Open mike 23/08/2019

Written By: - Date published: 7:00 am, August 23rd, 2019 - 110 comments
Categories: open mike - Tags:

Open mike is your post.

For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose.

The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy).

Step up to the mike …

110 comments on “Open mike 23/08/2019 ”

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  1. phillip ure 1
    23 August 2019 at 7:18 am

    (have an early listen to the insight program that will will be broadcast on sun-morn..)

    https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/insight/audio/2018709853/milk-shake-why-the-future-of-dairy-looks-scary

    'Dairy's huge role earning export dollars for New Zealand is facing a threat some say could bring it to its knees. Lab-grown milk protein is now stepping outside niche cheese and ice cream markets and into the bulk ingredient arena.'

    • The Al1en 1.1
      23 August 2019 at 7:39 am

      Yeah, you said the same things about the death of dairy years ago on here. You never would give a time frame for collapse, and it hasn't happened yet.

      I guess, like paul/ed/milly and their impending coming global recession, if you keep repeating yourself you'll luck into one sometime.

      • Sacha 1.1.1
        23 August 2019 at 8:03 am

        Industrial protein alternatives are a more plausible threat to dairying than vegans ever could be. However there will always be a niche for 'heritage' cheese, etc.

      • phillip ure 1.1.2
        23 August 2019 at 8:38 am

        @ allen..

        'Yeah, you said the same things about the death of dairy years ago on here. You never would give a time frame for collapse, and it hasn't happened yet.'

        you are correct that a couple of years ago i gave repeated heads-up! on this..and i said it would be here in a couple of years….(and was generally scoffed at..)

        you are now one of the few still left scoffing..?

        does that at all give you pause for thought/a scoff re-think..?

        'cos allen – it's here…eh..?

        • The Al1en 1.1.2.1
          23 August 2019 at 8:48 am

          Big dairy is very much alive. Once again you're confusing wishful thinking with fact.

          There will be a time when the industry declines, primarily I suspect to climate change and the environmental cost of exporting milk powder and added value products off shore, but there will always be a willing local market for milk and meat, and reduction in farm numbers and resulting smaller herds will feed that market with a reduced emissions footprint.

          No need for fake foods at all, even when the export bubble is forced to burst.

          • Incognito 1.1.2.1.1
            23 August 2019 at 8:58 am

            Once again you’re confusing wishful thinking with fact.

            You read my mind. When people predict the demise of someone or something more often than not there is a huge element of wishful thinking even though they may not realise or admit it. Very few doom’s day scenarios are based on scientific predictions (models) and most contain a huge bias, which can be personal but also a collective bias (i.e. shared by many, e.g. peers).

            • phillip ure 1.1.2.1.1.1
              23 August 2019 at 9:26 am

              @ allen + incognito..

              i would contest ur contention that i am just engaging in 'wishful thinking'

              i have always known the world was not going to wake up one day and decide to go vegan..(my 'wishful' vegan thought)..

              and that reality was for me for quite a long time quite depressing..

              so the arrival of plant-based meats/milk (indistinguishable in taste/texture from animal-based) got me very excited – and since then i have just been watching it unfolding..

              and my excitement is not based on wishful-thinking…but on economic forces..

              when you have a product that tastes/smells/chews just like the highest quality of the real thing – that is not fucking the planet – is cheaper..is cruelty-free..

              and is sitting on the supermarket shelve/(in burgers/in pizzas)..

              then the consumer is going to have to choose to pay more for an environment-fucking product – that also guarantees animals have suffered..

              these are the reasons/economic-forces (not wishful thinking) – why i think the dairy/animal-extraction industries..

              are sunset industries..are going down the gurgler..

              • The Al1en …
                23 August 2019 at 9:42 am

                See you in a couple of years when the mass crates of affordable natural milk and shelves of meat, cheese, yoghurt and other dairy products are still plentiful, and you can try again with the wishful thinking death of dairy is nigh meme. You never know, next time you might be right. lol

                • phillip ure …
                  23 August 2019 at 9:48 am

                  ok..and to be clear – it is not just dairy..it is all the animal extraction industries..

                  all 'meats' will be available – with no need for any animals to suffer..

                  that is my wishful thinking..and it is coming to pass..

                  • The Al1en …
                    23 August 2019 at 10:02 am

                    To be clearer, fake meats may well be available in the future, but if no one wants to eat them, they won't be viable or around for long.

                    As long as real meat is for sale at an affordable price, which it will be if export sales collapse and consumers are not paying offshore prices in the local marketplace and the supermarket chains screw the remaining sellers down, people will eat it without nary a second thought about the animal extraction industry.

              • Dukeofurl …
                23 August 2019 at 9:48 am

                You are ignoring the elephant in the paddy field

                "At between 50 and 100 million tonnes of methane a year, rice agriculture is a big source of atmospheric methane, possibly the biggest of man-made methane sources."

                Is rice farming a sunset industry as well?

                http://www.ghgonline.org/methanerice.htm

              • Incognito …
                23 August 2019 at 5:15 pm

                Sigh

                My comment was in response to The Al1en @ 1.1.2.1. and neither person-specific nor content- or topic-specific. In other words, it was not about you, veganism, or whatever …

                Given that you have shown repeatedly that you are not interested in engaging in genuine debate it is an exercise in futility to engage with you on any of your strongly felt topics.

                One look at your comment @ 1.1.2.1.1.1. confirms that you don’t acknowledge your bias and emotional attachment to the issue at hand as wishful thinking. Of course, it is all about “reasons/economic-forces”. Yeah, right.

                • The Al1en …
                  23 August 2019 at 6:09 pm

                  Wishful thinking based on severely impacted emotional reasoning.

                  When people like PU deliberately won't even correctly address you by your given login, you know they're on shaky ground to start with. It's a dead give away.

                  • marty mars …
                    23 August 2019 at 6:35 pm

                    lol sure allen – you said, "Wishful thinking based on severely impacted emotional reasoning."

                    Phil said this, "ok..and to be clear – it is not just dairy..it is all the animal extraction industries..

                    all 'meats' will be available – with no need for any animals to suffer..

                    that is my wishful thinking..and it is coming to pass.."

