Open mike 16/08/2019

Written By: - Date published: 7:00 am, August 16th, 2019 - 60 comments
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60 comments on “Open mike 16/08/2019 ”

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  2. wairua 2
    16 August 2019 at 10:22 am

    Jeremy Corbyn urges opposition leaders and Tory rebels to help oust PM.
    Labour leader claims Johnson has no mandate for no-deal Brexit and calls for caretaker government.

    “Jeremy Corbyn has called on rebel Tories and opposition leaders to stop a no-deal Brexit by ousting Boris Johnson as prime minister and allowing Labour to form a caretaker government until a general election.

    The Labour leader proposed that he should lead a temporary administration on a “strictly time-limited” basis with the aim of calling a general election.

    His letter threw down the gauntlet to the Lib Dems, the SNP, Plaid Cymru, the Greens and rebel Tories, at a time when MPs opposed to no deal have been discussing a “national unity government” led by a centrist figure.

    Corbyn’s proposal makes it clear that the Labour frontbench consider he is the only politician who could lead a caretaker government, rather than a backbench candidate such as Tory veteran Ken Clarke or Labour’s Yvette Cooper.”

    https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/aug/14/jeremy-corbyn-urges-opposition-leaders-and-tory-rebels-to-help-oust-pm

    • greywarshark 2.1
      16 August 2019 at 10:39 am

      Wow Jeremy is coming out of his shell, or like a conger eel charging out of the reef. Very wise of him to act while there still is a reef in good old UK home of democracy, or is it? Can't remember, I think something happened a long time ago that was supposed to be good.

      Thanks for that Wairua – we will all be watching this with great interest. We need to keep our eye on Trump and what is going on behind the scenery there – it all seems so theatrical don't you think? Hong Kong protesters pushing the envelope – does China have a mail system to receive it? Likely to have only one result – who is orchestrating this – the young people with no understanding of history, or some entity that is manipulating those young people?

      Anything good happening in the UK is a bonus. Meanwhile what is going on in the other BRIC countries apart from China? (Brazil, Russia, India).

      https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BRIC

    • Dukeofurl 2.2
      16 August 2019 at 11:22 am

      Caretaker government ?

      Doesnt happen under UK conventions.

      Again Guardian reporting as news complete fantasy without correcting the politicians claims.

      Its no different from say Daily Mail in its hyper partisan coverage of British politics. Its one thing to to have opinion or editorial taking a position.

    • Sanctuary 2.3
      16 August 2019 at 1:00 pm

      The reaction to this offer from Corbyn of the Yellow Tories (AKA the Liberal Democrats), the "centrist" PLP MPs who group around Tom Watson and the various self-serving careerist Blairite turkeys still hanging around as independents and whatever the hell the TIGgers call themselves now has exposed Remain as now completely captured by neoliberal authoritarian technocrats and Israel's stooges – a motley crew of chancers and grifters that has the nerve to present itself as "sensible people and centrists".

      If Corbyn has done one thing with this it has been to expose the Lib-dems as an austerity enabling, Tory supporting lying leopard that has not changed it's spots. As i have said all along, the Oxbridge educated liberal urban elite who are the key enablers (and winners from) of neoliberalism would rather have Brexit – and austerity and betray the working class – than Corbyn.

      Corbyn hasn't a hope of stopping Brexit with this proposal – I doubt he ever expected to be able to – but Jo Sinson walked right into the trap and therefore he just destroyed the Liberal Democrats as a the standard bearers of remain.

      The logic of FPP elections means that Corbyn and his allies must have calculated that with the Brexit party splitting the Tory vote and the Liberal Democrats completely discredited, enough Labour voters will return to Labour to allow them to coming sailing up the middle for a Corbynista landslide at any Brexit election…

      • greywarshark 2.3.1
        16 August 2019 at 1:27 pm

        Ooer Sanctuary that is an excoriating analysis. I don't know what to hope for after reading that. The maze is impenetrable to this rat. My birth father, who ended up a pilot of a Lancaster bomber in WW2 that went down in flames, ended up not thinking very highly of the Brits after he had spent a year or so there. I think he was a fairly good judge of things from what I have heard of him, and the few aerograms I was given.

        It is disappointing to think that they have screwed themselves down so strongly, and have lost the screwdriver. It was interesting to view the doco 'Meeting Gorbachev' in the NZIFF and see him speaking wonderingly of Margaret Thatcher's undiminished surety that nuclear arms were a Good Thing ensuring peace. Exactly the opposite of his beliefs that he was carrying from one leader to another in an effort to contain and reduce the tides of unhelpful responses rife in that time of uncertainty and anxiety.

        Perhaps the Brits still feel the ghost of the God-like empah oblivion, thinking that saying something firmly and strongly makes it true and real and right. That is how Trump behaves though. Is there something in the waters; we are feeling it in our waters for sure?

      • phillip ure 2.3.2
        17 August 2019 at 8:50 am

        excellent commentary/analysis..

  3. marty mars 3
    16 August 2019 at 11:25 am

    This is good imo. It enhances all parties mana and specifically the land protector mana, reduces tension, creates space for solutions and really puts all parties in a good light. Nice one.

    All the police cars and Fletcher Building contractor vehicles have left the front line at Ihumātao, leaving fewer than 10 officers.

    https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/396814/police-dramatically-reduce-presence-at-ihumatao

  4. marty mars 4
    16 August 2019 at 11:55 am

    life.

    cool article

    A new organ involved in the sensation of pain has been discovered by scientists, raising hopes that it could lead to the development of new painkilling drugs.

    Researchers say they have discovered that the special cells that surround the pain-sensing nerve cells that extend into the outer layer of skin appear to be involved in sensing pain – a discovery that points to a new organ behind the feeling of “ouch!”.

    hmm interesting

    The team’s biggest finding was that these Schwann cells can sense pain.

    nice

    The discovery was made using optogenetics, which involved the researchers genetically modifying mice so Schwann cells in the skin of their feet produced a protein that could absorb light.

    ooookay – some other reactions being pinged

    When light was shone on these cells, the mice lifted their feet. They also showed behaviour including licking, shaking and guarding of their paws – signs that stimulating these Schwann cells caused pain.

    As the pulses of light increased in duration, the number of nearby nerve cells firing increased, supporting the idea that these Schwann cells send a signal to the brain through the nerve cells.

    feeling a bit sick now

    Prof Peter McNaughton, an expert in sensory systems from King’s College London, said the study was interesting and radical. “If borne out by subsequent studies, this paper will be a paradigm shift showing that pain-sensitive nerve cell terminals are not in fact always directly driven by a painful stimulus but instead can be driven by associated [Schwann] cells,” he said.

    https://www.theguardian.com/science/2019/aug/15/scientists-discover-new-pain-sensing-organ

    yep

    just mice who cares>will help people with pain>we use mice for a reason cos they feel it>I kill mice>I don't torture mice>bloody humans>bloody mice>bloody pain>…

    life…

    • weka 4.1
      16 August 2019 at 12:23 pm

      It's one of the things I loathe about reading medical research. So much unnecessary suffering.

