Had the pleasure of meeting Tamati at the election prior to last, geez he’s a lovely man. Switched on and sincere, he’s the real deal. Thrilled he made it in to parliament.
Epic clip thanks for posting Grey, he does it well 🙂 Cracking up laughing.
The Eminem’s case:
“In a decision released today, the Court of Appeal allowed the National Party’s appeal – and reduced the damages payment down from $600,000 to $225,000.”
But of course they probably used the “Don’t you know who we are?” line. Born to Rule they think.
Bet you can’t guess Simon’s first question today?
“1. Hon SIMON BRIDGES to the Prime Minister: Does she stand by all her statements and actions in relation to Karel Sroubek?”
Perseverance but really what else can the ring out of this?
Jacinda was asked again by Suzie this morning the same Sroubek questions mimicking Simon. Jacinda thought they were going to talk Climate change but instead the same tired questions with the same tired answers. Why?
Unlike the opposition well versed in verbal incontinence.
Perhaps Mark could offer some Verbal Contifit devices. A few Xmas pressies all round with personal fittings for Wodehouse, Mitchell, Bennett and Bridge-less
While most people see this as an overdone steak (or stake) it is far from that. As I have said a couple of times here, it has more legs than a centipede. That is why people like MS and myself remain interested. The issue of Hardcore’s text to Ardern is a red herring (a very small sardine actually) being used to politically discredit her, but the persistence with that aspect could well backfire. There are some much bigger issues behind the whole situation.
” The issue of Hardcore’s text to Ardern is a red herring”
You keep telling yourself that
“Newshub has made multiple requests of the Prime Minister’s Office under the OIA for details of official communications she’s had using personal email or messaging platforms. We have been stonewalled and refused every time.”
“The thing is she’s creating the rod for her own back here, if theres nothing in the text then just release them”
If, Pucky, Jacinda operates under the understanding that someone sending a text to her, and there must be scores and scores of them, can do so without fear of having that text and their identities revealed under pressure from National Party MPs, she would surely keep to that understanding/undertaking. If she betrays one member of the public, all will be affected. Do you see my point? Do you see Jacinda’s point (she’s explained it often enough).
The problem is this isn’t the first time Jacinda’s had issue with her phone so, like Sir John Key was hounded into releasing his texts, we need to see Jacindas phone records because theres a strong whiff of something quite unpleasant about this
Was pressure applied to Ian Lees Galloway to give a known drug dealer residency
‘Immigration Minister Iain Lees-Galloway confirmed an error was made granting Karel Sroubek residency and it’s this technical aspect that the deportation liability now hinges on.’
Yes do keep telling yourself that @ vv (with ref to Nakibloke @4.2.1) because you are correct. There are some that were trying to warn I L-G he was being set up (via junior MPs) but it obviously didn’t quite get there in time if at all. There might have been a bit too much Chardonnay sipping going on.
Again, the only thing I L-G is guilty of is placing too much faith in the bureaucracy and processes (which we now know are “under review”).
And thank Christ INZ (and the Labour Inspectorate – sometimes known as the Labour Expectorant) are finally able to get off their chuffs and collect arsehole exploiters with the involvement of the Police (instead of trying to be their own little Police Force). And its a bloody shame the IAA still doesn’t seem to be up to the task.
Hipkins said, “I am not convinced that the university engaged sufficiently with the views of those stakeholders who should have their views considered.
… “The university council that sought the name change followed “well over a year of research, seeking advice from experts and discussion with staff, students, alumni and stakeholders, including a consultation period during which close to 2500 submissions were received”. “
It won’t be a matter for Hipkins regret. Right from the start, the VC gave every reason for the suspicion of duplicity. As for the reported consultation, it was a fiction as it pretty much excluded recognition of large numbers of those who opposed, including the staff.
I don’t think Hipkins will have anything to regret by this action.
From my, admittedly unscientific, observations I think allowing the Vice-Chancellor to have his way would have been far more damaging for Chippie.
I don’t know any faculty members or alumni who are in favour of the change. I know quite a lot of the academic staff and a lot of older alumni. They really do not want to see the change take place.
Perhaps the younger ones are in favour. I don’t know many of them.
Personally I would say “Good on Hipkins”. I didn’t know he had it in him.
Speaking of which, is it not about time that National Radio got yet another futile and stupid but expensive re-branding, which continues to leave it with a longer and less elegant name that its best and original one – ‘National Radio’?
(Still by far the best name, because we should not let the National Party steal and pervert the true meaning of ‘National’.)
But then he is the ex student union president at Vic, is still mates with them and they were the most vocally against the change, so maybe he just caved to pressure
Our Learned Friends from Crown Law (circa 2007) emerge smelling none too sweet.
Set the spooks onto victims and witnesses in a case involving abuse in State Care they did…(3.7)
“In the Inquiry’s view, surveillance by the government of a participant in a civil case is generally improper, or at least highly unusual and something that would require careful oversight and controls to assess and balance privacy interests.
The Solicitor General confirmed to the Inquiry that this is also her view and expectation.
This was reflected in Crown Law’s response to a journalist’s enquiry earlier this year, which stated the Crown would not instruct a private investigator to carry out surveillance of a witness. ”
@ Gabby, and their carbon emissions from their vehicles… and their pollution from their cruise ships… that are somehow exempt from the tiny tourism tax…
Also if they can build their own airport transfers, new roads and public transport needed, user pays for stadiums and stop stealing harbours for marinas like America’s cup and cruise ships that only seem to benefit the 1% (if that).
Tourism seems to be piggy backed on public spending and they are the priority for councils and government when their expansion subsidised by rates and taxes from residents for increasingly overseas owned or part owned tourism businesses.
wrong Savenz…please look at the numbers before you come out with this rubbish…tourism is major earner, employer and tax payer for Godzone, and not just GST but income and company tax.
I walk tracks near Wanaka where you never see a tourist.
You’re one of these idiots that sees a few people doing well because of something and calls it good but doesn’t look at the costs that something imposes.
That’s the trouble about tourism – look at the numbers. Because of the OTT drive to increase tourism for foreign earnings, the people actually living in this country are being denied their once high quality resources. The overseas earnings has to be gathered so that it balances the imports that we are so wedded to. Usually mport balances are higher than our foreign earnings.
We are on a treadmill and the more foreign tourists we get the more their
presence causes the country to be spoiled a little for everyone, after a survivable number has been researched and reached. And the more we are told we are well off and we borrow more personally, and our incomes remain low,then it is hard to pay off without a total change-around of lifestyle and expectation but this is the age of ‘She’ll be right’ and those who aren’t are no-hopers. Nice!
I think you will find that was in the past Bearded Git, you know when Kiwi based and born mums and dads owned restaurants, hotels and B&B’s and shops and Kiwi’s were workers in those businesses not migrant workers paying for the job in many cases.
Tourism like anything should be run sustainably, unfortunately in NZ it is not, just bums on seats, like many other areas like education, construction and so forth… NZ is unconcerned about quality, long term sustainability or compatibility to morality.
Placing more costs onto tourists (thus reducing costs for locals) should also help to slow the rate of growth. Giving us more time and funding to improve current infrastructure to meet demand going forward. Which should also help pacify growing local resentment.
With talk of peak room capacity coupled with a number of other media reports, it seems the country (well certain regions of it) is quickly reaching its capacity unless infrastructure is rapidly improved.
Another day and another revelation about Donald Trump.
A comedian and ex-Celebrity Apprentice staffer who claims to have worked with Donald Trump for six years has made shocking new accusations against the US President.
Noel Casler allegedly worked in talent logistics on the set of Celebrity Apprentice while Trump was host, and also worked on his Miss Teen Universe pageants.
In a stand-up show this month, Casler accused Trump of recreational drug use and said he acted inappropriately towards teenage beauty pageant contestants.
(Anyone get the idea that there seems to be heaps of non residents just going around ‘helping’ people get residency and then getting residency themselves somehow…) The Ponzi continues and will continue until the government actually makes a real criteria and decent time frame so that all these little scams are too hard to keep going over time as are people’s fleeting relationships and businesses operating here being used to aid residency applications need to be verified over a 10 – 20 years not 2 – 5 years by which time things clearly seem to change for most people…)
It’s all working as designed @SaveNZ. Industrialise Immigration, shoddy Private Tertiary Education that gives NZ Inc. a good earn, Labour Hire Companies and anyone else you choose to create a ‘skill shortage list’ for……. better still, let them also become Immigration Advisors on the side (why not vertically integrate for the purposes of efficiency and effectiveness).
And the good thing is that if you’re a complete arshole charlatan, the good will be lumped in with the bad. And you can even tinker and pretend by doing things like lifting IELTS 6.5 to IELTS 7, and you can even stand up in Parliament in all good ‘FAITH’, (not unlike the pompous Wodehouse) and feign the very greatest of concern about a fucking Sroubek
Meantime, NZ ends up with the average and the dross (including the likes of a Thiel), whilst the likes of Canada, a number of European countries, and even some in the Middle East get not only the talented, but the committed.
(Maybe a bit of quality control is needed, no wonder NZ jails are filling up and we can’t be bothered/no funds for rehabilitating our own criminals when we have so much sympathy and compassion for the overseas crims).
You’re not suggesting NZ Inc has fallen victim to UK failed/very average/complete muppet civil servants are you @ SaveNZ?
That idea would be oh so 1960s and 70s, but I suppose they do know better.
And they are of more monetary value (currency exchange-wise) than others.
They can probably even house themselves in luxury and enforce the rulz we’ve become accustomed to living by even if it might take a while to come to terms with a NuZull culcha.
Let’s good rid of the furrin devils who are costing us money. It is the cultural cringe – I think the ‘uman resources try and get overseas people because they expect more money and probably the agency gets a percentage. Moral hazard anyone, if that is the case. Everyone of any colour, creed or race has the potential to be a furrin devil because of the overcrowding our gummint has encouraged, facilitated actually.
The money-mad still want to be like Switzerland or Luxembourg but they aren’t clever and careful enough, our intellect is below Japanese crows, we behave like sheep and get milked like cows. We should try to be goats, they are much more lively and individualistic.
Interesting to see our ‘kind’ PM insulting the opposition leader with childish name calling, and getting a telling off by her protector Mallard. I’m sure all the socialists are laughing in the almond lattes …
Like the end of yet another explanation that Bridges seemed unable to understand she said,
“Its Simple Simon.”
I suppose Simple Simon sees himself as a great Debater but the lost cause is Simple Simon.
