Well spotted and thanks Donna. Maths needs contexts otherwise it is meaningless to learners. Kids should use maths in order to understand social problems but those who see maths as just 1+1= 2 are likely to turn out like Seymour. Sadly.
Anyone else think the free prescription subsidy was also a massive lifeline to local pharmacies struggling with the competition from the Chemist Warehouse?
The more I think about it, the more assinine Nicola Willis's kneejerk response to that bit of the budget was – locally owned small businesses feeling the pressure of an Aussie owned corporate ought to be the bread and butter of National's support base. It shows how far modern “cponservatism” has strayed toward culture war crony capitalism that she didn’t instinctively know how that comment might play in Ashburton.
For those who may be interested, this study in the journal Race and Class maps the incestuous nature of British 'anti-woke' ideologues, their think tanks, media vehicles and campaigns.
Finally, some real NZ data on reported assaults in public spaces like toilets, and in prisons by transgender women.
‘A recent long-form read by David Fisher in the NZ Herald (paywalled) talks in depth about “scaremongering” around bathrooms and changing rooms: “The arguments espoused most fervently come with the least evidence,” Fisher wrote.
Fisher cites police reporting, both here and overseas: 'Police here have no reported cases of women being assaulted in toilets or changing rooms by trans women. That matches with research done in the US after exclusionary bathroom laws were passed in some states. A 2018 study from the Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law found no evidence supporting fears of privacy and safety violations involving trans people.'
Similarly, there is no evidence of this risk in prisons: 'The Department of Corrections reports no sexual violence involving the 16 trans women who have served time since 2018. Violence, too, is low with two non-serious assaults recorded since July 2020 in which a trans woman was identified as the perpetrator. Over the same period, there were 324 assaults in total in women’s prisons.” ‘
The quote comes from a Spinoff article posted today.
Data – and quality data are not the same thing. Data regarding harm needs to be comprehensively and determinedly collected by objectively neutral researchers before you can come to conclusions. The statistics we do have that are robust relating to sexual assault – of all kinds, indicates a significant benefit to single-sex provisions.
As you appear to have absolutely no consideration for safeguarding, privacy dignity or consent in regards to women and girls in single-sex spaces, I make the following suggestion:
Leave those who see value in such spaces to them and join the men whom you want to share with in the men's provision.
The advantages of this are easily noted:
No continued conflation of sex and gender identity, which just confuses people.
Female facilities remain single-sex provisions, (albeit with the acknowledgement that females – such as you – who want to share with men, are doing so without everyone's consent and with no respect for male privacy and dignity)
This allows women – such as yourself – to practically and visibly show their support for men with gender identities – without imposing or assuming all other women and girls feel the same.
Men with gender identities – can now pee – which apparently was impossible without the presence of women – reducing the likelihood of urinary tract infections or bladder or bowel explosions.
One significant benefit – ANY discussion about transgression () over single-sex boundaries is redirected AWAY from the men with gender identities – whom you no doubt consider already persecuted – and towards yourself and all the other women who join you in the men's facilities. This allows you to protect them from further harm, by making you the transgressor.
(Note: This is a tongue-in-cheek suggestion… unless it solves the issue…)
The Spinoff article is the usual conflation of links and and confident assertions with poor quality basis for such.
Jennifer Shields has (fore)skin in the game, and the article shows this.
What is not apparent, is the demonstration of this wordsmith’s skills when making threats against women online. Now, I understand that without screenshots, you will be asked to make a choice on who is believable here, article writer – Jennifer Shields or Ani O'Brien – but that will depend on personal factors – so will just leave this here for you to consider:
And this happened in 2014-5, when Shields was 21, two years into hormonal transition, and perhaps a little vulnerable?; while O'Brien was a few years older. I wonder what O'Brien said or did that elicited Shield's insults? Just thinking of the context.
When you have a chance to put your "thinking" to paper, I'd be interested in hearing what "context" expressing the hope that someone is raped with a chainsaw is acceptable.
Also, in what "context" such an expression is labelled an insult, rather than a violent threat.
Toko Shane (Ashley) Winter is in Paremoremo prison where he belongs. However, "Pandora Electra" is in Springhill Women's prison, but as a person with convictions for violence (including a knife attack on his former partner and others) and what is described as "complex" needs, he will be under very close supervision.
"It shows that nearly 60% of trans-identified male prisoners in the UK are sex offenders, making them 3.5 times more likely to be sex offenders than men who don’t identify as women. It should surprise no one that they are also nearly 18 times more likely to be sex offenders than women in prison.
The first time this fact was brought to wider attention was with official United Kingdom Ministry of Justice statistics obtained in 2020. The data was submitted as evidence by Professor Rosa Freedman, Professor Kathleen Stock, and Professor Alice Sullivan to the Reform of the Gender Recognition Act inquiry."
And who asked why these men who have opened their mouths and uttered the magical incantation "I identify as" should have the "right" be imprisoned with some of the most vulnerable women in our society, many of whom (if not most of them), have suffered from male violence, and do not have the "right" to refuse to be housed with men.
Self ID means that any man – repeat any man, – who says he is a woman mysteriously becomes one. No diagnosis, no hormones, no surgery is required. He does not even have to shave off his beard.
This is a treadmill argument from you, Visubversa.
As I have discussed before, Stats NZ gives around 11,000 people identifying as transgender women in NZ. Ireland (similar population to ours), introduced a self-id law similar to ours in 2015. Around 100 transgender women a year actually use the self-id option, primarily for legal reasons like wills, etc. Many other countries round the world have self-id laws, like, eg. Brazil. I found this out from a 5 min internet search.
The transgender community already use most public spaces such as womens' toilets in NZ, and have been for decades. The article I cited gave at least a link to NZ data on transgender crimes associated with these spaces. The police do not identify a problem with self-id, or they would have made a submission when the self-id legislation came up. You cannot take away others' rights without hard facts.
Yes, the trans community did use public and private toilets that corresponded with their "gender identity" for decades, and still do. I I have been in the "Women's Rest Room" at the same time as Georgina Beyer at several Labour Party Conferences. We were both there to do the same thing, use the convenience, flush, wash our hands and depart. Trans people like Georgina are no problem to lesbians like me. Georgina and others of her generation were gay men at a time when sex between men was unlawful. They "transed away the Gay" but were still same sex attracted.
These days it is quite different. Even the term "same sex attracted" is called an "anti Trans dogwhistle". Many of the people claiming trans status of one sort or another are heterosexual.
Why assume the Department of Corrections is absolved from the responsibility of treating men with gender identities with humanity, dignity and respect while in the male prison estate? What right are you referring to?
In March 2018, Corrections introduced a policy for the management of transgender individuals, with a focus on being more responsive to them and their circumstances. Each transgender individual has a customised support plan and is able to choose the gender of staff who conduct searches. The provision of a support plan does not depend on whether the transgender individual has legal recognition of their gender identity, or whether they have undergone medical or surgical steps.
(Note: No mention of any assessments of the impact on the female prison estate or female prisoners.)
It reality comes down to throwing one's weight around.
Relatively recently, trans in NZ began to assert 'rights' as opposed to behaving in a manner that respected others.
As one youtuber commented:
"If a grown man wants to pretend to be a woman he has a perfect right. But if he wants someone else to pretend he's a woman, that person has a perfect right to refuse."
In pursuit of these non-existent rights they vilify and antagonize or assault anyone that dares to question their dodgy new orthodoxy.
I saw a man wearing a backpack and ordinary mens’ clothes assault a woman in video of that incident. A 20 year-old from Tauranga has been charged. Any evidence he was transgender?
He could have been upset for a family membe. Not an excuse, but don't forget Posie Parker has said some horrible things about trans people and their families.
Other people have been charged with assault in the same protest. Including an older man with neo-Nazi affiliation who repeated physically harassed a short woman marshall from the anti-PP counterprotest. The incidences of physical violence in the crowd were very few, and the police are prosecuting without bias, as they should.
This is difficult, because contemporary theories of gender identity sit poorly with little things like genetics. And, there are plenty of ordinary persons (especially journalists) that almost no-one respects anyway.
In time the matter may calm down, and result in accommodations akin to religious and single sex schools.
At present however, dissent is heretical – dangerous and forbidden.
Actually Stuart Munro, the violence happened because Posie Parker, a UK media personality, who has expressed violently anti-trans ideas, visited NZ to stage public events. Her funding came from CPAC, a right wing political group which with policies against LGB people, trans people and which is anti-abortion.