      • greywarshark 4.1.1
        16 August 2019 at 12:39 pm

        It is wonderful to find how far scientists will go when they believe they have something that will be good for humans and actually try it on themselves. It isn't always animals used to do the testing. And sometimes their short and unknowing lives are pivotal to being able to find an answer to something very big and hard to learn about if used on humans. We do hurt each other too, so we don't just pick on animals.

  5. greywarshark 5
    16 August 2019 at 12:22 pm

    Edit:
    This is a comment from Wild Katipo from Fertile Land is Priceless:

    WILD KATIPO 7.2.2.1.1
    15 August 2019 at 12:04 pm

    And large helpings of steamed vegetables for all those attending free of charge. What does a few bottles of Olive oil and peanut butter cost ,- all cooked on a few barbeque’s?

    Think of it… the sharing of gardening ideas, in a festival atmosphere,.. where all generations can participate…from the things one can do with herbs to vegetable recipes to tree planting and ecology… the list is endless.

    Bands could play ! Lolly scrambles for the kids ! Select wine tasting !

    It would be a smash hit !

    And it has sparked me to think this:

    That's what we should have at booth sites on election days eh? Not offer to pay people for voting which as many commenters on RadioNZ pointed out wouldn't promote thought and real interest in civics and policies.

    But making interest in being part of the support group for community politics into something to enjoy. Going to vote and be welcomed by buskers throughout the last voting day, ie Saturday, kids from schools who learn the arts showing their activities, singing songs, playing ukes, elders with demonstrations of activities – tai chi, akido, etc. A sausage sizzle, people making pikelets, showing how to make fresh fruit drinks with gadgets, etc. Businesses showing up with useful services and The community showing how it wants to include everyone to participate, join the real party, The Garden Party (being a joke name for people who get together to show their love of NZ)! That is a pretty attractive idea don't you think?

    You wouldn't be able to keep people away from the voting booth. And I suggest that there should be a group of teenagers chosen from various schools to be monitors, keeping a clear space around the door, and watching that everything went smoothly, ensuring a good future for them from guarding the means of their citizen power. It is time to revitalise our concern for NZ and the young and to adopt new approaches to our rather weary and worn democratic system.

    • greywarshark 5.1
      16 August 2019 at 12:52 pm

      Thinking further, it could be such a great day that people would forget to vote or forget what its actual purpose was. So at the entry gates people would be channelled into the voting booth BEFORE they could take part in the fun that had been organised for VOTING. Some people think that the country is run by fairies and goblins and people living in The Cloud, and forget that it is just us getting together and being committed to a common object. Taking everything for granted has been a fault that has developed.

      There could be a fun scarf that is knitted to wrap around the voting booth, everyone invited to put a stitch – as an example of what we have in our democracy, a dropped stitch here and there and some imperfections would only underscore the example of our reality, not perfect but something we can see and participate in and repair if need be. And at the end it can be measured, announced in the media along with reports about highlights of the day, and given to a group that knits blankets for those who need them.

      And then the counting, the booths finished, the apparent direction of the voting, the comments about the candidates, the general discussion about the country's state, will all be of more interest and better understood than ever before. People will want to wait up for the results, it will be like the New Year's celebrations.

    • SHG 5.2
      16 August 2019 at 8:10 pm

      In Australia election advertising is legal on election day and legal in the grounds of polling locations up to a no-fly-zone border a few metres from the buildings. Getting from the street to the polling booth often means running a gauntlet of party volunteers in colourful t-shirts handing out pamphlets.

      Now this sounds awful but I think it actually does something positive for the Australian voting experience. The voting booth locations are always active places with helpful people who have an obligation to be friendly – no party wants to see their volunteers in their shirts on the news because they were abusing people.

      Many of the Australian polling-booth sites I've visited on election day have resembled greywarshark's description – sausage sizzles ("#democracysausage") and other food, kids playing games, music playing.

  6. weka 6
    16 August 2019 at 12:26 pm

    testing to see if the old smilies still work

    :mrgreen:

    😎

    😈

    🙄

    😮

  7. cleangreen 7
    16 August 2019 at 1:13 pm

    smileyNew German study. Scientists find microplastics in Arctic snow, suggesting significant air pollution even in remote locations New German study. Scientists find microplastics in Arctic snow, suggesting significant air pollution even in remote locations

    CEAC calls for action for rail – Tyre dust found here in new study. – we note trains don't use tyres. – only trucks do. – stop trucks – use rail.

    QUOTE; “They are usually formed by the breakdown of larger pieces of plastic – for example, from shopping bags to the wear and tear on tires. Microplastics might contain varnish, rubber, or chemicals used in synthetic fabrics and cause significant air pollution.

    Published on : 10:28 PST, Aug 14, 2019

    “Plastic pollution is a problem of growing environmental concern, and annual waste production is projected to rise to 3.4 billion metric tons (MT) in the next 30 years.” https://meaww.com/scientists-discover-plastic-waste-arctic-snow-air-pollution-remote-locations-study

    • Pat 7.1
      16 August 2019 at 2:03 pm

      "It seems easy, doesn’t it? The first of these options involves business as usual. It means that the company remains at the mercy of gyrating energy prices and of low-cost producers flooding the market with cheap steel. The second of the options would allow British Steel to be more forward-looking when there is pressure on the steel industry to do its bit in the fight against climate change.

      In all the circumstances, the decision might look like a no-brainer. After all, the government is committed to a long-term industrial strategy and, by 2050, a zero-carbon economy. Yet it is gearing up to make Oyak the preferred bidder.

      That decision, of course, has nothing whatsoever to do with the fact that the Liberty House plan involves 400 more job losses than the Oyak proposal, that Scunthorpe is a marginal with a Labour majority of less than 3,500 and that ministers are preparing for a snap general election within the next few months. Perish the thought."

      https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/aug/15/spend-spend-spend-spirit-of-viv-nicholson-lives-on-britain-brexit

      • Dukeofurl 7.1.1
        16 August 2019 at 3:45 pm

        Zero NETT carbon.

        Governments have committed since Kyoto to reduce NETT emissions, NZ does this ,when its gross emissions are rising, by buying carbon credits off others. The taxpayer pays something like $1 bill per year to do so, some industries that dont get the taxpayer to pick up their rising emissions maybe pay another $250 mill ?

        Places like Ukraine which 'de industrialised/de populated' have made a lot of money being a sink for others.

        Zero carbon doesnt mean no carbon , far from it.

        • cleangreen 7.1.1.1
          16 August 2019 at 5:00 pm

          Agree with you sadly Dukeofurl, they buy phoney carbon credits too from saby countries like ukraine.and follish they are.

          This begun with John key though but you would think that labour would not do this now but my suspicion is that you are right they probaby are still buying them today from Ukraine now.

        • Pat 7.1.1.2
          16 August 2019 at 6:23 pm

          There was no suggestion of otherwise….the point of the post (which appears to have been overlooked) is that even with the legislation (the UK has had it longer than anyone else) the logical decisions will be overridden for political expediency…NZ will be no different

    • greywarshark 7.2
      16 August 2019 at 2:12 pm

      I have been interested for a while in Graeme Hart's packaging arm and finding out some more about what he does, and thinks about what is happening in this field. He is supposed to be an astute businessman and I would think would be moving out of some areas. His wealth is calculated at $10 billion IIRC.

