It appears that we have already (at least in Auckland) reached the point where the testing system is overwhelmed.
Report here on some tests for close contacts not being processed. Note, this one is particularly concerning as it's of a child too young to be vaccinated.
Hearing from acquaintances that people are also being turned away from testing centres because no symptoms (even though they are close contacts of a confirmed case). This is happening where the case has contacted them directly, rather than through the heavily delayed 'official' MoH system (now taking 5+ days to contact people) – so don't have an email or a CovidApp instruction to show.
If this is the case, has mass testing had its day at the current stage of the pandemic?
To all those who wished our family well during the last wee while. Grant is slowly recovering after losing 8kg. Bobbie is home from hospital, she too lost 6kg. Both are recovering from covid, but because they have other issues will be under the Dr for a further 4 to 6 weeks of observations including blood tests and possibly MIR, in an effort to keep them from becoming "long haulers." Apparently up to 32% of people get repeated or lingering symptoms. Once again thanks as long distance care is lonely and difficult. Best wishes to those out there struggling with this. Fluids and rest and do not physically push 'till you sweat as you are not going to recover quickly if you do.
I am glad to hear that your family are recovering. Having read of your experiences with this, I can well understand why you would be resistant to talk of relaxing Covid restrictions.
I am interested in finding out a bit more, so I get some more understanding of risk factors that lead to this sort of outcome.
I have a son with Crohn’s who is immuno-compromised. So, that is a worry for us, despite previous posts I have put up that may have seemed a bit glib to you.
From your previous posts, it looks like they did everything right in terms of vaccinations.
I read from an earlier post of yours that it appears at least one of your family members had both Delta and then Omicron, and at least one may have had some underlying conditions?
Were they treated with any of the anti-viral medications that are supposed to greatly reduce the risk of negative outcomes such as your family have had? It would seem a no-brainer to me to for doctors to prescribe this sort of medication almost immediately upon someone testing positive, especially if they have known risk factors.
Again, I am glad it looks like they are on the path to recovery.
My wife's sister had Omicron in Victoria. For her it was more like a sore throat and tiredness for a few days.
Luckilly, she only got Omicron, not Delta as well. And she didn't have underlying risk factors, though she is in her mid 60s. She was double-vaxxed and had just come due for her booster.
Hello tsmithfield. Thank you for your gracious reply.
Yes we were very worried as our son has an inherited condition which usually turns to bowel cancer called sessile serrated adenomas. They are difficult to spot folds. He had 10 removed the week before, and also suffers with a fully pitted bowel and gallstones. So he was at risk. So I understand your concern for your son with crohns.
Robyn has a pacemaker and diabetes. So both were in the high risk group Grant is 54 and Robyn is 75 they have lived together as loving friends for ten years helping each other through their health issues. Like your son they had huge problems which have been made much worse with the arrival of covid. Grant's yearly bowel ops have been delayed even though he is in the high risk group. His gall bladder op has been delayed nearly 3 years now. so all medical systems are under strain. They were due for their booster, which they will have when recovered and under medical supervision.
Of interest. When first sick they were given 3 RATS each. The first two tests for both showed nothing. So Grant went for a proper nasal test. Got his notification result 36 hours later. He sent Robyn to hospital as he could not cope. The RATS are only 80% accurate with a very high viral load it appears. Further in 'phone consultations about Robyn the Covid Ward Dr at the Gold Coast Hospital kept repeating "Rest and fluids" ten minutes activity/work 2 hours rest. Electrolytes need to be replaced daily for first 4 to 5 days if sweating at all. Hope that is helpful. The person in NSW had Delta got better? returned to work and got Omicron. (Robyn had two viruses at the same time. One was unrelated, a contaminated water problem the Council was trying to fix in their area.) I don't know what treatments anybody was offered other than antibiotics for ancillary problems. We are now waiting for heart and oxygen function monitoring. The upshot is systems could be overloaded real quick. All this time most family except one dodged Delta. 14 of 30 family have had Omicron.
Thank you for that insight. It must be terribly worrying for you.
I certainly don't intend to minimise suffering such as what you and your family are going through my comments.
My issue is more to do with the fact I think the government has been woefully unprepared for this outbreak, and that I think methods such as mandates are totally ineffective now.
I would much rather that we had a sufficient supply of RATs that could be deployed for all who needed them across the country, as has been the situation for a long time in a lot of countries.
And I would also rather see an available supply of anti-virals to be focussed on people with underlying conditions to keep them out of hospital in the first place. However, it looks like we won't be getting these until April, after the likely peak, and the anti-virals haven't even been through the Medsafe process yet.
I don't think the high world demand is any excuse, as was shown when we managed to boost our supply of vaccines by sourcing some surplus ones from another country. We should be paying what we need to, and using whatever channels we have to get these supplies. And I think it is inexcusable for Medsafe to still be approving these vaccines when they are approved elsewhere in the world, because we may be able to get a supply from an unconventional source, as was the case with some of the vaccines. But even if we did this, we still couldn’t use them because Medsafe hasn’t approved them yet.
From the link above:
"The drugs, which are still awaiting approval from drug regulator Medsafe, work by binding to enzymes to prevent the virus from growing, and are expected to reduce the numbers of people hospitalised with coronavirus."
This is the first hopeful sign that I've seen showing that the building industry can delivery on substantial numbers of homes in a short period of time.
Of course, the proof of the pudding…. We still have to see how this translates into reality (i.e. not rat-trap concrete shoeboxes) But a plan on the table to build 10,000 long term rental apartments, in Auckland – is a huge step up.
Sam Stubbs crossed over from the Dark Side of finance (not sure if he ever had his feet planted there)
The deal couldn't be done without the NZ Living owners of course. May I suggest Russell Coutts does share the moral code of the people involved in this deal.
Sam Stubbs says his teacher parents instilled good values which he came back to. I taught with his Mum one year many moons ago. She was a great person, full of fun.
On first scan I am moderately impressed. NZ Living seem to have brought across a lot of the ideas that are very commonplace here in Australia, and have delivered both quality and affordability in most locations.
With KS funding the new entity and staffed by a competent team and trusted contractors there is every chance these guys could deliver.
Great teamwork is the essential foundation of our approach to development – wherever possible the same team of consultants, subcontractors and suppliers move with us across projects.
Brewer Davidson Architects provide our master-planning and design services.
For construction activities we prefer not to call tenders for prices, instead we choose to work with people that provide reliable performance at a fair price.
I have been searching for the name of the American so-called journalist associated with Bannon who disrupted Jacinda Ardern’s visit to Northland last year, does anyone know his name and more importantly where the bloody hell is he?
I am more and more convinced that this disturbance is being manipulated and funded from offshore.
An interesting segment this morning on Media Watch about the very sudden about face by people such as Mike Hosking from condemnation of their motives and organisation as people that were no better than bludgers to glowing praise of their character as ordinary NZers. There would at least appear to be a power struggle over control of the narrative that involves counterspin and will probably become the vehicle to undermine the unified NZ approach to covd.
Thanks Francesca and Joe, now where the bloody hell is he? He does appear to be the classic agent provocateur. I certainly hope Andrew Coster knows.
This is the sort of research that the “ mainstream” media should be doing. Maybe the interest in proper journalism has run out now the $55 million has been blown on lunches and Michael Horton’s full page ads.
He’s a worry Joe and my apologies to David Fisher for a good story but we need more responsibility from the media at the moment not pretty stories of herb gardens and yoga sessions. We need to know how many of these mad bastards are there and working just out of sight. Andrea Vance summed it up this morning with her observation that all the wee tea parties, aura rubbings, and yoga mean nothing if you pitch your tent next to a Nazi’s under a noose with Ardern’s face in it, it just means you are complicit.
As a family member said, "When you lie down with a dog, you get fleas."
Fleas can be treated. But how does one treat a social sickness that denies science, collective wisdom and action, and instead embraces conspiracy, unacceptable social ideology and actions, and unproven medical and scientific beliefs?
And on the other hand, there is an ever-present danger and consideration that every social change, especially those that make improvements in the human condition, started with minorities, and we should always beware of the 'tyranny of the majority'.
Better now that these protesters test their opinions in public forums and get into democratic politics. Then, majorities can be persuaded and voices of the minorities heard.
On these current protester issues I would encourage that, as MMP and its 5% threshold generally will see them not represented in parliament.
Then they can try and join and then persuade bigger parties that will carry that 5% threshold, and have their extremist views ameliorated by the process of engaging in party politics and policy-making. NZFirst and ACT come to mind as a recent example where Peters and Seymour both seems to be courting their vote at least- maybe their involvement.
Otherwise they will remain on the <5% fringe and wander there.
Spotted a youthful Phil O'Brien, Roger Gascoigne & just possibly Karyn Hay.
Tragically, still plenty of beards, mid-70s hairdos, outrageous flares & truly horrendous polar-neck jerseys in 1979. Young Iggy Osterberg must’ve been shaking his head.
feminists have succeeded in convincing civil appeal judges that Scottish Government plans to expand the legal definition of the word ‘woman’ breaches equalities laws.
thank god for that piece of sanity. Although it's hard to tell if it's really just a legal technicality.
“Changing the definitions of protected characteristic, even for the purpose of achieving the gender recognition objective is not permitted and in this respect the 2018 Act is out with legislative competence.
Basically the Scottish govt tried to increase representation of trans people on boards by extending the definition of 'woman' to include trans women who live as women. Which is an obvious conflict with the already existing rights that women have. They could instead have introduced legislation that upholds the rights of trans people specifically, but instead chose to back door a legal change of definition of 'woman'. And the three judges said you can't do that, because woman is already a protected characteristic in law. Not identity as a woman, but females.
