Open mike 21/11/2019
Written By:
- Date published:
7:00 am, November 21st, 2019 - 127 comments
Categories: open mike -
Tags:
Open mike is your post.
For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose.
The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy).
Step up to the mike …
127 comments on “Open mike 21/11/2019”
- Comments are now closed
- Comments are now closed
Recent Comments
- We have a date
The Prime Minister has just announced the election date as 19 September. So, its a Suffrage Day election, and well before the Trump hits the fan in the US. The no-longer-new practice of announcing the election date well in advance is good, and puts everyone on a more even footing ...3 hours ago - The coronavirus outbreak in China: what a difference a week makes
When it comes to emerging infectious diseases and outbreaks, so much can happen in a week. In the case of the coronavirus outbreak in China, I’ve gone from not being too alarmed, to thinking “oh, crap!”. But that still doesn’t mean we should all panic. As I’m writing this on ...23 hours ago - National cries wolf over Coronavirus
Opposition MP Michael WoodhouseLast week, the current National Party leader, Simon Bridges, claimed that the Minister of Health wasn’t leading on ‘significant issues that matter to New Zealanders within his Health portfolio’ when commenting about the Government’s response to the Coronavirus outbreak.This silly comment was made despite David Clark working ...1 day ago - Fluoridation and sex steroid hormones – or the mouse that roared
All the recent research anti-fluoride campaigners promote as “evidence” of harm from community water fluoridation amount to cherry-picking a very few statistically significant results from a large number of non-significant results. The whole exercise is a bit like the “Mouse that Roared.” Credit: The Mouse that Roared – TMTR Intro ...1 day ago - Leave Neve alone2 days ago
- 2020 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #4
A chronological listing of news articles linked to on the Skeptical Science Facebook Page during the past week, i.e., Sun, Jan 19, 2020 through Sat, Jan 25, 2020 Editor's Pick The companies that have contributed most to climate change Thought-provoking readings on those most responsible for the pollution. Sometimes, ...2 days ago - The swimming pool paradoxIt’s another warm day, but the breeze isn’t helping much, so off I go to the inviting outdoor swimming pool (banner picture) at the other end of campus. It’s an unheated pool (well, there’s no artificial heat source), which means one thing: It’s going to feel cold when I get ...4 days ago
- 100 seconds to midnightThe Doomsday Clock is a tracker created by he Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists for how close we are to global destruction. Created in 1947, it got worse as the Cold War started, then improved as it cooled down, then got worse again as Ronald Reagan tried to confront the ...4 days ago
- A multitude of drops: Social tipping points in climate actionIf you’re here, you probably know that the climate crisis is upon us, that it’s getting steadily worse, and that attempts to address it haven’t worked yet. People are still driving and even advertising SUVs with impunity, and oil companies are exploring like crazy, even in New Zealand. Politically, socially, ...4 days ago
- The Thoughtful Mr Parker.
Stunningly Wrong-Headed: So blinded are the “left-wing” believers in free markets and free trade (like Trade Minister, David Parker) that even when they are staring directly at the wreckage of the lives and communities which these “unconscionable freedoms” (to borrow Marx’s telling phrase) have left in their wake, they cannot ...4 days ago - What’s the problem with all science being “done” in English?I’ve been listening to a wonderful podcast this morning which left me thinking. The podcast was a 30-min well-spent break, in the company of Daniel Midgley and Michael Gordin. You might know Daniel Midgley from the Talk the Talk linguistics podcast. Michael Gordin is the author of “Scientific Babel”, which ...4 days ago
- Snakeflu?! An intriguing source suggested for new Chinese coronavirusThe whole world is on edge over a coronavirus outbreak that started in early December in Wuhan City, China. The virus is thought to have first infected people working at a seafood and live animal market. So what could the original source have been? There’s no official word yet, but ...5 days ago
- Simon’s Philippine jaunt: #LittleBoysPlayingToughguys
Not too far back, Simon Bridges the Leader of the Opposition and National Party, went on an excursion to China. This was arranged not by MFAT (NZ’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade), but by their MP Jian Yang – a man who also just happened to “forget to mention” ...5 days ago - Will Turia ever forgive Labour?Dame Tariana Turia with former PM John KeyWhat is it about Tariana Turia’s grudge against the Labour Party? Not content with attacking the Government over Whānau Ora funding, which was increased by $80 million in 2019, she has now made it personal by saying that Jacinda Ardern is out of her ...5 days ago
- What are the recent fluoride-IQ studies really saying about community water fluoridation?
Scaremongering graphic currently being promoted by Declan Waugh who is well known for misrepresenting the fluoride science This graphic is typical of current anti-fluoride propaganda. It is scare-mongering, in that it is aimed at undermining community ... 5 days ago- Skeptical Science New Research for Week #3, 2020
Biography of a policy metric Bård Lahn performs a sweeping literature review to present the history of our notion of a "global carbon budget" and how this number has come to encapsulate a massive amount of scientific research into a useful, easily grasped tool in our policy skill set. A ...6 days ago- Oxfam Report: Time to Care – Unpaid and underpaid care work and the global inequality crisis
January 2020 Economic inequality is out of control. In 2019, the world’s billionaires, only 2,153 people, had more wealth than 4.6 billion people. This great divide is based on a flawed and sexist economic system that values the wealth of the privileged few, mostly men, more than the billions of ...6 days ago- How to avoid being a cunt to hospo workers’
Working hospo is hard mahi for many reasons, from long hours and gruelling high-volume weekends to customers who treat us as their servants. There are always lovely and polite customers who treat hospo workers with respect and kindness but, throughout my 15-years in the biz, I’ve collected a number of ...6 days ago- 2019-nCoV (the new coronavirus): Should we be concerned, and will there be a vaccine?
Probably yes to both but don’t panic yet. There is a plan. What is this virus? 2019 novel coronavirus, aka 2019-nCoV, belongs to a family of viruses called coronavirus. These are very common viruses that infect a wide range of animals including humans and can cause mild to severe disease, ...6 days ago- The Chinese coronavirus outbreak: what are the options for vaccines and treatments?
By now you’ve probably heard of the coronavirus outbreak that started in Wuhan City, China. The number of cases is rising, up to about 300 with six deaths. Cases have been reported in several more Chinese cities, including Beijing and Shanghai, as well as in Japan, Thailand, and South Korea. ...6 days ago- Educating New Zealand’s future workforce
Judy Kavanagh Do you remember your first day at school? The education I received was for a very different world than the world of today. Along with huge social shifts there have been big changes in the New Zealand economy and the work people do. There are occupations unheard of ...6 days ago- A casual attitude towards transparency
Back in December, when the government was introducing new secrecy legislation on an almost daily basis, I posted about the Infrastructure Funding and Financing Bill. The Bill establishes a new class of public entity, "special purpose vehicles", which collect and spend public money and enjoy statutory powers. Despite this, they ...6 days ago- Against a carbon bailout
If we are to avoid making the planet uninhabitable, we need to cut carbon emisisons fast. Which basicly means putting the fossil fuel industry - coal, gas, and oil - out of business. But this means that the banks and other lenders who have bankrolled the industry's environmental destruction will ...6 days ago- Still a criminal industry
More evidence that the fishing industry suffers from pervasive criminality, with Forest & Bird highlighting some odd numbers in the annual statistics:The Annual Review Report For Highly Migratory Species Fisheries 2018/19 (Pg 4, Table 4) showed only 4% of commercial long lining trips for tuna and swordfish reported non-fish bycatch ...6 days ago- Controversy? Or Manufactroversy?
A few days ago, New Zealand’s Minister of Education announced the wider release of a resource on climate change, which was initially trialled at a Christchurch school during 2018. According to the Minister, children will learn about “the role science plays in understanding climate change, aids understanding of both the response ...6 days ago- The emerging coronavirus outbreak in China
By now you’ve probably heard of the new virus causing an outbreak of severe pneumonia in China. The question on most people’s minds is, how worried should we be, especially as hundreds of millions of people will soon be travelling across China and beyond to visit family for the Lunar ...7 days ago- How did climate change get so controversial?
An excerpt from the book Cranky Uncle vs. Climate Change, released Feb 25. Our human brain is poorly equipped to deal with a threat like climate change. Over millions of years, we’ve evolved to avoid life-threatening dangers like predators jumping out of bushes. We’ve survived by quickly detecting and avoiding immediate, short-term ...7 days ago- Farmers are ruining Canterbury’s rivers
Its summer, so people naturally want to go for a swim. But in South Canterbury, you can't, because the rivers are full of toxic goo:As of Monday, the Waihi River at Wilson Street footbridge, Geraldine, the Waihao River at Bradshaws Bridge, and three spots on the Opihi River - at ...1 week ago- Sack Shane Jones
Late last year, NZ First was caught trying to enrich itself from public office, with a dodgy forestry company linked to a number of NZ First figures sticking its hand out repeatedly for government money. Regional Economic Development Minister shane Jones' "explanations" were patently unconvincing, and his recusal from deciding ...1 week ago- BIG idea physics
This morning I’ve been having a quick look through some documentation from The Ministry of Education on proposed changes to NCEA Level 1 Science. For those not familiar with the NZ secondary education system, a typical student would complete NCEA level 1 at the end of year 11. In this ...1 week ago- Revolution in New Zealand? Not Even Close!
No Fires Thanks, We're Kiwis: For the moment, in those close-to-home places where revolutions are born, there may be tetchiness and resentment, frustration and complaint, but nowhere is anybody uttering the cry that will bring a New Zealand revolution into being: “We have found the way to make tomorrow better ...1 week ago- 2020 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming Digest #3
Story of the Week... Editorial of the Week... Toon of the Week... Quote of the Week... Graphic of the Week... Coming Soon on SkS... Climate Feedback Claim Reviews... SkS Week in Review... Poster of the Week... Story of the Week... 'It's heart-wrenching': 80% of Blue Mountains and 50% of ...1 week ago- Britain exits the European Union and takes a sharp right turn
by John Smith Britain’s exit from the imperialist bloc known as the European Union (EU) is now irreversible. The crushing electoral defeat of the Labour Party has dismayed many workers and youth who had placed their hopes in Jeremy Corbyn, its left-wing leader. This article assesses these historic events, neither of which ...1 week ago- 2020 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #3
A chronological listing of news articles linked to on the Skeptical Science Facebook Page during the past week, i.e., Sun, Jan 12, 2020 through Sat, Jan 18, 2020 Editor's Pick The Past and the Future of the Earth’s Oldest Trees Bristlecone pines have survived various catastrophes over the millennia, and they ...1 week ago- How climate change influenced Australia’s unprecedented fires
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections, and has been adapted into a new myth rebuttal on climate-wildfire connections with the short URL sks.to/wildfires Australia’s frightening bushfires, which kicked off an early fire season in September 2019, have already had cataclysmic effects, and the continent is still just in the early ...1 week ago- Gender Identity Ideology – A Partial Bibliography of Online Coverage
This great resource has been contributed to Redline by Janie Doebuck. Janie made some notes on the bibliography: 1) It is by no means exhaustive. There are tons more gender critical posts, essays, articles, podcasts, youtube videos, etc. online. 2) There are links in the bibliography that are behind paywalls. There ...2 weeks ago- About those biased Oscar Nominations
There’s been a lot written about the 2020 Oscar Nominations and their apparent lack of diversity. It’s true, there are in fact no women nominated for the Best Director and very few nominees of colour across the board. But is this a result of a biased process or a symptom ...2 weeks ago- How New Zealand media reports chronic pain
Hemakumar Devan Around three million New Zealanders access news media (both paper and online) every week. Yes, you heard that right! So, the potential for news media to shape public health beliefs is common sense. As chronic pain affects one in five New Zealanders, we wanted to find out how ...2 weeks ago- Still Waiting For American Democracy.
