This Sunday marks the day in 1966 in South Vietnam where a company of Australian and New Zealand soldiers in a rubber plantation called Long Tan fought to hold off a force of two thousand Viet Cong and North Vietnamese soldiers. Kriv Stenders has made a movie about the men of D Company who had to battle against the odds for four hours in torrential rain. The film is Danger Close: The Battle of Long Tan.
Here is probably on the best movies made on the conflict in Vietnam, and considered by many to be one of the best war movies overall….personally I would give that credit to Elem Klimov's Come and See (1985).
Cheers for the link, I'll listen to it when I'm out bush this week during my downtime while tidying up yard after the ministry of finance (wife) wanted a new flushing thunder box or in between fighting bush fires.
I'm hoping to catch the movie on the big screen when it comes to Darwin and not put it off as I did with movie "6 Days" a few yrs ago. From what I'm hearing atm the movie is pretty good from all accounts and it has impressed the yank movie critics etc.
It's a damn shame old Maurice Stanley the Kiwi FOO (Forward Observer Officer is not around anymore as he's after battle presentation on the Battle of Long Tan is worth listening too incl the lessons learnt from the Battle of Long Tan. Without him and his two signallers Willie Walker from the RNZAC and Murray Broomhall RNZA as Harry Smith's link back to the Dat and the Kiwi BC (battery Commander) incl his staff of NZ 161Bty in which ran/ Co-Ord all the Fire support and, Close Air support missions and the aerial resupply during the lull in the battle. They now without the Kiwi's it would've been a very different story for D Coy 6RAR and possible for the rest of the 1ATF at the Dat as the field defences of 1ATF hadn't been completed yet and wasn't fully up to strength IRT manpower either.
Heck even the US General Westmoreland and his staff were shitting bricks at was happening during the Battle of Long Tan from what I've read and have been told from a few vets of the Battle of Long Tan.
When MPs first turn up to Parliament they are often surprised at the incredibly varied demands of their jobs. And as their careers progress the skill demands change and increase. So who trains them to do those jobs? Parliamentary programme The House looks at new moves to upskill the people running the country.
Katherine Rich, Chair of the Parliamentary Education Charitable Trust and Girol Karacaoglu, head of the Victoria University School of Government Photo: VNP / Phil Smith
Hi everybody – lovely day in Nelson though cool. I am putting up some interesting things from Radionz that are good.
This was interesting. It is wise to build relationships with China and build good business there, and at the same time ease off from the USA as we can.
This is NZ hypocrisy exposed, once again. Big on drugging really, and that is why it is hard to get appropriate controls on drugs, every time there must be some precious political time consumed deciding whether synthetic cannabis is all right but not something else. Always with alcohol being pushed. People allowed, almost encouraged to become addicted with RTDs being high alcohol. Just cut the hours for the bars down – make them get used to it, both the drinkers and the bars, normal closing at 11.30 and emptied by 12.30 am.
And they must have to apply for special licences limited to two a year or six for the area, to stay open till 1 am and be empty by 2.00 a.m. Moans and groans and concerns about lots of people milling about being more likely to become unmanageable will only happen rarely then.
This will save police and hospital time and safety and taxpayers paying out for the stupid and foolish and dissolute.
Perhaps we should all avoid being out at 3 am which seems to be the good time for violence! Trouble is that bring that down to 2 am – for this sort of premeditated attack any time at night would be good for the perps. To mount an attack they must be nearby sitting in a car/van and have someone follow the guy or gal in and monitor them and text or buzz when they move out. So a nasty feeling of background hate all the time if you are sensitive to that stuff.
“The article claimed that Mr Liu had fled to New Zealand from China and that he was returning to face corruption charges there, for which he could be executed and his organs harvested.
RNZ accepts that none of these statements were true.”
Everything about this guy just gets couriouser and couriouser
Not a silent movie, but in Foreign Correspondent (1940) Alfred Hitchcock made brilliant use of rear-projection to film a plane crash. Footage of a stunt plane diving towards the ocean was projected on a rice paper screen, then water was released, which smashed through the paper pic.twitter.com/mFIRpf4Fns
That is brilliant, you can be sure no one is going to be looking back on all the CGI that structures half the movies we see today with any kind of wonder.
I really wish someone of influence could get to Peter Jackson and say to him..'just because you can, doesn't mean you should ' before he ruins any more classic's with his appalling over the top CGI..yuk.
Anyone else at the All Blacks game last night, notice the chorus of boos that went out when our PM was announced. Not sure if those at home could hear it on the television, but I thought it was disgraceful. Never heard that for previous PMs, I do note however that she handled the handshake with far more competence than a certain previous PM…
You'll find I wasn't talking to you. I try not to.
But just what are you trying to say?
That the rabid right were booing the PM not because of their political views, but because they don't like her? What has she done outside politics that has made them so angry? Been successful? Had a baby?
If it was only the “rabid right” booing Ardern, the left is in serious trouble. Because from what I witnessed last night, they must have made up roughly 70% of the crowd. And as for your comment about me mentioning this here, where else am I meant to mention it, this is open mic.
You're right, it was probably only 68%…I dont know if you were there or not, but I was, and it was frankly embarrassing. I get some dislike Ardern, but acting like toddlers and booing someone representing us and doing her job is pathetic. You want her gone, vote for the other guy.
guessing they booed her because they don’t like what her government is doing.
At a guess. As for their political views – who knows only a moron would assume the views of an entire 50,000 person crowd (you being a perfect example of being said moron)
I would agree with MB that it was a very large %age of the crowd booing her.
That's right facts dont matter when they hurt your feelings. Ardern got booed by thousands, I think it was out of line and embarrassing and I was there. It was all over talk back this afternoon. I suppose you're a flat earther too? Since you havent actually seen the earth from space right moron?
Simon Bridges was at the rugby on Saturday night. He was constantly ridiculed and made fun of. Stuff like "Hoi Soimun" and "where's ya Slushy Soimun". His wife looked a bit embarrassed, but drunken rugby buffheads will always take the piss.
Jones said Scott Morrison should "shove a sock down the throat" of Jacinda Ardern.
Several advertisers have pulled sponsorship from his show. His employer, Macquarie Media, has issued a final warning about such comments. Scott Morrison and Malcolm Turnbull have both condemned Jones, Turnbull calling him an "appalling misogynist" whose use of violent language against female politicians was disgraceful. Jones himself has been forced to apologise on air and in writing to the Prime Minister. Even Fiji hard-man, Frank Bainimarama, has slammed Jones.
Turnbull again, "I mean this is appalling language – and at a time when we are doing everything we can as a national priority to stamp out violence against women and children, you have this broadcaster who uses the language of violence against women as part of his regular rhetoric".
Yet this all seems to mean nothing to you, James, who is ever so quick to point the finger at commenters for not standing up to unacceptable speech. Or perhaps such speech directed at Jacinda Ardern is fine with you.
According to your own logic, you not condemning Jones the way politicians, advertisers and media both sides of the ditch and all over the Pacific have done means you endorse and agree with the latest utterances of that decrepit, far-right, woman hater.
With respect to a culture of violence against women, you sir appear to be part of the problem.
James has used the, "you didn't condemn x-behaviour/person, so that means you endorse/condone blah, blah" so many times that I find myself cheering Muttonbird on for his careful demolition of James's behaviour.
Robert – indeed I do do this – but I think you will find that I do this in regard to specific comments in a thread. – not normally to do with third party links
You must have read Muttonbird’s comment that you’re responding to yet you missed your opportunity to speak out and condemn the comments that Muttonbird was referring to!? Instead, you act all defensive and like a victim. BTW, your defence is pathetic IMHO.
Insulting, although well intended. They are aware of the WEAG report that recommended IMMEDIATE increase to benefits. But part of the answer is a very National sounding "budget advice".
"As part of our work on homelessness we are expanding the Sustaining Tenancies programme. It ensures that tenants who may be at-risk of losing their tenancy receive practical support to help them get back on track."
Let’s imagine….you are a landlord, your tenant is behind in rent but pleads with you to hold back on giving them notice because they are getting budgeting advice. Pleeze. They are out on their ear because they are too poor and too stressed to home. Any landlord with a modest level of experience will know it is far easier to get someone else in rather than set themselves up to be owed thousands more in arrears.
Here's a RNZ news link on the RNZAF's C130 Hec's and yes its amazing that the Erk's/ techo's have managed to keep flying or from falling out of the sky.
And yes "They get a lot of ridicule and not much in the way of praise but the RNZAF deserve a big hand for their work in the Pacific."
BZ, 40SQN and to 5SQN.
BTW, they also hold the record for the shortest possible landing at Dili Airport. in Timor Leste by a C130 and 40SQN hold's a number of other 1st places IRT to the C130 operations incl finding a Sub during a Fincastle Comp in-conjunction with the 5SQN boys when their P3 went tits up and the funny thing is that 5SQN ending up wining the Comp as well which piss off the other Commonwealth Crews.
A wee bit of useless information if you get bored or stumped for a silly question for Trivial night.
Check out this Twitter thread about a LL who asked to look through the tenants current property (not owned by LL, inspecting prior to accepting them as a tenant)
Applied to rent a place. Landlord asked agent to inspect our CURRENT rental property and take photos of our family. I said no – forget it. Our place is immaculate but that doesn’t make it ok. Anyone else ever had this request?
Exposing Australia's housing crisis | 60 Minutes Australia, screened this last week.
Because the world financial system is entering unknown territory, and our housing status isn't far from that in Australia, this 16 minute video makes for interesting viewing.
And dissolution of Parliament rather than proroguing it is a real possibility in the Tory's minds according to this article. Boorish the Rogue should be his nom-de-gloom. Gina Miller 18/8/19 businesswoman and transparency activist writing for The Guardian.
MPs won’t be forgiven if they fail to stop Boris Johnson’s Brexit ploy
…Unsaid in the letter, but streaming through it like shafts of light through a broken roof, Johnson’s plan of action – doubtless guided by the arch-Brexiter svengali Dominic Cummings – is clearly to call an election and dissolve parliament as soon as the beginning of next month, with polling at some point after the existing Brexit day of 31 October.
