Open mike 21/10/2015

Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, October 21st, 2015 - 95 comments
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95 comments on “Open mike 21/10/2015 ”

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  1. Paul 1
    21 October 2015 at 6:16 am

    NZME defend Tony Veitch after his appalling lack of remorse in this facebook comment of his.

    https://www.facebook.com/veitchyonsport/posts/931520890217957

    This is appalling that ZB are defending him for writing this..

    His remorse has rightly been questioned by Chloe Ann King

    ‘ Hey dude I guess some people are just utterly bewildered by your lack of personal insight and ability to reflect? You broke your partners back in four places and still, you have done no work to give back to places like women’s refuge or in anyway indicated you are remorseful. In fact you are making out, as if, you are the victim. You aren’t. You are a violent offender who got away with his crimes and have faced almost no consequences. What message do you think this sends to the public? And if a bit of verbal abuse is upsetting you maybe you could take some time to think about how it must have felt for Dunne-Powell when you hit and abused her? There is no courage in what you have done. You have no mana.’

    Marama Davidson

    ‘Allowing abusers with violent pasts to rebuild their lives, to honestly and deeply own what they did, to be forgiven by themselves and their victims, and to humbly rebuild their lives and commit to non-violent futures is essential in healing our country of the appalling rate of domestic violence.
    Your comment Veitch shows none of this. None. You are NOT a victim here. You really aren’t.’

    and thousands of others.

    • tc 1.1
      21 October 2015 at 6:23 am

      Is that any surprise from the employers of Holmes, Hoskins, smith, Williams, mcivor etc.

      They are just confirming what a lot of folk already suspected about the culture atop this spin distribution organisation.

      • Paul 1.1.1
        21 October 2015 at 6:26 am

        We live in a toxic culture where many of the ‘opinion makers’ say or do quite hateful things.
        Hosking
        Henry
        Veitch

        • Draco T Bastard 1.1.1.1
          21 October 2015 at 12:26 pm

          Yep, they are the major problem and we need to stop them from poisoning our society.

  2. Tautoko Mangō Mata 2
    21 October 2015 at 6:29 am

    While we await the release of the text of the TPPA, here is some reading about the area that concerns me and obviously EU- SOEs and public services.
    “EU Trade Deals with US and Canada Blasted as ‘Attacking Public Services’
    TTIP and CETA ‘could lock public services into a commercialization from which they will not recover—no matter how damaging to welfare the results may be”.

    http://www.commondreams.org/news/2015/10/19/eu-trade-deals-us-and-canada-blasted-attacking-public-services

  3. capn insano 3
    21 October 2015 at 7:05 am

    I’m not sure if this has come up yet. I’ve been thinking about the AECT elections now that I’ve seen Communities and Residents posters around the place. Since Dirty Politics broke I’ve wary of things like council votes and this sort of thing, not just the national elections. Simply put, I want to avoid voting in tory pricks/troughers anywhere in power if I have a vote on it. I did a search on C&R this morning, thus far I’ve just found this article on Unite;
    https://unitenews.wordpress.com/tag/aect/
    As well as that there was an article on Scoop with David Smeghead Seymour twatting on.

    • Anne 3.1
      21 October 2015 at 8:58 am

      City Vision is the left leaning group for local body elections. Here are the candidates for the AECT elections plus more info.

      http://www.cityvisionforaect.org.nz/

      • savenz 3.1.1
        21 October 2015 at 11:19 am

        City Vision for AECT in on Facebook and this is what they have to say. They have the Green party and Labour party logo’s so seem to be the ‘centre left’ choices.

        If you believe in maintaining community ownership of Vector & your dividend cheque, protecting families from high power prices, and investing in clean technology, then VOTE NOW for ✔COURY, ✔ELLEY, ✔MITCHELL, ✔SERPES and ✔TIZARD.

        • tc 3.1.1.1
          21 October 2015 at 1:51 pm

          Power prices will keep rising due to nact flogging the generators and akls expanding network.

        • capn insano 3.1.1.2
          23 October 2015 at 10:16 pm

          Ah cheers. I did get pointed to them to consider so after a look at their position they got my vote.
          I’m making more of an effort to pay attention and vote for these sorts of things to, tories seem to want low voter participation.

  4. Molly 4
    21 October 2015 at 9:08 am

    Everyone loves a panda…. (Godwin alert – but just such a bizarre image)

  5. Rodel 5
    21 October 2015 at 9:48 am

    And now folks we have Judith Collins sponsored by Honest John’s Car yard!!
    Nick Smith sponsored by Harvey’s real Estate!!!!!
    Stephen Joyce sponsored by your caring Auckland Casino and on the other side Andrew Little sponsored by Specsavers!!!

    Thanks to Judith Trump for pioneering a new era in public service.
    Like a beauty contest of the 1970s (with not much beauty).
    Donald would love it.

  6. Chooky 6
    21 October 2015 at 9:58 am

    Not just in New Zealand that young people are being politically and financially excluded from ever owning their own home by the right wing:

    Episode 824

    https://www.rt.com/shows/keiser-report/318933-episode-max-keiser-824/

    “In this episode of the Keiser Report, Max Keiser and Stacy Herbert discuss economic insurgents and fiscal charters leaving the economy to monetary policy. In the second half, Max interviews Fran Boait of Positive Money UK about Osborne’s ‘fiscal charter,’ the rise of inequality and its causes.”

  7. Karen 7
    21 October 2015 at 10:00 am

    TVNZ are obviously aware their One News political poll analysis was justifiably accused of bias.
    Corin Dann has published a fairer and a much more measured response on their web page.

    https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/corin-dann-key-might-be-secretly-a-little-disappointed-by-latest-one-news-poll-q16490

    • tc 7.1
      21 October 2015 at 10:51 am

      To which they’ll claim balance leaving the govt friendly spin on the much wider and ‘trusted’ muppet TV channel standing without any attempt at an apology or redress.

    • savenz 7.2
      21 October 2015 at 11:21 am

      Unfortunately the less politically aware are still watching the news and not the web for news. So not really helping.

