Why is this on the OM page? Is it possible to move it to the protest page please? It improves readalbilty if posts on the same topic are placed together and frees up the OM for other matters ie provides a ‘space’ that posters also need. I went to OM first today determined to engage with something that was not about the protest.
Protest page was opened up at 6.05am and this comment was loaded at 7.12am
I don't really mind if it gets shifted, but the reason I posted it here is the issues it raises – governance and the responsibilities of ministers, etc.
Seems to me such deeper issues aren't suitable for the convoy culture page, but maybe that's just me. Happy to consider other views…
I am keen to get a handle on this Russia/Ukraine situation from the wise ones on here, and in other places. Keeping OM clear allows other important happenings from the world outside to be looked at.
In fact the production of avocados across South America is causing water supply problems for small communities as huge corporate avocado growers plant orchards that stretch for miles.
I have watched with fascination as this fruit that was once relegated to a couple of boxes at the supermarket, now is prominently displayed.
First the middleclass commandeered avocados. What self respecting middleclass latte drinking, iPhone hugging, important talking, cafe bug, would want to be seen without an avo on the plate in front of them?
But lately I have been seeing the underclass with a avocado or two at the supermarket checkout. That's cool.
I remember a couple of decades back dieticians telling us we need to be careful with avocados because they are filled with oil.
Blade I am surprised to find I agree. Cartels and farming in the wrong areas deplete water supplies and force up prices.
Avacado are water greedy, and like cows use huge amounts of water if farmed in the wrong areas. Although avocado became painted as a fashionable product, they are a healthy option in a balanced diet.
The cartels’ behaviour is about water in the final analysis. In California water was piped away and whole orange groves were bowled as owners lost their water licences.
There is a likely Avocado disaster happening in the Far North too on Aupouri Peninsula–basically the narrowest part of the country–head North from Awanui towards Cape Reinga and you will see acre upon acre of Avo plantings and infrastructure. You see there is a giant aquifer under that land which is why growers wanted it. Initiated by a chap from California who got in the crap with water wars there according to local anecdotes…
The authorities green lit initially (jobs, growth, etc.) but there were appeals and now even DOC and NRC are having second thoughts at the prospect of the aquifer being depleted and then subject to seawater inundation.
Used to love avocados back in the day when you could more easily tell when they were ripe and ready, gone off ’em since they started tasting watery, and that year when they were up to $5 each because of shortages due to the exports.
I would think that the chances that Russia will invade the Ukraine this week have risen dramatically. The Winter Olympics have finished. Putin is, at least in my opinion, heavily dependent on China to not oppose his actions. If Putin had invaded while the Olympics were on it would probably have caused their collapse as athletes left the country. That was not going to be tolerated by Xi and I'm sure it was made clear to Russia.
Now that the games are over I think Xi will be quite happy to have Putin creating mischief and to distract the US focus on anything taking place in Hong Kong and even trouble with Taiwan.
USA, UK, Russia, China are all imperialist powers, and the time worn technique as adopted in WWI, is to get the masses of each country to support and identify with “their” ruling class position on other imperialist nations
So in NZ because of Anglospheric 5 Eyes, popular opinion will likely be expected to support the US version of events on Ukraine, NATO and Russia.
As one of the international socialist groups has said…
“No war over Ukraine!
Both Russian and NATO forces pull back!
Don’t expand NATO – dissolve it!
Demilitarize Europe!
End the arms races eating up resources we need to fight poverty and climate change!”
Before anyone starts of gobbling off about NATO or the EU!
Everyone needs to understand the two founding documents in Ukraine’s Defence, Foreign & Economic Policies that are the lurch pin for Ukraine’s Independence from Russia when the Cold War ended & why they the Ukraine gave up its Nukes. In return for Russia’s guarantees:
That Russia would guarantee Ukraine’s Sovereignty, its borders, Ukraine to pursue it’s own Defence & Economic Sovereignty according to the wishes of Ukraine Public.
That if Russia revoked any of the Lisbon Protocols and later the Budapest Memorandum, that the US & UK would guarantee Ukraine’s Sovereignty & Security.
Please read these links, on why we are here discussing Ukraine.
Well, I guess Biden is going to look like a dork then. Russia has spent a lot of time and effort emphasising a multilateral UN centred international law based system. They are not going to just throw this approach under the bus just because Biden wants a reason to be tough on Russia. Civiluans are now being evacuated out of the separatist regions precisely so that reasons for Russia to intervene in a R2P role wrt Russian citizens is reduced. 150 000 Russian soldiers on the border is no where near enough to invade. Pressure is being applied to Europe to come to their senses and reject being servants of the US which as we know via Victoria Nulands remarks in 2014 has no concern for the welfare of the EU except that they only trade where directed by the US. Russia has already won the diplomatic war. The US is offering to talk about arms limitation topics that have been thoroughly rejected only months ago and EU leaders are flocking to Moscow. It's idiotic to think they would choose to invade the Ukraine without a huge provocation.
it is hard to ever know if the counter-factual – that the rapid arming of the Ukrainian military with modern weapons has caused the Russians to hesitate – has been the case though.
Except that Russia has always said it has no intention to invade. And has laid out from the beginning it's position on what security means as well as it's full support for the implementation of the Minsk agreements which of course have been unanimously adopted by the UN security council resolution 2202. I've linked to an archived copy because the UN site is presently down for maintenance. Of course, arming the Ukraine with high tech hardware is a breach of the accords and the lack of direction by France and Germay in bringing the Ukraine regime to talks with the separist regions has only encouraged preparations by them for war. Seven years they have let this witches brew simmer.
Yeah, Russia's said that while walking casually along the border whistling the old music hall tune "gosh isn't it all peaceful and normal here, guv, Just me and my many artillery divisions".
Who the fuck knows what anyone's original goals were.
Russia invading the Ukraine would be a dream come true for the US. They would be able to irrevocably cut the EU from any ties to Russian energy and make them fully dependent on the US for all their energy needs for the foreseeable. 120 odd thousand troops with hardware is enough to make the Ukraine aware that Russia is prepared to act decisively to protect the Donbass but nothing more. Russian security means no war in the Ukraine. Invasion makes the Ukraine a failed state with Russia a target for the Ukraine version of pissed off jihadis. Part of the problem of refusing to read any Russian media is that you dont get to weigh up the history of both sides positions.
The EU needs Russian gas. All the fracking in the contiguous US won't pipe it across the Atlantic, and Russia supplies Europe with an amount roughly similar to a third of total US gas production. Those ties won't be cut any time soon, and the US can't replace them if they could.
Sure, most outcomes in the Russian scenarios would not involve war with Ukraine. Foreign policy wonks are going to do the dance all the same. Few people actually want a war. But it's basic standover tactics, from all sides. And if one side doesn't step up, then it just gets a better outcome for the other party.
Part of Russia's foreign policy goals would be to see if the US is rebuilding its global role after the abrupt withdrawal by the previous incumbent. Also testing Europe's cohesion. US goals include showing a commitment to NATO allies and prospective allies. Increasing political separation between EU and Russia would also be there.
But Russia has these things called "trains". If Ukraine turned out to be all alone diplomatically, that 120k troops could be just the start.
Also, Belarus is nowhere near Donbas? But much closer to Kiev? Just a gentle foreign policy hint of some mighty decisive protection.
Russia put enough pressure on the two Ukraine factions to force the Minsk agreement in 2015. At the time, Ukraine fighters were caught in a cauldron. Their pants had been seriously lowered and there was a lot exposed. But Russia insisted on a negotiated ceasefire. They have continued to state that there can be no military solution. They have continued to demand talks between Ukraine and separatists. It is probably true that they have seen a moment of western weakness and even a chance to break Nato but it is also true that it is the expansion of Nato and proliferation of missiles closer and closer to Russia that has been the motor driving an inevitable confrontation
OR they forced their proxy to back off a bit after MH17 got shot down.
Sure, Nato is expansionist, particularly the US. So is Russia. There's no single motor for confrontation, everyone has their goals and pathways to try to get there.
Which country had Donbas as its territory 15 years ago?
Still got bases in Syria?
How's Chechnya doing these days?
Sure, US sucks too, so does China. Don't pretend any large power has noble motives, and smaller powers generally just want to try to remain relatively independant.
Well at any rate, we will get forewarned if Russia decides that there is no hope for a peaceful settlement in the Ukraine. The Duma has already passed a resolution to recognise the LDNR separatist region as an independent entity. Assent to this resolution by Putin would mean the end of the Minsk accords and the movement of Russian peacekeepers into the Donbass at the request of their leaders. At that point all hope for detente will cease.
The Organisation for Security and cooperation in Europe is tasked with recording ceasefire violations in Eastern Ukraine.The vast majority are coming from the Ukrainian army side of the line of contact and impacting on Donbas
Aw, don't be mean to the ole duffer. He has to do what the deep state tells him, right? It's not as if any pres has any other option.
Okay, Trump did seem to get away with his loose-cannon ploy for a while. Having his own Secretary of State describe him publicly as a moron was a notable achievement, that's true. But he was an exception to the rule.
What I'm not clear on is whether the CFR really believes the shit they're pushing onto Biden – or is it just another covert agenda on behalf of residual yank imperialism.
I’ve got Russia from 20 Feb to +14 days if Vlad wants to cross his Rubicon, atm most of his Fighting Echelons & his A1 Echelons (Combat Supply/ Support Units) are in their respective LD’s (Line of Departure ie once you cross your LD, there is no going back; Point of No Return) & or their FUP’s (Form Up Points, which usually close to your LD or sometimes they can be your LD).
Of Note so far, the Russian & Belarus Units have applied their respective IFF Markers on their wagons/ mobile wpn platforms etc & all appeared to be bombed up ready to go should diplomacy failed.
My gut feeling is Vlad is going for broke & will cross his Rubicon within the next 14 Days & if he doesn’t this mth? Then we will be discussing this subject again on this same bat channel this time next yr.
I’m over in Twitter, discussing this, my usual NZDF & ADF Defence issues, the usual Left Wing Policies/ Politics, to NZ Railways, my model ship building & shortly Bushfires in 2-3 mths time.
I wouldn"t be surprised if these protests around the world are all part of Putins game, and I'd bet thats where the money is coming from, apparently there is a tent at the Wgtn protest where the "organisers "pay the parking fines.
Petrol at $3+ a litre before we even get to climate change crunch legislation makes it money well spent in preparation for less cars being on the road.
