Open mike 22/02/2020

Written By: - Date published: 7:00 am, February 22nd, 2020 - 72 comments
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72 comments on “Open mike 22/02/2020 ”

  1. Ross 1

    And on a related issue:

    ”New Zealand is one of the few countries in the world that sees a significant increase in deaths during the colder months. Over and above the usual heart attacks and car accidents, an additional 1600 people die here every winter, mostly due to respiratory and circulatory diseases and the effects of poorly insulated homes that are hard to heat. That's one in every 3000 of our people, with children and the elderly disproportionately affected.

    But cold, damp housing is one unsexy problem we know how to fix: it doesn't require a vaccine and it will even help reduce our carbon footprint. A bit of legislation and a few grants for retrofitting will produce huge dividends in terms of the nation's wellbeing.”

    https://i.stuff.co.nz/life-style/homed/houses/119620763/coronavirus-new-disease-old-problem

    [lprent: I moved this comment to Open Mike as being off topic or irrelevant in the post it was made in. Obvious after you look at the immediate responses by you and others. If you want to start a conversation about something else, then do it OpenMike or your own site. ]

    • Andre 1.1

      What's in the way of improving the emissions profile profile of our vehicle fleet and improving our housing stock stock to create better living conditions for our people?

      Oh right, it's WinnieFirst in the way of doing both. That's what the OP was about.

      • Ross 1.1.1

        What's in the way of improving the emissions profile profile of our vehicle fleet and improving our housing stock stock to create better living conditions for our people?

        What's in the way of funding every drug that lobby groups want?

        "Out of 304 modern medicines funded internationally, between 2011 and 2017, only 17 were funded in New Zealand…Since the Government took office at the end of 2017, there have been 13 petitions calling for Pharmac to fund specific medicines, and 11 have been received since the start of May."

        Spending has to be prioritised. I'm not sure that reducing emissions by a tiny fraction over the next 20 years will have the same impact that better insulated homes would have. However, the Government and others may well disagree.

        https://www.newsroom.co.nz/2019/08/19/760762/lack-of-transparency-hampers-cancer-drug-debate

        • Andre 1.1.1.1

          It is possible to divert from literally every possible topic of discussion by whining about some aspect of a completely unrelated topic.

          But it doesn't do much to promote any kind of rational discussion.

          edit: the feebate scheme was designed to be revenue-neutral, so controlling government spending isn’t an argument against it.

    • Cinny 2.1

      Chris the complaint hasn't even been fully processed let alone ruled on.

      Meanwhile….. The National Party has had adverse rulings from the ASA on five separate complaints of misleading advertising since Simon Bridges became leader.

  2. ianmac 3

    Perhaps Labour has caught on to the double dog whistle used by National.

    By the time National reacts to the ad and Chris raises it to us, the real message is to everyone, that this Government is giving us 12 new life saving machines. Thank goodness for that. Let us quibble over the detail but the message gets through.

    • Chris T 3.1

      So when one party does it, it is dirty politics and the other doing it, it is quibbling to point it out?

      Must remember that.

      • mauī 3.1.1

        Shocking as it may be Chris.. some parties lie, cheat etc to gain advantage while others are more truthful and well intentioned. A pity that too many right wingers are blinded by their own dogma to see this.

      • Peter 3.1.2

        Remember a particular Health Minister flaunting figures about the number of operations under his watch which on checking turned out to be 'interesting.'

        (Paraphrased and exaggerated for effect but the guts is right, this is the essence. )

        "We're brilliant and amazing. We're on to it. We've carried out 11, 000 operations over the period."

        Implications and assumptions made that it's hips, and hearts and knees.

        And it turns out that 10, 300 of them were for squeezing eye-drops into people's eyes.

        I'm pretty certain it was Jonathan Coleman. He probably then went out to bat with "There is no housing crisis."

        • Chris T 3.1.2.1

          So your high bar for Labour is after a earnest promise of a positive and factual election is anything goes as long as you can give an example of another party doing the same thing?

          • aom 3.1.2.1.1

            …. and your bar is so low that you continue reiterating the implied assertion that the promise had been broken, despite the complaint having not been investigated by the appropriate body.

            • Chris T 3.1.2.1.1.1

              Fair point.

              Was just going on the fact the Ministry of Health probably wouldn't lie in a publication.

