Open mike 23/04/2024
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6:00 am, April 23rd, 2024 - 7 comments
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Today is a Member's Day. First up is the committee stage of Teanau Tuiono's Restoring Citizenship Removed By Citizenship (Western Samoa) Act 1982 Bill. This will be followed by the second reading of Rima Nakhle's Corrections (Victim Protection) Amendment Bill. And then, finally, the House will get on to some ...49 mins ago - End the government, not te Tiriti
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Nicola Willis’ policies continue to slow the economy with more Kiwis out of work as a result. ...2 hours ago - Near four-year high unemployment reveals dire need for new direction
Today, Statistics New Zealand’s latest labour market report revealed that unemployment has reached 4.8 per cent, the highest rate since late 2020, during the COVID pandemic. ...3 hours ago - Release: Shovels in the ground this term unlikely
National looks set to break another election promise, this time by not beginning construction on a second Mt Victoria tunnel this term, Labour transport spokesperson Tangi Utikere said. ...6 hours ago
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The Green Party is urgently calling on Prime Minister Christopher Luxon to abandon the Treaty Principles Bill following reports it will be introduced on Thursday. ...18 hours ago
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Labour welcomes the conclusion of a trade deal with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) that was restarted under a Labour government after languishing for many years. ...2 days ago
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The Government should consider the outcome of an Auditor-General report into conflicts of interest before progressing the Fast track Approvals Bill through Parliament. ...2 days ago
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The National Government should review its support for Gumboot Friday after unacceptable comments by its leader and champion Mike King. ...6 days ago
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The Government has very conveniently cherry-picked data from the latest MSD projections to justify its cruel agenda and punch-down policy when it comes to people living in poverty. ...6 days ago
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The Green Party was appalled to hear Prime Minister Christopher Luxon claim we are “doing everything we can” on climate change, while his government does nothing to address emissions in our most polluting sector. ...1 week ago
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Te Pāti Māori is calling out the Government and New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) for their inaction and disgraceful downplaying of the impact caused by the sunken HMNZS Manawanui in Samoa. “We demand the Government move without further delay to clean up its shit from the sunken HMNZS Manawanui in Samoa,” said co-leader Debbie ...1 week ago
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Labour is backing Christchurch City Council’s decision not to do business with firms involved in Israel’s illegal settlements in the Occupied Territories. ...2 weeks ago
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The Government has created a hostile environment for companies seeking to build offshore wind farms. ...2 weeks ago
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The Green Party acknowledges the historical importance of MP Teanau Tuiono’s Member’s Bill, Restoring Citizenship Removed By Citizenship (Western Samoa) Act 1982 Bill, passing its second reading in Parliament today. ...2 weeks ago
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Te Pāti Māori is enraged at the National government’s ruthless punishment of beneficiaries, all while jobs are disappearing. MSD data shows a 133% increase in sanctions over the past year, with over 14,000 sanctions in just three months. The kicker? The jobs this government insists people should find are nowhere ...2 weeks ago
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Te Pāti Māori MP for Waiariki, Rawiri Waititi, says today’s police-sponsored terrorism in Ōpōtiki is a continuation of the State’s predatory behaviour towards the iwi of Te Whakatōhea. "Ōpōtiki is once again being intentionally targeted and is the direct byproduct of this Government’s 'tough on crime' legislative changes,” said MP ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Govt cuts school lunches even further
The Government has gone back on its word and cut the full school lunch programme in primary schools after saying it wouldn’t. ...2 weeks ago
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The Government is subverting parliamentary process on laws the evidence already shows don’t work. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Labour calls for investigation into tobacco tax cut
The Government’s decision to award a $216 million tax break for Philip Morris’ heated tobacco products reeks of tobacco industry interference and needs to be thoroughly investigated. ...2 weeks ago
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The National Government is treading water on a much-needed review of the Retirement Villages Act, kicking any amendments down the road till the next parliamentary term in 2027. ...2 weeks ago
