On an issue which can be somewhat illuminated by the anti-mandate protesting all around the country…. and an issue which I have always stood by…
… it is very clear that dividing people into two is a recipe for disaster
… yet this is what those promoting te tiriti as a 'partnership' want
creating two types of citizen within one nation doesn't work… never has and never will and now we have seen a working example in our very own backyard
yet this reality is ignored by said promoters of te tiriti 'partnership'
ignored
which is foolish so very foolish
we cannot have two types of citizens
anger and disintegration is the result
as we see across the nation today with two types of citizens with differing rights re covid
…
note: alongside this te tiriti and its agreements and breaches must still be acknowledged and accommodated or compensated in some way.. but this highlights the flawed nature of the treaty.. it needs repair
The current work on Te Tiriti, is so that everyone has a chance to be heard, and accommodations made so that everyone is acknowledged and considered.
Which is what both you and I want in terms of the protestors.
If you think that listening to Māori views is divisive, then you indicate that you believe that you have a concern that their view will take priority always. (Such as the Crown perspective has historically, at high costs to Māoricommunities, culture, assets and natural resources.) There will be a period of adjustment, as in any relationship, of adjustment and fine tuning.
There will be scrutiny from both sides – and expectations from both sides – that will hopefully keep the partnership equal. At present it is not.
Thanks for the reply Molly, I hear what you are saying but dont agree the same thing wont happen. This is very straight forward at a high level – I dont believe you can have two types of citizens in one nation. It creates resentment, which leads to anger, which then leads to hatred. There are countless examples of this throughout history. Are there any examples where two types of citizens have lived together in one community that you know of? I would genuinely be very curious.
Re this "If you think that listening to Māori views is divisive, then you indicate…". I didn't suggest listening to Maori views is divisive. The issue is providing a different set of rights – creating two types of citizens.
It is the creation of two sets of rights.
Most all immigrants to this land (including polynesians when they first arrived, as I understand) set about to escape birthright privilege in their homelands. Yet here we are recreating it.
You have explained how it might work in your note, but you haven't addressed the effect on the people concerned. The effect of creating two types of citizens is on display atr Parliament grounds right now. It aint pretty and it aint sustainable.
No. My comment relates solely to the effect of creating two types of citizens, which is on display right now. It doesn't work, which I have always maintained and which we now have some direct evidence for. Happy to see evidence of places where two sets of citizens with different rights happily co-exist in close proximity etc though.
Example places where it hasn't worked – south africa, israel, germany 1930, aotearoa 1900's 1800's, most all early colonial places where the locals had no representation, it is a very long list I think…
Example places where it has worked – keen to hear..
How might that work, veto, where it is held that the behaviour of unvaccinated/unmasked/contact-tracing-refusing etc. people, adversely affect the health of other members of society?
Isn't their a natural division that exists despite Government decree?
And the businesses and industries that decide, for themselves, that it's unsafe for the various groups toward in close proximity? How might their decision to require vaccination be managed?
There are numerous situations that would occur in lieu of a demand, back by disincentives/incentives, from Government to vaccinate against a viral pandemic. How would you manage those divisions/
I deny Man Made Climate Change. The biggest scam going…and one of the most dangerous, if the Sunday current affairs programme is anything to go by.
Large tracts of good farming land being planted in pines so operators can claim carbon credits.
🙄
Wow whataboutism, the latest argument of the antiscience denialist. Truth be said I haven't come across that piece of nonsense before – did you make that one up all by yourself? Second thoughts – you must have – the idiocy of it is telling.
It's sad – and I mean it- you have been blinded by supposed consensus science.
You assume all those scientists who put their names to anthropogenic climate dogma, honestly did so on their own volition.
You believe funding, tenure and reputation has nothing to do with their support? This is not to say the majority of scientists don't believe in anthropogenic climate change – they do. What I'm saying is more than a few, in private, have doubts about all, or SOME aspects of anthropogenic climate change.
I suggest you take a different tact and maybe go off the reservation and see what you can find.
"Thanks for the reply Molly, I hear what you are saying but don't agree the same thing wont happen. "
I assume you are talking about an overarching authority given to views of one at the expense of the other. In this case, Māori perspectives rather than the Crown. I'm not saying that it could never happen, after all the contrary has happened in the existing partnership between the Crown and Māori since Te Tiriti was signed. That also assumes that no true partnership could ever be achieved, just a pull back and forth.
One statement that has stayed with me through the years is:
"We have a multi-cultural society in a bi-cultural country".
I believe this to be true. It is Te Tiriti that recognises the bi-cultural country. It is social cohesion that celebrates inclusion of others who want to live here.
The power of the Crown is not limited to non-contemporary historical injustices of land appropriation. Emancipation for Maori men was celebrated for being enacted early in our history, but was there value in voting for a representative whose powers were limited? In my lifetime, there have been continued land appropriation, Bastion Point, The Foreshore and Seabed Bill. Russel Norman disappointed me when in his desire to achieve the Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary, he supported the bypassing of consultation with local tangata whenua.
There are also continuing effects of institutions and Ministries ignoring impacts in health, education, welfare and mental health which then treats Māori in such a way that outcomes are statistically able to be identified – as detrimental. If looking to improve the partnership means that these current outcomes are improved, then that is a win for all.
I would agree with you that there is no positive outcome in having an elevated citizenry by virtue of birth. We can see the ramifications of that in the present day. We can navigate the complicated waters of this relationship and achieve more, by keeping that danger in mind, and take moves to avoid it.
Healthy partnerships, require ongoing respect both ways, and continuous energy.
Thanks again Molly, appreciate and understand your points, though I think the main hefty issue remains unanswered…
I dont have a full answer for the inequities that have arisen to date and dont disagree that having all people equal in legislation wont result in further inequities for those cultures which are in the minority..
but the main point still stands…
having two different types of citizens in one nation doesn't work
(… and of course we need to find a way to mitigate said inequities)
I am also curious still – are you aware of nations/places where this has worked??
"having two different types of citizens in one nation doesn't work"
I agree. But still don't see where this is being proposed in terms of Te Tiriti, (as opposed to your analogy with the non-vaccinated where it was explicitly stated).
"I am also curious still – are you aware of nations/places where this has worked??"
I am unaware of any country where an equal partnership has been sought?
Do you have examples?
"I dont have a full answer for the inequities that have arisen to date and dont disagree that having all people equal in legislation wont result in further inequities for those cultures which are in the minority.."
I would distrust anyone who declares themselves to have "full answers" as opposed to a stated intention, a willingness to make an effort and an acknowledgement that mistakes will be made along the way.
"…or those cultures which are in the minority."
It's not really a question of numbers, as 'in the minority', as I see it.
Its an understanding that when a person identifiable as Māori is dealt with by existing services, their outcomes are statistically less favourable. An acknowledgement that this is not working, knowledge is required to improve, and that knowledge is most likely held by Māori themselves requires a framework that accepts this approach.
Institutional approaches that sideline Māori are handed down.
For example, while talking with the recently immigrated Phillipino nurse who was giving me chemotherapy, who undertook training in Hawkes Bay, our two hour conversation ended with the enquiry, "Are you Māori?". When I replied in the affirmative, she said she was surprised. She had been told by NZ staff in the Hawkes Bay to expect Māori to be disruptive and argumentative. By undocumented methods such as these, beneficial health outcomes for Māori seem a long way away unless directly addressed.
I need to depart this mornings conversation sorry, but this..
"Its an understanding that when a person identifiable as Māori is dealt with by existing services, their outcomes are statistically less favourable. An acknowledgement that this is not working, knowledge is required to improve, and that knowledge is most likely held by Māori themselves requires a framework that accepts this approach."
.. I agree with entirely, for all cultures. I dont think it should be impossible to implement what you describe while maintaining single citizenry under the law. I imagine it would come down to the detail in such implementation.
"We are a multi-cultural society in a bi-cultural country."
If we are unable to understand differences between the two parties of Te Tiriti and address the failings of the past, it is unlikely that we will address the inequities of other cultures within NZ.
There is currently a default priority given to the Crown. Immigrants all have a country where their culture is placed and recognised, and has an influence on life and politics (unless they have been diminished by force). Māori do too. It resides in only one country, NZ.
Your perspective regarding the recognition of the multi-cultural society (which is admirable) while ignoring the reality of the bi-cultural country (which is problematic) ignores Te Tiriti, Crown failings and the negative repercussions still felt today.
(Thanks for this discussion, vto. It's been interesting trying to figure out where you are, and how to address that from where I stand.)
The Waitangi Day protests over 30 years used to be the place that real and angry people got to force accountability onto politicians and make them as embarrassed as they should be.
Imagine if Ardern had held yesterday's lengthy media conference on COVID on the steps of Parliament rather than in her safe little theatre.
Finally she set out the start of a timetable for vaccine mandates to end.
Instead of enforced political accountability on the very grounds of political accountability, the encampment gets further radicalised.
Imagine if Ardern had held yesterday's lengthy media conference on COVID on the steps of Parliament rather than in her safe little theatre.
Are the steps within rifle range? Or knife throw? No way should any MP be getting close to the protest with death threats, far right agitators, and actual Nazis, who support the Mosque shooter, on the loose. Safe is prudent at this point.
Absolutely agree Weka. It is quite clear that people in the protest group are advocating violence, it's just a question of time before some deranged person out there in the community takes some sort of action. And unfortunately the threat level is never going to return to pre-covid levels.
What sympathy I had for the protest group is evaporating. Good people would walk away, and we are not seeing much of that.
assuming for the sake of argument that you are right vto, which culture of which partner of the treaty should we all be part of if we have to choose one? Māori/Iwi/Hapū, or The Crown/Pākehā?
Great question weka.. I dont know and appreciate that my singular point doesn't address other related (and secondary imo) issues such as that one.
It is a difficult conundrum very much..
But the difficulties with 2x citizens as posited kinda overwhelms that next question I think…
… maybe.. in the bigger picture, as the world globalises, all cultures are going to become more one… they will merge until eventually the world is one people… yeah, I know, world governance and all that – but that is the direction humanity is heading … and which culture/s will come out with primacy within such a global culture??? … maybe chinese due to population? maybe western due to power and attitude? maybe african of some sort? maybe in fact quite a mix..
One thought that I have on culture – it that it develops over generations – and almost always has a founding in geography, natural resources and a connection to land and sea (which provides food/shelter) necessary for communities to continue.
Cultures contain stories and protocols often originating in the veneration of these aspects of life. A taniwha story that maintains the purity of a water source, Wangari Maathai told a story about grandfather trees that were to be venerated. It was only later, after they had been harvested, that she gained knowledge about how the trees worked to maintain the sequestering of water. NGO's often bring engineering knowledge and technology as aid to countries, and bypass the local knowledge that may enhance or improve the success of their efforts.
Here, in NZ, those that have resided here for generations – and looked after the land and resources – both Pakeha and Maaori – have a wealth of local knowledge that recent immigrants without such contact do not. Recent immigrants may also have their own knowledge from their own local places, and a sharing of knowledge is to be celebrated. In both its value and its difference.
Universal human rights, will not be achieved with a universal implementation. That assumes a default position, that approach will serve everyone badly.
