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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Rob MacCulloch writes – Throughout the pandemic, the new Vice-Chancellor-of-Otago-University-on-$629,000 per annum-Can-you-believe-it-and-Former-Finance-Minister Grant Robertson repeated the mantra over and over that he saved “lives and livelihoods”.As we update how this claim is faring over the course of time, the facts are increasingly speaking differently. NZ ...
Chris Trotter writes – IT’S A COMMONPLACE of political speeches, especially those delivered in acknowledgement of electoral victory: “We’ll govern for all New Zealanders.” On the face of it, the pledge is a strange one. Why would any political leader govern in ways that advantaged the huge ...
Bryce Edwards writes – The list of former National Party Ministers being given plum and important roles got longer this week with the appointment of former Deputy Prime Minister Paula Bennett as the chair of Pharmac. The Christopher Luxon-led Government has now made key appointments to Bill ...
TL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy at 10:06am on Wednesday, May 1:The Lead: Business confidence fell across the board in April, falling in some areas to levels last seen during the lockdowns because of a collapse in ...
Over the past 36 hours, Christopher Luxon has been dong his best to portray the centre-right’s plummeting poll numbers as a mark of virtue. Allegedly, the negative verdicts are the result of hard economic times, and of a government bravely set out on a perilous rescue mission from which not ...
Auckland Transport have started rolling out new HOP card readers around the network and over the next three months, all of them on buses, at train stations and ferry wharves will be replaced. The change itself is not that remarkable, with the new readers looking similar to what is already ...
Completed reads for April: The Difference Engine, by William Gibson and Bruce Sterling Carnival of Saints, by George Herman The Snow Spider, by Jenny Nimmo Emlyn’s Moon, by Jenny Nimmo The Chestnut Soldier, by Jenny Nimmo Death Comes As the End, by Agatha Christie Lord of the Flies, by ...
On February 14, 2023 we announced our Rebuttal Update Project. This included an ask for feedback about the added "At a glance" section in the updated basic rebuttal versions. This weekly blog post series highlights this new section of one of the updated basic rebuttal versions and serves as a ...
Have a story to share about St Paul’s, but today just picturesPopular novels written at this desk by a young man who managed to bootstrap himself out of father’s imprisonment and his own young life in a workhouse Read more ...
The list of former National Party Ministers being given plum and important roles got longer this week with the appointment of former Deputy Prime Minister Paula Bennett as the chair of Pharmac. The Christopher Luxon-led Government has now made key appointments to Bill English, Simon Bridges, Steven Joyce, Roger Sowry, ...
Newsroom has a story today about National's (fortunately failed) effort to disestablish the newly-created Inspector-General of Defence. The creation of this agency was the key recommendation of the Inquiry into Operation Burnham, and a vital means of restoring credibility and social licence to an agency which had been caught lying ...
Holding On To The Present:The moment a political movement arises that attacks the whole idea of social progress, and announces its intention to wind back the hands of History’s clock, then democracy, along with its unwritten rules, is in mortal danger.IT’S A COMMONPLACE of political speeches, especially those delivered in ...
Stuck In The Middle With You:As Christopher Luxon feels the hot breath of Act’s and NZ First’s extremists on the back of his neck and, as he reckons with the damage their policies are already inflicting upon a country he’s described as “fragile”, is there not some merit in reaching out ...
The unpopular coalition government is currently rushing to repeal section 7AA of the Oranga Tamariki Act. The clause is Oranga Tamariki's Treaty clause, and was inserted after its systematic stealing of Māori children became a public scandal and resulted in physical resistance to further abductions. The clause created clear obligations ...
Buzz from the Beehive The government’s official website – which Point of Order monitors daily – not for the first time has nothing much to say today about political happenings that are grabbing media headlines. It makes no mention of the latest 1News-Verian poll, for example. This shows National down ...
It Takes A Train To Cry:Surely, there is nothing lonelier in all this world than the long wail of a distant steam locomotive on a cold Winter’s night.AS A CHILD, I would lie awake in my grandfather’s house and listen to the traffic. The big wooden house was only a ...
Packing A Punch: The election of the present government, including in its ranks politicians dedicated to reasserting the rights of the legislature in shaping and determining the future of Māori and Pakeha in New Zealand, should have alerted the judiciary – including its anomalous appendage, the Waitangi Tribunal – that its ...