      It is interesting when searching on google to find there is so little about him. And fascinating to find that there was a journalist Graeme Hart, now deceased, who wrote about him in The Listener in 2010. This is a good article and rare I imagine. There is this about packaging:

      If market rumours are correct, Rank Group is seeking to acquire US packaging company Pactiv Corporation in a bid to challenge Tetra Laval's food-packaging dominance. Among Tetra Laval's varied operations, the Tetra Pak business is the world leader in liquid food-processing and packaging.

      What is not in doubt is that Hart is laying the groundwork for something big after shelling out US$2.7 billion for aluminium producer Alcoa's packaging and consumer group in 2008. He spun off parts of the business – mostly aluminium foil and plastic closures – restructured it with plant shutdowns and hefty job losses, and renamed it Reynolds Packaging Group. It is now the flagship for Rank's varied and far-flung packaging interests.

      From late 2009 Hart started bundling the packaging groups Rank already owned into the Reynolds stable: Swiss drinks carton manufacturer SIB and ­Indianapolis-based plastic bottle cap manufacturer Closure Systems Inter­national. Courtesy of US$1.75 million of debt Hart is raising on Reynolds Group Holdings, he hopes to add further Rank assets to the mix: Memphis-based drinks packager Evergreen Packaging and even the Whakatane Paper Mill (the latter is part of Rank-controlled Carter Holt Harvey).

      The end-game in this has to be a food-packaging group capable of challenging Tetra Pak. Hart wouldn't be interested if the challenge were anything less. That he can even consider this when the global economy is still weak is testimony to more than blatant deal-making. It is about Hart himself – a rare breed of New Zealander who has made it in business overseas and survived as a member of New Zealand's oft-maligned and oft-troubled nouveau riche.

      The Economist predicts a giant Reynolds would give Hart the critical mass to change the nature of the food-packaging industry.

      It is hard being in business!

      https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=12204563
      https://www.noted.co.nz/archive/archive-listener-nz-2010/lord-of-the-deals
      Graeme Hart’s Reynolds Group reports US$5 million loss
      Reynolds Group, the global packaging giant owned by New Zealand’s richest person, Graeme Hart, went into the red last year, because of a greater level of impaired assets and higher raw material costs.

      In a filing to the US Securities and Exchange Commission, Reynolds reported US$5 million ($7.3m) loss in 2018, against a US$439 million profit in the previous year.

      Some old info – last at 2016
      https://www.interest.co.nz/category/tag/rank-group

      • greywarshark 7.2.1
        16 August 2019 at 2:35 pm

        I was wrong in the above about journalist name which should have been Graeme Hunt writing about Graeme Hart.

  9. greywarshark 9
    16 August 2019 at 2:46 pm

    Worrying about machines taking over – sometime in the next century, decade, year, now …..

    https://thedailyblog.co.nz/2019/08/15/the-wellington-orac-dangers-of-replacing-bureaucrat-bigotry-with-ai-bigotry-police-wanting-facial-recognition-cctv-empire/

    Martin Bradbury's take on it.

  10. OnceWasTim 10
    16 August 2019 at 2:53 pm

    Hey, just as a matter of interest, sometime in the recent past, was Eco Maori advised/encouraged to post his contributions on the Open Mike of yesterday or the day before? Or is he really just two short puffs on the end of a spliff – somehow I don’t believe that

    Yesterday's Open Mike is today's Fish and Chip rapper of course – but really no worse than those than come in here with the intention to divert, or even those running an official ideological agenda (going forward).

    No biggie – just curious from someone anxious for some learnings

    • Fireblade 10.1
      16 August 2019 at 3:30 pm

      From memory, Eco Maori was asked not to post at the start of everyday, when he was asking for financial contributions. That was a long time ago now. He then chose to post on old Open Mikes.

      I believe Eco Maori should be invited back to the current Open Mike. I find most of his contributions quite interesting. Obviously what I think isn't important and it's not my decision to make.

      • OnceWasTim 10.1.1
        16 August 2019 at 3:37 pm

        Ditto @ Fireblade re last paragraph. I hadn't realised he'd been asking for financial contributions. Just curious. (Maybe it'll eventually kill this kat)

        • greywarshark 10.1.1.1
          16 August 2019 at 8:44 pm

          Eco Maori interests and I notice the style of writing changes, and I have a feeling that more than one person pens the comments, or that he sometimes plays with a stream of Maori consciousness approach where he talks a lot about sandflys who are out to get him (cops and bailiffs?).

          But even if his pieces go to yesterday's OM we are still allowed to read them! When his name occurs in the Comments listings, just follow them up and see what pearls he is throwing down. He supports Maori musicians so we can keep up with the young creatives.

          I think he might be writing for another readership actually, some of the ones who follow the blog and don't write in

    • veutoviper 10.2
      16 August 2019 at 4:06 pm

      I also actually quite enjoy some of Eco's comments, but they did become a problem for the reasons discussed above.

      As far as I am aware, the fact that they appear in Open Mike's of a day or two old rather than on the day they are actually submitted has nothing to do with Eco's choice – but rather what I call "lprent's Magical Time Machine"! lprent waves his wand and just by magic Eco's comments disappear and reappear on older Open Mike posts.

      I take it you have not noticed that lprent has been updating his Time Machine and has it doing other such tricks with other commenters' posts from time to time over the last month or so? LOLOL

      Seriously though I find the current solution completely practical and presumably acceptable to Eco, otherwise he would stop posting at all. It allows Eco’s comments to still appear but without the disruption to other comments/posts etc. I and others have replied to Eco’s posts from time to time but I don’t recall any of us having responses to our replies …

      In fact there are a lot more posts that I would love to see being treated in a similar manner!

      • OnceWasTim 10.2.1
        16 August 2019 at 6:01 pm

        Yep Mr/Mrs/Ms Veut. I did notice Lprent's wizardry. A true gem when it comes to eloquent and expedient solutions.

        I imagine it all happened when I was away being mischievous and on a venture to find my inner peace – even though I did comment from time to time from the other side. Which reminds me, I'd also noticed Mr Ure is back on his magic scooter, and one or two others that seem to be commenting from their new-found set of mystical realities.

        Unfortunately, it seems no amount of time warp travel affects the likes of a Mapp.

        All part of life's rich tapestry though eh?

        • Incognito 10.2.1.1
          16 August 2019 at 6:23 pm

          All part of life’s rich tapestry though eh?

          QFT

          • veutoviper 10.2.1.1.1
            16 August 2019 at 6:46 pm

            Oh, so clever.

            So which definition of QFT are you intending, Incognito? There are several.

            • Incognito 10.2.1.1.1.1
              16 August 2019 at 7:01 pm

              I only know one that fits here: Quoted For Truth.

              The other one I know (of) doesn’t make any sense here 😉

              Please enlighten me/us.

        • lprent 10.2.1.2
          16 August 2019 at 7:51 pm

          Another mod used my OpenMike shunt to shift some off-topic junk out of a post. It shunted up to the top of an OpenMike from a later date – because it was earlier. That was because the OM shunt sends it to the current OM.

          I just changed the dates so that it no-longer looked like it was the eco post.