He may be in a tent gazing at a crystal and perceiving an aura around Charlotte, Alp, Arps etc as we speak, maybe having his hair braided while hoeing in the garden while listening to the Steve Bannon Counterspin broadcasts and saying all's right with the world when the exremists are with you. Peace bro"
I don't miss his refusal to cite and OTT opinions in the slightest.
Shanreagh, you've never met Bill. That is obvious. I can't think of anyone less likely to be found:
''….. gazing at a crystal and perceiving an aura around Charlotte, Alp, Arps etc as we speak, maybe having his hair braided while hoeing in the garden while listening to the Steve Bannon Counterspin broadcasts and saying all's right with the world when the exremists are with you. Peace bro"
Which makes for an important point. It is so damn easy to make up a fantasy about someone or something you have never met. You need never even come to realise that your caricature bore none of the essential resemblance to the actual, and that it therefore rendered the whole cartoon moot.
Caricature by word or picture is an accepted form of poking the borax.
Bill has posted some pretty off the wall opinions here. And he rarely cites so these are usually his opinions. I love a well crafted and cited argument whether for or against but opinions…well the old saying is apt. ‘opinions are like assholes every body has them’.
So are Bill's views not as they seem…so by putting them up as he is, is he deliberately making a caricature of himself? If so then he is very clever.
I have never read one thing by Bill about cystals,braids,auras, any kind of approval of the names mentioned,any hint of Counterspin or extremism .All projection by Shanreagh on Bill.
Sounds like you have not been following the ebb and flow here on TS about who is in control of the protestors. Hippies or hard right. The role of extremism in the media ie Counterspin is providing the on ground chatter that cannot be missed by anyone who is there. The hippies are doing the gardens etc etc.
The auras are reference to the hippies, there have been pics on the media of hair braiding being done. The names mentioned are some of the ones who have been given a platform by Counterspin during the protest.
I just made up a fantasy of what has been reported and popped Bill in there.
I imagined him taking it all in uncritically & favourably.
Why did you thought Bill had to have mentioned auras, braiding etc for satire to work?
He helped break up the echo-chamber here while creating debate by providing an alternative view. Hence, is presence is missed. Thus, I was wondering what happened to him posting here.
A good example of the echo-chamber here at the moment is the 'Why the Wellington protestors are wrong' thread.
As he mentioned, prior to the vaccine pass being enforced at his local he had been helping break up the echo-chamber there instead.
If you want him back you could try reporting some of the pubs in his area for any local breaches of covid health checks. He will probably respond well to that (well, unless he finds out who did it).
Goodness that is profound and it hits the right outraged notes
especially
'echo chamber'
There should be saying to signal that an argument bereft of substance is being advanced when posters use the phrase 'echo chamber' to dismiss a whole swathe of opinions they disgaree with even though within that swathe there are clearly differentiated and nuanced views.
'Using a survey of 2,000 British adults, she found that the majority of people already reach outside their political comfort zone: they actively seek out additional sources that convey diverse views that do not match with their preconceptions.'
I think you are right…but having experienced this above clip in reality, the exaggeration is only slight. The clip only hints at the nastiness that follows. So I have a different view on what these youngins should be called.
Remember Chlöe Swarbrick's witty remark in the chamber about ''Boomers.''
Btw – that young thing in the clip is a fresh drone off the production line called our education system.
That's good news for you ( assuming you are a Leftie), but bad news for the Right who may struggle for relevance as the years roll on.
Oh, I see what your saying now. Yes the acting was quite convincing and she appeared to understand her role in the skit quite well, playing it very convincingly in character. Ms 'fresh drone' appears to be a top graduate.
''11-What is it going to cost taxpayers to clean up after protesters. Will the grounds around parliament be reconfigured to stop large scale protests in future?''
You can give it Chairman but you can't take it. Drink a cup of your own nasty bile.
There is a nasty bod Barfly. You let them know something and they use it as a weapon.. oh but they are “Good people!!”
Next he’ll be saying “Just joking” or some other wet shite.
More than a few missing out on the opportunity to learn to live with it.
Since Nov. 24, when South Africa first reported the omicron variant to the World Health Organization, the United States has confirmed more than 30,163,600 new infections and more than 154,750 new deaths. (While the U.S. did not initially identify any omicron cases within its borders until Dec. 1, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has since confirmed that the variant was in the country at least a week earlier.)
By comparison, from Aug. 1 to Oct. 31, a similar duration covering the worst of the delta surge in the United States, the country confirmed 10,917,590 new infections and 132,616 new deaths.
That makes the official case count about 176% higher during the omicron wave than in the equivalent-length delta period. (The true case count is higher still, because, more so than during the delta wave, many people have been using at-home tests whose results are not included in government statistics.) The death toll during the omicron wave is about 17% higher so far than the death toll in the delta wave.
''And I suspect the fallout from that will cause far more trouble for this country going forward than the current protest.''
That is probably true. A little like long Covid,
But I believe Costa resigning would also cause a complete collapse of trust in the police and government. And cause recriminations from business and the public. Maybe even court cases.
Hence, I'm wondering IF the government could forstall Costa resigning if he decided on that course of action, for the sake of nation security?
If you're talking about a clip from the interview with Jack Tame then I disagree. Until I saw that this morning I shared your negative view of him. However if negotiating a solution fails, he'll have to be decisive.
I know you just hanker for the old action-man stance & I'm sympathetic re that. If the thug element in the protest decides to ditch the others & make a lunge for the entrance to the building the cop commanding those present at the time will have to be action-man to stop them. Failure there would reflect on Coster.
No reason for him to resign yet. No political leader has expressed no confidence in him personally, right? Go figure.
''I know you just hanker for the old action-man stance .''
For the first few days of the protest, yes, I wanted them dealt with, action-man style ( geez, you have a way with words), because extrapolating events from protests overseas gave me a good indication of what might happen here. That said, I honestly didn't expect it to morph into what we have now.
As I've calmed down a bit, I don't know what to think. The Chairman makes a good point, re long term affects for our country if police lose their heads and start to act. Now, I'm not sure how I would act if I was Costa. I know how I would clear the protesters though.
''No reason for him to resign yet. No political leader has expressed no confidence in him personally, right? Go figure.''
Now that's where you should be careful. We don't know what's happening behind the scenes. Dave and Luxon have been running their mouths again. Jacinda, the head of our nation, is absent as usual. Costa is the first patsy off the rank IF the government accepted his resignation.
As a mental exercise I have just finished my plan for removing protesters and their vehicles . If I'm going to diss Costa, I must be able show how I could do better.
For example, I wouldn't be towing vehicles…I would be using forklifts with extended forks working in an endless loop. One forklift, one vehicle, all the way back to the transporter, or free space.
Why haven't authorities deployed an infrasound cannon (setting 1 only, of course – must think of the children) – still the most entertaining idea you've shared here imo
Oh, by the way, infra sound won't move cars. Maybe just rattle them.
Not my fault the cops haven't acquire a unit
The link provided is where I purchased my base model .
On advice, I did modification to improve my base model using parts from a security contractor. That's information is something I would never divulge to you. I wouldn't trust you with such technology.
Fascinating link from amazing1.com. No mention of "infrasound" or equipment that generates same – maybe it’s outside the region of the electromagnetic spectrum that my eyes can perceive – and a site search "did not match any products". Are you sure that the speaker you pointed at those unsuspecting ferals was part of an "infrasound canon"?
Reckon you've been pranked, but far be it from me to ruin a feel-bad vibe.
Semantics – just a different name for basically the same thing. I have always used the term infrasound.
Quote:
''Ultrasound Pain Field Guns and Sonic Shock Wave Generators. These products are not to be confused with some of the higher-powered devices costing thousands of dollars such as L-rad and other government units used in dangerous uncontrollable riots, piracy and large-scale operations and only available to law enforcement
Our Ultrasound Pain Field Guns and Sonic Shock Wave Generators Can Discourage and Intimidate Intruders, Drive Out Animal Pests, And Train Dogs to Stop Barking. They Are Readily Available to The Public and Do Not Require Special Licensing or Other Red Tape!''
"Btw, you’ve made over 80 comments on The Standard since we last corresponded. What’s your definition of this term “troll” that you are so free with?"
My definition is vacuous comments that are posted in response to my comments. You will notice I try and respond in a respectful manner to those who take the effort to respond with pertinent points and views – and not one line trolling.
This is considered a quickie tow job. But it still has its problems. Notice the forklift principle on a smaller scale? The problem is I'm guessing no tow truck will have that much room to move on a Wellington street.
May not pan out this way, but my preference is to let the peaceful protesters be, while minimising the disruption to residents.
In a few months time, when NZ is on the other side of our Omicron wave, and the consensus opinion of public health experts is that our Government can begin to ease vaccine mandates (for now), the police and/or army can mop up any truly distasteful remnants.
Authorities should have harvested plenty of evidence by then.
''Commentators call him “Cuddles Coster”. Simon Bridges publicly accused him of being a “wokester”. And frontline officers have nicknamed him The Lantern (very bright but needs carrying).''
That last sentence confirms the calls and texts to talkback from SUPPOSED police officers and their families.
Of course, I took some stick for that from trolls on this site for quoting those callers.
We can see from the various name calling the frontline officers are clearly quite sharp. Want to guess their moniker for you before you put the new police forklifts and air-cannons policies into practice?
Seems to require two trucks. One for the car and one for the forklift (which don't move that fast, especially when balancing a finely balanced heavy weight). Generally the idea is not to damage the vehicles being towed, because then the Police need to justify the property damage inflicted.
And if it goes wrong and they drop the car your going to be making the news with your innovation.
Think you will definitely be in line to be Commissioner Hammer (not the sharpest tool).
''Seems to require two trucks. One for the car and one for the forklift. ''
That's just a matter of perception. Let's leave that to one side.
''(which don't move that fast, especially when balancing a finely balanced heavy weight).''