  8. greywarshark 8
    21 October 2015 at 10:10 am

    Can someone tell me how Scoop is getting on with its pledges? I went to the original page and the board there shows that there are 28 days to go, and further down it says it finishes on 17 November. So that is presumably up to date. Yet it shows only about $6000 and it is aiming at $50,000. Surely this can’t be right.

    I think it is time for alert NZs to reach into their pockets and make sure Scoop gets launched as envisaged. Or else all the words are hot air going into progressive blogs and really just a load of farts.

    • greywarshark 8.1
      22 October 2015 at 10:21 am

      I see no-one who knows has the time to answer my query about Scoop’s progress.
      Perhaps I should say something gender-sensitive so that someone will take some notice and i will then get instant response to my query, which is something that never happens usually.

      So I bet women are all talk about the need for change and more responsible news and now the time has come to front up with something concrete, they just can’t make the sacrifice of cash. It is for an essential and endlessly-discussed institution of reliable truth and information you know.

      And all those TS commenters who have so many opinions about politicians and anyone who does anything, but I doubt very little actual determined action when it is needed as many of you ‘Can’t handle the truth’ so why support a truth-delivering medium like Scoop? I bet you haven’t even put the minimum of $16 in. You’d better get your arses into gear if you do have something solid behind all the puffery of words here, you have till the 17th November.

  9. Puckish Rogue 9
    21 October 2015 at 11:18 am

    http://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/2015/10/little_lowest_polling_opposition_leader_one_year_in.html

    1.John Key 33%
    2.Don Brash 20%
    3.Jenny Shipley 16%
    4.David Shearer 11%
    5.Bill English 10%
    6.David Cunliffe 10%
    7.Phil Goff 9%
    8.Andrew Little 8%

    So Andrew Little has the lowest polling of any opposition leader one year into their leadership since the advent of MMP

    Don’t worry though as I’m sure once NZers get to know the real Andrew Little I’m sure the numbers will change

    • scotty 9.1
      21 October 2015 at 12:08 pm

      Yep the lowest polling ever, in the history of the whole world.
      Well -that is apart from someone by the name of John key who also polled 8% in the Herald Digi poll August 2006 approx 1 year after becoming leader.

      • McFlock 9.1.1
        21 October 2015 at 12:42 pm

        Key became leader in november 2006.

        but the real test of tories is what they omit. Why four leaders? Because the fifth for Labour is Helen Clark, who struggled in personal popularity polls for quite some time (even being sub-margin of error) before being a very successful, long term leader. A leader who also tried to make things a bit better for all NZers, unlike Key.

        • Hami Shearlie 9.1.1.1
          21 October 2015 at 4:24 pm

          Helen Clark was given a good long time to bed in as leader – unlike David Cunliffe! I still struggle to understand why the ABC faction were so determined to get rid of him when, having been leader for a very brief time, he won nearly every debate against Key in the election according to newspaper polls etc. Why was he not given the same treatment that Helen Clark got and allowed to stay where he was. The way things are now I am sure he would be doing much much better than Andrew Little. David Cunliffe looks and sounds like a Prime Minister. I am still very angry with the ABC crowd – they were just so damn stupid and self-serving! Just my opinion.

          • McFlock 9.1.1.1.1
            21 October 2015 at 4:33 pm

            Helen Clark demanded leadership, even after missing government in 1996. It wasn’t “given”.

            If you can’t lead a party, how can you lead a government?

            But I’m sure after a few more years Cunliffe will be leadership material.

          • Chooky 9.1.1.1.2
            21 October 2015 at 7:45 pm

            +100 Hami Shearlie

        • Anne 9.1.1.2
          21 October 2015 at 5:24 pm

          … the real test of tories is what they omit.

          0h yes, they ALWAYS forget to mention Helen Clark – 4% was it? It was a year or two after she became leader and It prompted a small delegation of MPS to visit her and ask her to step down. She stared them down instead. To be fair they all conceded they were wrong – very wrong – a few years later.

          Sorry to spoil your ‘little’ dream sequence PR but history does have a habit of repeating itself.

    • Draco T Bastard 9.2
      21 October 2015 at 12:31 pm

      Of course, that’s actually meaningless comparison as we don’t directly elect leaders but parties.

    • lprent 9.3
      21 October 2015 at 12:34 pm

      Yawn. It is an irrelevant measure. Just how irrelevant I am sure you realize. I notice that you (and Kiwiblog) managed to not include Helen Clark or Jim Bolger on it, I wonder why?

      Because it exposes your political stupidity?

      • Puckish Rogue 9.3.1
        21 October 2015 at 3:38 pm

        You’re correct of course however I’m also sure you’d agree that having a leader thats reasonble popular wouldn’t hurt Labours chances either

      • lprent 9.3.2
        21 October 2015 at 5:03 pm

        It is just one amongst many factors. It is also probably the least important.

        The only reason that it is notable is because of the way that it allows the politically mindless yammering about it on TV. The reason is that it allows the talking heads to personalise the ‘contest’.

        Fortunately, the number of people bothering to watch broadcast TV is now rapidly falling, which probably means that the average political intelligence of the population will start rising.

        Certainly I haven’t watched much since I didn’t fix the aerial when we moved back into my apartment in 2012. We just use net services, these days mostly Netflix. I watch some of the current affairs shows online. But I get better news from the net.

    • Bearded Git 9.4
      21 October 2015 at 12:36 pm

      @puckish

      31+12+9=goodbye to the ponytail puller. As Corin Dann says today (see link above) the Nats have hit a plateau at 47% with no friends out there.

      • Puckish Rogue 9.4.1
        21 October 2015 at 3:43 pm

        Ok so 31 + 12 + 9 = goodbye of course it could also just as easily be 47 + 9 = three more years

        Theres as many good reasons Winston would go to the left as he would go to the right so you shouldn’t count your chickens until they’re hatched

        • You_Fool 9.4.1.1
          21 October 2015 at 3:54 pm

          Winston should not be counted on either side, which is why I am hoping for a few more % points; 35+15 (pretty much within the margin of error) would make the +9 (or +10) more likely to come down on the correct side of the fence – or possibly leave him for the cross-bench and support policy by policy.

  10. savenz 10
    21 October 2015 at 11:33 am

    Roading lobbyists eyeing Vector shares

    Trying to steal from the poor and Aucklander’s again so that the the Vector privatisation can pay for more roads.