                    Your whole argument is emotional imo AND basically you seem to be implying that you are into animal suffering – you think that that is fine do you? It is NOT emotional dissonance or "severely impacted emotional reasoning" that leads people to not want animals to suffer it is the opposite.

                    • The Al1en …
                      23 August 2019 at 7:05 pm

                      I dispute your assumption my argument is emotionally driven, PU's isn't, and I am "into" animal suffering.

                      However, I do accept animals are killed to provide all the meat I eat, and even do it myself with wild rabbits. The anti cruelty angle isn't one I can be shamed with, though of course, try all you like.

                    • McFlock …
                      23 August 2019 at 7:26 pm

                      The wishful thinking bit is the "is coming to pass".

                      There are some interesting small-scale advances in a couple of areas. This is a massiveloy different proposition from being on the cusp of the commercial unviability of all livestock-related industries because of plant-based products that are indistinguishable and cheaper.

                      Maybe in 50 or a hundred years scotch fillet will be plant based. Even then punters will shell out for wagyu beef.

                    • marty mars …
                      23 August 2019 at 7:36 pm

                      if you say,"Wishful thinking based on severely impacted emotional reasoning" about wanting to reduce animal suffering then you are being emotional imo – if not what is it? PU is being emotional too – it's cool – humans decide emotionally and justify with reason, afterwards, in my vast and wide experience.

                      Not trying to shame you – I don't really care what you put in your mouth but I do care about fairness and your argument slips on that regard imo especially the dissing of someone wanting to reduce animal suffering. That's it from me on it – I've made my point and I don't care to argue about nothing.
                      edit @ mcflock – not sure if severely impacted emotional reasoning applies to ‘coming to pass’ – that would be a full excessive response from TA which would be even harder to call non emotional.

                    • McFlock …
                      23 August 2019 at 8:15 pm

                      lol I suspect that depends on just how far one assesses phil's statement as going into "wishful thinking" territory.

                      If it's just a little bit optimistic, meh.

                      Optimistic to the point of wildly inaccurate? certainly an impaired assessment for whatever reason.

                    • The Al1en …
                      23 August 2019 at 8:16 pm

                      The severe impacted emotional reasoning is all through the arguments put forward today, and other times, and whilst that is up to him to do that, it is surely there. He can't even say a certified free range egg is okay to eat. That's not a winnable argument from the perspective of well treatment of animals, that's entirely overly emotive over the substance.

                      It's confusing wishful thinking with fact, again, to re-state the coming death of the NZ dairy industry because of the linked report to start up labs in the u.s. I could say flying vehicles will be the end of the car industry based on the research work of some company, somewhere, if I found a sliver of supporting to put forward, but it would, of course, likewise be wishful thinking.

                      I have argued the industry won't die, certainly on a local level, even with restrictions due to climate change. Sure, time will tell how it all works out, yet so far it's an unchallenged counter point with only 'meat is murder' and 'you're into animal suffering' given back. Now what's that about emotional and excessive?

                    • marty mars …
                      23 August 2019 at 8:25 pm

                      yeah nah – reducing animal suffering – yes or no? If possible – if you could, would you?

                      If yes, why?

                      If no, yuck

                      your call

                    • The Al1en …
                      23 August 2019 at 8:34 pm

                      Sure, all for stopping ill treatment of anyone or anything, person or animal, but if you equate slaughtering an animal to eat as animal suffering, then we're poles apart. The .22 pellets that goes through the head and clean kill rabbits aren't animal suffering, certainly not like giving them mixomatosis anyway.

                      The death of the animal is ultimately the end game, and as a meat eater, I'm okay with it.

                    • phillip ure …
                      23 August 2019 at 8:51 pm

                      @mcflock..

                      'Maybe in 50 or a hundred years scotch fillet will be plant based. Even then punters will shell out for wagyu beef.'

                      the scotch fillet is already here – and plant-based 'wagyu beef' will be here soon enough..

                      and way before 50-100 yrs..

                    • Descendant Of Smith …
                      23 August 2019 at 8:56 pm

                      "massiveloy"

                      My brain keeps reading that as "saveloy"

                    • McFlock …
                      23 August 2019 at 10:22 pm

                      the scotch fillet is already here

                      Must have been in a different aisle when I was at supermarket yesterday.

                  • Incognito …
                    23 August 2019 at 6:41 pm

                    I know what you’re saying. I tried in vain recently but the nonsensical ‘arguments’ that were put forth showed it was only ever going to be an enormous waste of (my) time. Interestingly, commenters like PU seem to relish these exchanges so they must be getting/gaining something from it …

                    • The Al1en …
                      23 August 2019 at 7:06 pm

                      Yeah, I recall years past, and their game playing.

                    • phillip ure …
                      23 August 2019 at 8:24 pm

                      @ incognito..+ allen..

                      i do not 'relish' people pouring abuse on me – 'cos they find my arguments/ideas challenging..

                      and readers can decide if my four decades of fighting this cause – are some 'game' that i am playing..

                      and this is the general debate thread – the heading of which says:

                      ''Open mike is your post.

                      For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose'.

                      does that still apply..?

                      and does it apply to me..?

                    • Incognito []
                      23 August 2019 at 9:49 pm

                      I suppose I have to ask what do you get from it if it is abuse because they don’t get your arguments/ideas?

                      Who said you were playing games?

                      I’d put it to you that reap what you sow ..

                      I’d also suggest to you that the challenge is due, in large part, to your style of communication ..

                      Why do you ask about OM and whether “that” (?) or “it” (?) still (?) applies (?) to you if you already know the answer?

                      Here is a question for you: how many times have you and I discussed veganism or killing animals for mass consumption?

                    • phillip ure …
                      23 August 2019 at 10:14 pm

                      @ incognito..

                      'suppose I have to ask what do you get from it if it is abuse because they don’t get your arguments/ideas?'

                      sorry – i can't make sense of that – could you try again..

                      'Who said you were playing games?'

                      allen..

                      'I’d put it to you that reap what you sow'

                      cd u plse explain what that means..what am i 'sow'-ing (sic)..?

                      'I’d also suggest to you that the challenge is due, in large part, to your style of communication'

                      do you mean my disdain for the false honorific – the capital letter..?..

                      'Why do you ask about OM and whether “that” (?) or “it” (?) still (?) applies (?) to you if you already know the answer?'

                      i am puzzled as to why you seem to be so much on my case ?

