance between hardware and software components, particularly within ...
Laptops have become essential tools for work, entertainment, and communication, offering portability and functionality. However, with rising energy costs and growing environmental concerns, understanding a laptop’s power consumption is more important than ever. So, how many watts does a laptop use? The answer, unfortunately, isn’t straightforward. It depends on several ...
Screen recording has become an essential tool for various purposes, such as creating tutorials, capturing gameplay footage, recording online meetings, or sharing information with others. Fortunately, Dell laptops offer several built-in and external options for screen recording, catering to different needs and preferences. This guide will explore various methods on ...
A cracked or damaged laptop screen can be a frustrating experience, impacting productivity and enjoyment. Fortunately, laptop screen repair is a common service offered by various repair shops and technicians. However, the cost of fixing a laptop screen can vary significantly depending on several factors. This article delves into the ...
Gaming laptops represent a significant investment for passionate gamers, offering portability and powerful performance for immersive gaming experiences. However, a common concern among potential buyers is their lifespan. Unlike desktop PCs, which allow for easier component upgrades, gaming laptops have inherent limitations due to their compact and integrated design. This ...
The annual inventory report of New Zealand's greenhouse gas emissions has been released, showing that gross emissions have dropped for the third year in a row, to 78.4 million tons: All-told gross emissions have decreased by over 6 million tons since the Zero Carbon Act was passed in 2019. ...
Experiencing a locked computer can be frustrating, especially when you need access to your files and applications urgently. The methods to unlock your computer will vary depending on the specific situation and the type of lock you encounter. This guide will explore various scenarios and provide step-by-step instructions on how ...
While the world has largely transitioned to digital communication, faxing still holds relevance in certain industries and situations. Fortunately, gone are the days of bulky fax machines and dedicated phone lines. Today, you can easily send and receive faxes directly from your computer, offering a convenient and efficient way to ...
In our increasingly digital world, home computers have become essential tools for work, communication, entertainment, and more. However, this increased reliance on technology also exposes us to various cyber threats. Understanding these threats and taking proactive steps to protect your home computer is crucial for safeguarding your personal information, finances, ...
In the ever-evolving world of technology, server-based computing has emerged as a cornerstone of modern digital infrastructure. This article delves into the concept of server-based computing, exploring its various forms, benefits, challenges, and its impact on the way we work and interact with technology. Understanding Server-Based Computing: At its core, ...
The absolute brass neck of this guy.We want more medical doctors, not more spin doctors, Luxon was saying a couple of weeks ago, and now we’re told the guy has seven salaried adults on TikTok duty. Sorry, doing social media. The absolute brass neck of it. The irony that the ...
Buzz from the Beehive Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones relishes spatting and eagerly takes issue with environmentalists who criticise his enthusiasm for resource development. He relishes helping the fishing industry too. And so today, while the media are making much of the latest culling in the public service to ...
Having written, taught and worked for the US government on issues involving unconventional warfare and terrorism for 30-odd years, two things irritate me the most when the subject is discussed in public. The first is the Johnny-come-lately academics-turned-media commentators who … Continue reading → ...
Eric Crampton writes – Kainga Ora is the government’s house building agency. It’s been building a lot of social housing. Kainga Ora has its own (but independent) consenting authority, Consentium. It’s a neat idea. Rather than have to deal with building consents across each different territorial authority, Kainga Ora ...
Muriel Newman writes – The Coalition Government says it is moving with speed to deliver campaign promises and reverse the damage done by Labour. One of their key commitments is to “defend the principle that New Zealanders are equal before the law.” To achieve this, they have pledged they “will not advance ...
Chris Trotter writes – The absence of anything resembling a fightback from the public servants currently losing their jobs is interesting. State-sector workers’ collective fatalism in the face of Coalition cutbacks indicates a surprisingly broad acceptance of impermanence in the workplace. Fifty years ago, lay-offs in the thousands ...
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. ...
Māori are yet to see anything from this Government except cuts, reversals and taking our people backwards, Māori Development spokesperson Willie Jackson said. ...
The Coalition Government’s refusal to commit to ongoing funding for social housing is seeing the sector pull back on developments and families watch their dreams of securing a home fade away, says Labour Housing spokesperson Kieran McAnulty. ...
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 ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon today paid tribute to Singapore’s outgoing Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. Meeting in Singapore today immediately before Prime Minister Lee announced he was stepping down, Prime Minister Luxon warmly acknowledged his counterpart’s almost twenty years as leader, and the enduring legacy he has left for Singapore and South East ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. While in Singapore as part of his visit to South East Asia this week, Prime Minister Luxon also met with Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and will meet with Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has made further appointments to the Board of Antarctica New Zealand as part of a continued effort to ensure the Scott Base Redevelopment project is delivered in a cost-effective and efficient manner. The Minister has appointed Neville Harris as a new member of the Board. Mr ...
Finance Minister Nicola Willis will travel to the United States on Tuesday to attend a meeting of the Five Finance Ministers group, with counterparts from Australia, the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. “I am looking forward to meeting with our Five Finance partners on how we can work ...
The coalition Government has today announced purrfect and pawsitive changes to the Residential Tenancies Act to give tenants with pets greater choice when looking for a rental property, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “Pets are important members of many Kiwi families. It’s estimated that around 64 per cent of New ...