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Despite resounding public opposition, the fast-track legislation is being pushed through Parliament with provisions that could have real consequences for people and planet. ...3 weeks ago
- Release: Labour supports continuing fight for dairy access
Labour welcomes the National Government’s decision to further pursue our access to the Canadian dairy market under the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) ...3 weeks ago
- Release: Job losses devastating for Timaru
Confirmed news that the Smithfield meatworks will close is devastating for the hundreds of people who work there, Timaru and the wider region. ...3 weeks ago
- New Zealand First Member’s Bill to Improve Access to Palliative Care
New Zealand First has introduced a Member’s Bill which aims to improve access to palliative care for all New Zealanders, ensuring kiwis have better access to the compassionate palliative support they may need. The ‘Improving Access to Palliative Care Bill’ seeks to guarantee that every New Zealander has the right ...3 weeks ago
- Release: Further uncertainty for Kiwirail as jobs set to go
KiwiRail offering voluntary redundancy to all its staff is hugely concerning given the future of New Zealand’s rail system is under threat. ...3 weeks ago
- ASA Declares Hobson’s Pledge Advertising Misleading and Socially Irresponsible
Te Pāti Māori Co-leaders Rawiri Waititi and Debbie Ngarewa-Packer welcome today’s ruling from the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA), which found that a Hobson's Pledge advertisement regarding customary marine titles was misleading and socially irresponsible. The two-page wraparound ad, published in The New Zealand Herald, suggested that nearly the entire coastline ...3 weeks ago
- Safe, secure digital identity services on the way
New Zealanders can expect safe and secure digital identity services following the finalisation of the Digital Identity Services Trust Framework, Minister for Digitising Government Judith Collins says. “New Zealanders want to be able to complete everyday tasks online and in person in a way that’s safe and secure,” Ms Collins ...2 hours ago - Base Woodbourne resolution with Kurahaupō Iwi
The Government and three Kurahaupō Iwi have signed a $25.2million agreement to resolve the post-Treaty settlement issue of contaminated land at RNZAF Base Woodbourne. Ngāti Apa ki te Rā Tō Trust, Rangitāne o Wairau Settlement Trust, and Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Kuia each received $8.4 million after contaminated soil at ...3 hours ago
- Beefing up red meat marketing in China
The Government is joining the next phase of the ‘Taste Pure Nature’ campaign that will position New Zealand beef and lamb as the highest-quality red meats of choice for Chinese consumers, Agriculture and Trade Minister Todd McClay announced at a signing ceremony in China today. “Today I am announcing that ...15 hours ago
- Oranga Tamariki Oversight Bill passes first reading
Legislation to strengthen oversight of the Oranga Tamariki system has passed its first reading in Parliament today, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “These changes will build on New Zealand’s current child protection system by clarifying the roles and responsibilities of the agencies that oversee it, including greater ...22 hours ago
- NZTA confirms preferred option for second Mt Vic Tunnel and SH1 upgrades
The NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) Board has confirmed next steps on the SH1 Wellington Improvements Road of National Significance (RoNS), including an expanded package to reduce Wellington’s gridlock and support economic growth, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Our Government is committed to delivering a second Mt Victoria Tunnel for Wellington to ...23 hours ago
- Appointments strengthen Conservation Boards
The latest Conservation Board appointments will help to strengthen environmental efforts across Aotearoa New Zealand, Conservation Minister Tama Potaka says. Mr Potaka today announced 64 appointments to the country’s 14 Conservation Boards. “Conservation Boards play a vital role as liaison between DOC with their regions, making their community’s voice heard ...1 day ago
- First steps towards National Infrastructure Plan
Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop has welcomed the first steps from the Infrastructure Commission in developing New Zealand’s 30-year National Infrastructure Plan. The Commission today released a discussion document which outlines the Commission’s thinking in developing the 30-year plan, including looking at what’s needed over the next 30 years, what our ...1 day ago
- Stats show Medsafe accelerates approval assessments
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- New rules mean faster payment times for small businesses
New requirements for government agencies to pay their invoices faster and adopt labour-saving technology are an important part of our plan to rebuild the economy and support small businesses, Small Business and Manufacturing Minister Andrew Bayly and Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee say. “The Government is ambitious about lifting New ...1 day ago
- Speech – Diwali 2024