So, Marshy, you just proved unwittingly the silliness of your assertion that our very capable and assertive PM needs a ‘protector’. Firstly, she dealt capably and assertively, humorously, with Bridge’s boring and repetitive attempts to slur and smear, and secondly the man who you call her protector quite rightly required her to withdraw and apologise, as she was unparliamentary.
It was a bit funnier and certainly less malicious than Paula Bennett’s “Zip it , sweetie!” made to Ardern, thus exposing her truly “nasty, pathetic side.”
It is a truly hilarious comment. Never before in history have we had a Prime Minister who is such a master of stand-up comedy. She is far, far better than anything that David Lange ever managed.
Billy Connolly and Stephen Fry will be chastened. An amateur who is so vastly better than they ever were.
She has only one thing to learn. You should come out with your jokes as if they are spontaneous. It spoils it if you are so obviously reading it off a sheet of paper.
Still, it is the most marvellous attempt at humour that the current Government has managed. So much better than the bitter reactions to questions that are exhibited by so many of the Ministers when they are, as usual, caught out.
That was a wonderful display Cindy. Long may it be celebrated as the finest achievement of this woeful coalition.
alwyn, you forgot Oscar Wilde and George Bernard-Shaw. Please, lay it on properly.
Actually, Jacinda does not do this very often at all. But when she does it, it is simple and it sticks. Remember when Mike Hosking asked her if she had read his (award-winning?) article, and she asked back, “The satire?’
His silence spoke volumes.
She does it rarely, but well. Eat it.
Simple Simon met the PM
On the way to the fair
Said simple Simon to the PM
Show me that I’m right .
Show me your proof first said the PM
But simple Simon said I have none.
I hope our min of justice is taking note, especially given his comments this week.”Justice Minister Andrew Little disagrees.
“All the laws we have in place are the laws we’ve had in place for a few years now, and judges have to be left to do their decision,” he told Newshub.”
It is not a good look this case with the offender being given in some a light sentence by the appearance of displaying remorse, her subsequent actions appear to be contrary to this and I wonder how the judge is feeling perhaps being misled. https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12178882
Any astronomers out there – I’m looking to get a telescope soon – have semi decided on a refractor sky watcher 100/900 computerised for astrophotography. Any thoughts appreciated.
“A report published in the New Zealand Journal of Ecology maps the wetland loss of the region (Southland) by comparing satellite images taken in 1990 and 2012.
It examined 32,814 hectares of wetland and found it was being lost at a rate of 157 hectares per year.
Since 1990, 3452ha of wetlands were no longer present in the landscape and a further 3943ha were at risk – amounting to 23 percent either lost or in a state of decline.
Conservation Minister Eugenie Sage said more must be done to protect wetlands.”…
… Southland Ballance Farm Environment Awards committee chairman Bruce Allan said he hoped the report would prompt a painful, but necessary, change in farmer’s behaviour.
“I think it’s a wake up call. There’s been a long history of land development across the nation really, we’re probably going to see that slow down and there’s obviously moves to improve habitat,” Mr Allan said.
“There’s far greater awareness of the issues and there’s a lot more role models out there prepared to show leadership and talk about what they’re doing and pitch in with community initiatives such as catchment groups to turn this situation around and improve things.”
The thing that strikes me with this is that Yes minister we DO have to do more to protect wetlands – this is a no brainer so lets do it. And this ‘wake up call’ idea – surely the wake up has already occurred what we have now is the repeated hitting of the snooze button hoping it all goes away – it won’t go away.
Herodotus – It is unconstitutional for the Minister of Justice to be involved in this case at all so what is the point of your comment? Secondly, what is the relevance of the vague comment “…. her subsequent actions appear to be contrary to this ….”. Justice is based on evidence – not appearances. Finally, the Judge’s 8 pages of sentencing notes were uncharacteristically released to the public, so the thinking of the Judge is transparent. Yes, the petition was very well supported but if the prosecutor reviewed the case, consulted with the family of the deceased and was convinced there was a miscarriage of justice, then an appropriate application could/should have been made. If the Judge was mislead at sentencing, she was in a position to act on this when reviewing the case as was provided for went the defendant was sentenced. Agin, something that was uncharacteristic. This seems another situation where the social media justice system, backed by the mainstream media justice system is holding sway. Irrespective of the matters surrounding this case, as a society, we should really be deciding if we should have a criminal justice system. Of course, there is the alternative of relying on ‘trial by media’ to determine the guilt or innocence of alleged offenders and then sentences being imposed on the basis of what is gleaned from media sources.
Public comment, criticism or even outcry over perceived injustice is necessary from time to time so that the justice system in any given country can periodically course-correct so that it aligns with the country’s culture.
Otherwise laws would simply be set once, and never change.
Laws have to evolve over time, and to reflect what the society generally thinks is fair, whatever ‘fair’ means, otherwise the public will revolt.
While I am less than impressed with the politicians who have tried to take advantage of this situation, I think if it had been a poor brown boy killing a rich white girl, we all know where that brown boy would be right now, and that’s definitely not at home sleeping in his own bed with his Mum cooking him dinner.
Consistency is what is needed in order to build trust in any situation, and trust in the justice system is no different.
Chess Player – yes, “criticism or even outcry over perceived injustice is necessary from time to time” but it should be informed criticism. Also, as you say, “if it had been a poor brown boy killing a rich white girl, we all know where that brown boy would be right now”. Sentencing of such cases should not be a benchmark for consistency. Which is the greater problem, society’s ingrained prejudices which are manifested by what some perceive as an institutionally racist justice system, or is it a media incited call for blood on the basis of sentiments that are driven by the likes of the Sensible Sentencing Trust who have driven our incarceration rates ever closer to the worst in the world? What is needed is for the community at large to consider the wisdom of the likes of the Commissioner for Children or those whose knowledge of criminology adds research to the discourse, as opposed to ignorant rantings on social media.
I hope the Leader of the House at the beginning of business tomorrow rises and asks for clarification.
“Mr Speaker, is the word ‘simple’ not to be used in the house? Or if it is just not to be used following the time honoured tradition of no christian names, with a christian name? Is it able to be used with a surname. For example could I say to my colleague “It’s simple Mr Peters or it’s simple Mr Bridges?”
Technicality, Pete. Mallard picked up the obvious ‘Simple Simon’ barb, and acted correctly.
Despite some idiots claiming that he ‘protects’ the PM.
It seems to be Simon who needs protection..
Eco Maori has already stated as fact that with Aotearoa farming emmisions NO ONE was talking about the BIG elephant in the ROOM nitrogin is a big problem and since the 1990 our use of this soil and water poision has gone up x 1000% at least .The reason no one was talking about nitrogin is 2 big companys control the prouduction and importation of nitrogin and they use there money to suppress the facts of there enviromental killing prouduct . I back banning it but the humane side of me says phase it out over 10 years thats enught time for our farmers to switch to organic farming.
1it destroys our soils it speed up the natural cycle 1000 % and kills off the natural organism in our soils basicly we are stilling our grandchildren future soils using nitrogen.2it kill off our water ways causing alge growth to explode in our awa and tangaroa 3 it increeses climate warming 4 we burn carbon to suck it out of the air 5 its hard on the stocks health. There are many other negtive effects that nitrogen causes hecne how Eco Maori was flabbergasted that know one was talking about this stuff WITH FACTS last year.
There’s a hidden climate (and river) killer that drives the industrialisation of agriculture.
Synthetic nitrogen fertiliser. We have to ban it.
Synthetic nitrogen is one of the key industrial agricultural inputs. Pesticides, livestock feed, antibiotics, irrigation, are some of the others. These things are what drive the high input, high damage way of growing food.
Without the inputs, industrial agriculture does not work.
Luckily, the most fundamental input of all is synthetic nitrogen fertiliser. That means, when we get it banned, it will force the de-industrialisation of farming and pave the way for regenerative farming – the only way of farming that provides a glimmer of hope against climate breakdown.
What is synthetic nitrogen fertiliser?
It’s a product that is made in factories and then dumped onto farmland in vast quantities to make grass and other crops grow fast. It’s a bit like crack cocaine for plants, a departure from reality and, ultimately destructive.
It often comes in the form of ‘urea’ but it’s sold under lots of other names too.
Links below ka kite ano. P.S my computer is playing up again sandflys One has to be care full what video is used as some start out correct and at the end flips to be pro nitrogen the big buck’s at work distorting OUR reality
Eco Maori backs income equality and equality for all .
Wahine income being unequal to men is one of the main causes of child poverty wahine and tane start a whano and for some reason they split up most times the children are in the wahines care.Then the marrage settlement most times go in favour of the man{ whom’s got the best lawyer capitlist syndrom more money } so she end up with just enough money /putea to servive to top it off she will only beable to earn in a good situation 80% of what a man makes to try and provide for her children =DEPRIVED children
Global pay gap will take 202 years to close, says World Economic Forum
Gender equality has stalled, says WEF, as women globally are paid 63% of what men get
The global pay gap between men and women will take 202 years to close, because it is so vast and the pace of change so slow, according to the World Economic Forum.
The WEF, which organises the annual meeting of business and political leaders in Davos, said the global gender pay gap has narrowed slightly over the past year, but the number of women in the professional workplace has fallen. In 2017, the WEF estimated that it would take 217 years to close the pay gap.
“The overall picture is that gender equality has stalled,” Saadia Zahidi, the WEF’s head of social and economic agendas, said. “The future of our labour market may not be as equal as the trajectory we thought we were on.”
The WEF found that on average women across the world are paid just 63% of what men earn. There is not a single country where women are paid as much as men. Laos, in south-east Asia, is the closest to achieving parity with women earning 91% of what men are paid.
Gender pay gap: when does your company stop paying women in 2018?
Read more
Yemen, Syria and Iraq have the biggest pay gaps with women being paid less than 30% the level of mens’ wages. The WEF ranked the UK 50th out of 149 countries for gender pay, with women collecting 70% of that paid to men.
Ka kite ano links below. P.S I seen another wahine leader on The late Show with Stephen Colbert one of my favrourite actress Sandra Ballock we need more movies with wahine as the lead actor for equality to flouroush
Eco Maori see the big picture and backs Great Britain staying in the European Union It will be a bad move for most people if Britxit goes down as 99.9 % of people will lose .I say this was all started by the alt right neo librale captlist whom are all about the rich
EU friends of Britain say: we want you to stay
European Guardian readers share their sadnesses and frustrations regarding Brexit a recent German opinion poll, almost 80% of the people asked were against Brexit and would be more than happy if you remained. I am writing to you as a German citizen with a daughter who has grandparents in England and Germany. Although she is too young to fully understand the unprecedented destruction by Germany that Europe suffered, she does know about Britain’s important role in reinstating civilisation and humanity. My daughter is growing up with a deep belief in peace and freedom in Europe. Equal rights, solidarity with the vulnerable and a lively democracy are important to her.