State Highway 1 (SH1) through Wellington City is heavily congested at peak times and while planning continues on the duplicate Mt Victoria Tunnel and Basin Reserve project, the Government has also asked NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) to consider and provide advice on a Long Tunnel option, Transport Minister Simeon Brown ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Foreign Minister Winston Peters have condemned Iran’s shocking and illegal strikes against Israel. “These attacks are a major challenge to peace and stability in a region already under enormous pressure," Mr Luxon says. "We are deeply concerned that miscalculation on any side could ...
Hundreds of people in little over a week have turned out in Northland to hear Regional Development Minister Shane Jones speak about plans for boosting the regional economy through infrastructure. About 200 people from the infrastructure and associated sectors attended an event headlined by Mr Jones in Whangarei today. Last ...
Health Minister Dr Shane Reti has today thanked outgoing Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora Chair Dame Karen Poutasi for her service on the Board. “Dame Karen tendered her resignation as Chair and as a member of the Board today,” says Dr Reti. “I have asked her to ...
The NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) has signalled their proposed delivery approach for the Government’s 15 Roads of National Significance (RoNS), with the release of the State Highway Investment Proposal (SHIP) today, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Boosting economic growth and productivity is a key part of the Government’s plan to ...
New Zealand is renewing its connections with a world facing urgent challenges by pursuing an active, energetic foreign policy, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. “Our country faces the most unstable global environment in decades,” Mr Peters says at the conclusion of two weeks of engagements in Egypt, Europe and the United States. “We cannot afford to sit back in splendid ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has announced the Australian Governor-General, His Excellency General The Honourable David Hurley and his wife Her Excellency Mrs Linda Hurley, will make a State visit to New Zealand from Tuesday 16 April to Thursday 18 April. The visit reciprocates the State visit of former Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy ...
Associate Health Minister David Seymour has announced that Medsafe has approved 11 cold and flu medicines containing pseudoephedrine. Pharmaceutical suppliers have indicated they may be able to supply the first products in June. “This is much earlier than the original expectation of medicines being available by 2025. The Government recognised ...
New Zealand and the United States have recommitted to their strategic partnership in Washington DC today, pledging to work ever more closely together in support of shared values and interests, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. “The strategic environment that New Zealand and the United States face is considerably more ...
April 11, 2024 Joint Declaration by United States Secretary of State the Honorable Antony J. Blinken and New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs the Right Honourable Winston Peters We met today in Washington, D.C. to recommit to the historic partnership between our two countries and the principles that underpin it—rule ...
By Koroi Hawkins, RNZ Pacific editor in Honiara Solomon Islands’ incumbent prime minister Manasseh Sogavare has been re-elected in the East Choiseul constituency. It is the opening move in the political chess match to form the country’s next government. Returning officer Christopher Makoni made the declaration late last night after ...
Headline: The moment of friction. – 36th Parallel Assessments In strategic studies “friction” is a term that it is used to describe the moment when military action encounters adversary resistance. “Friction” is one of four (along with an unofficial fifth) “F’s” in military strategy, which includes force (kinetic mass), ...
The Fast-track Bill, if passed, would allow three Ministers, unchallenged and unchecked, to approve the immediate extraction and exhaustion of one-off resources. ...
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 iamharin/Shutterstock For many people, the term “bulk billed” refers to a GP visit they don’t have to pay ...
Emmas Hislop, Sidnam and Wehipeihana discuss what’s in a name. Emma Sidnam: Hello Emmas! Thank you so much for agreeing to do this with me. My first question for you is related to what’s been on my mind for a while. It’s very important. You see we’ve recently had some ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michael Sievers, Research Fellow, Global Wetlands Project, Australia Rivers Institute, Griffith University Chris Brown Humans love the coast. But we love it to death, so much so we’ve destroyed valuable coastal habitat – in the case of some types of habitat, ...
Josh Thomson on the 80s milk ad jingle he can’t stop singing, the beauty of The Simpsons, why Jersey Shore is as good as Shakespeare and more. For someone who spends a lot of time on our screens, popping up in everything from 7 Days to Taskmaster, Educators to Good ...
In apparent defiance of the Biden administration, the Netanyahu government has now initiated missile strikes against Iran. Last Saturday night (Sunday morning in New Zealand) Iran launched more than 300 drones, cruise missiles and ballistic missiles against Israeli military targets. With the assistance of US, UK and possibly French forces, ...
Māori representation brings a perspective that encompasses not only the interests of Māori communities but also a broader, holistic approach to environmental stewardship and community well-being, principles deeply embedded in Te Ao Māori (the Māori ...
This week in Auckland, a group of young people took over the microphone at a ministerial press conference, to explain why they oppose the Fast-Track Approvals Bill. One young woman said, ‘We’re here because we love Aotearoa New Zealand. We want to raise our children in an environment that’s thriving, ...
The summer was wonderful. Evie was wonderful, too; finally a teenager, finally worthy of long, hot days. She shaved her legs for the first time and bought cut-off shorts from the op-shop that made them look long. She got a Warehouse singlet so tight on her new shape that her ...