                      'Here is a question for you: how many times have you and I discussed veganism or killing animals for mass consumption?'

                      i wouldn't have a clue..

                      and here is a question for you..

                      once again tonite you have accused me of not debating 'in good faith'

                      could i plse have a definition of what debating 'in good faith' is..?

                      or perhaps more relevant – (seeing it is what i am being constantly accused of)

                      cd you plse tell me what are the markers of not debating 'in good faith'..?

                      what constitutes such a judgement being made..?

                      'cos i most certainly believe in the arguments/ideas i am promoting..

                      i am not trading insults…

                      i am attempting to answer (in a civil manner) any questions asked..

                      so what am i doing (or not doing) that causes you to repeatedly accuse me of not debating 'in good faith'..

                      thank you..

                    • Incognito []
                      24 August 2019 at 10:07 pm

                      I hope I’m not wasting my time and your questions were genuine and in good faith.

                      It’s quite simple, if you don’t relish the abuse why do you keep coming back for more and why do you invite more?

                      I think people find your arguments/ideas challenging and your comments inaccessible because the way you present them, the style, the form & format, the words, the grammar, the punctuation, et cetera.

                      When you put forward your comments in a certain way, people are more likely to respond in a similar vein (sow – reap).

                      You draw attention to yourself. Don’t want it, don’t do it.

                      The answer to my question is: zero, none, never, not once. Makes you wonder, doesn’t it? But you didn’t have a clue!? And yet I “seem to be so much on [your] case”!?

                      Nope, I didn’t accuse again of not debating in good faith. I said @ 5:15 PM “that you have shown repeatedly that you are not interested in engaging in genuine debate”.

                      You have been a long-term commenter on this platform. Yet, you have to ask what is meant with “debate”!?

                      It can be found at the top of the Policy (https://thestandard.org.nz/policy/#rules):

                      We encourage robust debate and we’re tolerant of dissenting views. But this site run [sic] for reasonably rational debate between dissenting viewpoints and we intend to keep it operating that way.

                      The qualifiers “genuine” and “in good faith” are commonly understood terms in the English language I thought. Nevertheless, briefly, they describe debate as honest, respectful, with integrity, open-minded, willing to listen and politely (and patiently) asking for clarification, tolerant, free of prejudice and discrimination, supported by evidence, et cetera. The outcome is not being right vs. wrong or winning vs. losing but finding commonality, better understanding of each other’s viewpoints, increased mutual respect, and in some (rare) cases, a newly found truth (as in understanding of reality). The outcome can also be to agree to disagree. There is no place for fake facts, disingenuous comments, dogmatism and closed-mindedness, for example.

                      You have traded insults in your comments (but not to me). This, to me, shows again a lack of self-awareness of how you behave here, and how you come across.

                      I hope this helps.

                      PS I believe Robert Guyton thinks positively of you, which to me suggests that we might be dealing with a communication issue more than anything.

                    • The Al1en …
                      23 August 2019 at 10:24 pm

                      You still can't even bring yourself to use my chosen login, that's not only a dishonest approach to engage in debate, for a start, it's a clear example of not in good faith. lol

      • mauī 1.1.3
        23 August 2019 at 5:24 pm

        Lets leave milly out of this.

  2. ScottGN 2
    23 August 2019 at 7:51 am

    It’s starting to look like there is another epic fail by Phil Twyford on the cards. In a rather odd press release yesterday he confirmed that for the first time the NZTA has been thrust into a competitive tender process against an unsolicited bid from the NZ Super Fund and its French Canadian partners to build and run the city to Mangere light rail project in Auckland.
    So Labour’s flagship transport policy which Ardern promised at the last election would be finished by 2025 is further delayed. By the time the country goes to the polls again next year it seems likely that completely zero progress will have been made with this project, (there was also a northwestern light rail project planned too but we know the Super Fund aren’t interested in that so it appears to have been shelved). And we can be sure that if the Coalition government is turfed out next year National will move quickly to cancel the planned Auckland ATAP projects and redirect the funding back to RONS including the East-West Link, their disastrous motorway connection which would have destroyed the Onehunga waterfront and had the dubious honour of being the most expensive road ever planned anywhere on the planet.
    If this all falls apart as seems increasingly likely Aucklanders will be living with the results of Twyford’s incompetence for a very long time.

    • Sacha 2.1
      23 August 2019 at 8:07 am

      there was also a northwestern light rail project planned too but we know the Super Fund aren’t interested in that

      Do you have links about that? I always understood it was considered more viable as a package deal with the Mangere line.

      • Dukeofurl 2.1.1
        23 August 2019 at 9:29 am

        Those private finance initiatives are financial hell holes for the taxpayer. Especially when the light rail vehicle builder Bombardier is the canadian side of things. They will inflate the cost of the trams rather than source through competitive tender.

        These sort of projects are always very involved as huge investigations need to happen first.

        Personally the distruption along Dominion Rd isnt worth it building a traditional centre of the road tracks.

        Articulated guided buses are a far better option, as trams with tyres and electric powered.

        • Climaction 2.1.1.1
          23 August 2019 at 2:02 pm

          Why don’t they just make one lane of the highways in each direction bus only 24/7? Electric buses, less cars and no outrageous investment in cash and energy for essentially fixed capacity services.

          Short term unionist thinking makes train sets the default desire, but it isn’t what is best for this planet

          • Sacha 2.1.1.1.1
            24 August 2019 at 1:23 am

            I agree it makes sense to convert a lane of the NW motorway to bus-only right now, while we wait for the full connection to be built.

            Trains can carry more people per hour per metre of lane space than buses or cars – a crucial factor for peak services in built-up environments. Trams also out-perform buses and cars.

            Steel wheels on rails are way more energy efficient than rubber on asphalt, so even electric buses are more carbon-intensive than electric trains or trams. That's a long-term proposition.

            There are more members of bus unions than train ones. I do not know what you are on about there.

      • ScottGN 2.1.2
        23 August 2019 at 10:59 am

        Twyford himself has said quite recently that the northwestern light rail plans may need to be scaled back.

        Personally I think they should just get on with the original plans for a busway from the northwest to the city. We’ve seen how transformative the Northern Express has been for public transport users on the Shore. And it’s relatively easy and cheap to convert dedicated busways to light rail at a later date.

