Open mike 18/08/2021

Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, August 18th, 2021 - 84 comments
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84 comments on “Open mike 18/08/2021 ”

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  1. KJT 1
    18 August 2021 at 8:07 am

    Meanwhile. There are farmers who do "get it"

    Calm The Farm – Posts | Facebook

  2. KJT 2
    18 August 2021 at 8:20 am

    Big silence from those who wanted the "bubble" with Australia, or other countries, opened.

    None of them volunteering to pay the wages, rents or business costs of people losing out from the latest outbreak. Surprise!

    • pat 2.1
      18 August 2021 at 8:35 am

      People dont tend to behave well when under pressure

    • Enough is Enough 2.2
      18 August 2021 at 8:52 am

      The bubble with Australia was opened and operated as intended. As soon as COVID got back into the community in Australia the bubble closed, as planned – weeks ago.

      • Treetop 2.2.1
        18 August 2021 at 9:14 am

        I think the trans Tasman bubble was 1 – 2 weeks late in closing. Blaming is not going to help either.

        Finding the index case will give the source. The Delta strain was always a "not if but when" it was detected in the community.

    • Treetop 2.3
      18 August 2021 at 9:07 am

      Dealing with the Delta strain is now a reality and people will probably experience some form of loss. Griping about financial loss is not going to change the situation.

      I would not want to be the PM, the finance minister or the Covid minister.

    • Jester 2.4
      18 August 2021 at 9:07 am

      The bubble with Australia is fine and should be again once we are all vaccinated.

      • Treetop 2.4.1
        18 August 2021 at 2:50 pm

        Are you being serious?

        • Jester 2.4.1.1
          18 August 2021 at 3:45 pm

          Of course. We cant all hide under a rock and remain closed to the world forever. Once everyone that wants to be vaccinated is vaccinated, why should we remain closed. Yes people will still catch Covid but with the vaccination the symptoms are far less serious.

          • Treetop 2.4.1.1.1
            18 August 2021 at 4:20 pm

            The health system needs to be able to meet the demand for Covid related hospital admissions.

            Still early days for what the Pfizer vaccine can do and what the maximum vaccination rate will be.

            • Andre 2.4.1.1.1.1
              18 August 2021 at 4:34 pm

              Surely if the unvaccinated don't trust mainstream medicine enough to get vaccinated, they won't trust mainstream medicine to cure them when they get sick?

              So they'll just stay at home with their Joe Mercola Miracle Cures, vitamin D, ivermectin, and whatever else they see getting spruiked by some random on youtube, right?

              • Treetop …
                18 August 2021 at 5:56 pm

                In response to your question Andre @ 2.4.1.1.1.1

                I think most people gasping for breath will seek medical attention. When it comes to minor Covid symptoms the unvaccinated will not require a hospital bed so not an issue.

                I would like to think those who will not vaccinate will do the right thing and comply with safety measures.

            • Jester 2.4.1.1.1.2
              18 August 2021 at 5:22 pm

              Once we are all vaccinated, there should be far fewer hospitalisations as the symptoms are far less.

          • McFlock 2.4.1.1.2
            18 August 2021 at 4:32 pm

            We cant all hide under a rock and remain closed to the world forever.

            why not?

            • Andre 2.4.1.1.2.1
              18 August 2021 at 4:36 pm

              We could, in theory.

              It's just very unlikely to be politically palatable to a large vaccinated majority. Me included.

            • Jester 2.4.1.1.2.2
              18 August 2021 at 5:21 pm

              You can if you want, and live a long boring life. But I want live life, as far as I know, you only get one turn.

              • McFlock …
                18 August 2021 at 5:41 pm

                I also love my family.

                You can go travel the world all you want. But we ended 2020 as one of the few places on the planet with a lower than expected number of deaths based on previous years.

                So the question becomes "with our millions of tourists, the cruise ships, the backpackers, the working holidays, and so on: was the hidden cost of all that the lives of some of our loved ones?"

                Maybe a couple of weeks in quarantine should be the new normal.

                • Jester …
                  18 August 2021 at 5:45 pm

                  Then you will be pleased to know Covid seems to have a very low mortality rate (at the moment).
                  Lets hope Ebola never gets here.

                  • McFlock …
                    18 August 2021 at 5:55 pm

                    ISTR ebola had like a 3 day incubation. Much easier to control relative to something three or four times longer.

                    But the point is that we have an opportunity to think about how we can do better than before, rather than just blindly grasping for the old days of high-volume short-term immigration.

      • coreyjhumm 2.4.2
        18 August 2021 at 6:18 pm

        Not happening. It's incredibly ironic this happened five days after the govt announced it was going to be opening nz up to international travel more in 2022. This is a sign. Delta can transmit from room to another is open for half a second, international travel is dead for the time being.

        People's jobs and lives aren't worth yuppies thinking they are entitled to an international vacation. Sorry if people think nz is a backwater and they hate being stuck here but tough.

        If the virus keeps evolving it's pure insanity to think we can go back to international travel .

        We do need a find away to get needed workers in but that's added pressure let alone people wanting to go on a holiday here or overseas.