When Thomas James was on his solo camp as part of Outward Bound, the keen outdoorsman didn’t find it too challenging, as others often do. In what might just be the perfect illustration of his character, he saw it as a great opportunity to solve a few problems. “I thought, ...
From the unstable and drippy to the hi-tech and pretty, here’s our ranking of all the tunnels you can drive through in this country. The first tunnel seems to have been built in 2200BC in Babylonia, kicking off a global phenomenon for digging holes in order to get places more ...
Lucinda Bennett on the art of being greedy but resourceful. This is an excerpt from our weekly food newsletter, The Boil Up. When I picture the market, it is always this time of year. Crisp air, dripping nose, counting coins with cold fingers. Sunlight pale, filtered through specks of dew still ...
Zoë Colling’s favourite piece in the ‘That’s So Last Century’ collection is a lubrication chart for a sewing machine from the ’60s. It’s about the size of a postcard, and carefully maintained. “I like it that this piece of ephemera highlights that manual and technical side of the skill involved ...
Kia Ora Gaza A passionate haka reverberated through Auckland International Airport as a medical team of three New Zealand doctors received an emotional farewell from a big crowd of supporters before flying to Turkey to join the international Freedom Flotilla to Gaza. The doctors, who left Auckland yesterday, hope to ...
With submissions closing today, Macassey-Pickard says groups around the country have been supporting a huge range of people to make their submissions. ...
Our response to the new legislation is informed by targeted conversations with practitioners working in the system and through an implementation lens. ...
The new ‘Fast-track Approvals Bill’ would give just three Ministers the power to approve or deny development projects. They would avoid the usual checks and balances that are in place to protect rivers, land, the ocean, and communities. ...
COMMENTARY:By Eugene Doyle Helen Clark, how I miss you. The former New Zealand Prime Minister — the safest pair of hands this country has had in living memory — gave a masterclass on the importance of maintaining an independent foreign policy when she spoke at an AUKUS symposium held ...
The government's released the list of organisations provided with information on how to apply - just hours before public submissions on the bill close. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Milton Speer, Visiting Fellow, School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, University of Technology Sydney Before climate change really got going, eastern Australia’s flash floods tended to concentrate on our coastal regions, east of the Great Dividing Range. But that’s changing. Now ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Elizabeth Finkel, Vice-Chancellor’s Fellow, La Trobe University Sia Duff / South Australian Museum In February, the South Australian Museum “re-imagined” itself. In the face of rising costs and inadequate government funds, CEO David Gaimster, who took the reins last June, declared ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alan Pearce, Professor, School of Allied Heath, Human Services & Sport, La Trobe University, La Trobe University This week, Collingwood AFL player Nathan Murphy announced his retirement, brought on by his concussion history and ongoing issues. The 24-year-old’s seemingly sudden retirement, ...
The Mental Health Foundation provides support and resources for those facing the loss of their job, so it’s wrong in the very week the Government adds another 1000 jobs to its tally of cuts, that this is happening. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alexander Howard, Senior Lecturer, Discipline of English and Writing, University of Sydney Daniel Boud/Sydney Theatre Company Decay, terror, revulsion. These are three of the central themes of Thomas Bernhard’s rarely performed play The President. The Austrian is one of the greatest ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ye In (Jane) Hwang, Postdoctoral Research Associate at School of Population Health, UNSW Sydney Shutterstock You’d be hard pressed to find any aspect of daily life that doesn’t require some form of digital literacy. We need only to look back ten ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says threats by ministers Shane Jones and David Seymour to reform or close down the Waitangi Tribunal were “ill-considered”, as legal experts say the ministers may have breached Cabinet Manual conventions. “I think those comments are ill-considered and we expect all ministers to actually exercise good ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Rob Newton, Professor of Exercise Medicine, Edith Cowan University Pexels/RDNE stock project You’re not in your 20s or 30s anymore and you know regular health checks are important. So you go to your GP. During the appointment they measure your waist. ...
A new poem by Evangeline Riddiford Graham. Mitochondrial Problem I. It was long drive to Kansas for the man and his dog but you have to understand he said She doesn’t fly. Which calls to mind not carsick shitting barking or whining but a dog who chooses not to as ...
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FYI: RNZ National this morning:
8:10 Kashmir Hill: Police use of facial recognition software Clearview AI
( This week RNZ exposed an unapproved police trial of controversial facial recognition software Clearview AI. )
And tied up with Clearview is all kinds of far right low life including an NZ citizen by the name of Peter Thiel and the compay, Palantir, that he founded.
https://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/us_5e7d028bc5b6cb08a92a5c48
This sort of behaviour by some of the cops seems to go on and on. They act like they can do exactly what they want and the rules are what they decide. All the stuff around Nicky Hager and the other journalists, the roast busters, illegal traffic stops in wellington, under policing of some poor behaviour by people associated with RW blogging – the lists go on and on. Opposing liquor licences where there may be personal issues in play. Police Groups with guns being used multiple times with the need being some what blurry.
It must be demoralising for police staff who don't subscribe to any of this and frankly some of it has cost the taxpayer a fortune. Nobody ever seems to be reprimanded, fired or held responsible in any way. I think we need a royal commission into the police because nothing ever changes.
Now we have a new commissioner whose career path looks very much like he has been groomed for top jobs for about the last decade – so mainly under RW governments. Has he done anything about this suveillance or is he just going to approve it in retrospect?