The EU is grounded on these values, which developed out of the horror of the second world war. They are not the cause of the world’s problems but the solution. We need a united Europe, and a united Europe needs Britain.
Sign up to our Brexit weekly briefing
Read more
• There is no doubt about it: the Dear friends in Britain: maybe you are not aware of what Europe will miss when you leave. We will miss your refreshing views, as living on the continent can give a blinkered viewpoint. We will miss your international experience and networks. We will miss your calmness and pragmatism in an overheated world. We will miss your standing side by side against populists and anti-democrats. We will miss your long democratic experience in developing the future EU. Together we are strong! Please stay. We are waiting for you with open arms. Merry Christmas. Ka kite ano links below P.S I say a new vote on staying in the EU is needed to prevent a CATASTROPHE IN Britain
Kia ora Newshub many thanks to our goverment for razing the min wage as for simon and co they can go jump in there toilet employers will have to become inervative and incress prouductivity we wonder why our productivity is low by OECD standards well a low wage does not make anyone look for prouductivity gains.
MP’s being charged $55 per invoice is not on get it sorted.
That was a good ruling by the courts upping the jail time for that unscupulous lady selling her daugther for prostitution when the girl was a minor even if she was of age is not on .
That is not on having 3 rivers in Canterbry having E.coli I say we need more laws to protect our WAI it would be cool if in 3 years one could take a swim in any water way without worring about getting sick.???????????? after all tourism is our biggest export earner you know there is a lot of money suppresing those facts.
Eco Maori backs having city centra’s l banning cars and becoming pedestrian friendly and enviromentaly friendly
The Ebola in the African country Democratic Republic of Congo shows me that the west should put more funds into finding a cure for Ebola why man should no take health threats like Ebola forgranted as it could spread we don’t control nature she controls us put the money in to fix this I wounder who pulled funds out of fighting this ?????????????.
I say the rail line from Hamilton to Auckland is awsome it will take pressure off the roads. Rail all over NZ is needed It would be good to see Huntly gain from the move. I use to catch a train from Gisborne to Napier years ago it was a good scenic journey.
Ka kite ano
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The Abortion Legislation Committee has reported back on the Abortion Legislation Bill and recommended that it be passed with some amendments. Unfortunately, the latter include even more hoops to jump through for those seeking abortions after 20 weeks, including a time-wasting requirement to consult a second doctor. No-one casually seeks ...
Brexit is likely to be a disaster for the UK (how sad, never mind). But now that they're out of the EU, the latter has finaly taken the opportunity to blacklist one of their key tax havens:The Cayman Islands, a British overseas territory, is to be put on an EU ...
I’m not quite sure of what to make of the new figures for COVID-19 (as we must now call the novel coronavirus – though I’m not sure the capitalisation is correct) from Hubei province:Image from https://www.bbc.com/news/world-51495484The spike yesterday is a consequence of a using a different way of ...
Bob Jones has dropped his defamation case against Renae Maihi. Good. But at the same time, it perfectly exposes what the case was all about: not protecting Jones' reputation, but punishing someone who had dared to criticise him, and deterring others from doing the same. This rich pompous asshat dragged ...
As I've done for the past few years, I'm curating and presenting The Listening Lounge, the talk programme at Splore. On the morning of Saturday the 22nd at the Living Lounge stage, the korero goes like this.Yes, we're talking about drugs again, not just because I'm professionally interested in drug ...
What Were They Thinking? RNZ's CEO Paul Thompson (left) and Jim Mather, Chairman of the RNZ Board of Governors, attempt to justify the debacle arising out of their attempt to downgrade RNZ Concert to the Economic Development, Science and Innovation Select Committee at Parliament on Thursday, 13 February 2020.WHAT IS ...
Dame Tariana Turia with former PM John KeyWhat is it about Tariana Turia’s grudge against the Labour Party? Not content with attacking the Government over Whānau Ora funding, which was increased by $80 million in 2019, she has now made it personal by saying that Jacinda Ardern is out of her ...
Back in 2017, right after being elected, Jacinda Ardern promised that there would be no new mines on conservation land. Since then, her government has done nothing to make that happen, and now the policy has been officially "parked" for the election:West Coast-Tasman MP Damien O'Connor says the "no new ...
So the guy who advocated for public burning and beheading feels offended because someone called him a racist!Perhaps Bob Jones hasn't heard of the very old saying; Live by the sword, die by the sword?I mean for someone who often writes opinionated nonsense about Maori; this is a ridiculous case ...
The government today announced a major support package aimed at reducing homelessness. A thousand new transitional housing places, more support for people to find homes (or not lose them in the first place), all good stuff. The one problem with it is that they're going to start charging people in ...
Courtroom Drama: There is no off-switch in a courtroom. Neither is it possible to turn the page in disgust. Ill-formed and ill-defended opinions will be exposed ruthlessly and unapologetically. As Shakespeare put it: “Reputation is an idle and most false imposition; oft got without merit, and lost without deserving.” Sometimes the ...
As of today, the novel coronavirus spreading in China is called COVID-19. Why does it matter? Around the office, we’ve had several conversations over the past few weeks about how 2019-nCoV needed its own name. First, it was getting annoying calling it by the above designation, and ‘novel coronavirus’ doesn’t ...
by Philip Ferguson Last month B’Tselem, the Israeli Information Center for Human Rights in the Occupied Territories, reported: “In 2019, Israeli security forces killed 133 Palestinians, including 28 minors. Of the casualties, 104 were killed in the Gaza Strip, 26 in the West Bank (including East Jerusalem) and three within ...
A ballot for a single Member's Bill was held today, and the following bill was drawn: Arms (Firearms Prohibition Orders) Amendment Bill (No 2) (Brett Hudson)Its basicly more "tough on crime" nonsense (its already illegal for unlicensed people to own guns) designed to wedge NZ First against its arsehole base. ...
In 2015 the world agreed to the Paris Agreement to fight climate change. Each country would offer a Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) "that it intends to achieve", and "pursue domestic mitigation measures, with the aim of achieving [it]". And every five years, they'd improve on it, ratcheting up ambition until ...
In theory, the emissions trading scheme should reduce emissions. Making polluters pay for permits to pollute lets them save money by reducing pollution, giving them a financial incentive to do the right thing. But right from the start the ETS was broken with a system of free allocation, so polluters ...
Irish voters went to the polls on Saturday in parliamentary elections, and perhaps delivered a political revolution. Since independence, Irish politics has been dominated by two parties, Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael. Basicly patronage networks with indistinguishable policies, their cleavage isn't ideology, but who killed whose father or grandfather in ...
Once again the Aotearoa Bike Challenge is on us, and once again I’m participating. In principle this is not hard because it does not represent a significant switch in behavior for me. I already bike nearly every day. The Bicycle The fascinating thing about cycling is the realisation that this ...
Lately there has been a great deal of misinformation regarding the origins and purpose of Skeptical Science. As John Cook wrote nearly a decade ago, Skeptical Science is primarily a website that debunks climate misinformation with peer-reviewed science. Despite the ever-worsening impacts from climate change, with record after record being broken in ...
Under Attack: By sacking not only RNZ Concert’s presenters, but also its producers and librarians, and reducing the station to an automated purveyor of classical music in-between parliamentary broadcasts, RNZ’s CEO, Paul Thompson, wasn’t simply announcing an operational shake-up, he was declaring war on one of the most important guardians of ...
Story of the Week... Editorial of the Week... Toon of the Week... Quote of the Week... Coming Soon on SkS... Climate Feedback Reviews... SkS Week in Review... Poster of the Week... Story of the Week... Australian smoke plume sets recordsThe recent wildfires in Australia sent one of ...
The Global Protest to #FightInequality was powerful – thankyou and what next? Dear allies, We started the decade with a huge protest to #FightInequality that was heard around the world, including the 1% at Davos. Watch and share the highlights on facebook and twitter. A huge thank you. Together we ...
The Ministry of Health have announced a package that might ensure NZ will never experience another measles epidemic. While at the time of writing the details are still limited it appears that the important limitations in our current programme have been acknowledged and the intent is to address them. Great ...
Prof Nick Wilson, Prof Michael BakerIn this blog we briefly summarise our assessment of the highly uncertain new coronavirus threat. Given its potential to become a severe and prolonged global pandemic, a precautionary response now means activating all components of our pandemic plan, with a particular focus on ‘keep ...
When Labour was running for election, Jacinda Ardern famously said that climate change was "my generation's nuclear free moment". The implication was that her government would take the problem seriously, and act swiftly to reduce emissions. The reality:New Zealand will emit a million more tonnes of greenhouse gases in 2020 ...
James Renwick is Professor of Physical Geography at Victoria University of Wellington. He studied at Canterbury and the University of Washington and has worked on diverse aspects of climate science, including global atmospheric circulation and Antarctic sea ice. In December 2019 he was appointed to the New Zealand Climate Change ...
by Philip Ferguson Exit polls are showing a three-way virtual tie between the main parties in the south of Ireland. Sinn Fein, Fianna Fail and Fine Gael are all on just over 22%. FG on 22.4, SF on 22.3, FF on 22.2. Exit polls indicate that over 30% of 18-24 ...
A chronological listing of news articles linked to on the Skeptical Science Facebook Page during the past week, i.e., Sun, Feb 2, 2020 through Sat, Feb 8, 2020 Editor's Pick New Report Details How Fossil Fuel Industry's Climate Destruction Also Exacerbates Human Rights Abuses"Even in the face of the ...
In a previous post I described briefly when and how the Starlink satellite chains – recent launches by Space-X in a scheme to bring 5G internet connectivity to the whole globe – could be seen from New Zealand with the naked eye. Here I provide an update and predictions for ...
Keeping The Faith: This Government’s broad, new, heavily moderated, progressive faith does not require a prime minister with the powers of a medieval pope. Jacinda’s regime has no need of subterranean torture chambers to ensure compliance. A gift for diplomacy and the ability to inspire her fellow human-beings is all ...
Jonathan Freedland of the Guardian has penned a column which chastises the left wing of the Labour party for daring to retain principles and ideals, qualities - it seems - that should be jettisoned in pursuit of power.Never mind that Freedland was an ardent Remainer, that is to say, one ...
