Open mike 21/06/2021
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6:00 am, June 21st, 2021 - 111 comments
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- Bernard’s pick ‘n’ mix 6 @ 6:06am on Sunday, May 19
TL;DR: Here’s six links that stood out to me in the last day in Aotearoa’s political economy to 6:06am on Sunday, May 19:Aotearoa-NZ is the seventh worst in the OECD’s homelessness rankings, just behind the United States and just ahead of Australia. BlackRock thinks rate hikes actually worsen inflation because ...13 hours ago - Lords of the flies
13 hours ago - Fact Brief – Does breathing contribute to CO2 buildup in the atmosphere?
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David Farrar writes – The Herald reports: KiwiRail’s seemingly endless requests for more money is damning. At one point, KiwiRail assured Robertson when he was the Finance Minister that the worst-case scenario would be an extra $300 million before requesting $1.2 billion a few months later. Not what most people ...1 day ago - Behind Blue Eyes.
No one knows what it's likeTo be the bad manTo be the sad manBehind blue eyesNo one knows what it's likeTo be hatedTo be fatedTo telling only liesHave you ever wondered what life must be like for Mike Hosking? Seeing things in black and white through blue tinted specs? In ...1 day ago - Road food
Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on the past two week’s editions.Share More Than A FeildingBike bling, London Read more ...2 days ago - Some Reader Feedback For Your Weekend
Hi,I think we all made it through another week — congratulations. I’ve been digesting the new Arab Strap record, which is astonishing. In other news, I’m going to be doing a Webworm popup in Auckland, New Zealand on Saturday July 13. I’ll bring a bunch of merch, and some other ...2 days ago - Thinking About the Property Rights in Resource Decisions As Well As Transaction Costs.
The Fast-Track Approvals Bill enables cabinet ministers to circumvent key environmental planning and protection processes for infrastructure projects. Its difficulties have been well canvassed. This column suggests a different way of thinking about the proposal. I am going to explore the Bill from the perspective of its proponents with their ...2 days ago - Bryce Edwards: Can Shane Jones be trusted in making Fast-track decisions?
New Zealand First Cabinet Minister Shane Jones has become the best advertisement against the Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill. In selling the radical new resource consenting processes, in which ministers can green light any mine, dam, or other major development, Jones seems to be shooting the proposal in the foot. ...2 days ago - Seymour appeals to PPTA to call off meetings on charter schools – but does he seriously believe he...
Buzz from the Beehive Associate Education Minister David Seymour is urging the PostPrimary Teachers Association to put learning ahead of ideology. He wants the union leaders to call off their teachers meetings around the country where they hope to muster the strength to undo the government’s plans to establish several ...2 days ago - Police don’t fight crime
What are police for? "Fighting crime" is the obvious answer. If there's a burglary, they should show up and investigate. Ditto if there's a murder or sexual assault. Speeding or drunk or dangerous driving is a crime, so obviously they should respond to that. And obviously, they should respond to ...2 days ago - Two central banksMichael Reddell writes – I got curious yesterday about how the Australia/New Zealand real exchange rate had changed over the last decade, and so dug out the data on the changes in the two countries’ CPIs. Over the 10 years from March 2014 to March 2024, New Zealand’s ...2 days ago
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Graham Adams writes that 20 years after the land march, judges are quietly awarding a swathe of coastal rights to iwi. Early this month, an hour-long documentary was released by TVNZ to mark the 20th anniversary of the land-rights march to oppose Helen Clark’s Foreshore and Seabed Act. The account ...2 days ago - The missing Green MPDavid Farrar writes – The Herald reports: Suspended Green MP Darleen Tana has passed an unpleasant milestone: she has now been absent for as many parliamentary sitting days as she has been present for this year. Tana is on full pay while she is suspended, and will benefit from a ...2 days ago
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- The thrilling possibilities of charter schools
You can be all negative about these charter schools if you want, but I’m here to accentuate the positive. You can get all worked up, if you want to, by the contradiction of Luxon saying We’re going to make sure that every school in the country is teaching exactly the same ...3 days ago - This Unreasonable Government.
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...1 day ago - Release: 4,500 jobs lost – and countingMore than 4,500 jobs are set to go as the National Government continues its deep cuts to services to pay for irresponsible and ill-timed tax cuts. ...2 days ago
- No-cause evictions leave no hope for rentersThe Government’s introduction of legislation that would enable landlords to end tenancies with no reason marks a dark day for the 1.4 million people who rent their home in Aotearoa. ...3 days ago
- Release: National winding back mental health workThe Minister for Mental Health has found the Suicide Prevention Office and mental health support for 111 calls slipping through his fingers, says Labour spokesperson for Mental Health Ingrid Leary. ...4 days ago
- Government ignorant of evidence in neglect of tamarikiToday’s justification from the Minister for Children for scrapping protections for our tamariki was either a case of ignorance or deliberate deception. ...5 days ago
- Gang policy setting communities up for failureThe Green Party says the Government’s misguided policy on gangs will fail, following the announcement of the establishment of a national gang unit and district gang disruption units to target gang activities. ...5 days ago
- Statement from police spokesperson Ginny Andersen“With Police pay negotiations still unresolved after six months in Government, Mark Mitchell has today rolled the Commissioner out for a rebrand of their approach to gang crime,” Labour police spokesperson Ginny Andersen said. ...5 days ago
- Charter schools not a serious solutionWe need serious investment and solutions into our education system, not a vanity project from David Seymour. ...5 days ago
- Release: Ideological charter schools won’t increase achievementThe Government bringing back 50 charter schools will not increase achievement and is a distraction from the core mission of the education system, Labour education spokesperson Jan Tinetti said. ...5 days ago
- Release: Visas needed for Palestinians with family in New ZealandThe Government must show some compassion and create a special visa to allow Palestinians with family in New Zealand to be reunited with them here. ...5 days ago
- Release: Govt’s stubbornness will harm Māori childrenGovernment has remained stubborn and is ramming its Bill into the House today, which the Waitangi Tribunal has said will hurt vulnerable children. ...6 days ago
- ‘Lucky dip’ process too casual for hearing critical submissions on Fast Track approvals billTe Pāti Māori is showing extreme concern over the Environment Select Committees adoption of a lucky dip draw to determine hearings for the Fast Track Approvals bill. Of the 27,000 submissions, 2,900 requested to present. All organisations will be heard; however, the remaining 2,350 submitters will be subject to a ...6 days ago
- New Zealand First Member’s Bill to protect women’s spaces
Today New Zealand First will introduce a Member’s Bill that will protect women’s spaces. The ‘Fair Access to Bathrooms Bill’ will require, primarily in the interest and safety of women and girls, that all new non-domestic publicly accessible buildings provide separate, clearly demarcated, unisex and single sex bathrooms. This Bill ...1 week ago - Release: Support for climate adaptation inquiryLabour supports a Notice of Motion in the House today to move the Finance and Expenditure Committee to conduct an inquiry on climate adaptation. ...1 week ago
- Greens welcome cross-party approach to climate adaptationThe Green Party is welcoming Climate Change Minister Simon Watts’ continuation of Hon. James Shaw’s cross-party work on climate adaptation, now in the form of a Finance and Expenditure Committee Inquiry. ...1 week ago
- Release: Sexual violence prevention among hundreds of job cuts at ACCThe National Government plans to cut 390 jobs at ACC, including roles in the areas of prevention of sexual violence, road safety and workplace safety. ...1 week ago
- Government shows allergy to evidence in benefits crackdownThe Government has been caught in opposition to evidence once again as it looks to usher in tried, tested and failed work seminar obligations for job-seeking beneficiaries. ...1 week ago
- Minister of Finance reheats austerity politicsThis morning’s pre-Budget speech from the Minister of Finance offered no “meaningful” news on the Government’s trickle-down economics based plans. ...1 week ago
- A win for Wellington – Greens welcome more housingThe Green Party is welcoming the announcement by the Minister Responsible for RMA Reform Chris Bishop to approve most of the Wellington City Council’s District Plan recommendations. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Backtrack on school lunches a win for Kiwi kidsDavid Seymour has failed to get the sweeping cuts he wanted to the free and healthy school lunch programme, Labour education spokesperson Jan Tinetti said. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Hon Willie Jackson to debate at the Prestigious Oxford UnionHon Willie Jackson has been invited by the Oxford Union to debate the motion “This House Believes British Museums are not Very British’ on May 23rd. ...2 weeks ago
- Members Bill will prevent Māori land confiscationsGreen Party MP Hūhana Lyndon says her Public Works (Prohibition of Compulsory Acquisition of Māori Land) Amendment Bill is an opportunity to right some past wrongs around the alienation of Māori land. ...2 weeks ago
- TIKANGA IS NOT LAW. IT IS CULTURAL INDOCTRINATION.A senior, highly respected King’s Counsel with decades of experience in our law courts, Gary Judd KC, has filed a complaint about compulsory tikanga Māori studies for law students - highlighting the utter depths of absurdity this woke cultural madness has taken our society. The tikanga regulations will compel law ...2 weeks ago