Usual caveats about polls, but these numbers are remarkable:
Scroll down to the last questions. On the lockdown, the National Party speak for about 6% of the public.
Polls smolls…..ask about and reasonable people get what national are doing and it apalls them. Their lack of humanity by politicking through this will hurt them in September IMO.
The 80% approval of going to level 2 "about right" was interesting with the caveat "despite stories in media saying lift lockdown ages ago".
Seems like our media has political agendas that are totally out of step with the NZ population
Must be upsetting to them that their best efforts have fallen flat
Yes Francesca Out of step with the NZ population. That is why I would like to see "comments" allowed again on their articles. I would subscibe to receive the paper daily if they did !
Pretty obvious messaging strategy at play here from the right
"It’s a fair assumption to suggest that at the time of entering Parliament, an MP’s political views and beliefs are set and are the motivation to enter politics in the first place."
True, so Steve Elers, senior lecturer at Massey University’s School of Communication, Journalism and Marketing, examines socialist Jacinda: https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/opinion/300012145/its-important-to-understand-what-drives-the-prime-minister
"Accordingly, to understand Ardern’s political ideology it is important to revisit 2008, when she entered Parliament as a Labour list-MP. Earlier in 2008 Ardern was elected president of the International Union of Socialist Youth. In early 2009, just two months after becoming an MP, Ardern presided over the union's World Council annual meeting in her capacity as president."
"Official records of that meeting give us insights into Ardern’s political ideology. For example, the meeting documents state the aim of the union is to “defend and spread our core socialist principles”. The 2009 union meeting is relevant not just because Ardern was president, but because the official resolutions outlined “progressive answers to the financial crisis” – aka the global financial crisis or GFC."
"Given Ardern and her comrades had “progressive answers to the financial crisis”, those answers might now be used to guide us through the turmoil and hardship of post-Covid-19. By the way, I have used "comrade" because it is how union members referred to themselves throughout the 2009 meeting."
"I do not use "comrade" disparagingly here, as indeed Ardern herself used the term 15 times in just seven minutes at this public event."
Comrade Ardern and her other comrades stated: “Redistribution will lead to more financial stability and justice. As IUSY we struggle for redistribution between the north and the south and for redistribution between the poor and the rich, because we believe in equality and justice.” On the same trajectory, Ardern and her comrades said: “Human beings are born with unequal resources available. We as young socialists believe in a social democratic system which secures a redistribution of resources.”
Which all raises the question; did she have a subsequent conversion to neoliberalism & kept quiet about it? Or is she a socialist wolf wearing neoliberal sheeps clothing? She may even explain that one can be both simultaneously, kinda like walking and chewing gum. We'll never know. Aotearoa lacks journos clever enough to ask her those questions.
Steve has vital questions of his own: "I wonder then what is the exact point whereby "inequality" becomes acceptable? For example, is a 20 per cent gap of "inequality" acceptable? Or does it need to be closer, like 10 per cent? Or do we all need to have the exact same amount of income and wealth?"
Waste of time. In the history of socialism, no socialist has ever spelt out a recipe for how it is meant to work. That's why Corbyn & Sanders felt obliged to fake it. Vapid vacuous innuendo, sadly, failed to turn them into winners. Credit Jacinda for not making the same stupid mistake. Well, not so obviously, perhaps…
A bold statement in the country of Michael Joseph Savage.
Fools rush in where angels fear to tread? 😎 Well, correct me if I'm wrong. I suspect Savage et al promoted a scheme based on pragmatism more than design-based plan, but I agree state houses do seem sufficiently similar to imply a blueprint. As regards design of an alternative economy, history seems rather moot on that point.
A columnist somewhere the other day commended Grant Robertson for not yielding to to the Keynesian recipe. I'm tempted to feel that Aotearoa would benefit from his yielding somewhat, but let's see how the budget copes with circumstance first.
"A columnist somewhere the other day commended Grant Robertson for not yielding to to the Keynesian recipe. I'm tempted to feel that Aotearoa would benefit from his yielding somewhat, but let's see how the budget copes with circumstance first."
you appear somewhat confused…you do understand what Keynes advocated?
I've read plenty of interpretations by others in the media & in books, but never wanted to read him personally. Feel free to quote him if relevant…
If you havnt read any of his theories (though ‘authoritatively’ reference them) then i suggest you do and you will quickly realise what nonsense your post was.
No point. Nobody in the media has claimed that the budget was Keynesian, as far as I know. So you have yet to demonstrate relevance.
I cited the columnist as an indicator of the non-Keynesian nature of Grant's design. Take up your grouch with the columnist, if you disagree. I'm agnostic on whether it is or not…
within the constraints of a decades long winding back of state capacity it would be difficult to imagine a more Keynesian response…the gov is not increasing taxes (nor reducing state demand) but rather stepping in to replace the lost demand from the private sector and it is doing so by expanding the fiscal envelope (borrowing) and providing employment….if that is not recognised by any of the columnists you peruse then you need to read better informed columnists.
Yes, that reasoning does seem valid. Perhaps Keynes means different things to different people? I'll go see if I can find a view from Bernard Hickey.
Why not simply read Keynes.
He explains it clearly.
