Open mike 23/06/2024
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6:00 am, June 23rd, 2024 - 28 comments
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- Justice served?
Sun is up, I'm a messGotta get out now, gotta run from thisHere comes the shame, here comes the shameYesterday Golriz Ghahraman’s fall from grace was complete. Convicted and sentenced, more harshly that I’d anticipated. In my view Golriz had suffered quite disproportionally already, considering the nature of her crime. ...3 hours ago - Skeptical Science New Research for Week #26 2024
Open access notables Tipping point in ice-sheet grounding-zone melting due to ocean water intrusion, Bradley & Hewitt, Nature Geoscience: Here we develop a model to capture the feedback between intruded ocean water, the melting it induces and the resulting changes in ice geometry. We reveal a sensitive dependence of the ...15 hours ago - At the start of 2020, no-one was in a position to say where that virus was taking us
Some of the wilder things that have crossed our paths in the last couple of weeks:Wilder thing #1: A snake sunning itself on the hot asphalt as we came riding towards itDick was in front and was slowing down to take a picture, thinking it to be another carcass.But this ...19 hours ago - Climate Change: A strapped chicken “review”
As part of its coalition agreement, the climate-change denier National government promised its climate-change denier coalition partners a review of our agricultural methane reduction target. Today they announced the members of their "independent" review, and released its terms of reference. I'm not familiar with the academic records of the panel, ...21 hours ago - In Praise of National.
And you can see it in the way they look at youFeel it in the way they treat youAlways the last to knowAlways the first to leaveJust let them walk all over youLaugh through the punches and the painLet the life-blood drain away from youThey're right, you're wrongOK, first things ...1 day ago - Six incredibly popular climate policiesThis is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Karin Kirk Astrong majority of registered voters support certain policies aimed at tackling climate change, according to recent research by the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication (the publisher of this site) and the Center for Climate Change Communication at George Mason ...1 day ago
- Gordon Campbell on the freeing of Julian Assange
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A note to readers This satirical post is based on this document. Received from Auckland Transport under a LGOIMA request. the document reveals the ranking process used by the working group for the Regional Land Transport Plan (RLTP). It shows how the RLTP working group (Auckland Transport, KiwiRail, NZTA/Waka Kotahi, and ...1 day ago - Bernard’s mid-winter pick ‘n’ mix for Thursday, June 27
TL;DR: Six things from Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy I think are worth noting on the morning of Thursday, June 27:The NZIER has estimated almost a third of new spending in Budget 2024 will have worsened the Government’s Paris agreement climate liability, which Treasury has already estimated at up to $23.7 billion. ...1 day ago - The Strange Split Reality of Brooke Fraser
Hi,Four days ago New Zealand pop royalty Brooke Fraser broke yet another record — largest attendance for a Kiwi solo artist at her Spark Arena gig.She was joined on stage by the Auckland Philharmonia orchestra, Radio New Zealand gushing that it was “hard to pick a singular high point of ...2 days ago - Tax the rich!Whenever people make the perfectly sensible suggestion that the world could solve its problems by taxing billionaires, the latter's stooges flood the zone with claims it would never work. Apparently billionaires are so inherently criminal that they would evade such taxes, laundering their money and hiding it in criminal jurisdictions ...2 days ago
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Breathe.Inhale deeply through your nose, and hold it.Open your mouth slightly. Exhale slowly, feel the breath passing over your lips.Hear it. You’re alive.Statistically, if the last government hadn’t taken the actions it did, about twenty of you, even in my small audience, would be dead now. If I do a ...2 days ago - Growing affordability concerns over power and housing
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The audio in today’s newsletter contains a conversation I had last year with journalist Elizabeth Williamson, author of an incredibly moving book on Sandy Hook. We talked America, conspiracies, and Alex Jones. It’s been gathering dust for reasons we’ll get to, but I wanted to share our conversation today. ...2 days ago - The real reasons why Councils opposed Three WatersThe anti Three Waters campaign which seemed so simple during the election campaign is now bogged down in a Select Committee as submitter after submitter raises issues with the replacement legislation. The so-called “Local Water Done Well” has now morphed into the Local Government (Water Services Preliminary Arrangements) Bill, which ...2 days ago
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- A privilege
3 days ago - Unbridled power againThere's a couple of pieces about architect-of-our-constitution Geoffrey palmer's views on the current government doing the rounds today. The first, on Newsroom is an excerpt from a speech he gave to a Young Labour meeting last weekend, in which he says NZ an executive paradise, not democratic paradise. The Spinoff ...3 days ago
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Confidence about future job availability collapsed after Budget 2024 to lows last seen during the the Global Financial Crisis of 2008/09. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Employee confidence in more jobs being available in a year’s time collapsed in the first two weeks of June after the Budget, falling ...3 days ago - “I Don't Care”
Walking through the rooms in my headI came across your image,You looked at me with that sweet smile and saidSomething they won't let me repeatWe hurt the ones we love the mostIts a subtle form of complimentAfter you’ve watched Christopher Luxon for a while you think to yourself - that ...3 days ago - Gordon Campbell on cancer drugs, and the Great Ferries Cancellation Disaster of ’23The decision taken last December to cancel the contract for the two purpose-built Cook Strait ferries – without having a Plan B in mind, let alone in place – has been a calamity that’s going to haunt New Zealand for decades to come, long after the Luxon government has been ...3 days ago
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- Public Service Day
Good morn or evening friendsHere's your friendly announcerI have serious news to pass on to everybodyWhat I'm about to sayCould mean the world's disasterCould change your joy and laughter to tears and painIt's thatLove's in need of love todayDon't delaySend yours in right awayHate's goin' 'roundBreaking many heartsStop it pleaseBefore ...5 days ago - When is a road of National significance not a road of National significance?