              You are right though. We will wait and see.

          • Peter 3.1.2.1.2

            No, I just wonder if righteousness about being totally frank and honest come late to some in life. Maybe realisations come as people age or they possibly have some religious experience which puts them on the right path.

            Or when lying and dishonesty were all about them they were too young to realise.

            It's just that it's weird when bullshitters who champion and defend other bullshitters get so bloody precious when they think someone else is bullshitting.

            How about just accepting it's how the game is played, it's how you wanted it played, maybe by your acceptance you have dictated how the game is played.

            The biggest joke is the pitiful complaint about 'they said they were going to have positive and factual election' and look what they're doing. I'm telling mum!'

            Meanwhile Simon Bullshitter and Bennett have free rein and because they didn't use the words 'positive and factual election' it will be business as usual and those with the dispensable ethics and morals will love it.

            • Chris T 3.1.2.1.2.1

              Only one party in NZ has the PR produced, caring, sharing, inclusive, transparent leader.

              This is fine, but don't play the victim when it comes out as bollocks on a fairly regular basis.

              • McFlock

                Hey, the nats try to portray Bridges as competent and having the full support of his caucus, so "the nats do it too" lol

                But to be serious, it all depends on the wording on the claim and what the nats actually did. Maybe it dances on the head of a pin, or maybe they made a categorical claim without trying to disprove it (which would indeed be a great disappointment).

                No doubt you'll be keen to tell us all how the complaint is resolved regardless of whether it is upheld or not.

                • Chris T

                  I don't really care.

                  I just know all parties twist stats and figures, the Nats are better at it (or more inclined), but for one lot to claim some kind of moral high ground is pretty funny.

                  Especially when they announce on national tv they won't do it

                  For every SFO charge against the ex-Nat bully boy atm, there is a Winston pretending to pay money back that was dodgy and a foundation and a Labour doing illegal pledge cards

                  • Incognito

                    … Labour doing illegal pledge cards

                    Pray tell. That’s pretty bad and should be investigated by SFO too.

                    • Chris T

                      Threw it in there just to shake up the Labourites pretending to be pure as the whitened snow.

                      🙂

                    • Incognito []

                      Oh, I see, you were making up things and creating a false equivalence. For a sec, I thought you had something of substance.

                      Because we had some decent rain, I won’t moderate you yet for your self-confessed wind-up 😉

                    • Chris T

                      It isn't a self confessed wind up.

                      It is an example of Labour being just as dodge as every other party in the past.

                      I just get tired of people pretending their party are holier than thou, when they all have a history of not being so

                    • Incognito []

                      At 10:30 AM you posted a comment that wasn’t remotely funny despite the

                      (I’m joking!)

                      I gave you a subtle thumbs down (you may have missed it), not because it wasn’t funny, but because it was a wind-up.

                      At 4:12 PM you did it again and added a smiley face this time.

                      A pledge card is not equivalent to being charged by SFO (I know that technically the National Party is not being charged).

                      You also created a strawman.

                      If you want to make a point here, you’ll have do better than making it look like a wind-up. Either you’re not trying hard enough or you’re incapable. Or both.

                      In summary, you come across like a wind-up troll and because I don’t have a sense of humour, I tend to ban commenters like you.

                      🙂

                    • Chris T

                      To be honest if you wanted actual opinion. I am a bit down on the whole bloody lot of them.

                      No one seems to actually care about how the country runs as the short 3 year election cycle means the politicians all walk round trying not to offend anyone.

                      The older I get the more annoying it is

                    • Incognito []

                      I hear you but I disagree about painting them all with same brush.

                      I wish they’d embrace MMP in the spirit it was intended, and improve it! I think it’d be good for the country as a whole; it is not a magic bullet.

                    • Chris T

                      Call me a cynic, but they are all pretty much the same now IMHO.

                    • Incognito []

                      Maybe you’re not paying enough attention to nuance and detail to notice the differences.

                      You said as much @ 7:41 PM below.

                      Maybe you’re a lazy cherry picker like so many others who only want to confirm their beliefs and biases. It doesn’t make you a cynic; it makes you strangely human 😉

                    • Chris T

                      Maybe your right.

                      But every now and again an actual substantial, societal shifting bill turns up, I strongly think about and this time it happened to come from ACT.

