'A well-connected school is often a golden ticket to a place at Oxbridge. Of the seven (including Gyimah) privately educated candidates McVey is the only one not to have gone to Oxford.'
Was just about to put this up myself….I see that The Guardian and The Washington Post have both finally changed their tune and realized that they have been on the wrong side of history on this one.
We are at war with East Asia, we have always been at war with East Asia
New Zealand media and the Ministry of Truth (Minitru)
Yesterday TVNZ news reported the US version of the attack on a Japanese oil tanker in the Gulf of Hormuz, verbatim. TVNZ deliberately omitted the Japanese version of events.
The US claimed that the Japanese ship was damaged with limpet mines attached to the ship and that this was proof that the attack was planned and carried out by the Iranians.
The Japanese claimed that their ship had been hit by "flying objects". The Japanese report was deliberately left out of the TVNZ, coverage.
This morning Stuff.co.nz decided to omit all coverage of this attack.
You can scour the popular NZ online News site for news of this unfolding story, all you like, all mention of this contentious attack and the embarrassing counter claims are completely missing.
George Orwell in his novel 1984 wrote of a fictitious news organisation, that kept what he called a 'memory hole'. Stories embarrassing to the establishment authorities were placed in this memory hole never to be recalled.
Yes will are living in a time when what should be our trusted media sources are now trying to tell us up is down and black is white…and unfortunately it seems to be getting worse all the time.
After the hysterical news coverage and saber rattling that spilled out of pretty much all western press following the chemical attack in Douma, they seem very quiet when it is revealed that all is not as it seemed….no follow up stories on RNZ that I have heard either.
New Evidence Suggests 2018 Chemical Attack in Douma, Syria Was Staged
Last night TVNZ News at 6 reported the attack on the Japanese oil tanker in the Gulf of Hormuz, which TVNZ reporters loyally followed the pro-war US narrative squarely putting the blame on the Iranians. TVNZ refused to report the Japanese version of the attack which contradicted the pro-war US narrative.
Stuff.co.nz took a different path and censored this story and its embarassing contradictions completely.
It is almost 6pm again.
Will TVNZ give a more balanced report of this attack tonight?
Or will TVNZ follow the Stuff.co.nz direction on this story with its embarrassing contradictions and bury it in the memory hole.
And a religious service conducted in hardhats at the Notre Dame Cathedral in France.
No correction or coverage of the shockingly biased one sided pro-war reporting of the attack on the Japanese oil tanker in the Gulf of Hormuz last night, that gave only the US side of the story and completely censored the Japanese crew version of the attack on their ship.
If NZ is dragged into another US bloodbath, TVNZ shameful one sided pro-war propaganda will be partly responsible.
New Zealanders should be rightly sickened at this example of lying by omission in the service of mass murder by TVNZ.
Less creepily pro-war, The Sydney Morning Herald
Japanese ship owner contradicts US account of how tanker was attacked
By Simon Denyer August 24, 2003 — 10.00am
Tokyo: The owner of a Japanese tanker attacked in the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday has offered a different account of the nature of the attack than that provided by the United States.
Yutaka Katada, president of Kokuka Sangyo, said the Filipino crew of the Kokuka Courageous thought their vessel had been hit by flying objects rather than a mine.
Yutaka Katada, president of Kokuka Sangyo, the Japanese company operating one of two oil tankers attacked near the Strait of Hormuz.CREDIT:AP
"The crew are saying it was hit with a flying object. They say something came flying towards them, then there was an explosion, then there was a hole in the vessel," he told reporters. "Then some crew witnessed a second shot."
Notice all the right wing supporters of 'free speech' for fascists, have nothing to say about mainstream media censorship, especially if it is in the service of inciting a war.
Shane Jones said "It was a great day for HB/Gisborne" – thanks for your support to the many fighting for this day.
Question now is; – when do we reopen the Gisborne line as Gisborne is the most isolated City of its size in NZ today without a rail service? Dear rail stakeholders.
We have a picture of the first train that leaves Gisborne in June 1942 for Napier while 10 000 people wave them off, as the ‘Minister of rail’ (Robert Semple) says it was justified to spend over 6 million pounds to complete the rail service to Gisborne as it was an “isolated” region with few other transport choices.
KiwiRail celebrates re-opening of Napier to Wairoa line Andre Chumko and Bethany Reitsma16:03, Jun 14 2019
Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones discusses what will happen to truck drivers as a result of the Napier-Wairoa rail line re-opening.
Mervyn Smiley, an Eskdale resident of 25 years, has longed for the day when trains returned to the mothballed Napier to Wairoa line.
On Friday, that dream became reality as a brass band and haka welcomed Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones to KiwiRail's depot in Ahuriri, near Napier Port.
After a short series of speeches, the minister and various other politicians including Napier MP Stuart Nash, Ikaroa-Rāwhiti MP Meka Whaitiri and National's Lawrence Yule, joined the region's mayors in boarding the carriages of the first train to make the first full trip between Napier and Wairoa since 2012. Among the politicians present were Napier MP Stuart Nash and Ikaroa-Rāwhiti MP Meka Whaitiri. On the train,
Jones held a press conference, where he described the day as a great one for Hawke's Bay. Jones said KiwiRail had had "so little for so long", and the $6.2 million investment so far was a big deal, especially in relation to moving trucks off the roads.It would also allow businesses to grow their logistics capacity, and boost exports.
The train stationed at Ahuriri before departing for Wairoa. "If we're in for the KiwiRail journey, it's a long-term journey.
It's about a nation building infrastructure at a time when there's a lot of uncertainty about weather." And the "fiscal love" would continue to flow post 2020's election, he said, forecasting "substantial amounts" being injected into KiwiRail. On whether there was a possibility of extending the line to Gisborne, Jones said any business case would be pushing on an open door.
Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones said it was a significant day. KiwiRail chief executive Greg Miller said with work on the line finished, its next focus was on establishing a log-hub in Wairoa so it could begin running trains as soon as August.
"The amount of timber flowing from forests in the region is expected to quadruple in the next four years and to get all those logs to market will require all transport networks working efficiently together."
He forecast up to six trains travelling the line per week, meaning about 5000 fewer truck journeys initially, and more than 15,000 as services increased.
The Deco Bay Brass group performed for Shane Jones upon his arrival. Jones said local civic leaders – mayors, council chairs and MPs – who had lobbied him were to credit for the re-opening.
"This will substantially reduce their roading bill if they can move more heavy freight onto rail." Transport advocacy groups NZ Transport 2050 and the Public Transport Users Association said in a statement the previous Government underfunded the line.
Locals were waving at the train the whole trip, happy to see the line back in action. "The loss of 20 fulltime jobs in Wairoa was a big hit for a small community.
With the railway re-opening today it opens up opportunities for wood processors to again re-establish in the town," Paul Miller, chair of NZ Transport 2050 said.
Green Party MP Gareth Hughes said regional rail should be the backbone of the transport system for people and freight, and his party would like to see the line extended from Wairoa to Gisborne. Hukarere Girls' College students performed a waiata for ministers and MPs upon their arrival to Eskdale, north of Napier. The train then departed for Wairoa.
Gareth Hughes is wrong. Rail will never be the "backbone of the transport system for people." Even for freight, it will only be the case for bulk cargoes and containers.
Now, I happen to believe that more needs to be done in rail. Electrification from Auckland to Wellington, reopening to Gisborne and Rotorua, decent passenger service to Hamilton, and of course Northport.
But in New Zealand rail will always by a minority/specialist form of transport. Roads are invariably faster and vastly more flexible. Which is why they need substantial investment.
Unfortunately, yes really. It's way, way easier to put a road somewhere than a railway line, which is one reason we're still on narrow-gauge rail and it's mostly single-tracked. Rail infrastructure is expensive. A government with an eye to the long term and protection of the environment would bite the bullet and prioritise the more expensive option, but the three-year electoral cycle and voters' love of cars argue very strongly for taking the quick-and-cheap option instead.
Care to clarify? What do you think is the more expensive option – short to medium term? I'm assuming you think it is rail because of the 3rd dimension (the up and down bits).
It really needn't be however if you consider corridor widths necessary for the roading option versus those necessary to carry freight (and passenger for that matter) over a more 'levelled out' narrower corridor,
And I'm not sure why Indians and Chinese can construct/reconstruct railways over 100km or more in the space of 18 or so months, whereas lil 'ole Nu Zull struggles.
(I'm thinking maybe things like Fulton and Hogan monopolies on tar seal/bitumen, traffic management – STMS – and a heap of other bullshit that's been allowed to prevail over the past several years. Oh, and not to mention lobbyists; owner drivers and their investments and whose livelihoods are dependent on it all continuing, and a few other bits and pieces. YES IT REALLY 'IS')
Pretty close to my view, main change I'd make would be "usually" rather than "invariably". But a big change I think needs to happen is rebalancing how roads are funded so that users pay in proportion to the expense they cause.
For out-of town roads highways, the engineering evidence seems very clear that trucks cause a much higher proportion of the damage and maintenance and even initial road building expense than they pay for, while cars and other light vehicles pay substantially more than their fair share.
Rebalancing the road user charges and fuel excise tax systems so trucking pays a fair share, rather than getting a hidden subsidy, would be a good first step. Then rail might be slightly closer to being competitive for moving freight on an even footing.
For most cities, it's sheer numbers of vehicles at peak times that cause big expenses. So some sort of demand or congestion charging only seems fair.
Hell, both those steps would be worth doing just to watch the ensuing histrionics and special pleading that would ensue , let alone the actual real resulting benefits.
A consequence like that isn't an argument against doing the right thing. But if the effects actually turn out to be big enough, then it is a good reason to include other adjustments at the same time, such as increases in benefit rates and/or minimum wage and/or tax rate and threshold adjustments at the bottom end of the scale.
In the case of rebalancing how roads are paid for, chances are pretty good the reduction in tax on petrol and reduced road user charges for small diesel vehicles will help the poor more than increased transport costs will hurt them.
If we stopped subsidising road freight via petrol excise, general taxation, importing of cheap third-world labour and the off-loading of environmental costs onto future generations, many goods would be more expensive, yes. That's not a reason to continue doing those things.
……in New Zealand rail will always by a minority/specialist form of transport. Roads are invariably faster and vastly more flexible. Which is why they need substantial investment.
Not so Japan.
4 Major Means Of Transportation In Japan
BULLET TRAIN/SHINKANSEN
The Bullet train/Shinkansen links the major cities on the island of Honshu and Kyushu as well as Hokadate located on northern island of Hokkaido….
CONVENTIONAL LINES
This is the major means of passenger transport in Japan.
Yep. If NZ had 120 million people in it like Japan does, I expect we'd have an excellent railway network because the alternative would be all-gridlock, all the time. But we don't, so we don't.
Certainly New Zealand is highly unlikely to ever see true high speed rail like Shinkansen, or commuter rail like major Japanese cities. But most of the Japanese rail network is rural 1067mm gauge lines very similar to New Zealand. Their loading gauge is slightly larger, but less than Kiwi Rail's aspirational standard.
Passenger services running at 100 – 130 kmh are the norm and a situation like Whangarei – Auckland – Hamilton – Tauranga would have a regular and highly patronised service.
It's ironic that those speeds, 100 -130 kmh, were common for our express passenger services in the steam days. I remember being a passenger in a car on SH1 around Rakaia when we were passed by the SI Limited going in the same direction like we were standing still.
They're a great idea – though the KTX is more modern and was adopted by China as the standard for its network. The Wellington/Auckland run, if replaced, would greatly reduce the use of aircraft for domestic travel. Roomier, cheaper, and a better prospect for working in transit, the modernity is far beyond that imaginable to the paleoGnats, though the smarter Greens and younger Labour folk might get it.
Unhappily, roads are much more carbon negative than rail. The heavy longhaul truck model was broken when frankly stupid governments like yours brought it in Wayne – much moreso as the push to contain carbon release moves from the systematic frauds perpetrated under National, to real albeit slow reform.
Surprising when an ex Government minister knows so little about how freight works in New Zealand.
Trucking is both inefficient and expensive, compared with rail and shipping.
Hidden by the huge subsidies motorists, rate payers and general tax payers are forced to give to trucking. And all they pay for it is some National party funding and employment for some ex MP's. An excellent investment. For trucking firms!
The only way Rail would become the backbone of NZ Transport scene again, would be if NZ's Sea Lanes Of Communication were cut or degraded to a point that it reduces NZ's import of its POL products/ production where rationing has to introduce.
But since NZ Rail at levels during before its sell off by all Governments, under Private ownership and after it was re-nationalise that it needs a level of state involvement and investment since the 1930's under the first NZ Labour Government.
Its last major rail workshop that built wagons and Locomotives closed, this decision by the "No Mates Party" now causing delays for the new Inter- City train Auckland- Hamilton passenger train as KiwiRail no longer makes stuff aka bogies for the rebuilt passenger carriages. WTF!!!!
The Way and Works Dept was ran into the ground under private ownership which has effected the speed on some lines the Canterbury Plains lines the Ka, Kb's and the old Vulcan Railcars were doing a 100kph plus and the current loco’s s etc are now restricted to 90kph or less WTF!!!.