Dead Woman Walking: New Zealand’s media industry had been moving steadily towards disaster for all the years Melissa Lee had been National’s media and communications policy spokesperson, and yet, when the crisis finally broke, on her watch, she had nothing intelligent to offer. Christopher Luxon is a patient man - but he’s not ...
Chris Trotter writes – New Zealand politics is remarkably easy-going: dangerously so, one might even say. With the notable exception of John Key’s flat ruling-out of the NZ First Party in 2008, all parties capable of clearing MMP’s five-percent threshold, or winning one or more electorate seats, tend ...
Bryce Edwards writes – Polling shows that Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau has the lowest approval rating of any mayor in the country. Siting at -12 per cent, the proportion of constituents who disapprove of her performance outweighs those who give her the thumbs up. This negative rating is ...
Luxon will no doubt put a brave face on it, but there is no escaping the pressure this latest poll will put on him and the government. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on Aotearoa-NZ’s political ...
This is a re-post from The Climate Brink by Andrew Dessler In the wake of any unusual weather event, someone inevitably asks, “Did climate change cause this?” In the most literal sense, that answer is almost always no. Climate change is never the sole cause of hurricanes, heat waves, droughts, or ...
Something odd happened yesterday, and I’d love to know if there’s more to it. If there was something which preempted what happened, or if it was simply a throwaway line in response to a journalist.Yesterday David Seymour was asked at a press conference what the process would be if the ...
Hi,From time to time, I want to bring Webworm into the real world. We did it last year with the Jurassic Park event in New Zealand — which was a lot of fun!And so on Saturday May 11th, in Los Angeles, I am hosting a lil’ Webworm pop-up! I’ve been ...
Education Minister Erica Standford yesterday unveiled a fundamental reform of the way our school pupils are taught. She would not exactly say so, but she is all but dismantling the so-called “inquiry” “feel good” method of teaching, which has ruled in our classrooms since a major review of the New ...
Exactly where are we seriously going with this government and its policies? That is, apart from following what may as well be a Truss-Lite approach on the purported economic “plan“, and Victorian-era regression when it comes to social policy.Oh it’ll work this time of course, we’re basically assured, “the ...
Hey Uncle Dave, When the Poms joined the EEC, I wasn't one of those defeatists who said, Well, that’s it for the dairy job. And I was right, eh? The Chinese can’t get enough of our milk powder and eventually, the Poms came to their senses and backed up the ute ...
Polling shows that Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau has the lowest approval rating of any mayor in the country. Siting at -12 per cent, the proportion of constituents who disapprove of her performance outweighs those who give her the thumbs up. This negative rating is higher than for any other mayor ...
Buzz from the Beehive Pharmac has been given a financial transfusion and a new chair to oversee its spending in the pharmaceutical business. Associate Health Minister David Seymour described the funding for Pharmac as “its largest ever budget of $6.294 billion over four years, fixing a $1.774 billion fiscal cliff”. ...
Bryce Edwards writes – Many criticisms are being made of the Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill, including by this writer. But as with everything in politics, every story has two sides, and both deserve attention. It’s important to understand what the Government is trying to achieve and its ...
TL;DR: Here’s my top 10 ‘pick ‘n’ mix of links to news, analysis and opinion articles as of 10:10am on Monday, April 29:Scoop: The children's ward at Rotorua Hospital will be missing a third of its beds as winter hits because Te Whatu Ora halted an upgrade partway through to ...
span class=”dropcap”>As hideous as David Seymour can be, it is worth keeping in mind occasionally that there are even worse political figures (and regimes) out there. Iran for instance, is about to execute the country’s leading hip hop musician Toomaj Salehi, for writing and performing raps that “corrupt” the nation’s ...
Yesterday marked 10 years since the first electric train carried passengers in Auckland so it’s a good time to look back at it and the impact it has had. A brief history The first proposals for rail electrification in Auckland came in the 1920’s alongside the plans for earlier ...
Right now, in Aotearoa-NZ, our ‘animal spirits’ are darkening towards a winter of discontent, thanks at least partly to a chorus of negative comments and actions from the Government Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on ...