He is gambling everything on Jeremy Corbyn’s unpopularity and a public which, at that point, will have yet to experience the full force of no-deal economic headwinds. He may even hold a pre-Brexit budget to lull the public into a false sense of security, bribing them with their own money, through a splurge of new spending promises and tax cuts funded by an increase in the national debt…
Our unwritten constitution has always been based on the assumption that no one as unscrupulous as Johnson or his chief adviser would ever come to reside in 10 Downing Street, but that is what we now have to face up to. A general election on their terms and timetable would guarantee their sacred no-deal Brexit, and assure him five years in office in which to turn the UK into a laboratory for experimenting with the most extreme rightwing ideology we have ever seen.
Brexit is their cloak to disguise political ambitions to change our country. Surrounded by individuals set on putting a torch to the old order, they are using propaganda to set the people against parliament and create chaos out of which will emerge a survivalist economy…
Poll after poll has shown that a no-deal Brexit is emphatically not what the public wants – whatever the Leave campaign-staffed No 10 press office may tell lobby correspondents. For all Dominic Raab’s protests, it was never the way Brexit was sold in the referendum of 2016. And keep in mind these two statistics: Johnson came into office with his talk of “do or die” Brexit on the back of just 92,153 Tory members’ votes. By contrast, more than 6.1 million citizens have signed a petition calling for Article 50 to be revoked.
What could possibly go wrong with this pair at the helm.
At the heart of this government are two men, one a pathological liar, a demagogue, the other a career psychopath who is defined by illegal and unethical practices he employs to win at any cost to the nation.https://t.co/Qqy6yDQXoD
There was a saying that a UK person's home was their castle. Which was apparently about security of tenure and respect for the individual's property. What about your face? Does that belong to you? Would you allow people to have a mask of your face and wear it wherever they and you go, you could get trouble coming to you that they caused. Facial recognition is rife in the UK and has been for some time, done in secret and by private companies rather than official authorities.
"If Fonterra wants to recover from this low point in its history and thrive it needs a bold new and practical strategy, not a tidy up of its failed one. The obvious opportunity is to become one of the world’s leading exponents of dairy farming that’s healthy for the planet, while producing dairy nutrition that’s healthier for people.
Currently, that’s an oxymoron. Dairying is an extractive industry that always damages the climate, and often land and water too, unless it is done exceptionally well. But dairy farmers mustn’t feel picked on. Many ways we produce food globally are as damaging or worse, as a growing body of research details."
Coasters Turn Out In Droves: It’s precisely the widening gulf between those with actual experience of things like guns, chainsaws and drilling machines, and those who regulate their use, that accounts for the angry crowd at Greymouth’s Messenger Park on Sunday, 17 November 2019. In the rarefied atmosphere where decisions ...
There are perennial arguments about the circumstances of the assassination of President Kennedy in 1963, and in particular whether more than one shooter is required by the evidence (such as the Zapruder film). Those who know little about physics frequently claim that the sharp backwards motion of JFK’s head as ...
Apparently, some people enjoy washing their cars. Each to his or her own, I suppose. I mean, some people like duck shooting, some people follow Coronation Street, and some people’s idea of a good day out is to sit on a grass bank at Seddon Park and watch cricket all ...
Last week we learned that New Zealand First had apparently tried to enrich itself from public office, with a dodgy forestry company linked to a number of NZ First figures sticking its hand out repeatedly for government money. Today in Question Time Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones had his ...
Finally, governments seem slowly to be beginning to act on climate change. But its not enough. While they're publicly signing up to targets, they're planning to destroy the world by continuing fossil fuel extraction:The world’s nations are on track to produce more than twice as much coal, oil and gas ...
Stuff has begun interviewing NZ First's secret donors, and it turns out that its as bad as we expected. They start with racing industry figure Garry Chittick, who is predictably grumpy about NZ First's coalition choices. Meanwhile, I'm looking at the list of pork NZ First has effectively given its ...
Stag At Bay: Twelve years ago, Winston Peters was still robust enough to come back from the political crucifixion which his political and media enemies had prepared for him. In his seventies now, the chances of a second resurrection are slim. We should, therefore, prepare for the last gasp of ...
Satellites pass over NZ all the time (literally). Here I focus on the 187 Planet Labs ‘Dove’ Earth-imaging satellites, and I show that one can determine in advance where they will be, enabling scientists on the ground to correlate their environmental and other data collection with opportunities to get imaging ...
The Council of Disobedient Women has learned that the Prefect of Aro Valley has been promoted to a new role with the blessing of the Pope of Wellington. Softy Jejune Parson has been appointed Mother Superior of Woke Wellington for the work she has been doing calling out heretics, ...
On both sides of the Atlantic, some purportedly “contentious” and “difficult to deal with” leadership contenders to lead the US and UK, as President and Prime Minister respectively, seem to have thrown a few spanners into the works of the normal messaging most are used to hearing constantly. Except they’re ...
In Question Time today the Prime Minister was naturally facing questions about Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters and his dubious party financing arrangements, which seem to violate electoral finance law. Her response was to pretend that it was nothing to do with her, and that she is not responsible for ...
A prisoner stripped of their name, imprisoned for a secret crime after a secret trial, with all details legally suppressed for secret reasons. A story by Kafka or Dumas? China? No, its just the latest stage of Australian tyranny:An Australian citizen was prosecuted, convicted, and jailed in the ACT last ...
Stuff has more details on what New Zealand First's slush-fund has been funding, with much of the spending directly benefiting the party. Which makes it look a lot like hidden donations, rather than the completely-innocent-giant-pile-of-cash Winston is trying to portray it as. The Electoral Commission is now investigating, but Simon ...
I've joked before about how hosting international summits effectively turns part of your country into a police state for the duration. Well, New Zealand is hosting APEC in 2021, with events throughout the year in Christchurch, Wellington, and Auckland. And the government has put up a bill to give itself ...
Climate Explained is a collaboration between The Conversation, Stuff and the New Zealand Science Media Centre to answer your questions about climate change.If you have a question you’d like an expert to answer, please send it to climate.change@stuff.co.nzI saw an article claiming that “king tides” will increase in ...
It has been revealed that firing ranges used by the NZDF while deployed to the Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) in Bamyan Province, Afghanistan, contained unexploded ordnance that caused numerous deaths and injuries after the NZDF withdrew the PRT in April 2013. In 2014 seven children were killed when an unidentified ...
Didn't See It Coming: NZ Herald columnist Lizzie Marvelly's latest column merits serious scrutiny because such a clear example of anti-democratic thinking is encountered only rarely on the pages of the daily press. Which is not to say that the elitism which lies at the heart of such social disparagement ...
by Gearóid Ó Loingsigh Initially it was reported that in an aerial bombardment that took place on August 30th seven children were massacred; the figure then went up to eight and then on November 11th Noticias Uno reported that, according to people from the community in close proximity to the ...
A lot has happened since the UN’s report on 1.5ºC was released in October 2018. New Zealand’s Zero Carbon Bill has passed, and enshrines the 1.5ºC goal in law. The UK and France have also legally strengthened their targets to Net Zero 2050. The School Strike For Climate and Extinction ...
Next year is an election year, and Labour needs money to fund its campaign. So naturally, they're selling access:Labour is charging wealthy business figures $1500-a-head to lunch with Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern at its annual conference later this month. [...] On the weekend beginning November 29th, around 800 delegates will ...
Yesterday the government announced its changes to tenancy laws, including an end to no-cause evictions, limits on rent increases, and anonyminity for tenants who defend their rights against bad landlords (sadly necessary because landlords are scum who maintain blacklists of "uppity" tenants). They're all good moves, and have resulted in ...
In 2003 New Zealand sent a Provincial Reconstruction Team to Afghanistan to support America's doomed war there. While there, they conducted regular weapons practice on local firing ranges, littering the landscape with unexploded ammunition. These ranges weren't secure - they're on land used by locals for animal herding - so ...
Green MP Gareth Hughes has announced he will retire at the election. Its understandable - he's been there ten years, and wants to actually see his children grow up rather than miss it while drowning in the toxic parliamentary sewer. But his departure is also a huge loss for the ...
Words and images by Jacqui GibsonGone are Auckland Museum’s days of doing science using a museum-centric academic approach, after Māori land rights holders Ngāti Kuri gave the museum an ultimatum.Tom Trnski holding a fossilised whale tooth from the Far North.Aussie-born Head of Natural Sciences at Auckland Museum ...
MediaWorks announced in October 2019 that it intended to sell off its struggling television business and cancel or cut back on several popular local programmes, including New Zealand Today, Married at First SightNew Zealand and 7 Days. Its radio and outdoor advertising arms are currently performing well, but MediaWorks’ ...
Westminster voting intention:CON: 44% (+3)LAB: 28% (-1)LDEM: 14% (-1)BREX: 6% (-)via @OpiniumResearch, surveyed this weekChgs. w/ 08 Nov— Britain Elects (@britainelects) 16 November 2019 This, of course, doesn't look good. Labour have been chucking big, headline grabbing policies left, right and centre ... Well, maybe not right. Left, left ...
Some readers may remember that I mentioned last year that I was applying for NZ citizenship. I filled out the paperwork and had my original citizenship interview in February. Everything went well until they discovered that, because I had spent five months in the US in 2017, I had not ...
by Deirdre O’Neill It is becoming quite acceptable for certain sections of the left to declare that people like me – women who are ‘gender critical’ – should not be allowed in leftist or anarchist spaces. Leaving aside the arrogance and implicit authoritarianism of this claim, its lack of critical ...
There is an article in The Conversation, written by Jeremy P. Shapiro (Adjunct Assistant Professor of Psychological Sciences, Case Western Reserve University), about what he sees as the psychologically-based underpinnings of three main matters that seem to vex people all around the planet. The article is titled “The Thinking ...
. . Blogger Martyn Bradbury has won his case against unreasonable search and surveillance against the NZ Police; and subsequent Police attempts to produce evidence in secrecy, in a closed Court. His case highlights a disturbing growing trend in Aotearoa New Zealand for State power to be used against ...