PParker has said trans women suffer from an abnormal sexual fixation that leads inevitably to pedophilia, thinks trans men should be forcibly sterilised, calls families who support their trans children 'groomers', and calls on US men with guns to use womens' toilets, in order to 'protect' womenfolk against a nonexistant threat from trans women (as validated by years of trans inclusionary toilet policies in 10 US states). All of these words of hers are documented, if not to be found on her website.
Violent words are not violent deeds, it is true, but they csn incite others to act. I don't think anyone in government was aware of the extent of Posie Parker's hate speech at the time she was allowed entry. As for the counter-protest, it was organised to be noisy but non-violent.
If some had heightened emotions in response to PParker at her event, well that's easy to understand given her anti-trans rhetoric. PParker was also seriously let down by the Mickey Mouse security firm she chose to hire at the last minute. Even more let down by that firm, and also let down by Posie, who appeared to abandon them, were the women who were to speak at her event.
PP's hate speech goes a long way beyond complaining, as you and others here do, that inclusionary language, increased social visibility and acceptance for the small group of trans NZers (around 24,000) somehow excludes or invalidates the other 5 million of us and our identities. Seems a disproportionate response to me.
I oppose PP's hate speech, and dislike the mush of disinformation around trans issues, which is why I post on this topic. Also, in examining the pros and cons of the trans debate recently, I have found that I value being part of an incusionary, not an exclusionary society.
Having week-on week-off custody of my child with their father from early on, I believe that parenting, not mothering or carrying a foetus, defines our relationship with our children in families. Not highly identifying with girlie-girl culture, I don't mind stretching the term 'woman' to include a few others. I know who I am, and am happy with my identity.
I don't perceive trans people as being more threatening than anyone else about their usual business on the street or in a public toilet. Neither do I believe that trans people should be saints – merely as human as the rest of us, with the usual numbers of bad apples and criminal offenders.
I also recognise that Posie Parker and anti-trans messaging comes from a well-funded international right-wing political movement, which is cunning in its use of social media.
Stop making excusing for the violence against women meeted out by the trans rights activists at Albert Park. This is frankly a disgusting thing to do.
I might have some little bit of respect if the tras and the likes of Marama Davidson who when asked failed to condemn the violence against women (when she is Minister of Violence Prevention) had outright condemned the violence metted out by the angry, threatening menacing mob.
We have fought for years to stop this bloody blame the victim of violence agaubst women. Shame on you.
The older man whoever he was should be investigated by the police and charged if found he has a crime to answer for.
The only older man I saw at Albert Park was an old geezer who was pushed and shoved. Not by the Let women Speak mob.
Other people have been charged with assault in the same protest. Including an older man with neo-Nazi affiliation who repeated physically harassed a short woman marshall from the anti-PP counterprotest.
Was this at the Auckland event? Or the Tasmanian one (I can't tell from the structure of your comment).
If it was the Auckland one, can you link – I've not seen this reported.
There is very little information over whether or not the 20-year old (apparently from Gisborne, not Tauranga) is or is not a man; or whether they self-ID as a woman, or as a man, or are an ally, or anything at all about their motivation.
The police statements, as far as I can see, appear to be gender neutral – and have shut down all further comment while the case is before the courts
Earlier, police said in a statement a 20-year-old had been charged over an "assault on an elderly female at the Albert Park protest" on March 25.
It's the press who have reported that this person is a man.
Actually Stuart Munro, the violence happened because Posie Parker, a UK media personality, who has expressed violently anti-trans ideas, visited NZ to stage public events.
Actually, the violence happened because a violent person chose to engage in violent actions against someone else.
For which, they have been arrested and charged in court.
There is no excuse.
It doesn't matter what PP might have said earlier (there was no chance that anyone heard what she might have said that day – so she can hardly have inflamed the crowd)
Anyone can choose to participate in a protest. Can chant slogans, and wave signs, and make their voice and perspective heard *without* feeling the need to haul off and hit someone.
Being at a protest is, by definition, an environment of heightened emotion. People don't go and protest because they feel mild disagreement with someone or something – they care passionately.
However, choosing to cross the line into violence is not something that most of our society finds an easily forgivably transgression.
If the counter-protest was designed to be non-violent, then the protest organizers failed miserably in their organization. And have continued the failure by choosing not to condemn the violence which occurred.
Personally, I disagree with much of what I've read from PP. I find some of her rhetoric distasteful, and …. unkind … to say the least.
However, I do *not* support the violent suppression of free speech.
If you disagree with something, by all means express your disagreement. Present your arguments. But do not try to silence your opposition.
The cancel culture has gone more than far enough.
Regardless of what you believe in this particular situation – it's a profoundly dangerous principle to be espousing.
There is plenty of evidence of the danger of trans women in women's spaces in both the UK and US. You must remember that a male bodied person being allowed into women's change rooms automatically makes two sexual offences legal: voyerism and exhibitionism.
But that is only part of the arguement. You people don't understand that most people don't support gender self ID (vote compass poll before the last election, link previously posted on her and I will re link if required).
You people miss a good part of the gender critical arguement. It is not only about a direct threat to women (i.e. our objection to male bodied people in our change room). We just don't want to have a male bodied person in our change room while we are in a state of undress (and we are certainly not wanting a male bodied person in a state of undress in our change room) End of story. And I certainly object to a male bodied person being in women's change room with girls and teen girls.
Any decent male bodied person would get this point of view and not try and insert themselves in women's spaces. It speaks volumes about the male bodied people (transwomen) who don't respect this.
How about those women who support transwomen (male bodied people) in women's change room start using the mens change room in support of trans women, thus turning the men's into unisex???? How would that work for you?
Gotta love those free trade rules! Sure, sure it's technically correct, but is UK and Oz honey what you think of when you think of Manuka? This is how France must feel seeing us produce brie and camembert.
But the Australian Manuka Honey Association has been appealing the effort in multiple markets – saying honey produced there can also be called mānuka.
and
In 2021 the UK rejected a bid by the Mānuka Honey Appellation Society to trademark the term 'manuka honey' in the UK.
Sorry Roy but when I think of Manuka honey I think of the bees having obtained their nectar from Manuka flowers and that is what happens in both Australia and New Zealand.
Provided you blood pressure is well under control I suggest you read this article. A warning though. It is not for the faint hearted. As it says
"The truth is, there are far more manuka trees in Australia than New Zealand. Australian manuka trees produce quality Australian Manuka Honey that is every bit as pure, natural, and beneficial to health."
You can’t equate it to Brie and Camembert as both are geographical locations in France. We might have had a case if we had named it “New Zealand Leptospermum Scoparium” honey or suchlike.
The alternative name to Manuka is Tea-tree, sometimes spelled Ti-tree.
Tea-tree oil is commonly used in soaps and cosmetics overseas and is one of the most effective natural remedies for head lice. Same here except we call it Manuka.
Splitting hairs here. But theoretically NZ producers can trademark the mācroned name, as, while there is a history of teetrees there being called manuka, the macron is local to Te Reo Māori and NZ.
Apparently, the NZ manuka honey producers association has successfully trademarked Unique Mānuka Factor UMF TM. Australian honey producers are free to market their own validated bioactive trademark. It just can't be UMF.
The reason why Aussie honey producers want in is because NZ honey exports increased from $97k to $480k from 2010 to 2021. Most of this increased value is due to NZ investment in bioactive quality validation and to brand marketing into the wellness food space.
You can't import Australian honey to NZ, so UMF is all you'll get. For disease reasons, imports of honey can only come into NZ from a few Pacific Islands.
That sounds like a very good idea. I'm not a lawyer though.
I guess the problem would be that no-one living outside New Zealand would realise there was a difference between the word with and without the macron. They would probably assume a bad printing job for the label.
At first glance the regional info is impressive…and the clear explanation of the various coalition formulae is useful..
And national are a political party in decline..
They have no idea of what to do to fix what we face..
Just the same old same old key era styling promises for big tax cuts for the richest..and chewing gum tax givebacks for the rest of us…
The words coming from them only demonstrate that bankruptcy of ideas..
Words/promises/imperatives from a byegone era…and it shows..!
And voters eyes then flick to the raving loons they would be in coalition with..
And aside from that small tranche of true believers who vote for them..the rest of us just shift uneasily in our seats at the very thought of it…
One valuable role that act plays is that they make the greens seem…to middle new zealanders…with an ill-defined but growing environmental awareness..like a safe pair of hands..