Now, I've thought about that, and damage is possible, if the sills of the car or van don't take the load. However, given police will be working under a time constraint( depending on violence), an onsite Motor Assessor will inspect each vehicles and compensation will be paid. I don't envisage a large amount of money. Safety of operators must come first.
Speed of forklifts in this situation is not important, because even a slow speed is way faster than having tow trucks drive in and manoeuvre.
Stability of load is an issue. But easily overcome I believe.
Given forklifts won't be used, I will be interested to see how things go with tow trucks. Perhaps they may handle the job with ease. ?
''Think you will definitely be in line to be Commissioner Hammer (not the sharpest tool).''
Commissioner Nic The Witless ( tries hard: fails much).
I once was a 'Leaftie', now I'm a 'Letie"! Well, we do let you have your fun; and you're welcome to it.
By the way, 'lantern' is quite clever. They might find out he has a short wick, though.
In cricket they have a nickname for very poor batsmen. "Ferrets". They're the ones who go in after the rabbits.
Considering some of the rubbish spouted by those who have gone down the social media rabbit holes, there are many who might justify the nickname 'ferret'.
''I once was a 'Leaftie', now I'm a 'Letie"! Well, we do let you have your fun; and you're welcome to it.''
I'm sure you do. I believe you. I just prefer Leftie to Lefty. Sometimes I spell things wrong, but hey, I don't have to pull people up on grammar because I'm scraping the bottom of the barrel.
Not really interested in Gottcha journalism.
But, at the first reading, this looks like a Minister seriously out of her depth in the detail of the legislation that she's shepherding through parliament.
Carmel Seuploni on the Oranga Tamariki Oversight Bill – which is a piece of legislation sorely needed, and which has been very heavily criticized by a wide range of interested parties (most of whom are firmly on the left spectrum of the political agenda).
The journalist Aaron Smale is anything but a right wing apologist – he's been actively involved in reporting on our shameful past in a range of state care services.
Having navigated his way past the press secretary, and with Sepuloni knowing he wanted to talk about that Bill in particular, you would expect her to have the details, and arguments at her fingertips.
Finally, hanging up on a journalist is a seriously bad look for a government trying to portray themselves as open and transparent (or, ATM, even as competent). It looks as though she panicked, and didn't even do the safe 'I'll get back to you on that one, Aaron – response' so beloved of senior ministers.
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OPINION AND ANALYSIS:Chief Ombudsman Peter Boshier’s comments singling out Health NZ for “acting contrary to the law” couldn’t be clearer. If you find my work of value, do consider subscribing and/or supporting me. Thank you.Health NZ has been acting a law unto itself. That includes putting its management under extraordinary ...
Southeast Asia’s three most populous countries are tightening their security relationships, evidently in response to China’s aggression in the South China Sea. This is most obvious in increased cooperation between the coast guards of the ...
In the late 1970s Australian sport underwent institutional innovation propelling it to new heights. Today, Australia must urgently adapt to a contested and confronting strategic environment. Contributing to this, a new ASPI research project will ...
In short this morning in our political economy:The Nelson Hospital waiting list crisis just gets worse, including compelling interviews with an over-worked surgeon who is leaving, and a patient who discovered after 19 months of waiting for a referral that her bowel and ovaries were fused together with scar tissue ...
Plainly, the claims being tossed around in the media last year that the new terminal envisaged by Auckland International Airport was a gold-plated “Taj Mahal” extravagance were false. With one notable exception, the Commerce Commission’s comprehensive investigation has ended up endorsing every other aspect of the airport’s building programme (and ...
Movements clustered around the Right, and Far Right as well, are rising globally. Despite the recent defeats we’ve seen in the last day or so with the win of a Democrat-backed challenger, Dane County Judge Susan Crawford, over her Republican counterpart, Waukesha County Judge Brad Schimel, in the battle for ...
In February 2025, John Cook gave two webinars for republicEN explaining the scientific consensus on human-caused climate change. 20 February 2025: republicEN webinar part 1 - BUST or TRUST? The scientific consensus on climate change In the first webinar, Cook explained the history of the 20-year scientific consensus on climate change. How do ...
After three decades of record-breaking growth, at about the same time as Xi Jinping rose to power in 2012, China’s economy started the long decline to its current state of stagnation. The Chinese Communist Party ...
The Pike River Coal mine was a ticking time bomb.Ventilation systems designed to prevent methane buildup were incomplete or neglected.Gas detectors that might warn of danger were absent or broken.Rock bolting was skipped, old tunnels left unsealed, communication systems failed during emergencies.Employees and engineers kept warning management about the … ...
Regional hegemons come in different shapes and sizes. Australia needs to think about what kind of hegemon China would be, and become, should it succeed in displacing the United States in Asia. It’s time to ...
RNZ has a story this morning about the expansion of solar farms in Aotearoa, driven by today's ground-breaking ceremony at the Tauhei solar farm in Te Aroha: From starting out as a tiny player in the electricity system, solar power generated more electricity than coal and gas combined for ...
After the Berlin Wall came down in 1989, and almost a year before the Soviet Union collapsed in late 1991, US President George H W Bush proclaimed a ‘new world order’. Now, just two months ...
Warning: Some images may be distressing. Thank you for those who support my work. It means a lot.A shopfront in Australia shows Liberal leader Peter Dutton and mining magnate Gina Rinehart depicted with Nazi imageryUS Government Seeks Death Penalty for Luigi MangioneMangione was publicly walked in front of media in ...
Aged care workers rallying against potential roster changes say Bupa, which runs retirement homes across the country, needs to focus on care instead of money. More than half of New Zealand workers wish they had chosen a different career according to a new survey. Consumers are likely to see a ...
The scurrilous attacks on Benjamin Doyle, a list Green MP, over his supposed inappropriate behaviour towards children has dominated headlines and social media this past week, led by frothing Rightwing agitators clutching their pearls and fanning the flames of moral panic over pedophiles and and perverts. Winston Peter decided that ...
Twilight Time Lighthouse Cuba, Wigan Street, Wellington, Sunday 6 April, 5:30pm for 6pm start. Twilight Time looks at the life and work of Desmond Ball, (1947-2016), a barefooted academic from ‘down under’ who was hailed by Jimmy Carter as “the man who saved the world”, as he proved the fallacy ...
The landedAnd the wealthyAnd the piousAnd the healthyAnd the straight onesAnd the pale onesAnd we only mean the male ones!If you're all of the above, then you're ok!As we build a new tomorrow here today!Lyrics Glenn Slater and Allan Menken.Ah, Democracy - can you smell it?It's presently a sulphurous odour, ...
US President Donald Trump’s unconventional methods of conducting international relations will compel the next federal government to reassess whether the United States’ presence in the region and its security assurances provide a reliable basis for ...
Things seem to be at a pretty low ebb in and around the Reserve Bank. There was, in particular, the mysterious, sudden, and as-yet unexplained resignation of the Governor (we’ve had four Governors since the Bank was given its operational autonomy 35 years ago, and only two have completed their ...
Long story short:PMChristopher Luxon said in January his Government was ‘going for growth’ and he wanted New Zealanders to develop a ‘culture of yes.’ Yet his own Government is constantly saying no, or not yet, to anchor investments that would unleash real private business investment and GDP growth. ...
Long story short:PMChristopher Luxon said in January his Government was ‘going for growth’ and he wanted New Zealanders to develop a ‘culture of yes.’ Yet his own Government is constantly saying no, or not yet, to anchor investments that would unleash real private business investment and GDP growth. ...
For decades, Britain and Australia had much the same process for regulating media handling of defence secrets. It was the D-notice system, under which media would be asked not to publish. The two countries diverged ...
For decades, Britain and Australia had much the same process for regulating media handling of defence secrets. It was the D-notice system, under which media would be asked not to publish. The two countries diverged ...
This post by Nicolas Reid was originally published on Linked in. It is republished here with permission.In this article, I make a not-entirely-serious case for ripping out Spaghetti Junction in Auckland, replacing it with a motorway tunnel, and redeveloping new city streets and neighbourhoods above it instead. What’s ...
This post by Nicolas Reid was originally published on Linked in. It is republished here with permission.In this article, I make a not-entirely-serious case for ripping out Spaghetti Junction in Auckland, replacing it with a motorway tunnel, and redeveloping new city streets and neighbourhoods above it instead. What’s ...
In short this morning in our political economy:The Nelson Hospital crisis revealed by 1News’Jessica Roden dominates the political agenda today. Yet again, population growth wasn’t planned for, or funded.Kāinga Ora is planning up to 900 house sales, including new ones, Jonathan Milne reports for Newsroom.One of New Zealand’s biggest ...
In short this morning in our political economy:The Nelson Hospital crisis revealed by 1News’Jessica Roden dominates the political agenda today. Yet again, population growth wasn’t planned for, or funded.Kāinga Ora is planning up to 900 house sales, including new ones, Jonathan Milne reports for Newsroom.One of New Zealand’s biggest ...
The war between Russia and Ukraine continues unabated. Neither side is in a position to achieve its stated objectives through military force. But now there is significant diplomatic activity as well. Ukraine has agreed to ...
One of the first aims of the United States’ new Department of Government Efficiency was shutting down USAID. By 6 February, the agency was functionally dissolved, its seal missing from its Washington headquarters. Amid the ...
If our strategic position was already challenging, it just got worse. Reliability of the US as an ally is in question, amid such actions by the Trump administration as calling for annexation of Canada, threating ...
Small businesses will be exempt from complying with some of the requirements of health and safety legislation under new reforms proposed by the Government. The living wage will be increased to $28.95 per hour from September, a $1.15 increase from the current $27.80. A poll has shown large opposition to ...