Oh, sorry. The train in question is Te Huia, a passenger link between Auckland and Hamilton that has so far cost over $100m to deliver a train that is too slow, that hardly anyone uses, and that is producing about 50% more carbon emissions per passenger than if that same person drove their car.
Christopher Luxon (a National party leader, according to Wikipedia) is giving his big "State of the Nation" speech today.
It's a tricky one for him. The smart thing is to say nothing very much beyond the usual vague spiel from an opposition leader ("something must be done"). He can't influence current events at all. So his speech would be ignored, but that doesn't matter much, it's a long time to the 2023 election.
The stupid thing is to be so desperate for a headline that his speech is not ignored. Orewa was the classic example. The more controversial the speech, the bigger the headlines.
I'll be surprised if he doesn't mention the return of Oz to normalcy today. The interesting bit will be how he frames that. A gamble?
Doesn't look like it if you google australia covid cases today. Their omicron wave peaked a month ago & case numbers are now down to a quarter of that peak.
"I used to run an airline that was very profitable and providing a good service but since I left and Robbo interfered it has been sinking toward insolvency"
Or hes trying to make a point of difference between himself, CEO of a successful airline and Ardern, a former fish and chip worker and Tony Blair staffer
Politicians do things in government, build up a CV, so to speak.
People might dislike Ardern for many things she's said or done since 2017. That's what they consider when approving/disapproving, and deciding their vote.
If Luxon thinks people make their decision by thinking about "fish and chips" and that will win him the election, then he needs to sack his advisers, pronto.
'If Luxon thinks people make their decision by thinking about "fish and chips" and that will win him the election, then he needs to sack his advisers, pronto.'
Maybe or maybe hes just hoping people will think that since he was the CEO of a successful airline he might also be able to run a country
Since he was CEO of an airline he will be able to tell us if they should have vaccine mandates (which they do) and when they shouldn't (which he wants).
"Luxon to Air NZ: you're wrong". Now that's a headline.
I can think of a millon things I would prioritise for funding, one of them being the hospice in South Auckland that is running out of money because donations are down
The instagram conflates historical injustices with current ideological demands. It also then uses the excuse that the democratic process is too slow for justice, so here's the answer. An unimpressive explanation of why a Rainbow Ministry is required, belatedly offered.
What exactly at this point is the Prime Minister in control of?
We are heading straight for 5,000 cases a day, she has chosen to have zero influence over a protest occupation of Parliament grounds, none of her key policy initiatives are completed, and there's clearly worse to come this year.
Her promise of 'darkness before the dawn' this morning is just wishful thinking.
What exactly at this point is the Prime Minister in control of?
The govt & the Labour caucus. That's all that matters. Doing a bit of positive spin on her behalf, I could point to the 6-week lag between the Oz omicron escalation & ours. Her public health strategy bought that time to up the boosted numbers…
She is in charge of every single government department and Ministry across the government.
Ardern has lost control of the narrative so badly now there's no spin to recover it. When you've gone from 20 cases a day to 2,500 in two weeks you have lost control.
A spin line of 'it could have been worse' never, ever works.
There are complaints on RNZ this morning that the waiting time inside A&E is now averaging over four hours, and increasing with staff shortages every week.
I'm no longer convinced the May budget will get them back into narrative control, let alone delivery control.
When you've gone from 20 cases a day to 2,500 in two weeks you have lost control.
You have somehow missed weeks of news. Omicron taking off was absolutely predicted, and prepared for, and outlined on numerous occasions.
This IS the expected narrative.
If Ardern had said "don't worry, Omicron won't affect many" she would be rightly attacked now. But she said the opposite, even if you didn't pay attention.
There were so many case models brought out between November and February that one of them was going to be approximately right, like the likelihood that a clock will hit the number 12 at some point.
Ardern gave another rambling interview today in which she repeated more and more that there is little they can do, it's up to individuals to help themselves, and the hospitals now just have to suck it up.
Faster Ardern is replaced by Robertson the better.
There were so many case models brought out between November and February that one of them was going to be approximately right, like the likelihood that a clock will hit the number 12 at some point.
Well, yeah, if the assumptions of those models were also correct to a reasonable degree. If they say "zero mask, no vaccination" and predict what we're getting with >90% vaccination and a high level of masking, the models are still wrong.
That is why we have been waiting 5 days to receive test results, why get tested then ?? . In that 5 day period the one who was tested stays isolated whilst those in their household and close contacts go about their daily routines be that attending school, teacher, nurse, Elderly care etc. Yet we were told that our testing capabilities 58,000 yet we cannot cope as a result 5 DAYS wait !!! As you said this was predicted then why has testing failed ?? Our leadership has been asleep at the wheel or caught out not been capable. FFS our minister of Health did not even know that those who perform the tests were voting on strike action. That is a sign of preparedness ??
Perhaps those that have not gone thru the process or experienced Covid should shut up and let those who have endured this cockup make their valid points.
Good to see a young feller showing a bit of gumption but dunno if assuming the wackos are running the show is wise. The thing has cohered too well recently for that to be true. Just makes him seem unobservant really.
Unlikely. We know that Labour is big on the principle of transparent governance. Therefore anything in the way of intelligence would immediately get passed on to the public, right?
However you may wish to argue that Labour minister's aren't likely to discern intelligence for what it is when shown it, therefore it won't necessarily get passed on. Fair point.
Caucus is so silent that mood must be in freefall?
Oh good it's conjecture time. It's make up a story time?
Caucus is so silent because they're planning to dump Ardern.
Caucus is so silent because every time they meet Robertson gives them boxes of chocolates to eat.
Caucus is so silent because all members are working or what part of their local area will be taken over by the freedom people seeking to take freedom from the inhabitants.
Caucus is so silent because they've been confronted by reality of lunatics wanting to take over the country emboldened by numerous fruitcakes and the demented.
Caucus is silent except for Wood calling the protestors slimeballs or something similar. Obviously felt the need to hone up his image in the public mind. Present as sophisticated instead of young must have been his thinking.
Oh, and the Grant was on the media today reframing Luxon's framing. Important to mask bipartisan solidarity with the pretence of competition whenever possible to ensure that the electorate doesn't see through the democracy sham. All good.
The important thing is that the police minister continues to remain silent. The One News political editor pointed out tonight that she was "missing in action". What action? I wondered. I doubt if she has really gone missing – just hiding from the public and media.
And the marvellous thing is that whichever window I happen to be viewing a situation thro has a frame. To keep commentary lively one must become adept at reframing – so discovering that simply shifting to a new window makes the effort of finding or creating a new frame unnecessary does make life as a social media commentator much easier. Even oldies can get good at incorporating novelty into their lifestyle…
Given the rationale for vaccine passports and mandates is to flatten the curve, sending kids to school at the beginning of a very contagious variant outbreak seems counter to that narrative.
A signal that they are still managing to prioritise contact tracing for the Delta variant would be welcome. Or can the system only cope with treating both variants the same? With limited resources, and systems already failing to cope at the beginning of an outbreak, priorities should be identified and clearly communicated. People will understand Omicron contacts being delayed, if Delta positives and contacts take priority.
The greater the spread amongst those at lowest risk before winter the better …
The government has timed it well – autumn – post the summer vitamin D uptake and before winter (when there is risk of convergence with flu and the impact of winter cold on the old).
The government has timed it well – autumn – post the summer vitamin D uptake and before winter (when there is risk of convergence with flu and the impact of winter cold on the old).
The government is responding to a virus in the community, with two main variants. They may hope for a managed outbreak, but some of their tools are already failing.
My initial point about schools was in response to an article about schools losing their teachers, once again, at the beginning of an outbreak. I thought it was the article Ad linked to in the original comment, but I must have browsed away from it.
There's one here. Students isolating doesn't necessarily affect the running of the school, but teachers and staff isolating will reach a point where the school is unable to function. What support systems are in place by the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Health, and the Ministry of Social Development for when this occurs?
Also, the demographic of unvaccinated seems across the board. I'm sure they have students in those households, once again making the retention of vaccine passports while students attend school (mixing with hundreds of others each day) is worth questioning.
Re schools closing.
Students isolating doesn't affect the running of the school. But school closures seriously impact on the ability of parents who are essential workers to both do their (essential) jobs and look after their children.
It became very, very, evident in the Red lockdowns (especially in the multiple Auckland ones), that school-as-childcare is actually a critical piece of our infrastructure puzzle.
Note: not talking here about Mr & Mrs middle-class work-from-home. They may (and many do) find remote schooling makes working all but impossible. But our society (in the short term at least) can do without a percentage of insurance adjusters, lawyers and bureaucrats. What we can't do without (especially in a pandemic) are nurses, supermarket workers, cleaners and lab techs. And, if those people don't have supervised childcare then many won't be working.
Even people whose jobs technically aren't essential – are surprisingly important cogs in the state mechanism (truck drivers, couriers, automotive technicians, cleaners, etc.).
Which is why the government is requiring ECE and primary schools to be open.
There are no vaccine passports for students required at schools (parents may voluntarily tell the school their child is vaccinated – but there's no requirement).
My pick (based on acquaintances) is that those people who were vaccinated under protest – have not chosen to get their children vaccinated.
Which is probably saying that the isolation requirements because of child-exposure are now non-fuctional.
Two points:
All the science shows that children are less likely to catch Covid, more likely to have an asymptomatic (or very mild) case, and less likely to transmit it. Restricting households because of a child's exposure at school – is probably an over-reaction ATM (it was justifiable under the elimination strategy, not so much now).
Essential workers need daily RATs administered either at home or in the workplace, rather than trying to use isolation as a substitute for testing.
Which is probably saying that the isolation requirements because of child-exposure are now non-fuctional.
Agree.
The RAT access adds to a full day's work, and is already under strain at the testing stations. Whether that is an initial implement hiccup, or indicative of a system already not coping at the beginning of the outbreak, I wouldn't know.
There needs to be some isolation and testing changes to keep up with the impact of the rapid spread of Covid.
As mentioned above, my partner (an essential worker) now has 15% of the workforce off due to their children's exposure at school. This will no doubt continue off and on until exposure and isolation rules change because of the high incidence and mixing at schools.