- Release: National won’t commit to full Nelson Hospital upgradeThe Government needs to be clear with the people of the Nelson Marlborough region about the changes it is considering for the Nelson Hospital rebuild, Labour health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall said. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Labour calls for fast track list to be releasedMinisters must front up about which projects it will push through under its Fast Track Approvals legislation, Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said today. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: National gaslights women fighting for equal payNational has scrapped the pay equity taskforce that fights for equal pay for women and looks at ethnic pay gaps. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: More job cuts, fewer houses under NationalThe Government is again adding to New Zealand’s growing unemployment, this time cutting jobs at the agencies responsible for urban development and growing much needed housing stock. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Children fall deeper through the cracks in Govt cutsWith Minister Karen Chhour indicating in the House today that she either doesn’t know or care about the frontline cuts she’s making to Oranga Tamariki, we risk seeing more and more of our children falling through the cracks. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Labour honours memory of Sir Robert MartinThe Labour Party is saddened to learn of the death of Sir Robert Martin, a globally renowned disability advocate who led the way for disability rights both in New Zealand and internationally. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: 130,000 cattle saved from live exportLabour is calling for the Government to urgently rethink its coalition commitment to restart live animal exports, Labour animal welfare spokesperson Rachel Boyack said. ...3 weeks ago
- Central Bank makes clear Government is pouring fuel on housing crisis fireToday’s Financial Stability Report has once again highlighted that poverty and deep inequality are political choices - and this Government is choosing to make them worse. ...3 weeks ago
- New unemployment figures paint bleak pictureThe Green Party is calling on the Government to do more for our households in most need as unemployment rises and the cost of living crisis endures. ...3 weeks ago
- Release: National’s job cuts already starting to bite as unemployment risesUnemployment is on the rise and it’s only going to get worse under this Government, Labour finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds said. Stats NZ figures show the unemployment rate grew to 4.3 percent in the March quarter from 4 percent in the December quarter. “This is the second rise in unemployment ...3 weeks ago
- Release: National hiking transport costs for families and young New ZealandersWeekly expenses will grow for more than 1.6 million New Zealanders as the Government ends free and half price public transport fares tomorrow. ...3 weeks ago
- Release: Labour welcomes EU free trade agreementThe New Zealand Labour Party welcomes the entering into force of the European Union and New Zealand free trade agreement. This agreement opens the door for a huge increase in trade opportunities with a market of 450 million people who are high value discerning consumers of New Zealand goods and ...3 weeks ago
- Surprise: Landlord tax cuts don’t trickle downThe Green Party is renewing its call for rent controls following reports of rental prices hitting an all-time high. ...3 weeks ago
- Release: $1.7b for no increase in access to medicineThe National-led Government continues its fiscal jiggery pokery with its Pharmac announcement today, Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall says. “The government has increased Pharmac funding but conceded it will only make minimal increases in access to medicine”, said Ayesha Verrall “This is far from the bold promises made to fund ...3 weeks ago
- New measures to protect powerlines from trees
Energy Minister Simeon Brown has announced that the Government will make it easier for lines firms to take action to remove vegetation from obstructing local powerlines. The change will ensure greater security of electricity supply in local communities, particularly during severe weather events. “Trees or parts of trees falling on ...1 day ago - Wairarapa Moana ki Pouakani win top Māori dairy farming awardWairarapa Moana ki Pouakani were the top winners at this year’s Ahuwhenua Trophy awards recognising the best in Māori dairy farming. Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka announced the winners and congratulated runners-up, Whakatōhea Māori Trust Board, at an awards celebration also attended by Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Finance Minister ...1 day ago
- DJ Fred Again – Assurance report received"On the 27th of March, I sought assurances from the Chief Executive, Department of Internal Affairs, that the Department’s correct processes and policies had been followed in regards to a passport application which received media attention,” says Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden. “I raised my concerns after being ...2 days ago
- District Court Judges appointedAttorney-General Judith Collins has announced the appointment of three new District Court Judges, to replace Judges who have recently retired. Peter James Davey of Auckland has been appointed a District Court Judge with a jury jurisdiction to be based at Whangarei. Mr Davey initially started work as a law clerk/solicitor with ...2 days ago
- Unions should put learning ahead of ideologyAssociate Education Minister David Seymour is calling on the Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) to put ideology to the side and focus on students’ learning, in reaction to the union holding paid teacher meetings across New Zealand about charter schools. “The PPTA is disrupting schools up and down the ...2 days ago
- Craig Stobo appointed as chair of FMACommerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly today announced the appointment of Craig Stobo as the new chair of the Financial Markets Authority (FMA). Mr Stobo takes over from Mark Todd, whose term expired at the end of April. Mr Stobo’s appointment is for a five-year term. “The FMA plays ...2 days ago
- Budget 2024 invests in lifeguards and coastguardSurf Life Saving New Zealand and Coastguard New Zealand will continue to be able to keep people safe in, on, and around the water following a funding boost of $63.644 million over four years, Transport Minister Simeon Brown and Associate Transport Minister Matt Doocey say. “Heading to the beach for ...2 days ago
- New Zealand and Tuvalu reaffirm close relationshipNew Zealand and Tuvalu have reaffirmed their close relationship, Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters says. “New Zealand is committed to working with Tuvalu on a shared vision of resilience, prosperity and security, in close concert with Australia,” says Mr Peters, who last visited Tuvalu in 2019. “It is my pleasure ...3 days ago
- New Zealand calls for calm, constructive dialogue in New CaledoniaNew Zealand is gravely concerned about the situation in New Caledonia, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. “The escalating situation and violent protests in Nouméa are of serious concern across the Pacific Islands region,” Mr Peters says. “The immediate priority must be for all sides to take steps to de-escalate the ...3 days ago
- New Zealand welcomes Samoa Head of StatePrime Minister Christopher Luxon met today with Samoa’s O le Ao o le Malo, Afioga Tuimalealiifano Vaaletoa Sualauvi II, who is making a State Visit to New Zealand. “His Highness and I reflected on our two countries’ extensive community links, with Samoan–New Zealanders contributing to all areas of our national ...3 days ago
- Island Direct eligible for SuperGold Card fundingTransport Minister Simeon Brown has announced that he has approved Waiheke Island ferry operator Island Direct to be eligible for SuperGold Card funding, paving the way for a commercial agreement to bring the operator into the scheme. “Island Direct started operating in November 2023, offering an additional option for people ...3 days ago
- Further sanctions against RussiaForeign Minister Winston Peters today announced further sanctions on 28 individuals and 14 entities providing military and strategic support for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. “Russia is directly supported by its military-industrial complex in its illegal aggression against Ukraine, attacking its sovereignty and territorial integrity. New Zealand condemns all entities and ...3 days ago
- One year on from Loafers LodgeA year on from the tragedy at Loafers Lodge, the Government is working hard to improve building fire safety, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “I want to share my sincere condolences with the families and friends of the victims on the anniversary of the tragic fire at Loafers ...4 days ago
- Pre-Budget speech to Auckland Business ChamberKa nui te mihi kia koutou. Kia ora and good afternoon, everyone. Thank you so much for having me here in the lead up to my Government’s first Budget. Before I get started can I acknowledge: Simon Bridges – Auckland Business Chamber CEO. Steve Jurkovich – Kiwibank CEO. Kids born ...4 days ago
- New Zealand and Vanuatu to deepen collaborationNew Zealand and Vanuatu will enhance collaboration on issues of mutual interest, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. “It is important to return to Port Vila this week with a broad, high-level political delegation which demonstrates our deep commitment to New Zealand’s relationship with Vanuatu,” Mr Peters says. “This ...4 days ago
- Penk travels to Peru for trade meetingsMinister for Land Information, Chris Penk will travel to Peru this week to represent New Zealand at a meeting of trade ministers from the Asia-Pacific region on behalf of Trade Minister Todd McClay. The annual Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Ministers Responsible for Trade meeting will be held on 17-18 May ...4 days ago
- Minister attends global education conferencesMinister of Education Erica Stanford will head to the United Kingdom this week to participate in the 22nd Conference of Commonwealth Education Ministers (CCEM) and the 2024 Education World Forum (EWF). “I am looking forward to sharing this Government’s education priorities, such as introducing a knowledge-rich curriculum, implementing an evidence-based ...4 days ago
