Open mike 20/06/2024

Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, June 20th, 2024 - 54 comments
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54 comments on “Open mike 20/06/2024 ”

  1. bwaghorn 1
    20 June 2024 at 7:22 am

    https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/520023/politicians-the-last-people-we-want-picking-drugs-for-us-cancer-expert-says

    Nats say anything to win policy, has us likely to buy the wrong drugs at premium prices, geniuses!!!

    Reply
  2. PsyclingLeft.Always 2
    20 June 2024 at 7:51 am

    Wellington woman Cara has watched her rent climb steadily over the years, and says it is "by far" the biggest financial stress of her life.

    "Ten years ago, I paid $400 a week for a three-bedroom house in Johnsonville. Then three years ago I paid $650 for a much worse three-bedroom house in Karori. Now I pay $710 for a three-bedroom house in Whitby."

    As rents have pushed up in recent years on the back of high migration, New Zealand's rental market has achieved a record that tenants would rather not set, and global distinction the country would probably prefer not to achieve.

    Kelvin Davidson, chief economist at property research firm Corelogic

    "This is definitely not a cheap country to rent. It's not a cheap country to do much actually."

    https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/business/520050/renting-is-very-expensive-nz-s-global-distinction

    But surely..the $25 tax cut ?….Movies and icecream… ?

    Hard times ahead. Take care and look after each other. Esp those who are up against the worst of it.

    Reply
    • Jimmy 2.1
      20 June 2024 at 8:39 am

      Poor Cara, she must be very upset that rents have increased so much under the last government, and the increased landlord's costs were passed on (as expected).

      Reply
      • PsyclingLeft.Always 2.1.1
        20 June 2024 at 8:45 am

        "Poor Cara" ? Jimmy, jimmy, jimmy. You are increasingly looking like a right wing troll….

        is there a bridge missing you?

        Reply
        • Jimmy 2.1.1.1
          20 June 2024 at 9:25 am

          Wouldn't really call myself a right wing troll, just a centre voter highlighting another point of view, but I guess in your opinion everyone has to agree on this site that anything the blue team does is bad, and everything the red/green team do is good.

          When interest deductibility was stopped/reduced for landlords they were told that would push up rents – and it did.

          When healthy homes standards introduced that in many cases made rentals better than the landlords homes (air cons, insulation, heater in bedrooms) they were told that would push up rents – and it did.

          But that was all ok as Kiwibuild would increase supply of rentals to keep prices down. They were told there was no way they could build that many houses – and they didn't.

          "Is there a bridge missing you?" – Well I am missing a bridge that cost us $51 million just to be told adding it to the harbour bridge was not a good idea.

          Reply
          • PsyclingLeft.Always 2.1.1.1.1
            20 June 2024 at 9:35 am

            A "centre voter" ? lmao. All right wing attack lines…

            IMO you are to centre, as NActFirst is.

            Reply
            • Jimmy 2.1.1.1.1.1
              20 June 2024 at 9:53 am

              If you consider Helen Clark's Labour nine years as now being right wing, then yes I am right wing.

              Reply
              • SPC …
                20 June 2024 at 10:20 am

                When healthy homes standards introduced that in many cases made rentals better than the landlords homes (air cons, insulation, heater in bedrooms) they were told that would push

                Many cases?

                Can you name a landlord – show any report based on facts to this?

                A landlord living in a home without insulation? One in a cold bedroom? And what air cons – you mean heat pump? The requirement is heating to 18 degrees in the main living area – that can be done otherwise log burners etc.

                Reply
                • Descendant Of Smith …
                  20 June 2024 at 12:39 pm

                  Nonsense rents have gone up because markets say they should and this then self perpetuates.

                  The push by real estate agents on behalf of landlords has had a much greater impact. Many rentals have no mortgage on them so it isn't a cost issue. My mother's rent was a perfect example – mortgage free, making a good profit happy as landlord but elderly and decided to hand over managing to a real estate company. First recommendation was to push rent up by a further $110-00 as that is what the market demanded. He refused but did increase by $50-00.

                  Friend who has had multiple rental properties for years – mortgages paid off long ago – charges well under market rent and always has done.

                  My old landlord still has the one rental property he had when I rented it 40 years ago. He keeps it tidy and in good repair. I haven't asked him but I very much doubt he still has a mortgage on it.

                  Many, many landlords are in this boat – they haven't all just bought their rentals at market peak and lowest interest rates – landlord defenders keep acting as it they all did.

                  Reply
          • bwaghorn 2.1.1.1.2
            20 June 2024 at 9:42 am

            https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/business/520043/public-service-cuts-we-ve-got-no-other-options-than-just-to-leave

            What do you think about nationals slash and burn policy forcing talent over sees,

            Try and answer with out blaming labour, !

            Reply
            • Jimmy 2.1.1.1.2.1
              20 June 2024 at 11:15 am

              It is a shame that unfortunately some of the more talented will take the voluntary redundancy and work elsewhere (either in NZ or overseas as per "Red" in the article). And then this often leaves the department with the "deadwood" that are really the ones that should leave. Unfortunately we can no longer afford the large increase in numbers since 2017. A 32% increase? Even with these proposed reductions, there still will be a large increase in numbers.

              Reply
              • bwaghorn …
                20 June 2024 at 11:54 am

                . And then this often leaves the department with the "deadwood" that are really the ones that should leave.

                Gee wouldn't you think if a competent government was going to down size a department that they would make sure the talent stayed and the deadwood (your demeaning words not mine) got pruned.

                Reply
                • Jimmy …
                  20 June 2024 at 3:01 pm

                  They will leave it up to the department heads, and asking for voluntary redundancies first, makes the job less painful. If they didn't ask for voluntary redundancies first, and simply made their choices, I'm sure many commenters on here would argue that they should have firstly asked if there were any voluntary redundancies. And of course often the most skilled that back themselves to get employment elsewhere will take the cheque and leave.