Tonight’s news suggests the coronavirus outbreak may have originated from pangolins. Details are very sketchy, almost nothing at all beyond a claim of high similarity. My impression is this claim comes from a press release by South China Agricultural University. Initial discussion online suggests this is a more likely candidate ...
by Susanne Kemp The Fire and Emergency service (FENZ) has recently asked firefighters in Auckland Areas 3, 4 and 5 to take on an additional duty that has rather ominous implications. Namely, to collect names and addresses of everyone on the premises of fires they attend. The firefighters’ union, the ...
Part of the story of the Nazis' rise to power in Germany was the willingness of mainstream right-wing parties to work with them to keep out the left. Because of this, one of the fundamental rules of postwar German politics has been "do not work with Nazis". As a result, ...
There has long been a truism in public broadcasting: don't mess with Concert FM. The theory was that although the station has been in a long-term audience decline, and that audience is steadily ageing out, it has powerful establishment support – and any threat to it would provoke a fury.As ...
This is a re-post from the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists The heat absorbed in Earth’s oceans reached a new record in 2019, found a recent study published in the journal Advances in Atmospheric Sciences. Despite the fact that this has been the case for almost every year over the past decade, this information ...
We are confronted with the spectre of Simon Bridges making clear he cannot, will not, trust Winston Peters – the oft-cited “King Maker” in New Zealand politics.Supporters are lauding it as a master stroke, naturally, because in their eyes, it prevents him being the tail that wags the dog. ...
by Don Franks Under a government claiming empathy with the fine arts, Radio New Zealand ( RNZ) is poised to cut back its classical music station, RNZ Concert. The plan is replacing it on FM radio with music “for a younger audience” as part of a new multimedia music brand. ...
More Thwaites This past week we heard disturbing news about Antarctica's Thwaites Glacier. Helping to fill in the longer term history of Thwaites' behavior and especially helpful in interpreting results of the recent drilling project and what it may say about the future of this unstable mass of ice is Revealing the ...
Inaccuracies are very common in scientific paper abstracts. Image credit:Science in the Abstract: Don’t Judge a Study by its Cover I have come to accept anti-fluoride campaigners will never stop cherry-picking research and findings ...
“The scene is set, the players met…”. And what players they are in this farce of an Election coming up in the United States this year. There is a multi-faceted anger in the broader situation the world finds itself in, in which the false promises of so-called “moderates” find themselves ...
A few years ago, a company lowballed a contract to dispose of toxic waste from the Tiwai Point aluminium smelter. So, they dumped it in a disused paper mill in Mataura, then went into liquidation - effectively dumping the problem on local councils. The waste is dangerous - it releases ...
Unhappy with the demonisation of Iran in Western media, I was fortunate to have the Australian Institute of International Affairs invite me to write an alternative analysis for their on-line journal Australian Outlook. I did, and they serialised it into two parts. The essays are short, so I did not ...
Over on The Good Society, Max Rashbrooke suggests that its time to start directly taxing wealth:A wealth tax would be levied on net wealth – that is, the value of people’s assets once their debts have been subtracted. Such a tax would be highly redistributive. Levied at 1% on wealth ...
The quarterly labour market statistics have been released, and unemployment has dropped to 4%. There are now 111,000 unemployed - 15,000 fewer than when Labour took office. Its not the performance we had under Clark (when unemployment was ~3.3%), but its still a reasonable improvement over prevailing conditions under National. ...
Prof Michael Baker, Prof Nick Wilson, Louise Delany, Prof Richard Edwards, Prof Philippa Howden-ChapmanThe current national measles epidemic in New Zealand is amongst the largest we have experienced in the last 40 years. It can be linked to the problems created by long-term erosion and fragmentation of national public health ...
I’m about to start teaching science communication to tertiary students, which is equally hilarious and terrifying to me. (Hi to my students who have Googled me and found this post.) I loved English at high school, but we spent most of our time reading The Outsiders, discussing the differences between metaphors and ...
Space-X has started launching its Starlink satellites into low-Earth orbit with a plan to use some tens of thousands of these to deliver 5G wifi to the whole globe. Chains of these satellites can be seen in the evening or before-dawn skies, through the sunlight they scatter. Here I provide ...
A dairy owner in St Kilda, Dunedin was delighted to hear that an attempted robbery of his establishment was foiled by a government-funded security system. Sean Lee was delighted at how well the anti-theft smoke system worked. When a knife-wielding man entered the store, the shop assistant immediately pressed a ...
Customs says it stopped more than three tonnes of illegal drugs coming into New Zealand last year. This includes 1,180kg of methamphetamine, 329kg of ephedrine and pseudoephedrine precursors, which could have been converted into 246kg of methamphetamine, 739kg and 6469 pills of MDMA or Ecstasy and 60kg of cocaine. Offshore, ...
Hon. Shane Jones, Minister for Regional Economic Development Up to $2 million will be allocated from the Provincial Growth Fund to set up temporary water supplies in Kaikohe and Kaitaia where drought is biting hard, Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones has announced. Drought conditions in Northland have led to ...
Darroch Ball, Spokesperson for Law and Order New Zealand First welcomes the deployment of an Eagle Police helicopter in Christchurch in what is a step towards fulfilling its long-standing goal to increase the use of police helicopters for the front line, particularly in addressing the scourge of fleeing drivers. Christchurch leads ...
It may have been the first sitting week of 2020, but our Government is already in full-swing - managing a strong economy, investing in infrastructure, and working to break the cycle of homelessness. Read below for all that, and more... ...
In a heated debate in Parliament, National's Deputy Leader Paula Bennett claimed that “nearly 1600 patched gang members have been added” since the Coalition Government took power. To illustrate her point, she altered a chart used by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern to show her government’s progress in housing to instead ...
Speech by the Rt Hon Winston Peters at Parliament’s Opening 2020 "We all need insurance" This year New Zealanders are going to have a clear choice to make That choice is between: Optimism versus pessimism; More progress versus back to the future; Investment versus divestment; Unity versus division. New Zealand ...
Infrastructure Minister Shane Jones has slammed the Board of Auckland Airport following the airport's runway closing twice within two weeks due to maintenance. Around 2,000 passengers were affected by last week’s runway closures, according to 1NEWS. Another maintenance closure on January 24 saw two international flights and three domestic flights ...
Jenny Marcroft, Spokesperson for Broadcasting New Zealand First supports the commissioning of a business case to assess the viability of a new public media entity. “A strong media environment is critical for a healthy democracy. New Zealand First is a strong supporter of a diverse, independent media,” New Zealand First broadcasting spokesperson ...
Pounamou and technology industries in the West Coast region are set to receive more than $2 million in Provincial Growth Fund (PGF) funding. This was announced by the Under-Secretary for Regional Economic Development Fletcher Tabuteau during Waitangi Day commemorations in Hokitika. He said $800,000 would be given to Development West ...
Clayton Mitchell MP, New Zealand First spokesperson for Labour and Industrial Relations Unemployment and wage growth numbers released by Stats NZ today demonstrate a labour market in good shape with unemployment falling to 4.0%, the underutilisation rate falling to an 11 year low, and wage growth at a 10-year high ...
Hon. Ron Mark, New Zealand First Spokesperson for Defence New Zealand First Spokesperson for Defence Ron Mark, welcomes the official opening of Te Rau Aroha, a new museum at Waitangi Treaty Grounds as part of our Coalition Agreement. “It is a great honour to be part of an effective Government ...
Rt. Hon. Winston Peters, Deputy Prime MinisterGood morning,Let us start with important acknowledgements.First, this special day, in remembrance of the 28th Maori Battalion, is also to honour all those men and women who have risked their lives in the service of our country.Second, special guest Robert ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters says New Zealand will look to build on its relationship with the United Kingdom and recommit to the European Union, after the country officially left the continental union recently. The Minister said New Zealand already cooperates closely with Britain on defence and security issues and has ...
New Zealanders are increasingly better off under this Government as wages rise and families have more disposable income, Finance Minister Grant Robertson says. Stats NZ reported today that average household disposable incomes after housing costs rose 4.9% in 2019. This was the highest rise in four years and came as ...
All New Zealanders need to have their voices heard at work to ensure we have an inclusive and productive economy. Today we introduce a Bill to do this for workers in the New Zealand screen industry, Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Iain Lees-Galloway says. “The Screen Industry Workers Bill will ...
The Government has announced further help for the Southland and Otago regions to speed up recovery efforts from the floods. “I’ve approved Enhanced Taskforce Green (ETFG), making $500,000 available to help with the clean-up in Fiordland, Southland, and the Clutha district in Otago,” Minister for Social Development Carmel Sepuloni said. ...
Following the announcement that more than 340 schools will be funded to run events promoting vocational education, the Government has announced it will fund a further 257 events to be run by employers and industry. “These industry-run events will allow more than 30,000 students to connect with more than 2,000 ...
Today the Government is making progress on a fairer and more secure rental market for renters and landlords with the introduction of the Residential Tenancies Amendment Bill in Parliament. “This Bill includes a series of reforms to improve the wellbeing of the 609,700 households that live in rented homes, and ...
A Government programme to wipe out pea weevil has achieved a world first, with Biosecurity Minister Damien O’Connor today announcing the successful eradication of the noxious pest from Wairarapa. This means the nearly four-year ban on pea plants and pea straw was lifted today. Commercial and home gardeners can again grow ...
Southland residents hit by flooding caused by heavy rainfall can now access help finding temporary accommodation with the Government activating the Temporary Accommodation Service, Minister of Civil Defence Peeni Henare announced today. “The Temporary Accommodation Service (TAS) has been activated by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment to help ...
“Is that it?” That’s Finance Minister Grant Robertson’s response to Simon Bridges’ much-hyped economic speech today. “Simon Bridges just gave the most over-hyped and under-delivered speech that I can remember during my time in politics,” Grant Robertson said. “It’s not surprising. Simon Bridges literally said on the radio this morning ...
A trial deployment of the Police Eagle helicopter in Christchurch will test whether the aircraft would make a significant difference to crime prevention and community safety. “The Bell 429 helicopter will be based in Christchurch for five weeks, from 17 February to 20 March,” said Police Minister Stuart Nash. “The ...
The Government has kept up the pace of its work to promote New Zealand’s trade interests and diversify our export markets, with visits to Fiji and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) by Trade and Export Growth Minister David Parker. Building momentum to bring the PACER Plus trade and development agreement ...
The Coalition Government’s investment in a strong border and disrupting transnational organised crime produced record results for stopping drugs in 2019, says Minister of Customs Jenny Salesa. The illegal drugs were seized at the New Zealand border by Customs, and overseas by Customs’ international border partners before the drugs could ...