- Education Minister thanks outgoing NZQA ChairMinister of Education Erica Stanford has today thanked outgoing New Zealand Qualifications Authority Chair, Hon Tracey Martin. “Tracey Martin tendered her resignation late last month in order to take up a new role,” Ms Stanford says. Ms Martin will relinquish the role of Chair on 10 May and current Deputy ...4 days ago
- Joint statement of Christopher Luxon and Emmanuel Macron: Launch of the Christchurch Call FoundationNew Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and President Emmanuel Macron of France today announced a new non-governmental organisation, the Christchurch Call Foundation, to coordinate the Christchurch Call’s work to eliminate terrorist and violent extremist content online. This change gives effect to the outcomes of the November 2023 Call Leaders’ Summit, ...5 days ago
- Panel announced for review into disability servicesDistinguished public servant and former diplomat Sir Maarten Wevers will lead the independent review into the disability support services administered by the Ministry of Disabled People – Whaikaha. The review was announced by Disability Issues Minister Louise Upston a fortnight ago to examine what could be done to strengthen the ...5 days ago
- Minister welcomes Police gang unitToday’s announcement by Police Commissioner Andrew Coster of a National Gang Unit and district Gang Disruption Units will help deliver on the coalition Government’s pledge to restore law and order and crack down on criminal gangs, Police Minister Mark Mitchell says. “The National Gang Unit and Gang Disruption Units will ...5 days ago
- New Zealand expresses regret at North Korea’s aggressive rhetoricForeign Minister Winston Peters has today expressed regret at North Korea’s aggressive rhetoric towards New Zealand and its international partners. “New Zealand proudly stands with the international community in upholding the rules-based order through its monitoring and surveillance deployments, which it has been regularly doing alongside partners since 2018,” Mr ...5 days ago
- New Chief of Defence Force appointedAir Vice-Marshal Tony Davies MNZM is the new Chief of Defence Force, Defence Minister Judith Collins announced today. The Chief of Defence Force commands the Navy, Army and Air Force and is the principal military advisor to the Defence Minister and other Ministers with relevant portfolio responsibilities in the defence ...5 days ago
- Government puts children first by repealing 7AALegislation to repeal section 7AA of the Oranga Tamariki Act has been introduced to Parliament. The Bill’s introduction reaffirms the Coalition Government’s commitment to the safety of children in care, says Minister for Children, Karen Chhour. “While section 7AA was introduced with good intentions, it creates a conflict for Oranga ...5 days ago
- Defence Minister to meet counterparts in UK, ItalyDefence Minister Judith Collins will this week travel to the UK and Italy to meet with her defence counterparts, and to attend Battles of Cassino commemorations. “I am humbled to be able to represent the New Zealand Government in Italy at the commemorations for the 80th anniversary of what was ...5 days ago
- Charter schools to lift educational outcomesThe upcoming Budget will include funding for up to 50 charter schools to help lift declining educational performance, Associate Education Minister David Seymour announced today. $153 million in new funding will be provided over four years to establish and operate up to 15 new charter schools and convert 35 state ...5 days ago
- COVID-19 Inquiry terms of reference consultation results received“The results of the public consultation on the terms of reference for the Royal Commission into COVID-19 Lessons has now been received, with results indicating over 13,000 submissions were made from members of the public,” Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden says. “We heard feedback about the extended lockdowns in ...6 days ago
- The Pacific family of nations – the changing security outlookForeign Minister, Defence Minister, other Members of Parliament Acting Chief of Defence Force, Secretary of Defence Distinguished Guests Defence and Diplomatic Colleagues Ladies and Gentlemen, Good afternoon, tēna koutou, apinun tru It’s a pleasure to be back in Port Moresby today, and to speak here at the Kumul Leadership ...6 days ago
- NZ and Papua New Guinea to work more closely togetherHealth, infrastructure, renewable energy, and stability are among the themes of the current visit to Papua New Guinea by a New Zealand political delegation, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. “Papua New Guinea carries serious weight in the Pacific, and New Zealand deeply values our relationship with it,” Mr Peters ...6 days ago
- Driving ahead with Roads of Regional SignificanceThe coalition Government is launching Roads of Regional Significance to sit alongside Roads of National Significance as part of its plan to deliver priority roading projects across the country, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “The Roads of National Significance (RoNS) built by the previous National Government are some of New Zealand’s ...6 days ago
- New Zealand congratulates new Solomon Islands governmentA high-level New Zealand political delegation in Honiara today congratulated the new Government of Solomon Islands, led by Jeremiah Manele, on taking office. “We are privileged to meet the new Prime Minister and members of his Cabinet during his government’s first ten days in office,” Deputy Prime Minister and ...1 week ago
- New Zealand supports UN Palestine resolutionNew Zealand voted in favour of a resolution broadening Palestine’s participation at the United Nations General Assembly overnight, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. “The resolution enhances the rights of Palestine to participate in the work of the UN General Assembly while stopping short of admitting Palestine as a full ...1 week ago
- Speech to the 2024 Infrastructure SymposiumIntroduction Good morning. It’s a great privilege to be here at the 2024 Infrastructure Symposium. I was extremely happy when the Prime Minister asked me to be his Minister for Infrastructure. It is one of the great barriers holding the New Zealand economy back from achieving its potential. Building high ...1 week ago
- $571 million for Defence pay and projectsDefence Minister Judith Collins today announced the upcoming Budget will include new funding of $571 million for Defence Force pay and projects. “Our servicemen and women do New Zealand proud throughout the world and this funding will help ensure we retain their services and expertise as we navigate an increasingly ...1 week ago
- Climate change – mitigating the risks and costsNew Zealand’s ability to cope with climate change will be strengthened as part of the Government’s focus to build resilience as we rebuild the economy, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. “An enduring and long-term approach is needed to provide New Zealanders and the economy with certainty as the climate ...1 week ago
- Getting new job seekers on the pathway to workJobseeker beneficiaries who have work obligations must now meet with MSD within two weeks of their benefit starting to determine their next step towards finding a job, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “A key part of the coalition Government’s plan to have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker ...1 week ago
- Accelerating Social InvestmentA new standalone Social Investment Agency will power-up the social investment approach, driving positive change for our most vulnerable New Zealanders, Social Investment Minister Nicola Willis says. “Despite the Government currently investing more than $70 billion every year into social services, we are not seeing the outcomes we want for ...1 week ago
- Getting Back on TrackCheck against delivery Good morning. It is a pleasure to be with you to outline the Coalition Government’s approach to our first Budget. Thank you Mark Skelly, President of the Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce, together with your Board and team, for hosting me. I’d like to acknowledge His Worship ...1 week ago
- NZ – European Union ties more critical than everYour Excellency Ambassador Meredith, Members of the Diplomatic Corps and Ambassadors from European Union Member States, Ministerial colleagues, Members of Parliament, and other distinguished guests, Thank you everyone for joining us. Ladies and gentlemen - In diplomacy, we often speak of ‘close’ and ‘long-standing’ relations. ...2 weeks ago
- Therapeutic Products Act to be repealedThe Therapeutic Products Act (TPA) will be repealed this year so that a better regime can be put in place to provide New Zealanders safe and timely access to medicines, medical devices and health products, Associate Health Minister Casey Costello announced today. “The medicines and products we are talking about ...2 weeks ago
- Taiwanese Community in Christchurch Rallies for Taiwan's WHO Participation
On May 18, the Taiwanese community in Christchurch came together for the "Health for All, Taiwan Can Help" march, urging the World Health Organization (WHO) to grant Taiwan participation. ...3 hours ago - Govt policies tailored for the wealthy, not the people – Greens
The Greens are taking aim at the coalition government 's policies, saying they lack genuine care. ...3 hours ago - What Is Behind The Turmoil In The New Zealand Green Party?The instability comes as the party tries to refresh its brand after six years of being part of a right-wing, pro-imperialist government with both the Labour Party and, from 2017-2020, the far-right NZ First Party. ...6 hours ago
- Wake Up Call: Government Debt Hits $90,000 Per Household Today – “$90k Debt Day”Based on the latest Treasury forecasts, New Zealand Government debt will tick above $90,000 per household for the first time ever at 10pm today, Sunday 19 May 2024. The Taxpayers’ Union is calling it “$90k Debt Day”. Commenting on this, Taxpayers’ ...6 hours ago
- Watch: Christopher Luxon speaks at National Party conferencePrime Minister Christopher Luxon will be talking at the Palmerston North Function Centre on Sunday morning. ...9 hours ago
- Iwi Leaders Group united against Oranga Tamariki scrapping Treaty obligationsIf the government really wants Oranga Tamariki to continue working with Māori groups, it should leave the law as it is, leader says. ...12 hours ago
- Government IT Systems Need A $800 Million OverhaulThe government is facing a bill of more than $800 million to overhaul back-office IT systems, and attempts to lessen its impact have hit delays. ...13 hours ago