        Unfortunately yes this means some industries aren't going to survive… But if we have to risk constant lockdowns and people's lives and jobs and our health system to keep industries afloat then it's probably for the best… Not just for health but for the environment…

    • alwyn 2.5
      18 August 2021 at 5:33 pm

      I thought the original New Zealand promoter of the trans-Tasman bubble was our PM.

      "A travel bubble with Australia can be expected in the first quarter of 2021 "pending confirmation from the Australian Cabinet and no significant change in the circumstances in either country", she says."

      She very sensibly qualified it at the time of course.

      https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/432807/australia-travel-bubble-for-early-2021-agreed-in-principle-by-cabinet-ardern

      Was there someone else, from New Zealand, before her who had been talking about a bubble?

      • Drowsy M. Kram 2.5.1
        18 August 2021 at 6:21 pm

        Was there someone else, from New Zealand, before her [PM Ardern] who had been talking about a bubble?

        alwyn, your link is to a RNZ report on the 14 Dec 2020 post-cabinet press briefing.

        Fairly certain that the PM and other politicians (NAct MPs? Winston?) had been discussing trans-Tasman travel as a matter of urgency earlier in 2020 – couldn't say who was first.

        How Todd Muller took Simon Bridges by surprise [24 May 2020]
        ANALYSIS: New National leader Todd Muller wants to see the border with Australia opened as a matter of urgency, a plan hatched reopening and revving relations with China back up, and New Zealand harnessing its water to help decarbonise and electrify the economy.

        He also called Government to lay out a transparency strategy and timeline for trans-Tasman travel to reboot, describing it as “critically important”

        “I think New Zealanders will get increasingly impatient if it looks like we are being too pedestrian,” Muller told Stuff yesterday.

        Too pedestrian, eh? Nothing pedestrian about Maga Muller's brief turn as 'leader'.

        https://thestandard.org.nz/most-leaders-of-the-opposition-are-unemployed-they-just-dont-know-it-yet/

        https://thestandard.org.nz/responsible-politics-verses-gotcha-politics/

      • KJT 2.5.2
        18 August 2021 at 6:49 pm

        Have you been in a bubble all the last year?

        Missed all the screams of "open the borders" from Queenstown, the National party, David Seymour, fruit growers, farmers, Uncle Tom Cobbly, and all?

    • Anker 3.1
      18 August 2021 at 10:09 am
      • Wow thanks for posting Stephen D. That is staggering.
      • Descendant Of Smith 3.1.1
        18 August 2021 at 11:19 am

        Sounds a lot like a workplace I know – especially the marginalisation, the exertion of power of a long period of time and the treatment of others who are related to you who work there also.

        One day I'll write about it.

    • ianmac 3.2
      18 August 2021 at 11:24 am

      Yes Stephen. I was just about to link to that because Jane writes a compelling account of the reality of competitive swimming and the lengths that some officious officials go to gain power over kids.

      "Burn baby burn, and metronomically, they burned out." International New Zealand swimmer Jane Copland tells of the ridicule, pressures and mismanagement of young people's lives rampant within competitive sport in this country.

      • DB Brown 3.2.1
        18 August 2021 at 11:39 am

        Saw a kid knocked out on the field playing rugby on Sunday. All the adults just chatted away to each other like nothing had happened. Not a single one went – fuck that – and removed their child from the game.

  4. Sabine 4
    18 August 2021 at 10:27 am

    why?

    https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/coronavirus/126107338/covid19-aucklanders-heading-on-holiday-ahead-of-lockdown-angers-concerned-leaders

    But even as the announcement was being made, thousands of people were heading to Northland, equipped as if going on holiday, said Rueben Taipari,a leader of Tai Tokerau Border Control.

    ​“It’s ridiculous: Thousands of cars were coming north from Auckland … They’re bringing their fricken boats and caravans, and with their bikes on top of their racks.

    ……………..

    Taipari is “very, very angry” at the arrogant attitude of those not taking the Delta variant seriously and leaving Auckland, when the rules for level 4 lockdown are clearly to stay at home.

    “This is not a holiday,” is his message to those people. “Northland is not a holiday camp; we live here, this is our home.”
    ……………………..
    Taipari was also disappointed at the lack of police or army presence, or anyone to ensure there was no unnecessary travel.

    “There’s no checkpoints on the borders of Auckland, no army presence, no police presence, it’s just us [Tai Tokerau Border Control].

    “Seriously, are we the frontline for Delta? Are you kidding me?”

    Boozeshops did well too yesterday. Delta has arrived, Party on Dude.

    • coreyjhumm 4.1
      18 August 2021 at 6:21 pm

      Fine every last one of them $50 k or throw them in jail. Check the speed cameras, cctv , number plates and addresses.

      Bloody hell. Absolute wankers. This happens every time throw a couple in prison.

  5. Stephen D 5
    18 August 2021 at 10:34 am

    Regarding the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan. Some time ago I read an interview with an Afghani villager. Too long ago so no link.

    He was asked about where his loyalty lay, country or elsewhere. His reply was along the lines of “I have been an Afghani for 70 years, I have been a Muslim for 700 years, I have been a Pashtun for 7000 years. Where do you think my loyalty lies.”