Transport Minister Phil Twyford today kicked off construction of a separated cycleway alongside Tamaki Drive. A two-way separated cycleway will be built along the northern side of Tamaki Drive, between the Quay Street Cycleway extension and Ngapipi Road. There will be a separate walking path alongside. Phil Twyford said giving ...
Owner-occupiers of unit and apartments living in earthquake-prone buildings will have certainty about the financial support they’ll be eligible for with the release of criteria for an upcoming assistance scheme, Minister for Building and Construction Jenny Salesa says. The Residential Earthquake-Prone Building Financial Assistance Scheme will help unit owners facing ...
Temporary restrictions on travel from China will remain in place as a precautionary measure to protect against the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus. The restrictions which prevent foreign nationals travelling from, or transiting through, mainland China from entering New Zealand have been extended for a further 8 days. This position ...
Employment Minister Willie Jackson announced today that Tairāwhiti rangatahi will benefit from an investment made by the Government’s He Poutama Rangatahi (HPR) scheme. The funding will go to the Tautua Village, Kauneke programme and the Matapuna Supported Employment Programme which will fund 120 rangatahi over two years. “Both programmes work ...
All parents and caregivers need to ensure that their children go to school unless they are sick, Associate Education Minister Tracey Martin said today. “The school attendance results for 2019 show, across the board, a drop in the number of students going to school regularly,” the Minister says. “Apart from ...
A Deed of Settlement agreeing redress for historical Treaty claims has been signed by the Crown and Moriori at Kōpinga Marae on Rēkohu (Chatham Islands) today, Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Andrew Little has announced. Moriori have a tradition of peace that extends back over 600 years. This settlement ...
Transport Minister Phil Twyford today with Māori King Tuheitia Pōtatau Te Wherowhero VII officially opened the country’s newest road, the $384 million Huntly section of the Waikato Expressway. The 15km four-lane highway with side and central safety barriers takes State Highway 1 east of Huntly town, across lowlands and streams ...
The rapid uptake of life-saving new hepatitis C medicine Maviret since it was funded by PHARMAC a year ago means the elimination of the deadly disease from this country is a realistic goal, Health Minister David Clark says. Hepatitis C is a blood-borne virus which attacks the liver, proving fatal ...
Kaupapa Māori will underpin the Government’s new plan to deal with homelessness announced by the Prime Minister in Auckland this morning. “Māori are massively overrepresented among people experiencing homelessness, so, to achieve different outcomes for Māori, we have to do things very differently,” says the Minister of Māori Development ...
1000 new transitional housing places delivered by end of year to reduce demand for emergency motel accommodation. Introduce 25% of income payment, after 7 days, for those in emergency motel accommodation to bring in line with other forms of accommodation support. Over $70m extra to programmes that prevents those at ...
Clear requirements for ensuring customers are treated fairly by banks, insurers and other financial service providers are included in new financial conduct legislation that passed its first reading today. “The recent reviews, by the Financial Markets Authority (FMA) and Reserve Bank of New Zealand, into the conduct of banks and ...
Applications are now open for the fifth round of the Regional Culture and Heritage Fund Associate Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Grant Robertson announced today. “I am delighted to open this year’s fund which has some $7 million available to support performing arts venues, galleries, museums and whare ...
The Minister of Māori Development, Hon Nanaia Mahuta today congratulated Associate Professor Amokura Kawharu on her appointment as the next President of the Law Commission. “Amokura Kawharu will be a standout in her new role, leading in an innovative and forward looking approach to the law reform process. She will ...
Auckland University legal academic Amokura Kawharu has been appointed as the next President of the Law Commission, Justice Minister Andrew Little announced today. Associate Professor Kawharu will take up her new appointment on 11 May 2020. “I would like to congratulate Associate Professor Kawharu on her appointment,” Andrew ...
A programme for employers to help them engage effectively with younger employees was launched today by Minister of Employment, Willie Jackson. The Youth Ready Employer Programme contains a range of on-line templates that employers can easily access to help with employing and retaining young people in their businesses. The programme ...
Budget 2020 will be delivered on Thursday 14 May, Finance Minister Grant Robertson announced today. “This year’s Budget will continue the Coalition Government’s focus on tackling the long-term challenges facing New Zealand while also preparing the economy for the future. “Those challenges and opportunities cannot be resolved in one budget, ...
I move, That this House place on record its appreciation and thanks for the devoted and distinguished service to New Zealand by the late Rt Hon Michael Kenneth Moore, member of the Order of New Zealand, a member of Her Majesty's Most Honourable Privy Council, an Honorary Member of the ...
Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor has today classified the drought conditions in Northland as an adverse event for the primary sector, unlocking $80,000 in Government support. “This is recognition that the extreme and prolonged nature of this dry spell is taking its toll on our farmers and growers and additional support ...
The Minister of Police says an operation to smash a trans national drug smuggling ring today will make a significant impact on the methamphetamine trade fuelling harm in our communities. Police have announced 10 arrests and the seizure of up to five million dollars’ worth of illicit drugs after an ...
The Government’s books are in a strong position to withstand global headwinds, with the accounts in surplus and expenses close to forecast, Finance Minister Grant Robertson says. The Treasury today released the Crown accounts for the six months to December. The operating balance before gains and losses (OBEGAL) was above ...
Race courses can improve safety with this year’s second round of funding from the Racing Safety Development Fund. Minister for Racing Winston Peters has announced the second funding round of 2019/20 is open with $347,875 available for distribution. “The racing industry is integral to the economic and social fabric of ...
The Government is committing $300,000 to fund research to update behavioural information to make sure HIV and STI prevention services are targeted appropriately in New Zealand. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Finance Minister Grant Robertson made the announcement at today’s Big Gay Out in Auckland. “There is much talk about ...
The Minister of Broadcasting, Communications and Digital Media has announced work will begin on a business case to assess the viability of forming a new public media entity. “The Government must ensure New Zealanders have a strong independent public media service for decades to come, which means ensuring public ...
Minister of Civil Defence Hon Peeni Henare announced today that the Government will contribute $100,000 to the Southland regional Mayoral Relief Fund, to support communities impacted by the recent flooding in Southland. Mr Henare says this week’s flooding has caused significant disruption to communities in the lower South Island. ...
Heritage buildings throughout New Zealand will benefit from the $1.1 million in Heritage EQUIP funding grants announced today. “These grants for seismic strengthening projects help private building owners get the advice they need to start building work or to get the work completed,” Grant Robertson says. “Timaru’s Grosvenor Hotel has ...
A new survey has found New Zealand’s game development sector has grown beyond expectations and is on track to becoming a billion dollar industry in 2025, Economic Development Minister Phil Twyford says. “New Zealand’s interactive media sector grew by 42 per cent in last financial year to $203.4 million, according ...
Te Tii, the lower marae at Waitangi, is among more than 70 marae now connected to broadband internet thanks to the Provincial Growth Fund’s marae connectivity scheme, Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones said today. In February 2019, the Provincial Growth Fund (PGF) allocated $21 million to connect rural towns ...
The West Coast has had a funding injection of over $1.2 million from the Provincial Growth Fund, Under Secretary for Regional Economic Development Fletcher Tabuteau announced at Waitangi Day commemorations in Hokitika today. The PGF projects announced are: $800,000 to Development West Coast for a Grey District Regional Digital Hub ...
Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor has declared an adverse event for the Southland and Otago regions, unlocking Government support for farmers and growers. “Widespread flooding has resulted in severe disruption, with many people evacuated from their homes and many farms being affected by flood waters. It’s putting pressure on our farmers, ...
Overworked and stressed teachers, overcrowded classrooms and substandard nutrition have ECE at crisis point. ECE teacher Susan Bates explains why everyone should care. If you want to know what NZ society might look like in the future, look into the eyes of the young children in your neighbourhood. Ask yourself ...
The pressures on the state budget of a rapidly ageing population must be acknowledged, and treated holistically and with nuance, write Susan St John and Dr Claire Dale The latest three-yearly 2019 Retirement Incomes Review takes a refreshingly holistic view of retirement policy and is welcomed by the Retirement Policy and ...
The 10-year-old girl from Tawa who cherished a cricket bat signed by her 2000 World Cup heroes, now wants to spur a new crop of cricketers through her own swashbuckling deeds. In a recent column looking ahead to the T20 World Cup starting in Australia this week, Sophie Devine wrote that she “hoped to inspire ...
Transforming diseases into foes and therapies into battles isn’t the best way to face contagion. Annemarie Jutel asks: When did panic and catastrophe help anyone organise anything? Public anxiety and nations’ responses to coronavirus (COVID-19) have been shaped by the hyperbolic metaphors surrounding its discussion. Even the usually sedate and measured ...
The dreaded pea weevil is no more in the Wairarapa, after a successful eradication effort. So why does this matter? OK, what on earth is a pea weevil?It’s a type of leaf beetle, so not actually a weevil after all, but the name is the name. Basically it gets into pea ...
Controversial Australian philosopher Peter Singer is coming to New Zealand in June. While he believes in reducing suffering for all humans and animals, his views on disability have sparked widespread alarm and condemnation.Utilitarian and moral philosopher Peter Singer is best known by many for the parable of the drowning child, ...
Sharon Brettkelly gets a rare look at the internal workings of Immigration New Zealand - and we look at what's holding up visa applications. Immigration New Zealand's Henderson office is like any other, with rows of workers at their computers. But in this workplace the lives of tens of thousands ...
Alex Casey delivers her seventh power rankings for The Bachelorette NZ, where a group of intruders have herniated the competition’s intestines forever. Click here for previous instalments. Welcome back to The Bachelorette NZ, where everything is made up and every man is suddenly named Mike. Intruders! Five of them! A whole ...
By Felipe F. Salvosa II in Manila Solicitor-General Jose Calida asked the Supreme Court today to issue a gag order against ABS-CBN, claiming the Philippines’ largest television network was engaging in “propaganda” to sway the justices in the quo warranto case seeking to void its franchise. Calida filed the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Karen R Fisher, Professor, Social Policy Research Centre, UNSW Access to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) for young children with disability is not equal across Australia. Where you live can hinder access to information about disability support, assistance to apply for ...
The New Zealand Union of Students’ Associations applauds the changes to the Residential Tenancies Act released by the government yesterday but does not believe that they go far enough to improving the rights of renters. The power imbalance in the current ...
The Prime Minister will take no action against Deputy Prime Minister and New Zealand First leader Winston Peters, after confirmation of a Serious Fraud Office investigation. ...
