Open mike 19/10/2022

Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, October 19th, 2022 - 116 comments
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Open mike is your post.

For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose.

The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy).

Step up to the mike …

116 comments on “Open mike 19/10/2022 ”

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  1. Ad 1
    19 October 2022 at 6:33 am

    Good to see the PM step in yesterday and reconfirm full funding for the Shakespeare Festival.

    Creative NZ were morons both in decision and in publishing their reasons.

    Very very bad case of WokeBubbleItis.

      • Incognito 1.1.1
        19 October 2022 at 7:53 am

        Exactly! Where there’s (political) will, government money magically manifests for pet projects and hobby horses of and for the chosen ones. It must be coming up to an election. GST on management fees for super schemes was dropped equally fast after and as soon as an angry mob started howling. Who needs lobbyists to get this Government to pay or not pay for anything? Ardern and Mahuta will fold like cards on Three Waters after tomorrow, just wait for the Friday afternoon dump.

      • Sabine 1.1.2
        19 October 2022 at 8:17 am

        20 May 2022

        'Disappointing' kapa haka funding fails to reflect cultural importance – Te Matatini

        6:12 pm on 20 May 2022

        Liam Brown, Henare Te Ua intern

        Te Matatini are welcoming a well overdue funding increase following this weeks Budget announcements, but say it falls short of providing equitable funding for kapa haka to flourish in Aotearoa.

        The Government announced $1.2 billion for Māori in this year's budget. From this, $18 million has been made available for the celebration of te ao Māori and preservation of taonga, according to the Ministry for Culture and Heritage.

        Previously, the Government funding for kapa haka was $940,000 in 1998, which was increased in the early 2000’s to $1.248 million.

        Since 2016, this figure has stood at $1.948 million – the baseline boost in funding from this years budget brings that figure up to $2.948 million per year

        from here. https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/467536/disappointing-kapa-haka-funding-fails-to-reflect-cultural-importance-te-matatini

        i would like to point out that in NZ people fundraise for Firetrucks, Ambulances, Rescue Helicopters, Sports events, Kindergartens, School activities, and so on and so forth. And that many of the items donated to these fundraisers come from the local community, and their businesses.

        Fact is, that without Fundraising in NZ your house would burn down, you would die in your hallway of a heart attack, you would not be rescued of that mountain if you break your legs, and that most sports would not happen.

        edit: somewhere i saw a proposal to take that 30.000 for the shakespeare festival that is enjoyed by many irrespective of their ethnicity, and maybe that fund should be given to education and be part of the curriculum.

        disclaimer: I have watched and still watch Kapa Haka since 2000.

      • Ghostwhowalksnz 1.1.3
        19 October 2022 at 9:10 am

        Shakespeare in schools wasnt 'fully funded' . It was something like 10% of the program costs that Creative NZ picked up and is now coming from education budget.

        I didnt see the Shakespeare events covering travel costs at all

    • Anker 1.2
      19 October 2022 at 9:23 am

      It is good Shakespeare will be funded, however there needs to be an inquiry into the extent of Critical Race theory in Creative New Zealand and in the (so called politically neutral) public service.

      Jacinda has bailed out Creative NZ to shut down the outcry about their funding decision (Shakespeare = Cannon of imperialism, doesn't fit with decolonizing NZ). Of course now the Kapa Haka group are saying what about (in terms of funding) us and others will do the same.

      Jacinda's solution to shut down the scandal that is decision making at Creative NZ will create more problems.

      • SPC 1.2.1
        19 October 2022 at 9:32 am

        Why not purge the entire "Frankfurt School" from all government jobs?

        • swordfish 1.2.1.1
          19 October 2022 at 4:37 pm

          .

          Well, not the Frankfurt School – that was a very early precursor to contemporary Critical Theory and it focused first & foremost on class rather than ID fantasy-politics.

          But certainly the remarkably crude, authoritarian, quasi-religious Critical Theory Cult (with its nihilistic Year Zero tendencies) … definitely purge the living hell out of those jumped-up illiberal little dogmatists so happy to force their extreme & socially-destructive ideology onto an unwilling public (by stealth if they can get away with it) … precisely as you would if L. Ron Hubbard’s Scientology Cult, for instance, had quietly made substantial inroads into the Public Service and was in the process of inflicting its bizarre dogma on the Country.

          I mean, just the sheer bare-faced arrogance, self-entitlement & anti-democratic elitism of you pompous narcissistic blowhards. The moral posturing so transparently ludicrous … the desperately-disguised self-interest so obvious.

          • Ad 1.2.1.1.1
            19 October 2022 at 5:03 pm

            Adorno would have funded Shakespeare.

            Heidegger would have funded Kapa Haka.

            But Marcuse wouldnt fund either.

          • pat 1.2.1.1.2
            19 October 2022 at 5:35 pm

            Lol..you do have a delightful turn of phrase.

            worry not Swordfish, all their efforts will prove counterproductive.

          • Drowsy M. Kram 1.2.1.1.3
            19 October 2022 at 7:00 pm

            crude
            authoritarian
            quasi-religious
            jumped-up
            extreme & socially-destructive
            bizarre dogma
            sheer bare-faced arrogance
            self-entitlement
            anti-democratic elitism
            pompous narcissistic blowhards
            moral posturing
            transparently ludicrous
            desperately-disguised self-interest

            Yep, nearly there – tax cuts anyone?

            Liz Truss’ ‘trickle-down economics’ is dead. Now the UK faces an uncertain future [18 Oct 2022]

            • Finance Minister Jeremy Hunt ripped up almost all of the tax cuts Truss had promised, cut short her flagship energy policy and made clear there would be cuts in public spending to come.

            Liz Truss’s New Economic Agenda Looks a Lot Like the Opposition’s [18 Oct 2022]
            After a blowback over her budget-busting tax cuts, Britain’s prime minister has junked her free-market plans and adopted several measures favored by Labour.

            Liz Truss Is Finished [18 Oct 2022]
            Prospects for the Tories are not much better. After 12 years in power, exhausted by Brexit, the pandemic and growing factionalism, they find themselves at the mercy of Mr. Johnson’s ambition, their own inadequacy and their members’ hunger for culling the state against the country’s wishes. Their choice of Ms. Truss was part error, part final roll of a doomsday cult. Britain, contrary to stereotype, is a kaleidoscope of opinion, not two resolutely opposed factions. The majority accepted Conservative rule for more than a decade. But Ms. Truss, bringer of market chaos and international condemnation, is where that consent ends.

      • Ghostwhowalksnz 1.2.2
        19 October 2022 at 10:17 am

        Was Kapa Haka even applying for funding from Creative NZ ?

        meanwhile it seems the Schools Kapa haka is resourced by the Education budget and of course like Shakespeare in Schools they have other sources of funding open to them

    • Tony Parker 1.3
      19 October 2022 at 10:12 am

      How one online rant about Shakespeare became a near fact-free global news story. Sam Brooks at the Spinoff tells the full story. Another beat up from media who didn't delve deeper into the story.