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11375615

    • Puckish Rogue 11.1
      21 October 2015 at 11:39 am

      Wow

    • Treetop 11.2
      21 October 2015 at 1:32 pm

      Heffernan has highlighted one of the issues (that the public could lose confidence in the judiciary) that really pisses me off when it comes to an inquiry into historical sexual abuse. The silence is deafening for a sexual abuse survivor when the perpetrator is being protected from being investigated or named and shamed in public just because of their employment.

      It is about time that those who were sexually offended against as children were properly understood by those who do the investigating regardless of how long ago the sexual offending occurred.

      Leave no stone unturned is what I want the investigators/inquirors to do, anything less is not good enough.

      • Rosemary McDonald 11.2.1
        21 October 2015 at 2:31 pm

        “It is about time that those who were sexually offended against as children were properly understood by those who do the investigating regardless of how long ago the sexual offending occurred.”

        here….http://notmyshame.squarespace.com/

        and here…http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/regional/287541/sisters-lose-legal-bid-to-name-abuser

        “But Justice Mander said lifting that suppression after more than 20 years – when the man had served jail time and been fully rehabilitated – would be a disproportionate action.”

        • Treetop 11.2.1.1
          21 October 2015 at 4:12 pm

          The silence is deafening.

          I do not agree with Justice Mander.

          • weka 11.2.1.1.1
            21 October 2015 at 5:23 pm

            The starting point should be the long term effects on the victim. Someone may well have served their time and been fully rehabilitated*, which suits society, but the victim may still be serving theirs.

            *whatever that means. If they haven’t redressed the wrongs they did to the actual victim then I doubt that it counts as fully.

          • Rosemary McDonald 11.2.1.1.2
            21 October 2015 at 7:48 pm

            “The silence is deafening.

            I do not agree with Justice Mander.”

            Ditto.

            Justice or enabling?

            Part of the “silence” thing could be because this situation for these women is so damned awful.

            I can’t find any better words to describe how I feel about this….that’s why I linked to the notmyshame site.

            There was a window here….slammed shut, and ammo provided for the next pedophile who wants to hide behind name suppression.

            • Chooky 11.2.1.1.2.1
              21 October 2015 at 9:58 pm

              +100…Justice Mander’s shame!…he should not be a judge!

            • Treetop 11.2.1.1.2.2
              22 October 2015 at 9:24 am

              “Justice or enabling?”

              Enabling.

              Survivors (when ready) need to have the choice to have the sexual perpetrator named or not named, regardless of the perpetrator being alive or deceased.

              Out of the British inquiry led by Justice Goddard, I hope that every paedophile and sexual perpetrator is named regardless of who they are and what they have achieved.

              Both you and Weka get it when it comes to revictimising the survivor.

              Until NZ has judges which fully understand what a sexual assault victim goes through, blunders will keep being made.

    • Anne 11.3
      21 October 2015 at 8:34 pm

      @ Gangnam Style:
      Given what is now coming to light in Britain and the involvement of a former prime minister (plus the police cover-up), then this story is by no means far fetched. I wouldn’t be the least bit surprised if something along the lines alleged was happening in Australia. And it’s not beyond the realms of possibility some suspect behaviour was occurring here back in the “good old days”.

  12. The Chairman 12
    21 October 2015 at 1:57 pm

    AMY GOODMAN: So what happens in Congress now (TPPA)?

    ROBERT WEISSMAN: Well, we’re going to have some period of time. There’s going to be 90 days, at least, from now, before the president can sign the deal, and after that, 30 days, at least, before the implementing legislation is presented to Congress to vote on. So we’re looking at least four months before the thing finally is formally presented to Congress. And it may be much longer, but it’s going to be at least four months.

    In that period, and when the thing is on the floor of Congress, you’re going to see a massive mobilization in the United States to demand members of Congress vote this horrible deal down.

    You’ve got almost the entirety of the labor movement, almost the entirety of the environmental movement, almost all consumer groups, massive numbers of faith-based groups, community groups, all united in opposition to this, and it is going to become a major issue in American politics.

    It’s going to become a major issue in the presidential campaign.

    And, you know, we’re going to work super hard on this, but we’re very optimistic that this thing is going to be stopped and that people power will actually prevail over the interests of the multinational corporations.

    https://youtu.be/-SFNKnLYwvY

    • The Chairman 12.1
      21 October 2015 at 2:22 pm

      Will people power actually prevail over the interests of the multinational corporations?

      Thoughts?

      • Draco T Bastard 12.1.1
        21 October 2015 at 3:34 pm

        We can hope so but, as they already rule the US, probably not.

        • The Chairman 12.1.1.1
          21 October 2015 at 4:05 pm

          Indeed. However, with large opposition spread across the political spectrum, coupled with the thought of an election hanging overhead, the increased pressure may lead to Congress succumbing to the public will. Thus, there is some hope, albeit slim.

    • Colonial Viper 12.2
      21 October 2015 at 6:51 pm

      You’ve got almost the entirety of the labor movement, almost the entirety of the environmental movement, almost all consumer groups, massive numbers of faith-based groups, community groups, all united in opposition to this, and it is going to become a major issue in American politics.

      Yeah its utterly shite; amazing that all these grassroots groups are against the TPP upfront no ifs or buts, but an Andrew Little NZ Labour Government would keep the door open on the TPP.

  14. Treetop 14
    21 October 2015 at 2:44 pm

    I commented to Gangnam Style at 1.32 pm, the comment showed up in search but not in open mike.

    • Grindlebottom 15.1
      21 October 2015 at 4:35 pm

      Don’t think much of Jo Moir, the reporter, for starting the article with

      Labour leader Andrew Little has snubbed rising star Jacinda Ardern for the deputy leadership after confirming veteran MP Annette King will stay in the role.

      Good choice for now by Little I think.

      • McFlock 15.1.1
        21 October 2015 at 4:49 pm

        Yeah – it seems media never miss an opportunity to try and foment division.

        • Grindlebottom 15.1.1.1
          21 October 2015 at 4:53 pm

          The rest of the article goes into the relevant issues and how Little reached the decision. It was a perfectly reasonable decision and there’s nothing to indicate Ardern in any way considers herself to have been snubbed. It’s a gutter journalism-type line.