"Wangarĩ Muta Maathai (/wænˈɡɑːri mɑːˈtaɪ/; 1 April 1940 – 25 September 2011) was a Kenyan social, environmental and political activist and the first African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize."– Wikipedia
"note: alongside this te tiriti and its agreements and breaches must still be acknowledged and accommodated or compensated in some way.. but this highlights the flawed nature of the treaty.. it needs repair"
So unless you are proposing that we just ignore agreements / contracts / laws, surely that "repair" must be done first. How do you propose to do that, vto? Or do you have a view that people should be able to ignore laws they do not like?
Same land area as Gt Britain,-5 million population.
' It is surely a little embarrassing that New Zealand, one of the least populated countries in the world, has apparently run out of land.
The humiliation was laid bare for the world to see in an Economist article last week showing New Zealand house prices rose 256 per cent during a period when they rose by just 64 per cent in the United States and 110 per cent in the United Kingdom.'
Yeah – it kind of ignores things like local transport including roads (the single largest cost in a local budget) being directly related to population density.
Journalists really aren't educated well in basic economics or most things as far as I can tell. They can’t tell shit ideas from bullshit
I was particularly struck by these two graphs (well down on the page). Clicking should give a larger image.
Pretty self-explanatory. The omicron outbreak doesn’t appear to have hit the hospitals yet, that usually happens weeks after infection. We’re still seeing the tail end of Delta. Hospitalisation is pretty much reflecting the infections from 2 weeks ago.
It looks like the age range for infection is low amongst the elderly so far. So it doesn’t look like it has gotten into the old-age homes yet.
Recent infections are trending towards the young post -delta
I'm expecting another step change in known infections either today or tomorrow to something well over 3000 per day. Eyeballing it, looks like the doubling rate on tested infections is about every 4 days.
I can feel this getting closer to me. Keep hearing from people as they are notified of their closeness to it, or in a few cases actually getting omicron.
Good thing we have the entertainment in Wellington to keep our minds off the main issue eh? Shit throwing from protesters and Luxon…
Recent infections are trending towards the young post -delta
As to be expected, in Otago, following the locations of interest, it's largely Queenstown restaurants/bars/gym and the airport/flights, and in Dunedin the start of uni year Castle St parties.
This is the age graph I looked at. My father is 82, so I was looking at the high end in particular. But that swing towards the student ages and 20s is pretty distinct
Any doubts about the virulence of the Omicron variant(s) should perhaps now be put to bed as a real life, tragic experiment is taking place in one of NZ's Pacific neighbours – the Solomon Islands. Because Omicron arrived almost everywhere where vaccination rates were relatively high, it has been hard to gauge its severity. Was it really just like flu or more like the original (wild type) Wuhan virus which quickly killed millions around the world before vaccination kicked in? The Solomons, like much of the smaller Pacific island nations, remained Covid free until very recently. Like neighbouring PNG its vaccination drive was very slow, leaving its population with little acquired immunity. Omicron arrived early in January and because of its high transmissability has rapidly spread through Guadalcanal overwhelming the rudimentary health system and killing 70 so far.
Compare this with Tonga's recent Covid outbreak, which occurred just after ships arrived to help with the tsunami damage. Tonga has also been Covid free, but has had a far more successful vaccination programme (90% double vaccinated in the 12+ population). Unlike the Solomons, although Tonga's Omicron outbreak there hasn't been quashed, it hasn't been too bad. Tonga has had no deaths and its also poor health system hasn't been overwhelmed.
Anybody interested in going to primary sources free of propaganda to find out who is doing the provocation in the Donbas.Who's shooting who etc .Make up your own mind about who is lying
One does not need to go back very far in warmonger history to recognise how the US and UK lie about conflicts and how they start, It’s much like the transparency of Luxon, you can see right through them.
Ukraine wants to ban the Russian language, the self proclaimed Republics are Russian speaking people, go figure, why would they want to be ruled by a country that wants to ban their mother tongue.
America and the UK are in decline and these actions only shows how they have lost their grip on reality, they waste billions to stay top dog at the expense of their own citizens.
Time for the working class to smash their corrupt Leaders and the stinking system imposed on them.
If I remember my history correctly, on a whim Khrushchev gave Crimea to the Ukraine in the 1950's, and there were question of the legitimacy of that action at the time.
After WW2 Stalin deported the Crimea Tatar’s, which was one of the largest ethnic groups in Crimea at the time. Also the last remaining Germanic Tribes in Sth’ern Ukraine, Crimea and around other parts of the Black Sea Region. These Tribes go back some 200yrs & the most recent were ask by the Imperial Russia to setup around the Don & Donstek Areas to help with the Brits setup its Coal Mining, Steel Production & Ship Building especially when Russia got smashed by the Japanese in 1904.
Sudetanland ethnic Germans were 90% of the Sudetanland population. The Allied powers guaranteed that there would be future major drama by their drawing of national boundaries in the Versailles treaty. After Germany's WW2 defeat they avoided future problems like this by ethnicly cleansing millions of German civilians from areas seized from Germany.
Sudetenland had been a part of Bohemia (precursor state to Czechoslovakia) since the early Middle Ages. Agitation for 'reunification' prompted almost entirely by Nazi German reunification movement (i.e not a homegrown movement).
However, military disaster for Czechoslovakia – (gutted by its allies – especially Chamberlain the great appeaser) and, by extension, the rest of Europe.
Not a precedent that we want to follow.
Perhaps Russia would be happy to house the Russian speaking population of the Ukraine (should they wish to go), thus solving the problem. /sarc/
Putin – and many Russians – will never forget the sacrifice of 20 million during the last invasion from the west, almost in my lifetime.
To understand Russian action today requires understanding the last 400yrs of Russian history. And lets not forget that the USA's tactics are also sending messages to China, and Germany … don't you dare start up Nordstream 2
The sacrifice of 20 million owes much to the cruelty and stupidity of Stalin's regime. Losses would have been appreciably lighter without the insistence on counterattacks, and on holding poor defensive positions.
Soviet armies were clumsily handled and frittered their tank strength away in piecemeal action like that of the French in 1940. But the isolated Soviet troops fought with a stubbornness that the French had not shown, and their resistance imposed a brake by continuing to block road centres long after the German tide had swept past them. Britannica
The OSCE, can’t even access parts of the Region by the Donstek Rebels since the escalation of creasefire violations & some of the OSCE remote cameras have been destroyed by the Rebels because they said they were directing Ukrainian indirect Fire.
The Russia JCCC, is recognise by the OSCE, EU & the UN. Even a couple of NGO’s who I’m familiar with who operate in the Donstek Region refuse to work alongside them.
Heather Stupidity-Allan was shouting at the the deputy PM yesterday, that the UK has ended all restrictions and is living with the virus so why are we not doing the same?
She and others calling for this approach don't seem to get that in the UK Coronavirus has already killed 2300 per million of their most vulnerable more than it has done in NZ.
So deaths are down in the UK? Well, it's taken who it's going to take, for now. The situation is simply not the same in NZ because we saved vulnerable lives. Our vulnerable are still with us.
Given Covid took her own grandmother in a rest home in South Africa, and she is about to have a baby, I would have though she would be a bit more sympathetic…
His replies to me speak for themselves. When he writes something of substance to points in posts I have made, I won't call him a troll. Troll is a polite word to use in my opinion. If I wanted to use invective, it wouldn't be that word.
It's a poor student that does not surpass his teacher – but you do seem to be an exceptionally poor student. Were you a good one the facile nonsense of talkback would by now have lost its charm for you.
Was a scary day 11 years ago… Christchurch is a long way through the rebuild now, but as that article shows, there are still a few leftover issues to resolve.
But what is the link between Cameron's speech, the earthquake and a terrorist massacre?
How is it "ironic"?
It sounds like you're saying we missed "a big discussion about Islam in the West" and "Cameron's speech was forgotten", and this … led to the massacre?
Enough with the nod and wink, say what you mean to say.
I have been critical of Jim Bolger of late. I believed he was one step away from making dream catchers, and trading the brandy in for a good Matinborough Pinot Noir.
But he comes good in this article and says some interesting things:
Quotes:
"I'm sure the prime minister can talk to the police commissioner and find out who these people are and just listen to their complaints; they may not do anything about the complaints but just listen to them''
''The essential principle of democracy is that leaders listen to people, and I am not certain that the prime minister has got it right by saying she won't listen to people.''
He's right. If she had fronted at the start, we wouldn't be in the situation we are now faced with regarding the protesters.
Er, no. If she'd have fronted in the first few days, Jacinda could then have justifiably claimed she had tried to address the protesters…and was shouted down`. What more could she do? The public would have agreed. She then could have proceeded to clear the protesters off parliament surroundings.
Now the public is split. And every man and his feral goat have differing opinions.
The next political poll is going to be telling. If Jacinda still has good ratings, then she has become a Teflon Socialist…unable to do wrong. National may as well pack their tent and go home. If Labour takes a hit in the polls – Jacinda is to blame…and I would assume both her political career and legacy begins its downward slide.
Bolger's sure Ardern can talk to the police commissioner and find out who these people are? Really? Whoop dee fucken doo. I bet she hasn't talked to the police commissioner and found out about the mob.
Listen to their complaints? She hasn't heard or been informed of the messages broadcast out and on placards? And those who want the government to resign and for there to be a different sort of government, one in which they're in charge? Yes she should invite them in for a cuppa and let them tell her that. She has no inkling that's what they're on about.
Then again she should have engaged with people back in February 2019 and told them there was a pandemic coming which would likely kill millions world-wide. And that they'd take advice from experts on how to deal with it. Later on she could have fronted the people and talked about vaccines and the importance of them in arresting or mitigating the worst affects of the virus.
A hidebound anti-government, anti-science, anti logic, anti-commonsense, anti-community, self-centred mob made up their minds they weren't going to play ball.
Was Ardern meant to go and hold each and every hand and reassure them, educate them, cajole them and get them on board? And then turn herself over to them for her execution?
''Bolger's sure Ardern can talk to the police commissioner and find out who these people are? Really? Whoop dee fucken doo. I bet she hasn't talked to the police commissioner and found out about the mob.''
Let's hope that's the case, Peter, when the inquiry results are published.
I often see comments about politicians "needing to talk to people" as if they are in a bubble, do not engage with anyone behind the scenes or off camera. The implication is they're in a solo bubble and simply wheel themselves or a press release out occasionally. They operate singly, independently, without reference to anyone.
Yes, let's have an inquiry. We want to know on which days since January the 27th Ardern spoke with the Police Minister and what exactly was said. And the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance. And the Minister of the SIS and GCSB. And the Minister of Health. And the Minister of Local Government. And the Minister of Defence.
I bags be on the group. (I'll only charge out at $1666 a day.)
When it's reported on who said exactly what and when, and everything said and done was found to be deficient and lacking, what comes next? (You can see the clarity already, I won't need many days to come to a cretin pleasing conclusion.)
Should we then have an 'action replay' – go back to the beginning and get the protestors to do it all again to give the same politicians a second go?
Hell, we could rewind to the beginning of 2019 and do it all again. Follow the grand 'leave everything open, don't do anything extra' plan. Open borders in and out as demanded. Don't engage with the Devil Juice Vaccinations. Business would thrive. We'd be the toast of the world. My shares in the funeral company would be through the roof although I might be too dead to enjoy the profits. But what's 20,000 or so dying directly from Covid and a few thousand others dying because of the breakdown of the health system? I mean think positive, look at the housing created.
Or chuck them out and let the festering fuckwits like Brian Tamaki have a go at running the place?
"Was Ardern meant to go and hold each and every hand and reassure them, educate them, cajole them and get them on board? And then turn herself over to them for her execution?"