    Outside of the cities, life will eventually return to normal. The Pashtun clans have weathered greater storms than the Taliban.

    • Treetop 5.1
      18 August 2021 at 10:44 am

      The Afghani villager is a wise man.

    • Gabby 5.2
      18 August 2021 at 12:00 pm

      He's bloody old isn't he.

    • Brigid 5.3
      18 August 2021 at 12:15 pm

      "I would sit in staff meetings where we would talk about, OK, this month we sent 14 armored Humvees down to Helmand Province for the Border Patrol. And 12 of those 14 Humvees along the way went missing — or, quote unquote, broke down — and were disabled. And that was a regular thing."

      "I had a Marine Corps major that was part of the Command section that would come in and he’d say, “Hey, we were supposed to cycle through 300 police recruits this month. This says only 150 got through. It’s supposed to be 300.” I’m like, OK, well, it wasn’t 300, it was 150. “Well, can you massage this report so that it says 300?” Basically, can you lie on this report so that it says 300. So just the whole flow of information was not in any way remotely transparent, and it was set up so that really the only people that knew anything for certain were the contractors — the Command staff couldn’t leverage from them accurate information."

      "As far as the US military presence there — I just viewed it as a big money funneling operation."

      https://mtracey.substack.com/p/a-big-money-funneling-operation-afghanistan

      • Stephen D 5.3.1
        18 August 2021 at 1:18 pm

        Eisenhower said it first:

        "In the councils of government, we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the military-industrial complex. The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists and will persist."

  7. Jimmy 7
    18 August 2021 at 1:11 pm

    Bloody Aussies. Our outbreak came from them according to genome! It's like the underarm all over again.

  8. Herodotus 8
    18 August 2021 at 1:26 pm

    Ffs waste water testing has started – should this not be on going so as to have some advanced warning.
    Why after 18 months do we react and not be proactive and have measures in place ??

    have we been asleep given the number of lucky escapes to date.

  10. gsays 10
    18 August 2021 at 2:18 pm

    In a past life, I worked in a petrol pump factory.

    There was a real concern over static electricity. It can damage the electronic boards inside the pumps and obviously be a concern on forecourts with fuel vapour.

    Recently I have noticed the Covid QR sheets appearing on fuel pumps on forecourts.

    What gives? Fuel companies turning a blind eye to public safety, while trying to be compliant when the customer pays at the pump?

    The CCTV footage of forecourt fires is mighty impressive.

    https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=T6VKxmUPb3g

    It is the return to the inside of the car that 'charges' the driver and touching the pump handle earths her and allows the spark to occur.

    • Andre 10.1
      18 August 2021 at 2:27 pm

      You mind explaining how a QR code on a pump could possibly be a contributing factor to something like this happening?

      Ideally, the explanation would include considering the voltages and likelihood of sparking from a phone, compared to the voltages and likelihood of sparking built up on cars just driving around in very low humidity, and even the voltages and likelihood of sparking just with friction on clothing and materials in low humidity.

      • gsays 10.1.1
        18 August 2021 at 3:39 pm

        Not using a cell phone on a forecourt has been a thing for a long time.

        To do with the possibility of a spark I assume.

        My comment wasn't to poo-poo QR, I am fairly highly compliant in that respect.

        The observation that now that pay at the pump is a thing, the 'rules' can be bent. The vapour cloud from pumping petrol is surprising, although the Vapour Recovery pumps are becoming more common place.

        • Andre 10.1.1.1
          18 August 2021 at 3:57 pm

          It's been a longstanding pure urban myth that cellphones could cause an explosion at a petrol station. Cellphones just don't cause sparks, and even if they did, they don't get used in close proximity to anywhere that vapour concentrations are high enough to be ignitable. Which is really just very close around the filler.

          The only thing dangerous about a cellphone at a petrol station is if you're paying attention to the phone instead of pulling the filler nozzle out when you're done, or walking in front of other moving vehicles on the forecourt.

          https://z.co.nz/about-z/what-matters/safety-and-wellbeing/safety-first/mobile-phone-use-faqs/

          Static electricity on the other hand actually is responsible for a few petrol station fires, in very low humidity environments. Much lower humidity than I've ever experienced in NZ (maybe central Otago at its coldest might get there). But that very small risk is easily eliminated, by being sure to touch a metal part of the car well away from the filler immediately before touching the filler.

          https://www.api.org/oil-and-natural-gas/consumer-information/consumer-resources/staying-safe-pump

    • weka 10.2
      18 August 2021 at 2:56 pm

      Impressive that she stopped to pull the pump handle out and then tried to put it out. Not Sure if I would have done that or not.

      Why does touching the handle earth her given the hose is rubber not metal? Why does earthing cause a spark?

      • Andre 10.2.1
        18 August 2021 at 3:07 pm

        She could have charged herself and the car in opposite senses by sliding across the seat as she got out. Then reaching for the metal handle earthed to the car allows the spark to jump to equalise again.

