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.
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You can be all negative about these charter schools if you want, but I’m here to accentuate the positive. You can get all worked up, if you want to, by the contradiction of Luxon saying We’re going to make sure that every school in the country is teaching exactly the same ...
Losing The Room: One can only speculate about what has persuaded the Coalition Government that it will pay no electoral price for unreasonably pushing ahead with policies that are so clearly against the national interest. They seem quite oblivious to the risk that by doing so they will convince an increasing ...
Name suppression decisions can be tough sometimes. No matter your views on free speech, you have to be hard-hearted not to be torn by the tug of the competing arguments. I think you can feel the Supreme Court wrestling with that in M v The King. The case for ...
The Merchants of Menace: The Coalition Government has convinced itself that the “Brahmins’” emollient functions have become much too irksome and expensive. Those who see themselves as the best hope of rebuilding New Zealand’s ailing capitalist system, appear to have convinced themselves that a little bit of blunt trauma is what their mollycoddled ...
When National first proposed its Muldoonist "fast-track" law, they were warned that it would inevitably lead to corruption. And that is exactly what has happened, with Resources Minister Shane Jones taking secret meetings with potential applicants:On Tuesday, in a Newsroom story, questions were raised about a dinner Jones ...
Buzz from the Beehive One day – hopefully – we will push that Russian rascal, Vladimir Putin, beyond breaking point. Perhaps it will happen today, when he learns that Foreign Minister Winston Peters is again tightening the thumbscrews. Peters announced further sanctions, this time on 28 individuals and 14 entities ...
How Labour’s and National’s failure to move beyond neoliberalism has brought New Zealand to the brink of economic and cultural chaos.TO START LOSING, so soon after you won, requires a special kind of political incompetence. At the heart of this Coalition Government’s failure to retain, and build upon, the public ...
“Members of Parliament don’t work for us, they represent us, an entirely different thing. As with so much that has turned out badly, the re-organising of MPs’ responsibilities began with the Fourth Labour Government. That’s when they began to be treated like employees – public servants – whose diaries had ...
It’s becoming a classic case study for why lobbying deals with politicians need greater scrutiny. Former National Minister Steven Joyce runs a lobbying company with a major client – the University of Waikato. The University desperately wants $300m+ of taxpayer funding to establish a third medical school in New Zealand, ...
Time To Choose: Like it or not, the Kiwis are either going into AUKUS’s “Pillar 2” – or they are going to China.HAD ZHENG HE’S FLEET sailed east, not west, in the early Fifteenth Century, how different our world would be. There is little reason to suppose that the sea-going junks ...
Henry Ergas writes – When in Randall Jarrell’s Pictures from an Institution, a college president is accused of being a hypocrite, the novel’s narrator retorts that the description is grossly unfair. After all, the man is still far from the stage of moral development at which the charge ...
David Farrar writes – Radio NZ reports: The Education Review Office says too many new teachers feel poorly prepared for their jobs. In a report published on Monday, the review office said 60 percent of the principals it interviewed said their new teachers were not ready. ...
New Zealand’s economic performance and the PM’s vision Michael Reddell writes – When I wrote yesterday morning’s post, highlighting how poorly both New Zealand and its Anglo peer countries have been doing in respect of productivity in recent times (ie, in the case of New ...
Hi all,Firstly - thank you! You guys are awesome. The response I’ve received to last night’s mail has been quite overwhelming. It’s a ghastly day outside, but there are no clouds in here.In case you didn’t read my email and are wondering what on earth I’m talking about you can ...
If there was still any doubt as to who is actually running this government – and it isn’t the buffoon from Botany – then this week’s announcement of a huge spend up on charter schools has settled the matter. While jobs and public services continue to be cut in the ...
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Gaye Taylor As widespread drought raises expectations for a repeat of last year’s ferocious wildfire season, response teams across Canada are grappling with the rapidly changing face of fire in a warming climate. No longer quenched by winter, nor quelled by the ...
Half of Christchurch City Holdings Ltd’s directors and its chair resigned en masse last night in protest at Christchurch City Council’s demand to front-load dividends File Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The chair of Christchurch City Council’s investment company and four of its independent directors resigned in protest last ...
The University of Waikato has reworded an advertisement that begins the tender process for its new $300 million-plus medical school even though the Government still needs to approve it. However, even the reworded ad contains an architect’s visualisations of what the school might look like. ACT leader David Seymour told ...