The loading gauge has been impacted as a result of running down of the Way and Works Dept, to a point the old Standard Railcars under private ownership are restricted on some Nth Island rail lines (Note: The Standard Railcars were Nth Island base only and the Vulcans Sth Island Base). Apart from the NIMT between Plamy and Frankston has seen any major realignment's, major rebuilds apart from the recent earthquake's in the Sth Island or Otaki rebuilds at still dated back when Rail and Stream were Kings. The last Rail Observer mention that KiwiRail was refuse funds to build a major Rail Hub at Rollie Sth of CHCH which has increase cost to producers in the Mid Canterbury Regional, but the Palmy one got the Ok and then we have the saga of the Gizzy line, Northland Rail lines and other mothball lines.
Land was sold off by Government's in the mid 80's and under Private ownership without any thought to the future use for freight and passenger services. A good example of this the CHCH Station and the removal of the turnout towards the site of the old Station, land around the New Market Junction and that's before we even start talking the Britomart Station only being restricted to 4 roads or the Wellington Station issues as well.
To those that the current Rail gauge of 3ft 6in restricts NZ Rail services is a bloody load of Bollocks. We only need to have a look at the Tilt Trains in Qld both Electric and Diesel power trains or the Train Systems in the Perth/ Lower to Mid WA.
To those out there that want to understand the current issues facing NZ Rail and other aspects of NZ Rail from the pass and to the future? Grab the latest edition of the NZ Rail Observer and sign up to the NZ Rail Society.
Cleangreen: I absolutely upport a strong rail base for freight and commuters, but the Gisborne line has always been a problem.
Major erosion issues have meant this line has frequently been closed for very long periods. It would always have been like that, and that line was never going to be essential to the rail system as a whole, being a dead end as such.
Better to bite the bullet and keep it closed, and spend the money elsewhere in the rail system. Which I guess is what the current government has decided.
It's ironic you say that Peter, our local example of road/rail/slips has the road closed, the Manawatu Gorge, and across the river the trains keep on trucking.
Apparently the difference between the terra firma of the Ruahines (rail) and the Tararuas is profound. Consequence is all the road freight grinds it's way up, over and down the Ruahines.
For the sake of a couple of tunnels being widened we could have the trucks trained through the gorge, Woodville to Ashhurst or Palmy….
"Jeremy Hunt has demanded broadcasters “grow up” and stop mistakenly referring to him by the C-word when trying to pronounce his surname."
"On Tuesday, BBC presenter Victoria Derbyshire followed a host of TV and radio personalities by accidentally referring to the foreign secretary as “Jeremy C***” live on-air. Addressing Conservative MP Steve Brine, Derbyshire said: “You say the man you are backing, Jeremy C***…”
“I’m so sorry, Jeremy Hunt. I’ve never said that before in my life. It’s normally men who say that so I really, really want to apologise.”
"Others who have made the gaffe include Sky News reporter Thomas Moore, BBC journalists Justin Webb and James Naughtie, as well as presenter Nicky Campbell just last week."
Jeremy Hunt is the British Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs. For the British media to vilify him thus seems a new behavioural low, which has become contagious. Not an appropriate way to treat a leading govt minister!
Notice how he asks them to grow up, yet refers to their utterances as mistakes. Adults make mistakes too. Surely he knows they do! Really accidental?? Or juvenile? Perhaps it would be better for offenders to agree that the trend is Freudian slippage…
This is the enormous virtue of Reid’s and Newsroom’s investigative journalism. It digs below the superficial stereotypes that allow so many of us to dismiss the anguish of “these people” as the inevitable outcome of their irresponsible lifestyles. That they are brown and say “yous”, instead of “you”, only makes it easier for middle-class Pakeha to ignore their pain. Oranga Tamariki, the Family Court, the DHBs and the Police have made it possible for those Kiwis who have made their peace with race-based social injustice to go about their lives without the slightest awareness of the tragedies unfolding, every night, in suburbs they will never visit.
First of all the "State"- aided and abetted by successive governments – created the climate of poverty that exists among Maori communities in particular, and then they remove their babies on the pretext they are nor living in safe and secure environments.
There will of course be valid reasons why some children have to be removed from their Whanau, but it is looks to me like the agencies involved have created a social apartheid system based on their prejudices and… not a little desire for power and control.
True Gabby, but they might also be basing their judgement on past behaviour not taking into account that the circumstances of the mother and her whanau may have changed.
That is terrible design. The type looks awful at that size and its a text body font anyway. Even worse is the horrible contrast between the oblique shapes and the type.
Any what does the pink represent? There seems to have been no design brief, and even less design ability.
Like ACT itself a clumsy, poorly thought out wish mash of not fit for purpose ideas…
…on second thoughts that logo is a perfect description of the 0.4% party.
If you think for one minute the old money establishment give a rats about you and yours, think again… In the following spot the similarity with dirty politics that Donkey pulled.
Replacement for Sarah Sanders Disqualified After Telling Truth on Job Application
WASHINGTON (The Borowitz Report)—A leading candidate to replace the White House press secretary, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, was disqualified after telling the truth repeatedly on his job application, the White House has confirmed.
According to the White House chief of staff, Mick Mulvaney, the candidate got high marks in his job interview by demonstrating “utter disregard and contempt for press freedoms.”
“We then had him do a practice press briefing in which he was relentlessly abusive, obnoxious, and insulting,” Mulvaney said. “We were all, like, ‘This is our guy.’ ”
But after a thorough examination of the candidate’s job application, “a troubling series of truthhoods emerged,” Mulvaney said.
“It turned out that he was telling the truth about his education and previous employment,” the chief of staff said. “It was a pattern of honesty that we found deeply disturbing.”
Mulvaney said that the “inexcusably veracious” answers had eliminated the candidate from further consideration. “We all feel like we just dodged a bullet,” he said. “This whole episode just demonstrates how tough it is to replace Sarah Huckabee Sanders.”
OMG! I did used to fly out of Hood way back. In fact did my first solo there and my PPL.
I remember my first solo – not only because it was my first solo, but for a very similar reason. On your down wind leg apart from doing the normal pre landing checks on the aircraft you are also looking out for other aircraft . Naturally you are looking out for aircraft to the right and to the left and above and behind. On the approach as you descend you are watching airspeed height and timing your turn to line up with the runway. Well I landed safely and came to a stop turning to the left to clear the runway before heading back to the club house when I saw almost directly behind me a DC3 from James Aviation, used for top dressing, landing just behind me! It had come in on a direct approach low down – no standard circuit at 1000ft as one is supposed to do on an uncontrolled airfield like Hood. Gave me one hell of a fright!
It's been a bad weekend for aircraft crashes. There was one earlier on up by Coromandel as well.
Trump's got a Twitter page—though nearly all of it is written by the sinister fanatic Stephen Miller. Obama's got a Twitter page. Blair's got one. Bill Clinton's got one. So has Crooked Hillary.
Compared to that horrific quintet, O.J. Simpson is a choirboy.
The act the goat for freedom party proposes a $185,000 parent's fund for each child to spend on whichever school they want for the length of the child's education.
I'm trying to imagine the landscape were a policy like this enacted.
One immediate outcome would be that each school would charge according to popularity. Supply and demand and all that.
Therefore, as night follows day, there would be immediate elitism injected into the education system. Prices for "good" schools would skyrocket, wealthier parents able to top up thousands of dollars to get little Cinnamon in, and they'd then pay their teachers more, hoarding all the 'best' ones.
Then of course low income communities would be left with all the 'poorer' teachers and facilities, unable to raise extra funds out of already disadvantaged communities.
This is just one aspect of what is to me a completely bizarre education policy. It would lead to massive widening of inequality for generations to come.
I remember the criticism over the proposed CGT was it'll be too hard & unwieldy to manage, all the variables, to me this education policy seems insanely complicated, more money for ticket clippers I guess, which is apt from the rentier party.
Pompeo's "freedom loving nations" is as dishonest and ridiculous a phrase as "Democratic Republic of North Korea"
The "freedom loving nations" that this poisonous slug refers to are: the rogue U.S. regime of Donald Trump, and its vile, violent vassals Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, UAE, and Israel.
A report yesterday of a woman, 86, moving because of a 73 percent rent hike illustrates the crisis created by Housing Minister Phil Twyford, Tenancies War spokesman Mike Butler said today….
The main justification for Mr Twyford’s standards was to prevent the hospitalisation each year of 6000 children for housing-sensitive illnesses.
As a one-bedroom flat, the flat under discussion would be unsuitable for children; this illustrates the short-sightedness of setting requirements for 588,700 properties for the supposed benefit of 6000, Mr Butler said.
This is reality our environmental the Papatuanuku weather stabilizer the Antarctica and Arctic Polar Ice caps all that billions of tons of Ice stabilizes our Papatuanuku weather. It's not hard to figure that out they are melting fast this is going to ramp up sea level rising and the EXTREME WEATHER events. The poor people from 3 world nations are going to hit hardest by Climate Change hence wealth nations have a duty to help them survive this big man made mess.
The Arctic Ocean and Greenland ice sheet have seen record June ice loss
In recent days, observations have revealed a record-challenging melt event over the Greenland ice sheet while the extent of ice over the Arctic Ocean has never been this low in mid-June during the age of weather satellites.
Greenland saw temperatures soar up to 40 degrees above normal Wednesday while open water exists in places north of Alaska where it seldom, if ever, has in recent times.
It's "another series of extreme events consistent with the long-term trend of a warming, changing Arctic," said Zachary Labe, a climate researcher at the University of California-Irvine Ka kite ano link below.
shonky is to sly to get caught the way he forces his stare shows Eco Maori he is false he should step down to he is just chucking the ANZ CEO under the bus to save his ASS.
I thank the government for legislating banks to negotiate with farmers before receivership is started. That is well needed farmers work there asss off only to have a down turn in the price of their produce next minute the receiver are banging their doors down. I know that happened to one big farming family it cost the banks many millions and who instigated their downfall well non other than shonky muppet.
Thank to Our Government for increasing the marine Reservation in the North and South Island to protect our Maui and Hector dolphin KA PAI Yar Cool.
That end of life bill is a bit tricky for Eco Maori it could leave the door open for deceitful people to manipulate the system for their own gain if people were not deceitful I would back it we Know that not the CASE.
Peter Smith I say you are correct that the health system is treating prisoners as lower class people you are there seeing it .But bro you have to look after you health first for you mokopuna.
It good that $138 million for rehabilitation of Drug addicts that PEE shit is ruining te tangata whenua O Aotearoa thanks very much I won't say anymore because I will start ranting against you know who.
That's cool our Government giving $9.8 million to keep tamariki in schools they need a good education the extra funding will help give the tamariki that leave school with no education a interest in there future wellbeing.
The forestry industry has not delivered the promises that they made to Nagti Porou the only people making good money from east coast forestry is the forestry company's I know of one farm spent $1 million for the harvest and only made $90.000 WTF there was heaps of good farming land planted in pines what a waste farming provides more work per hectare than forestry.
Chris Climate Change is affecting our weather I can see the effects all around te Papatuanuku.
The Government farm finance bill is well over due we have to look after our farmers they are the backbone of Aotearoa.
Don't focus on the numbers what the numbers tell the TRUTH of the story you have to focus on the numbers .
Some Pepi and Tamariki need to be uplifted for their safety Very good that Our Iwis are working with Oranga tamariki to find solutions to the problems that they have.
I don't think that the authorities should treat the people who are homeless like that making them move with know were to go putting them in worst circumstances than before they moved.
There might be a bit of inconvenience for the fishermen with new marine protection Reserve for our endangered Maui and Hector dolphin. But in the future the Reserves will be a nursery the fish's they will multiply quite quickly and flow into other areas of Tangaroa any Marine Reservation is good for the preservation of Tangaroa mokopuna.
I agree that our churches should open their doors to help the homeless people in South Auckland I bet that there will be old buildings not being used in Auckland to house the homeless people look at Rotorua council they found a solution to the homeless people in Rotorua if there's a will there's a way.
Eco Maori thanks all the reporters who are not intimidated by big oil barons money thanks for all the skin you put on the line to get the TRUTH about our environmental issues out there that the Papatuanuku has at the minute.
We must protect our world reporters with good legislation so the people who intimidated our reporters will think twice before doing bad stuff to our reporters governments of the world must protect our reporters its their duty.
Environment reporters facing harassment and murder, study finds
Tally of deaths makes it one of most dangerous fields for journalists after war reporting
Thirteen journalists who were investigating damage to the environment have been killed in recent years and many more are suffering violence, harassment, intimidation and lawsuits, according to a study.
The Committee to Protect Journalists(CPJ), which produced the tally, is investigating a further 16 deaths over the last decade. It says the number of murders may be as high as 29, making this field of journalism one of the most dangerous after war reporting
Environmental issues involve some of the greatest abuses of power in the world and some of the greatest of concentrations of power in the world,” said Bruce Shapiro, the director of the Dart Center for Journalism and Trauma.
“I’m hard put to think of a category of investigative reporters who are routinely dealing with more dangerous actors. Investigative reporting on the environment can be as dangerous a beat as reporting on narco smuggling.”
The CPJ executive director, Joel Simon, added: “Reporting such stories for national and international media often involves travelling to remote communities and confronting powerful interests. This makes it inherently dangerous ka kite ano link below.
Te Ego is huge shonky that is when you make enemies they have long memories and as soon as they get the chance they bit you on the ASS .