Namaste. Namaskar. Namaskaram. Vanakkam. Sat Sri Akal. Kem chho. Greetings to you all. It is my great privilege, as Minister for Ethnic Communities, to host this year’s Diwali Celebration at Parliament. I am truly excited to be with you all for Diwali as your Minister, and I warmly welcome each ...2 days ago
- Accelerating maths achievement for Kiwi kids
The Government is continuing to transform maths education, by trialling a targeted maths acceleration programme to give more Kiwi kids confidence in mathematics. “After discovering just 22 per cent of Year 8 students are at the expected standard for maths, we launched our Make it Count Action Plan to give our ...2 days ago
- Government’s creative sector strategy released
The Government’s creative sector strategy is designed to increase Kiwis’ engagement with culture and creativity and to boost its economic contribution, Arts Minister Paul Goldsmith says. “Amplify has been released for public consultation and I encourage people to read the strategy and to share their feedback. “There’s an opportunity to ...2 days ago
- On-sold programme changes bring resolution to homeowners and taxpayers
Associate Finance Minister David Seymour has asked the Natural Hazards Commission (NHC) to make changes to how it delivers the On-sold support package to prevent a cost blowout while helping eligible homeowners repair their homes in a timely manner. The On-sold programme was set up by the Government in 2019 ...2 days ago
- Todd McClay to lead large trade mission to China
Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay will lead a large trade delegation to the 7th annual China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai next week, followed by a visit to Guangzhou. This year, almost 70 New Zealand companies will participate in CIIE, to interact with over 3,400 exhibitors and 410,000 visitors. “This ...3 days ago
- New Charter to guarantee better access for hunting and fishing
Minister for Hunting and Fishing Todd McClay has today launched an Access Charter (the Charter) to ensure better access for recreational hunting and fishing on public conservation land (PCL) across New Zealand. “This Charter establishes guiding principles for the Department of Conservation (DOC) to provide clear and transparent decisions on ...4 days ago
- Pou Whenua blessing honours Tongariro
A beautiful new Pou Whenua at the beginning of the Tongariro Alpine Crossing will introduce visitors to the sacred landscape they are entering, says Conservation Minister Tama Potaka. Mr Potaka attended a blessing for the specially carved Pou Whenua at Mangatepopo, at the start of the track on 1 November. ...5 days ago
- New members appointed to the NZTA Board
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has today announced two new appointments to the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) Board. Mary-Anne Macleod and Mike Rudge have both been appointed as members for three-year terms commencing 1 November 2024 and ending 31 October 2027. “Transport is a critical part of our Government’s plan ...5 days ago
- Welcome relief from new oestradiol gel funding
Associate Health Minister David Seymour is welcoming Pharmac’s funding of oestradiol gel, following global shortages of oestradiol patches earlier this year. “I’m well aware of the stress caused by the global shortage earlier this year. At the time I said I was confident Pharmac was working hard to find a ...5 days ago
- Deputy Prime Minister visit to Australia
Foreign Minister and Racing Minister Winston Peters will visit Australia next week. “Australia is New Zealand’s closest partner, and we are pleased to make this second official visit there for 2024 following the first ever Foreign and Defence Ministers 2+2 Meeting between our two countries in Melbourne in January,” ...5 days ago
- Applications now open for new training pathway
Applications have now opened for tertiary education organisations to seek Government funding to develop New Zealand’s first postgraduate diploma programme for associate psychologists, Minister for Mental Health Matt Doocey announced today. “Investment in this new training pathway supports the Government’s target to grow our mental health and addiction workforce and ...5 days ago
- Increased medicines access continues following budget boost
Associate Health Minister with responsibility for Pharmac David Seymour is pleased to see further increased availability of medicines for Kiwis following the Government’s increased investment in Pharmac. “Pharmac operates independently, but it must work within the budget constraints set by the Government,” says Mr Seymour. “When this Government assumed office, ...5 days ago
- New Zealand concludes high quality trade deal with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)
New Zealand and the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have concluded negotiations on a trade agreement that will open up significant opportunities for New Zealand exporters in the Gulf region, Minister for Trade and Agriculture Todd McClay announced from Doha today. Today’s announcement follows significant reengagement with the GCC following meetings ...6 days ago
- Government seeks views on remote court attendance
The Government is exploring how to modernise the law around people attending court remotely, to support access to justice and enhance court performance. Courts Minister Nicole McKee says the current law has not kept up with evolving court practices and public attitudes to the use of remote technology, nor been ...6 days ago