        • Ergo Robertina 15.1.1.2
          21 October 2015 at 7:15 pm

          And it seems the standard of media critique on the Standard retains its usual level of sophistication, complete with poor grammar.

          I don’t like this reporting, but it’s a classic example of the celebrity-driven content that characterises Stuff, and increasingly, NZ Herald.
          Jacinda is known and liked by people/readers who would struggle to name another front-bencher, apart from the leader. That makes her the angle.
          It’s not partisan stirring; it is the banality of clicks, and the decisions to pursue that strategy has been made in Australia.
          Unfortunately Kiwis tend to be small minded and punitive – now we have questions on the thread over the reporter’s gender – and the bigger picture passes them by.
          Ironic, in a way, as the same dynamic meant Rogernomics could be implemented.

          • Grindlebottom 15.1.1.2.1
            21 October 2015 at 7:24 pm

            It’s not partisan stirring; it is the banality of clicks, and the decisions* to pursue that strategy has* been made in Australia.

            *Grammar. 🙂

            • Ergo Robertina 15.1.1.2.1.1
              21 October 2015 at 7:31 pm

              oops . . . I meant decision, not plural. Always dicey to go down the grammar grumbling track I guess.

          • greywarshark 15.1.1.2.2
            21 October 2015 at 7:46 pm

            Hey who is being punitive. I only asked if Jo was male or female. I still like the idea that there should be different genders and it is interesting the style that each person brings to their work. Less picky please.

            • Ergo Robertina 15.1.1.2.2.1
              21 October 2015 at 8:06 pm

              Fair enough, it seemed like a weird question until you explained it.
              Women out-number men in journalism schools these days, sometimes overwhelmingly, I understand.
              Whatever their gender, reporters are more likely to be young and inexperienced than at any other time.

      • ianmac 15.1.2
        21 October 2015 at 5:15 pm

        Read that mean piece by Jo Moir. Spiteful and ill informed. Bet if he chose Jacinda, Jo would write, “Labour leader Andrew Little has chosen inexperienced Jacinda Ardern for the deputy leadership after snubbing veteran MP Annette. “

      • greywarshark 15.1.3
        21 October 2015 at 6:44 pm

        Is Jo a woman? That’s the way that woman usually spell the name, men Joe.

        • Grindlebottom 15.1.3.1
          21 October 2015 at 6:48 pm

          I assumed so, from the same deductive reasoning as yours. Why do you ask? Does it matter?

    • The Chairman 15.2
      21 October 2015 at 5:13 pm

      So it seems his at length discussion with caucus resulted in King being selected.

      Wonder why Little brought forward the announcement?

      • McFlock 15.2.1
        21 October 2015 at 5:32 pm

        Probably to nip the bullshit in the bud would be my guess.

        King’s good in the job, Ardern might be, Robertson might be, and so on down the list. But the sooner the issue was sorted the less chance there was for party or caucus members to say stuff that can’t be taken back.

    • Anne 15.3
      21 October 2015 at 5:35 pm

      Delighted to hear it. She’s been really on to it this electoral term. She and Little are very much the political equivalent of the good cop/bad cop routine. You know how well the tandem is working by the way Key is gunning for Annette King at every available opportunity in the debating chamber.

      • Rosemary McDonald 15.3.1
        21 October 2015 at 7:02 pm

        I don’t watch Parly Telly much….but I must confess to delighting in A Certain Person being subject to loud and justified taunts of “scumbag” from the Opposition Benches.

        Onya Annette, you speak for many of us.

        A perfect foil for Little.

    • Gavin 15.4
      21 October 2015 at 6:56 pm

      I agree it’s probably the best move, although a lot of younger voters would probably like to see Ardern as Deputy Leader. Older voters probably want the stability, and let’s face it, they vote more reliably. Several (rightwing?) posters on Stuff reckon Ardern will try for leader before the 2017 election. Of course they’d like that, that would surely scuttle Labour’s chances. Labour has to let voters take a really good look at a stable lineup, by 2017 that’ll be working well, Little needs to polish his presentations a bit more, but he’s doing OK. He’ll need to take every opportunity that presents itself though, to stick it to John Key.

      Message to Andrew: this is very important, be well rehearsed, don’t look at your notes, be a good toastmaster, train up, and help us get National out of office.

      • Anne 15.4.1
        21 October 2015 at 7:40 pm

        He does need to improve his interviewee skills. Too many umms and arrs and word repeating. It takes the shine off what he’s actually saying.

  16. NZSage 16
    21 October 2015 at 4:39 pm

    Sky shares plummet!

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11532802

    These guys have been rooting Kiwis for decades and now hopefully their time is up!

    My heart bleeds!

    And in true corporate style greed Sky directors gave themselves a pay rise before the bad news leaked. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sky-tv/news/article.cfm?o_id=195&objectid=11530306

  17. Morrissey 17
    21 October 2015 at 7:10 pm

    Liars of Our Time
    No. 52: MICHAEL CHEIKA

    “I genuinely feel for Craig Joubert. It’s so unfair. No other referee has had this stuff put out there like that and he’s a very good referee.”

    —-Wallabies coach Michael Cheika, 20 October 2015. (Well, he would say that, wouldn’t he.)
    http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/oct/20/michael-cheika-world-rugby-craig-joubert-

    More liars…
    http://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-20102015/#comment-1084864

    • GregJ 17.1
      21 October 2015 at 10:05 pm

      It’s a bit rich coming from Cheika who has form for openly criticizing refereeing decisions. Not that I necessarily have a problem with professional referees having their performance critiqued.

      it is fair to add though it wasn’t just Joubert’s performance in that match – the TMO made an appalling recommendation which saw Maitland sinbinned and that played as much into the result of the match as the incorrectly awarded penalty.

  18. Morrissey 18
    21 October 2015 at 8:24 pm

    BBC implies Palestinian dead are Israeli
    20 October 2015

    A fresh Israeli onslaught against Palestinians began at the start of October, resulting in almost fifty Palestinians killed in just under three weeks.

    Nearly ten Israelis were slain during that same period.

    While extreme and sustained Israeli violence against Palestinians is a routine feature of Israel’s military occupation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip, just as predictable is the BBC’s coverage of it.