The smiling assassin strikes: John Key pushes out David Hisco as ANZ CEO
ANZ CEO David Hisco felt entitled to claim around $50,000 worth of personal chauffeur and wine storage costs as business costs. So John Key pushed out his friend and NZ's most successful banker to protect ANZ's position and try to avoid a Royal Commission here. Bernard Hickey analyses Key's biggest hit yet
David Hisco just joined a long list of loyal and often friendly colleagues of John Key who exited their jobs in often surprisingly quick and career-ending ways. It could be said Hisco's exit is Key's biggest yet.
The Former Prime Minister and now ANZ New Zealand chairman became known in his corporate life before politics as the 'smiling assassin
Hisco successfully managed the merger with barely a blip in customer service and market share. He also quietly presided over a reduction in ANZ's exposure to dangerous dairy loans, flicking on some of the weakest lenders to other banks. For example, ANZ let Allan Crafar move his more than $200 million of loans to Westpac before the poorly managed farming group collapsed under a welter of animal mistreatment allegations and effluent treatment fines. Westpac suffered heavy losses in the subsequent receivership and sale of Crafar Farms Ka kite ano link below.
Condolences to the Whanau of Wanna Davies she was a good Wahine Maori leader.
I'm am not commenting on Oranga tamariki to much .I think the good reforms will come soon.
30 years ago the ruling class were still in denial mode what gives Eco Maori a sore face in now they are listening and can see that institutionalized racism is a reality for te tangata whenua O Aotearoa. NOW
I think traditional ronga Maori healing needs to be revived bad to its rightful place in Maoridom it's sad that we losted some of the knowledge on traditional Maori healing.
I say bottled water needs to be banned we need to stop doing dumb shit all the plastic waste and the carbon footprint of bottled water out weighs the positives of bottled water
Big 6.8 Earthquake in Japan let's hope not to many people are harmed .
That guy and his dog who got lost in a cave found their way out cool.
The SHOW must go on in America.
Mark the American polls tell a difference STORY .
That form of accommodation is good for young people shared accommodation in a whare in Auckland rent $320 a week for one room and every else is shared.
Very cool that our Government is investing $26 million into Artic research they Polar Ice caps are the Papatuanuku environment stabilization.
trump is spending big time manipulating the Papatuanuku media I can hear it in your words duncan I have read stories about them moving federal funds to manipulate the reality of what trump has done he is creating a tsunami of broke America's it will take years for the Democrats to clean up trump's MESS. His tariff are harming the whole Papatuanuku everyone in the world will end up paying and worse off because of his tariffs.
Nice Jersey I agree trump's personal ratings are low .
Its very funny the story's about new technology device use causing bone growth in your neck the internet of things and the hard wear devices and social media is changing who rules the world the oil barons trumps masters are losing control fast time for the next generation to rule the Papatuanuku the next generation has to focus on a good future for all.
New Zealand is again having to reconcile conflicting pressures from its military and its trade interests. Should we join Pillar Two of AUKUS and risk compromising our markets in China? For a century after New Zealand was founded in 1840, its external security arrangements and external economics arrangements were aligned. ...
The ‘50 Shades of Green’ farmers’ protest in 2019 was heavy on climate change denial, but five years on, scepticism and criticism about the idea that pine forests can save us is growing across the board. File photo: Lynn GrievesonTL;DR: Here’s the top six news items of note in climate ...
This morning the sky was bright.The birds, in their usual joyous bliss. Nature doesn’t seem to feel the heat of what might angst humans.Their calls are clear and beautiful.Just some random thoughts:MāoriPaul Goldsmith has announced his government will roll back the judiciary’s rulings on Māori Customary Marine Title, which recognises ...
In 2003, the Court of Appeal delivered its decision in Ngati Apa v Attorney-General, ruling that Māori customary title over the foreshore and seabed had not been universally extinguished, and that the Māori Land Court could determine claims and confirm title if the facts supported it. This kicked off the ...
Earlier this week at Parliament, Labour leader Chris Hipkins was applauded for saying that the response to the final report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care had to be “bigger than politics.” True, but the fine words, apologies and “we hear you” messages will soon ring ...
TL;DR: In news breaking this morning:The Ministry of Education is cutting $2 billion from its school building programme so the National-ACT-NZ First Coalition Government has enough money to deliver tax cuts; The Government has quietly lowered its child poverty reduction targets to make them easier to achieve;Te Whatu Ora-Health NZ’s ...
Kia ora. These are some stories that caught our eye this week – as always, feel free to share yours in the comments. Our header image this week (via Eke Panuku) shows the planned upgrade for the Karanga Plaza Tidal Swimming Steps. The week in Greater Auckland On ...
1. What's not to love about the way the Harris campaign is turning things around?a. Nothingb. Love all of itc. God what a reliefd. Not that it will be by any means easye. All of the above 2. Documents released by the Ministry of Health show Associate Health Minister Casey ...
Trust in me in all you doHave the faith I have in youLove will see us through, if only you trust in meWhy don't you, you trust me?In a week that saw the release of the 3,000 page Abuse in Care report Christopher Luxon was being asked about Boot Camps. ...
TL;DR: The podcast above of the weekly ‘hoon’ webinar for paying subscribers last night features co-hosts and talking about the Royal Commission Inquiry into Abuse in Carereport released this week, and with:The Kākā’s climate correspondent on a UN push to not recognise carbon offset markets and ...
TL;DR: As of 6:00 am on Friday, July 26, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:Transport: Simeon Brown announced$802.9 million in funding for 18 new trains on the Wairarapa and Manawatū rail lines, which ...
The northern expressway extension from Warkworth to Whangarei is likely to require radical changes to legislation if it is going to be built within the foreseeable future. The Government’s powers to purchase land, the planning process and current restrictions on road tolling are all going to need to be changed ...
Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when publishedFirst they came for the doctors But I was confused by the numbers and costs So I didn't speak up Then they came for our police and nurses And I didn't think we could afford those costs anyway So I ...
Photo by Joshua J. Cotten on UnsplashWe’re back again after our mid-winter break. We’re still with the ‘new’ day of the week (Thursday rather than Friday) when we have our ‘hoon’ webinar with paying subscribers to The Kākā for an hour at 5 pm.Jump on this link on YouTube Livestream ...
Notes: This is a free article. Abuse in Care themes are mentioned. Video is at the bottom.BackgroundYesterday’s report into Abuse in Care revealed that at least 1 in 3 of all who went through state and faith based care were abused - often horrifically. At least, because not all survivors ...
Luxon speaks in Parliament yesterday about the Abuse in Care report. Photo: Hagen Hopkins/Getty ImagesTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy today are:PM Christopher Luxon said yesterday in tabling the Abuse in Carereport in Parliament he wanted to ‘do the ...
About a decade ago I worked with a bloke called Steve. He was the grizzled veteran coder, a few years older than me, who knew where the bodies were buried - code wise. Despite his best efforts to be approachable and friendly he could be kind of gruff, through to ...
Some of the recent announcements from the government have reminded us of posts we’ve written in the past. Here’s one from early 2020. There were plenty of reactions to the government’s infrastructure announcement a few weeks ago which saw them fund a bunch of big roading projects. One of ...
TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 7:00 am on Thursday, July 25 are:News: Why Electric Kiwi is closing to new customers - and why it matters RNZ’s Susan EdmundsScoop: Government drops ...
Hi,I felt a small wet tongue snaking through one of the holes in my Crocs. It explored my big toe, darting down one side, then the other. “He’s looking for some toe cheese,” said the woman next to me, words that still haunt me to this day.Growing up in New ...
Yesterday I happily quoted the Prime Minister without fact-checking him and sure enough, it turns out his numbers were all to hell. It’s not four kg of Royal Commission report, it’s fourteen.My friend and one-time colleague-in-comms Hazel Phillips gently alerted me to my error almost as soon as I’d hit ...
TL;DR: As of 6:00 am on Thursday, July 25, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day were:The Abuse in Care Royal Commission of Inquirypublished its final report yesterday.PM Christopher Luxon and The Minister responsible for ...
The Official Information Act has always been a battle between requesters seeking information, and governments seeking to control it. Information is power, so Ministers and government agencies want to manage what is released and when, for their own convenience, and legality and democracy be damned. Their most recent tactic for ...
TL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy today are:Transport and Energy Minister Simeon Brown is accelerating plans to spend at least $10 billion through Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) to extend State Highway One as a four-lane ‘Expressway’ from Warkworth to Whangarei ...
I live my life (woo-ooh-ooh)With no control in my destinyYea-yeah, yea-yeah (woo-ooh-ooh)I can bleed when I want to bleedSo come on, come on (woo-ooh-ooh)You can bleed when you want to bleedYea-yeah, come on (woo-ooh-ooh)Everybody bleed when they want to bleedCome on and bleedGovernments face tough challenges. Selling unpopular decisions to ...
Please note:To skip directly to the- parliamentary footage in the video, scroll to 1:21 To skip to audio please click on the headphone iconon the left hand side of the screenThis video / audio section is under development. ...
Given the crackdown on wasteful government spending, it behooves me to point to a high profile example of spending by the Luxon government that looks like a big, fat waste of time and money. I’m talking about the deployment of NZDF personnel to support the US-led coalition in the Red ...
TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 7:40 am on Wednesday, July 24 are:Deep Dive: Chipping away at the housing crisis, including my comments RNZ/Newsroom’s The DetailNews: Government softens on asset sales, ...
As I reported about the city centre, Auckland’s rail network is also going through a difficult and disruptive period which is rapidly approaching a culmination, this will result in a significant upgrade to the whole network. Hallelujah. Also like the city centre this is an upgrade predicated on the City ...
Today, a 4 kilogram report will be delivered to Parliament. We know this is what the report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in State and Faith-based Care weighs, because our Prime Minister told us so.Some reporter had blindsided him by asking a question about something done by ...
TL;DR: As of 7:00 am on Wednesday, July 24, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:Beehive:Transport Minister Simeon Brownannounced plans to use PPPs to fund, build and run a four-lane expressway between Auckland ...
NewstalkZB host Mike Hosking, who can usually be relied on to give Prime Minister Christopher Luxon an easy run, did not do so yesterday when he interviewed him about the HealthNZ deficit. Luxon is trying to use a deficit reported last year by HealthNZ as yet another example of the ...
Back in January a StatsNZ employee gave a speech at Rātana on behalf of tangata whenua in which he insulted and criticised the government. The speech clearly violated the principle of a neutral public service, and StatsNZ started an investigation. Part of that was getting an external consultant to examine ...
Renting for life: Shared ownership initiatives are unlikely to slow the slide in home ownership by much. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy today are:A Deloittereport for Westpac has projected Aotearoa’s home-ownership rate will ...
You're broken down and tiredOf living life on a merry go roundAnd you can't find the fighterBut I see it in you so we gonna walk it outAnd move mountainsWe gonna walk it outAnd move mountainsAnd I'll rise upI'll rise like the dayI'll rise upI'll rise unafraidI'll rise upAnd I'll ...
There’s been a change in Myers Park. Down the steps from St. Kevin’s Arcade, past the grassy slopes, the children’s playground, the benches and that goat statue, there has been a transformation. The underpass for Mayoral Drive has gone from a barren, grey, concrete tunnel, to a place that thrums ...
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections Global society may have finally slammed on the brakes for climate-warming pollution released by human fossil fuel combustion. According to the Carbon Monitor Project, the total global climate pollution released between February and May 2024 declined slightly from the amount released during the same ...
TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 7:00 am on Tuesday, July 23 are:Deep Dive: Penlink: where tolling rhetoric meets reality BusinessDesk-$$$’sOliver LewisScoop:Te Pūkenga plans for regional polytechs leak out ...
TL;DR: As of 6:00 am on Tuesday, July 23, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:Health: Shane Reti announcedthe Board of Te Whatu Ora-Health New Zealand was being replaced with Commissioner Lester Levy ...
Health NZ warned the Government at the end of March that it was running over Budget. But the reasons it gave were very different to those offered by the Prime Minister yesterday. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon blamed the “botched merger” of the 20 District Health Boards (DHBs) to create Health ...
Long ReadKey Summary: Although National increased the health budget by $1.4 billion in May, they used an old funding model to project health system costs, and never bothered to update their pre-election numbers. They were told during the Health Select Committees earlier in the year their budget amount was deficient, ...
As a momentous, historic weekend in US politics unfolded, analysts and commentators grasped for precedents and comparisons to help explain the significance and power of the choice Joe Biden had made. The 46th president had swept the Democratic party’s primaries but just over 100 days from the election had chosen ...
TL;DR: I’m casting around for new ideas and ways of thinking about Aotearoa’s political economy to find a few solutions to our cascading and self-reinforcing housing, poverty and climate crises.Associate Professor runs an online masters degree in the economics of sustainability at Torrens University in Australia and is organising ...
The Finance and Expenditure Committee has reported back on National's Local Government (Water Services Preliminary Arrangements) Bill. The bill sets up water for privatisation, and was introduced under urgency, then rammed through select committee with no time even for local councils to make a proper submission. Naturally, national's select committee ...
Some years ago, I bought a book at Dunedin’s Regent Booksale for $1.50. As one does. Vandrad the Viking (1898), by J. Storer Clouston, is an obscure book these days – I cannot find a proper online review – but soon it was sitting on my shelf, gathering dust alongside ...
History is not on the side of the centre-left, when Democratic presidents fall behind in the polls and choose not to run for re-election. On both previous occasions in the past 75 years (Harry Truman in 1952, Lyndon Johnson in 1968) the Democrats proceeded to then lose the White House ...