- Breast screening age extension begins in Nelson Marlborough
Free breast screening has been extended for 70 to 74-year-old women living in the Nelson Marlborough district, ahead of a national roll-out late next year, Health Minister Dr Shane Reti announced today. “Breast cancer is the most common cancer in New Zealand with about 3,400 women diagnosed with the disease ...6 days ago
- Te Māori Manaaki Taonga Trust Board strengthened
He toi whakairo, he mana tangata. The reappointment of one trustee and the appointment of four new trustees to the Te Māori Manaaki Taonga Trust Board will enable the legacy of Te Māori to be carried forward into the future, Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka and Arts Minister Paul Goldsmith ...6 days ago
- Affordable housing project supporting home ownership
Up to 300 affordable, healthy, community-tailored homes helping to support home ownership are set to be built in eastern Porirua, supported by Government funding for Our Whare Our Fale through the Building Homes for Pacific in Porirua initiative, Minister for Pacific Peoples Dr Shane Reti and Associate Housing Minister Tama ...6 days ago
- Dire benefit forecasts show the need for Welfare that Works
A new report that forecasts young people on benefits will spend an average of 20 more years relying on welfare underscores the need for the Government’s reforms, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. MSD’s latest Benefit System Insights report, released today, which estimates how many future years different ...6 days ago
- Trade Minister travels to Doha for GCC trade discussions
Trade Minister Todd McClay will hold trade discussions with Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) trade ministers in Doha this week. Minister McClay will meet with all six GCC Trade Ministers, as well as the GCC Secretary General. “This will be my seventh visit to the region this year including two Ministerial ...1 week ago
- Podiatry prescribers will boost patient care
Health Minister Dr Shane Reti and Associate Minister David Seymour say it’s great news that podiatrists will soon be able to prescribe medicines, meaning patients with painful foot and leg conditions don’t have to make a separate trip to the doctor. “This simple step means a big change for people ...1 week ago
- Historic redress inequities finally resolved for Lake Alice Unit survivors
The Government is addressing historic redress inequities for some survivors abused at the Lake Alice Child and Adolescent Unit. In 2001, the Crown reached a $6.5 million group settlement with 95 survivors subjected to abuse at the Lake Alice Unit. Law firm Grant Cameron & Associates (now GCA Lawyers) represented ...1 week ago
- ERO report shows Government’s truancy emphasis is vital
Associate Education Minister David Seymour says that the Education Review Office’s (ERO) timely report on chronic school absence released today is further evidence of a truancy crisis. “Chronic absence has doubled since 2015. This report reinforces that action is needed to ensure this generation reaches its full potential,” says Associate ...1 week ago
- Minister welcomes business view on AML
Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee welcomes BusinessNZ’s report which addresses reducing the compliance burden on small businesses. “The challenges outlined in the report released today echo many of the concerns I have heard from businesses, which have informed my Anti Money Laundering/Countering Financing Terrorism (AML/CFT) priorities,” she says. “I have ...1 week ago
- Mangamuka Gorge opening in time for Christmas
State Highway 1 through the Mangamuka Gorge will be open for Christmas, with critical work currently underway to clear the large slips and dropouts that have caused significant disruption for Northlanders trying to get where they want to go quickly and safely, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “The Mangamuka Gorge ...1 week ago
- Trusted building professionals able to self-certify
The Government is proposing further significant action to reform the building and construction sector to support more affordable homes and a stronger economy, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “If we want to grow the economy, lift incomes, create jobs and build more affordable, quality homes we need a ...1 week ago
- New appointments to the TEC board
Dr Alan Bollard CNZM and Mr Bharat Guha have been appointed to the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) board, Tertiary Education and Skills Minister Penny Simmonds says. “I would like to welcome the two new members joining the TEC board,” Ms Simmonds says. “Dr Alan Bollard CNZM is an experienced public ...1 week ago
- Move to fast-track overseas doctors welcomed
Fast tracking applications for registration by eligible specialist doctors wanting to practice in New Zealand is in line with the Government’s push to improve the health outcomes for New Zealanders, Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says. This fast-track pathway applies to specialists trained in anaesthesia, dermatology, emergency medicine, general practice, ...1 week ago
- Address to Western Sydney University: Constitutional and Rule of Law challenges in current global en...