    And so it comes as no surprise to witness the BBC focusing almost exclusively on Palestinian attacks on Israelis while presenting Israel, not only as the victim, but the sole victim of October’s violence — while mentioning Palestinian fatalities only in passing.

    A prime example this week was a segment on the BBC’s flagship radio news program Today. On 19 October it broadcast a four-minute chat between veteran presenter John Humphrys and one of its Middle East correspondents, Kevin Connolly.

    With 42 Palestinians killed at that time, and thousands more injured in attacks by settlers and soldiers, Humphrys began his conversation with Connolly like this: “Yet another attack on Israelis last night. This time an Arab man with a gun and a knife killed a soldier and wounded 10 people. Our Middle East correspondent is Kevin Connolly. The number is mounting, isn’t it Kevin? The number is about 50 now, isn’t it?”

    Not only does Humphrys’ introduction make it sound as though only Israelis are being attacked, he quite extraordinarily implies that the 50 who had been killed since the beginning of the month were all Israelis.

    Connolly doesn’t correct him. He instead adds: “We think around 50 dead over the course of the last month or so, John. This sudden sharp uptick of violence; not just that attack at the bus station in Beersheva, inside Israel itself, but also, on Saturday, a wave of stabbing attacks in Hebron and in Jerusalem.”

    /Full article:

    https://electronicintifada.net/blogs/amena-saleem/bbc-implies-palestinian-dead-are-israeli

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    This morning the sky was bright.The birds, in their usual joyous bliss. Nature doesn’t seem to feel the heat of what might angst humans.Their calls are clear and beautiful.Just some random thoughts:MāoriPaul Goldsmith has announced his government will roll back the judiciary’s rulings on Māori Customary Marine Title, which recognises ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    23 hours ago
  • Foreshore and seabed 2.0

    In 2003, the Court of Appeal delivered its decision in Ngati Apa v Attorney-General, ruling that Māori customary title over the foreshore and seabed had not been universally extinguished, and that the Māori Land Court could determine claims and confirm title if the facts supported it. This kicked off the ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    1 day ago
  • Gordon Campbell on the Royal Commission report into abuse in care

    Earlier this week at Parliament, Labour leader Chris Hipkins was applauded for saying that the response to the final report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care had to be “bigger than politics.” True, but the fine words, apologies and “we hear you” messages will soon ring ...
    WerewolfBy lyndon
    1 day ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Friday, July 26

    TL;DR: In news breaking this morning:The Ministry of Education is cutting $2 billion from its school building programme so the National-ACT-NZ First Coalition Government has enough money to deliver tax cuts; The Government has quietly lowered its child poverty reduction targets to make them easier to achieve;Te Whatu Ora-Health NZ’s ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • Weekly Roundup 26-July-2024

    Kia ora. These are some stories that caught our eye this week – as always, feel free to share yours in the comments. Our header image this week (via Eke Panuku) shows the planned upgrade for the Karanga Plaza Tidal Swimming Steps. The week in Greater Auckland On ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    1 day ago
  • God what a relief

    1. What's not to love about the way the Harris campaign is turning things around?a. Nothingb. Love all of itc. God what a reliefd. Not that it will be by any means easye. All of the above 2. Documents released by the Ministry of Health show Associate Health Minister Casey ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    1 day ago
  • Trust In Me

    Trust in me in all you doHave the faith I have in youLove will see us through, if only you trust in meWhy don't you, you trust me?In a week that saw the release of the 3,000 page Abuse in Care report Christopher Luxon was being asked about Boot Camps. ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 day ago
  • The Hoon around the week to July 26

    TL;DR: The podcast above of the weekly ‘hoon’ webinar for paying subscribers last night features co-hosts and talking about the Royal Commission Inquiry into Abuse in Care report released this week, and with:The Kākā’s climate correspondent on a UN push to not recognise carbon offset markets and ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Friday, July 26

    TL;DR: As of 6:00 am on Friday, July 26, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:Transport: Simeon Brown announced $802.9 million in funding for 18 new trains on the Wairarapa and Manawatū rail lines, which ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • Radical law changes needed to build road

    The northern expressway extension from Warkworth to Whangarei is likely to require radical changes to legislation if it is going to be built within the foreseeable future. The Government’s powers to purchase land, the planning process and current restrictions on road tolling are all going to need to be changed ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    1 day ago
  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #30 2024

    Open access notables Could an extremely cold central European winter such as 1963 happen again despite climate change?, Sippel et al., Weather and Climate Dynamics: Here, we first show based on multiple attribution methods that a winter of similar circulation conditions to 1963 would still lead to an extreme seasonal ...
    Skeptical Science
    2 days ago
  • First they came for the Māori

    Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when publishedFirst they came for the doctors But I was confused by the numbers and costs So I didn't speak up Then they came for our police and nurses And I didn't think we could afford those costs anyway So I ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    2 days ago
  • Join us for the weekly Hoon on YouTube Live

    Photo by Joshua J. Cotten on UnsplashWe’re back again after our mid-winter break. We’re still with the ‘new’ day of the week (Thursday rather than Friday) when we have our ‘hoon’ webinar with paying subscribers to The Kākā for an hour at 5 pm.Jump on this link on YouTube Livestream ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Will the real PM Luxon please stand up?

    Notes: This is a free article. Abuse in Care themes are mentioned. Video is at the bottom.BackgroundYesterday’s report into Abuse in Care revealed that at least 1 in 3 of all who went through state and faith based care were abused - often horrifically. At least, because not all survivors ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    2 days ago
  • Will debt reduction trump abuse in care redress?

    Luxon speaks in Parliament yesterday about the Abuse in Care report. Photo: Hagen Hopkins/Getty ImagesTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy today are:PM Christopher Luxon said yesterday in tabling the Abuse in Care report in Parliament he wanted to ‘do the ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Olywhites and Time Bandits

    About a decade ago I worked with a bloke called Steve. He was the grizzled veteran coder, a few years older than me, who knew where the bodies were buried - code wise. Despite his best efforts to be approachable and friendly he could be kind of gruff, through to ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    2 days ago
  • Why were the 1930s so hot in North America?