This is a free articleCoverageThis morning, US President Joe Biden announced his withdrawal from the Presidential race. And that is genuinely newsworthy. Thanks for your service, President Biden, and all the best to you and yours.However, the media in New Zealand, particularly the 1News nightly bulletin, has been breathlessly covering ...
A homeless person’s camp beside a blocked-off slipped damage walkway in Freeman’s Bay: we are chasing our tail on our worsening and inter-related housing, poverty and climate crises. Photo: Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy ...
What has happened to it all?Crazy, some'd sayWhere is the life that I recognise?(Gone away)But I won't cry for yesterdayThere's an ordinary worldSomehow I have to findAnd as I try to make my wayTo the ordinary worldYesterday morning began as many others - what to write about today? I began ...
TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 7:00 am on Monday, July 22 are:Today’s Must Read: Father and son live in a tent, and have done for four years, in a million ...
TL;DR: As of 7:00 am on Monday, July 22, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:US President Joe Biden announced via X this morning he would not stand for a second term.Multinational professional services firm ...
A listing of 32 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, July 14, 2024 thru Sat, July 20, 2024. Story of the week As reflected by preponderance of coverage, our Story of the Week is Project 2025. Until now traveling ...
This weekend, a friend pointed out someone who said they’d like to read my posts, but didn’t want to pay. And my first reaction was sympathy.I’ve already told folks that if they can’t comfortably subscribe, and would like to read, I’d be happy to offer free subscriptions. I don’t want ...
National: The Party of ‘Law and Order’ IntroductionThis weekend, the Government formally kicked off one of their flagship policy programs: a military style boot camp that New Zealand has experimented with over the past 50 years. Cartoon credit: Guy BodyIt’s very popular with the National Party’s Law and Orderimage, ...
Day one of the solo leg of my long journey home begins with my favourite sound: footfalls in an empty street. 5.00 am and it’s already light and already too warm, almost.If I can make the train that leaves Budapest later this hour I could be in Belgrade by nightfall; ...
Do you remember Y2K, the threat that hung over humanity in the closing days of the twentieth century? Horror scenarios of planes falling from the sky, electronic payments failing and ATMs refusing to dispense cash. As for your VCR following instructions and recording your favourite show - forget about it.All ...
Climate Change Minister Simon Watts being questioned by The Kākā’s Bernard Hickey.TL;DR: My top six things to note around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the week to July 20 were:1. A strategy that fails Zero Carbon Act & Paris targetsThe National-ACT-NZ First Coalition Government finally unveiled ...
Summary:As New Zealand loses at least 12 leaders in the public service space of health, climate, and pharmaceuticals, this month alone, directly in response to the Government’s policies and budget choices, what lies ahead may be darker than it appears. Tui examines some of those departures and draws a long ...
The Minister of Housing’s ambition is to reduce markedly the ratio of house prices to household incomes. If his strategy works it would transform the housing market, dramatically changing the prospects of housing as an investment.Leaving aside the Minister’s metaphor of ‘flooding the market’ I do not see how the ...
As previously noted, my historical fantasy piece, set in the fifth-century Mediterranean, was accepted for a Pirate Horror anthology, only for the anthology to later fall through. But in a good bit of news, it turned out that the story could indeed be re-marketed as sword and sorcery. As of ...
An employee of tobacco company Philip Morris International demonstrates a heated tobacco device. Photo: Getty ImagesTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy on Friday, July 19 are:At a time when the Coalition Government is cutting spending on health, infrastructure, education, housing ...
TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 8:30 am on Friday, July 19 are:Scoop: NZ First Minister Casey Costello orders 50% cut to excise tax on heated tobacco products. The minister has ...
Kia ora, it’s time for another Friday roundup, in which we pull together some of the links and stories that caught our eye this week. Feel free to add more in the comments! Our header image this week shows a foggy day in Auckland town, captured by Patrick Reynolds. ...
TL;DR : Here’s the top six items climate news for Aotearoa this week, as selected by Bernard Hickey and The Kākā’s climate correspondent Cathrine Dyer. A discussion recorded yesterday is in the video above and the audio of that sent onto the podcast feed.The Government released its draft Emissions Reduction ...
Save some money, get rich and old, bring it back to Tobacco Road.Bring that dynamite and a crane, blow it up, start all over again.Roll up. Roll up. Or tailor made, if you prefer...Whether you’re selling ciggies, digging for gold, catching dolphins in your nets, or encouraging folks to flutter ...
Waiting In The Wings:For truly, if Trump is America’s un-assassinated Caesar, then J.D. Vance is America’s Octavian, the Republic’s youthful undertaker – and its first Emperor.DONALD TRUMP’S SELECTION of James D. Vance as his running-mate bodes ill for the American republic. A fervent supporter of Viktor Orban, the “illiberal” prime ...
TL;DR: As of 6:00 am on Friday, July 19, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:The PSAannounced the Employment Relations Authority (ERA) had ruled in the PSA’s favour in its case against the Ministry ...
TL;DR: The podcast above of the weekly ‘hoon’ webinar for paying subscribers last night features co-hosts and talking with:The Kākā’s climate correspondent talking about the National-ACT-NZ First Government’s release of its first Emissions Reduction Plan;University of Otago Foreign Relations Professor and special guest Dr Karin von ...
Open access notablesImproving global temperature datasets to better account for non-uniform warming, Calvert, Quarterly Journal of the Royal Meteorological Society:To better account for spatial non-uniform trends in warming, a new GITD [global instrumental temperature dataset] was created that used maximum likelihood estimation (MLE) to combine the land surface ...
A late change to charter school legislation will cheat educators out of fair pay and negotiating power proving charter schools are just a vehicle to make profit out of our education system. ...
In 2004 te iwi Māori rallied against the Crown’s attempt to confiscate our coastlines and moana with the Foreshore and Seabed Act. This led to the largest hīkoi of a generation and the birth of Te Pāti Māori. 20 years later, history is repeating itself. Today the government has announced ...
It has been five and a half years since the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care was established to investigate the abuse of children, young people, and vulnerable adults within state and faith-based institutions. Yesterday, the final report - Whanaketia through pain and trauma, from darkness to light ...
The Green Party is calling on the Government to take action off the back of the International Court of Justice ruling on Israel’s illegal occupation of Palestine. ...
On Friday the International Court of Justice reaffirmed what Palestinian’s have been telling us for decades: that the occupation and colonisation of Palestinian lands by Israel is illegal and must end immediately. They also called for reparations for Palestinian’s who have lived under Israeli occupation since it began in 1967. ...
Labour calls on the Government to act after the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled that Israel’s occupation of Palestinian Territories is illegal. ...
The 53.7 percent rise in benefit sanctions over the last year is more proof of this Government’s disdain for our communities most in need of support. ...
Aotearoa could be a country where every child grows up feeling safe, loved and with a sense of belonging in their whānau and community. But for some of our children, this is far from reality. Instead, they are trapped in a maze of intergenerational harm that they can’t escape on ...
Te Pāti Māori are calling for David Seymour to resign as Associate Health Minister in response to his call for Pharmac to ignore the Treaty of Waitangi. “This announcement is just another example of the government’s anti-Tiriti, anti-Māori agenda.” Said Co-leader and spokesperson for health, Debbie Ngarewa-Packer. “Seymour thinks it ...
The soaring price of renting is driving the rise of inflation in this country - with latest figures from Stats NZ showing rents are up 4.8 per cent on average while annual inflation is at 3.3 per cent. ...
National’s Emissions Reduction Plan will take New Zealand further from the economy we need to ensure the next generation has a stable climate and secure livelihoods. ...
Following consultation with named parties and thorough consideration of privacy interests, the Green Party is in a position to release the Executive Summary of the final report from the independent investigation into Darleen Tana. ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon should be asking serious questions of his Minister for Resources Shane Jones now it’s been revealed he misled the public about a dinner with mining companies that he didn’t declare and said wasn’t pre-arranged. ...
Te Pāti Māori have submitted to the Justice Select Committee against the Sentencing (Reinstating Three Strikes) Amendment Bill. The bill will further entrench racism in our justice system and fails to focus on rehabilitation. “Reinstating Three Strikes will empower a systematically racist system and exacerbate the overrepresentation of Māori in ...
The Transport and Infrastructure Committee is set to make a determination on the Residential Tenancies Amendment (RTA) Bill in the coming weeks. “This legislation will give landlords the power to kick our whānau out onto the street for no reason” said Housing spokesperson, Mariameno Kapa-Kingi. “Their solution to the housing ...
“National’s campaign was about tackling crime and the best they can do is a two-year long Ministerial Advisory Group,” Labour justice spokesperson Duncan Webb said. ...
“There are more examples of charter schools failing their students than there are success stories. The coalition Government is driving to dismantle our public school system and instead promote a privatised, competitive structure that puts profits before kids,” Jan Tinetti said. ...
“This government is choosing to deliberately mislead and withhold information, keeping our people in the dark about this government’s agenda and the future of our mokopuna,” said co-leader and spokesperson for Health, Debbie Ngarewa-Packer. The call comes after the demand from the Chief Ombudsman that Associate Minister of Health, Casey ...
“Today’s climate announcement by Simon Watts makes clear the National Government is simply paying lip service to meeting its climate change targets,” Megan Woods said. ...
National is choosing to make life harder for workers by taking away the rights our communities have fought hard for. Here's how they’re taking workers backwards. ...
Australia, Canada and New Zealand today issued the following statement on the need for an urgent ceasefire in Gaza and the risk of expanded conflict between Hizballah and Israel. The situation in Gaza is catastrophic. The human suffering is unacceptable. It cannot continue. We remain unequivocal in our condemnation of ...
Attorney-General Judith Collins today reminded all State and faith-based institutions of their legal obligation to preserve records relevant to the safety and wellbeing of those in its care. “The Abuse in Care Inquiry’s report has found cases where records of the most vulnerable people in State and faith‑based institutions were ...
Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says the Government’s online safety website for children and young people has reached one million page views. “It is great to see so many young people and their families accessing the site Keep It Real Online to learn how to stay safe online, and manage ...
Tēnā tātou katoa, Ngā mihi te rangi, ngā mihi te whenua, ngā mihi ki a koutou, kia ora mai koutou. Thank you for the opportunity to be here and the invitation to speak at this 50th anniversary conference. I acknowledge all those who have gone before us and paved the ...
New Zealand’s payroll providers have successfully prepared to ensure 3.5 million individuals will, from Wednesday next week, be able to keep more of what they earn each pay, says Finance Minister Nicola Willis and Revenue Minister Simon Watts. “The Government's tax policy changes are legally effective from Wednesday. Delivering this tax ...
An experimental vineyard which will help futureproof the wine sector has been opened in Blenheim by Associate Regional Development Minister Mark Patterson. The covered vineyard, based at the New Zealand Wine Centre – Te Pokapū Wāina o Aotearoa, enables controlled environmental conditions. “The research that will be produced at the Experimental ...
The Coalition Government has confirmed the indicative regional breakdown of North Island Weather Event (NIWE) funding for state highway recovery projects funded through Budget 2024, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Regions in the North Island suffered extensive and devastating damage from Cyclone Gabrielle and the 2023 Auckland Anniversary Floods, and ...
Indonesia’s Foreign Minister, Retno Marsudi, will visit New Zealand next week, Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced. “Indonesia is important to New Zealand’s security and economic interests and is our closest South East Asian neighbour,” says Mr Peters, who is currently in Laos to engage with South East Asian partners. ...
He aha te kai a te rangatira? He kōrero, he kōrero, he kōrero. The government has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the aspirations of Ngāti Maniapoto, Minister for Māori Development Tama Potaka says. “My thanks to Te Nehenehenui Trust – Ngāti Maniapoto for bringing their important kōrero to a ministerial ...
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has thanked outgoing Chair of the Civil Aviation Authority, Janice Fredric, for her service to the board.“I have received Ms Fredric’s resignation from the role of Chair of the Civil Aviation Authority,” Mr Brown says.“On behalf of the Government, I want to thank Ms Fredric for ...
The Government is proposing legislation to overturn a Court of Appeal decision and amend the Marine and Coastal Area Act in order to restore Parliament’s test for Customary Marine Title, Treaty Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith says. “Section 58 required an applicant group to prove they have exclusively used and occupied ...
Regulation Minister David Seymour says that opposition parties have united in bad faith, opposing what they claim are ‘dangerous changes’ to the Early Childhood Education sector, despite no changes even being proposed yet. “Issues with affordability and availability of early childhood education, and the complexity of its regulation, has led ...
After receiving more than 740 submissions in the first 20 days, Regulation Minister David Seymour is asking the Ministry for Regulation to extend engagement on the early childhood education regulation review by an extra two weeks. “The level of interest has been very high, and from the conversations I’ve been ...
The Coalition Government is investing $802.9 million into the Wairarapa and Manawatū rail lines as part of a funding agreement with the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA), KiwiRail, and the Greater Wellington and Horizons Regional Councils to deliver more reliable services for commuters in the lower North Island, Transport Minister Simeon ...
Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced his intention to appoint a Crown Manager to both Hawke’s Bay Regional and Wairoa District Councils to speed up the delivery of flood protection work in Wairoa."Recent severe weather events in Wairoa this year, combined with damage from Cyclone Gabrielle in 2023 have ...
Mr Speaker, this is a day that many New Zealanders who were abused in State care never thought would come. It’s the day that this Parliament accepts, with deep sorrow and regret, the Report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care. At the heart of this report are the ...