Tēnā koutou Nau mai haere mai ki tenei hui Thank you to Vice Chancellor Williams, and the University of Western Sydney, for inviting me to speak today. I speak to you today in my capacity as Attorney-General – the New Zealand Crown’s Senior Law Officer. In this capacity, I serve ...1 week ago
- Security advice for start-ups welcomed
Minister responsible for the security and intelligence agencies Judith Collins has welcomed new guidance that aims to protect New Zealand’s start-up and emerging technology sector from the threat of economic espionage. “We are a nation well-known for our ingenuity, and our willingness to openly collaborate in the spirit of enterprise ...1 week ago
- Funding support to strengthen frontline volunteer service organisations
The Government has approved $23.1 million for four critical frontline volunteer service organisations to replace storm-damaged assets and provide training and equipment to improve New Zealand’s response to future emergency events, Transport Minister Simeon Brown and Associate Transport Minister Matt Doocey says. $14.6 million for Surf Life Saving New ...1 week ago
- Jones heads to international mining conference
Resources Minister Shane Jones will speak at Australia's largest annual mining event in Sydney this week to mark New Zealand’s return to the international industry stage. Mr Jones will attend the International Mining and Resources Conference (IMARC) where he will update the sector’s most influential players on the work the ...1 week ago
- How does a jury reach a conclusion? A new SBS show painstakingly recreates details to take us behind...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Xanthe Mallett, Forensic Criminologist, University of Newcastle SBS Juries are the bedrock of common law, and have been used for centuries to decide factual issues before the court. Jury research has for years attempted to improve our understanding of how ...28 mins ago - David Seymour defends timing of Treaty Principals Bill debate
Act Party Leader and Minister responsible for the bill David Seymour denies the Treaty Principles Bill has been brought forward and says it is a normal part of parliamentary business. ...47 mins ago - Republican Kimberlyn King-Hinds wins delegate race in CNMI
By Mark Rabago, RNZ Pacific Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas correspondent Kimberlyn King-Hind, from the CNMI Republican Party, won the race for the CNMI’s lone non-voting delegate in the US House of Representatives on Tuesday. The delegate position was one of 61 races up for grabs in the 2024 CNMI ...58 mins ago
- $25m Te Tiriti redress deal agreed for contaminated Blenheim land
Soil polluted with PFAS at Woodbourne Air Force base prevented three Kurahaupō iwi getting land it wanted as part of the redress. ...1 hour ago
- Treaty Principals Bill introduction this week not a surprise – Seymour
Act Party Leader and Minister responsible for the bill David Seymour denies the Treaty Principles Bill has been brought forward and says it is a normal part of parliamentary business. ...2 hours ago
- The great Spinoff pet review of RNZ Concert’s Guy Fawkes programme
Pets of The Spinoff tuned in to RNZ Concert last night to catch its special programme for animals. Here’s what they thought. We deeply and unreservedly apologise for not having photos of all the pets. Molly (cat) Molly mostly just wanted her second dinner. She did go scratch on ...2 hours ago - ‘Be professional and politically neutral’: Public Services Commissioner to public servan...