The Committee of Disobedient Women has intercepted an email from Dr Emma Eejut, Senior Lecturer in Sociology, Massey University to the university’s Vice-Chancellor, Jan Thomas. Dear Jan, Thank you for your courageous move. I think 10 pages of blether** should tie any of the students game enough to try holding ...
That's the only response to the findings of the Ombudsman's investigation into LGOIMA practices at the Christchurch City Council:My investigation identified serious concerns about the Council’s leadership and culture, and its commitment to openness and transparency. In particular, Council staff raised concerns with me about various methods employed by some ...
NZ First seems to be nakedly trying to enrich itself from public office:A powerful New Zealand First figure helped establish a forestry company that then pushed for money from two key funding streams controlled by a New Zealand First Minister. An RNZ investigation has found Brian Henry, lawyer for Winston ...
Behrouz Boochani is an award winning author and journalist. He is also a refugee, who for the past six years has been detained in Australia's offshore gulag on Manus Island, and in Papua New Guinea. But last night, with the cooperation of the WORD Christchurch festival and Amnesty International, he ...
Different Strokes: If a multicultural immigration policy imposes no obligation on immigrant communities to acknowledge and ultimately embrace their host nation’s most cherished traditions and values, then how is that nation to prevent itself from being reduced to a collection of inward-looking and self-replicating ethnic and cultural enclaves?THE COALITION GOVERNMENT’S ...
Protective Zone: Reading the rules and guidelines released by Massey University, it is impossible to avoid the conclusion that its governing body considers the whole concept of free speech a disruptive threat to the orderly imparting of orthodox academic knowledge.IN TRUE ORWELLIAN fashion, Massey University has announced its commitment to ...
Brian Oliver, University of Technology SydneyNew South Wales and Queensland are in the grip of a devastating bushfire emergency, which has tragically resulted in the loss of homes and lives. But the smoke produced can affect many more people not immediately impacted by the fires – even people many ...
Farmers held a hate-march on Parliament today, complete with MAGA hats, gun-nut signs, and gendered insults. While supposedly about a grab-bag of issues - including, weirdly, mental health - it was clear that the protest was about one thing, and one thing only: climate change. And specifically, forestry "destroying" rural ...
The Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security released their annual report today, and I've been busy reading through it. In amongst the usual review of what they've been doing all year, there's a few interesting bits. For example, a discussion on "agency retention and disposal of information", which points out that ...
Recently more than 150 post-graduate students and young scientists presented an open letter to the Green Party via The Spinoff, encouraging them to reconsider their position on genetic modification. Their target is tackling climate change issues.[1] Can any party continue to be dismissive about genetic modification (GM) contributing to ...
by Deirdre O’Neill Under Thatcher and then Blair and continuing up until our contemporary moment, the working class has seen its culture slowly and progressively destroyed. The change from an industrial society to a service society produced a marked shift in focus from the working class as the backbone of ...
Since 2013, the Australian government has detained refugees without trial in Pacific gulags, where they are abused, tortured, and driven to suicide. The policy is not just an abuse of human rights and possible crime against humanity; it has also had a corrosive effect on the states Australia uses as ...
It seems fair to say that we currently live in a problematic political moment in world history. Democracies are in decline and dictatorships are on the rise. Primordial, sectarian and post-modern divisions have re-emerged, are on the rise or have been accentuated by political evolutions of the moment such as ...
Last month, Greenpeace head Russel Norman surrendered his speaking slot at an EPA conference to student climate activist Sorcha Carr, who told the EPA exactly what she thought of them. It was a bold move, which confronted both regulators and polluters (or, as the EPA calls them, "stakeholders") with the ...
The core principle supposedly underlying New Zealand's electoral finance regime is transparency: parties can accept large donations from rich people wanting to buy policy, but only if they tell the public they've been bought. Most parties abide by this, so we know that TOP was wholly-owned by Gareth Morgan, and ...
Today is a Member's Day, probably the second-to-last one of the year, and its a big one, with the Third Reading of David Seymour's End of Life Choice Bill. last Member's Day it was reported back from committee, after MPs voted narrowly to make it subject to a (rules TBA) ...
Climate Explained is a collaboration between The Conversation, Stuff and the New Zealand Science Media Centre to answer your questions about climate change.If you have a question you’d like an expert to answer, please send it to climate.change@stuff.co.nzThe growth of the human population over the last 70 ...
by The Council of Disobedient Women In her excellent oral submission to the Abortion reform select committee on 31st October on behalf of Otago University’s Department of Public Health, historian and public health researcher Hera Cook stated: “We would ask that the committee not use the term ‘pregnant persons’ and ...
by Don Franks In 1957, E M Forster wrote, of his greatest work: “The India described in ‘A Passage to India’ no longer exists either politically or socially. Change had begun even at the time the book was published ( 1924) and during the following quarter of a century it ...
The Referendums Framework Bill was due back from select committee today. But there's no report on it. Instead, the bill has been bounced back to the House under Standing order 29593) because the Committee didn't bother to produce one. They probably tried. But given the membership of the committee (which ...
Two years into New Zealand’s Labour-led government, the long-delayed Zero Carbon Bill became law on 7 November. Passed essentially unanimously, the lengthy public debates and political manoeuvring faded away until the final passage was even anticlimactic: Flipping through the @nzstuff@DomPost I was starting to wonder if I’d dreamt ...
Now the Zero Carbon Bill is law, what's next? Obviously, the ETS changes currently before select committee are going to be the next battleground. But we're also going to get a good idea of where we're going, and if the progress the Zero Carbon Act promises is good enough, during ...
Grant PearceThe effects of the current Australian bushfires in New South Wales and Queensland (and also again in California) are devastating and far-reaching. To date, the fires have resulted in several lives being lost and many homes and properties destroyed. Here in New Zealand, the impacts have been only ...
A passing comment in a post the other day about the labour force participation rates of older people prompted me to pull down the fuller data and see what we could see about various participation rates over the decades since the HLFS began in 1986. As it happens, the ...
Distract And Divert: The rise of what we have come to call “Identity Politics” represents the ideological manifestation of the ruling class’s objective need to destroy class politics, and of the middle-class’s subjective need to justify their participation in the process.THE RELIEF of the ruling class can only be imagined. ...
"I saw a newspaper picture,From the political campaignA woman was kissing a child,Who was obviously in pain.She spills with compassion,As that young child'sFace in her hands she gripsCan you imagine all that greed and avariceComing down on that child's lips?" ...
Dr Matt Boyd, Prof Michael Baker, Prof Nick WilsonThe Global Health Security Index which considers pandemic threats has just been published. Unfortunately, NZ scores approximately half marks (54/100), coming in 35th in the world rankings – far behind Australia. This poor result suggests that the NZ Government needs to ...
The Zero Carbon Act is inadequate, with a weak methane target designed to give farmers a free ride. But it turns out it could have been worse: Climate Change Minister James Shaw was so desperate to get National on board, he wanted to gut that target, and leave it in ...
The Herald reprints an Australian story on a couple of tragic deaths in Bali from drinking cocktails that had methanol in them. The story argues that methanol is likely the result of home distillation. But what the young tourists were experiencing was far from a hangover. They’d consumed a toxic cocktail ...
Last month, the police announced a trial of specialist roaming armed units, which would drive round (poor, brown) areas in armoured SUVs, armed to the teeth. When they announced the trial, they told us it was about having armed police "ready to attend major incidents at any time if needed". ...
Spain went to the polls today in the second elections this year, after the Socialists (who had come to power in a confidence vote, then gone to the polls in April) rejected the offer of a coalition with the left-wing PoDemos, and instead decided to gamble n a better outcome ...
A couple of days ago I attended (and spoke at) the University of Waikato’s “LearnFest” event. There were lots of talks and sessions on very diverse aspects of teaching, mostly at tertiary level. One was by Myra Williamson from Te Piringa Faculty of Law here at Waikato, on Contract Cheating ...
There will be a transit of Mercury – the planet Mercury will pass across the face of the Sun – taking place at sunrise in New Zealand on Tuesday, 12th November. It was by observing such an event 250 years ago that James Cook and his scientist colleagues were able ...
Since becoming the world’s first openly transexual mayor and member of parliament, Georgina Beyer has been recognised as a trailblazer for trans rights. Daphna Whitmore talks with her about where she sees the current trans movement We start out talking about legislation the government put on hold that would have ...
If FFNZ really put their faith in “Top Medical Journals” they would now be amending their billboards to recognise new research results. Image from FFNZ but updated to agree with the latest research. ...
National Messiah? Chris Luxon identifies himself as an evangelical Christian. If he is genuine in this self-characterisation, then he will take every opportunity his public office provides to proselytise on behalf of his faith. He will also feel obliged to bear witness against beliefs and practices he believes to be ...
I'm going to make a Reckless Prediction™ that the Tories have 'topped out' in the 'poll of polls' / Britain Elects multipoll tracker at about 38%, and in the next week we will start to see Labour creep up on them.In fact, we might just be seeing the start of ...
by The Council of Disobedient Women Lizzie Marvelly: “I may have missed this… has @afterellen gone all terf-y? Or am I reading something incorrectly? “ https://twitter.com/LizzieMarvelly/status/1191840059105742849 After Ellen is a lesbian website that is unashamedly pro-lesbian, as you’d expect. So why is Ms Marvelly so bothered about lesbians having their ...
Did you know there once was a time when it was illegal to be a gypsy (aka Romani) in Britain?That was between 1530, when the Egyptians Act was passed, and 1856, when it was repealed.Amongst other things, the act forbade the entry of 'Egyptians' into England, ordered those already there ...
Some days I sit and think, “what will I write…?” What do you say when you get to 1000 posts? Maybe you just start where you are, diverge to where this all began, then offer a collection of reader’s favourite posts, and a few of your own? (And throw in ...
New Zealand First are celebrating the announcement of an investment of $3.5 million into five new trapping devices. These are a range of bait and trap devices, all designed to be left unattended for long periods of time. NZ First conservation spokesperson Jenny Marcroft says that this latest development will ...