That's the great hope, Peter.
Why, oh why, hasn't Jacinda done as they require??
[I don’t care how it started, but stop this bickering now. Digging up the past of commenters for no good reason other than to poke them is flaming, and kind of creepy. Just stop – weka]
Surely you're not suggesting the clownvoy are a threat to national security, Blade. If that were so, they'd be a task for the army, who'd make short work of them.
If they have become a threat to national security, or traitors to use the vernacular term, they cease to be the PM's problem, and become the army and SIS's – once again demonstrating the shortcomings of being a sea-girt nation without marines.
The PM need not bother with such wretched refuse – but she might reasonably direct some efforts to punish the CEO of Red Stag. Seems he's been a Verry naughty boy.
Skeptical Science is partnering with Gigafact to produce fact briefs — bite-sized fact checks of trending claims. You can submit claims you think need checking via the tipline. Is sea level rise exaggerated? Sea levels are rising at an accelerating rate, not stagnating or decreasing. Warming global temperatures cause land ice ...
Here is a scenario, but first a historical parallel. Hitler and the Nazis could well have accomplished everything that they wanted to do within German borders, including exterminating Jews, so long as they confined their ambitious to Germany itself. After all, the world pretty much sat and watched as the ...
I’ve spent the last couple of days in Hamilton covering Waikato University’s annual NZ Economics Forum, where (arguably) three of the most influential people in our political economy right now laid out their thinking in major speeches about the size and role of Government, their views on for spending, tax ...
Simeon Brown’s Ideology BentSimeon Brown once told Kiwis he tries to represent his deep sense of faith by interacting “with integrity”.“It’s important that there’s Christians in Parliament…and from my perspective, it’s great to be a Christian in Parliament and to bring that perspective to [laws, conversations and policies].”And with ...
Severe geological and financial earthquakes are inevitable. We just don’t know how soon and how they will play out. Are we putting the right effort into preparing for them?Every decade or so the international economy has a major financial crisis. We cannot predict exactly when or exactly how it will ...
Questions1. How did Old Mate Grabaseat describe his soon-to-be-Deputy-PM’s letter to police advocating for Philip Polkinghorne?a.Ill-advisedb.A perfect letterc.A letter that will live in infamyd.He had me at hello2. What did Seymour say in response?a.What’s ill-advised is commenting when you don’t know all the facts and ...
NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi President Richard Wagstaff has called on OJI Fibre Solutions to work with the government, unions, and the community before closing the Kinleith Paper Mill. “OJI has today announced 230 job losses in what will be a devastating blow for the community. OJI needs to work with ...
NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi President Richard Wagstaff is sounding the alarm about the latest attack on workers from Minister of Workplace Relations and Safety Brooke van Velden, who is ignoring her own officials to pursue reckless changes that would completely undermine the personal grievance system. “Brooke van Velden’s changes will ...
Hi,When I started writing Webworm in 2020, I wrote a lot about the conspiracy theories that were suddenly invading our Twitter timelines and Facebook feeds. Four years ago a reader, John, left this feedback under one of my essays:It’s a never ending labyrinth of lunacy which, as you have pointed ...
And if you said this life ain't good enoughI would give my world to lift you upI could change my life to better suit your moodBecause you're so smoothAnd it's just like the ocean under the moonOh, it's the same as the emotion that I get from youYou got the ...
Aotearoa remains the minority’s birthright, New Zealand the majority’s possession. WAITANGI DAY commentary see-saws manically between the warmly positive and the coldly negative. Many New Zealanders consider this a good thing. They point to the unexamined patriotism of July Fourth and Bastille Day celebrations, and applaud the fact that the ...
The podcast above of the weekly ‘Hoon’ webinar for paying subscribers on Thursday night features co-hosts & talking about the week’s news with regular and special guests, including: and on the week in geopolitics, including the latest from Donald Trump’s administration over Gaza and Ukraine; on the ...
Up until now, the prevailing coalition view of public servants was that there were simply too many of them. But yesterday the new Public Service Commissioner, handpicked by the Luxon Government, said it was not so much numbers but what they did and the value they produced that mattered. Sir ...
In a moment we explore the question: What is Andrew Bayly wanting to tell ACC, and will it involve enjoying a small wine tasting and then telling someone to fuck off? But first, for context, a broader one: What do we look for in a government?Imagine for a moment, you ...
As expected, Donald Trump just threw Ukraine under the bus, demanding that it accept Russia's illegal theft of land, while ruling out any future membership of NATO. Its a colossal betrayal, which effectively legitimises Russia's invasion, while laying the groundwork for the next one. But Trump is apparently fine with ...
This is a guest post by George Weeks, reviewing a book called ‘How to Fly a Horse’ by Kevin AshtonBook review: ‘How to Fly a Horse’ by Kevin Ashton (2015) – and what it means for Auckland. The title of this article might unnerve any Greater Auckland ...
This story was originally published by Capital & Main and is part of Covering Climate Now, a global journalism collaboration strengthening coverage of the climate story. Within just a week, the sheer devastation of the Los Angeles wildfires has pushed to the fore fundamental questions about the impact of the climate crisis that have been ...
In this world, it's just usYou know it's not the same as it wasSongwriters: Harry Edward Styles / Thomas Edward Percy Hull / Tyler Sam JohnsonYesterday, I received a lovely message from Caty, a reader of Nick’s Kōrero, that got me thinking. So I thought I’d share it with you, ...
In past times a person was considered “unserious” or “not a serious” person if they failed to grasp, behave and speak according to the solemnity of the context in which they were located. For example a serious person does not audibly pass gas at Church, or yell “gun” at a ...
Long stories short, the top six things in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, climate and poverty on Thursday, February 13 are:The coalition Government’s early 2024 ‘fiscal emergency’ freeze on funding, planning and building houses, schools, local roads and hospitals helped extend and deepen the economic and jobs recession through calendar ...
For obvious reasons, people feel uneasy when the right to be a citizen is sold off to wealthy foreigners. Even selling the right to residency seems a bit dubious, when so many migrants who are not millionaires get turned away or are made to jump through innumerable hoops – simply ...
A new season of White Lotus is nearly upon us: more murder mystery, more sumptuous surroundings, more rich people behaving badly.Once more we get to identify with the experience of the pampered tourist or perhaps the poorly paid help; there's something in White Lotus for all New Zealanders.And unlike the ...
In 2016, Aotearoa shockingly plunged to fourth place in the Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index. Nine years later, and we're back there again: New Zealand has seen a further slip in its global ranking in the latest Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI). [...] In the latest CPI New Zealand's score ...
1. You’ve started ranking your politicians on how much they respect the rule of law2. You’ve stopped paying attention to those news publications3. You’ve developed a sudden interest in a particular period of history4. More and more people are sounding like your racist, conspiracist uncle.5. Someone just pulled a Nazi ...
Transforming New Zealand: Brian EastonBrian Easton will discuss the above topic at 2/57 Willis Street, Wellington at 5:30pm on Tuesday 26 February at 2/57 Willis Street, WellingtonThe sub-title to the above is "Why is the Left failing?" Brian Easton's analysis is based on his view that while the ...
Salvation Army’s State of the Nation 2025 report highlights falling living standards, the highest unemployment rates since the 1990s and half of all Pacific children going without food. There are reports of hundreds if not thousands of people are applying for the same jobs in the wake of last year’s ...
Mountain Tui is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.Correction: On the article The Condundrum of David Seymour, Luke Malpass conducted joint reviews with Bryce Wilkinson, the architect of the Regulatory Standards Bill - not Bryce Edwards. The article ...
Tomorrow the council’s Transport, Resilience and Infrastructure Committee meet and agenda has a few interesting papers. Council’s Letter of Expectation to Auckland Transport Every year the council provide a Letter of Expectation to Auckland Transport which is part of the process for informing AT of the council’s priorities and ...
All around in my home townThey're trying to track me down, yeahThey say they want to bring me in guiltyFor the killing of a deputyFor the life of a deputySongwriter: Robert Nesta Marley.Support Nick’s Kōrero today with a 20% discount on a paid subscription to receive all my newsletters directly ...
Hi,I think all of us have probably experienced the power of music — that strange, transformative thing that gets under our skin and helps us experience this whole life thing with some kind of sanity.Listening and experiencing music has always been such a huge part of my life, and has ...
Business frustration over the stalled economy is growing, and only 34% of voters are confidentNicola Willis can deliver. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāLong stories short, the top six things in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, climate and poverty on Wednesday, February 12 are:Business frustration is growing about a ...
I have now lived long enough to see a cabinet minister go both barrels on their Prime Minister and not get sacked.It used to be that the PM would have a drawer full of resignations signed by ministers on the day of their appointment, ready for such an occasion. But ...
This session will feature Simon McCallum, Senior Lecturer in Engineering and Computer Science (VUW) and recent Labour Party candidate in the Southland Electorate talking about some of the issues around AI and how this should inform Labour Party policy. Simon is an excellent speaker with a comprehensive command of AI ...
The proposed Waimate garbage incinerator is dead: The company behind a highly-controversial proposal to build a waste-to-energy plant in the Waimate District no longer has the land. [...] However, SIRRL director Paul Taylor said the sales and purchase agreement to purchase land from Murphy Farms, near Glenavy, lapsed at ...
The US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act has been a vital tool in combatting international corruption. It forbids US companies and citizens from bribing foreign public officials anywhere in the world. And its actually enforced: some of the world's biggest companies - Siemens, Hewlett Packard, and Bristol Myers Squibb - have ...
December 2024 photo - with UK Tory Boris Johnson (Source: Facebook)Those PollsFor hours, political poll results have resounded across political hallways and commentary.According to the 1News Verizon poll, 50% of the country believe we are heading in the “wrong direction”, while 39% believe we are “on the right track”.The left ...
A Tai Rāwhiti mill that ran for 30 years before it was shut down in late 2023 is set to re-open in the coming months, which will eventually see nearly 300 new jobs in the region. A new report from Massey University shows that pensioners are struggling with rising costs. ...
As support continues to fall, Luxon also now faces his biggest internal ructions within the coalition since the election, with David Seymour reacting badly to being criticised by the PM. File photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāLong stories short, the top six things in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, climate ...
Not since 1988 when Richard Prebble openly criticised David Lange have we seen such a challenge to a Prime Minister as that of David Seymour to Christopher Luxon last night. Prebble suggested Lange had mental health issues during a TV interview and was almost immediately fired. Seymour hasn’t gone quite ...
Three weeks in, and the 24/7 news cycle is not helping anyone feel calm and informed about the second Trump presidency. One day, the US is threatening 25% trade tariffs on its friends and neighbours. The reasons offered by the White House are absurd, such as stopping fentanyl coming in ...
This video includes personal musings and conclusions of the creator climate scientist Dr. Adam Levy. It is presented to our readers as an informed perspective. Please see video description for references (if any). Wherever you look, you'll hear headlines claiming we've passed 1.5 degrees of global warming. And while 2024 saw ...
Photo by Heather M. Edwards on UnsplashHere’s the key news, commentary, reports and debate around Aotearoa’s politics and economy in the week to Feb 10 below. That’s ahead of live chats on the Substack App and The Kākā’s front page on Substack at 5pm with: on his column in The ...
Is there anyone in the world the National Party loves more than a campaign donor? Why yes, there is! They will always have the warmest hello and would you like to slip into something more comfortable for that great god of our age, the High Net Worth Individual.The words the ...