Eamonn Marra’s debut novel makes a study of the mundane: sanding a fence, heating baked beans, three pizzas for $29.99 delivered. Alie Benge reckons it belongs somewhere between Sally Rooney and Elena Ferrante. It was about page three of 2000ft Above Worry Level. A feeling burst inside me: the joy ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Suzie Gibson, Senior Lecturer in English Literature, Charles Sturt University The gothic developed as a European architectural phenomenon in 12th-century France, where awe-inspiring cathedrals reflected a world drenched in religious piety and superstition. Its veneration was revisited in 18th-century English literature, when ...
Financial services company Heartland Bank has reported a solid lift in its first-half profit driven by increased lending despite a squeeze on margins and rising costs. ...
We review the entire country and culture of New Zealand, one thing at a time. Today, e-bikes are now just a tap away! Josie Adams reviews the latest disruption in transport culture.When Lime launched in 2018, New Zealand’s transport culture got the electric shock it needed. For too long we’d ...
Ministers love to bray about the seizing of illegal drugs. Customs statistics on seizures last year – albeit “preliminary” statistics – therefore were irresistible to Customs Minister Jenny Salesa. They gave her a platform to remind us of her existence as a Minister while acknowledging the work of her officials. ...
The rise of ‘plant-based’ diets seems like a win for those who decry eating meat. But some vegan groups claim the halfway step of vegetarianism is ineffectual if you really care about animal cruelty, climate change, or your own personal health.An article in the Guardian last year asked “Why do ...
FIRST Union General Secretary Dennis Maga says that this morning’s comments from National Party Finance spokesperson Paul Goldsmith that the party would consider scrapping the Government’s proposed minimum wage increases if elected ...
The State Housing Action Network (SHAN) is deeply disappointed that the Government’s recently announced Aotearoa Homelessness Action Plan fails to provide for increases in the state housing stock which are essential for addressing the homelessness crisis. ...
Electricity retailers will no longer be able to entice former customers with steep and exclusive discounts, the Electricity Authority has announced. ...
The National Party leader Simon Bridges says it came as a surprise to him that the Serious Fraud Office prosecution relates to two $100,000 donations to the party. ...
National Party leader Simon Bridges says it came as a surprise to him that a Serious Fraud Office prosecution relates to two $100,000 donations to the party. ...
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Open mike 18/12/2018 
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Labour and NZ First are delaying a painful call on either lifting or cutting the annual residency visa limit, while the Greens want the limits removed completely. ...1 day ago
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Oops sorry one of our magic elves slept in …
Needs another elf’s pointy green boot in the backside. And a few choice words in Elvish. Here is an old weather forecast in Elvish for a taster.
Had the pleasure of meeting Tamati at the election prior to last, geez he’s a lovely man. Switched on and sincere, he’s the real deal. Thrilled he made it in to parliament.
Epic clip thanks for posting Grey, he does it well 🙂 Cracking up laughing.
The Eminem’s case:
“In a decision released today, the Court of Appeal allowed the National Party’s appeal – and reduced the damages payment down from $600,000 to $225,000.”
But of course they probably used the “Don’t you know who we are?” line. Born to Rule they think.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12178849
Hopefully Eminem takes it to the Supreme Court and has it doubled from the original amount.
LOL – please, please.
Bet you can’t guess Simon’s first question today?
“1. Hon SIMON BRIDGES to the Prime Minister: Does she stand by all her statements and actions in relation to Karel Sroubek?”
Perseverance but really what else can the ring out of this?
Jacinda was asked again by Suzie this morning the same Sroubek questions mimicking Simon. Jacinda thought they were going to talk Climate change but instead the same tired questions with the same tired answers. Why?
lmao, just checked that out too.
Who cares about the planet?
Actually who even cares about the average kiwi, seeing Sroubeks locked up and not a risk to anyone….
Not simon anyways.
Wonder how many climate change questions national has asked this year compared to Sroubek questions?
“It’s that simple . . . Simon.”
For which the PM had to stand, withdraw and apologise!
But the barb struck home – lol.
We’Ll bE a NeW kINd OF goVernMent
Unlike the opposition well versed in verbal incontinence.
Perhaps Mark could offer some Verbal Contifit devices. A few Xmas pressies all round with personal fittings for Wodehouse, Mitchell, Bennett and Bridge-less
Was super funny.
While most people see this as an overdone steak (or stake) it is far from that. As I have said a couple of times here, it has more legs than a centipede. That is why people like MS and myself remain interested. The issue of Hardcore’s text to Ardern is a red herring (a very small sardine actually) being used to politically discredit her, but the persistence with that aspect could well backfire. There are some much bigger issues behind the whole situation.
” The issue of Hardcore’s text to Ardern is a red herring”
You keep telling yourself that
“Newshub has made multiple requests of the Prime Minister’s Office under the OIA for details of official communications she’s had using personal email or messaging platforms. We have been stonewalled and refused every time.”
https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2018/12/tova-o-brien-she-may-not-be-but-jacinda-ardern-looks-dodgy.html
Tova will find herself an unperson if shes not careful 🙂
“be the most open, most transparent Government that New Zealand has ever had”
The thing is shes creating the rod for her own back here, if theres nothing in the text then just release them
Mind you shes very careful to specify these texts, makes you wonder if there are any other texts…
“The thing is she’s creating the rod for her own back here, if theres nothing in the text then just release them”
If, Pucky, Jacinda operates under the understanding that someone sending a text to her, and there must be scores and scores of them, can do so without fear of having that text and their identities revealed under pressure from National Party MPs, she would surely keep to that understanding/undertaking. If she betrays one member of the public, all will be affected. Do you see my point? Do you see Jacinda’s point (she’s explained it often enough).
The problem is this isn’t the first time Jacinda’s had issue with her phone so, like Sir John Key was hounded into releasing his texts, we need to see Jacindas phone records because theres a strong whiff of something quite unpleasant about this
Was pressure applied to Ian Lees Galloway to give a known drug dealer residency
I suspect that the ‘strong whiff’ lies only in the nostril of the woofter.
He didn’t give him residency, he suspended deportation – different criteria for each.
Really, he didn’t grant him residency
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/109010045/judicial-review-looms-as-immigration-minister-iain-leesgalloway-confirms-error-when-granting-karel-sroubek-residency
‘Immigration Minister Iain Lees-Galloway confirmed an error was made granting Karel Sroubek residency and it’s this technical aspect that the deportation liability now hinges on.’
Yes do keep telling yourself that @ vv (with ref to Nakibloke @4.2.1) because you are correct. There are some that were trying to warn I L-G he was being set up (via junior MPs) but it obviously didn’t quite get there in time if at all. There might have been a bit too much Chardonnay sipping going on.
Again, the only thing I L-G is guilty of is placing too much faith in the bureaucracy and processes (which we now know are “under review”).
And thank Christ INZ (and the Labour Inspectorate – sometimes known as the Labour Expectorant) are finally able to get off their chuffs and collect arsehole exploiters with the involvement of the Police (instead of trying to be their own little Police Force). And its a bloody shame the IAA still doesn’t seem to be up to the task.
Soozy didn’t ask her how she reckoned Woodlouse got hold of her texts. Wonder if anyone’s looking into that.
Hipkins may regret the heavy hand.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12178871
It won’t be a matter for Hipkins regret. Right from the start, the VC gave every reason for the suspicion of duplicity. As for the reported consultation, it was a fiction as it pretty much excluded recognition of large numbers of those who opposed, including the staff.
I don’t think Hipkins will have anything to regret by this action.
From my, admittedly unscientific, observations I think allowing the Vice-Chancellor to have his way would have been far more damaging for Chippie.
I don’t know any faculty members or alumni who are in favour of the change. I know quite a lot of the academic staff and a lot of older alumni. They really do not want to see the change take place.
Perhaps the younger ones are in favour. I don’t know many of them.
Personally I would say “Good on Hipkins”. I didn’t know he had it in him.
Indeed!
First World problems eh? A re-brand and re-image.
I can’t think of anything more important (/sarc)
Speaking of which, is it not about time that National Radio got yet another futile and stupid but expensive re-branding, which continues to leave it with a longer and less elegant name that its best and original one – ‘National Radio’?
(Still by far the best name, because we should not let the National Party steal and pervert the true meaning of ‘National’.)
Why don’t you just use its standard nickname?
Just call it “Red Radio”. Everyone will understand you.
That misnomer is the reserve of only the obtusely bigoted conservatives. You may well qualify as such, alwyn.
“I don’t know any faculty members or alumni who are in favour of the change.”
I do and it isn’t allowing the VC his way, it’s the university council.
They can still change it anyway in everything but legal name only.
Other uni’s like Stanford aren’t legally called Stanford. They just promote themselves as that
It was a dumb decision
I agree
Hipkins made a dumb move.
But then he is the ex student union president at Vic, is still mates with them and they were the most vocally against the change, so maybe he just caved to pressure
SSC report about spying on behalf of govt agencies: https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/109409526/security-firm-spied-on-politicians-activists-and-earthquake-victims
Bedtime reading. Have hankie to hand.
https://www.ssc.govt.nz/sites/all/files/Report%20of%20the%20inquiry%20into%20the%20use%20of%20external%20security%20consultants%20by%20government%20agencies.pdf
Hey I have a few in the pile before that one. 🙂
Our Learned Friends from Crown Law (circa 2007) emerge smelling none too sweet.
Set the spooks onto victims and witnesses in a case involving abuse in State Care they did…(3.7)
“In the Inquiry’s view, surveillance by the government of a participant in a civil case is generally improper, or at least highly unusual and something that would require careful oversight and controls to assess and balance privacy interests.
The Solicitor General confirmed to the Inquiry that this is also her view and expectation.
This was reflected in Crown Law’s response to a journalist’s enquiry earlier this year, which stated the Crown would not instruct a private investigator to carry out surveillance of a witness. ”
Unfortunately, shit sticks.
The number of tourists visiting New Zealand is expected to grow to 5 million by 2024
https://www.tvnz.co.nz/shows/q-and-a/clips/tourism-the-price-of-popularity
Are we comfortable with current tourist visiting numbers?
Are we happy with the expected rate of growth?
Do we need to consider a cap? And if so, at what number? Double the current rate?
Could they bring their own water and take their own shit home chairy?
@ Gabby, and their carbon emissions from their vehicles… and their pollution from their cruise ships… that are somehow exempt from the tiny tourism tax…
Also if they can build their own airport transfers, new roads and public transport needed, user pays for stadiums and stop stealing harbours for marinas like America’s cup and cruise ships that only seem to benefit the 1% (if that).