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- Aotearoa Runs Aground
Your face has fallen sad nowFor you know the time is nighWhen I must remove your wingsAnd you, you must try to flyCome sail your ships around meAnd burn your bridges downWe make a little history, babyEvery time you come aroundWhen I went to bed last night I thought the ...6 days ago - Wagon keeps movin'
6 days ago - Mainstreaming Māori
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- Christopher Luxon is – Big in Japan
This week our Prime Minister Christopher Luxon… mmm, let’s take a moment to consider just how good that sounds. Hope you weren’t eating.Anyway that guy. Better? That bloke from the telly, he said - what I would say to you is… I’m big in Japan. My kind of people, hard ...1 week ago - Weekly Roundup 21-June-2024Tis the winter solstice! The shortest day and longest night of the year. The good news: we’re on our way back to summertime. Here’s another roundup of stories to brighten up your Friday. Our header image is from CRL and shows Waihorotiu Station lit up for Matariki 2024. The ...1 week ago
- Bernard’s mid-winter pick ‘n’ mix for Friday, June 21
1 week ago - The Futility of Punishment
Hi,I was in Texas recently and couldn’t stop thinking about how in some parts of America they really like to kill their prisoners. As a society we tend to agree murder is wrong, but somewhere along the way Texas figured it’s fine if it’s after 6pm and the killing is ...1 week ago - The new Beehive approach to the environmentA persistent theme has been weaving between the Committee rooms at Parliament all this so-called “Scrutiny” week as MPs have probed Ministers and agencies about their work and plans. The question has been simply what the environmental price might be if the country begins to accelerate its infrastructure building to ...1 week ago
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Turn awayIf you could, get me a drinkOf water 'cause my lips are chapped and fadedCall my Aunt MarieHelp her gather all my thingsAnd bury me in all my favourite coloursMy sisters and my brothers, stillI will not kiss you'Cause the hardest part of this is leaving youI remember the ...1 week ago - Gordon Campbell on why we shouldn’t buy new planes for the PMIts not often that one has to agree with Judith Collins, but yes, it would indeed cost “hundreds of millions of dollars” (at least) to buy replacement aircraft to fly the Prime Minister on his overseas missions of diplomacy and trade. And yes, the public might well regard that spending ...1 week ago
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- Bernard’s mid-winter pick ‘n’ mix for Thursday, June 20
Social Development Minister Louise Upston has defended the Government’s decision to save money by dumping a programme which tops up the pay of disabled workers. Photo: Lynn GrievesonTL;DR: It has emerged the National-ACT-NZ First Government decided to cut wages for disabled workers from the minimum wage to $2 an hour ...1 week ago - Where the power really resides in WellingtonThe new Chief Executive of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet (DPMC) yesterday gave a Select Committee a brutally frank outline of the department’s role as the agency right at the centre of power in Wellington. Ben King, formerly a deputy Chief Executive at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs ...1 week ago
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The first widespread survey of consumers and voters since the Budget on May 30 shows a collapse in confidence. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The belt-tightening and tax-cutting Budget delivered on May 30 has not delivered the boost to confidence in the economy the National-ACT-NZ First Government might have ...1 week ago - The end for the Air Force 757sThe Air Force 757 that broke down with the Prime Minister on board in Port Moresby on Sunday is considered so unreliable that it carries a substantial stock of spare parts when it travels overseas. And the plane also carries an Air Force maintenance team on board ready to make ...1 week ago
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So kiss me and smile for meTell me that you'll wait for meHold me like you'll never let me go'Cause I'm leavin' on a jet planeDon't know when I'll be back againOh babe, I hate to go“The true measure of any society can be found in how it treats its ...1 week ago - Bernard's mid-winter pick 'n' mix for Tuesday, June 18
The election promises of ‘better economic management’ are now ringing hollow, as NZ appears to be falling into a deeper recession, while other economies are turning the corner. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The economy and the housing market are slumping back into a deep recession this winter, contrasting ...1 week ago - Scrutiny week off to rocky startParliament’s new “Scrutiny” process, which is supposed to allow Select Committees to interrogate Ministers and officials in much more depth, has got off to a rocky start. Yesterday was the first day of “Scrutiny Week” which is supposed to see the Government grilled on how it spends taxpayers’ money and ...1 week ago
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- Bernard's mid-winter pick 'n' mix for Monday, June 17
TL;DR: Chris Bishop talks up the use of value capture, congestion charging, PPPs, water meters, tolling and rebating GST on building materials to councils to ramp up infrastructure investment in the absence of the Government simply borrowing more to provide the capital.Meanwhile, Christopher Luxon wants to double the number of ...2 weeks ago - You do have the power to change thingsWhen I was invited to come aboard and help with Greater Auckland a few months ago (thanks to Patrick!), it was suggested it might be a good idea to write some sort of autobiographical post by way of an introduction. This post isn’t quite that – although I’m sure I’lll ...2 weeks ago
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On the turning awayFrom the pale and downtroddenAnd the words they say which we won't understandDon't accept that, what's happeningIs just a case of other's sufferingOr you'll find that you're joining inThe turning awayToday’s guest kōrero is from Author Catherine Lea. So without further ado, over to Catherine…I’m so honoured ...2 weeks ago - Dissecting Tickled
Hi,Tickled was one of the craziest things that ever happened to me (and I feel like a lot of crazy things have happened to me).So ahead of the Webworm popup and Tickled screening in New Zealand on July 13, I thought I’d write about how we made that film and ...2 weeks ago
- Matariki: A chance to reflect and celebrate
Celebrating Matariki as a public holiday over the past two years has made sure everyone gets to spend some extra time with friends and family, as well as the chance to learn more about what makes this time of year meaningful. ...19 hours ago - Govt takes transport system further down dead end road
The Government’s Land Transport GPS is another example of short-term thinking that will hurt our climate and communities. ...22 hours ago - Release: Labour remembers Lady Glen RowlingLady Glen Rowling, wife of the late Prime Minister Bill Rowling, will be remembered as loyal, kind, clever and supportive. ...2 days ago
- Release: Govt quietly downgrading hospital buildsThe Government needs to be transparent about the cuts they are making to hospital infrastructure, so that cities are clear on the health resources they will have into the future. ...2 days ago
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The new Covid-19 Inquiry we campaigned and fought for will start in November. The current Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Covid-19 response will be divided into two phases. ‘Phase Two’ of the inquiry will start from November 2024 and will be the independent, full scale, and public inquiry we ...3 days ago - Release: Live exports not in New Zealand’s futureLabour will reinstate a ban on live exports of cattle by sea when re-elected. ...3 days ago
- Statement from Willow-Jean Prime“Today’s announcement is simply a repeat of the Government rejecting decades of evidence and expert advice, as they forcibly try to turn marketing slogans into policy,” said children’s spokesperson Willow-Jean Prime. ...3 days ago
- Statement from Labour Leader Chris Hipkins“I am relieved Pharmac will be funded more to buy medicines for Kiwis. It is important that decisions on which drugs get funded remain independent from politics,” Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said. ...3 days ago