(Article from 2016 so add in Jeet Ravel, Tom Blundell and Devon Conway)
*New Zealand's test openers in the last 20 years: Justin Vaughan, Bryan Young, Blair Pocock, Craig Spearman, Nathan Astle, Matt Horne, Matthew Bell, Roger Twose, Gary Stead, Mark Richardson, Mathew Sinclair, Adam Parore, Lou Vincent, Stephen Fleming, Brendon McCullum, Michael Papps, Craig Cumming, James Marshall, Jamie How, Hamish Marshall, Peter Fulton, Aaron Redmond, Tim McIntosh, Martin Guptill, Daniel Flynn, BJ Watling, Rob Nicol, Hamish Rutherford, Tom Latham.
Basically its not easy being a NZ opener, of all those openers listed virtually all of them average 33 or lower.
Even Bruce Edgar had an average of 31 when opening, for context John Wright averaged 38
The standouts being Richardson at 45, McCullum at 40 (no really) and Latham at 43
Will Young has drawn the short straw (vs Conway and Blundell opening) and averages 34, not great but has the potential to score more and in the context of NZ its not too shabby at all
Depends if the SA team is unusually weak or they just didn't have their act together. I'm not really up with current play but perhaps they failed to read the wicket?
Anyway in recent years for the first time ever we seem to have openers that are competitive internationally on a fairly consistent basis so it doesn't really matter to me who they choose next match. I have faith in the selectors currently.
Will the weather affect team selection you reckon? Prospect of rain producing slower outfields, slowing run rates, etc..
I just find it interesting that we can consistently produce very good middle order batters yet finding two good opening batters at the same time seems beyond NZ
Maybe Ravindra or Allen will become openers but its just a shame that Young will have to settle, probably, for a sub 40 average as an opener rather than a 40 + middle order batter
Wright's average slightly belies how good he was later in his career e.g. as captain it was 48 which was outstanding for a test opener of the time, but really, we've struggled to put two good openers out there on a consistent basis since Edgar paired with Wright (I give them some credit for how hard opening/batting was in the 80s). As a statistical oddity, Wright and Trevor Franklin had the best average of any of our pairings with at least 1,000 runs, but Franklin's average wasn't great, again showing how hard it was.
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Let us not dance daintily around the elephant in the room. Our politicians who serve us in the present are not honest, certainly not as honest as they should be, and while the right are taking out most of the trophies for warping narratives and literally redefining “facts”, the kiwi ...
A few weeks ago I took a look at public transport ridership in 2024. In today’s post I’m going to be looking a bit deeper at bus ridership. Buses make up the vast majority of ridership in Auckland with 70 million boardings last year out of a total of 89.4 ...
Oh, you know I did itIt's over and I feel fineNothing you could say is gonna change my mindWaited and I waited the longest nightNothing like the taste of sweet declineSongwriters: Chris Shiflett / David Eric Grohl / Nate Mendel / Taylor Hawkins.Hindsight is good, eh?The clarity when the pieces ...
Photo by Towfiqu barbhuiya on UnsplashHere’s what we’re watching in the week to February 16 and beyond in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, climate and poverty:Monday, February 10The Kākā’s weekly wrap-up of news about politics and the economy is due at midday, followed by webinar for paying subscribers in Substack’s ...
A listing of 23 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, February 2, 2025 thru Sat, February 8, 2025. This week's roundup is again published soleley by category. We are still interested in feedback to hone the categorization, so if ...
Today, I stumbled across a Twitter Meme: the ending of The Lord of the Rings as a Chess scenario: https://x.com/mellon_heads/status/1887983845917564991 It gets across the basic gist. Aragorn and Gandalf offering up ‘material’ at the Morannon allows Frodo and Samwise to catch Sauron unawares – fair enough. But there are a ...
Last week, Kieran McAnulty called out Chris Bishop and Nicola Willis for their claims that Kāinga Ora’s costs were too high.They had claimed Kāinga Ora’s cost were 12% higher than market i.e. private devlopersBut Kāinga Ora’s Chair had already explained why last year:"We're not building to sell, so we'll be ...
Stuff’s Political Editor Luke Malpass - A Fellow at New Zealand IniativeLast week I half-joked that Stuff / The Post’s Luke Malpass1 always sounded like he was auditioning for a job at the New Zealand Initiative.Mountain Tui is a reader-supported publication. For a limited time, subscriptions are 20% off. Thanks ...
At a funeral on Friday, there were A4-sized photos covering every wall of the Dil’s reception lounge. There must have been 200 of them, telling the story in the usual way of the video reel but also, by enlargement, making it more possible to linger and step in.Our friend Nicky ...
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 from the Gigafact team in collaboration with members from our team. You can submit claims you think need checking via the tipline. Is methane the ...
The Government’s idea is that the private sector and Community Housing Providers will fund, build and operate new affordable housing to address our housing crisis. Meanwhile, the Government does not know where almost half of the 1,700 children who left emergency housing actually went. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāLong ...
Oh, home, let me come homeHome is wherever I'm with youOh, home, let me come homeHome is wherever I'm with youSongwriters: Alexander Ebert / Jade Allyson CastrinosMorena,I’m on a tight time frame this morning. In about an hour and a half, I’ll need to pack up and hit the road ...
This is a post about the Mountain Tui substack, and small tweaks - further to the poll and request post the other day. Please don’t read if you aren’t interested in my personal matters. Thank you all.After oohing-and-aahing about how to structure the Substack model since November, including obtaining ...
This transcript of a recent conversation between the Prime Minister and his chief economic adviser has not been verified.We’ve announced we are the ‘Yes Government’. Do you like it?Yes, Prime Minister.Dreamed up by the PR team. It’s about being committed to growth. Not that the PR team know anything about ...
The other day, Australian Senator Nick McKim issued a warning in the Australian Parliement about the US’s descent into fascim.And of course it’s true, but I lament - that was true as soon as Trump won.What we see is now simply the reification of the intention, planning, and forces behind ...
Among the many other problems associated with Musk/DOGE sending a fleet of teenage and twenty-something cultists to remove, copy and appropriate federal records like social security, medicaid and other supposedly protected data is the fact that the youngsters doing the data-removal, copying and security protocol and filter code over-writing have ...
Jokerman dance to the nightingale tuneBird fly high by the light of the moonOh, oh, oh, JokermanSong by Bob Dylan.Morena folks, I hope this fine morning of the 7th of February finds you well. We're still close to Paihia, just a short drive out of town. Below is the view ...
It’s been an eventful week as always, so here’s a few things that we have found interesting. We also hope everyone had a happy and relaxing Waitangi Day! This week in Greater Auckland We’re still running on summer time, but provided two chewy posts: On Tuesday, a guest ...
Queuing on Queen St: the Government is set to announce another apparently splashy growth policy on Sunday of offering residence visas to wealthy migrants. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāLong stories short, the top six things in our political economy around housing, climate and poverty on Friday, February 7:PM Christopher ...
The fact that Waitangi ended up being such a low-key affair may mark it out as one of the most significant Waitangi Days in recent years. A group of women draped in “Toitu Te Tiriti” banners who turned their backs on the politicians’ powhiri was about as rough as it ...
Hi,This week’s Flightless Bird episode was about “fake seizure guy” — a Melbourne man who fakes seizures in order to get members of the public to sit on him.The audio documentary (which I have included in this newsletter in case you don’t listen to Flightless Bird) built on reporting first ...
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Karin Kirk The 119th Congress comes with a price tag. The oil and gas industry gave about $24 million in campaign contributions to the members of the U.S. House and Senate expected to be sworn in January 3, 2025, according to a ...
Early morning, the shadows still long, but you can already feel the warmth building. Our motel was across the road from the historic homestead where Henry Williams' family lived. The evening before, we wandered around the gardens, reading the plaques and enjoying the close proximity to the history of the ...
Thanks folks for your feedback, votes and comments this week. I’ll be making the changes soon. Appreciate all your emails, comments and subscriptions too. I know your time is valuable - muchas gracias.A lot is happening both here and around the world - so I want to provide a snippets ...
Data released today by Statistics NZ shows that unemployment rose to 5.1%, with 33,000 more people out of work than last year said NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi Economist Craig Renney. “The latest data shows that employment fell in Aotearoa at its fastest rate since the GFC. Unemployment rose in 8 ...
The December labour market statistics have been released, showing yet another increase in unemployment. There are now 156,000 unemployed - 34,000 more than when National took office. And having thrown all these people out of work, National is doubling down on cruelty. Because being vicious will somehow magically create the ...
Boarded up homes in Kilbirnie, where work on a planned development was halted. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāLong stories short, the top six things in our political economy around housing, climate and poverty on Wednesday, February 5 are;Housing Minister Chris Bishop yesterday announcedKāinga Ora would be stripped of ...
This week Kiwirail and Auckland Transport were celebrating the completion of the summer rail works that had the network shut or for over a month and the start of electric trains to Pukekohe. First up, here’s parts of the press release about the shutdown works. Passengers boarding trains in Auckland ...
Through its austerity measures, the coalition government has engineered a rise in unemployment in order to reduce inflation while – simultaneously – cracking down harder and harder on the people thrown out of work by its own policies. To that end, Social Development Minister Louise Upston this week added two ...
This year, we've seen a radical, white supremacist government ignoring its Tiriti obligations, refusing to consult with Māori, and even trying to legislatively abrogate te Tiriti o Waitangi. When it was criticised by the Waitangi Tribunal, the government sabotaged that body, replacing its legal and historical experts with corporate shills, ...
Poor old democracy, it really is in a sorry state. It would be easy to put all the blame on the vandals and tyrants presently trashing the White House, but this has been years in the making. It begins with Margaret Thatcher and Ronald Reagan and the spirit of Gordon ...
The new school lunches came in this week, and they were absolutely scrumptious.I had some, and even though Connor said his tasted like “stodge” and gave him a sore tummy, I myself loved it!Look at the photos - I knew Mr Seymour wouldn’t lie when he told us last year:"It ...
The tighter sanctions are modelled on ones used in Britain, which did push people off ‘the dole’, but didn’t increase the number of workers, and which evidence has repeatedly shown don’t work. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāLong stories short, the top six things in our political economy around housing, ...
Catching you up on the morning’s global news and a quick look at the parallels -GLOBALTariffs are backSharemarkets in the US, UK and Europe have “plunged” in response to Trump’s tariffs. And while Mexico has won a one month reprieve, Canada and China will see their respective 25% and 10% ...
This post by Nicolas Reid was originally published on Linked in. It is republished here with permission. Gondolas are often in the news, with manufacturers of ropeway systems proposing them as a modern option for mass transit systems in New Zealand. However, like every next big thing in transport, it’s hard ...