Whereas act froth at the mouth at the idea of cutting benefits..and the like..
Total bastards..basically..
(And if I could shoehorn in a prediction… should nact get over the line..the country will explode into direct action on matters environmental..and the like..)
But back to my original question..what is yr problem with horizon..?
I don't have a problem with Horizon – however, looking at the combined results of polls over the last 5 months – they have National weighted way lower than any of the rest. Every other poll since the last one they did in January (where they had National at 27%) – has had National between 32-35%. We then go back to their previous poll in October (National 26%) – but every other poll between October and January had National between 32-40%
Now that may be accurate – they may have a hotline to the 'truth' (who knows until we get to October) – but when there is an outlier result like that, I'm more inclined to view it with several grains of salt.
The only explanation in their methodology I can see is that they only poll people who are 100% likely to vote. So are likely to get higher representation from those who are party loyalists who have already made up their minds. The relatively high ACT total (in comparison to other polls) would support this interpretation.
FWIW – I think that the right and left are too close to call ATM – as they have been for the last year or so.
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Introduction Computer-Assisted Translation (CAT) has revolutionized the field of translation by harnessing the power of technology to assist human translators in their work. This innovative approach combines specialized software with human expertise to improve the efficiency, accuracy, and consistency of translations. In this comprehensive article, we will delve into the ...
In today’s digital age, mobile devices have become an indispensable part of our daily lives. Among the vast array of portable computing options available, iPads and tablet computers stand out as two prominent contenders. While both offer similar functionalities, there are subtle yet significant differences between these two devices. This ...
A computer is an electronic device that can be programmed to carry out a set of instructions. The basic components of a computer are the processor, memory, storage, input devices, and output devices. The Processor The processor, also known as the central processing unit (CPU), is the brain of the ...
Voice Memos is a convenient app on your iPhone that allows you to quickly record and store audio snippets. These recordings can be useful for a variety of purposes, such as taking notes, capturing ideas, or recording interviews. While you can listen to your voice memos on your iPhone, you ...
Laptop screens are essential for interacting with our devices and accessing information. However, when lines appear on the screen, it can be frustrating and disrupt productivity. Understanding the underlying causes of these lines is crucial for finding effective solutions. Types of Screen Lines Horizontal lines: Also known as scan ...
Right-clicking is a common and essential computer operation that allows users to access additional options and settings. While most desktop computers have dedicated right-click buttons on their mice, laptops often do not have these buttons due to space limitations. This article will provide a comprehensive guide on how to right-click ...
Powering up and shutting down your ASUS laptop is an essential task for any laptop user. Locating the power button can sometimes be a hassle, especially if you’re new to ASUS laptops. This article will provide a comprehensive guide on where to find the power button on different ASUS laptop ...
Dell laptops are renowned for their reliability, performance, and versatility. Whether you’re a student, a professional, or just someone who needs a reliable computing device, a Dell laptop can meet your needs. However, if you’re new to Dell laptops, you may be wondering how to get started. In this comprehensive ...
Two-thirds of the country think that “New Zealand’s economy is rigged to advantage the rich and powerful”. They also believe that “New Zealand needs a strong leader to take the country back from the rich and powerful”. These are just two of a handful of stunning new survey results released ...
In today’s digital world, screenshots have become an indispensable tool for communication and documentation. Whether you need to capture an important email, preserve a website page, or share an error message, screenshots allow you to quickly and easily preserve digital information. If you’re an Asus laptop user, there are several ...
A factory reset restores your Gateway laptop to its original factory settings, erasing all data, apps, and personalizations. This can be necessary to resolve software issues, remove viruses, or prepare your laptop for sale or transfer. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to factory reset your Gateway laptop: Method 1: ...
“You talking about me?”The neoliberal denigration of the past was nowhere more unrelenting than in its depiction of the public service. The Post Office and the Railways were held up as being both irremediably inefficient and scandalously over-manned. Playwright Roger Hall’s “Glide Time” caricatures were presented as accurate depictions of ...
Roger Partridge writes – When the Coalition Government took office last October, it inherited a country on a precipice. With persistent inflation, decades of insipid productivity growth and crises in healthcare, education, housing and law and order, it is no exaggeration to suggest New Zealand’s first-world status was ...
Rob MacCulloch writes – In 2022, the Curriculum Centre at the Ministry of Education employed 308 staff, according to an Official Information Request. Earlier this week it was announced 202 of those staff were being cut. When you look up “The New Zealand Curriculum” on the Ministry of ...
Chris Bishop’s bill has stirred up a hornets nest of opposition. Photo: Lynn Grieveson for The KākāTL;DR: The six things that stood out to me in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, poverty and climate from the last day included:A crescendo of opposition to the Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill is ...
Monday left me brokenTuesday, I was through with hopingWednesday, my empty arms were openThursday, waiting for love, waiting for loveThe end of another week that left many of us asking WTF? What on earth has NZ gotten itself into and how on earth could people have voluntarily signed up for ...
Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on the past week’s editions.State of humanity, 20242024, it feels, keeps presenting us with ever more challenges, ever more dismay.Do you give up yet? It seems to ask.No? How about this? Or this?How about this?Full story Share ...
Determining the hardest sport in the world is a subjective matter, as the difficulty level can vary depending on individual abilities, physical attributes, and experience. However, based on various factors including physical demands, technical skills, mental fortitude, and overall accomplishment, here is an exploration of some of the most challenging ...
The allure of sport transcends age, culture, and geographical boundaries. It captivates hearts, ignites passions, and provides unparalleled entertainment. Behind the spectacle, however, lies a fascinating world of financial investment and expenditure. Among the vast array of competitive pursuits, one question looms large: which sport carries the hefty title of ...
Introduction Pickleball, a rapidly growing paddle sport, has captured the hearts and imaginations of millions around the world. Its blend of tennis, badminton, and table tennis elements has made it a favorite among players of all ages and skill levels. As the sport’s popularity continues to surge, the question on ...
Abstract: Soccer, the global phenomenon captivating millions worldwide, has a rich history that spans centuries. Its origins trace back to ancient civilizations, but the modern version we know and love emerged through a complex interplay of cultural influences and innovations. This article delves into the fascinating journey of soccer’s evolution, ...
Tinting car windows offers numerous benefits, including enhanced privacy, reduced glare, UV protection, and a more stylish look for your vehicle. However, the cost of window tinting can vary significantly depending on several factors. This article provides a comprehensive guide to help you understand how much you can expect to ...
The pungent smell of gasoline in your car can be an alarming and potentially dangerous problem. Not only is the odor unpleasant, but it can also indicate a serious issue with your vehicle’s fuel system. In this article, we will explore the various reasons why your car may smell like ...
Tree sap can be a sticky, unsightly mess on your car’s exterior. It can be difficult to remove, but with the right techniques and products, you can restore your car to its former glory. Understanding Tree Sap Tree sap is a thick, viscous liquid produced by trees to seal wounds ...
Our two-tiered system for veterans’ support is out of step with our closest partners, and all parties in Parliament should work together to fix it, Labour veterans’ affairs spokesperson Greg O’Connor said. ...
Stripping two Ministers of their portfolios just six months into the job shows Christopher Luxon’s management style is lacking, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said. ...
It appears Nicola Willis is about to pull the rug out from under the feet of local communities still dealing with the aftermath of last year’s severe weather, and local councils relying on funding to build back from these disasters. ...
The Government is making short-sighted changes to the Resource Management Act (RMA) that will take away environmental protection in favour of short-term profits, Labour’s environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said today. ...
Labour welcomes the release of the report into the North Island weather events and looks forward to working with the Government to ensure that New Zealand is as prepared as it can be for the next natural disaster. ...
The Labour Party has called for the New Zealand Government to recognise Palestine, as a material step towards progressing the two-State solution needed to achieve a lasting peace in the region. ...
Some of our country’s most important work, stopping the sexual exploitation of children and violent extremism could go along with staff on the frontline at ports and airports. ...
The Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill will give projects such as new coal mines a ‘get out of jail free’ card to wreak havoc on the environment, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said today. ...
Cuts to frontline hospital staff are not only a broken election promise, it shows the reckless tax cuts have well and truly hit the frontline of the health system, says Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall. ...
The Green Party has joined the call for public submissions on the fast-track legislation to be extended after the Ombudsman forced the Government to release the list of organisations invited to apply just hours before submissions close. ...
