[Please note, we are trialling something new for Open Mike and Daily Review.
In order to keep OM and DR free for other conversations, all comments, link postings etc about the US election now need to go in the dedicated US election discussion here.
If you are unsure, post in that thread rather than here. It’s not possible for moderators to shift comments from OM to there, so any comments here may get deleted.
“They’ve been prepared to defend. It’s going to be tough fighting, but I think we can take back Mosul and then we can move on into Syria and take back Raqqa.”
Odd, none of the Kurd’s I follow are saying anything about this.
I think you don’t get how hated ISIS is by the Kurd’s, nor the other ethnic and religious minorities in the region. To them, contemplating having to fight ISIS later is not part of there thinking, they want to finish them now.
Mosul will be the hard fight they expect.
I think the Russians are forgetting this is a civil war, hearts and minds are everything. So big propaganda pieces from the Iraq and Kurdish forces is to be expected, to extrapolate some theory of ISIS safe passage deal, seems wonky at best.
Also I’m hearing the US staying out as much as possible (air strikes), because this is a civil war. They know they can’t win one of those for someone.
Gable Tostee “not guilty”. If you disagree with that “verdict”, then that
legal sage and philosopher Chris Trotter has some stern advice for you.
Gable Tostee, 30, was charged after Warriena Wright, 26, fell from his balcony in Queensland’s Gold Coast in August 2014. Prosecutors argued that she was so intimidated that she tried to escape by climbing to a lower floor, but fell.
After four days of deliberation, the jury has found Gable Tostee not guilty of murder and manslaughter.
In case you are foolish enough to be disgusted by that “verdict”, then you should consider the following piece of solemn admonition….
I think all this talk about the jury is most unfortunate. You have, even in this case I think, to trust the jury. In any trial, there are always items of evidence that we do not know about, even in this case I think.
Guilty of something, at least. I can see why a jury might eventually come down to rejecting murder, but as a juror I’d find it pretty hard to vote not guilty of manslaughter for a guy pleading “self-defence” against a woman who was screaming “No no no, let me go home!” at the time.
Miss-trial due to instagram, the accused should be made to take the stand. I expect it to be appealed. Weird case, creepy as after discovering more about Tostee.
Sad for the young ladies family, so sad, so public for them, love and energy to her family.
Exactly… there is no legal requirement… just good lawyers, and you tend to get what you pay for.
More profitable to sell ones story than tell it publically on the stand anyways, which media outlet will offer the best price for his story I wonder? Will it be enough to cover his legal fee’s?
It appears that Miss Wright did not receive competent representation. There are way too many unanswered questions.
“I would [let you go home], but you have been a naughty girl..”. Tells us that Tostee had unfinished business.
Intimidation, pure and simple. Just this remark alone from his creepy recording (why did he record this in the first place? Blackmail? More intimidation?) is evidence enough. He clearly intended to cause her mental and emotional harm. His intentions led directly to her death. He could have chosen to push her out the front door but instead chose to isolate her. The balcony is not “off the property” it is an isolated, outdoor part of said property. Judge got that completely wrong.
Syria Solidarity: National day of action 29th October
Civilians in Aleppo and across Syria are being intensively bombed by Russia with bunker bombs, phosphorous bombs, napalm, thermobaric and cluster bombs; and by the Syrian regime with chlorine containing barrel bombs; targetting homes, schools, hospitals, rescue teams, and underground shelters .
Like many Syrian cities, Aleppo has been under a starvation siege. The regime and Russian have even bombed the city’s water supply.
Despite these atrocious crimes against humanity, Aleppo’s people show tremendous solidarity and caring for each other, as they work to find the wounded under the rubble, and rush them to undergound clinics for treatment. Hundreds of democratically run community councils have been formed across Syria in the liberated areas. They have produced a tremendous amount of art, literature, music, and electronic media documenting the revolution and counter revolution in Syria.
The “peace” talks have broken down. It is clear that Russia and the Assad regime are looking for a military solution to enable the genocidal Assad regime to continue in power.
Most of the fighters killing Syrian civilians are not Syrians. They include soliders from Afghanistan, Lebanon, Iran and Iraq, many of them conscripted or desperately poor with no other options for a living.
The Assad regime and Russia have killed half a million Syrian people. The genocide has to stop! The regime regularly uses rape and torture as weapons.
The war started because people across Syria went onto the streets to demand democracy, and instead were shot, rounded up, tortured, raped and killed. So the people took up arms to defend themselves. The Assad regime has vowed to continue to obliterate the population until it accepts his rule.
Both the United States and Russia have re-defined the people’s struggle for democracy as a “war on terror” and are both responsible for killing civilians.
Isis grew in Syria with the encouragement of the Assad regime. Assad deliberately released extremists from his jails, who went on to join Isis in Syria. The regime leaves Isis alone, and Isis is continually attacking the democratic opposition groups. The democratic opposition has been forced to fight on two fronts, against the attacks from the regime and from Isis. Despite the evils perpetrated by Isis, it has killed a fraction of the number of people, that the Assad regime has. The Assad regime with its Russian and Iranian allies are the greater evil.
Stop the bombing! Troops out!
No more genocide! Solidarity with the Syrian Revolution!
Victory for Syrian people now!
Nah – they’re backing the wrong horse. The West are only in there to push for regime change – like in Libya. Same fucked up principle will give the same result as Libya. Please note how the yanks are also doing Israels and Saudi Arabias dirty work as they try to squash Shia regimes one by one.
Here is the news, Cinny. No way will the bombing stop. It never does. Our media blame it on the other side through blaming ‘human shield’ tactics, etc, when our bombs kill civilians. Are our side going to stop bombing Mosul because of civilians? Nup – but we will get publicity about the nasty Russian and Assad bombs in Aleppo. Get used to it.
Superprofits off the back of ratepayer/taxpayer subsidies and a broken housing market. https://t.co/8UivWVVBcJ— TransportBlog (@TransportBlog) October 20, 2016
a note to cv – I put this on the post you put up but I suspect that post won’t stay up so I’m reposting here
Why not read the signs and actually take time off from the bubble you have created around yourself. You’ll probably come back fresher. What you are doing now isn’t working – that’s my advice – read the signs mate because imo all of your credibility capital is pretty well gone down the gurgler because of some of those ‘calls’ you have recently made.
anyway delete, ban or ignore – or maybe listen – your call.
@MM Weka, PM, The Ex, J 90 etc,
you guys appear to me to be just bullies who have undertaken an irrational, abusive and vindictive attack on CV who, at least originally, tried to discuss the matter of The Clintons, Trump and American politics. A discussion centred within a framework of big business, political elitism and social inequality. You have pushed him in the the corner he now finds himself in, and to what end other than to shut down a differing view point.
I’m sure i’m not the only one who thinks this. I have found you all disappointing.
it’s not really the case here though – cv does not identify as left. I identify as left. cv and I are not in the same camp and therefore he isn’t my own and I’m not his own. I really tried to come from a place of compassion in my comment to him above – it is sad to me that some (maybe including you gsays) don’t get that.
We (of the left) have to get rid of this government and get more equality and equity in play for so many disadvantaged people in our society – life is getting so hard for so so many and it is happening now, this minute and only getting worse. I want to focus on that, not have to deal with lies and misinformation designed, yes DESIGNED to disrupt the left, from someone who shoots wildly, never aims correctly and dismisses as unimportant the innocent bystanders who end up recipients of his output. And this is done under cover like a wolf with a sheepskin on its back.
Sure I could ignore, let it go, concentrate on my passionate areas but you know, this is MY community too, in that I visit, I consider, I contribute, I laugh, I cry – all here, in this community – I am not going to sit on my hands and allow trojan horse pretenders to take MY community away – I won’t have anywhere to go if that happens… 🙁
hey cheers marty,
a couple of things..
i did get yr compassion earlier.
for me andrew’s comment was a chance to have 10 cents worth.
i had been thinking that tensions had been running high in the last few days without much sign of a backdown or releasing of tensions. generally over excitement generated by opinions of the american popularity contest.
in the cold light of day neither candidate is a great example of a leader to deal with what humanity is staring down the barrell of.
about our community; please don’t take this as telling y’all how to suck eggs.. the best thing we can do for our community is to be kinder to each other.
well andrew I don’t think cv was pushed and I don’t agree with you when you imply that cv is able to be pushed – I think he is competently able to have his own agency and responsibility to what he says. My note to him above comes from a place of compassion, because in the past others have given me the same advice when I needed to hear it.
The point is that there is scope for valid political debate outside of gender discrimination and by my observation this is where CV endeavoured to position the conversation, at least initially. It was you guys that seemed to insist the issue had to be viewed through the prism of gender politics only. In doing so you have you have completely undermined a valid discussion on what, strategically speaking, is the best way to end corporate domination of social and political outcomes. It also says a lot about about how illiberal you all really are.
The point is that there is scope for valid political debate outside of gender discrimination and by my observation this is where CV endeavoured to position the conversation, at least initially.
I don’t know what you are referring to and given you are making some hefty accusations, I think you need to explain more clearly what you are talking about.
No Weka I don’t, the meaning is clear enough, and they are observations not accusations. Your reaction is also clear… defensive and antagonistic. It is you that needs to consider more carefully what I might be talking about. There should be a better response to challenging and complex matters of social/political concern than that proffered by J90 below that again just looks to ‘win’ not explore the issue.
[one of the main rules one this site is don’t tell authors/moderators what to do. Another is don’t waste moderators’ time. There are very good reasons for both of those, which boil down to protecting authors so that they want to put up posts and so they have time to write. In that sense authors are considered more important than commenters, not because we’re somehow better but because we’re the ones putting the work in to keep the front page full of posts.
I get that it is complicated when an author/mod is also commenting, so let me be clear. When you called me a bully above, I wasn’t sure if you were referring to my comments or my moderations. I’ve let this subthread run because I’ve been busy and I was hoping that it would settle down. But you are now outright challenging an author and that’s a problem. Please now clarify if you think I am a bully as a commenter or a moderator or both. If you are calling me a bully as a moderator, you need to link to 3 examples in the past month that support that. If you are calling me a bully as a commenter, I will deal with that when I am not in bold. However you need to be aware that if you continue to make accusations without responding to requests for clarification or back up, then at some point a moderator will get involved.
This isn’t negotiable. I suggest you read the Policy and About, because I’m not willing to spend more time on this and if I have to moderate you again I will be putting in a timed ban. I have no problem with people expressing disappointment or dissatisfaction with the moderation here, or specific decisions, or asking questions or making constructive suggestions, but it’s not ok to have a go at authors. I’m putting you in premod so I can more easily pick up your reply. – weka]
Friendly advice from a non-moderator: you definitely make two accusations with no identifying context in 8.1.2.1, and doubling down on it is a good way to annoy moderators. The site does explain all this in its comments policy.