  11. greywarshark 11
    16 August 2019 at 3:24 pm

    Portsmouth Sinfonia pay the Danube Waltz (or murder it if you wish). Tis is how our democracy is going at the moment. If you want it to be better than the PS sound, then keep working at it. The PS is people who have not had much time learning their instruments though they are good at their own specialty. They need time to learn and at present are giving it a 'good go', I just love it though can't bear to listen too often. The Lord loves a tryer. So help us please oh Lord.

    (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qmqBzFcHQis

    You will like them at the Albert Hall having a go at the Hallelujah Chorus! What a doughty bunch. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vkPGByh_F50

    The main thing is to keep going and not start laughing.

    Another version entirely. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRhjWdr-LAA

    • Pingau 11.1
      16 August 2019 at 4:22 pm

      I first heard them playing the William Tell overture … I laughed so hard I cried. I think it is a requirement that you have never played whatever instrument you are playing before but that you give it your best shot. They have a sprinkling of people who can play to help the overall music along.

      Thanks for that Gray!

      • greywarshark 11.1.1
        16 August 2019 at 8:14 pm

        Glad you like it Pingau. I think that the full requirement is that they are musicians but have never played the instrument du jour before. Some of them have a very short practice! And the working guideline is that you all start together and finish together. In between it gets individual.

        It has always tickled me especially the Albert Hall Hallelujah where there were a basic group of singers and musicians and then another hundred or so turned up to be in the shindig. It's very enjoyable and for some it is no more discordant than jazz can be.

        It is more fun than when you are an earnest music student and get to perform at the end of year show and tell, and forget your piece but stumble through, and are outclassed by a six year old who plays Fur Elise like a professional! Happened to one of my children. He still plays though – he's got true grit.

        • OnceWasTim 11.1.1.1
          16 August 2019 at 8:30 pm

          Is that second one (Hallelujah) the theme son to Brexit?

        • Stuart Munro. 11.1.1.2
          17 August 2019 at 7:49 am

          You've hit on something real there – the commodification of recorded music tends to obscure the fun of producing it, of personally improving, and of being part of a creative community.

          Both Karaoke and the punk movement were directed at returning music to small groups and communities, and both enjoyed considerable success. Great link btw.

    • OnceWasTim 11.2
      16 August 2019 at 8:18 pm

      That sounds bloody familiar @Grey – I've been racking my brain. Finally it came to me. It's the theme song to a few government departments/munstries – especially that one you hear when you enter the old Defence Headquarters in Ballance St. You get the best Theatre Mode there too on an expensive curved screen

      The State Services Commish was so taken by it that he's instructed it to be used at Justice, and I understand Kelvin Davis is asking the Commish whether or not it might be appropriate at Pleece National HQ.

      MSD is so progressive they're considering some sort of 'mashup' using it, but it'll have to go to Cabinet for a final decision

  12. adam 12
    16 August 2019 at 3:58 pm

    More examples of a media out of wack long video 20 min



  13. cleangreen 13
    16 August 2019 at 5:07 pm

    Greta Thunberg is an inspiring soul and hope for our future lies in her spiritual beliefs that you can’t ‘short change’ “mother nature” and get away with it.

    I believe she will be a world leader one day, as she shows truth to power.

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  • The Kaka’s diary for the week to May 19 and beyond
    TL;DR: The six key events to watch in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the week to May 19 include:PM Christopher Luxon is expected to hold his weekly post-cabinet news conference at 4:00pm on Monday.Parliament is not sitting this week. It resumes next week for a two-week sitting session up to and ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    16 hours ago

  • Webworm Popup Photos!
    Hi,Thanks to all the beautiful Worms who came to the LA Webworm popup on Saturday.It was a way to celebrate the online store we launched last week — and it was super special.As I talk about a lot, I really value our community here — and it was a BLAST ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    16 hours ago

  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #19
    A listing of 35 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, May 5, 2024 thru Sat, May 11, 2024. (Unfortunate) Story of the week "Grief that stops at despair is an ending that I and many others, most notably ...
    Skeptical Science
    1 day ago

  • The Gods Must Be Woke.
    Last night the largest solar storm in decades resulted in Aurorae being seen across Aotearoa, causing many to ask why?Why was the sky pink? What was all this stuff about the power grid? Have we, as so many have wondered since the election, reached the end of days?I had a ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    2 days ago

  • More road
    We have been on the road in England, squeezing down narrow lanes, flying up the M6, loving hedgerows and villages and cathedrals, liking the 21st century less.There have been moments when it’s felt like a movie trope. The pub in Exford, lovely seventeenth century bar, almost more dogs than people, ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago

  • Seeing the Aurora Australis
    There’s a solar-storm on at the moment, and since the South Island is having a day and night with clear skies, that means Aurorae. I have just got back from a midnight visit to Tunnel Beach – southwards-looking over the Sea, and without the light pollution. Quite a few others ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    2 days ago

  • Welcome to the current welfare mess
    Michael Bassett writes – I’m not sure that it’s much comfort to anyone to know that the post-Covid surge in violent crimes, gang activity, ram raids, random shootings, thuggery and stabbings is occurring in other countries as well as New Zealand. These days, wagging school, out-of-control welfare and ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago

  • A shovel-ready autopsy
    Oliver Hartwich writes –  Cast your mind back to mid-December. A new Prime Minister had just been sworn in, the new Government started its 100-day programme, and Christmas was only days away.Amid all the haste, a report landed that would have deserved our attention.I am talking about the ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago

  • Why we almost blacked out and how to fix it
    TL;DR: An unseasonally early icy blast at the same time as some long-overdue maintenance almost caused Aotearoa-NZ’s electricity system to black out this week. That’s because a quadropoly of gentailers1 have prioritised paying dividends from their rising profits and adding debt over investing in 1.5 GigaWatts of new wind farms ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago

  • What Is Instagram Trying To Sell Us?
    Hi,Before we crack into today’s Webworm, I wanted to acknowledge the fact that Israel is pushing into Rafah. Over 100,000 Palestinians are now attempting to flee the one place that was deemed “safe”.Trouble is, the place they’re fleeing to is already destroyed. Total annihilation is the end goal here.“Israel is ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    3 days ago

  • Precious Little Excitement: Warner Brothers, Peter Jackson, and Gollum
    Back in February 2023, I made the cardinal mistake of getting my hopes up. Warner Brothers declared that fresh Middle-earth movies were in the works: https://phuulishfellow.wordpress.com/2023/02/24/it-never-rains-but-it-pours-warner-brothers-and-impending-tolkien-adaptations/ My assumption, based on which rights were available, and what had already been done, was that this was a stab at either the Angmar ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    3 days ago

  • Do We Need a Population Census?
    ‘It has been said that figures rule the world. Maybe. I am quite sure that it is figures which show us whether it is being ruled well or badly.’ GoetheI was struck at a recent conference on equity for the elderly, how many presenters implicitly relied upon Statistics New Zealand. ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    3 days ago

  • No, the govt will not be cutting back on every budget – and the Defence vote is among those to be ...
    Buzz from the Beehive Reporting on defence spending late last year, RNZ said the coalition government will have to make some tough calls this term to help the force address staff shortages and ageing infrastructure. “These are huge, huge amounts of government spending. It’s a significant proportion of the government’s ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    3 days ago