New Zealand’s good work at reducing climate emissions for three years in a row will be undone by the National government’s lack of ambition and scrapping programmes that were making a difference, Labour Party climate spokesperson Megan Woods said today. ...
More essential jobs could be on the chopping block, this time Ministry of Education staff on the school lunches team are set to find out whether they're in line to lose their jobs. ...
The Government is trying to bring in a law that will allow Ministers to cut corners and kill off native species, Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said. ...
Cancelling urgently needed new Cook Strait ferries and hiking the cost of public transport for many Kiwis so that National can announce the prospect of another tunnel for Wellington is not making good choices, Labour Transport Spokesperson Tangi Utikere said. ...
A laundry list of additional costs for Tāmaki Makarau Auckland shows the Minister for the city is not delivering for the people who live there, says Labour Auckland Issues spokesperson Shanan Halbert. ...
The Green Party has today launched a step-by-step guide to help New Zealanders make their voice heard on the Government’s democracy dodging and anti-environment fast track legislation. ...
The National Government’s proposed changes to the Residential Tenancies Act will mean tenants can be turfed from their homes by landlords with little notice, Labour housing spokesperson Kieran McAnulty said. ...
Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson is calling on all parties to support a common-sense change that’s great for the planet and great for consumers after her member’s bill was drawn from the ballot today. ...
A significant milestone has been reached in the fight to strike an anti-Pasifika and unfair law from the country’s books after Teanau Tuiono’s members’ bill passed its first reading. ...
New Zealand has today missed the opportunity to uphold the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment, says James Shaw after his member’s bill was voted down in its first reading. ...
Today’s advice from the Climate Change Commission paints a sobering reality of the challenge we face in combating climate change, especially in light of recent Government policy announcements. ...
Minister for Disability Issues Penny Simmonds appears to have delayed a report back to Cabinet on the progress New Zealand is making against international obligations for disabled New Zealanders. ...
The Government’s newly announced review of methane emissions reduction targets hints at its desire to delay Aotearoa New Zealand’s urgent transition to a climate safe future, the Green Party said. ...
The Government must commit to the Maitai School building project for students with high and complex needs, to ensure disabled students from the top of the South Island have somewhere to learn. ...
Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey and his Government colleagues have made a meal of their mental health commitments, showing how flimsy their efforts to champion the issue truly are, says Labour Mental Health spokesperson Ingrid Leary. ...
Paul Goldsmith will take on responsibility for the Media and Communications portfolio, while Louise Upston will pick up the Disability Issues portfolio, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced today. “Our Government is relentlessly focused on getting New Zealand back on track. As issues change in prominence, I plan to adjust Ministerial ...
Recreational catch limits will be reduced in areas of Fiordland and the Chatham Islands to help keep those fisheries healthy and sustainable, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The lower recreational daily catch limits for a range of finfish and shellfish species caught in the Fiordland Marine Area and ...
Energy Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed an important milestone in New Zealand’s hydrogen future, with the opening of the country’s first network of hydrogen refuelling stations in Wiri. “I want to congratulate the team at Hiringa Energy and its partners K one W one (K1W1), Mitsui & Co New Zealand ...
The coalition Government is delivering on its commitment to improve resource management laws and give greater certainty to consent applicants, with a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) expected to be introduced to Parliament next month. RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop has today outlined the first RMA Amendment ...
Overseas models for regulating the oil and gas sector, including their decommissioning regimes, are being carefully scrutinised as a potential template for New Zealand’s own sector, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. The Coalition Government is focused on rebuilding investor confidence in New Zealand’s energy sector as it looks to strengthen ...
Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell has today released the Report of the Government Inquiry into the response to the North Island Severe Weather Events. “The report shows that New Zealand’s emergency management system is not fit-for-purpose and there are some significant gaps we need to address,” Mr Mitchell ...
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith is today travelling to Europe where he’ll update the United Nations Human Rights Council on the Government’s work to restore law and order. “Attending the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva provides us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while ...
Associate Agriculture Minister, Mark Patterson, formally reopened the world’s largest wool processing facility today in Awatoto, Napier, following a $50 million rebuild and refurbishment project. “The reopening of this facility will significantly lift the economic opportunities available to New Zealand’s wool sector, which already accounts for 20 per cent of ...
Hon Andrew Bayly, Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing At the Southland Otago Regional Engineering Collective (SOREC) Summit, 18 April, Dunedin Ngā mihi nui, Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Ko Whanganui aho Good Afternoon and thank you for inviting me to open your summit today. I am delighted ...
The Government is delivering on its commitment to bring back the Three Strikes legislation, Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee announced today. “Our Government is committed to restoring law and order and enforcing appropriate consequences on criminals. We are making it clear that repeat serious violent or sexual offending is not ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has today announced four new diplomatic appointments for New Zealand’s overseas missions. “Our diplomats have a vital role in maintaining and protecting New Zealand’s interests around the world,” Mr Peters says. “I am pleased to announce the appointment of these senior diplomats from the ...
New Zealand is contributing NZ$7 million to support communities affected by severe food insecurity and other urgent humanitarian needs in Ethiopia and Somalia, Foreign Minister Rt Hon Winston Peters announced today. “Over 21 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance across Ethiopia, with a further 6.9 million people ...
Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Paul Goldsmith is congratulating Mataaho Collective for winning the Golden Lion for best participant in the main exhibition at the Venice Biennale. "Congratulations to the Mataaho Collective for winning one of the world's most prestigious art prizes at the Venice Biennale. “It is good ...
The Government is reforming financial services to improve access to home loans and other lending, and strengthen customer protections, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly and Housing Minister Chris Bishop announced today. “Our coalition Government is committed to rebuilding the economy and making life simpler by cutting red tape. We are ...
“China remains a strong commercial opportunity for Kiwi exporters as Chinese businesses and consumers continue to value our high-quality safe produce,” Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says. Mr McClay has returned to New Zealand following visits to Beijing, Harbin and Shanghai where he met ministers, governors and mayors and engaged in trade and agricultural events with the New ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has completed a successful trip to Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines, deepening relationships and capitalising on opportunities. Mr Luxon was accompanied by a business delegation and says the choice of countries represents the priority the New Zealand Government places on South East Asia, and our relationships in ...
New Zealand is demonstrating its commitment to reducing global greenhouse emissions, and supporting clean energy transition in South East Asia, through a contribution of NZ$41 million (US$25 million) in climate finance to the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-led Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM). Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced ...
The Government is today releasing a list of organisations who received letters about the Fast-track applications process, says RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop. “Recently Ministers and agencies have received a series of OIA requests for a list of organisations to whom I wrote with information on applying to have a ...
Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister David Jonathan Boldt as a Judge of the High Court, and the Honourable Justice Matthew Palmer as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Boldt graduated with an LLB from Victoria University of Wellington in 1990, and also holds ...
Education Minister Erica Stanford will lead the New Zealand delegation at the 2024 International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP) held in Singapore. The delegation includes representatives from the Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) Te Wehengarua and the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) Te Riu Roa. The summit is co-hosted ...
A stopbank upgrade project in Tairawhiti partly funded by the Government has increased flood resilience for around 7000ha of residential and horticultural land so far, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones today attended a dawn service in Gisborne to mark the end of the first stage of the ...
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters will represent the Government at Anzac Day commemorations on the Gallipoli Peninsula next week and engage with senior representatives of the Turkish government in Istanbul. “The Gallipoli campaign is a defining event in our history. It will be a privilege to share the occasion ...
Science, Innovation and Technology and Defence Minister Judith Collins will next week attend the OECD Science and Technology Ministerial conference in Paris and Anzac Day commemorations in Belgium. “Science, innovation and technology have a major role to play in rebuilding our economy and achieving better health, environmental and social outcomes ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The Prime Minister was accompanied by MP Paulo Garcia, the first Filipino to be elected to a legislature outside the Philippines. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon and President Marcos Jr discussed opportunities to ...
The Government has announced that $20 million in funding will be made available to Westport to fund much needed flood protection around the town. This measure will significantly improve the resilience of the community, says Local Government Minister Simeon Brown. “The Westport community has already been allocated almost $3 million ...
The Government is proud to support the first ever Repco Supercars Championship event in Taupō as up to 70,000 motorsport fans attend the Taupō International Motorsport Park this weekend, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. “Anticipation for the ITM Taupō Super400 is huge, with tickets and accommodation selling out weeks ...
Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced an increase to the Rates Rebate Scheme, putting money back into the pockets of low-income homeowners. “The coalition Government is committed to bringing down the cost of living for New Zealanders. That includes targeted support for those Kiwis who are doing things tough, such ...
The Coalition Government is investing in a project to boost survival rates of New Zealand mussels and grow the industry, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has announced. “This project seeks to increase the resilience of our mussels and significantly boost the sector’s productivity,” Mr Jones says. “The project - ...
Benefit figures released today underscore the importance of the Government’s plan to rebuild the economy and have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “Benefit numbers are still significantly higher than when National was last in government, when there was about 70,000 fewer ...
The Government’s commitment to doubling New Zealand’s renewable energy capacity is backed by new data showing that clean energy has helped the country reach its lowest annual gross emissions since 1999, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealand’s latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory (1990-2022) published today, shows gross emissions fell ...
The Government is bringing the earthquake-prone building review forward, with work to start immediately, and extending the deadline for remediations by four years, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “Our Government is focused on rebuilding the economy. A key part of our plan is to cut red tape that ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his Thai counterpart, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, have today agreed that New Zealand and the Kingdom of Thailand will upgrade the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership by 2026. “New Zealand and Thailand have a lot to offer each other. We have a strong mutual desire to build ...
RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Transport Minister Simeon Brown have today announced the Coalition Government’s intention to extend port coastal permits for a further 20 years, providing port operators with certainty to continue their operations. “The introduction of the Resource Management Act in 1991 required ports to obtain coastal ...
Today’s announcement that inflation is down to 4 per cent is encouraging news for Kiwis, but there is more work to be done - underlining the importance of the Government’s plan to get the economy back on track, acting Finance Minister Chris Bishop says. “Inflation is now at 4 per ...
Refreshed health guidance released today will help parents and schools make informed decisions about whether their child needs to be in school, addressing one of the key issues affecting school attendance, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour. In recent years, consistently across all school terms, short-term illness or medical reasons ...
Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is streamlining high-level oceans management while maintaining a focus on supporting the sector’s role in the export-led recovery of the economy. “I am working to realise the untapped potential of our fishing and aquaculture sector. To achieve that we need to be smarter with ...
Associate Agriculture Minister Mark Patterson is speaking at the International Wool Textile Organisation Congress in Adelaide, promoting New Zealand wool, and outlining the coalition Government’s support for the revitalisation the sector. "New Zealand’s wool exports reached $400 million in the year to 30 June 2023, and the coalition Government ...
The Government is making legislative changes to make it easier for new early learning services to be established, and for existing services to operate, Associate Education Minister David Seymour says. The changes involve repealing the network approval provisions that apply when someone wants to establish a new early learning service, ...
Changes to the Resource Management Act will align consenting for coal mining to other forms of mining to reduce barriers that are holding back economic development, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The inconsistent treatment of coal mining compared with other extractive activities is burdensome red tape that fails to acknowledge ...
Trade, Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay has concluded productive discussions with ministerial counterparts in Beijing today, in support of the New Zealand-China trade and economic relationship. “My meeting with Commerce Minister Wang Wentao reaffirmed the complementary nature of the bilateral trade relationship, with our Free Trade Agreement at its ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra With Jim Chalmers’s third budget on May 14, Australians will be looking for some more cost-of-living relief – beyond the tax cuts – although they have been warned extra measures will be modest. As ...
Analysis: Melissa Lee has lost the media portfolio and her spot in Cabinet after multiple failed attempts to find solutions for a media industry in crisis. On Wednesday, the Prime Minister announced Lee would be losing her spot in Cabinet along with her media and communications ministerial portfolio. The job ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Simon Wilmot, Senior Lecturer, Film, Deakin University Among the many Australian who served during the second world war, there is a small group of people whose stories remain largely untold. These are the Muslim men and women who, while small in number, ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kelly Saunders, PhD Candidate, University of Canberra There has been much analysis and praise of Justice Michael Lee’s recent judgement in Bruce Lehrmann’s defamation case against Channel Ten. Many people were openly relieved to read Lee’s “forensic” and “nuanced” application of law ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kathy Gibbs, Program Director for the Bachelor of Education, Griffith University zEdward_Indy/Shutterstock Around one in 20 people has attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It’s one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders in childhood and often continues into adulthood. ADHD is diagnosed ...
The Fairer Future coalition of anti-poverty groups say Whaikaha must be properly funded going forward, and that to argue that poor financial management of the new Ministry is a red herring by the Prime Minister. ...
The Taxpayers’ Union is today congratulating Hon. Paul Goldsmith on his appointment as Minister for Media and Communications and urges him to rule out state intervention in the private media sector. ...
Asia Pacific Report The West Papuan resistance OPM leader has condemned Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and US President Joe Biden, accusing their countries of “six decades of treachery” over Papuan independence. The open letter was released today by OPM chairman Jeffrey P Bomanak on the eve of ANZAC Day ...
Welcome to The Spinoff Books Confessional, in which we get to know the reading habits and quirks of New Zealanders at large. This week: writer and one of Time Magazine’s 100 most influential people of 2024, Lauren Groff.The book I wish I’d writtenIf I wish I’d written a ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By David Fechner, Research Fellow, Social Marketing, Griffith University mavo/Shutterstock Imagine having dinner at a restaurant. The menu offers plant-based meat alternatives made mostly from vegetables, mushrooms, legumes and wheat that mimic meat in taste, texture and smell. Despite being given that ...
“Three Strikes is a dead-end policy proposed by a dead-end government. The Three Strikes law ignores the causes of crime, instead just brutalising people already crushed by the cost of living.” ...
By Don Wiseman, RNZ Pacific senior journalist An Australian-born judge in Kiribati could well face deportation later this week after a tribunal ruling that he should be removed from his post. The tribunal’s report has just been tabled in the Kiribati Parliament and is due to be debated by MPs ...
With its clear mandate for police use, political nuances, and nuanced public trust, Denmark's insights provide valuable considerations for Australia and New Zealand. ...
Books editor Claire Mabey reviews poet Louise Wallace’s debut novel. A famous poet once said to me that he’s always suspicious when a poet publishes a novel. I never really understood why but maybe it’s something to do with cheating on your first form. Louise Wallace is a poet. She’s ...
For a few months at the turn of the millennium, TrueBliss burned bright as the biggest pop stars in the country. Alex Casey chats to two superfans who still hold the flame. During a humble backyard wedding in Nelson, 1999, one of the cordially invited guests had to excuse themselves ...
How will the recent wave of job cuts impact ethnic diversity in the media? In November last year, I was working a very busy day in the newsroom of a large online news site, interviewing whānau about their concerns over the imminent closure of one of the few puna reo ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ruth Knight, Researcher, Queensland University of Technology Have you ever felt sick at work? Perhaps you had food poisoning or the flu. Your belly hurt, or you felt tired, making it hard to concentrate and be productive. How likely would you be ...
Despite heavy criticism and an ongoing select committee process, the Police Minister says the Government will forge ahead with a ban on gang patches. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sam Whiting, Lecturer – Creative Industries, University of South Australia Shutterstock Everyone has a favourite band, or a favourite composer, or a favourite song. There is some music which speaks to you, deeply; and other music which might be the current ...
A new survey says ‘outlook not great’ for those charged with building infrastructure, while RMA changes delight farmers and depress environmentalists, writes Anna Rawhiti-Connell in this excerpt from The Bulletin, The Spinoff’s morning news round-up. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign up here. First RMA changes announced ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Olli Hellmann, Associate Professor of Political Science, University of Waikato Getty Images When New Zealanders commemorate Anzac Day on April 25, it’s not only to honour the soldiers who lost their lives in World War I and subsequent conflicts, but also ...
A leaked document shows the Canterbury/Waitaha arm of health agency Te Whatu Ora is scurrying to save $13.3 million by July. The “financial sustainability target”, which was “allocated” to Waitaha, is consistent with what’s happening in other districts, says Sarah Dalton, executive director of the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists. ...
A look at the state of the previous government’s affordable housing scheme, and what could come next.Remind me: What’s KiwiBuild again?First announced in 2012, KiwiBuild was a flagship policy of the Labour Party heading into both its 2014 and 2017 election campaigns. With Jacinda Ardern as prime minister, ...