For the first time, the Government is formally acknowledging some children and young people at Lake Alice Psychiatric Hospital experienced torture. The final report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in State and Faith-based Care “Whanaketia – through pain and trauma, from darkness to light,” was tabled in Parliament ...
The Government has acknowledged the nearly 2,400 courageous survivors who shared their experiences during the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Historical Abuse in State and Faith-Based Care. The final report from the largest and most complex public inquiry ever held in New Zealand, the Royal Commission Inquiry “Whanaketia – through ...
With a week to go before hard-working New Zealanders see personal income tax relief for the first time in fourteen years, 513,000 people have used the Budget tax calculator to see how much they will benefit, says Finance Minister Nicola Willis. “Tax relief is long overdue. From next Wednesday, personal income ...
Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden says a bill that has passed its first reading will improve parental leave settings and give non-biological parents more flexibility as primary carer for their child. The Regulatory Systems Amendment Bill (No3), passed its first reading this morning. “It includes a change ...
Two Bills designed to improve regulation and make it easier to do business have passed their first reading in Parliament, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. The Regulatory Systems (Economic Development) Amendment Bill and Regulatory Systems (Immigration and Workforce) Amendment Bill make key changes to legislation administered by the Ministry ...
New legislation paves the way for greater competition in sectors such as banking and electricity, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly says. “Competitive markets boost productivity, create employment opportunities and lift living standards. To support competition, we need good quality regulation but, unfortunately, a recent OECD report ranked New ...
Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says lotteries for charitable purposes, such as those run by the Heart Foundation, Coastguard NZ, and local hospices, will soon be allowed to operate online permanently. “Under current laws, these fundraising lotteries are only allowed to operate online until October 2024, after which ...
The Coalition Government is accelerating work on the new four-lane expressway between Auckland and Whangārei as part of its Roads of National Significance programme, with an accelerated delivery model to deliver this project faster and more efficiently, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “For too long, the lack of resilient transport connections ...
Sir Don McKinnon will travel to Viet Nam this week as a Special Envoy of the Government, Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced. “It is important that the Government give due recognition to the significant contributions that General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong made to New Zealand-Viet Nam relations,” Mr ...
Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says newly appointed Commissioner, Grant Illingworth KC, will help deliver the report for the first phase of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into COVID-19 Lessons, due on 28 November 2024. “I am pleased to announce that Mr Illingworth will commence his appointment as ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters travels to Laos this week to participate in a series of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-led Ministerial meetings in Vientiane. “ASEAN plays an important role in supporting a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific,” Mr Peters says. “This will be our third visit to ...
Construction of a new mental health facility at Te Nikau Grey Hospital in Greymouth is today one step closer, Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey says. “This $27 million facility shows this Government is delivering on its promise to boost mental health care and improve front line services,” Mr Doocey says. ...
New Zealand is committing nearly $50 million to a package supporting sustainable Pacific fisheries development over the next four years, Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones announced today. “This support consisting of a range of initiatives demonstrates New Zealand’s commitment to assisting our Pacific partners ...
Associate Education Minister David Seymour says proposed changes to the Education and Training Amendment Bill will ensure charter schools have more flexibility to negotiate employment agreements and are equipped with the right teaching resources. “Cabinet has agreed to progress an amendment which means unions will not be able to initiate ...
In response to serious concerns around oversight, overspend and a significant deterioration in financial outlook, the Board of Health New Zealand will be replaced with a Commissioner, Health Minister Dr Shane Reti announced today. “The previous government’s botched health reforms have created significant financial challenges at Health NZ that, without ...
Minister for Space and Science, Innovation and Technology Judith Collins will travel to Adelaide tomorrow for space and science engagements, including speaking at the Australian Space Forum. While there she will also have meetings and visits with a focus on space, biotechnology and innovation. “New Zealand has a thriving space ...
Climate Change Minister Simon Watts will travel to China on Saturday to attend the Ministerial on Climate Action meeting held in Wuhan. “Attending the Ministerial on Climate Action is an opportunity to advocate for New Zealand climate priorities and engage with our key partners on climate action,” Mr Watts says. ...
Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is travelling to the Solomon Islands tomorrow for meetings with his counterparts from around the Pacific supporting collective management of the region’s fisheries. The 23rd Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Committee and the 5th Regional Fisheries Ministers’ Meeting in Honiara from 23 to 26 July ...
The Government today launched the Military Style Academy Pilot at Te Au rere a te Tonga Youth Justice residence in Palmerston North, an important part of the Government’s plan to crackdown on youth crime and getting youth offenders back on track, Minister for Children, Karen Chhour said today. “On the ...
The Government has welcomed news the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) has begun work to replace nine priority bridges across the country to ensure our state highway network remains resilient, reliable, and efficient for road users, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.“Increasing productivity and economic growth is a key priority for the ...
Acting Prime Minister David Seymour has been in contact throughout the evening with senior officials who have coordinated a whole of government response to the global IT outage and can provide an update. The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet has designated the National Emergency Management Agency as the ...
New Zealand and Japan will continue to step up their shared engagement with the Pacific, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. “New Zealand and Japan have a strong, shared interest in a free, open and stable Pacific Islands region,” Mr Peters says. “We are pleased to be finding more ways ...
New developments in the heart of North Island forestry country will reinvigorate their communities and boost economic development, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones visited Kaingaroa and Kawerau in Bay of Plenty today to open a landmark community centre in the former and a new connecting road in ...
President Adeang, fellow Ministers, honourable Diet Member Horii, Ambassadors, distinguished guests. Minasama, konnichiwa, and good afternoon, everyone. Distinguished guests, it’s a pleasure to be here with you today to talk about New Zealand’s foreign policy reset, the reasons for it, the values that underpin it, and how it ...
Opinion: The Canadian short story writer Alice Munro – winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2013 – died in May at the age of 92. Her work was about “the damage people inflict on one another in the name of love”, Deborah Treisman wrote in the New Yorker. ...
This month marks two years since the most powerful telescope ever built sent its first pictures back to earth. From its lofty vantage point, beyond the moon in orbit around the sun, the James Webb Space Telescope was tuned to observe the first stars and galaxies being born soon after ...
Comment: After Climate Change Minister Simon Watts’ preview several weeks ago, I had some optimism about the Government’s emissions reduction plan. Now I’ve read the discussion document, that hope has been dashed. How can the Government propose a plan that wants to take New Zealand taxpayers’ hard-earned money, and spend ...
Christopher Luxon: hurdles The little man from National jumps hurdles in his sleep. He’s quite good at it in his dreams and even though the reality doesn’t quite match up you have to give him credit for getting up every morning and crashing into the very first hurdle of the ...
Comment: It was a good two hours into the conversation when Tyrone Marks raised the most basic of questions when I first spoke to him in 2017. “They didn’t explain the things they did to me. They never told me why. And they still haven’t. There’s no explanation for it. ...
Last summer when Matairangi burned, Ginny and Tom stood at the window of their lounge, watching kākā shoot skyward from the burning trees. From the distance, they looked to Ginny like pages torn from books and thrown into a bonfire. It was Tom, voice tight, who told her it was ...
Madeleine Chapman rounds out Death Week on The Spinoff with a final recommendation. You can read all of our Death Week coverage here. Nothing forces you to reflect on your life and relationships quite like proximity to death. For those whose nearest and dearest have died, there are reasonably obvious ...
Whitney Greene takes us through her life in television, including the TV character she’d like to plan a funeral for and her cow lung catastrophe on The Traitors NZ. “If the phone rings, I have to answer it,” Whitney Greene from The Traitors NZ warns as we begin our My ...
Maddie Ballard reviews the debut essay collection of Pōneke writer Flora Feltham.In ‘The Raw Material’, the longest essay in Flora Feltham’s dazzling debut collection, the author heads out for a run after hours of weaving and sees the world turn to textile. “Pounding along the Parade, I saw the ...
Andy Christiansen, one half of the experimental rock-pop duo TRiPS, shares the tunes inspiring the band’s perfect weekend and new release. “Good speakers, good food, good music, no distractions”: that’s all you need to enjoy the psychedelic stylings of TRiPS, a new band formed by Fly My Pretties’ Barnaby Weir ...
Celebrating our quadrennial opportunity to become experts in a bunch of sports we never normally watch.The games of the XXXIII Olympiad are upon us. Paris will host this year’s showcase of sporting and athletic prowess, which means some late-night and early-morning viewing for us in Aotearoa.But what sports ...
The photograph is striking and beautiful, but also disturbing – a reminder that my love for John was often entangled in shame.The Sunday Essay is made possible thanks to the support of Creative New Zealand.In the spring of 1980, in Dunedin, shortly before his death, someone took a photograph ...
Get to know Babushka, our latest Dog of the Month. This feature was offered as a reward during our What’s Eating Aotearoa PledgeMe campaign. Thank you to Babu’s humans, Jo and Isabel, for their support. Dog name: Babushka (Babu for short) Age: 2Breed: Border Collie X poodleIf rescued, ...
Pacific Media Watch A Lebanese photojournalist who was severely wounded during an Israeli air strike in south Lebanon carried the Olympic torch in Paris this week in honour of her peers who have been wounded and killed in the field — especially in Gaza and Lebanon. Christina Assi of Agence ...
The first report in a five-part web series focused on the 15th Triennial Conference of Pacific Women taking place in the Marshall Islands this week.SPECIAL REPORT:By Netani Rika in Majuro Women continue to fight for justice 70 years after the first nuclear tests by the United States caused ...
Christopher Luxon has joined with Australia and Canada's leaders in voicing support for US President Joe Biden's ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra The 2022 election brought the “teal wave” into parliament. The next election will test whether teals, who occupy what were Liberal seats, and other independents can maintain their momentum. Joining us on the Podcast ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ian Musgrave, Senior lecturer in Pharmacology, University of Adelaide Pixavri/Shutterstock A major Federal Court class action has been dismissed this week after Justice Michael Lee ruled there was not enough evidence to prove the weedkiller Roundup causes cancer. Plaintiff Kelvin ...
In The Week in Politics: politicians have to decide what to do about child abuse, Health NZ is booked in for major surgery and Darleen Tana returns. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Clare Corbould, Associate Professor, Contemporary Histories Research Group, Deakin University Mainstream media are surprisingly muted at the prospect of the world’s most powerful nation being led for the first time by a woman – specifically a woman of colour, Vice President Kamala ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Rebecca Bennett, PhD Student, Associate Research Fellow, Deakin University Last week, a drone delivery company called Wing (owned by Google’s parent company, Alphabet) started operating in Melbourne. Some 250,000 residents in parts of the city’s eastern suburbs can now order food from ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jonathan Foo, Lecturer, Physiotherapy, Monash University pikselstock/Shutterstock In the next 40 years in Australia, it’s predicted the number of Australians aged 65 and over will more than double, while the number of people aged 85 and over will more than triple. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Katrina Grant, Research Associate, Power Institute for Arts and Visual Culture, University of Sydney Jonas Åkerström’s 1790 work, Session of the Accademia dell’Arcadia on August 17 1788.Nationalmuseum/Cecilia Heisser Ever wondered whether you’d have a better chance at winning an Olympic gold ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alexandra Jones, Program Lead, Food Governance, George Institute for Global Health wavebreakmedia/Shutterstock On Thursday, Australian and New Zealand food ministers at state, federal and national levels met to thrash out what’s next for health star ratings on packaged foods. Now, after ...
The Abuse in Care report found many Pacific survivors lost their connections to their culture and language, resulting in trauma that has been carried from generation to generation. ...
In the regulatory review, ECC intends to suggest that ERO focus on curriculum delivery reviews rather than the Ministry, because it’s not efficient or effective to have two agencies with radically different approaches climbing over each other. ...
Te Rūnanga Nui o Ngā Kura Kaupapa Māori invites the current government to work in partnership with them to develop a pathway forward, including the development of a parallel pathway and meaningful policy and strategy for Kura Kaupapa Māori ...
If you haven’t started watching yet, Tara Ward begs you to reconsider. This is an excerpt from our weekly pop culture newsletter Rec Room. Sign up here. In the world of New Zealand reality television, we have many gems in our crown. There’s the delicious second season of the Celebrity Treasure ...
A new poem by Fiona Kidman. The clothes of the dead I did not keep my mother’s furry red beret for long nor the stringy scarves that adorned the necks of my aunts, although I have kept tag ends of gold, the rings and trinkets they wore, the brooches no ...
The government’s announcement that it will re-open the foreshore and seabed controversy by changing the rules on recognising centuries-old Māori customary title for a third time goes against the rule of law and New Zealand values,” Mr Tipa says. ...
The only published and available best-selling indie book chart in New Zealand is the top 10 sales list recorded every week at Unity Books’ stores in High St, Auckland, and Willis St, Wellington.AUCKLAND1 Lioness by Emily Perkins (Bloomsbury, $25) Roarrrr! Perkins’ brilliant, award-winning, Marian-Keyes anointed, darkly funny, long ...
The 2004 Act vested ownership of the foreshore and seabed in the Crown, extinguishing any Māori claims to ownership and causing widespread outrage and protests among Māori communities. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Antje Deckert, Associate Professor (Criminology), Auckland University of Technology Getty Images Despite the connection between institutional harm and gang membership made clear in this week’s mammoth royal commission abuse-in care report, the government seems unlikely to soften its “get tough on ...