Clayton Mitchell, Spokesperson for Consumer Affairs The ‘wheel clamping’ Bill that will cap clamper fees to $100 passed its third readinginParliament today. New Zealand First welcomes The Land Transport (Wheel Clamping) Amendment Bill to combat predatory wheel clamping behaviour in what is currently a largely unregulated business. Cowboy clampers are: gouging ...
Jenny Marcroft, Spokesperson for Health New Zealand First welcomes the passage of the Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission Bill through its first reading in Parliament. “Today’s progress takes serious action on the mental health and addiction crisis the country is facing,” says New Zealand First Health Spokesperson Jenny Marcroft. “The re-establishment ...
Mark Patterson, Spokesperson for Primary Industries Today the Government announced the delivery of the promise to protect New Zealand interests by applying a new National Interest Test to the sales of our most sensitive and high risk assets to overseas buyers. This further strengthening of the Overseas Investment Act will ...
The Coalition Government is delivering on its promise to protect New Zealanders’ interests by applying a new national interest test to the sales of our most sensitive and high-risk assets to overseas buyers. Under current Overseas Investment Act (OIA) rules, assets such as ports and airports, telecommunications infrastructure, electricity and ...
Rt Winston Peters, Leader of New Zealand First Allegations raised this morning by Stuff Limited / Fairfax concern a party matter but I am confident that New Zealand First has operated within electoral laws, now and for the last 27 years. Declarable donations were declared to the Electoral Commission. Our ...
The chairman of the Upper North Island Supply Chain Strategy (UNISCS) working group, Wayne Brown, has hit back at critics of his group’s recommendations to relocate the Ports of Auckland cargo operations to Whangarei’s deepwater port of Northport. The working group's recommendation to close Auckland waterfront to all but cruise ...
Jenny Marcroft MP, Spokesperson for Health New Zealand First backs the public to decide on the End of Life Choice Bill via a referendum at the 2020 General Election. The Bill, with New Zealand First’s referendum provision incorporated, passed its final reading in Parliament this evening. New Zealand First Spokesperson for ...
Darroch Ball, Spokesperson for Justice New Zealand First is proud that a key Coalition Agreement commitment which will provide for a more transparent and effective criminal justice system has been realised. Legislation to establish the Criminal Cases Review Commission, an independent body focused on identifying and responding to possible miscarriages of ...
"Today we have made a choice that will leave a legacy... I hope that means that future generations will see that we, in New Zealand, were on the right side of history." - Jacinda Ardern, Third Reading of the Zero Carbon Bill ...
Darroch Ball, New Zealand First List MP A Member’s bill has been proposed that would provide income tax exemptions for all New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) personnel while on operational deployment overseas. The Income Tax (Exemption for Salary or Wages of NZDF Members on Active Deployment) Amendment Bill proposed by New Zealand First ...
Rt Hon Winston Peters, New Zealand First Leader New Zealand First is proud to have brought common sense to the Climate Change Response (Zero Carbon) Amendment Bill, which passed its final reading in Parliament today. Party Leader Rt Hon Winston Peters says months of hard work went into negotiating a balanced ...
Jenny Marcroft MP, Spokesperson for Health New Zealand First has listened to calls to recognise paramedics as registered health professionals under the Health Practitioners’ Competence Assurance Act (the Act).Today, the Coalition Government announced plans for paramedics to be registered as health practitioners under the Act, and the establishment of a ...
A major new report on the global economy shows New Zealand is in good shape amid increased global headwinds. The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) has just released its latest Economic Outlook. It shows the OECD group of economies is forecast to grow between 1.6% and 1.7% across ...
The Coalition commitment to add 1800 new Police officers to frontline policing has been achieved with the graduation of 59 constables from the Royal New Zealand Police College today. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters say today’s graduation means 1825 new Police have been deployed all ...
Ensuring APEC work gets input from diverse New Zealand business and trade interests is behind three new appointments to the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC), Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says. Rachel Taulelei, Malcolm Johns and Toni Moyes have been appointed to represent New Zealand on the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) ...
Nau mai, haere mai. Tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā tatou katoa. Thank you for having me to speak today. To start, I’d like to acknowledge Sharron Lloyd, the General Manager of the Trans–Tasman Business Circle, the partners for this event Westpac’s David McLean, and Derek McCormack from AUT, and, of course ...
A four-month investigation by former Environment Court judge Professor Peter Skelton found that Otago’s freshwater planning system is not fit for purpose to manage the region’s rivers, lakes and aquifers and that the Council has inadequate rules for the taking of water and the discharge of nutrients. “Existing planning provisions ...
Introduction Thank you for the invitation to speak to you today. This is the first opportunity I’ve had to speak to an LGNZ meeting since the local elections, and I’m delighted to see the fresh faces of newly elected mayors. To returning mayors here today, as well as chief ...
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters departs New Zealand today to attend the G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Nagoya at the invitation of this year’s G20 President, Japan. “This is the first time New Zealand will attend a G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and we are deeply honoured that it is at ...
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters today announced the appointment of diplomat Carl Reaich as New Zealand’s next Ambassador to the European Union. “The Ambassador to the EU is one of the most important and senior roles in New Zealand’s foreign service, advocating for New Zealand’s interests with the EU institutions,” Mr ...
Innovation and technology are behind five new tools to give nature a helping hand by helping eliminate predators, funded through the Provincial Growth Fund (PGF), Minister for Conservation Eugenie Sage and Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Regional Economic Development Fletcher Tabuteau announced today. “The new tools will be trialled in ...
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has welcomed the first reading of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation 2021 (APEC 2021) Bill in Parliament today. The temporary bill supports New Zealand’s security preparations for hosting the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Forum in 2021. “APEC is the leading economic and trade forum ...
The Government is making progress on improving the wellbeing of the one million New Zealanders under the age of 18,” Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said on World Children’s Day. The Government has today recommitted to the most widely ratified human rights treaty in history – the United Nation’s Convention on ...
Minister for Women Julie Anne Genter has released a new report celebrating the contribution of Māori women in business across Aotearoa New Zealand. “Māori women are leaders in our communities, they employ many people and support our economy and our communities,” Julie Anne Genter said. The report, Ngā wāhine kaipakihi: ...
Four parcels of land have been bought in Omokoroa, in the Western Bay of Plenty District, for an education facility that will accommodate both a primary and secondary school on a campus-like facility, Education Minister Chris Hipkins said today. Two parcels were acquired from private land owners and two were ...
1 million New Zealanders warmed by the Winter Energy Payment 36,000 families bank the Best Start Payment in first year 6,000 more families received the Family Tax Credit, 220,600 in total They receive an increase too – from an average of $117 to $157 a week for Inland Revenue clients, ...
New rules to clamp down on overzealous wheel clamping and extortionate fees charged in order to release a vehicle have passed their final stage in Parliament today. The Land Transport (Wheel Clamping) Amendment Bill has now passed its third reading. “These changes mean $100 will be the maximum wheel clamping ...
An independent Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission is a step closer after it unanimously passed its first vote in Parliament today. The Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission Bill lays the groundwork for establishing the Commission as a fully independent crown entity – delivering on a key recommendation of He Ara ...
We’ve improved border security with the NZeTA, New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority, which helps us to screen travellers for border and immigration risks off-shore before they travel to New Zealand. It was launched in August and became mandatory on 1 October 2019. More than 500,000 NZeTAs have been issued since ...
A proposed national plan of action to reduce the number of seabirds caught in fisheries is being circulated for public feedback. Fisheries Minister Stuart Nash and Conservation Minister Eugenie Sage say New Zealand is a global centre of seabird diversity with about 145 species in our waters. It has more ...
The Government is delivering on its promise to protect New Zealanders’ interests by applying a new national interest test to the sales of our most sensitive and high risk assets to overseas buyers. Associate Finance Minister David Parker said under current Overseas Investment Act rules, assets such as ports and ...
The Government is building special housing to accommodate one of Aotearoa’s greatest taonga- our kaumātua, says the Minister for Māori Development, Hon Nanaia Mahuta. Speaking at a National Kaumātua Service Providers Conference in Rotorua today, the Minister reinforced the importance kaumātua play in maintaining and passing on mātauranga Māori, knowledge, ...
Eleven men from a pilot forestry training programme for prisoners in Northland now have full time jobs or job offers upon release, Corrections Minister Kelvin Davis and Forestry Minister Shane Jones announced today. The ‘release to work’ programme was a collaboration between Te Uru Rākau and the Department of Corrections, ...
Minister of State Services Chris Hipkins today introduced into Parliament a Bill that will make it easier for the public service to tackle the biggest challenges facing Governments. The Bill represents the most significant change in the public service in 30 years. The State Sector Act 1988 will be repealed ...
The families of more than 416,000 students will be better off next year as their schools have signed up to the Government’s donations scheme, Education Minister Chris Hipkins said today. The scheme will see almost $62.5 million in additional Government funding go to schools nationwide next year. “I’m really pleased ...
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has announced further support as the Government of Samoa responds to a serious measles outbreak. “New Zealand will deploy a further 18 vaccination nurses, bringing the total to 30 working in Samoa over the next four weeks,” Mr Peters said. “A New Zealand Medical Assistance ...
Fa’atalofa atu, malo e lelei, Kia ora koutou katoa Thank you to the Child Poverty Action Group for asking me to be here today to provide an update on some of the things that have been happening across my the social development portfolio. Can I firstly acknowledge the vast ...
***Please check against delivery*** Good morning everyone. It is a pleasure to be with you this morning to open this year’s New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Conference and AGM. Firstly, thank you Dr Alan Jackson, NZTR Chair for your introduction. And let us acknowledge also: The NZTR Board; Dean McKenzie, Chair ...
The Government has delivered on its promise to the over one million New Zealanders who now rent to make it fairer and more secure, Associate Minister of Housing (Public Housing) Kris Faafoi has announced today. Both renters and landlords will benefit from the suite of practical changes to the Residential ...
A marine conservation milestone - the 20th anniversary of the establishment of Te Tapuwae o Rongokako Marine Reserve - is being celebrated today at a community event in Tairāwhiti/East Coast attended by the Minister of Conservation, Eugenie Sage. “The creation of this marine reserve in November 1999 was a game ...