Summary A group of senior doctors in Nelson have spoken up, specifically stating that hospitals have never been as bad as in the last year.Patients are waiting up to 50 hours and 1 death is directly attributable to the situation: "I've never seen that number of patients waiting to be ...
Although semiconductor chips are ubiquitous nowadays, their production is concentrated in just a few countries, and this has left the US economy and military highly vulnerable at a time of rising geopolitical tensions. While the ...
Health and Safety changes driven by ACT party ideology, not evidence said NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi President Richard Wagstaff. Changes to health and safety legislation proposed by the Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety Brooke van Velden today comply with ACT party ideology, ignores the evidence, and will compound New ...
In short in our political economy this morning:Fletcher Building is closing its pre-fabricated house-building factory in Auckland due to a lack of demand, particularly from the Government.Health NZ is sending a crisis management team to Nelson Hospital after a 1News investigation exposed doctors’ fears that nearly 500 patients are overdue ...
Exactly 10 years ago, the then minister for defence, Kevin Andrews, released the First Principles Review: Creating One Defence (FPR). With increasing talk about the rising possibility of major power-conflict, calls for Defence funding to ...
In events eerily similar to what happened in the USA last week, Greater Auckland was recently accidentally added to a group chat between government ministers on the topic of transport.We have no idea how it happened, but luckily we managed to transcribe most of what transpired. We share it ...
Hi,When I look back at my history with Dylan Reeve, it’s pretty unusual. We first met in the pool at Kim Dotcom’s mansion, as helicopters buzzed overhead and secret service agents flung themselves off the side of his house, abseiling to the ground with guns drawn.Kim Dotcom was a German ...
Come around for teaDance me round and round the kitchenBy the light of my T.VOn the night of the electionAncient stars will fall into the seaAnd the ocean floor sings her sympathySongwriter: Bic Runga.The Prime Minister stared into the camera, hot and flustered despite the predawn chill. He looked sadly ...
Has Winston Peters got a ferries deal for you! (Buyer caution advised.) Unfortunately, the vision that Peters has been busily peddling for the past 24 hours – of several shipyards bidding down the price of us getting smaller, narrower, rail-enabled ferries – looks more like a science fiction fantasy. One ...
Completed reads for March: The Heart of the Antarctic [1907-1909], by Ernest Shackleton South [1914-1917], by Ernest Shackleton Aurora Australis (collection), edited by Ernest Shackleton The Book of Urizen (poem), by William Blake The Book of Ahania (poem), by William Blake The Book of Los (poem), by William Blake ...
Today, the Oranga Tamariki (Repeal of Section 7AA) Amendment Bill has passed its third and final reading, but there is one more stage before it becomes law. The Governor-General must give their ‘Royal assent’ for any bill to become legally enforceable. This means that, even if a bill gets voted ...
Abortion care at Whakatāne Hospital has been quietly shelved, with patients told they will likely have to travel more than an hour to Tauranga to get the treatment they need. ...
Thousands of New Zealanders’ submissions are missing from the official parliamentary record because the National-dominated Justice Select Committee has rushed work on the Treaty Principles Bill. ...
Today’s announcement of 10 percent tariffs for New Zealand goods entering the United States is disappointing for exporters and consumers alike, with the long-lasting impact on prices and inflation still unknown. ...
The National Government’s choices have contributed to a slow-down in the building sector, as thousands of people have lost their jobs in construction. ...
Willie Apiata’s decision to hand over his Victoria Cross to the Minister for Veterans is a powerful and selfless act, made on behalf of all those who have served our country. ...
The Privileges Committee has denied fundamental rights to Debbie Ngarewa-Packer, Rawiri Waititi and Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke, breaching their own standing orders, breaching principles of natural justice, and highlighting systemic prejudice and discrimination within our parliamentary processes. The three MPs were summoned to the privileges committee following their performance of a haka ...
April 1 used to be a day when workers could count on a pay rise with stronger support for those doing it tough, but that’s not the case under this Government. ...
Winston Peters is shopping for smaller ferries after Nicola Willis torpedoed the original deal, which would have delivered new rail enabled ferries next year. ...
The Government should work with other countries to press the Myanmar military regime to stop its bombing campaign especially while the country recovers from the devastating earthquake. ...
The Green Party is calling for the Government to scrap proposed changes to Early Childhood Care, after attending a petition calling for the Government to ‘Put tamariki at the heart of decisions about ECE’. ...
New Zealand First has introduced a Member’s Bill today that will remove the power of MPs conscience votes and ensure mandatory national referendums are held before any conscience issues are passed into law. “We are giving democracy and power back to the people”, says New Zealand First Leader Winston Peters. ...
Welcome to members of the diplomatic corp, fellow members of parliament, the fourth estate, foreign affairs experts, trade tragics, ladies and gentlemen. ...
In recent weeks, disturbing instances of state-sanctioned violence against Māori have shed light on the systemic racism permeating our institutions. An 11-year-old autistic Māori child was forcibly medicated at the Henry Bennett Centre, a 15-year-old had his jaw broken by police in Napier, kaumātua Dean Wickliffe went on a hunger ...
Confidence in the job market has continued to drop to its lowest level in five years as more New Zealanders feel uncertain about finding work, keeping their jobs, and getting decent pay, according to the latest Westpac-McDermott Miller Employment Confidence Index. ...
The Greens are calling on the Government to follow through on their vague promises of environmental protection in their Resource Management Act (RMA) reform. ...
“Make New Zealand First Again” Ladies and gentlemen, First of all, thank you for being here today. We know your lives are busy and you are working harder and longer than you ever have, and there are many calls on your time, so thank you for the chance to speak ...
Hundreds more Palestinians have died in recent days as Israel’s assault on Gaza continues and humanitarian aid, including food and medicine, is blocked. ...
National is looking to cut hundreds of jobs at New Zealand’s Defence Force, while at the same time it talks up plans to increase focus and spending in Defence. ...
It’s been revealed that the Government is secretly trying to bring back a ‘one-size fits all’ standardised test – a decision that has shocked school principals. ...
The Green Party is calling for the compassionate release of Dean Wickliffe, a 77-year-old kaumātua on hunger strike at the Spring Hill Corrections Facility, after visiting him at the prison. ...
The Green Party is calling on Government MPs to support Chlöe Swarbrick’s Member’s Bill to sanction Israel for its unlawful presence and illegal actions in Palestine, following another day of appalling violence against civilians in Gaza. ...
The Green Party stands in support of volunteer firefighters petitioning the Government to step up and change legislation to provide volunteers the same ACC coverage and benefits as their paid counterparts. ...
At 2.30am local time, Israel launched a treacherous attack on Gaza killing more than 300 defenceless civilians while they slept. Many of them were children. This followed a more than 2 week-long blockade by Israel on the entry of all goods and aid into Gaza. Israel deliberately targeted densely populated ...
Living Strong, Aging Well There is much discussion around the health of our older New Zealanders and how we can age well. In reality, the delivery of health services accounts for only a relatively small percentage of health outcomes as we age. Significantly, dry warm housing, nutrition, exercise, social connection, ...
The Government’s new planning legislation to replace the Resource Management Act will make it easier to get things done while protecting the environment, say Minister Responsible for RMA Reform Chris Bishop and Under-Secretary Simon Court. “The RMA is broken and everyone knows it. It makes it too hard to build ...
Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay has today launched a public consultation on New Zealand and India’s negotiations of a formal comprehensive Free Trade Agreement. “Negotiations are getting underway, and the Public’s views will better inform us in the early parts of this important negotiation,” Mr McClay says. We are ...
More than 900 thousand superannuitants and almost five thousand veterans are among the New Zealanders set to receive a significant financial boost from next week, an uplift Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says will help support them through cost-of-living challenges. “I am pleased to confirm that from 1 ...
Progressing a holistic strategy to unlock the potential of New Zealand’s geothermal resources, possibly in applications beyond energy generation, is at the centre of discussions with mana whenua at a hui in Rotorua today, Resources and Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. The Coalition Government is in the early stages ...
New annual data has exposed the staggering cost of delays previously hidden in the building consent system, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “I directed Building Consent Authorities to begin providing quarterly data last year to improve transparency, following repeated complaints from tradespeople waiting far longer than the statutory ...
Increases in water charges for Auckland consumers this year will be halved under the Watercare Charter which has now been passed into law, Local Government Minister Simon Watts and Auckland Minister Simeon Brown say. The charter is part of the financial arrangement for Watercare developed last year by Auckland Council ...
There is wide public support for the Government’s work to strengthen New Zealand’s biosecurity protections, says Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard. “The Ministry for Primary Industries recently completed public consultation on proposed amendments to the Biosecurity Act and the submissions show that people understand the importance of having a strong biosecurity ...
A new independent review function will enable individuals and organisations to seek an expert independent review of specified civil aviation regulatory decisions made by, or on behalf of, the Director of Civil Aviation, Acting Transport Minister James Meager has announced today. “Today we are making it easier and more affordable ...
The Government will invest in an enhanced overnight urgent care service for the Napier community as part of our focus on ensuring access to timely, quality healthcare, Health Minister Simeon Brown has today confirmed. “I am delighted that a solution has been found to ensure Napier residents will continue to ...
Health Minister Simeon Brown and Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey attended a sod turning today to officially mark the start of construction on a new mental health facility at Hillmorton Campus. “This represents a significant step in modernising mental health services in Canterbury,” Mr Brown says. “Improving health infrastructure is ...
Finance Minister Nicola Willis has welcomed confirmation the economy has turned the corner. Stats NZ reported today that gross domestic product grew 0.7 per cent in the three months to December following falls in the June and September quarters. “We know many families and businesses are still suffering the after-effects ...
The sealing of a 12-kilometre stretch of State Highway 43 (SH43) through the Tangarakau Gorge – one of the last remaining sections of unsealed state highway in the country – has been completed this week as part of a wider programme of work aimed at improving the safety and resilience ...