                  Reply
          • SPC 2.1.1.1.3
            20 June 2024 at 10:13 am

            So many questions

            What if the increase in rent pa was no higher 2017-2023 than in the 2011-2017 period?

            Would that not indicate that housing supply and demand was the driving factor throughout the period?

            How much did the improved rental quality (insulation and more efficient heat pumps) reduce need for heating (lower power bills)?

            As for Labour's building record. The most houses built since the 1970's.

            https://inner.kiwi/commentary/housing-supply-and-demand-famine-feast/

            An economist researching zoning reforms, Ryan Greenaway-McGrevy, said upzoning in some major cities has enabled a construction boom.

            He said new builds coming to fruition may be driving the increase in rental stock.

            "The peak of that [consent] boom was roughly in 2022, and if you think about it it takes about one to two years for a consent to be converted into a finished dwelling, then comes to the market.

            https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/519788/rental-listings-up-40-percent-across-country-in-three-months-to-may

            Unfortunately, the CofC may be a problem

            We are moving back to underbuilding.

            https://newsroom.co.nz/2024/03/01/housing-under-build-where-could-we-be-most-short/

            Reply
      • mikesh 2.1.2
        20 June 2024 at 11:58 am

        The problem is that interest should not be passed on to the tenant, since the property belongs to the landlord rather than to the tenant, though I suspect that this is often not the case; and interest costs can be disproportionately high in the case of rental properties as compared with other businesses.

        Reply
  3. SPC 3
    20 June 2024 at 7:54 am

    What have Labour, Green and Maori parties to say about this?

    The CofC is taking us back to the 1990's – handing over state houses to CHP's, and bringing in higher rents to enable a transition back into the private sector property supplied at market rent.

    https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/government-reviewing-housing-benefits-pondering-transfer-of-state-houses-to-community-providers/U6ZPMFQQTNHYXHMR7R5DSJ74O4/

    Reply
  4. Incognito 4
    20 June 2024 at 8:24 am

    I used to think that John Key was so bad for NZ because he was so good at what he did.

    Now I’m thinking that Christopher Luxon is so bad for NZ because he is so bad at what he does.

    Reply
    • bwaghorn 4.1
      20 June 2024 at 9:52 am

      I'm starting to think luxon is nationals Lange(with out the whir and charisma)

      A patsy for the real nasties to go to work behind

      Reply
    • lprent 4.2
      20 June 2024 at 10:36 am

      He is pretty useless. Also appears to be pretty lazy based on his apparent inability to be briefed about anything when questioned.

      Reply
    • mpledger 4.3
      20 June 2024 at 1:06 pm

      It's the worst of both worlds – Luxon has John Key standing behind him but without Key's (pseudo-) charm.

      Reply
  5. Mike the Lefty 5
    20 June 2024 at 9:23 am

    I was listening to The Panel on RNZ last night. They were talking about business confidence, especially consumer confidence.

    They talked to a couple of restaurant owners. One in Auckland told them that business now is just as bad as during the COVID lockdown, with the important difference being that during the lockdown they got some assistance. People are not spending, it seems.

    This is borne out by recent business surveys.

    http://www.anz.co.nz/about-us/economic-markets-research/business-outlook/

    http://www.anz.co.nz/about-us/economic-markets-research/consumer-confidence/

    My conclusion: The CoC has talked the economy down so much that it has become a self-fulfilling prophecy. They are to blame for this for their relentless negativity and fixation on ideology rather than pragmatism.

    Reply
    • SPC 5.1
      20 June 2024 at 12:03 pm

      About a month ago someone reckoned people should consider closing down their business to protect home ownership from rising debt.

      And some say it is of a decline in retail worldwide (diversification of the market, as in media – or just that peak market has been and gone while boomers are wary of reinfection), not just because of a local recession here.

      Online shopping and the delivery of goods (including food).

      It means looking at lower cost structures and riding out the market shake out. Such as co-ownership and use of one restaurant space (and pickups).

      Sharing production areas and retail space (such as cheaper pick up of ordered goods or to try on).

      Reply
  6. SPC 6
    20 June 2024 at 9:28 am

    Public servants moving to Oz for jobs. The federal government and military jobs require permanent residency. State government and local government otherwise.

    The head of a multinational recruitment firm says the Wellington job market is the worst he has seen since 2009

    "I think long term we're going to see huge impacts from this, from people who would be really valuable lifelong public servants who will just leave, whether it's leave the country or leave the public sector," Wilson-Goldman said.

    "I think that's really going to hurt us in the long run."

    Robert Walters NZ and Australia chief executive Shay Peters has been working in the capital since 2009, and watched the ebb and flow of public servants under governments of different stripes.

    "This just seems more invasive," he said.

    https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2024/06/no-point-job-hunting-in-new-zealand-public-servants-moving-overseas-say-amid-struggling-economy.html

    Since July 2023 any New Zealander can apply to become Australian citizens after 4 years residency – without first applying for and being granted a permanent visa.

    However this does not grant permanent resident status – skilled worker and family qualifications. Thus easier for senior than junior public service staff to obtain a federal government employment (the junior staff have the state and local government job options).

    Reply
    • James Thrace 6.1
      20 June 2024 at 10:21 am

      Federal government jobs require citizenship first and foremost.

      In select cases, permanent residency visa holders applying for a federal govt job can be granted an exemption from the citizenship requirement where there are merit factors to them obtaining the job.

      State and Local govt require a visa that gives you a right to work in Australia but this is often specified as permanent residency. NZers get permanent residency under the SCV444 visa which is granted each time on entry to Australia.