Unfinished Republic: Though the United States' crimes against democracy are legion, most Americans are blissfully unaware of them. The brutal realities of American life: the officially sanctioned violence; the refusal to hold racists accountable for their actions; the seemingly endless tragedy of African-American suffering; of which White America is the ...2 weeks ago- In Outrage Over Its Bunk Science, Goop Finds Fuel for Growth
Michael Schulson For years, experts have said that Goop, the wellness and lifestyle brand founded by the actor and entrepreneur Gwyneth Paltrow, markets pseudoscience and overblown cures. And for years, despite the criticism, Goop has just kept growing. Now the company, which was valued at $250 million in 2018, ...2 weeks ago- Tobacco Excise Taxes and the Smokefree 2025 Goal: Some Ways Forward
Janet Hoek, Richard Edwards, George Thomson, Andrew Waa, Nick Wilson Debate over tobacco tax increases has intensified as research indicates potentially conflicting policy directions. On the one hand, excise tax increases continue to stimulate quit attempts among smokers yet, on the other hand, they may lead to financial hardship for ...2 weeks ago- Skeptical Science New Research for Week #2, 2020
Conflation and how to fix it VIa AMS, Raul Lejano looks at what in a layperson's thinking would be called conflation— confusion and blending of entirely different topics— when people think about climate change. Ideology and the Narrative of Skepticism (open access) starts with some arguably frightening false connections between the science and ...2 weeks ago- ‘Cranky Uncle’ smart phone game will show you how to disarm climate deniers
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Bud Ward (Image: Courtesy of John Cook) When it comes to climate change, it seems every family has its own version of the proverbial Cranky Uncle. An uncle, cousin, grandparent, in-law, neighbor, whatever. Just think back to the recent holiday season’s large ...2 weeks ago- Science in the ’20s – part 1
Outrageous, immoral or downright dangerous. That’s a description of the lifestyle of women “flappers” in the 1920s. Could it apply to science (and scientists) in the 2020s? Actually, you could look back at the past decade and see those, or similar terms, used about some science and scientists. Sometimes ...2 weeks ago- Postscript: Citizenship Granted.
I am pleased to say that I have been granted NZ citizenship. I need to do the ceremony for things to be official, but the application was a success. I now join my son as a dual NZ-US citizen. To be fair, very little will change other than the fact ...2 weeks ago- Hard News: Music: Morales is coming
It will be no secret to longtime readers that I, Russell Brown, love the disco. So I'm pretty excited by the fact that one of the greats of the game is returning this summer – and also pleased to say I have tickets to give away.Legendary mixer and DJ ...2 weeks ago- The WHO Vaccine Safety Summit – from someone who was actually there
The conspiracy I saw a new conspiracy theory flying around the other day. According to the conspiracy (that seems to originate from Del Bigtree), the World Health Organization have been ‘caught on camera’ questioning the safety of vaccines. Gosh this sounds as though someone was a mole at a ...2 weeks ago- The timely death of the British Labour Party
Below is an article submitted to Redline by Alec Abbott At its inception, the British Labour Party was a vehicle for the propagation of racist and imperialist views within the working-class. Such views are still widespread in the party, as they are in Europe’s Social-Democratic parties, though, in the case of ...2 weeks ago- Mystery China pneumonia outbreak likely caused by new human coronavirus
Connor Bamford, Queen’s University Belfast Since December 2019, there has been a cluster of 59 cases of pneumonia in Wuhan, eastern China. The pneumonia is associated with a previously unidentified coronavirus related to the deadly SARS virus. Seven of those cases are thought to be serious, and one person – ...2 weeks ago- Yes, koalas are cute – but should we bring them to NZ? Errm, no
It’s been hard to miss the extreme fires raging across Australia and the tragic plight of the animals – human and otherwise – affected by the fires’ insatiable spread. I know I’ve been captivated and concerned by the tales of how Australia’s famous wildlife has been coping. Koalas approaching cyclists ...2 weeks ago- National’s negative campaigning
Anybody who looked into the Dirty Politics saga knows all too well that honesty is often in short supply within the National Party. You would think that after the exposure the John Key government received over their untruthful attack politics, the National Party would learn from its "mistakes" and leave ...2 weeks ago- Ending the government’s charade over water
For the past decade, the government has been responding to the obvious Treaty issues raised by water allocation with the mantra that "no-one owns water". But last year, the Waitangi Tribunal ruled that actually, Māori owned it, and that those rights had never been extinguished. They recommended that iwi bring ...2 weeks ago- Northern Ireland joins the civilised world
Same-sex marriage has finally become legal in Northern Ireland. But not through any decision of the Northern Irish Executive or Assembly, which has only just reformed after a three year walkout by the DUP; instead, Westminster made that decision for them. I've talked before about the constitutional impropriety of this, ...2 weeks ago- I had an intense conversation at work today.
Claire Cohen-Norris volunteers with Citizens Climate Lobby as a chapter founder and leader in rural New York. Her climate advocacy sprung from her drive to provide a secure, joyful and fulfilling life for her two wonderful children. It has become a life’s mission, shared with her like-minded husband and partner. Claire ...2 weeks ago- French transport workers take on Macron over pension reform
by John Edmundson Starting on December 5th, 2019 workers in the Parisian rail network commenced an open-ended strike in opposition to French President Emmanuel Macron’s proposed changes to their pension scheme. Rail workers in the Metro Underground have, for decades, had retirement conditions that compensate them for the low wages, ...2 weeks ago- What a difference the decimal point makes
I’m back at work following a nearly three-week break over Christmas. We were fortunate to be offered a house to stay in for a week over Christmas, which enabled us to have a holiday in Dunedin and see the extended family reasonably cheaply. But the house came with a catch: ...2 weeks ago- Who’s Going To Stop Him?
Blank And Pitiless: Having ordered the assassination of the Iranian General, Qasem Soleimani, President Donald Trump promised to reduce the cultural monuments of Iran’s 3,000 year-old civilisation to rubble if a revenge attack was mounted. A breach of international law? Certainly. A war crime? Indisputably. Who’s going to stop him? Nobody.WHAT ...2 weeks ago- A worker’s story
This interview is from Aotearoa Workers Solidarity Movement (AWSM) and is the first of an ongoing series of interviews they plan to do with workers from various sectors who are having their well being and livelihoods damaged. They begin with an educator in Southland. Due to the attitude and actions ...2 weeks ago- 2020 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #2
A chronological listing of news articles linked to on the Skeptical Science Facebook Page during the past week, i.e., Sun, Jan 5, 2020 through Sat, Jan 11, 2020 Editor's Pick Debunked Australian Bushfire Conspiracy Theories Were Pushed by Alex Jones, Murdoch Media As unusually intense and widespread bushfires have ...2 weeks ago- J.K. Rowling, the Seattle Library, and the Issue That Must Not Be Named
This article was submitted to Redline by Seattle-based activist Lucinda Stoan J.K. Rowling recognizes repression when she sees it. That’s why the author of the wildly popular Harry Potter books recently tweeted in defense of Maya Forstater. Forstater lost her job for stating that sex is real and immutable. A judge ...2 weeks ago- Rules of Empire: Laws simply do not apply and “National Security” excuses all else.
Empires rise and fall, and the American Empire is absolutely no different. But while an Empire, in order to further the footprint, it seems to pay to do one primary thing above all else: project that everything – everything – is “simply for the good of the world” at large, ...3 weeks ago- Indian lessons for NZ workers – the January 8 general strike
by Phil Duncan On Wednesday (January 8) another massive general strike took place in India. Some 250 million industrial workers, white-collar workers, agricultural labourers struck against the government’s economic policies and attacks on the Muslim population through new proposed citizenship rules. This ...3 weeks ago- Climate Change: The action that counts
Over on Newsroom, Professor Jacqueline Beggs writes about the action she is taking on climate change. Its the usual list: reduce meat, don't fly, consume less. I'm doing some of this myself, and none of it hurts - but the way our economic system is constructed means the impact of ...3 weeks ago- Fossil fuel political giving outdistances renewables 13 to one
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Karin Kirk Corporations, special interest groups, and individuals inject billions of dollars into the American political system every year. Much of the financial support in politics is concealed from public view, as some rules – and loopholes – allow “dark money” and ...3 weeks ago- Animal response to a bushfire is astounding. These are the tricks they use to survive
Dale Nimmo, Charles Sturt University Have you ever wondered how our native wildlife manage to stay alive when an inferno is ripping through their homes, and afterwards when there is little to eat and nowhere to hide? The answer is adaptation and old-fashioned ingenuity. Australia’s bushfire season is far from ...3 weeks ago- Should I ditch my fossil-fueled car?
Yes. Reducing the number of cars in your household, or switching from petrol/diesel to electric, will dramatically reduce your greenhouse gas emissions. It’s one of the easiest and highest-impact climate steps you can take. New Zealand is being flooded with cars The New Zealand vehicle fleet is increasing rapidly. In ...3 weeks ago- Speaker: Planet History: Taking Tea with Quentin
This interview with Quentin Crisp is part of a series of articles republished from Planet, the independent magazine I edited in the early 90s from a base at 309 Karangahape Road, along with Grant Fell, Rachael Churchward, Fiona Rae, David Teehan, Mere Ngailevu and others.Inevitably, you forget things, and over ...3 weeks ago- Skeptical Science New Research for Week #1, 2020
Supply Side How are we doing with CO2 emissions? It's an important question, increasingly posed to a mixed bag of CO2 contributors who may or may not provide accurate reportage. Liu et al present a new, additional means of measurement based on satellite observations of nitrogen dioxide co-emitted from ...3 weeks ago- Donald Trump’s strategic gamble
There’s a meme going around the Internet at the moment claiming that Donald Trump is a bit of an idiot. To outside eyes it does seem as though the President of the United States thumbs his nose at his own countries laws and administration far too often to be taken ...3 weeks ago - Skeptical Science New Research for Week #3, 2020
- Week That Was: 2020
We are back for 2020! From changes to Family Funded Care, to a record high number of Kiwis in construction in the trades - we're already back making progress on those long-term challenges. Read all about it and more ...4 days ago - Winston Peters: “Ihumātao deal still a long way off”
Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters told Mike Hosking that a settlement deal regarding Ihumātao in Auckland is still a long way off. The Maori King's flag was lowered at the site near Auckland Airport yesterday, sparking suggestions an announcement of a deal could be made by Waitangi Day. Pania Newton, ...5 days ago - Winston Peters accuses Gerry Brownlee of ‘politicising’ Holocaust memorialForeign Affairs Minister Winston Peters is accusing Gerry Brownlee of "politicising" a Holocaust memorial event after the National MP questioned the lack of Kiwi representation there. The Yad Vashem World Holocaust Remembrance Centre in Jerusalem, Israel, is holding the World Holocaust Forum on January 23 to mark 75 years since ...5 days ago
- Provincial Growth Fund to help Waipukurau Pā sites attract thousands of touristsThe Ngā Ara Tipuna - Waipukurau Pā Site Interpretation project is receiving $2.798 million from the Provincial Growth Fund. It is is expected to boost the town's employment and tourism, creating sixteen new jobs once completed and attract up to 15,000 visitors a year. Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Regional Economic Development ...6 days ago
- “Common sense will prevail, not extremism” Winston Peters backs Shane Jones’ pro-meat stanceNew Zealand First leader Winston Peters is backing his MPs who have spoken out against a new climate change teaching resource that advises students to eat less meat to save the planet. The new teaching resource, announced by Education Minister Chris Hipkins and Climate Change Minister James Shaw, tells students ...1 week ago
- Violent assault on paramedic highlights need for law changeDarroch Ball MP, Spokesperson for Justice Today’s horrific violent assault of an on-duty female paramedic which rendered her unconscious is truly unsettling. “Our thoughts are with the paramedic, her loved ones and the St John’s team at Warkworth Station,” says New Zealand First Justice Spokesperson Darroch Ball. “Harsher penalties for perpetrators ...1 week ago
- Acting PM Winston Peters confirms NZDF troops in Iraq not hit by Iranian attacksActing Prime Minister Winston Peters called for calm and diplomacy following Iranian missile strikes on bases housing United States troops in Iraq, but confirmed New Zealand's base in the country was not hit. The New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) was earlier today investigating claims New Zealand's base in Iraq had ...1 week ago
- Kaikōura $10.88 million boost in tourism & businessFletcher Tabuteau MP, Parliamentary Undersecretary for Regional Economic Development The Provincial Growth Fund (PGF) is investing $10.88 million to boost business and tourism opportunities in Kaikōura, Parliamentary Undersecretary for Regional Economic Development, Fletcher Tabuteau announced today. As part of the Kaikōura Marina Development Programme, the following two projects will receive ...2 weeks ago
- Delivering a stable water supply to WairarapaHon. Ron Mark, New Zealand First List MP based in Wairarapa The Provincial Growth Fund (PGF) is investing $7.11 million to create a sustainable water supply for the Wairarapa. The PGF will provide a $7 million investment to Wairarapa Water Limited to progress the Wairarapa Water Storage Scheme towards procurement, consenting, ...2 weeks ago