        • Sacha 2.1.2.1
          24 August 2019 at 1:26 am

          Biggest problem with building a busway first then converting to light rail later is having to close the whole thing for a couple of years during the changeover. As we will find out with the Northern one sometime..

          • ScottGN 2.1.2.1.1
            24 August 2019 at 7:37 am

            There would be no need whatsoever to close the northern busway while it’s transitioned to LRT. Starting at the city end you’d build the city terminus, lines and stations plus the 2nd harbour crossing (hopefully a cable stayed bridge) and the spur line to Takapuna – busway services run as normal while done. Then the rest of the network can be done in stages with the busway using the motorway at whichever station is being worked on. Meanwhile services have commenced on the new Takapuna to city. LRT. It’s not fucking rocket science.

            We Aucklanders like to think we’re in the same league as Sydney and Melbourne but the reality with public transport in this city is that we aren’t even keeping up with fucking Canberra.

    • Ad 2.2
      23 August 2019 at 9:42 am

      Light rail is on it's way to becoming the biggest government procurement disaster since the Aramoana smelter.

      NZTA actively undermined by NZSuperfund for nearly two years.

      Minister well past due to smack heads.

      • Dukeofurl 2.2.1
        23 August 2019 at 9:49 am

        You are believing journalist hyberbole like you always do.

        • ScottGN 2.2.1.1
          23 August 2019 at 11:09 am

          It’s true that there has been an enormous amount of junk stories written about these projects in the last few years. Anne Gibson’s “Slow Trams” piece in the Herald the other day was almost completely devoid of any facts.

          However I’m inclined to agree with Ad that, in the Year of Delivery we’re looking at another major fail from the government as a signature policy turns to custard.

        • Ad 2.2.1.2
          23 August 2019 at 2:53 pm

          Twyford has appointed MoT to oversee a procurement contest between NZTA's light rail team, and the NZSuper/Quebec Pension Fund team.

          MoT have no experience in this area.

          Treasury do.

          MoT have also proven themselves to be a totally ineffective regulator of NZTA, and we are still awaiting the Martyn Jenkins into how responsibilities for regulating and enforcing the transport system will be redesigned. 12 months later still waiting ……….

          So there is no reason to be confident in MoT decisionmaking in infrastructure projects which also have an integrated operating model, and are outside PTOM. Also there's no word on how the NZSuper model fits within ATAP, and ATAP is the first time Crown and Auckland ever agreed on transport project priority and funding together.

          If anyone can think of an instance where the country's major infrastructure agency was actively undermined by another agency on a deal this scale, I'd be very interested.

          DPMC should have been all over this smacking heads a long time ago. There's now going to be a Cabinet decision some time next year. It makes it a very high risk that an election and change of government will kill light rail completely. That is caused by this government's inability to control its own entities.

          Also some chance that Tamihere will come in to rule Auckland and actively oppose it, a risk that would have been managed if the Government had got their shit together.

          So the parallels to Muldoon's Aramoana deal are pretty similar.

          More detail on GreaterAuckland if you want it.

          The sum total of this terms' transport infrastructure delivery will be the motorway jobs around the Waikato that were started by National.

          • Incognito 2.2.1.2.1
            23 August 2019 at 5:01 pm

            Can you please explain why MoT doesn’t have experience in the area of procurement? They certainly feature on GETS (https://www.gets.govt.nz/).

            That is caused by this government's inability to control its own entities. [my italics]

            What do you mean by this? The system is set up to ensure independence from Government interference and to shield operational matters from political meddling.

            Lastly, if this was “an unsolicited bid from the NZ Super Fund and its French Canadian partners” as alleged by ScottGN @ 2 then it cannot be simply ignored and brushed aside as an inconvenience or political nuisance, can it?

      • ScottGN 2.2.2
        23 August 2019 at 11:02 am

        NZTA aren’t exactly blameless either though Ad. In retrospect Twyford’s decision to take the projects off AT and give them to NZTA looks like a major blunder.

        • Ad 2.2.2.1
          23 August 2019 at 4:24 pm

          Agree NZTA are not blameless.

          And when the get a new permanent CE some time this year, expect yet another top-down restructure, which in turn kills all major things getting done.

  3. Buster12 3
    23 August 2019 at 8:23 am

    Kind of agree with the guy on breakfast who said people are making a mountain out of a molehill re the terrorists letter.

    • Sacha 3.1
      23 August 2019 at 8:54 am

      Greg Newbold knows nothing about how white terrorist mass-messaging works. This is not the same as a prisoner who killed someone in a pub brawl and is writing to his nan.

    • phantom snowflake 3.2
      23 August 2019 at 9:22 am

      The best piece I've seen on this topic was by Idiot/Savant over at No Right Turn. Absolutely nailed it.

      https://norightturn.blogspot.com/2019/08/nazis-prisons-and-mail.html

      • Dukeofurl 3.2.1
        23 August 2019 at 9:38 am

        Hes wrong

        "but it is simply illegal." [ to stop him sending letters]

        S108 Withholding mail

        (1)

        A prison manager may withhold mail between a prisoner and another person if—

        (a)

        the prisoner or the other person asks the manager to do so; or

        (b)

        the other person is under 16 years, and his or her guardian asks the manager to do so; or

        (c)

        the other person is a prisoner, and neither prisoner has first notified the prison manager of his or her intention to correspond; or

        (d)

        it is correspondence that the manager believes on reasonable grounds is likely to—

        (i)

        threaten or intimidate a person to whom it is being sent by the prisoner; or

        (ii)

        endanger the safety or welfare of any person; or

        (iii)

        pose a threat to the security of the prison; or

        (iv)

        promote or encourage the commission of an offence, or involve, or facilitate the commission or possible commission of, an offence; or

        (v)

        prejudice the maintenance of the law (including the prevention, detection, investigation, prosecution, and punishment of offences, and the right to a fair trial); or

        (vi)

        breach an order or direction of any court (for example, a direction given under section 168A (no-contact conditions if family violence offence defendant remanded in custody) of the Criminal Procedure Act 2011) or constitute contempt of court.