FFS.
What Robertson, and the previous two Governments have done. Even National, to an extent, is classic Keynes.
Paraphrasing a bit. Run Government surpluses in good times, so as to have room to run the, "necessary" deficits in the bad ones.
It is the ideas behind the whole concept of “keeping Government debt, low”.
Not saying you're wrong on that point, but I just took a look at Michael Reddell's budget analysis to see if he called it Keynesian. He didn't. He did have this interesting observation:
"For some reason, not known to me, the government is going to put lots more money in the NZSF over the next few years – beyond what the statutory formula provides for – as if having a flutter on the world markets, at your risk and mine, was an important part of a recovery programme."
So Grant the gambler. Does that fit the neoliberal model or the socialist model?
Well. You already know what I think about people "gambling in stock markets" privatising super provision, expecting it to magically build capability to supply resources to people in future, rather than investing in our own future capability and resilience.
I’ll put my capitalist hat on here. Government should be investing in infrastructure, services and people, not private corporations.
Note that Robertson s money into trade training, retraining and apprenticeships instead of continuing with "free" B com degrees for well off kids, is something I totally agree with.
Along with a lot of their other initiatives.
For your question. I think it is debatable. Thatcher apologists, claimed her sell offs of State infrastructure meant everyone, through their shares, still owned it. Similar to some here. Conveniently ignoring that so many who pay the higher prices of privatisation could never afford, shares.
The "Free BCom" scheme included all NZQF qualifications including trade training for two years i.e. double the free first year of the BCom.
You might want to check out the the published socialist histories of the UK Attlee government, postwar Denmark, postwar Netherlands, postwar Finland, Ireland's welfare system, as well as the crap ones like Cuba, Tanzania, and Nicaragua.
If $50b of state borrowing and dumptrucks of infrastructure and health investment, and utterly massive business tax breaks and wage subsidies isn't Keynsean, then you need a new version of Keynes.
"Socialists" have frequently spelt out how it is meant to work.
In fact we have the example of our first Labour Government, that it does work.
And, right now, all the "capitalists" that dodged taxes and wanted to avoid paying wages, with their hands out to the "Socialists" to bail them out.
Obviously they are convinced that "Socialism" , works!
They just want someone else to pay for it, for them.
All the complaints, especially from National, has been about not enough “Socialism” for them!
Worked fine here for decades.
Soured after a while but it was still what we needed.
"I do not use 'comrade' disparagingly here, as indeed Ardern herself used the term 15 times in just seven minutes at this public event"
The lecturer, Steve Elers, "doth protest too much, methinks."
Gertrude in 'Hamlet' said this about an actor who was overacting in an insincere way to incriminate Hamlet's uncle.
The lecturer wrote. "It's a fair assumption to suggest that at the time of entering Parliament, an MP's political views and beliefs are set and are the motivation to enter politics in the first place."
In the immortal words of Ardern and Robertson in response to leading questions from the Opposition, "Mr Speaker, I reject the premises of that question."
I note the weasel words in the opening quotation- 'assumption' and 'suggest'.
Who would believe that statement made this way? "At the time of entering Parliament, an MP's political views and beliefs are set and are the motivation to enter politics in the first place"?
In my lifetime I have changed my views about abortion, the infallibility of the Pope, homosexuality, cannabis, war, and the need to provide potatoes with every dinner.
To say that all views of all MPs are fixed, and further to argue that if an MP seems to acting differently that they are being deceitful about their true beliefs and motivations is stupid and a self-serving belief that attempts to self explain what is in itself a fixed belief- "That socialism is bad, all comrade socialists are bad, comrade Ardern is doing things that I don't approve of because she is doing things that I do approve but I don't like her doing them because at heart she is a comrade socialist and all comrade socialists are bad and I don't like socialism."
This is not the kind of thinking I like to read from someone who is a lecturer in communications.
I'll stop now, methinks……….
Well, there's this thing called rhetoric. I suppose he was doing that. I never studied classics but the orators would pitch a stance, apparently, then back it up with reasoning. Ad nauseum, sometimes.
I agree that folks tend to amend views through life, but it is true that beliefs formed in formative years are enduring. Some politicians have a world-view seeming to be set in concrete, eh? They only get traction if supporters locked into the same world-view are numerous enough. Those flexible enough to take on board the world-view of others tend to do better at politics (the art of compromise).
Some of us learn how to amend our "beliefs" as we gain more evidence, experience and knowledge.
Others…….
And. Those who compromise too much, end up achieving, little.
"and the need to provide potatoes with every dinner."
That's a step too far. Next you'll be giving up sardines on toast.
Gave that up very early. My Irish forebears would've said "famine food." Too fishy, too oily- like some opposition politicians……..
Still trying, and failing, to get the family away from the idea every meal must include a big chunk of carbs.
"Vapid vacuous innuendo" just about sums it up – wonder if Elers ever put his 'thoughts' about John Key's 'motivations' on paper, or are only socialist motives 'suspect'?
As for Elers' 'concern' about the correct setting of an (un)acceptable ‘inequality threshold‘, that's an absolutely transparent attempt to delay significant redistribution of wealth. Yes yes, of course we all agree redistribution is urgently needed, but 'how much', and by what mechanism'? – let the hand wringing commence.