      • Molly 1.3.1
        19 October 2022 at 11:13 am

        The article doesn't relate how the funding criteria for the "the recurrent Te Uru Kahikatea Programme which funds organisations on a three-year basis" was very recently changed, affecting cope, eligibility and likelihood of success.

        https://www2.fundsforngos.org/latest-funds-for-ngos/creative-new-zealand-rfps-for-toi-uru-kahikatea-programme-2023-2025/

        Organisations seeking Kahikatea funding will need to show how their proposed programme of work delivers to at least one of three features of Creative New Zealand’s Investment Strategy:

        • diversity and reach
        • dynamic arts
        • a resilient arts sector.

        The link directly to this funding criteria request at Creative NZ is broken – understandably.

        The pdf can be found on the Creative NZ website though.

        https://www.creativenz.govt.nz/-/media/Project/Creative-NZ/CreativeNZ/Legacy-Images/ckeditor/attachments/rfp2022_toiurukahikatea.pdf

        I think there needs to be more information gathered and assessed before concerns are summarily dismissed.

      • Anker 1.3.2
        19 October 2022 at 12:52 pm

        Thanks Tony. I don't read the Spinoff cause I don't want to give them the clicks.

        However I read many other articles about Shakespeare, including the one where three of NZ's most prominant actors decried the decision and I also listened to Stephen Wainright and the CEO of the Shakespeare group being interviewed.

        My main point is that people giving advice to Creative New Zealand appeared to apply Critical Race Theory to funding the arts. This seeks to view everything through a "its all colonisation and that's bad " lens. They said something very similar to this, about the need to de-colonise NZ and Shakespeares focus a cannon of imperialism. The CEO of creative NZ signed off the letter to the CEO of Shakespeare. So endorsed the advice.

        IMO this decision has made NZ a laughing stock internationally (and completely overlooked the fact that the Shakespeare in school encouraged kids to apply their own lens to the work of the Bard. Apparently Stephen Wainright never attended a performance.

        If the Spinoff has anything to add, feel free to quote or emphasize that there is something I am missing from this debate. Otherwise I feel I know pretty much what I need to know.

        • Incognito 1.3.2.1
          19 October 2022 at 1:14 pm

          The gist of Tony’s link is that the majority of media reports in NZ and overseas are near fact-free.

          It is your choice to remain willfully blind to new information that challenges your views; it is called confirmation bias.

          • Anker 1.3.2.1.1
            19 October 2022 at 5:02 pm

            I think you are missing what my point is. The reason Shakespeare was turned down was because the people who decided who gets funding associate him with imperialism and think he doesn't fit with decolonising NZ. It recks of Critical Race Theory. And it has made NZ look utterly ridiculous imo. There was a big outcry from a range of people. I read articles from three left wing commentators on this, I read a couple of things on Stuff which supported CNZ, I listened to interviews with the CEO of Creative NZ and the Shakespeare group. I might have even read a thing or two in the international press. I think I read pretty widely.

            Love the willfully blind comment though. I would have thought I was one of the least offenders on this site. There are numerous commentators here who absolutely refused to read a range of sources. I have gone from being tribal labour and supporting all they do (rivalling Mickey Savage in this respect) to critiquing what they are up too. And I am still able to give them credit where its due (although mostly this is around Covid).

            When I first heard the reason for not accepting Shakespeare, i.e decolonization and a cannon of imperialism, I thought how f…g stupid. Despite listening to range of views nothing has changed my mind. But I will get the Spinoff article a read.

            • Incognito 1.3.2.1.1.1
              19 October 2022 at 9:00 pm

              I get your point and I am challenging it, which is what we do here on TS, from time to time aka robust debate.

              Like so many others, you have taken a couple of piss-poor comments from a couple of external peer assessors out of context and extrapolated them as signals of something rotten in the state of Creative NZ if not NZ itself. There was a loud outcry of outrage and then a bandwagon effect aka storm in a teacup.

              It is not just what you read, but how you read it.

              I'll stick with my comment about you being wilfully blind, for now. You have already missed a pertinent piece of info from a comment of mine that you were replying to a few days ago and you have clearly stated that you didn’t want to click on Spinoff and read that article. It’s not like you’re donating a kidney, is it?

              I think you’re also misrepresenting MickySavage. He may be a tribal Labour supporter but he can also be highly critical of Labour and still support them! It’s called constructive criticism.

              You still seem to think that those poor comments from those assessors were the sole reason for not continuing the funding for another 3 years and I’m personally confident enough that you’re wrong.

              Good for you to read that article; a fresh perspective may help you gain better insight into this and who knows, it might even change your opinion somewhat …

              • Anker …
                19 October 2022 at 9:43 pm

                Well at least we agree that there were a couple of comments that were piss poor, but I would go much further than that.

                I know for a fact (from inside information) that the public service has workshops running, the focus of which is decolonising the public service.

                Two external assessors made the comments, but the CEO signed off the letter to the Shakerspeare festival. So he endorsed the comments.

                What right do you have of accusing me of being willfully blind just because I don't agree with your take on the issue of Shakespeare funding? You see it one way "storm in a tea cup", I see it another. As I said, I have read a number of articles on this issue and listened to two interviews. I also ended up reading the Spinoffs article. So what that I didn't read thoroughly enough/or retain a pertinant comment you made on this issue. I actually have a lot of stuff going on at the moment.

                I don't know whether the comments the assessors made were the sole reason not for funding Shakespeare, but it in my view a crazy ideological lens that the assessors have commented from. Actually it wasn't about the funding for me, it was about the fact that there were two people assessing arts funding who were ignorant enough to hold such views and the fact that their CEO endorsed them.

                I don't think people quite realise on this site how sick to death many NZders are of the overpaid PMC with their ideological stance, thinking they know what's best for everyone.

                • Incognito …
                  19 October 2022 at 10:08 pm

                  sigh

                  I call it as I see it and I’ve already explained my reasoning: wilfully blind (i.e. biased) and suffering from apohenia with a bit reading incomprehension thrown in for good measure.

                  The CEO signs off on the decisions made by the Arts Council, in this case. He’s not going to litigate their decisions.

                  Exactly! You don’t know what other comments were made in the 11-page report nor do you know how the other 61 proposals fared and what comments they received. You, like so many others, have created a near fact-free narrative out of thin air and turned it into a shit storm in a teacup believing that the Titanic has just hit a CRT iceberg and is taking water.

                  I note that you are starting to sound like that clownfish: the meaningless squawking of a mindless parrot.

                  Have a good night.

                  • Anker …
                    19 October 2022 at 10:16 pm

                    Incognito you are going too far in what I consider to be personal attacks on me e.g. willfully blind, sounding like a clownfish the squaking of a meaningless parrot. Also commenting on my reading comprehension is really a low blow. I have admitted on a number of occassions on this site this can be a struggle for me.

                    I utterly reject I am being willfully blind on this issue. As I have repeated often enough, I have read many articles on this issue.

                    You obviously have very strong feelings about this issue, but I would ask you to stop personally attacking me.

          • Anker 1.3.2.1.2
            19 October 2022 at 6:51 pm

            O.k. I have just read the Spinoff article. There is nothing new here. Creative NZ chose not to fund Shakespeare. 58 out of 62 applications were successful. This I already new.