As a follow-up to the Rings of Power trailer discussion, I thought I needed to add something. There has been some online mockery about the use of the same actor for both the Halbrand and Annatar incarnations of Sauron. The reasoning is that Halbrand with a shave and a new ...
This isn’t quite as dramatic as the title might suggest. I’m not going anywhere, but there is something I wanted to talk to you about.Let’s start with a typical day.Most days I send out a newsletter in the morning. If I’ve written a lot the previous evening it might be ...
Buzz from the Beehive The promise of tax relief loomed large in his considerations when the PM delivered a pre-Budget speech to the Auckland Business Chamber. The job back in Wellington is getting government spending back under control, he said, bandying figures which show that in per capita terms, the ...
Yesterday de facto Prime Minister David Seymour announced that his glove puppet government would be re-introducing charter schools, throwing $150 million at his pet quacks, donors and cronies and introducing an entire new government agency to oversee them (the existing Education Review Office, which actually knows how to review schools, ...
Seeing that, in order to discredit the figures and achieve moral superiority while attempting to deflect attention away from the military assault on Rafa, Israel supporters in NZ have seized on reports that casualty numbers in Gaza may be inflated … Continue reading → ...
David Farrar writes – Newstalk ZB report: The man responsible for a horror hit and run in central Wellington last year was on a suspended licence and was so drunk he later asked police, “Did I kill someone?” Jason Tuitama injured two women when he ran a red ...
Muriel Newman writes – Former US President Ronald Reagan once said, “Freedom is a fragile thing and it’s never more than one generation away from extinction. It is not ours by way of inheritance; it must be fought for and defended constantly by each generation.” The fight for ...
Why Courts should have said Waitangi Tribunal could not summons Karen Chhour Gary Judd writes – In the High Court, Justice Isacs declined to uphold the witness summons issued by the Waitangi Tribunal to compel Minister for Children, Karen Chhour, to appear before it to be ...
Bryce Edwards writes – The number of voices raising concerns about the Government’s Fast-Track Approvals Bill is rapidly growing. This is especially apparent now that Parliament’s select committee is listening to submissions from the public to evaluate the proposed legislation. Twenty-seven thousand submissions have been made to Parliament ...
An average of 166 New Zealand citizens left the country every day during the March quarter, up 54% from a year ago.Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The economy and housing market is sinking into a longer recession through the winter after a slump in business and consumer confidence in ...
The government has made it abundantly clear they’re addicted to the smell of new asphalt. On Tuesday they introduced a new term to the country’s roading lexicon, the Roads of Regional Significance (RoRS), a little brother for the Roads of National (Party) Significance (RoNS). Driving ahead with Roads of Regional ...
School is outAnd I walk the empty hallwaysI walk aloneAlone as alwaysThere's so many lucky penniesLying on the floorBut where the hell are all the lucky peopleI can't see them any moreYesterday morning, I’d just sent out my newsletter on Tama Potaka, and I was struggling to make the coffee. ...
Hi,I wanted to check in and ask how you’re doing.This is perhaps a selfish act, of attempting to find others feeling a similar way to me — that is to say, a little hopeless at the moment.Misery loves company, that sort of deal.Some context.I wish I could say I got ...
I have hitherto been fairly quiet on the new season of Rings of Power, on the basis that the underwhelming first season did not exactly build excitement – and the rumours were fairly daft. The only real thing of substance to come out has been that they have re-cast Adar ...
On February 14, 2023 we announced our Rebuttal Update Project. This included an ask for feedback about the added "At a glance" section in the updated basic rebuttal versions. This weekly blog post series highlights this new section of one of the updated basic rebuttal versions and serves as a ...
“The thing is,” Chris Luxon says, leaning forward to make his point, “this has always been my thing.”“This goes all the way back to the first multinational I worked for. I was saying exactly the same thing back then. The name of our business needs to be more clear; people ...
Buzz from the Beehive It’s been a momentous few days for Children’s Minister Karen Chhour. The Court of Appeal has overturned a High Court decision which blocked a summons order from the Waitangi Tribunal for her. And today she has announced the Government is putting children first by introducing to ...
In 2014 former Australian army lawyer David McBride leaked classified military documents about Australian war crimes to the ABC. Dubbed "The Afghan Files", the documents led to an explosive report on Australian war crimes, the disbanding of an entire SAS unit, and multiple ongoing prosecutions. The journalist who wrote the ...