I don't share his stance re socialist motives – I see them as well-intentioned, altruistic idealists mostly. I remain puzzled about why they continue to refuse to learn from their experience of politics. Talk to them, they ain't obviously stupid. Corbyn & Sanders don't seem stupid to me. As people. It's the adherence to a failed belief system that makes them seem stupid to most voters.
I reckon they could have sold neosocialism as a tweaked evolutionary development of mid-20th century socialism. Just eliminate the bads and point out that the goods are timeless. Simple! You'd think any politico could figure out such an evident political strategy.
As regards specifying the inequality threshold, I advocated doing so by societal consensus onsite here a couple of years ago. I advocated it to Metiria Turei when she appealed to Green Party members for ideas on how to get the job done a couple of years prior to that. I presume she failed to adopt it due to preferring to have a political career by faking consensus rather than actually doing it.
Many people are selfish – what percentage of wealthy NZers (please don’t ask me to define ‘wealthy‘), and those with ambitions/expectations of being wealthy, would support a political party advocating a greater redistribution of wealth (hard-earned and otherwise) than we currently have? 30%, 20%, 10%…?
As a "well-intentioned, altruistic idealist" (thank-you), I don't know how to sell a 'wealth redistribution product' to the selfish, and it's no good asking selfish people for advice. Consider Lisa Owen's introduction to the post-budget edition of Checkpoint; "What's in it for you?"
Presumptions come easy to some – just an observation. Still, no-one’s perfect.
Meow.
I didn’t know who the author was of that piece in Stuff but I can’t be bothered with his pseudo-academic musings. I’ve read enough from and about him in the last few weeks. Did you know that (Sir) Bob Jones labelled him as Man of the Year? I wonder when and where he’s going to stand for office. Enough said.
Elers only says one thing, and he says it every week. You should read his previous droppings, it's hard to know whether or not they are satire. Not great satire, mind – a proper parody of the frothing Cindyphobes would be much better written.
He never revisits his previous columns, which is not surprising. He got everything wrong about Ardern's leadership, but like a true obsessive, he does not let reality intrude on his world.
Heh! I reluctantly link to one of his previous pieces in Stuff, which drew a ‘clarification’ (at the bottom).
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/opinion/121206976/prime-minister-needs-to-be-held-to-account-over-coronavirus-claims
This alleged ‘censorship’ generated a lot of commentary, particularly on right-leaning Social Media as well from the OP himself: https://www.magic.co.nz/home/news/2020/04/the-prime-minister-s-office-is-exerting-influence-on-media-and-e.html
How disingenuous is neocon Steve being here, neocon Den?
Lol- and she spent a year in Tony Blair's office or some such.
Desperate.
I know not everyone likes The Guardian, this made a lot of sense.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/may/15/humans-resources-coronavirus-democratise-work-health-lives-market?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other
Opening paragraph.
”Working humans are so much more than “resources”. This is one of the central lessons of the current crisis. Caring for the sick; delivering food, medication and other essentials; clearing away our waste; stocking the shelves and running the registers in our grocery stores – the people who have kept life going through the Covid-19 pandemic are living proof that work cannot be reduced to a mere commodity. Human health and the care of the most vulnerable cannot be governed by market forces alone. If we leave these things solely to the market, we run the risk of exacerbating inequalities to the point of forfeiting the very lives of the least advantaged.”
Yep. I'm not sure that the worst of the neolibs care, but it has brought it into stark relief.
Freightways need a damn good kick up the arse. I have close family working as full time contract couriers and the whole business model in this country is suffering from the 'sin of cheapness'.
I can fully testify to this, somedays they're working from 4am to 8pm handling an unprecedented surge in volume. Yes it is dangerous and almost certainly illegal, but at the same time they still get regularly abused by customers who think their precious delivery was an hour or two late.
Nonetheless Freightways have chosen to rort their own workers as a reward for this extraordinary effort:
So on one hand they're treating the drivers as contractors which lets them get away with them working dangerously long hours, on the other they're treating them as employees and deducting any wage subsidy they received covering the quiet period at the beginning of the lockdown.
Turning all of the drivers into employees is not necessarily the desired solution, the 'wagies' who do work in the business are treated even worse than the contractors, probably deliberately so.
The couriers need a a less restrictive contract which would allow them to deliver for other companies. Uber has copped a lot of flack, and rightly so at times, but at least they let their drivers work for other rideshare companies. There is no reason why the likes of Fastways and CrestClean cannot do the same.
That's not a bad suggestion. The problem at the moment is the sham nature of their contracts, where they really are neither employees nor contractors and have the protections of neither.
The fact that are not self-employed was highlighted a few years back when a family member was working for one of them.
His run area was pretty poor and he worked hard with the customers to build up the run til it was nicely profitable. When it cam up for renewal the owner gave that run to a mate of the owners and put him on another shitty run-down run.
Self-employed – not likely.
It seems to me the courier drivers need a union! If they already have one, it needs to flex its muscles!
The case for compulsory unionism?
The companies don't want the capital and maintenance of the vehicles on their books; and probably for good reason. Drivers do tend to be a lot better at looking after them when the expenses come out of their pockets.