  • The Treasury and productivity
    Late last week The Treasury released a new 40 page report on “The productivity slowdown: implications for the Treasury’s forecasts and projections” (productivity forecasts and projections that is, rather than any possible fiscal implications – the latter will, I guess, be articulated in the Budget documents). In short, if (as it has) ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago

  • The Controller and Auditor-General’s role
    Peter Dunne writes –  I am always wary when I hear that the Controller and Auditor-General has commented on or made recommendations to the government about an issue of public policy that does not relate strictly to public expenditure. According to the legislation, the role of the Controller ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago

  • More harm than good
    How Labour’s and National’s failure to move beyond neoliberalism has brought NZ to the brink of economic and cultural chaos   Chris Trotter writes –  TO START LOSING, so soon after you won, requires a special kind of political incompetence. At the heart of this Coalition ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago

  • Real reason Waitangi Tribunal could not summons Chhour
    And why did the Crown not challenge the Tribunal’s jurisdiction?   Gary Judd writes –  Retired District Court Judge, David Harvey, has posted on his A Halflings View Substack an excellent summary of Justice Isacs’ judgment declining to uphold the witness summons issued by the Waitangi Tribunal ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago

  • Losing confidence in the integrity of NZ elections
    Bryce Edwards writes – Do you believe New Zealand runs its general elections fairly and competently? As a voter, can you be confident that the votes on your ballot will be counted towards the final result?As a political scientist, I’ve been asked these questions many times and ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago

  • Macklemore's Pro-Palestinian Protest.
    Macklemore isn’t someone I’d usually think about. Sure I liked his big hit from a few years back, everybody did it was catchy and cool with some memorable lines. But if I was going to think of artists who might speak out on political matters or world events, he wouldn’t ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago

  • Gordon Campbell on miserly school lunches, and the banning of TikTok’s Gaza coverage
    Another week goes by in the Luxon government’s efforts to roll back the past 70 years of social progress. The school lunches programme is to be downgraded by $107 million, and women need bother their heads no longer about pay equity, let alone expect ACC to provide adequate sexual violence ...
    Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
    4 days ago

  • Weekly Roundup 10-May-2024
    Brrr, the first cold snap of the year. Hope you’re rugged up nice and warm. Here are some stories that caught our eye this week… This Week on Greater Auckland On Monday, we had a post from a new contributor, Connor Sharp, who dug into the public feedback ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    4 days ago

  • The Hoon around the week to May 10
    Almost all of the Wellington City Council’s recommended zoning changes to allow many more apartments and townhouses in its inner-suburbs have been approved.Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The podcast above of the weekly ‘hoon’ webinar for subscribers features co-hosts and , along with regular guest on geopolitics, ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago

  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #19 2024
    Open access notables A Global Increase in Nearshore Tropical Cyclone Intensification, Balaguru et al., Earth's Future: Tropical Cyclones (TCs) inflict substantial coastal damages, making it pertinent to understand changing storm characteristics in the important nearshore region. Past work examined several aspects of TCs relevant for impacts in coastal regions. However, ...
    Skeptical Science
    4 days ago

  • Bryce Edwards: Losing confidence in the integrity of NZ elections
    Do you believe New Zealand runs its general elections fairly and competently? As a voter, can you be confident that the votes on your ballot will be counted towards the final result? As a political scientist, I’ve been asked these questions many times and always answered “yes”, with very few ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    4 days ago

  • The Song of Saqua: Volume VIII
    Thus far May has followed on from a quiet April in the blogging department, but in fairness, it has been another case of doing what I am supposed to be doing, namely writing original fiction. Plus reading. So don’t worry – I have been productive. But in order to reassure ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    4 days ago

  • Pretending to talk other people’s languages
    Fakes can come in many forms.A Rolex, for instance.A tan can be fake. Read more ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 days ago

  • What’s new? A social agency with an emphasis on “investment” instead of “wellbeing” – b...
    Buzz from the Beehive A new government agency will open for business on July 1 – the Social Investment Agency. As a new standalone central agency effective from 1 July, it will lead the development of social investment across Government, helping ministers understand who they need to invest in, what ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago

  • Following the political money
    Bryce Edwards writes –    “Follow the money” is the classic directive to journalists trying to understand where power and influence lie in society. In terms of uncovering who influences various New Zealand political parties and governments, it therefore pays to look at who is funding them. The ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • Hipkins would rather no one remember that he was Minister of Education
    Alwyn Poole writes –  After being elected to Parliament in 2008 the maiden speech of Hipkins was substantially around education policy. He was Labour’s spokesperson for education 2011 – 2017. He was Minister for Education from 2017 until February 2023. This is approximately 88% of the time Labour ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • Fashionable follies
    Eric Crampton writes –  A fashion industry group is lobbying for protections. They make the usual arguments and a newer one. None of it makes sense. An industry group says it pumped $7.8 billion into the economy last year – that’s 1.9 percent of New Zealand’s GDP. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • Justice for Bainimarama!
    In December 2006, Fiji's military leader Voreqe Bainimarama overthrew the elected government in a coup. He ruled Fiji for the next 16 years, first as dictator, then as "elected" Prime Minister. But now, he's finally been sent to jail where he belongs. Sadly, this isn't for his real crime of ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago

  • March for Nature in June
    Don't like National's corrupt Muldoonist "fast-track" law? Aotearoa's environmental NGO's - Greenpeace, Forest & Bird, WWF, Coromandel Watchdog, Coal Action Network Aotearoa, Kiwis Against Seabed Mining, and others - have announced a joint march against it in Auckland in June: When: 13:00, 8 June, 2024 Where: Aotea Square, Auckland You ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago

  • Bernard’ s Dawn Chorus & Pick ‘n’ Mix for Thursday May 9
    Seymour describes sushi as too woke for school meals. There are no fish sushi meals recommended by the School Lunches programme. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / Getty ImagesTL;DR: The Government will swap out hot meals for packaged sandwiches to save $107 million on school lunches for poor kids. MSD has pulled ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago

  • The non-woke $3 Lunch.
    I don't mind stealin' bread from the mouths of decadenceBut I can't feed on the powerless when my cup's already overfilled, yeahBut it's on the table, the fire's cookin'And they're farmin' babies, while slaves are workin'The blood is on the table and the mouths are chokin'But I'm goin' hungry, yeahSome ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago

  • Labour’s chickens come home to roost
    The Ardern Government’s chickens came home to roost yesterday with the news that the country is short of natural gas. In 2018, Labour banned offshore petroleum exploration, and industry executives say that the attendant loss of confidence by the industry impacted overall investment in onshore gas fields. Energy Resources Minister ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    5 days ago

  • Calvin Reviews Lord of The Rings
    Hi,If you’ve been digging through the newly launched Webworm store (orders are being dispatched worldwide as I type!) you’ll have noticed the best model we had was Calvin.This is Calvin.Calvin.Calvin is 7, and is the son of my producer over on Flightless Bird, Rob — aka “Wobby Wob”. Rob also ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    5 days ago

  • Climate Adam: How to visualise Climate Change (ft. Katharine Hayhoe)
    This video includes conclusions of the creator climate scientist Dr. Adam Levy. It is presented to our readers as an informed perspective. Please see video description for references (if any). Climate change is everywhere. And when something's everywhere it can feel like it's nowhere. So how do we get our heads ...
    Skeptical Science
    5 days ago