        My first winter in a cold part of the US I spent a lot of time testing metal things for electric faults before I realised it was just static building up. It really takes very little movement for a significant jolt to build up.

        As for static starting fires at pumps (and not phones):

        https://auto.howstuffworks.com/car-driving-safety/accidents-hazardous-conditions/using-cell-phone-at-gas-pump-make-it-explode.htm

      • gsays 10.2.2
        18 August 2021 at 4:34 pm

        You are right about her courage. I shudder to think what I would do. Amateur pyros don't like unplanned combustion.

        When I first learnt about this, at the safety part of the indoctrination (there is a better word), I recall that it happened to women more often than men. Something about being more likely to go back into the vehicle.

        And what Andre said about the spark.

      • Andre 10.2.3
        18 August 2021 at 4:52 pm

        BTW, the recommended way to deal with it is to just click the handle to stop the automatic pumping, then back off leaving the filler nozzle in the car.

        If you pull it out, then there will be spillage from the pump nozzle that will spray burning fuel around, and there will be some burning fuel-air mixture going down into the car filler pipe into the space vacated by the filler nozzle getting pulled out.

        But if you just stop the pumping and leave everything else undisturbed, the burning fuel-air right at the nozzle will quickly burn out. Because it's not getting replenished by fuel vapours getting pushed out of the tank, because there's no more fuel going in.

        • weka 10.2.3.1
          18 August 2021 at 8:07 pm

          that all makes sense. I wonder if I'd remember to do that in the heat of the moment.

  12. joe90 12
    18 August 2021 at 4:45 pm

    Either the donkeys are running the shop…or the homeless dude in MIQ.

    Hospital staff waiting in line to be tested for Covid-19 have reportedly been told by Auckland District Health Board management to return to work.

    A contact of a nurse who tested positive for the highly contagious virus says her hospital
    colleagues- who have been waiting hours in line to get tested – were being told to return to work.

    Messages sent among hospital staff, seen by the Herald, show management has requested some staff to return to work.

    https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/covid-19-coronavirus-delta-outbreak-hospital-staff-waiting-for-test-told-to-return-to-work/7CLHPNC3WIXIG73UUD7WP2BODQ/?

    • Treetop 12.1
      18 August 2021 at 8:05 pm

      The testing appears to have problems for the staff, it is not like the hospital can be shut down like a school.

      ADHB appear to have some gaps in their staff management Covid plan.

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    TL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy today are:Transport and Energy Minister Simeon Brown is accelerating plans to spend at least $10 billion through Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) to extend State Highway One as a four-lane ‘Expressway’ from Warkworth to Whangarei ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • Lester's Prescription – Positive Bleeding.

    I live my life (woo-ooh-ooh)With no control in my destinyYea-yeah, yea-yeah (woo-ooh-ooh)I can bleed when I want to bleedSo come on, come on (woo-ooh-ooh)You can bleed when you want to bleedYea-yeah, come on (woo-ooh-ooh)Everybody bleed when they want to bleedCome on and bleedGovernments face tough challenges. Selling unpopular decisions to ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago
  • Casey Costello gaslights Labour in the House

    Please note:To skip directly to the- parliamentary footage in the video, scroll to 1:21 To skip to audio please click on the headphone icon on the left hand side of the screenThis video / audio section is under development. ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    3 days ago
  • Why is the Texas grid in such bad shape?

    This is a re-post from the Climate Brink by Andrew Dessler Headline from 2021 The Texas grid, run by ERCOT, has had a rough few years. In 2021, winter storm Uri blacked out much of the state for several days. About a week ago, Hurricane Beryl knocked out ...
    Skeptical Science
    3 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell on a textbook case of spending waste by the Luxon government

    Given the crackdown on wasteful government spending, it behooves me to point to a high profile example of spending by the Luxon government that looks like a big, fat waste of time and money. I’m talking about the deployment of NZDF personnel to support the US-led coalition in the Red ...
    WerewolfBy lyndon
    3 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Wednesday, July 24

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 7:40 am on Wednesday, July 24 are:Deep Dive: Chipping away at the housing crisis, including my comments RNZ/Newsroom’s The DetailNews: Government softens on asset sales, ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • LXR Takaanini

    As I reported about the city centre, Auckland’s rail network is also going through a difficult and disruptive period which is rapidly approaching a culmination, this will result in a significant upgrade to the whole network. Hallelujah. Also like the city centre this is an upgrade predicated on the City ...
    Greater AucklandBy Patrick Reynolds
    3 days ago
  • Four kilograms of pain

    Today, a 4 kilogram report will be delivered to Parliament. We know this is what the report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in State and Faith-based Care weighs, because our Prime Minister told us so.Some reporter had blindsided him by asking a question about something done by ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Wednesday, July 24

    TL;DR: As of 7:00 am on Wednesday, July 24, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:Beehive: Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced plans to use PPPs to fund, build and run a four-lane expressway between Auckland ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • Luxon gets caught out

    NewstalkZB host Mike Hosking, who can usually be relied on to give Prime Minister Christopher Luxon an easy run, did not do so yesterday when he interviewed him about the HealthNZ deficit. Luxon is trying to use a deficit reported last year by HealthNZ as yet another example of the ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    3 days ago
  • A worrying sign

    Back in January a StatsNZ employee gave a speech at Rātana on behalf of tangata whenua in which he insulted and criticised the government. The speech clearly violated the principle of a neutral public service, and StatsNZ started an investigation. Part of that was getting an external consultant to examine ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago
  • Are we fine with 47.9% home-ownership by 2048?