Rob MacCulloch writes – According to the respected Pew Research Centre, “In seven of eight [European] countries surveyed, the most trusted news outlet asked about is the public news organization in each country”. For example, “in Sweden, an overwhelming majority (90%) say they trust the public broadcaster SVT”. ...
David Farrar writes – Kata MacNamara reports: Details of Tony Blakely’s involvement in the New Zealand Government’s response to the pandemic raise serious questions about the work of the Covid-19 Royal Commission of Inquiry over which he presides. It has long been clear that Blakely, a ...
Chris Trotter writes – Are you a Brahmin or a Merchant? Or, are you merely one of those whose lives are profoundly influenced by the decisions of Brahmins and Merchants? Those are the questions that are currently shaping the politics of New Zealand and the entire West. ...
RNZ reports – It’s supposed to be a haven of healing and spiritual awakening but residents of the Kawai Purapura community say they’ve been hurt and deceived. It’s the successor to the former Centrepoint commune, and has been on the bush block opposite Albany shopping centre since 2008. It ...
TL;DR : Here’s the top six items climate news for Aotearoa-NZ this week, as selected by Bernard Hickey and The Kākā’s climate correspondent Cathrine Dyer. Usually we have a video chat to go with this wrap, but were unable to do one this week. We’ll be back next week.Several reports ...
The Transport Minister has set a hard 'fiscal envelope' of $6.54 billion for transport capital spending. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The economy is settling into a state of suspended animation as the Government’s funding freezes and job cuts chill confidence and combine with stubbornly high interest rates to ...
To be precise, the term “anti- Zionism” refers to (a) criticism of the political movement that created a modern Jewish state on the historical land of Israel, and to (b)the subjugation of Palestinians by the Israeli state. By contrast, the term “anti-Semitism” means bigotry and racism directed at Jewish people, ...
This is a re-post from the Climate Brink by Andrew Dessler Because hurricanes are one of the big-ticket weather disasters that humanity has to face, climate misinformers spend a lot of effort muddying the waters on whether climate change is making hurricanes more damaging. With the official start to the hurricane ...
Yesterday the Mayor released what he calls his “plan to save public transport” which is part of his final proposal for the Council’s Long Term Plan (LTP). This comes following consultation on the draft version that occurred in March which showed, once again, that people want more done on transport, especially ...
And it's a pleasure that I have knownAnd it's a treasure that I have gainedAotearoa’s coalition government is fragile. It’s held together by the obsequious sycophancy of Christopher Luxon, who willingly contorts his party into the fringe positions of his junior coalition partners and is unwilling to contradict them. The ...
The Select Committee hearing submissions on the fast-track consenting legislation is starting to become a beat-up of regional councils. The inflexibility and slow workings of the Councils were prominent in two submissions yesterday. One, from the Coromandel Marine Farmers Association, simply said that the Waikato Regional Council’s planning decisions were ...
Back in April, the High Court surprised everyone by ruling that Ministers are above the law, at least as far as the Waitangi Tribunal is concerned. The reason for this ruling was "comity" - the idea that the different branches of government shouldn't interfere with each other's functions. Which makes ...
Buzz from the BeehiveTolling was mentioned when Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced the government was re-introducing the Roads of National Significance (RoNS) programme, with 15 “crucial” projects to support economic growth and regional development across New Zealand. All RoNS would be four-laned, grade-separated highways, and all funding, financing, and ...
or the past 14 years, ever since the Spanish government cheated on an autonomy deal, Catalonia has reliably given pro-independence parties a majority of seats in their regional parliament. But now that seems to be over. Catalans went to the polls yesterday, and stripped the Catalan parties of their majority. ...
David Farrar writes – Radio NZ report: Labour Party leader Chris Hipkins said the Electoral Commission should make sure the system ran smoothly and “taking away the right of thousands of people to vote” was not the answer. “Thousands of people enroled and voted on the day. If ...
Don Brash writes – There was a rather revealing headline in the Herald on Sunday today (12 May). It read “One in 8 Auckland homes on market were bought during boom, may now sell for loss”. The first line of text noted that “New data shows one in ...
Mike Grimshaw writes – At a time when universities are understandably nervous regarding the establishment of the University Advisory Group (UAG) and the Science System Advisory Group (SSAG) it may seem strange – or even fool-hardy – to state that there are long-standing issues in the tertiary sector ...