Then I will leave it to others to form an opinion on whether this anti CV clique seeks to shut down rather than engage with dessenting viewpoints. I have no wish to be further dragged in to pedantic argument on the definition of an accusation while you chose to ignore the substance of the observation.
Holding an opinion that an alleged serial sexual offender is a manifestly unsuitable candidate is a view through the prism of gender politics only, really?.
Holding an opinion that an alleged serial sexual offender is a manifestly unsuitable candidate is a view through the prism of gender politics only, really?.
… a candidate who has personally ensured that gender is front and centre of each of the three presidential debates. “Nasty woman”, “she” (repeated in hissing tones many times), doubting her stamina, saying she doesn’t “look” presidential, stalking her onstage in the most repulsive way – and admitting later that he was in fact envisaging her sexually at that time!!! DURING a live, televised presidential debate!!!
I don’t agree with the conclusions you have reached there andrew. I can’t see where there was any insistence at all apart from asking for evidence for blanket, usually insulting and hurtful, accusations against others – when that inevitably didn’t occur then that was named as an opinion and was weighed against other opinions that that writer has made previously – there does develop a cumulative effect where a commenter’s ‘voice’ is known.
You don’t like that as a left left person I don’t like reading and having to argue against bullshit and hate speech, against arguments proven false and with no redeeming qualities I might add, against a self confessed non-left thinker or believer – just because they want to shout loudly their (proven) bigotry. That is fine by me and also fine you make comment on it.
Thank you Andrew Murray. I agree with your comments and am disappointed by the behaviour of many on this site in their relentless vindictive treatment of CV.
BTW, if anyone had noticed my light commenting around these parts recently, a small part of it is due to CV’s behaviour of late. I just can’t be bothered coming here and having to scroll past all his crap. I’m sure there are some who might consider that sweet relief, of course 🙂
I like your posts, they’re normally quite considered but its Penny Brights posts that annoy the heck out of me or rather her posting something then not bothering to reply to people that comment on what she posted
Yes Puck I have observed you partaking in group bullying of Penny in the past and commented on that yesterday …… when you were being insincere about attitudes to women posters ……
Also not one of you trolls ever answered my easy maths question of $2.2 billion divided by $22 million ……….. when comparing the aussie bank fraud featuring a getaway tax vehicle provided by John Shewan ….. versus the $22 million welfare fraud prosecuted in the same year … The answer was of course that Shewans and the bamks fraud was 100x larger … or 100 years worth.
You never answered did you Puck ………
Bring back CV and ban Puck is my opinion …….
I’ve accepted Hillary the Hawk will be the next president over Trump, who I called out as a rapist last fathers day from memory …..
Anyway, New Zealand and the rest of the world should take a lot more refugees …..
Good on them, I think Parkers not at Joshua or Klitschkos level just yet but sometimes you just have to take the opportunity when it comes and, if he can beat Ruiz, his opportunity will come sooner rather later
As long as he gives it everything i’m all good with it , it took me along time to get over the Tua man getting overwhelmed with the occasion and failing to fire a shot.
I’m absolutely sure we are there, Robert. I suggested in a post ages ago that our role over there was not going to be limited to training the Iraqi military and that the SAS would be lurking around as well. I’d like to think that when IS are forced out of Iraq and into Syria that our role, whatever it is, comes to a swift end.
“Defence Minister Gerry Brownlee has denied claims in international media that New Zealand special forces are calling in airstrikes in northern Iraq, “or involved in any other combat operations” in the country.”
Of course NZ special forces individuals could be working with/seconded to other nations forces which means they come under those countries mandate and not our own so Gerry Brownlee is probably telling the truth…or interpreting the question the way he wants to
If that doesn’t work out, there’s also this, starting with lignin. But sorry, it doesn’t specifically say ethanol is one of the useful molecules it produces.
Transport grade fuels – Biofuels (second and third generation) are just around the corner, per the link you have supplied the “issue” at the moment is developing catalysts that are commercially viable to use. The rest of the tech is ready to go.
As someone who is involved in the residential building and development industry in Auckland, there appears to be a trend of the banks “de risking” in this industry. I have just completed the yearly banking review for the coy. With our “relationship” banker informing me that the bank has given us 10 months to reduce our credit facility by 1/3rd, which will mean that money that were intended to develop land and houses will now be used to repay the bank back. This on top of that the MOCCL rate we pay is to increase. The reason was that the bank is under pressure to maintain its profit margins in a tight market, in which they cannot lower rates as investors are unwilling to deposit for fixed terms given the low yields.
From discussions with others within the industry we are not the only coy that the banks are placing increasing pressure to reduce debt, this at a time when we are forever being reminded that Auckland needs 14k houses build p.a. ??
As someone who is involved in the residential building and development industry in Auckland, there appears to be a trend of the banks “de risking” in this industry. I have just completed the yearly banking review for the coy. With our “relationship” banker informing me that the bank has given us 10 months to reduce our credit facility by 1/3rd, which will mean that money that were intended to develop land and houses will now be used to repay the bank back. This on top of that the MOCCL rate we pay is to increase. The reason was that the bank is under pressure to maintain its profit margins in a tight market, in which they cannot lower rates as investors are unwilling to deposit for fixed terms given the low yields.
From discussions with others within the industry we are not the only coy that the banks are placing increasing pressure to reduce debt, this at a time when we are forever being reminded that Auckland needs 14k houses build p.a. whilst building less than 9k??
interesting, ty for the info. I wonder if banks are expecting some people to default on loans, so are making sure businesses are able to counter balance it by paying down more debt at this time? Are interest rates about to rise? Will people be able to maintain massive mortgages on over priced properties?
How much profit do the banks need? It’s not as a result of recent property investor/banking lending rules changes?
Sounds like it could be a stumbling block for many in the trade whom are trying to build housing. Or is nick smith trying to dig himself out of a gaping cavernous hole, maybe he’ll blame the banks next for lack of action on his housing promises? Building boom? Housing Crisis?
Either way sounds like a pain for the people in your industry for sures.
With a massive Russian fleet now heading from the Baltic to the Syrian coast, and the US effectively expelling 5000 ISIS fighters from Iraq to Syria, I see a nod-wink for a Russian bloodbath of the remaining Isis. In Syria.
Recent events suggest the potential of a (sorry about that) deliberate mistake is also high. I’m not sure about the US strike that hit Assad forces, but I don’t believe they expected the Russian reprisal.
ISIS may disperse if they face a genuine existential threat – some at least of them can do that.
This has the potential to be a very good war not to be involved in – no high moral ground, and small players get hurt if the giants dance.
[In order to keep OM and DR free for other conversations, all comments, link postings etc about the US election now need to go in the dedicated US election discussion here.
If you are unsure, post in that thread rather than here. It’s not possible for moderators to shift comments from OM to there, so any comments here may get deleted – weka]
What has happened to CV’s post about US-Filipino relations? I saw the post in my RSS feed but when I clicked through to the site it was gone!
All I can see is some cryptic references to CV being banned, but no official notice or anything. It all comes across as a bit Stalinist in form. That post about Duterte I was looking forward to reading but perhaps it wasn’t politically correct? Who can enlighten me?
I don’t know – I’m not a mod.
But I really do hope CV is able to bring it back. It is a topic that immediately affects some of my wider family by marriage, and friends.
(Reply to Conal)
Skeptical Science is partnering with Gigafact to produce fact briefs — bite-sized fact checks of trending claims. This fact brief was written by Sue Bin Park in collaboration with members from our Skeptical Science team. You can submit claims you think need checking via the tipline. Is Antarctica gaining land ice? ...
Images of US students (and others) protesting and setting up tent cities on US university campuses have been broadcast world wide and clearly demonstrate the growing rifts in US society caused by US policy toward Israel and Israel’s prosecution of … Continue reading → ...
Barrie Saunders writes – Dear Paul As the new Minister of Media and Communications, you will be inundated with heaps of free advice and special pleading, all in the national interest of course. For what it’s worth here is my assessment: Traditional broadcasting free to air content through ...
Many criticisms are being made of the Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill, including by this writer. But as with everything in politics, every story has two sides, and both deserve attention. It’s important to understand what the Government is trying to achieve and its arguments for such a bold reform. ...
Peter Dunne writes – The great nineteenth British Prime Minister, William Gladstone, once observed that “the first essential for a Prime Minister is to be a good butcher.” When a later British Prime Minister, Harold Macmillan, sacked a third of his Cabinet in July 1962, in what became ...
Ele Ludemann writes – New Zealanders had the OECD’s second highest tax increase last year: New Zealanders faced the second-biggest tax raises in the developed world last year, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) says. The intergovernmental agency said the average change in personal income tax ...
We all know something’s not right with our elections. The spread of misinformation, people being targeted with soundbites and emotional triggers that ignore the facts, even the truth, and influence their votes.The use of technology to produce deep fakes. How can you tell if something is real or not? Can ...
This video includes conclusions of the creator climate scientist Dr. Simon Clark. It is presented to our readers as an informed perspective. Please see video description for references (if any). This year you will be lied to! Simon Clark helps prebunk some misleading statements you'll hear about climate. The video includes ...
It is all very well cutting the backrooms of public agencies but it may compromise the frontlines. One of the frustrations of the Productivity Commission’s 2017 review of universities is that while it observed that their non-academic staff were increasing faster than their academic staff, it did not bother to ...
Buzz from the Beehive Two speeches delivered by Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters at Anzac Day ceremonies in Turkey are the only new posts on the government’s official website since the PM announced his Cabinet shake-up. In one of the speeches, Peters stated the obvious: we live in a troubled ...
1. Which of these would you not expect to read in The Waikato Invader?a. Luxon is here to do business, don’t you worry about thatb. Mr KPI expects results, and you better believe itc. This decisive man of action is getting me all hot and excitedd. Melissa Lee is how ...
…it has a restricted jurisdiction which must not be abused: it is not an inquisitionNOTE – this article was published before the High Court ruled that Karen Chhour does not have to appear before the Waitangi Tribunal Gary Judd writes – The High Court ...
Lindsay Mitchell writes – One of reasons Oranga Tamariki exists is to prevent child neglect. But could the organisation itself be guilty of the same?Oranga Tamariki’s statistics show a decrease in the number and age of children in care. “There are less children ...
David Farrar writes: Graeme Edgeler wrote in 2017: In the first five years after three strikes came into effect 5248 offenders received a ‘first strike’ (that is, a “stage-1 conviction” under the three strikes sentencing regime), and 68 offenders received a ‘second strike’. In the five years prior to ...