- Bolstering support for Asian personnel in the NZ Defence ForceThe founder of a Pan-Asian network in the New Zealand Defence Force hopes to support Asian personnel in their defence careers. ...13 hours ago
- 'Increasingly Activist' Waitangi Tribunal Faces Its Future Under Renewed Attack From Senio...David Seymour has renewed attacks on what he says is an 'increasingly activist' Tribunal as it faces questions about its future. ...13 hours ago
- An Ode to .. Shane Jones
Arawata Shane Arawata Shane had wandered long In the wild tangled hills of the West Coast. He came to a stop on the mighty range And looked down at the wide river flats. He breathed in the clean air, And he took in the shadows playing across The face of ...13 hours ago - Fiji’s Jo Nata reflects on the 2000 coup: ‘We let the racism genie out of the bottle’
SPECIAL REPORT: Islands Business in Suva Today is the 24th anniversary of renegade and failed businessman George Speight’s coup in 2000 Fiji. The elected coalition government headed by Mahendra Chaudhry, the first and only Indo-Fijian prime minister of Fiji, was held hostage at gunpoint for 56 days in the country’s ...18 hours ago - Rule change to protect powerlines from being hit by treesEnergy Minister Simeon Brown wants a 'clear to the sky' zone to prevent vegetation hanging over lines. ...24 hours ago
- New Caledonia riots: Tear gas, stun grenades used as protesters swarm airport runwayBy Lydia Lewis, RNZ Pacific journalist and Kelvin Anthony, RNZ Pacific digital journalist Police have used tear gas and stun grenades on rioters at an airport near Nouméa as the chaos in New Caledonia stretched into its sixth day. Five people, including two police officers, have died and hundreds of ...1 day ago
- Government faces further legal action over Māori Health Authority axingIt is the second High Court action into the government's policies affecting Māori. ...1 day ago
- Kanaky New Caledonia: Amnesty calls on France to ‘uphold rights’ of indigenous peopleAsia Pacific ReportThe global human rights watchdog Amnesty International has called on France to not “misuse” a crackdown in the ongoing unrest in the non-self-governing French Pacific territory of Kanaky New Caledonia in the wake of a controversial vote by the French Parliament to adopt a bill changing the territory’s ...1 day ago
- Revamped school lunches may be less healthy – principalA major provider of school lunches fears the government's new $3 limit for most students will see them eating more pre-packaged and processed food. ...1 day ago
- ‘Stop laughing, I’m trying to kill someone’: Cohen Holloway on playing a serial murderer
The star of Dark City: The Cleaner takes us through his life in TV, including the VHS revolution and the John Campbell impression that started it all. Best known for his comedic roles, Cohen Holloway says he struggled at times to maintain the stone cold facade of serial killer on ...2 days ago - A life storyDavid Hill remembers an old friend, who you’ve probably never heard of. My friend Doug never travelled; he had little interest in the world beyond his own tiny rural town. I’ve rarely known anyone who radiated such contentment. Doug (I’ll call him that) died in March. You won’t know him. ...2 days ago
- Do you recognise anybody in these 150-year-old photographs?Some of the earliest photos of life in Aotearoa are on display at Auckland Museum right now – but the identities of some of the people in them are a mystery. What was it like to be one of the first people in New Zealand to have their photo taken? ...2 days ago
- The indie books fest bringing big ideas to small town WairarapaSince its founding almost a decade ago, Featherston Booktown has grown into one of the country’s most interesting and idiosyncratic literary events. Erin Banks reports from the audience. “Come in, have you had lunch? I’m about to make a cheese toastie.” Mary Biggs, operations manager of Featherston Booktown Karukatea Festival, ...2 days ago
- Enduring the voyage of the tatauAfter 33 years abroad, Loveni Enari recently returned to Aotearoa and Samoa in what a friend joked was an “existential crisis”. He learnt and re-learnt so much about his family, friends and both countries. Almost as an afterthought, he got a Samoan tatau. This is his story. (Accompanying it are ...2 days ago
- Bearing witness to a confession of murderNearly 30 years ago, two people told me they’d killed a woman they knew. I thought the truth would come out, that others would tell it. In the end, I had to. The Sunday Essay is made possible thanks to the support of Creative New Zealand. Fact: in 1995, Angela Blackmoore ...2 days ago
- The Weekend: A landmark case for trans rights in AotearoaEditor Madeleine Chapman looks back at the week and shines a light on some increasingly rare longform journalism. Mōrena and welcome to The Weekend where there will sadly be no aurora to see. After a busy week last week of short, sharp pieces, this week we swung the other way, ...2 days ago
- Tourists trapped by New Caledonia unrest feel ‘abandoned’ by NZBy Lauren Crimp , RNZ News reporter New Zealanders stuck among riots and civil unrest in New Caledonia’s capital say they feel abandoned by their own country, having received little help from the government. Nouméa descended into chaos on Monday, with clashes between indigenous Kanak pro-independence protesters and French security ...2 days ago
- Kanaky in flames: Five takeaways from the New Caledonia independence riotsANALYSIS: By David Robie, editor of Asia Pacific Report Jean-Marie Tjibaou, a revered Kanak visionary, was inspirational to indigenous Pacific political activists across Oceania, just like Tongan anthropologist and writer Epeli Hao’ofa was to cultural advocates. Tragically, he was assassinated in 1989 by an opponent within the independence movement during ...2 days ago
- When body positivity becomes problematicForget thin is in, apparently now bigger is better … or is it? After over a decade of body positivity, girls, teens and women are even more confused about what body positivity actually is. The movement began with women confronting unrealistic expectations of how their bodies should look. But sub-strands ...2 days ago
- Short story: Ruin, by Ockham winner Emma HislopGrace always sat at the bar at the back of The Cambridge, where she could watch who came in. A huge mirror ran the length of the pub, so you could sometimes watch people without them knowing. The mirror made the place seem a lot bigger than it really was. ...2 days ago
- The Secret Diary of .. Sheriff Mark MitchellMONDAY Sheriff Mark Mitchell rose at dawn. He had a long day’s ride ahead of him. He was headed for Waikeria. Waikeria! Even the name itself stirred his blood, and set root in his imagination. There was nothing and no one in Waikeria. But he would bend it to his ...2 days ago
- The Boy in the Water: A forensic examination, at lastThe first phase of the inquest into the death of Gore toddler Lachlan Jones finished this week, turning up plenty of revelations and few answers. But through all the confusion, heartbreak and antipathy on display, the simple fact at the heart of this case remains: if little Lachie’s body had ...2 days ago
- How Many Public Sector Roles Are Going, And From Where?Public servants' jobs are on the chopping block as the sector scrambles to meet the Finance Minister's cost-cutting targets. ...2 days ago
- Can you control your image? Gina Rinehart, King Charles and ‘moral portraits’Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Roger Benjamin, Professor in Art History, University of Sydney “She’s no oil painting”. Those were the unkind words of a colleague commenting on the subject of Vincent Namatjira’s acrylic painting, Gina. Every one of the prominent Australians and cultural heroes in Namatjira’s ...2 days ago
- Government plans for Māori wards breach The Treaty of Waitangi -TribunalGovernment plans to require local councils hold a referendum on whether to have Māori wards breaches the Treaty of Waitangi, a Waitangi Tribunal report has found. ...2 days ago
- Threatened species have declined 2% a year since 2000. Nature positive? Far from it.Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Megan C Evans, Senior Lecturer, Public Sector Management, School of Business, UNSW Sydney Martin Tobias Aakesson/Shutterstock Our government has great aspirations. It has committed to end extinctions and expand our protected areas to cover 30% of every Australian ecosystem by 2030. ...2 days ago
- Rugby league in Perth and Papua New Guinea? Here’s what could be next for the NRLSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tim Harcourt, Industry Professor and Chief Economist, University of Technology Sydney This year the National Rugby League (NRL) opened its season in Las Vegas. It was an audacious move by the league’s ambitious head honcho Peter V’Landys to showcase the game in ...2 days ago
- The budget has earmarked $8.6 million for live music. Is it enough to save the flailing industry?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Catherine Strong, Associate Professor, Music Industry, RMIT University Leading music organisations have praised the federal budget for its investment in the live music sector. The budget includes A$8.6 million for a program called Revive Live: to provide essential support to ...2 days ago
- The Week in Politics: Charter schools, special police units and a tricky problem for the governmentThe Week in Politics: ACT brings back a signature policy, while NZ First mulls how to fulfil a promise. ...2 days ago
- There’s $110 million for Indigenous education in the budget. But where’s the evidence it will wo...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Marnee Shay, Associate Professor, Principal Research Fellow, The University of Queensland The 2024 federal budget contains A$110 million for Indigenous education. This includes funding for various different organisations to represent and help Indigenous people as well as scholarships in a bid to ...2 days ago
- New Caledonia’s Nouméa airport closed until Tuesday, says Air New ZealandAir New Zealand has confirmed Nouméa’s Tontouta International airport in New Caledonia is closed until Tuesday. The airline earlier told RNZ it would update customers as soon as it could. Earlier today, Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters told RNZ Morning Report government officials had been working on an “hourly basis” ...2 days ago
- Cameras reveal wombat burrows can be safe havens after fire and waterholes after rainSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Grant Linley, PhD Candidate in Ecology, Charles Sturt University Grant Linley Australia’s unprecedented Black Summer bushfires in 2019–20 created ideal conditions for misinformation to spread, from the insidious to the absurd. It was within this context that a bizarre story ...2 days ago