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Winston Peters says relations between New Zealand and the United States are on a strong footing, as he concludes a week-long visit to New York and Washington DC today. “We came to the United States to ask the new Administration what it wants from ...
Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee has welcomed changes to international anti-money laundering standards which closely align with the Government’s reforms. “The Financial Action Taskforce (FATF) last month adopted revised standards for tackling money laundering and the financing of terrorism to allow for simplified regulatory measures for businesses, organisations and sectors ...
Associate Health Minister David Seymour says he welcomes Medsafe’s decision to approve an electronic controlled drug register for use in New Zealand pharmacies, allowing pharmacies to replace their physical paper-based register. “The register, developed by Kiwi brand Toniq Limited, is the first of its kind to be approved in New ...
The Coalition Government’s drive for regional economic growth through the $1.2 billion Regional Infrastructure Fund is on track with more than $550 million in funding so far committed to key infrastructure projects, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. “To date, the Regional Infrastructure Fund (RIF) has received more than 250 ...
[Comments following the bilateral meeting with United States Secretary of State, Marco Rubio; United States State Department, Washington D.C.] * We’re very pleased with our meeting with Secretary of State Marco Rubio this afternoon. * We came here to listen to the new Administration and to be clear about what ...
The intersection of State Highway 2 (SH2) and Wainui Road in the Eastern Bay of Plenty will be made safer and more efficient for vehicles and freight with the construction of a new and long-awaited roundabout, says Transport Minister Chris Bishop. “The current intersection of SH2 and Wainui Road is ...
The Ocean Race will return to the City of Sails in 2027 following the Government’s decision to invest up to $4 million from the Major Events Fund into the international event, Auckland Minister Simeon Brown says. “New Zealand is a proud sailing nation, and Auckland is well-known internationally as the ...
Improving access to mental health and addiction support took a significant step forward today with Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey announcing that the University of Canterbury have been the first to be selected to develop the Government’s new associate psychologist training programme. “I am thrilled that the University of Canterbury ...
Health Minister Simeon Brown has today officially opened the new East Building expansion at Manukau Health Park. “This is a significant milestone and the first stage of the Grow Manukau programme, which will double the footprint of the Manukau Health Park to around 30,000m2 once complete,” Mr Brown says. “Home ...
The Government will boost anti-crime measures across central Auckland with $1.3 million of funding as a result of the Proceeds of Crime Fund, Auckland Minister Simeon Brown and Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee say. “In recent years there has been increased antisocial and criminal behaviour in our CBD. The Government ...
The Government is moving to strengthen rules for feeding food waste to pigs to protect New Zealand from exotic animal diseases like foot and mouth disease (FMD), says Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard. ‘Feeding untreated meat waste, often known as "swill", to pigs could introduce serious animal diseases like FMD and ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi held productive talks in New Delhi today. Fresh off announcing that New Zealand and India would commence negotiations towards a Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement, the two Prime Ministers released a joint statement detailing plans for further cooperation between the two countries across ...
Agriculture and Trade Minister Todd McClay signed a new Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) today during the Prime Minister’s Indian Trade Mission, reinforcing New Zealand’s commitment to enhancing collaboration with India in the forestry sector. “Our relationship with India is a key priority for New Zealand, and this agreement reflects our ...
Agriculture and Trade Minister Todd McClay signed a new Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) today during the Prime Minister’s Indian Trade Mission, reinforcing New Zealand’s commitment to enhancing collaboration with India in the horticulture sector. “Our relationship with India is a key priority for New Zealand, and this agreement reflects our ...
Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of two new Family Court Judges. The new Judges will take up their roles in April and May and fill Family Court vacancies at the Auckland and Manukau courts. Annette Gray Ms Gray completed her law degree at Victoria University before joining Phillips ...
Health Minister Simeon Brown has today officially opened Wellington Regional Hospital’s first High Dependency Unit (HDU). “This unit will boost critical care services in the lower North Island, providing extra capacity and relieving pressure on the hospital’s Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and emergency department. “Wellington Regional Hospital has previously relied ...
Namaskar, Sat Sri Akal, kia ora and good afternoon everyone. What an honour it is to stand on this stage - to inaugurate this august Dialogue - with none other than the Honourable Narendra Modi. My good friend, thank you for so generously welcoming me to India and for our ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Amin Saikal, Emeritus Professor of Middle Eastern and Central Asian Studies, Australian National University; and Vice Chancellor’s Strategic Fellow, Victoria University The United States and Iran are once again on a collision course over the Iranian nuclear program. In a letter ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alan Bradshaw, Professor of Marketing, Royal Holloway University of London US alcohol has been removed from sale in the Canadian province of British Columbia.lenic/Shutterstock As politicians around the world scramble to respond to US “liberation day” tariffs, consumers have also begun ...
While public opinion of Israel plummets, each day the genocide continues without significant repercussions only reinforces that they can ignore this opinion, writes Alex Foley.SPECIAL REPORT:By Alex Foley Israel announced that Hossam Shabat was a “terrorist” alongside six other Palestinian journalists. Hossam predicted they would assassinate him. He ...
Ngāi Tahu’s senior lawyer was in full flight on the final day of an eight-week High Court hearing when the judge brought him to a screeching halt.Barrister Chris Finlayson KC led the case for Ngāi Tahu, the South Island iwi that said a wai māori (freshwater) crisis prompted it to ...
Madeleine Chapman reflects on a week of bleak reading. Nothing in life is free. Everyone knows that. But for a blissful eight months, my commute was. After closing Mount Eden station nearly a decade ago to redevelop it, Auckland Transport eventually opened a new, frequent bus route (64) to connect ...
Out of the little playground kiosk at Petone beach, Mariana’s Kitchen is serving up perfect, authentic empanadas. It was a perfect Wellington day: the sun was shining and the wind was blowing. In its gust the word “OPEN” flashed on a red and yellow banner on the Petone foreshore. From ...
As Daylight Saving comes to an end, let us remember the local naturalist who came up with the idea so he could spend more time searching for insects in the Karori Bush.Here in the south, the signs are everywhere. Beanies are creeping onto heads and people are starting to ...
Lyric Waiwiri-Smith chats to Marlon Williams about the six-year journey to releasing Te Whare Tīwekaweka, his first album entirely in te reo Māori.Singer-songwriter Marlon Williams (Ngāi Tahu, Ngāi Tai) remembers a childhood where speaking “household Māori” was as everyday as the waves which crash into the harbour of Ōhinehou. ...
The journalist and author takes us through her life in television, including her biggest live TV regret and the Succession moment she witnessed first hand. This week, journalist and broadcaster Ali Mau released No Words For This, a “gripping, generous, revelatory and layered” memoir that reveals shocking family secrets, explores ...
After ten rings Tracey hung up. She started the car; an orange petrol light appeared. It appeared yesterday on the way home, but Tracey decided to deal with it today. She opened her phone and first looked for specials on the BP app and then on Caltex, but there was ...
It has all the qualities of an aircraft but with its rocket engine, the Dawn Mk-II Aurora can fly faster and higher than any jet.“We have a real path to this being the first vehicle that flies to 100km altitude – the border of space – twice in a day,” ...
The agitated and perpetually frightened right wingBy spending a lot of time online while eating spaghetti on toast in small rooms and staying up all hours, illuminated by the ghostly white screen of the PC, and worrying about what could go wrong in the world if the left wing got ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Anthony Albanese has announced that the government will ensure the Port of Darwin, currently leased by the Chinese company Landbridge, is returned to Australian hands. “Australia needs to own the Port of Darwin,” the prime ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Anthony Albanese has announced that the government will ensure the Port of Darwin, currently leased by the Chinese company Landbridge, is returned to Australian hands. “Australia needs to own the Port of Darwin,” the prime ...
Now that Phil Goff has ended his term as New Zealand’s High Commissioner to the UK, he is officially free to speak his mind on the damage he believes the Trump Administration is doing to the world. He has started with these comments he made on the betrayal of Ukraine ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Peter Draper, Professor, and Executive Director: Institute for International Trade, and Jean Monnet Chair of Trade and Environment, University of Adelaide On April 2, United States President Donald Trump unveiled a sweeping new “reciprocal tariff” regime he says will level the playing ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Toby Murray, Professor of Cybersecurity, School of Computing and Information Systems, The University of Melbourne Several of Australia’s biggest superannuation funds have suffered a suspected coordinated cyberattack, with scammers stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars of members’ retirement savings. Superannuation funds ...
Democracy Now! Jewish students at Columbia University chained themselves to a campus gate across from the graduate School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA) this week, braving rain and cold to demand the school release information related to the targeting and ICE arrest of Mahmoud Khalil, a former SIPA student. ...
We stand in solidarity with all communities impacted by Islamophobia, racism, and discrimination. We call for genuine accountability, not empty apologies. It is imperative that the government takes decisive action to restore integrity to the Human Rights ...
"This is a broken promise to the public. People demand the right to choose and want products from gene editing to be labelled,” said Jon Carapiet, spokesman for GE-Free New Zealand (in Food and Environment). ...
Public submissions potentially ignored and unrecorded were a focus this week. We background how the process usually works and what will happen now. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By David Trembath, Professor of Speech Pathology, Griffith University Lukas/Pexels If your child is struggling with certain everyday activities – such as playing with other kids, getting dressed or paying attention – you might want to get them assessed to see if ...
By Caleb Fotheringham, RNZ Pacific journalist Norfolk Island sees its United States tariff as an acknowledgment of independence from Australia. Norfolk Island, despite being an Australian territory, has been included on Trump’s tariff list. The territory has been given a 29 percent tariff, despite Australia getting only 10 percent. It ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Gregory Moore, Senior Research Associate, School of Agriculture, Food and Ecosystem Sciences, The University of Melbourne alybaba/Shutterstock Street trees usually grow in appalling soils, have little space for their roots, are rarely watered and often get aggressively trimmed by road authorities ...