- Housing consents hit highest level since 1974Housing consents have hit a 45-year high, as Statistics NZ data shows a total of 37,010 residential consents were issued in the year to November --- the first time they have breached the 37,000 mark since the mid-1970s. Statistics NZ said the trend had been rising since late 2011, when ...2 weeks ago
- Darroch Ball MP: “Violence against first responders is a problem on the rise”New Zealand First MP Darroch Ball says that a paramedic being kicked unconscious last night in an attempted burglary in Warkworth, north of Auckland, is a symptom of a larger problem. "Incidents like this are becoming more and more frequent...and it’s getting worse," Mr Ball said. The MP is pushing for ...2 weeks ago
- Minister Ron Mark asks NZDF to conduct fire risk assessment from defence point of viewDefence Minister Ron Mark said there was nothing to prevent similar large-scale bushfires seen in Australia from also happening in New Zealand, and has asked the New Zealand Defence Force to conduct a nfire risk assessment from a defence point of view. The defence assessment would help prevent a disaster ...3 weeks ago
- PM announces election date as September 19
The 2020 General Election will be held on Saturday 19 September, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced today. “I will be asking New Zealanders to continue to support my leadership and the current direction of the Government, which is grounded in stability, a strong economy and progress on the long term ...3 hours ago - Provincial Growth Fund supports Waikato youth into constructionProvincial Growth Fund supports Waika...Two projects focussed on supporting Waikato youth into the construction industry have been given combined funding of just over $1 million from the Te Ara Mahi allocation of the Provincial Growth Fund, Undersecretary for Regional Economic Development, Fletcher Tabuteau announced today. The two Te Ara Mahi PGF projects announced are: ...8 hours ago
- Provincial Growth Fund supports Waikato youth into constructionTwo projects focussed on supporting Waikato youth into the construction industry have been given combined funding of just over $1 million from the Te Ara Mahi allocation of the Provincial Growth Fund, Undersecretary for Regional Economic Development, Fletcher Tabuteau announced today. The two Te Ara Mahi PGF projects announced are: ...8 hours ago
- New Zealand to support Pacific Public Sector HubForeign Affairs Minister Winston Peters today announced New Zealand’s support for a Pacific-led hub that will strengthen public services across the region. “Strengthening public services is a core focus of New Zealand’s Pacific Reset, as efforts to improve democratic governance in the Pacific contributes to a strong, stable and more ...9 hours ago
- Minister pays tribute to journalist, author and broadcaster, Gordon McLauchlanThe Minister of Broadcasting, Communications and Digital Media, Kris Faafoi, has paid tribute to well-known New Zealand author, journalist and broadcaster, Gordon McLauchlan, following Mr McLauchlan’s death today. “Gordon held a statesman-like place in New Zealand’s media, which was fittingly acknowledged in last year’s Queen’s Birthday Honours, when he was ...1 day ago
- Minister wishes best of luck to those heading back to schoolAs Kiwi kids and teachers return to classrooms over the coming weeks, the families of around 428,000 students will feel a bit less of a financial pinch than in previous years, Education Minister Chris Hipkins said today. “The Government’s decision to increase funding for schools that don’t ask parents for ...1 day ago
- Health staff to meet flights from China as precautionary measurePublic health staff will begin meeting flights from China from tomorrow, to actively look for signs of the novel coronavirus and provide advice, information and reassurance to passengers. Health Minister Dr David Clark says the additional measures are being taken following the arrival of the disease in Australia, via flights ...2 days ago
- National Yearling Sales 2020National Yearling Sales at Karaka 26 January 2020 [CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY] Good morning. It is a pleasure to be here on opening day of the 2020 National Yearling Sales Series. Let us all acknowledge Sir Peter Vela and the Vela family for their outstanding contribution to the New ...2 days ago
- Government and construction industry to build big, lift productivity with Transformation PlanDelivering the workforce and productivity gains required to build the houses, schools, roads, rail and hospitals New Zealand needs will become easier with the Government-industry Construction Sector Transformation Plan launched today, Minister for Building and Construction Jenny Salesa says. “The action plan launched today delivers on the Government’s Construction Sector ...2 days ago
- Log trains to begin on Wairoa-Napier lineLog trains are about to start running between Wairoa and Napier following Provincial Growth Fund investment to reopen the rail line, Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones says. The Government invested $6.2 million to reopen the mothballed rail line which was closed after significant storm damage in 2012. “With PGF ...3 days ago
- Minister of Defence concludes successful visit with his US counterpartMinister of Defence Ron Mark met with United States Secretary of Defense Mark Esper today. “This was an excellent opportunity to meet with one of our closest security partners,” Ron Mark said. “The main focus of the meeting was to discuss challenges that New Zealand and the United States share ...3 days ago
- New Zealand acknowledges ICJ decision on MyanmarForeign Minister Winston Peters today acknowledged the ruling of the International Court of Justice in relation to the Rohingya people in Myanmar. The ruling ordered the Government of Myanmar to take all measures within its power to prevent the commission of acts of genocide in relation to members of the ...4 days ago
- NZ’s trade aims advanced at Davos meetingsA proposal to cut “trade and production-distorting subsidies” in the agricultural sector by 2030 has set out important measures to ensure a fair agricultural trading system. Speaking after attending meetings of trade ministers in Davos, Switzerland, Minister for Trade and Export Growth David Parker welcomed the joint proposal from the ...4 days ago
- Great news for New Zealanders with cystic fibrosisHealth Minister Dr David Clark says he is delighted that PHARMAC has struck a provisional deal to fund Kalydeco – a medicine which is set to improve the quality of life for about 30 New Zealand children and adults with cystic fibrosis. “While rare, cystic fibrosis is an awful inherited ...4 days ago
- New Zealand least corrupt country in the worldNew Zealand has regained its position as the least corrupt country in the world for the second time under this Coalition Government, says Justice Minister Andrew Little. “New Zealanders can be proud that our reputation as one of the least corrupt countries in the world has been restored,” says Andrew ...5 days ago
- Boost for Rēkohu/Wharekauri/Chatham Islands Community ConservationCommunity conservation in Rēkohu/Wharekauri/the Chatham Islands is receiving a boost, with grants to support local projects announced today by Minister of Conservation Eugenie Sage. “Rēkohu/Wharekauri/ the Chatham Islands are home to 20 per cent of New Zealand’s threatened bird species and 11 per cent of New Zealand’s threatened plant species. ...5 days ago
- Rātana Pā goes high-tech with UFBIwi, hapu and visitors to Rātana Pā near Whanganui now have access to ultra-fast broadband following its connection, completed in time for annual Rātana celebrations, Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones says. The connection and associated hardware were funded from the Provincial Growth Fund’s $21 million Marae Digital Connectivity programme, ...5 days ago
- Govt’s strong financial management acknowledgedThe Government’s strong financial management and plan to future proof the economy with new infrastructure investment has gained further recognition from an international ratings agency. Credit rating agency Fitch has upgraded one of its main metrics assessing the Government’s books, lifting its foreign currency AA rating outlook to ‘positive’ from ...5 days ago
- Boost in Whānau Ora funding to keep changing livesWhānau throughout New Zealand are set to benefit from an extra three million dollars that will go directly to Whānau Ora Commissioning Agencies, the Minister for Whānau Ora Peeni Henare announced today. Including previous funding boosts, the Agencies will now receive $87 million this year between them. In Budget 2019 ...5 days ago
- More people getting into workThe December quarter benefit numbers released today show the Government’s plan to get people off the benefit and into work is starting to pay off,” Social Development Minister Carmel Sepuloni said. “Nearly 19,000 people cancelled their benefit and went into work in the last few months of the year – ...5 days ago
- Wairoa gets up to $6.1m to rebuild heart of CBDThe Provincial Growth Fund (PGF) is investing up to $6.1 million to revitalise business and tourism opportunities in Wairoa, Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Regional Economic Development Fletcher Tabuteau announced today. The PGF is funding: Up to $4.8 million for the Wairoa Integrated Business and Tourism Facility Up to $960,000 for the ...6 days ago
- Major Events support for creative and cultural eventsCreative and cultural events that highlight New Zealand’s diverse culture and build national pride are set to get a funding boost through the Major Events Fund, Economic Development Minister Phil Twyford said today. The new Creative and Cultural Events Incubator, which is funded through the Major Events Fund, will open ...6 days ago
- Classroom internet in hundreds of schools to get a boostThe Government has begun a massive IT upgrade to provide more seamless internet access to 200 schools around the country. Te Mana Tūhono – Technology in Schools work programme will launch with a pilot of 10 smaller state schools early this year. IT equipment that gives students access to the ...6 days ago
- Construction workforce, apprenticeships hit record highsWorking with industry and committing to rebuild New Zealand’s infrastructure has produced a record high number of Kiwis working in the construction industry and learning trades, says Minister for Building and Construction Jenny Salesa. New figures available today from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment and the Tertiary Education ...6 days ago
- NZ concludes digital economy trade talks with Singapore and ChileA new trade agreement concluded today helps New Zealand exporters and consumers take advantage of opportunities from digital trade. Minister for Trade and Export Growth David Parker together with Chile’s Vice Minister of Trade Rodrigo Yañez and Singapore’s Minister of Trade and Industry Chan Chun Sing, have announced conclusion of ...7 days ago
- Provincial Growth Fund to fund Waipukurau cultural development and tourismThe Ngā Ara Tipuna - Waipukurau Pā Site Interpretation project will receive $2.798 million from the Provincial Growth Fund to create an authentic cultural tourism experience, Under-Secretary for Regional Economic Development Fletcher Tabuteau announced today “The project will inform visitors about the history of six pā sites in Waipukurau with a combination ...1 week ago
- 21 new judges boost diversity, improve access to justiceTwenty-one new District Court judges have been appointed in a move that will improve access to justice and boost diversity on the bench. The new judges include replacements for retirements and 10 new positions. Attorney-General David Parker today announced the 14 judges who can immediately be named, with the remainder ...1 week ago
- Puhinui to Auckland Airport in 10 minutesAucklanders are another step closer to getting rapid transit to the airport, with the start of construction to upgrade State Highway 20B to the airport, Transport Minister Phil Twyford announced today. SH20B will be upgraded with additional lanes in each direction, dedicated to bus and high-occupancy vehicles between Pukaki Creek ...1 week ago
- Advancing New Zealand’s trade agenda focus of Europe meetingsWorld Trade Organisation reform, agricultural trade and a free trade agreement with the United Kingdom will be the focus of Minister for Trade and Export Growth David Parker’s visit to Europe this week. David Parker leaves on Tuesday for a series of meetings in the UK and Switzerland that aim ...1 week ago
- Minister of Defence to visit counterparts in US and CanadaThe Minister of Defence, Ron Mark, departed today for the United States and Canada where he will meet with his counterparts. While in Canada Minister Mark will meet with his counterpart, Minister of National Defence Harjit Sajjan. “New Zealand and Canada are close friends, and share an instinctive like-mindedness on ...1 week ago
- Government to deliver family carers $2000 pay rise, expand scheme to spouses this yearThe Coalition Government is delivering this year the changes to Funded Family Care the disability sector has long-asked for, says Associate Minister of Health Jenny Salesa. “Today we are announcing the details of our big changes to Funded Family Care, including an annual average pay boost of $2,246.40 for funded ...1 week ago
- Ko te reo kua mū: Piri SciasciaMinister for Māori Development Nanaia Mahuta joins te ao Māori in their sorrow as they learn of the loss of one of the great orators and spokespersons of a generation – Piri Sciascia. “The son of Pōrangahau was a staunch advocate for Māori development and served his people for over ...1 week ago
- Minister opens new ecosanctuary at Cape FarewellA new ecosanctuary with a predator proof fence on Golden Bay’s Cape Farewell, which will restore a safe home for sea birds, rare native plants, giant snails, and geckos, was officially opened today by the Minister of Conservation Eugenie Sage. “There has been a fantastic community effort supported by the ...1 week ago
- Pacific partners work together to provide additional support to AustraliaThe NZDF continues to support the Australian Defence Force (ADF) as it battles fires in Victoria and New South Wales, including by transporting Republic of Fiji Military engineers from Nadi to Australia, announced Defence Minister Ron Mark. On Saturday morning a NZDF Boeing 757 will depart New Zealand to uplift ...2 weeks ago
- Kaikōura $10.88 million boost in tourism & businessThe Provincial Growth Fund (PGF) is investing $10.88 million to boost business and tourism opportunities in Kaikōura, Parliamentary Undersecretary for Regional Economic Development, Fletcher Tabuteau announced today. As part of the Kaikōura Marina Development Programme, the following two projects will receive PGF funding: A $9.88 million investment to begin the ...2 weeks ago
- Govt accounts in surplus, debt remains lowThe Government’s books are in good shape with the accounts in surplus and expenses close to forecast, Finance Minister Grant Robertson says. The Treasury today released the Crown accounts for the five months to November. The operating balance before gains and losses (OBEGAL) was above forecast by $0.7 billion resulting ...2 weeks ago