    Renting for life: Shared ownership initiatives are unlikely to slow the slide in home ownership by much. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy today are:A Deloitte report for Westpac has projected Aotearoa’s home-ownership rate will ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • Let's Win This

    You're broken down and tiredOf living life on a merry go roundAnd you can't find the fighterBut I see it in you so we gonna walk it outAnd move mountainsWe gonna walk it outAnd move mountainsAnd I'll rise upI'll rise like the dayI'll rise upI'll rise unafraidI'll rise upAnd I'll ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago
  • Waimahara: The Singing Spirit of Water

    There’s been a change in Myers Park. Down the steps from St. Kevin’s Arcade, past the grassy slopes, the children’s playground, the benches and that goat statue, there has been a transformation. The underpass for Mayoral Drive has gone from a barren, grey, concrete tunnel, to a place that thrums ...
    Greater AucklandBy Connor Sharp
    4 days ago
  • A major milestone: Global climate pollution may have just peaked

    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections Global society may have finally slammed on the brakes for climate-warming pollution released by human fossil fuel combustion. According to the Carbon Monitor Project, the total global climate pollution released between February and May 2024 declined slightly from the amount released during the same ...
    Skeptical Science
    4 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Tuesday, July 23

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 7:00 am on Tuesday, July 23 are:Deep Dive: Penlink: where tolling rhetoric meets reality BusinessDesk-$$$’s Oliver LewisScoop: Te Pūkenga plans for regional polytechs leak out ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Tuesday, July 23

    TL;DR: As of 6:00 am on Tuesday, July 23, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:Health: Shane Reti announced the Board of Te Whatu Ora- Health New Zealand was being replaced with Commissioner Lester Levy ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • HealthNZ and Luxon at cross purposes over budget blowout

    Health NZ warned the Government at the end of March that it was running over Budget. But the reasons it gave were very different to those offered by the Prime Minister yesterday. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon blamed the “botched merger” of the 20 District Health Boards (DHBs) to create Health ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    4 days ago
  • 2500-3000 more healthcare staff expected to be fired, as Shane Reti blames Labour for a budget defic...

    Long ReadKey Summary: Although National increased the health budget by $1.4 billion in May, they used an old funding model to project health system costs, and never bothered to update their pre-election numbers. They were told during the Health Select Committees earlier in the year their budget amount was deficient, ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    4 days ago
  • Might Kamala Harris be about to get a 'stardust' moment like Jacinda Ardern?

    As a momentous, historic weekend in US politics unfolded, analysts and commentators grasped for precedents and comparisons to help explain the significance and power of the choice Joe Biden had made. The 46th president had swept the Democratic party’s primaries but just over 100 days from the election had chosen ...
    PunditBy Tim Watkin
    5 days ago
  • Solutions Interview: Steven Hail on MMT & ecological economics

    TL;DR: I’m casting around for new ideas and ways of thinking about Aotearoa’s political economy to find a few solutions to our cascading and self-reinforcing housing, poverty and climate crises.Associate Professor runs an online masters degree in the economics of sustainability at Torrens University in Australia and is organising ...
    The KakaBy Steven Hail
    5 days ago
  • Reported back

    The Finance and Expenditure Committee has reported back on National's Local Government (Water Services Preliminary Arrangements) Bill. The bill sets up water for privatisation, and was introduced under urgency, then rammed through select committee with no time even for local councils to make a proper submission. Naturally, national's select committee ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago
  • Vandrad the Viking, Christopher Coombes, and Literary Archaeology

    Some years ago, I bought a book at Dunedin’s Regent Booksale for $1.50. As one does. Vandrad the Viking (1898), by J. Storer Clouston, is an obscure book these days – I cannot find a proper online review – but soon it was sitting on my shelf, gathering dust alongside ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    5 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell On The Biden Withdrawal

    History is not on the side of the centre-left, when Democratic presidents fall behind in the polls and choose not to run for re-election. On both previous occasions in the past 75 years (Harry Truman in 1952, Lyndon Johnson in 1968) the Democrats proceeded to then lose the White House ...
    WerewolfBy lyndon
    5 days ago
  • Joe Biden's withdrawal puts the spotlight back on Kamala and the USA's complicated relatio...