      Reply
      • SPC 6.1.1
        20 June 2024 at 11:43 am

        Yeah na

        The SCV allows New Zealand citizens to reside in Australia; visit, work and study in Australia; and apply for permanent visas if they meet eligibility requirements.

        SCV holders fit the commonly understood meaning of the term 'permanent resident' as they are entitled to live in Australia indefinitely, in much the same way as an Australian citizen or a permanent visa holder. However, they are not treated as permanent residents for the purpose of some Australian legislation.

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

        So New Zealanders do not have the automatic permanent residency status required for federal government work. It is something they can get by applying for a skilled job (getting it then qualifies them for permanent residency status, which the employer would help sort out).

        Of course only the more senior public service staff are likely to be get a federal government job, as a skilled worker.

        In a round about way, more junior staff go for the state government job and acquire permanent residency upon getting it and then apply for a federal government job (4 years later as a citizen or earlier as a PR).

        Reply
        • James Thrace 6.1.1.1
          20 June 2024 at 12:29 pm

          Yeah, nah

          As I have discovered, there is little difference between the SCV444 and the permanent residency visa. The main difference is that for tax purposes we are treated as non-permanent tax residents which means that any income earned in NZ (rental properties, or selling a house and getting a capital gain etc) does not need to be declared to the ATO. The same goes for Centrelink entitlements as that is essentially (and for the purpose of my comment, vastly simplified) tied to tax residency.

          Much easier to skip the permanent residency visa application (expensive) and go for the citizenship.

          As stated above, citizenship is required for federal jobs first and foremost. It is only in rare exceptions that non-citizens get a federal job.

          Reply
          • SPC 6.1.1.1.1
            20 June 2024 at 1:04 pm

            Yeah na.

            This is about applying for jobs. That New Zealanders qualify for the citizenship via 4 years residency without becoming PR for 12 months first does not mean they have "PR" status – when applying for jobs.

            They certainly exclude anyone in Oz on a temporary visa from military and federal government jobs.

            That includes SCV444. Those government jobs require a PR as a condition.

            Those with the SCV444 can work for state governments – they accept PR and New Zealand citizenship as qualifying.

            https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/entering-and-leaving-australia/new-zealand-citizens/entitlements

            Reply
            • James Thrace 6.1.1.1.1.1
              20 June 2024 at 2:19 pm

              I think you’ve made up your mind and have convinced yourself of your correctness and are unwilling to take on board the facts.

              1. A precondition for federal jobs is citizenship.

              2. In certain instances, citizenship requirement can be waived.

              you keep repeating the same incorrect assumption that PR is required for any federal job. That is simply not correct. You also now add in a further qualifier to your comments that this is about “applying” for a job.

              Farcical.

              For work rights in Australia (excepting federal jobs), the SCV444 is treated as permanent residency.

              Reply
              • SPC …
                20 June 2024 at 2:35 pm

                Yeah na.

                1. A precondition for federal jobs is citizenship.

                No, as you say

                2. In certain instances, citizenship requirement can be waived.

                But only, if someone has PR.

                The SVC is not PR.

                You also now add in a further qualifier to your comments that this is about “applying” for a job.

                What did you think the post you were replying to was about?

                For work rights in Australia (excepting federal jobs), the SCV444 is treated as permanent residency.

                No it is not, because it is not.

                It is an alternative to PR for working rights.

                The SCV allows New Zealand citizens to reside in Australia; visit, work and study in Australia; and apply for permanent visas if they meet eligibility requirements.

                SCV holders fit the commonly understood meaning of the term 'permanent resident' as they are entitled to live in Australia indefinitely, in much the same way as an Australian citizen or a permanent visa holder. However, they are not treated as permanent residents for the purpose of some Australian legislation.

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

                Reply
                • James Thrace …
                  20 June 2024 at 3:00 pm

                  I give up. You’re entirely missing the point and focusing on a pedantic notion where the link you pointed to actually says SCV444 fit the meaning of permanent residents, except for the purpose of some specific legislation, being tax legislation as one immediate example.

                  The work rights of a SCV444 are exactly same, and so they are treated as permanent residents by employers. What part of that extremely simple comment do you take issue with? There are some visa holders that have limited work rights. SCV444 do not.

                  Reply
                  • SPC …
                    20 June 2024 at 3:16 pm

                    If you looked at the link – 6, you would have noted that the issue was the pathways of public service workers to employment in Oz.

                    The federal government jobs (and military), required actual "PR" (skilled worker category) status – which is not conferred via the SCV444.

                    They can get this PR (skilled worker category to get the attention of the federal employer), or apply and hope the employer sorts that out if they are hired.

                    Reply
            • Scud 6.1.1.1.1.2
              20 June 2024 at 2:19 pm

              There are work arounds especially for those applying ADF & AFP jobs more so the ADF atm across all Corps, Branches & Musterings that they have a Nelson Eye for some Arms Corps in the Army, the Ground Defence Mustering in the RAAF, and some of the Technical & Seaman Branches in the RAN on top of the Lat Transfers from the UK, CAN & NZ Forces.

              Reply
              • SPC …
                20 June 2024 at 2:38 pm

                Sure anyone they wanted would get PR with the position sorted out by them as employer.

                Just as someone highly skilled would get a position in Canberra.

                Reply
      • tWig 6.1.2
        20 June 2024 at 3:12 pm

        I would love that we had this requirement in NZ for citizenship in government ministry jobs. Citizenship includes Treaty training.

        Reply
  7. SPC 7
    20 June 2024 at 12:30 pm

    Oh happy days, we are not in a technical recession.

    0.3 down, then 0.1 down (technical recession) followed by 0.2 up.

    However

    GDP per capita, which shows GDP divided by total population, decreased by 0.3 percent in the March 2024 quarter. This was the sixth consecutive quarterly fall. On an annual basis, GDP per capita fell 2.4 percent.