  • The wrong direction
    Some good news on climate change today: the energy transition away from fossil fuels is picking up speed, and renewables now make up 30% of global electricity supply. Meanwhile, in Aotearoa, we're moving in the opposite direction, with Genesis Energy announcing that it will resume importing Indonesian coal. Their official ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago

  • National hates democracy
    Its a law like gravity: whenever a right-wing government is elected, they start attacking democracy. And now, after talking to their Republican and Tory and Fidesz chums at the International Democracy Union forum in Wellington, National is doing it here, announcing plans to remove election-day enrolment. Or, to put it ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago

  • No Tikanga Please, We're Lawyers.
    Yesterday Winston Peters focussed his attention on the important matter at hand. Tweeting. Like the former, and quite possibly next, orange POTUS, from whom he takes much of his political strategy, Winston is an avid X’er.His message didn’t resemble an historic address this time. In fact it was more reminiscent ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago

  • Member’s Day
    Today is a Member's Day, and it seems we've entered the slowdown as things emerge from select committee. First up is the committee stage of Greg O'Connor's Child Protection (Child Sex Offender Government Agency Registration) (Overseas Travel Reporting) Amendment Bill, which will be followed by the second readings of Stuart ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago

  • Hurrah for coal – Shane Jones welcomes Genesis Energy’s import plans as natural gas production s...
    Buzz from the Beehive A significant decline in natural gas production has given Resources Minister Shane Jones an opportunity to reiterate his enthusiasm for the mining and burning of coal. For good measure, he has praised an announcement from Genesis Energy that it will resume importing coal. He and Energy ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    5 days ago

  • Bryce Edwards: Following the political money
    “Follow the money” is the classic directive to journalists trying to understand where power and influence lie in society. In terms of uncovering who influences various New Zealand political parties and governments, it therefore pays to look at who is funding them. The political parties are legally obliged to make ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    5 days ago

  • A Left-Right ranking of universities in NZ: a practical guide for students and parents
    Rob MacCullough writes – Here is my subjective ranking on a “most-left” to “most-right” scale of most of our major NZ Universities, with some anecdotal (and at times amusing) evidence to back up the claim. Extreme Left   Auckland University of Technology Evidence The ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago

  •  Inflation and GST thresholds
    Eric Crampton writes –  I hadn’t thought about this one until a helpful email showed up in my inbox.It’s pretty obvious that income tax thresholds should automatically index with inflation – whether to anchor the thresholds in percentiles of the income distribution, or to anchor against a real ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago

  • Green Party grapples with persistent scandals
    Jacqui Van Der Kaay writes –  Parliament’s speaker had no option but to refer Green MP Julie Anne Genter to the Privileges Committee for her behaviour in the House last Wednesday evening. The incident, in which she crossed the floor to wave a book and yell at National ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago

  • A law school to be avoided – Auckland University of Technology
    Gary Judd writes – The Dean of the law school at the Auckland University of Technology is someone called Khylee Quince. I have been sent her social media posting in which she has, over the LawNews headline “Senior King’s Counsel files complaint about compulsory tikanga Maori studies for ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago

  • 17 people in Malaita stand in way of China’s takeover of the Solomons
    Cleo Paskal writes – WASHINGTON, D.C.: ‘Many of us have received phone calls from [the opposing camp] telling them if they join the camp they will be given projects for their wards and $300,000 [around US$35,000] each’, says former Malaita Premier Daniel Suidani. The elections in Solomon Islands aren’t ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago

  • Gordon Campbell on the Hamas Ceasefire Offer, and Mark Mitchell’s Incompetence
    With hindsight, it was inevitable that (a) Hamas would agree to the ceasefire deal brokered by Egypt and Qatar and that ( b) Israel would then immediately launch attacks on Rafah, regardless. We might have hoped the concessions made by Hamas would cause Israel to desist from slaughtering thousands more ...
    Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
    6 days ago

  • Bernard’ s Dawn Chorus & Pick ‘n’ Mix for Wednesday May 8
    Placards and mourners outside the Kilbirnie Mosque following the Christchurch terror attack: MSD has terminated the Kaiwhakaoranga service, which has been used by 415 families since the attacks. Photo: Lynn GrievesonTL;DR: The Government’s pledge to only cut ‘back office’ staff rather than ‘frontline’ services is on increasingly shaky ground, with ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago

  • A few PT announcements
    There’s been a few smaller public transport announcements over the last week or so that I thought I’d cover in a single post. Fareshare I’ve long called for Auckland Transport to offer a way to enable employer-subsidised public transport options. The need for this took on even more importance ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    6 days ago

  • Jacqui Van Der Kaay: Green Party grapples with persistent scandals
    Parliament’s speaker had no option but to refer Green MP Julie Anne Genter to the Privileges Committee for her behaviour in the House last Wednesday evening. The incident, in which she crossed the floor to wave a book and yell at National Minister Matt Doocey, reflects poorly on Genter and ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    6 days ago

  • At a glance – Tree ring proxies and the divergence problem
    On February 14, 2023 we announced our Rebuttal Update Project. This included an ask for feedback about the added "At a glance" section in the updated basic rebuttal versions. This weekly blog post series highlights this new section of one of the updated basic rebuttal versions and serves as a ...
    Skeptical Science
    6 days ago

  • Nothing to sneer at
    Who likes being sneered at? Nobody. Worse yet, when the sneerer has their facts all wrong, and might well be an idiot.The sneer in question is The adults are in charge now, and it is a sneer offered in retort to criticism of this new Government, no matter how well ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    6 days ago

  • Still on their bullshit
    When in government, Labour pushed to extend the Parliamentary term to four years, to reduce accountability and our ability to vote out a bad government. And now, they're trying to do it through the member's ballot, with a Four-Year Parliamentary Term Legislation Bill. The bill at least requires a referendum ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    6 days ago

  • Drawn
    A ballot for a single Member's Bill was held today, and the following bill was drawn: Public Works (Prohibition of Compulsory Acquisition of Māori Land) Amendment Bill (Hūhana Lyndon) The bill would prevent the government from stealing Māori land in breach of Te Tiriti o Waitangi. It ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    6 days ago

  • A nod and a wink that will unnecessarily cost Aucklanders tens of millions per year
    Simeon Brown, alongside Wayne Brown, is favouring a political figleaf now in exchange for loading up tens of millions in extra interest costs on Auckland ratepayers. Photo: Lynn GrievesonTL;DR: Ratings agency Standard & Poor’s is pushing back hard at suggestions from Local Government Minister Simeon Brown and Mayor Wayne Brown ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago

  • Correcting the Corrections announcement – a fiscal farce that should bother the OECD
     Buzz from the Beehive One headline-grabber from the Beehive yesterday was the OECD’s advice that the government must bring the Budget deficit under control or face higher interest rates. Another was the announcement of a $1.9 billion “investment” in Corrections over the next four years. In the best interests of ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago

  •  Like it or not, the Kiwis are either going into ‘Pillar 2’ – or they are going to China
    Chris Trotter writes –  Had Zheng He’s fleet sailed east, not west, in the early Fifteenth Century, how different our world would be. There is little reason to suppose that the sea-going junks of the Ming Dynasty, among the largest and most sophisticated sailing vessels ever constructed, would have failed ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    7 days ago

  • A balanced and an unbalanced article
    David Farrar writes – Two articles give a useful contrast in balance. Both seek to be neutral explainer articles. This one in the Herald on Social Investment covers the pros and cons nicely. It links to critical pieces and talks about aspects that failed and aspects that are more ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    7 days ago

  • Deeply unserious country
    Every bit of this seems insane. And people wonder why productivity is falling through the floor. Energy News reports that the Environment Court finally threw out Allan Crafar’s appeal against a solar farm. From the story: Consent was granted in 2022. Crafar appealed November 2022. On what grounds? That ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    7 days ago

  • Senior King’s Counsel files complaint about compulsory tikanga Māori studies for law students
    The tikanga regulations will compel law students to be taught that a system which does not conform with the rule of law is nevertheless law which should be observed and applied…  Gary Judd KC writes –  I have made a complaint to Parliament’s Regulation ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    7 days ago

  • https://www.greaterauckland.org.nz/?p=77196
    The future of Te Huia, the train between Hamilton and Auckland, has been getting a lot of attention recently as current funding for it is only in place till the end of June. The government initially agreed to a five year trial, through to April 2026, but that was subject ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    7 days ago

  • Bernard’s pick 'n' mix for Tuesday, May 7
    TL;DR: Hamas has just agreed to Israel’s ceasefire plan. Nelson hospital’s rebuild has been cut back to save money. The OECD suggests New Zealand break up network monopolies, including in electricity. PM Christopher Luxon’s news conference on a prison expansion announcement last night was his messiest yet.Here’s my top six ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    7 days ago

  • HM Prison Aotearoa.
    A homicide in Ponsonby, a manhunt with a killer on the run. The nation’s leader stands before a press conference reassuring a frightened nation that he’ll sort it out, he’ll keep them safe, he’ll build some new prison spaces.Sorry what? There’s a scary dude on the run with a gun ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    7 days ago

  • Get Your Webworm Merch!
    Hi,I know it’s been awhile since there’s been any Webworm merch — and today that all changes!Over the last four months, I’ve been working with New Zealand artist Jess Johnson to create a series of t-shirts, caps and stickers that are infused with Webworm DNA — and as of right ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    7 days ago

  • Top OECD economist puts Willis between a rock and a hard place
    The OECD’s chief economist yesterday laid it on the line for the new Government: bring the deficit under control or face higher Reserve Bank interest rates for longer. And to bring the deficit under control, she meant not borrowing for tax cuts. But there was more. Without policy changes—introducing a ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    7 days ago

  • The Pacific family of nations – the changing security outlook
    Foreign Minister, Defence Minister, other Members of Parliament Acting Chief of Defence Force, Secretary of Defence Distinguished Guests  Defence and Diplomatic Colleagues  Ladies and Gentlemen,  Good afternoon, tēna koutou, apinun tru    It’s a pleasure to be back in Port Moresby today, and to speak here at the Kumul Leadership ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 hours ago

  • NZ and Papua New Guinea to work more closely together
    Health, infrastructure, renewable energy, and stability are among the themes of the current visit to Papua New Guinea by a New Zealand political delegation, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.   “Papua New Guinea carries serious weight in the Pacific, and New Zealand deeply values our relationship with it,” Mr Peters ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 hours ago

  • Driving ahead with Roads of Regional Significance
    The coalition Government is launching Roads of Regional Significance to sit alongside Roads of National Significance as part of its plan to deliver priority roading projects across the country, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.  “The Roads of National Significance (RoNS) built by the previous National Government are some of New Zealand’s ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    12 hours ago

  • New Zealand congratulates new Solomon Islands government
    A high-level New Zealand political delegation in Honiara today congratulated the new Government of Solomon Islands, led by Jeremiah Manele, on taking office.    “We are privileged to meet the new Prime Minister and members of his Cabinet during his government’s first ten days in office,” Deputy Prime Minister and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • New Zealand supports UN Palestine resolution
    New Zealand voted in favour of a resolution broadening Palestine’s participation at the United Nations General Assembly overnight, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.    “The resolution enhances the rights of Palestine to participate in the work of the UN General Assembly while stopping short of admitting Palestine as a full ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Speech to the 2024 Infrastructure Symposium
    Introduction Good morning. It’s a great privilege to be here at the 2024 Infrastructure Symposium. I was extremely happy when the Prime Minister asked me to be his Minister for Infrastructure. It is one of the great barriers holding the New Zealand economy back from achieving its potential. Building high ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • $571 million for Defence pay and projects
    Defence Minister Judith Collins today announced the upcoming Budget will include new funding of $571 million for Defence Force pay and projects. “Our servicemen and women do New Zealand proud throughout the world and this funding will help ensure we retain their services and expertise as we navigate an increasingly ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Climate change – mitigating the risks and costs
    New Zealand’s ability to cope with climate change will be strengthened as part of the Government’s focus to build resilience as we rebuild the economy, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. “An enduring and long-term approach is needed to provide New Zealanders and the economy with certainty as the climate ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Getting new job seekers on the pathway to work
    Jobseeker beneficiaries who have work obligations must now meet with MSD within two weeks of their benefit starting to determine their next step towards finding a job, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “A key part of the coalition Government’s plan to have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Accelerating Social Investment
    A new standalone Social Investment Agency will power-up the social investment approach, driving positive change for our most vulnerable New Zealanders, Social Investment Minister Nicola Willis says.  “Despite the Government currently investing more than $70 billion every year into social services, we are not seeing the outcomes we want for ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Getting Back on Track
    Check against delivery Good morning. It is a pleasure to be with you to outline the Coalition Government’s approach to our first Budget. Thank you Mark Skelly, President of the Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce, together with  your Board and team, for hosting me.   I’d like to acknowledge His Worship ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • NZ – European Union ties more critical than ever
    Your Excellency Ambassador Meredith,   Members of the Diplomatic Corps and Ambassadors from European Union Member States,   Ministerial colleagues, Members of Parliament, and other distinguished guests, Thank you everyone for joining us.   Ladies and gentlemen -    In diplomacy, we often speak of ‘close’ and ‘long-standing’ relations.   ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Therapeutic Products Act to be repealed
    The Therapeutic Products Act (TPA) will be repealed this year so that a better regime can be put in place to provide New Zealanders safe and timely access to medicines, medical devices and health products, Associate Health Minister Casey Costello announced today. “The medicines and products we are talking about ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Decisions on Wellington City Council’s District Plan
    The Minister Responsible for RMA Reform, Chris Bishop, today released his decision on twenty recommendations referred to him by the Wellington City Council relating to its Intensification Planning Instrument, after the Council rejected those recommendations of the Independent Hearings Panel and made alternative recommendations. “Wellington notified its District Plan on ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Rape Awareness Week: Government committed to action on sexual violence
    Rape Awareness Week (6-10 May) is an important opportunity to acknowledge the continued effort required by government and communities to ensure that all New Zealanders can live free from violence, say Ministers Karen Chhour and Louise Upston.  “With 1 in 3 women and 1 in 8 men experiencing sexual violence ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Smarter lunch programme feeds more, costs less
    Associate Education Minister David Seymour has today announced that the Government will be delivering a more efficient Healthy School Lunches Programme, saving taxpayers approximately $107 million a year compared to how Labour funded it, by embracing innovation and commercial expertise. “We are delivering on our commitment to treat taxpayers’ money ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Report provides insights into marine recovery
    New research on the impacts of extreme weather on coastal marine habitats in Tairāwhiti and Hawke’s Bay will help fishery managers plan for and respond to any future events, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. A report released today on research by Niwa on behalf of Fisheries New Zealand ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • NZ to send political delegation to the Pacific
    Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Winston Peters will lead a broad political delegation on a five-stop Pacific tour next week to strengthen New Zealand’s engagement with the region.   The delegation will visit Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, New Caledonia, and Tuvalu.    “New Zealand has deep and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Low gas production threatens energy security
    There has been a material decline in gas production according to figures released today by the Gas Industry Co.  Figures released by the Gas Industry Company show that there was a 12.5 per cent reduction in gas production during 2023, and a 27.8 per cent reduction in gas production in the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Defence industry talent, commitment recognised
    Defence Minister Judith Collins tonight announced the recipients of the Minister of Defence Awards of Excellence for Industry, saying they all contribute to New Zealanders’ security and wellbeing. “Congratulations to this year’s recipients, whose innovative products and services play a critical role in the delivery of New Zealand’s defence capabilities, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Speech to the Minister of Defence Awards of Excellence for Industry
    Welcome to you all - it is a pleasure to be here this evening.I would like to start by thanking Greg Lowe, Chair of the New Zealand Defence Industry Advisory Council, for co-hosting this reception with me. This evening is about recognising businesses from across New Zealand and overseas who in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Speech to the Sixth Annual New Zealand Government Data Summit
    It is a pleasure to be speaking to you as the Minister for Digitising Government.  I would like to thank Akolade for the invitation to address this Summit, and to acknowledge the great effort you are making to grow New Zealand’s digital future. Today, we stand at the cusp of ...
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    6 days ago