Also drivers tend to be a lot more proactive about looking after customers and building the business when it directly goes onto their bottom line. Many enjoy the modest freedom it brings, not having to account for every damned minute of their day to some petty manager is a small, but real pleasure.
Plus the ability to manage tax directly can work for them as well.
So there are good reasons for them to be contractors; but of course the downside is they are locked into one client which is where all the problem arise.
In this view a traditional union model might not be the best fit; but something like a 'Drivers Association' that provided a collection of services to assist owner drivers to negotiate and obtain good legal advice would be a step in the right direction.
Last week I was sent a pic of a van load of School packs, that were paid at 20 cents each. That worked out to be less than the cost of the fuel alone.
I remember having a chat with a taxi driver along the same lines. He was just about sold on it by the time he dropped me off at union HQ from the airport!
The Spanish security firm UC Global who were ostensibly protecting the Ecuadorean embassy but in ;spying comprehensively on Assange&his family,,friends, defense team and visitors and turning everything over to the CIA was recruited by Sheldon Adelson,Trumps;s second biggest donor for his 2016 campaign (10 mill).He also owns the Sands Hotel and Casino; (where Frank Sinatra and the Ratpack used to carouse)and is one of the most rabid advocates for Israel
“In February 2012, Adelson told Forbes magazine that he is “against very wealthy people attempting to or influencing elections. But as long as it’s doable Im going to do it. Because I know that guys like George_Soros have been doing it for years, if not decades. And they stay below the radar by creating a network of corporations to funnel their money. I have my own philosophy and I’m not ashamed of it”
"Morales was charged by a Spanish High Court in October 2019 with violating the privacy of Assange and abusing the publishers attorney-client privileges, as well as money laundering and bribery. The documents revealed in court, which were primarily backups from company computers, exposed the disturbing reality of his activities on the dark side.”
This is a rather sickening look in to the way the world works, money ,power, and influence
https://thegrayzone.com/2020/05/14/american-sheldon-adelsons-us-spy-julian-assange/#more-24388
Thanks. It's almost as if there was/is a state-coordinated conspiracy against a journalist responsible for publicising information that embarrassed politicians and officials.
On NewShub, Matthew Hooten calling for Simon’s resignation if polling is below 35%.
Which is why he’ll never let caucus know how bad it is.
Are senior members of the caucus ready to sacrifice their colleagues low on the list? Then they can let Simon lead them to disaster. Following the election do the leadership purge.
The caucus don't need to see the polling results. It means they can concentrate on something that's a really big deal to them. Even writing this I can the likes of Chris Bishop going on about it.
The thing that is the most important in the world? Transparency.
Monday's caucus, imagine it. The Member for Northcote peeping up from the back,"Paula, you know how you told us we must use the word transparency at least 29 times everyday because transparency is important, are we going to be able to see the poll figures?"
Bridges interview was another train wreck I thought. When asked specifically what the National plan would be he instinctly went to his base. I paraphrase, "We'd help businesses go and and buy new tractors"
Drought.
A washy post-tropical phase in a week's time. That's it.
http://www.metvuw.com/forecast/forecast.php?type=rain®ion=nz&noofdays=10
But not a single southerly front from subantarctic southern ocean all through to June at least.
Nearly half of New Zealand 's population is now in water restrictions.
This is cutting hard, and very deep.
Yes – it will give Shane Jones plenty of cover for funding water storage schemes. It's unavoidable in the current environment – as anything that looks like economic development/job creation will get a big tick. It'll most likely be bad for fresh water quality.
This is because I'm not trying to paint a roof in Auckland this year (unlike last winter when it pissed down). How much do think I could get paid to come back over and do another one?
Trust me the dew is too heavy for roof painting.
I tried it in April once and the corrugated dips just didn't set in time for overnight, and just ran away into the gutter in the morning.
Lesson learned here.
The trick is to use one of the new HVLP airless sprayers to put it on fast. Start at around 12:30pm once the roof is dry and be done by 2pm at the latest. If the temp is over 10 degC you can get away with it. Just.
NZ has plenty of water, we're just bad at managing it sustainably and future-proofing supply (also a sustainability issue).
For instance, putting in localised water storage for gardens, alongside teaching people how to garden with low and/or variable rainfall, would mitigate the problem of people now not being able to water their gardens.
There is no clear definition of a “weak positive” COVID-19 test result, apparently, or at least not one that has been communicated clearly to us, the public of NZ. Similar confusion about “elimination”, “eradication”, and other terms that are highly confusing to laypeople (e.g. containment, mitigation, suppression, etc.).
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/coronavirus/121533536/coronavirus-what-it-means-to-get-a-weak-positive-covid19-test-result
On another topic entirely ( for one of our super gardeners here). I can't get dried chick peas in bulk that I cook and freeze. I'm assuming a supply disruption. Looking up the plant it seems to be something that grows on marginal soils and like other peas & beans fixes nitrogen etc. Does anyone know if it is grown commercially here? Likewise lentils? And if we need to go for import substitution how long will I need to wait before it grows?
Puy lentils were being grown in Canterbury
https://www.agronomysociety.org.nz/files/SP7_21._Lentil_production_in_Canterbury.pdf
Also chick peas
https://www.agronomysociety.org.nz/files/SP7_23._Chickpeas.pdf
Most chickpeas for sale in NZ will be imported. There are some growers, but it's small scale.