    So any slowing of migrant labour inflow (less jobs) and a continuing outflow of people leaving for Oz and we might be back in a "TR" before the end of the year.

    https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/money/2024/06/new-zealand-out-of-technical-recession-as-gdp-grows-in-latest-data.html

    Reply
  8. Graeme 8
    20 June 2024 at 1:17 pm

    Has someone just monkey wrenched Northland?

    Power grid feed, currently only one due to maintenance, out due to tower down at Glorit

    (Phone won’t let me paste link but good coverage on RNZ

    Reply
  9. Descendant Of Smith 9
    20 June 2024 at 1:29 pm

    Surge pricing in supermarkets – just what we need.

    This month, Walmart became the latest retailer to announce it’s replacing the price stickers in its aisles with electronic shelf labels. The new labels allow employees to change prices as often as every ten seconds.

    “If it’s hot outside, we can raise the price of water and ice cream.

    https://www.npr.org/2024/06/17/nx-s1-5009271/electronic-shelf-labels-prices-walmart-grocery-store

    Reply
  10. joe90 10
    20 June 2024 at 3:06 pm

    Go well, Keith.

    .

    @almahawes

    Keith Locke had a stroke on Monday caused by a big bleed from one of his brain tumours. He cannot speak or move only blink. He is in hospital and is dying.

    I’ve known Keith most of my life and he’s one of the best. He’s worked his socks off for Aotearoa. Kind, honest, modestheart

    https://x.com/almahawes/status/1803184969084444929

    Reply
  11. tWig 11
    20 June 2024 at 3:15 pm

    For those in Dunedin, Chewie points out Reti is now umming about Dunedin hospital funding in Nat's election promise. Big Hairy News at 50 min.

    Reply
  13. Descendant Of Smith 13
    20 June 2024 at 4:28 pm

    WTF.

    A pox on those boards of trustees that have allowed religion (mainly of the Christian variety) into our public schools. Now is the time to stomp it out before we get to this bullshit.

    Jeff Landry, the governor of the US state of Louisiana, has signed legislation requiring every public classroom in the state to display the Ten Commandments, becoming the first state with such a law and inflaming tensions over the separation between church and state.

    “This bill mandates the display of the Ten Commandments in every classroom – public elementary, secondary and post-education schools – in the state of Louisiana, because if you want to respect the rule of law, you’ve got to start from the original lawgiver, which was Moses,” Landry said at a bill-signing ceremony.

    https://www.stuff.co.nz/world-news/350317823/us-state-requires-ten-commandments-be-displayed-public-classrooms

    This version might be much more interesting. Apparently the reason courts say innocent rather than not guilty stems from the sinners bible.

    The Wicked Bible, sometimes called the Adulterous Bible or the Sinners' Bible, is an edition of the Bible published in 1631 by Robert Barker and Martin Lucas, the royal printers in London, meant to be a reprint of the King James Bible. The name is derived from a mistake made by the compositors: in the Ten Commandments in Exodus 20:14, the word "not" was omitted from the sentence, "Thou shalt not commit adultery," causing the verse to instead read, "Thou shalt commit adultery."

    Reply
    • Obtrectator 13.1
      20 June 2024 at 9:56 pm

      Well one way round that would be to display them in the language and script used by Moses, which only a tiny proportion of the readers are likely to understand. If Mr Landry is so keen on the “original lawgiver” he’d hardly be in a position to object. (BTW, does the bill specify which language is to be used?)

      Reply
    • Mikey 13.2
      21 June 2024 at 1:31 pm

      Maybe they can be displayed alongside a list of the legislators and preachers who have broken them.

      Reply

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  • Gordon Campbell on cancer drugs, and the Great Ferries Cancellation Disaster of ’23
    The decision taken last December to cancel the contract for the two purpose-built Cook Strait ferries – without having a Plan B in mind, let alone in place – has been a calamity that’s going to haunt New Zealand for decades to come, long after the Luxon government has been ...
    WerewolfBy lyndon
    2 days ago

  • June-24 AT Board Meeting
    Today the Auckland Transport board meets again,so I’ve taken a look through the items on their public agenda to see what’s interesting. Musical Chairs The first item of note is another change to the make-up of the AT Board. The legislation that established Auckland Transport allows for Waka Kotahi to ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    2 days ago

  • Colonial oppression in Kanaky
    How does France deal with opponents of its colonisation of the Pacific? Arrest them and deport them to France to face prosecution in a foreign court: A group of pro-independence leaders charged with allegedly organising protests that turned into violent unrest in New Caledonia last month was indicted on ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    3 days ago

  • Media Link: Post-pandemic economics and the rise of national populism” on “A View from Afar.”
    On this edition of AVFA Selwyn Manning and I discuss post-pandemic economics and the rise of national populism. It seems that a post-pandemic turn to more nationalist economic policies may have encouraged the rise of populists who use xenophobia and … Continue reading → ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    3 days ago

  • Climate Change: National’s vice-signalling
    Two weeks ago the climate denier government announced they would be giving farmers what they want and removing agriculture from the ETS. On Friday they introduced the bill for it to the House. Due to past efforts and backdowns, the Climate Change Response Act has a lot of inactive clauses ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    3 days ago

  • The Left’s Joyous Cherub: Keith Locke, 1944 – 2024.
    The Struggle Continues: Keith Locke belonged to a generation that still believed in a world that could be, through struggle, relieved of its chains. That struggle constituted the core of a life lived with purpose, courage and determination. MANY NEW ZEALANDERS would, no doubt, have been surprised to discover that Keith Locke was ...
    Bowalley Road
    3 days ago