            Yes the issue was framed by some as cancelling Shakespeare. Anyone who read those articles would know that it didn't mean Shakespeare couldn't continue.

            Again I want to reiterate from my own perspective, that it was the reason given for not funding Shakespeare by Creative NZ. The canon of imperialism and it not fitting with de colonizing NZ (I thought this was rather played down in the Spinoffs article).

            This is a prime examply of the stupidity of seeing everything in this country through the lens of colonization and being intent on "decolonising". The public service has been injected with this sort of bullshit (and the Spinoff is a vechile also for this bullshit),…..

            I am pleased there was such a backlash against the reason to cancel the funding from Creative NZ of Shakespeare. It shows me that at least some people in this country can see through it.

            • Incognito 1.3.2.1.2.1
              19 October 2022 at 9:36 pm

              Good on you for reading it.

              Anyone who read those articles would know that it didn't mean Shakespeare couldn't continue.

              Really? You wrote:

              They took the advice of someone on the cancellation of the Shakespeare festival………….. [my italics]

              and

              He has made our country look like a laughing stock has lead to the PM intervening to ensure Shakespeare continues. [my italics]

              You could have fooled me that you didn’t mean what you said to sound like you did.

              This is a prime examply of the stupidity of seeing everything in this country through the lens of colonization and being intent on "decolonising". The public service has been injected with this sort of bullshit (and the Spinoff is a vechile also for this bullshit),….. [sic]

              You believe your own spin and smoke your own dope, which is called being biased.

              I am pleased there was such a backlash against the reason to cancel the funding from Creative NZ of Shakespeare.

              Shakespeare was never cancelled; one group had its tiny funding proposal not funded, which was only about 10% of their total budget anyway and for an executive assistant and succession planning. Keep repeating the same BS often enough and you might think it was a sonnet written by the Bard himself.

              • Anker …
                20 October 2022 at 9:38 am

                Thanks for your apology above Incognito. And I am not always a calm commentator here (I admire very much for example Molly and Weka who really seem to be able able to calmly argue their points)

                I understand how its easy to get heated in these debates and I was pretty hard about Creative NZs decision (calling them stupid and ignorant).

                I have been thinking a bit about the discussions on here and how perhaps letting off steam about that which we feel passionate about serves some sort of positive purpose in discharging frustrations about the world. And then there is the sharing of information which can and sometimes does help us re-think our positions.

        • Molly 1.3.2.2
          19 October 2022 at 1:53 pm

          Anker, I read it. Ironically it does what it accuses on the tin. Some relevant facts are omitted.

          Pg 9 of the pdf linked above shows changed criteria that is unlikely to apply to any Shakespeare programme.

          Pg 10 clarifies further:

          The new funding priorities are:

          ▪ Māori-led organisations

          ▪ Pasifika-led organisations

          ▪ programmes and activities that build and maintain resilience and adaptability in the arts sector

          ▪ innovative arts and business practices that develop new models of value creation

          ▪ activities that engage or benefit under-served communities.

          Creative New Zealand considers the following communities as being currently under-served by our funding programmes:

          Asian New Zealanders, young people and youth, regions outside the main centres, Deaf and disabled communities, and LGBTQIA+ and rainbow communities.

          • Incognito 1.3.2.2.1
            19 October 2022 at 2:17 pm

            What a load of bollocks!

            Right above the bullet points that you copied & pasted:

            Not all organisations need to deliver to the following funding priorities. Creative New Zealand still expects to fund a wide range of activities, provided they deliver to the Investment Feature Outcomes. However, proposals that strongly align to one or more of these priorities are likely to score highly in the ‘Priorities’ area of the assessment statements (see Section 5.4).

            Have you looked at the 58 successful applications? They make a fine example of Cultural Cringe Theory \sarc

            https://creativenz.govt.nz/News-and-blog/2022/09/06/00/30/59/Creative-New-Zealand-confirms-arts-organisations-in-Kahikatea-investment-programme-2023-2025

            • Molly 1.3.2.2.1.1
              19 October 2022 at 2:41 pm

              Thar's your interpretation, Incognito. And it may be right.

              (I've successfully applied for government community grants totalling over $250k, but I admit I could be wrong.)

              The writer of the article above dismisses concerns without detailed scrutiny. I thought it could have been done better.

              The successful applicants are listed – with amounts – but I couldn't find details on what the funding was for. Perhaps you have a link?

              • Incognito …
                19 October 2022 at 3:03 pm

                Just look at the stats and the wording:

                In April this year, 62 arts organisations were invited to submit a proposal for multi-year funding under the Kahikatea investment programme, with 58 proposals accepted. The Arts Council sought proposals that could reflect its Investment Strategy features of: diversity and reach; dynamic arts; and a resilient arts sector.

                Creative New Zealand received many strong applications; it was those with the greatest alignment with its strategic priorities that were successful, and the Arts Council has made the best possible investment decisions within a tight fiscal environment.

                No, I’m afraid I don’t have descriptions handy of those 58 successful proposals.

                • Molly …
                  19 October 2022 at 3:13 pm

                  Thanks, incognito.

                  I did look at it, and the wording, but usually find that the detail behind what people receive funding for is the most informative.

                  (I know I use such information from past grants when I do applications myself.)

                  I was just wondering if you had the link – thanks for looking.

                  • Incognito …
                    19 October 2022 at 3:27 pm

                    Sorry, but I haven’t looked; I just don’t have a link or info handy.

                    The wording can be ambiguous, I agree.

                    However, piecing together a few things (i.e. speculating), I’d say that the relatively small amount of money asked for by the Shakespeare Globe Centre New Zealand simply didn’t align well (enough) with the (assessment) criteria. In addition, the request was for funding for an executive assistant and succession planning, which seems a rather poor fit to the criteria. Perhaps (!) combined with some laziness and/or complacency, after 10 years of receiving funding from Creative NZ, the proposal was weak(er) overall compared to the other competing proposals in a tight (aka highly competitive) funding round. Regardless, hardly a reason to raise the alarm about pending cultural doom and Culture Wars, as some would have it.

                    • Molly …
                      19 October 2022 at 3:30 pm

                      I agree that could be the case. It's hard to tell without more detail.

                      My point was that the article posted, did not show how it had investigated and dismissed the claims. From my perspective, it had duplicated the approach it criticised.

                    • Incognito []
                      19 October 2022 at 3:50 pm

                      I thought it was a darn good article. In fact, I’d been thinking about writing a Post about the whole saga – Did the Fairy Godmother save Hamlet’s Life? – and that article pre-empted it and did a much better job of it than I could ever have done. More time for replying to comments instead 😉

                    • Molly …
                      19 October 2022 at 4:01 pm

                      Well, Incognito when it comes to our perspectives it seems our fate is already written in the stars: Never the twain shall meet.

                      (Kipling, not Shakespeare, wink).

              • Drowsy M. Kram …
                19 October 2022 at 4:05 pm

                Thanks for that link – pleased to see Centrepoint Theatre (my local) getting the nod. It's offered a sprinkling of Shakespearean plays over the years – Twelfth Night, Midsummer Night's Dream, Merchant of Venice, As You Like It, Taming of the Shrew (comedies do well), Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet, MacBeth, King Lear, Othello and maybe moor – classic stuff.