- ChatGPT is now better than ever at faking human emotion and behaviourSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Marcel Scharth, Lecturer in Business Analytics, University of Sydney OpenAI executive Mira Murati launching GPT-4o. OpenAI Earlier this week OpenAI launched GPT-4o (“o” for “omni”), a new version of the artificial intelligence (AI) system powering the popular ChatGPT chatbot. GPT-4o is promoted ...2 days ago
- Menopause can bring increased cholesterol levels and other heart risks. Here’s why and what to do ...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Treasure McGuire, Assistant Director of Pharmacy, Mater Health SEQ in conjoint appointment as Associate Professor of Pharmacology, Bond University and as Associate Professor (Clinical), The University of Queensland Speedkingz/Shutterstock Menopause is a natural biological process that marks the end of a ...2 days ago
- The Friday Poem: ‘Xiāng’ by Hannah PattersonA new poem by Hannah Patterson. Xiāng There’s a pear tree in our backyard And Xiāng tells me She can’t eat them anymore Not after some things that have happened in her life. She tells me, in Mandarin The word for pear sounds the same as the word for disassociation ...2 days ago
- Cycle lanes are good for business, actually‘Cycling Works’ aims to show business support for citywide cycle infrastructure. This is an excerpt from our weekly environmental newsletter Future Proof. Sign up here. Last week, supermarket giant Foodstuffs lost its attempt to block the construction of a cycle lane outside Thorndon New World in Wellington. The Spinoff’s Wellington editor ...2 days ago
- The Unity Books bestseller chart for the week ending May 17The only published and available best-selling indie book chart in New Zealand is the top 10 sales list recorded every week at Unity Books’ stores in High St, Auckland, and Willis St, Wellington. AUCKLAND 1 Slow Productivity by Cal Newport (Penguin, $40) Taking out the top spot in Auckland this ...2 days ago
- Nuclear subs are coming to Australia. Now the Coalition wants reactors, too. We’re not ready for i...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ian Lowe, Emeritus Professor, School of Environment and Science, Griffith University For decades, Australia has exported uranium – but not used it, other than in the Lucas Heights research reactor. But change is coming. We now face a rapidly deepening commitment to ...2 days ago
- After 180 years, new clues are revealing just how general anaesthesia works in the brainSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adam D Hines, Research fellow, Queensland University of Technology Sergey Mironov/Shutterstock Over 350 million surgeries are performed globally each year. For most of us, it’s likely at some point in our lives we’ll have to undergo a procedure that needs general ...2 days ago
- 'I can do much better': Green MP Julie Anne Genter promises to improve conduct"In future I should walk away," Green MP Julie Anne Genter says after complaints over an exchange in Parliament and from two members of the public. ...2 days ago
- Call to protect asylum seekers who may arrive in New Zealand by boatA group of more than 40 refugees, charities and advocates want better protections for asylum seekers arriving by boat. ...2 days ago
- Homo Pentecostus: on queer intimacies, religion, ancestry and the human need for connectionSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jonathan Graffam, PhD Candidate in Theatre, Monash University Gianna Rizzo/Malthouse Music pumps; lights pulsate; two sweaty bodies sway together, touching, breathing in each other’s scent. A male body framed by downlight restlessly shifts between stances and gestures. He undresses. The intensity ...2 days ago
- Want to be buried on your own land, at sea or in a forest? A guide to unconventional send-offsSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sandra van der Laan, Professor of Accounting, University of Sydney Mtaya/Shutterstock At some point, you or someone else will need to make a decision about your “send-off”. Most Australians die in an institution, such as a hospital or aged care facility. ...2 days ago
- Vanuatu, MSG chief reaffirms support for FLNKS, blames France over unrestAsia Pacific Report Vanuatu Prime Minister Charlot Salwai — who is also Chairman of the Melanesian Spearhead Group — has reaffirmed MSG’s support of the pro-independence umbrella group Kanak and Socialist National Liberation Front (FLNKS) stance opposing the French government’s constitutional bill “unfreezing” the New Caledonia Electoral Roll. It is ...2 days ago
- Blazing a trail: the Leonard family legacy in Māori televisionProducer Susan Leonard remembers her father Ernie, a pioneer of Māori television, and how his legacy lives on in Pathfinders. My father was a fabulous man. His name was Ernie Leonard and he started in TV in the 1970s when it was still glamorous – when TVNZ made behind the ...2 days ago
- Home detention for New Caledonia’s unrest ringleaders, Tiktok bannedBy Patrick Decloitre, RNZ Pacific correspondent French Pacific desk, and Lydia Lewis, RNZ Pacific journalist The suspected ringleaders of the unrest in New Caledonia have been placed in home detention and the social network TikTok has been banned as French security forces struggle to restore law and order. The French ...2 days ago
- Review finds big increase in multi-year government spends, use not always justifiedMulti-year appropriations - which give the government authority to spend money without reapplying annually - are loosening Parliament's control of the public purse, auditor-general says. ...2 days ago
- $63.6m for Surf Life Saving and Coastguard in Budget 2024"New Zealand has a tragically high drowning toll," Transport Minister Simeon Brown said at the announcement. ...2 days ago
- Dr. Eric Chuah Standing For Mayor Of TaurangaDr. Eric Chuah who stood for a centrist NZ political party in the October 2023 NZ Elections for Maungakiekie Auckland will stand as a candidate for Tauranga City Council Ward of Matua-=Otumoetai and Mayor of Tauranga. ...2 days ago
- How to enjoy a comedy festival in your own loungeIf you can’t get to the comedy fest, let us bring the comedy fest to you. This is an excerpt from our weekly pop culture newsletter Rec Room. Sign up here. The New Zealand International Comedy Festival is in full swing at the moment, with a veritable smorgasboard of comedy treats ...2 days ago
- Poll Shows Three Quarters Of Wellingtonians Oppose Airport SaleA new poll commissioned by Unions Wellington shows an overwhelming majority of Wellingtonians oppose the Council’s plan to sell the 34% public stake in Wellington Airport. ...2 days ago
- $63.6m boost for Surf Life Saving and Coastguard in Budget 2024"New Zealand has a tragically high drowning toll," Transport Minister Simeon Brown said at the announcement. ...2 days ago
- Nearly 1300 homes on hold amid government reviewNewly released documents show building has been paused on 690 KiwiBuild homes and 593 market homes. ...2 days ago
- At the heart of the budget is the sad truth the economy is weak. That’s one reason inflation will ...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Aruna Sathanapally, Chief Executive, Grattan Institute, Grattan Institute A central focus of this week’s budget is the treasury’s forecast for inflation. By this time next year, inflation is projected to be back within the Reserve Bank’s 2-3% target range. Inflation has ...2 days ago
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I learned a new word this morning: sponcon
https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/mediawatch/audio/2018800326/undeclared-sponcon-causing-political-and-editorial-headaches
One Roof…AKA the marketing arm of the NZ economy
GDP was up 1.6% in Q2-2021, our economy is on FIRE!
lol….very good
I heard a quick promo on the radio the otherday which Hosking was talking to Roberson about such figures. Hosking asked -what about Australia which is 'higher'.
Robertson queried where he got his numbers from, but really should have a better answer which I can do now
1. Iron Ore prices have jumped up dramatically in last 9 months, flows to GDP
2.Iron Ore etc
3. Tourism In normal times Australia a 'net tourism exporter' as it residents travel much more than us ( more competition means their airfares for equivalent routes are cheaper). Covid has meant the boost to domestic tourism is greater, but a few areas more affected than others. And of course international tourism is a bigger part of NZ economy , more like 4-5% nothing like the inflated number 20% the 'industry' claims…that would make foreign tourists a $40 bill input …laughable.
We have shortages within the workforce and growth, then why are industries, some contributors here and the government doing all they can to suppress any wage growth ? The nurses battle just to name one.
I wait to read that we need to keep interest rates down for those with debt.
You are mistaking growth, as an increase on returns on investment, ie profits. A good thing. With an increase in wages, ie wage inflation. A bad thing.*
*(mainly because it cuts into growth in profits. A very bad thing).
Yes. "One Roof' earlier this year was running opinion columns by person, who very little was said. A look at linkedin showed he was the Founder and former CEO of 'The Property Council', hardly a mere 'commentator'
The Herald also seems to be running stories by staff who either joined them from 'Property Press' or are moonlighting/ contra deal
I wonder if that too is sponcon ?
Bugger! It’s going to be a long day today.
Y'all have prepared the beds for the garlic of course? Homegrown is so much more effective at warding off the evil 'fluences.
Already planted my Russian Red garlic!
I'm ready…a mix of Russian Red and two other Kiwi garlic strains going into a 3m2 lovingly prepared bed. Up here, I guess I should have planted earlier…but I'm a bit of a stickler for the solstice ritual. Have warned the neighbours there could be naked dancing and music….
Planted our garlic six weeks ago to (hopefully) harvest before garlic rust gets chance to take hold. Plants are already 10cm high.
Three weeks ago I bunged three cloves of shop bought garlic into a yogurt pot to see if they'd grow. Two are well over 10 cm and the one I thought had failed is up about 4cm. Last years crop was a fizzer due to drought and us not having collected enough water to maintain even minimum hydration. This year…our cups runneth over…77000 litres stored up. Still picking outdoor tomatoes.