Bryce Edwards writes – Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has surprised everyone with his ruthlessness in sacking two of his ministers from their crucial portfolios. Removing ministers for poor performance after only five months in the job just doesn’t normally happen in politics. That’s refreshing and will be extremely ...
TL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the two days to 6:06am on Thursday, April 25:Politics: PM Christopher Luxon has set up a dual standard for ministerial competence by demoting two National Cabinet ministers while leaving also-struggling ...
Hi,Today I mainly want to share some of your thoughts about the recent piece I wrote about success and failure, and the forces that seemingly guide our lives. But first, a quick bit of housekeeping: I am doing a Webworm popup in Los Angeles on Saturday May 11 at 2pm. ...
It is hard to see what Melissa Lee might have done to “save” the media. National went into the election with no public media policy and appears not to have developed one subsequently. Lee claimed that she had prepared a policy paper before the election but it had been decided ...
Open access notablesIce acceleration and rotation in the Greenland Ice Sheet interior in recent decades, Løkkegaard et al., Communications Earth & Environment:In the past two decades, mass loss from the Greenland ice sheet has accelerated, partly due to the speedup of glaciers. However, uncertainty in speed derived from satellite products ...
Buzz from the Beehive A statement from Children’s Minister Karen Chhour – yet to be posted on the Government’s official website – arrived in Point of Order’s email in-tray last night. It welcomes the High Court ruling on whether the Waitangi Tribunal can demand she appear before it. It does ...
Mr Bombastic:Ironically, the media the academic experts wanted is, in many ways, the media they got. In place of the tyrannical editors of yesteryear, advancing without fear or favour the interests of the ruling class; the New Zealand news media of today boasts a troop of enlightened journalists dedicated to ...
It's hard times try to make a livingYou wake up every morning in the unforgivingOut there somewhere in the cityThere's people living lives without mercy or pityI feel good, yeah I'm feeling fineI feel better then I have for the longest timeI think these pills have been good for meI ...
In 1974, the US Supreme Court issued its decision in United States v. Nixon, finding that the President was not a King, but was subject to the law and was required to turn over the evidence of his wrongdoing to the courts. It was a landmark decision for the rule ...
Every day now just seems to bring in more fresh meat for the grinder.In their relentlessly ideological drive to cut back on the “excessive bloat” (as they see it) of the previous Labour-led government, on the mountains of evidence accumulated in such a short period of time do not ...
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Megan Valére SosouMarket gardening site of the Itchèléré de Itagui agricultural cooperative in Dassa-Zoumè (Image credit: Megan Valère Sossou) For the residents of Dassa-Zoumè, a city in the West African country of Benin, choosing between drinking water and having enough ...
Buzz from the Beehive Melissa Lee – as may be discerned from the screenshot above – has not been demoted for doing something seriously wrong as Minister of ...
Morning in London Mother hugs beloved daughter outside the converted shoe factory in which she is living.Afternoon in London Travelling writer takes himself and his wrist down to A&E, just to be sure. Read more ...
Mike Grimshaw writes – The recent announcement of the University Advisory Group, chaired by Sir Peter Gluckman, makes very clear where the Government’s focus and priorities lie. The remit of the Advisory Group is that Group members will consider challenges and opportunities for improvement in the university sector including: ...
Eric Crampton writes – The Reserve Bank of New Zealand desperately wants to find reasons to have workstreams in climate change. It makes little sense. They’ve run another stress test on the banks looking to see if they could find a prudential regulation case. They couldn’t. They ...
Rob MacCullough writes – Pundits from the left and the right are arguing that National’s Fast Track Bill that is designed to speed up infrastructure decisions could end up becoming mired in a cesspool of corruption. Political commentator ...
Looking at the headlines this morning it’s hard to feel anything other than pessimistic about the future of humanity.Note that I’m not speaking about the future of mankind, but the survival of our humanity. The values that we believe in seem to be ebbing away, by the day.Perhaps every generation ...
Swabbing mixed breed baby chicks to test for avian influenzaUh oh. Bird flu – often deadly to humans – is not only being transmitted from infected birds to dairy cows, but is now travelling between dairy cows. As of last Friday, Bloomberg News reports, there were 32 American dairy herds ...
On February 14, 2023 we announced our Rebuttal Update Project. This included an ask for feedback about the added "At a glance" section in the updated basic rebuttal versions. This weekly blog post series highlights this new section of one of the updated basic rebuttal versions and serves as a ...
What is it with the mining industry? Its not enough for them to pillage the earth - they apparently can't even be bothered getting resource consent to do so: The proponent behind a major mine near the Clutha River had already been undertaking activity in the area without a ...
Photo # 1 I am a huge fan of Singapore’s approach to housing, as described here two years ago by copying and pasting from The ConversationWhat Singapore has that Australia does not is a public housing developer, the Housing Development Board, which puts new dwellings on public and reclaimed land, ...
Buzz from the Beehive Reactions to news of the government’s readiness to make urgent changes to “the resource management system” through a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) suggest a balanced approach is being taken. The Taxpayers’ Union says the proposed changes don’t go far enough. Greenpeace says ...
I’m starting to wonder if Anna Burns-Francis might be the best political interviewer we’ve got. That might sound unlikely to you, it came as a bit of a surprise to me.Jack Tame can be excellent, but has some pretty average days. I like Rebecca Wright on Newshub, she asks good ...
Chris Trotter writes – Willie Jackson is said to be planning a “media summit” to discuss “the state of the media and how to protect Fourth Estate Journalism”. Not only does the Editor of The Daily Blog, Martyn Bradbury, think this is a good idea, but he has also ...
Graeme Edgeler writes – This morning [April 21], the Wellington High Court is hearing a judicial review brought by Hon. Karen Chhour, the Minister for Children, against a decision of the Waitangi Tribunal. This is unusual, judicial reviews are much more likely to brought against ministers, rather than ...
Both of Parliament’s watchdogs have now ripped into the Government’s Fast-track Approvals Bill. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāMy pick of the six newsey things to know from Aotearoa’s political economy and beyond on the morning of Tuesday, April 23 are:The Lead: The Auditor General,John Ryan, has joined the ...
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Sarah SpengemanPeople wait to board an electric bus in Pune, India. (Image credit: courtesy of ITDP) Public transportation riders in Pune, India, love the city’s new electric buses so much they will actually skip an older diesel bus that ...
The infrastructure industry yesterday issued a “hurry up” message to the Government, telling it to get cracking on developing a pipeline of infrastructure projects.The hiatus around the change of Government has seen some major projects cancelled and others delayed, and there is uncertainty about what will happen with the new ...
Hi,Over the weekend I revisited a podcast I really adore, Dead Eyes. It’s about a guy who got fired from Band of Brothers over two decades ago because Tom Hanks said he had “dead eyes”.If you don’t recall — 2001’s Band of Brothers was part of the emerging trend of ...
Buzz from the Beehive The 180 or so recipients of letters from the Government telling them how to submit infrastructure projects for “fast track” consideration includes some whose project applications previously have been rejected by the courts. News media were quick to feature these in their reports after RMA Reform Minister Chris ...
It would not be a desirable way to start your holiday by breaking your back, your head, or your wrist, but on our first hour in Singapore I gave it a try.We were chatting, last week, before we started a meeting of Hazel’s Enviro Trust, about the things that can ...
Calling all journalists, academics, planners, lawyers, political activists, environmentalists, and other members of the public who believe that the relationships between vested interests and politicians need to be scrutinised. We need to work together to make sure that the new Fast-Track Approvals Bill – currently being pushed through by the ...
Feel worried. Shane Jones and a couple of his Cabinet colleagues are about to be granted the power to override any and all objections to projects like dams, mines, roads etc even if: said projects will harm biodiversity, increase global warming and cause other environmental harms, and even if ...
Bryce Edwards writes- The ability of the private sector to quickly establish major new projects making use of the urban and natural environment is to be supercharged by the new National-led Government. Yesterday it introduced to Parliament one of its most significant reforms, the Fast Track Approvals Bill. ...
Michael Bassett writes – If you think there is a move afoot by the radical Maori fringe of New Zealand society to create a parallel system of government to the one that we elect at our triennial elections, you aren’t wrong. Over the last few days we have ...
Without a corresponding drop in interest rates, it’s doubtful any changes to the CCCFA will unleash a massive rush of home buyers. Photo: Lynn GrievesonTL;DR: The six things that stood out to me in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, poverty and climate on Monday, April 22 included:The Government making a ...
Sunday was a lazy day. I started watching Jack Tame on Q&A, the interviews are usually good for something to write about. Saying the things that the politicians won’t, but are quite possibly thinking. Things that are true and need to be extracted from between the lines.As you might know ...
In our Weekly Roundup last week we covered news from Auckland Transport that the WX1 Western Express is going to get an upgrade next year with double decker electric buses. As part of the announcement, AT also said “Since we introduced the WX1 Western Express last November we have seen ...
TL;DR: The six key events to watch in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the week to April 29 include:PM Christopher Luxon is scheduled to hold a post-Cabinet news conference at 4 pm today. Stats NZ releases its statutory report on Census 2023 tomorrow.Finance Minister Nicola Willis delivers a pre-Budget speech at ...
A listing of 29 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, April 14, 2024 thru Sat, April 20, 2024. Story of the week Our story of the week hinges on these words from the abstract of a fresh academic ...
The ability of the private sector to quickly establish major new projects making use of the urban and natural environment is to be supercharged by the new National-led Government. Yesterday it introduced to Parliament one of its most significant reforms, the Fast Track Approvals Bill. The Government says this will ...
This is a column to say thank you. So many of have been in touch since Mum died to say so many kind and thoughtful things. You’re wonderful, all of you. You’ve asked how we’re doing, how Dad’s doing. A little more realisation each day, of the irretrievable finality of ...
Identifying the engine type in your car is crucial for various reasons, including maintenance, repairs, and performance upgrades. Knowing the specific engine model allows you to access detailed technical information, locate compatible parts, and make informed decisions about modifications. This comprehensive guide will provide you with a step-by-step approach to ...
Introduction: The allure of racing is undeniable. The thrill of speed, the roar of engines, and the exhilaration of competition all contribute to the allure of this adrenaline-driven sport. For those who yearn to experience the pinnacle of racing, becoming a race car driver is the ultimate dream. However, the ...
Introduction Automobiles have become ubiquitous in modern society, serving as a primary mode of transportation and a symbol of economic growth and personal mobility. With countless vehicles traversing roads and highways worldwide, it begs the question: how many cars are there in the world? Determining the precise number is a ...