From Lewis Clareburt in the swimming to the start of the rowing – the first seven days of Paris 2024 promise to be big for New Zealand. There are few events that bring the country together quite like an Olympic Games. Nothing quite matches the excitement of getting up in ...
Groundbreaking local science just showed up in the most surprising of places: the season finale of The Kardashians. In the season five finale of The Kardashians last night, several members of the family gathered together in one of their signature empty, cream-coloured rooms to hear test results that had been ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Amin Saikal, Emeritus professor of Middle Eastern and Central Asian Studies, Australian National University The Middle East is on the brink of a possibly devastating regional war, with hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah reaching an extremely dangerous level. Washington has engaged in ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Laura Elizabeth Eades, Rheumatologist, Monash University Lupus is an inflammatory autoimmune illness, where the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks itself. Lupus can affect virtually any part of the body, although it most commonly affects the skin, joints and kidneys. The symptoms ...
A law firm that specialises in working with survivors of abuse in State care is disappointed that the Government fails to recognise that its boot camps can be directly compared to previous boot camps from the 1990s and 2000s. ...
Dying is a natural part of life, like updating your Wof or seeing your hairdresser, but without the word-of-mouth recs that help guarantee a good service. What if we changed that? Dying Reviews received by The Spinoff have had the names of organisations redacted while Hospice NZ collects further data. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jonti Horner, Professor (Astrophysics), University of Southern Queensland Mike Lewinski/Flickr, CC BY On any clear night, if you gaze skywards long enough, chances are you’ll see a meteor streaking through the sky. Some nights, however, are better than others. At ...
Despite having no bars or other designated spaces for lesbians, Auckland boasts a small but mighty lesbian museum. So how did it get here? The past 18 months has brought increasing hostility towards the queer community across Aotearoa. Kellie-Jay Keen-Minshull’s anti-trans rally in Tamaki Makaurau last March led to a ...
Poneke Antifascist Coalition has invited Wellingtonians to stand in solidarity with the Kanak people at 12pm today outside the French Embassy in Wellington. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Peter Layton, Visiting Fellow, Strategic Studies, Griffith University Drones are the signature technology of the Ukraine war. A few miniature aircraft designs were used in the war’s early days, but an incredible array of drones have now evolved. There are different types, ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Mark Slee, Associate Professor, Clinical Academic Neurologist, Flinders University Francisco Gonzelez/Unsplash Migraine is many things, but one thing it’s not is “just a headache”. “Migraine” comes from the Greek word “hemicrania”, referring to the common experience of migraine being predominantly ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Lee White, Senior Lecturer and Horizon Fellow, School of Social and Political Sciences, University of Sydney Australia was slow to introduce minimum building standards for energy efficiency. The Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS) only came into force in 2003. Older homes ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Steven Sherwood, Professor of Atmospheric Sciences, Climate Change Research Centre, UNSW Sydney The past century of human-induced warming has increased rainfall variability over 75% of the Earth’s land area – particularly over Australia, Europe and eastern North America, new research shows. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tony Heynen, Program Coordinator, Sustainable Energy, The University of Queensland A temporary stadium in the Champ-de-Mars, ParisEkaterina Pokrovsky/Shutterstock As Paris prepares to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games, the sustainability of the event is coming under scrutiny. The organisers have promoted ...
A night of karaoke and community in a pub that feels like a memory. You’d barely even notice it, unless you knew to look. Tucked away behind a liquor store on busy Constable Street is the capital’s last great pub. Newtown Sports Bar is an emblem of the pub culture ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ian Wright, Professor in Marine Geology, University of Canterbury Louise Corcoran/Getty Images The decline in the number of doctoral candidates at New Zealand universities is a worrying sign for the country’s effort to build a knowledge-based economy. Aotearoa New Zealand’s ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Laurie Berg, Associate Professor, University of Technology Sydney defotoberg/Shutterstock Migrant worker exploitation is entrenched in workplaces across Australia. Tragically, a deep fear of immigration consequences means most unlawful employer conduct goes unreported. On Wednesday, however, the government officially launched a ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Vaughan Cruickshank, Senior Lecturer in Health and Physical Education, University of Tasmania Paris is about to host its third summer Olympics. While we don’t yet know what the legacy of this year’s games will be, let’s take the opportunity to reflect on ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Hugh Breakey, Deputy Director, Institute for Ethics, Governance & Law, Griffith University In the wake of the assassination attempt on former US President Donald Trump, there were calls from bothsides of US politics, as well as internationally, to reduce the brutal, ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Keith Rathbone, Senior Lecturer, Modern European History and Sports History, Macquarie University Two high-profile assaults on Australians in Paris have raised concerns about security ahead of the Olympic Games. On Saturday evening, a young woman was allegedly sexually assaulted by a ...
Dying is inevitable and, so it seems, is it costing a lot, writes Stewart Sowman-Lund in today’s extract from The Bulletin. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign up here.The cost of dying ...
The government took Joyce Harris's first baby and sent her off to a girls' home. Half a century on - and out of oceans of hurt - it asked her to be a mother figure. ...
It’s the deadliest fictional town in the country, but which death has been the most bonkers? Alex Casey looks back at 10 seasons of The Brokenwood Mysteries to find out. Warning: The following ranking story contains famous New Zealand actors appearing to be dead (not alive). The Spinoff has been ...
Water cremation is the biggest thing to happen to the death industry in the last 100 years. Alex Casey meets the people trying to bring it to Aotearoa. Through a set of mirrored doors down the industrial end of Christchurch’s St Asaph Street, death is getting a new lease on ...
Loading…(function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){var ql=document.querySelectorAll('A,DIV,A[data-quiz],DIV[data-quiz]'); if(ql){if(ql.length){for(var k=0;k<ql.length;k++){ql[k].id='quiz-embed-'+k;ql[k].href="javascript:var i=document.getElementById('quiz-embed-"+k+"');try{qz.startQuiz(i)}catch(e){i.start=1;i.style.cursor='wait';i.style.opacity='0.5'};void(0);"}}};i['QP']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){(i[r].q=i[r].q||[]).push(arguments)},i[r].l=1*new Date();a=s.createElement(o),m=s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];a.async=1;a.src=g;m.parentNode.insertBefore(a,m)})(window,document,'script','https://take.quiz-maker.com/3012/CDN/quiz-embed-v1.js','qp'); Got a good quiz question?Send Newsroom your questions. The post Newsroom daily quiz, Friday 26 July appeared first on Newsroom. ...
Anyone want some Brit fudge?
'But a senior Boris Johnson backer yesterday admitted he may have to delay Brexit by a few weeks…'
https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/9300327/britain-not-leave-eu-this-year/
'A well-connected school is often a golden ticket to a place at Oxbridge. Of the seven (including Gyimah) privately educated candidates McVey is the only one not to have gone to Oxford.'
https://inews.co.uk/opinion/comment/boris-johnson-rory-stewart-eton-balliol-tory-leadership-contenders-oxford-social-mobility/
'Theresa May backs Lorraine Kelly over 'complete cow' Esther Mcvey in TV fued'
https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/theresa-backs-lorraine-kelly-over-16520677
At last: a Scandinavian politician with integrity
Was just about to put this up myself….I see that The Guardian and The Washington Post have both finally changed their tune and realized that they have been on the wrong side of history on this one.
NZ Media: Toeing the pro war propaganda line
We are at war with East Asia, we have always been at war with East Asia
New Zealand media and the Ministry of Truth (Minitru)
Yesterday TVNZ news reported the US version of the attack on a Japanese oil tanker in the Gulf of Hormuz, verbatim. TVNZ deliberately omitted the Japanese version of events.
The US claimed that the Japanese ship was damaged with limpet mines attached to the ship and that this was proof that the attack was planned and carried out by the Iranians.
The Japanese claimed that their ship had been hit by "flying objects". The Japanese report was deliberately left out of the TVNZ, coverage.
This morning Stuff.co.nz decided to omit all coverage of this attack.
You can scour the popular NZ online News site for news of this unfolding story, all you like, all mention of this contentious attack and the embarrassing counter claims are completely missing.
George Orwell in his novel 1984 wrote of a fictitious news organisation, that kept what he called a 'memory hole'. Stories embarrassing to the establishment authorities were placed in this memory hole never to be recalled.
Stuff.co.nz realising Orwell's nightmare
https://www.stuff.co.nz/
Yes will are living in a time when what should be our trusted media sources are now trying to tell us up is down and black is white…and unfortunately it seems to be getting worse all the time.
After the hysterical news coverage and saber rattling that spilled out of pretty much all western press following the chemical attack in Douma, they seem very quiet when it is revealed that all is not as it seemed….no follow up stories on RNZ that I have heard either.
New Evidence Suggests 2018 Chemical Attack in Douma, Syria Was Staged
https://therealnews.com/stories/new-evidence-suggests-2018-syria-chemical-attack-in-douma-was-staged
https://www.democracynow.org/2019/5/23/leaked_opcw_report_raises_new_questions
Here is a little history of the US bullshitting itself into violence around the world…and still out news sources parrot their lies again and again..
Last night TVNZ News at 6 reported the attack on the Japanese oil tanker in the Gulf of Hormuz, which TVNZ reporters loyally followed the pro-war US narrative squarely putting the blame on the Iranians. TVNZ refused to report the Japanese version of the attack which contradicted the pro-war US narrative.
Stuff.co.nz took a different path and censored this story and its embarassing contradictions completely.
It is almost 6pm again.
Will TVNZ give a more balanced report of this attack tonight?
Or will TVNZ follow the Stuff.co.nz direction on this story with its embarrassing contradictions and bury it in the memory hole.
TVNZ News at 6 the two international news stories
A hobby horse competition in Norway.
And a religious service conducted in hardhats at the Notre Dame Cathedral in France.
No correction or coverage of the shockingly biased one sided pro-war reporting of the attack on the Japanese oil tanker in the Gulf of Hormuz last night, that gave only the US side of the story and completely censored the Japanese crew version of the attack on their ship.
If NZ is dragged into another US bloodbath, TVNZ shameful one sided pro-war propaganda will be partly responsible.
New Zealanders should be rightly sickened at this example of lying by omission in the service of mass murder by TVNZ.
Less creepily pro-war, The Sydney Morning Herald
Notice all the right wing supporters of 'free speech' for fascists, have nothing to say about mainstream media censorship, especially if it is in the service of inciting a war.
"Restoring Regional rail" 16th June 2019.
Shane Jones said "It was a great day for HB/Gisborne" – thanks for your support to the many fighting for this day.
Question now is; – when do we reopen the Gisborne line as Gisborne is the most isolated City of its size in NZ today without a rail service? Dear rail stakeholders.
We have a picture of the first train that leaves Gisborne in June 1942 for Napier while 10 000 people wave them off, as the ‘Minister of rail’ (Robert Semple) says it was justified to spend over 6 million pounds to complete the rail service to Gisborne as it was an “isolated” region with few other transport choices.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/113480664/kiwirail-to-celebrate-reopening-of-napier-to-wairoa-line
KiwiRail celebrates re-opening of Napier to Wairoa line Andre Chumko and Bethany Reitsma16:03, Jun 14 2019
Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones discusses what will happen to truck drivers as a result of the Napier-Wairoa rail line re-opening.
Mervyn Smiley, an Eskdale resident of 25 years, has longed for the day when trains returned to the mothballed Napier to Wairoa line.
On Friday, that dream became reality as a brass band and haka welcomed Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones to KiwiRail's depot in Ahuriri, near Napier Port.
After a short series of speeches, the minister and various other politicians including Napier MP Stuart Nash, Ikaroa-Rāwhiti MP Meka Whaitiri and National's Lawrence Yule, joined the region's mayors in boarding the carriages of the first train to make the first full trip between Napier and Wairoa since 2012. Among the politicians present were Napier MP Stuart Nash and Ikaroa-Rāwhiti MP Meka Whaitiri. On the train,
Jones held a press conference, where he described the day as a great one for Hawke's Bay. Jones said KiwiRail had had "so little for so long", and the $6.2 million investment so far was a big deal, especially in relation to moving trucks off the roads.It would also allow businesses to grow their logistics capacity, and boost exports.
The train stationed at Ahuriri before departing for Wairoa. "If we're in for the KiwiRail journey, it's a long-term journey.
It's about a nation building infrastructure at a time when there's a lot of uncertainty about weather." And the "fiscal love" would continue to flow post 2020's election, he said, forecasting "substantial amounts" being injected into KiwiRail. On whether there was a possibility of extending the line to Gisborne, Jones said any business case would be pushing on an open door.
Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones said it was a significant day. KiwiRail chief executive Greg Miller said with work on the line finished, its next focus was on establishing a log-hub in Wairoa so it could begin running trains as soon as August.
"The amount of timber flowing from forests in the region is expected to quadruple in the next four years and to get all those logs to market will require all transport networks working efficiently together."
He forecast up to six trains travelling the line per week, meaning about 5000 fewer truck journeys initially, and more than 15,000 as services increased.
The Deco Bay Brass group performed for Shane Jones upon his arrival. Jones said local civic leaders – mayors, council chairs and MPs – who had lobbied him were to credit for the re-opening.
"This will substantially reduce their roading bill if they can move more heavy freight onto rail." Transport advocacy groups NZ Transport 2050 and the Public Transport Users Association said in a statement the previous Government underfunded the line.