- Auckland focus for first Police graduation of 2020The number of Police on the Auckland frontline is increasing with the graduation today of a special locally-trained wing of new constables. Police Minister Stuart Nash says the graduation of eighteen officers from Recruit Wing 333-5 means that more than 1900 new Police have been deployed since the Coalition Government ...2 weeks ago
- Wairarapa gets $7.11m PGF water boostThe Provincial Growth Fund is putting $7.11 million into creating a sustainable water supply for Wairarapa, Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Regional Economic Development Fletcher Tabuteau announced today. The following two projects will receive Provincial Growth Fund (PGF) funding: A $7 million investment in Wairarapa Water Limited for the pre-construction development of ...2 weeks ago
- Progress with new Police station in MahiaCommunity safety and crime prevention in the East Coast community of Mahia has moved forward with the opening of a new Police station to serve the growing coastal settlement. Police Minister Stuart Nash has officially opened the new station, which was relocated almost 20 kilometres along the coast from the nearby ...2 weeks ago
- Plans to protect the future of whitebaiting announcedWith several native whitebait species in decline the Minister of Conservation Eugenie Sage has today released proposals to standardise and improve management of whitebait across New Zealand. “The need for action for a healthy whitebait fishery has never been greater,” Eugenie Sage said. “Four of the six whitebait species are ...2 weeks ago
- Whānau Ora in Te Waipounamu focused on growing investment
The Chair of the Whānau Ora Commissioning Agency for the South Island, Tā Mark Solomon, said today that he is in ‘cautious support’ of the call to remind the government of the recommendations of its own report, to “reconfirm and reinforce ...42 mins ago - Jeanswest, EB Games, victims of scary times for retailers
NZ retailers are holding up - just - in the face of what’s been described as an Aussie retail “apocalypse”. And the coronavirus isn't going to help. ...49 mins ago - Air NZ warns significant items will hit bottom line
Air New Zealand is maintaining its full year earnings guidance, but warns there will be a number of significant items that will affect the bottom line. ...1 hour ago - Wuhan coronavirus: NZ sharemarket takes a hit
New Zealand's financial markets have been hit by the global concerns surrounding the coronavirus. ...2 hours ago - NZ investigates person who died after travelling to China for coronavirus
By RNZ News The unexpected death of a person in New Zealand who recently travelled to China is being investigated for coronavirus, but a local district health board says virus is unlikely the cause. The novel coronavirus, known as 2019-nCoV, has infected 2800 people and killed at least 80 ...2 hours ago - Key dates for 2020 electionFollowing the Prime Minister’s announcement of the election date, the Electoral Commission has confirmed the timetable for the 2020 General Election. The 2020 General Election will be held on Saturday 19 September 2020. Referendums will also be held ...2 hours ago
- No city for live music: Auckland’s gig problem, and how to fix it
How can Auckland be a ‘City of Music’ without a proper live music culture? Anthony Metcalfe on how our biggest city’s paucity of music venues is hurting both artists and gig-goers.Auckland City was recently named a UNESCO ‘City of Music’ as part of the wider Creative Cities network. This accolade, ...2 hours ago - Jacinda Ardern sets September 19 as election date
The Prime Minister confirms Kiwis will go to the polls on September 19. ...3 hours ago - Coronavirus update: 53 New Zealanders in Wuhan city
There are 53 New Zealanders in the city at the heart of the coronavirus, with 20 contacting the government for consular assistance, the PM has revealed. ...3 hours ago - PM announces date of 2020 general electionPrime Minister Jacinda Ardern has announced a general election date during a post-Cabinet press conference. ...3 hours ago
- Watch: Prime Minister speaks on nation’s readiness for coronavirusPrime Minister Jacinda Ardern is speaking to media about the country's response to the deadly coronavirus. Watch the live press conference here. ...3 hours ago
- On mana and misogyny: a message for Shane Jones from the Māori Women’s Welfare League presidentThe president of the Māori Women’s Welfare League, the oldest national Māori organisation still in existence, has a few words on the comments made by Shane Jones at Rātana about the leader of the Ihumātao action.In July 2019 the minister for women, Julie Anne Genter, announced with some pride the ...3 hours ago
- Temp agencies undermining pay and conditionsNew Zealanders who need advice from Inland Revenue face long wait times and call disconnections , but instead of training more permanent staff the department intends to hire almost 500 people through temping agencies to fill the gap. ...3 hours ago
- Worksafe StatementThere are allegations circulating on social media that suggest a worker involved in a May 2019 incident in Bromley, Christchurch has died as a result of chemical exposure following the incident. ...4 hours ago
- The particular joy of barrelling into a bountiful back-catalogueScarlett Cayford stumbles, ravenous, into a glorious new world. I go through phases with my reading, like any bibliophile. Sometimes my life can barely keep pace with my reading, and I find myself wedging pages of books into my calendar wherever I can: in waiting rooms and on bus seats and ...4 hours ago
- Climate, inequality and housing on Green Party’s agenda for 2020The Greens have highlighted issues with the climate, housing and inequality in their tradional "State of the Planet" speech. ...4 hours ago
- Firearm Registration Will Not Stop Criminals Using ThemTUESDAY 28 JANUARY 2020 The Council of Licenced Firearms Owners (COLFO) says the public is intensely worried by a rise in gang and firearm crime, but the Government’s firearms register is a “weak and illogical” response. ...4 hours ago
- Fire almost wiped out rare species in the Australian Alps. Feral horses are finishing the jobSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jamie Pittock, Professor, Fenner School of Environment & Society, Australian National University On Friday I flew in a helicopter over the fire-ravaged Kosciuszko National Park. I was devastated by what I saw. Cherished wildlife species are at grave risk of extinction: those ...5 hours ago
- What’s on RNZ News at midday – Jan 28
New Zealand's financial markets have been hit by the global concerns surrounding the coronavirus; and tourism leader Chris Roberts says airlines may be forced to cut some flights. ...5 hours ago - The organisation giving 27,000 children life-changing mentorsFor more than two decades, the Graeme Dingle Foundation has helped tens of thousands of young people find joy and direction in life, and it might be our best shot at making New Zealand the best place for children to live.In 1995, Graeme Dingle and Jo-anne Wilkinson kayaked and tramped ...5 hours ago
- Stone tools reveal epic trek of nomadic NeanderthalsSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kseniya Kolobova, Leader research scientist, Russian Academy of Sciences Neanderthal (Homo neanderthalensis) fossils were first discovered in western Europe in the mid nineteenth century. That was just the first in a long line of surprises thrown up by our closest evolutionary cousins. ...6 hours ago
- Payout perplexity – more money for farmers would impede Fonterra’s financial recovery
Synlait Milk’s updated forecast milk price— now $7.25kg/MS, up from $7kg/MS —renews pressure on Fonterra to hit the upper limit of its own forecast. For the industry as a whole, the higher milk payouts underline the strong global demand for NZ dairy products. And they provide some welcome sunshine into ...6 hours ago - Back to school costs hit families in hardshipSome children in poverty are missing school because they are sharing one uniform, a pair of shoes or a bus pass with their siblings, a KidsCan survey has revealed. Hundreds of low decile schools have shared heartbreaking stories of the strain families ...7 hours ago
- E tū aviation team monitoring Coronavirus situationE tū says it is monitoring the situation with the spread of the coronavirus, which originated in Wuhan China, and has so far claimed 80 lives. ...7 hours ago
- A big night for 5G and FiveEyes in the UK
Boris Johnson may give Huawei a lifeline in Britain tonight. Bernard Hickey explains what's at stake here in New Zealand. ...7 hours ago - IPCA findings following incident in Tologa BayPolice accepts the findings of the Independent Police Conduct Authority into a fleeing driver incident and firearm discharge in Tologa Bay in June 2018. ...8 hours ago
- Every great city needs places like Food Alley – but we need to back themOur job as walkers of city streets is to continue frequenting gems like the soon-to-close Food Alley, writes Miriam Moore. Last week, my favourite Auckland food institution posted a plea for customers. In a video on its Instagram, Food Alley on Albert Street called for people to still visit, and included ...9 hours ago
- Wuhan coronavirus: Unconfirmed reports of infected person in NZBy RNZ News New Zealand health authorities are following up reports of a person with coronavirus in the southern New Zealand tourism city of Queenstown. The novel coronavirus, known as 2019-nCoV, has infected 2800 people and killed at least 80 in China. The outbreak is believed to have emerged ...9 hours ago
- Bernard’s Pick of the links- Jan 28
Coronavirus: PM Jacinda Ardern makes 'no apologies' for rolling out 'everything we can' to fight disease. ...9 hours ago - Wuhan Virus: New Zealanders left high and dryKiwi taxpayers in China have no one to turn to with New Zealand Embassy Officials having remained on holiday despite the Wuhan Virus turning New Zealanders’ lives in the province upside down. The Embassy in Beijing remains closed for Chinese New ...9 hours ago
- Citizens Assembly on Climate Change neededNZ needs to replace petty politicking on climate change action with efforts to achieve climate change consensus, says Aotearoa Climate Emergency (ACE), a climate change network. ...9 hours ago
- SAFE to protest arrival of live export ship at Auckland PortCaring Kiwis opposed to the live export trade will be protesting the arrival of livestock carrier Yangtze Fortune at Auckland Port today. ...9 hours ago
- What’s on RNZ News at 8am – Jan 28
The National Party Health spokesperson Michael Woodhouse says the Government’s approach to the coronavirus has been patchy, poor and slow. ...9 hours ago - Congestion charging: It works!28 January 2020 (Wellington): New Zealand can learn from international experiences showing congestion pricing systems can be successfully introduced – and with the support of the public, says a new report released today by The New Zealand Initiative. ...9 hours ago
- What’s in the newspapers – Jan 28
Frontline police have seized more than 600 firearms across Auckland in less than a year, including 20 now-banned military-style semi-automatics. ...9 hours ago - Petition And Open Letter Back NZ School Climate ResourceEvidence Based Eating New Zealand has issued an open letter and counter-petition opposing New Zealand Federated Farmers’ campaign on climate change resources being introduced to New Zealand schools. ...9 hours ago
- Call for government to deliver on promise to act on rodeosThe Green Party is criticising the government for its lack of delivery on a promise to ban some aspects of rodeo. ...9 hours ago
- Australia’s National Digital ID is here, but the government’s not talking about itSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Dr Patrick Scolyer-Gray, Research Fellow, Cyber Security, Deakin University The Australian government’s Digital Transformation Agency (DTA) has spent more than A$200 million over the past five years developing a National Digital ID platform. If successful, the project could streamline commerce, resolve bureaucratic ...10 hours ago
- Indigenous languages matter – but all is not lost when they change or even disappearSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Maïa Ponsonnet, Senior lecturer, University of Western Australia UNESCO’s International Year of Indigenous Languages recently came to an end after a year of celebration of linguistic diversity. And with a “decade of Indigenous languages” now under consideration, it’s a good time to ...10 hours ago
- ACT cannabis laws come into effect on Friday, but they may not be what you hoped forSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Stephen Bright, Senior Lecturer of Addiction, Edith Cowan University New cannabis cultivation and possession laws come into effect in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) on Friday, January 31. But they’re not what most cannabis enthusiasts would be hoping for. The ACT laws ...10 hours ago
- Pulling out weeds is the best thing you can do to help nature recover from the firesSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Don Driscoll, Professor in Terrestrial Ecology, Deakin University Many Australians feel compelled to help our damaged wildlife after this season’s terrible bushfires. Suggested actions have included donating money, leaving water out for thirsty animals, and learning how to help the injured. But ...10 hours ago
- Thinking about thinking helps kids learn. How can we teach critical thinking?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Peter Ellerton, Lecturer in Critical Thinking; Curriculum Director, UQ Critical Thinking Project, The University of Queensland Few people doubt the value of developing students’ thinking skills. A 2013 survey in the United States found 93% of employers believe a candidate’s demonstrated ...10 hours ago
- Rebuilding from the ashes of disaster: this is what Australia can learn from IndiaSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Mittul Vahanvati, Lecturer, School of Global, Urban and Social Studies, RMIT University A key question facing us all after Australia’s unprecedented bushfires is how will we do reconstruction differently? We need to ensure our rebuilding and recovery efforts make us safer, protect ...10 hours ago
- 2020 survey: no lift in wage growth, no lift in economic growth and no progress on unemployment in y...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Peter Martin, Visiting Fellow, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University 2020 is shaping up as a dismal year for the economy, with no progress on many of the key measures that matter for Australians. Unemployment will stay above 5% and ...10 hours ago
- More than skin deep, beauty salons are places of sharing and caringSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Hannah McCann, Lecturer in Cultural Studies, University of Melbourne What happens when people visit beauty and hair salons? Are trips to the salon simply about shaping how one looks on the outside, or can these spaces involve something deeper? Research shows that ...10 hours ago
- Demands Shane Jones apologise over ‘sexist’ Pania Newton commentsRemarks by Shane Jones about Ihumātao protest leader Pania Newton have been described as sexist, misogynistic and an attack on the leadership of Māori women. ...10 hours ago
- The Bulletin: What impacts will coronavirus have?