The Government is asking the food industry to step up work to tackle obesity including reducing sugar, fat and salt in their products, better information for consumers, and tighter restrictions on advertising to children. Health Minister David Clark and Food Safety Minister Damien O’Connor have responded to a ...
ew, modern emergency department and outpatient facilities at Queenstown’s Lakes District Hospital mean better emergency care for the growing tourist mecca’s visitors and locals, says Health Minister David Clark. Today Dr Clark officially opened the hospital’s redeveloped Emergency Department and Outpatient facilities. The new facilities include: • An extended Emergency Department ...
Associate Health Minister Julie Anne Genter says today’s release of sexual and reproductive health data reinforces the significance of the Government’s commitment to providing free or very low-cost contraception. The Ministry of Health today published statistics from the Ministry of Health’s 2014/15 Health Survey. “It is important people can make ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced that at the request of the Samoan Government, New Zealand will be providing further support to Samoa as it faces a worsening measles outbreak. “In response to a request from the people of Samoa, New Zealand is providing 3000 measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) ...
“The new Disability Action Plan 2019–2023 moves us towards the inclusive and accessible New Zealand that this government has committed to,” Minister for Disability Issues Carmel Sepuloni announced today. “The Action Plan was designed by disabled people, their family and supporters, the disability sector and government agencies. It will ensure ...
Third Singapore-New Zealand Defence Ministers’ Meeting 14 November 2019 Joint Statement 1. Defence Ministers Ron Mark and Dr Ng Eng Hen today conducted their third annual Singapore-New Zealand Defence Ministers’ Meeting in Singapore. 2. Building on the Enhanced Partnership signed between both countries in May this year, this annual meeting ...
A Bill to improve the court system’s response to sexual violence has passed its first reading in Parliament today. Justice Minister Andrew Little says the Sexual Violence Legislation Bill will reduce the trauma sexual violence complainants experience in court, while maintaining defendants’ fundamental rights and making sure the trial process ...
Streamlined payment practices are a step closer for Kiwi businesses with the formal launch of New Zealand’s e-Invoicing framework. Small Business Minister Stuart Nash says the government has now established the structure to enable automated and direct data exchange between the accounting systems of buyers and sellers. “The move to ...
Another 51 quarantine officers and four new biosecurity detector dog teams will help protect New Zealand from invasive pests and diseases this summer, says Biosecurity Minister Damien O’Connor. “The Government is delivering on its commitment to strengthen New Zealand’s biosecurity system and support our valuable primary sector “New Zealand’s flora, fauna ...
A new report has found New Zealand’s space sector contributed $1.69 billion to the economy in the last financial year and employs 12,000 people, Minister for Economic Development Phil Twyford announced today. The report by Deloitte was commissioned by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment and shows New Zealand ...
Judge Coral Shaw has been appointed as the new Chair of the Royal Commission into Historical Abuse in State Care and in the Care of Faith-based Institutions, Internal Affairs Minister Tracey Martin announced today. "Judge Shaw, who is currently one of the inquiry commissioners, is extremely well qualified for the ...
The Government has confirmed its third major mental health facility upgrade since the Budget, this time at Palmerston North Hospital. The Prime Minister and Health Minister today visited MidCentral DHB to announce that $30 million has been allocated to upgrade its acute mental health facility. It follows earlier announcements in ...
Good morning and welcome to The Bulletin. In today’s edition: Focus shifts to lawyer in NZ First Foundation scandal, Canterbury hail smashes crops, and tobacco companies cynically raise prices under tax cover.
Around this time last year, a party leader had just brazened out a week of scandal, much of ...
A report from the NZ Disability Support Network has laid bare a funding crisis impacting every level of the sector. Here, Rachel Lodewyk, of Gisborne, says the health system is failing but parent-led trusts are offering solutions in desperate times. ...
With emissions still rising, climate geo-engineering requires debate. But political researchers fear people are falling into the same left/right tribalism that's long plagued climate politics. ...
Our kinship with plants is etched out in the mythology on which our societies are founded, and in the web of life it is a scientific fact that we are indeed close kin to the plant kingdom. So why do we not live like we are, asks Matt Hall.There are ...
There’s been outrage since it was revealed that up to one in five final year medical students at the University of Otago falsified their overseas placements by spending portions of that time travelling instead. But GP registrar and former Otago medical student Toby Hills finds himself empathising deeply with his ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Scott Morrison’s government is heading to the end of 2019 amid a debate about its economic judgement and with a number of substantial policy moves started but not completed. Morrison this week delivered to an ...
Newsroom's major investigations into Oranga Tamariki and a Fijian resort development have won us the award for best current affairs programme at the NZ TV awards. ...
The government is facing criticism that it is not doing enough, fast enough to raise people out of poverty. But Minister Carmel Sepuloni says her ministry are working as quickly as possible. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Peter Christoff, Associate Professor, School of Geography, University of Melbourne A new United Nations report shows the world’s major fossil fuel producing countries, including Australia, plan to dig up far more coal, oil and gas than can be burned if the world ...
New Zealand First leader and Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters with Governor General Dame Patsy Reddy and Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.New Zealand is officially one of the least corrupt countries in the world. But it could be argued that our political system is still biased in favour of the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Scott Hamilton, Strategic Advisory Panel Member, Australian-German Energy Transition Hub, University of Melbourne The possibilities presented by hydrogen are the subject of excited discussion across the world – and across Australia’s political divide, notoriously at war over energy policy. Read more: Hydrogen ...
The Real Pod assembles to dissect the week in reality television and real life, with special thanks to Nando’s.We’re still buzzing after the rip-roaring success of the Corny Christmas party this week and we won’t even let a rogue earwig in the studio dampen our spirits. There’s a lot of exciting ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Heidi Norman, Professor, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, University of Technology Sydney Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised this article contains images and names of deceased people.Review: Linear, Powerhouse Museum, Sydney The value of Australian First Peoples’ scientific ...
Sam Brooks reviews the latest generation of the Pokémon games which finally hits the big-ish screen.“I love Pokémon but I wish I could play it on my TV.”I’ve been playing Pokémon for 20 years and that’s been the main thing I’ve heard from my fellow Pokémon friends/fans. The games have been engrossing, ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Helen Dickinson, Professor, Public Service Research, UNSW National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) Minister Stuart Robert this month announced a number of “practical changes” to the scheme. Acknowledging the NDIS is not consistently living up to expectations, he said these improvements will put ...
The trustee of the New Zealand First Foundation and Winston Peters' personal lawyer has threatened a $30 million lawsuit against a National MP, in the latest twist of the donations scandal. ...
The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) is a regional economic forum based in the Asia-Pacific Region. New Zealand will host APEC 2021 in November 2021, with related events running for a year from December 2020 until November 2021. ...
Business is Boring is a weekly podcast series presented by The Spinoff in association with Callaghan Innovation. Host Simon Pound speaks with innovators and commentators focused on the future of New Zealand. This week he talks to Dr Brian Ward of soft-tissue repair company Aroa.Dr Paul Callaghan, who inspired Callaghan ...
Emerging political leaders from 15 Pacific countries and territories will be in New Zealand next week to meet with one and other, and their New Zealand counterparts, to discuss major challenges and opportunities in the Pacific. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Anthony Billingsley, Senior Lecturer, School of Social Sciences, UNSW The small number of Australians being held in prison camps in northern Syria has been an ongoing, albeit low-level, challenge for the Australian government. There are believed to be eight Australian fighters for ...
Louise Mensch is set to hit New Zealand airwaves this evening. Who is this conspiracy theorist and what could she possibly be saying to Lisa Owen?Who is Louise Mensch?She’s a former Tory MP, founder of the Rupert Murdoch-funded “no safe spaces” website Heat Street, a romance novelist, and a conspiracy ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Dennis McNevin, Professor of Forensic Genetics, University of Technology Sydney Designer baby, anyone? A New Jersey startup company, Genomic Prediction, might be able to help you. Genomic Prediction claims to be able to use DNA testing to predict disease risk in an ...
Marion McLeod revels in the return of Olive Kitteridge, the compassionate curmudgeon who won Elizabeth Strout a Pulitzer Prize. It’s the year of the sequel: My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3, Toy Story 4, Rambo 5 … Do movies ever make it to double figures? Books and miniseries certainly do. Genre ...
National is questioning those in charge of the Provincial Growth Fund after it was revealed a NZ First-linked forestry company made an application to the fund, headed by NZ First MP Shane Jones. ...
James Borrowdale spent the last cricket season examining Neil Wagner and his unique approach to bowling. Today, in the first test of the Black Caps’ summer, Wagner returns.Neil Wagner has a wicket. He freezes mid-pitch, fists clenched at his side, knees slightly bent, a roar on his lips. His brows ...
A record volume of resales of units in its retirement villages has boosted Ryman's first half profit with the second half expected to be stronger than the first, the company says. ...
The main problem with HIV today is stigma – and it is almost entirely based on outdated information and fear, says Mark Fisher of HIV+ support organisation Body Positive ahead of the World AIDS Day Festival which opens in Auckland tomorrow.A person living with HIV on effective treatment cannot pass ...
The Department of Conservation (DOC) is hoping floating platforms will help to keep the chicks of a central Christchurch colony of critically endangered tarāpuka/black-billed gulls from drowning this breeding season. ...
The Foundation Against Islamophobia and Racism (FAIR) is a newly formed NZ-based independent Muslim human rights advocacy organisation. One of the key projects of FAIR is to provide a Report Islamophobia ( http://report.islamophobia. ) portal where ...
The Royal Commission held its fourth hui with the Muslim Community Reference Group in Christchurch this month as part of an ongoing discussion with Muslim communities. ...
The Spinoff presents the premiere of buzzed-about Auckland post-punk band Daffodils’ new music video ‘Boys’.Theo Spike Salmon says:I wrote ‘Boys’ two years ago, around the end of high school. We’ve revised stuff, and played around with slightly different structuring, but it’s honestly not changed much at all. When I wrote ...
A Waikato stud owner Garry Chittick reveals as a New Zealand First donor says he doesn't care how the money got to the party, as long as it was used to benefit it. ...