- A step forward on cancer drug funding but more to doThe Green Party welcomes the announcement of more funding for cancer treatments and medicines, however, calls for more to be done to address the severe health inequities that come with cancer. ...4 days ago
- Government prioritises punishing beneficiaries againFrivolous check-ins with beneficiaries are the Government’s latest plan to find excuses to punish those on the Job Seeker allowance and add to the stigma they face. ...4 days ago
- Labelling kids serious offenders sets rangatahi up to failThe Government’s archaic ‘tough on crime’ approach is weak on evidence and will do little to nothing to keep our communities safe. ...5 days ago
- Aratere grounding highlights urgent need for replacement shipsThe grounding of the Aratere Interislander Ferry is a wake-up call to the Coalition Government; they need to front up with a realistic long term solution to moving people and freight between our islands. ...6 days ago
- National is choosing to put our health at riskNew Zealanders need and deserve a strong public health system. Throughout the country, we need to ensure hospitals, clinics and community providers have the resources needed to provide the best level of care. ...7 days ago
- Green Party pays tribute to former MP Keith LockeThe Green Party pays tribute to former MP and prominent activist Keith Locke who died yesterday, peacefully in hospital. ...7 days ago
- Release: Govt choosing cost savings over victims of family violenceVictims of family violence could fall through the gaps in New Zealand, as Police stop responding to some call outs and the Government chooses to prioritise other things. ...1 week ago
- Release: Government used ghost families in its glossy tax cut brochuresIt’s been revealed the tax cut pamphlet released with the Budget was based on made-up people. ...1 week ago
- Failure of climate auction highlights government inactionThe lack of bids at today’s ETS auction is a sad indictment on this Government's staggering indifference to the climate crisis and their lack of a plan. ...1 week ago
- Your top concerns about the Budget“I am deeply disappointed in the National Party's budget. Their broken promises and cuts to essential services, including health, education, and support for vulnerable groups, will have long-lasting negative impacts” – Raymor, Auckland ...1 week ago
- Release: Birds of a feather perish together under NationalThe kākāpo, kea and kiwi alongside our other iconic and threatened national species are at risk under this Government. ...1 week ago
- Budget cuts chances of liveable futureScrutiny of Budget 24 and advice to the Minister of Finance shows the Government is knowingly increasing emissions and shredding climate action. ...1 week ago
- Release: Pride in schools more important than everToday marks the beginning of Schools Pride Week in New Zealand, an important calendar event largely run by rainbow rangitahi to advocate for safer, more inclusive school environments. ...2 weeks ago
- Statement: Labour wishes Marama Davidson well in recoveryThe Labour Party is sad to hear of Marama Davidson’s breast cancer diagnosis and is wishing her well. ...2 weeks ago
- Statement: Safer workplaces must be the goal of Minister's health and safety reviewThe Labour Party has always advocated for strong effective health and safety measures in New Zealand workplaces. ...2 weeks ago
- Government sets out to undermine workplace safetyThe Government’s announcement of a roadshow consultation on work health and safety is a smokescreen for its plan to throw out regulations which keep workers safe. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Women don’t need a voluntary calculator to know there’s a pay gapThe Government has reportedly scrapped a policy that would have gone far to fix gender and ethnic pay gaps and instead is implementing a watered-down voluntary system. ...2 weeks ago
- Risks far outweigh rewards in speed limit increasesThe coalition’s careless approach to speed limits will come at the cost of community safety and see our road toll continue to climb. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Labour supports inquiry into rural bankingWith farmers under increasing pressure financially, Labour supports a rural banking inquiry. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: School lunch programme being set up to failThe Government knew its changes to the school lunch programme would risk achievement, attendance, nutrition and wellbeing of New Zealand children, as well as having wider impacts on reducing child poverty, and made the changes anyway, new documents show. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Govt must recognise Palestine nowTwo months have passed since the National Government said it was a question of ”when, not if” New Zealand would recognise Palestine, in response to Labour’s call. ...2 weeks ago
- Banking Inquiry on its way.Today the coalition government has announced that a select committee inquiry into banking competition will be led by the Finance and Expenditure Select Committee. New Zealand First campaigned to take on foreign owned banks, and we committed to that in our coalition agreement by ensuring the inquiry has a broad ...2 weeks ago
- Free Kanaky, Free Te Moana-Nui-a-KiwaTe Pāti Māori stand with the people of Kanaky who are fighting for their independence and their lives against oppressive French occupation. The colonisation of the Pacific relies on the manufactured disconnection of Aotearoa from our Pasifika whanaunga. The moana does not separate us, it connects us. ...2 weeks ago
- Delaying climate action won’t help rural communitiesThe National Government is doing everything it can to delay taking action on climate as it announces that years of work on agricultural emissions will start from scratch. ...2 weeks ago
- Farmers among first and worst hit by climate changeThe Government has once again kicked the climate action can down the road by removing agricultural emissions from the Emissions Trading Scheme. ...2 weeks ago
- Fast Track, Wrong Track: Thousands stand up for democracy and natureTens of thousands of people showed up to have their voices heard and march against National’s unpopular Fast Track Approvals Bill in Auckland over the weekend. ...3 weeks ago
- Release: Oil and gas must stay in the groundReversing the ban on oil and gas exploration is a disaster for the climate and will take New Zealand’s climate action backwards. ...3 weeks ago
- Government to add oil and gas to climate fireThe Government deciding to lift the oil and gas ban in the middle of a climate crisis is a severe step backwards that will have serious consequences for our future. ...3 weeks ago
- Select Committee Hearings Prove Racist Motives Behind Govt Removal of Māori Wards.This week the Justice Select Committee has heard numerous submissions on the removal of Māori Wards. “I am feeling invigorated by the powerful oral submissions that I have heard throughout the week.” Said Local Government spokesperson, Mariameno Kapa-Kingi. “People from all facets of life: whānau Māori, whānau Pākehā, rangatahi, kaumātua, ...3 weeks ago
- March for Nature sends signal government cannot ignoreToday’s March for Nature sends a clear message that our country is deeply against the Fast Track Approvals Bill proceeding because the cost to the environment would be unacceptable. ...3 weeks ago
- Government passes Clean Car Importer Standard Bill
Changes to the Land Transport (Clean Vehicle Standard) Act will enable changes to the emissions targets more easily with a review of the Clean Vehicle Standard currently underway, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Large changes in technology, fuel efficiency, and consumer trends and preferences means that the Clean Car Importer Standard ...18 hours ago - Fire and Emergency New Zealand board reappointmentsInternal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden has today announced that four members have been reappointed to the Fire and Emergency New Zealand [FENZ] board. “I am pleased to announce that Rebecca Keoghan has been reappointed as chair for a two-year term of office,” says Ms van Velden. Rebecca was appointed ...18 hours ago
- Therapeutic Products Act repeal bill gets 1st readingThe Government has taken further steps to providing better regulation for medicines, medical devices, and natural health products with the first reading of a bill to repeal the Therapeutic Products Act 2023. Repealing the Therapeutic Products Act (TPA) shows the Government is listening to the concerns of industry and consumers, says Associate ...18 hours ago