This is a re-post from The Climate BrinkBoth 2023 and 2024 were exceptionally warm years, at just below and above 1.5C relative to preindustrial in the WMO composite of surface temperature records, respectively. While we are still working to assess the full set of drivers of this warmth, it is clear that ...
Hi,I woke up feeling nervous this morning, realising that this weekend Flightless Bird is going to do it’s first ever live show. We’re heading to a sold out (!) show in Seattle to test the format out in front of an audience. If it works, we’ll do more. I want ...
From the United-For-Now States of America comes the thrilling news that a New Zealander may be at the very heart of the current coup. Punching above our weight on the world stage once more! Wait, you may be asking, what New Zealander? I speak of Peter Thiel, made street legal ...
Even Stevens: Over the 33 years between 1990 and 2023 (and allowing for the aberrant 2020 result) the average level of support enjoyed by the Left and Right blocs, at roughly 44.5 percent each, turns out to be, as near as dammit, identical.WORLDWIDE, THE PARTIES of the Left are presented ...
Back in 2023, a "prominent political figure" went on trial for historic sex offences. But we weren't allowed to know who they were or what political party they were "prominent" in, because it might affect the way we voted. At the time, I said that this was untenable; it was ...
I'm going, I'm goingWhere the water tastes like wineI'm going where the water tastes like wineWe can jump in the waterStay drunk all the timeI'm gonna leave this city, got to get awayI'm gonna leave this city, got to get awayAll this fussing and fighting, man, you know I sure ...
Waitangi Day is a time to honour Te Tiriti o Waitangi and stand together for a just and fair Aotearoa. Across the motu, communities are gathering to reflect, kōrero, and take action for a future built on equity and tino rangatiratanga. From dawn ceremonies to whānau-friendly events, there are ...
Subscribe to Mountain Tūī ! Where you too can learn about exciting things from a flying bird! Tweet.Yes - I absolutely suck at marketing. It’s a fact.But first -My question to all readers is:How should I set up the Substack model?It’s been something I’ve been meaning to ask since November ...
Here’s the key news, commentary, reports and debate around Aotearoa’s political economy on politics and in the week to Feb 3:PM Christopher Luxon began 2025’s first day of Parliament last Tuesday by carrying on where left off in 2024, letting National’s junior coalition partner set the political agenda and dragging ...
Half of Pacific children sometimes going without food is just one of many heartbreaking lowlights in the Salvation Army’s annual State of the Nation report. ...
The Salvation Army’s State of the Nation report is a bleak indictment on the failure of Government to take steps to end poverty, with those on benefits, including their children, hit hardest. ...
New Zealand First has today introduced a Member’s Bill which would restore decision-making power to local communities regarding the fluoridation of drinking water. The ‘Fluoridation (Referendum) Legislation Bill’ seeks to repeal the Health (Fluoridation of Drinking Water) Amendment Act 2021 that granted centralised authority to the Direct General of Health ...
New Zealand First has introduced a Member’s Bill aimed at preventing banks from refusing their services to businesses because of the current “Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Framework”. “This Bill ensures fairness and prevents ESG standards from perpetuating woke ideology in the banking sector being driven by unelected, globalist, climate ...
Erica Stanford has reached peak shortsightedness if today’s announcement is anything to go by, picking apart immigration settings piece by piece to the detriment of the New Zealand economy. ...
Our originating document, theTreaty of Waitangi, was signed on February 6, 1840. An agreement between Māori and the British Crown. Initially inked by Ngā Puhi in Waitangi, further signatures were added as it travelled south. The intention was to establish a colony with the cession of sovereignty to the Crown, ...
Te Whatu Ora Chief Executive Margie Apa leaving her job four months early is another symptom of this government’s failure to deliver healthcare for New Zealanders. ...
The Green Party is calling for the Prime Minister to show leadership and be unequivocal about Aotearoa New Zealand’s opposition to a proposal by the US President to remove Palestinians from Gaza. ...
The latest unemployment figures reveal that job losses are hitting Māori and Pacific people especially hard, with Māori unemployment reaching a staggering 9.7% for the December 2024 quarter and Pasifika unemployment reaching 10.5%. ...
Waitangi 2025: Waitangi Day must be community and not politically driven - Shane Jones Our originating document, theTreaty of Waitangi, was signed on February 6, 1840. An agreement between Māori and the British Crown. Initially inked by Ngā Puhi in Waitangi, further signatures were added as it travelled south. ...
Despite being confronted every day with people in genuine need being stopped from accessing emergency housing – National still won’t commit to building more public houses. ...
The Green Party says the Government is giving up on growing the country’s public housing stock, despite overwhelming evidence that we need more affordable houses to solve the housing crisis. ...
Before any thoughts of the New Year and what lies ahead could even be contemplated, New Zealand reeled with the tragedy of Senior Sergeant Lyn Fleming losing her life. For over 38 years she had faithfully served as a front-line Police officer. Working alongside her was Senior Sergeant Adam Ramsay ...
Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson will return to politics at Waitangi on Monday the 3rd of February where she will hold a stand up with fellow co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick. ...
Te Pāti Māori is appalled by the government's blatant mishandling of the school lunch programme. David Seymour’s ‘cost-saving’ measures have left tamariki across Aotearoa with unidentifiable meals, causing distress and outrage among parents and communities alike. “What’s the difference between providing inedible food, and providing no food at all?” Said ...
The Government is doubling down on outdated and volatile fossil fuels, showing how shortsighted and destructive their policies are for working New Zealanders. ...
Green Party MP Steve Abel this morning joined Coromandel locals in Waihi to condemn new mining plans announced by Shane Jones in the pit of the town’s Australian-owned Gold mine. ...
The Green Party is calling on the Government to strengthen its just-announced 2030-2035 Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) under the Paris Agreement and address its woeful lack of commitment to climate security. ...
Today marks a historic moment for Taranaki iwi with the passing of the Te Pire Whakatupua mō Te Kāhui Tupua/Taranaki Maunga Collective Redress Bill in Parliament. "Today, we stand together as descendants of Taranaki, and our tūpuna, Taranaki Maunga, is now formally acknowledged by the law as a living tūpuna. ...
Labour is relieved to see Children’s Minister Karen Chhour has woken up to reality and reversed her government’s terrible decisions to cut funding from frontline service providers – temporarily. ...
It is the first week of David Seymour’s school lunch programme and already social media reports are circulating of revolting meals, late deliveries, and mislabelled packaging. ...
The Green Party says that with no-cause evictions returning from today, the move to allow landlords to end tenancies without reason plunges renters, and particularly families who rent, into insecurity and stress. ...
The Government’s move to increase speed limits substantially on dozens of stretches of rural and often undivided highways will result in more serious harm. ...
In her first announcement as Economic Growth Minister, Nicola Willis chose to loosen restrictions for digital nomads from other countries, rather than focus on everyday Kiwis. ...
The Government’s commitment to get New Zealand’s roads back on track is delivering strong results, with around 98 per cent of potholes on state highways repaired within 24 hours of identification every month since targets were introduced, Transport Minister Chris Bishop says. “Increasing productivity to help rebuild our economy is ...
The former Cadbury factory will be the site of the Inpatient Building for the new Dunedin Hospital and Health Minister Simeon Brown says actions have been taken to get the cost overruns under control. “Today I am giving the people of Dunedin certainty that we will build the new Dunedin ...
From today, Plunket in Whāngarei will be offering childhood immunisations – the first of up to 27 sites nationwide, Health Minister Simeon Brown says. The investment of $1 million into the pilot, announced in October 2024, was made possible due to the Government’s record $16.68 billion investment in health. It ...
New Zealand’s strong commitment to the rights of disabled people has continued with the response to an important United Nations report, Disability Issues Minister Louise Upston has announced. Of the 63 concluding observations of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), 47 will be progressed ...
Resources Minister Shane Jones has launched New Zealand’s national Minerals Strategy and Critical Minerals List, documents that lay a strategic and enduring path for the mineral sector, with the aim of doubling exports to $3 billion by 2035. Mr Jones released the documents, which present the Coalition Government’s transformative vision ...
Firstly I want to thank OceanaGold for hosting our event today. Your operation at Waihi is impressive. I want to acknowledge local MP Scott Simpson, local government dignitaries, community stakeholders and all of you who have gathered here today. It’s a privilege to welcome you to the launch of the ...
Racing Minister, Winston Peters has announced the Government is preparing public consultation on GST policy proposals which would make the New Zealand racing industry more competitive. “The racing industry makes an important economic contribution. New Zealand thoroughbreds are in demand overseas as racehorses and for breeding. The domestic thoroughbred industry ...
Business confidence remains very high and shows the economy is on track to improve, Economic Growth Minister Nicola Willis says. “The latest ANZ Business Outlook survey, released yesterday, shows business confidence and expected own activity are ‘still both very high’.” The survey reports business confidence fell eight points to +54 ...
Enabling works have begun this week on an expanded radiology unit at Hawke’s Bay Fallen Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital which will double CT scanning capacity in Hawke’s Bay to ensure more locals can benefit from access to timely, quality healthcare, Health Minister Simeon Brown says. This investment of $29.3m in the ...
The Government has today announced New Zealand’s second international climate target under the Paris Agreement, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealand will reduce emissions by 51 to 55 per cent compared to 2005 levels, by 2035. “We have worked hard to set a target that is both ambitious ...
Nine years of negotiations between the Crown and iwi of Taranaki have concluded following Te Pire Whakatupua mō Te Kāhui Tupua/the Taranaki Maunga Collective Redress Bill passing its third reading in Parliament today, Treaty Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith says. “This Bill addresses the historical grievances endured by the eight iwi ...
As schools start back for 2025, there will be a relentless focus on teaching the basics brilliantly so all Kiwi kids grow up with the knowledge, skills and competencies needed to grow the New Zealand of the future, Education Minister Erica Stanford says. “A world-leading education system is a key ...
Housing Minister Chris Bishop and Associate Agriculture Minister Mark Patterson have welcomed Kāinga Ora’s decision to re-open its tender for carpets to allow wool carpet suppliers to bid. “In 2024 Kāinga Ora issued requests for tender (RFTs) seeking bids from suppliers to carpet their properties,” Mr Bishop says. “As part ...
Associate Education Minister David Seymour has today visited Otahuhu College where the new school lunch programme has served up healthy lunches to students in the first days of the school year. “As schools open in 2025, the programme will deliver nutritious meals to around 242,000 students, every school day. On ...