Maintaining a safe and reliable vehicle requires regular inspections. Whether it’s a routine maintenance checkup or a safety inspection, knowing how long the process will take can help you plan your day accordingly. This article delves into the factors that influence the duration of a car inspection and provides an ...
Mazda Motor Corporation, commonly known as Mazda, is a Japanese multinational automaker headquartered in Fuchu, Aki District, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan. The company was founded in 1920 as the Toyo Cork Kogyo Co., Ltd., and began producing vehicles in 1931. Mazda is primarily known for its production of passenger cars, but ...
Your car battery is an essential component that provides power to start your engine, operate your electrical systems, and store energy. Over time, batteries can weaken and lose their ability to hold a charge, which can lead to starting problems, power failures, and other issues. Replacing your battery before it ...
In most states, you cannot register a car without a valid driver’s license. However, there are a few exceptions to this rule. Exceptions to the RuleIf you are under 18 years old: In some states, you can register a car in your name even if you do not ...
Mazda, a Japanese automotive manufacturer with a rich history of innovation and engineering excellence, has emerged as a formidable player in the global car market. Known for its reputation of producing high-quality, fuel-efficient, and driver-oriented vehicles, Mazda has consistently garnered praise from industry experts and consumers alike. In this article, ...
Struts are an essential part of a car’s suspension system. They are responsible for supporting the weight of the car and damping the oscillations of the springs. Struts are typically made of steel or aluminum and are filled with hydraulic fluid. How Do Struts Work? Struts work by transferring the ...
Car registration is a mandatory process that all vehicle owners must complete annually. This process involves registering your car with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and paying an associated fee. The registration process ensures that your vehicle is properly licensed and insured, and helps law enforcement and other authorities ...
Zoom is a video conferencing service that allows you to share your screen, webcam, and audio with other participants. In addition to sharing your own audio, you can also share the audio from your computer with other participants. This can be useful for playing music, sharing presentations with audio, or ...
Building your own computer can be a rewarding and cost-effective way to get a high-performance machine tailored to your specific needs. However, it also requires careful planning and execution, and one of the most important factors to consider is the time it will take. The exact time it takes to ...
Te Pāti Māori are demanding the New Zealand Government support an international independent investigation into mass graves that have been uncovered at two hospitals on the Gaza strip, following weeks of assault by Israeli troops. Among the 392 bodies that have been recovered, are children and elderly civilians. Many of ...
Our two-tiered system for veterans’ support is out of step with our closest partners, and all parties in Parliament should work together to fix it, Labour veterans’ affairs spokesperson Greg O’Connor said. ...
Stripping two Ministers of their portfolios just six months into the job shows Christopher Luxon’s management style is lacking, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said. ...
Tonight’s court decision to overturn the summons of the Children’s Minister has enabled the Crown to continue making decisions about Māori without evidence, says Te Pāti Māori spokesperson for Children, Mariameno Kapa-Kingi. “The judicial system has this evening told the nation that this government can do whatever they want when ...
It appears Nicola Willis is about to pull the rug out from under the feet of local communities still dealing with the aftermath of last year’s severe weather, and local councils relying on funding to build back from these disasters. ...
The Government is making short-sighted changes to the Resource Management Act (RMA) that will take away environmental protection in favour of short-term profits, Labour’s environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said today. ...
Labour welcomes the release of the report into the North Island weather events and looks forward to working with the Government to ensure that New Zealand is as prepared as it can be for the next natural disaster. ...
The Labour Party has called for the New Zealand Government to recognise Palestine, as a material step towards progressing the two-State solution needed to achieve a lasting peace in the region. ...
Some of our country’s most important work, stopping the sexual exploitation of children and violent extremism could go along with staff on the frontline at ports and airports. ...
The Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill will give projects such as new coal mines a ‘get out of jail free’ card to wreak havoc on the environment, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said today. ...
The government's decision to reintroduce Three Strikes is a destructive and ineffective piece of law-making that will only exacerbate an inherently biased and racist criminal justice system, said Te Pāti Māori Justice Spokesperson, Tākuta Ferris, today. During the time Three Strikes was in place in Aotearoa, Māori and Pasifika received ...
Cuts to frontline hospital staff are not only a broken election promise, it shows the reckless tax cuts have well and truly hit the frontline of the health system, says Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall. ...
The Green Party has joined the call for public submissions on the fast-track legislation to be extended after the Ombudsman forced the Government to release the list of organisations invited to apply just hours before submissions close. ...
New Zealand’s good work at reducing climate emissions for three years in a row will be undone by the National government’s lack of ambition and scrapping programmes that were making a difference, Labour Party climate spokesperson Megan Woods said today. ...
More essential jobs could be on the chopping block, this time Ministry of Education staff on the school lunches team are set to find out whether they're in line to lose their jobs. ...
Te Pāti Māori is disgusted at the confirmation that hundreds are set to lose their jobs at Oranga Tamariki, and the disestablishment of the Treaty Response Unit. “This act of absolute carelessness and out of touch decision making is committing tamariki to state abuse.” Said Te Pāti Māori Oranga Tamariki ...
The Government is trying to bring in a law that will allow Ministers to cut corners and kill off native species, Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said. ...
Cancelling urgently needed new Cook Strait ferries and hiking the cost of public transport for many Kiwis so that National can announce the prospect of another tunnel for Wellington is not making good choices, Labour Transport Spokesperson Tangi Utikere said. ...
A laundry list of additional costs for Tāmaki Makarau Auckland shows the Minister for the city is not delivering for the people who live there, says Labour Auckland Issues spokesperson Shanan Halbert. ...
Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi, and Mema Paremata mō Tāmaki-Makaurau, Takutai Tarsh Kemp, will travel to the Gold Coast to strengthen ties with Māori in Australia next week (15-21 April). The visit, in the lead-up to the 9th Australian National Kapa haka Festival, will be an opportunity for both ...
The Green Party has today launched a step-by-step guide to help New Zealanders make their voice heard on the Government’s democracy dodging and anti-environment fast track legislation. ...
The National Government’s proposed changes to the Residential Tenancies Act will mean tenants can be turfed from their homes by landlords with little notice, Labour housing spokesperson Kieran McAnulty said. ...
Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson is calling on all parties to support a common-sense change that’s great for the planet and great for consumers after her member’s bill was drawn from the ballot today. ...
A significant milestone has been reached in the fight to strike an anti-Pasifika and unfair law from the country’s books after Teanau Tuiono’s members’ bill passed its first reading. ...
New Zealand has today missed the opportunity to uphold the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment, says James Shaw after his member’s bill was voted down in its first reading. ...
Today’s advice from the Climate Change Commission paints a sobering reality of the challenge we face in combating climate change, especially in light of recent Government policy announcements. ...
Minister for Disability Issues Penny Simmonds appears to have delayed a report back to Cabinet on the progress New Zealand is making against international obligations for disabled New Zealanders. ...
Hundreds of New Zealand families affected by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) will benefit from a new Government focus on prevention and treatment, says Health Minister Dr Shane Reti. “We know FASD is a leading cause of preventable intellectual and neurodevelopmental disability in New Zealand,” Dr Reti says. “Every day, ...
Regional Development Minister Shane Jones today attended the official opening of Kaikohe’s new $14.7 million sports complex. “The completion of the Kaikohe Multi Sports Complex is a fantastic achievement for the Far North,” Mr Jones says. “This facility not only fulfils a long-held dream for local athletes, but also creates ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters’ engagements in Türkiye this week underlined the importance of diplomacy to meet growing global challenges. “Returning to the Gallipoli Peninsula to represent New Zealand at Anzac commemorations was a sombre reminder of the critical importance of diplomacy for de-escalating conflicts and easing tensions,” Mr Peters ...
Ambassador Millar, Burgemeester, Vandepitte, Excellencies, military representatives, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen – good morning and welcome to this sacred Anzac Day dawn service. It is an honour to be here on behalf of the Government and people of New Zealand at Buttes New British Cemetery, Polygon Wood – a deeply ...
Distinguished guests - It is an honour to return once again to this site which, as the resting place for so many of our war-dead, has become a sacred place for generations of New Zealanders. Our presence here and at the other special spaces of Gallipoli is made ...
Mai ia tawhiti pamamao, te moana nui a Kiwa, kua tae whakaiti mai matou, ki to koutou papa whenua. No koutou te tapuwae, no matou te tapuwae, kua honoa pumautia. Ko nga toa kua hinga nei, o te Waipounamu, o te Ika a Maui, he okioki tahi me o ...
Paul Goldsmith will take on responsibility for the Media and Communications portfolio, while Louise Upston will pick up the Disability Issues portfolio, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced today. “Our Government is relentlessly focused on getting New Zealand back on track. As issues change in prominence, I plan to adjust Ministerial ...
Recreational catch limits will be reduced in areas of Fiordland and the Chatham Islands to help keep those fisheries healthy and sustainable, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The lower recreational daily catch limits for a range of finfish and shellfish species caught in the Fiordland Marine Area and ...
Energy Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed an important milestone in New Zealand’s hydrogen future, with the opening of the country’s first network of hydrogen refuelling stations in Wiri. “I want to congratulate the team at Hiringa Energy and its partners K one W one (K1W1), Mitsui & Co New Zealand ...
The coalition Government is delivering on its commitment to improve resource management laws and give greater certainty to consent applicants, with a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) expected to be introduced to Parliament next month. RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop has today outlined the first RMA Amendment ...
Overseas models for regulating the oil and gas sector, including their decommissioning regimes, are being carefully scrutinised as a potential template for New Zealand’s own sector, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. The Coalition Government is focused on rebuilding investor confidence in New Zealand’s energy sector as it looks to strengthen ...
Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell has today released the Report of the Government Inquiry into the response to the North Island Severe Weather Events. “The report shows that New Zealand’s emergency management system is not fit-for-purpose and there are some significant gaps we need to address,” Mr Mitchell ...
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith is today travelling to Europe where he’ll update the United Nations Human Rights Council on the Government’s work to restore law and order. “Attending the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva provides us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while ...
Associate Agriculture Minister, Mark Patterson, formally reopened the world’s largest wool processing facility today in Awatoto, Napier, following a $50 million rebuild and refurbishment project. “The reopening of this facility will significantly lift the economic opportunities available to New Zealand’s wool sector, which already accounts for 20 per cent of ...
Hon Andrew Bayly, Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing At the Southland Otago Regional Engineering Collective (SOREC) Summit, 18 April, Dunedin Ngā mihi nui, Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Ko Whanganui aho Good Afternoon and thank you for inviting me to open your summit today. I am delighted ...
