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Open mike 20/04/2022

Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, April 20th, 2022 - 80 comments
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80 comments on “Open mike 20/04/2022 ”

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  1. Jester 1
    20 April 2022 at 7:12 am

    This will piss off a lot of people that had family stuck overseas for Xmas. Not a lot of kindness there.

    Government was advised in November there was no longer 'any' justification for MIQ (msn.com)

    • Ed1 1.1
      20 April 2022 at 7:50 am

      I came across this link this morning – in reply to something from Judith Collins:

      From memory, this was just as we were seeing the coming wave of Omicron, and preparing for it. At that time, (and probably before and since) the priorities of the government were to 1. Slow down infections under Delta; 2. Delay the entry of Omicron, and 3. to ensure that as far as possible our hospitals were not overwhelmed, but at the time and until the pandemic is over.

      Was this ''disclosure'' of only part of a story yet another ''dirty tricks'' half-story timed for when the PM is overseas?

      Will the government respond with a fuller story? Have they been asked? Are they leaving damage control until a lot more people are convinced the half-story is all there is?

      Do we know who requested the correspondence under the OIA?

      • Tiger Mountain 1.1.1
        20 April 2022 at 8:18 am

        Good questions Ed1. The timing is impeccable, the interviews with Chris Bishop were all lined up this morning.

        It is time the fifth columnists in the Public service and Government Ministries were taken on–co-ordinated leaks not whistleblowing–has been the identifier of Natzo involvement in COVID matters from the start.

    • Shanreagh 1.2
      20 April 2022 at 8:46 am

      Pity that it is rubbish journalism though. But I suppose the antis will grab at anything whether justified or not. Typical attempt at gotcha journalism,

      So NZ was supposed to open up wide so that all and sundry could come in for Christmas etc bearing such delights as Omicron etc. Omicron has been bad enough the way it has started and continued let alone it being started like an arson fire with multiple fire starters. Also lacks knowledge of the relationship between Govt and advisers.

      For a better take see the latest thread by Mickysavage.

      If you were in any doubt that this is poor journalism this word should convince you where the point of the article is…….that is ‘cruel’.

      People’s lives are often/always being interrupted by being on the wrong side of laws/regs made by the Govt for the greater good. The changes to things like assets required to purchase a new home or to be eligible for Kainga Ora housing, customs duties etc etc…untold examples.
      That you were on the other side is ascribed to luck rather than cruelty as the Govt/regulators were making the best decisions for the greatest number at the time.

      RNZ’s weird take on MIQ

    • Patricia Bremner 1.3
      20 April 2022 at 9:00 am

      Jester, only the self interested or stupid.

      Nov 24th was notable for the recognition of Omicron, and naturally, defenses were kept for a time to slow this to allow more vaccinations and understanding of how the new variant would affect the Health system.

  2. weka 2
    20 April 2022 at 9:35 am

    Another selection from my gender critical twitter today.

      • RedLogix 2.1.1
        20 April 2022 at 10:16 am

        Makes me think that Putin has something of a point when he says the West has become degenerate.

        • Puckish Rogue 2.1.1.1
          20 April 2022 at 10:32 am

          https://www.reuters.com/article/us-science-cern/cern-scientists-eye-parallel-universe-breakthrough-idUSTRE69J35X20101020

          I wouldn't be at all surprised if it was discovered we're living in an alternative reality

          • Sabine 2.1.1.1.1
            20 April 2022 at 12:49 pm

            Nah, just the endstages of capitalism where the body is now 'terra nova' to be exploited, mined and harvested. Eggs, babies on specs ordered and delivered, sperm, breast milk from the human lactater, spare parts, a bit of experimental surgery on how to rebuild genitals blown up by IEDs and such.

            Frankenstein and his monster comes to mind. Who is the real monster?
            have you seen this series?
            this episode deals with a prison where sentences are paid of in ‘harvested and regrown organs’. https://killjoys.fandom.com/wiki/Debtor%27s_Colony
            it will be a bright future, full of equity and freedom and peace and loverly lullabys.

        • Francesca 2.1.1.2
          20 April 2022 at 10:42 am

          Maybe he just hasn't got round to it yet

          (the contrarian in me rising up again )

          Since the late 1990s, Russia has followed a system modelled on many European countries, whereby anyone wishing to change their gender identity must undergo a psychiatric evaluation before receiving the permit needed to change their documents and have surgery.

          https://www.theguardian.com/society/2017/feb/01/russian-doctor-defies-intimidation-to-authorise-gender-reassignment-surgery

          I think its the advertising around trans thats forbidden

        • aj 2.1.1.3
          20 April 2022 at 3:37 pm

          “Putin has something of a point when he says the West has become degenerate”

          "Conservatism is that which does not get in the way of moving forward and upward, but does prevent from sliding backwards and downwards." – Putin

          I won't link to this directly but this is from a short (3:29min) clip, search on YouTube for

          "With the absence of values, society begins to decay"

        • pat 2.1.1.4
          20 April 2022 at 6:08 pm

          Hmmm..dosnt it.

          We have a financial system thats on the brink, housing and food prices unaffordable in most western nations (never mind the developing states) and distrust of the systems under which we live, yet we spend so much energy on 'gender identity'.

          say no more.