    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Jeff Masters and Bob Henson Those who’ve trawled social media during heat waves have likely encountered a tidbit frequently used to brush aside human-caused climate change: Many U.S. states and cities had their single hottest temperature on record during the 1930s, setting incredible heat marks ...
    Skeptical Science
    2 days ago
  • Throwback Thursday – Thinking about Expressways

    Some of the recent announcements from the government have reminded us of posts we’ve written in the past. Here’s one from early 2020. There were plenty of reactions to the government’s infrastructure announcement a few weeks ago which saw them fund a bunch of big roading projects. One of ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    2 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Thursday, July 25

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 7:00 am on Thursday, July 25 are:News: Why Electric Kiwi is closing to new customers - and why it matters RNZ’s Susan EdmundsScoop: Government drops ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • The Possum: Demon or Friend?

    Hi,I felt a small wet tongue snaking through one of the holes in my Crocs. It explored my big toe, darting down one side, then the other. “He’s looking for some toe cheese,” said the woman next to me, words that still haunt me to this day.Growing up in New ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    2 days ago
  • Not a story

    Yesterday I happily quoted the Prime Minister without fact-checking him and sure enough, it turns out his numbers were all to hell. It’s not four kg of Royal Commission report, it’s fourteen.My friend and one-time colleague-in-comms Hazel Phillips gently alerted me to my error almost as soon as I’d hit ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Thursday, July 25

    TL;DR: As of 6:00 am on Thursday, July 25, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day were:The Abuse in Care Royal Commission of Inquiry published its final report yesterday.PM Christopher Luxon and The Minister responsible for ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • A tougher line on “proactive release”?

    The Official Information Act has always been a battle between requesters seeking information, and governments seeking to control it. Information is power, so Ministers and government agencies want to manage what is released and when, for their own convenience, and legality and democracy be damned. Their most recent tactic for ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    3 days ago
  • 'Let's build a motorway costing $100 million per km, before emissions costs'

    TL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy today are:Transport and Energy Minister Simeon Brown is accelerating plans to spend at least $10 billion through Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) to extend State Highway One as a four-lane ‘Expressway’ from Warkworth to Whangarei ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • Lester's Prescription – Positive Bleeding.

    I live my life (woo-ooh-ooh)With no control in my destinyYea-yeah, yea-yeah (woo-ooh-ooh)I can bleed when I want to bleedSo come on, come on (woo-ooh-ooh)You can bleed when you want to bleedYea-yeah, come on (woo-ooh-ooh)Everybody bleed when they want to bleedCome on and bleedGovernments face tough challenges. Selling unpopular decisions to ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago
  • Casey Costello gaslights Labour in the House

    Please note:To skip directly to the- parliamentary footage in the video, scroll to 1:21 To skip to audio please click on the headphone icon on the left hand side of the screenThis video / audio section is under development. ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    3 days ago
  • Why is the Texas grid in such bad shape?

    This is a re-post from the Climate Brink by Andrew Dessler Headline from 2021 The Texas grid, run by ERCOT, has had a rough few years. In 2021, winter storm Uri blacked out much of the state for several days. About a week ago, Hurricane Beryl knocked out ...
    Skeptical Science
    3 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell on a textbook case of spending waste by the Luxon government

    Given the crackdown on wasteful government spending, it behooves me to point to a high profile example of spending by the Luxon government that looks like a big, fat waste of time and money. I’m talking about the deployment of NZDF personnel to support the US-led coalition in the Red ...
    WerewolfBy lyndon
    3 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Wednesday, July 24

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 7:40 am on Wednesday, July 24 are:Deep Dive: Chipping away at the housing crisis, including my comments RNZ/Newsroom’s The DetailNews: Government softens on asset sales, ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • LXR Takaanini

    As I reported about the city centre, Auckland’s rail network is also going through a difficult and disruptive period which is rapidly approaching a culmination, this will result in a significant upgrade to the whole network. Hallelujah. Also like the city centre this is an upgrade predicated on the City ...
    Greater AucklandBy Patrick Reynolds
    3 days ago
  • Four kilograms of pain

    Today, a 4 kilogram report will be delivered to Parliament. We know this is what the report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in State and Faith-based Care weighs, because our Prime Minister told us so.Some reporter had blindsided him by asking a question about something done by ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Wednesday, July 24

    TL;DR: As of 7:00 am on Wednesday, July 24, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:Beehive: Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced plans to use PPPs to fund, build and run a four-lane expressway between Auckland ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • Luxon gets caught out

    NewstalkZB host Mike Hosking, who can usually be relied on to give Prime Minister Christopher Luxon an easy run, did not do so yesterday when he interviewed him about the HealthNZ deficit. Luxon is trying to use a deficit reported last year by HealthNZ as yet another example of the ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    3 days ago
  • A worrying sign

    Back in January a StatsNZ employee gave a speech at Rātana on behalf of tangata whenua in which he insulted and criticised the government. The speech clearly violated the principle of a neutral public service, and StatsNZ started an investigation. Part of that was getting an external consultant to examine ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago
  • Are we fine with 47.9% home-ownership by 2048?

    Renting for life: Shared ownership initiatives are unlikely to slow the slide in home ownership by much. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy today are:A Deloitte report for Westpac has projected Aotearoa’s home-ownership rate will ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • Let's Win This

    You're broken down and tiredOf living life on a merry go roundAnd you can't find the fighterBut I see it in you so we gonna walk it outAnd move mountainsWe gonna walk it outAnd move mountainsAnd I'll rise upI'll rise like the dayI'll rise upI'll rise unafraidI'll rise upAnd I'll ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago
  • Waimahara: The Singing Spirit of Water

    There’s been a change in Myers Park. Down the steps from St. Kevin’s Arcade, past the grassy slopes, the children’s playground, the benches and that goat statue, there has been a transformation. The underpass for Mayoral Drive has gone from a barren, grey, concrete tunnel, to a place that thrums ...
    Greater AucklandBy Connor Sharp
    4 days ago
  • A major milestone: Global climate pollution may have just peaked

    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections Global society may have finally slammed on the brakes for climate-warming pollution released by human fossil fuel combustion. According to the Carbon Monitor Project, the total global climate pollution released between February and May 2024 declined slightly from the amount released during the same ...
    Skeptical Science
    4 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Tuesday, July 23

