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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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'.
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.
"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?
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.
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.
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
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.
They're not "feminists", they're feminists. If you're not aware of them, then maybe find out 🤷♀️
Feminism isn't a subset of the left (or progressives or liberals) btw.
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".
Look at who is doing the consulting and then you will understand my point. And his. This is power politics 101.
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".
What term do you prefer people to use?
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?
Sure, see my comment below this one.
GCFs generally don't have an issue with trans men, because the problem is trans women and women's rights conflicts. NBs can be an issue, where they are male and expecting to be accommodated into women's business instead of having their own politics (no-one has ever been able to explain to me why NB males should be allowed in women's space). But often NB males are in the trans women class or the gender ideology side when the politics are being argued.
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.
Exactly (and there are trans people who aren't particularly vulnerable in the way I think you mean). Trans people are a range of people with different beliefs. GCFs are talking about a specific ideology. It's the gender ideologists that are trying to make out that all trans people believe what they do.
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.
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.
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."
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.
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.
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,
This guy is now a self identified woman. With pig tails. Like grown woman do. Oh my the dear.
A man who hopes to go to prison where the born women are incarcerated. Cause clearly it beats the prison where men get locked up.
it must be the high worn pigtail that made that bloke into a woman. Or maybe the pig tail are the woman thing on that bloke. It is really hard to decide, the eyes say one thing, the brain also says that thing ,but surely we can all see his 'womanhood' that he gained a few weeks ago at the prospect of having to share a cell with a male rather then a woman.
Richard came up at the last patriarky meeting and we decided were more than happy for you to take responsibility for her from now on. Alternatively we are communicating with the Porschiarchy to see if they have a opening. Their only vacancy is for a Porsche owner people actually like.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
"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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
"…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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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 → ...
Barrie Saunders writes – Dear Paul As the new Minister of Media and Communications, you will be inundated with heaps of free advice and special pleading, all in the national interest of course. For what it’s worth here is my assessment: Traditional broadcasting free to air content through ...
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 ...
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 ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Konstantine Panegyres, McKenzie Postdoctoral Fellow, Historical and Philosophical Studies, The University of Melbourne Amna Artist/Shutterstock One of the earliest descriptions of someone with cancer comes from the fourth century BC. Satyrus, tyrant of the city of Heracleia on the Black Sea, ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Rose, Professor of Sustainable Future Transport, University of Sydney LanaElcova/Shutterstock Electric vehicles are often seen as the panacea to cutting emissions – and air pollution – from transport. Is this view correct? Yes – but only once uptake accelerates. Despite the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Giselle Natassia Woodley, Researcher and Phd Candidate, Edith Cowan University There is widespread agreement Australia needs to do better when it comes to gender-based violence. Anger and frustration at the numbers of women being killed saw national rallies over the weekend and ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By James Graham, Lecturer in Economics, University of Sydney Mark and Anna Photography/Shutterstock As home ownership moves further out of reach for many Australians, “rentvesting” is being touted as a lifesaver. Rentvesting is the practice of renting one property to live ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sukhmani Khorana, Associate Professor, Faculty of Arts, Design and Architecture, UNSW Sydney Netflix The new season of Heartbreak High is garnering mixed reviews. Critics are writing about the racy story lines, comparing it to other coming-of-age series about teenage relationships and ...
Bob Carr intends to launch legal action against Winston Peters and Julie Anne Genter is facing a second allegation of bullying. Both sucked the air out of an announcement on education, writes Anna Rawhiti-Connell in this excerpt from The Bulletin, The Spinoff’s morning news round-up. To receive The Bulletin in ...
In 1995, Sally Clark went out on her own in a bold and unorthodox attempt to join an illustrious group of equestrian riders conquering the world. In the days of glovebox road maps, brick cell phones, and the hit song How Bizarre, Clark refused to follow Sir Mark Todd, Blyth ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ben Beaglehole, Senior Lecturer, Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Otago niphon/Getty Images The number of people accessing medication for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in Aotearoa New Zealand increased significantly between 2006 and 2022. But the disorder is still under-diagnosed and ...
To celebrate the start of New Zealand music month, we look back at the best local tuneage that managed to weasel its way into Hollywood productions. There’s nothing quite like the thrilling zap of recognition when New Zealand weasels its way into a glamorous Hollywood production. Crack open a Tui ...
People trust other people more than institutions. So how can the media gain that trust through journalists without losing what’s important about the institution? Anna Rawhiti-Connell reflects on two years of curating the news for The Bulletin.Amonth ago, armed cops descended on my neighbourhood as calls to “lock your ...
Opinion: PFAS – per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances – are a class of thousands of man-made chemicals used widely in everyday consumer items such as textiles, packaging, and cookware, popular for their water, grease and stain-repellent properties. However, the very properties that make PFAS so attractive to manufacturers are also what ...
NONFICTION 1 The Last Secret Agent by Pippa Latour & Jude Dobson (Allen & Unwin, $37.99)’ This is the hottest book in New Zealand, number one with a bullet in its first week, selling more than any overseas title, and demand is so huge that it’s already been reprinted. A ...
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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)
I came across this link this morning – in reply to something from Judith Collins:
https://twitter.com/drdeanknight/status/1516345300062928896
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?
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.
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.
https://thestandard.org.nz/rnzs-weird-take-on-miq/
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.