    This is a free articleCoverageThis morning, US President Joe Biden announced his withdrawal from the Presidential race. And that is genuinely newsworthy. Thanks for your service, President Biden, and all the best to you and yours.However, the media in New Zealand, particularly the 1News nightly bulletin, has been breathlessly covering ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    5 days ago
  • Why we have to challenge our national fiscal assumptions

    A homeless person’s camp beside a blocked-off slipped damage walkway in Freeman’s Bay: we are chasing our tail on our worsening and inter-related housing, poverty and climate crises. Photo: Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • Existential Crisis and Damaged Brains

    What has happened to it all?Crazy, some'd sayWhere is the life that I recognise?(Gone away)But I won't cry for yesterdayThere's an ordinary worldSomehow I have to findAnd as I try to make my wayTo the ordinary worldYesterday morning began as many others - what to write about today? I began ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago
  • A speed limit is not a target, and yet…

    This is a guest post from longtime supporter Mr Plod, whose previous contributions include a proposal that Hamilton become New Zealand’s capital city, and that we should switch which side of the road we drive on. A recent Newsroom article, “Back to school for the Govt’s new speed limit policy“, ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    5 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Monday, July 22

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 7:00 am on Monday, July 22 are:Today’s Must Read: Father and son live in a tent, and have done for four years, in a million ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Monday, July 22

    TL;DR: As of 7:00 am on Monday, July 22, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:US President Joe Biden announced via X this morning he would not stand for a second term.Multinational professional services firm ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #29

    A listing of 32 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, July 14, 2024 thru Sat, July 20, 2024. Story of the week As reflected by preponderance of coverage, our Story of the Week is Project 2025. Until now traveling ...
    Skeptical Science
    6 days ago
  • I'd like to share what I did this weekend

    This weekend, a friend pointed out someone who said they’d like to read my posts, but didn’t want to pay. And my first reaction was sympathy.I’ve already told folks that if they can’t comfortably subscribe, and would like to read, I’d be happy to offer free subscriptions. I don’t want ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    6 days ago
  • For the children – Why mere sentiment can be a misleading force in our lives, and lead to unex...

    National: The Party of ‘Law and Order’ IntroductionThis weekend, the Government formally kicked off one of their flagship policy programs: a military style boot camp that New Zealand has experimented with over the past 50 years. Cartoon credit: Guy BodyIt’s very popular with the National Party’s Law and Order image, ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    6 days ago
  • A friend in uncertain times

    Day one of the solo leg of my long journey home begins with my favourite sound: footfalls in an empty street. 5.00 am and it’s already light and already too warm, almost.If I can make the train that leaves Budapest later this hour I could be in Belgrade by nightfall; ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    6 days ago
  • The Chaotic World of Male Diet Influencers

    Hi,We’ll get to the horrific world of male diet influencers (AKA Beefy Boys) shortly, but first you will be glad to know that since I sent out the Webworm explaining why the assassination attempt on Donald Trump was not a false flag operation, I’ve heard from a load of people ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    6 days ago
  • It's Starting To Look A Lot Like… Y2K

    Do you remember Y2K, the threat that hung over humanity in the closing days of the twentieth century? Horror scenarios of planes falling from the sky, electronic payments failing and ATMs refusing to dispense cash. As for your VCR following instructions and recording your favourite show - forget about it.All ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago
  • Bernard’s Saturday Soliloquy for the week to July 20

    Climate Change Minister Simon Watts being questioned by The Kākā’s Bernard Hickey.TL;DR: My top six things to note around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the week to July 20 were:1. A strategy that fails Zero Carbon Act & Paris targetsThe National-ACT-NZ First Coalition Government finally unveiled ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Pharmac Director, Climate Change Commissioner, Health NZ Directors – The latest to quit this m...

    Summary:As New Zealand loses at least 12 leaders in the public service space of health, climate, and pharmaceuticals, this month alone, directly in response to the Government’s policies and budget choices, what lies ahead may be darker than it appears. Tui examines some of those departures and draws a long ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    1 week ago
  • Flooding Housing Policy

    The Minister of Housing’s ambition is to reduce markedly the ratio of house prices to household incomes. If his strategy works it would transform the housing market, dramatically changing the prospects of housing as an investment.Leaving aside the Minister’s metaphor of ‘flooding the market’ I do not see how the ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    1 week ago
  • A Voyage Among the Vandals: Accepted (Again!)

    As previously noted, my historical fantasy piece, set in the fifth-century Mediterranean, was accepted for a Pirate Horror anthology, only for the anthology to later fall through. But in a good bit of news, it turned out that the story could indeed be re-marketed as sword and sorcery. As of ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    1 week ago
  • The Kākā's Chorus for Friday, July 19

    An employee of tobacco company Philip Morris International demonstrates a heated tobacco device. Photo: Getty ImagesTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy on Friday, July 19 are:At a time when the Coalition Government is cutting spending on health, infrastructure, education, housing ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Friday, July 19

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 8:30 am on Friday, July 19 are:Scoop: NZ First Minister Casey Costello orders 50% cut to excise tax on heated tobacco products. The minister has ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Weekly Roundup 19-July-2024

    Kia ora, it’s time for another Friday roundup, in which we pull together some of the links and stories that caught our eye this week. Feel free to add more in the comments! Our header image this week shows a foggy day in Auckland town, captured by Patrick Reynolds. ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    1 week ago
  • Weekly Climate Wrap: A market-led plan for failure

    TL;DR : Here’s the top six items climate news for Aotearoa this week, as selected by Bernard Hickey and The Kākā’s climate correspondent Cathrine Dyer. A discussion recorded yesterday is in the video above and the audio of that sent onto the podcast feed.The Government released its draft Emissions Reduction ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Tobacco First

    Save some money, get rich and old, bring it back to Tobacco Road.Bring that dynamite and a crane, blow it up, start all over again.Roll up. Roll up. Or tailor made, if you prefer...Whether you’re selling ciggies, digging for gold, catching dolphins in your nets, or encouraging folks to flutter ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago
  • Trump’s Adopted Son.