Tourism seems to be piggy backed on public spending and they are the priority for councils and government when their expansion subsidised by rates and taxes from residents for increasingly overseas owned or part owned tourism businesses.
wrong Savenz…please look at the numbers before you come out with this rubbish…tourism is major earner, employer and tax payer for Godzone, and not just GST but income and company tax.
I walk tracks near Wanaka where you never see a tourist.
Actually, it isn’t.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/news/89010426/its-not-easy-being-beautiful-new-zealand-tourism-boom-comes-at-a-cost-kiwis-say
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11842133
You’re one of these idiots that sees a few people doing well because of something and calls it good but doesn’t look at the costs that something imposes.
That’s the trouble about tourism – look at the numbers. Because of the OTT drive to increase tourism for foreign earnings, the people actually living in this country are being denied their once high quality resources. The overseas earnings has to be gathered so that it balances the imports that we are so wedded to. Usually mport balances are higher than our foreign earnings.
We are on a treadmill and the more foreign tourists we get the more their
presence causes the country to be spoiled a little for everyone, after a survivable number has been researched and reached. And the more we are told we are well off and we borrow more personally, and our incomes remain low,then it is hard to pay off without a total change-around of lifestyle and expectation but this is the age of ‘She’ll be right’ and those who aren’t are no-hopers. Nice!
I think you will find that was in the past Bearded Git, you know when Kiwi based and born mums and dads owned restaurants, hotels and B&B’s and shops and Kiwi’s were workers in those businesses not migrant workers paying for the job in many cases.
Tourism like anything should be run sustainably, unfortunately in NZ it is not, just bums on seats, like many other areas like education, construction and so forth… NZ is unconcerned about quality, long term sustainability or compatibility to morality.
Good point, SaveNZ. A lot of the benefits from growing tourism is heading offshore due to the dominance of offshore owned hotel chains, etc.
https://hitchhikers.fandom.com/wiki/Bethselamin
would it not behove us just to start finally and build more toilets gabs ???
Yes we do. Each place available to then be auctioned off with proceeds going to the government.
To be determined through research of the amount that our infrastructure can handle and how many people the country can actually support.
Placing more costs onto tourists (thus reducing costs for locals) should also help to slow the rate of growth. Giving us more time and funding to improve current infrastructure to meet demand going forward. Which should also help pacify growing local resentment.
With talk of peak room capacity coupled with a number of other media reports, it seems the country (well certain regions of it) is quickly reaching its capacity unless infrastructure is rapidly improved.
Another day and another revelation about Donald Trump.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=12178629
Another day another revelation on the Sroubek and his Russian wife that he helped gain residency for, and now in relationship with Natz .
Angry, desperate phone call from Sroubek to estranged wife released
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12178785
“Sroubek said Mitchell had failed to appreciate his former wife was a partner in the business which was used to import the MDMA drug.
“He calls me a ‘gangster’ but, ironically, blindly (and conveniently) defends my business partner.”
It was the same company he said he used to assist her in gaining residency after she found she didn’t qualify in her previous job.
He called it a “double standard” saying she “now manipulates the situation to expel me from the country I supported her gaining residency in”.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12177545
(Anyone get the idea that there seems to be heaps of non residents just going around ‘helping’ people get residency and then getting residency themselves somehow…) The Ponzi continues and will continue until the government actually makes a real criteria and decent time frame so that all these little scams are too hard to keep going over time as are people’s fleeting relationships and businesses operating here being used to aid residency applications need to be verified over a 10 – 20 years not 2 – 5 years by which time things clearly seem to change for most people…)
Wonder Who released that phone call and why?
Sounded as though Sroubek was angry that she had not kept to the deal made 2 weeks ago.
It’s all working as designed @SaveNZ. Industrialise Immigration, shoddy Private Tertiary Education that gives NZ Inc. a good earn, Labour Hire Companies and anyone else you choose to create a ‘skill shortage list’ for……. better still, let them also become Immigration Advisors on the side (why not vertically integrate for the purposes of efficiency and effectiveness).
And the good thing is that if you’re a complete arshole charlatan, the good will be lumped in with the bad. And you can even tinker and pretend by doing things like lifting IELTS 6.5 to IELTS 7, and you can even stand up in Parliament in all good ‘FAITH’, (not unlike the pompous Wodehouse) and feign the very greatest of concern about a fucking Sroubek
Meantime, NZ ends up with the average and the dross (including the likes of a Thiel), whilst the likes of Canada, a number of European countries, and even some in the Middle East get not only the talented, but the committed.
Whoar, I feel like a bit of Shania TwAng (not)
On another overseas criminal who NZ is now paying for a prison stay for.
Transport Ministry fraudster Joanne Harrison to be released from jail and deported to UK
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/109410669/ministry-of-transport-fraudster-joanne-harrison-to-be-released-from-jail-and-deported-to-united-kingdom
(Maybe a bit of quality control is needed, no wonder NZ jails are filling up and we can’t be bothered/no funds for rehabilitating our own criminals when we have so much sympathy and compassion for the overseas crims).
Yep we should send them off to the colonies – oh drat we’ve already done that…
Auckland Islands have potential…
I was thinking White island would be good, depending on their crimes some could take their hand cuffs off before they swim ashore.
Naki Man – I think you may have a career teaching, or guidance counselling.
You’re not suggesting NZ Inc has fallen victim to UK failed/very average/complete muppet civil servants are you @ SaveNZ?
That idea would be oh so 1960s and 70s, but I suppose they do know better.
And they are of more monetary value (currency exchange-wise) than others.
They can probably even house themselves in luxury and enforce the rulz we’ve become accustomed to living by even if it might take a while to come to terms with a NuZull culcha.
Let’s good rid of the furrin devils who are costing us money. It is the cultural cringe – I think the ‘uman resources try and get overseas people because they expect more money and probably the agency gets a percentage. Moral hazard anyone, if that is the case. Everyone of any colour, creed or race has the potential to be a furrin devil because of the overcrowding our gummint has encouraged, facilitated actually.
The money-mad still want to be like Switzerland or Luxembourg but they aren’t clever and careful enough, our intellect is below Japanese crows, we behave like sheep and get milked like cows. We should try to be goats, they are much more lively and individualistic.
Crows:
http://www.bbc.com/earth/storyoflife/player?clipID=20160713-crows-use-cars-to-crack-nuts
Interesting to see our ‘kind’ PM insulting the opposition leader with childish name calling, and getting a telling off by her protector Mallard. I’m sure all the socialists are laughing in the almond lattes …
Like the end of yet another explanation that Bridges seemed unable to understand she said,
“Its Simple Simon.”
I suppose Simple Simon sees himself as a great Debater but the lost cause is Simple Simon.
And yet another snide socialists falls into the trap of exposing their nasty pathetic side …
So, Marshy, you just proved unwittingly the silliness of your assertion that our very capable and assertive PM needs a ‘protector’. Firstly, she dealt capably and assertively, humorously, with Bridge’s boring and repetitive attempts to slur and smear, and secondly the man who you call her protector quite rightly required her to withdraw and apologise, as she was unparliamentary.
It was a bit funnier and certainly less malicious than Paula Bennett’s “Zip it , sweetie!” made to Ardern, thus exposing her truly “nasty, pathetic side.”
yep – it shows a PM with a sense of humour and kiwis LOVE IT.
It is a truly hilarious comment. Never before in history have we had a Prime Minister who is such a master of stand-up comedy. She is far, far better than anything that David Lange ever managed.
Billy Connolly and Stephen Fry will be chastened. An amateur who is so vastly better than they ever were.
She has only one thing to learn. You should come out with your jokes as if they are spontaneous. It spoils it if you are so obviously reading it off a sheet of paper.
Still, it is the most marvellous attempt at humour that the current Government has managed. So much better than the bitter reactions to questions that are exhibited by so many of the Ministers when they are, as usual, caught out.
That was a wonderful display Cindy. Long may it be celebrated as the finest achievement of this woeful coalition.
alwyn, you forgot Oscar Wilde and George Bernard-Shaw. Please, lay it on properly.
Actually, Jacinda does not do this very often at all. But when she does it, it is simple and it sticks. Remember when Mike Hosking asked her if she had read his (award-winning?) article, and she asked back, “The satire?’
His silence spoke volumes.
She does it rarely, but well. Eat it.
You, as a righty, cannot get humour so please don’t try – it makes you look silly al.
Simple Simon met the PM
On the way to the fair
Said simple Simon to the PM
Show me that I’m right .
Show me your proof first said the PM
But simple Simon said I have none.
So true/clever bwag.
Is it up on the parliamentary website yet?
I make have to amuse myself by posting it on auto play especially for the flavourless and humourless people like Mr Marshy.
Hey – I could make it always come up in a large full screen popup and playing for him and all people coming directly here from Kiwisilo and Whalescum.
I thought what she actually said was, “It’s simple Simon.”
It was elegant. The Speaker asked her to withdraw and apologise, which she did, but it was too late…
I hope our min of justice is taking note, especially given his comments this week.”Justice Minister Andrew Little disagrees.
“All the laws we have in place are the laws we’ve had in place for a few years now, and judges have to be left to do their decision,” he told Newshub.”
It is not a good look this case with the offender being given in some a light sentence by the appearance of displaying remorse, her subsequent actions appear to be contrary to this and I wonder how the judge is feeling perhaps being misled.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12178882
Any astronomers out there – I’m looking to get a telescope soon – have semi decided on a refractor sky watcher 100/900 computerised for astrophotography. Any thoughts appreciated.
Did you see the comet last night, Marty?
No but I do know where to look I think. At work over next few days but I believe in looking up even if fleetingly.
OOooh gotta have one of these!
“All I want for Christmas is a Trumpy Bear.”
“At least until someone makes a Trumpy voodoo doll.”
“A report published in the New Zealand Journal of Ecology maps the wetland loss of the region (Southland) by comparing satellite images taken in 1990 and 2012.
It examined 32,814 hectares of wetland and found it was being lost at a rate of 157 hectares per year.
Since 1990, 3452ha of wetlands were no longer present in the landscape and a further 3943ha were at risk – amounting to 23 percent either lost or in a state of decline.
Conservation Minister Eugenie Sage said more must be done to protect wetlands.”…
… Southland Ballance Farm Environment Awards committee chairman Bruce Allan said he hoped the report would prompt a painful, but necessary, change in farmer’s behaviour.
“I think it’s a wake up call. There’s been a long history of land development across the nation really, we’re probably going to see that slow down and there’s obviously moves to improve habitat,” Mr Allan said.