Garlic, onions, ginger, cloves, nutmeg, you name it. My dreams are more lucid than Nostradamus’s!
Cactus smuggling. It's a thing.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/homed/garden/300337908/rare-poached-cacti-found-in-italian-raid-and-sent-home-to-native-chile
Poached cactus! Imagine!
Acquired taste.
Nopales.
Definitely an acquired taste. I gave them a good go when I worked in Tijuana, but just couldn't get there.
There's money in rare plants and plenty of it, every now and then you can get a peak on Trademe ie the plant that went for 27K the other week.
There are a number of amazing private collections in NZ that sit under the radar lest MPI get wind of them.
The collecting of huia feathers comes to mind. The great thing about plants though, is their potential for propagation; from one rare (poached) plant can come thousands. Standing a huia feather in a glass, however, results only in disappointment.
Indeed, I suspect many plants here have come from a single imported specimen, in many cases the intransigent position of MPI has created a black market and prevented the mass propagation of endangered species many of which stand pretty much zero chance of surviving in the 'wild' here.
There's money in cacti…prime Far North Real estate, complete with ready to harvest crop.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/auckland-woman-caught-smuggling-succulents-and-endangered-cacti-into-new-zealand/7COM2VJ6FAZWMQ24G53RCN2R6Q/
finally, something that almost certainly won't be smuggled in someone's pants.
McFlock @ (3.4) … Or tucked up inside their rear end!
well, that's an ouchie…
Never say Neve.
Talking of cactuses/cacti reminded of Cactus Kate and started my wondering what that prickly persona was up to.
Reading between the lines, it seems CK wants to demote the Prime Minister and the First Man and replace them with their daughter.
Be careful what you wish for Kate. One day it might come true.
Something I saw in NT Times this morning about US 'labour shortage', which sort of reflects what the industry groups are claiming here – but they want the migrant tap of cheaper labour to be turned back on.
However as NY Times points out , a lot more people have quit there jobs this year , as last year was a holding pattern for those who feel underpaid or dont like their job anymore
"By some estimates, more than five million fewer people quit last year than would otherwise be expected, as some workers, riding out the labor market’s convulsions, stuck with jobs they may have wanted to leave anyway"
So the mirage of labour shortage , often meaning not 5-10 people applying only 1 or 2, is just a consequence of the labour force stability last year ( apart from those that lost their job) and a higher turnover in last 6 months
Celebrations afoot at the news that local 'lassie' Laurel scores another first place.
I guess its tough shit for female athletes, who can just go and stfu.
Really …and who else made the qualifying mark ?…what would you know about weightlifting any way
The NZ team includes 3 female and 2 male in differing categories
Take your own advice !
You are making little sense. Again. Did you actually read the links provided?
I guess not.
Only one quote suggested that Hubbard was taking someone else's place. Difficult to see, as no other woman in NZ seems to have qualified for her weight class.
But far be it for me to suggest that your desire to
exclude a trans personbe critical of a trans person's gender from a competition should remain unexpressed.It's not excluding trans people, it's excluding trans women from a particular category, not sport generally. We exclude men from women's sports. Straight people can be excluded from gay and lesbian space. Paheka from Maori spaces and so on. Exclusion isn't inherently bad.
"be critical of a trans person's gender"
No-one cares about gender, the issue is biological sex.
The trip from women wanting to discuss the fairness issues of trans women and other biological males in women's sports, to 'bigots want to exclude trans people from sport and should stfu' is a big one.
So nobody wants to exclude Hubbard from the event?
are you being stupid or a smart arse?
Lots of people think that Hubbard should compete based on biological sex. That means not in the women's competition, because the reason we have women's separate from men's sport is fairness due to physical differences between the two sexes. There’s plenty of research and analysis out now on how males retain male advantage despite medication to alter hormones.
Instead of expecting women to be disadvantaged to make way for trans women and other males, we should be retaining women's rights and looking at how to create sports that will work for trans people. And non-binary, because that's what's coming up next.
I just forgot most of the many levels on which this debate has become utterly pointless.
So sure, Hubbard has taken someone else's place for the Olympics (even though nobody else from NZ qualified for that weight class), and will have an unfair advantage over other Olympic competitors (even though her record suggests she seems to be on a par with other Olympic-qualified women weightlifters in her class), and excluding transwomen from a category isn't exclusion at all.
She should have seperate but equal events, I guess.if it's pointless why are you here? It matters a great deal to many women. You can ignore the arguments all you like, but please don't pretend that you don't know what they are or that they don't exist.
"and excluding transwomen from a category isn't exclusion at all"
excluding transwomen from the category of women is exclusion, just like we exclude other males.
Let's just cut to the chase. The end point here is that women would not be able to have female only space if we are no longer allowed to name our own class. You may not care about that (still surprises me though), but it's supreme bullshit to say this is about fairness if you are elevating trans women at the expense of women. Because that just looks like the same old sexist shit all over again.
I made a comment because the regrettable leftish tendency to oppose injustice jumped the gun on my better judgement. Tends to happen when I read links that don't seem to be based on an impartial selection of facts – I'd still like to see who missed out because Hubbard qualified for the Olympics in her weight class.
If you still think the trans recognition movement is about "elevating" transwomen above other women rather than addressing the basic othering and exclusion of transpeople (and the entire damned spectrum of nonbinary people), or don't see why that is important, no worries.
In twenty years probably nobody will get what the fuss was about.
I neither said that nor believe that. Read it again. What I said is that you, and lefties in general, can’t claim to be supporting trans people out of fairness while removing women’s rights. That you as a man think you know better than feminists what women’s rights entail and whether there is a conflict of rights, fundamentally undermines any position of being on the side of justice.
as for othering, what strikes me as significant about that comment, apart from the gall of lecturing a politicised woman on it, is that I’m guessing you are in favour of sex blindness, similar to how liberal Americans like the idea of colourblindness. It just doesn’t work.
@McFlock
…regrettable leftish tendency to oppose injustice …
Just so there's no confusion…the "injustice" you're referring to is towards Hubbard? From the gender critical who object to male- bodied transwomen athletes competing against women in women's sport?
Any possibility you could, for a nanosecond or two, put yourself in the shoes of these young women…
…and maybe read the comments?
Score table was reasonably close. Hardly a massive advantage.
Youtube comments gonna youtube.
@weka
You are doing that thing again where you are inserting your comments after the comment that you are replying to rather than in chronological order. This is making the discussion hard to follow. I note that you only do this when discussing this issue and it seems an unfair advantage to do this with what are not moderator comments.
Solkta, not quite sure what you mean. I can go into the back end and reply directly to a comment when the reply buttons have run out and this will show my comments as a reply in the Replies tab, and will put my comments ahead of other commenters in the same stream I think.
But I haven't been doing that tonight, I've just been on my mobile and laptop replying as per normal in the front end. Can you please explain a bit better what you are seeing (I think there are issues with the mobile version and if this is another one I will pass it on to Lynn).
ok, fair call. "at the expense of" vs "over".
It's still a bullshit framing that will be reduced to the history books and a few social conservatives in a couple of decades.
As for the rest, I don't just listen to transwomen on this. I listen to other women who disagree vehemently with anything close to your position, and throw the t-acronym you dislike about with free abandon. I listen to Rosemary, who referred me to fecking youtube comments about "genetic manipulation" and "axes" for some damned reason. I even try to listen to you, and reflect upon the points you make.
But the thought of being referred to youtube comments and tweets with highly selective evidence for the next couple of months just makes me very tired.
Test comment
Test logged out.
@weka
Your comment at 9.02pm is showing directly after McFlock's at 7.33pm that it replies to but before Rosemary's comment at 7.50pm and another of McFlock's at 8.25pm.
The same thing was happening the last time i commented on this issue a couple of weeks ago and i mentioned it in reply to you then.
That’s weird. I suspect it’s when I’m on the mobile version and logged in. I get a reply button on the mobile that I don’t get on my laptop. It’s not anything I am doing intentionally (and I don’t remember reading a comment from you on this before but if you have a link handy it would be helpful to look at another example).
ok, just tested it. It's something the mobile version is doing (not me). And it happens whether I am logged in or not. So it should also happen with anyone using the mobile version where a thread has run out of replies on the desktop version but there are still reply buttons on the mobile version.
edit, just noting that the mobile version doesn’t have time stamps on each comment like in the desktop version.
Your test comment is showing for me as out of sequence before my last comment.
The other time i was referring to was in Daily Review of 21/05.
thanks Soltka, I hadn't seen that comment before (and it's useful for me to read on terms of the conversation there as well as the threading issue).
yes, my test comments are out of chronological sequence, because I made them on my phone using the mobile version. This comment is on my laptop.
@McFlock, I hadn't seen that comment from you the other day either. Ironically, one of things I was hoping from posting Hilton's tweet is the kind of discussion you brought to bear on it, but unfortunately it got derailed early on.
If Hilton is cherry picking problematically (rather than her just tweeting some charts she was working on that day), I'd like to know. Sometimes it's easier to get someone to explain charts than to figure it out myself (I don't have that background), so I laid down a challenge.