                Despite Creative NZ's grant, the last regional theatre will continue to struggle – but it will struggle magnificently.

                • Molly …
                  19 October 2022 at 4:16 pm

                  I've got family links in PN, have a soft spot for the place and community theatre. Will remember to check it out next time I visit.

              • Belladonna …
                19 October 2022 at 5:40 pm

                Yes, the proposal criteria are of enormous importance.

                There are a couple listed which I would initially greet with a raised eyebrow (Penguin Random House New Zealand Limited, for example – why fund a commercial organization for 42K?) – but the critieria would presumably make the reason for this decision evident.

    • AB 1.4
      19 October 2022 at 2:16 pm

      Very amusing when people who most likely haven't read a Shakepeare play or seen one performed, suddenly discover his centrality to the Western Canon. They have a veritable attack of the Harold Blooms (whom they won't haven't read either). They do it because the whole silly story is grist to the culture war mill and the daft claim that western culture is being supplanted and that the English language erased by Maori.

      Now I quite like Harold Bloom and tend to agree that there IS something like an intrinsic and universal aesthetic value that transcends historical and cultural contexts. Especially as homo sapiens has existed for only about 200,000 years and we are therefore all intellectual, emotional and spiritual peers, irrespective of local cultural and racial variations.

      So it's equally amusing to find that Creative NZ have assessors who don't realise this, and so burble on about 'imperialism'. You can call these burblers 'woke' – but to do so just validates the language of that first group of culture war clowns. The 'woke' are simply purists who are so consumed by one particular historic injustice that they try to instrumentalise everything (including literature) into a weapon for redressing it. They are not wrong about the injustice, but have lost all sense of balance.

      These are the mad times we live in.

      • observer 1.4.1
        19 October 2022 at 7:34 pm

        Very amusing when people who most likely haven't read a Shakepeare play or seen one performed, suddenly discover his centrality to the Western Canon.

        Yes, this!

        There would be no funding issues at all with Shakespeare (or theatre in general) if all the people who have jumped on this story professing the importance of Shakespeare … actually bought tickets to watch Shakespeare.

  2. Robert Guyton 2
    19 October 2022 at 6:59 am

    Leadership challenge; part two.
    I've made the suggestion now, that we operate a shared-chair system, to ensure fair representation of both town and country 🙂
    This seems a very popular idea. I wonder how it will be received by the councillors?
    https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/130203605/councillor-proposes-two-cochairs-for-regional-council

    Councillor proposes two co-chairs for regional council

    STUFF.CO.NZ

    Councillor proposes two co-chairs for regional council

    A councillor is changing tack on his bid for the chairperson’s job at Environment Southland proposing there should be two co-chairs.

    • Shanreagh 2.1
      19 October 2022 at 9:23 am

      Best of luck Robert.

      In a much much smaller organisation we had rotating chairs spread around 3 people. It worked very well and was good to see and experience the different ways of chairing and gave a pool of people for future committee chairs.

      • alwyn 2.1.1
        19 October 2022 at 11:36 am

        Do you mean that you played Musical Chairs at each meeting. That sounds like what you are describing.

        • weka 2.1.1.1
          19 October 2022 at 2:14 pm

          you play musical chairs by rotating the chair position around three people? How does that work?

      • Robert Guyton 2.1.2
        19 October 2022 at 2:43 pm

        It's an idea that needed to be aired 🙂

        Not proving popular in-chamber, however 🙂

    • Patricia Bremner 2.2
      19 October 2022 at 11:20 am

      Proactive and thoughtful Robert.

  3. SPC 3
    19 October 2022 at 8:14 am

    One wonders how the Truss ordered look into moving the UK embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem is progressing …

    https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-63006670

    • Sanctuary 3.1
      19 October 2022 at 8:26 am

      Well The Aussies have cancelled their move, which has vastly upset the Israelis who have apparently called in the Australian ambassador for a telling off.

  4. Sanctuary 4
    19 October 2022 at 8:19 am

    Has the time come for the west to force a resolution of the war in the Ukraine?

    High energy bills, energy blackmail, the cost of fertilizer, the rising cost of cooking oils, not to mention the incipient humanitarian crisis to 40+ million people of a callous assault on the Ukrainian electricity network just before their brutal winter sets in or the the potential impact of food shortages on millions more means it is our in direct interest that this war be brought to a victorious conclusion with the utter defeat of Russia's wanton and barbaric invasion and the replacement of Putin with someone – anyone really – less insane. Only then can a stable order favourable to the west be quickly restored.

    This war is set to drag on for months and months, with increasing barbarity and suffering and loss of life. NATO/US intervention would end this war in three months – and save tens, possibly hundreds of thousands or even millions, of lives in the process.

    Discuss.

    • Nic the NZer 4.1
      19 October 2022 at 8:31 am

      Three months? Why wait, launch a first strike and we can see who the winner was within 24 hours.

  5. Sabine 5
    19 October 2022 at 8:31 am

    Look at the dears.

    I wonder how they got there?

    https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/476945/protesters-block-southbound-traffic-on-wellington-s-transmission-gully

    But yeah, i am sure it will compel many people to not use their car, vote for the Greens, go vegan, and cycle how many kilometers they must to earn a crust and raise that tax revenue that could be spend on public transport.

    Again, how will they get away from that spot? cycling? walking, or is momma gonna come with the big tesla/ev to pick the darlings up just in time for tea?

    • arkie 5.1
      19 October 2022 at 9:15 am

      Another fine example of patronising denigration of activists because of supposed lack of ideological purity. Due to inaction by our elected representatives, people are taking the risk to demonstrate and use their democratic right to protest through civil disobedience. The planet does not have better advocates currently.

      • Ghostwhowalksnz 5.1.1
        19 October 2022 at 10:11 am

        Right to protest isnt what you think it is in these circumstances.

        Thats why they are being arrested and charged

        • arkie 5.1.1.1
          19 October 2022 at 10:57 am

          Right to protest isn’t a right to freedom from consequences of that disobedience and I never claimed it was.

      • Sabine 5.1.2
        19 October 2022 at 2:46 pm

        i am actually quite serious here.

        I do believe that the protest needs to be held in front of parliament every day of the year until we have something aking to functioning public transport. I myself don't own a car, and never have in NZ. I once very shortly owned one in Germany for about 6 month if that at all. I am a train enthousiast. I have used buses for long distance travel, and otherwise always got to where i wanted by foot or by bike.

        The few times one really needs a car one can rent, share a ride.

        I would like to see 'community cars' become a regular thing. A fleet of cars that is maintained by the council that the public can rent for use, the rental money being used to maintain these vehicles. ride shares are also a good option. I personally complained about the government giving up to 8 grand to generally middle and upper class (that pesky word again) people rather then provide full and free access to public transport. I have been told many times here on the standard why we can't provide full and free public transport (someone has to pay for it, yes my dear, we do that – us the tax payer, by paying taxes, same as with the rebate for e – vehicles).