        Its typical of NRT to have a rant without even reading the Full Corrections Act. he mentions S69. Ignores section 108 m which is far broader

        http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/2004/0050/latest/DLM294849.html

        And hes wrong again at the end when he says this terrorist will eventualyl get out of jail.
        hes totally ignorant about the sentence of life without parole. Mudering 51 people , in a place of worship , will certainly attract the maximum

        • phantom snowflake 3.2.1.1
          23 August 2019 at 10:51 am

          Pretty much nope. Idiot/Savant isn't suggesting that withholding mail is never legitimate;

          "Incoming or outgoing mail (or items in it) can be withheld for various reasons, including consent, court orders, and preventing the commission of further offences."

          rather that there are no legal grounds for an instant, blanket ban on all mail for this particular prisoner.

          (Regarding "life without parole"; I'm pretty sure it's a sentence that's never been used in NZ but I agree with you that it's inevitable in this case.)

          • McFlock 3.2.1.1.1
            23 August 2019 at 2:46 pm

            Not so sure about the blanket ban in this case. It's not just what he says, but that it's from him that encourages these jerks/promotes similar acts.

            In his case, it might be currently legal to have a list of authorised contactees who get mail unless there's something explicitly fucked up, and for random weirdos in Russia or wherever it all gets returned to sender. Even a "nice to hear from you, I like cats, too" note from the fucker would end up in a wee shrine on their wall.

          • Dukeofurl 3.2.1.1.2
            23 August 2019 at 3:54 pm

            Blanket ban ?

            you mean this from NRT

            Corrections' immediate response to publicly fucking up is to ban the prisoner from sending or receiving any more mail.

            I remember the head of Corrections saying every piece of his mail would now come over her desk.

            And the ban , its temporary

            "The man accused of the Christchurch mosque shootings will be blocked from sending or receiving mail pending a review, Corrections' chief executive says.

            NRT doesnt read it properly and calls it "any more mail"

            So his story has 3 falsehoods.

            No ban on 'any more mail' its temporary

            Not Illegal, S108 allows various circumstances

            Not ' Will Get out of prison one day', as life without parole is available and NRT doesnt yet know how the sentence will turnout

  4. Sacha 4
    23 August 2019 at 9:26 am

    @lprent Am getting blocked by Wordfence a lot this morning. Have you changed some settings?

  5. Sanctuary 5
    23 August 2019 at 10:00 am

    Looks like punctuation is a casualty of decolonisation.

    [TheStandard: A moderator moved this comment to Open Mike as being off topic or irrelevant in the post it was made in. Be more careful in future.]

    [mind your manners – weka]

    • The Al1en 5.1
      23 August 2019 at 10:17 am

      My first love was Miss McCabe, my English teacher in secondary school. She was so pretty, I must have stared at her for two three hour lessons per week for a couple of years and learnt nothing. She got married and I was devastated at the time, but I managed to cope and move on.

      Like the first casualty of war but different, she took my grammar, my spelling and my innersents.

  6. Puckish Rogue 6
    23 August 2019 at 12:14 pm

    https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12261171

    'Veteran National MP and former Cabinet minister Judith Collins will lift the lid on her time in Government in a tell-all book which details some of the most trying times of her political career.'

    Now we'll find out what really happened, happy days angel

    • Robert Guyton 6.1
      23 August 2019 at 12:56 pm

      Will you get a mention, Pucky?

      You're her most ardent/deluded fan smiley

      • Dukeofurl 6.1.1
        23 August 2019 at 3:03 pm

        Collins will dish the dirt on Key, English and Joyce, and maybe a few other of her frenemies in National

        Puckish may not be liking that

        • Puckish Rogue 6.1.1.1
          24 August 2019 at 6:51 am

          Anything Jude does is for the greater good so I'll like it no matter what she writes wink

  7. Robert Guyton 7
    23 August 2019 at 1:03 pm

    "The National Party, which generally pulls in more money in donations than other parties, has run more ads than others in recent months, with a fierce campaign against Associate Transport Minister Julie Anne Genter over her proposed "feebate" scheme.

    At one point the party had 14 ads running at once."

    14 facebook ads, attacking Julie Anne Genter.

    https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/115198193/facebook-ads-will-dominate-the-next-election–but-our-politicians-dont-have-to-tell-us-about-them

    • Incognito 7.1
      23 August 2019 at 4:39 pm

      Attacking persons always trumps attacking policies but even better is to do both at once.

  8. Chris T 8
    23 August 2019 at 1:37 pm

    Am I the only one that is getting a 503 error and this if I try to look at more than about two articles in a minute?

    "Your access to this site has been limited

    Your access to this service has been temporarily limited. Please try again in a few minutes. (HTTP response code 503)

    Reason: Exceeded the maximum global requests per minute for crawlers or humans."

  9. Dukeofurl 9
    23 August 2019 at 3:45 pm

    Still not sure why facebook google cookies are being set for this site – the extra cookie load may be slowing down things too. But web pages are loading ok now.

    I would assume its WordPress doing it for them . Wont be long before Twitter is lurking in the background as well

    • weka 9.1
      23 August 2019 at 4:48 pm

      "Still not sure why facebook google cookies are being set for this site"

      Can you explain that in lay terms? eg when someone opens a TS page, the cookies from google are loaded into that browser?

      • xanthe 9.1.1
        24 August 2019 at 9:04 am

        I think that will be a feature of wordpress

        when a link to FB Twitter etc is placed in a post or comment WordPress adds a tag so that your browser goes and get an image from FB to connect the link to

  10. xanthe 10
    23 August 2019 at 5:06 pm

    Tainui to buy Ihumātao land

    at least according to Duncan Garner ? ""

    https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2019/08/tainui-to-buy-ihum-tao-land-sources.html

    anyway Chris Finlayson thinks it is a great idea

    "They could think about an appropriate development there that takes into account all the concerns Pania has mentioned," said Dr Finlayson.

    "You could get an appropriate Novotel there, beautiful open space. Someone suggested it could be a golf course… Open space, beautiful piece of land. What better than having 18 holes before you jump on the Emirates flight to Dubai?"

    WTF ???

    • weka 10.1
      23 August 2019 at 5:18 pm

      Kiingitanga spokesman Rahui Papa’s phone started ringing early this morning when Newshub reported that Tainui was about to buy back Ihumātao.

      But Mr Papa was quick to pour cold water on the claims.