Here's what she said later in the thread,
https://twitter.com/FondOfBeetles/status/1399673573988524035
Imo, she's worth following because she does usually explain better what her argument is.
The other irony is that if there hadn't been such a massive suppression of debate, I'd be putting up researches and clear posts on the topics and we could be wrangling with the issues in the comments, rather than me dropping stuff I find on twitter randomly in OM or DR and us talking past each other.
Assuming of course I could get past the elephant in the living room of why there are no feminists posting about feminism here. So you might understand then why I'm tetchy about the whole thing.
For one thing, in the extended chart she's looking at one result in all weight classes and controlling for age.
Seems to me, if you're looking at a sport that has its main divisions by weight, maybe control for that? If the arguments are that two groups have people of different weights, then neglecting to control for that factor creates a chart that's misleading. The primary questions are whether a 130kg trans woman has an advantage over another non-trans woman, and whether weight classes reflect the participants. If the weight classes for the Masters are divided by the blank lines, then some classes consist of only a 5kg spread in weight, while the SHW class Hubbard is in has something like a 40kg spread between the four competitors.
She has a fair call about Hubbard's age, but then Precious Mackenzie was getting weightlifting medals for NZ in his 40s. So not sure one datapoint means anything.
The other way in which the masters seem to be an aberration in the apparent spread between the gold medalists and the following three competitors, compared to e.g. the panpacs or the 2019 world champs (and dayum that was a fascinating googlehole). In the world champs Hubbard came 6 out of 19, with not one opponent under 100kg as far as I can see, with at least a couple heavier than her.
But I don't see the last ten years of the IWF world champs all in a line, just the one with a lot of people in it for the fun. Might skew the spread a bit.
edit: hell of a google digression to get a handle on it, though – wikipedia, competition score pdfs, all sorts of sports websites. Interesting – didn’t know people kept such data online.
I read his comment and decided to treat it with the contempt it deserves.
Nothing new in men deriding women. Unless they're talking about transwomen, then these men are on their side.
If it wasn't so fucking depressing it'd be hilarious.
there's a whole thesis to be written on how left wing men have abandoned the concept that women get to have their own politics while at the same time upholding the right of trans women to have their own politics. It's almost like it wasn't real and all the time it was just men supporting women where their interests aligned, not because women a deserving of a full place in society. Of course such a thesis won't be written at the moment because the punishments in academia are too severe. Not even going to be a post on TS.
Between you and me and the gatepost, I think the wee mites are shit-scared of us.
Fear begats hate and all that.
yes. Its the apparently the largest NZ team in weightlifting…. as those going met the standard and in separate classes. I wonder why so many qualified.
never mind, the pitchforks and hoods are being passed to the mob ,out to protect the purity of womenhood.
The men and womens groups of that american group of bigots had this as their creed
'This organisation is not anti-jew, anti-catholic nor anti-negro BUT we restrict our membership to native born, white, protestant, gentile American citizens.' …plus White supremacy.
Change a few words and we are back in the 1920s.
These are the possible women classes, Hubbard is the selectee in 87 kg and over, in spite of lies told in Rueters link.
45 kg (99.2 lb) (non-Olympic)
49 kg (108 lb)
55 kg (121 lb)
59 kg (130 lb)
64 kg (141 lb)
71 kg (157 lb) (non-Olympic)
76 kg (168 lb)
81 kg (179 lb) (non-Olympic)
87 kg (192 lb)
87 kg and over (191 lb+)
[you’re going to have to up your game in this debate. I couldn’t make much sense of your previous comment, and this one is not much better. What lies? If you are going to make a claim of fact, you have to back it up. There’s an expectation that in controversial topics you will do this in real time, not after being asked. The reason for this is to stop people just dropping in bullshit and slurs that derail or flame instead of debating the issues.
Please reread the Policy especially the bit about not using tone or language that has the effect of excluding others. If you want to make the argument that gender critical women are the same as the KKK (I think this is what you are doing), then you will have to make the argument, credibly, and back it up. You cannot just call feminists nazis on TS.
I’m leaving your comment, but know that you’re now using up my moderator time for the second time in a few days and I’ve got short patience for regulars here being so disrespectful of the boundaries and kaupapa of the site. And yes I will do the same moderation if gender critical people start with the same kind of slurring, derailing, non-debate bullshit. – weka]
mod note.
Im not your student or subordinate and dont have to justify my view the lies told in mere Reuters link. – no context from the story added , no mention why its important , just a drive by link tossed there along with STFU.
Wheres this person who was left out because Hubbard was selected ? Wheres the beef ?
'understanding' is the new 'safety', a cliche used to dismiss opinions or inclusion that dont align with the 'right outlook' on gender
Feedback: some of your comments are really hard to parse. Honestly, I have to read them three times to understand what you mean.
Rosemary didn't tell anyone to STFU in the opening comment, she made the point that women are being told to not talk about the issues and she linked to an article discussing that.
Women have already lost out competing against Hubbard. Hubbard will be competing against female athletes again, with Hubbard's male bodied advantage. That's the beef.
what does that even mean? this is a classic example of you saying something but not explaining.
You can assert independence from boundaries on TS, but I will continue to moderate, and across the board the thing that it ends up being about is wasting moderator time. There's only so many times I'm going to ask for you to up your game and support your assertions before I just start putting in short, and then increasing bans. You can say some abhorrent things here, but there are rules around how you do that. I've explained well enough where the boundaries, ball is in your court.
the lies told in mere Reuters link. Specifically?
no context from the story added , no mention why its important , I prefer brevity, ghostwhowalksnz, and letting the link speak for itself. My personal opinion on the matter would be indicated by the "I guess its tough shit for female athletes."
Golly gosh…this is akin to a Year 8 English class on comprehension.
protect the purity of womenhood.
Nevermind the 1920s….your ancestors, it seems, failed to land far enough from the tree.
Come back when you've learned the difference between 'biological sex' and 'gender.'
The difference between the twain matters…especially in sex segregated sports.
No one cares about your views on gender purity, or the cliches used to exclude others who dare to different. Hubbard is doing what she wants to do whether you like it or not
Hubbard competed as a man in weightlifting.
Now Hubbard competes as a woman.
You don't see a problem with this with respect to fairness to women athletes who have always competed as women because they are, well, women?
I care about Rosemary's views.
No-one cares that Hubbard is trans, all power to them on that and living their life.
Meanwhile,
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/300319156/transgender-athletes-will-be-able-to-play-rugby-but-nz-rugby-is-unsure-who-against
Safety: biological sex actually matters when it comes to physicality.
I think the main thing is this was basically created by the IWF rule change and the pressure should be on them to change their rules. Hubbard is elegable and NZ selectors should follow the selection rules of their sport. Other sports will probably follow the consensus trend emerging from that process eventually.
The New Zealand Medical Council are threatening doctors with terminating their employment if they have the temerity to criticise the vaccine rollout. Shades of East/ Germany/ the Soviet Union .All free speech regarding the vaccine rollout has been cancelled.We are not a country that welcomes both sides of an argument being presented, and the public making up its own mind. No informed consent here ! The Death of Democracy!!!
This is a fine example why you should include a link in your comment, so that others can see what you’re on about and check for themselves.
For example, https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/445179/doctors-spreading-misinformation-about-covid-19-may-lose-their-job-medical-council
If you read that article, you’ll see that you’re barking up the wrong tree and that you have the wrong end of the stick.
There are plenty of experts, including medics, who are criticising the Government without fear of losing their jobs, e.g., the Plan B group and Professor Des Gorman come to mind.
I take a dim view of commenters who spread misinformation here.
Is this the offending letter signed by the offensive Doctors?
?
Thanks Rosemary – Dr Thornley (of Plan B fame?) is a signatory; say no more. There were two news items on the PlanB website in April, but nothing since then.
Succumbed to the 'relentless pressure' – get my first jab of this experimental vaccine next week. Maybe it'll be the end of me, and yet I can hardly wait – weird eh?
What letter are your talking about? Historian Pete didn’t mention a letter!? He was also very confused.
It is not about a letter. https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/445179/doctors-spreading-misinformation-about-covid-19-may-lose-their-job-medical-council
I agree and I don’t know why the letter was even brought into it other than as a distraction and diversion from the utter nonsense spouted by Historian Pete.
Some commenters here have a habit of shovelling all shit into their favourite pet wheelbarrow to confirm their ingrained conscious and sub-conscious biases. SSDD.
Sacha. You did follow the link within the RNZ piece?
The link that leads to a TVNZ article? (https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/health-professionals-sign-letter-misleading-claims-around-pfizers-covid-vaccine)
That discusses "a letter" but fails to provide a link to it?
Attached photo shows supporters outside the courthouse for the section 23 case , and it requires little in the way of effort to find the Ngai Kaitiaki Tuku Ihu website.
Honest and unbiased reporting would encourage readers to actually read the 'offending' letter and make their own minds up as to the appropriate response.