Another selection from my gender critical twitter today.
https://twitter.com/SwipeWright/status/1515545338165219328
Looking for an investment, I've got a tip for you…
https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2020/03/31/2009112/0/en/Sex-Reassignment-Surgery-Market-to-hit-USD-1-5-Bn-by-2026-Global-Market-Insights-Inc.html
https://www.marketwatch.com/press-release/gender-reassignment-surgery-market-share-2022-global-industry-size-growth-opportunities-with-leading-regions-trend-demand-top-players-future-business-prospects-forthcoming-developments-and-future-investments-2022-02-15
Makes me think that Putin has something of a point when he says the West has become degenerate.
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
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.
Maybe he just hasn't got round to it yet
(the contrarian in me rising up again )
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
“Putin has something of a point when he says the West has become degenerate”
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"
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.
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.
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.
"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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
You should hear what people say about TS commenters.
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:
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.
They're not "feminists", they're feminists. If you're not aware of them, then maybe find out 🤷♀️
Feminism isn't a subset of the left (or progressives or liberals) btw.
Look at who is doing the consulting and then you will understand my point. And his. This is power politics 101.
What term do you prefer people to use?
Sure, see my comment below this one.
GCFs generally don't have an issue with trans men, because the problem is trans women and women's rights conflicts. NBs can be an issue, where they are male and expecting to be accommodated into women's business instead of having their own politics (no-one has ever been able to explain to me why NB males should be allowed in women's space). But often NB males are in the trans women class or the gender ideology side when the politics are being argued.
Exactly (and there are trans people who aren't particularly vulnerable in the way I think you mean). Trans people are a range of people with different beliefs. GCFs are talking about a specific ideology. It's the gender ideologists that are trying to make out that all trans people believe what they do.
GC trans women
https://slate.com/human-interest/2015/12/gender-critical-trans-women-the-apostates-of-the-trans-rights-movement.html
https://mirandayardley.com/en/
Debbie Hayton https://committees.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/16319/pdf/
https://twitter.com/KatGotYourTong
GC trans men
https://twitter.com/BuckAngel
https://twitter.com/Jayme_Speaking
https://twitter.com/jrod_speaks
Detrans women
https://twitter.com/search?q=detrans&src=typed_query
https://twitter.com/hashtag/DetransAwarenessDay?src=hashtag_click
https://twitter.com/FtMdetransed
https://twitter.com/KLBfax
https://twitter.com/ImWatson91
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.
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.
https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/dcc/speak-women-get-dcc-venue-event
And why were there such concerns?
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/more-than-1000-gather-at-wellingtons-transgender-rights-rally/AVOBAGIKQJ2P6QYTD2TWG7FDP4/
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.
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.
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,
https://twitter.com/hitchhadapoint/status/1516381272956088328?s=21
Biological sec differences are real and matter.
https://twitter.com/queserasera2222/status/1516535097071378434?s=21
brilliant posts Weka. Yes who else demands to be in a category that they are not part of?
so good, eh. One of those lightbulb arguments.
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.
but but the opportunities for getting out of jail cards is endless……
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/mar/31/richard-pusey-judge-suggests-porsche-driver-most-hated-man-in-australia-for-filming-dying-police?utm_term=Autofeed&CMP=twt_b-gdnnews&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Twitter#Echobox=1617174023
This guy is now a self identified woman. With pig tails. Like grown woman do. Oh my the dear.
A man who hopes to go to prison where the born women are incarcerated. Cause clearly it beats the prison where men get locked up.
it must be the high worn pigtail that made that bloke into a woman. Or maybe the pig tail are the woman thing on that bloke. It is really hard to decide, the eyes say one thing, the brain also says that thing ,but surely we can all see his 'womanhood' that he gained a few weeks ago at the prospect of having to share a cell with a male rather then a woman.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/melbourne/article-10730077/Notorious-Porsche-driver-Richard-Pusey-appears-court-wearing-pigtails.html
it appears that this guy filmed and mocked 4 cops while they were laying dying after a car crash.
It needs to be stated, of course it does: These are not our crimes. signed, Women, born not worn.
Richard came up at the last patriarky meeting and we decided were more than happy for you to take responsibility for her from now on. Alternatively we are communicating with the Porschiarchy to see if they have a opening. Their only vacancy is for a Porsche owner people actually like.
But Richard is a man my dear Nic the NZder! What's the old saying "Women are not your rehab
lol.
Dear patriarchs, we considered your request. Nope, fuck off.
kindly,
women.
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.
"
mainlyonly interested in "benefiting" the well off." FIFYToo true. Also wants the "girl" in her place.
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.
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.
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.
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.
"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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/business/465565/demand-for-materials-driving-record-hike-in-building-costs
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.
250000 since Q4 2017.
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.
Government spending has gone up in a pandemic…….d'oh!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
👍 McFlock & Temp ORary.
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.
Yes. Accusations of bigotry, have also reduced my perspective of the quality of discourse as well.
I skim the anti trans hate threads as well, & appreciate positive comments from McFlock & Temp ORary.
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.)
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
The Polished Egg ?
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
Next thing we know is that he’ll propose making Leap Day a Public Holiday for those who leap through hoops every day.
Call it Bureaucracy Day
His pathetic sidekick Goldsmith reckons we don't need Labor day because we don't have a National or Act day!
Where do they find/clone these idiots, there's some wasteful spending right there.
We could have a spit on peons day to make the members of national and act happy.
He figured out it's the ultimate vote loosing decision. So flip-flopping:
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/christopher-luxon-will-not-axe-labour-day/WXEB4R6BFWR3STYBAEYSSQOFDQ/
Flip Chris Flop Luxon,
Sheesh the opposition can really dig up stupidity of late.
Yes, but the question is are most voters even stupider?
So is Charlotte Bellis safely here in NZ? If not here why did she make such a fuss?
"…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.