Locals were waving at the train the whole trip, happy to see the line back in action. "The loss of 20 fulltime jobs in Wairoa was a big hit for a small community.
With the railway re-opening today it opens up opportunities for wood processors to again re-establish in the town," Paul Miller, chair of NZ Transport 2050 said.
Green Party MP Gareth Hughes said regional rail should be the backbone of the transport system for people and freight, and his party would like to see the line extended from Wairoa to Gisborne. Hukarere Girls' College students performed a waiata for ministers and MPs upon their arrival to Eskdale, north of Napier. The train then departed for Wairoa.
Gareth Hughes is wrong. Rail will never be the "backbone of the transport system for people." Even for freight, it will only be the case for bulk cargoes and containers.
Now, I happen to believe that more needs to be done in rail. Electrification from Auckland to Wellington, reopening to Gisborne and Rotorua, decent passenger service to Hamilton, and of course Northport.
But in New Zealand rail will always by a minority/specialist form of transport. Roads are invariably faster and vastly more flexible. Which is why they need substantial investment.
….and vastly more flexible.
Really?
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/111065215/kpiti-expressway-needs-25-million-worth-of-repairs-just-two-years-after-opening
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10395289
https://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/100847641/christchurch-the-pothole-capital-of-new-zealand
Unfortunately, yes really. It's way, way easier to put a road somewhere than a railway line, which is one reason we're still on narrow-gauge rail and it's mostly single-tracked. Rail infrastructure is expensive. A government with an eye to the long term and protection of the environment would bite the bullet and prioritise the more expensive option, but the three-year electoral cycle and voters' love of cars argue very strongly for taking the quick-and-cheap option instead.
Care to clarify? What do you think is the more expensive option – short to medium term? I'm assuming you think it is rail because of the 3rd dimension (the up and down bits).
It really needn't be however if you consider corridor widths necessary for the roading option versus those necessary to carry freight (and passenger for that matter) over a more 'levelled out' narrower corridor,
And I'm not sure why Indians and Chinese can construct/reconstruct railways over 100km or more in the space of 18 or so months, whereas lil 'ole Nu Zull struggles.
(I'm thinking maybe things like Fulton and Hogan monopolies on tar seal/bitumen, traffic management – STMS – and a heap of other bullshit that's been allowed to prevail over the past several years. Oh, and not to mention lobbyists; owner drivers and their investments and whose livelihoods are dependent on it all continuing, and a few other bits and pieces. YES IT REALLY 'IS')
Pretty close to my view, main change I'd make would be "usually" rather than "invariably". But a big change I think needs to happen is rebalancing how roads are funded so that users pay in proportion to the expense they cause.
For out-of town roads highways, the engineering evidence seems very clear that trucks cause a much higher proportion of the damage and maintenance and even initial road building expense than they pay for, while cars and other light vehicles pay substantially more than their fair share.
Rebalancing the road user charges and fuel excise tax systems so trucking pays a fair share, rather than getting a hidden subsidy, would be a good first step. Then rail might be slightly closer to being competitive for moving freight on an even footing.
For most cities, it's sheer numbers of vehicles at peak times that cause big expenses. So some sort of demand or congestion charging only seems fair.
Hell, both those steps would be worth doing just to watch the ensuing histrionics and special pleading that would ensue
, let alone the actual real resulting benefits.
If trucks were forced to pay the full price of the damage they do it would force up the price of every thing that is carried by trucks .
The poor would suffer the most as usual.
Let the special pleading begin …
A consequence like that isn't an argument against doing the right thing. But if the effects actually turn out to be big enough, then it is a good reason to include other adjustments at the same time, such as increases in benefit rates and/or minimum wage and/or tax rate and threshold adjustments at the bottom end of the scale.
In the case of rebalancing how roads are paid for, chances are pretty good the reduction in tax on petrol and reduced road user charges for small diesel vehicles will help the poor more than increased transport costs will hurt them.
If we stopped subsidising road freight via petrol excise, general taxation, importing of cheap third-world labour and the off-loading of environmental costs onto future generations, many goods would be more expensive, yes. That's not a reason to continue doing those things.
Not so Japan.
4 Major Means Of Transportation In Japan
BULLET TRAIN/SHINKANSEN
The Bullet train/Shinkansen links the major cities on the island of Honshu and Kyushu as well as Hokadate located on northern island of Hokkaido….
CONVENTIONAL LINES
This is the major means of passenger transport in Japan.
https://fastjapan.com/en/p125853
The more motorways and fossil fuel lobby, God bless 'em, are doing their damnedness to ensure that doesn't happen here.
Public transport not more roading is where the real investment needs to happen.
How do we compare vis a vis population density jensy?
Yep. If NZ had 120 million people in it like Japan does, I expect we'd have an excellent railway network because the alternative would be all-gridlock, all the time. But we don't, so we don't.
Certainly New Zealand is highly unlikely to ever see true high speed rail like Shinkansen, or commuter rail like major Japanese cities. But most of the Japanese rail network is rural 1067mm gauge lines very similar to New Zealand. Their loading gauge is slightly larger, but less than Kiwi Rail's aspirational standard.
Passenger services running at 100 – 130 kmh are the norm and a situation like Whangarei – Auckland – Hamilton – Tauranga would have a regular and highly patronised service.
It's ironic that those speeds, 100 -130 kmh, were common for our express passenger services in the steam days. I remember being a passenger in a car on SH1 around Rakaia when we were passed by the SI Limited going in the same direction like we were standing still.
Interesting – I always assumed our trains are so slow due to the narrow gauge track.
They're a great idea – though the KTX is more modern and was adopted by China as the standard for its network. The Wellington/Auckland run, if replaced, would greatly reduce the use of aircraft for domestic travel. Roomier, cheaper, and a better prospect for working in transit, the modernity is far beyond that imaginable to the paleoGnats, though the smarter Greens and younger Labour folk might get it.
Unhappily, roads are much more carbon negative than rail. The heavy longhaul truck model was broken when frankly stupid governments like yours brought it in Wayne – much moreso as the push to contain carbon release moves from the systematic frauds perpetrated under National, to real albeit slow reform.
Surprising when an ex Government minister knows so little about how freight works in New Zealand.
Trucking is both inefficient and expensive, compared with rail and shipping.
Hidden by the huge subsidies motorists, rate payers and general tax payers are forced to give to trucking. And all they pay for it is some National party funding and employment for some ex MP's. An excellent investment. For trucking firms!
The only way Rail would become the backbone of NZ Transport scene again, would be if NZ's Sea Lanes Of Communication were cut or degraded to a point that it reduces NZ's import of its POL products/ production where rationing has to introduce.
But since NZ Rail at levels during before its sell off by all Governments, under Private ownership and after it was re-nationalise that it needs a level of state involvement and investment since the 1930's under the first NZ Labour Government.
Its last major rail workshop that built wagons and Locomotives closed, this decision by the "No Mates Party" now causing delays for the new Inter- City train Auckland- Hamilton passenger train as KiwiRail no longer makes stuff aka bogies for the rebuilt passenger carriages. WTF!!!!
The Way and Works Dept was ran into the ground under private ownership which has effected the speed on some lines the Canterbury Plains lines the Ka, Kb's and the old Vulcan Railcars were doing a 100kph plus and the current loco’s s etc are now restricted to 90kph or less WTF!!!.
The loading gauge has been impacted as a result of running down of the Way and Works Dept, to a point the old Standard Railcars under private ownership are restricted on some Nth Island rail lines (Note: The Standard Railcars were Nth Island base only and the Vulcans Sth Island Base). Apart from the NIMT between Plamy and Frankston has seen any major realignment's, major rebuilds apart from the recent earthquake's in the Sth Island or Otaki rebuilds at still dated back when Rail and Stream were Kings. The last Rail Observer mention that KiwiRail was refuse funds to build a major Rail Hub at Rollie Sth of CHCH which has increase cost to producers in the Mid Canterbury Regional, but the Palmy one got the Ok and then we have the saga of the Gizzy line, Northland Rail lines and other mothball lines.
Land was sold off by Government's in the mid 80's and under Private ownership without any thought to the future use for freight and passenger services. A good example of this the CHCH Station and the removal of the turnout towards the site of the old Station, land around the New Market Junction and that's before we even start talking the Britomart Station only being restricted to 4 roads or the Wellington Station issues as well.
To those that the current Rail gauge of 3ft 6in restricts NZ Rail services is a bloody load of Bollocks. We only need to have a look at the Tilt Trains in Qld both Electric and Diesel power trains or the Train Systems in the Perth/ Lower to Mid WA.
To those out there that want to understand the current issues facing NZ Rail and other aspects of NZ Rail from the pass and to the future? Grab the latest edition of the NZ Rail Observer and sign up to the NZ Rail Society.
Sorry for the plug for the NZ Rail Society.
Cleangreen: I absolutely upport a strong rail base for freight and commuters, but the Gisborne line has always been a problem.
Major erosion issues have meant this line has frequently been closed for very long periods. It would always have been like that, and that line was never going to be essential to the rail system as a whole, being a dead end as such.
Better to bite the bullet and keep it closed, and spend the money elsewhere in the rail system. Which I guess is what the current government has decided.
It's ironic you say that Peter, our local example of road/rail/slips has the road closed, the Manawatu Gorge, and across the river the trains keep on trucking.
Apparently the difference between the terra firma of the Ruahines (rail) and the Tararuas is profound. Consequence is all the road freight grinds it's way up, over and down the Ruahines.
For the sake of a couple of tunnels being widened we could have the trucks trained through the gorge, Woodville to Ashhurst or Palmy….
I thought of you clean when I heard the Napier-Wairoa announcement.
Toasted your efforts with a lovely hopped chilli home brew cider.
tRump's 'Murica.
https://twitter.com/ScottLinnen/status/1139980107731390464
I wonder what the reaction would be, if the same criteria were included in a job ad. for any other kind of child care facility?
who would have predicted that.
I was surprised to notice that Marama seems to have gotten belated traction in her campaign to liberate the C word – in the most unlikeliest of places. Britain, where the stuff upper lip is no longer merely quivering. It seems to have gone feral. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/jeremy-hunt-c-word-victoria-derbyshire-tory-leadership-race-contest-a8958426.html
"Jeremy Hunt has demanded broadcasters “grow up” and stop mistakenly referring to him by the C-word when trying to pronounce his surname."
"On Tuesday, BBC presenter Victoria Derbyshire followed a host of TV and radio personalities by accidentally referring to the foreign secretary as “Jeremy C***” live on-air. Addressing Conservative MP Steve Brine, Derbyshire said: “You say the man you are backing, Jeremy C***…”
“I’m so sorry, Jeremy Hunt. I’ve never said that before in my life. It’s normally men who say that so I really, really want to apologise.”
"Others who have made the gaffe include Sky News reporter Thomas Moore, BBC journalists Justin Webb and James Naughtie, as well as presenter Nicky Campbell just last week."
Jeremy Hunt is the British Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs. For the British media to vilify him thus seems a new behavioural low, which has become contagious. Not an appropriate way to treat a leading govt minister!
Notice how he asks them to grow up, yet refers to their utterances as mistakes. Adults make mistakes too. Surely he knows they do! Really accidental?? Or juvenile? Perhaps it would be better for offenders to agree that the trend is Freudian slippage…
To be fair, Jeremy Hunt's personality and behaviour must make it very hard for journalists to remember to say "Hunt" when referring to him.
If he'd just stop being such a hunt it might happen less often.
It's in the feed section but needs to be highlighted:
http://bowalleyroad.blogspot.com/2019/06/ripped-away-from-their-parents.html
First of all the "State"- aided and abetted by successive governments – created the climate of poverty that exists among Maori communities in particular, and then they remove their babies on the pretext they are nor living in safe and secure environments.
There will of course be valid reasons why some children have to be removed from their Whanau, but it is looks to me like the agencies involved have created a social apartheid system based on their prejudices and… not a little desire for power and control.
Minister, Tracy Martin has announced an inquiry into the case. I have trust in her to ensure the inquiry is fair and the outcome reasonable.
https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/inquiry-announced-into-handling-attempted-uplift-baby-in-hawkes-bay-last-month-oranga-tamariki
They might know more about the whanau and their associates than they're allowed to say.
True Gabby, but they might also be basing their judgement on past behaviour not taking into account that the circumstances of the mother and her whanau may have changed.
Trivial comment.
If my weight goes up because I'm fat, why does the fatty cream float on top of the milk? Perhaps i should eat more cream.
Or drink more milk? Force those fat deposits to the surface GWS!
And how does balsa get away with being a hardwood greysy?
If they're all scrunched up together, how come they're called apartments?
Drink buttermilk, That allows the fat to be suspended in water (blood) and carried away.
"Fuck the Government and Fuck Boris"
The Act Party's new branding is blue, yellow and hot pink.
I feel a migraine coming on.
https://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/actnz/sites/1002/meta_images/original/output-onlinepngtools.png?1560642422
Once upon a time, I had ski gear in just those colours!
That is terrible design. The type looks awful at that size and its a text body font anyway. Even worse is the horrible contrast between the oblique shapes and the type.
Any what does the pink represent? There seems to have been no design brief, and even less design ability.
Like ACT itself a clumsy, poorly thought out wish mash of not fit for purpose ideas…
…on second thoughts that logo is a perfect description of the 0.4% party.