      “There is no deal. There is no resolution at this stage and all of the media speculation is unfounded,” he said.

      https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/te-manu-korihi/397328/there-is-no-deal-waikato-tainui-leader

      Garner isn’t the last person I’d go to for information about Māoridom, but he’s close to last. I can’t see how this kind of MSM rumourmongering helps anyone.

      Whatever happens there’s still the issue of the land having been confiscated by the Crown.

      • Incognito 10.1.1
        23 August 2019 at 5:26 pm

        I can’t see how this kind of MSM rumourmongering helps anyone.

        It helps MSM.

        • weka 10.1.1.1
          23 August 2019 at 5:35 pm

          It helps Garner and Shub 😛

        • Sacha 10.1.1.2
          24 August 2019 at 1:06 am

          It seeds the idea that Māori can pay for the land that was confiscated from them, delighting the scared 'middle New Zillunders' who media care about.

          • Incognito 10.1.1.2.1
            24 August 2019 at 9:43 am

            I agree, middle-NZ can rejoice in the fact that property rights are still enshrined and the mighty dollar still rules. Law & Order has been restored and life will return to normal again. All is well in middle-NZ. When is SPJ’s next movie coming out and when are the ABs playing again?

    • mauī 10.2
      23 August 2019 at 5:32 pm

      Minister for treaty settlements offers iwi land back with a Novotel on it… Genius!

  12. Eco maori 12
    25 August 2019 at 10:00 am

    Kia Ora The Hui.

    I agree having organisation over sea company's looking after our tamariki in state care is a failed system of the past.

    Ka pai Brendon from Christchurch going to the Marae to teach the people and kaumatua about the correct medication and method of taking of the medication as well as methods to save money.

    Your documents to help pharmacist work well with tangata whenua o Aotearoa. A lot of our kaumatua don't have the tautoko they need some people don't recognise me being tangata whenua to.

    Ka pai Kura your winning the Billy T James comedy awards I say comedy and laughter is good for the wairua. Kura woulder shoulded will be a great comedy show

    The first Maori to win the award in 15 years.

    Ka kite Ano

  13. Eco maori 13
    25 August 2019 at 3:14 pm

    I tau toko Equality for Wahine all around Te Papatuanuku. Its great to see world leaders championing this cause equality and respect for Wahine Eco Maori congratulates the Wahine times are changing for the better for all

    Every G7 country should have a feminist foreign policy

    We members of the G7’s Gender Equality Advisory Council are urging countries to ditch archaic and discriminatory laws and promote empowerment.

    The sheer tenacity of women raising their voices and organising for fundamental change has been, and will continue to be, the driving force for achieving women’s rights and a gender-equal world. Yet we cannot ignore the fundamental role that governments can play in either promoting or thwarting change.

    That is why the four of us accepted French president Emmanuel Macron’s invitation to join 32 colleagues to form a G7 Gender Equality Advisory Council. On Sunday, we will present the culmination of our work; a package of recommended laws focused on ending gender-based violence; ensuring inclusive, equitable, and quality health and education; promoting the economic empowerment of women; and combating discrimination, ensuring full gender equality in policies and public life. In each area we point to laws from around the world that illustrate the type of action countries should take.

    Most countries – including the G7 – still have discriminatory laws that violate the rights of girls and women. Almost 40% have at least one constraint on women’s rights to own property. Women don’t have the same rights as men to get a job or pursue a trade or profession in 18 countries or to get a national ID card in 11 countries. Added to these archaic laws are the more recent ones that restrict women’s bodily autonomy, and deny sexual and reproductive rights.

    More positively, there are hundreds of good laws that address critical issues and push progress. For example, Denmark has a new law on cyber harassment, Iceland has the strongest equal pay laws in the world, and Morocco is institutionalising gender equality Ka kite Ano link below.

    https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2019/aug/22/every-g7-country-should-have-a-feminist-foreign-policy-emma-watson

  14. Eco maori 14
    25 August 2019 at 5:18 pm

    I was just talking to someone educatiing them about our rear native Kaka beak the other day here we have a story on this site. We have to come up with a humane way to control goats and deer as this
    be a place where our kaka beak could thrive. Eco Maori will go with fenceing off a area to be a haven for our native animals floral and fruna

    An audacious plan to save a rare species

    With fewer kākā beak plants in the wild than kākāpō, conservationists have been testing novel ways to hold the fort on extinction.

    Ka kite Ano link below.

    https://www.newsroom.co.nz/2019/08/21/764019/an-audacious-plan-to-save-a-rare-species

  15. Eco maori 15
    25 August 2019 at 6:25 pm

    Kia Ora Newshub.

    Yes Lloyd the Amazon is one of the most important forests in the Papatuanuku its great that people are protesting about Brazil not putting more resources into the fighting that fire.

    I agree laws are not good enough to to protect people from alcohol negative effects on people. Mike this is a great story to run I can look back into the past and see many negative incidents that stem from alcohol over use.

    That' will give Sir Tim a big smile having a direct flight from Auckland to Invercargill the student will be happy to.

    Lightning strike at a golf game in America we never no when Tawhirimate lightning is going to strike

    Ka kite Ano

  16. Eco maori 16
    25 August 2019 at 6:49 pm

    Kia Ora Te Ao Maori News.

    Ka pai for our waka paddler all the best.

    To me it seems like the person who made the Culture and heritage site has deliberately left the data on the site open to all Google searches. I E set up.

    Te uroa the Smear you near campaign has raised the profile of cervical cancer for Wahine tangata whenua.

    Sons of Black Bird showing how Pacific Islanders were used as slaves in Australia sugar plantation This will be a awesome doco/film for all. to watch Tangata Whenua O Aotearoa have problems with employment discrimination some can't even see that it's happening to them It cost one company a few hundred million. Black birds are one of my favourite birds to.

    Ka kite Ano

  17. Eco maori 17
    26 August 2019 at 8:21 am

    Kia Ora The Am Show.

    There you go the NZ housing market is still strong the regions outside of Auckland are doing great like Christchurch and Gisborne people saying our housing market is going down are not very intelligent as everyone knows that there is a huge housing short at the minute.