    Waiting In The Wings: For truly, if Trump is America’s un-assassinated Caesar, then J.D. Vance is America’s Octavian, the Republic’s youthful undertaker – and its first Emperor.DONALD TRUMP’S SELECTION of James D. Vance as his running-mate bodes ill for the American republic. A fervent supporter of Viktor Orban, the “illiberal” prime ...
    Bowalley Road
    1 week ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Friday, July 19

    TL;DR: As of 6:00 am on Friday, July 19, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:The PSA announced the Employment Relations Authority (ERA) had ruled in the PSA’s favour in its case against the Ministry ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago

  • Joint statement from the Prime Ministers of Canada, Australia and New Zealand

    Australia, Canada and New Zealand today issued the following statement on the need for an urgent ceasefire in Gaza and the risk of expanded conflict between Hizballah and Israel. The situation in Gaza is catastrophic. The human suffering is unacceptable. It cannot continue.  We remain unequivocal in our condemnation of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    18 hours ago
  • AG reminds institutions of legal obligations

    Attorney-General Judith Collins today reminded all State and faith-based institutions of their legal obligation to preserve records relevant to the safety and wellbeing of those in its care. “The Abuse in Care Inquiry’s report has found cases where records of the most vulnerable people in State and faith‑based institutions were ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    21 hours ago
  • More young people learning about digital safety

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says the Government’s online safety website for children and young people has reached one million page views.  “It is great to see so many young people and their families accessing the site Keep It Real Online to learn how to stay safe online, and manage ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    21 hours ago
  • Speech to the Conference for General Practice 2024

    Tēnā tātou katoa,  Ngā mihi te rangi, ngā mihi te whenua, ngā mihi ki a koutou, kia ora mai koutou. Thank you for the opportunity to be here and the invitation to speak at this 50th anniversary conference. I acknowledge all those who have gone before us and paved the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    23 hours ago
  • Employers and payroll providers ready for tax changes

    New Zealand’s payroll providers have successfully prepared to ensure 3.5 million individuals will, from Wednesday next week, be able to keep more of what they earn each pay, says Finance Minister Nicola Willis and Revenue Minister Simon Watts.  “The Government's tax policy changes are legally effective from Wednesday. Delivering this tax ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Experimental vineyard futureproofs wine industry

    An experimental vineyard which will help futureproof the wine sector has been opened in Blenheim by Associate Regional Development Minister Mark Patterson. The covered vineyard, based at the New Zealand Wine Centre – Te Pokapū Wāina o Aotearoa, enables controlled environmental conditions. “The research that will be produced at the Experimental ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Funding confirmed for regions affected by North Island Weather Events

    The Coalition Government has confirmed the indicative regional breakdown of North Island Weather Event (NIWE) funding for state highway recovery projects funded through Budget 2024, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Regions in the North Island suffered extensive and devastating damage from Cyclone Gabrielle and the 2023 Auckland Anniversary Floods, and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Indonesian Foreign Minister to visit

    Indonesia’s Foreign Minister, Retno Marsudi, will visit New Zealand next week, Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced.   “Indonesia is important to New Zealand’s security and economic interests and is our closest South East Asian neighbour,” says Mr Peters, who is currently in Laos to engage with South East Asian partners. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Strengthening partnership with Ngāti Maniapoto

    He aha te kai a te rangatira? He kōrero, he kōrero, he kōrero. The government has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the aspirations of Ngāti Maniapoto, Minister for Māori Development Tama Potaka says. “My thanks to Te Nehenehenui Trust – Ngāti Maniapoto for bringing their important kōrero to a ministerial ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Transport Minister thanks outgoing CAA Chair

    Transport Minister Simeon Brown has thanked outgoing Chair of the Civil Aviation Authority, Janice Fredric, for her service to the board.“I have received Ms Fredric’s resignation from the role of Chair of the Civil Aviation Authority,” Mr Brown says.“On behalf of the Government, I want to thank Ms Fredric for ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Test for Customary Marine Title being restored

    The Government is proposing legislation to overturn a Court of Appeal decision and amend the Marine and Coastal Area Act in order to restore Parliament’s test for Customary Marine Title, Treaty Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith says.  “Section 58 required an applicant group to prove they have exclusively used and occupied ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Opposition united in bad faith over ECE sector review

    Regulation Minister David Seymour says that opposition parties have united in bad faith, opposing what they claim are ‘dangerous changes’ to the Early Childhood Education sector, despite no changes even being proposed yet.  “Issues with affordability and availability of early childhood education, and the complexity of its regulation, has led ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Kiwis having their say on first regulatory review