  • The Night Before Yule: A Reprint
    A couple of my stories – A Breath Through Silver, and The Last Libation – have previously earned themselves reprints. Well, I am pleased to report that the nice people at Heroic Fantasy Quarterly (https://www.heroicfantasyquarterly.com/) have included my narrative horror-poem, The Night Before Yule, in their newly-compiled Best Of anthology. ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    3 days ago

  • Bernard’s mid-winter pick ‘n’ mix for Monday, June 24
    TL;DR: Responding to the grounding of the Aratere over the weekend, the Government has signalled it will buy new replacement ferries, but only enough to replace existing freight capacity.That would effectively limit Aotearoa-NZ’s ability to handle any growth in population or the need to reduce emissions by shifting freight from ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago

  • Greater Auckland 2.0 – we need your help!
    Hi, we’re Greater Auckland. We’ve been a part of the landscape for over 15 years now. Over that time, we’ve provided informed commentary, evidence-based analysis, and inspiring visions for the future of Tāmaki Makaurau. You might know us from such hits as: The Congestion-Free Network 2013 (and its 2017 ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    3 days ago

  • Distractions and Inaction.
    Fancy, a fast carA bag full of lootI can nearly guaranteeYou'll end up with the bootThe Prime Minister arrived home, perhaps a bit surprised, maybe even secretly a little pleased at the diversion, to find the country falling apart. Things going more badly that even his c-list, self back-slapping, trip ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago

  • KiwiRail aground while Government obfuscates
    The problems at KiwiRail go further and deeper than the maintenance issue, which caused the inter-island ferry Aratere to run aground on Saturday. The company is also the subject of a damning report published last week about the way it runs its rail operations from the Transport Accident Investigation Commission. ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    3 days ago

  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #25
    A listing of 32 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, June 16, 2024 thru Sat, June 22, 2024. Stories we promoted this week, by publication date: Before June 16 ‘Unprecedented mass coral bleaching’ expected in 2024, says expert, ...
    Skeptical Science
    4 days ago

  • The Realm Of The Possible.
    The People’s House: What would it be like to live in a country where a single sermon could prick the conscience of the comfortable? Where a journalist could rouse a whole city to action? Where the government could be made to respond to the people’s concerns? Where real change was possible? And ...
    Bowalley Road
    4 days ago

  • Public Service Day
    Good morn or evening friendsHere's your friendly announcerI have serious news to pass on to everybodyWhat I'm about to sayCould mean the world's disasterCould change your joy and laughter to tears and painIt's thatLove's in need of love todayDon't delaySend yours in right awayHate's goin' 'roundBreaking many heartsStop it pleaseBefore ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago

  • When is a road of National significance not a road of National significance?
    I loved everything about my first Cook Strait ferry crossing: a day parked in the car in howling Wellington wind and driving Wellington rain, waiting to hear if they were going to sail or not; watching the huge black ministerial limousines come and go; listening to the adventures of Chicken ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 days ago

  • Fact Brief – Was the Medieval Warm Period a global event?
    Skeptical Science is partnering with Gigafact to produce fact briefs — bite-sized fact checks of trending claims. This fact brief was written by John Mason in collaboration with members from the Gigafact team. You can submit claims you think need checking via the tipline. Was the Medieval Warm Period a global ...
    Skeptical Science
    5 days ago

  • Aotearoa Runs Aground
    Your face has fallen sad nowFor you know the time is nighWhen I must remove your wingsAnd you, you must try to flyCome sail your ships around meAnd burn your bridges downWe make a little history, babyEvery time you come aroundWhen I went to bed last night I thought the ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago

  • Wagon keeps movin'
    Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on the past somewhat interrupted week. Still on the move!Share Read more ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    5 days ago

  • Mainstreaming Māori
    Mainstreaming need not be inherently anti-Māori. It will be if it is done badly because it will be anti-those-in need, and proportionally more of them are Māori.That the Coalition Government says it will deliver public services on the basis of need rather than, say, race deserves consideration, even though many ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    6 days ago

  • National says “fuck you”
    The Justice Committee has reported back on the government's racist bill to eliminate Māori representation in local government. The report duly notes the Waitangi Tribunal's finding that the bill breaches te Tiriti, and the bill's inconsistency with our international human rights obligations - and then proceeds to ignore both. Instead, ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    6 days ago

  • Christopher Luxon is – Big in Japan
    This week our Prime Minister Christopher Luxon… mmm, let’s take a moment to consider just how good that sounds. Hope you weren’t eating.Anyway that guy. Better? That bloke from the telly, he said - what I would say to you is… I’m big in Japan. My kind of people, hard ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    6 days ago

  • Weekly Roundup 21-June-2024
    Tis the winter solstice! The shortest day and longest night of the year. The good news: we’re on our way back to summertime. Here’s another roundup of stories to brighten up your Friday. Our header image is from CRL and shows Waihorotiu Station lit up for Matariki 2024.  The ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    6 days ago

  • Bernard’s mid-winter pick ‘n’ mix for Friday, June 21
    Our economic momentum remains anaemic, and it’s possible the tiny increase in GDP was a ‘dead cat bounce’. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Per-capita GDP has fallen 4.3% from its peak over the last 21 months, which is more than it it fell in the Global Financial Crisis recession ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago

  • The Futility of Punishment
    Hi,I was in Texas recently and couldn’t stop thinking about how in some parts of America they really like to kill their prisoners. As a society we tend to agree murder is wrong, but somewhere along the way Texas figured it’s fine if it’s after 6pm and the killing is ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    6 days ago

  • The new Beehive approach to the environment
    A persistent theme has been weaving between the Committee rooms at Parliament all this so-called “Scrutiny” week as MPs have probed Ministers and agencies about their work and plans. The question has been simply what the environmental price might be if the country begins to accelerate its infrastructure building to ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    6 days ago