Don't know about lentils, but I assume the same.
It's why the whole go vegan to prevent climate change is a fail. Large parts of vegan diets have to be imported.
We can change this, there are lots of crops we could be growing here but aren't. This is why I keep banging on about relocalising food supply. It's better for the climate, and food security (and it generally tastes better).
Sun Valley lentils are NZ grown, don't know about their chickpeas. (Also NZ grown are their pearl barley & split peas – just looking at a pack of their soup mix that I need to use up.)
Thank you all. Lots of good info. So I can now ponder digging up my back yard or visiting Canterbury….
Sometimes I wonder if we should publish a list of the stuff we import and then try to work out if we can economically produce the same volume here?
recent discussions on line about how the wheat used to make bread for the North Island comes from Australia, rather than using the wheat in the South Island (something about the right kind of wheat for bread not being able to be grown in the NI). Freight costs apparently.
It was hard to buy organic oats at one point because all the farmers were selling to the Canadian market.
This shit is why I hate globalisation. It's fucking stupid. The reasons that these situations work is because no-one is accounting for ecological damage including climate change.
But yeah, it's a good idea to draw up a list of what we could be growing here. I'd put legumes high up the list.
The other part of the problem is that most food in NZ is grown for export, and if we look at the land being use for industrial dairy, it's going to be hard to convert that to other kinds of farming unless milk prices collapse because there is so much debt on the land and because the industry is basically a rort designed to keep extracting for maximum $.
Also hunting is great for local meat and keeping pests down – also the suffering is minimal compared to farmed animals
The deer are out there in nature doing their Rousseauian best and then one day a quick death puts meat on your table
Get a license, grab a rifle, head into the hills and get into it!
Simeon seems rather pleased with his nazi mention.
https://twitter.com/SimeonBrownMP/status/1260863071846723584
"PM’s staff can locked you in your home"
I've gotten old – make more mistakes than I used plus I'm often drunk. What the hell is her excuse for butchering the English language. Do journalists need to have a cognitive deficit to qualify for the job?
Nope. But clearly if you want to appear to be a meaningless dimwit incapable of understanding an issue, then it clearly helps to build the impression.
It's hawsers for corsets, Barfly
Most spam is misspelled.
Comments are funny, can't believe he's left the Tweet up. He gets support from people who call Adern our "tranny PM" (??), Covid Hoaxers & Pro Lifer conspiracists. Katie Hopkins, ffs. Oh yeah, apparently we're a communist country now.
I heard Trump wanting unity in appproaches. Given how he sees the world it was a sick joke. A life of "I don't need you, fuck off" suddenly changing to "I'm drowning please save me."
"It is perhaps laudable that many of the victors of capitalism’s spoils want to contribute to the common project of fighting the pandemic. But we should not forget that so many of the factors that have rendered the coronavirus particularly deadly in the United States — income inequality, the lack of a social safety net, the precarious standing of newly-essential gig workers, the obsession with freedom from government tyranny and the lack of a coherent civic identity — are direct products of the way we valorize self-making."
https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/billionaires-are-playing-savior-now-but-they-broke-the-economy-to-begin-with/2020/05/15/6014e04e-9544-11ea-91d7-cf4423d47683_story.html
Thread.
https://twitter.com/willripleyCNN/status/1261131205841350656
https://threadreaderapp.com/thread/1261131205841350656.html
Well, while the rest of us were in lockdown and supposed to be writing the film script or learning French or whatever else we promised ourselves if we only had the time, a 6 year old figured out the bossanova:
http://metvuw.com/forecast/forecast.php?type=rain®ion=swp&noofdays=10
wait, what?
Kia Ora Newshub.
That's is going to make the election interesting.
That's is cool people still working from home Ka pai.
Ka kite Ano
Kia Ora Te Ao Maori News.
Good to see more money being invested in our mokopuna teachers the better you treat the seedling the stronger they will grow.
It is cool that more whare are being built in Te Tairawhiti there has been a shortage of affordable whare there for a while now.
I think that our return service people should be given the royal treatment when they retired.
Ka kite Ano
Kia Ora Newshub.
New Zealanders have to start taking Internet security serious.
I think the way the money has been distributed for our virus hit economy stimulis has been quite wise as the money will flow through the economy and back to our governments tax take.
Michelle do you want some tissue.
I think that labour will still need the Green party to rule.
Wow that's awesome more putea invested in Maori arts and crafts.
I think that's a logical way to help deal with the droughts. Change the laws so anyone can have tanks to catch wai that falls from Tawhirimate.
Extreme climate change in the past won't be as extreme as we have now being influenced by the billions of tons of carbon we have spewing into our atmosphere warming our planet.
Ka kite Ano
Kia Ora Newshub.
The new public holiday could be environment day.
I say domestic tourist will keep our tourist attractions running till we get some international tourist back.
That shows burning fossil fuels is bad for our health as well as our environment.
Ka kite Ano.
Kia Ora Te Ao Maori News.
I'm glad that crap is getting stamped out of our society
Good to see the tangata at Te puia smiling.
Correct if we don't obey the virus rules our Kaumatua could suffer.
Cool funding for broadband at Marae.
Ka kite Ano