  • Ceasefire agreement needed now: Peters
    New Zealand is urging both Israel and Hamas to agree to an immediate ceasefire to avoid the further humanitarian catastrophe that military action in Rafah would unleash, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.   “The immense suffering in Gaza cannot be allowed to worsen further. Both sides have a responsibility to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Daily school attendance data now available
    A new online data dashboard released today as part of the Government’s school attendance action plan makes more timely daily attendance data available to the public and parents, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour.  The interactive dashboard will be updated once a week to show a national average of how ...
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    6 days ago

  • Ambassador to United States appointed
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced Rosemary Banks will be New Zealand’s next Ambassador to the United States of America.    “Our relationship with the United States is crucial for New Zealand in strategic, security and economic terms,” Mr Peters says.    “New Zealand and the United States have a ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • New permit proposed for recreational gold mining
    The Government is considering creating a new tier of minerals permitting that will make it easier for hobby miners to prospect for gold. “New Zealand was built on gold, it’s in our DNA. Our gold deposits, particularly in regions such as Otago and the West Coast have always attracted fortune-hunters. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • NZ and the UAE launch FTA negotiations
    Minister for Trade Todd McClay today announced that New Zealand and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will commence negotiations on a free trade agreement (FTA). Minister McClay met with his counterpart UAE Trade Minister Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi in Dubai, where they announced the launch of negotiations on a ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • New Zealand Sign Language Week an opportunity for anyone to sign
    New Zealand Sign Language Week is an excellent opportunity for all Kiwis to give the language a go, Disabilities Issues Minister Louise Upston says. This week (May 6 to 12) is New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) Week. The theme is “an Aotearoa where anyone can sign anywhere” and aims to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Next stop NASA for New Zealand students
    Six tertiary students have been selected to work on NASA projects in the US through a New Zealand Space Scholarship, Space Minister Judith Collins announced today. “This is a fantastic opportunity for these talented students. They will undertake internships at NASA’s Ames Research Center or its Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), where ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • $1.9 billion investment to keep NZ safe from crime
    New Zealanders will be safer because of a $1.9 billion investment in more frontline Corrections officers, more support for offenders to turn away from crime, and more prison capacity, Corrections Minister Mark Mitchell says. “Our Government said we would crack down on crime. We promised to restore law and order, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • OECD reinforces need to control spending
    The OECD’s latest report on New Zealand reinforces the importance of bringing Government spending under control, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The OECD conducts country surveys every two years to review its members’ economic policies. The 2024 New Zealand survey was presented in Wellington today by OECD Chief Economist Clare Lombardelli.   ...
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    1 week ago

  • Agreement delivers Local Water Done Well for Auckland
    The Government has delivered on its election promise to provide a financially sustainable model for Auckland under its Local Water Done Well plan. The plan, which has been unanimously endorsed by Auckland Council’s Governing Body, will see Aucklanders avoid the previously projected 25.8 per cent water rates increases while retaining ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Gaza and the Pacific on the agenda with Germany
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters discussed the need for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, and enhanced cooperation in the Pacific with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock during her first official visit to New Zealand today.    "New Zealand and Germany enjoy shared interests and values, including the rule of law, democracy, respect for the international system ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Decision allows for housing growth in Western Bay of Plenty
    The Minister Responsible for RMA Reform, Chris Bishop today released his decision on four recommendations referred to him by the Western Bay of Plenty District Council, opening the door to housing growth in the area. The Council’s Plan Change 92 allows more homes to be built in existing and new ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Speech to New Zealand China Council
    Thank you, John McKinnon and the New Zealand China Council for the invitation to speak to you today.    Thank you too, all members of the China Council. Your effort has played an essential role in helping to build, shape, and grow a balanced and resilient relationship between our two ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Modern insurance law will protect Kiwi households
    The Government is modernising insurance law to better protect Kiwis and provide security in the event of a disaster, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly announced today. “These reforms are long overdue. New Zealand’s insurance law is complicated and dated, some of which is more than 100 years old. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Government recommits to equal pay
    The coalition Government is refreshing its approach to supporting pay equity claims as time-limited funding for the Pay Equity Taskforce comes to an end, Public Service Minister Nicola Willis says.  “Three years ago, the then-government introduced changes to the Equal Pay Act to support pay equity bargaining. The changes were ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Transforming how our children learn to read
    Structured literacy will change the way New Zealand children learn to read - improving achievement and setting students up for success, Education Minister Erica Stanford says.  “Being able to read and write is a fundamental life skill that too many young people are missing out on. Recent data shows that ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • NZ not backing down in Canada dairy dispute
    Trade Minister Todd McClay says Canada’s refusal to comply in full with a CPTPP trade dispute ruling in our favour over dairy trade is cynical and New Zealand has no intention of backing down. Mr McClay said he has asked for urgent legal advice in respect of our ‘next move’ ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Stronger oversight for our most vulnerable children
    The rights of our children and young people will be enhanced by changes the coalition Government will make to strengthen oversight of the Oranga Tamariki system, including restoring a single Children’s Commissioner. “The Government is committed to delivering better public services that care for our most at-risk young people and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

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