You make people evil to punish the paststuck inside a sequel with a rotating castThe following photos haven’t been generated with AI, or modified in any way. They are flesh and blood, human beings. On the left is Galatea Young, a young mum, and her daughter Fiadh who has Angelman ...
April has been a quiet month at A Phuulish Fellow. I have had an exceptionally good reading month, and a decently productive writing month – for original fiction, anyway – but not much has caught my eye that suggested a blog article. It has been vaguely frustrating, to be honest. ...
A listing of 31 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, April 21, 2024 thru Sat, April 27, 2024. Story of the week Anthropogenic climate change may be the ultimate shaggy dog story— but with a twist, because here ...
Hi,I spent about a year on Webworm reporting on an abusive megachurch called Arise, and it made me want to stab my eyes out with a fork.I don’t regret that reporting in 2022 and 2023 — I am proud of it — but it made me angry.Over three main stories ...
The new Victoria University Vice-Chancellor decided to have a forum at the university about free speech and academic freedom as it is obviously a topical issue, and the Government is looking at legislating some carrots or sticks for universities to uphold their obligations under the Education and Training Act. They ...
Do you remember when Melania Trump got caught out using a speech that sounded awfully like one Michelle Obama had given? Uncannily so.Well it turns out that Abraham Lincoln is to Winston Peters as Michelle was to Melania. With the ANZAC speech Uncle Winston gave at Gallipoli having much in ...
She was born 25 years ago today in North Shore hospital. Her eyes were closed tightly shut, her mouth was silently moving. The whole theatre was all quiet intensity as they marked her a 2 on the APGAR test. A one-minute eternity later, she was an 8. The universe was ...
Skeptical Science is partnering with Gigafact to produce fact briefs — bite-sized fact checks of trending claims. This fact brief was written by Sue Bin Park in collaboration with members from our Skeptical Science team. You can submit claims you think need checking via the tipline. Is Antarctica gaining land ice? ...
Images of US students (and others) protesting and setting up tent cities on US university campuses have been broadcast world wide and clearly demonstrate the growing rifts in US society caused by US policy toward Israel and Israel’s prosecution of … Continue reading → ...
The Government is again adding to New Zealand’s growing unemployment, this time cutting jobs at the agencies responsible for urban development and growing much needed housing stock. ...
With Minister Karen Chhour indicating in the House today that she either doesn’t know or care about the frontline cuts she’s making to Oranga Tamariki, we risk seeing more and more of our children falling through the cracks. ...
The Labour Party is saddened to learn of the death of Sir Robert Martin, a globally renowned disability advocate who led the way for disability rights both in New Zealand and internationally. ...
Labour is calling for the Government to urgently rethink its coalition commitment to restart live animal exports, Labour animal welfare spokesperson Rachel Boyack said. ...
Today’s Financial Stability Report has once again highlighted that poverty and deep inequality are political choices - and this Government is choosing to make them worse. ...
The Green Party is calling on the Government to do more for our households in most need as unemployment rises and the cost of living crisis endures. ...
Unemployment is on the rise and it’s only going to get worse under this Government, Labour finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds said. Stats NZ figures show the unemployment rate grew to 4.3 percent in the March quarter from 4 percent in the December quarter. “This is the second rise in unemployment ...
The New Zealand Labour Party welcomes the entering into force of the European Union and New Zealand free trade agreement. This agreement opens the door for a huge increase in trade opportunities with a market of 450 million people who are high value discerning consumers of New Zealand goods and ...
The National-led Government continues its fiscal jiggery pokery with its Pharmac announcement today, Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall says. “The government has increased Pharmac funding but conceded it will only make minimal increases in access to medicine”, said Ayesha Verrall “This is far from the bold promises made to fund ...
This afternoon’s interim Waitangi Tribunal report must be taken seriously as it affects our most vulnerable children, Labour children’s spokesperson Willow-Jean Prime. ...
Te Pāti Māori are demanding the New Zealand Government support an international independent investigation into mass graves that have been uncovered at two hospitals on the Gaza strip, following weeks of assault by Israeli troops. Among the 392 bodies that have been recovered, are children and elderly civilians. Many of ...
Our two-tiered system for veterans’ support is out of step with our closest partners, and all parties in Parliament should work together to fix it, Labour veterans’ affairs spokesperson Greg O’Connor said. ...