The Government’s introduction of legislation that would enable landlords to end tenancies with no reason marks a dark day for the 1.4 million people who rent their home in Aotearoa. ...
The Minister for Mental Health has found the Suicide Prevention Office and mental health support for 111 calls slipping through his fingers, says Labour spokesperson for Mental Health Ingrid Leary. ...
Today’s justification from the Minister for Children for scrapping protections for our tamariki was either a case of ignorance or deliberate deception. ...
The Green Party says the Government’s misguided policy on gangs will fail, following the announcement of the establishment of a national gang unit and district gang disruption units to target gang activities. ...
“With Police pay negotiations still unresolved after six months in Government, Mark Mitchell has today rolled the Commissioner out for a rebrand of their approach to gang crime,” Labour police spokesperson Ginny Andersen said. ...
The Government bringing back 50 charter schools will not increase achievement and is a distraction from the core mission of the education system, Labour education spokesperson Jan Tinetti said. ...
Te Pāti Māori is showing extreme concern over the Environment Select Committees adoption of a lucky dip draw to determine hearings for the Fast Track Approvals bill. Of the 27,000 submissions, 2,900 requested to present. All organisations will be heard; however, the remaining 2,350 submitters will be subject to a ...
Today New Zealand First will introduce a Member’s Bill that will protect women’s spaces. The ‘Fair Access to Bathrooms Bill’ will require, primarily in the interest and safety of women and girls, that all new non-domestic publicly accessible buildings provide separate, clearly demarcated, unisex and single sex bathrooms. This Bill ...
The Green Party is welcoming Climate Change Minister Simon Watts’ continuation of Hon. James Shaw’s cross-party work on climate adaptation, now in the form of a Finance and Expenditure Committee Inquiry. ...
The National Government plans to cut 390 jobs at ACC, including roles in the areas of prevention of sexual violence, road safety and workplace safety. ...
The Government has been caught in opposition to evidence once again as it looks to usher in tried, tested and failed work seminar obligations for job-seeking beneficiaries. ...
The Green Party is welcoming the announcement by the Minister Responsible for RMA Reform Chris Bishop to approve most of the Wellington City Council’s District Plan recommendations. ...
David Seymour has failed to get the sweeping cuts he wanted to the free and healthy school lunch programme, Labour education spokesperson Jan Tinetti said. ...
Hon Willie Jackson has been invited by the Oxford Union to debate the motion “This House Believes British Museums are not Very British’ on May 23rd. ...
Green Party MP Hūhana Lyndon says her Public Works (Prohibition of Compulsory Acquisition of Māori Land) Amendment Bill is an opportunity to right some past wrongs around the alienation of Māori land. ...
A senior, highly respected King’s Counsel with decades of experience in our law courts, Gary Judd KC, has filed a complaint about compulsory tikanga Māori studies for law students - highlighting the utter depths of absurdity this woke cultural madness has taken our society. The tikanga regulations will compel law ...
The Government needs to be clear with the people of the Nelson Marlborough region about the changes it is considering for the Nelson Hospital rebuild, Labour health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall said. ...
Ministers must front up about which projects it will push through under its Fast Track Approvals legislation, Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said today. ...
The Government is again adding to New Zealand’s growing unemployment, this time cutting jobs at the agencies responsible for urban development and growing much needed housing stock. ...
With Minister Karen Chhour indicating in the House today that she either doesn’t know or care about the frontline cuts she’s making to Oranga Tamariki, we risk seeing more and more of our children falling through the cracks. ...
The Labour Party is saddened to learn of the death of Sir Robert Martin, a globally renowned disability advocate who led the way for disability rights both in New Zealand and internationally. ...
Labour is calling for the Government to urgently rethink its coalition commitment to restart live animal exports, Labour animal welfare spokesperson Rachel Boyack said. ...
Today’s Financial Stability Report has once again highlighted that poverty and deep inequality are political choices - and this Government is choosing to make them worse. ...
The Green Party is calling on the Government to do more for our households in most need as unemployment rises and the cost of living crisis endures. ...
Unemployment is on the rise and it’s only going to get worse under this Government, Labour finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds said. Stats NZ figures show the unemployment rate grew to 4.3 percent in the March quarter from 4 percent in the December quarter. “This is the second rise in unemployment ...
The New Zealand Labour Party welcomes the entering into force of the European Union and New Zealand free trade agreement. This agreement opens the door for a huge increase in trade opportunities with a market of 450 million people who are high value discerning consumers of New Zealand goods and ...