          • Anne 2.1.1.4.1
            20 April 2022 at 6:44 pm

            yes

            We have CC to contend with and the possibility of a nuclear holocaust – not to mention Pat's list – yet we have to put up with this nonstop diatribe about gender.

            Say no more indeed.

      • Anker 2.1.2
        20 April 2022 at 2:37 pm

        Who would have thunk PR. An interesting statistic of of growth of 4 x seeking surgical intervention.

        And of course there will be all the surgeries that go wrong e.g Jazz Jennings who had her neo vagina operation on 4 times.

      • felix 2.1.3
        20 April 2022 at 5:21 pm

        "Gender reassignment surgery"? I thought according to the current orthodoxy "gender" had nothing to do with physical bodies. How can something non-physical be "reassigned" by surgery?

        Utter bullshit peddled by utter charlatans.

    • Temp ORary 2.2
      20 April 2022 at 11:01 am

      Colin Wright; managing editor at Quillette (online space for the anti-feminist by the anti-feminist) makes a tweet about how it is really trans women who are eliminating women's rights? That's pretty unpersuasive to me.

      Though the numbered list is a nice touch in making it seem like the sequence is a deliberate scheme, whilst ignoring context. But then I do dislike Twitter generally for its; all headlines, no body; style.

      • weka 2.2.1
        20 April 2022 at 1:18 pm

        Colin Wright; managing editor at Quillette (online space for the anti-feminist by the anti-feminist)

        Any yet feminists write there too 🤷‍♀️ I know this is challenging for some, but there are spaces online where a variety of people write who disagree with each other.

        makes a tweet about how it is really trans women who are eliminating women's rights?

        He's not saying that. Trans women didn't do this, gender ideologues and post modernists did, and then progressives adopted it uncritically. Plenty of trans women who don't agree with gender identity ideology.

        Though the numbered list is a nice touch in making it seem like the sequence is a deliberate scheme, whilst ignoring context.

        I disagree with #3 (it's women who point out the conflict of rights), but otherwise it seems on point (allowing for twitter brevity). In NZ there have been at least two government consultations on gender identity that explicitly didn't consult women.

        But then I do dislike Twitter generally for its; all headlines, no body; style.

        You should hear what people say about TS commenters.

        • Temp ORary 2.2.1.1
          20 April 2022 at 10:48 pm

          Weka – we seem to have as different conceptions of feminism as we do of womenhood. Though admittedly I avoid Quillette, so may have missed the "feminists" writing there. But here's a description of how the site's founder started off:

          On YouTube, there is a 2017 interview with Lehmann by Ezra Levant, an excitable Canadian who runs the right-wing website Rebel Media. As the two stand beside the steps of the Sydney Opera House, squinting into the sun, Lehmann says, “I particularly wanted to criticize feminism, and I couldn’t get published in the Australian media if I was critical of feminism. … I was blacklisted.”

          Whether or not Lehmann was indeed blacklisted from what is arguably Australia’s most respected newspaper, which in turn led her to start her own publication, remains relevant. Cries of victimhood, or of being silenced for voicing unpopular viewpoints, are common grievances among her site’s contributors. Free-speech activists often depict themselves as embattled defenders of reason, even when they speak from positions of power. Lehmann mentioned to me that one editor in particular was determined to shut her out from the Herald and had even tried to ban her. But when I asked that editor, Sarah Oakes, who at the time led the women’s vertical Daily Life, she disputed Lehmann’s account

          https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2018/11/11/intellectual-dark-web-quillette-claire-lehmann-221917/

          He is saying; it is really trans women who are eliminating women's rights, at point #4: "Only consult the male "women" for guidance on how to resolve this conflict". I don't agree with "gender identity ideology" as a term that has any consistent meaning except derision – on a par with "woke" or "cultural marxism". If "Plenty of trans women" (to completely ignore trans men and eNBys) are opposed to this hypothesized Ideology, perhaps you could link to some of them? The trans folk that I know are very a heterogenous cluster of vulnerable people that would be hard-pressed to agree on one particular sociopolitical philosophy worthy of the being referred to as an Ideology.

      • Anker 2.2.2
        20 April 2022 at 2:42 pm

        Temp O Reilly the point about Colin's tweet that is true is that they e.g politicians in this country only listened to trans and their allies about the impact of self id on women. Women who were saying hold on a moment, this is going to impact us, ie any man being able to change his birth certificate to say he is a woman, were shunned and vilified. On yeah they even shut down meetings about this legislation that was going to be help in public libraries. The group who opposed this legislation went to the High Court and the judge overturned the councils cancellation. The judge also deemed SUFW are not a hate group.

        • Temp ORary 2.2.2.1
          20 April 2022 at 11:11 pm

          Anker – my recollection of the SUFW being being barred from using libraries for their meetings was (at least in Dunedin) more due to concern for the wellbeing of other library users.

          At the time, the council posted on Twitter that "We strive to ensure our libraries offer an environment where all members of our community can feel welcome and safe".