- $343.5 million allocated by Te Puna Tahua Lottery Grants BoardMinister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says $343.5 million in lottery profits have been allocated to New Zealand communities across the country – an increase of around $29.8 million from previous years. “The distribution of lottery profits can have a significant and enduring impact on the lives of New ...20 hours ago
- Emergency support for East Coast floodingCivil Defence payments are now available for people affected by the severe weather in Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti to help cover some emergency costs, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston has announced. “We want to make sure those communities that are doing it tough because of the latest severe ...21 hours ago
- Government progressing commitment to reinstate livestock exports by seaThe coalition Government is progressing its commitment to reinstate livestock exports by sea, with public consultation set to start before September, Associate Minister of Agriculture Hon Andrew Hoggard says. Reinstating livestock exports by sea will require an amendment to the Animal Welfare Act 1999 and strengthened welfare standards will be ...21 hours ago
- Minister releases Tauranga District Plan decisionsRMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop has today released his decisions on elements of Tauranga City Council’s Intensification Planning Instrument. Two recommendations were referred to the Minister after the Council rejected two of those made by the Independent Hearings Panel. “I was asked by the Tauranga City Council to reject two ...21 hours ago
- High-level political delegation to visit PacificDeputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Winston Peters will lead a high-level political delegation to Solomon Islands, Nauru and Niue next week. "New Zealand's relationships in the Pacific are fundamental to our foreign policy, and we are determined to continue strengthening them,” says Mr Peters. “We look forward to engaging with ...22 hours ago
- Wānaka’s first primary birthing unit openedPrime Minister Christopher Luxon joined Health Minister Dr Shane Reti to officially open a new primary birthing unit in Wānaka today. Dr Reti says the event demonstrates the Government’s commitment to improving health infrastructure and is particularly special as it will support many families before birth and in the first ...22 hours ago
- GPS 2024: Record transport investment to drive economic growthThe final Government Policy Statement on land transport 2024 (GPS 2024) outlines the Government’s ambitious $22 billion transport plan to boost productivity and support economic growth, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.“Upon being elected, the Government was clear that we wanted to make good on our transport promises to New Zealanders ...23 hours ago
- King’s Counsel appointments 2024Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointments of 19 King’s Counsel. Also known as a silk, in reference to a gown traditionally worn as part of their robes, the rank of King’s Counsel is awarded to barristers sole who have demonstrated excellence in their careers or, from time to time, ...23 hours ago
- Crime data underpins need for law & order actionNew crime data highlights how critical the Government’s plan is to restore law and order, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says. “The latest New Zealand Crime and Victims Survey data is shameful, with New Zealanders experiencing 1.88 million incidents of crime between November 2022 and October 2023. “There were 185,000 New ...23 hours ago
- Independent panel to review methane science and targets appointedThe Government is delivering on its promise to commence an independent review of the methane science and targets for consistency with no additional warming from agriculture emissions, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay say. “An independent panel announced today, will report back to the Government by ...1 day ago
- Government repeals costly log trade legislationThe Government today repealed legislation requiring the compulsory registration of log traders and forestry advisers. “The existing legislation fails to deliver outcomes and places unnecessary costs on forest businesses,” Forestry Minister Todd McClay says. “I am confident that voluntary registration through the New Zealand Institute of Forestry is a better ...2 days ago
- Build To Rent Bill passes first readingThe Overseas Investment (Build To Rent and Similar Rental Developments) Amendment Bill has passed its first reading this evening, Housing and Associate Finance Minister Chris Bishop says.“We need to take every option available to increase the supply of housing in New Zealand, and Build to Rent is one of those ...2 days ago
- Minister welcomes opening of BrynderwynsTransport Minister Simeon Brown welcomes the opening of State Highway 1 through the Brynderwyn Hills from midnight tonight, following four months of closure to complete critical recovery and maintenance works. “Northlanders, local businesses, drivers, and freight operators will be relieved to have this important lifeline open. The Government thanks them ...2 days ago
- Secondary legislation drafting toolkit launchedAttorney-General Judith Collins today welcomed the release of the Parliamentary Counsel Office’s (PCO) Secondary Legislation Drafting Toolkit. "Both businesses and people tell us they find it hard to understand their obligations under secondary legislation,” Ms Collins says. “This toolkit, with its focus on design and content, will help with both ...2 days ago
- Tougher sentences coming for criminalsThe Government is reforming sentencing to ensure criminals face serious consequences for crime and victims are prioritised, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says. "In recent years, there has been a concerning trend where the courts have imposed fewer and shorter prison sentences despite a 33 per cent increase in violent crime. ...2 days ago
- Improving educational choice for families and studentsThe Education and Training Amendment Bill, which will set up charter schools, encourage more early learning centres to open, and provide increased transparency on school attendance, has been introduced for its first reading in Parliament, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour. “Every child deserves an education that enables them to ...2 days ago
- Government receives final report from the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in CareThe coalition Government welcomes the presentation of the final report from the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Historical Abuse in State and Faith-Based Care to the Governor-General. “This marks the end of the largest and most complex public inquiry ever held in New Zealand,” Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden ...2 days ago
- Scope of the Northland transmission tower failure review announcedEnergy Minister Simeon Brown has today released the terms of reference for the Electricity Authority’s investigation into the Northland transmission tower failure that occurred on 20 June 2024, causing significant power outages in the region.“What happened in Northland last week was unacceptable, with tens of thousands of consumers left without ...2 days ago
- Minister celebrates students’ space successSpace Minister Judith Collins is applauding students from Canterbury University’s Aerospace Club on their success at the world’s largest inter-collegiate rocket engineering competition, the Spaceport America Cup. “More than 120 teams from 20 countries participated in Spaceport America Cup, with the team from Canterbury University winning in their ‘30,000 Foot’ ...3 days ago
- Address – Commemoration of the 74th Anniversary of the Commencement of the Korean WarTena koutou.Ki nga kaumatua,Ki nga whanau,Ka maumahara tonu tatou ki a ratou. Greetings.To the elders,To the families,We will remember them. Firstly, a special welcome to all the veterans here this morning and their families. I want to acknowledge the veterans who are marking this day but cannot be with us ...3 days ago
- New WorkSafe board appointments to address a history of poor financial managementWorkplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden says three appointments to the WorkSafe board have been made to strengthen the organisation, ensuring it has the skills and expertise it needs to carry out its functions. “WorkSafe has faced a number of recent challenges, including accumulating an almost $18 million ...3 days ago