                      Would never vote for the bloke, but I will certainly vote for his bill in the referendum.

                      Weed I am still mulling over. Was a yes for yonks, but am having misgivings, if you know what I mean. Probably still will vote yes, but have concerns over it.

                  • McFlock

                    Seeing as you restricted it to only one of the nat-associated-at-the-time donors/bagmen/aspiring candidates currently facing charges to claim equivalence, it's quite obviously a false equivalence.

                    And that's without pointing out that comparing one party with three is also a false equivalence (but I can see why you didn't want to include ACT, the list of their associates charged with criminal activities would kick your equivalence out of the park).

                    • Chris T

                      You give me too much credit in brains and motive. I just take little notice of ACT.

                      Apart from the euthanasia bill which I support.

                    • McFlock

                      Copy that: your argument that there is equivalence between govt and opposition when it comes to trustworthiness is based on obviously flawed data.

                    • Chris T

                      In what way?

                      Clark promised stuff she didn't do. And did dodgy stuff

                      Key promised things he didn't do. And did dodgy stuff

                      Ardern promised things she hasn't done. And though not yet (if you discount the sexual assaults) will probably do dodgy stuff

                    • McFlock

                      Insufficient sampling of party records, for a start.

                      The only equivalence you've uncovered is that nobody is perfect. But "pretty much the same"? To make that call, you'd actually need to know what you were talking about.

                      Fun fact: Matthew Broderick killed more people than Charles Manson. Would you say thay're "pretty much the same"?

                    • Chris T

                      Don't answer the question then.

                      No skin off my nose

                    • McFlock

                      You asked in what way your data was flawed.

                      First line of my reply:

                      Insufficient sampling of party records, for a start.

                      Obviously you didn't notice that, either.

                      An additional way is the clear selection bias in focussing only on JLR rather than the co-accused who also had close National Party connections beyond JLR.

                    • Chris T

                      I have no idea what you are going on about.

                      You said my opinion was flawed by data without actually giving any

                      Maybe do a post in coherent english

                    • McFlock

                      You said that your argument of equivalence did not include ACT because you took little notice of it.

                      That's a major hole in your data.

                      What about that do you have difficulty understanding?

                    • Chris T

                      No. I just left them out as they are the only ones I have seen no dodgy dealings from with finances.

                      They may have done some I have not heard of, and it doesn't make me want to vote for them, but it just means while I think politicians from all sides do dodgy things, I ain't seen any from them enough to include them

                      I don't know how much clearer I can be.

                    • McFlock

                      So now your story is changing. Initially you said you didn't include them because you "take little notice of ACT. "

                      Now it's "as they are the only ones I have seen no dodgy dealings from with finances"?

                      At the very least, one would determine the other. And that's only after you managed to focus a thread about truthfulness in political advertising down to party finances scandals.

                      Oh, and ACT were involved in the 2005 funding thing, so add that tally to the opposition side.

    • Rosemary McDonald 4.1

      Damn! We listened with growing anticipation that this was going to be one of those classic Him Kill interviews where she coldly and quietly corrals her quarry into the pit trap and a bloody demise.

      But, just when she had him perfectly lined up for the kill she pulled back, and showed him uncharacteristic mercy.

      Which is more than he deserves.

      A must hear interview, and thanks gsays for posting.

    • Incognito 4.2

      What I would have liked to hear more about is not his ideas or arguments but his motivations and what makes him tick. He came across as very cerebral unless he feels attacked. Still, an interview worth listening to.

  3. A 5

    Yep, I know it's old news but doesn't JA make you proud?

    Here is a link to Guardian article about a new kind of soft power

    In the profile, author Belinda Luscombe describes Ardern as a “millennial woman” and writes of the prime minister: “Ardern’s real gift is her ability to articulate a form of leadership that embodies strength and sanity, while also pushing an agenda of compassion and community”, adding that Ardern has “infused New Zealand with a new kind of soft power” and doesn’t have to request meetings with world leaders anymore, they are now lining up to be associated with her.

    • Cinny 5.1

      Jacinda is possibly the most internationally influencial PM that NZ has ever seen. heart

      • Chris T 5.1.2

        Just a shame it doesn't translate into domestic

        • Anne 5.1.2.1

          There's an old cliche Chris T:

          Jealousy will get you nowhere. But its true.