  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #25 2024
    Open access notables Climate Change Is Leading to a Convergence of Global Climate Distribution, Li et al., Geophysical Research Letters: The impact of changes in global temperatures and precipitation on climate distribution remains unclear. Taking the annual global average temperatures and precipitation as the origin, this study determined the climate distribution with the ...
    Skeptical Science
    7 days ago

  • You take nicer pictures when you’re not drunk
    Readers keeping count will know it's more than five years since I gave up booze. Some of you get worried on my behalf when I recount a possibly testing moment. Anxious readers: today I got well tested.All the way across France I've been enquiring in my very polite and well-meaning but ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    7 days ago

  • Cancer
    Turn awayIf you could, get me a drinkOf water 'cause my lips are chapped and fadedCall my Aunt MarieHelp her gather all my thingsAnd bury me in all my favourite coloursMy sisters and my brothers, stillI will not kiss you'Cause the hardest part of this is leaving youI remember the ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago

  • Gordon Campbell on why we shouldn’t buy new planes for the PM
    Its not often that one has to agree with Judith Collins, but yes, it would indeed cost “hundreds of millions of dollars” (at least) to buy replacement aircraft to fly the Prime Minister on his overseas missions of diplomacy and trade. And yes, the public might well regard that spending ...
    WerewolfBy lyndon
    1 week ago

  • The Stadium Debate – What About the Transport Options?
    A few weeks ago, Auckland Council took another step in the long-running stadium saga, narrowing its shortlist down to two options for which they will now seek feasibility studies. The recommendation to move forward with a feasibility study was carried twenty to one by the council’s Governing Body for the ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    1 week ago

  • Bernard’s mid-winter pick ‘n’ mix for Thursday, June 20
    Social Development Minister Louise Upston has defended the Government’s decision to save money by dumping a programme which tops up the pay of disabled workers. Photo: Lynn GrievesonTL;DR: It has emerged the National-ACT-NZ First Government decided to cut wages for disabled workers from the minimum wage to $2 an hour ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago

  • Where the power really resides in Wellington
    The new Chief Executive of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet (DPMC) yesterday gave a Select Committee a brutally frank outline of the department’s role as the agency right at the centre of power in Wellington. Ben King, formerly a deputy Chief Executive at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    1 week ago

  • Climate Adam: Why we're still losing the fight against Methane
    This video includes conclusions of the creator climate scientist Dr. Adam Levy. It is presented to our readers as an informed perspective. Please see video description for references (if any). Carbon dioxide is the main culprit behind climate change. But in second place is methane: a greenhouse gas stronger than CO2, ...
    Skeptical Science
    1 week ago

  • Climate Change: More ETS failure
    A few weeks ago, I blogged about the (then) upcoming ETS auction, raising the prospect of it failing, leaving the government with a messy budget hole. The auction was today, and indeed, it failed. In fact, it was such a failure that no-one even bothered to bid. Its easy to ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    1 week ago

  • The Return of Jacinda.
    Oh, take me, take me, take meTo the dreamer's ballI'll be right on time and I'll dress so fineYou're gonna love me when you see meI won't have to worryTake me, take mePromise not to wake me'Til it's morningIt's all been trueEarly morning yesterday, well before dawn, doom-scrolling.Not intentionally, that’s ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago

  • How good is the interim NW busway?
    This is a guest post by Pshem Kowalczyk, a long-time follower of the blog. With great fanfare, just over six months ago (on 12 November 2023), AT launched its interim busway for the NorthWest region, with the new WX express service at the heart of the changes. I live ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    1 week ago

  • Consumer confidence collapses after Budget, in contrast with rest of world
    The first widespread survey of consumers and voters since the Budget on May 30 shows a collapse in confidence. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The belt-tightening and tax-cutting Budget delivered on May 30 has not delivered the boost to confidence in the economy the National-ACT-NZ First Government might have ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago

  • The end for the Air Force 757s
    The Air Force 757 that broke down with the Prime Minister on board in Port Moresby on Sunday is considered so unreliable that it carries a substantial stock of spare parts when it travels overseas. And the plane also carries an Air Force maintenance team on board ready to make ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    1 week ago

  • At a glance – Was 1934 the hottest year on record?
    On February 14, 2023 we announced our Rebuttal Update Project. This included an ask for feedback about the added "At a glance" section in the updated basic rebuttal versions. This weekly blog post series highlights this new section of one of the updated basic rebuttal versions and serves as a ...
    Skeptical Science
    1 week ago

  • It's not New Zealand they've never heard of, it's him
    Sometimes you’ll just be so dog-tired, you can only keep yourself awake with a short stab of self-inflicted pain.A quick bite of the lip, for instance.Maybe a slight bite on the tongue or a dig of the nails.But what if you’re needing something a bit more painful?The solution is as ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    1 week ago

  • Some “scrutiny” II
    Last month I blogged about the Ministry of Justice's Open Government Partnership commitment to strengthen scrutiny of Official Information Act exemption clauses in legislation", and how their existing efforts did not give much reason for confidence. As part of that, I mentioned that I had asked the Ministry for its ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    1 week ago

  • Gordon Campbell on why the Biden “peace plan” for Gaza is doomed
    After months and months of blocking every attempt by the UN and everyone else to achieve a Gaza ceasefire, US President Joe Biden is now marketing his own three-stage “peace plan” to end the conflict. Like every other contribution by the US since October 7, the Biden initiative is hobbled ...
    WerewolfBy lyndon
    1 week ago

  • Raised crossings: hearing the voice of vulnerable pedestrians
    This is a guest post by Vivian Naylor, who is the Barrier Free Advisor and Educator at CCS Disability Action, Northern Region, the largest disability support and advocacy organisation in Aotearoa New Zealand. She also advises on AT’s Public Transport and Capital Projects Accessibility Groups. Vivian has been advocating and ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    1 week ago