Good morning and welcome to The Bulletin. In today’s edition: Impacts of coronavirus in focus, claims of NZDF coverup of indecent assaults, and will NZ and Europe get a trade deal this year?
I realise that the lead story in Friday’s Bulletin was also about the coronavirus, so apologies ...
11 hours ago - Is Trump’s Iran strategy working?
This article is republished with permission from Project Syndicate US President Donald Trump’s authorisation of the targeted killing of Iranian Quds Force commander Qassem Suleimani is, in many ways, similar to his administration’s approach to ...12 hours ago - Congestion charges: we have the tech, we have the proof
When it comes to congestion charging, we can learn from those that got it right - like Singapore - and those, like London, that got it wrong. ...12 hours ago - Will we find out Auckland’s light rail builder in 2020?
There’s a possibility nobody will be selected to build light rail this year, but we will have, apparently by mid-year, a decision on who pays for it. ...12 hours ago - Construction’s levy-free waste ride
How did hundreds of used plastic deck chairs and used mattresses from an overseas cruise ship become New Zealand’s problem? It could be because landfill levies are cheap, or non-existent. ...12 hours ago - Bringing out the best in the bureaucracy
Heartless, inflexible, officious – three words that sum up many people’s experiences of dealing with big government-run departments. Could there be a better way? ...13 hours ago - Kiwi smashing gender barriers
Lee Turrell is a rarity: a woman coaching a men’s sports team at international level. But the volleyball coach has never let gender barriers stand in her way - even in Iran. ...13 hours ago - Dick Scott, RIP: the Pākehā of Parihaka, part 2
All this week we acknowledge Dick Scott, who died on New Year's Day, and was the author of two seminal books of New Zealand social history. Today: a tribute by Christchurch writer Jeffrey Paparoa Holman. ...13 hours ago - One simple trick to improve the quality of our politics and our politiciansHow does MMP work – and how can you make the most of your two ticks? Danyl Mclauchlan has your crucial election year primer.It’s an election year in New Zealand. Again. Our political calendar always starts with a sequence of set pieces, and these intensify going into a campaign year, ...14 hours ago
- The Wuhan coronavirus is highly likely to arrive in NZ, but please don’t freak outWhen it comes to emerging infectious diseases and outbreaks, so much can happen in a week. In the case of the coronavirus outbreak in China, I’ve gone from not being too alarmed, to thinking, oh, crap! But that still doesn’t mean we should all panic, writes Siouxsie Wiles. The ...18 hours ago
- The Real Pod: Art Green dissects episode one of The Bachelorette NZIn this very special episode of The Real Pod, Art Green joins us to yarn about The Bachelorette NZ premiere. Brought to you by our friends at Nandos. It’s been five years in the making, but we finally got Art Green on our podcast. Joining us fresh out of episode one ...21 hours ago
- The Bachelorette NZ Power Rankings: Send in the ladsAlex Casey delivers her first impression power rankings after episode one of The Bachelorette NZ.Isn’t it incredible what a difference five years makes? Since the first season of The Bachelor NZ, Art Green has found the love of his live, written a book, married the love of his life, launched ...21 hours ago
- Government’s ‘play nicely’ building accord
The Government has unveiled a 'Transformation plan' it hopes will reduce risks for wary contractors. ...23 hours ago - Ngāti Paoa agree to keep reserve at Pt EnglandThe Ngāti Paoa Iwi Trust, mandated to receive all treaty settlement assets on behalf of Ngāti Paoa, has recently agreed with the Crown to forgo its 11.69-hectare commercial housing opportunity at Pt England reserve. In exchange, Ngāti Paoa will instead ...23 hours ago
- Hawke’s Bay councils get $1.5m to assess ‘three waters’ agency viabilityFive Hawke's Bay councils are getting government funding to investigate setting up a water agency to manage drinking, storm and sewage water across the whole region. ...23 hours ago
- Promoting the legal recognition of sign languagesA group of international delegates will convene in Wellington this week for a two-day workshop progressing a collaborative project aimed at promoting the legal recognition of sign languages in Asia Pacific countries. ...23 hours ago
- After Ihumātao, Māori Party calls for Treaty overhaul
The Māori Party says all stolen land should be up for negotiation, even if it's now privately owned. ...24 hours ago - The importance of promoting mining for the benefit of NZers27 January 2020 (Wellington): Public policy think tank The New Zealand Initiative opposes changing the purpose of the Crown Minerals Act from the promotion of mining for the benefit of New Zealanders. ...1 day ago
- Govt’s new plan seeks to tackle construction sector issues
Leading construction figures acknowledge a degree of cynicism in the sector at a newly touted Transformation Plan, but say it's the best shot of tackling long-standing problems. ...1 day ago - Bernard’s Pick of the links- Jan 27
Simon Bridges defends Philippines trip: 'There is a lot of common ground'; and BNZ sale price likely to top $10b, experts predict. ...1 day ago - Grounds established to reassess neonicotinoidsThe Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has determined that grounds exist to reassess approvals of substances containing neonicotinoids used in New Zealand. ...1 day ago
- Withdrawal agreement – done; Brexit – happening; now for the EU – UK trade deal …
As Britain ticks closer to its formal departure from the European Union on 31 January, attention is focusing on negotiations for a trade and economic treaty. Britain’s PM, Boris Johnson, has said a deal has to be done before transitional arrangements expire at the end of 2020. European leaders are ...1 day ago - Adulttoymegastore supports Australian bushfire reliefAdulttoymegastore is proud to have supported a major fundraiser for Red Cross Australia’s bushfire relief efforts. ...1 day ago
- Businesses in central NZ more confident economy will improve
Business confidence has improved in the central provinces despite ongoing labour shortages. ...1 day ago - Synlait increases forecast milk payout
Dairy company Synlait has increased its forecast payout for the current production of milk solids on the back of strong market prices. ...1 day ago - SPVs are hailed as a way of funding infrastructure for housing – but will they be open to public s...
Readers who haven’t encountered the concept should brace to hear more about the use of Special Purpose Vehicles (SPV). An SPV is a legal entity created for a specific purpose, such as raising capital – the SPV then can be a funding structure, through which all investors (or investors under ...1 day ago - Government’s new plan seeks to tackle construction sector issuesLeading construction figures acknowledge a degree of cynicism in the sector at a newly touted Transformation Plan, but say it's the best shot of tackling long-standing problems. ...1 day ago
- What’s on RNZ News at midday – Jan 27
The Tourism Minister Kelvin Davis has declined to comment on the impact of the virus on the country’s biggest export industry. ...1 day ago - Ihumātao deal looks dirtier by the dayThe New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union is calling on Winston Peters and Auckland Councillors to veto the rumoured dirty deal at Ihumātao. Taxpayers’ Union spokesman Louis Houlbrooke says, “If Grant Robertson funnels $45 million through Auckland Council ...1 day ago
Wonder when he is going to bring out the NO sign again.
https://i.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/117577119/who-are-the-donors-behind-the-nz-first-foundation
How much damage to the environment has NZFirst caused? First the Kermadecs, now the first government to commit to meaningful climate change is sunk
what about National and their – please split these 100.000 direct 'donation' into handy 14.000 dollar donations so as to make them legal? Oh of course, its nationals so it must be ok.
Please be fair and if you rage against one party rage against all the parties that pull equal shenanigans.
and establishing a target and nothing much more is not 'meaningful' nor is it a fight, but it is for sure a very serious attempt at being seen as proactive.
Thought this government was going to be different and transformational?
so how is it relevant to rage against National, when there ability to achieve meaningful change from opposition is nil, when the active members of this government are actively sabotaging important work through side shows and deceit
This government was never going to be different as soon as it needed NZF.
The only way to get transformational leadership is to vote Green, even then it requires that the Green vote is high enough to require significant input into the next government.
the thing is that they all do it and you rather then whinge about 'them will /should be better', they aren't.
they are in it for a paycheck, a perk or several for life and that is it. I think that soimon, jacinda and the whole heck of them would not be as successful in private business simply because they are not good, nor insipriational, nor hard workers. So politics it is. Sadly, you and i will only ever get some crooks to vote for.
Except James Shaw. His selfless work on the environment can not be said to be all about the pay check.
i suspect your right about the rest though. Two second rate provincial lawyers. a fry cook and whatever the hell rimmer did.
I have no more use for him then i have for Cloe Swarbrik.
Nice suits, empty tho.
OK, so you have no time for Shaw, Swarbrick, Ardern … are there any actual human beings in NZ you would like to see on a party's list?
"I'm holding out for a hero" is a cheesy song, not a smart political strategy.
you still don't get it?
I don't need to like any of these people.
I just need to vote for them once every three years and as always i will vote for what i consider the lesser evil. Which currently is Labour/Greens and to some extend even NZ First.
But what i do want from people who live of mine and your tax dollars is some guts, some conviction and some actual deeds. Currently we have none of that. We get a few band aids so that our elderlies don't freeze in their iceboxes, we get a few band aids so the environmentally inclinded shut up until the next decade and the next labour goverment ( if by hten we still have a government), and so on.
So' I will support you no matter what' does not work for me, never did never will.
And yes, in a better world we would have polititians rather then empty suits that would be pulling a shift in a back office taking calls.
Also ‘i need a hero’ is not a cheesy song, its literally a women crying out for a one night stand. It was considered a feminist song in the late seventies, you know…rather then the bullshit ….’soon you be a women soon’…:)
That's not an answer. You've simply put words in my mouth.
I wouldn't expect you (or anyone) to say "I will support you no matter what". That's absurd. Nor do I need you to like them as people (again, not what I asked).