A new poem by Amanda Faye Martin. reluctant heterosexual one time i got snowed in with a guy i thought i didn’t want to sleep with but then he said something that felt true like clarity could be simple like things could be known like picking fruit in warm weather ...
The only published and available best-selling indie book chart in New Zealand is the top 10 sales list recorded every week at Unity Books’ stores in High St, Auckland, and Willis St, Wellington.AUCKLAND1 Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins (Scholastic, $30) More of that good Hunger Games stuff: ...
It appears that we have already (at least in Auckland) reached the point where the testing system is overwhelmed.
Report here on some tests for close contacts not being processed. Note, this one is particularly concerning as it's of a child too young to be vaccinated.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/covid-19-omicron-outbreak-parents-left-confused-by-testing-messaging/7CD357TO7Z5VD4VGHSQFRDHK4Q/?c_id=1&objectid=12505866&ref=rss
Hearing from acquaintances that people are also being turned away from testing centres because no symptoms (even though they are close contacts of a confirmed case). This is happening where the case has contacted them directly, rather than through the heavily delayed 'official' MoH system (now taking 5+ days to contact people) – so don't have an email or a CovidApp instruction to show.
If this is the case, has mass testing had its day at the current stage of the pandemic?
To all those who wished our family well during the last wee while. Grant is slowly recovering after losing 8kg. Bobbie is home from hospital, she too lost 6kg. Both are recovering from covid, but because they have other issues will be under the Dr for a further 4 to 6 weeks of observations including blood tests and possibly MIR, in an effort to keep them from becoming "long haulers." Apparently up to 32% of people get repeated or lingering symptoms. Once again thanks as long distance care is lonely and difficult. Best wishes to those out there struggling with this. Fluids and rest and do not physically push 'till you sweat as you are not going to recover quickly if you do.
Hi Patricia,
I am glad to hear that your family are recovering. Having read of your experiences with this, I can well understand why you would be resistant to talk of relaxing Covid restrictions.
I am interested in finding out a bit more, so I get some more understanding of risk factors that lead to this sort of outcome.
I have a son with Crohn’s who is immuno-compromised. So, that is a worry for us, despite previous posts I have put up that may have seemed a bit glib to you.
From your previous posts, it looks like they did everything right in terms of vaccinations.
I read from an earlier post of yours that it appears at least one of your family members had both Delta and then Omicron, and at least one may have had some underlying conditions?
Were they treated with any of the anti-viral medications that are supposed to greatly reduce the risk of negative outcomes such as your family have had? It would seem a no-brainer to me to for doctors to prescribe this sort of medication almost immediately upon someone testing positive, especially if they have known risk factors.
Again, I am glad it looks like they are on the path to recovery.
My wife's sister had Omicron in Victoria. For her it was more like a sore throat and tiredness for a few days.
Luckilly, she only got Omicron, not Delta as well. And she didn't have underlying risk factors, though she is in her mid 60s. She was double-vaxxed and had just come due for her booster.
Hello tsmithfield. Thank you for your gracious reply.
Yes we were very worried as our son has an inherited condition which usually turns to bowel cancer called sessile serrated adenomas. They are difficult to spot folds. He had 10 removed the week before, and also suffers with a fully pitted bowel and gallstones. So he was at risk. So I understand your concern for your son with crohns.
Robyn has a pacemaker and diabetes. So both were in the high risk group Grant is 54 and Robyn is 75 they have lived together as loving friends for ten years helping each other through their health issues. Like your son they had huge problems which have been made much worse with the arrival of covid. Grant's yearly bowel ops have been delayed even though he is in the high risk group. His gall bladder op has been delayed nearly 3 years now. so all medical systems are under strain. They were due for their booster, which they will have when recovered and under medical supervision.
Of interest. When first sick they were given 3 RATS each. The first two tests for both showed nothing. So Grant went for a proper nasal test. Got his notification result 36 hours later. He sent Robyn to hospital as he could not cope. The RATS are only 80% accurate with a very high viral load it appears. Further in 'phone consultations about Robyn the Covid Ward Dr at the Gold Coast Hospital kept repeating "Rest and fluids" ten minutes activity/work 2 hours rest. Electrolytes need to be replaced daily for first 4 to 5 days if sweating at all. Hope that is helpful. The person in NSW had Delta got better? returned to work and got Omicron. (Robyn had two viruses at the same time. One was unrelated, a contaminated water problem the Council was trying to fix in their area.) I don't know what treatments anybody was offered other than antibiotics for ancillary problems. We are now waiting for heart and oxygen function monitoring. The upshot is systems could be overloaded real quick. All this time most family except one dodged Delta. 14 of 30 family have had Omicron.
Thank you for that insight. It must be terribly worrying for you.
I certainly don't intend to minimise suffering such as what you and your family are going through my comments.
My issue is more to do with the fact I think the government has been woefully unprepared for this outbreak, and that I think methods such as mandates are totally ineffective now.
I would much rather that we had a sufficient supply of RATs that could be deployed for all who needed them across the country, as has been the situation for a long time in a lot of countries.
And I would also rather see an available supply of anti-virals to be focussed on people with underlying conditions to keep them out of hospital in the first place. However, it looks like we won't be getting these until April, after the likely peak, and the anti-virals haven't even been through the Medsafe process yet.
https://www.1news.co.nz/2022/02/19/south-auckland-gps-call-for-anti-viral-drugs-in-omicron-battle/
I don't think the high world demand is any excuse, as was shown when we managed to boost our supply of vaccines by sourcing some surplus ones from another country. We should be paying what we need to, and using whatever channels we have to get these supplies. And I think it is inexcusable for Medsafe to still be approving these vaccines when they are approved elsewhere in the world, because we may be able to get a supply from an unconventional source, as was the case with some of the vaccines. But even if we did this, we still couldn’t use them because Medsafe hasn’t approved them yet.
From the link above:
"The drugs, which are still awaiting approval from drug regulator Medsafe, work by binding to enzymes to prevent the virus from growing, and are expected to reduce the numbers of people hospitalised with coronavirus."
Yes Medsafe seem so insecure in spite of proven use elsewhere.
This is the first hopeful sign that I've seen showing that the building industry can delivery on substantial numbers of homes in a short period of time.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/127800528/simplicity-kiwisaver-to-build-10000-affordable-longterm-rentals-in-the-next-10-years-for-450k-each?cid=app-android&fbclid=IwAR1UwsVg-Oy4acL5ds7bDfkjttosgyduwRkdHKNhGkF_-i-H4imPOw3jf9M
Of course, the proof of the pudding…. We still have to see how this translates into reality (i.e. not rat-trap concrete shoeboxes) But a plan on the table to build 10,000 long term rental apartments, in Auckland – is a huge step up.
Sounds like KO could learn from these guys.
Does the price include the land cost?
Yes the land is included.
Thank you. good value!!
Sam Stubbs crossed over from the Dark Side of finance (not sure if he ever had his feet planted there)
The deal couldn't be done without the NZ Living owners of course. May I suggest Russell Coutts does share the moral code of the people involved in this deal.
Sam Stubbs and Russell Coutts went to the same high school just a couple of years apart.
Interesting bit of trivia. I went to school with Chris Knox but can't sing or write songs
Sam Stubbs says his teacher parents instilled good values which he came back to. I taught with his Mum one year many moons ago. She was a great person, full of fun.
On first scan I am moderately impressed. NZ Living seem to have brought across a lot of the ideas that are very commonplace here in Australia, and have delivered both quality and affordability in most locations.
With KS funding the new entity and staffed by a competent team and trusted contractors there is every chance these guys could deliver.
I have been searching for the name of the American so-called journalist associated with Bannon who disrupted Jacinda Ardern’s visit to Northland last year, does anyone know his name and more importantly where the bloody hell is he?
I am more and more convinced that this disturbance is being manipulated and funded from offshore.
Shane Chaffin?
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/300444070/covid19-nz-jacinda-ardern-press-conference-in-northland-disrupted-by-anticovidvaccination-heckling
An interesting segment this morning on Media Watch about the very sudden about face by people such as Mike Hosking from condemnation of their motives and organisation as people that were no better than bludgers to glowing praise of their character as ordinary NZers. There would at least appear to be a power struggle over control of the narrative that involves counterspin and will probably become the vehicle to undermine the unified NZ approach to covd.
Shane Chafin.
https://twitter.com/search?q=Shane%20Chafin&src=typed_query
Thanks Francesca and Joe, now where the bloody hell is he? He does appear to be the classic agent provocateur. I certainly hope Andrew Coster knows.
This is the sort of research that the “ mainstream” media should be doing. Maybe the interest in proper journalism has run out now the $55 million has been blown on lunches and Michael Horton’s full page ads.
He was in Wellington last week doing one of his crack-pot man on the ground media casts.
He’s a worry Joe and my apologies to David Fisher for a good story but we need more responsibility from the media at the moment not pretty stories of herb gardens and yoga sessions. We need to know how many of these mad bastards are there and working just out of sight. Andrea Vance summed it up this morning with her observation that all the wee tea parties, aura rubbings, and yoga mean nothing if you pitch your tent next to a Nazi’s under a noose with Ardern’s face in it, it just means you are complicit.
Andrea Vance this morning on Stuff https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/opinion/127798260/the-trumpism-spilling-out-onto-parliaments-lawn-is-the-new-virus
As a family member said, "When you lie down with a dog, you get fleas."
Fleas can be treated. But how does one treat a social sickness that denies science, collective wisdom and action, and instead embraces conspiracy, unacceptable social ideology and actions, and unproven medical and scientific beliefs?