In the wake of Wellington City Councillors voting for a 28 per cent increase in their base salaries , the New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union is questioning Iona Pannett’s decision to take a second salary. Taxpayers’ Union Executive Director Jordan Williams ...
For nearly six years, Laura Giddey has been a permanent house sitter in Auckland. Here, she explains why she does it and how it’s changed her life for the better. It all began in December 2013. I had a friend whose husband was in the navy and was going away for ...
A Waikato stud owner revealed as a New Zealand First donor says he doesn't care how the money got there, as long as it was used to benefit the party. ...
The Point of Order Trough Monitor, programmed to alert us to ministerial handouts, nevertheless sounded the alarm when the latest Provincial Growth Fund spending was announced by a politician further down in the pecking order. Accordingly we have learned that the Provincial Growth Fund (PGF) has allocated $3.5 million to develop ...
Fonterra’s farmer shareholders might have been stung by pangs of envy as they looked into the next paddock, and discovered how another company in the same industry is racking up huge revenue gains from the same markets in which their co-op is competing. But A2 Milk, a company founded in ...
In the 1970s, agriculture made the largest single contribution to New Zealand’s economy, but other industries, especially services, have become more dominant in recent years, Stats NZ said today. ...
Government finance statistics (general government) gives an economic representation of New Zealand's central and local government financial activity. ...
The government should look at an unemployment insurance scheme and add new benefits to help support people who lose their jobs, the Productivity Commission suggests. ...
Today Hāpai Te Hauora’s Māori Public Health Team launches "Tobacco is Not Our whakapapa" a series of video clips which seeks to re-center whakapapa in the narrative of tobacco harm minimisation. ...
Editor’s Note: Here below is a list of the main issues currently under discussion in New Zealand and links to media coverage.New Zealand Parliament Buildings, Wellington, New Zealand.Today’s content by Dr Bryce Edwards.NZ First Matt Shand (Stuff): Who are the donors behind the NZ First Foundation? Matt ...
A leaked email from prominent share broking firm Forsyth Barr perpetuates a tediously old-fashioned idea of the way people think – and it isn’t even salvaged by wit or originality, writes business editor Maria Slade.Investment manager Forsyth Barr’s daily market commentary came with a seasonal extra on November 1. Atop ...
Newly released documents reveal Cabinet considered whether immigrants should be forced to take their elderly parents with them if they leave the country. ...
More than 640 letters in parcels filled with nonrecyclable single-use plastics have been mailed to MPs in Parliament via freepost since the plastic2parliament initiative started in mid-October. Another 125 plastic-stuffed letters were directed to National ...
Agrochemical company Ravensdown is risking potentially disruptive direct action by refusing to allow port workers to register their protest at the importing of Blood Phosphate from the Western Sahara, says the Rail and Maritime Transport Union (RMTU). ...
A few days ago, Fanimals announced it would not be returning for another season. Emily Writes, and her kids, are heartbroken.On my list of things I might write about one day it simply said ‘Fanimals’ sandwiched between ‘How old is BeckBroJack?’ and ‘Is Peter Krause the most dad-like dad on television?’I ...
Family First says that the trend to extend daycare times, and its role to be virtually de facto parents, is concerning, ignores the real needs of children, and reinforces the need for more support to be given to parents with young children. “Babies are ...
Donors to NZ First’s slush fund believed they were making political donations to the party itself in accordance with the law – especially as an NZ First MP organised some of the donations. ...
When the current coalition government was formed, there was some comment that this was perhaps New Zealand First's last chance at political redemption. The party's two previous stints in government had failed to last three years. The 1996-98 coalition ...
Newly released documents reveal the cabinet considered whether immigrants should be forced to take their elderly parents with them if they leave the country. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Gavin Rowell, Associate Professor in High Energy Astrophyics, University of Adelaide The brightest fireworks in the universe are called gamma-ray bursts and are created by the death throes of certain kinds of stars. These intense blasts release as much energy in one ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Peter McPhee, Emeritus professor, University of Melbourne We live in a world of violent challenges to the status quo, from Chile and Iraq to Hong Kong, Catalonia and the Extinction Rebellion. These protests are usually presented in the media simply as expressions ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nicole Sadler, Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne A career in the Australian Defence Force (ADF), or the armed forces in any country, can be rewarding, but also demanding. Challenges include the rigorous training, frequent moves, and maintaining social connections. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Aniko Blanka Toth, Postdoctoral Fellow, Macquarie University As the world grapples with an extinction crisis, our large mammals are among the most endangered. These threatened species – rhinos, pandas, tigers, polar bears and the like – greatly influence their ecosystems. So what ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Benjamin Nickl, Lecturer in International Comparative Literature and Translation Studies, University of Sydney In September, the Fair Work commission rejected an unfair dismissal claim by a BP worker who made a Downfall video meme about his boss. Fair Work called it “inappropriate ...
Good morning and welcome to The Bulletin. In today’s edition: Dozens of electorates will have boundary changes, Zespri launches legal action over special kiwifruit, and more tumbles out of NZ First Foundation.Dozens of electorates will see their boundaries change, and a whole new electorate will be created in Auckland, if ...
On a farm near Rotorua, breeding rams are having their methane-laced burps measured - so the next generation of lambs can be bred from climate-friendlier fathers. ...
Open mike 18/08/2019 
Coasters Turn Out In Droves: It’s precisely the widening gulf between those with actual experience of things like guns, chainsaws and drilling machines, and those who regulate their use, that accounts for the angry crowd at Greymouth’s Messenger Park on Sunday, 17 November 2019. In the rarefied atmosphere where decisions ...1 hour ago
There are perennial arguments about the circumstances of the assassination of President Kennedy in 1963, and in particular whether more than one shooter is required by the evidence (such as the Zapruder film). Those who know little about physics frequently claim that the sharp backwards motion of JFK’s head as ...6 hours ago
Last week we learned that New Zealand First had apparently tried to enrich itself from public office, with a dodgy forestry company linked to a number of NZ First figures sticking its hand out repeatedly for government money. Today in Question Time Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones had his ...16 hours ago
The Council of Disobedient Women has learned that the Prefect of Aro Valley has been promoted to a new role with the blessing of the Pope of Wellington. Softy Jejune Parson has been appointed Mother Superior of Woke Wellington for the work she has been doing calling out heretics, ...1 day ago
On both sides of the Atlantic, some purportedly “contentious” and “difficult to deal with” leadership contenders to lead the US and UK, as President and Prime Minister respectively, seem to have thrown a few spanners into the works of the normal messaging most are used to hearing constantly. Except they’re ...2 days ago
It has been revealed that firing ranges used by the NZDF while deployed to the Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) in Bamyan Province, Afghanistan, contained unexploded ordnance that caused numerous deaths and injuries after the NZDF withdrew the PRT in April 2013. In 2014 seven children were killed when an unidentified ...2 days ago
by Gearóid Ó Loingsigh Initially it was reported that in an aerial bombardment that took place on August 30th seven children were massacred; the figure then went up to eight and then on November 11th Noticias Uno reported that, according to people from the community in close proximity to the ...3 days ago
MediaWorks announced in October 2019 that it intended to sell off its struggling television business and cancel or cut back on several popular local programmes, including New Zealand Today, Married at First Sight New Zealand and 7 Days. Its radio and outdoor advertising arms are currently performing well, but MediaWorks’ ...4 days ago
There is an article in The Conversation, written by Jeremy P. Shapiro (Adjunct Assistant Professor of Psychological Sciences, Case Western Reserve University), about what he sees as the psychologically-based underpinnings of three main matters that seem to vex people all around the planet. The article is titled “The Thinking ...6 days ago
. . Blogger Martyn Bradbury has won his case against unreasonable search and surveillance against the NZ Police; and subsequent Police attempts to produce evidence in secrecy, in a closed Court. His case highlights a disturbing growing trend in Aotearoa New Zealand for State power to be used against ...6 days ago
by The Council of Disobedient Women In her excellent oral submission to the Abortion reform select committee on 31st October on behalf of Otago University’s Department of Public Health, historian and public health researcher Hera Cook stated: “We would ask that the committee not use the term ‘pregnant persons’ and ...1 week ago
If FFNZ really put their faith in “Top Medical Journals” they would now be amending their billboards to recognise new research results. Image from FFNZ but updated to agree with the latest research. ... 2 weeks ago
New Zealand First are celebrating the announcement of an investment of $3.5 million into five new trapping devices. These are a range of bait and trap devices, all designed to be left unattended for long periods of time. NZ First conservation spokesperson Jenny Marcroft says that this latest development will ...19 hours ago
We're setting our young people up for success, investing in education around the country. ...4 days ago
A major new report on the global economy shows New Zealand is in good shape amid increased global headwinds. The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) has just released its latest Economic Outlook. It shows the OECD group of economies is forecast to grow between 1.6% and 1.7% across ...1 hour ago
Good morning and welcome to The Bulletin. In today’s edition: Focus shifts to lawyer in NZ First Foundation scandal, Canterbury hail smashes crops, and tobacco companies cynically raise prices under tax cover.