  • Leaving on a Jet Plane
    So kiss me and smile for meTell me that you'll wait for meHold me like you'll never let me go'Cause I'm leavin' on a jet planeDon't know when I'll be back againOh babe, I hate to go“The true measure of any society can be found in how it treats its ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago

  • Bernard's mid-winter pick 'n' mix for Tuesday, June 18
    The election promises of ‘better economic management’ are now ringing hollow, as NZ appears to be falling into a deeper recession, while other economies are turning the corner. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The economy and the housing market are slumping back into a deep recession this winter, contrasting ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago

  • Scrutiny week off to rocky start
    Parliament’s new “Scrutiny” process, which is supposed to allow Select Committees to interrogate Ministers and officials in much more depth, has got off to a rocky start. Yesterday was the first day of “Scrutiny Week” which is supposed to see the Government grilled on how it spends taxpayers’ money and ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    1 week ago

  • The choice could not be more stark’: How Trump and Biden compare on climate change
    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Barbara Grady Illustration by Samantha Harrington. Photo credits: Justin Lane-Pool/Getty Images, Win McNamee/Getty Images, European Space Agency. In an empty wind-swept field in Richmond, California, next to the county landfill, a company called RavenSr has plotted out land and won ...
    Skeptical Science
    1 week ago

  • Differentiating between democracy and republic
    Although NZ readers may not be that interested in the subject and in lieu of US Fathers Day missives (not celebrated in NZ), I thought I would lay out some brief thoughts on a political subject being debated in the … Continue reading → ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    1 week ago

  • Bernard's mid-winter pick 'n' mix for Monday, June 17
    TL;DR: Chris Bishop talks up the use of value capture, congestion charging, PPPs, water meters, tolling and rebating GST on building materials to councils to ramp up infrastructure investment in the absence of the Government simply borrowing more to provide the capital.Meanwhile, Christopher Luxon wants to double the number of ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago

  • You do have the power to change things
    When I was invited to come aboard and help with Greater Auckland a few months ago (thanks to Patrick!), it was suggested it might be a good idea to write some sort of autobiographical post by way of an introduction. This post isn’t quite that – although I’m sure I’lll ...
    Greater AucklandBy Connor Sharp
    1 week ago

  • Turning Away – Who Cares If We Don't?
    On the turning awayFrom the pale and downtroddenAnd the words they say which we won't understandDon't accept that, what's happeningIs just a case of other's sufferingOr you'll find that you're joining inThe turning awayToday’s guest kōrero is from Author Catherine Lea. So without further ado, over to Catherine…I’m so honoured ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago

  • Dissecting Tickled
    Hi,Tickled was one of the craziest things that ever happened to me (and I feel like a lot of crazy things have happened to me).So ahead of the Webworm popup and Tickled screening in New Zealand on July 13, I thought I’d write about how we made that film and ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    1 week ago

  • New Zealand Webworm Popup + Tickled!
    Hi,I’m doing a Webworm merch popup followed by a Tickled screening in Auckland, New Zealand on July 13th — and I’d love you to come. I got the urge to do this while writing this Webworm piece breaking down how we made Tickled, and talking to all the people who ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    1 week ago

  • What China wants from NZ business
    One simple statistic said it all: China Premier Li Qiang asked Fonterra CEO Miles Hurrell what percentage of the company’s overall sales were made in China. “Thirty per cent,” said Hurrell. In other words, New Zealand’s largest company is more or less dependent on the Chinese market. But Hurrell is ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    2 weeks ago

  • Review: The Worm Ouroboros, by E.R. Eddison (1922)
    One occasionally runs into the question of what J.R.R. Tolkien would have thought of George R.R. Martin. For years, I had a go-to online answer: we could use a stand-in. Tolkien’s thoughts on E.R. Eddison – that he appreciated the invented world, but thought the invented names were silly, and ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    2 weeks ago

  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #24
    A listing of 35 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, June 9, 2024 thru Sat, June 15, 2024. Story of the week A glance at this week's inventory of what experts tell us is extreme weather mayhem juiced by ...
    Skeptical Science
    2 weeks ago

  • Sunday Morning Chat
    After a busy week it’s a good day to relax. Clear blues skies here in Tamaki Makaurau, very peaceful but for my dogs sleeping heavily. In the absence of a full newsletter I thought I’d send out a brief update and share a couple of posts that popped up in ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    2 weeks ago

  • High-level political delegation to visit Pacific
    Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Winston Peters will lead a high-level political delegation to Solomon Islands, Nauru and Niue next week.  "New Zealand's relationships in the Pacific are fundamental to our foreign policy, and we are determined to continue strengthening them,” says Mr Peters.  “We look forward to engaging with ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    37 mins ago

  • Wānaka’s first primary birthing unit opened
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon joined Health Minister Dr Shane Reti to officially open a new primary birthing unit in Wānaka today.  Dr Reti says the event demonstrates the Government’s commitment to improving health infrastructure and is particularly special as it will support many families before birth and in the first ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    44 mins ago

  • GPS 2024: Record transport investment to drive economic growth
    The final Government Policy Statement on land transport 2024 (GPS 2024) outlines the Government’s ambitious $22 billion transport plan to boost productivity and support economic growth, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.“Upon being elected, the Government was clear that we wanted to make good on our transport promises to New Zealanders ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 hour ago

  • King’s Counsel appointments 2024
    Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointments of 19 King’s Counsel.   Also known as a silk, in reference to a gown traditionally worn as part of their robes, the rank of King’s Counsel is awarded to barristers sole who have demonstrated excellence in their careers or, from time to time, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 hour ago