          • Chris T 5.1.2.1.1

            There is also an old tale called "The Emporers new clothes".

            Long story short someone promises something amazing will be delivered.

            The fans of the promiser were in such awe when it arrived (in that case a set of clothes) they paraded them as if they were there.

            In the end they actually got thin air

            And still try to convince themselves it has arrived.

            Uncanny

          • Rapunzel 5.1.2.1.2

            It's purely that.

            I see above but the "reply" is missing the same old accusations that the "scandals" are a deep entrenched issue within the "Labour" Party and have never happened before nor will they ever again. That poster couldn't lie straight in bed – such things are unacceptable but a by-product of any gathering or association of any number of people. To even suggest that the PM would countenance it or was aware of it or didn't demand that it was managed properly is complete and utter BS & as you say borne of bitter jealousies & some fake suggestion that the National Party are as pure as driven snow. I think people know better & any impression given of that is more down to pure luck

      • sumsuch 5.1.3

        'Influential'. Yet I find her a hypocrite between her poor-speak and her poor-do. Last chance, if she wins the next election as miraculously as she won her first. Until then I find her as shallow as the powerful around the world desire in their politicians. I prefer Peter Fraser pushing our ideals. Everything about her is an indictment of easy. Til 2000 we thought social-democrat, after … this slippery diarrheic new establishment of a solid 45% for the elite.

  4. joe90 6

    A biblical disaster in the making if COVID-19 reaches the millions of displaced Syrians in the region.

    https://twitter.com/BNODesk/status/1230831690496520192

    https://twitter.com/MTVLebanonNews/status/1230830012405813251

    (Google translate: Minister of Health: The first confirmed case of corona virus was recorded in Lebanon)

    https://bnonews.com/index.php/2020/02/the-latest-coronavirus-cases/

    #covid-19

  5. Philip Ferguson 8

    As the Israeli state has been losing the battle for hearts and minds internationally, it has stepped up its propaganda efforts through activities like luring western journalists to Israel on junkets. These include NZ journalists. All very reminiscent of the activities of the South African state during the apartheid era. Unfortunately, some NZ journalists put their sense of entitlement to junkets ahead of the rights of the Palestinians to be free. . .

    https://rdln.wordpress.com/2020/02/12/nz-journalists-junket-on-palestinian-corpses/

    • sumsuch 8.1

      This prick Bloomberg just pays everyone off, the logical end of the Romo-American Republic. Quite large support behind Biden among Blacks. Money to their groups. The elite now want Oprah or Michelle Obama to save them from Trump as the only possibility, or implicitly from small d democrats.

  6. Philip Ferguson 9

    Moreover, the NZ journos went junketing in Israel in the midst of a new clampdown by the Israeli state on the secular Palestinian left.

    https://rdln.wordpress.com/2020/02/19/israel-state-was-cracking-down-on-palestinian-left-as-nz-junketeers-visited-israel/

    • arkie 10.1

      “Unlike Donald Trump, I do not consider Vladimir Putin a good friend,” the statement said. “He is an autocratic thug who is attempting to destroy democracy and crush dissent in Russia. Let’s be clear, the Russians want to undermine American democracy by dividing us up and, unlike the current president, I stand firmly against their efforts, and any other foreign power that wants to interfere in our election.”

      https://www.politico.com/news/2020/02/21/bernie-sanders-condemns-russian-116640

    • Morrissey 10.2

      The Russians, like the Americans, like anyone with an I.Q. above room temperature, want Sanders to be elected. You, and the DNC shills with which you relentlessly and shamelessly pollute this site, have no evidence that Bernie Sanders is a tool or a dupe of the Russians.

  7. joe90 11

    Canada's largest daily;

    Film critic Donald Trump reaches into his racist, rat-chewed box of Froot Loops to mock ‘Parasite’ and Brad Pitt

    […]

    Now that he has solved climate change, eliminated the debt, fixed health care, built a wall, won the trade wars, ended election meddling, killed the terrorists and landed on Mars, Donald Trump is a film critic.

    And he has a few things he needs to get off his man boobs.

    At a deranged rally in Colorado on Thursday, the U.S. president took a break from ranting about witch hunts and fake news to fixate on a more urgent matter: why did “Parasite” win Best Picture?

    Isn’t that like a Syrian refugee winning “American Idol”?