The National-led Government continues its fiscal jiggery pokery with its Pharmac announcement today, Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall says. “The government has increased Pharmac funding but conceded it will only make minimal increases in access to medicine”, said Ayesha Verrall “This is far from the bold promises made to fund ...
This afternoon’s interim Waitangi Tribunal report must be taken seriously as it affects our most vulnerable children, Labour children’s spokesperson Willow-Jean Prime. ...
Energy Minister Simeon Brown has announced that the Government will make it easier for lines firms to take action to remove vegetation from obstructing local powerlines. The change will ensure greater security of electricity supply in local communities, particularly during severe weather events. “Trees or parts of trees falling on ...
Wairarapa Moana ki Pouakani were the top winners at this year’s Ahuwhenua Trophy awards recognising the best in Māori dairy farming. Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka announced the winners and congratulated runners-up, Whakatōhea Māori Trust Board, at an awards celebration also attended by Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Finance Minister ...
"On the 27th of March, I sought assurances from the Chief Executive, Department of Internal Affairs, that the Department’s correct processes and policies had been followed in regards to a passport application which received media attention,” says Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden. “I raised my concerns after being ...
Attorney-General Judith Collins has announced the appointment of three new District Court Judges, to replace Judges who have recently retired. Peter James Davey of Auckland has been appointed a District Court Judge with a jury jurisdiction to be based at Whangarei. Mr Davey initially started work as a law clerk/solicitor with ...
Associate Education Minister David Seymour is calling on the Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) to put ideology to the side and focus on students’ learning, in reaction to the union holding paid teacher meetings across New Zealand about charter schools. “The PPTA is disrupting schools up and down the ...
Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly today announced the appointment of Craig Stobo as the new chair of the Financial Markets Authority (FMA). Mr Stobo takes over from Mark Todd, whose term expired at the end of April. Mr Stobo’s appointment is for a five-year term. “The FMA plays ...
Surf Life Saving New Zealand and Coastguard New Zealand will continue to be able to keep people safe in, on, and around the water following a funding boost of $63.644 million over four years, Transport Minister Simeon Brown and Associate Transport Minister Matt Doocey say. “Heading to the beach for ...
New Zealand and Tuvalu have reaffirmed their close relationship, Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters says. “New Zealand is committed to working with Tuvalu on a shared vision of resilience, prosperity and security, in close concert with Australia,” says Mr Peters, who last visited Tuvalu in 2019. “It is my pleasure ...
New Zealand is gravely concerned about the situation in New Caledonia, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. “The escalating situation and violent protests in Nouméa are of serious concern across the Pacific Islands region,” Mr Peters says. “The immediate priority must be for all sides to take steps to de-escalate the ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon met today with Samoa’s O le Ao o le Malo, Afioga Tuimalealiifano Vaaletoa Sualauvi II, who is making a State Visit to New Zealand. “His Highness and I reflected on our two countries’ extensive community links, with Samoan–New Zealanders contributing to all areas of our national ...
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has announced that he has approved Waiheke Island ferry operator Island Direct to be eligible for SuperGold Card funding, paving the way for a commercial agreement to bring the operator into the scheme. “Island Direct started operating in November 2023, offering an additional option for people ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters today announced further sanctions on 28 individuals and 14 entities providing military and strategic support for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. “Russia is directly supported by its military-industrial complex in its illegal aggression against Ukraine, attacking its sovereignty and territorial integrity. New Zealand condemns all entities and ...
A year on from the tragedy at Loafers Lodge, the Government is working hard to improve building fire safety, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “I want to share my sincere condolences with the families and friends of the victims on the anniversary of the tragic fire at Loafers ...
Ka nui te mihi kia koutou. Kia ora and good afternoon, everyone. Thank you so much for having me here in the lead up to my Government’s first Budget. Before I get started can I acknowledge: Simon Bridges – Auckland Business Chamber CEO. Steve Jurkovich – Kiwibank CEO. Kids born ...
New Zealand and Vanuatu will enhance collaboration on issues of mutual interest, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. “It is important to return to Port Vila this week with a broad, high-level political delegation which demonstrates our deep commitment to New Zealand’s relationship with Vanuatu,” Mr Peters says. “This ...
Minister for Land Information, Chris Penk will travel to Peru this week to represent New Zealand at a meeting of trade ministers from the Asia-Pacific region on behalf of Trade Minister Todd McClay. The annual Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Ministers Responsible for Trade meeting will be held on 17-18 May ...