          But this afternoon the council released a statement saying a rescheduled event will go ahead at the Dunedin Centre.

          https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/dcc/speak-women-get-dcc-venue-event

          And why were there such concerns?

          More than 1000 people gathered outside the Michael Fowler Centre in Wellington this evening for a transgender rights rally.

          The rally was in response to the controversial group Speak Up For Women holding a talk at the centre, which discussed their opposition to proposed amendments in a bill.

          The amendments will enable people to self-identify their sex on their birth certificate without going to the Family Court.

          Rally organiser Elle Kingsbury said they stood with one clear message.

          "Anti transgender groups like Speak Up for Woman are trying to build support and connections.

          "We are here to build our own social movement and group that counters that, and fights for transgender rights as human rights."

          "Trans rights are human rights," was a chant that could be heard hundreds of metres away.

          The rally was predominantly peaceful, apart from two men who verbally abused protesters, and a woman who smacked an organiser in the face.

          No one was injured and they were immediately escorted from the area by security.

          Damo, the organiser who was hit by the woman, said the atmosphere was tense.

          "A lot of us are very angry and scared of the kind of people that are inside at the talk, and that's because of incidents in our past or having family members that are of similar thinking.

          "There's definitely always that fear of being so publicly exposed as transgender but being so close to people that don't want us to exist."

          https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/more-than-1000-gather-at-wellingtons-transgender-rights-rally/AVOBAGIKQJ2P6QYTD2TWG7FDP4/

          • Anker 2.2.2.1.1
            21 April 2022 at 1:47 pm

            Temp O'Rary what do you mean SUFW were banned from libaries more out of concern for the wellbeing of other library users" ? What does that mean?

            The meetings were scheduled at the libararies to be held at nights held at night, SUFW took the Palmerston North Council to the High Court, because they said the meeting could only go ahead if there were representatives of the gender ideology community there. In the Palm North case, in terms of holding the SUFW meeting if doesn't look like there were concerns for safety, as they would never suggest the two groups get together if they were.

            Christchurch library got the ball rolling by cancelling SUFW. Ironically an old working men's club in Christchurch stepped in and offered the venue. The meeting went very smoothly and some young gender activitists attended and werre welcomed and I understand there was lively debate. No violence.

            The high court in Palmerston deemed that the council should allow the meetings to go ahead and that SUFW could not be deemed a hate group (as claimed by people eager to shut down these meetings.

            By the way the majority of people in SUFW are Labour/Green voters and are left wing feminists who have been involved in activism over many years. The group is not an anti trans group. It was formed out of concern about a piece of legislation (gender self id), that would allow any man to change his birth certificate to say he was a women. SUFW believe that women have the right to safeguard their spaces such as change rooms, girls boarding school, women's prisons, hostels and sporting competitions. There is countless evidence from countries like the US and the UK where men who identify as women are creating many problems for women e.g Wi-spa incidenct, a rape and sodomy of a 14 year of girls in a US high school bathroom by a trans girl. Prisoners in women's prisons becoming pregnant in the US as trans women are housed in women's prison. This is just a very small collection of a vast body of stories about why gender self id is problematic for women.

            • weka 2.2.2.1.1.1
              21 April 2022 at 1:51 pm

              Temp O'Rary what do you mean SUFW were banned from libaries more out of concern for the wellbeing of other library users" ? What does that mean?

              That the conflict of rights is approaching violence and this will affect other people.

              It's a nonsense when we consider the wider protest culture in NZ. If councils don't know how to run facilities with good security, they need to get their shit together.

    • weka 2.3
      20 April 2022 at 3:08 pm

      Deves is an Australian conservative politician who’s been speaking out on gender issues. Yes, you should be concerned that the right is the one determining the narrative as ideologues have shut down the left via No Debate. But also, women will organise across political lines to protect their interests (this isn’t new). Most gender critical feminists are left or centre left, letting them speak will create a better outcome. Meanwhile,

  3. Francesca 3
    20 April 2022 at 10:21 am

    Biological realities inform our experience of growing up female.

    The academia pushing "gender identities" in the social "sciences" are job creation at best and trojan horses at worst.

    Great tweet Weka, says it perfectly.

  4. Reality 4
    20 April 2022 at 12:27 pm

    It is hard to like Chris Luxon. He seems a very cold man. Now he complains the Government should stop spending. Perhaps he should stop spending on hired Mercedes for a short ride, and stop buying investment properties. Anything that gives the average person a small benefit or assistance in their daily life he seems determined to get rid of.

    A very self-entitled man who is mainly interested in "benefiting" the well off.

    • Barfly 4.1
      20 April 2022 at 1:33 pm

      "mainly only interested in "benefiting" the well off." FIFY

    • Patricia Bremner 4.2
      20 April 2022 at 1:44 pm

      Yes, Reality and Barfly, I will never forget the nasty grimaces and snarls about ICU beds he sent across the house directed at the PM. Gimlet eyes full of hate.

    • Poission 4.3
      20 April 2022 at 1:59 pm

      He is reinterpreting what the RBNZ ie inflation is constrained by both Monetary policy and targeted fiscal responsibility.

      But Orr appeared to suggest a changed approach to government spending might also be helpful, saying the Reserve Bank would need “support” to achieve its goals.