And on the other hand, there is an ever-present danger and consideration that every social change, especially those that make improvements in the human condition, started with minorities, and we should always beware of the 'tyranny of the majority'.
Better now that these protesters test their opinions in public forums and get into democratic politics. Then, majorities can be persuaded and voices of the minorities heard.
On these current protester issues I would encourage that, as MMP and its 5% threshold generally will see them not represented in parliament.
Then they can try and join and then persuade bigger parties that will carry that 5% threshold, and have their extremist views ameliorated by the process of engaging in party politics and policy-making. NZFirst and ACT come to mind as a recent example where Peters and Seymour both seems to be courting their vote at least- maybe their involvement.
Otherwise they will remain on the <5% fringe and wander there.
Light relief – the Beehive from another perspective (apologies if this has already been posted).
Iggy.
https://www.reddit.com/r/Wellington/comments/i5b77k/iggy_pop_im_bored_filmed_in_wellington/
1979 was another country.
brilliant.
Round about now would be a good time to give young men something constructive to do with their energy.
Spotted a youthful Phil O'Brien, Roger Gascoigne & just possibly Karyn Hay.
Tragically, still plenty of beards, mid-70s hairdos, outrageous flares & truly horrendous polar-neck jerseys in 1979. Young Iggy Osterberg must’ve been shaking his head.
https://www.scotsman.com/must-read/feminists-win-court-appeal-after-legal-challenge-over-the-word-woman-3575179
thank god for that piece of sanity. Although it's hard to tell if it's really just a legal technicality.
Basically the Scottish govt tried to increase representation of trans people on boards by extending the definition of 'woman' to include trans women who live as women. Which is an obvious conflict with the already existing rights that women have. They could instead have introduced legislation that upholds the rights of trans people specifically, but instead chose to back door a legal change of definition of 'woman'. And the three judges said you can't do that, because woman is already a protected characteristic in law. Not identity as a woman, but females.
Where is Bill? Has he been banned?
@ Ground Zero, you'd expect.
Has he given up posting here?
He may be in a tent gazing at a crystal and perceiving an aura around Charlotte, Alp, Arps etc as we speak, maybe having his hair braided while hoeing in the garden while listening to the Steve Bannon Counterspin broadcasts and saying all's right with the world when the exremists are with you. Peace bro"
I don't miss his refusal to cite and OTT opinions in the slightest.
Shanreagh, you've never met Bill. That is obvious. I can't think of anyone less likely to be found:
''….. gazing at a crystal and perceiving an aura around Charlotte, Alp, Arps etc as we speak, maybe having his hair braided while hoeing in the garden while listening to the Steve Bannon Counterspin broadcasts and saying all's right with the world when the exremists are with you. Peace bro"
Which makes for an important point. It is so damn easy to make up a fantasy about someone or something you have never met. You need never even come to realise that your caricature bore none of the essential resemblance to the actual, and that it therefore rendered the whole cartoon moot.
this.
We form our opinions of Bill based on the words he types on this forum. How else are we to do it?
True and that is all I have to go on.
Caricature by word or picture is an accepted form of poking the borax.
Bill has posted some pretty off the wall opinions here. And he rarely cites so these are usually his opinions. I love a well crafted and cited argument whether for or against but opinions…well the old saying is apt. ‘opinions are like assholes every body has them’.
So are Bill's views not as they seem…so by putting them up as he is, is he deliberately making a caricature of himself? If so then he is very clever.
Really ?
I have never read one thing by Bill about cystals,braids,auras, any kind of approval of the names mentioned,any hint of Counterspin or extremism .All projection by Shanreagh on Bill.
Sounds like you have not been following the ebb and flow here on TS about who is in control of the protestors. Hippies or hard right. The role of extremism in the media ie Counterspin is providing the on ground chatter that cannot be missed by anyone who is there. The hippies are doing the gardens etc etc.
The auras are reference to the hippies, there have been pics on the media of hair braiding being done. The names mentioned are some of the ones who have been given a platform by Counterspin during the protest.
I just made up a fantasy of what has been reported and popped Bill in there.
I imagined him taking it all in uncritically & favourably.
Why did you thought Bill had to have mentioned auras, braiding etc for satire to work?
Yep, your fantasy entirely popped Bill in there
It adds nothing and slurs an author
I agree. Bill is still an author here, making shit up about him as character assassination stops now. Stick to the politics.
Yes I did and I am stopping now……
My reading of the situation is he has merely found a drinking buddy somewhere.
What's the question about? Are your bad takes wearing a bit thin even for your own taste?
What's the question about?
Bill.
He helped break up the echo-chamber here while creating debate by providing an alternative view. Hence, is presence is missed. Thus, I was wondering what happened to him posting here.
A good example of the echo-chamber here at the moment is the 'Why the Wellington protestors are wrong' thread.
If only TS had a subscription, then the outraged could cancel it in protest to the opinions they didn't approve of.
As he mentioned, prior to the vaccine pass being enforced at his local he had been helping break up the echo-chamber there instead.
If you want him back you could try reporting some of the pubs in his area for any local breaches of covid health checks. He will probably respond well to that (well, unless he finds out who did it).
Relax. Ad has stepped up to the plate.
Goodness that is profound and it hits the right outraged notes
especially
'echo chamber'
There should be saying to signal that an argument bereft of substance is being advanced when posters use the phrase 'echo chamber' to dismiss a whole swathe of opinions they disgaree with even though within that swathe there are clearly differentiated and nuanced views.
like Godwins law.
From
https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20180416-the-myth-of-the-online-echo-chamber
'Using a survey of 2,000 British adults, she found that the majority of people already reach outside their political comfort zone: they actively seek out additional sources that convey diverse views that do not match with their preconceptions.'
Oh lol You want an opinion you can agree with? Have you tried Kiwi Blog?
This was to Chairman
I enjoy debate and hearing the perspectives of others.
Who would want to be an employer nowdays, eh?
Best to leave the little wastrels in the care of Winz… or whatever they are now called.
I think they prefer young people to wastrels these days. Your welcome.
I think you are right…but having experienced this above clip in reality, the exaggeration is only slight. The clip only hints at the nastiness that follows. So I have a different view on what these youngins should be called.
Remember Chlöe Swarbrick's witty remark in the chamber about ''Boomers.''
Btw – that young thing in the clip is a fresh drone off the production line called our education system.
That's good news for you ( assuming you are a Leftie), but bad news for the Right who may struggle for relevance as the years roll on.
"Btw – that young thing in the clip is a fresh drone off the production line called our education system."
You do realize that's a skit right?
You do realize that's a skit right?
No, I thought it was real.
I have just learnt the actors may not be Kiwis. I wonder if that matters?
Oh, I see what your saying now. Yes the acting was quite convincing and she appeared to understand her role in the skit quite well, playing it very convincingly in character. Ms 'fresh drone' appears to be a top graduate.
Another of my musings MAY come to pass.
''11-What is it going to cost taxpayers to clean up after protesters. Will the grounds around parliament be reconfigured to stop large scale protests in future?''
https://thestandard.org.nz/convoy-protest-day-seven/#comment-1862808 ( post 35)
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/coronavirus/300521107/plans-to-erect-parliamentary-fence-as-protest-lingers
You should predict that the sun will rise tomorrow – more low hanging fruit for you.
Yep – it hurts doesn't it. And sometimes the sun doesn't shine the next day
Get back on the turps, Barfly. Have one for the road.
Musings aren’t predictions.
You can give it Chairman but you can't take it. Drink a cup of your own nasty bile.
There is a nasty bod Barfly. You let them know something and they use it as a weapon.. oh but they are “Good people!!”
Next he’ll be saying “Just joking” or some other wet shite.
Quite…whatever it is you are posting. Is it your shopping list?
But but, say the maskholes..
https://twitter.com/CZEdwards/status/1495156787493834753
Germany has moved to vaccinate using the aspiration method.
More than a few missing out on the opportunity to learn to live with it.
Since Nov. 24, when South Africa first reported the omicron variant to the World Health Organization, the United States has confirmed more than 30,163,600 new infections and more than 154,750 new deaths. (While the U.S. did not initially identify any omicron cases within its borders until Dec. 1, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has since confirmed that the variant was in the country at least a week earlier.)
By comparison, from Aug. 1 to Oct. 31, a similar duration covering the worst of the delta surge in the United States, the country confirmed 10,917,590 new infections and 132,616 new deaths.
That makes the official case count about 176% higher during the omicron wave than in the equivalent-length delta period. (The true case count is higher still, because, more so than during the delta wave, many people have been using at-home tests whose results are not included in government statistics.) The death toll during the omicron wave is about 17% higher so far than the death toll in the delta wave.
https://archive.li/Va4Ve (Seattle Times)
Thanks SPC , good to see.
The Police Commissioner was looking like crap warmed up on TV news tonight. This guy is under pressure.
Would the government allow him to resign?
Lets hope he keeps a cool head.
If he is replaced, one would expect the police will be lead by one who will go hard.
And I suspect the fallout from that will cause far more trouble for this country going forward than the current protest.
''And I suspect the fallout from that will cause far more trouble for this country going forward than the current protest.''
That is probably true. A little like long Covid,
But I believe Costa resigning would also cause a complete collapse of trust in the police and government. And cause recriminations from business and the public. Maybe even court cases.
Hence, I'm wondering IF the government could forstall Costa resigning if he decided on that course of action, for the sake of nation security?
If you're talking about a clip from the interview with Jack Tame then I disagree. Until I saw that this morning I shared your negative view of him. However if negotiating a solution fails, he'll have to be decisive.
I know you just hanker for the old action-man stance & I'm sympathetic re that. If the thug element in the protest decides to ditch the others & make a lunge for the entrance to the building the cop commanding those present at the time will have to be action-man to stop them. Failure there would reflect on Coster.