        But this is not going to work. It will alienate people from something that is sorely needed.

        In the meantime in AKL the public will lose access to three trainlines coming from the south, and the line that was stopped about a week ago out west due to 'unforseen circumstances' are probably still non functioning – at least i could not find anything that would indicate that that line is back open again.

        So, if these guys want to have a successful protest, they need to protest the people that are not doing the heavy lifting. That would be our current Labour Government. Before that it was National under Key. Before that is was Labour under Helen Clark. Next time it may be Luxon. And ditto for all those that came before Helen Clark.

        Non of the workers stuck on that road will be able to do much. they might however will not vote Green, Labour next time around, simply because they can't stand these fucking grandstanders anymore.

        there you go. all problems fixed. Not.

        And i still would like to know how they got there, who drove them there, and who is gonna give them a ride home to eat Mummies dinner.

        this is the current future of train travel in NZ.

        https://www.1news.co.nz/2022/10/03/rolling-closures-to-hit-auckland-train-users-again-until-2025/

        • Molly 5.1.2.1
          19 October 2022 at 4:04 pm

          "I do believe that the protest needs to be held in front of parliament every day of the year until we have something aking to functioning public transport. "

          That's a target and action I'd wholeheartedly support.

    • Anker 5.2
      19 October 2022 at 9:29 am

      Lol Sabine. Time to offer them a job driving a bus in the capital.

      I did listen to an interview with a guy yesterday about the protests and they want rail networks re-established across NZ (inter city). I am unclear how many would use such services and a lot of people will likely still use their car to travel city to city.

      But people do want to ride on buses in Wellington and we don't have enough drivers.

      • Molly 5.2.1
        19 October 2022 at 10:28 am

        Investment in fast, electric intercity rail – where feasible – and with great service – MAY reduce domestic flights.

        The specific website for the group – Restore Passenger Rail – is very light on details. I could only find just various similarly detail free articles – HOWEVER – I did come across this Parliamentary Select Committee:

        Inquiry into the future of inter-regional passenger rail in New Zealand

        The committee welcomes your comments and ideas on the topic and is looking forward to learning what the future of passenger rail could look like for New Zealand.

        Terms of reference:

        • Investigating possibilities and viability of passenger rail in underserved communities, those with prior rail links that have been disestablished, and those currently advocating for improved rail links;
        • Gaining insights into viability of passenger rail sitting alongside KiwiRail’s freight network;
        • Evaluating existing inter-regional passenger rail, such as the Capital Connection, and how these services work between local and regional councils and central government;
        • Gaining insights into the integration of regional rail into existing local public transport networks;
        • Investigating the climate and emissions reductions possibilities of passenger rail, and how this links to VKT (vehicle kilometres travelled) reduction targets in the Emissions Reduction Plan, and including electrification between regions; and
        • Investigating potential rail expansions and investments in specific areas, such as Tauranga (following a recent report on the re-introduction of passenger rail) and the Lower North Island (following a business case funded at Budget 2021).

        The closing date for submissions is 11.59pm, Friday, 21 October 2022

        This may be of interest to a few on here.

        Pity this submission option was not mentioned in the article.

        • Molly 5.2.1.1
          19 October 2022 at 10:49 am

          Another link I found via one of the articles may also be of interest,

          …Mark, who is 90, is still fighting the good fight as a member of Wise Response. But he is a political pragmatist, acknowledging that however green a mayor may be, they can only do what their council lets them.

          “A mixed bag of councillors keeps a Green mayor from showing his true colours,” he says.

          As an urgent response to climate change, Mark advocates Ōtepoti move to reduce carbon emissions.

          “One way of doing that might be free public transport.”

          http://wiseresponse.org.nz/about-wise-response/

        • alwyn 5.2.1.2
          19 October 2022 at 11:48 am

          "Investment in fast, electric intercity rail".

          Sigh. That is what the HS1 network in Britain is (was?) intended to supply.

          There is a little problem in that the last estimate I saw for the cost was up to a nice juicy $800 million NZ dollars per mile. Even Robbo might find that just a little over the top.

          https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/car-news/105261/why-build-hs2-for-403m-per-mile-when-a-road-costs-10m-per-mile#:~:text=High%20Speed%202%20is%20a,train%20track%20on%20the%20planet.

          What is wrong with buses for intercity travel?

          • Molly 5.2.1.2.1
            19 October 2022 at 12:09 pm

            "What is wrong with buses for intercity travel?"

            Nothing. I'm all for that – especially if it is successful in terms of transition. I was just following on the thread from the protest action and their call for intercity rail.

            However, the cost for bus travel at present is prohibitive, and can sometimes be more expensive than flights. That needs to be addressed.

            It is also perhaps not comparable as a commute – given the time required.

            I've found a couple of studies etc, from my searches this morning, but I haven't had a chance to read and ponder.

            Unfortunately, the submission on this issue finishes in a couple of days.

            If you do submit, it'd be great if you could post some of your thoughts on here. They'll be good to consider beforehand. I understand there is a personal bias towards rail for most people that assumes that it's the best option, but as you say, it may not be – in terms of both budget and outcomes.

            (The HS rail proposal does seem to be a disaster in the making. I have been looking for costings for Japan’s high speed rail, but been unsuccessful so far. I thought the terrain and location on the ring of fire volcanic area might be comparable.)

            • Sabine 5.2.1.2.1.1
              19 October 2022 at 2:55 pm

              I say it again, check out Nice in the South of France.

              No public transport other then a few late buses, one road by the bord de mer, one payable motorway on the other side and la route national in the middle. that was it.

              Now? A fucking awesome tram network, greened over to absorb heavy rains, busses, and train network, tram to the airport all integrated at 1.50 Euro per ride.

              Why? Because ONE politician saw it fit to push it through – a conservative one to boot, not a greeny by any means. Mr. Estrosi.

              Guts, our polititan don't have guts, thus they will never know glory, no matter the color no matter the party. They are all fucking useless when it comes to public transport. And that is why everyone, their kid and their dogs owns a car in NZ. Without one you get nowhere. Unless of course you have Mummy drive you around, in her gas guzzling car. That oil is good.

              Public transport in NZ is a fucking shame, always has been and still is.

              But hey, up to 8 grand for some rich people to buy an EV car that ordinary working stiff can't even dream to afford once they paid their bills and insisted in eating at least one meal per day.

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

              • Molly …
                19 October 2022 at 3:04 pm

                Thanks, Sabine.

                There seems to be an industry of consultants and experts in this country that utilise funding to pontificate or tout for business, but a dearth of well-thought out policies and projects.

                I'll have to do some serious looking if I want to make a submission. Given out existing rail network, there are probably some commuter services that would require very little funding, but some political heft.

                • Sabine …
                  19 October 2022 at 3:18 pm

                  The guys protesting have a point.

                  We need to get away from single car transport.