      “We are going to have to be very clear with our fiscal authorities around what we are doing and how they could assist with more targeted, effective fiscal policies,” he said.

      https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/128394695/reserve-bank-not-in-a-great-place-with-inflation

      Both the government and local government need to identify what new structural spending is needed,and what should be maintained at depreciation levels.

      Construction in general is at around 110% of local capacity,adding cost due to delays alone.The additional costs will have to met by increased debt with higher servicing.

      • pat 4.3.1
        20 April 2022 at 6:12 pm

        If I read Orr correctly he is advocating for increased support for the bottom quintiles AND increased taxation of those who can meet it…..politically dangerous but absolutely needed.

        Having said such, I believe the call is about a decade late.

        • Poission 4.3.1.1
          20 April 2022 at 6:39 pm

          Yes and no.He wants policies that provide direct support,whilst constraining expansion spending.

          Housing costs for example have increased 50% under labour.36% over covid.Housing costs are due to over extension of the available capacity,which needs to be constrained in a a high interest,high inflation regime.

          Playing around with the RMA,or inner city zoning will not make housing any cheaper,reducing demand by constraining immigration will.

          Japan with its low inflation economy was driven by little immigration and demographic changes.This allowed for little housing inflation ( 1.4% above 1992 level) and improvements to transportation and health care based on efficiency.

          • pat 4.3.1.1.1
            20 April 2022 at 6:51 pm

            "Yes and no.He wants policies that provide direct support,whilst constraining expansion spending."

            He wants a floor and time….the support is the floor and the tax increases provide the time.

            Again ( why does everyone cite Japan, an economy that has a consistant trade surplus, that makes a mulitiude of essential items and continues to do so despite a falling population…the worlds leading robotics economy…..they are not NZ….or anywhere else…they are unique)…we are a one trick pony, in competition witjh many others….ag and hort products (forget tourism, its essentially a net zero game)….we are in trouble, but we are not alone.

            • Poission 4.3.1.1.1.1
              20 April 2022 at 7:12 pm

              So will the taxes go to paying off debt or to increase liquidity further fueling inflation,requiring more OCR rises infintitum.

              Increasing immigration into NZ (increased work permits) when we have a rental housing shortage,high inflation, rising interest rates,(3 key parameters for recessions) suggests Government policy is BAU,when we need policy to dampen inflation expectations.

              An unsustainable economy post Covid is not a future I like.

              • pat …
                20 April 2022 at 7:17 pm

                The increased tax take could go either way….but without it Orr is stuffed.

                And yes it looks like we are going to revert to the previous model quick smart…and we will reap the benefit(?).

                Sadly neolibs (for thats what this gov is) trust nothing else…and Im not even sure its trust, it is more likely fear.

                • Poission …
                  20 April 2022 at 7:34 pm

                  The problem that I see coming is going into an election with > 7% mortgage rates,a recession,rising unemployment,and an opposition that will be saying austerity is all we need,and try to sell off O/S the rest of our strategic assets.

                  • pat …
                    20 April 2022 at 7:38 pm

                    Yes, the impending recession will cost Labour the election…it is always so…and the oppostion will fuck everything up (again) so we are destined to years of decline….it is so frustrating having lived through it once before.

                    The decline may be inevitable but it dosnt need to be as devisive as it was last time….the results of which we still pay for today.

                    • Poission …
                      20 April 2022 at 8:33 pm

                      BAU will only have one outcome,now is where the changes need to happen,not from big noting spectacular outcomes that may never happen,but a more distributed economy that will be more resilient to shocks.

                      When housing prices are some of the highest in the world,and we a re building beyond both production and financial capacity,there needs to be some better thinking.

                      CoreLogic chief economist Kelvin Davidson said the price increases were occurring as the demand for materials outstripped supply.

                      He said a record number of dwellings were consented in the year ended February at nearly 49,800, but there was now a sense emerging within the industry that it might only have the capacity to support 30,000 to 35,000 properties per year.

                      The shift towards building more townhouses, which accounted for nearly half of all consents and require fewer materials, offered no respite because of the sheer volume of new builds.

                      "Some key components are driving the increases in the prices of materials, including timber in general, structural products specifically, as well as metal price," CoreLogic chief property economist Kelvin Davidson said.

                      https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/business/465565/demand-for-materials-driving-record-hike-in-building-costs

          • Nic the NZer 4.3.1.1.2
            20 April 2022 at 7:17 pm

            Didn't the country go through considerable reductions in immigration just recently? In fact it seems to have basically coincided with the most rapid house price rises.

            • Poission 4.3.1.1.2.1
              20 April 2022 at 7:29 pm

              250000 since Q4 2017.

            • KJT 4.3.1.1.2.2
              21 April 2022 at 12:11 pm

              And increased pressure from both NZ expats, and offshore buyers, who have an eye on NZ as a safe bolthole, for either low taxed land "investment" and/or future residency.

    • Bearded Git 4.4
      20 April 2022 at 2:42 pm

      Government spending has gone up in a pandemic…….d'oh!

  5. Anker 5
    20 April 2022 at 2:38 pm

    Who would have thunk PR. An interesting statistic of of growth of 4 x seeking surgical intervention.