But if the candidates available are not acceptable to you, it's reasonable to ask who is. If nobody, then what?
All you've offered is general slogans and rants. Unfortunately, governments have to be people instead. There really is no way of getting around that fact.
Sabine’s problem is that James was corporate, went politic to fight for what he believes in, but didn’t hang the suit up, throw the soap away and grow dreads.
want business, soft national and non wellington professional voters to vote left? Keep James Shaw. He’s achieving across the board
OK boomer.
"please split these 100.000 direct 'donation' into handy 14.000 dollar donations so as to make them legal".
You seem so sure that your fantasy represents reality Sabine. Just like a number of other commentators on this blog. What evidence do you have? Surely you are not like that odious little creep Ross. He claimed he had recordings of phone conversations that would prove his deranged claims but when he finally produced some nobody but little Jamie could find anything at all that showed that he was anything other than delusional.
Now, surely you aren't like him? What is your evidence?
This 'matter' of splitting donations is the subject of a current SFO investigation.
The rush to judge NZF in the court of public opinion is a puzzle, but truth will out.
You are telling me that it is only under investigation?
Gosh from some of the comments on this site I had thought that they must have come to a conclusion, held a trial and that the hanging would be at dawn tomorrow.
I mean from lprent we had
"Bearing in mind that we have had the National party revealed as doing something even more dodgy (and probably illegal) last year with an allegation from their ex-party whip saying that the National party leader was involved in advising the break up of a $100k donation into $14k chunks to avoid declarations." That sounds rather more than just an investigation taking place.
Then from Mickysavage we have
"It is funny that the leader of the party being investigated by the SFO for rorting the election system should be demanding that the leader of the party who is not accused of anything should take action against the leader of a third party that appears to have been really cute with the law but has not necessarily done anything illegal." That sounds as if it is all over doesn't it?
But hey, Winston has to be protected because when he goes the CoL goes.
Now what is the actual evidence again? All that JLR released was that Bridges wanted to ensure that the donations were correctly reported.
I wouldn't care to speculate on any "splitting donations" evidence that the SFO investigation has uncovered. Likewise, the nature of NZF's very recent alleged funding indiscretions is, at this early stage, a matter of speculation only.
Some here are predisposed to rushing to judgement when it serves their (political) purpose, wouldn't you agree Alwyn?
Mod note for you here alwyn,
/daily-review-22-11-2019/#comment-1668341
I see Mr Trump is in even deeper trouble!
i pointed out the company he kept well before the election, and what can one say………maybe it ain't you, but the company you keep lets us to believe that it is you.
Oh most definitely… 😆
Ken Starr reckons it might be time for Republican Senators to visit the White House and let tRump know that it's all over.
https://www.thedailybeast.com/ken-starr-suggests-on-fox-that-gop-senators-may-need-to-make-a-trip-to-white-house-after-sondland-testimony
She forgets that the aid was only 'unblocked' as it became public knowledge and there was an outcry.
The Ukraine President had actually agreed to an announcement about 'investigation into the Bidens' and said announcement was about to be made… the outcry came about a day before .
That Congresswoman, from upper NY state , once she started spouting the Trump lines, apparently her democratic opponent suddenly had a massive surge in donations made online
Ukraine got the aid because tRump had no legal authority to block it, and it was delivered without his consent.
President Donald Trump says he lifted his freeze on aid to Ukraine on Sept. 11, but the State Department had quietly authorized releasing $141 million of the money several days earlier, according to five people familiar with the matter.
The State Department decision, which hasn’t been reported previously, stemmed from a legal finding made earlier in the year, and conveyed in a classified memorandum to Secretary of State Michael Pompeo. State Department lawyers found the White House Office of Management and Budget, and thus the president, had no legal standing to block spending of the Ukraine aid.
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-11-09/state-department-freed-ukraine-money-before-trump-says-he-did
She did a really good job in raising a million dollar for her opponent NY21.
https://twitter.com/EliseStefanik/status/1197262755537010688
just read the comments, and yes she did raise over a million dollar for Tedra Cobb. Well done Elise.
Nunes is so far doing a good job in raising a few hundred thousands of dollars for his opponent in California22.
https://twitter.com/PhilArballo2020/status/1197211650836725760
ah man. one can't make this shit up.
all the money/debt in the world and not one bit of class, intelligence, gut feel, instincts, forsight, hindsight, any sight. Seriously Team Trump are the biggest fucking losers on the planet.
Oh most definitely…
EU ambassador Gordon Sondland testifies that Trump's personal lawyer "requests were a quid pro quo"
The BBC must have accidently left out the very un-quid pro quo thing he would go on to say later in the testimony.
"That was the problem, Mr. Goldman. No one told me directly that the aid was tied to anything. I was presuming it was."
Perhaps you should read the article.
“He then confirmed the president had sought an investigation in exchange for a White House visit for Mr Zelensky – a quid pro quo (a favour in return for a favour).”
"I know that members of this committee have frequently framed these complicated issues in the form of a simple question: Was there a quid pro quo? As I testified previously, with regard to the requested White House call and White House meeting, the answer is yes."
“The word “bombshell” gets thrown around a lot these days, but Mr Sondland’s testimony, which represents a shift from his earlier closed-door statements, is a watershed moment in these impeachment investigations.”
Oh no, no, no, no….
No amount of reading a BBC article is going to show where he walks back on his quid pro quo.
Of course, your go to is partisan xtian extremist Mark "home to Kenya" Meadows, who represents one of the two most wildly gerrymandered congressional districts in the nation.
You really do have to wonder what sort of person continues to back Trump on a left wing website like this, especially when faced with steady corroborative stream of evidence and informed opinion.
I mean what’s the end game to that twisted agenda?
Or you could actually look at the content of what's being said rather than continually shooting the messenger…
That's a deliciously cute irony. lol
You really have to stop watching Faux News.
That quote you make is taken completely out of context. Sondland was quietly trying to cover his ass at that point, because he, and all the others in the loop, are just as deep in the shit as Trump. Sondland doesn't want to go to jail so he is spilling the beans, in an effort to curry favour. Fact is there was a criminal conspiracy Orchestrated by Trump and Giuliani to bribe the Ukraine Government to carry out a spoof "investigation", so Trump could run deflection in the forthcoming 2020 elections.
Sondland – The U.S. ambassador to the European Union testified that he and senior administration officials “followed the president’s orders” to work with Rudy Giuliani to pressure Ukraine into announcing investigations into Joe Biden and the discredited conspiracy theory that the country helped Democrats in the 2016 election. Gordon Sondland testified that he, Energy Secretary Rick Perry, and special envoy Kurt Volker coordinated with Giuliani at the “at the express direction of the president of the United States” to pressure Ukraine into launching investigations. Sondland said he directly communicated the “quid pro quo” arrangement to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Sondland also provided House impeachment investigators with emails and texts showing that acting chief of staff Mick Mulvaney, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Perry, and others were all aware that Trump conditioned a White House meeting for Zelensky on his willingness to launch investigations. “They knew what we were doing and why,” Sondland said. “Everyone was in the loop. It was no secret.”
That is essentially a bribe. And that is an impeachable offence.
Be best, or be better.
Next, bye.
So many crimes.
No mention of Chinese Communist Party donations to NZ1 Foundations I notice.
Sounds like the main complainer is a Nat supporter who wants his poxy 5 grand back so he can add it to the hundreds of thousands of Beijing Government money. Good on ya mate ! Hypocrit and arsehole.
He may have figured that a win or place bet on the New Zealand First (NZF) horse would have been very much an outside bet, but combined with the influence that NZF would have had over other horses in the race if one or other of the other two came in neck to neck, the return was likely to be enormous.
So NAT and LAB, combined in that post election combination, might have actually provided for a very large collect by him by way of an extra bet, but I cannot suggest this to have been his position.
The old days of first and place bets are finished, and more sophisticated punt arrangements seem to now be preferred.
But it is possible that he may have collected big on some other bet placed, or that others might have in a similar way.
Julian Assange's Extradition Case is the MOST IMPORTANT Press Freedom Case of our Lives
Sweden Drops Julian Assange Rape Investigation
“The evidence is not strong enough to form the basis of an indictment,” says deputy director of public prosecutors
https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/julian-assange-rape-investigation-sweden-dropped-914405/
Your excitement is obvious enough without the bold capitals.
Thank you Adrian. As Corré says, it's shameful and a stain on the British justice system
The likely benefit of hiding in an embassy for years to avoid due process.
"The reason for this decision is that the evidence has weakened considerably due to the long period of time that has elapsed since the events in question,"
It was the Swedes who were avoiding due process. There was no need to question Assange in Sweden, when he'd declared his willingness to be questioned in the Embassy.Also he was under house arrest for 18 months before being granted political asylum in the Embassy There was absolutely zero reason why the Swedes could not have questioned him then.For the umpteenth time, Swedish prosecutors were able to question Assange in the UK.There's nothing unusual about it.
All this has already been pointed out by the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture Nils Melzer
https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2019/11/18/assa-n18.html
"● Disregard for the Mutual Legal Assistance agreement: Melzer again pointed to the refusal of Swedish prosecutors to interview Assange, noting that this “raises serious doubts as to the good faith motivation of the Swedish prosecution"
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mutual_legal_assistance_treaty
As it turns out Assange had every reason to fear the Swedes would turn him in to the US if he landed up in Sweden
Of course it's the right of the suspect to determine the whereabouts investigator interviews take place, especially when they've gone to court to avoid extradition, then fled like a coward to a foreign embassy, but yeah, the "fear the Swedes would turn him in to the US if he landed up in Sweden", how did that work out as a plan? Don't answer, I don't care for your spin.
Whether he should be sent to the states for the wikileaks dumps is one thing, after all he did sanction the leaks, and they have a lawful right to go after him for that, but in many people's eyes he'll always be tainted more for failing to front the rape allegations.
All this torture talk is wank. His reality has come home to roost, and like most times when it catches up, it hits hardest on the weak. It's like now he knows what it's like to be f*cked without consent and it's a bust. Karma?
Come on
If the Swedes had been interested in bringing Assange to "justice" They would have pursued all avenues
They didn't, and let the whole thing go dormant for 9 years
You have got a lot of
ugly anger but no argument , same as the Swedes
"pursued all avenues".
Why "pursue" if there's no chance of arrest and trial?
Because they could at least get to the stage of deciding whether charges should be laid , or the case thrown out.
And of course, McFlock, in the end they did question him at the Embassy, in 2016, which they could have done all along, so clearly they felt it was worthwhile
Except that the interview changed nothing, so obviously it was pointless to do it in a protected area.
As for "deciding whether charges should be laid", again, if it were as clear cut as that then the British Supreme Court would have denied extradition. And Assange's legal team did a better job of making that argument than you ever have.
"Except that the interview changed nothing, so obviously it was pointless to do it in a protected area."
Could you expand on your reasoning, i.e. that the 2016 interview was pointless? Do you think that the interview would have been less pointless if it had been conducted in an 'unprotected area' (?), and if so, why?
The prosecutors had already informed Assange's lawyer they had enough evidence to arrest unless a second interview dramatically changed the picture.
If the interview had left the prosecutors no evidence to discontinue those proceedings extant at the time, in an unprotected area (i.e. Sweden) he would have been arrested and quickly brought before a court (as per Swedish procedure).
If the interview had made it clear the allegations were all bunk, protected area or not the proceedings would have been discontinued then and there.
The proceedings continued but did not lead to an immediate arrest and court appearance. The interview changed nothing. From a criminal procedure point of view, the interview served no purpose.
If the Swedish prosecutors believed that they had enough evidence to arrest Assange prior to the 2016 interview, and the interview changed nothing, then why didn’t the prosecutors subsequently arrest/indict Assange? After all, they've had plenty of time to prepare, and Assange hasn't been in a 'protected area' for some time.
Seems extraordinary to me that Swedish prosecutors would choose to drop their investigation into the more serious allegation (of rape) prior to the statute of limitations expiring in 2020.
Cliff notes from the UK court judgements:
UK procedure = complaint, investigate, charge on prima facie evidence, throughly investigate, court.