Minister for Children Karen Chhour has intervened in Oranga Tamariki’s review of social service provider contracts to ensure Barnardos can continue to deliver its 0800 What’s Up hotline. “When I found out about the potential impact to this service, I asked Oranga Tamariki for an explanation. Based on the information ...
A bill to make revenue collection on imported and exported goods fairer and more effective had its first reading in Parliament, Customs Minister Casey Costello said today. “The Customs (Levies and Other Matters) Amendment Bill modernises the way in which Customs can recover the costs of services that are needed ...
Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says the Department of Internal Affairs [the Department] has achieved significant progress in completing applications for New Zealand citizenship. “December 2024 saw the Department complete 5,661 citizenship applications, the most for any month in 2024. This is a 54 per cent increase compared ...
Reversals to Labour’s blanket speed limit reductions begin tonight and will be in place by 1 July, says Minister of Transport Chris Bishop. “The previous government was obsessed with slowing New Zealanders down by imposing illogical and untargeted speed limit reductions on state highways and local roads. “National campaigned on ...
Finance Minister Nicola Willis has announced Budget 2025 – the Growth Budget - will be delivered on Thursday 22 May. “This year’s Budget will drive forward the Government’s plan to grow our economy to improve the incomes of New Zealanders now and in the years ahead. “Budget 2025 will build ...
For the Government, 2025 will bring a relentless focus on unleashing the growth we need to lift incomes, strengthen local businesses and create opportunity. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon today laid out the Government’s growth agenda in his Statement to Parliament. “Just over a year ago this Government was elected by ...
Associate Education Minister David Seymour welcomes students back to school with a call to raise attendance from last year. “The Government encourages all students to attend school every day because there is a clear connection between being present at school and setting yourself up for a bright future,” says Mr ...
The Government is relaxing visitor visa requirements to allow tourists to work remotely while visiting New Zealand, Economic Growth Minister Nicola Willis, Immigration Minister Erica Stanford and Tourism Minister Louise Upston say. “The change is part of the Government’s plan to unlock New Zealand’s potential by shifting the country onto ...
The opening of Kāinga Ora’s development of 134 homes in Epuni, Lower Hutt will provide much-needed social housing for Hutt families, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. “I’ve been a strong advocate for social housing on Kāinga Ora’s Epuni site ever since the old earthquake-prone housing was demolished in 2015. I ...
Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay will travel to Australia today for meetings with Australian Trade Minister, Senator Don Farrell, and the Australia New Zealand Leadership Forum (ANZLF). Mr McClay recently hosted Minister Farrell in Rotorua for the annual Closer Economic Relations (CER) Trade Ministers’ meeting, where ANZLF presented on ...
A new monthly podiatry clinic has been launched today in Wairoa and will bring a much-needed service closer to home for the Wairoa community, Health Minister Simeon Brown says.“Health New Zealand has been successful in securing a podiatrist until the end of June this year to meet the needs of ...
The Judicial Conduct Commissioner has recommended a Judicial Conduct Panel be established to inquire into and report on the alleged conduct of acting District Court Judge Ema Aitken in an incident last November, Attorney-General Judith Collins said today. “I referred the matter of Judge Aitken’s alleged conduct during an incident ...
Students who need extra help with maths are set to benefit from a targeted acceleration programme that will give them more confidence in the classroom, Education Minister Erica Stanford says. “Last year, significant numbers of students did not meet the foundational literacy and numeracy level required to gain NCEA. To ...
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has announced three new diplomatic appointments. “Our diplomats play an important role in ensuring New Zealand’s interests are maintained and enhanced across the world,” Mr Peters says. “It is a pleasure to announce the appointment of these senior diplomats from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and ...
Ki te kahore he whakakitenga, ka ngaro te Iwi – without a vision, the people will perish. The Government has achieved its target to reduce the number of households in emergency housing motels by 75 per cent five years early, Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka says. The number of households ...
The opening of Palmerston North’s biggest social housing development will have a significant impact for whānau in need of safe, warm, dry housing, Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka says. The minister visited the development today at North Street where a total of 50 two, three, and four-bedroom homes plus a ...
Report by Dr David Robie – Café Pacific. – The United States shares the pathologies of all dying empires with their mixture of buffoonery, rampant corruption, military fiascos, economic collapse and savage state repression.ANALYSIS: By Chris Hedges The billionaires, Christian fascists, grifters, psychopaths, imbeciles, narcissists and deviants who ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra The Albanese government has secured bipartisan support for a major new regime covering political donations and spending, after making significant concessions. The government agreed to increase the proposed threshold above which donations must be disclosed ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra With the election only months away, the Labor government finds itself suddenly battling with the Trump administration for an exemption from new US tariffs on steel and aluminium. The opposition has supported the effort, but ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Julee McDonagh, Senior Research Fellow of Frailty Research, University of Wollongong PeopleImages.com – Yuri A/Shutterstock Ageing is a normal part of the life course. It doesn’t matter how many green smoothies you drink, or how many “anti-ageing” skin care products you ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Bronwyn Carlson, Professor, Critical Indigenous Studies and Director of The Centre for Global Indigenous Futures, Macquarie University The Conversation, CC BY-SAAboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised this article contains names and images of deceased people. Colonial commemorations ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Susan Hazel, Associate Professor, School of Animal and Veterinary Science, University of Adelaide Masarik/Shutterstock In some overseas countries, pets can travel with their owners in a plane’s cabin, in a carrier under a seat. In Australia, pets must travel in the ...
A raft of proposed legislation changes to the media and screen industry have been announced this morning – we read through it all all so you don’t have to. What’s all this then? This morning the Ministry for Culture and Heritage released its draft proposed changes to media and screen ...
David Seymour's recent off-road parliamentary excursion led to a reprimand from the Speaker, who also said the rules didn't apply to this instance. What are the rules? ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Lee Morgenbesser, Associate Professor, School of Government and International Relations, Griffith University, Griffith University Many Americans have watched in horror as Elon Musk, the world’s richest person, has been permitted to tear through various offices of the United States government in recent ...
By Patrick Decloitre,RNZ Pacific correspondent French Pacific desk French Minister for Overseas Manuel Valls has announced he will travel to New Caledonia later this month to pursue talks on the French territory’s political future. These discussions on February 22 follow preliminary talks held last week in Paris in “bilateral” mode ...
As Benjamin Netanyahu threatens to resume war, Hamas outlines widespread Israeli ceasefire violations in document sent to the mediators.By Jeremy Scahill and Sharif Abdel Kouddous of Dropsite News Hamas officials submitted a two-page report to mediators yesterday listing a wide range of Israeli violations of the Gaza ceasefire since ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Murray Print, Professor of Education, University of Sydney A federal parliamentary inquiry has just recommended civics and citizenship become a compulsory part of the Australian Curriculum, which covers the first year of school to Year 10. The committee also recommended a ...
Welcome to The Spinoff Books Confessional, in which we get to know the reading habits of Aotearoa writers, and guests. This week: Claire Baylis, author of Dice and guest at the forthcoming HamLit programme at the Hamilton Arts Festival. The book I wish I’d writtenMy mind seems surprisingly unwilling ...
The courts should deal with illegal fishing, not the "court of public opinion", Shane Jones says, as he announces proposed changes to the Quota Management System. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Megan McElhone, Senior Lecturer in Criminology, Monash University A London court has found Sam Kerr not guilty of the racially aggravated harassment of Metropolitan Police officer Stephen Lovell. As captain of the Australian women’s national soccer team, Kerr was widely condemned when ...
Could iwi and hapū be the unexpected solution to the government’s asset dilemma? David Seymour pressured the prime minister into an unwelcome conversation, and in the couple of weeks since the Act leader raised the issue in his state of the nation speech, privatisation has shifted from absent in the ...
Human rights advocates must uphold human dignity, rights and justice, while rejecting the discriminatory tactics we oppose, writes Taimor Hazou.Two weeks ago the Palestinian Solidarity Network Aotearoa (PSNA) launched a campaign inviting New Zealanders to call a hotline if they suspected an Israel Defence Force (IDF) soldier that had ...
Immigration New Zealand figures shows more people have been looking at the ETA and visitor visa pages on the website, however fewer people have applied to come or to extend their stay. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kirsten Banks, Lecturer, School of Science, Computing and Engineering Technologies, Swinburne University of Technology Debris on the surface of Mars from the Perseverance mission, captured on April 19 2022. NASA/JPL-Caltech In his inauguration speech in January, United States President Donald Trump ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alix Woolard, Senior Research Fellow, The Kids Research Institute Australia Stock Unit/Shutterstock Have you ever asked someone how their day was, or been chatting casually with a friend, only to have them tell you a horrific story that has left you ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Quentin Grafton, Australian Laureate Professor of Economics, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University The Roper RiverChris Ison/Shutterstock Water is now a contested resource around the world. Nowhere is this more evident than in the fight playing out over the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Graeme Turner, Emeritus Professor of Cultural Studies, The University of Queensland Matej Kastellic/ Shutterstock As we head towards the federal election, both sides of politics are making a point of criticising universities and questioning their role in the community. ...
Alex Casey examines the perils of having your period at a music festival. It was right after Clairo’s swooning set that Sarah* knew it was time. She was on the second day of her period at Auckland’s Laneway festival, and braved the portaloos to empty her menstrual cup and change ...
A battle between health officials and local councils is heating up, as one government party seeks to change the rules. The Bulletin’s Stewart Sowman-Lund explains. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign up here. ...
Please put all Convoy Protest comments under one of the protest posts, so we can keep Open Mike for other discussions.
Why is this on the OM page? Is it possible to move it to the protest page please? It improves readalbilty if posts on the same topic are placed together and frees up the OM for other matters ie provides a ‘space’ that posters also need. I went to OM first today determined to engage with something that was not about the protest.
Protest page was opened up at 6.05am and this comment was loaded at 7.12am
I don't really mind if it gets shifted, but the reason I posted it here is the issues it raises – governance and the responsibilities of ministers, etc.
Seems to me such deeper issues aren't suitable for the convoy culture page, but maybe that's just me. Happy to consider other views…
Mods can't shift it, but please repost in one of the Protest threads and I will delete this one in OM. We do prefer to keep OM for other topics atm.
https://thestandard.org.nz/convoy-protest-21-2-22/
https://thestandard.org.nz/why-negotiating-with-the-wellington-protesters-is-a-waste-of-time/
Have reposted it to today's convoy page so you can delete it now thanks.