Labour in opposition will be shocked to learn which party had six years in power but squandered any chance to make real change. Grant Robertson’s valedictory speech was a predictably entertaining trip down memory lane. The acid-tongued incoming Otago University chancellor administered a sick burn to the coalition government. He ...
Taiwan’s semiconductor industry is seen some as its ‘silicon shield’ against invasion – but how will overseas expansion affect that protection? The post The state of Taiwan’s silicon shield appeared first on Newsroom. ...
There’s relief for building owners bending under the weight of earthquake strengthening rules – and costs – that came into force seven years ago. Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk has announced a scheduled 2027 review of the earthquake-prone building regulations will now start this year. Owners will also get ...
Opinion: It has been announced that nine percent of roles at Oranga Tamariki will be disestablished, presumably to help fund the tax cuts promised by the coalition Government. I am reminded of the graphics used to illustrate pandemic events, where five thousand people are standing in a field and then ...
After more than two sleepless days, running through savage terrain, Greig Hamilton didn’t know if he was going to finish one of the most gruelling psychological assaults in sport. He was metres away from the finish line, a yellow gate made famous in a Netflix documentary; a race he’d dreamed ...
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The following interview with former Green Party MP Sue Kedgley came about because she features in the new memoir Hine Toa by activist Ngāhuia te Awekōtuku; the two knew each other at the University of Auckland in the early 70s, when they were both took on leadership roles in the ...
COMMENTARY:By Murray Horton New Zealand needs to get tough with Israel. It’s not as if we haven’t done so before. When NZ authorities busted a Mossad operation in Auckland 20 years ago, the government didn’t say: “Oh well, Israel has the right to defend itself.” No, it arrested, prosecuted, ...
NEWSMAKERS:By Vijay Narayan, news director of FijiVillage Blessed to be part of the University of Fiji (UniFiji) faculty to continue to teach and mentor those who want to join our noble profession, and to stand for truth and justice for the people of the country. I was privileged to ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Peter Martin, Visiting Fellow, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University Three weeks from now, some of us will be presented with a mountain of budget papers, and just about all of us will get to hear about them on radio, ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Dan Lowry, Ice Sheet & Climate Modeller, GNS Science Hugh Chittock/Antarctica New Zealand, CC BY-SA As the climate warms and Antarctica’s glaciers and ice sheets melt, the resulting rise in sea level has the potential to displace hundreds of millions of ...
The government's plan to reintroduce a three strikes regime is being strongly opposed by lawyers, who argue there is no evidence it reduces crime or helps people rehabilitate. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Dan Jerker B. Svantesson, Professor specialising in Internet law, Bond University Do Australian courts have the right to decide what foreign citizens, located overseas, view online on a foreign-owned platform? Anyone inclined to answer “yes” to this question should perhaps also ask ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Giovanni E Ferreira, NHMRC Emerging Leader Research Fellow, Institute of Musculoskeletal Health, University of Sydney Last week in a post on X, owner of the platform Elon Musk recommended people look into disc replacement if they’re experiencing severe neck or back pain. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By David Hayward, Emeritus Professor of Public Policy, RMIT University anek.soowannaphoom/Shutterstock NSW Treasurer Daniel Mookhey caught the headlines yesterday, courtesy of a blistering speech condemning the latest GST carve-up. New South Wales, he claimed, would be A$11.9 billion worse off over the ...
While police are "broadly in favour", the government's proposed anti-gang laws are facing pushback from lawyers, rights groups and former gang members. ...
While police are "broadly in favour", the government's proposed anti-gang laws are facing pushback from lawyers, rights groups and former gang members. ...
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By Patrick Decloitre, RNZ Pacific correspondent French Pacific desk Security forces reinforcements were sent from France ahead of two rival marches in the capital Nouméa today, at the same time and only two streets away one from the other. One march, called by Union Calédonienne party (a component of the ...
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Question??
Is the funding for Glenbrook mills new electric burner being funded by carbon credits, if not why not??
Sorry in a hurry so no links etc
I just love it when a sharp mind with excellent critical skills destroys manipulative populism from David Seymour and ACT.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/opinion/132087865/why-critical-maths-adds-up
Well done, Donna Miles!
Well spotted and thanks Donna. Maths needs contexts otherwise it is meaningless to learners. Kids should use maths in order to understand social problems but those who see maths as just 1+1= 2 are likely to turn out like Seymour. Sadly.
Anyone else think the free prescription subsidy was also a massive lifeline to local pharmacies struggling with the competition from the Chemist Warehouse?
The more I think about it, the more assinine Nicola Willis's kneejerk response to that bit of the budget was – locally owned small businesses feeling the pressure of an Aussie owned corporate ought to be the bread and butter of National's support base. It shows how far modern “cponservatism” has strayed toward culture war crony capitalism that she didn’t instinctively know how that comment might play in Ashburton.
Yup, levelling the playing field, somewhat.
Yes I thought so Sanctuary, as there are hardly any independent Chemists on Gold Coast, as they found Chemist Warehouse impossible to compete with.
That could happen here, so a great move by the Government to favour our own by covering charges.
CW has been offering "free" postage (over a certain buy) and free script charges on click and collect.
Chemists do far more since the pandemic, and we need them to remain viable.
Talking of culture wars..
For those who may be interested, this study in the journal Race and Class maps the incestuous nature of British 'anti-woke' ideologues, their think tanks, media vehicles and campaigns.
An anatomy of the British war on woke
Cited in a Guardian article on the UK National Conservatives, a recent political face of the movement.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/may/21/tories-opposition-danger-national-conservatism-conference-rightwing
Finally, some real NZ data on reported assaults in public spaces like toilets, and in prisons by transgender women.
‘A recent long-form read by David Fisher in the NZ Herald (paywalled) talks in depth about “scaremongering” around bathrooms and changing rooms: “The arguments espoused most fervently come with the least evidence,” Fisher wrote.
Fisher cites police reporting, both here and overseas: 'Police here have no reported cases of women being assaulted in toilets or changing rooms by trans women. That matches with research done in the US after exclusionary bathroom laws were passed in some states. A 2018 study from the Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law found no evidence supporting fears of privacy and safety violations involving trans people.'
Similarly, there is no evidence of this risk in prisons: 'The Department of Corrections reports no sexual violence involving the 16 trans women who have served time since 2018. Violence, too, is low with two non-serious assaults recorded since July 2020 in which a trans woman was identified as the perpetrator. Over the same period, there were 324 assaults in total in women’s prisons.” ‘
The quote comes from a Spinoff article posted today.
What is the media’s responsibility when reporting trans disinformation?
Data – and quality data are not the same thing. Data regarding harm needs to be comprehensively and determinedly collected by objectively neutral researchers before you can come to conclusions. The statistics we do have that are robust relating to sexual assault – of all kinds, indicates a significant benefit to single-sex provisions.
As you appear to have absolutely no consideration for safeguarding, privacy dignity or consent in regards to women and girls in single-sex spaces, I make the following suggestion:
Leave those who see value in such spaces to them and join the men whom you want to share with in the men's provision.
The advantages of this are easily noted:
(Note: This is a tongue-in-cheek suggestion… unless it solves the issue…)
The Spinoff article is the usual conflation of links and and confident assertions with poor quality basis for such.
Jennifer Shields has (fore)skin in the game, and the article shows this.
What is not apparent, is the demonstration of this wordsmith’s skills when making threats against women online. Now, I understand that without screenshots, you will be asked to make a choice on who is believable here, article writer – Jennifer Shields or Ani O'Brien – but that will depend on personal factors – so will just leave this here for you to consider:
https://twitter.com/aniobrien/status/1660384773876101120?s=20
https://twitter.com/jennifilm/status/1660390420818563072?s=20
Ani O'Brien who works for The Platform and Sean Plunkett?
Yes. What of it?
It's called smearing, a common tactic when the smearer's argument is weak.
100% gsays
And this happened in 2014-5, when Shields was 21, two years into hormonal transition, and perhaps a little vulnerable?; while O'Brien was a few years older. I wonder what O'Brien said or did that elicited Shield's insults? Just thinking of the context.
Article confirming Shield's age
" Just thinking of the context."
When you have a chance to put your "thinking" to paper, I'd be interested in hearing what "context" expressing the hope that someone is raped with a chainsaw is acceptable.
Also, in what "context" such an expression is labelled an insult, rather than a violent threat.