Minister of Education Erica Stanford will head to the United Kingdom this week to participate in the 22nd Conference of Commonwealth Education Ministers (CCEM) and the 2024 Education World Forum (EWF). “I am looking forward to sharing this Government’s education priorities, such as introducing a knowledge-rich curriculum, implementing an evidence-based ...
Minister of Education Erica Stanford has today thanked outgoing New Zealand Qualifications Authority Chair, Hon Tracey Martin. “Tracey Martin tendered her resignation late last month in order to take up a new role,” Ms Stanford says. Ms Martin will relinquish the role of Chair on 10 May and current Deputy ...
New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and President Emmanuel Macron of France today announced a new non-governmental organisation, the Christchurch Call Foundation, to coordinate the Christchurch Call’s work to eliminate terrorist and violent extremist content online. This change gives effect to the outcomes of the November 2023 Call Leaders’ Summit, ...
Distinguished public servant and former diplomat Sir Maarten Wevers will lead the independent review into the disability support services administered by the Ministry of Disabled People – Whaikaha. The review was announced by Disability Issues Minister Louise Upston a fortnight ago to examine what could be done to strengthen the ...
Today’s announcement by Police Commissioner Andrew Coster of a National Gang Unit and district Gang Disruption Units will help deliver on the coalition Government’s pledge to restore law and order and crack down on criminal gangs, Police Minister Mark Mitchell says. “The National Gang Unit and Gang Disruption Units will ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has today expressed regret at North Korea’s aggressive rhetoric towards New Zealand and its international partners. “New Zealand proudly stands with the international community in upholding the rules-based order through its monitoring and surveillance deployments, which it has been regularly doing alongside partners since 2018,” Mr ...
Air Vice-Marshal Tony Davies MNZM is the new Chief of Defence Force, Defence Minister Judith Collins announced today. The Chief of Defence Force commands the Navy, Army and Air Force and is the principal military advisor to the Defence Minister and other Ministers with relevant portfolio responsibilities in the defence ...
Legislation to repeal section 7AA of the Oranga Tamariki Act has been introduced to Parliament. The Bill’s introduction reaffirms the Coalition Government’s commitment to the safety of children in care, says Minister for Children, Karen Chhour. “While section 7AA was introduced with good intentions, it creates a conflict for Oranga ...
Defence Minister Judith Collins will this week travel to the UK and Italy to meet with her defence counterparts, and to attend Battles of Cassino commemorations. “I am humbled to be able to represent the New Zealand Government in Italy at the commemorations for the 80th anniversary of what was ...
The upcoming Budget will include funding for up to 50 charter schools to help lift declining educational performance, Associate Education Minister David Seymour announced today. $153 million in new funding will be provided over four years to establish and operate up to 15 new charter schools and convert 35 state ...
“The results of the public consultation on the terms of reference for the Royal Commission into COVID-19 Lessons has now been received, with results indicating over 13,000 submissions were made from members of the public,” Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden says. “We heard feedback about the extended lockdowns in ...
Foreign Minister, Defence Minister, other Members of Parliament Acting Chief of Defence Force, Secretary of Defence Distinguished Guests Defence and Diplomatic Colleagues Ladies and Gentlemen, Good afternoon, tēna koutou, apinun tru It’s a pleasure to be back in Port Moresby today, and to speak here at the Kumul Leadership ...
Health, infrastructure, renewable energy, and stability are among the themes of the current visit to Papua New Guinea by a New Zealand political delegation, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. “Papua New Guinea carries serious weight in the Pacific, and New Zealand deeply values our relationship with it,” Mr Peters ...
The coalition Government is launching Roads of Regional Significance to sit alongside Roads of National Significance as part of its plan to deliver priority roading projects across the country, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “The Roads of National Significance (RoNS) built by the previous National Government are some of New Zealand’s ...
A high-level New Zealand political delegation in Honiara today congratulated the new Government of Solomon Islands, led by Jeremiah Manele, on taking office. “We are privileged to meet the new Prime Minister and members of his Cabinet during his government’s first ten days in office,” Deputy Prime Minister and ...
New Zealand voted in favour of a resolution broadening Palestine’s participation at the United Nations General Assembly overnight, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. “The resolution enhances the rights of Palestine to participate in the work of the UN General Assembly while stopping short of admitting Palestine as a full ...