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 7:00 am on Tuesday, July 23 are:Deep Dive: Penlink: where tolling rhetoric meets reality BusinessDesk-$$$’s Oliver LewisScoop: Te Pūkenga plans for regional polytechs leak out ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Tuesday, July 23

    TL;DR: As of 6:00 am on Tuesday, July 23, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:Health: Shane Reti announced the Board of Te Whatu Ora- Health New Zealand was being replaced with Commissioner Lester Levy ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • HealthNZ and Luxon at cross purposes over budget blowout

    Health NZ warned the Government at the end of March that it was running over Budget. But the reasons it gave were very different to those offered by the Prime Minister yesterday. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon blamed the “botched merger” of the 20 District Health Boards (DHBs) to create Health ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    4 days ago
  • 2500-3000 more healthcare staff expected to be fired, as Shane Reti blames Labour for a budget defic...

    Long ReadKey Summary: Although National increased the health budget by $1.4 billion in May, they used an old funding model to project health system costs, and never bothered to update their pre-election numbers. They were told during the Health Select Committees earlier in the year their budget amount was deficient, ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    4 days ago
  • Might Kamala Harris be about to get a 'stardust' moment like Jacinda Ardern?

    As a momentous, historic weekend in US politics unfolded, analysts and commentators grasped for precedents and comparisons to help explain the significance and power of the choice Joe Biden had made. The 46th president had swept the Democratic party’s primaries but just over 100 days from the election had chosen ...
    PunditBy Tim Watkin
    5 days ago
  • Solutions Interview: Steven Hail on MMT & ecological economics

    TL;DR: I’m casting around for new ideas and ways of thinking about Aotearoa’s political economy to find a few solutions to our cascading and self-reinforcing housing, poverty and climate crises.Associate Professor runs an online masters degree in the economics of sustainability at Torrens University in Australia and is organising ...
    The KakaBy Steven Hail
    5 days ago
  • Reported back

    The Finance and Expenditure Committee has reported back on National's Local Government (Water Services Preliminary Arrangements) Bill. The bill sets up water for privatisation, and was introduced under urgency, then rammed through select committee with no time even for local councils to make a proper submission. Naturally, national's select committee ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago
  • Vandrad the Viking, Christopher Coombes, and Literary Archaeology

    Some years ago, I bought a book at Dunedin’s Regent Booksale for $1.50. As one does. Vandrad the Viking (1898), by J. Storer Clouston, is an obscure book these days – I cannot find a proper online review – but soon it was sitting on my shelf, gathering dust alongside ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    5 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell On The Biden Withdrawal

    History is not on the side of the centre-left, when Democratic presidents fall behind in the polls and choose not to run for re-election. On both previous occasions in the past 75 years (Harry Truman in 1952, Lyndon Johnson in 1968) the Democrats proceeded to then lose the White House ...
    WerewolfBy lyndon
    5 days ago
  • Joe Biden's withdrawal puts the spotlight back on Kamala and the USA's complicated relatio...

    This is a free articleCoverageThis morning, US President Joe Biden announced his withdrawal from the Presidential race. And that is genuinely newsworthy. Thanks for your service, President Biden, and all the best to you and yours.However, the media in New Zealand, particularly the 1News nightly bulletin, has been breathlessly covering ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    5 days ago
  • Why we have to challenge our national fiscal assumptions

    A homeless person’s camp beside a blocked-off slipped damage walkway in Freeman’s Bay: we are chasing our tail on our worsening and inter-related housing, poverty and climate crises. Photo: Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • Existential Crisis and Damaged Brains

    What has happened to it all?Crazy, some'd sayWhere is the life that I recognise?(Gone away)But I won't cry for yesterdayThere's an ordinary worldSomehow I have to findAnd as I try to make my wayTo the ordinary worldYesterday morning began as many others - what to write about today? I began ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago
  • A speed limit is not a target, and yet…

    This is a guest post from longtime supporter Mr Plod, whose previous contributions include a proposal that Hamilton become New Zealand’s capital city, and that we should switch which side of the road we drive on. A recent Newsroom article, “Back to school for the Govt’s new speed limit policy“, ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    5 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Monday, July 22

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 7:00 am on Monday, July 22 are:Today’s Must Read: Father and son live in a tent, and have done for four years, in a million ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Monday, July 22

    TL;DR: As of 7:00 am on Monday, July 22, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:US President Joe Biden announced via X this morning he would not stand for a second term.Multinational professional services firm ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #29

    A listing of 32 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, July 14, 2024 thru Sat, July 20, 2024. Story of the week As reflected by preponderance of coverage, our Story of the Week is Project 2025. Until now traveling ...
    Skeptical Science
    6 days ago
  • I'd like to share what I did this weekend

    This weekend, a friend pointed out someone who said they’d like to read my posts, but didn’t want to pay. And my first reaction was sympathy.I’ve already told folks that if they can’t comfortably subscribe, and would like to read, I’d be happy to offer free subscriptions. I don’t want ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    6 days ago
  • For the children – Why mere sentiment can be a misleading force in our lives, and lead to unex...

    National: The Party of ‘Law and Order’ IntroductionThis weekend, the Government formally kicked off one of their flagship policy programs: a military style boot camp that New Zealand has experimented with over the past 50 years. Cartoon credit: Guy BodyIt’s very popular with the National Party’s Law and Order image, ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    6 days ago
  • A friend in uncertain times

    Day one of the solo leg of my long journey home begins with my favourite sound: footfalls in an empty street. 5.00 am and it’s already light and already too warm, almost.If I can make the train that leaves Budapest later this hour I could be in Belgrade by nightfall; ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    6 days ago
  • The Chaotic World of Male Diet Influencers

    Hi,We’ll get to the horrific world of male diet influencers (AKA Beefy Boys) shortly, but first you will be glad to know that since I sent out the Webworm explaining why the assassination attempt on Donald Trump was not a false flag operation, I’ve heard from a load of people ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    6 days ago
  • It's Starting To Look A Lot Like… Y2K

    Do you remember Y2K, the threat that hung over humanity in the closing days of the twentieth century? Horror scenarios of planes falling from the sky, electronic payments failing and ATMs refusing to dispense cash. As for your VCR following instructions and recording your favourite show - forget about it.All ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago
  • Bernard’s Saturday Soliloquy for the week to July 20

    Climate Change Minister Simon Watts being questioned by The Kākā’s Bernard Hickey.TL;DR: My top six things to note around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the week to July 20 were:1. A strategy that fails Zero Carbon Act & Paris targetsThe National-ACT-NZ First Coalition Government finally unveiled ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Pharmac Director, Climate Change Commissioner, Health NZ Directors – The latest to quit this m...