                  1. we need to stop concreting/paving every strip of nature for cars.
                  2. half of the carparks in AKL could be used for Apartment blocks. So much space is wasted just for cars to park. Have a look att he Lincoln road Pak n Save, across from Countdown. Just wasted paved misery.
                  3. long distance travel – most could be done by bus or train.
                  4. as a few here state every now and then we have to start somehow.

                  but frankly the current lot of empty suits will do nothing, nothing at all, unless it gets too bad, then they offer a wee bit lipservice and maybe a trickle and a tinkle here and there as it is now with the reduction in public transport pricing.

                  NZ Public Transport system is an absolute laugh. And every suit working for the public as a public servant from PM down to lowliest pencil pusher have done the greatest disservice to this country since ages ago.

                  This mess is bipartisan and decades old.

                  • Molly …
                    19 October 2022 at 3:39 pm

                    Our southern motorway has been undergoing roadworks since 2015. Still unlikely to be finished for a few years.

                    During that time, we have added huge number of extra residents in the form of new developments, and commuter towns and villages growth ie. Waiuku, Paerata, Pokeno, Te Kauwhata etc.

                    When the Southern Motorway is finished – over budget both in time and money – unfortunately it won't have a dedicated bus lane or service allowing south Auckland's far-flung residents to choose a public transport method that connects them to their place of work or study with efficiency. But there is a cycleway for mostly recreational use.

                    It's hard to believe that anyone really cares to think long-term, and for all.

                    • Sabine …
                      19 October 2022 at 4:19 pm

                      yes, every now and then when having my medical done – i get past that area and it just sends shivers down my spine. The most wasteful use of land – good agricultural land at that, no public transport, no amenities, all with dark outsides and roofs, no space to plant anything and everything is covered in concrete. No trees. No shade. If you don't have Air Con you fry in summer. Winter should be ok.

                      Ditto near Hamilton. They all for the most part have dark roofs. Why?

                      How that was ever signed of by council without anything 'green' 'energy saving' 'public transport to minimize car use' included? I doubt there a bicycle lanes anywhere in these settlements, no town centers, not sure about schools – you would hope for that at least, is a mystery to me. We finally saw a Countdown appear. Yei!!!

                      These are the most braindead and climate change denying developments anywhere. But hey. 'Affordable' housing.

          • AB 5.2.1.2.2
            19 October 2022 at 4:33 pm

            It (inter-city train) might eventually work in densely populated areas like the Auckland-Hamilton-Tauranga triangle. Might also relieve intensification pressures in these cities and improve quality of life by stringing populations out along train lines into livable-sized towns and villages. If people are not in cars, those places will become real towns and villages, not soulless dormitory suburbs.

    • Molly 5.3
      19 October 2022 at 10:11 am

      "Spokesperson Rosemary Penwarden said some drivers had shouted abuse, but there had been no physical violence."

      Well, those who find themselves struggling in any way after the multiple stressors of the last few years will be denounced as churlish, irresponsible, ignorant and "abusive" if they protest against the protestors. They may well be working towards transition in individual ways – who would know?

      (The woman quoted above – Rosemary Penwarden – is very active in multiple community initiatives – it's a pity those are not mentioned in the article. It would provide readers examples to consider or emulate, with the proviso that you have the time and resources to do so.

      I do wonder if they have any awareness that amongst those they disrupt, there will be some who are barely managing as it is. Or are they acceptable collateral damage?)

  6. Jimmy 6
    19 October 2022 at 8:35 am

    Jacinda annoyed that Sharma is going to cost tax payers for a by-election in Hamilton West, but having endorsed Paul Eagle for mayor, surely that would have forced a by-election too had he been successful, and she had no issues with that?

    • observer 6.1
      19 October 2022 at 8:45 am

      Was Eagle planning to stand in that by-election, so he could become an MP after being an MP who stopped being an MP?

      • Nic the NZer 6.1.1
        19 October 2022 at 9:15 am

        Dr Sharmas very serious argument needs to be taken very seriously. Right now the people of Hamilton West are not being represented in parliament in that their elected MP has been thrown out of his party. Once he is elected however representation is restored, atleast until he decides to throw himself out of his own party (Can he do that? What does the party constitution say?).

        Side note, Jimmy planning to move to Hamilton West just so he can vote him in.

        Side note to side note, Dr Sharma is using the by election as an eff you while bowing out. If you vote for him he will consider it bullying.

      • Visubversa 6.1.2
        19 October 2022 at 9:32 am

        The good citizens of Wellington told Paul Eagles what they thought of his by-election.

        • observer 6.1.2.1
          19 October 2022 at 9:37 am

          But he wasn't going to stand in it. That's why Jimmy's comparison is meaningless (he knows that, of course).

      • Jimmy 6.1.3
        19 October 2022 at 10:57 am

        Sharma may as well not bother standing as he is very unlikely to win. Irrelevant as to whether he stands or not. It still puts the taxpayer through the cost of a by-election one of which Jacinda was happy with, and one which she is not.

  7. Joe90 7
    19 October 2022 at 8:36 am

    The translation's a little rumpty but you get the drift; Balts don't trust Russia or Russians.

    Just recently, Estonian Ambassador to Ukraine Kaimo Kuusk stood at the edge of the mass graves and visited the former torture chambers in Izum. He was told that the Russian torturers weren’t yokels, but spoke in elegant urban St. Petersburg or Moscow accents. Russia’s total defeat in Ukraine is the sole opportunity for change.

    https://ekspress.delfi.ee/artikkel/120083694/human-life-has-no-value-there-baltic-counterintelligence-officers-speak-candidly-about-russian-cruelty

  8. Reality 8
    19 October 2022 at 9:37 am

    Wonder how the protesters get to the various Wellington places they are disrupting – hop on their bikes surely as they would not be so hypocritical as to drive there. Presume they taken annual leave from their jobs so they can frustrate people trying to get to work, hospital appointments, the airport, visit a sick relative. They really are nutters if they think they can get people on their side.

  9. observer 9
    19 October 2022 at 9:54 am

    Remember that weird survey of expats that got plenty of media coverage a few weeks back? New Zealand was terrible, but the United Arab Emirates (where homosexuality is punishable by death) was at the top of the survey, so obviously a much better country.

    Here's another weird survey:

    NZ is the best, hooray …

    The point is not that NZ is awesome or awful, but that these surveys are worthless. So can we please stop pretending they are news (No we can't, coz clickbait – Ed).

    • Sabine 11.1
      19 October 2022 at 2:58 pm

      She needs to aquaint herself with the idea of masturbation. Unless of course she is trying to advertise her services to the cause.

      I mean, whose children would she like to prostitute and pimp out so that some dears can get laid?

  12. X Socialist 12
    19 October 2022 at 11:15 am

    Racism alive and well in Aotearoa.

    Link is paywalled. The following text was available:

    ''Northland artist Lester Hall is calling it quits, saying he has been cancelled by people who say that as a Pākehā artist he shouldn't use Māori symbolism in his work.''

    https://www.nzherald.co.nz/lifestyle/northland-artist-lester-hall-calls-it-quits-after-sustained-and-nasty-attacks/GO6S63ZY7VZLV2PVJ5TCL5WCYI/

    • alwyn 12.1
      19 October 2022 at 11:56 am

      As someone with Spanish heritage I must say I would like to see Rawiri Waititi stop his cultural appropriation of that wonderful treasure of Spain, the guitar.