Toko Shane (Ashley) Winter is in Paremoremo prison where he belongs. However, "Pandora Electra" is in Springhill Women's prison, but as a person with convictions for violence (including a knife attack on his former partner and others) and what is described as "complex" needs, he will be under very close supervision.
Ireland, of course has the infamous "Barbie Kardashian" in Limerick Women's prison. https://thecountess.ie/limerick-prison-the-rights-of-female-prisoners/
And there are gatherings of evidence on the international stage. https://macdonaldlaurier.ca/rights-and-wrongs-how-gender-self-identification-policy-places-women-at-risk-in-prison/?mc_cid=fc75df3a16&mc_eid=602ecaffca&fbclid=IwAR3A_NnfBrP0XG4C6L30NpkYG6nYaL5SskrjBmT0yGms1SXyejH8bS89GZo
There are a lot of other reasons why men who claim special identities should not be imprisoned with women.
https://www.thedistancemag.com/p/male-prisoners-who-claim-to-be-women?fbclid=IwAR0h2QnLv35yY_6S3_UV8r1zvf41MUS1OYFKzZoq3ddUPtkmGrcQ1JuuQLc
"It shows that nearly 60% of trans-identified male prisoners in the UK are sex offenders, making them 3.5 times more likely to be sex offenders than men who don’t identify as women. It should surprise no one that they are also nearly 18 times more likely to be sex offenders than women in prison.
The first time this fact was brought to wider attention was with official United Kingdom Ministry of Justice statistics obtained in 2020. The data was submitted as evidence by Professor Rosa Freedman, Professor Kathleen Stock, and Professor Alice Sullivan to the Reform of the Gender Recognition Act inquiry."
And that is why entry into NZ's womens' prisons is not a right in NZ, but is evaluated for each case, according to Corrections.
…a right for transgender women..
And who asked why these men who have opened their mouths and uttered the magical incantation "I identify as" should have the "right" be imprisoned with some of the most vulnerable women in our society, many of whom (if not most of them), have suffered from male violence, and do not have the "right" to refuse to be housed with men.
Self ID means that any man – repeat any man, – who says he is a woman mysteriously becomes one. No diagnosis, no hormones, no surgery is required. He does not even have to shave off his beard.
This is a treadmill argument from you, Visubversa.
As I have discussed before, Stats NZ gives around 11,000 people identifying as transgender women in NZ. Ireland (similar population to ours), introduced a self-id law similar to ours in 2015. Around 100 transgender women a year actually use the self-id option, primarily for legal reasons like wills, etc. Many other countries round the world have self-id laws, like, eg. Brazil. I found this out from a 5 min internet search.
The transgender community already use most public spaces such as womens' toilets in NZ, and have been for decades. The article I cited gave at least a link to NZ data on transgender crimes associated with these spaces. The police do not identify a problem with self-id, or they would have made a submission when the self-id legislation came up. You cannot take away others' rights without hard facts.
Yes, the trans community did use public and private toilets that corresponded with their "gender identity" for decades, and still do. I I have been in the "Women's Rest Room" at the same time as Georgina Beyer at several Labour Party Conferences. We were both there to do the same thing, use the convenience, flush, wash our hands and depart. Trans people like Georgina are no problem to lesbians like me. Georgina and others of her generation were gay men at a time when sex between men was unlawful. They "transed away the Gay" but were still same sex attracted.
These days it is quite different. Even the term "same sex attracted" is called an "anti Trans dogwhistle". Many of the people claiming trans status of one sort or another are heterosexual.
And there is always this sort of problem.
https://transcrimeuk.com/2019/02/02/katie-dolatowski/?fbclid=IwAR0EFtiQ8R6shurVxfq8kaggKJcxg3B1-5A5y5AWkTHq4P2qUTWHENxmy18
Why assume the Department of Corrections is absolved from the responsibility of treating men with gender identities with humanity, dignity and respect while in the male prison estate? What right are you referring to?
https://www.corrections.govt.nz/resources/policy_and_legislation/human_rights_in_new_zealand_prisons
Prison policy was changed without public knowledge or discussion in 2018:
https://www.corrections.govt.nz/__data/assets/pdf_file/0015/42324/C124483_Information_on_transgender_and_gender_diverse_individuals_in_custody.pdf
(Note: No mention of any assessments of the impact on the female prison estate or female prisoners.)
I.10 Management of transgender prisoners
https://www.corrections.govt.nz/resources/policy_and_legislation/Prison-Operations-Manual/Induction/I.10-Management-of-transgender-prisoners
And where is the issue again?
It reality comes down to throwing one's weight around.
Relatively recently, trans in NZ began to assert 'rights' as opposed to behaving in a manner that respected others.
As one youtuber commented:
"If a grown man wants to pretend to be a woman he has a perfect right. But if he wants someone else to pretend he's a woman, that person has a perfect right to refuse."
In pursuit of these non-existent rights they vilify and antagonize or assault anyone that dares to question their dodgy new orthodoxy.
I saw a man wearing a backpack and ordinary mens’ clothes assault a woman in video of that incident. A 20 year-old from Tauranga has been charged. Any evidence he was transgender?
He could have been upset for a family membe. Not an excuse, but don't forget Posie Parker has said some horrible things about trans people and their families.
Tasmanian senator denounces Posie Parker for her words in Hobart
Other people have been charged with assault in the same protest. Including an older man with neo-Nazi affiliation who repeated physically harassed a short woman marshall from the anti-PP counterprotest. The incidences of physical violence in the crowd were very few, and the police are prosecuting without bias, as they should.
And all of this violence stems from asserting rights that impose upon others.
It is not enough to live quietly in new gendered identities – the demand is that they be respected. So much for not doing it in the streets and frightening the horses.
This is difficult, because contemporary theories of gender identity sit poorly with little things like genetics. And, there are plenty of ordinary persons (especially journalists) that almost no-one respects anyway.
In time the matter may calm down, and result in accommodations akin to religious and single sex schools.
At present however, dissent is heretical – dangerous and forbidden.
Actually Stuart Munro, the violence happened because Posie Parker, a UK media personality, who has expressed violently anti-trans ideas, visited NZ to stage public events. Her funding came from CPAC, a right wing political group which with policies against LGB people, trans people and which is anti-abortion.
PParker has said trans women suffer from an abnormal sexual fixation that leads inevitably to pedophilia, thinks trans men should be forcibly sterilised, calls families who support their trans children 'groomers', and calls on US men with guns to use womens' toilets, in order to 'protect' womenfolk against a nonexistant threat from trans women (as validated by years of trans inclusionary toilet policies in 10 US states). All of these words of hers are documented, if not to be found on her website.
Violent words are not violent deeds, it is true, but they csn incite others to act. I don't think anyone in government was aware of the extent of Posie Parker's hate speech at the time she was allowed entry. As for the counter-protest, it was organised to be noisy but non-violent.
If some had heightened emotions in response to PParker at her event, well that's easy to understand given her anti-trans rhetoric. PParker was also seriously let down by the Mickey Mouse security firm she chose to hire at the last minute. Even more let down by that firm, and also let down by Posie, who appeared to abandon them, were the women who were to speak at her event.
PP's hate speech goes a long way beyond complaining, as you and others here do, that inclusionary language, increased social visibility and acceptance for the small group of trans NZers (around 24,000) somehow excludes or invalidates the other 5 million of us and our identities. Seems a disproportionate response to me.
I oppose PP's hate speech, and dislike the mush of disinformation around trans issues, which is why I post on this topic. Also, in examining the pros and cons of the trans debate recently, I have found that I value being part of an incusionary, not an exclusionary society.
Having week-on week-off custody of my child with their father from early on, I believe that parenting, not mothering or carrying a foetus, defines our relationship with our children in families. Not highly identifying with girlie-girl culture, I don't mind stretching the term 'woman' to include a few others. I know who I am, and am happy with my identity.
I don't perceive trans people as being more threatening than anyone else about their usual business on the street or in a public toilet. Neither do I believe that trans people should be saints – merely as human as the rest of us, with the usual numbers of bad apples and criminal offenders.
I also recognise that Posie Parker and anti-trans messaging comes from a well-funded international right-wing political movement, which is cunning in its use of social media.
Stop making excusing for the violence against women meeted out by the trans rights activists at Albert Park. This is frankly a disgusting thing to do.
I might have some little bit of respect if the tras and the likes of Marama Davidson who when asked failed to condemn the violence against women (when she is Minister of Violence Prevention) had outright condemned the violence metted out by the angry, threatening menacing mob.