The new Public Service Commissioner has joined coalition voices in criticising a health official as "unprofessional" for characterising some ministerial work as "crap" in an internal email. ...2 hours ago
- Council backtracks on decision to reject mobile sauna location
The deputy mayor has admitted he went away and did some homework. ...3 hours ago
- Corrections axes mental health contracts for jails
The axing of five community providers' contracts comes after an internal review recommended a shake-up of how Corrections provides mental health support. ...3 hours ago
- Unemployment rises to near four-year high
Official figures show the annual unemployment rate for the three months ended September rose to 4.8 percent. ...3 hours ago
- Unemployment Rate At 4.8 Percent
The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate, as measured by the Household Labour Force Survey, was 4.8 percent in the September 2024 quarter, compared with 4.6 percent in the previous quarter. ...3 hours ago - IRD Have Lied To New Zealanders, Heads Must Roll
...4 hours ago
- Inland Revenue’s apology for privacy breach of people’s details questioned by taxpayers&...
IRD discovered a breach of 268,000 people's details last month while reviewing its practice of sharing encrypted taxpayers' details with social media platforms. ...4 hours ago
- My Greatest Trip: My awkward high-school exchange to Germany
Hera Lindsay Bird on her Bildungsroman. I would never have gone to Germany if it wasn’t for the bee sting. At primary school, I belonged to an evil quartet of girls. It feels imprecise to call them friends. They were more like coworkers, in the great open-plan office of primary ...4 hours ago
- Impact assessment needed before final decision on use of force in youth boot camps – Children&...
Dr Claire Achmad says "we must be very cautious here", and take time to thoroughly consider the issue from all children's rights angles. ...4 hours ago
- The Auckland home that lost $100,000 in 20 years
It was bought for $205,235 in June 2000, and sold for $87,000 last week. ...5 hours ago
- Private health insurers are now offering GP telehealth services. Is this a risk to Medicare?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Yuting Zhang, Professor of Health Economics, The University of Melbourne Gorodenkoff/Shutterstock Australia’s second-largest private health insurer, Bupa, has recently started offering its members three free GP telehealth consultations a year. This follows other insurers such as nib offering its members digital ...5 hours ago
- School ovals and playgrounds are sitting unused. Why aren’t more open to the community?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Paul Kidson, Senior Lecturer in Educational Leadership, Australian Catholic University William Edge/ Shutterstock Schools are full of extremely useful and valuable facilities. These include playing fields, play equipment, sandpits, netball courts, concert halls, libraries and even pools. But these are ...5 hours ago
- New Zealanders in London are engaging in competitive ‘overtourism’. Can we redeem the classic OE...
Pressure to visit as many European destinations as possible is causing harm to local communities and the climate. Is there an alternative? If any feature of London showcases its scale of possibilities to a new arrival from Aotearoa, it’s the city’s six airports. Six. Each with their own trainline, Pret ...5 hours ago
- US election live blog
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Amanda Dunn, Politics + Society Editor The Conversation, Shutterstock Hit refresh to get the latest updates 📍 Pinned Justin Bergman, International Affairs Editor Welcome to our live blog of the US election, where we will be posting the latest news, ...6 hours ago
- The frozen carbon of the northern permafrost is on the move – we estimated by how much
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Pep Canadell, Chief Research Scientist, CSIRO Environment; Executive Director, Global Carbon Project, CSIRO Margo Photography, Shutterstock Among the most rapidly changing parts of our planet are the coldest landscapes near the top of the globe, just south of the Arctic. This ...6 hours ago
- A tribute in Akaroa to Owen Marshall of Timaru
I first met Owen Marshall the way you should always meet a writer: on the page, in a story in Landfall in 1982. I was teaching English in Palmerston North, at a time when ‘English’ for decades had meant just that: English stories told by English and a smattering of ...6 hours ago - School lunch questions: ‘None of those things have been made clear to us’
A principal weighing up whether to continue with the school lunches programme next year says there are a lot of unknowns. ...6 hours ago
- Treaty Principles Bill: ‘Paruwaru’ politics doesn’t stop hīkoi for kotahitanga
A hīkoi from the top of the North Island to Wellington is still on, despite the Treaty Principles Bill being introduced to Parliament ahead of schedule. ...6 hours ago
- Conflicts over conflicts: Why perception in politics matters
Tensions over tobacco regulations hit boiling point in parliament yesterday, writes Stewart Sowman-Lund in this extract from The Bulletin. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign up here. ...7 hours ago
- The longest commute, day three: Joel is crawling to Christchurch