    Why don’t we just give an MTV Video Music Award to a pile of chopsticks?

    “How bad were the Academy Awards this year?” Trump asked his cult members, who held their mouth-breathing long enough to boo. “Did you see? And the winner is … a movie from South Korea! What the hell was that all about? We’ve got enough problems with South Korea, with trade. On top of it, they give ’em the best movie of the year?”

    https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/opinion/2020/02/21/film-critic-donald-trump-reaches-into-his-racist-rat-chewed-box-of-froot-loops-to-mock-parasite-and-brad-pitt.html

    • Morrissey 11.1

      "Mouth-breathers"…. "cult members"…"deranged". That also applies to the likes of Rachel Maddow and their sad believers.

  8. Eco Maori 12

    Kia Ora The Am Show.

    Purple poppy day a day to remember the animals in service it good to show respect for animals.

    Reality is Vaping is less harmful than Smoking.

    Human cause climate change is our reality if we let deniers win tangata and wildlife will suffer.

    Ka kite Ano .

  9. Eco Maori 13

    Kia Ora Newshub.

    Its Organized crime who is pushing manufacturer drugs that is wreaking havoc in New Zealand.?????.

    There you go A Kiwi having to forage in daylight hours being a nocturnal bird.?? Cause human caused climate change.

    Poverty will have a big influence on truancy both parents working to pay rent no one to check on the tamariki.

    Ka kite Ano

  10. Eco Maori 14

    Kia Ora Te Ao Maori News.

    Its good to see North land railways getting a funding boost. Rail is the most efficient way to transport tangata and goods.

    I don't think that's the new laws are going to effect Vaping negatively.

    The filming industry can provide a lot of mahi for Aotearoa.

    Its good to see Maori successful on in the World.

    Ka kite Ano

  11. Eco Maori 15

    Kia Ora The Am Show

    That's cool Mars quakes it is cool that there is the technology to explore Mars.

    #Metoo is good for our worlds society's #equality.

    Ka kite Ano

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    An experimental vineyard which will help futureproof the wine sector has been opened in Blenheim by Associate Regional Development Minister Mark Patterson. The covered vineyard, based at the New Zealand Wine Centre – Te Pokapū Wāina o Aotearoa, enables controlled environmental conditions. “The research that will be produced at the Experimental ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Funding confirmed for regions affected by North Island Weather Events

    The Coalition Government has confirmed the indicative regional breakdown of North Island Weather Event (NIWE) funding for state highway recovery projects funded through Budget 2024, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Regions in the North Island suffered extensive and devastating damage from Cyclone Gabrielle and the 2023 Auckland Anniversary Floods, and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Indonesian Foreign Minister to visit

    Indonesia’s Foreign Minister, Retno Marsudi, will visit New Zealand next week, Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced.   “Indonesia is important to New Zealand’s security and economic interests and is our closest South East Asian neighbour,” says Mr Peters, who is currently in Laos to engage with South East Asian partners. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Strengthening partnership with Ngāti Maniapoto

    He aha te kai a te rangatira? He kōrero, he kōrero, he kōrero. The government has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the aspirations of Ngāti Maniapoto, Minister for Māori Development Tama Potaka says. “My thanks to Te Nehenehenui Trust – Ngāti Maniapoto for bringing their important kōrero to a ministerial ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Transport Minister thanks outgoing CAA Chair

    Transport Minister Simeon Brown has thanked outgoing Chair of the Civil Aviation Authority, Janice Fredric, for her service to the board.“I have received Ms Fredric’s resignation from the role of Chair of the Civil Aviation Authority,” Mr Brown says.“On behalf of the Government, I want to thank Ms Fredric for ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Test for Customary Marine Title being restored

    The Government is proposing legislation to overturn a Court of Appeal decision and amend the Marine and Coastal Area Act in order to restore Parliament’s test for Customary Marine Title, Treaty Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith says.  “Section 58 required an applicant group to prove they have exclusively used and occupied ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Opposition united in bad faith over ECE sector review

    Regulation Minister David Seymour says that opposition parties have united in bad faith, opposing what they claim are ‘dangerous changes’ to the Early Childhood Education sector, despite no changes even being proposed yet.  “Issues with affordability and availability of early childhood education, and the complexity of its regulation, has led ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Kiwis having their say on first regulatory review