The Government is delivering on its commitment to bring back the Three Strikes legislation, Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee announced today. “Our Government is committed to restoring law and order and enforcing appropriate consequences on criminals. We are making it clear that repeat serious violent or sexual offending is not ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has today announced four new diplomatic appointments for New Zealand’s overseas missions. “Our diplomats have a vital role in maintaining and protecting New Zealand’s interests around the world,” Mr Peters says. “I am pleased to announce the appointment of these senior diplomats from the ...
New Zealand is contributing NZ$7 million to support communities affected by severe food insecurity and other urgent humanitarian needs in Ethiopia and Somalia, Foreign Minister Rt Hon Winston Peters announced today. “Over 21 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance across Ethiopia, with a further 6.9 million people ...
Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Paul Goldsmith is congratulating Mataaho Collective for winning the Golden Lion for best participant in the main exhibition at the Venice Biennale. "Congratulations to the Mataaho Collective for winning one of the world's most prestigious art prizes at the Venice Biennale. “It is good ...
The Government is reforming financial services to improve access to home loans and other lending, and strengthen customer protections, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly and Housing Minister Chris Bishop announced today. “Our coalition Government is committed to rebuilding the economy and making life simpler by cutting red tape. We are ...
“China remains a strong commercial opportunity for Kiwi exporters as Chinese businesses and consumers continue to value our high-quality safe produce,” Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says. Mr McClay has returned to New Zealand following visits to Beijing, Harbin and Shanghai where he met ministers, governors and mayors and engaged in trade and agricultural events with the New ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has completed a successful trip to Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines, deepening relationships and capitalising on opportunities. Mr Luxon was accompanied by a business delegation and says the choice of countries represents the priority the New Zealand Government places on South East Asia, and our relationships in ...
New Zealand is demonstrating its commitment to reducing global greenhouse emissions, and supporting clean energy transition in South East Asia, through a contribution of NZ$41 million (US$25 million) in climate finance to the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-led Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM). Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced ...
The Government is today releasing a list of organisations who received letters about the Fast-track applications process, says RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop. “Recently Ministers and agencies have received a series of OIA requests for a list of organisations to whom I wrote with information on applying to have a ...
Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister David Jonathan Boldt as a Judge of the High Court, and the Honourable Justice Matthew Palmer as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Boldt graduated with an LLB from Victoria University of Wellington in 1990, and also holds ...
Education Minister Erica Stanford will lead the New Zealand delegation at the 2024 International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP) held in Singapore. The delegation includes representatives from the Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) Te Wehengarua and the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) Te Riu Roa. The summit is co-hosted ...
A stopbank upgrade project in Tairawhiti partly funded by the Government has increased flood resilience for around 7000ha of residential and horticultural land so far, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones today attended a dawn service in Gisborne to mark the end of the first stage of the ...
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters will represent the Government at Anzac Day commemorations on the Gallipoli Peninsula next week and engage with senior representatives of the Turkish government in Istanbul. “The Gallipoli campaign is a defining event in our history. It will be a privilege to share the occasion ...
Science, Innovation and Technology and Defence Minister Judith Collins will next week attend the OECD Science and Technology Ministerial conference in Paris and Anzac Day commemorations in Belgium. “Science, innovation and technology have a major role to play in rebuilding our economy and achieving better health, environmental and social outcomes ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The Prime Minister was accompanied by MP Paulo Garcia, the first Filipino to be elected to a legislature outside the Philippines. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon and President Marcos Jr discussed opportunities to ...
The Government has announced that $20 million in funding will be made available to Westport to fund much needed flood protection around the town. This measure will significantly improve the resilience of the community, says Local Government Minister Simeon Brown. “The Westport community has already been allocated almost $3 million ...
The Government is proud to support the first ever Repco Supercars Championship event in Taupō as up to 70,000 motorsport fans attend the Taupō International Motorsport Park this weekend, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. “Anticipation for the ITM Taupō Super400 is huge, with tickets and accommodation selling out weeks ...
Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced an increase to the Rates Rebate Scheme, putting money back into the pockets of low-income homeowners. “The coalition Government is committed to bringing down the cost of living for New Zealanders. That includes targeted support for those Kiwis who are doing things tough, such ...
The Coalition Government is investing in a project to boost survival rates of New Zealand mussels and grow the industry, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has announced. “This project seeks to increase the resilience of our mussels and significantly boost the sector’s productivity,” Mr Jones says. “The project - ...
Benefit figures released today underscore the importance of the Government’s plan to rebuild the economy and have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “Benefit numbers are still significantly higher than when National was last in government, when there was about 70,000 fewer ...
The Government’s commitment to doubling New Zealand’s renewable energy capacity is backed by new data showing that clean energy has helped the country reach its lowest annual gross emissions since 1999, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealand’s latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory (1990-2022) published today, shows gross emissions fell ...
The Government is bringing the earthquake-prone building review forward, with work to start immediately, and extending the deadline for remediations by four years, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “Our Government is focused on rebuilding the economy. A key part of our plan is to cut red tape that ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his Thai counterpart, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, have today agreed that New Zealand and the Kingdom of Thailand will upgrade the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership by 2026. “New Zealand and Thailand have a lot to offer each other. We have a strong mutual desire to build ...
RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Transport Minister Simeon Brown have today announced the Coalition Government’s intention to extend port coastal permits for a further 20 years, providing port operators with certainty to continue their operations. “The introduction of the Resource Management Act in 1991 required ports to obtain coastal ...
Today’s announcement that inflation is down to 4 per cent is encouraging news for Kiwis, but there is more work to be done - underlining the importance of the Government’s plan to get the economy back on track, acting Finance Minister Chris Bishop says. “Inflation is now at 4 per ...
Asia Pacific Report From France to Australia, university pro-Palestine protests in the United States have now spread to several countries with students pitching on-campus camps. And students at Columbia and other US universities remain defiant as campuses have witnessed the biggest protests since the anti-Vietnam war and anti-apartheid eras in ...
Analysis by Dr Bryce Edwards, Democracy Project (https://democracyproject.nz)New Zealand Government’s Fast Track legislation. Many criticisms are being made of the Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill, including by this writer. But as with everything in politics, every story has two sides, and both deserve attention. It’s important to understand what the Government ...
Tara Ward talks to presenter Naomi Toilalo about the new TV show that turns food waste into a three course feast. Naomi Toilalo is standing in the warehouse at Good Neighbour Tauranga, helping unpack the two-and-a-half tonnes of rejected food that will arrive at the community support hub that day. ...
Scout is our latest Dog of the Month. This feature was offered as a reward during our What’s Eating Aotearoa PledgeMe campaign. Thank you to Scout’s human, Avril, for her support. Dog name: Scout (named after the little girl in To Kill a Mockingbird – she inherited the independent spirit ...
Megan Alatini takes us through her life in TV, including ‘terrible’ daytime TV, the class of Carol Hirschfeld and her most embarrassing TrueBliss moment. When she responded to a vague newspaper ad asking “do you have what it takes to be a popstar?” 25 years ago, Megan Alatini never guessed ...
A new exhibition in Wellington showcases the faces behind your local goods and services. Back in 1977, when I was a fine arts student at the University of Canterbury, I took a series of photographs of Christchurch shopkeepers. The photos were for a calendar – a project for my end ...
Toomaj and his resistance to tyranny through his songs have become an icon for the youth of Iran, so his sentence has hit the nation hard. Toomaj Salehi is not the first artist to pay the price for standing with the people. ...
My cousin Dylan and I spotted these big eels under the bridge that summer. We watched them lounging under the dark weed, facing into the flow of water, their mouths frozen open. Dylan and I couldn’t stop thinking about those eels. The night we went down to the creek, we ...
Newsroom, home of satire. My long-running weekly satirical series The Secret Diary has moved to Newsroom and will appear every Saturday, with Victor Billot’s wildly popular satirical Odes continuing to appear every Sunday. Diaries, Odes – while serious political columnists toil at meaningful opinions and stroke their chins to an ...
Tara Ward unravels the many nuanced layers of a cartoon about talking dogs.This is an excerpt from our weekly pop culture newsletter Rec Room. Sign up here. It’s not often an episode of a children’s cartoon has adults sobbing into their sleeves, but that’s exactly what happened this week when ...
Working as a doctor in developing countries to help communities achieve better health outcomes is nothing short of a life goal for Jessica Tater. The University of Otago medical student has her sights firmly set on joining the international humanitarian organisation Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) when she qualifies ...
There’s an island in the far reaches of Auckland’s territory, sitting off the tip of the Coromandel Peninsula, 30 minutes by air from the city or four hours on the slow boat. Aotea Great Barrier is off-grid, it has a population of fewer than a thousand people … and most ...
Asia Pacific Report An Australian author and advocate, Jim Aubrey, today led a national symbolic one minute’s silence to mark the “blood debt” owed to Papuan allies during the Second World War indigenous resistance against the invading Japanese forces. “A promise to most people is a promise,” Aubrey said in ...
Asia Pacific Report The Freedom Flotilla is ready to sail to Gaza, reports Kia Ora Gaza. All the required paperwork has been submitted to the port authority, and the cargo has been loaded and prepared for the humanitarian trip to the besieged enclave. However, organisers received word of an “administrative ...
Pacific Media Watch Palestine solidarity protesters today demonstrated at the Auckland headquarters of Television New Zealand, accusing the country’s major TV network of broadcasting “propaganda” backing Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza. About 50 protesters targeted the main entrance to the TVNZ building near Sky Tower and also picketed a side ...
Opinion by Lynley Hood. Forty years on from my 1985 Fulbright Grant, my disquiet over the war in Gaza evoked some troubling questions. The answer to my first question – What is the primary purpose of the Fulbright Programme? – was on the Fulbright NZ website. It says: US Senator, ...
The ministers responsible for green-lighting major projects need to be open about potential conflicts of interest, says Transparency International. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Anastasia Powell, Professor, Family and Sexual Violence, RMIT University It has been a particularly distressing start to the year. There is little that can ease the current grief of individuals, families and communities who have needlessly lost a loved one to men’s ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Gregory Moore, Senior Research Associate, School of Ecosystem and Forest Sciences, The University of Melbourne Lichen, the first described example of symbiosis.AdeJ Artventure/Shutterstock Once known only to those studying biology, the word symbiosis is now widely used. Symbiosis is the intimate ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kim Hemsley, Head, Childhood Dementia Research Group, Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University Olena Ivanova/Shutterstock “Childhood” and “dementia” are two words we wish we didn’t have to use together. But sadly, around 1,400 ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Peter Whiteford, Professor, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University The government’s Economic Inclusion Advisory Committee has just published its second report. It was set up by Treasurer Jim Chalmers and Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth in 2022 to provide: ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian Beaumont, Election Analyst (Psephologist) at The Conversation; and Honorary Associate, School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne The Queensland state election will be held in October. A YouGov poll for The Courier Mail, conducted April 9–17 from a sample ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Amin Naeni, PhD candidate at Alfred Deakin Institute for Citizenship and Globalisation, Deakin University There’s been much talk in recent months about what a possible second Donald Trump presidency in the United States could mean for Europe, Russia’s war in Ukraine, the ...