Waste and fraud certainly exist in foreign aid programs, but rightwing celebration of USAID’s dismantling shows profound ignorance of the value of soft power (as opposed to hard power) in projecting US influence and interests abroad by non-military/coercive means (think of “hearts and minds,” “hugs, not bullets,” “honey versus vinegar,” ...
Health New Zealand is proposing to cut almost half of its data and digital positions – more than 1000 of them. The PSA has called on the Privacy Commissioner to urgently investigate the cuts due to the potential for serious consequences for patients. NZNO is calling for an urgent increase ...
We may see a few more luxury cars on Queen Street, but a loosening of rules to entice rich foreigners to invest more here is unlikely to “turbocharge our economic growth”. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāLong stories short, the top six things in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, climate ...
Let us not dance daintily around the elephant in the room. Our politicians who serve us in the present are not honest, certainly not as honest as they should be, and while the right are taking out most of the trophies for warping narratives and literally redefining “facts”, the kiwi ...
A few weeks ago I took a look at public transport ridership in 2024. In today’s post I’m going to be looking a bit deeper at bus ridership. Buses make up the vast majority of ridership in Auckland with 70 million boardings last year out of a total of 89.4 ...
Oh, you know I did itIt's over and I feel fineNothing you could say is gonna change my mindWaited and I waited the longest nightNothing like the taste of sweet declineSongwriters: Chris Shiflett / David Eric Grohl / Nate Mendel / Taylor Hawkins.Hindsight is good, eh?The clarity when the pieces ...
Photo by Towfiqu barbhuiya on UnsplashHere’s what we’re watching in the week to February 16 and beyond in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, climate and poverty:Monday, February 10The Kākā’s weekly wrap-up of news about politics and the economy is due at midday, followed by webinar for paying subscribers in Substack’s ...
A listing of 23 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, February 2, 2025 thru Sat, February 8, 2025. This week's roundup is again published soleley by category. We are still interested in feedback to hone the categorization, so if ...
Today, I stumbled across a Twitter Meme: the ending of The Lord of the Rings as a Chess scenario: https://x.com/mellon_heads/status/1887983845917564991 It gets across the basic gist. Aragorn and Gandalf offering up ‘material’ at the Morannon allows Frodo and Samwise to catch Sauron unawares – fair enough. But there are a ...
Last week, Kieran McAnulty called out Chris Bishop and Nicola Willis for their claims that Kāinga Ora’s costs were too high.They had claimed Kāinga Ora’s cost were 12% higher than market i.e. private devlopersBut Kāinga Ora’s Chair had already explained why last year:"We're not building to sell, so we'll be ...
Stuff’s Political Editor Luke Malpass - A Fellow at New Zealand IniativeLast week I half-joked that Stuff / The Post’s Luke Malpass1 always sounded like he was auditioning for a job at the New Zealand Initiative.Mountain Tui is a reader-supported publication. For a limited time, subscriptions are 20% off. Thanks ...
At a funeral on Friday, there were A4-sized photos covering every wall of the Dil’s reception lounge. There must have been 200 of them, telling the story in the usual way of the video reel but also, by enlargement, making it more possible to linger and step in.Our friend Nicky ...
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 from the Gigafact team in collaboration with members from our team. You can submit claims you think need checking via the tipline. Is methane the ...
The Government’s idea is that the private sector and Community Housing Providers will fund, build and operate new affordable housing to address our housing crisis. Meanwhile, the Government does not know where almost half of the 1,700 children who left emergency housing actually went. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāLong ...
Oh, home, let me come homeHome is wherever I'm with youOh, home, let me come homeHome is wherever I'm with youSongwriters: Alexander Ebert / Jade Allyson CastrinosMorena,I’m on a tight time frame this morning. In about an hour and a half, I’ll need to pack up and hit the road ...
This is a post about the Mountain Tui substack, and small tweaks - further to the poll and request post the other day. Please don’t read if you aren’t interested in my personal matters. Thank you all.After oohing-and-aahing about how to structure the Substack model since November, including obtaining ...
This transcript of a recent conversation between the Prime Minister and his chief economic adviser has not been verified.We’ve announced we are the ‘Yes Government’. Do you like it?Yes, Prime Minister.Dreamed up by the PR team. It’s about being committed to growth. Not that the PR team know anything about ...
The other day, Australian Senator Nick McKim issued a warning in the Australian Parliement about the US’s descent into fascim.And of course it’s true, but I lament - that was true as soon as Trump won.What we see is now simply the reification of the intention, planning, and forces behind ...
Among the many other problems associated with Musk/DOGE sending a fleet of teenage and twenty-something cultists to remove, copy and appropriate federal records like social security, medicaid and other supposedly protected data is the fact that the youngsters doing the data-removal, copying and security protocol and filter code over-writing have ...
Jokerman dance to the nightingale tuneBird fly high by the light of the moonOh, oh, oh, JokermanSong by Bob Dylan.Morena folks, I hope this fine morning of the 7th of February finds you well. We're still close to Paihia, just a short drive out of town. Below is the view ...
It’s been an eventful week as always, so here’s a few things that we have found interesting. We also hope everyone had a happy and relaxing Waitangi Day! This week in Greater Auckland We’re still running on summer time, but provided two chewy posts: On Tuesday, a guest ...
Queuing on Queen St: the Government is set to announce another apparently splashy growth policy on Sunday of offering residence visas to wealthy migrants. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāLong stories short, the top six things in our political economy around housing, climate and poverty on Friday, February 7:PM Christopher ...
The fact that Waitangi ended up being such a low-key affair may mark it out as one of the most significant Waitangi Days in recent years. A group of women draped in “Toitu Te Tiriti” banners who turned their backs on the politicians’ powhiri was about as rough as it ...
Hi,This week’s Flightless Bird episode was about “fake seizure guy” — a Melbourne man who fakes seizures in order to get members of the public to sit on him.The audio documentary (which I have included in this newsletter in case you don’t listen to Flightless Bird) built on reporting first ...
National’s cuts to disability support funding and freezing of new residential placements has resulted in significant mental health decline for intellectually disabled people. ...
The hundreds of jobs lost needlessly as a result of the Kinleith Mill paper production closure will have a devastating impact on the Tokoroa community - something that could have easily been avoided. ...
Today Te Pāti Māori MP for Te Tai Tokerau, Mariameno Kapa-Kingi, released her members bill that will see the return of tamariki and mokopuna Māori from state care back to te iwi Māori. This bill will establish an independent authority that asserts and protects the rights promised in He Whakaputanga ...
The Whangarei District Council being forced to fluoridate their local water supply is facing a despotic Soviet-era disgrace. This is not a matter of being pro-fluoride or anti-fluoride. It is a matter of what New Zealanders see and value as democracy in our country. Individual democratically elected Councillors are not ...
Nicola Willis’ latest supermarket announcement is painfully weak with no new ideas, no real plan, and no relief for Kiwis struggling with rising grocery costs. ...
Half of Pacific children sometimes going without food is just one of many heartbreaking lowlights in the Salvation Army’s annual State of the Nation report. ...
The Salvation Army’s State of the Nation report is a bleak indictment on the failure of Government to take steps to end poverty, with those on benefits, including their children, hit hardest. ...
New Zealand First has today introduced a Member’s Bill which would restore decision-making power to local communities regarding the fluoridation of drinking water. The ‘Fluoridation (Referendum) Legislation Bill’ seeks to repeal the Health (Fluoridation of Drinking Water) Amendment Act 2021 that granted centralised authority to the Direct General of Health ...
New Zealand First has introduced a Member’s Bill aimed at preventing banks from refusing their services to businesses because of the current “Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Framework”. “This Bill ensures fairness and prevents ESG standards from perpetuating woke ideology in the banking sector being driven by unelected, globalist, climate ...
Erica Stanford has reached peak shortsightedness if today’s announcement is anything to go by, picking apart immigration settings piece by piece to the detriment of the New Zealand economy. ...
Our originating document, theTreaty of Waitangi, was signed on February 6, 1840. An agreement between Māori and the British Crown. Initially inked by Ngā Puhi in Waitangi, further signatures were added as it travelled south. The intention was to establish a colony with the cession of sovereignty to the Crown, ...
Te Whatu Ora Chief Executive Margie Apa leaving her job four months early is another symptom of this government’s failure to deliver healthcare for New Zealanders. ...
The Green Party is calling for the Prime Minister to show leadership and be unequivocal about Aotearoa New Zealand’s opposition to a proposal by the US President to remove Palestinians from Gaza. ...
The latest unemployment figures reveal that job losses are hitting Māori and Pacific people especially hard, with Māori unemployment reaching a staggering 9.7% for the December 2024 quarter and Pasifika unemployment reaching 10.5%. ...
Waitangi 2025: Waitangi Day must be community and not politically driven - Shane Jones Our originating document, theTreaty of Waitangi, was signed on February 6, 1840. An agreement between Māori and the British Crown. Initially inked by Ngā Puhi in Waitangi, further signatures were added as it travelled south. ...
Despite being confronted every day with people in genuine need being stopped from accessing emergency housing – National still won’t commit to building more public houses. ...
The Green Party says the Government is giving up on growing the country’s public housing stock, despite overwhelming evidence that we need more affordable houses to solve the housing crisis. ...
Before any thoughts of the New Year and what lies ahead could even be contemplated, New Zealand reeled with the tragedy of Senior Sergeant Lyn Fleming losing her life. For over 38 years she had faithfully served as a front-line Police officer. Working alongside her was Senior Sergeant Adam Ramsay ...
Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson will return to politics at Waitangi on Monday the 3rd of February where she will hold a stand up with fellow co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick. ...
Te Pāti Māori is appalled by the government's blatant mishandling of the school lunch programme. David Seymour’s ‘cost-saving’ measures have left tamariki across Aotearoa with unidentifiable meals, causing distress and outrage among parents and communities alike. “What’s the difference between providing inedible food, and providing no food at all?” Said ...
The Government is doubling down on outdated and volatile fossil fuels, showing how shortsighted and destructive their policies are for working New Zealanders. ...
Green Party MP Steve Abel this morning joined Coromandel locals in Waihi to condemn new mining plans announced by Shane Jones in the pit of the town’s Australian-owned Gold mine. ...
The Green Party is calling on the Government to strengthen its just-announced 2030-2035 Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) under the Paris Agreement and address its woeful lack of commitment to climate security. ...
Today marks a historic moment for Taranaki iwi with the passing of the Te Pire Whakatupua mō Te Kāhui Tupua/Taranaki Maunga Collective Redress Bill in Parliament. "Today, we stand together as descendants of Taranaki, and our tūpuna, Taranaki Maunga, is now formally acknowledged by the law as a living tūpuna. ...
Labour is relieved to see Children’s Minister Karen Chhour has woken up to reality and reversed her government’s terrible decisions to cut funding from frontline service providers – temporarily. ...
It is the first week of David Seymour’s school lunch programme and already social media reports are circulating of revolting meals, late deliveries, and mislabelled packaging. ...
The Green Party says that with no-cause evictions returning from today, the move to allow landlords to end tenancies without reason plunges renters, and particularly families who rent, into insecurity and stress. ...
The Government’s commitment to get New Zealand’s roads back on track is delivering strong results, with around 98 per cent of potholes on state highways repaired within 24 hours of identification every month since targets were introduced, Transport Minister Chris Bishop says. “Increasing productivity to help rebuild our economy is ...