    And of course there will be all the surgeries that go wrong e.g Jazz Jennings who had her neo vagina operation on 4 times.

    • McFlock 5.1
      20 April 2022 at 2:50 pm

      Funny how things increase as public acceptance of them expands.

      It's almost as if a bunch of folks feel a need to conceal something innate about themselves in order to avoid public discrimination and abuse.

      • Anker 5.1.1
        20 April 2022 at 5:27 pm

        McFlock "funny how things increase as public acceptance of them expands". And then you provide a link about left handedness.

        But actually the idea that we can account for the increase in young people (teen girls mostly) identifying as trans because of more acceptance doesn't stack up.

        The increase can be attributed to ROGD (rapid onset gender dysphoria)….Teens going to chat rooms on the internet and starting to think they are Trans. We don't actually see older women in their 30s, 40's, 50's 60's or 70's coming out as Trans in increasing numbers.

        Pukish put up an interesting interview with a young women about a week ago. This women was influenced to start thinking she was a trans man after visiting websites promoting this. She was too old to block puberty, but started on a large dose of testosterone. All the clinicians she saw only affirmed her new gender identity. She talks about how this process happened and how she was dragged down a rabbit hole. She has now detransitioned and was lucky that she didn't have surgery.

        • McFlock 5.1.1.1
          20 April 2022 at 9:03 pm

          The link about left-handedness also showed the same phenomenon regarding age.

          As for the rest, I've been skipping the threads I personally regard as the daily hate. Transphobia, tankies, PRC champions. All of that usual stuff. Skipping it has actually brightened my day and given me free mental space.

          Yours was an orphan comment that caught my eye, had a simple point, and an equally simple explanation. Believe whatever you will.

          • Temp ORary 5.1.1.1.1
            20 April 2022 at 11:32 pm

            Thanks for continuing to see trans people as people on this site McFlock. Scrolling past "the daily hate" wasn't really working for me, so I had to skip from the platform altogether for a while. Which has also brightened my days and given me free mental space.

            However, TS is (or at least, once was) a taonga of the left dating way back to the bygone days of newsprint. It is a shame to see it provide sanctuary for the selfish in this second iteration. So I guess I might bash my head on this brick wall a few more times again, until the headaches become overwhelming. At least until the end of the school holidays, and I can have time in the day to go talk with other adults without constantly having to parent.

            • Red Blooded One 5.1.1.1.1.1
              21 April 2022 at 6:36 am

              👍 McFlock & Temp ORary.

            • solkta 5.1.1.1.1.2
              21 April 2022 at 11:16 am

              I don't have much time for this site these days. I think it is a shame that it has become a daily outlet for bigotry.

              • Molly …
                22 April 2022 at 11:42 am

                Yes. Accusations of bigotry, have also reduced my perspective of the quality of discourse as well.

          • ozaki 5.1.1.1.2
            21 April 2022 at 8:46 am

            I skim the anti trans hate threads as well, & appreciate positive comments from McFlock & Temp ORary.

            • Molly 5.1.1.1.2.1
              22 April 2022 at 11:45 am

              I've obviously been offline a lot, but missed those 'anti-trans' threads.

              (Post a couple of links, and I'll have a belated run at those 'anti-trans' commenters.)

              • weka …
                22 April 2022 at 12:43 pm

                I'm ok with people keeping themselves out of the conversation by labelling it bigotry and scrolling on by, it makes the conversation easier. It's the people that are interested, or don't get it and want to understand that worth the time.

                • weka …
                  22 April 2022 at 12:52 pm

                  it's bizarre but also funny to see left wing (men) telling women how to do feminism and then calling us bigots because we know the politics better than them. Less funny is blokes telling us that other blokes' need trump ours, and that ours don't matter as much (or at all). This is a long pattern of lw male behaviour, predating the gender/sex wars. I must admit I am surprised to see some of the men adopting this position, but I guess it just reinforces that for some men, feminism is women's politics that they agree with. Would love to see them do that with Māori pol and see how they get on.

                  • Sabine …
                    22 April 2022 at 12:57 pm

                    It is the same sexism, the difference lays in the ownership model. Private vs public ownership, and funnily enough that is the right/left divide in a nutshell.

                • Molly …
                  22 April 2022 at 12:58 pm

                  Fair enough.

                  I scroll past quite a lot myself, but refrain from making comments solely comprised of accusations. As you say, others have a different approach.

          • Molly 5.1.1.1.3
            22 April 2022 at 11:40 am

            The link about left-handedness is a theory.

            A theory that can be tested to see that it accounts for the full increase in those who declare a gender identity. I have no doubts that social acceptance may be one factor.

            But until tested for accuracy, the left-handedness comparison is just a theory.

            Not evidence.

            As Anker points out below, there are other factors that need to be tested in this regards too, before determining whether they have played a part or not.

  6. Chris 6
    20 April 2022 at 4:33 pm

    I hope this plonker keeps coming out with shite like this. Fantastic stuff, Mr Luxatron. We need more of it and we know you're the spoon for the job.

    https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/300569869/national-leader-chris-luxon-loves-labour-day-but-also-wants-to-get-rid-of-it

    • observer 6.1
      20 April 2022 at 5:21 pm

      Promising to scrap a public holiday is bad enough.