- Next phase of the Royal Commission into COVID-19Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says this coalition Government is delivering on our commitment to expand the terms of reference for the independent Royal Commission into COVID-19 Lessons Learned. “There will be a second phase to the Royal Commission which features new commissioners and an expanded terms of ...3 days ago
- Government introduces Three Strikes BillThe Government has introduced a Bill today to restore the Three Strikes sentencing law, Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee says. “New Zealanders are rightly concerned about violent crime. We are delivering on our commitment to introduce a revised Three Strikes law as one of our key law and order priorities. ...3 days ago
- New support for agricultural emissions reductionThe Government and the Bank of New Zealand (BNZ) are together committing an additional $8 million towards AgriZeroNZ to boost New Zealand’s efforts to reduce agricultural emissions. Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says the strength of the New Zealand economy relies on effective and affordable emission reduction solutions for New Zealand’s ...3 days ago
- Government actions strengthening Māori successTākina Puanga. Ko Puanga kei runga. Ko Puanga e Rangi. Tākina mai te ara o Puanga nui o te rangi. Tākina ngā pou o te tau. Ki te whai ao ki te ao marama. Puanga or Rigel celebrations reflect a renewed energy across our communities – to acknowledge those who ...3 days ago
- Transformative investment in cancer treatments and more new medicinesThe coalition Government is delivering up to 26 cancer treatments as part of an overall package of up to 54 more new medicines, Health Minister Dr Shane Reti and Associate Health Minister David Seymour announced today. “Pharmac estimates that around 175,000 people will benefit from the additional treatments in just ...4 days ago
- More support for drought-affected communitiesThe coalition Government is providing more financial support to drought-stricken farmers and growers in many parts of the country to help with essential living costs. “Rural Assistance Payments have been made available in 38 districts affected by dry conditions to help eligible farmers and growers whose income has taken a ...4 days ago
- Job seekers to report on progress after six months from todayA new requirement for people on Jobseeker Support benefits to meet with MSD after six months to assess how their job search is going gets underway today. About 20,000 Jobseeker beneficiaries with full-time work obligations are expected to attend MSD’s new ‘Work check-in’ seminars over the next 12 months, Social ...4 days ago
- New cops means more Police on the beatThe decision to deploy more Police on the beat in Auckland CBD has been welcomed by Police Minister Mark Mitchell and Associate Police Minister Casey Costello. Starting from 1 July, an additional 21 police officers will be redeployed in Auckland City, bringing the total number of beat police in the ...5 days ago
- Government takes action to address youth crimeThe Government is introducing a new declaration for young offenders to ensure they face tougher consequences and are better supported to turn their lives around, Children’s Minister Karen Chhour announced today. The establishment of a Young Serious Offender declaration delivers on a coalition Government commitment and supports the Government’s target ...5 days ago
- Reserve Bank chair reappointedProfessor Neil Quigley has been reappointed as Chair of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand Board for a further term of two years, until 30 June 2026. “Professor Quigley has played a key role in establishing the new Board after the commencement of the new RBNZ Act on 1 July ...1 week ago
- School attendance increasesSchool attendance data released today shows an increase in the number of students regularly attending school to 61.7 per cent in term one. This compares to 59.5 per cent in term one last year and 53.6 per cent in term four. “It is encouraging to see more children getting to ...1 week ago
- Record investment in public transport servicesThe Government has announced a record 41 per cent increase in indicative funding for public transport services and operations, and confirmed the rollout of the National Ticketing Solution (NTS) that will enable contactless debit and credit card payments starting this year in Auckland, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.“This Government is ...1 week ago
- GDP data shows need to strengthen and grow the economyGDP figures for the March quarter reinforce the importance of restoring fiscal discipline to public spending and driving more economic growth, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. Data released today by Stats NZ shows GDP has risen 0.2 per cent for the quarter to March. “While today’s data is technically in ...1 week ago
- Women continue to make up over 50 per cent on public sector boardsWomen’s representation on public sector boards and committees has reached 50 per cent or above for the fourth consecutive year, with women holding 53.9 per cent of public sector board roles, Acting Minister for Women Louise Upston says. “This is a fantastic achievement, but the work is not done. To ...1 week ago
- Government supporting Māori business successThe Coalition Government is supporting Māori to boost development and the Māori economy through investment in projects that benefit the regions, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones and Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka say. “As the Regional Development Minister, I am focused on supporting Māori to succeed. The Provincial Growth Fund ...1 week ago
- Better solutions for earthquake-prone buildingsBuilding and Construction Minister Chris Penk has announced that the review into better managing the risks of earthquake-prone buildings has commenced. “The terms of reference published today demonstrate the Government’s commitment to ensuring we get the balance right between public safety and costs to building owners,” Mr Penk says. “The Government ...1 week ago
- The Unity Books bestseller chart for the week ending June 28
The only published and available best-selling indie book chart in New Zealand is the top 10 sales list recorded every week at Unity Books’ stores in High St, Auckland, and Willis St, Wellington. First, a quick PSA: Unity Books has a flash new website that lets you search and purchase ...1 hour ago - What’s next for the Climate Change Authority under Matt Kean’s leadership?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Lesley Hughes, Professor Emerita, Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University The appointment of high-profile New South Wales Liberal politician Matt Kean to chair the Climate Change Authority has sparked questions about what this body does. How does it influence climate policy in ...2 hours ago - Want to help our precious nocturnal bugs during Matariki’s longer nights? Turn the lights down lowSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Janice Lord, Associate Professor in Botany, University of Otago Getty Images In a world increasingly affected by light pollution, we can take time during the shorter days and longer nights around Matariki to appreciate the superpowers of our nocturnal bugs. As ...2 hours ago
- Young people hate making phone calls – could it be hurting their careers?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Narelle Hopkin (Towie), Academic chair of journalism, Murdoch University DenPhotos/Shutterstock Ironically, younger generations are using smartphones for anything but actual phone calls. Many people under 40 appear far more comfortable letting their fingers do the talking, using text or images, ...2 hours ago
- ‘Near death experience’: Angela Bloomfield’s Shortland Street stunt gone wrongAngela Bloomfield looks back on a television history filled with reality TV romance, soap lightning strikes and a disturbing mermaid experience. It’s been 31 years since a teenage Angela Bloomfield first stepped onto the set of Shortland Street, but those early days on the iconic New Zealand soap are still ...3 hours ago
- A ‘trilobite Pompeii’: perfectly preserved fossils of ancient sea critters found buried in volca...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Paterson, Professor of Earth Sciences, University of New England A. El Albani (University of Poitiers) If you’ve ever visited the fossil gallery of a natural history museum — or its gift shop, for that matter — you’ve probably seen the ...3 hours ago
- Explainer: What’s at stake in France’s election, and could it make Macron’s government even we...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Romain Fathi, Senior Lecturer, School of History, Australian National University Just one hour after the far-right’s surge in the European elections on June 9, French President Emmanuel Macron made the surprising decision to dissolve the French national assembly and call for snap ...3 hours ago