Stripping two Ministers of their portfolios just six months into the job shows Christopher Luxon’s management style is lacking, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said. ...
Tonight’s court decision to overturn the summons of the Children’s Minister has enabled the Crown to continue making decisions about Māori without evidence, says Te Pāti Māori spokesperson for Children, Mariameno Kapa-Kingi. “The judicial system has this evening told the nation that this government can do whatever they want when ...
It appears Nicola Willis is about to pull the rug out from under the feet of local communities still dealing with the aftermath of last year’s severe weather, and local councils relying on funding to build back from these disasters. ...
The Government is making short-sighted changes to the Resource Management Act (RMA) that will take away environmental protection in favour of short-term profits, Labour’s environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said today. ...
Labour welcomes the release of the report into the North Island weather events and looks forward to working with the Government to ensure that New Zealand is as prepared as it can be for the next natural disaster. ...
The Labour Party has called for the New Zealand Government to recognise Palestine, as a material step towards progressing the two-State solution needed to achieve a lasting peace in the region. ...
Some of our country’s most important work, stopping the sexual exploitation of children and violent extremism could go along with staff on the frontline at ports and airports. ...
The Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill will give projects such as new coal mines a ‘get out of jail free’ card to wreak havoc on the environment, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said today. ...
The government's decision to reintroduce Three Strikes is a destructive and ineffective piece of law-making that will only exacerbate an inherently biased and racist criminal justice system, said Te Pāti Māori Justice Spokesperson, Tākuta Ferris, today. During the time Three Strikes was in place in Aotearoa, Māori and Pasifika received ...
Cuts to frontline hospital staff are not only a broken election promise, it shows the reckless tax cuts have well and truly hit the frontline of the health system, says Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall. ...
The Green Party has joined the call for public submissions on the fast-track legislation to be extended after the Ombudsman forced the Government to release the list of organisations invited to apply just hours before submissions close. ...
New Zealand’s good work at reducing climate emissions for three years in a row will be undone by the National government’s lack of ambition and scrapping programmes that were making a difference, Labour Party climate spokesperson Megan Woods said today. ...
More essential jobs could be on the chopping block, this time Ministry of Education staff on the school lunches team are set to find out whether they're in line to lose their jobs. ...
Te Pāti Māori is disgusted at the confirmation that hundreds are set to lose their jobs at Oranga Tamariki, and the disestablishment of the Treaty Response Unit. “This act of absolute carelessness and out of touch decision making is committing tamariki to state abuse.” Said Te Pāti Māori Oranga Tamariki ...
The Government is trying to bring in a law that will allow Ministers to cut corners and kill off native species, Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said. ...
Cancelling urgently needed new Cook Strait ferries and hiking the cost of public transport for many Kiwis so that National can announce the prospect of another tunnel for Wellington is not making good choices, Labour Transport Spokesperson Tangi Utikere said. ...
A laundry list of additional costs for Tāmaki Makarau Auckland shows the Minister for the city is not delivering for the people who live there, says Labour Auckland Issues spokesperson Shanan Halbert. ...
Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi, and Mema Paremata mō Tāmaki-Makaurau, Takutai Tarsh Kemp, will travel to the Gold Coast to strengthen ties with Māori in Australia next week (15-21 April). The visit, in the lead-up to the 9th Australian National Kapa haka Festival, will be an opportunity for both ...
The Minister Responsible for RMA Reform, Chris Bishop today released his decision on four recommendations referred to him by the Western Bay of Plenty District Council, opening the door to housing growth in the area. The Council’s Plan Change 92 allows more homes to be built in existing and new ...
Thank you, John McKinnon and the New Zealand China Council for the invitation to speak to you today. Thank you too, all members of the China Council. Your effort has played an essential role in helping to build, shape, and grow a balanced and resilient relationship between our two ...
The Government is modernising insurance law to better protect Kiwis and provide security in the event of a disaster, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly announced today. “These reforms are long overdue. New Zealand’s insurance law is complicated and dated, some of which is more than 100 years old. ...
The coalition Government is refreshing its approach to supporting pay equity claims as time-limited funding for the Pay Equity Taskforce comes to an end, Public Service Minister Nicola Willis says. “Three years ago, the then-government introduced changes to the Equal Pay Act to support pay equity bargaining. The changes were ...