      It is disgraceful that he parodies this Spanish art form by playing it so badly.

    • Molly 12.2
      19 October 2022 at 12:35 pm

      The reality of equality – in all aspects – is that your cultural influences and symbolism will become part of the mainstream and accessible to all. That is true of the dominant cultures – and while I can understand a small level of protectionism for vulnerable cultures, at some point of strength, those provisions have to be let go.

      Māori culture then will truly be holding it's own.

      The discussion at present is whether now is the time when Māori culture is strong enough to withstand use outside of strict control.

      • Molly 12.2.1
        19 October 2022 at 12:59 pm

        Should have added. I believe it is.

        I think art that challenges and includes cultural knowledge both informs and contributes to that culture, whether it is positive or negative. I believe the access people have to Māori culture lends itself to reinterpretation and inclusion in works of art without needing to assume appropriation.

  13. Molly 13
    19 October 2022 at 12:27 pm

    File this under:

    This Never Happens,

    But since it has happened, It Hardly Ever Happens,

    And if it could have been Foreseen to Happen – it probably Would Have Happened Anyway,

    And Transphobic!

    Sex Offender Identified as Woman to Access Women’s Shelter, Allegedly Raped a Female Resident

    Toronto Sun article for those reluctant to visit Reduxx:

    HUNTER EXCLUSIVE: Sex offender who IDs as woman busted for shelter attack

    "Police sources told The Toronto Sun, Green was allowed to stay, but allegedly made sexually inappropriate comments to staff and clients.

    Two days later, Green allegedly sexually assaulted one of the women, a client, at the shelter. None of the charges have been tested in court.

    “Green really seems to know how the shelter system works and because it’s 2022 and in the current climate, workers at the shelters feel they have to let Green stay,” one law enforcement source said on the condition of anonymity.

    No doubt, the women working at the shelter are cognizant that in these hyper-sensitive times, they could potentially lose their jobs and have their reputations shattered for turning away Green.

    “So you have these extremely vulnerable women in distress, and they have to deal with Green because of political expediency,” the source added."

    Shall we let that sink in for a minute?

    Support workers for women and children in a domestic violence refuge feel compelled to introduce to those vulnerable women and children, a known child molestor (read article for details), because of an inclusion policy demanded by Canada's legislation.

    • Sabine 13.1
      19 October 2022 at 3:01 pm

      OF course it happens, but surely this person was not trans, and is only using the trans persona to humiliate and malign transpeople. But self id is a must, lest some poor misunderstood trans person who has yet to crack their egg get refused access to a place full of vulnerable women as an entire male with male attire, male face, male genitals, male mind and attitude. And besides, him being in that places surely means that all the women consented to him being there, and if they did not they could just stay at home in their kitchen? Right? sarcasm/ fuckingdisgust/ pissedoff/

  14. SPC 14
    19 October 2022 at 1:19 pm

    Economists invent austerity and so pave the way to fascism.

  15. Incognito 15
    19 October 2022 at 2:32 pm

    There is broad agreement in the water industry that reform in the sector has been a long time coming.

    https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/476956/three-waters-industry-representatives-agree-reforms-are-long-overdue

    They would say that, wouldn’t they?

  16. SPC 16
    19 October 2022 at 2:35 pm

    US inflation adjustments

    The earned-income tax credit for low-income workers goes up from $6935 to $7,430 (qualifying taxpayers with three or more children).

    Exemption from estate taxes for the first $12,920,000 they inherit (up nearly $1 million).

    The Security Administration is increasing benefits by 8.7 percent, the largest rise since 1981.

    https://www.nytimes.com/2022/10/18/business/irs-tax-rates-inflation-2023.html?campaign_id=60&emc=edit_na_20221018&instance_id=0&nl=breaking-news&ref=cta&regi_id=105215441&segment_id=110382&user_id=9142031648891a79204ee9b70e83177e

  17. observer 17
    19 October 2022 at 2:37 pm

    Remarkable gaffe by Luxon in Question Time. Ardern asks what National would cut.

    "So much", says Luxon, mic on.

    • newsense 17.1
      19 October 2022 at 4:01 pm

      But none of this matters.

      Water slide to the election, despite a bit of fighting between the right- who is the most heartless? ACT, Winston or the Nats?

      Today Victorian charity will end poverty and need for the deserving poor.

  18. Molly 18
    19 October 2022 at 2:55 pm

    A good thread – with short videos – on the cost of living crisis in the UK.

    https://twitter.com/DanielHewittITV/status/1582393431590342661?s=20&t=2tt_GlgEC7YN083K4qPulg

    • Sabine 18.1
      19 October 2022 at 3:04 pm

      They should have voted for the brown Lady. Kemi Badenoch. She was the only one out of that lot with brains. But oh well….Maybe they bring back Boris.

      In saying that i doubt that Labour at the moment could do much either. It is going to be a very cold and hard winter for europe and the uk. And most of it is self inflicted. Even if you gave every person in the UK 300 Pounds a month for electricity the cost would simply go up to eat that away. A bit like here with our benefit increases that resulted in nothing much due to rents/utilities/food costs going up immediately after that benefit increase.

      Unless you have a government that has the guts to actually regulate the market there will be no change.

      • Molly 18.1.1
        19 October 2022 at 3:10 pm

        (I'm wondering how many people in similar situations are caught out by the Extinction Rebellion activists – and how that affects them. I'm thinking they are not going to be enthusiastic embracers of such actions myself.)

        • Sabine 18.1.1.1
          19 October 2022 at 3:37 pm

          i saw a tweet where some of these dudes shut down a bridge for two days in england somewhere. People started shooting of fireworks. They were removed the next day.

          One day, someone is just gonna drive over one of them. But then the Police stands by does nothing, not even free one lane. Once the Police has lost the good will of the people the people will take policing into their own hands. A lot of people with power will have to ask how much longer doing nothing to not upset the dears of the middle to upper class (everyone else is to busy making a crust to keep a cold roof over their heads) whom they depend to get voted back in again.

          The trouble is that the worker has no longer a party that would represent them in any meaningful way. The frenchies have a story to tell – well those whose ancestors survived the revolution – about what happens when the comfortable run out of cake to serve to the poor.

      • Poission 18.1.2
        19 October 2022 at 3:59 pm

        The uk energy costs are capped (although not excessive use set by ave use) from now until april.The increase on current pricing forward of inputs is around 100 pound a month from April,(the full cost of the programme was to be 40b which the UK does not have)

        This allows both conservation (demand destruction) and removes pricing from inflation as it is paid direct on the bills.From April the energy caps will be directed (means tested) to remove distortions and costs.

        Germany has a similar scheme (around 200b ) that sees substantive rises still (and demand destruction by bankrupting lots of industry) some of the forward costs of electricity have been limited by Scholl overuling the Greens and allowing the 3 reactors to be fully operational to April (rather then reserve) and has brought prices down 6.3% over winter contracts.

        Habeck misled on the technical aspects of the Nuclear fleet.