      But for real political incompetence, you'd be promising to scrap the holiday that will be enjoyed by voters during the election campaign. And hoping nobody asks you about it?

      At least he's made it easy for Ardern to pick a date in 2023.

    • Hongi Ika 6.2
      20 April 2022 at 6:09 pm

      The Polished Egg ?

  7. McFlock 7
    20 April 2022 at 4:33 pm

    Luxon now championing "give a holiday, take a holiday" jars for hospo and retail workers lol

    Luxon wants to get rid of Labour Day. Does he think the number of workdays needs to be strictly rationed at [checks notes, 365-11=] 354 days a year? Or could he bought off with a holiday commemorating the ahem hard work and sacrifice of millionaires?

    edit lolsnap Chris

  8. ianmac 8
    20 April 2022 at 9:58 pm

    So is Charlotte Bellis safely here in NZ? If not here why did she make such a fuss?

  9. Sanctuary 9
    22 April 2022 at 9:11 am

    "…For Trevalyn, the relief programs of the previous years which had saved many lives weren't a success, but instead perversion of economic principles…"

    A quote about the Irish famine of 160 years ago, but one completely relevant to the modern settler elite and their MSM mouthpieces in our country and their ideological stance on this government's covid response.

    If you want to understand ideological drivers of the anti-covid response crowd from Hoskings the Mayor of Queenstown to a plethora of other fellow travellors what this video, I think it is a description of what ACT and may from the big end of town agree with and what Luxon and co really think, and most likely the view held of the Irish by the English is a widepread view amongst the setter class towards Maori and PI.

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  • Further legislation introduced to support cyclone recovery
    The Government has introduced the Severe Weather Emergency Recovery Legislation Bill to further support the recovery and rebuild from the recent severe weather events in the North Island. “We know from our experiences following the Canterbury and Kaikōura earthquakes that it will take some time before we completely understand the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 hours ago

  • Duty relief for cyclone-affected businesses
    Further assistance is now available to businesses impacted by Cyclone Gabrielle, with Customs able to offer payment plans and to remit late-payments, Customs Minister Meka Whaitiri has announced. “This is part of the Government’s ongoing commitment to assist economic recovery in the regions,” Meka Whaitiri said. “Cabinet has approved the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 hours ago

  • Thousands of sole parents to be better off after child support changes
    More than 41,000 sole parent families will be better off with a median gain of $20 a week Law change estimated to help lift up to 14,000 children out of poverty Child support payments will be passed on directly to people receiving a sole parent rate of main benefit, making ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 hours ago

  • Green investment fund delivers on climate action
    A major investment by Government-owned New Zealand Green Investment Finance towards electrifying the public bus fleet is being welcomed by Climate Change Minister James Shaw. “Today’s announcement that NZGIF has signed a $50 million financing deal with Kinetic, the biggest bus operator in Australasia, to further decarbonise public transport is ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    8 hours ago

  • Tax credit boosts cash flow for Kiwi innovators
    A world-leading payments system is expected to provide a significant cash flow boost for Kiwi innovators, Minister of Research, Science, and Innovation Ayesha Verrall says. Announcing that applications for ‘in-year’ payments of the Research and Development Tax Incentive (RDTI) were open, Ayesha Verrall said it represented a win for businesses ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    8 hours ago

  • Te Awa shared path completed
    Minister of Transport Michael Wood joined crowds of keen cyclists and walkers this morning to celebrate the completion of the Te Awa shared path in Hamilton. “The Government is upgrading New Zealand’s transport system to make it safer, greener, and more efficient for now and future generations to come,” Michael ...
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    1 day ago