This complaint process is not about that letter.
What is the nature of this criticism? Logical, I hope, given that it's coming from “doctors“.
three exclamation marks. It must be serious.
I'll go out on a limb here and suggest that any doctor who actively dissuades people from using a tested and safe vaccine during a pandemic is unfit to practise medicine and deserves to be struck off.
Sure, if they can document clear levels of harm, especially if that harm is in the same order of magnitude or greater than from covid, they're whistleblowers.
But distributors of woo should be struck off.
Dr Woo?
The crazy is bigger on the inside than it looks on the outside.
You fail to mention said doctors are peddling misinformation about Covid 19 which I am sure is contrary to the ethical standards expected of such people. Any doctors who behave like that deserve to be struck of the medical register forthwith.
You fail to mention said doctors are peddling misinformation about Covid 19 …
Exactly what is it that they are saying that amounts to "peddling misinformation", if it is the letter I linked to above that is the source?
Nope. I reads newspapers and listen to the news. Try it. You might learn something.
So you’re getting all your information from MSM??
I tried to find it on the Medical Council website (https://www.mcnz.org.nz/) but could not find anything. The closest I could find was this: https://www.mcnz.org.nz/about-us/news-and-updates/expectations-for-covid-19-vaccination-released-for-doctors-and-dentists/
Can you please point to the investigation and reasons why the Council is investigating doctors for potentially spreading misinformation around Covid-19? Thank you in advance.
This letter…written in April and signed by 40-odd members of MC who all appended their MC registration numbers. This I saw as an indication of their integrity and willingness to put their reputations on the line. ( You might have noticed I have a thing about folks opining anonymously.)
I understand more have since signed. IMHO there is certainly nothing in that letter that warrants such a response from the Medical Council. (I hope there is another letter somewhere that merits such censure.) A link within the article would have helped.
This is the only such letter that I've read. I had to go looking for it and it was by chance I found it. Well, not quite…I read the decision from the case Sue Grey took to the court over Section 23 of the Medicines Act which forced an immediate response from Government to rectify the 'anomaly.' Fascinating stuff if holding truth to power is one's thing.
There was a time, not long since, when folks here would do likewise and dig a little deeper into the scary, shouty headlines dealt up by MSM. Having personally been a victim of such I make a real effort to fact check.
Ta
I have no detailed knowledge of the MC investigation. In any case, Historian Pete made all sorts of weird and wild accusations without rhyme or reason. I don’t think he’s a genuine historian. Do you?
The response is not about the letter.
The letter is not the source.
Then what is the source?
I sincerely hope, (as I said at https://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-21-06-2021/#comment-1799309) that there is something else other that the letter referred to in the TVNZ piece.
Sigh. Complaints from the public about particular practitioners triggered the process.
Perhaps taking the hint from Winston, Barnaby Joyce has returned.
As if Australia hadn't troubles enough.
Firstly, I have witnessed the biggest suppression of news and debate that has occurred in New Zealand since the 1952 Waterfront Strike. I can remember the NZBC around 2005 refusing to air a topic on the grounds that they were unable to present both sides of the story. Now it is par for the course that only one side is presented .The New Zealand public have a right to hear both sides. I have neither seen on TV{Tova Obrien anyone?} nor read in newspapers ie the Herald, any reasonable coverage of the views of those opposed to the" Vaccine' rollout. This is a suppression of free speech. How can these Doctors have a professional debate when they are closed down in all avenues. They have the courage to speak out at a significant risk to their professional careers. They have a credo to live up to: To do no harm. And the Pfizer jab is to them not in the interests of their patients.So they refuse to be gagged.
Secondly My own reseach on the topic has lead me to believe that firstly the jab is not a vaccine.A vaccine immunises the patient and prevents transmission.The Pfizer jab does neither. A plethora of toxic side effects is occuring after the " vaccination", especially the second one, which includes death. This is occurring far more frequently than would have occurred if the rollout had not happened at all . The Authorities are doing a sterling job of suppressing the real deaths happening being revealed to the public. However the TRUTH is slowly being revealed. Resistance is growing as we speak .This toxic Experimental "vaccine" has been established in haste, and many throughout the world now fear that long term it will result in unaccepable casualties ..
So, the death of free speech, and the termination of informed consent. And serious harm to a large number of the public. A determined group of Doctors acting on their conscience .I know whose side I'm on!!!
Professional debates do not happen in the media, generally. So no suppression there.
Professional debate between scientists involves evidence. The moonbats have none, so no suppression there.
The news media is supposed to disseminate news, not moonbat theories, otherwise the nightly news would headline whatever the local crazy person was yelling in the street. So no suppression there.
Your own research has led you to make some interesting claims, including "The Authorities are doing a sterling job of suppressing the real deaths happening being revealed to the public." I'm glad that you have managed to compromise this veil of official secrecy with your own research, which doubtless includes unearthing evidence buried in youtube videos. They can bury the corpses, but they can't censor online content, eh! /sarc
Intriguing PoV. Personally think it's OK that these determined doctors won't be getting immunised against COVID-19 – just hope their patients will be OK.
https://health-reporter.news/study-pfizer-vaccine-works-against-gamma-variant/
https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/
Are the MSM still giving air time to climate change deniers?
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/300338071/auckland-tornado-46k-raised-for-killed-workers-family-papatoetoe-cleanup-continues
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/445149/flash-floods-from-east-cape-to-napier-more-rain-expected-around-new-zealand
You undermine your own credibility by attributing every single climatic event to CC. Tornados have been occuring in NZ for as long as it has been above the waves and they are common in one form or another in almost every country in the world, and as for heavy rain and floods, if you believe that they are only a recent addition to weathers numerous variations, you are really dreaming. Even last weeks large floods in Canterbury are merely proof of how the Plains were formed over millennia. If you want to be believed you must first of all be believable.
Yes Adrian, I sometimes undermine my credibility, here and elsewhere.
As to whether I attribute "every single climatic event to CC", others can judge the credibility of that charge. Fwiw, I believe that "attributing every single climatic event to CC" is as silly as suggesting that there is no causal link between climate trends (and the frequency and/or severity of extreme weather events), and global warming. Time will tell.
Laughable …
"Secondly My own research on the topic has lead me to believe ….. [the rantings of a disturbed mind….]
Right who left the gate open and let the crazy in?
Suppression of free speech. Decades ago, when MMP was mooted we held a public meeting to explain it. Quite a good turn-out, and worked well as we sat and listened and took it in. The time was well-used and the understanding was enhanced as we did not give any time to the FPP proponents who gnashed their teeth.
No-thinking types like them did not want us to waste our time exercising our minds about possible worthy changes to the political process. We also had a very firm woman time-keeper of a Liberal persuasion who was interested in a well-controlled meeting which enabled informed discussion.
The types 'agin-it' just want to choose their weapons and hit people over the head to stop them daring to divert their minds from the very satisfactory system they have decided they like and want to retain.
Listen Shit-For-Brains, there is no alternative evidence on the pros and cons for vaccination, but what there is a job offer going on your preferred planet and you and your dopey flat-earthers should be right on to it as it needs qualified expendables to join them. See Jenny at 9 at 3.00pm. Bon voyage and good riddance.
"The New Zealand Broadcasting Corporation (NZBC) was a publicly owned company of the New Zealand Government founded in 1962. The Broadcasting Act 1976 then reformed NZBC as the Broadcasting Corporation of New Zealand (BCNZ).[1] The corporation was dissolved on 1 April 1975, and replaced by three separate organisations: Radio New Zealand, Television One, and Television Two, later known as South Pacific Television. The television channels would merge again in 1980 to become Television New Zealand, while Radio New Zealand remained unchanged."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Zealand_Broadcasting_Corporation
Historian Pete- the first job of the historian is to get the dates right; otherwise, anything you say afterwards is somewhat blighted by doubt as to your actual knowledge, doubt of your proofreading skills and doubt as to your right to appropriate the title of historian.
The Waterfront Dispute (that it was a strike is actually itself disputed) took place in 1951.
All hail to the “suppression of free speech” when the nut-bars turn up. I s'pose you support Donald Trump and believe the presidential election was stolen from him.
Do you believe the moon landing was a fake and that the American government was responsible for the World Trade Centre terrorist attacks? Or worse still do you believe it was a false flag and it never happened at all?
Geez… you need brain surgery on the one and only brain cell you possess.
Interesting assumption that he/she has a brain cell.
What's more crazy:
A. Non-stop ads on TV exhorting us all to buy oversized 4 wheel drive utes.
Or,
B. A plan to shift the planet further away from the sun so that we can all continue to enjoy driving them well into the future.
I did like that the actual guy was asking the Forest Service to do it. Just to add stupid icing to the stupid cake.
And can we get rid of that annoying 22 degree tilt in the earth's axis please? I get an awful crick in my neck compensating, and the four seasons are a nuisance and a bore.
Good news for you it is moving.
https://www.newscientist.com/article/dn17657-global-warming-could-change-earths-tilt/
And rotating faster which makes my head spin…..