Joel MacManus attempts to travel from the bottom to the top of the country without a car or plane. Today: can he finally leave Te Waipounamu? The mission: Get from Stewart Island to Cape Reinga as fast as possible using only public transport. Wherever I can, I’ll travel by train. ...7 hours ago
- Inland Revenue told to allow taxpayers to opt out of social media data sharing
IRD says it will still use social media for marketing but stop using targeted lists of customers - though it did not rule out that approach being reactivated in future. ...7 hours ago
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Police have begun gradually reducing their response to mental health callouts, with health staff expected to step up. Here’s what you need to know. The changes to police’s mental health response, led by NZ Police, the Ministry of Health and Te Whatu Ora, were revealed at the beginning of 2024, ...9 hours ago
- How I’ve had to rethink AI’s potential
Opinion: If we keep our BS radar on high alert, maybe it can be a 24/7 useful business partner The post How I’ve had to rethink AI’s potential appeared first on Newsroom. ...9 hours ago
- Billion-dollar firm founder ‘stacks the deck’ with leaked recording
A leaked recording reveals the Kiwi founder of the billion-dollar supplements company AG1 misrepresented his criminal history in public statements and in a meeting with the company president and staff this year.Responding to a query from a YouTuber, Chris Ashenden’s high-powered American lawyer claimed he had never been charged with ...9 hours ago
- AI ate my homework
New versions of Artificial Intelligence are changing the education system and helping students get away with cheating.Some schools and universities have gone back to classic pen and paper exams and handwritten assignments, and have scrapped online tests after teachers noticed an increase in cheating using AI technology.Some places, like parts ...9 hours ago
- Reserve Bank taking stock of private equity’s economic risk
Central banks are beginning to take notice of financial stability threats created by the rise of private equity The post Reserve Bank taking stock of private equity’s economic risk appeared first on Newsroom. ...9 hours ago
- Tribunal and Govt play chicken, on high speed collision course
Analysis: An urgent Waitangi Tribunal report finds the Treaty Principles Bill would be ‘the worst, most comprehensive breach’ of te Tiriti in modern times. The post Tribunal and Govt play chicken, on high speed collision course appeared first on Newsroom. ...9 hours ago
- The magical spell of Katherine Mansfield
Nina Mingya Powles grew up in Thorndon near Katherine Mansfield’s Wellington home. She felt that Mansfield “loomed” over her childhood. Later she became entranced by her life, her writing and her humour. Powles is an internationally acclaimed writer and published poet living in the UK.
https://player.vimeo.com/api/player.jsHer poem If Katherine Mansfield Were My ...
9 hours ago - What retirees want in 2024: Retirement villages need to evolve with the population
The latest census data released in early October offered a statistical glimpse at the changing face of New Zealand.Captured in 2023, the census showed signs of a few extra wrinkles with a staggering 1.1 million New Zealand residents now aged older than 60 – the latest reminder of how quickly ...9 hours ago
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If EV purchasing had continued along the pre-election trend, the clean vehicle fleet would be 12 percent larger than it currently is The post New Zealand now 14,000 EVs short after subsidy scrapped appeared first on Newsroom. ...9 hours ago
- US election: MAGAmania on display in final push
“When that didn’t work, some madman tried to take his life,” says Eric Trump. “And the whole time, guys, he stood up and said three simple words: Fight! Fight! Fight!”Trump’s son knows the crowd is riled up. It’s election eve in arguably the most important state in the country and ...9 hours ago
- Daily crossword, Wednesday 6 November
The post Daily crossword, Wednesday 6 November appeared first on Newsroom. ...9 hours ago
- Newsroom daily quiz, Wednesday 6 November
Loading…(function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){var ql=document.querySelectorAll('A,DIV,A[data-quiz],DIV[data-quiz]'); if(ql){if(ql.length){for(var k=0;k<ql.length;k++){ql[k].id='quiz-embed-'+k;ql[k].href="javascript:var i=document.getElementById('quiz-embed-"+k+"');try{qz.startQuiz(i)}catch(e){i.start=1;i.style.cursor='wait';i.style.opacity='0.5'};void(0);"}}};i['QP']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){(i[r].q=i[r].q||[]).push(arguments)},i[r].l=1*new Date();a=s.createElement(o),m=s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];a.async=1;a.src=g;m.parentNode.insertBefore(a,m)})(window,document,'script','https://take.quiz-maker.com/3012/CDN/quiz-embed-v1.js','qp');Got a good quiz question? Send Newsroom your questions.The post Newsroom daily quiz, Wednesday 6 November appeared first on Newsroom. ...9 hours ago
- A court’s ‘disastrous’ reasonableness hits Southland
Analysis: Strip away the histrionics and hyperbole and a Court of Appeal decision on a Southland water rule is simple The post A court’s ‘disastrous’ reasonableness hits Southland appeared first on Newsroom. ...9 hours ago
The server will be getting hardware changes this evening starting at 10pm NZDT.