Thank-you!
I will see about getting a comment at the top of OM each day asking people to post in one of the protest threads. It's logistically tricky.
Great idea!
I am keen to get a handle on this Russia/Ukraine situation from the wise ones on here, and in other places. Keeping OM clear allows other important happenings from the world outside to be looked at.
The world has gone mad. Avocados have become as valuable to drug cartels as the drugs they supply.
https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2019-11-20/mexico-cartel-violence-avocados
In fact the production of avocados across South America is causing water supply problems for small communities as huge corporate avocado growers plant orchards that stretch for miles.
I have watched with fascination as this fruit that was once relegated to a couple of boxes at the supermarket, now is prominently displayed.
First the middleclass commandeered avocados. What self respecting middleclass latte drinking, iPhone hugging, important talking, cafe bug, would want to be seen without an avo on the plate in front of them?
But lately I have been seeing the underclass with a avocado or two at the supermarket checkout. That's cool.
I remember a couple of decades back dieticians telling us we need to be careful with avocados because they are filled with oil.
there aint a lot of original thought going on inside that head of yours is there
If you are interested in learning more about the cartels, Blade, Netflix series 'Rotten' devotes S02E01 to that issue.
Blade I am surprised to find I agree. Cartels and farming in the wrong areas deplete water supplies and force up prices.
Avacado are water greedy, and like cows use huge amounts of water if farmed in the wrong areas. Although avocado became painted as a fashionable product, they are a healthy option in a balanced diet.
The cartels’ behaviour is about water in the final analysis. In California water was piped away and whole orange groves were bowled as owners lost their water licences.
And that is before you account for the vast amount of water that is needed to grow those almonds and process them for your almond milk latte!
There is a likely Avocado disaster happening in the Far North too on Aupouri Peninsula–basically the narrowest part of the country–head North from Awanui towards Cape Reinga and you will see acre upon acre of Avo plantings and infrastructure. You see there is a giant aquifer under that land which is why growers wanted it. Initiated by a chap from California who got in the crap with water wars there according to local anecdotes…
The authorities green lit initially (jobs, growth, etc.) but there were appeals and now even DOC and NRC are having second thoughts at the prospect of the aquifer being depleted and then subject to seawater inundation.
Used to love avocados back in the day when you could more easily tell when they were ripe and ready, gone off ’em since they started tasting watery, and that year when they were up to $5 each because of shortages due to the exports.
''Used to love avocados back in the day when you could more easily tell when they were ripe and ready.''
And not bruised.
If Russia doesn't invade Ukraine this week Biden's advisors who had promised they would are going to look like dumb dorks.
Biden claiming that he know Putin had "made up his mind to invade" will also look like a dumb dork.
I would think that the chances that Russia will invade the Ukraine this week have risen dramatically. The Winter Olympics have finished. Putin is, at least in my opinion, heavily dependent on China to not oppose his actions. If Putin had invaded while the Olympics were on it would probably have caused their collapse as athletes left the country. That was not going to be tolerated by Xi and I'm sure it was made clear to Russia.
Now that the games are over I think Xi will be quite happy to have Putin creating mischief and to distract the US focus on anything taking place in Hong Kong and even trouble with Taiwan.
USA, UK, Russia, China are all imperialist powers, and the time worn technique as adopted in WWI, is to get the masses of each country to support and identify with “their” ruling class position on other imperialist nations
So in NZ because of Anglospheric 5 Eyes, popular opinion will likely be expected to support the US version of events on Ukraine, NATO and Russia.
As one of the international socialist groups has said…
“No war over Ukraine!
Both Russian and NATO forces pull back!
Don’t expand NATO – dissolve it!
Demilitarize Europe!
End the arms races eating up resources we need to fight poverty and climate change!”
Before anyone starts of gobbling off about NATO or the EU!
Everyone needs to understand the two founding documents in Ukraine’s Defence, Foreign & Economic Policies that are the lurch pin for Ukraine’s Independence from Russia when the Cold War ended & why they the Ukraine gave up its Nukes. In return for Russia’s guarantees:
That Russia would guarantee Ukraine’s Sovereignty, its borders, Ukraine to pursue it’s own Defence & Economic Sovereignty according to the wishes of Ukraine Public.
That if Russia revoked any of the Lisbon Protocols and later the Budapest Memorandum, that the US & UK would guarantee Ukraine’s Sovereignty & Security.
Please read these links, on why we are here discussing Ukraine.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lisbon_Protocol
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_weapons_and_Ukraine#Budapest_Memorandum
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Budapest_Memorandum_on_Security_Assurances
You are taking a side here Scud–that of British and American Imperialism.
The collapse of the Soviet Union was a right dogs breakfast, even one Roger Douglas was engaged to advise on how best to shaft the locals!
My take is clear, working class people do not benefit from Imperialist wars or preparations.
Well, I guess Biden is going to look like a dork then. Russia has spent a lot of time and effort emphasising a multilateral UN centred international law based system. They are not going to just throw this approach under the bus just because Biden wants a reason to be tough on Russia. Civiluans are now being evacuated out of the separatist regions precisely so that reasons for Russia to intervene in a R2P role wrt Russian citizens is reduced. 150 000 Russian soldiers on the border is no where near enough to invade. Pressure is being applied to Europe to come to their senses and reject being servants of the US which as we know via Victoria Nulands remarks in 2014 has no concern for the welfare of the EU except that they only trade where directed by the US. Russia has already won the diplomatic war. The US is offering to talk about arms limitation topics that have been thoroughly rejected only months ago and EU leaders are flocking to Moscow. It's idiotic to think they would choose to invade the Ukraine without a huge provocation.
it is hard to ever know if the counter-factual – that the rapid arming of the Ukrainian military with modern weapons has caused the Russians to hesitate – has been the case though.
Except that Russia has always said it has no intention to invade. And has laid out from the beginning it's position on what security means as well as it's full support for the implementation of the Minsk agreements which of course have been unanimously adopted by the UN security council resolution 2202. I've linked to an archived copy because the UN site is presently down for maintenance. Of course, arming the Ukraine with high tech hardware is a breach of the accords and the lack of direction by France and Germay in bringing the Ukraine regime to talks with the separist regions has only encouraged preparations by them for war. Seven years they have let this witches brew simmer.
Yeah, Russia's said that while walking casually along the border whistling the old music hall tune "gosh isn't it all peaceful and normal here, guv, Just me and my many artillery divisions".
Who the fuck knows what anyone's original goals were.
Russia invading the Ukraine would be a dream come true for the US. They would be able to irrevocably cut the EU from any ties to Russian energy and make them fully dependent on the US for all their energy needs for the foreseeable. 120 odd thousand troops with hardware is enough to make the Ukraine aware that Russia is prepared to act decisively to protect the Donbass but nothing more. Russian security means no war in the Ukraine. Invasion makes the Ukraine a failed state with Russia a target for the Ukraine version of pissed off jihadis. Part of the problem of refusing to read any Russian media is that you dont get to weigh up the history of both sides positions.
The EU needs Russian gas. All the fracking in the contiguous US won't pipe it across the Atlantic, and Russia supplies Europe with an amount roughly similar to a third of total US gas production. Those ties won't be cut any time soon, and the US can't replace them if they could.
Sure, most outcomes in the Russian scenarios would not involve war with Ukraine. Foreign policy wonks are going to do the dance all the same. Few people actually want a war. But it's basic standover tactics, from all sides. And if one side doesn't step up, then it just gets a better outcome for the other party.
Part of Russia's foreign policy goals would be to see if the US is rebuilding its global role after the abrupt withdrawal by the previous incumbent. Also testing Europe's cohesion. US goals include showing a commitment to NATO allies and prospective allies. Increasing political separation between EU and Russia would also be there.
But Russia has these things called "trains". If Ukraine turned out to be all alone diplomatically, that 120k troops could be just the start.
Also, Belarus is nowhere near Donbas? But much closer to Kiev? Just a gentle foreign policy hint of some mighty decisive protection.
Russia put enough pressure on the two Ukraine factions to force the Minsk agreement in 2015. At the time, Ukraine fighters were caught in a cauldron. Their pants had been seriously lowered and there was a lot exposed. But Russia insisted on a negotiated ceasefire. They have continued to state that there can be no military solution. They have continued to demand talks between Ukraine and separatists. It is probably true that they have seen a moment of western weakness and even a chance to break Nato but it is also true that it is the expansion of Nato and proliferation of missiles closer and closer to Russia that has been the motor driving an inevitable confrontation
OR they forced their proxy to back off a bit after MH17 got shot down.
Sure, Nato is expansionist, particularly the US. So is Russia. There's no single motor for confrontation, everyone has their goals and pathways to try to get there.
Pray tell how is Russia 'expansionist'…since the breakup of the USSR,Russia has gradually restored itself as a respected and stable country.
Since Brexit and the rise of China as an economic force ,the influence of the U.S in Europe is waning.
Europe is a huge market,and the U.S is becoming increasingly irrelevant.
Europe trades more with China than the U.S and Russian gas/energy is now a vital component in their everyday life.
The U.S influence since WW2 -more than 70 years ago is not the future for Europe.
Trump told them..'look after yourselves'=don't rely on Uncle Sam!
They are happy to do that but the U.S have had a change of heart.
Which country had Donbas as its territory 15 years ago?
Still got bases in Syria?
How's Chechnya doing these days?
Sure, US sucks too, so does China. Don't pretend any large power has noble motives, and smaller powers generally just want to try to remain relatively independant.
Well at any rate, we will get forewarned if Russia decides that there is no hope for a peaceful settlement in the Ukraine. The Duma has already passed a resolution to recognise the LDNR separatist region as an independent entity. Assent to this resolution by Putin would mean the end of the Minsk accords and the movement of Russian peacekeepers into the Donbass at the request of their leaders. At that point all hope for detente will cease.
https://www.osce.org/files/2022-02-19%20Daily%20Report.pdf?itok=95901
The Organisation for Security and cooperation in Europe is tasked with recording ceasefire violations in Eastern Ukraine.The vast majority are coming from the Ukrainian army side of the line of contact and impacting on Donbas
They'll probably claim the invasion was averted by publicising it. They might even be right.
Is there anyone still out there that doesn't think Biden
has alzheimersis a dumb dork?C'mon man
Aw, don't be mean to the ole duffer. He has to do what the deep state tells him, right? It's not as if any pres has any other option.