- Most aged care homes are falling short of minimum care standards – new reportSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michael Woods, Professor of Health Economics, University of Technology Sydney In Green/Shutterstock New analysis has revealed many Australian aged care residents are not receiving the levels of care they need and are entitled to. The UTS Ageing Research Collaborative, which ...3 hours ago
- Engineering New Zealand Supports Shared Vision To Close Infrastructure Gap
Bridging the Infrastructure Gap – Funding and financing for a resilient Aotearoa New Zealand was launched on Wednesday night, with both National and Labour talking about being open to a bipartisan approach to long term infrastructure. ...3 hours ago - Matariki whetū heri kaiWhat food traditions should we incorporate into our Matariki celebrations? The chef behind Feast Matariki has some simple suggestions. This is an excerpt from our weekly food newsletter, The Boil Up. 2024 will be the third year Aotearoa has celebrated Matariki with a public holiday. Over the last two years, I’ve ...4 hours ago
- A brief conversation with Tama Potaka on law and order
Analysis: On Wednesday, the Government unveiled its fourth law and order policy in a week. All policies are geared at cracking down on lawlessness; all policies have a punitive focus; and all policies are expected to disproportionately impact Māori. One Government Minister who is walking a fine line on his ...4 hours ago - Three deep: A review of the Matariki public holidayDespite ongoing attempts of commercialisation and initial awkwardness around when the holiday should be, Matariki is quickly becoming an integral part of our nation’s cultural identity. Here I am in the middle of Sylvia Park, a chasm of consumerism, nervously fumbling with my phone trying to figure out which way ...7 hours ago
- The Friday Poem: ‘Matairangi Ka mua Ka muri’ by Hana BuchananA new poem by Te Aro Pā poet Hana Buchanan. Matairangi Ka mua Ka muri for my friend Philip O’Leary 1970 – 2023 Ka mua, ka muri Walking backwards into the future Have you ever tried it? Walking backwards I mean Try it! After hours and days and years ...7 hours ago
- Newsroom daily quiz, Friday 28 JuneLoading…(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, Friday 28 June appeared first on Newsroom. ...7 hours ago
- Daily crossword, Friday 28 JuneThe post Daily crossword, Friday 28 June appeared first on Newsroom. ...7 hours ago
- Bestselling books at Matariki weekendFICTION 1 At the Grand Glacier Hotel by Laurence Fearnley (Penguin Random House, $37) A copy of the novelist’s latest novel – number one for the third consecutive week – was up for grabs in last week’s free book giveaway. The novel is set in a grand old rambling hotel; ...7 hours ago
- Hawai’i’s Rimpac war games begin, but academic condemns them as harmful ‘how to invade’ acti...SPECIAL REPORT: By Te Aniwaniwa Paterson Hawai’ian academic Dr Emalani Case has condemned the 2024 Rimpac military exercise that began off the coast of Hawai’i today, saying the military personnel from 29 countries taking part are “practising to invade”. “They call it practising defence but they’re really learning how to ...11 hours ago
- Grattan on Friday: the Assange light and sound show overshadows government problemsSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra As scripted political dramas go, Julian Assange’s (welcome) arrival in Canberra on Wednesday night would be hard to beat. Even before Assange exited the plane, Anthony Albanese was on the phone in a pre-arranged ...12 hours ago
- Indonesia accused of subverting Pacific push for UN rights mission to PapuaBy Stefan Armbruster, Victor Mambor and BenarNews staff An unheralded visit to Indonesia’s Papuan provinces by a leading Pacific diplomat has drawn criticism for undermining a push for a United Nations human rights mission to the region where pro-independence fighters have fought Indonesian rule for decades. The Melanesian Spearhead Group’s ...13 hours ago
- Migrant group horrified by 'ruthless' changes to visa scheme
A group representing migrant workers has described changes to visa rules as "heart-wrenching" and "insensitive". ...14 hours ago - Submissions Now Open On The International Treaty Examinations Relating To ASEAN-Australia-New Zealan...The Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committee is inviting public submissions on two related international treaty examinations. The two agreements are: • Second Protocol to Amend the Agreement Establishing the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free ...15 hours ago
- Submissions Now Open On The Education And Training Amendment BillThe Chair of the Education and Workforce Committee is inviting public submissions on the Education and Training Amendment Bill. The bill would amend the Education and Training Act 2020 by: • repealing the early childhood education (ECE) network ...16 hours ago
- Care Experienced Young People Call On Government To Rethink Punitive Measures, As Petition Delivered...VOYCE – Whakarongo Mai was one of more than 30 organisations to deliver a petition to political leaders yesterday opposing moves to introduce measures to criminalise young children. ...16 hours ago
- Raw Politics: The glasses clink in the coalition bunkerPrime Minister Christopher Luxon doesn’t care if you say a policy works or doesn’t work – he’s damned well going to get on with it anyway. The Raw Politics team this week examines the Prime Minister’s exasperation with calls for ‘evidence’ to back his policies, and ...17 hours ago
- The MrBeast effect: an expert explains why we’re drawn to videos of random people winning bigSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian R. Camilleri, Associate Professor of Marketing, University of Technology Sydney Yesterday, thousands of Sydneysiders gathered at the Opera House to watch the world’s most subscribed-to YouTuber, MrBeast, give away ten mostly luxury cars. Beyond people who can drive, the crowd ...17 hours ago
- Minister Brooke van Velden confirms meeting with Uber over contractor law changeBrooke van Velden has confirmed the meeting, as she considers banning contractors from going to court over their employment status. ...17 hours ago
- Other countries have struggled to control how kids access the internet. What can Australia learn?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Lisa M. Given, Professor of Information Sciences & Director, Social Change Enabling Impact Platform, RMIT University Rawpixel/Shutterstock Debate continues to rage in Australia over whether children should (or can) be banned from social media. Following politicians’ recent promises to ban those ...17 hours ago
- Submissions Open On The Climate Change Response (Emissions Trading Scheme Agricultural Obligations) ...The chairperson of the Primary Production Committee is calling for submissions on the Climate Change Response (Emissions Trading Scheme Agricultural Obligations) Amendment Bill. The bill would amend the Climate Change Response Act 2002 to remove agriculture ...18 hours ago
- RIMPAC Deployment Highlights New Zealand’s HypocrisyMultiple conflicts with NZ’s stated commitment to nuclear disarmament, the rules-based order, international law, and human rights ...18 hours ago
- How former Greens MP Keith Locke often became a voice for the PacificOBITUARY: By Philip Cass of Kaniva Tonga A New Zealand politician and human rights activist with a strong connection to Tonga’s Democracy movement and other Pacific activism has been farewelled after dying last week aged 80. Keith Locke served as a former Green MP from 1999 to 2011. While in ...18 hours ago
- Shane Jones defends links to industry and diary omissionResources Minister Shane Jones says accusations that he may be too close to industry executives are minor details and political games. ...19 hours ago
- Former Green Party MP Golriz Ghahraman convicted, ordered to pay fine and court costsGolriz Ghahraman has to pay a fine of $1600, and $260 in court costs, for shoplifting offences. ...19 hours ago
- Can I take antihistamines everyday? More than the recommended dose? What if I’m pregnant? Here’s...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Janet Davies, Respiratory Allergy Stream Co-chair, National Allergy Centre of Excellence; Professor and Head, Allergy Research Group, Queensland University of Technology Andrea Piacquadio/Pexels Allergies happen when your immune system overreacts to a normally harmless substance like dust or pollen. Hay fever, ...19 hours ago