  • Crown apology to Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa Tāmaki nui-a-Rua
    Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Minister Andrew Little has delivered the Crown apology to Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa Tāmaki nui-a-Rua for its historic breaches of Te Tiriti of Waitangi today. The ceremony was held at Queen Elizabeth Park in Masterton, hosted by Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa Tāmaki nui-a-Rua, with several hundred ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Minister of Foreign Affairs meets with Chinese counterpart
    Minister of Foreign Affairs Nanaia Mahuta has concluded her visit to China, the first by a New Zealand Foreign Minister since 2018. The Minister met her counterpart, newly appointed State Councilor and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Qin Gang, who also hosted a working dinner. This was the first engagement between the two ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Government delivering world-class satellite positioning services
    World-class satellite positioning services that will support much safer search and rescue, boost precision farming, and help safety on construction sites through greater accuracy are a significant step closer today, says Land Information Minister Damien O’Connor. Damien O’Connor marked the start of construction on New Zealand’s first uplink centre for ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • District Court Judges appointed
    Attorney-General David Parker has announced the appointment of Christopher John Dellabarca of Wellington, Dr Katie Jane Elkin of Wellington, Caroline Mary Hickman of Napier, Ngaroma Tahana of Rotorua, Tania Rose Williams Blyth of Hamilton and Nicola Jan Wills of Wellington as District Court Judges.  Chris Dellabarca Mr Dellabarca commenced his ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • New project set to supercharge ocean economy in Nelson Tasman
    A new Government-backed project will help ocean-related businesses in the Nelson Tasman region to accelerate their growth and boost jobs. “The Nelson Tasman region is home to more than 400 blue economy businesses, accounting for more than 30 percent of New Zealand’s economic activity in fishing, aquaculture, and seafood processing,” ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • National’s education policy: where’s the funding?
    After three years of COVID-19 disruptions schools are finally settling down and National want to throw that all in the air with major disruption to learning and underinvestment.  “National’s education policy lacks the very thing teachers, parents and students need after a tough couple of years, certainty and stability,” Education ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Free programme to help older entrepreneurs and inventors
    People aged over 50 with innovative business ideas will now be able to receive support to advance their ideas to the next stage of development, Minister for Seniors Ginny Andersen said today. “Seniors have some great entrepreneurial ideas, and this programme will give them the support to take that next ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Government target increased to keep powering up the Māori economy
    A cross government target for relevant government procurement contracts for goods and services to be awarded to Māori businesses annually will increase to 8%, after the initial 5% target was exceeded. The progressive procurement policy was introduced in 2020 to increase supplier diversity, starting with Māori businesses, for the estimated ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Continued progress on reducing poverty in challenging times
    77,000 fewer children living in low income households on the after-housing-costs primary measure since Labour took office Eight of the nine child poverty measures have seen a statistically significant reduction since 2018. All nine have reduced 28,700 fewer children experiencing material hardship since 2018 Measures taken by the Government during ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Speech at Fiji Investment and Trade Business Forum
    Deputy Prime Minister Kamikamica; distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen. Tēnā koutou katoa, ni sa bula vinaka saka, namaste. Deputy Prime Minister, a very warm welcome to Aotearoa. I trust you have been enjoying your time here and thank you for joining us here today. To all delegates who have travelled to be ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Government investments boost and diversify local economies in lower South Island
    $2.9 million convertible loan for Scapegrace Distillery to meet growing national and international demand $4.5m underwrite to support Silverlight Studios’ project to establish a film studio in Wanaka Gore’s James Cumming Community Centre and Library to be official opened tomorrow with support of $3m from the COVID-19 Response and Recovery ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Government future-proofs EV charging
    Transport Minister Michael Wood has today launched the first national EV (electric vehicle) charging strategy, Charging Our Future, which includes plans to provide EV charging stations in almost every town in New Zealand. “Our vision is for Aotearoa New Zealand to have world-class EV charging infrastructure that is accessible, affordable, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • World-leading family harm prevention campaign supports young NZers
    Associate Minister for Social Development and Employment Priyanca Radhakrishnan has today launched the Love Better campaign in a world-leading approach to family harm prevention. Love Better will initially support young people through their experience of break-ups, developing positive and life-long attitudes to dealing with hurt. “Over 1,200 young kiwis told ...
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    5 days ago

  • First Chief Clinical Advisor welcomed into Coroners Court
    Hon Rino Tirikatene, Minister for Courts, welcomes the Ministry of Justice’s appointment of Dr Garry Clearwater as New Zealand’s first Chief Clinical Advisor working with the Coroners Court. “This appointment is significant for the Coroners Court and New Zealand’s wider coronial system.” Minister Tirikatene said. Through Budget 2022, the Government ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Next steps for affected properties post Cyclone and floods
    The Government via the Cyclone Taskforce is working with local government and insurance companies to build a picture of high-risk areas following Cyclone Gabrielle and January floods. “The Taskforce, led by Sir Brian Roche, has been working with insurance companies to undertake an assessment of high-risk areas so we can ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • New appointment to Māori Land Court bench
    E te huia kaimanawa, ko Ngāpuhi e whakahari ana i tau aupikinga ki te tihi o te maunga. Ko te Ao Māori hoki e whakanui ana i a koe te whakaihu waka o te reo Māori i roto i te Ao Ture. (To the prized treasure, it is Ngāpuhi who ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Government focus on jobs sees record number of New Zealanders move from Benefits into work
    113,400 exits into work in the year to June 2022 Young people are moving off Benefit faster than after the Global Financial Crisis Two reports released today by the Ministry of Social Development show the Government’s investment in the COVID-19 response helped drive record numbers of people off Benefits and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Vertical farming partnership has upward momentum
    The Government’s priority to keep New Zealand at the cutting edge of food production and lift our sustainability credentials continues by backing the next steps of a hi-tech vertical farming venture that uses up to 95 per cent less water, is climate resilient, and pesticide-free. Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor visited ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Conference of Pacific Education Ministers – Keynote Address
    E nga mana, e nga iwi, e nga reo, e nga hau e wha, tena koutou, tena koutou, tena koutou kātoa. Warm Pacific greetings to all. It is an honour to host the inaugural Conference of Pacific Education Ministers here in Tāmaki Makaurau. Aotearoa is delighted to be hosting you ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • New $13m renal unit supports Taranaki patients
    The new renal unit at Taranaki Base Hospital has been officially opened by the Minister of Health Dr Ayesha Verrall this afternoon. Te Huhi Raupō received around $13 million in government funding as part of Project Maunga Stage 2, the redevelopment of the Taranaki Base Hospital campus. “It’s an honour ...
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    6 days ago