    After receiving more than 740 submissions in the first 20 days, Regulation Minister David Seymour is asking the Ministry for Regulation to extend engagement on the early childhood education regulation review by an extra two weeks.  “The level of interest has been very high, and from the conversations I’ve been ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government upgrading Lower North Island commuter rail

    The Coalition Government is investing $802.9 million into the Wairarapa and Manawatū rail lines as part of a funding agreement with the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA), KiwiRail, and the Greater Wellington and Horizons Regional Councils to deliver more reliable services for commuters in the lower North Island, Transport Minister Simeon ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government moves to ensure flood protection for Wairoa

    Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced his intention to appoint a Crown Manager to both Hawke’s Bay Regional and Wairoa District Councils to speed up the delivery of flood protection work in Wairoa."Recent severe weather events in Wairoa this year, combined with damage from Cyclone Gabrielle in 2023 have ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • PM speech to Parliament – Royal Commission of Inquiry’s Report into Abuse in Care

    Mr Speaker, this is a day that many New Zealanders who were abused in State care never thought would come. It’s the day that this Parliament accepts, with deep sorrow and regret, the Report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care.  At the heart of this report are the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Government acknowledges torture at Lake Alice

    For the first time, the Government is formally acknowledging some children and young people at Lake Alice Psychiatric Hospital experienced torture. The final report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in State and Faith-based Care “Whanaketia – through pain and trauma, from darkness to light,” was tabled in Parliament ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Government acknowledges courageous abuse survivors

    The Government has acknowledged the nearly 2,400 courageous survivors who shared their experiences during the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Historical Abuse in State and Faith-Based Care. The final report from the largest and most complex public inquiry ever held in New Zealand, the Royal Commission Inquiry “Whanaketia – through ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Half a million people use tax calculator

    With a week to go before hard-working New Zealanders see personal income tax relief for the first time in fourteen years, 513,000 people have used the Budget tax calculator to see how much they will benefit, says Finance Minister Nicola Willis.  “Tax relief is long overdue. From next Wednesday, personal income ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Paid Parental Leave improvements pass first reading

    Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden says a bill that has passed its first reading will improve parental leave settings and give non-biological parents more flexibility as primary carer for their child. The Regulatory Systems Amendment Bill (No3), passed its first reading this morning. “It includes a change ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Rebuilding the economy through better regulation

    Two Bills designed to improve regulation and make it easier to do business have passed their first reading in Parliament, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. The Regulatory Systems (Economic Development) Amendment Bill and Regulatory Systems (Immigration and Workforce) Amendment Bill make key changes to legislation administered by the Ministry ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • ‘Open banking’ and ‘open electricity’ on the way

    New legislation paves the way for greater competition in sectors such as banking and electricity, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly says. “Competitive markets boost productivity, create employment opportunities and lift living standards. To support competition, we need good quality regulation but, unfortunately, a recent OECD report ranked New ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Charity lotteries to be permitted to operate online

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says lotteries for charitable purposes, such as those run by the Heart Foundation, Coastguard NZ, and local hospices, will soon be allowed to operate online permanently. “Under current laws, these fundraising lotteries are only allowed to operate online until October 2024, after which ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Accelerating Northland Expressway

    The Coalition Government is accelerating work on the new four-lane expressway between Auckland and Whangārei as part of its Roads of National Significance programme, with an accelerated delivery model to deliver this project faster and more efficiently, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “For too long, the lack of resilient transport connections ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Sir Don to travel to Viet Nam as special envoy

    Sir Don McKinnon will travel to Viet Nam this week as a Special Envoy of the Government, Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced.    “It is important that the Government give due recognition to the significant contributions that General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong made to New Zealand-Viet Nam relations,” Mr ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Grant Illingworth KC appointed as transitional Commissioner to Royal Commission

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says newly appointed Commissioner, Grant Illingworth KC, will help deliver the report for the first phase of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into COVID-19 Lessons, due on 28 November 2024.  “I am pleased to announce that Mr Illingworth will commence his appointment as ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • NZ to advance relationships with ASEAN partners

    Foreign Minister Winston Peters travels to Laos this week to participate in a series of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-led Ministerial meetings in Vientiane.    “ASEAN plays an important role in supporting a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific,” Mr Peters says.   “This will be our third visit to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Backing mental health services on the West Coast

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