What are the pros and cons of building a mega-port in the Firth of Thames? It's becoming a very heated infrastructure debate. ...1 hour ago
Hamilton's new world MMA champion, Michelle Montague, must now be pondering turning pro, in her dream to become the first Kiwi woman in the UFC. ...3 hours ago
In what’s become the curious incident of the rats on the beach, opinions are divided over the most plausible scenario leading to 680 dead rats. ...3 hours ago
Using terms like 'psycho' to insult people is revealing of our underlying and enduring attitudes and prejudices, writes Dr Dougal Sutherland. ...3 hours ago
A report from the NZ Disability Support Network has laid bare a funding crisis impacting every level of the sector. Here, Rachel Lodewyk, of Gisborne, says the health system is failing but parent-led trusts are offering solutions in desperate times. ...3 hours ago
With emissions still rising, climate geo-engineering requires debate. But political researchers fear people are falling into the same left/right tribalism that's long plagued climate politics. ...3 hours ago
The leaky homes crisis that drew huge headlines in the 1990s is worse today than it ever was. ...3 hours ago
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Scott Morrison’s government is heading to the end of 2019 amid a debate about its economic judgement and with a number of substantial policy moves started but not completed. Morrison this week delivered to an ...9 hours ago
Newsroom's major investigations into Oranga Tamariki and a Fijian resort development have won us the award for best current affairs programme at the NZ TV awards. ...11 hours ago
The government is facing criticism that it is not doing enough, fast enough to raise people out of poverty. But Minister Carmel Sepuloni says her ministry are working as quickly as possible. ...13 hours ago
After days of tricky questions about the NZ First Foundation, the PM and her deputy have earned a respite - but not for long. ...13 hours ago
Former director general of health says the Government needs to prioritise digitising the healthcare system. ...13 hours ago
The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) is a regional economic forum based in the Asia-Pacific Region. New Zealand will host APEC 2021 in November 2021, with related events running for a year from December 2020 until November 2021. ...15 hours ago
Rarely does a troubled stock market float tell us so much about the world. ...15 hours ago
A record volume of resales of units in its retirement villages has boosted Ryman's first half profit with the second half expected to be stronger than the first, the company says. ...17 hours ago
A Waikato stud owner Garry Chittick reveals as a New Zealand First donor says he doesn't care how the money got to the party, as long as it was used to benefit it. ...19 hours ago
The Point of Order Trough Monitor, programmed to alert us to ministerial handouts, nevertheless sounded the alarm when the latest Provincial Growth Fund spending was announced by a politician further down in the pecking order. Accordingly we have learned that the Provincial Growth Fund (PGF) has allocated $3.5 million to develop ...20 hours ago
Fonterra’s farmer shareholders might have been stung by pangs of envy as they looked into the next paddock, and discovered how another company in the same industry is racking up huge revenue gains from the same markets in which their co-op is competing. But A2 Milk, a company founded in ...21 hours ago
The government should look at an unemployment insurance scheme and add new benefits to help support people who lose their jobs, the Productivity Commission suggests. ...21 hours ago
Donors to NZ First’s slush fund believed they were making political donations to the party itself in accordance with the law – especially as an NZ First MP organised some of the donations. ...23 hours ago
Newly released documents reveal the cabinet considered whether immigrants should be forced to take their elderly parents with them if they leave the country. ...23 hours ago
Simon Bridges wants PM to take action over NZ First allegations; and electoral boundaries change with new Flat Bush electorate. ...1 day ago
“My advice to you as a chief executive is do not put your head in a political noose." ...1 day ago
On a farm near Rotorua, breeding rams are having their methane-laced burps measured - so the next generation of lambs can be bred from climate-friendlier fathers. ...1 day ago
ExKiwiForces this would interest you.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/sunday/audio/2018709193/kriv-stenders-the-battle-of-long-tan
Kriv Stenders: The Battle of Long Tan Listen duration 10′ :04″
From Sunday Morning, 7:23 am today
Share this
Add to playlist
This Sunday marks the day in 1966 in South Vietnam where a company of Australian and New Zealand soldiers in a rubber plantation called Long Tan fought to hold off a force of two thousand Viet Cong and North Vietnamese soldiers. Kriv Stenders has made a movie about the men of D Company who had to battle against the odds for four hours in torrential rain. The film is Danger Close: The Battle of Long Tan.
Here is probably on the best movies made on the conflict in Vietnam, and considered by many to be one of the best war movies overall….personally I would give that credit to Elem Klimov's Come and See (1985).
La 317ème section, Pierre Schoendoerffer (1965)
Come and See – (1985)
Haven't seen these two and thank you for the heads up.
Cheers for the link, I'll listen to it when I'm out bush this week during my downtime while tidying up yard after the ministry of finance (wife) wanted a new flushing thunder box or in between fighting bush fires.
I'm hoping to catch the movie on the big screen when it comes to Darwin and not put it off as I did with movie "6 Days" a few yrs ago. From what I'm hearing atm the movie is pretty good from all accounts and it has impressed the yank movie critics etc.
It's a damn shame old Maurice Stanley the Kiwi FOO (Forward Observer Officer is not around anymore as he's after battle presentation on the Battle of Long Tan is worth listening too incl the lessons learnt from the Battle of Long Tan. Without him and his two signallers Willie Walker from the RNZAC and Murray Broomhall RNZA as Harry Smith's link back to the Dat and the Kiwi BC (battery Commander) incl his staff of NZ 161Bty in which ran/ Co-Ord all the Fire support and, Close Air support missions and the aerial resupply during the lull in the battle. They now without the Kiwi's it would've been a very different story for D Coy 6RAR and possible for the rest of the 1ATF at the Dat as the field defences of 1ATF hadn't been completed yet and wasn't fully up to strength IRT manpower either.
Heck even the US General Westmoreland and his staff were shitting bricks at was happening during the Battle of Long Tan from what I've read and have been told from a few vets of the Battle of Long Tan.
It was a very close run indeed.
Hearing about what training for political life is availabe to MPs was a bracer for me.
7.32 The House http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/the-house
When MPs first turn up to Parliament they are often surprised at the incredibly varied demands of their jobs. And as their careers progress the skill demands change and increase. So who trains them to do those jobs? Parliamentary programme The House looks at new moves to upskill the people running the country.
Katherine Rich, Chair of the Parliamentary Education Charitable Trust and Girol Karacaoglu, head of the Victoria University School of Government Photo: VNP / Phil Smith
Audio for above https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/the-house/audio/2018708709/mps-head-back-to-school
Hi everybody – lovely day in Nelson though cool. I am putting up some interesting things from Radionz that are good.
This was interesting. It is wise to build relationships with China and build good business there, and at the same time ease off from the USA as we can.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/insight/audio/2018708828/disappearing-students-how-nz-is-wasting-opportunities-with-our-chinese-graduates
Thank you grey.
Fighting on the streets in Queenstown at 3 am. What is the bet that these had been drinking alcohol in bars? If they had been sitting in bars drinking coffee and listening to music and chatting or singing it would have been unlikely to end like this.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/396937/two-injured-in-serious-assault-in-queenstown
This is NZ hypocrisy exposed, once again. Big on drugging really, and that is why it is hard to get appropriate controls on drugs, every time there must be some precious political time consumed deciding whether synthetic cannabis is all right but not something else. Always with alcohol being pushed. People allowed, almost encouraged to become addicted with RTDs being high alcohol. Just cut the hours for the bars down – make them get used to it, both the drinkers and the bars, normal closing at 11.30 and emptied by 12.30 am.
And they must have to apply for special licences limited to two a year or six for the area, to stay open till 1 am and be empty by 2.00 a.m. Moans and groans and concerns about lots of people milling about being more likely to become unmanageable will only happen rarely then.
This will save police and hospital time and safety and taxpayers paying out for the stupid and foolish and dissolute.
Fighting in the streets of London at 3am.
Owen Jones targeted by the far right
Perhaps we should all avoid being out at 3 am which seems to be the good time for violence! Trouble is that bring that down to 2 am – for this sort of premeditated attack any time at night would be good for the perps. To mount an attack they must be nearby sitting in a car/van and have someone follow the guy or gal in and monitor them and text or buzz when they move out. So a nasty feeling of background hate all the time if you are sensitive to that stuff.
so they came for the immigrants, now they're going for the columnists.
Sunday WTH? Moment
UN report claims "dozens" of NZers seeking asylum. The mind boggles.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/396928/new-zealanders-seeking-asylum-abroad-un-report
https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/insight/audio/2018705590/can-new-zealand-s-mental-health-crisis-be-cured
Maybe new New Zealanders who didn't feel like being honourkilled.
Isn't one of them Suzie Dawson?
Well, who wouldn't seek asylum if they had holes appearing their ceiling.
Holy crap! I am sheltered, apparently
Right o, so WTF went on here then….
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/396938/retraction-and-apology-to-donghua-liu-for-untrue-statements
“The article claimed that Mr Liu had fled to New Zealand from China and that he was returning to face corruption charges there, for which he could be executed and his organs harvested.
RNZ accepts that none of these statements were true.”
Everything about this guy just gets couriouser and couriouser
Before CGI film makers were clever.
That is brilliant, you can be sure no one is going to be looking back on all the CGI that structures half the movies we see today with any kind of wonder.
I really wish someone of influence could get to Peter Jackson and say to him..'just because you can, doesn't mean you should ' before he ruins any more classic's with his appalling over the top CGI..yuk.
Further sadness re the planet and animals.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/world/396929/famous-dugong-dies-after-eating-plastic
They are similar to manatees which also are having a hard time.
https://phys.org/news/2019-07-manatee-deaths-watercraft-pace-florida.html
Anyone else at the All Blacks game last night, notice the chorus of boos that went out when our PM was announced. Not sure if those at home could hear it on the television, but I thought it was disgraceful. Never heard that for previous PMs, I do note however that she handled the handshake with far more competence than a certain previous PM…
I was there and heard it.
Got to say – don’t like her and think that this government is a joke – but the booing behaviour was unacceptable.
Yeah, lots of right wing nut jobs in the crowd.
Interesting that you'd comment on it here…
Amusingly – you assume people booed because of their political views as opposed to their views on Jacinda.
More amusing that you find it interesting that I would comment on it in a political blog.
I guess you are just easily impressed.
You'll find I wasn't talking to you. I try not to.
But just what are you trying to say?
That the rabid right were booing the PM not because of their political views, but because they don't like her? What has she done outside politics that has made them so angry? Been successful? Had a baby?
Wearing your England shirt last night, were you?
If it was only the “rabid right” booing Ardern, the left is in serious trouble. Because from what I witnessed last night, they must have made up roughly 70% of the crowd. And as for your comment about me mentioning this here, where else am I meant to mention it, this is open mic.
You're claiming 70% of a 48K crowd were booing the Prime Minister? An event which didn't make the news.
Delusional.
You're right, it was probably only 68%…I dont know if you were there or not, but I was, and it was frankly embarrassing. I get some dislike Ardern, but acting like toddlers and booing someone representing us and doing her job is pathetic. You want her gone, vote for the other guy.