- What’s really inside vapes? We pulled them apart to find outSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Miles Park, Senior Lecturer, Industrial Design, UNSW Sydney Christopher Kidall Park While vapes or e-cigarettes first appeared around 20 years ago as an alternative to smoking, their prevalence and use have increasingly become problematic. Governments and regulators are now catching up ...20 hours ago
- Dozens of jobs on the line as Justice and Corrections look to cut duplicationThe Ministry of Justice and the Department of Corrections are looking at combining two of their teams. ...20 hours ago
- Civil Defence payments made available for severe weather supportThe government has announced civil defence payments are now available for people affected by severe weather in Hawke's Bay and Tairāwhiti. ...20 hours ago
- 'Just shame, shame,' – Former MP Golriz Ghahraman speaks in first interviewIn her first in-depth interview after her arrest for shoplifting, she tells John Campbell it was an act of "self-sabotage." ...20 hours ago
- Care Workers To Rally Across Aotearoa For Pay EquityThe rallies are the next step in a long campaign for the workers’ pay equity claim, with recent developments including filing with the Employment Relations Authority. ...20 hours ago
- Latest polling shows UK Labour likely to win landslide at next week’s election, while Biden gains ...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian Beaumont, Election Analyst (Psephologist) at The Conversation; and Honorary Associate, School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne The United Kingdom general election will be held in a week, on July 4. Polls close at 7am AEST on July 5. ...20 hours ago
- Govt will weaken methane target in defiance of Climate Commission – McClayAnalysis: Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says the Government will reset New Zealand’s methane emissions targets in line with the principle of “no additional warming”, a move the independent Climate Change Commission has warned will lead to “higher emissions and an increased amount of warming than the current target”. While the ...21 hours ago
- Revealed: The shocking drag storytime event Brian Tamaki didn’t want you to see The Spinoff goes inside the controversial event deemed too dangerous for the New Zealand public. Brian Tamaki was too scared to watch WillySmacknTush’s drag king storytime, but I was not. The latest target in Destiny Church’s campaign against rainbow events and road markings across Aotearoa, Tamaki and Destiny Church members ...21 hours ago
- New Crime Statistics Back Up Need For Multi-agency Coordinated Response To ScamsNetsafe, New Zealand's leading online safety organisation, said today’s crime survey statistics released by the Ministry of Justice shows a critical gap in our justice system's ability to protect citizens and pursue cybercriminals when it comes to tackling ...21 hours ago
- “Heartless” Immigration Changes Show Govt Is Turning Its Back On Migrant WorkersMigrant workers had been welcomed to Aotearoa during the Covid-19 pandemic due to worker shortages, and the Government’s new changes would leave many migrant workers out of pocket and in the dark regarding future plans to bring family members to the ...21 hours ago
- Annual Plan 2024/25 And Tertiary Education 2022 Audit Results PublishedA key accountability document for our Office, the annual plan sets out the discretionary work that we intend to carry out during 2024/25. This includes performance audits, inquiries, special studies, commentaries and research, regular reports and updates, ...21 hours ago
- Greenpeace Aotearoa says the appointment of former Fonterra director Nicola Shadbolt to the Government’s so-called ‘independent’ methane review panel highlights that the panel’s true purpose is to delay climate action. ...22 hours ago
- A funding boost for NZ’s drug-buying agency Pharmac to pay for cancer drugs is welcome – but it ...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Paula Lorgelly, Professor of Health Economics, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images This week the coalition government made a significant investment in Pharmac, increasing funding by NZ$604 million over the next four years. In doing so, it ...22 hours ago
- ‘I didn’t care’: How Captain Sandy broke Below Deck’s glass ceilingDuring her recent visit to New Zealand, Below Deck’s Captain Sandy Yawn spoke to Tara Ward about what it takes to survive the high seas. Captain Sandy Yawn is leaning perilously over the side of a luxury superyacht. She may be surrounded by stunning Mediterranean scenery, but Yawn is too ...22 hours ago
- Former Green Party MP Golriz Ghahraman denied discharge without conviction for shopliftingThe former Green Party MP has to pay a fine of $1600, and court costs. ...22 hours ago
- Achieving net zero with renewables or nuclear means rebuilding the hollowed-out public service after...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Quiggin, Professor, School of Economics, The University of Queensland Steve Tritton/Shutterstock Opposition Leader Peter Dutton’s plan to build seven nuclear power plants in Australia has attracted plenty of critical attention. But there’s a striking feature which has received relatively little ...22 hours ago
- Watch: Government unveils transport plan after feedbackTransport Minister Simeon Brown is speaking to media about the Government Policy Statement on Land Transport, which covers the next 10 years. ...23 hours ago
- ECE Network Management’s Removal A Case Of CommonsenseThe policy has long been criticised as onerous and unworkable, having been implemented and expanded without adequate sector consultation, with the subsequent lack of certainty scaring off community groups and small private providers alike. ...23 hours ago
- Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Thao Phan, Research Fellow, Emerging Technologies Research Lab, Monash University Wing The chief executive of drone delivery company Wing says 2024 is “the year of drone delivery”. The company first went public in 2014 as a Google “moonshot” project and now ...23 hours ago
- What we’re watching over the long Matariki weekendThe Spinoff writers share what they’re popping on their watchlist ahead of the long weekend. Mānawatia a Matariki 2024 (TVNZ1, TVNZ+) Stacey Morrison (Te Arawa, Ngāi Tahu) and Mātai Smith (Rongowhakaata, Ngāi Tāmanuhiri) return to present the live coverage of our national Matariki celebrations from 6am on Friday. They’ll ...24 hours ago
- Federated Farmers: Independent Methane Review Long OverdueAn independent review of New Zealand’s methane reduction targets is long overdue and will be welcome news for farmers, says Federated Farmers president Wayne Langford. ...1 day ago
- Bid to stop Wellington Airport share sale failsAn eleventh-hour attempt by three Wellington City Councillors to stop the sale of the council's airport shares has failed. ...1 day ago
- FIRST Union Cut From Contractor Consultation As Govt Omits CriticsFIRST Union General Secretary Dennis Maga said he has received a notice from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) that confirms that the union will be omitted from consultation on Minister Brook Van Velden’s intended changes ...1 day ago
- Kids become myrtle rust busters with new gameA pair of apps aims to create a new crop of kaitiaki with the help of augmented reality. This is an excerpt from our weekly environmental newsletter Future Proof. Sign up here. Viewed through the iPad screen, a pōhutukawa tree branch is growing up through the carpet of the meeting room ...1 day ago
- ‘More to connect us than to divide us’: How tauiwi are celebrating MatarikiTauiwi (non-Māori) are taking cues from their own heritage and Māori traditions as they prepare to mark Matariki, the Māori new year. Eda Tang speaks to those celebrating in their own way. With many non-Catholics celebrating the Gregorian New Year, there’s no reason why non-Māori shouldn’t celebrate, observe or acknowledge ...1 day ago
- Negotiating a new salary or a pay rise? Here’s what you need to know to succeedSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ray Fells, Professor of Negotiation, The University of Western Australia Yuri A/Shutterstock Almost half of all Australian workers are currently watching for or actively seeking a new job, according to a recent Gallup report. High stress levels, murky work-life boundaries ...1 day ago
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I think New Zealand needs its very own theory of the necessity of the state simply based on disasters.