Structured literacy will change the way New Zealand children learn to read - improving achievement and setting students up for success, Education Minister Erica Stanford says. “Being able to read and write is a fundamental life skill that too many young people are missing out on. Recent data shows that ...
Trade Minister Todd McClay says Canada’s refusal to comply in full with a CPTPP trade dispute ruling in our favour over dairy trade is cynical and New Zealand has no intention of backing down. Mr McClay said he has asked for urgent legal advice in respect of our ‘next move’ ...
The rights of our children and young people will be enhanced by changes the coalition Government will make to strengthen oversight of the Oranga Tamariki system, including restoring a single Children’s Commissioner. “The Government is committed to delivering better public services that care for our most at-risk young people and ...
The Government is making it easier for minor changes to be made to a building consent so building a home is easier and more affordable, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “The coalition Government is focused on making it easier and cheaper to build homes so we can ...
New Zealand lost a true legend when internationally renowned disability advocate Sir Robert Martin (KNZM) passed away at his home in Whanganui last night, Disabilities Issues Minister Louise Upston says. “Our Government’s thoughts are with his wife Lynda, family and community, those he has worked with, the disability community in ...
Good evening – Before discussing the challenges and opportunities facing New Zealand’s foreign policy, we’d like to first acknowledge the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs. You have contributed to debates about New Zealand foreign policy over a long period of time, and we thank you for hosting us. ...
From today, passengers travelling internationally from Auckland Airport will be able to keep laptops and liquids in their carry-on bags for security screening thanks to new technology, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Creating a more efficient and seamless travel experience is important for holidaymakers and businesses, enabling faster movement through ...
People with an interest in the health of Northland’s marine ecosystems are invited to a public meeting to discuss how to deal with kina barrens, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones will lead the discussion, which will take place on Friday, 10 May, at Awanui Hotel in ...
Kiwi exporters are $100 million better off today with the NZ EU FTA entering into force says Trade Minister Todd McClay. “This is all part of our plan to grow the economy. New Zealand's prosperity depends on international trade, making up 60 per cent of the country’s total economic activity. ...
There are heartening signs that the extractive sector is once again becoming an attractive prospect for investors and a source of economic prosperity for New Zealand, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The beginnings of a resurgence in extractive industries are apparent in media reports of the sector in the past ...
The return of the historic Ō-Rākau battle site to the descendants of those who fought there moved one step closer today with the first reading of Te Pire mō Ō-Rākau, Te Pae o Maumahara / The Ō-Rākau Remembrance Bill. The Bill will entrust the 9.7-hectare battle site, five kilometres west ...
Energy Minister Simeon Brown has announced 25 new high-speed EV charging hubs along key routes between major urban centres and outlined the Government’s plan to supercharge New Zealand’s EV infrastructure. The hubs will each have several chargers and be capable of charging at least four – and up to 10 ...
The coalition Government will not proceed with the previous Government’s plans to regulate residential property managers, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. “I have written to the Chairperson of the Social Services and Community Committee to inform him that the Government does not intend to support the Residential Property Managers Bill ...
The Government has announced an independent review into the disability support system funded by the Ministry of Disabled People – Whaikaha. Disability Issues Minister Louise Upston says the review will look at what can be done to strengthen the long-term sustainability of Disability Support Services to provide disabled people and ...
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith has attended the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva and outlined the Government’s plan to restore law and order. “Speaking to the United Nations Human Rights Council provided us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while responding to issues and ...
The Government and Rotorua Lakes Council are committed to working closely together to end the use of contracted emergency housing motels in Rotorua. Associate Minister of Housing (Social Housing) Tama Potaka says the Government remains committed to ending the long-term use of contracted emergency housing motels in Rotorua by the ...
Trade Minister Todd McClay heads overseas today for high-level trade talks in the Gulf region, and a key OECD meeting in Paris. Mr McClay will travel to Riyadh to meet with counterparts from Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). “New Zealand’s goods and services exports to the Gulf region ...
Education Minister Erica Stanford has outlined six education priorities to deliver a world-leading education system that sets Kiwi kids up for future success. “I’m putting ambition, achievement and outcomes at the heart of our education system. I want every child to be inspired and engaged in their learning so they ...