Swedish procdure: complaint, investigate prima facie (intial interview), thoroughly investigate (second interview), charge, straight to court. In both jurisdictions, going to court before you've thoroughly investigated = shafting your own case.
As for choosing to drop proceedings before the statute of limitations expires, the official comment was that so much time has passed that evidence will be less reliable. I suspect "Assange will drag out the process in the UK until the clock ticks out" was also a factor.
Oh, and if someone had lumped me with an Assange-level headache for several years and then wanted to drop it, I'd be pissed, too.
Spare a thought for the alleged rape victim(s), denied their day in court. Ah well, the Swedish and U.K. justice systems did their best.
🙄 you were talking about the CPS.
Swedish prosecutors have declined to investigate further, and the U.K. judiciary has had its pound of flesh:
Time for the U.S. 'courts' to have a go.
Wonder if there'll be anything left when they're finished. Still, not our worry, eh.
The Swedish prosecutors are faced the fact that the dude ran out the clock on any chance of a successful prosecution. Don't go pretending it's a fickle decision.
As for the yanks, they suck. But so does Assange, so I'm a bit ambivalent about the entire thing. I hope the UK kicks out the extradiction request, but I'm not inclined to put much effort into condemning it.
edit: how many awards should be good for discontinuing a sexual assault investigation? Are they like supermarket purchase stickers, where you have to collect a couple of dozen before you can trade them in for a couple of crystal tumblers?
Curious – why do you "hope the UK kicks out the extradition request"? Do you think the US request is unwarranted, are you concerned about what might happen to Assange when he is extradited, or is it something else?
Reckon Sweden will have picked up a few more ‘reward stickers’ for the timely dropping of their investigation – or maybe these things just happen.
Assange faces US extradition hearing as Sweden drops rape probe
https://www.ft.com/content/90853d64-0acf-11ea-b2d6-9bf4d1957a67
I think the US charges are generally over-inflated. Espionage Act, weren't some of them? ISTR that was pretty thin, based on supposed "encouragement" and "assistance" for Manning.
Now, if some of the charges involved allegationsd of electoral interference for 2016, I'd definitely be suspecting that maybe the yanks had a point for those.
As for the Swedes' choices, frankly I'd trust them over Assange, the yanks, or even the brits. Just my perception, though.
"You have got a lot of ugly anger but no argument , same as the Swedes" yep Francesca you are right on the mark there, I couldn't have put it better. Some seriously twisted world views get unleashed here, Al1en usually commenting gleefully somewhere near the top of that stinking pile….McFlock a close second.
And Adrian, clinging on to the rear 'til the very end.
“Come on”
And if he was so keen to clear his name he wouldn't have run away and hid for all those years, but at least with him being legally banged up in Belmarsh for his skipping bail, we can't blame the prosecutors for not doing their jobs properly this time.
I believe the skipping bail penalty is finished, so now he's banged up in Belmarsh because he has form for skipping bail and therefore they won't give him bail to skip again.
Well you wouldn't trust him not to run away again, would you? Not even if he took large amounts of other people's money to use as a bail bond.
And to repeat what I’ve stated on here before, he shouldn’t be extradited to the u.s.a, but deported back to Australia.
Yep, the the good old sycophantic UK doing the bidding of the Trump administration .
Who benefited from his Clinton emails dump. Strange old world, eh?
Love the way you conspiracy peddlers have to constantly turn logic inside out, contort it this way and that to make these nutty stories that are feed to you make some kind of vague sense…which of course they don't.
It would be quite funny if it wasn't so sad.
lol
which goes back to the biggest oddity of all – if he was genuinely afraid of a covert US-invented case against him in Sweden, why did he flee to the protection of the USA's closest ally…
You know very well that Ecuador, at the time that Assange sought refuge in their embassy, was not USA's 'closest ally'.
You really are grasping at the finest scrap of straw now.
On the expulsion of US ambassador Heather Hodges in April 2011 by President Correa of Ecuador he said: “Mrs. Hodges has never treated our government well. Though our relations with the US are quite stable now, unfortunately, some US officials are spying on our police, trying to accuse me of corruption”.
https://www.strategic-culture.org/news/2011/10/13/ecuador-us-intelligence-against-rafael-correa/
You've clearly misunderstood the comment "why did he flee to the protection of the USA's closest ally…" which refers to running away to the UK – The u.s' closest ally.
no, the country he went to after his lawyer was told that formal charges were likely after the second interview.
Going to ground in an embassy was just stupid.
On RNZ this morning it was impressive to hear the President of the NZ Deerstalkers Association complaining that 1080 should not be dropped by DoC at this time of the year because it might be inhumane to young deer.
Even Corin Dann had to ask the obvious question about why they are complaining about harm to deer when their whole purpose is to shoot them dead in the first place.
Minister Sage brought the discussion back to the reality of a massive mast year and actually protecting highly threatened native species.
OMG
Thats a good point. Many people die in hospital too, doesnt mean we shouldnt have them as you have to think of the actual intent rather than a minor side effect
And no complaints from him about it being inhumane for target species.
If any govt is serious about protecting " highly threatened native species " one of the first things they would have to do is start an eradication programme of those invasive apex predators the Rainbow and Brown Trouts from our water ways and seriously look at curtailing whitebaiting in some way.
As I have said on here before I interviewed Bod McDowall about ten years ago about NZ fresh water fishes, and he said off the record that most of the large native species where headed toward extinction though environmental degradation of one form or another (mainly farming of course) introduced predators and whitebaiting.
Bob McDowall
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_McDowall
Giant Kōkopu
An ecological bully.
Thanks for that, I will have to track down a copy of that book. I actually quite like Trout as a fish species, I have kept them and grown them from fry in aquariums, just as a matter of interest, and found them to have quite a bit of character, but are hyper aggressive, so not too good with other fish, and they grow extremely fast, are very territorial, all the things you wouldn't want to introduce into a foreign environment you would think.
Quite a large difference between a quick death from a bullet and writhing in pain kicking you guts for hours!!
Not anti 1080 but just thought I'd give you the hunters probable perspective.
open it for hunting. Deer is good eating. 1080 aint'.
It was like the Queen had died. It was as if the most alarming constitutional situation since 1506 had arisen.
A snowball was rolling down the hill getting bigger and bigger and was certain to engulf those in its path.
Yes, the grave tones of Matthew Hooton on RNZ talking about the New Zealand First funding episode. Sorry, talking about Jacinda Ardern's responsibility around the New Zealand First funding episode.
No shrill shrieks to attract others to push the ball down the hill, just solemn mode. And gravitas furthered with, "What I’m about say I checked with a professor of constitutional law and a senior partner of a very major law firm…"
My start to genuflect interrupted by a massive involuntary chunder.
Even NoRightTurn thinks its her problem, you wouldnt call him a right wing shrill would you?..
http://norightturn.blogspot.com/2019/11/winston-is-pms-problem.html?m=1
There is a situation for her to deal with. You get that in the job. Is it the biggest constitutional crisis we've ever had? Or could have?
I recognise it has political importance. That's why Hooton is trying to portray it as a game of tennis between master players on a packed centre Wimbledon Court, watched by zillions on electronica all round the world with the result seeing the extermination of all the citizens of the country of the loser.
It's another game of knockabout tennis on a suburban or country court on a Thursday morning.
You can always tell when Hooton goes into super-hyper mode. The tone of his voice drops a decibel or two and the words come out of his mouth slow and measured. It's the brief moment when us listeners sit up and wonder what earth shattering event has just occurred… followed by a slump back into normal mode and a sigh of general deflation.
It's a tale often dispersed with faint giggles in the background emanating from Mike Williams signifying that normal discourse has temporarily halted but will shortly resume.
What is the point of Mike Williams? Seriously. You could replace him with one of those nodding dogs that sit in the rear window of your car and I doubt anyone would notice.
lol wensleydale
Hooten dangerously good at his job and Kathryn Ryan a big fan girl who gives him too much leeway to practise his art….this a full court press to push support parties below threshold and no expense is being spared…..guess all that Chinese donated money to the National Party had to find a home somewhere
"The likely benefit of hiding in an embassy for years to avoid due process."
It was the Swedes who were avoiding due process. There was no need to question Assange in Sweden, when he'd declared his willingness to be questioned in the Embassy.Also he was under house arrest for 18 months before being granted political asylum in the Embassy There was absolutely zero reason why the Swedes could not have questioned him then.For the umpteenth time, Swedish prosecutors were able to question Assange in the UK.There's nothing unusual about it.
All this has already been pointed out by the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture Nils Melzer
https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2019/11/18/assa-n18.html
"● Disregard for the Mutual Legal Assistance agreement: Melzer again pointed to the refusal of Swedish prosecutors to interview Assange, noting that this “raises serious doubts as to the good faith motivation of the Swedish prosecution"
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mutual_legal_assistance_treaty
As it turns out Assange had every reason to fear the Swedes would turn him in to the US if he landed up in Sweden
Read for godsake
And facing an effective death sentence … 175 yrs imprisonment. I suppose all those who so vociferously called him a 'rapist' here for so many years must be very pleased with themselves now.
How is Chelsea Manning doing? She still in prison?
Oh, yeah, that is exactly where she is.
North Bethesda, Maryland, U.S. Chelsea Elizabeth Manning (born Bradley Edward Manning, December 17, 1987) is an American activist and whistleblower. … Manning is currently in jail for her continued refusal to testify before a grand jury against Julian Assange.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chelsea_Manning
No people simply point out that the man is a bit of dick, and may even be a little bit at fault for getting himself into that position.
Right from the outset it was obvious the Swedish 'prosecution' was politically motivated and his fears of being extradited to the USA were justified. These claims, that many lefties sneered at for so long, are now proven beyond all doubt.
But now you seem to be implying that because Manning is in prison for telling the truth, therefore Assange should be as well? And because a man is a 'bit of a dick' … this now rates an effective death sentence in some concrete hell hole?
Still it's highly likely the UK is going to hand him over to the Americans , so you should be very pleased with yourself. You win; enjoy it.
We judge women who have children without husbands, who have sex without being married and there you have a responsible partner who wants the sex but no babies and he fucks it up for no reason other then himslef. Maybe really that actually needs to be seen as what it is and spoken of as is. A dumb stupid penis driven action that got himself into the biggest shitpile of the world.
As for him being handed to Trump? No i don't enjoy that, i would not enjoy that for anyone. Trump now needs someone he can offer to the altar of his base – lest they abandon him – and Assange would be good for that.
But that too is Assanges fault for literally reading the Trumpster wrong and hoping that the guy who is a sadistic fuck will give him clemency or something. So in all of your hand wringing about the fault of others, all i ask is that Assanges fuck ups should be equally be considered a reason for his current predicament.
And meanwhile Chelsea Manning is still in prison for upholding her convictions. And i see no hot tears from the Assange is hard done by crowd.
And i see no hot tears from the Assange is hard done by crowd.
Maybe because you haven't looked. Manning may get less overt attention, but she has certainly not been ignored. Her plight as a whistleblower is equally appalling and significant.
But that's the point … you seem to have a great deal of sympathy for Manning that I share with you. But for some reason you characterise Assange as a 'dick' who is still somehow to blame for what is happening to him.
i have a great deal of Chelsea Manning as she not only did what she believed is right, but she also accepted the punishment for it. – This does not mean i think she should have gotten accused/prosecuted/judged, far from it.
As for Assange, i had a great deal of time for him until he started behaving like a dick. When one sits in a glass house one should not start throwing stones. Firstly and secondly if it is ok for Chelsea Manning to go to prison, if it is Ok for Snowden to hide in Russia then it would equally behoove Assange to use his brains every now and then rather then just demand to be treated differnently then all the others.
And yes, with his sexual partner he behaved like a dick (unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases are often kept abay by using condoms or so we are told), and then subsequently ever since. For a supposedly smart man he behaved like an idiot. And he should have known that he is wanted, he should have known that the Yankees will not be kind, he should have known that he needs to treat lightly and he gave no shits about nothing. And that is part of the narrative no matter how unpleasant you may find that.
Idiocy, Stupidity, Arrogance do not protect one from harm. Personally i believe that him betting on Trump was his biggest idiotic action since fucking without that darn condom.