“There’s far greater awareness of the issues and there’s a lot more role models out there prepared to show leadership and talk about what they’re doing and pitch in with community initiatives such as catchment groups to turn this situation around and improve things.”
https://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/378556/southland-wetlands-being-lost-at-rate-of-157ha-a-year
The thing that strikes me with this is that Yes minister we DO have to do more to protect wetlands – this is a no brainer so lets do it. And this ‘wake up call’ idea – surely the wake up has already occurred what we have now is the repeated hitting of the snooze button hoping it all goes away – it won’t go away.
Herodotus – It is unconstitutional for the Minister of Justice to be involved in this case at all so what is the point of your comment? Secondly, what is the relevance of the vague comment “…. her subsequent actions appear to be contrary to this ….”. Justice is based on evidence – not appearances. Finally, the Judge’s 8 pages of sentencing notes were uncharacteristically released to the public, so the thinking of the Judge is transparent. Yes, the petition was very well supported but if the prosecutor reviewed the case, consulted with the family of the deceased and was convinced there was a miscarriage of justice, then an appropriate application could/should have been made. If the Judge was mislead at sentencing, she was in a position to act on this when reviewing the case as was provided for went the defendant was sentenced. Agin, something that was uncharacteristic. This seems another situation where the social media justice system, backed by the mainstream media justice system is holding sway. Irrespective of the matters surrounding this case, as a society, we should really be deciding if we should have a criminal justice system. Of course, there is the alternative of relying on ‘trial by media’ to determine the guilt or innocence of alleged offenders and then sentences being imposed on the basis of what is gleaned from media sources.
Damn! This was supposed to be in response to Herodotus at 12 above.
Public comment, criticism or even outcry over perceived injustice is necessary from time to time so that the justice system in any given country can periodically course-correct so that it aligns with the country’s culture.
Otherwise laws would simply be set once, and never change.
Laws have to evolve over time, and to reflect what the society generally thinks is fair, whatever ‘fair’ means, otherwise the public will revolt.
While I am less than impressed with the politicians who have tried to take advantage of this situation, I think if it had been a poor brown boy killing a rich white girl, we all know where that brown boy would be right now, and that’s definitely not at home sleeping in his own bed with his Mum cooking him dinner.
Consistency is what is needed in order to build trust in any situation, and trust in the justice system is no different.
Chess Player – yes, “criticism or even outcry over perceived injustice is necessary from time to time” but it should be informed criticism. Also, as you say, “if it had been a poor brown boy killing a rich white girl, we all know where that brown boy would be right now”. Sentencing of such cases should not be a benchmark for consistency. Which is the greater problem, society’s ingrained prejudices which are manifested by what some perceive as an institutionally racist justice system, or is it a media incited call for blood on the basis of sentiments that are driven by the likes of the Sensible Sentencing Trust who have driven our incarceration rates ever closer to the worst in the world? What is needed is for the community at large to consider the wisdom of the likes of the Commissioner for Children or those whose knowledge of criminology adds research to the discourse, as opposed to ignorant rantings on social media.
I hope the Leader of the House at the beginning of business tomorrow rises and asks for clarification.
“Mr Speaker, is the word ‘simple’ not to be used in the house? Or if it is just not to be used following the time honoured tradition of no christian names, with a christian name? Is it able to be used with a surname. For example could I say to my colleague “It’s simple Mr Peters or it’s simple Mr Bridges?”
Technicality, Pete. Mallard picked up the obvious ‘Simple Simon’ barb, and acted correctly.
Despite some idiots claiming that he ‘protects’ the PM.
It seems to be Simon who needs protection..
First name verboten. Combination likely to cause disorder.
PM knew exactly what she was doing, as did every other MP – and the Speaker, hence the immediate response. They will waste no further energy on it.
Eco Maori has already stated as fact that with Aotearoa farming emmisions NO ONE was talking about the BIG elephant in the ROOM nitrogin is a big problem and since the 1990 our use of this soil and water poision has gone up x 1000% at least .The reason no one was talking about nitrogin is 2 big companys control the prouduction and importation of nitrogin and they use there money to suppress the facts of there enviromental killing prouduct . I back banning it but the humane side of me says phase it out over 10 years thats enught time for our farmers to switch to organic farming.
1it destroys our soils it speed up the natural cycle 1000 % and kills off the natural organism in our soils basicly we are stilling our grandchildren future soils using nitrogen.2it kill off our water ways causing alge growth to explode in our awa and tangaroa 3 it increeses climate warming 4 we burn carbon to suck it out of the air 5 its hard on the stocks health. There are many other negtive effects that nitrogen causes hecne how Eco Maori was flabbergasted that know one was talking about this stuff WITH FACTS last year.
There’s a hidden climate (and river) killer that drives the industrialisation of agriculture.
Synthetic nitrogen fertiliser. We have to ban it.
Synthetic nitrogen is one of the key industrial agricultural inputs. Pesticides, livestock feed, antibiotics, irrigation, are some of the others. These things are what drive the high input, high damage way of growing food.
Without the inputs, industrial agriculture does not work.
Luckily, the most fundamental input of all is synthetic nitrogen fertiliser. That means, when we get it banned, it will force the de-industrialisation of farming and pave the way for regenerative farming – the only way of farming that provides a glimmer of hope against climate breakdown.
What is synthetic nitrogen fertiliser?
It’s a product that is made in factories and then dumped onto farmland in vast quantities to make grass and other crops grow fast. It’s a bit like crack cocaine for plants, a departure from reality and, ultimately destructive.
It often comes in the form of ‘urea’ but it’s sold under lots of other names too.
Links below ka kite ano. P.S my computer is playing up again sandflys One has to be care full what video is used as some start out correct and at the end flips to be pro nitrogen the big buck’s at work distorting OUR reality
https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/farming/opinion/109207699/banning-new-zealands-hidden-climate-killer–synthetic-nitrogen-fertiliser
A video for my above post
Eco Maori Video .
Eco Maori backs income equality and equality for all .
Wahine income being unequal to men is one of the main causes of child poverty wahine and tane start a whano and for some reason they split up most times the children are in the wahines care.Then the marrage settlement most times go in favour of the man{ whom’s got the best lawyer capitlist syndrom more money } so she end up with just enough money /putea to servive to top it off she will only beable to earn in a good situation 80% of what a man makes to try and provide for her children =DEPRIVED children
Global pay gap will take 202 years to close, says World Economic Forum
Gender equality has stalled, says WEF, as women globally are paid 63% of what men get
The global pay gap between men and women will take 202 years to close, because it is so vast and the pace of change so slow, according to the World Economic Forum.
The WEF, which organises the annual meeting of business and political leaders in Davos, said the global gender pay gap has narrowed slightly over the past year, but the number of women in the professional workplace has fallen. In 2017, the WEF estimated that it would take 217 years to close the pay gap.
“The overall picture is that gender equality has stalled,” Saadia Zahidi, the WEF’s head of social and economic agendas, said. “The future of our labour market may not be as equal as the trajectory we thought we were on.”
The WEF found that on average women across the world are paid just 63% of what men earn. There is not a single country where women are paid as much as men. Laos, in south-east Asia, is the closest to achieving parity with women earning 91% of what men are paid.
Gender pay gap: when does your company stop paying women in 2018?
Read more
Yemen, Syria and Iraq have the biggest pay gaps with women being paid less than 30% the level of mens’ wages. The WEF ranked the UK 50th out of 149 countries for gender pay, with women collecting 70% of that paid to men.
Ka kite ano links below. P.S I seen another wahine leader on The late Show with Stephen Colbert one of my favrourite actress Sandra Ballock we need more movies with wahine as the lead actor for equality to flouroush
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/dec/18/global-gender-pay-gap-will-take-202-years-to-close-says-world-economic-forum
Eco Maori see the big picture and backs Great Britain staying in the European Union It will be a bad move for most people if Britxit goes down as 99.9 % of people will lose .I say this was all started by the alt right neo librale captlist whom are all about the rich
EU friends of Britain say: we want you to stay
European Guardian readers share their sadnesses and frustrations regarding Brexit a recent German opinion poll, almost 80% of the people asked were against Brexit and would be more than happy if you remained. I am writing to you as a German citizen with a daughter who has grandparents in England and Germany. Although she is too young to fully understand the unprecedented destruction by Germany that Europe suffered, she does know about Britain’s important role in reinstating civilisation and humanity. My daughter is growing up with a deep belief in peace and freedom in Europe. Equal rights, solidarity with the vulnerable and a lively democracy are important to her.
The EU is grounded on these values, which developed out of the horror of the second world war. They are not the cause of the world’s problems but the solution. We need a united Europe, and a united Europe needs Britain.
Sign up to our Brexit weekly briefing
Read more
• There is no doubt about it: the Dear friends in Britain: maybe you are not aware of what Europe will miss when you leave. We will miss your refreshing views, as living on the continent can give a blinkered viewpoint. We will miss your international experience and networks. We will miss your calmness and pragmatism in an overheated world. We will miss your standing side by side against populists and anti-democrats. We will miss your long democratic experience in developing the future EU. Together we are strong! Please stay. We are waiting for you with open arms. Merry Christmas. Ka kite ano links below P.S I say a new vote on staying in the EU is needed to prevent a CATASTROPHE IN Britain
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/dec/18/eu-friends-of-britain-say-we-want-you-to-stay
Kia ora Newshub many thanks to our goverment for razing the min wage as for simon and co they can go jump in there toilet employers will have to become inervative and incress prouductivity we wonder why our productivity is low by OECD standards well a low wage does not make anyone look for prouductivity gains.
MP’s being charged $55 per invoice is not on get it sorted.
That was a good ruling by the courts upping the jail time for that unscupulous lady selling her daugther for prostitution when the girl was a minor even if she was of age is not on .
That is not on having 3 rivers in Canterbry having E.coli I say we need more laws to protect our WAI it would be cool if in 3 years one could take a swim in any water way without worring about getting sick.???????????? after all tourism is our biggest export earner you know there is a lot of money suppresing those facts.
Eco Maori backs having city centra’s l banning cars and becoming pedestrian friendly and enviromentaly friendly
The Ebola in the African country Democratic Republic of Congo shows me that the west should put more funds into finding a cure for Ebola why man should no take health threats like Ebola forgranted as it could spread we don’t control nature she controls us put the money in to fix this I wounder who pulled funds out of fighting this ?????????????.
I say the rail line from Hamilton to Auckland is awsome it will take pressure off the roads. Rail all over NZ is needed It would be good to see Huntly gain from the move. I use to catch a train from Gisborne to Napier years ago it was a good scenic journey.
Ka kite ano
Some Eco Maori Music for the minute