Okay, Trump did seem to get away with his loose-cannon ploy for a while. Having his own Secretary of State describe him publicly as a moron was a notable achievement, that's true. But he was an exception to the rule.
What I'm not clear on is whether the CFR really believes the shit they're pushing onto Biden – or is it just another covert agenda on behalf of residual yank imperialism.
I’ve got Russia from 20 Feb to +14 days if Vlad wants to cross his Rubicon, atm most of his Fighting Echelons & his A1 Echelons (Combat Supply/ Support Units) are in their respective LD’s (Line of Departure ie once you cross your LD, there is no going back; Point of No Return) & or their FUP’s (Form Up Points, which usually close to your LD or sometimes they can be your LD).
Of Note so far, the Russian & Belarus Units have applied their respective IFF Markers on their wagons/ mobile wpn platforms etc & all appeared to be bombed up ready to go should diplomacy failed.
My gut feeling is Vlad is going for broke & will cross his Rubicon within the next 14 Days & if he doesn’t this mth? Then we will be discussing this subject again on this same bat channel this time next yr.
I’m over in Twitter, discussing this, my usual NZDF & ADF Defence issues, the usual Left Wing Policies/ Politics, to NZ Railways, my model ship building & shortly Bushfires in 2-3 mths time.
Blade, I think Avocado Mania is the only thing I have ever agreed with you on.
Thanks, Adrian. Let's take things forward with small steps.
I wouldn"t be surprised if these protests around the world are all part of Putins game, and I'd bet thats where the money is coming from, apparently there is a tent at the Wgtn protest where the "organisers "pay the parking fines.
And while the country is distracted by covid and protests, our government continues to spend our money on useless shit.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/report-on-100m-new-te-huia-rail-passenger-service-casts-doubts-on-viability/UNE42SE5Q4E5462TYSV5FKREZY/
Petrol at $3+ a litre before we even get to climate change crunch legislation makes it money well spent in preparation for less cars being on the road.
Ah, no.
"The Waikato Chamber of Commerce is concerned the Hamilton to Auckland train service is financially and environmentally worse than driving.
A report for the chamber shows per trip driving costs $48 compared to $294 on Te Huia which includes the $12 fare and a $282 subsidy.
Based on the assumption of one person per vehicle, carbon emissions are 20kg per person driving and 31.5kg per person on the train."
Te Huia is just another stupid idea, like light rail along Dominion Rd.
Happy to wait and see what happens in ten or twenty years.
Agree with you about light rail,but can't find the actual report.
Were you able to find a link to it?
Sorry it's behind a paywall on the Waikato Chamber of Commerce's website. There's an interview on-line with the CEO.
There is no train freight?
Huh?
is the line people only or is there freight as well?
Oh, sorry. The train in question is Te Huia, a passenger link between Auckland and Hamilton that has so far cost over $100m to deliver a train that is too slow, that hardly anyone uses, and that is producing about 50% more carbon emissions per passenger than if that same person drove their car.
Christopher Luxon (a National party leader, according to Wikipedia) is giving his big "State of the Nation" speech today.
It's a tricky one for him. The smart thing is to say nothing very much beyond the usual vague spiel from an opposition leader ("something must be done"). He can't influence current events at all. So his speech would be ignored, but that doesn't matter much, it's a long time to the 2023 election.
The stupid thing is to be so desperate for a headline that his speech is not ignored. Orewa was the classic example. The more controversial the speech, the bigger the headlines.
Let's hope he doesn't take that path.
Economy, Economy, Economy.
There's only one line of washing powder left on the shelf at my local supermarket.
And the huge roadside stall that sells a rare plum I love , has lost four permanent staff. Staff I have dealt with for over four years.
Our local trucking company has the firm ute driving around town adorned with placards asking for drivers.
I'll be surprised if he doesn't mention the return of Oz to normalcy today. The interesting bit will be how he frames that. A gamble?
Doesn't look like it if you google australia covid cases today. Their omicron wave peaked a month ago & case numbers are now down to a quarter of that peak.
https://www.9news.com.au/national/coronavirus-australia-border-updates-covid-travel-ban-drops-allowing-international-tourists-in/d9d386ce-9acb-4a26-b005-92730daad111
It will be interesting. The Oz situation will be a real gamble for Luxon to play. Given a good percentage of our population is still Covid shy.
Looks like Jacinda is sending clear signals about a change in government policy after our Omicron peak.
'I used to run an airline, and that has taught me the time for mandates is over.'
"I used to run an airline, and that airline has vaccination mandates, and so please ask me about something else".
"I used to run an airline that was very profitable and providing a good service but since I left and Robbo interfered it has been sinking toward insolvency"
Ssh not a word about the pandemic /nudge nudge
Fascinating. You are hurt by the comment too!
Yeah yeah
"I used to work in a fish and chip shop"
We can all play that game if you like
I don't recall the PM bringing up that particular work experience as qualification for the top job, a least in a serious way.
Lovely to see you so triggered by my comment though.
Yeah theres a good reason why she doesn't bring that up as a qualification for the PMs job
I'll let you work it out for yourself
The PM has a huge amount of experience in public service, something fairly useful in being a public servant and PM.
Luxon by contrast is a beginner, and it is showing.
It's not where they worked. It's what they say.
Luxon had 3 qualifications for the leader's job: 1) he's not Judith 2) he's not Simon, and 3) the one he mentions in every interview.
He's mocked because he can't stop.
Or hes trying to make a point of difference between himself, CEO of a successful airline and Ardern, a former fish and chip worker and Tony Blair staffer
Maybe he is. If so, it's a stupid tactic.
Politicians do things in government, build up a CV, so to speak.
People might dislike Ardern for many things she's said or done since 2017. That's what they consider when approving/disapproving, and deciding their vote.
If Luxon thinks people make their decision by thinking about "fish and chips" and that will win him the election, then he needs to sack his advisers, pronto.
'If Luxon thinks people make their decision by thinking about "fish and chips" and that will win him the election, then he needs to sack his advisers, pronto.'
Maybe or maybe hes just hoping people will think that since he was the CEO of a successful airline he might also be able to run a country
Since he was CEO of an airline he will be able to tell us if they should have vaccine mandates (which they do) and when they shouldn't (which he wants).
"Luxon to Air NZ: you're wrong". Now that's a headline.
Has Luxon ever mentioned the fact that Ardern worked in a Fish and Chip shop?
I don't remember him having done so. Can you produce some evidence of your claim or is it just a fantasy?
Ask Puckish Rogue.
Or just re-read the thread and work out who is saying what.
I'd have to class it as a draw between Puckish Rogue and yourself.
First international hat-trick for New Zealand defender Meikayla Moore v the usa in the 'SheBelieves cup'.
And a true hat-trick at that – Left foot, right foot and header. And all in the 40 first half minutes before being substituted.
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/60457568
Own goals!!!
Only ever scored one, a soft header back to the keeper who conspired to let it trickle over the line. I laughed, but sure Ms Moore won't be.
Damn – don't know much about this sport thing, but even I can tell that's a very bad day at the office.
Shit happens.
Bad luck for a couple of them, but yeah, definitely one to forget, though probably not for pub quiz masters.
Luxon's on at 2.30 today, for anyone interested in hearing his drivel.
https://www.facebook.com/events/647808103196238/
Great, a week after receiving a request to sign a petition to create a Rainbow Ministry, the Green Party publishes the data on why:
https://www.instagram.com/p/CaMKNewrXJx/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
I can think of a millon things I would prioritise for funding, one of them being the hospice in South Auckland that is running out of money because donations are down
The instagram conflates historical injustices with current ideological demands. It also then uses the excuse that the democratic process is too slow for justice, so here's the answer. An unimpressive explanation of why a Rainbow Ministry is required, belatedly offered.
What exactly at this point is the Prime Minister in control of?
We are heading straight for 5,000 cases a day, she has chosen to have zero influence over a protest occupation of Parliament grounds, none of her key policy initiatives are completed, and there's clearly worse to come this year.
Her promise of 'darkness before the dawn' this morning is just wishful thinking.
Covid 19 Omicron outbreak: PM promises 'light' as cases skyrocket – NZ Herald
What exactly at this point is the Prime Minister in control of?
The govt & the Labour caucus. That's all that matters. Doing a bit of positive spin on her behalf, I could point to the 6-week lag between the Oz omicron escalation & ours. Her public health strategy bought that time to up the boosted numbers…
She is in charge of every single government department and Ministry across the government.
Ardern has lost control of the narrative so badly now there's no spin to recover it. When you've gone from 20 cases a day to 2,500 in two weeks you have lost control.
A spin line of 'it could have been worse' never, ever works.
There are complaints on RNZ this morning that the waiting time inside A&E is now averaging over four hours, and increasing with staff shortages every week.
I'm no longer convinced the May budget will get them back into narrative control, let alone delivery control.
When you've gone from 20 cases a day to 2,500 in two weeks you have lost control.
You have somehow missed weeks of news. Omicron taking off was absolutely predicted, and prepared for, and outlined on numerous occasions.
This IS the expected narrative.
If Ardern had said "don't worry, Omicron won't affect many" she would be rightly attacked now. But she said the opposite, even if you didn't pay attention.
https://www.1news.co.nz/2022/01/23/ardern-outlines-phased-approach-to-omicron-strategy/
There were so many case models brought out between November and February that one of them was going to be approximately right, like the likelihood that a clock will hit the number 12 at some point.
Ardern gave another rambling interview today in which she repeated more and more that there is little they can do, it's up to individuals to help themselves, and the hospitals now just have to suck it up.
Faster Ardern is replaced by Robertson the better.
Well, yeah, if the assumptions of those models were also correct to a reasonable degree. If they say "zero mask, no vaccination" and predict what we're getting with >90% vaccination and a high level of masking, the models are still wrong.
Have a cup of tea and put sugar in it.
"Robertson the better".
That seems rather optimistic to me. I would go along with
Faster Ardern is replaced by Robertson the less damage we will have to suffer.
I suppose that you may know him a bit better than I do though.
That is why we have been waiting 5 days to receive test results, why get tested then ?? . In that 5 day period the one who was tested stays isolated whilst those in their household and close contacts go about their daily routines be that attending school, teacher, nurse, Elderly care etc. Yet we were told that our testing capabilities 58,000 yet we cannot cope as a result 5 DAYS wait !!! As you said this was predicted then why has testing failed ?? Our leadership has been asleep at the wheel or caught out not been capable. FFS our minister of Health did not even know that those who perform the tests were voting on strike action. That is a sign of preparedness ??