No reason for him to resign yet. No political leader has expressed no confidence in him personally, right? Go figure.
''I know you just hanker for the old action-man stance .''
For the first few days of the protest, yes, I wanted them dealt with, action-man style ( geez, you have a way with words), because extrapolating events from protests overseas gave me a good indication of what might happen here. That said, I honestly didn't expect it to morph into what we have now.
As I've calmed down a bit, I don't know what to think. The Chairman makes a good point, re long term affects for our country if police lose their heads and start to act. Now, I'm not sure how I would act if I was Costa. I know how I would clear the protesters though.
''No reason for him to resign yet. No political leader has expressed no confidence in him personally, right? Go figure.''
Now that's where you should be careful. We don't know what's happening behind the scenes. Dave and Luxon have been running their mouths again. Jacinda, the head of our nation, is absent as usual. Costa is the first patsy off the rank IF the government accepted his resignation.
As a mental exercise I have just finished my plan for removing protesters and their vehicles . If I'm going to diss Costa, I must be able show how I could do better.
For example, I wouldn't be towing vehicles…I would be using forklifts with extended forks working in an endless loop. One forklift, one vehicle, all the way back to the transporter, or free space.
Why haven't authorities deployed an infrasound cannon (setting 1 only, of course – must think of the children) – still the most entertaining idea you've shared here imo

Troll.
Whoops, I’m being a little judgemental.
Yes, you are a troll. But you should have a chance to tell us how you would clear the protesters?
Drowsy!! Are you awake.?
Not grokking your hostility – after all using an "infrasound canon" was your idea. Having second thoughts?
Btw, you’ve made over 80 comments on The Standard since we last corresponded. What’s your definition of this term “troll” that you are so free with?
.https://thestandard.org.nz/convoy-protest-19-2-22/#comment-1865139
.https://thestandard.org.nz/why-havent-the-police-acted/#comment-1864544
.https://thestandard.org.nz/convoy-protest-16-2-22/#comment-1863695
.https://thestandard.org.nz/freakin-useless/#comment-1860707
Of course not- here, buy yourself one.
Oh, by the way, infra sound won't move cars. Maybe just rattle them.
Not my fault the cops haven't acquire a unit
The link provided is where I purchased my base model .
On advice, I did modification to improve my base model using parts from a security contractor. That's information is something I would never divulge to you. I wouldn't trust you with such technology.
https://www.amazing1.com/ultrasonics.html
Wouldn’t be caught dead using such ‘technology’.
Fascinating link from amazing1.com. No mention of "infrasound" or equipment that generates same – maybe it’s outside the region of the electromagnetic spectrum that my eyes can perceive – and a site search "did not match any products". Are you sure that the speaker you pointed at those unsuspecting ferals was part of an "infrasound canon"?
Reckon you've been pranked, but far be it from me to ruin a feel-bad vibe.
https://www.boomlive.in/world/fake-news-covid-19-anti-lockdown-protest-melbourne-sonic-weapon-15909
Semantics – just a different name for basically the same thing. I have always used the term infrasound.
Quote:
''Ultrasound Pain Field Guns and Sonic Shock Wave Generators. These products are not to be confused with some of the higher-powered devices costing thousands of dollars such as L-rad and other government units used in dangerous uncontrollable riots, piracy and large-scale operations and only available to law enforcement
Our Ultrasound Pain Field Guns and Sonic Shock Wave Generators Can Discourage and Intimidate Intruders, Drive Out Animal Pests, And Train Dogs to Stop Barking. They Are Readily Available to The Public and Do Not Require Special Licensing or Other Red Tape!''
''You wouldn't have a clue what infrasound is. – Blade''
The bottom line – I have such a device. You have nothing. But flounder around searching the net in hope of catching me out.
Oh, look, I found a fake photo.
So, I take it you won't be buying a device? You should if you are that interested in proving me wrong.
You are simply trolling.
Blade, despite introducing the term, you simply didn't know what infrasound is, while suggesting that others didn't have a clue.
Apparently this is a big deal for you, but it's honestly no biggie to me – I make mistakes every day.
You call it ‘trolling’, I call it ‘educating’ – for free!
"Btw, you’ve made over 80 comments on The Standard since we last corresponded. What’s your definition of this term “troll” that you are so free with?"
My definition is vacuous comments that are posted in response to my comments. You will notice I try and respond in a respectful manner to those who take the effort to respond with pertinent points and views – and not one line trolling.
I call them out like I should.
Still waiting on your plan to clear protesters?
This is considered a quickie tow job. But it still has its problems. Notice the forklift principle on a smaller scale? The problem is I'm guessing no tow truck will have that much room to move on a Wellington street.
May not pan out this way, but my preference is to let the peaceful protesters be, while minimising the disruption to residents.
In a few months time, when NZ is on the other side of our Omicron wave, and the consensus opinion of public health experts is that our Government can begin to ease vaccine mandates (for now), the police and/or army can mop up any truly distasteful remnants.
Authorities should have harvested plenty of evidence by then.
Well, that's what I believe most people would want to happen.
But I'm talking about a plan to move vehicles if the police DECIDE action is required now.
Happy to leave that hypothetical to experts such as your good self.

"Half of them are there just because its more exciting than being at home and everything is free."
Quotes:
''As the occupation grows and strengthens, Police Commissioner Andrew Coster is now facing calls for his resignation.''
''Commentators call him “Cuddles Coster”. Simon Bridges publicly accused him of being a “wokester”. And frontline officers have nicknamed him The Lantern (very bright but needs carrying).''
That last sentence confirms the calls and texts to talkback from SUPPOSED police officers and their families.
Of course, I took some stick for that from trolls on this site for quoting those callers.
Crikey, I love this gig. Leties are so much fun.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/300521985/occupation-day-13-police-instructed-to-take-zerotolerance-approach-to-abuse-intimidation-or-violence-against-public
We can see from the various name calling the frontline officers are clearly quite sharp. Want to guess their moniker for you before you put the new police forklifts and air-cannons policies into practice?
Air-cannons?
Police forklifts?
Sock it to me anyway.
BTW- do you have a problem with using forklifts. If so, would you like to expand on what could be possible problems with such an approach?
You know…some comments with substance.
Seems to require two trucks. One for the car and one for the forklift (which don't move that fast, especially when balancing a finely balanced heavy weight). Generally the idea is not to damage the vehicles being towed, because then the Police need to justify the property damage inflicted.
And if it goes wrong and they drop the car your going to be making the news with your innovation.
Think you will definitely be in line to be Commissioner Hammer (not the sharpest tool).
''Seems to require two trucks. One for the car and one for the forklift. ''
That's just a matter of perception. Let's leave that to one side.
''(which don't move that fast, especially when balancing a finely balanced heavy weight).''
Now, I've thought about that, and damage is possible, if the sills of the car or van don't take the load. However, given police will be working under a time constraint( depending on violence), an onsite Motor Assessor will inspect each vehicles and compensation will be paid. I don't envisage a large amount of money. Safety of operators must come first.
Speed of forklifts in this situation is not important, because even a slow speed is way faster than having tow trucks drive in and manoeuvre.
Stability of load is an issue. But easily overcome I believe.
Given forklifts won't be used, I will be interested to see how things go with tow trucks. Perhaps they may handle the job with ease. ?
''Think you will definitely be in line to be Commissioner Hammer (not the sharpest tool).''
Commissioner Nic The Witless ( tries hard: fails much).
I once was a 'Leaftie', now I'm a 'Letie"! Well, we do let you have your fun; and you're welcome to it.
By the way, 'lantern' is quite clever. They might find out he has a short wick, though.
In cricket they have a nickname for very poor batsmen. "Ferrets". They're the ones who go in after the rabbits.
Considering some of the rubbish spouted by those who have gone down the social media rabbit holes, there are many who might justify the nickname 'ferret'.
''I once was a 'Leaftie', now I'm a 'Letie"! Well, we do let you have your fun; and you're welcome to it.''
I'm sure you do. I believe you. I just prefer Leftie to Lefty. Sometimes I spell things wrong, but hey, I don't have to pull people up on grammar because I'm scraping the bottom of the barrel.
*Coster
Very good – apple of the a day.
Very good, Blade, especially for one who is not a costermonger…….
"Costermonger" – so clever mac1 – I learn something every night.
Not really interested in Gottcha journalism.
But, at the first reading, this looks like a Minister seriously out of her depth in the detail of the legislation that she's shepherding through parliament.
Carmel Seuploni on the Oranga Tamariki Oversight Bill – which is a piece of legislation sorely needed, and which has been very heavily criticized by a wide range of interested parties (most of whom are firmly on the left spectrum of the political agenda).
The journalist Aaron Smale is anything but a right wing apologist – he's been actively involved in reporting on our shameful past in a range of state care services.
Having navigated his way past the press secretary, and with Sepuloni knowing he wanted to talk about that Bill in particular, you would expect her to have the details, and arguments at her fingertips.
Finally, hanging up on a journalist is a seriously bad look for a government trying to portray themselves as open and transparent (or, ATM, even as competent). It looks as though she panicked, and didn't even do the safe 'I'll get back to you on that one, Aaron – response' so beloved of senior ministers.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/pou-tiaki/300520836/questions-left-hanging-as-minister-for-social-development-carmel-sepuloni-hangs-up
In 2020, Michael Keaton stared in a movie called Worth. It was about how you put the value on human life. In this case following 9/11.
I do wonder if the government naysayers have done the maths seeing as how they want to open our borders.
How much is a human life worth?
Based on the appalling incidence of child abuse and murder in NZ – the answer appears to be not very much.
It is an interesting conundrum actually.
Can't help thinking the current police commissioner is a touchy feely, not cause hassle lets all cuddle teddies dude.
But you can't really blame the geezer, as if they go in hard core he will be lambasted.