The former Cadbury factory will be the site of the Inpatient Building for the new Dunedin Hospital and Health Minister Simeon Brown says actions have been taken to get the cost overruns under control. “Today I am giving the people of Dunedin certainty that we will build the new Dunedin ...
From today, Plunket in Whāngarei will be offering childhood immunisations – the first of up to 27 sites nationwide, Health Minister Simeon Brown says. The investment of $1 million into the pilot, announced in October 2024, was made possible due to the Government’s record $16.68 billion investment in health. It ...
New Zealand’s strong commitment to the rights of disabled people has continued with the response to an important United Nations report, Disability Issues Minister Louise Upston has announced. Of the 63 concluding observations of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), 47 will be progressed ...
Resources Minister Shane Jones has launched New Zealand’s national Minerals Strategy and Critical Minerals List, documents that lay a strategic and enduring path for the mineral sector, with the aim of doubling exports to $3 billion by 2035. Mr Jones released the documents, which present the Coalition Government’s transformative vision ...
Firstly I want to thank OceanaGold for hosting our event today. Your operation at Waihi is impressive. I want to acknowledge local MP Scott Simpson, local government dignitaries, community stakeholders and all of you who have gathered here today. It’s a privilege to welcome you to the launch of the ...
Racing Minister, Winston Peters has announced the Government is preparing public consultation on GST policy proposals which would make the New Zealand racing industry more competitive. “The racing industry makes an important economic contribution. New Zealand thoroughbreds are in demand overseas as racehorses and for breeding. The domestic thoroughbred industry ...
Business confidence remains very high and shows the economy is on track to improve, Economic Growth Minister Nicola Willis says. “The latest ANZ Business Outlook survey, released yesterday, shows business confidence and expected own activity are ‘still both very high’.” The survey reports business confidence fell eight points to +54 ...
Enabling works have begun this week on an expanded radiology unit at Hawke’s Bay Fallen Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital which will double CT scanning capacity in Hawke’s Bay to ensure more locals can benefit from access to timely, quality healthcare, Health Minister Simeon Brown says. This investment of $29.3m in the ...
The Government has today announced New Zealand’s second international climate target under the Paris Agreement, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealand will reduce emissions by 51 to 55 per cent compared to 2005 levels, by 2035. “We have worked hard to set a target that is both ambitious ...
Nine years of negotiations between the Crown and iwi of Taranaki have concluded following Te Pire Whakatupua mō Te Kāhui Tupua/the Taranaki Maunga Collective Redress Bill passing its third reading in Parliament today, Treaty Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith says. “This Bill addresses the historical grievances endured by the eight iwi ...
As schools start back for 2025, there will be a relentless focus on teaching the basics brilliantly so all Kiwi kids grow up with the knowledge, skills and competencies needed to grow the New Zealand of the future, Education Minister Erica Stanford says. “A world-leading education system is a key ...
Housing Minister Chris Bishop and Associate Agriculture Minister Mark Patterson have welcomed Kāinga Ora’s decision to re-open its tender for carpets to allow wool carpet suppliers to bid. “In 2024 Kāinga Ora issued requests for tender (RFTs) seeking bids from suppliers to carpet their properties,” Mr Bishop says. “As part ...
Associate Education Minister David Seymour has today visited Otahuhu College where the new school lunch programme has served up healthy lunches to students in the first days of the school year. “As schools open in 2025, the programme will deliver nutritious meals to around 242,000 students, every school day. On ...
Minister for Children Karen Chhour has intervened in Oranga Tamariki’s review of social service provider contracts to ensure Barnardos can continue to deliver its 0800 What’s Up hotline. “When I found out about the potential impact to this service, I asked Oranga Tamariki for an explanation. Based on the information ...
A bill to make revenue collection on imported and exported goods fairer and more effective had its first reading in Parliament, Customs Minister Casey Costello said today. “The Customs (Levies and Other Matters) Amendment Bill modernises the way in which Customs can recover the costs of services that are needed ...
Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says the Department of Internal Affairs [the Department] has achieved significant progress in completing applications for New Zealand citizenship. “December 2024 saw the Department complete 5,661 citizenship applications, the most for any month in 2024. This is a 54 per cent increase compared ...
Reversals to Labour’s blanket speed limit reductions begin tonight and will be in place by 1 July, says Minister of Transport Chris Bishop. “The previous government was obsessed with slowing New Zealanders down by imposing illogical and untargeted speed limit reductions on state highways and local roads. “National campaigned on ...
Finance Minister Nicola Willis has announced Budget 2025 – the Growth Budget - will be delivered on Thursday 22 May. “This year’s Budget will drive forward the Government’s plan to grow our economy to improve the incomes of New Zealanders now and in the years ahead. “Budget 2025 will build ...
For the Government, 2025 will bring a relentless focus on unleashing the growth we need to lift incomes, strengthen local businesses and create opportunity. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon today laid out the Government’s growth agenda in his Statement to Parliament. “Just over a year ago this Government was elected by ...
Associate Education Minister David Seymour welcomes students back to school with a call to raise attendance from last year. “The Government encourages all students to attend school every day because there is a clear connection between being present at school and setting yourself up for a bright future,” says Mr ...
The Government is relaxing visitor visa requirements to allow tourists to work remotely while visiting New Zealand, Economic Growth Minister Nicola Willis, Immigration Minister Erica Stanford and Tourism Minister Louise Upston say. “The change is part of the Government’s plan to unlock New Zealand’s potential by shifting the country onto ...
The opening of Kāinga Ora’s development of 134 homes in Epuni, Lower Hutt will provide much-needed social housing for Hutt families, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. “I’ve been a strong advocate for social housing on Kāinga Ora’s Epuni site ever since the old earthquake-prone housing was demolished in 2015. I ...
By Caleb Fotheringham, RNZ Pacific journalist Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown says the deal with China “complements, not replaces” the relationship with New Zealand after signing it yesterday. Brown said “The Action Plan for Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) 2025-2030” provides a structured framework for engagement between the Cook Islands ...
The government should not set military style academies into youth justice law, the children's commissioner says, despite its first bootcamp getting a glowing report. ...
The infamous over-the-suit T-shirt worn by the PM at a Parliament barbecue has gone on sale to raise funds for children living in poverty, in a TradeMe auction. ...
MONDAYSheriff Seymour rode slowly down the main street of Dodge on his faithful white horse Atlas Network.He liked what he saw.Children were being fed free lunches prepared by kind people who collected the scraps from an offal rendering plant.“Very strongly flavoured liver, such as ox liver, can be soaked overnight ...
Once upon a time it was all about being an astronaut, a firefighter or doctor; but these days kids have their sights set on becoming vloggers or YouTubers.That’s according to a 2019 study by Lego that surveyed 3000 children between the ages of eight to 12 from the US, the ...
Madeleine Chapman reflects on the week that was. From the moment I started high school and realised almost every other girl in my year was at least partially interested in what the boys were up to, I realised that I would be single for life. The feeling wasn’t one of ...
The Pacific profiles series shines a light on Pacific people in Aotearoa doing interesting and important work in their communities, as nominated by members of the public. Today, Selina Alesana Alefosio.All photos by Geoffery Matautia.On a bright Sunday morning from her grandparent’s home in Pito-one, I spoke with ...
The White Lotus star reflects on her life in TV, including the local ad reference that doesn’t work in Australia, and her bananas co-star on Neighbours.Morgana O’Reilly was scrolling her phone next to her sleeping son on an idle Saturday morning when she got the call confirming that she ...
Claire Mabey explores the pros and cons of puff quotes on book covers.In January, Publishers Weekly put out an article by Sean Manning – publisher of Simon & Schuster’s flagship US imprint – in which he said he’d “no longer require authors to obtain blurbs for their books”.The ...
New Zealand’s Entomological Society is hosting its annual bug of the year contest. Here are some of the insects in the running. For some reason – perhaps humans’ inherent competitiveness, the idealisation of democracy, the need to demarcate winners and losers – one of the best ways to get people ...
A journey along the border, with words and illustrations by Bob Kerr.The Spinoff Essay showcases the best essayists in Aotearoa, on topics big and small. Made possible by the generous support of our members.The Sunset Limited leaves Union Station New Orleans on time at nine in the morning. We ...
Neville Peat is the 2024 recipient of the Prime Minister’s Award for Literary Achievement in nonfiction. He’s written 56 books, mostly on natural history; this excerpt is from The Falcon and the Lark: A New Zealand High Country Journal, first published in 1992. The falcon wintering on the Rock and ...
It was a light-hearted gesture Greta Pilkington will be forever grateful for – thanks to an Aussie rival who jumped in when the Olympic sailor couldn’t be at her own graduation.Pilkington, then 20, had been leading a double life – while qualifying for the 2024 Paris Olympics in the ILCA ...
I was born in the back of my grandfather’s ute, by an overgrown windbreak in a remote place called Wahi-Rakauyou can’t find on a map. I was born a girl but given the man’s name Harvey, as my dad always wanted a violent-minded boy to one day help him ...
“We’re not here to interfere in people’s property rights,” Ngāi Tahu’s Te Maire Tau has told the High Court.Tau, a historian, Upoko (traditional leader) of Ngāi Tūāhuriri, and a university professor of history, is the lead witness in a case designed to force the Crown to recognise the tribe’s rangatiratanga ...
Pacific Media Watch Trump administration officials barred two Associated Press (AP) reporters from covering White House events this week because the US-based independent news agency did not change its style guide to align with the president’s political agenda. The AP is being punished for using the term “Gulf of Mexico,” ...
By Lydia Lewis, RNZ Pacific Presenter/Bulletin editor France’s top diplomat in the Pacific region says talks around the “unfreezing” of New Caledonia’s highly controversial electoral roll are back on the table. The French government intended to make a constitutional amendment that would lift restrictions prescribed under the Nouméa Accord, which ...
By bringing these global voices to the fight for free expression in New Zealand, we’ll continue to protect and expand our culture of free speech, says Nathan Seiuli, the Free Speech Union's Events Manager. ...
The issue is no longer a hypothetical one. US President Donald Trump will not explicitly suggest death camps, but he has already consented to Israel’s continuing a war that is not a war but rather a barbaric assault on a desolate stretch of land. From there, the road to annihilation is ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Cecelia Cmielewski, Research Fellow, Institute for Culture and Society, Western Sydney University To be selected as the artist and curator team to represent Australia at the Venice Biennale is considered the ultimate exhibition for an artistic team. To have your selection rescinded, ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Steve Turton, Adjunct Professor of Environmental Geography, CQUniversity Australia Severe Tropical Cyclone Zelia is bearing down on the northwest coast of Australia and is likely to make landfall early Friday evening. It’s a monster storm of great concern to Western Australia. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Danielle Ireland-Piper, Associate Professor, ANU National Security College, Australian National University A Victorian government decision to allow dingo culling in the state’s east until 2028 has reignited debate over what has been dubbed Australia’s most controversial animal. Animals Australia, an animal welfare ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Hassan Vally, Associate Professor, Epidemiology, Deakin University Overnight, Robert F. Kennedy Jr was confirmed as the secretary of the US Health and Human Services Department. Put simply, this makes him the most influential figure in overseeing the health and wellbeing of more ...