Maybe it's a trend
Maybe Seymour got the idea after he went to…
https://www.peachesandcream.co.nz/catalog/view/theme/custom/image/2014/pc-logo-white.png
If you think for one minute the old money establishment give a rats about you and yours, think again… In the following spot the similarity with dirty politics that Donkey pulled.
https://theintercept.com/2019/06/09/brazil-archive-operation-car-wash/
With Sarah Huckabooboo Slanders heading off to spend more time lying to her family, Samantha Bee has a couple of farewell remembrance messages.
https://twitter.com/FullFrontalSamB/status/1139606843767107584
https://twitter.com/FullFrontalSamB/status/1139639896438640641
She's horrible, but she's not the first, and she's not the worst.
She is irreplacable!
My thoughts and prayers to those affected by the plane collision over Hood Aerodrome, Masterton.
OMG! I did used to fly out of Hood way back. In fact did my first solo there and my PPL.
I remember my first solo – not only because it was my first solo, but for a very similar reason. On your down wind leg apart from doing the normal pre landing checks on the aircraft you are also looking out for other aircraft . Naturally you are looking out for aircraft to the right and to the left and above and behind. On the approach as you descend you are watching airspeed height and timing your turn to line up with the runway. Well I landed safely and came to a stop turning to the left to clear the runway before heading back to the club house when I saw almost directly behind me a DC3 from James Aviation, used for top dressing, landing just behind me! It had come in on a direct approach low down – no standard circuit at 1000ft as one is supposed to do on an uncontrolled airfield like Hood. Gave me one hell of a fright!
It's been a bad weekend for aircraft crashes. There was one earlier on up by Coromandel as well.
She expressed shock that Trump spoke crudely about women, but apparently she was not shocked that her own husband had a kill list.
https://morrisseybreen.blogspot.com/2018/01/its-michelle-obamas-marie-antoinette.html
World Famous, except in NZ
[TheStandard: A moderator moved this comment to Open Mike as being off topic or irrelevant in the post it was made in. Be more careful in future.]
Just what the world needs.
https://twitter.com/TheRealOJ32/status/1139743663737622529
Trump's got a Twitter page—though nearly all of it is written by the sinister fanatic Stephen Miller. Obama's got a Twitter page. Blair's got one. Bill Clinton's got one. So has Crooked Hillary.
Compared to that horrific quintet, O.J. Simpson is a choirboy.
The act
the goatfor freedom party proposes a $185,000 parent's fund for each child to spend on whichever school they want for the length of the child's education.I'm trying to imagine the landscape were a policy like this enacted.
One immediate outcome would be that each school would charge according to popularity. Supply and demand and all that.
Therefore, as night follows day, there would be immediate elitism injected into the education system. Prices for "good" schools would skyrocket, wealthier parents able to top up thousands of dollars to get little Cinnamon in, and they'd then pay their teachers more, hoarding all the 'best' ones.
Then of course low income communities would be left with all the 'poorer' teachers and facilities, unable to raise extra funds out of already disadvantaged communities.
This is just one aspect of what is to me a completely bizarre education policy. It would lead to massive widening of inequality for generations to come.
I remember the criticism over the proposed CGT was it'll be too hard & unwieldy to manage, all the variables, to me this education policy seems insanely complicated, more money for ticket clippers I guess, which is apt from the rentier party.
Indeed. There'd be an entire new industry of advisors pop up to manage the new complexities of educating your kids.
There are volumes and volumes of negatives in this bizarre, 19th century policy.
Pompeo's "freedom loving nations" is as dishonest and ridiculous a phrase as "Democratic Republic of North Korea"
The "freedom loving nations" that this poisonous slug refers to are: the rogue U.S. regime of Donald Trump, and its vile, violent vassals Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, UAE, and Israel.
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1906/S00182/the-crisis-the-housing-minister-created.htm
A report yesterday of a woman, 86, moving because of a 73 percent rent hike illustrates the crisis created by Housing Minister Phil Twyford, Tenancies War spokesman Mike Butler said today….
The main justification for Mr Twyford’s standards was to prevent the hospitalisation each year of 6000 children for housing-sensitive illnesses.
As a one-bedroom flat, the flat under discussion would be unsuitable for children; this illustrates the short-sightedness of setting requirements for 588,700 properties for the supposed benefit of 6000, Mr Butler said.
$150/week is under-rented. Insulation requirements were nothing to do with Labour, sadly, so Mr Butler can't 'blame' Twyford for that.
And bringing up to healthy homes standard which I believe is mostly about a heating source in the main room doesn't require a $110/week rent hike.
I think Mr Butler has used this story to push a pro-amateur landlord/property investor agenda.
It's tiresome.
This is reality our environmental the Papatuanuku weather stabilizer the Antarctica and Arctic Polar Ice caps all that billions of tons of Ice stabilizes our Papatuanuku weather. It's not hard to figure that out they are melting fast this is going to ramp up sea level rising and the EXTREME WEATHER events. The poor people from 3 world nations are going to hit hardest by Climate Change hence wealth nations have a duty to help them survive this big man made mess.
The Arctic Ocean and Greenland ice sheet have seen record June ice loss
Ice is melting in unprecedented waysas summer approaches in the Arctic.
In recent days, observations have revealed a record-challenging melt event over the Greenland ice sheet while the extent of ice over the Arctic Ocean has never been this low in mid-June during the age of weather satellites.
Greenland saw temperatures soar up to 40 degrees above normal Wednesday while open water exists in places north of Alaska where it seldom, if ever, has in recent times.
It's "another series of extreme events consistent with the long-term trend of a warming, changing Arctic," said Zachary Labe, a climate researcher at the University of California-Irvine Ka kite ano link below.
https://i.stuff.co.nz/environment/climate-news/113516824/the-arctic-ocean-and-greenland-ice-sheet-have-seen-record-june-ice-loss
Some Eco Maori music for the minute.
https://youtu.be/k6fvex8kr58
Kia ora Newshub.
shonky is to sly to get caught the way he forces his stare shows Eco Maori he is false he should step down to he is just chucking the ANZ CEO under the bus to save his ASS.
I thank the government for legislating banks to negotiate with farmers before receivership is started. That is well needed farmers work there asss off only to have a down turn in the price of their produce next minute the receiver are banging their doors down. I know that happened to one big farming family it cost the banks many millions and who instigated their downfall well non other than shonky muppet.
Thank to Our Government for increasing the marine Reservation in the North and South Island to protect our Maui and Hector dolphin KA PAI Yar Cool.
That end of life bill is a bit tricky for Eco Maori it could leave the door open for deceitful people to manipulate the system for their own gain if people were not deceitful I would back it we Know that not the CASE.
Ka kite ano
Kia ora te ao Maori news.
Peter Smith I say you are correct that the health system is treating prisoners as lower class people you are there seeing it .But bro you have to look after you health first for you mokopuna.
It good that $138 million for rehabilitation of Drug addicts that PEE shit is ruining te tangata whenua O Aotearoa thanks very much I won't say anymore because I will start ranting against you know who.
That's cool our Government giving $9.8 million to keep tamariki in schools they need a good education the extra funding will help give the tamariki that leave school with no education a interest in there future wellbeing.
The forestry industry has not delivered the promises that they made to Nagti Porou the only people making good money from east coast forestry is the forestry company's I know of one farm spent $1 million for the harvest and only made $90.000 WTF there was heaps of good farming land planted in pines what a waste farming provides more work per hectare than forestry.
Ka kite ano
Kia ora The Am Show.
Chris Climate Change is affecting our weather I can see the effects all around te Papatuanuku.
The Government farm finance bill is well over due we have to look after our farmers they are the backbone of Aotearoa.
Don't focus on the numbers what the numbers tell the TRUTH of the story you have to focus on the numbers .
Some Pepi and Tamariki need to be uplifted for their safety Very good that Our Iwis are working with Oranga tamariki to find solutions to the problems that they have.
I don't think that the authorities should treat the people who are homeless like that making them move with know were to go putting them in worst circumstances than before they moved.
There might be a bit of inconvenience for the fishermen with new marine protection Reserve for our endangered Maui and Hector dolphin. But in the future the Reserves will be a nursery the fish's they will multiply quite quickly and flow into other areas of Tangaroa any Marine Reservation is good for the preservation of Tangaroa mokopuna.
I agree that our churches should open their doors to help the homeless people in South Auckland I bet that there will be old buildings not being used in Auckland to house the homeless people look at Rotorua council they found a solution to the homeless people in Rotorua if there's a will there's a way.
Ka kite ano
Eco Maori thanks all the reporters who are not intimidated by big oil barons money thanks for all the skin you put on the line to get the TRUTH about our environmental issues out there that the Papatuanuku has at the minute.
We must protect our world reporters with good legislation so the people who intimidated our reporters will think twice before doing bad stuff to our reporters governments of the world must protect our reporters its their duty.
Environment reporters facing harassment and murder, study finds
Tally of deaths makes it one of most dangerous fields for journalists after war reporting
Thirteen journalists who were investigating damage to the environment have been killed in recent years and many more are suffering violence, harassment, intimidation and lawsuits, according to a study.
The Committee to Protect Journalists(CPJ), which produced the tally, is investigating a further 16 deaths over the last decade. It says the number of murders may be as high as 29, making this field of journalism one of the most dangerous after war reporting
Environmental issues involve some of the greatest abuses of power in the world and some of the greatest of concentrations of power in the world,” said Bruce Shapiro, the director of the Dart Center for Journalism and Trauma.
“I’m hard put to think of a category of investigative reporters who are routinely dealing with more dangerous actors. Investigative reporting on the environment can be as dangerous a beat as reporting on narco smuggling.”
The CPJ executive director, Joel Simon, added: “Reporting such stories for national and international media often involves travelling to remote communities and confronting powerful interests. This makes it inherently dangerous ka kite ano link below.
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/jun/17/environment-reporters-facing-harassment-murder-study
Some Eco Maori music for the minute.
https://youtu.be/h4DFXUndvbw
Te Ego is huge shonky that is when you make enemies they have long memories and as soon as they get the chance they bit you on the ASS .
The smiling assassin strikes: John Key pushes out David Hisco as ANZ CEO
ANZ CEO David Hisco felt entitled to claim around $50,000 worth of personal chauffeur and wine storage costs as business costs. So John Key pushed out his friend and NZ's most successful banker to protect ANZ's position and try to avoid a Royal Commission here. Bernard Hickey analyses Key's biggest hit yet
David Hisco just joined a long list of loyal and often friendly colleagues of John Key who exited their jobs in often surprisingly quick and career-ending ways. It could be said Hisco's exit is Key's biggest yet.
The Former Prime Minister and now ANZ New Zealand chairman became known in his corporate life before politics as the 'smiling assassin
Hisco successfully managed the merger with barely a blip in customer service and market share. He also quietly presided over a reduction in ANZ's exposure to dangerous dairy loans, flicking on some of the weakest lenders to other banks. For example, ANZ let Allan Crafar move his more than $200 million of loans to Westpac before the poorly managed farming group collapsed under a welter of animal mistreatment allegations and effluent treatment fines. Westpac suffered heavy losses in the subsequent receivership and sale of Crafar Farms Ka kite ano link below.
https://i.stuff.co.nz/business/113576752/the-smiling-assassin-returns-for-his-biggest-hit
Kia ora Newshub.
I agree shonky scapegoats a junior staff we know that the buck stops with the boss not the boy.
I think it's good that the restriction on foreign houses buyers is working let KIWIs back into the Aotearoa housing markets.
Condolences to all the people affected by the earthquakes in China.
Mark the UBER flying taxis engineer very cool the flying electric cars are the way of the future KIWIs ingenuity ka pai.
Is sad how the police treated the African American people in America Mike.
Ka kite ano
Kia ora te ao Maori news.
Condolences to the Whanau of Wanna Davies she was a good Wahine Maori leader.
I'm am not commenting on Oranga tamariki to much .I think the good reforms will come soon.
30 years ago the ruling class were still in denial mode what gives Eco Maori a sore face in now they are listening and can see that institutionalized racism is a reality for te tangata whenua O Aotearoa. NOW
I think traditional ronga Maori healing needs to be revived bad to its rightful place in Maoridom it's sad that we losted some of the knowledge on traditional Maori healing.
I say bottled water needs to be banned we need to stop doing dumb shit all the plastic waste and the carbon footprint of bottled water out weighs the positives of bottled water
Ka kite ano
Kia ora The Am show .
Big 6.8 Earthquake in Japan let's hope not to many people are harmed .
That guy and his dog who got lost in a cave found their way out cool.
The SHOW must go on in America.
Mark the American polls tell a difference STORY .
That form of accommodation is good for young people shared accommodation in a whare in Auckland rent $320 a week for one room and every else is shared.
Very cool that our Government is investing $26 million into Artic research they Polar Ice caps are the Papatuanuku environment stabilization.
trump is spending big time manipulating the Papatuanuku media I can hear it in your words duncan I have read stories about them moving federal funds to manipulate the reality of what trump has done he is creating a tsunami of broke America's it will take years for the Democrats to clean up trump's MESS. His tariff are harming the whole Papatuanuku everyone in the world will end up paying and worse off because of his tariffs.
Nice Jersey I agree trump's personal ratings are low .
Its very funny the story's about new technology device use causing bone growth in your neck the internet of things and the hard wear devices and social media is changing who rules the world the oil barons trumps masters are losing control fast time for the next generation to rule the Papatuanuku the next generation has to focus on a good future for all.
Ka kite ano