A brief round-up of submissions on the controversial proposed law. This is an excerpt from our weekly environmental newsletter Future Proof. Sign up here. Last week, submissions on the controversial Fast-track Approvals Bill closed just hours after the government released a list of stakeholder organisations who were sent letters advising how they could ...
A poem from Robin Peace’s new collection Detritus of Empire: feather / grass / rock. Cereal giving I see a woman’s hands, see her curious hands break a stalk as she walks through the tall prairie, the savannah, the steppe, wherever it was. See her idly bite the grass that ...
The only published and available best-selling indie book chart in New Zealand is the top 10 sales list recorded every week at Unity Books’ stores in High St, Auckland, and Willis St, Wellington.AUCKLAND1 Hemingway’s Goblet by Dermot Ross (Mary Egan Publishing, $38)A handsomely produced (debossed cover, lovely ...
The Commissioner's decision validates the longstanding efforts of the local community and ensures that Awataha Marae will be managed to serve the needs of the local community, particularly for hosting tangihanga. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tristan Salles, Associate professor, University of Sydney Examples of Australian landscapes.Unsplash Seventy thousand years ago, the sea level was much lower than today. Australia, along with New Guinea and Tasmania, formed a connected landmass known as Sahul. Around this time – ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Felicity Castagna, Lecturer, Creative Writing, Western Sydney University Day Day Market, ParramattaPhoto: Garry Trinh I live on the edge of Parramatta, Australia’s fastest-growing city, on the kind of old-fashioned suburban street that has 1950s fibros constructed in the post-war housing boom, ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michael Ryan, Teaching Fellow in Economics, University of Waikato GettyImagesfatido/Getty Images There is an ongoing global debate over whether the high inflation seen in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic can be lowered without a recession. New Zealand is not ...
The ‘Wicked Game’ heartthrob is in his late 60s now. That didn’t stop him putting on a lively, goofy and very sparkly show. Apart from ‘Wicked Game’, which graces a sultry playlist of mine simply called 💋, my last sustained Chris Isaak listening session took place when I was about ...
Analysis - Two ministers were stripped of portfolios in a warning to Cabinet, drama broke out at the Waitangi Tribunal, and the gang patch ban bill ran into opposition. ...
Tara Ward makes an impassioned plea for some vital pop culture merch. In April 1999, I became obsessed with a new reality television show called Popstars. Every Tuesday night, five strangers transformed into music royalty before my very eyes as Joe, Keri, Carly, Erika and Megan were chosen to form ...
PNG Post-Courier In the early hours of ANZAC Day, aerial photographs captured an impressive gathering of Australians and Papua New Guineans at Isurava in the Northern (Oro) Province. The solemn dawn service yesterday was held at a site steeped in history, where some of the fiercest battles of World War ...
The PSA is shocked that Oranga Tamariki has used the cost cutting drive to downgrade its commitment to Te Ao Māori and remove many specialist Māori roles. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ian Kemish, Adjunct Professor, School of Historical and Philosophical Inquiry, The University of Queensland There can be no more powerful symbol of the relationship between Australia and Papua New Guinea than the prime ministers of these neighbouring countries walking together on the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sharon Robinson, Distinguished Professor and Deputy Director of ARC Securing Antarctica’s Environmental Future (SAEF), University of Wollongong, University of Wollongong Andrew Netherwood Over the last 25 years, the ozone hole which forming over Antarctica each spring has started to shrink. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Viktoria Kahui, Senior Lecturer in Environmental Economics, University of Otago Getty Images/Amy Toensing Biodiversity is declining at rates unprecedented in human history. This suggests the ways we currently use to manage our natural environment are failing. One emerging concept focuses on ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Timothy Colin Bednall, Associate Professor in Management, Swinburne University of Technology marvent/Shutterstock Finding the best person to fill a position can be tough, from drafting a job ad to producing a shortlist of top interview candidates. Employers typically consider information from ...
Wondering where to host your next BYO? Whether its a small gathering or a massive party, we’ve got some recommendations. I was first introduced to the concept of BYOs at Dunedin’s India Gardens, a legendary but sadly defunct establishment, which purveyed enormous quantities of mango chicken to Aotearoa’s drunkest future ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Julien Cooper, Honorary Lecturer, Department of History and Archaeology, Macquarie University Julien Cooper The hyper-arid desert of Eastern Sudan, the Atbai Desert, seems like an unlikely place to find evidence of ancient cattle herders. But in this dry environment, my new ...
The sector says it’s hopeful her replacement Paul Goldsmith will be able to throw it a lifeline, after six months with a minister deemed missing in action, writes Catherine McGregor in this excerpt from The Bulletin, The Spinoff’s morning news round-up. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign ...
The government can't just rely on axing public sector jobs and has to do more to cut spending, says the chief economist at a free market think tank. ...
Rock The Vote NZ, known for its advocacy for minor party unity and its role within the Freedoms NZ Coalition during the 2023 General Election, celebrates this merger as a strategic enhancement of its operational strength and outreach. ...
Nearly everyone has experienced the frustration of something you use breaking and being difficult or expensive to fix. Proposed legislation could change that. It’s been raining on and off all Sunday afternoon but people are lining up outside a building in a corner of Gribblehirst Park in Sandringham, Auckland. In ...
What does a forever relationship look like when you don’t believe in marriage? And how do you celebrate it? This essay is part of our Sunday Essay series, made possible thanks to the support of Creative New Zealand.I’m going to do it, right now. I’m going to say ...
The Prime Minister has committed to resuming direct flights to Thailand. But it’s not a promise he will be able to deliver on anytime soon. The post Prime Minister jumps the gun in Thailand appeared first on Newsroom. ...
It’s not that long ago Eliza McCartney was seriously wondering if the Paris Olympics would be her pole vaulting swansong. After years of being hounded by injury after injury, the Rio Olympics bronze medallist was still confident she would compete at her second Olympics in Paris in July, unless something ...
FICTION 1 Take Two by Danielle Hawkins (Allen & Unwin, $36.99) There’s commercial fiction, like this book, and then there’s quality fiction, quality writers, quality literature; the forthcoming Auckland Writers Festival is full of quality, and ReadingRoom has two tickets to give away to the following events: Paul Lynch (Dublin ...
Loading…(function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){var ql=document.querySelectorAll('A[quiz],DIV[quiz],A[data-quiz],DIV[data-quiz]'); if(ql){if(ql.length){for(var k=0;k<ql.length;k++){ql[k].id='quiz-embed-'+k;ql[k].href="javascript:var i=document.getElementById('quiz-embed-"+k+"');try{qz.startQuiz(i)}catch(e){i.start=1;i.style.cursor='wait';i.style.opacity='0.5'};void(0);"}}};i['QP']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){(i[r].q=i[r].q||[]).push(arguments)},i[r].l=1*new Date();a=s.createElement(o),m=s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];a.async=1;a.src=g;m.parentNode.insertBefore(a,m)})(window,document,'script','https://take.quiz-maker.com/3012/CDN/quiz-embed-v1.js','qp'); Got a good quiz question?Send Newsroom your questions. The post Newsroom daily quiz, Friday 26 April appeared first on Newsroom. ...
You can’t have missed the Gallipoli story as the movies, documentaries, essays and books capture what it was like for New Zealand troops in their eight-month campaign on the Peninsula. But this Anzac Day the Auckland War Memorial Museum has published a book that sheds light on a little-known aspect of the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra In the free-for-all between the Australian government and Big Tech boss Elon Musk this week, the government had to be on a winner. Most people would have little sympathy with Musk’s vociferous opposition to ...
[Please note, we are trialling something new for Open Mike and Daily Review.
In order to keep OM and DR free for other conversations, all comments, link postings etc about the US election now need to go in the dedicated US election discussion here.
If you are unsure, post in that thread rather than here. It’s not possible for moderators to shift comments from OM to there, so any comments here may get deleted.
Have fun folks – weka]
US and Saudis grant 9,000 ISIS fighters free passage from Iraqi Mosul to Syria
http://robinwestenra.blogspot.co.nz/2016/10/us-and-saudis-grant-9000-isis-fighters.html
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0bRv5LKRRGU
Gosh, it’s almost like the various governments involved in this conflict have competing interests that they’re promoting. I’m shocked!
I particularly liked the bit that there are only a thousand ISIS fighters left in all of Mosul, and that the entire attack is a charade.
Dude blown to smithereens on telly means only 999 left, I guess.
Trump referred to this in last night’s debate. Clinton scoffed in response.
“They’ve been prepared to defend. It’s going to be tough fighting, but I think we can take back Mosul and then we can move on into Syria and take back Raqqa.”
http://www.politico.com/story/2016/10/full-transcript-third-2016-presidential-debate-230063#ixzz4NfXuCyck
US and Saudi’s allowing rebels safe passage into Syria as excuse to invade Syria?
Odd, none of the Kurd’s I follow are saying anything about this.
I think you don’t get how hated ISIS is by the Kurd’s, nor the other ethnic and religious minorities in the region. To them, contemplating having to fight ISIS later is not part of there thinking, they want to finish them now.
Mosul will be the hard fight they expect.
I think the Russians are forgetting this is a civil war, hearts and minds are everything. So big propaganda pieces from the Iraq and Kurdish forces is to be expected, to extrapolate some theory of ISIS safe passage deal, seems wonky at best.
Also I’m hearing the US staying out as much as possible (air strikes), because this is a civil war. They know they can’t win one of those for someone.
The Yazidis may have the greatest reason to hate ISIL – but lacking a superpower sponsor we don’t hear much from them.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genocide_of_Yazidis_by_ISIL
Gable Tostee “not guilty”. If you disagree with that “verdict”, then that
legal sage and philosopher Chris Trotter has some stern advice for you.
Gable Tostee, 30, was charged after Warriena Wright, 26, fell from his balcony in Queensland’s Gold Coast in August 2014. Prosecutors argued that she was so intimidated that she tried to escape by climbing to a lower floor, but fell.
After four days of deliberation, the jury has found Gable Tostee not guilty of murder and manslaughter.