Perhaps those that have not gone thru the process or experienced Covid should shut up and let those who have endured this cockup make their valid points.
https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2022/02/covid-19-andrew-little-blindsided-by-news-10-000-healthcare-workers-will-go-on-strike.html
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/461845/covid-19-pcr-tests-auckland-results-taking-up-to-five-days-to-process
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/460181/covid-19-testing-capacity-increased-with-rapid-antigen-and-robots
Perhaps you'd prefer a Boris Johnson figure? One who is actively agitating for war with Russia?
I prefer government that engages honestly with all New Zealanders – not just the majority – and delivers.
Caucus is so silent that mood must be in freefall.
Michael Wood did engage honestly. He called the drivers of this shit-show a river of slime. What more do you want?
Good to see a young feller showing a bit of gumption but dunno if assuming the wackos are running the show is wise. The thing has cohered too well recently for that to be true. Just makes him seem unobservant really.
Perhaps Wood had access to information you've not been party to, Dennis?
Is that possible? Are Government ministers shown intelligence that the general public can't readily see?
Such perplexing questions!
Unlikely. We know that Labour is big on the principle of transparent governance. Therefore anything in the way of intelligence would immediately get passed on to the public, right?
However you may wish to argue that Labour minister's aren't likely to discern intelligence for what it is when shown it, therefore it won't necessarily get passed on. Fair point.
Well if there's someone who's an expert on slime it's certainly Michael Wood.
OH?
Caucus is so silent that mood must be in freefall?
Oh good it's conjecture time. It's make up a story time?
Caucus is so silent because they're planning to dump Ardern.
Caucus is so silent because every time they meet Robertson gives them boxes of chocolates to eat.
Caucus is so silent because all members are working or what part of their local area will be taken over by the freedom people seeking to take freedom from the inhabitants.
Caucus is so silent because they've been confronted by reality of lunatics wanting to take over the country emboldened by numerous fruitcakes and the demented.
Caucus is silent…because Ad can't hear them?
Caucus is silent except for Wood calling the protestors slimeballs or something similar. Obviously felt the need to hone up his image in the public mind. Present as sophisticated instead of young must have been his thinking.
Oh, and the Grant was on the media today reframing Luxon's framing. Important to mask bipartisan solidarity with the pretence of competition whenever possible to ensure that the electorate doesn't see through the democracy sham. All good.
The important thing is that the police minister continues to remain silent. The One News political editor pointed out tonight that she was "missing in action". What action? I wondered. I doubt if she has really gone missing – just hiding from the public and media.
You do interpret everything to suit your window!!
And the marvellous thing is that whichever window I happen to be viewing a situation thro has a frame. To keep commentary lively one must become adept at reframing – so discovering that simply shifting to a new window makes the effort of finding or creating a new frame unnecessary does make life as a social media commentator much easier. Even oldies can get good at incorporating novelty into their lifestyle…
Given the rationale for vaccine passports and mandates is to flatten the curve, sending kids to school at the beginning of a very contagious variant outbreak seems counter to that narrative.
A signal that they are still managing to prioritise contact tracing for the Delta variant would be welcome. Or can the system only cope with treating both variants the same? With limited resources, and systems already failing to cope at the beginning of an outbreak, priorities should be identified and clearly communicated. People will understand Omicron contacts being delayed, if Delta positives and contacts take priority.
The greater the spread amongst those at lowest risk before winter the better …
The government has timed it well – autumn – post the summer vitamin D uptake and before winter (when there is risk of convergence with flu and the impact of winter cold on the old).
The government is responding to a virus in the community, with two main variants. They may hope for a managed outbreak, but some of their tools are already failing.
My initial point about schools was in response to an article about schools losing their teachers, once again, at the beginning of an outbreak. I thought it was the article Ad linked to in the original comment, but I must have browsed away from it.
There's one here. Students isolating doesn't necessarily affect the running of the school, but teachers and staff isolating will reach a point where the school is unable to function. What support systems are in place by the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Health, and the Ministry of Social Development for when this occurs?
Also, the demographic of unvaccinated seems across the board. I'm sure they have students in those households, once again making the retention of vaccine passports while students attend school (mixing with hundreds of others each day) is worth questioning.
Re schools closing.
Students isolating doesn't affect the running of the school. But school closures seriously impact on the ability of parents who are essential workers to both do their (essential) jobs and look after their children.
It became very, very, evident in the Red lockdowns (especially in the multiple Auckland ones), that school-as-childcare is actually a critical piece of our infrastructure puzzle.
Note: not talking here about Mr & Mrs middle-class work-from-home. They may (and many do) find remote schooling makes working all but impossible. But our society (in the short term at least) can do without a percentage of insurance adjusters, lawyers and bureaucrats. What we can't do without (especially in a pandemic) are nurses, supermarket workers, cleaners and lab techs. And, if those people don't have supervised childcare then many won't be working.
Even people whose jobs technically aren't essential – are surprisingly important cogs in the state mechanism (truck drivers, couriers, automotive technicians, cleaners, etc.).
Which is why the government is requiring ECE and primary schools to be open.
There are no vaccine passports for students required at schools (parents may voluntarily tell the school their child is vaccinated – but there's no requirement).
My pick (based on acquaintances) is that those people who were vaccinated under protest – have not chosen to get their children vaccinated.
My partner is an essential worker, and 15% of the workforce is now isolating because of their children's exposure at school to Covid.
This will continue, on and off, while the workers are themselves not positive cases.
Households with children at school does have an impact, over and above childcare, which sometimes be worked out with other parents.
Which is probably saying that the isolation requirements because of child-exposure are now non-fuctional.
Two points:
All the science shows that children are less likely to catch Covid, more likely to have an asymptomatic (or very mild) case, and less likely to transmit it. Restricting households because of a child's exposure at school – is probably an over-reaction ATM (it was justifiable under the elimination strategy, not so much now).
Essential workers need daily RATs administered either at home or in the workplace, rather than trying to use isolation as a substitute for testing.
Which is probably saying that the isolation requirements because of child-exposure are now non-fuctional.
Agree.
The RAT access adds to a full day's work, and is already under strain at the testing stations. Whether that is an initial implement hiccup, or indicative of a system already not coping at the beginning of the outbreak, I wouldn't know.
There needs to be some isolation and testing changes to keep up with the impact of the rapid spread of Covid.
Much as Teachers hate the thought, schools are as much essential child minding services as education centres.
Without schools open many of the workers needed to keep the place functional won't be turning up at work.
Shutting schools, has to be balanced against still getting the groceries delivered.
There's always a trade off, KJT.
As mentioned above, my partner (an essential worker) now has 15% of the workforce off due to their children's exposure at school. This will no doubt continue off and on until exposure and isolation rules change because of the high incidence and mixing at schools.
Cricket, cricket, cricket!
Time to pick over the carcass of the outstanding team victory over South Africa.
Starting with Will Young.
Will Young should be batting number 5 at the moment but unfortunately for him NZ cricket has and has always had a big issue with opening batting
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/sport/313836/nz's-openers-a-test-of-loyalty
(Article from 2016 so add in Jeet Ravel, Tom Blundell and Devon Conway)
*New Zealand's test openers in the last 20 years: Justin Vaughan, Bryan Young, Blair Pocock, Craig Spearman, Nathan Astle, Matt Horne, Matthew Bell, Roger Twose, Gary Stead, Mark Richardson, Mathew Sinclair, Adam Parore, Lou Vincent, Stephen Fleming, Brendon McCullum, Michael Papps, Craig Cumming, James Marshall, Jamie How, Hamish Marshall, Peter Fulton, Aaron Redmond, Tim McIntosh, Martin Guptill, Daniel Flynn, BJ Watling, Rob Nicol, Hamish Rutherford, Tom Latham.
Basically its not easy being a NZ opener, of all those openers listed virtually all of them average 33 or lower.
Even Bruce Edgar had an average of 31 when opening, for context John Wright averaged 38
The standouts being Richardson at 45, McCullum at 40 (no really) and Latham at 43
Will Young has drawn the short straw (vs Conway and Blundell opening) and averages 34, not great but has the potential to score more and in the context of NZ its not too shabby at all
Depends if the SA team is unusually weak or they just didn't have their act together. I'm not really up with current play but perhaps they failed to read the wicket?
Anyway in recent years for the first time ever we seem to have openers that are competitive internationally on a fairly consistent basis so it doesn't really matter to me who they choose next match. I have faith in the selectors currently.
Will the weather affect team selection you reckon? Prospect of rain producing slower outfields, slowing run rates, etc..
I just find it interesting that we can consistently produce very good middle order batters yet finding two good opening batters at the same time seems beyond NZ
Maybe Ravindra or Allen will become openers but its just a shame that Young will have to settle, probably, for a sub 40 average as an opener rather than a 40 + middle order batter
Wright's average slightly belies how good he was later in his career e.g. as captain it was 48 which was outstanding for a test opener of the time, but really, we've struggled to put two good openers out there on a consistent basis since Edgar paired with Wright (I give them some credit for how hard opening/batting was in the 80s). As a statistical oddity, Wright and Trevor Franklin had the best average of any of our pairings with at least 1,000 runs, but Franklin's average wasn't great, again showing how hard it was.
Indeed, so even if Young manages 'only' a 35 opening average which I'm convinced he'll be able to, he'll still be ahead of most other openers
this is a great post about four schools in Brighton telling children not to call parents mum and dad! Because it’s not inclusive
Not sure where to comment on Luxon's speech, Open Mike or Covid posts? He hasn't said anything, so it could go anywhere.
His message on mandates (quote):
"We should get rid of mandates progressively and carefully once we are through the peak of Omicron."
So, he's in favour of doing what everyone knows will happen. Cool.
"A shallow M5.6 earthquake near Blenheim caused a decent shake just now, mostly felt by people in the upper South Island and lower North Island. The shaking was strong in intensity, and we have received more than 15,000 felt reports."
Arp?
Well he's obviously shallow but I doubt he has sufficient mana to generate such tremors. I wonder if it spooked the protestors?
The Eftpostle will have plenty to say/fingers to point!!
As the cause or target?
Felt it in Welly. Weren't that big tbh, but freaked the dog out
Assumed it was the protesters emptying portable toilets…………………(Joke!)
Thought it might have been Mallard's next attempt to dislodge the protesters (also a joke!)