  • Second Poseidon aircraft on home soil
    Defence Minister Andrew Little has marked the arrival of the country’s second P-8A Poseidon aircraft alongside personnel at the Royal New Zealand Air Force’s Base at Ohakea today. “With two of the four P-8A Poseidons now on home soil this marks another significant milestone in the Government’s historic investment in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Further humanitarian aid for Türkiye and Syria
    Aotearoa New Zealand will provide further humanitarian support to those seriously affected by last month’s deadly earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria, says Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta. “The 6 February earthquakes have had devastating consequences, with almost 18 million people affected. More than 53,000 people have died and tens of thousands more ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Community voice to help shape immigration policy
    Migrant communities across New Zealand are represented in the new Migrant Community Reference Group that will help shape immigration policy going forward, Immigration Minister Michael Wood announced today.  “Since becoming Minister, a reoccurring message I have heard from migrants is the feeling their voice has often been missing around policy ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • State Highway 3 project to deliver safer journeys, better travel connections for Taranaki
    Construction has begun on major works that will deliver significant safety improvements on State Highway 3 from Waitara to Bell Block, Associate Minister of Transport Kiri Allan announced today. “This is an important route for communities, freight and visitors to Taranaki but too many people have lost their lives or ...
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    7 days ago

  • Ginny Andersen appointed as Minister of Police
    Prime Minister Chris Hipkins has today appointed Ginny Andersen as Minister of Police. “Ginny Andersen has a strong and relevant background in this important portfolio,” Chris Hipkins said. “Ginny Andersen worked for the Police as a non-sworn staff member for around 10 years and has more recently been chair of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Government confirms vital roading reconnections
    Six further bailey bridge sites confirmed Four additional bridge sites under consideration 91 per cent of damaged state highways reopened Recovery Dashboards for impacted regions released The Government has responded quickly to restore lifeline routes after Cyclone Gabrielle and can today confirm that an additional six bailey bridges will ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Foreign Minister Mahuta to meet with China’s new Foreign Minister
    Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta departs for China tomorrow, where she will meet with her counterpart, State Councillor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang, in Beijing. This will be the first visit by a New Zealand Minister to China since 2019, and follows the easing of COVID-19 travel restrictions between New Zealand and China. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Education Ministers from across the Pacific gather in Aotearoa
    Education Ministers from across the Pacific will gather in Tāmaki Makaurau this week to share their collective knowledge and strategic vision, for the benefit of ākonga across the region. New Zealand Education Minister Jan Tinetti will host the inaugural Conference of Pacific Education Ministers (CPEM) for three days from today, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • State Highway 5 reopens between Napier and Taupō following Cyclone Gabrielle
    A vital transport link for communities and local businesses has been restored following Cyclone Gabrielle with the reopening of State Highway 5 (SH5) between Napier and Taupō, Associate Minister of Transport Kiri Allan says. SH5 reopened to all traffic between 7am and 7pm from today, with closure points at SH2 (Kaimata ...
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    1 week ago

  • Special Lotto draw raises $11.7 million for Cyclone Gabrielle recovery
    Internal Affairs Minister Barbara Edmonds has thanked generous New Zealanders who took part in the special Lotto draw for communities affected by Cyclone Gabrielle. Held on Saturday night, the draw raised $11.7 million with half of all ticket sales going towards recovery efforts. “In a time of need, New Zealanders ...
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    1 week ago

  • Government delivers a $3 million funding boost for Building Financial Capability services
    The Government has announced funding of $3 million for providers to help people, and whānau access community-based Building Financial Capability services. “Demand for Financial Capability Services is growing as people face cost of living pressures. Those pressures are increasing further in areas affected by flooding and Cyclone Gabrielle,” Minister for ...
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    1 week ago

  • Education New Zealand | Manapou ki te Ao – new Chair and member
    Minister of Education, Hon Jan Tinetti, has announced appointments to the Board of Education New Zealand | Manapou ki te Ao. Tracey Bridges is joining the Board as the new Chair and Dr Therese Arseneau will be a new member. Current members Dr Linda Sissons CNZM and Daniel Wilson have ...
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    1 week ago

  • Scholarships honouring Ngarimu VC and the 28th (Māori) Battalion announced
    Fifteen ākonga Māori from across Aotearoa have been awarded the prestigious Ngarimu VC and 28th (Māori) Battalion Memorial Scholarships and Awards for 2023, Associate Education Minister and Ngarimu Board Chair, Kelvin Davis announced today.  The recipients include doctoral, masters’ and undergraduate students. Three vocational training students and five wharekura students, ...
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    1 week ago

  • Appointment of Judge of the Court of Appeal and Judge of the High Court
    High Court Judge Jillian Maree Mallon has been appointed a Judge of the Court of Appeal, and District Court Judge Andrew John Becroft QSO has been appointed a Judge of the High Court, Attorney‑General David Parker announced today. Justice Mallon graduated from Otago University in 1988 with an LLB (Hons), and with ...
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    1 week ago

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