    After receiving more than 740 submissions in the first 20 days, Regulation Minister David Seymour is asking the Ministry for Regulation to extend engagement on the early childhood education regulation review by an extra two weeks.  “The level of interest has been very high, and from the conversations I’ve been ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government upgrading Lower North Island commuter rail

    The Coalition Government is investing $802.9 million into the Wairarapa and Manawatū rail lines as part of a funding agreement with the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA), KiwiRail, and the Greater Wellington and Horizons Regional Councils to deliver more reliable services for commuters in the lower North Island, Transport Minister Simeon ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government moves to ensure flood protection for Wairoa

    Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced his intention to appoint a Crown Manager to both Hawke’s Bay Regional and Wairoa District Councils to speed up the delivery of flood protection work in Wairoa."Recent severe weather events in Wairoa this year, combined with damage from Cyclone Gabrielle in 2023 have ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • PM speech to Parliament – Royal Commission of Inquiry’s Report into Abuse in Care

    Mr Speaker, this is a day that many New Zealanders who were abused in State care never thought would come. It’s the day that this Parliament accepts, with deep sorrow and regret, the Report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care.  At the heart of this report are the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Government acknowledges torture at Lake Alice

    For the first time, the Government is formally acknowledging some children and young people at Lake Alice Psychiatric Hospital experienced torture. The final report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in State and Faith-based Care “Whanaketia – through pain and trauma, from darkness to light,” was tabled in Parliament ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Government acknowledges courageous abuse survivors

    The Government has acknowledged the nearly 2,400 courageous survivors who shared their experiences during the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Historical Abuse in State and Faith-Based Care. The final report from the largest and most complex public inquiry ever held in New Zealand, the Royal Commission Inquiry “Whanaketia – through ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Half a million people use tax calculator

    With a week to go before hard-working New Zealanders see personal income tax relief for the first time in fourteen years, 513,000 people have used the Budget tax calculator to see how much they will benefit, says Finance Minister Nicola Willis.  “Tax relief is long overdue. From next Wednesday, personal income ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Paid Parental Leave improvements pass first reading

    Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden says a bill that has passed its first reading will improve parental leave settings and give non-biological parents more flexibility as primary carer for their child. The Regulatory Systems Amendment Bill (No3), passed its first reading this morning. “It includes a change ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Rebuilding the economy through better regulation

    Two Bills designed to improve regulation and make it easier to do business have passed their first reading in Parliament, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. The Regulatory Systems (Economic Development) Amendment Bill and Regulatory Systems (Immigration and Workforce) Amendment Bill make key changes to legislation administered by the Ministry ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • ‘Open banking’ and ‘open electricity’ on the way

    New legislation paves the way for greater competition in sectors such as banking and electricity, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly says. “Competitive markets boost productivity, create employment opportunities and lift living standards. To support competition, we need good quality regulation but, unfortunately, a recent OECD report ranked New ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Charity lotteries to be permitted to operate online

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says lotteries for charitable purposes, such as those run by the Heart Foundation, Coastguard NZ, and local hospices, will soon be allowed to operate online permanently. “Under current laws, these fundraising lotteries are only allowed to operate online until October 2024, after which ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Accelerating Northland Expressway

    The Coalition Government is accelerating work on the new four-lane expressway between Auckland and Whangārei as part of its Roads of National Significance programme, with an accelerated delivery model to deliver this project faster and more efficiently, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “For too long, the lack of resilient transport connections ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Sir Don to travel to Viet Nam as special envoy

    Sir Don McKinnon will travel to Viet Nam this week as a Special Envoy of the Government, Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced.    “It is important that the Government give due recognition to the significant contributions that General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong made to New Zealand-Viet Nam relations,” Mr ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Grant Illingworth KC appointed as transitional Commissioner to Royal Commission

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says newly appointed Commissioner, Grant Illingworth KC, will help deliver the report for the first phase of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into COVID-19 Lessons, due on 28 November 2024.  “I am pleased to announce that Mr Illingworth will commence his appointment as ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • NZ to advance relationships with ASEAN partners

    Foreign Minister Winston Peters travels to Laos this week to participate in a series of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-led Ministerial meetings in Vientiane.    “ASEAN plays an important role in supporting a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific,” Mr Peters says.   “This will be our third visit to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Backing mental health services on the West Coast

    Construction of a new mental health facility at Te Nikau Grey Hospital in Greymouth is today one step closer, Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey says. “This $27 million facility shows this Government is delivering on its promise to boost mental health care and improve front line services,” Mr Doocey says. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • NZ support for sustainable Pacific fisheries

    New Zealand is committing nearly $50 million to a package supporting sustainable Pacific fisheries development over the next four years, Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones announced today. “This support consisting of a range of initiatives demonstrates New Zealand’s commitment to assisting our Pacific partners ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Students’ needs at centre of new charter school adjustments

    Associate Education Minister David Seymour says proposed changes to the Education and Training Amendment Bill will ensure charter schools have more flexibility to negotiate employment agreements and are equipped with the right teaching resources. “Cabinet has agreed to progress an amendment which means unions will not be able to initiate ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
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  • Commissioner replaces Health NZ Board

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