Everything you missed from day five of the Treaty principles bill hearings, when the Justice Committee heard eight hours of submissions.Read our recaps of the previous hearings here.It was another work from home day for the Justice Committee, the only people in Room 3 being security guards, committee ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Milad Haghani, Associate Professor & Principal Fellow in Urban Risk & Resilience, The University of Melbourne Juris Teivans/Shutterstock In Australia, fatal road crashes are climbing again, especially since the pandemic, and despite years of attempts to reduce road trauma, the numbers ...
In its eagerness to appease supporters of Israel, the media is happy to ride roughshod over due process and basic rights. It’s damaging Australia’s (and New Zealand’s?) democracy.COMMENTARY:By Bernard Keane Two moments stand out so far from the Federal Court hearings relating to Antoinette Lattouf’s sacking by the ...
“The reality is we’re getting poorer. The government this year is leaning heavy on chasing economic growth, which is absolutely the right thing to do.” ...
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 The Vegetarian by Han Kang (Granta, $28) Han Kang’s astounding novel was based on an ...
This new docuseries about two single comedians looking for love is also a joyful celebration of female friendship. This is an excerpt from our weekly pop culture newsletter Rec Room. Sign up here. “How many people do you think are boning right now?” Kura Forrester asks Brynley Stent as the bright ...
On an issue which can be somewhat illuminated by the anti-mandate protesting all around the country…. and an issue which I have always stood by…
… it is very clear that dividing people into two is a recipe for disaster
… yet this is what those promoting te tiriti as a 'partnership' want
creating two types of citizen within one nation doesn't work… never has and never will and now we have seen a working example in our very own backyard
yet this reality is ignored by said promoters of te tiriti 'partnership'
ignored
which is foolish so very foolish
we cannot have two types of citizens
anger and disintegration is the result
as we see across the nation today with two types of citizens with differing rights re covid
…
note: alongside this te tiriti and its agreements and breaches must still be acknowledged and accommodated or compensated in some way.. but this highlights the flawed nature of the treaty.. it needs repair
Your analogy here doesn't work, vto.
The current work on Te Tiriti, is so that everyone has a chance to be heard, and accommodations made so that everyone is acknowledged and considered.
Which is what both you and I want in terms of the protestors.
If you think that listening to Māori views is divisive, then you indicate that you believe that you have a concern that their view will take priority always. (Such as the Crown perspective has historically, at high costs to Māori communities, culture, assets and natural resources.) There will be a period of adjustment, as in any relationship, of adjustment and fine tuning.
There will be scrutiny from both sides – and expectations from both sides – that will hopefully keep the partnership equal. At present it is not.
Thanks for the reply Molly, I hear what you are saying but dont agree the same thing wont happen. This is very straight forward at a high level – I dont believe you can have two types of citizens in one nation. It creates resentment, which leads to anger, which then leads to hatred. There are countless examples of this throughout history. Are there any examples where two types of citizens have lived together in one community that you know of? I would genuinely be very curious.
Re this "If you think that listening to Māori views is divisive, then you indicate…". I didn't suggest listening to Maori views is divisive. The issue is providing a different set of rights – creating two types of citizens.
It is the creation of two sets of rights.
Most all immigrants to this land (including polynesians when they first arrived, as I understand) set about to escape birthright privilege in their homelands. Yet here we are recreating it.
You have explained how it might work in your note, but you haven't addressed the effect on the people concerned. The effect of creating two types of citizens is on display atr Parliament grounds right now. It aint pretty and it aint sustainable.
Everybody must be equal
Do you mean, veto, that everyone must be vaccinated against Covid?
Otherwise, we have a natural split vaxxed/unvaxxed.
No. My comment relates solely to the effect of creating two types of citizens, which is on display right now. It doesn't work, which I have always maintained and which we now have some direct evidence for. Happy to see evidence of places where two sets of citizens with different rights happily co-exist in close proximity etc though.
Example places where it hasn't worked – south africa, israel, germany 1930, aotearoa 1900's 1800's, most all early colonial places where the locals had no representation, it is a very long list I think…
Example places where it has worked – keen to hear..
Heard of the 'haves' and the 'have nots' ,those that own property and those that….don't=now you have.
How might that work, veto, where it is held that the behaviour of unvaccinated/unmasked/contact-tracing-refusing etc. people, adversely affect the health of other members of society?
Isn't their a natural division that exists despite Government decree?
And the businesses and industries that decide, for themselves, that it's unsafe for the various groups toward in close proximity? How might their decision to require vaccination be managed?
There are numerous situations that would occur in lieu of a demand, back by disincentives/incentives, from Government to vaccinate against a viral pandemic. How would you manage those divisions/
sure, there are natural divisions all over the place, as blazer also points out.
my point though relates to specific legislated rights, not that which occurs 'naturally'
I think this distinction is valid (and hope I have understood your point)
I understand that your point relates to specific legislated rights, vto.
I think I have the wrong end of the stick here 🙂
vto is voicing Don Brash stuff. Not worth the effort, Molly.
pffttt….
VTO… is just stating a fact. His argument has been proven around the world.
Everything else you are reading on said topic is just commentary.
I had an old Pakeha guy turn up on my doorstep last night. As I opened the door his beginning smile turned into a look of consternation.
''I don't think you will be interested,'' he said apologetically.
To cut the story short, he was collecting signatures for a petition against Three Waters reform.
I said I would gladly sign his petition. He asked why?
I gave the following reasons:
1- Three Waters strips local ratepayers of historical assets.
2- It creates unnecessary bureaucracy.
3- It's racist. It's divisive, and a ideologically driven sop for Maori.
The old chap shook my hand and left. He gave the impression of trying to decide whether I was taking the piss; or not.
That's a classic example of the rift between peoples and groups within our society at present.
Don Brashs' cant has nothing to do with it.
*** I'm ASSUMING this petition is circulating nationwide.
"His argument has been proven around the world"
Ha ha ha ha ha!
Lovely!
Troll.
Shaking hands? Are you a pandemic denier, Blade? Or just slack.
Just a realist…like Australians.
I deny Man Made Climate Change. The biggest scam going…and one of the most dangerous, if the Sunday current affairs programme is anything to go by.
Large tracts of good farming land being planted in pines so operators can claim carbon credits.
Now there’s slackness for you.
I was sceptical but the evidence over the last 20yrs has become compelling. You are a frog,
https://www.moralstories.org/frog-hot-water/
Frog?
Too kind.
And you, my friend…are a patsy. The type that would probably vote Jacinda back into power.
More of an alt-realist.
🙄
Wow whataboutism, the latest argument of the antiscience denialist. Truth be said I haven't come across that piece of nonsense before – did you make that one up all by yourself? Second thoughts – you must have – the idiocy of it is telling.
Says the cat with the shades ( or bulging eyes?) who knows little of American history. Who tried to teach me, but was schooled in the process.
Now I'm supposed to take you seriously.??

I'm not sure you know what "schooled" means, anymore than you did "irony".
I'm not sure you know what "schooled" means, anymore than you did "irony".
Just letting a dear friend off lightly, and myself more so, from a torturous parergon investigation.
All, and I mean ALL, credibility lost in one short statement!
It's sad – and I mean it- you have been blinded by supposed consensus science.
You assume all those scientists who put their names to anthropogenic climate dogma, honestly did so on their own volition.
You believe funding, tenure and reputation has nothing to do with their support? This is not to say the majority of scientists don't believe in anthropogenic climate change – they do. What I'm saying is more than a few, in private, have doubts about all, or SOME aspects of anthropogenic climate change.
I suggest you take a different tact and maybe go off the reservation and see what you can find.
Really sad.
"Thanks for the reply Molly, I hear what you are saying but don't agree the same thing wont happen. "
I assume you are talking about an overarching authority given to views of one at the expense of the other. In this case, Māori perspectives rather than the Crown. I'm not saying that it could never happen, after all the contrary has happened in the existing partnership between the Crown and Māori since Te Tiriti was signed. That also assumes that no true partnership could ever be achieved, just a pull back and forth.
One statement that has stayed with me through the years is:
"We have a multi-cultural society in a bi-cultural country".
I believe this to be true. It is Te Tiriti that recognises the bi-cultural country. It is social cohesion that celebrates inclusion of others who want to live here.
The power of the Crown is not limited to non-contemporary historical injustices of land appropriation. Emancipation for Maori men was celebrated for being enacted early in our history, but was there value in voting for a representative whose powers were limited? In my lifetime, there have been continued land appropriation, Bastion Point, The Foreshore and Seabed Bill. Russel Norman disappointed me when in his desire to achieve the Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary, he supported the bypassing of consultation with local tangata whenua.
There are also continuing effects of institutions and Ministries ignoring impacts in health, education, welfare and mental health which then treats Māori in such a way that outcomes are statistically able to be identified – as detrimental. If looking to improve the partnership means that these current outcomes are improved, then that is a win for all.
I would agree with you that there is no positive outcome in having an elevated citizenry by virtue of birth. We can see the ramifications of that in the present day. We can navigate the complicated waters of this relationship and achieve more, by keeping that danger in mind, and take moves to avoid it.
Healthy partnerships, require ongoing respect both ways, and continuous energy.
Thanks again Molly, appreciate and understand your points, though I think the main hefty issue remains unanswered…
I dont have a full answer for the inequities that have arisen to date and dont disagree that having all people equal in legislation wont result in further inequities for those cultures which are in the minority..
but the main point still stands…
having two different types of citizens in one nation doesn't work
(… and of course we need to find a way to mitigate said inequities)
I am also curious still – are you aware of nations/places where this has worked??
"having two different types of citizens in one nation doesn't work"
I agree. But still don't see where this is being proposed in terms of Te Tiriti, (as opposed to your analogy with the non-vaccinated where it was explicitly stated).
"I am also curious still – are you aware of nations/places where this has worked??"
I am unaware of any country where an equal partnership has been sought?
Do you have examples?
"I dont have a full answer for the inequities that have arisen to date and dont disagree that having all people equal in legislation wont result in further inequities for those cultures which are in the minority.."
I would distrust anyone who declares themselves to have "full answers" as opposed to a stated intention, a willingness to make an effort and an acknowledgement that mistakes will be made along the way.
"…or those cultures which are in the minority."
It's not really a question of numbers, as 'in the minority', as I see it.
Its an understanding that when a person identifiable as Māori is dealt with by existing services, their outcomes are statistically less favourable. An acknowledgement that this is not working, knowledge is required to improve, and that knowledge is most likely held by Māori themselves requires a framework that accepts this approach.
Institutional approaches that sideline Māori are handed down.
For example, while talking with the recently immigrated Phillipino nurse who was giving me chemotherapy, who undertook training in Hawkes Bay, our two hour conversation ended with the enquiry, "Are you Māori?". When I replied in the affirmative, she said she was surprised. She had been told by NZ staff in the Hawkes Bay to expect Māori to be disruptive and argumentative. By undocumented methods such as these, beneficial health outcomes for Māori seem a long way away unless directly addressed.
I need to depart this mornings conversation sorry, but this..
"Its an understanding that when a person identifiable as Māori is dealt with by existing services, their outcomes are statistically less favourable. An acknowledgement that this is not working, knowledge is required to improve, and that knowledge is most likely held by Māori themselves requires a framework that accepts this approach."
.. I agree with entirely, for all cultures. I dont think it should be impossible to implement what you describe while maintaining single citizenry under the law. I imagine it would come down to the detail in such implementation.
All good. I'm heading off soon too.
But once again:
"We are a multi-cultural society in a bi-cultural country."