In case you are foolish enough to be disgusted by that “verdict”, then you should consider the following piece of solemn admonition….
https://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-19072013/#comment-664870
I mean its a fair call about the information the jury gets but on the face of it I’d have thought he was guilty
Agree with you there PR, quite shocking & sad for the family.
Guilty of something, at least. I can see why a jury might eventually come down to rejecting murder, but as a juror I’d find it pretty hard to vote not guilty of manslaughter for a guy pleading “self-defence” against a woman who was screaming “No no no, let me go home!” at the time.
Miss-trial due to instagram, the accused should be made to take the stand. I expect it to be appealed. Weird case, creepy as after discovering more about Tostee.
Sad for the young ladies family, so sad, so public for them, love and energy to her family.
” the accused should be made to take the stand”
Why?
There is no legal requirement for this and in a lot of cases it is the norm for the accused not to take the stand.
Exactly… there is no legal requirement… just good lawyers, and you tend to get what you pay for.
More profitable to sell ones story than tell it publically on the stand anyways, which media outlet will offer the best price for his story I wonder? Will it be enough to cover his legal fee’s?
“I would [let you go home], but you have been a naughty girl..”.
I dont know why Tostee just didnt let her go home.
It appears that Miss Wright did not receive competent representation. There are way too many unanswered questions.
“I would [let you go home], but you have been a naughty girl..”. Tells us that Tostee had unfinished business.
Intimidation, pure and simple. Just this remark alone from his creepy recording (why did he record this in the first place? Blackmail? More intimidation?) is evidence enough. He clearly intended to cause her mental and emotional harm. His intentions led directly to her death. He could have chosen to push her out the front door but instead chose to isolate her. The balcony is not “off the property” it is an isolated, outdoor part of said property. Judge got that completely wrong.
Yup. Kidnapping basically.
US election discussion thread is available now.
Syria Solidarity: National day of action 29th October
Civilians in Aleppo and across Syria are being intensively bombed by Russia with bunker bombs, phosphorous bombs, napalm, thermobaric and cluster bombs; and by the Syrian regime with chlorine containing barrel bombs; targetting homes, schools, hospitals, rescue teams, and underground shelters .
Like many Syrian cities, Aleppo has been under a starvation siege. The regime and Russian have even bombed the city’s water supply.
Despite these atrocious crimes against humanity, Aleppo’s people show tremendous solidarity and caring for each other, as they work to find the wounded under the rubble, and rush them to undergound clinics for treatment. Hundreds of democratically run community councils have been formed across Syria in the liberated areas. They have produced a tremendous amount of art, literature, music, and electronic media documenting the revolution and counter revolution in Syria.
The “peace” talks have broken down. It is clear that Russia and the Assad regime are looking for a military solution to enable the genocidal Assad regime to continue in power.
Most of the fighters killing Syrian civilians are not Syrians. They include soliders from Afghanistan, Lebanon, Iran and Iraq, many of them conscripted or desperately poor with no other options for a living.
The Assad regime and Russia have killed half a million Syrian people. The genocide has to stop! The regime regularly uses rape and torture as weapons.
The war started because people across Syria went onto the streets to demand democracy, and instead were shot, rounded up, tortured, raped and killed. So the people took up arms to defend themselves. The Assad regime has vowed to continue to obliterate the population until it accepts his rule.
Both the United States and Russia have re-defined the people’s struggle for democracy as a “war on terror” and are both responsible for killing civilians.
Isis grew in Syria with the encouragement of the Assad regime. Assad deliberately released extremists from his jails, who went on to join Isis in Syria. The regime leaves Isis alone, and Isis is continually attacking the democratic opposition groups. The democratic opposition has been forced to fight on two fronts, against the attacks from the regime and from Isis. Despite the evils perpetrated by Isis, it has killed a fraction of the number of people, that the Assad regime has. The Assad regime with its Russian and Iranian allies are the greater evil.
Stop the bombing! Troops out!
No more genocide! Solidarity with the Syrian Revolution!
Victory for Syrian people now!
Wellington action:
2-3pm 29th October, Russian Embassy, 57 Messines Road, Karori
[https://www.facebook.com/events/1837996156434984/]
Auckland action:
2-3pm 29th October, Aotea Square
[https://www.facebook.com/events/104432090029183/]
Awesome initiative, kudos to all those whom attend.
Nah – they’re backing the wrong horse. The West are only in there to push for regime change – like in Libya. Same fucked up principle will give the same result as Libya. Please note how the yanks are also doing Israels and Saudi Arabias dirty work as they try to squash Shia regimes one by one.
Stop the bombing! I’d say they just want less death and suffering from war, I’m down with that, everyone should be.
So sick of the killing, i don’t care whom is doing it, it needs to stop
Here is the news, Cinny. No way will the bombing stop. It never does. Our media blame it on the other side through blaming ‘human shield’ tactics, etc, when our bombs kill civilians. Are our side going to stop bombing Mosul because of civilians? Nup – but we will get publicity about the nasty Russian and Assad bombs in Aleppo. Get used to it.
Judge Goddard got it in the neck in an ”overseas” rantsite yesterday.
No byline to identify the author but really it was hardly needed.
a note to cv – I put this on the post you put up but I suspect that post won’t stay up so I’m reposting here
Why not read the signs and actually take time off from the bubble you have created around yourself. You’ll probably come back fresher. What you are doing now isn’t working – that’s my advice – read the signs mate because imo all of your credibility capital is pretty well gone down the gurgler because of some of those ‘calls’ you have recently made.
anyway delete, ban or ignore – or maybe listen – your call.
@MM Weka, PM, The Ex, J 90 etc,
you guys appear to me to be just bullies who have undertaken an irrational, abusive and vindictive attack on CV who, at least originally, tried to discuss the matter of The Clintons, Trump and American politics. A discussion centred within a framework of big business, political elitism and social inequality. You have pushed him in the the corner he now finds himself in, and to what end other than to shut down a differing view point.
I’m sure i’m not the only one who thinks this. I have found you all disappointing.
I’m very disappointed too. E UNUM PLURIBUS.
gotta say i feel rather dismayed at what has played out in this community lately.
Yeah normally its the right leaning posters on this site that have people calling for bans
you should be banned for that 🙂
Don’t worry, it’ll happen again sooner or later 😉
Well, it might happen one day, anyway.
its a special kind of ire the left saves for its own.
it’s not really the case here though – cv does not identify as left. I identify as left. cv and I are not in the same camp and therefore he isn’t my own and I’m not his own. I really tried to come from a place of compassion in my comment to him above – it is sad to me that some (maybe including you gsays) don’t get that.
We (of the left) have to get rid of this government and get more equality and equity in play for so many disadvantaged people in our society – life is getting so hard for so so many and it is happening now, this minute and only getting worse. I want to focus on that, not have to deal with lies and misinformation designed, yes DESIGNED to disrupt the left, from someone who shoots wildly, never aims correctly and dismisses as unimportant the innocent bystanders who end up recipients of his output. And this is done under cover like a wolf with a sheepskin on its back.
Sure I could ignore, let it go, concentrate on my passionate areas but you know, this is MY community too, in that I visit, I consider, I contribute, I laugh, I cry – all here, in this community – I am not going to sit on my hands and allow trojan horse pretenders to take MY community away – I won’t have anywhere to go if that happens… 🙁
hey cheers marty,
a couple of things..
i did get yr compassion earlier.
for me andrew’s comment was a chance to have 10 cents worth.
i had been thinking that tensions had been running high in the last few days without much sign of a backdown or releasing of tensions. generally over excitement generated by opinions of the american popularity contest.
in the cold light of day neither candidate is a great example of a leader to deal with what humanity is staring down the barrell of.
about our community; please don’t take this as telling y’all how to suck eggs.. the best thing we can do for our community is to be kinder to each other.
You insight is valued by me.
well andrew I don’t think cv was pushed and I don’t agree with you when you imply that cv is able to be pushed – I think he is competently able to have his own agency and responsibility to what he says. My note to him above comes from a place of compassion, because in the past others have given me the same advice when I needed to hear it.
The point is that there is scope for valid political debate outside of gender discrimination and by my observation this is where CV endeavoured to position the conversation, at least initially. It was you guys that seemed to insist the issue had to be viewed through the prism of gender politics only. In doing so you have you have completely undermined a valid discussion on what, strategically speaking, is the best way to end corporate domination of social and political outcomes. It also says a lot about about how illiberal you all really are.
The point is that there is scope for valid political debate outside of gender discrimination and by my observation this is where CV endeavoured to position the conversation, at least initially.
I don’t know what you are referring to and given you are making some hefty accusations, I think you need to explain more clearly what you are talking about.
No Weka I don’t, the meaning is clear enough, and they are observations not accusations. Your reaction is also clear… defensive and antagonistic. It is you that needs to consider more carefully what I might be talking about. There should be a better response to challenging and complex matters of social/political concern than that proffered by J90 below that again just looks to ‘win’ not explore the issue.
[one of the main rules one this site is don’t tell authors/moderators what to do. Another is don’t waste moderators’ time. There are very good reasons for both of those, which boil down to protecting authors so that they want to put up posts and so they have time to write. In that sense authors are considered more important than commenters, not because we’re somehow better but because we’re the ones putting the work in to keep the front page full of posts.
I get that it is complicated when an author/mod is also commenting, so let me be clear. When you called me a bully above, I wasn’t sure if you were referring to my comments or my moderations. I’ve let this subthread run because I’ve been busy and I was hoping that it would settle down. But you are now outright challenging an author and that’s a problem. Please now clarify if you think I am a bully as a commenter or a moderator or both. If you are calling me a bully as a moderator, you need to link to 3 examples in the past month that support that. If you are calling me a bully as a commenter, I will deal with that when I am not in bold. However you need to be aware that if you continue to make accusations without responding to requests for clarification or back up, then at some point a moderator will get involved.
This isn’t negotiable. I suggest you read the Policy and About, because I’m not willing to spend more time on this and if I have to moderate you again I will be putting in a timed ban. I have no problem with people expressing disappointment or dissatisfaction with the moderation here, or specific decisions, or asking questions or making constructive suggestions, but it’s not ok to have a go at authors. I’m putting you in premod so I can more easily pick up your reply. – weka]
Friendly advice from a non-moderator: you definitely make two accusations with no identifying context in 8.1.2.1, and doubling down on it is a good way to annoy moderators. The site does explain all this in its comments policy.