The new NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) App is a secure ‘one stop shop’ to provide the services drivers need, Transport Minister Simeon Brown and Digitising Government Minister Judith Collins say. “The NZTA App will enable an easier way for Kiwis to pay for Vehicle Registration and Road User Charges (RUC). ...
Whānau with tamariki growing up in emergency housing motels will be prioritised for social housing starting this week, says Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka. “Giving these whānau a better opportunity to build healthy stable lives for themselves and future generations is an essential part of the Government’s goal of reducing ...
Racing Minister Winston Peters has paid tribute to an icon of the industry with the recent passing of Dave O’Sullivan (OBE). “Our sympathies are with the O’Sullivan family with the sad news of Dave O’Sullivan’s recent passing,” Mr Peters says. “His contribution to racing, initially as a jockey and then ...
Assalaamu alaikum, greetings to you all. Eid Mubarak, everyone! I want to extend my warmest wishes to you and everyone celebrating this joyous occasion. It is a pleasure to be here. I have enjoyed Eid celebrations at Parliament before, but this is my first time joining you as the Minister ...
Associate Health Minister David Seymour has announced Pharmac’s largest ever budget of $6.294 billion over four years, fixing a $1.774 billion fiscal cliff. “Access to medicines is a crucial part of many Kiwis’ lives. We’ve committed to a budget allocation of $1.774 billion over four years so Kiwis are ...
Hon Paula Bennett has been appointed as member and chair of the Pharmac board, Associate Health Minister David Seymour announced today. "Pharmac is a critical part of New Zealand's health system and plays a significant role in ensuring that Kiwis have the best possible access to medicines,” says Mr Seymour. ...
Hundreds of New Zealand families affected by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) will benefit from a new Government focus on prevention and treatment, says Health Minister Dr Shane Reti. “We know FASD is a leading cause of preventable intellectual and neurodevelopmental disability in New Zealand,” Dr Reti says. “Every day, ...
Regional Development Minister Shane Jones today attended the official opening of Kaikohe’s new $14.7 million sports complex. “The completion of the Kaikohe Multi Sports Complex is a fantastic achievement for the Far North,” Mr Jones says. “This facility not only fulfils a long-held dream for local athletes, but also creates ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters’ engagements in Türkiye this week underlined the importance of diplomacy to meet growing global challenges. “Returning to the Gallipoli Peninsula to represent New Zealand at Anzac commemorations was a sombre reminder of the critical importance of diplomacy for de-escalating conflicts and easing tensions,” Mr Peters ...
Ambassador Millar, Burgemeester, Vandepitte, Excellencies, military representatives, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen – good morning and welcome to this sacred Anzac Day dawn service. It is an honour to be here on behalf of the Government and people of New Zealand at Buttes New British Cemetery, Polygon Wood – a deeply ...
Distinguished guests - It is an honour to return once again to this site which, as the resting place for so many of our war-dead, has become a sacred place for generations of New Zealanders. Our presence here and at the other special spaces of Gallipoli is made ...
Mai ia tawhiti pamamao, te moana nui a Kiwa, kua tae whakaiti mai matou, ki to koutou papa whenua. No koutou te tapuwae, no matou te tapuwae, kua honoa pumautia. Ko nga toa kua hinga nei, o te Waipounamu, o te Ika a Maui, he okioki tahi me o ...
Paul Goldsmith will take on responsibility for the Media and Communications portfolio, while Louise Upston will pick up the Disability Issues portfolio, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced today. “Our Government is relentlessly focused on getting New Zealand back on track. As issues change in prominence, I plan to adjust Ministerial ...
Recreational catch limits will be reduced in areas of Fiordland and the Chatham Islands to help keep those fisheries healthy and sustainable, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The lower recreational daily catch limits for a range of finfish and shellfish species caught in the Fiordland Marine Area and ...
Energy Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed an important milestone in New Zealand’s hydrogen future, with the opening of the country’s first network of hydrogen refuelling stations in Wiri. “I want to congratulate the team at Hiringa Energy and its partners K one W one (K1W1), Mitsui & Co New Zealand ...