We have fought for years to stop this bloody blame the victim of violence agaubst women. Shame on you.
The older man whoever he was should be investigated by the police and charged if found he has a crime to answer for.
The only older man I saw at Albert Park was an old geezer who was pushed and shoved. Not by the Let women Speak mob.
Was this at the Auckland event? Or the Tasmanian one (I can't tell from the structure of your comment).
If it was the Auckland one, can you link – I've not seen this reported.
There is very little information over whether or not the 20-year old (apparently from Gisborne, not Tauranga) is or is not a man; or whether they self-ID as a woman, or as a man, or are an ally, or anything at all about their motivation.
The police statements, as far as I can see, appear to be gender neutral – and have shut down all further comment while the case is before the courts
It's the press who have reported that this person is a man.
https://www.1news.co.nz/2023/04/20/man-appears-in-court-accused-of-punching-woman-at-parker-rally/
There is, however, no doubt about the trans-woman who poured tomato juice over Parker. Her transition history is given in the linked article.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/300848339/protester-pleads-not-guilty-to-assault-after-throwing-juice-on-posie-parker
By their works shall ye know them.
And the trans activists' work is an elderly woman with a fractured skull.
If you think you can justify that, you'd better think again.
Actually, the violence happened because a violent person chose to engage in violent actions against someone else.
For which, they have been arrested and charged in court.
There is no excuse.
It doesn't matter what PP might have said earlier (there was no chance that anyone heard what she might have said that day – so she can hardly have inflamed the crowd)
Anyone can choose to participate in a protest. Can chant slogans, and wave signs, and make their voice and perspective heard *without* feeling the need to haul off and hit someone.
Being at a protest is, by definition, an environment of heightened emotion. People don't go and protest because they feel mild disagreement with someone or something – they care passionately.
However, choosing to cross the line into violence is not something that most of our society finds an easily forgivably transgression.
If the counter-protest was designed to be non-violent, then the protest organizers failed miserably in their organization. And have continued the failure by choosing not to condemn the violence which occurred.
Personally, I disagree with much of what I've read from PP. I find some of her rhetoric distasteful, and …. unkind … to say the least.
However, I do *not* support the violent suppression of free speech.
If you disagree with something, by all means express your disagreement. Present your arguments. But do not try to silence your opposition.
The cancel culture has gone more than far enough.
Regardless of what you believe in this particular situation – it's a profoundly dangerous principle to be espousing.
There is plenty of evidence of the danger of trans women in women's spaces in both the UK and US. You must remember that a male bodied person being allowed into women's change rooms automatically makes two sexual offences legal: voyerism and exhibitionism.
But that is only part of the arguement. You people don't understand that most people don't support gender self ID (vote compass poll before the last election, link previously posted on her and I will re link if required).
You people miss a good part of the gender critical arguement. It is not only about a direct threat to women (i.e. our objection to male bodied people in our change room). We just don't want to have a male bodied person in our change room while we are in a state of undress (and we are certainly not wanting a male bodied person in a state of undress in our change room) End of story. And I certainly object to a male bodied person being in women's change room with girls and teen girls.
Any decent male bodied person would get this point of view and not try and insert themselves in women's spaces. It speaks volumes about the male bodied people (transwomen) who don't respect this.
How about those women who support transwomen (male bodied people) in women's change room start using the mens change room in support of trans women, thus turning the men's into unisex???? How would that work for you?
David Fisher is a man and can present all the data he likes. He has no business arguing for transwomen in women's spaces. He is a man
Gotta love those free trade rules! Sure, sure it's technically correct, but is UK and Oz honey what you think of when you think of Manuka? This is how France must feel seeing us produce brie and camembert.
and
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/country/490383/new-zealand-manuka-honey-producers-lose-trademark-bid
Sorry Roy but when I think of Manuka honey I think of the bees having obtained their nectar from Manuka flowers and that is what happens in both Australia and New Zealand.
Provided you blood pressure is well under control I suggest you read this article. A warning though. It is not for the faint hearted. As it says
"The truth is, there are far more manuka trees in Australia than New Zealand. Australian manuka trees produce quality Australian Manuka Honey that is every bit as pure, natural, and beneficial to health."
https://simplyhoney.com.au/what-is-australian-manuka-honey/#:~:text=The%20truth%20is%2C%20there%20are,natural%2C%20and%20beneficial%20to%20health.
You can’t equate it to Brie and Camembert as both are geographical locations in France. We might have had a case if we had named it “New Zealand Leptospermum Scoparium” honey or suchlike.
Yes – so called 'branding' is an exercise in fetishism.
It's all in a name isn't it?
The alternative name to Manuka is Tea-tree, sometimes spelled Ti-tree.
Tea-tree oil is commonly used in soaps and cosmetics overseas and is one of the most effective natural remedies for head lice. Same here except we call it Manuka.
Splitting hairs here. But theoretically NZ producers can trademark the mācroned name, as, while there is a history of teetrees there being called manuka, the macron is local to Te Reo Māori and NZ.
A map of NZ with our NZ product label would differentiate our honey.
Apparently, the NZ manuka honey producers association has successfully trademarked Unique Mānuka Factor UMF TM. Australian honey producers are free to market their own validated bioactive trademark. It just can't be UMF.
The reason why Aussie honey producers want in is because NZ honey exports increased from $97k to $480k from 2010 to 2021. Most of this increased value is due to NZ investment in bioactive quality validation and to brand marketing into the wellness food space.
You can't import Australian honey to NZ, so UMF is all you'll get. For disease reasons, imports of honey can only come into NZ from a few Pacific Islands.
That sounds like a very good idea. I'm not a lawyer though.
I guess the problem would be that no-one living outside New Zealand would realise there was a difference between the word with and without the macron. They would probably assume a bad printing job for the label.
Map of NZ it is, then.
I'd have thought that going down the route that the EU uses in AOC (Appellation d'origine contrôlée) might well pay dividends on the trade side.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Appellation_d%27origine_contr%C3%B4l%C3%A9e
The latest Horizon poll – Labour and the Greens on 61 seats and able to form a government.
National on 23% support – which must be close to their historic low! Thanks, Christopher!
https://www.horizonpoll.co.nz/page/668/labour-and-
oh no!
and Horizon is so accurate!
What is your case for sneering@horizon…?
At first glance the regional info is impressive…and the clear explanation of the various coalition formulae is useful..
And national are a political party in decline..
They have no idea of what to do to fix what we face..
Just the same old same old key era styling promises for big tax cuts for the richest..and chewing gum tax givebacks for the rest of us…
The words coming from them only demonstrate that bankruptcy of ideas..
Words/promises/imperatives from a byegone era…and it shows..!
And voters eyes then flick to the raving loons they would be in coalition with..
And aside from that small tranche of true believers who vote for them..the rest of us just shift uneasily in our seats at the very thought of it…
One valuable role that act plays is that they make the greens seem…to middle new zealanders…with an ill-defined but growing environmental awareness..like a safe pair of hands..
Whereas act froth at the mouth at the idea of cutting benefits..and the like..
Total bastards..basically..
(And if I could shoehorn in a prediction… should nact get over the line..the country will explode into direct action on matters environmental..and the like..)
But back to my original question..what is yr problem with horizon..?
Absolutely! And the poll shows the right-wingers are turning to Act and NZ First (both in despair, I suspect!)
I don't have a problem with Horizon – however, looking at the combined results of polls over the last 5 months – they have National weighted way lower than any of the rest. Every other poll since the last one they did in January (where they had National at 27%) – has had National between 32-35%. We then go back to their previous poll in October (National 26%) – but every other poll between October and January had National between 32-40%
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opinion_polling_for_the_2023_New_Zealand_general_election
Now that may be accurate – they may have a hotline to the 'truth' (who knows until we get to October) – but when there is an outlier result like that, I'm more inclined to view it with several grains of salt.
The only explanation in their methodology I can see is that they only poll people who are 100% likely to vote. So are likely to get higher representation from those who are party loyalists who have already made up their minds. The relatively high ACT total (in comparison to other polls) would support this interpretation.
FWIW – I think that the right and left are too close to call ATM – as they have been for the last year or so.
As accurate as any other poll at this stage of the game!
The average home in the UK is now – 300,000 pounds.
Our's now $900,000 – at 50p, 450,000 pounds.
Our homes were value c$700,000 at the end of 2019, 350,000 pounds.