This obviously confirms that Ardern is the most despised PM we've had in modern times…
Obv that’s not the case (yet) but could be representative of the reason her popularity has dropped so much since April to July.
Biccymoyle I'd imagine a labour pm would get a similar reception at a fair few places full of welloff drunks.
guessing they booed her because they don’t like what her government is doing.
At a guess. As for their political views – who knows only a moron would assume the views of an entire 50,000 person crowd (you being a perfect example of being said moron)
I would agree with MB that it was a very large %age of the crowd booing her.
I think you and Mickey Boyle imagined it, and if there was booing it was just you and your boof-head friends.
That's right facts dont matter when they hurt your feelings. Ardern got booed by thousands, I think it was out of line and embarrassing and I was there. It was all over talk back this afternoon. I suppose you're a flat earther too? Since you havent actually seen the earth from space right moron?
Simon Bridges was at the rugby on Saturday night. He was constantly ridiculed and made fun of. Stuff like "Hoi Soimun" and "where's ya Slushy Soimun". His wife looked a bit embarrassed, but drunken rugby buffheads will always take the piss.
You were there and saw this ?
I assume that you would be ok with people talking to Jacinda in the same manner ?
Yes I was there and saw this.
No, verbal abuse is never ok. You should know that James.
i do. That’s why I didn’t boo Jacinda along with the 000’s of people who did.
James, the head of your pin is very small.
He's got it the wrong way around, hence his hippy-hoppity behaviour.
James, you aren’t virtue-signalling, are you?
No.
Thanks for asking.
Have you condemned right wing shock jock Alan Jones for his misogynistic rant the other day?
I love how when people say things about Jacinda what lefties don’t like – they run right to the misogynistic card.
Predictable and weak.
Those people you mention, James: any of them say misogynistic things?
Alan Jones, does he say misogynistic things, do you know?
not necessarily Robert.
And I haven’t read the full Alan Jones column- I know it was far from complementary but have no idea if it was misogynistic or not.
I do think he has a point about the holier then thou “woke” comments however.
Perhaps muttonbirdbrain could point out the misogynistic comments he takes offence to?
"muttonbirdbrain"?
I see where you're coming from, James.
There are coloured swings and slides there and rubber safety-matting.
He's a bit of a pizzlenoggin though isn't he jimbo.
Jones said Scott Morrison should "shove a sock down the throat" of Jacinda Ardern.
Several advertisers have pulled sponsorship from his show. His employer, Macquarie Media, has issued a final warning about such comments. Scott Morrison and Malcolm Turnbull have both condemned Jones, Turnbull calling him an "appalling misogynist" whose use of violent language against female politicians was disgraceful. Jones himself has been forced to apologise on air and in writing to the Prime Minister. Even Fiji hard-man, Frank Bainimarama, has slammed Jones.
Turnbull again, "I mean this is appalling language – and at a time when we are doing everything we can as a national priority to stamp out violence against women and children, you have this broadcaster who uses the language of violence against women as part of his regular rhetoric".
Yet this all seems to mean nothing to you, James, who is ever so quick to point the finger at commenters for not standing up to unacceptable speech. Or perhaps such speech directed at Jacinda Ardern is fine with you.
According to your own logic, you not condemning Jones the way politicians, advertisers and media both sides of the ditch and all over the Pacific have done means you endorse and agree with the latest utterances of that decrepit, far-right, woman hater.
With respect to a culture of violence against women, you sir appear to be part of the problem.
James has used the, "you didn't condemn x-behaviour/person, so that means you endorse/condone blah, blah" so many times that I find myself cheering Muttonbird on for his careful demolition of James's behaviour.
Robert – indeed I do do this – but I think you will find that I do this in regard to specific comments in a thread. – not normally to do with third party links
Very well said, cleanly, fairly, accurately.
You did see where I clearly said I hadn’t read it right?
So you want me to condem comments I haven’t read?
You must have read Muttonbird’s comment that you’re responding to yet you missed your opportunity to speak out and condemn the comments that Muttonbird was referring to!? Instead, you act all defensive and like a victim. BTW, your defence is pathetic IMHO.
Hippity-hoppity.
Jones needs to take his cock out of his mouth IMHO.
That sounds analogous to a Möbius strip in some kind of very disturbingly weird way.
Wasn't there a thing where John Key walked around a rugby field and got booed by the crowd, then got surroiunded by suckups in the corporate box?
Call that walking?
This might create a real upset. One Nation will oppose ScoMo cash ban
Insulting, although well intended. They are aware of the WEAG report that recommended IMMEDIATE increase to benefits. But part of the answer is a very National sounding "budget advice".
"As part of our work on homelessness we are expanding the Sustaining Tenancies programme. It ensures that tenants who may be at-risk of losing their tenancy receive practical support to help them get back on track."
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/115087754/government-annouces-54-million-for-homelessness-initiatives
Let’s imagine….you are a landlord, your tenant is behind in rent but pleads with you to hold back on giving them notice because they are getting budgeting advice. Pleeze. They are out on their ear because they are too poor and too stressed to home. Any landlord with a modest level of experience will know it is far easier to get someone else in rather than set themselves up to be owed thousands more in arrears.
They get a lot of ridicule and not much in the way of praise but the RNZAF deserve a big hand for their work in the Pacific.
https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-zealand/2019/08/air-force-orion-s-chance-encounter-saves-18-lives.html
This search/rescue/patrol capability is vital and I think a core duty of New Zealand as a developed economy in the region.
The P8s should help establish an important presence for us in our region of responsibility.
Here's a RNZ news link on the RNZAF's C130 Hec's and yes its amazing that the Erk's/ techo's have managed to keep flying or from falling out of the sky.
And yes "They get a lot of ridicule and not much in the way of praise but the RNZAF deserve a big hand for their work in the Pacific."
BZ, 40SQN and to 5SQN.
BTW, they also hold the record for the shortest possible landing at Dili Airport. in Timor Leste by a C130 and 40SQN hold's a number of other 1st places IRT to the C130 operations incl finding a Sub during a Fincastle Comp in-conjunction with the 5SQN boys when their P3 went tits up and the funny thing is that 5SQN ending up wining the Comp as well which piss off the other Commonwealth Crews.
A wee bit of useless information if you get bored or stumped for a silly question for Trivial night.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/396934/hercules-fleet-it-s-amazing-they-ve-managed-to-keep-them-flying
Check out this Twitter thread about a LL who asked to look through the tenants current property (not owned by LL, inspecting prior to accepting them as a tenant)
that's pretty fucked up. #culturechange
Exposing Australia's housing crisis | 60 Minutes Australia, screened this last week.
Because the world financial system is entering unknown territory, and our housing status isn't far from that in Australia, this 16 minute video makes for interesting viewing.
Boorish and the best lot of hogwash you have heard in a long time. With a background of angels and promises to high heaven.
https://www.indy100.com/article/brexit-news-latest-boris-johnson-vision-for-britain-video-reaction-9062441
And dissolution of Parliament rather than proroguing it is a real possibility in the Tory's minds according to this article. Boorish the Rogue should be his nom-de-gloom. Gina Miller 18/8/19 businesswoman and transparency activist writing for The Guardian.
MPs won’t be forgiven if they fail to stop Boris Johnson’s Brexit ploy
…Unsaid in the letter, but streaming through it like shafts of light through a broken roof, Johnson’s plan of action – doubtless guided by the arch-Brexiter svengali Dominic Cummings – is clearly to call an election and dissolve parliament as soon as the beginning of next month, with polling at some point after the existing Brexit day of 31 October.
He is gambling everything on Jeremy Corbyn’s unpopularity and a public which, at that point, will have yet to experience the full force of no-deal economic headwinds. He may even hold a pre-Brexit budget to lull the public into a false sense of security, bribing them with their own money, through a splurge of new spending promises and tax cuts funded by an increase in the national debt…
Our unwritten constitution has always been based on the assumption that no one as unscrupulous as Johnson or his chief adviser would ever come to reside in 10 Downing Street, but that is what we now have to face up to. A general election on their terms and timetable would guarantee their sacred no-deal Brexit, and assure him five years in office in which to turn the UK into a laboratory for experimenting with the most extreme rightwing ideology we have ever seen.
Brexit is their cloak to disguise political ambitions to change our country. Surrounded by individuals set on putting a torch to the old order, they are using propaganda to set the people against parliament and create chaos out of which will emerge a survivalist economy…
Poll after poll has shown that a no-deal Brexit is emphatically not what the public wants – whatever the Leave campaign-staffed No 10 press office may tell lobby correspondents. For all Dominic Raab’s protests, it was never the way Brexit was sold in the referendum of 2016. And keep in mind these two statistics: Johnson came into office with his talk of “do or die” Brexit on the back of just 92,153 Tory members’ votes. By contrast, more than 6.1 million citizens have signed a petition calling for Article 50 to be revoked.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/aug/18/boris-johnson-brexit-ploy-extreme-rightwing-ideology-gina-miller
What could possibly go wrong with this pair at the helm.
https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2019-08-16/brexit-architect-cummings-has-radical-no-deal-plans
heh
There was a saying that a UK person's home was their castle. Which was apparently about security of tenure and respect for the individual's property. What about your face? Does that belong to you? Would you allow people to have a mask of your face and wear it wherever they and you go, you could get trouble coming to you that they caused. Facial recognition is rife in the UK and has been for some time, done in secret and by private companies rather than official authorities.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/aug/18/facial-recognition-is-now-rampant-implications-for-our-freedom-are-chilling
Stephanie Hare 18/8/2019 The Guardian
Cracking cover.
Rod Oram considers Fonterra.
"If Fonterra wants to recover from this low point in its history and thrive it needs a bold new and practical strategy, not a tidy up of its failed one. The obvious opportunity is to become one of the world’s leading exponents of dairy farming that’s healthy for the planet, while producing dairy nutrition that’s healthier for people.
Currently, that’s an oxymoron. Dairying is an extractive industry that always damages the climate, and often land and water too, unless it is done exceptionally well. But dairy farmers mustn’t feel picked on. Many ways we produce food globally are as damaging or worse, as a growing body of research details."
https://www.newsroom.co.nz/2019/08/18/756988/fonterra-last-chance#