The coalition Government is delivering on its commitment to improve resource management laws and give greater certainty to consent applicants, with a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) expected to be introduced to Parliament next month. RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop has today outlined the first RMA Amendment ...
Overseas models for regulating the oil and gas sector, including their decommissioning regimes, are being carefully scrutinised as a potential template for New Zealand’s own sector, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. The Coalition Government is focused on rebuilding investor confidence in New Zealand’s energy sector as it looks to strengthen ...
Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell has today released the Report of the Government Inquiry into the response to the North Island Severe Weather Events. “The report shows that New Zealand’s emergency management system is not fit-for-purpose and there are some significant gaps we need to address,” Mr Mitchell ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Joshua Black, Political Historian and Administrator Officer, Australian Historical Association, Australian National University Australia has had its fair share of public record-keeping controversies in recent years. Some have been mere farce, as in the case of two formerly government-owned filing cabinets (containing ...
Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL), a United Nations-affiliated organization dedicated to fostering peace through civilian-led initiatives, has issued a statement in response to the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran. ...
A poem by Tessa Keenan, from AUP New Poets 10. Mātou These days we are a photograph; one of a farm strewn with cows that used to be bright harakeke or swamp. The kids point at it and say the sun sits behind a smudge (left by someone at Christmas); ...
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 Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan (Faber & Faber, $25)The masterful Irish writer ...
Marriage and civil union statistics record the number of marriages and civil unions registered in New Zealand each year, and divorce statistics record the number of divorces granted in New Zealand each year. Key facts Marriages and civil unions In ...
Marriage and civil union statistics record the number of marriages and civil unions registered in New Zealand each year, and divorce statistics record the number of divorces granted in New Zealand each year. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Lennon Y.C. Chang, Associate Professor of Cyber Risk and Policy, Deakin University Taiwan stands out as a beacon of democracy, innovation and resilience in an increasingly autocratic region. But this is under growing threat. In recent years, China has used a variety ...
In this excerpt from her new memoir, Dame Susan Devoy remembers her turn as star contestant on the 2022 season of Celebrity Treasure Island. The most anxious time of every day was pre-elimination, when you knew this could be your final day on the show. I felt such contradictory emotions, ...
A week that began in triumph ended in an all-too-familiar disaster for the Green Party. Duncan Greive asks if there’s something in the mission that breaks its best and brightest. A long, strange week for the Green party began with a fantastic poll result. On one level this is hardly ...
By Lydia Lewis, RNZ Pacific journalist Vanuatu’s former prime minister and opposition MP Ishmael Kalsakau has stepped down — just two days after he confirmed he was the rightful opposition leader. Kalsakau, MP for Port Vila, confirmed to ABC’s Pacific Beat, and the Vanuatu Daily Post on Thursday that he ...
What’s to blame for the coalition’s choppy start? Six months in, and the mojo meter is in the doldrums. A new poll would put National out of power and sees its leader, Chris Luxon, sliding in popularity. How much is it about policy, how much coalition management and a perception ...
The striking report goes far beyond the proposed repeal of the Oranga Tamariki Act’s Treaty of Waitangi provision, and its impact should be felt far beyond the unique circumstances of the claim it addresses. Earlier this week, the Waitangi Tribunal released an interim report on the government’s proposed repeal of ...
The world has been experiencing a productivity slowdown, from which New Zealand has not been exempt. COVID-19 temporarily boosted labour productivity, but more recently, productivity has retreated. The overall trend since 2007 has been one of slow productivity ...
What’s more wasteful than spending $315k on syrup and machine maintenance? Trying to drum up a controversy about it.Cast your mind back to the pre-pandemic idylls of 2019. A “rat” was a disgusting rodent and not a self-administered plague test; the sixth Labour government was in power; and the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kate Fitz-Gibbon, Professor of Social Sciences, Faculty of Arts, Monash University, Monash University Ken stocker/Shutterstock In the wake of numerous killings of women allegedly by men’s violence in 2024, thousands of Australians have joined rallies across the country to demand action ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Henry Cutler, Professor and Director, Macquarie University Centre for the Health Economy, Macquarie University Oleg Ivanov IL/Shutterstock Waiting times for public hospital elective surgery have been in the news ahead of this year’s federal budget. That’s the type of non-emergency surgery ...
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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……
No but great vision.
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.