If we are unable to understand differences between the two parties of Te Tiriti and address the failings of the past, it is unlikely that we will address the inequities of other cultures within NZ.
There is currently a default priority given to the Crown. Immigrants all have a country where their culture is placed and recognised, and has an influence on life and politics (unless they have been diminished by force). Māori do too. It resides in only one country, NZ.
Your perspective regarding the recognition of the multi-cultural society (which is admirable) while ignoring the reality of the bi-cultural country (which is problematic) ignores Te Tiriti, Crown failings and the negative repercussions still felt today.
(Thanks for this discussion, vto. It's been interesting trying to figure out where you are, and how to address that from where I stand.)
The Waitangi Day protests over 30 years used to be the place that real and angry people got to force accountability onto politicians and make them as embarrassed as they should be.
Imagine if Ardern had held yesterday's lengthy media conference on COVID on the steps of Parliament rather than in her safe little theatre.
Finally she set out the start of a timetable for vaccine mandates to end.
Instead of enforced political accountability on the very grounds of political accountability, the encampment gets further radicalised.
Are the steps within rifle range? Or knife throw? No way should any MP be getting close to the protest with death threats, far right agitators, and actual Nazis, who support the Mosque shooter, on the loose. Safe is prudent at this point.
Absolutely agree Weka. It is quite clear that people in the protest group are advocating violence, it's just a question of time before some deranged person out there in the community takes some sort of action. And unfortunately the threat level is never going to return to pre-covid levels.
What sympathy I had for the protest group is evaporating. Good people would walk away, and we are not seeing much of that.
assuming for the sake of argument that you are right vto, which culture of which partner of the treaty should we all be part of if we have to choose one? Māori/Iwi/Hapū, or The Crown/Pākehā?
Great question weka.. I dont know and appreciate that my singular point doesn't address other related (and secondary imo) issues such as that one.
It is a difficult conundrum very much..
But the difficulties with 2x citizens as posited kinda overwhelms that next question I think…
… maybe.. in the bigger picture, as the world globalises, all cultures are going to become more one… they will merge until eventually the world is one people… yeah, I know, world governance and all that – but that is the direction humanity is heading … and which culture/s will come out with primacy within such a global culture??? … maybe chinese due to population? maybe western due to power and attitude? maybe african of some sort? maybe in fact quite a mix..
One thought that I have on culture – it that it develops over generations – and almost always has a founding in geography, natural resources and a connection to land and sea (which provides food/shelter) necessary for communities to continue.
Cultures contain stories and protocols often originating in the veneration of these aspects of life. A taniwha story that maintains the purity of a water source, Wangari Maathai told a story about grandfather trees that were to be venerated. It was only later, after they had been harvested, that she gained knowledge about how the trees worked to maintain the sequestering of water. NGO's often bring engineering knowledge and technology as aid to countries, and bypass the local knowledge that may enhance or improve the success of their efforts.
Here, in NZ, those that have resided here for generations – and looked after the land and resources – both Pakeha and Maaori – have a wealth of local knowledge that recent immigrants without such contact do not. Recent immigrants may also have their own knowledge from their own local places, and a sharing of knowledge is to be celebrated. In both its value and its difference.
Universal human rights, will not be achieved with a universal implementation. That assumes a default position, that approach will serve everyone badly.
Missed link to Wangari Maathai, for those that don't know who she was:
"Wangarĩ Muta Maathai (/wænˈɡɑːri mɑːˈtaɪ/; 1 April 1940 – 25 September 2011) was a Kenyan social, environmental and political activist and the first African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize." – Wikipedia
Molly "Universal human rights, will not be achieved with a universal implementation"
hmmm,,, thinking thinking….
I can be clearer, if you have problems
"note: alongside this te tiriti and its agreements and breaches must still be acknowledged and accommodated or compensated in some way.. but this highlights the flawed nature of the treaty.. it needs repair"
So unless you are proposing that we just ignore agreements / contracts / laws, surely that "repair" must be done first. How do you propose to do that, vto? Or do you have a view that people should be able to ignore laws they do not like?
Brilliant comment. My genuine concern is that the ones who will be most hurt from this delusion are Maori.
Same land area as Gt Britain,-5 million population.
' It is surely a little embarrassing that New Zealand, one of the least populated countries in the world, has apparently run out of land.
The humiliation was laid bare for the world to see in an Economist article last week showing New Zealand house prices rose 256 per cent during a period when they rose by just 64 per cent in the United States and 110 per cent in the United Kingdom.'
Land grab economy continues as councils continue to tax apartment-owners more than landbankers | Stuff.co.nz
The embarrassment is more the two fold phenomenon of…
–the tory rump of settler desecendants and dependents, entrepreneurs and petit bourgeoisie that vote Nashnull year in year out
–the boomers (not all of us!) subdued by neo liberal hegemony and seduced by capital gains
A silly story.
Apartments have higher density of separate homes on the land they occupy, thus have a higher 'rating value'
Half of council rates are usually fixed charges not related to value
The newish Editor of Dominion has led to a parade of 'just stupid' stories like these
Yeah – it kind of ignores things like local transport including roads (the single largest cost in a local budget) being directly related to population density.
Journalists really aren't educated well in basic economics or most things as far as I can tell. They can’t tell shit ideas from bullshit
Pretty good page at RNZ of graphs on covid-19 in NZ
I was particularly struck by these two graphs (well down on the page). Clicking should give a larger image.
It looks like the age range for infection is low amongst the elderly so far. So it doesn’t look like it has gotten into the old-age homes yet.
Recent infections are trending towards the young post -delta
I'm expecting another step change in known infections either today or tomorrow to something well over 3000 per day. Eyeballing it, looks like the doubling rate on tested infections is about every 4 days.
I can feel this getting closer to me. Keep hearing from people as they are notified of their closeness to it, or in a few cases actually getting omicron.
Good thing we have the entertainment in Wellington to keep our minds off the main issue eh? Shit throwing from protesters and Luxon…
As to be expected, in Otago, following the locations of interest, it's largely Queenstown restaurants/bars/gym and the airport/flights, and in Dunedin the start of uni year Castle St parties.
This is the age graph I looked at. My father is 82, so I was looking at the high end in particular. But that swing towards the student ages and 20s is pretty distinct
teens as well, hadn't realised that.
Any doubts about the virulence of the Omicron variant(s) should perhaps now be put to bed as a real life, tragic experiment is taking place in one of NZ's Pacific neighbours – the Solomon Islands. Because Omicron arrived almost everywhere where vaccination rates were relatively high, it has been hard to gauge its severity. Was it really just like flu or more like the original (wild type) Wuhan virus which quickly killed millions around the world before vaccination kicked in? The Solomons, like much of the smaller Pacific island nations, remained Covid free until very recently. Like neighbouring PNG its vaccination drive was very slow, leaving its population with little acquired immunity. Omicron arrived early in January and because of its high transmissability has rapidly spread through Guadalcanal overwhelming the rudimentary health system and killing 70 so far.
Compare this with Tonga's recent Covid outbreak, which occurred just after ships arrived to help with the tsunami damage. Tonga has also been Covid free, but has had a far more successful vaccination programme (90% double vaccinated in the 12+ population). Unlike the Solomons, although Tonga's Omicron outbreak there hasn't been quashed, it hasn't been too bad. Tonga has had no deaths and its also poor health system hasn't been overwhelmed.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/feb/22/people-are-dying-on-the-floor-healthcare-workers-tell-of-covid-devastation-in-solomon-islands
https://time.com/6149359/solomon-islands-covid/
https://www.theguardian.com/world/commentisfree/2022/jan/26/a-letter-to-new-zealand-from-covid-ravaged-australia?fbclid=IwAR3CTMrFs5tvPYSG351iweB25fvzeumXehMFJjGGGeFrgYs6a0Nrg-X1M6c
I probably should have posted this three weeks ago. A letter from an Australian journalist about what to expect when covid arrives
Stay safe everyone
Today is ‘palindromic’ day – 22 02 2022.
😎
Hah …cool
Anybody interested in going to primary sources free of propaganda to find out who is doing the provocation in the Donbas.Who's shooting who etc .Make up your own mind about who is lying
I linked to the OSCE reports yesterday
Here is Craig Murray doing the same.
https://www.craigmurray.org.uk/archives/2022/02/ukraine-where-to-find-the-truth-in-enormous-detail/
Putin is now de facto implementing the Minsk accords which Ukraine has been dragging its heels on
He's recognising the Republics as opposed to annexing them (which they requested back in 2014)
One does not need to go back very far in warmonger history to recognise how the US and UK lie about conflicts and how they start, It’s much like the transparency of Luxon, you can see right through them.
Ukraine wants to ban the Russian language, the self proclaimed Republics are Russian speaking people, go figure, why would they want to be ruled by a country that wants to ban their mother tongue.
America and the UK are in decline and these actions only shows how they have lost their grip on reality, they waste billions to stay top dog at the expense of their own citizens.
Time for the working class to smash their corrupt Leaders and the stinking system imposed on them.
Their language was suppressed for more than four hundred years and now the colonised want to see the arse end of their colonisers language.
The nerve!
/
If I remember my history correctly, on a whim Khrushchev gave Crimea to the Ukraine in the 1950's, and there were question of the legitimacy of that action at the time.
True. This after the real end of the Soviet Union IMO which was at the end of WW11 that claimed the lives of the true Soviet Patriots.
Here’s a wee History guide of the Crimea, https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crimea
Crimea became a part of Russia when Catharine the Great annexed Crimea in the Russo- Turkish War 1768- 1774
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russo-Turkish_War_(1768%E2%80%931774)
After WW2 Stalin deported the Crimea Tatar’s, which was one of the largest ethnic groups in Crimea at the time. Also the last remaining Germanic Tribes in Sth’ern Ukraine, Crimea and around other parts of the Black Sea Region. These Tribes go back some 200yrs & the most recent were ask by the Imperial Russia to setup around the Don & Donstek Areas to help with the Brits setup its Coal Mining, Steel Production & Ship Building especially when Russia got smashed by the Japanese in 1904.
Have to say — I'm seeing very strong echos of the language used by 1930s Germany in relation to the Sudetenland Germans in Czechoslovakia.
While the US/UK may have form in warmonger history – so does Russia.
Sudetanland ethnic Germans were 90% of the Sudetanland population. The Allied powers guaranteed that there would be future major drama by their drawing of national boundaries in the Versailles treaty. After Germany's WW2 defeat they avoided future problems like this by ethnicly cleansing millions of German civilians from areas seized from Germany.
Sudetenland had been a part of Bohemia (precursor state to Czechoslovakia) since the early Middle Ages. Agitation for 'reunification' prompted almost entirely by Nazi German reunification movement (i.e not a homegrown movement).
However, military disaster for Czechoslovakia – (gutted by its allies – especially Chamberlain the great appeaser) and, by extension, the rest of Europe.
Not a precedent that we want to follow.
Perhaps Russia would be happy to house the Russian speaking population of the Ukraine (should they wish to go), thus solving the problem. /sarc/
Naked land and resource grab by Putin.
Unfortunately Craig Murray has long since established himself as a lickspittle lackey of Putin's kleptocracy.
Now that Putin is occupying the destabilized territories officially instead of in mufti, your point, even if it were not entirely a self-justifying Kremlin fiction, would now be moot.
And is the OSCE a similarly lickspittle lackey of Putin?
I think not
Doesn't really matter does it.
Putin has invaded, and means to live out his lifelong fantasy of reclaiming Russia's soviet era occupations.