Introduction Good morning. It’s a great privilege to be here at the 2024 Infrastructure Symposium. I was extremely happy when the Prime Minister asked me to be his Minister for Infrastructure. It is one of the great barriers holding the New Zealand economy back from achieving its potential. Building high ...
Defence Minister Judith Collins today announced the upcoming Budget will include new funding of $571 million for Defence Force pay and projects. “Our servicemen and women do New Zealand proud throughout the world and this funding will help ensure we retain their services and expertise as we navigate an increasingly ...
New Zealand’s ability to cope with climate change will be strengthened as part of the Government’s focus to build resilience as we rebuild the economy, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. “An enduring and long-term approach is needed to provide New Zealanders and the economy with certainty as the climate ...
Jobseeker beneficiaries who have work obligations must now meet with MSD within two weeks of their benefit starting to determine their next step towards finding a job, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “A key part of the coalition Government’s plan to have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker ...
A new standalone Social Investment Agency will power-up the social investment approach, driving positive change for our most vulnerable New Zealanders, Social Investment Minister Nicola Willis says. “Despite the Government currently investing more than $70 billion every year into social services, we are not seeing the outcomes we want for ...
Check against delivery Good morning. It is a pleasure to be with you to outline the Coalition Government’s approach to our first Budget. Thank you Mark Skelly, President of the Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce, together with your Board and team, for hosting me. I’d like to acknowledge His Worship ...
Your Excellency Ambassador Meredith, Members of the Diplomatic Corps and Ambassadors from European Union Member States, Ministerial colleagues, Members of Parliament, and other distinguished guests, Thank you everyone for joining us. Ladies and gentlemen - In diplomacy, we often speak of ‘close’ and ‘long-standing’ relations. ...
The Therapeutic Products Act (TPA) will be repealed this year so that a better regime can be put in place to provide New Zealanders safe and timely access to medicines, medical devices and health products, Associate Health Minister Casey Costello announced today. “The medicines and products we are talking about ...
By Lydia Lewis, RNZ Pacific journalist and Kelvin Anthony, RNZ Pacific digital journalist Police have used tear gas and stun grenades on rioters at an airport near Nouméa as the chaos in New Caledonia stretched into its sixth day. Five people, including two police officers, have died and hundreds of ...
Asia Pacific ReportThe global human rights watchdog Amnesty International has called on France to not “misuse” a crackdown in the ongoing unrest in the non-self-governing French Pacific territory of Kanaky New Caledonia in the wake of a controversial vote by the French Parliament to adopt a bill changing the territory’s ...
A major provider of school lunches fears the government's new $3 limit for most students will see them eating more pre-packaged and processed food. ...
The star of Dark City: The Cleaner takes us through his life in TV, including the VHS revolution and the John Campbell impression that started it all. Best known for his comedic roles, Cohen Holloway says he struggled at times to maintain the stone cold facade of serial killer on ...
David Hill remembers an old friend, who you’ve probably never heard of. My friend Doug never travelled; he had little interest in the world beyond his own tiny rural town. I’ve rarely known anyone who radiated such contentment. Doug (I’ll call him that) died in March. You won’t know him. ...
Some of the earliest photos of life in Aotearoa are on display at Auckland Museum right now – but the identities of some of the people in them are a mystery.What was it like to be one of the first people in New Zealand to have their photo taken? ...
Since its founding almost a decade ago, Featherston Booktown has grown into one of the country’s most interesting and idiosyncratic literary events. Erin Banks reports from the audience. “Come in, have you had lunch? I’m about to make a cheese toastie.” Mary Biggs, operations manager of Featherston Booktown Karukatea Festival, ...
After 33 years abroad, Loveni Enari recently returned to Aotearoa and Samoa in what a friend joked was an “existential crisis”. He learnt and re-learnt so much about his family, friends and both countries. Almost as an afterthought, he got a Samoan tatau. This is his story. (Accompanying it are ...
Nearly 30 years ago, two people told me they’d killed a woman they knew. I thought the truth would come out, that others would tell it. In the end, I had to. The Sunday Essay is made possible thanks to the support of Creative New Zealand.Fact: in 1995, Angela Blackmoore ...
Editor Madeleine Chapman looks back at the week and shines a light on some increasingly rare longform journalism. Mōrena and welcome to The Weekend where there will sadly be no aurora to see. After a busy week last week of short, sharp pieces, this week we swung the other way, ...
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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.
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…
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?