    Summary:As New Zealand loses at least 12 leaders in the public service space of health, climate, and pharmaceuticals, this month alone, directly in response to the Government’s policies and budget choices, what lies ahead may be darker than it appears. Tui examines some of those departures and draws a long ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    1 week ago
  • Flooding Housing Policy

    The Minister of Housing’s ambition is to reduce markedly the ratio of house prices to household incomes. If his strategy works it would transform the housing market, dramatically changing the prospects of housing as an investment.Leaving aside the Minister’s metaphor of ‘flooding the market’ I do not see how the ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    1 week ago
  • A Voyage Among the Vandals: Accepted (Again!)

    As previously noted, my historical fantasy piece, set in the fifth-century Mediterranean, was accepted for a Pirate Horror anthology, only for the anthology to later fall through. But in a good bit of news, it turned out that the story could indeed be re-marketed as sword and sorcery. As of ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    1 week ago
  • The Kākā's Chorus for Friday, July 19

    An employee of tobacco company Philip Morris International demonstrates a heated tobacco device. Photo: Getty ImagesTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy on Friday, July 19 are:At a time when the Coalition Government is cutting spending on health, infrastructure, education, housing ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Friday, July 19

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 8:30 am on Friday, July 19 are:Scoop: NZ First Minister Casey Costello orders 50% cut to excise tax on heated tobacco products. The minister has ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Weekly Roundup 19-July-2024

    Kia ora, it’s time for another Friday roundup, in which we pull together some of the links and stories that caught our eye this week. Feel free to add more in the comments! Our header image this week shows a foggy day in Auckland town, captured by Patrick Reynolds. ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    1 week ago
  • Weekly Climate Wrap: A market-led plan for failure

    TL;DR : Here’s the top six items climate news for Aotearoa this week, as selected by Bernard Hickey and The Kākā’s climate correspondent Cathrine Dyer. A discussion recorded yesterday is in the video above and the audio of that sent onto the podcast feed.The Government released its draft Emissions Reduction ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Tobacco First

    Save some money, get rich and old, bring it back to Tobacco Road.Bring that dynamite and a crane, blow it up, start all over again.Roll up. Roll up. Or tailor made, if you prefer...Whether you’re selling ciggies, digging for gold, catching dolphins in your nets, or encouraging folks to flutter ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago
  • Trump’s Adopted Son.

    Waiting In The Wings: For truly, if Trump is America’s un-assassinated Caesar, then J.D. Vance is America’s Octavian, the Republic’s youthful undertaker – and its first Emperor.DONALD TRUMP’S SELECTION of James D. Vance as his running-mate bodes ill for the American republic. A fervent supporter of Viktor Orban, the “illiberal” prime ...
    Bowalley Road
    1 week ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Friday, July 19

    TL;DR: As of 6:00 am on Friday, July 19, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:The PSA announced the Employment Relations Authority (ERA) had ruled in the PSA’s favour in its case against the Ministry ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • The Hoon around the week to July 19

    TL;DR: The podcast above of the weekly ‘hoon’ webinar for paying subscribers last night features co-hosts and talking with:The Kākā’s climate correspondent talking about the National-ACT-NZ First Government’s release of its first Emissions Reduction Plan;University of Otago Foreign Relations Professor and special guest Dr Karin von ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #29 2024

    Open access notables Improving global temperature datasets to better account for non-uniform warming, Calvert, Quarterly Journal of the Royal Meteorological Society: To better account for spatial non-uniform trends in warming, a new GITD [global instrumental temperature dataset] was created that used maximum likelihood estimation (MLE) to combine the land surface ...
    Skeptical Science
    1 week ago

  • Joint statement from the Prime Ministers of Canada, Australia and New Zealand

    Australia, Canada and New Zealand today issued the following statement on the need for an urgent ceasefire in Gaza and the risk of expanded conflict between Hizballah and Israel. The situation in Gaza is catastrophic. The human suffering is unacceptable. It cannot continue.  We remain unequivocal in our condemnation of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    16 hours ago
  • AG reminds institutions of legal obligations

    Attorney-General Judith Collins today reminded all State and faith-based institutions of their legal obligation to preserve records relevant to the safety and wellbeing of those in its care. “The Abuse in Care Inquiry’s report has found cases where records of the most vulnerable people in State and faith‑based institutions were ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    19 hours ago
  • More young people learning about digital safety

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says the Government’s online safety website for children and young people has reached one million page views.  “It is great to see so many young people and their families accessing the site Keep It Real Online to learn how to stay safe online, and manage ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    20 hours ago
  • Speech to the Conference for General Practice 2024

    Tēnā tātou katoa,  Ngā mihi te rangi, ngā mihi te whenua, ngā mihi ki a koutou, kia ora mai koutou. Thank you for the opportunity to be here and the invitation to speak at this 50th anniversary conference. I acknowledge all those who have gone before us and paved the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    22 hours ago
  • Employers and payroll providers ready for tax changes

    New Zealand’s payroll providers have successfully prepared to ensure 3.5 million individuals will, from Wednesday next week, be able to keep more of what they earn each pay, says Finance Minister Nicola Willis and Revenue Minister Simon Watts.  “The Government's tax policy changes are legally effective from Wednesday. Delivering this tax ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    24 hours ago
  • Experimental vineyard futureproofs wine industry

    An experimental vineyard which will help futureproof the wine sector has been opened in Blenheim by Associate Regional Development Minister Mark Patterson. The covered vineyard, based at the New Zealand Wine Centre – Te Pokapū Wāina o Aotearoa, enables controlled environmental conditions. “The research that will be produced at the Experimental ...
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    1 day ago
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