For most countries that have been going for a couple of centuries, they'd have grown a mix of public and private institutions strong enough to weather most things the world throws at it. A nice solid mix.
And as a result, you'd think the need for massive active fresh state intervention would decrease over time.
Not here. We're just too accident-prone.
And yet we have a dominant Party who insists that stripping the state back every term is a good idea.
Hey maybe Ardern+Robertson's massive super-state interventionism is actually right for New Zealand (if not for the political appetite of our media).
We are quite an old state even by European terms if judged by the concept of a government for the whole of the country, certainly older than Italy and Germany and even Australia at a stretch. The Ardern/ Robertson interventionism is as old as coastal shipping and the railways and later the hydro dam building, strangely the actual linked up road system was almost an afterthought , I can’t remember how late it was before you could drive between Auckland and Wellington. so that must have been left to the Tory's and there trademarked prevarication. We are unique though in what we do have thrown at us from huge earthquakes, massive volcanic eruptions, tsunamis even and huge fires, one early one started by a cooking fire and raged for weeks from Cook Straight to North Canterbury, ironicly initiated on the holdings of a Prime Minister.
So I don’t think we have done too badly to get to where we have.
Oh fully agree.
We could easily have turned out like New Caledonia or Fiji.
We're nothing if not resolute.
Where are our opposition on the ferry grounding?
Tailor made opportunity to contrast the fast and loose political style of this government with the prudent, responsible forward thinking of the proposed ferry and terminal build of Labour.
Best not to walk into a minfield willingly imho
Ask and ye shall receive.
I give thanks for hearing Chris Hopkins on RNZ this Monday morning speaking about the ferries.
Well Gsays, where it is most times, left right out by the media of various persuasions, but do keep in mind even if there had been no change of government this little off water beach picnic excursion would probably still have happened because the new ferries are still quite a way away so shutting up and not coming across as smug and all I told you so-ey is probably the best idea.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/jun/21/british-billionaire-hindujas-sentenced-to-jail-in-swiss-exploitation-case
Something to brighten your Sunday up!!🤣🤣
83 years ago today Operation Barbarosa teed off. That evening Chuchill addressed the nation.
https://www.nationalchurchillmuseum.org/winston-churchills-broadcast-on-the-soviet-german-war.html
I've gotten old I read that as Operation Barbara uurk!
The ultimate shell game.
Netanyahu uses Hamas to justify occupation of the WB (he opposed the Oslo Accord so needed someone to help).
Abbas allows Hamas to run in PA elections, then takes over the WB with the President gun after his Fatah loses the parliamentary election. This divides Gaza from the WB. No more elections are held and he stays in power.
1 and 2 become symbiotic.
Hezbollah, distracted by the Syrian civilian war, now returns as Iranian judge of Israel.
The only place not threatened by their missiles is Jerusalem/Mount area/West Bank, where the settlements are.
Iran wants a unitary state in place of a Zionist one, but would tolerate Jews living on the West Bank within that Palestine and also religious Jews living where they are in Israel.
They merely want the end of a non Moslem ruled state in the area.
Threatening Cyprus (part Turkey occupied and with a British air base and intelligence base) reminds one of the past ruling powers in Palestine (and the Jewish refugee camps of the 1940's).
https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/world/2024/06/analysis-israel-and-hezbollah-faceoff-raises-risk-of-wider-conflict.html
Right wing settlers are intent on shifting Israel's border north to the Litani River.
Hezbollah are ready and waiting.
https://www.csis.org/analysis/coming-conflict-hezbollah
Sure, but that would be an IDF incursion in response to missiles on state of Israel territory.
It is part of their narrative that settlement beyond the 1948 state border protects Israel.
Judith Collins forgot to mention on Q and A to good morning Jack
2018 Labour-NZF ordered 4 Poseidon's
2020 Labour-NZF ordered 5 Hercules.
And talks about the big cost of replacing 2 757’s.
I noticed that, she is such a graceless harridan.
I had the feeling Tame was giving bully girl Collins an easy time of it. Too scared to rock the boat too much in case there were consequences?
Had to look up "harridan". Made my day. Thanks 😀.
Nailed it.
Why is the US not allowing missiles to be used against
1.any Russian air base involved in attacking the Ukraine power grid and supply?
2.any military advancing on Ukraine?
3.any supply to forces in Ukraine?
It seems to be drip feeding aid to prevent Ukrainian defeat to manage this outcome.
A north western Ukraine aligned with the EU but not confronting a Russian agenda for a nova Russia, a contiguous Donbass to Crimea in the south and east).
A new Cold War division (gaining Sweden and Finland, freezing Russia's banking assets), one of Ukraine, rather than Germany.
https://www.1news.co.nz/2024/06/23/ukraine-soldiers-want-deeper-strikes-as-us-supplied-weapons-show-impact/
Sounds familiar.
/
None of this is the Baumol effect or some general cost disease. When agency officials lose interest in building things and instead want to outsource their own jobs to consultants, it’s not Baumol; it’s experimenting with a new way of project delivery and then refusing to admit that it’s a failure.
https://pedestrianobservations.com/2024/06/22/meme-weeding-high-wages-and-baumols-cost-disease/
On the oval ground.
Australians also misremember Calypso cricket, with their own poor batting performance against Afghanistan.
Good on the Afgani team, taking full advantage of complacency. Even more humiliating for the Aussies as they downplayed the Kiwi defeat.
It is remarkable but im not sure they should be there given the Taliban killed off the womans team. The ICC are fairly liberal with their own rules when it suits..
they shouldn't be there.
TBH, I'm surprised the Taliban allow even men to play cricket.
The government has the 757 replacements to fund in 2025-2026. Probably A330’s (longer range and re-fueling capacity for the Poseidon’s).
The new ferries 2026-2027 (order now and pay then)? But in meantime lease a sea going salvage tug capacity.
The 2019 Defence Review mentioned a sealift ship and fishing patrol capability to the south (Antarctica).
https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/350319695/live-pm-says-new-ferries-will-be-funded-unclear-when
Be interesting if they can get a build done after the last cancelation.
They may find builders a a bit wary and want more money upfront.
They can use penalty payment again … for a smaller ferry … a nice little earner either way.
The government is advised to buy new ferries that are not rail enabled.
https://www.1news.co.nz/2024/06/23/govt-advised-to-replace-cook-strait-ferries-with-new-smaller-boats/
https://archive.li/IO3M3
Presumably this is likely to result in the Inter Islander being taken from KiwiRail and either run as a separate SOE, or sold to a local infrastructure company.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/520270/aratere-ferry-grounding-simeon-brown-raised-concern-about-kiwirail-maintenance
Road damage in the SI is likely to increase.