  19. Muttonbird 19
    19 October 2022 at 4:03 pm

    A bit about the Tufton Street network, a group of free market fundamentalists who led Britain to disaster.

    https://twitter.com/ByDonkeys/status/1582303415576715265?cxt=HHwWgoCzxdakvPUrAAAA

    We have identical organisations/individuals here; the Taxpayers Union, Farrar, the NZ Initiative, NZCPR, the Democracy Project, etc.

    • Sabine 19.1
      19 October 2022 at 7:22 pm

      These guys have political power? And here i thought that the country was run into a gutter by the selected officials from the Labour and the National Party depending on which party wins the selection process every few years. Surely the Tax Payers Union and all the others will be pleased to know about the power they have.

      • Muttonbird 19.1.1
        19 October 2022 at 8:45 pm

        It's naive to believe RW think tanks, with private and obscure funding don't have an influence on democracy.

        Perhaps you should read up more on this instead of obsessing about trans cock?

  20. Ad 20
    19 October 2022 at 4:44 pm

    Who'da thunk that Rodney Hide's public corporations would be the only thing protecting Auckland from Wayne Brown and the hard right.

    • Muttonbird 20.1
      19 October 2022 at 6:19 pm

      Own goal there by the libertarian right.

      Create CCOs so elected officials can't mess with the infrastructure and operations of local government.

      Then find the walking skeleton you wanted as Mayor can't mess with the infrastructure and operations of local government.

  21. newsense 21
    19 October 2022 at 5:02 pm

    Geezus this is a despressing read.

    PM should announce that she has listened and massively increase funding for the arts across the board.

    Including compulsory Shakespeare soliloquies before all rugby…

    For that matter time for the Waikato to turn its Auckland tap off for a while. Auckland’s one of those self reliant, self made places that doesn’t need anyone else.

  22. X Socialist 22
    19 October 2022 at 5:40 pm

    He's a doctor of mountain biking. He also has a degree in looking contrite.

    [TheStandard: A moderator moved this comment to Open Mike as being off topic or irrelevant in the post it was made in. Be more careful in future.]

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    TL;DR: The podcast above of the weekly ‘hoon’ webinar for paying subscribers last night features co-hosts and talking about the Royal Commission Inquiry into Abuse in Care report released this week, and with:The Kākā’s climate correspondent on a UN push to not recognise carbon offset markets and ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Friday, July 26

    TL;DR: As of 6:00 am on Friday, July 26, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:Transport: Simeon Brown announced $802.9 million in funding for 18 new trains on the Wairarapa and Manawatū rail lines, which ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • Radical law changes needed to build road

    The northern expressway extension from Warkworth to Whangarei is likely to require radical changes to legislation if it is going to be built within the foreseeable future. The Government’s powers to purchase land, the planning process and current restrictions on road tolling are all going to need to be changed ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    1 day ago
  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #30 2024

    Open access notables Could an extremely cold central European winter such as 1963 happen again despite climate change?, Sippel et al., Weather and Climate Dynamics: Here, we first show based on multiple attribution methods that a winter of similar circulation conditions to 1963 would still lead to an extreme seasonal ...
    Skeptical Science
    2 days ago
  • First they came for the Māori

    Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when publishedFirst they came for the doctors But I was confused by the numbers and costs So I didn't speak up Then they came for our police and nurses And I didn't think we could afford those costs anyway So I ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    2 days ago
  • Join us for the weekly Hoon on YouTube Live

    Photo by Joshua J. Cotten on UnsplashWe’re back again after our mid-winter break. We’re still with the ‘new’ day of the week (Thursday rather than Friday) when we have our ‘hoon’ webinar with paying subscribers to The Kākā for an hour at 5 pm.Jump on this link on YouTube Livestream ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Will the real PM Luxon please stand up?

    Notes: This is a free article. Abuse in Care themes are mentioned. Video is at the bottom.BackgroundYesterday’s report into Abuse in Care revealed that at least 1 in 3 of all who went through state and faith based care were abused - often horrifically. At least, because not all survivors ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    2 days ago
  • Will debt reduction trump abuse in care redress?

    Luxon speaks in Parliament yesterday about the Abuse in Care report. Photo: Hagen Hopkins/Getty ImagesTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy today are:PM Christopher Luxon said yesterday in tabling the Abuse in Care report in Parliament he wanted to ‘do the ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Olywhites and Time Bandits

    About a decade ago I worked with a bloke called Steve. He was the grizzled veteran coder, a few years older than me, who knew where the bodies were buried - code wise. Despite his best efforts to be approachable and friendly he could be kind of gruff, through to ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    2 days ago
  • Why were the 1930s so hot in North America?

    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Jeff Masters and Bob Henson Those who’ve trawled social media during heat waves have likely encountered a tidbit frequently used to brush aside human-caused climate change: Many U.S. states and cities had their single hottest temperature on record during the 1930s, setting incredible heat marks ...
    Skeptical Science
    2 days ago
  • Throwback Thursday – Thinking about Expressways

    Some of the recent announcements from the government have reminded us of posts we’ve written in the past. Here’s one from early 2020. There were plenty of reactions to the government’s infrastructure announcement a few weeks ago which saw them fund a bunch of big roading projects. One of ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    2 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Thursday, July 25

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 7:00 am on Thursday, July 25 are:News: Why Electric Kiwi is closing to new customers - and why it matters RNZ’s Susan EdmundsScoop: Government drops ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • The Possum: Demon or Friend?

    Hi,I felt a small wet tongue snaking through one of the holes in my Crocs. It explored my big toe, darting down one side, then the other. “He’s looking for some toe cheese,” said the woman next to me, words that still haunt me to this day.Growing up in New ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    2 days ago
  • Not a story

    Yesterday I happily quoted the Prime Minister without fact-checking him and sure enough, it turns out his numbers were all to hell. It’s not four kg of Royal Commission report, it’s fourteen.My friend and one-time colleague-in-comms Hazel Phillips gently alerted me to my error almost as soon as I’d hit ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Thursday, July 25

    TL;DR: As of 6:00 am on Thursday, July 25, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day were:The Abuse in Care Royal Commission of Inquiry published its final report yesterday.PM Christopher Luxon and The Minister responsible for ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • A tougher line on “proactive release”?

    The Official Information Act has always been a battle between requesters seeking information, and governments seeking to control it. Information is power, so Ministers and government agencies want to manage what is released and when, for their own convenience, and legality and democracy be damned. Their most recent tactic for ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    3 days ago
  • 'Let's build a motorway costing $100 million per km, before emissions costs'

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    TL;DR: The podcast above of the weekly ‘hoon’ webinar for paying subscribers last night features co-hosts and talking with:The Kākā’s climate correspondent talking about the National-ACT-NZ First Government’s release of its first Emissions Reduction Plan;University of Otago Foreign Relations Professor and special guest Dr Karin von ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #29 2024

    Open access notables Improving global temperature datasets to better account for non-uniform warming, Calvert, Quarterly Journal of the Royal Meteorological Society: To better account for spatial non-uniform trends in warming, a new GITD [global instrumental temperature dataset] was created that used maximum likelihood estimation (MLE) to combine the land surface ...
    Skeptical Science
    1 week ago

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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