No progressive can support him in this enterprise – but it seems you do.
Putin – and many Russians – will never forget the sacrifice of 20 million during the last invasion from the west, almost in my lifetime.
To understand Russian action today requires understanding the last 400yrs of Russian history. And lets not forget that the USA's tactics are also sending messages to China, and Germany … don't you dare start up Nordstream 2
The sacrifice of 20 million owes much to the cruelty and stupidity of Stalin's regime. Losses would have been appreciably lighter without the insistence on counterattacks, and on holding poor defensive positions.
Soviet armies were clumsily handled and frittered their tank strength away in piecemeal action like that of the French in 1940. But the isolated Soviet troops fought with a stubbornness that the French had not shown, and their resistance imposed a brake by continuing to block road centres long after the German tide had swept past them. Britannica
The OSCE, can’t even access parts of the Region by the Donstek Rebels since the escalation of creasefire violations & some of the OSCE remote cameras have been destroyed by the Rebels because they said they were directing Ukrainian indirect Fire.
The Russia JCCC, is recognise by the OSCE, EU & the UN. Even a couple of NGO’s who I’m familiar with who operate in the Donstek Region refuse to work alongside them.
I don't know enough about it but, are the Russians in Donbas not allowed independence from Ukraine?
Seems independence/seperatist movements are sanctioned, encouraged, and even funded by the West when it suits them, but not this one…
An elegant fix posted on another forum:
Biden's next move should be to cancel all the oil he imports from Russia
lol
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-08-04/russia-captures-no-2-rank-among-foreign-oil-suppliers-to-u-s
Heather Stupidity-Allan was shouting at the the deputy PM yesterday, that the UK has ended all restrictions and is living with the virus so why are we not doing the same?
She and others calling for this approach don't seem to get that in the UK Coronavirus has already killed 2300 per million of their most vulnerable more than it has done in NZ.
So deaths are down in the UK? Well, it's taken who it's going to take, for now. The situation is simply not the same in NZ because we saved vulnerable lives. Our vulnerable are still with us.
Given Covid took her own grandmother in a rest home in South Africa, and she is about to have a baby, I would have though she would be a bit more sympathetic…
For Pete's sake, Muttonbird, switch to National Socialist Radio and save your health.
Talking of talkback…it's spoken on Robbo Hoods support package for Hospo.
Cafe owners and other hospo businesses who rung, all said the package was of limited value to them.
Talk-back is manic.
Troll.
I listen to talk-back.
I would despair.
If I wasn't laughing.
Try to deal in facts Blade, not invective.
Calling Robert names contributes little to the sum of human endeavours.
If you have an actual argument, try and make it.
Please don't try and twist things, Stuart.
His replies to me speak for themselves. When he writes something of substance to points in posts I have made, I won't call him a troll. Troll is a polite word to use in my opinion. If I wanted to use invective, it wouldn't be that word.
Oh, Blade, let it go…
Poor, poor Blade – it is better to learn what words mean before you try to use them on other people.
Robert is by no means a troll – you might want to pause and think about why it is that he he keeps butting you off the bridge.
No need. My point has been made. Anyone with an unbiased view can see things for what they are. I have no need for Robert anymore.
I have no need for Robert anymore.
It's a poor student that does not surpass his teacher – but you do seem to be an exceptionally poor student. Were you a good one the facile nonsense of talkback would by now have lost its charm for you.
The Dunning-Kruger is strong in that one.
''Were you a good one the facile nonsense of talkback would by now have lost its charm for you.''
It's the best burley in town. It attracts the ignorant like flies to horseshit.
But, hey, what would I know, eh?
@McfLOCK.
I don't know what that means, but I bet it ain't nice.
Here's a song from the best three chord band in the world.
Best played on a Tele, not a Gibson.
Q: butbutbut George's dad lets him play in traffic, why can't I?
A: Because it's not safe
Q: You're so mean! I wish Bojo was my mum!
Heard it and did not hear her shouting.
Did hear Robertson trying to divert from topic as per usual though. Think that is a Labour thing.
They must teach it on the their teen Labour camps with the walk in beer fridges.
Was that the summer camp the Young Nats sent a rep to?
Lol
No. I think like the other lot on the other political side they don't need a hand to be imbeciles.
11 years since the February earthquake in Christchurch.
Was a scary day 11 years ago… Christchurch is a long way through the rebuild now, but as that article shows, there are still a few leftover issues to resolve.
The irony in all of this was we were just about to have a big discussion about Islam in the West after a speech by then British MP, David Cameron.
Paula Bennet was in the guest seat with JT and Willy, when the quake hit.
So, Cameron's speech was forgotten.
Then years later the Christchurch massacre occurred.
Life is full of ironies
PM- David Cameron.
What was the irony?
Islam-quake-deaths-Islam-terrorism-deaths.
But what is the link between Cameron's speech, the earthquake and a terrorist massacre?
How is it "ironic"?
It sounds like you're saying we missed "a big discussion about Islam in the West" and "Cameron's speech was forgotten", and this … led to the massacre?
Enough with the nod and wink, say what you mean to say.
I was wrong. You are right. There is no irony. My apologies.
All I've asked is for you to explain what you mean.
I can only conclude that you don't want to, because you'd rather dump a little racism and not be called out.
I looked up the meaning of irony. My understanding of the word was faulty.
I have been critical of Jim Bolger of late. I believed he was one step away from making dream catchers, and trading the brandy in for a good Matinborough Pinot Noir.
But he comes good in this article and says some interesting things:
Quotes:
"I'm sure the prime minister can talk to the police commissioner and find out who these people are and just listen to their complaints; they may not do anything about the complaints but just listen to them''
''The essential principle of democracy is that leaders listen to people, and I am not certain that the prime minister has got it right by saying she won't listen to people.''
He's right. If she had fronted at the start, we wouldn't be in the situation we are now faced with regarding the protesters.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/300523379/political-leaders-should-get-off-their-high-horses–jim-bolger
"He's right. If she had fronted at the start, we wouldn't be in the situation we are now faced with regarding the protesters."
Yeah.
The frothing, broiling, wound-up protesters would have listened respectfully to the PM.
*sarcasm/
Meh, Bolger is just giving bad advice.
Meet with the pooflingers.
Listen to the nonsensus of fringe opinion.
The resulting chaos would create more opportunity for the floundering National Party.
Jim should walk amongst them. His potato-visage might resonate. If poo is flung, he can blame Jacinda! Win-win!!
nonsensus!
very good.
It's one of Ambrose Bierce's:
REFERENDUM, n. A law for submission of proposed legislation to a popular vote to learn the nonsensus of public opinion. ~ The Devil's Dictionary
Er, no. If she'd have fronted in the first few days, Jacinda could then have justifiably claimed she had tried to address the protesters…and was shouted down`. What more could she do? The public would have agreed. She then could have proceeded to clear the protesters off parliament surroundings.
Now the public is split. And every man and his feral goat have differing opinions.
The next political poll is going to be telling. If Jacinda still has good ratings, then she has become a Teflon Socialist…unable to do wrong. National may as well pack their tent and go home. If Labour takes a hit in the polls – Jacinda is to blame…and I would assume both her political career and legacy begins its downward slide.
"National may as well pack their tent and go home. "
Yep.
Bolger's sure Ardern can talk to the police commissioner and find out who these people are? Really? Whoop dee fucken doo. I bet she hasn't talked to the police commissioner and found out about the mob.
Listen to their complaints? She hasn't heard or been informed of the messages broadcast out and on placards? And those who want the government to resign and for there to be a different sort of government, one in which they're in charge? Yes she should invite them in for a cuppa and let them tell her that. She has no inkling that's what they're on about.
Then again she should have engaged with people back in February 2019 and told them there was a pandemic coming which would likely kill millions world-wide. And that they'd take advice from experts on how to deal with it. Later on she could have fronted the people and talked about vaccines and the importance of them in arresting or mitigating the worst affects of the virus.
A hidebound anti-government, anti-science, anti logic, anti-commonsense, anti-community, self-centred mob made up their minds they weren't going to play ball.
Was Ardern meant to go and hold each and every hand and reassure them, educate them, cajole them and get them on board? And then turn herself over to them for her execution?
''Bolger's sure Ardern can talk to the police commissioner and find out who these people are? Really? Whoop dee fucken doo. I bet she hasn't talked to the police commissioner and found out about the mob.''
Let's hope that's the case, Peter, when the inquiry results are published.
I often see comments about politicians "needing to talk to people" as if they are in a bubble, do not engage with anyone behind the scenes or off camera. The implication is they're in a solo bubble and simply wheel themselves or a press release out occasionally. They operate singly, independently, without reference to anyone.
Yes, let's have an inquiry. We want to know on which days since January the 27th Ardern spoke with the Police Minister and what exactly was said. And the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance. And the Minister of the SIS and GCSB. And the Minister of Health. And the Minister of Local Government. And the Minister of Defence.
I bags be on the group. (I'll only charge out at $1666 a day.)
When it's reported on who said exactly what and when, and everything said and done was found to be deficient and lacking, what comes next? (You can see the clarity already, I won't need many days to come to a cretin pleasing conclusion.)
Should we then have an 'action replay' – go back to the beginning and get the protestors to do it all again to give the same politicians a second go?
Hell, we could rewind to the beginning of 2019 and do it all again. Follow the grand 'leave everything open, don't do anything extra' plan. Open borders in and out as demanded. Don't engage with the Devil Juice Vaccinations. Business would thrive. We'd be the toast of the world. My shares in the funeral company would be through the roof although I might be too dead to enjoy the profits. But what's 20,000 or so dying directly from Covid and a few thousand others dying because of the breakdown of the health system? I mean think positive, look at the housing created.
Or chuck them out and let the festering fuckwits like Brian Tamaki have a go at running the place?
"Was Ardern meant to go and hold each and every hand and reassure them, educate them, cajole them and get them on board? And then turn herself over to them for her execution?"
That's the great hope, Peter.
Why, oh why, hasn't Jacinda done as they require??
Is she … intelligent, or something???
''That's the great hope, Peter.
Why, oh why, hasn't Jacinda done as they require??''
Well, I would have thought Jacinda would've taken a page out of your book for the sake of national security.
No?
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/95280266/robert-guyton-supports-convicted-criminal-and-friend-tony-gow
[I don’t care how it started, but stop this bickering now. Digging up the past of commenters for no good reason other than to poke them is flaming, and kind of creepy. Just stop – weka]
Surely you're not suggesting the clownvoy are a threat to national security, Blade. If that were so, they'd be a task for the army, who'd make short work of them.
Yes, that's what I'm suggesting… either directly, or by actions hiving off from the original protest.
The PM must take ultimate responsibility.
If they have become a threat to national security, or traitors to use the vernacular term, they cease to be the PM's problem, and become the army and SIS's – once again demonstrating the shortcomings of being a sea-girt nation without marines.
The PM need not bother with such wretched refuse – but she might reasonably direct some efforts to punish the CEO of Red Stag. Seems he's been a Verry naughty boy.
Tony/Blade? Is that you, old pal?
mod note.
Thanks, weka, though I'm very proud of my past actions and am not afraid of them being aired here 🙂
This chap has died unexpectedly.
I wonder if stressed played a part in his demise?
He's the type of Kiwi we can't afford to lose.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/coronavirus/126320222/covid19-northland-businesses-struggling-after-being-marooned-by-auckland?