The site will be off line for some hours.
Private Prison expansion seems one likely goal of Act re Three Strikes. Bump up the numbers, increase profits for capital–baked beans on paper plates with a side of brutality.
Kelvin Davis and Labour actually got the numbers down by several thousand with simple measures such as supplying assistance to illiterate inmates to fill out forms!–which previously had kept people in for months because paper trails had not been completed. Of course various people (Natzos) said that numbers should not be reduced! and Labour planned to reduce their initial 30% reduction target–but–the point I am making is the difference between a punitive and rehabilitative approach.
Bar Capital Punishment, incarceration is the strongest penalty the state and society can apply to an individual, and for profit parasites are the last lot that should be running jails.
Where I live in Tai Tokerau one of the common reasons for getting stopped by cops is “driving while Māori”, cops photograph and take DNA from young Māori with no lawful cause–they do it because they generally get away with it and Three Strikes is just going to add to the profiling and racism.
The prisons have been on my mind lately. After hearing the chief wallah from the prison inspectorate give a very grim view of the state of the prisons.
Too many inmates kept in solitary (more than 22 hours a day) with the main reason being short staffed.
How can a private provider do better while making a return for their shareholders?
Efficiency and other lies only go so far.
For anyone interested in getting some answers about what the Government is (not) trying to achieve, New Zealand First are having public meetings this week.
Public Meetings
What it says on the box.
Gift Links/Gift Articles
by @davidsacerdote.bsky.social
Gift links or Gift Articles – paywall bypassing links to major publications including The New York Times & Washington Post. Full list at https://pastebin.com/ZfDPqMWU
Like and pin this feed so you and others can find it easily.
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Israel smeared UNRWA. And the world fell for it.
//
Israel has yet to provide supporting evidence of its claims that employees of the UN relief agency Unrwa are members of terrorist organisations, an independent review led by the former French foreign minister Catherine Colonna has said.
The Colonna report, which was commissioned by the UN in the wake of Israeli allegations, found that Unrwa had regularly supplied Israel with lists of its employees for vetting, and that “the Israeli government has not informed Unrwa of any concerns relating to any Unrwa staff based on these staff lists since 2011”.
[…]
The Colonna review, an assessment of Unrwa’s neutrality drafted with the help of three Nordic research institutes and due to be published later on Monday, makes clear that Israel has yet to substantiate any of its broader claims about the involvement of Unrwa staff in Hamas or Islamic Jihad.
It notes that in March “Israel made public claims that a significant number of Unrwa employees are members of terrorist organisations”. “However, Israel has yet to provide supporting evidence of this,” the report says.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/apr/22/israel-unrwa-staff-terrorist-links-yet-to-provide-evidence-colonna-report
Big Hairy News deconstruct the recent Q+A interview with the Israeli ambassador. Chewie chews out the ambassador's arguments. BHN Facebook 23 April 2024 13:30.
The National Party and Chris Bishop have a little list
and none of them’ll be missed
I’m sure they won’t be missed