In all things that happen to us we are always a bit to blame. And so is he.
Ah no … it's not OK for Manning to be in prison for the rest of her life, nor for Snowden to be stuck in Russia indefinitely. But Assange is different because … sex.
By this logic all whistleblowers and journalists are required to live blameless, sex free lives in order that they remain above all possible reproach on their characters. In the meantime the actual war crimes they tell the truth about just aren't important any more.
oh boy!
Oh no its not ok for all of them to be in prison for the rest of their lifes as what they did was the right thing to do. Firstly.
Secondly., Snowden is in russia in exile- and he most likely knows that it will be for the rest of his life, and Chelsea was in prison – and without clemency from Obama would be there for the rest of her life, and currently is prison for refusing to testify about Assange. Personal responsability, they do it!
By my logic, all whistle blowers and journalists have enough brains, and should have enough brains to know that if it goes all wrong life as it was is pretty much over. And frankly, most of them do, and they don't end up holed up in a room in an embassy somewhere because they fear being arrested after fucking up a consensual booty call. He would have done much better demanding political asylum anywhere on this planet and demand his day in court, under the cameras of the world yadda yadda yadda….instead he was hoping for a US government that is more favorable to him, bet on Trump, and loses as everyone who works with that shitface does. Cause Trump only has clemency at heart for one person, himself. All others are simply there to advance his agenda and once that is done they have no more uses for them, And that is Assanges dilemma atm. He has outlived his usefulness.
..ual assault.
The Swedish investigation into the alleged rape / sexual assault by Assange has been dropped – maybe it has served its purpose.
And maybe that's just what a rapist/sexual assailant wants you to believe.
But my point was that me wanting Assange to have faced a court wasn't about "sex". It was to face up to sexual assault allegations.
And one thing that really makes me think some people would be happy for him to actually get away with rape because wikileaks is when they imply the investigation and grounds for extradition related to consensual sex rather than sexual assault.
No need to be cute, McFlock – when you write "a rapist/sexual assailant“, you mean Assange, right?
And are you suggesting that dropping the investigation now plays into Assange's hands because it creates the impression that Sweden is making way for US extradition proceedings? What a manipulative monster he is!
Could the Swedish prosecutors have sustained their investigation until the statute of limitations ran out in August 2020, maybe out of respect for the (alleged) victims? We'll never know.
IMHO it's pretty scurrilous to suggest that anyone "would be happy for him [Assange] to actually get away with rape" – inflammatory even.
I mean maybe Assange.
"Maybe" it's all a big con on behalf of the US (that's what you meant by "served its purpose", right – that the charges were fabricated for the yanks?)
"Maybe" a sexual offender kept running any lying and running and ended up turning himself into a bargaining chip.
We'll never know because the guy who skipped on the Swedes in August 2010 dragged the extradition hearings out until May 2012, and now there's only a year for the most serious charges to run out the statute of limitations.
And I can't see any other relevance a list of awards has in relation to sexual assault allegations against the recipient of those awards other than to try to somehow minimise or deflect from those allegations. Feel free to come up with a decent excuse, something other than "he's such a great guy let's talk about that rather than the allegations against him". Please. Because one thing has not a damned thing to do with the other.
The thread in which I listed Assange's modest collection of awards and honours began with Adrian's comment (@5) on "Julian Assange's Extradition Case is the MOST IMPORTANT Press Freedom Case of our Lives", and "Sweden Drops Julian Assange Rape Investigation".
I appended that list of awards/honours to my comment @9:17 pm partly because of its relevance to “Press Freedom” and partly because I thought it might annoy you, but you are unflappable – no-one could think that suggesting 'some people' "would be happy for him [Assange] to actually get away with rape" was a sign of irritation. Nevertheless, that’s a mighty fine pearl you're working on
Started.
Nested ten deep, the subthread subject matter had moved into very different territory.
Of course he should have used a condom. Perhaps he is a bit of a dick. Who hasn't behaved like a dick sometime? But you seem to choose to ignore the fact that even if he'd behaved with decorum of the highest order, he still would have ended up in jail on some trumped up charge.
Does it not bother you that he is being charged while all the media outlets that published the wikileaks files remain untouched.
Doesn't it bother you that he was spied on while in the Ecuadorian embassy, that Moreno allowed the British into the embassy to remove him and incarcerate him.
If your sympathies actually lie with the women Assange was involved with they may be misplaced as they have declared they had no desire to have him charged.
Or is it simply a calvinist desire to punish, because we all must be punished.
I'm frequently a bit of a dick.
But AFAIK nobody's ever been to the cops to accuse me of rape.
Assange chose to not use a condom when penetrating sleeping women, chose to skip bail, chose to make himself a diplomatic bargaining chip. Yes, the US case against Assange seems to me to be an overinflated pile of shit. Yes, the yanks shouldn't be holding Manning on contempt charges. Yes, a good case can be made that Snowden should receive absolution for leaking classified documents because it was in the public interest to do so.
But Assange shouldn't get a pass on the things he, and only he, chose to do. It's not "calvinist", it goes to the entire idea of how we treat sexual assaulters who are in positions of power. Do we give them a pass because we like their work or they are rich? Or do we treat them like we'd treat a poor person facing similar accusations?
Except he hasn't been charged with sexual assault. You can keep saying it forever, but saying it doesn't make it true.
To describe in such detail what is supposed to have happened, between two consenting adults, according to you, I find just a wee bit revolting. And actually that unnecessary description defines you more than it does Assange.
Francesca put it perfectly.
"ugly anger but no argument"
The British Supreme Court said it was true enough to make the EAW valid. If you were correct, Assange would have won the UK extradition proceedings. He did not, so chose to skip bail.
No, between one adult and another adult who had explicitly withheld consent to condom removal.
The UK Supreme Court didnt rule on the charges validity, they just said it was procedurally valid
as they also said
"A domestic detention order was made by the Stockholm District Court in Mr Assange’s absence, and was upheld by the Svea Court of Appeal.
"A prosecutor in Sweden thereafter issued a European Arrest Warrant (‘EAW’) on 2 December 2010 pursuant to the arrangements put in place by the Council of the European Union in the Framework Decision of 13 June 2002 on the EAW and the surrender procedures between Member States (2002/584/JHA)(‘the Framework Decision’), which were given effect in the United Kingdom in Part 1 of the Extradition Act 2003 (‘the 2003 Act’)."
https://www.supremecourt.uk/cases/docs/uksc-2011-0264-press-summary.pdf
It seems Brigid is closer to the truth. Dont know what a domestic detention warrant is , but doesnt 'sound like' a charge of sexual assualt.
Swedish criminal procedure is different from our or UK system.
My rough interpretation is the warrant was for the förundersökning or preliminary investigation phase, which is followed by åtals väckande or indictment which they goes to rättegång or trial
Sometime there can be förutredning or prelimininary enquiry before preliminary investigation
I gather from the current context there was no åtals väckande.
Apologies, UK High court. He had a lot of (ultimately futile) hearings.
153:
Yeah, welcome back. Its same same here and that kind of comment passes for a notion of justice for some.
Good to hear some sense about Assange's situation Red Logix.
The credit goes to regulars like francesca and Bridget who have been firm and clear on this story all along. My respect goes to them.
And to be fair to everyone else … I would love nothing more than for the divisiveness and bruising this whole affair has caused to be ended and healed.
the swedes hid in an embassy for years to avoid due process?
oh my.
Further to the discussion yesterday about the term "indigenous".
There seems to be a broad agreement that the definition of the term seems to be related to the point at which Europeans first came across a group of people (although there may be exceptions to this).
This is the a run down on the current view as far as I am aware. Maori are indigenous to NZ but the Celtic people are not indigenous to England. Possible exceptions may include the Japanese who may or may not be regarded as indigenous to the Japanese given the existence of the Ainu people. Han Chinese may be indigenous to parts of China but not the entire country. Malays are treated as being indigenous to Malaysia (at least according to their own laws) yet are actually not the original people in the area. Shona people in Zimbabwe are indigenous but the Ndebele who live there are not possibly despite nither of them actually being the original inhabitants of the land (which are likely the San people). All First nation /American Indian people are indigeous to the entire American continent regardless of where they live. Arabs are indigenous to Arabia but not to most of the Arab World.
Is that view correct?
So your main point is … to cut through to the chase …why cant 1948 be counted as the cutoff date for being indigenous .
You are not really interested in the Ndebele are you?
Do the "Celtic people" still exist as a cultural group in England?
But when the Romans went in, the Celts could be regarded as "indigenous" or "native" in the common use of the term, e.g.:
That excerpt from Wikipedia is simply used to show that the word "native" isn't restricted to people encountered by modern Europeans. Another example (this time using the term "indigenous") is the wikipedia entry "Taiwanese indigenous peoples".
Basically, the term seems to encompass the people who were first into an area compared to other ethnic groups. Eurocentrism is your spin, for whatever reason.
lastly: Wictionary:
And then they steal the children.
There are 28 pages detailing the periods, pregnancies and reason for the pregnancy (whether by rape or not) of teen girls in custody, some of whom are as young as 12. There may well be reasons for the government to track whether or not a woman is pregnant, and how far along in her pregnancy she is, but there’s no reason to track the cause of her pregnancy. It’s pretty fair to assume that they’re not doing this because they want to ensure women know all the options regarding their pregnancy. It’s almost certainly an attempt to bar them from getting abortions.
https://www.harpersbazaar.com/culture/politics/a26985261/trump-administration-abortion-period-tracking-migrant-women/
they have stolen over 5000 children and nary a noise.
I guess its ok, these are the children and babies of undesirables, and 'her fucking emails' .
Interesting news.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/un-palestinian-vote-canada-israel-us-1.5365637
World oddities .
Crimea occupation by Russia is illegal , but not the Nato occupation of Kososvo
Turkeys support for the puppet state of Northern Cyprus is OK , while Russias support of puppet state of South Ossetia in Georgia isnt.
The US occupation and control of Chagos Islands and Diego Garcia ( still UK territories)in the South Indian Ocean is OK despite it being illegal under UN rules about splitting of territories and evicting its resident people when Mauritius became independent. ICJ has also ruled the split was illegal.
a wiki leaks dislosure UK wanted to declare a marine reserve – the worlds largest-to prevent the Chagossians from returning , while allowing US to remain at Diego Garcia. This has now occurred
The expulsion of the Chagossians was one of the many disgusting acts of the UK government. To avoid using the phrase "permanent inhabitants" they declared them 'belongers' of Mauritius and the Seychelles and only temporary residents of BIOT
"This devise, although rather transparent, would at least give us a defensible position to take up at the UN."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Expulsion_of_the_Chagossians
Thanks Peter. Question Time today:
Yes Nick Smith must be pissed off! A barrage of questions re the National Electoral spending tricks of the Electoral Act was the response to Nick Smith trying to trap the Minister of Justice. Brownlee tried to block the Government response. Brilliant.
And the multi-million dollar warning that should Smith or Bridges repeat outside what they said in House, they will be sued for defamation.
Question 9 https://www.parliament.nz/en/watch-parliament/ondemand?itemId=210160
And https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12287240
Great "seemed like a good idea at the time" moments from history #5739: Julia Roberts was suggested to play Harriet Tubman when the project first floated 25 years ago.
Diversity in the boardroom heads off stupid plan at the start.
Kia Ora 1 News.
I new a couple who had a daughter on that flight it stuffed them up.
And they try and brand me A troll.
Its great to see people cleaning up the rubbish in Tangaroa.
Ka kite Ano
Kia Ora Te Ao Maori News.
I think it's great that people in jail for less than 3 years get back the right to vote. 59 % them are Maori that was suppressing Maori in my view.
One must take care of there drinking Wai take care of all Wai a cheap testing kit is cool.
I can see how much Mana Tangata Whenua O Aotearoa Culture has been blessed with .
Ka kite Ano
Kia Ora breakfast show.
Edd TV.
Are there no positive Tangata Whenua stories.????????????.
I think every City should have a company that has a Charter to provide employment for people who are discriminated against in mainstream business .
Data is the new gold it needs to be controlled to protect the many from the greedy
Ka kite Ano