Then I will leave it to others to form an opinion on whether this anti CV clique seeks to shut down rather than engage with dessenting viewpoints. I have no wish to be further dragged in to pedantic argument on the definition of an accusation while you chose to ignore the substance of the observation.
http://images.memes.com/meme/290340
Holding an opinion that an alleged serial sexual offender is a manifestly unsuitable candidate is a view through the prism of gender politics only, really?.
Holding an opinion that an alleged serial sexual offender is a manifestly unsuitable candidate is a view through the prism of gender politics only, really?.
… a candidate who has personally ensured that gender is front and centre of each of the three presidential debates. “Nasty woman”, “she” (repeated in hissing tones many times), doubting her stamina, saying she doesn’t “look” presidential, stalking her onstage in the most repulsive way – and admitting later that he was in fact envisaging her sexually at that time!!! DURING a live, televised presidential debate!!!
And that is all a-ok with Mr Murray?
I don’t agree with the conclusions you have reached there andrew. I can’t see where there was any insistence at all apart from asking for evidence for blanket, usually insulting and hurtful, accusations against others – when that inevitably didn’t occur then that was named as an opinion and was weighed against other opinions that that writer has made previously – there does develop a cumulative effect where a commenter’s ‘voice’ is known.
You don’t like that as a left left person I don’t like reading and having to argue against bullshit and hate speech, against arguments proven false and with no redeeming qualities I might add, against a self confessed non-left thinker or believer – just because they want to shout loudly their (proven) bigotry. That is fine by me and also fine you make comment on it.
Thank you Andrew Murray. I agree with your comments and am disappointed by the behaviour of many on this site in their relentless vindictive treatment of CV.
BTW, if anyone had noticed my light commenting around these parts recently, a small part of it is due to CV’s behaviour of late. I just can’t be bothered coming here and having to scroll past all his crap. I’m sure there are some who might consider that sweet relief, of course 🙂
I’m sure you are not the only one.
I like your posts, they’re normally quite considered but its Penny Brights posts that annoy the heck out of me or rather her posting something then not bothering to reply to people that comment on what she posted
Yes Puck I have observed you partaking in group bullying of Penny in the past and commented on that yesterday …… when you were being insincere about attitudes to women posters ……
Also not one of you trolls ever answered my easy maths question of $2.2 billion divided by $22 million ……….. when comparing the aussie bank fraud featuring a getaway tax vehicle provided by John Shewan ….. versus the $22 million welfare fraud prosecuted in the same year … The answer was of course that Shewans and the bamks fraud was 100x larger … or 100 years worth.
You never answered did you Puck ………
Bring back CV and ban Puck is my opinion …….
I’ve accepted Hillary the Hawk will be the next president over Trump, who I called out as a rapist last fathers day from memory …..
Anyway, New Zealand and the rest of the world should take a lot more refugees …..
made not in ………. but by the u.s.a
Quietly following this Todd&Clare shenanigans and I reckon the whole thing is just a bit too cute, so, putting on my bestest tinny –
Obviously it’s taken time and resources to launch but would a professional hit piece on Assange:
Coincide with an internet rumour about Assange’s well being.
Coincide with Assange’s loss of internet services
Offer a payment from the Russian government to promote a women’s dating site.
Todd &Clare front be so easily exposed and connected to Clinton associates, within hours, by internet sleuths.
Allegations be so easily refuted, again, within hours, by contacting Bahamian police.
Had enough time to go viral and just before it got legs, it’s squashed.
Tinny off.
http://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/politics-government/election/article109255732.html#1
plus wikileaks anniversary and/or major announcement this month.
I don’t quote get which conspiracy it is though – the one to attempt to discredit Assange or the one to discredit Clinton?
Sorting the black flags from the white hats black flagging sounds just the job for ugly truth…or trav….
I see Pete George has something to say on the CV banning.
[TheStandard: A moderator moved this comment to Open Mike as being off topic or irrelevant in the post it was made in. Be more careful in future.]
Be good to see: (1) the outcome of this; and (2) it happen here. What chances are there of IRD doing something similar??
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/oct/20/hmrc-launch-crackdown-gig-economy-firms-agency-self-employed-staff
http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/other-sports/85600505/parking-joseph-how-a-small-team-from-new-zealand-secured-a-world-heavyweight-title-shot-against-the-odds
Good on them, I think Parkers not at Joshua or Klitschkos level just yet but sometimes you just have to take the opportunity when it comes and, if he can beat Ruiz, his opportunity will come sooner rather later
Here’s hoping Joseph knows how to count.
Its an odd business for sure
Parker put the last falla down with a body blow ,that takes real power, he’s ready for all of them ,
Believe me when I say I hope you’re right and I hope I’m wrong
As long as he gives it everything i’m all good with it , it took me along time to get over the Tua man getting overwhelmed with the occasion and failing to fire a shot.
In a war we should not be in. Directing airstrikes that might be the cause of war crimes. Harming New Zealand’s reputation. So says the Guardian:
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/85603946/nz-sas-in-northern-iraq–reports
Do you think we are there?
I think we might be.
I’m absolutely sure we are there, Robert. I suggested in a post ages ago that our role over there was not going to be limited to training the Iraqi military and that the SAS would be lurking around as well. I’d like to think that when IS are forced out of Iraq and into Syria that our role, whatever it is, comes to a swift end.
And like we should believe a spokeperson for Gerry Brownlee’s office? Yeah, right …
“Defence Minister Gerry Brownlee has denied claims in international media that New Zealand special forces are calling in airstrikes in northern Iraq, “or involved in any other combat operations” in the country.”
Of course NZ special forces individuals could be working with/seconded to other nations forces which means they come under those countries mandate and not our own so Gerry Brownlee is probably telling the truth…or interpreting the question the way he wants to
It wouldn’t trouble Gerry to tell bare-faced lies any more than it does Key.
CO2 into ethanol.
Buggered if I know where they get the hydrogen from, but Oak Ridge don’t usually bullshit this stuff.
Fuck fuel, I’m just glad there’s a new source of liquor 🙂
Water??
yeah by the look they were bubbling the co2 through a clear solution onto the catalyst, which is apparently electrified.
So my assumption is that the catalyst and the voltage break the co2 and h2o bonds, leaving everyone to rejiggle into C2H6O and 2xO2.
Hydrogen is the most abundant element in the universe so probably not that hard to get hold of
The CO2 is dissolved in water.
https://www.ornl.gov/news/nano-spike-catalysts-convert-carbon-dioxide-directly-ethanol
If that doesn’t work out, there’s also this, starting with lignin. But sorry, it doesn’t specifically say ethanol is one of the useful molecules it produces.
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/10/161020143940.htm
Lanza tech (originally from NZ) are also working on similar outcomes…
http://www.lanzatech.com/
Transport grade fuels – Biofuels (second and third generation) are just around the corner, per the link you have supplied the “issue” at the moment is developing catalysts that are commercially viable to use. The rest of the tech is ready to go.
As someone who is involved in the residential building and development industry in Auckland, there appears to be a trend of the banks “de risking” in this industry. I have just completed the yearly banking review for the coy. With our “relationship” banker informing me that the bank has given us 10 months to reduce our credit facility by 1/3rd, which will mean that money that were intended to develop land and houses will now be used to repay the bank back. This on top of that the MOCCL rate we pay is to increase. The reason was that the bank is under pressure to maintain its profit margins in a tight market, in which they cannot lower rates as investors are unwilling to deposit for fixed terms given the low yields.
From discussions with others within the industry we are not the only coy that the banks are placing increasing pressure to reduce debt, this at a time when we are forever being reminded that Auckland needs 14k houses build p.a. ??
As someone who is involved in the residential building and development industry in Auckland, there appears to be a trend of the banks “de risking” in this industry. I have just completed the yearly banking review for the coy. With our “relationship” banker informing me that the bank has given us 10 months to reduce our credit facility by 1/3rd, which will mean that money that were intended to develop land and houses will now be used to repay the bank back. This on top of that the MOCCL rate we pay is to increase. The reason was that the bank is under pressure to maintain its profit margins in a tight market, in which they cannot lower rates as investors are unwilling to deposit for fixed terms given the low yields.
From discussions with others within the industry we are not the only coy that the banks are placing increasing pressure to reduce debt, this at a time when we are forever being reminded that Auckland needs 14k houses build p.a. whilst building less than 9k??
interesting, ty for the info. I wonder if banks are expecting some people to default on loans, so are making sure businesses are able to counter balance it by paying down more debt at this time? Are interest rates about to rise? Will people be able to maintain massive mortgages on over priced properties?
How much profit do the banks need? It’s not as a result of recent property investor/banking lending rules changes?
Sounds like it could be a stumbling block for many in the trade whom are trying to build housing. Or is nick smith trying to dig himself out of a gaping cavernous hole, maybe he’ll blame the banks next for lack of action on his housing promises? Building boom? Housing Crisis?
Either way sounds like a pain for the people in your industry for sures.
With a massive Russian fleet now heading from the Baltic to the Syrian coast, and the US effectively expelling 5000 ISIS fighters from Iraq to Syria, I see a nod-wink for a Russian bloodbath of the remaining Isis. In Syria.
Recent events suggest the potential of a (sorry about that) deliberate mistake is also high. I’m not sure about the US strike that hit Assad forces, but I don’t believe they expected the Russian reprisal.
ISIS may disperse if they face a genuine existential threat – some at least of them can do that.
This has the potential to be a very good war not to be involved in – no high moral ground, and small players get hurt if the giants dance.
some interesting discussion by some geeks trying to find links between clinton campaign and the toddandclair “assange is pedophile” scam.
bring your tinfoil hat but still some rather interesting connections
https://www.reddit.com/r/WikiLeaks/comments/587lbg/i_have_been_looking_into_the_san_fransisco/
Assuming that the people who wanted to set up a website in a false name put their correct address on the registrations…
At least someone’s looking at it, though.
[In order to keep OM and DR free for other conversations, all comments, link postings etc about the US election now need to go in the dedicated US election discussion here.
If you are unsure, post in that thread rather than here. It’s not possible for moderators to shift comments from OM to there, so any comments here may get deleted – weka]
What has happened to CV’s post about US-Filipino relations? I saw the post in my RSS feed but when I clicked through to the site it was gone!
All I can see is some cryptic references to CV being banned, but no official notice or anything. It all comes across as a bit Stalinist in form. That post about Duterte I was looking forward to reading but perhaps it wasn’t politically correct? Who can enlighten me?
I hope to see that article again too, as soon as CV is back. It is quite riveting really, what is happening over there, and relevant for many of us.
So what happened? Why was the Duterte post deleted?
I don’t know – I’m not a mod.
But I really do hope CV is able to bring it back. It is a topic that immediately affects some of my wider family by marriage, and friends.
(Reply to Conal)