  • Crime data underpins need for law & order action
    New crime data highlights how critical the Government’s plan is to restore law and order, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says. “The latest New Zealand Crime and Victims Survey data is shameful, with New Zealanders experiencing 1.88 million incidents of crime between November 2022 and October 2023. “There were 185,000 New ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 hours ago

  • Independent panel to review methane science and targets appointed
    The Government is delivering on its promise to commence an independent review of the methane science and targets for consistency with no additional warming from agriculture emissions, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay say.  “An independent panel announced today, will report back to the Government by ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 hours ago

  • Government repeals costly log trade legislation
    The Government today repealed legislation requiring the compulsory registration of log traders and forestry advisers. “The existing legislation fails to deliver outcomes and places unnecessary costs on forest businesses,” Forestry Minister Todd McClay says. “I am confident that voluntary registration through the New Zealand Institute of Forestry is a better ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    16 hours ago

  • Minister welcomes opening of Brynderwyns
    Transport Minister Simeon Brown welcomes the opening of State Highway 1 through the Brynderwyn Hills from midnight tonight, following four months of closure to complete critical recovery and maintenance works. “Northlanders, local businesses, drivers, and freight operators will be relieved to have this important lifeline open. The Government thanks them ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    21 hours ago

  • Secondary legislation drafting toolkit launched
    Attorney-General Judith Collins today welcomed the release of the Parliamentary Counsel Office’s (PCO) Secondary Legislation Drafting Toolkit. "Both businesses and people tell us they find it hard to understand their obligations under secondary legislation,” Ms Collins says. “This toolkit, with its focus on design and content, will help with both ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    23 hours ago

  • Tougher sentences coming for criminals
    The Government is reforming sentencing to ensure criminals face serious consequences for crime and victims are prioritised, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says. "In recent years, there has been a concerning trend where the courts have imposed fewer and shorter prison sentences despite a 33 per cent increase in violent crime. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Improving educational choice for families and students
    The Education and Training Amendment Bill, which will set up charter schools, encourage more early learning centres to open, and provide increased transparency on school attendance, has been introduced for its first reading in Parliament, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour. “Every child deserves an education that enables them to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Government receives final report from the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care
    The coalition Government welcomes the presentation of the final report from the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Historical Abuse in State and Faith-Based Care to the Governor-General. “This marks the end of the largest and most complex public inquiry ever held in New Zealand,” Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Scope of the Northland transmission tower failure review announced
    Energy Minister Simeon Brown has today released the terms of reference for the Electricity Authority’s investigation into the Northland transmission tower failure that occurred on 20 June 2024, causing significant power outages in the region.“What happened in Northland last week was unacceptable, with tens of thousands of consumers left without ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Minister celebrates students’ space success
    Space Minister Judith Collins is applauding students from Canterbury University’s Aerospace Club on their success at the world’s largest inter-collegiate rocket engineering competition, the Spaceport America Cup. “More than 120 teams from 20 countries participated in Spaceport America Cup, with the team from Canterbury University winning in their ‘30,000 Foot’ ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Address – Commemoration of the 74th Anniversary of the Commencement of the Korean War
    Tena koutou.Ki nga kaumatua,Ki nga whanau,Ka maumahara tonu tatou ki a ratou. Greetings.To the elders,To the families,We will remember them. Firstly, a special welcome to all the veterans here this morning and their families.  I want to acknowledge the veterans who are marking this day but cannot be with us ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • New WorkSafe board appointments to address a history of poor financial management
    Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden says three appointments to the WorkSafe board have been made to strengthen the organisation, ensuring it has the skills and expertise it needs to carry out its functions.  “WorkSafe has faced a number of recent challenges, including accumulating an almost $18 million ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Next phase of the Royal Commission into COVID-19
    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says this coalition Government is delivering on our commitment to expand the terms of reference for the independent Royal Commission into COVID-19 Lessons Learned. “There will be a second phase to the Royal Commission which features new commissioners and an expanded terms of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Government introduces Three Strikes Bill
    The Government has introduced a Bill today to restore the Three Strikes sentencing law, Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee says. “New Zealanders are rightly concerned about violent crime. We are delivering on our commitment to introduce a revised Three Strikes law as one of our key law and order priorities.  ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • New support for agricultural emissions reduction
    The Government and the Bank of New Zealand (BNZ) are together committing an additional $8 million towards AgriZeroNZ to boost New Zealand’s efforts to reduce agricultural emissions. Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says the strength of the New Zealand economy relies on effective and affordable emission reduction solutions for New Zealand’s ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Government actions strengthening Māori success
    Tākina Puanga. Ko Puanga kei runga. Ko Puanga e Rangi. Tākina mai te ara o Puanga nui o te rangi. Tākina ngā pou o te tau. Ki te whai ao ki te ao marama. Puanga or Rigel celebrations reflect a renewed energy across our communities – to acknowledge those who ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Transformative investment in cancer treatments and more new medicines
    The coalition Government is delivering up to 26 cancer treatments as part of an overall package of up to 54 more new medicines, Health Minister Dr Shane Reti and Associate Health Minister David Seymour announced today. “Pharmac estimates that around 175,000 people will benefit from the additional treatments in just ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • More support for drought-affected communities
    The coalition Government is providing more financial support to drought-stricken farmers and growers in many parts of the country to help with essential living costs. “Rural Assistance Payments have been made available in 38 districts affected by dry conditions to help eligible farmers and growers whose income has taken a ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Job seekers to report on progress after six months from today
    A new requirement for people on Jobseeker Support benefits to meet with MSD after six months to assess how their job search is going gets underway today. About 20,000 Jobseeker beneficiaries with full-time work obligations are expected to attend MSD’s new ‘Work check-in’ seminars over the next 12 months, Social ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • New cops means more Police on the beat
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  • School attendance increases
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  • Prime Minister wraps up visit to Japan
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  • NZ enhances North Korea sanctions monitoring
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