    Cameron All the governments of the Papatuanuku need to work together in these times of uncertainty and Climate Change its hard for people to stop thinking about their own wellbeing over that of the World's future wellbeing self graterfacation is the Capitalist way of thinking so short sighted

    The Myanmar government has treated their Muslim Rohingya tangata very bad I tau toko their gathering together to protest the way they are being pushed into A refugee camps across their borders. Respect for all cultures is the humane way to behave in the year 2019.

    Collegiun needs to be put in the rubbish bin and in our history books. Ka kite Ano.

  18. Eco maori 18
    26 August 2019 at 10:17 am

    Australian betting on Carbon Coal is a bet that will see Australia fortunes drop dramatically especially when Solar Power is %30 cheaper a %90 cleaner needs less water to run also the price of Solar is coming down rapidly just 1 year ago Solar was just % 5 more efficient than Coal.

    Eco Maori bet is on the good clean and green energy from Te Ra the Sun Solar power and Wind Energy.

    Australian thermal coal exporters warned of falling demand from India

    Report says outlook in India is ‘finely balanced and uncertain’ despite resources industry’s high hopes.

    Thermal coal exporters face “significant risk” that demand from India will decline, a report by the Australian office of the chief economist says.

    It also warned of long-term uncertainties in the market considered a “great hope” by miners.

    The report, released on Friday, came as the resources minister, Matt Canavan, prepared to visit India to spruik the Australian resources sector

    “If India’s thermal coal imports decline, there could be substantial implications for seaborne markets.”

    These uncertainties were largely out of the control of Australian miners and policymakers.

    This month India announced a plan to cut its coal imports by a third, counting on an increase in domestic production and in renewable energy output.

    The growth of its domestic coalmining sector, and an increase in the uptake of renewables, were among the uncertainties cited by the chief economist’s report

    As demand slows, particularly in China, the benchmark thermal coal price has sunk to a three-year low: US$61 a tonne.

    Buckley said solar power in India was three times cheaper than the assumptions used in the chief economist’s report, based on outdated IEA predictions.

    “They’re underestimating the importance of low-cost renewable energy,” he said.

    “Growth of thermal coal demand in India is financially challenged by the fact renewable energy is 30% cheaper, so what bank in their right mind would finance a new coal-fired power plant.

    Ka kite Ano link below.

    https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/aug/23/australian-thermal-coal-exporters-warned-of-falling-demand-from-india

  19. Eco maori 19
    26 August 2019 at 2:11 pm

    The sandflys breaking into my new wind turbine stealing the charge controller and the manual on how to use the wind turbine

    https://youtu.be/8N_tupPBtWQ

  20. Eco maori 20
    27 August 2019 at 8:25 am

    Kia Ora The Am Show.

    This government has put more resources into our Rangatahi than any I can remember. Mental health funding education funding trade training. More money for Social Security.

    . Yes. Mike thing have to change this issue is big and like any thing big it takes time to change I can see the positive change in Aotearoa.

    The experts need to listen to other people's advice and opinions on mental health.

    These issues mental health home less oranga tamariki are the symptoms of nine years of a government that puts money before tangata the everdince is there organisations recording record Profits.

    Great cover of Queen Marc's he is one of my favourite singers

    The dream is the oil barons hocking there carbon to the Papatuanuku and in the process that we are the %99.9 going stand by and watch the oil barons burn down OUR Whare. Solar and Wind Energy is the new trend that no one can NOT stop. The positive of Green energy verse the negative effects of carbon even a pepi could work out what is the best bet for All Solar and Wind Energy.

    I get that. Lgb and transvestites minority culture have high self-harming and suerside rates hence Haters Shut Up Idiots.

    Ka kite Ano

  21. Eco maori 21
    27 August 2019 at 4:35 pm

    I ask myself this question all the time.

    How can there be justice if the process isn’t just.

    Through the years, the mainstream media has had trouble applying itself to the task of calling the Crown to account for downplaying the Treaty. You get the impression that most of its influential journalists have seen the 1840 deal as undeserving of much of their time or space, unless there’s a punch-up.

    The news priorities are different within the Māori media. A number of the voices coming from that direction stick to the belief that the dishonouring of the Treaty by the Crown (and the media) are at the heart of New Zealand’s problems.

    One of those voices is that of Moana Maniapoto who’s on the case in various ways. One example is her documentary series The Negotiators which starts on Māori Television on September 2. And another is Te Ao with Moana which runs on Tuesday nights at 8pm.

    Last Tuesday, she had three guests to chew over the little-understood business of Treaty settlements.

    They were Chris Finlayson, the former Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations, who’d worked on Ngāi Tahu’s Treaty claims before entering parliament in 2005. Professor Margaret Mutu, professor of Māori Studies at Auckland University and chief negotiator for Te Rūnanga a iwi o Ngāti Kahu. And Chris McKenzie, who was the lead Treaty settlement negotiator for Ngāti Raukawa, which included their historical claims and also co-management of the Waikato River.

    Here’s an edited version of that programme

    Ka kite Ano link below.

    https://e-tangata.co.nz/history/how-can-there-be-justice-if-the-process-isnt-just/

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    The schools are on holiday and the sun is shining in the seaside village and all day long I have been seeing bunches of bikes; Mums, Dads, teens and toddlers chattering, laughing, happy, having a bloody great time together. Cheers, AT, for the bits of lane you’ve added lately around the ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago

  • Ministers are not above the law
    Today in our National-led authoritarian nightmare: Shane Jones thinks Ministers should be above the law: New Zealand First MP Shane Jones is accusing the Waitangi Tribunal of over-stepping its mandate by subpoenaing a minister for its urgent hearing on the Oranga Tamariki claim. The tribunal is looking into the ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    2 days ago

  • What’s the outfit you can hear going down the gurgler? Probably it’s David Parker’s Oceans Sec...
    Buzz from the Beehive Point  of Order first heard of the Oceans Secretariat in June 2021, when David Parker (remember him?) announced a multi-agency approach to protecting New Zealand’s marine ecosystems and fisheries. Parker (holding the Environment, and Oceans and Fisheries portfolios) broke the news at the annual Forest & ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    2 days ago

  • Will politicians let democracy die in the darkness?
    Bryce Edwards writes  – Politicians across the political spectrum are implicated in the New Zealand media’s failing health. Either through neglect or incompetent interventions, successive governments have failed to regulate, foster, and allow a healthy Fourth Estate that can adequately hold politicians and the powerful to account. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago

  • Matt Doocey doubles down on trans “healthcare”
    Citizen Science writes –  Last week saw two significant developments in the debate over the treatment of trans-identifying children and young people – the release in Britain of the final report of Dr Hilary Cass’s review into gender healthcare, and here in New Zealand, the news that the ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago

  • A TikTok Prime Minister.
    One night while sleeping in my bed I had a beautiful dreamThat all the people of the world got together on the same wavelengthAnd began helping one anotherNow in this dream, universal love was the theme of the dayPeace and understanding and it happened this wayAfter such an eventful day ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    2 days ago

  • Texas Lessons
    This is a guest post by Oscar Simms who is a housing activist, volunteer for the Coalition for More Homes, and was the Labour Party candidate for Auckland Central at the last election. ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    2 days ago

  • Bernard's pick 'n' mix of the news links at 6:06 am
    The top six news links I’ve seen elsewhere in the last 24 hours as of 6:06 am on Wednesday, April 17 are:Must read: Secrecy shrouds which projects might be fast-tracked RNZ Farah HancockScoop: Revealed: Luxon has seven staffers working on social media content - partly paid for by taxpayer Newshub ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago

  • Fighting poverty on the holiday highway
    Turning what Labour called the “holiday highway” into a four-lane expressway from Auckland to Whangarei could bring at least an economic benefit of nearly two billion a year for Northland each year. And it could help bring an end to poverty in one of New Zealand’s most deprived regions. The ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    2 days ago

  • Bernard's six-stack of substacks at 6:26 pm
    Tonight’s six-stack includes: launching his substack with a bunch of his previous documentaries, including this 1992 interview with Dame Whina Cooper. and here crew give climate activists plenty to do, including this call to submit against the Fast Track Approvals bill. writes brilliantly here on his substack ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago

  • At a glance – Is the science settled?
    On February 14, 2023 we announced our Rebuttal Update Project. This included an ask for feedback about the added "At a glance" section in the updated basic rebuttal versions. This weekly blog post series highlights this new section of one of the updated basic rebuttal versions and serves as a ...
    Skeptical Science
    3 days ago

  • Apposite Quotations.
    How Long Is Long Enough? Gaza under Israeli bombardment, July 2014. This posting is exclusive to Bowalley Road. ...
    Bowalley Road
    3 days ago

  • What’s a life worth now?
    You're in the mall when you hear it: some kind of popping sound in the distance, kids with fireworks, maybe. But then a moment of eerie stillness is followed by more of the fireworks sound and there’s also screaming and shrieking and now here come people running for their lives.Does ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago

  • Howling at the Moon
    Karl du Fresne writes –  There’s a crisis in the news media and the media are blaming it on everyone except themselves. Culpability is being deflected elsewhere – mainly to the hapless Minister of Communications, Melissa Lee, and the big social media platforms that are accused of hoovering ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago

  • Newshub is Dead.
    I don’t normally send out two newsletters in a day but I figured I’d say something about… the news. If two newsletters is a bit much then maybe just skip one, I don’t want to overload people. Alternatively if you’d be interested in sometimes receiving multiple, smaller updates from me, ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago

  • Seymour is chuffed about cutting early-learning red tape – but we hear, too, that Jones has loose...
    Buzz from the Beehive David Seymour and Winston Peters today signalled that at least two ministers of the Crown might be in Wellington today. Seymour (as Associate Minister of Education) announced the removal of more red tape, this time to make it easier for new early learning services to be ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    3 days ago

  • Bryce Edwards: Will politicians let democracy die in the darkness?
    Politicians across the political spectrum are implicated in the New Zealand media’s failing health. Either through neglect or incompetent interventions, successive governments have failed to regulate, foster, and allow a healthy Fourth Estate that can adequately hold politicians and the powerful to account. Our political system is suffering from the ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    3 days ago

  • Was Hawkesby entirely wrong?
    David Farrar  writes –  The Broadcasting Standards Authority ruled: Comments by radio host Kate Hawkesby suggesting Māori and Pacific patients were being prioritised for surgery due to their ethnicity were misleading and discriminatory, the Broadcasting Standards Authority has found. It is a fact such patients are prioritised. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago

  • PRC shadow looms as the Solomons head for election
    PRC and its proxies in Solomons have been preparing for these elections for a long time. A lot of money, effort and intelligence have gone into ensuring an outcome that won’t compromise Beijing’s plans. Cleo Paskall writes – On April 17th the Solomon Islands, a country of ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago

  • Climate Change: Criminal ecocide
    We are in the middle of a climate crisis. Last year was (again) the hottest year on record. NOAA has just announced another global coral bleaching event. Floods are threatening UK food security. So naturally, Shane Jones wants to make it easier to mine coal: Resources Minister Shane Jones ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    3 days ago

  • Is saving one minute of a politician's time worth nearly $1 billion?
    Is speeding up the trip to and from Wellington airport by 12 minutes worth spending up more than $10 billion? Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The six news items that stood out to me in the last day to 8:26 am today are:The Lead: Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago

  • Long Tunnel or Long Con?
    Yesterday it was revealed that Transport Minister had asked Waka Kotahi to look at the options for a long tunnel through Wellington. State Highway 1 (SH1) through Wellington City is heavily congested at peak times and while planning continues on the duplicate Mt Victoria Tunnel and Basin Reserve project, the ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    3 days ago

  • Smoke And Mirrors.
    You're a fraud, and you know itBut it's too good to throw it all awayAnyone would do the sameYou've got 'em goingAnd you're careful not to show itSometimes you even fool yourself a bitIt's like magicBut it's always been a smoke and mirrors gameAnyone would do the sameForty six billion ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago

  • What is Mexico doing about climate change?
    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections The June general election in Mexico could mark a turning point in ensuring that the country’s climate policies better reflect the desire of its citizens to address the climate crisis, with both leading presidential candidates expressing support for renewable energy. Mexico is the ...
    Skeptical Science
    3 days ago

  • State of humanity, 2024
    2024, it feels, keeps presenting us with ever more challenges, ever more dismay.Do you give up yet? It seems to ask.No? How about this? Or this?How about this?When I say 2024 I really mean the state of humanity in 2024.Saturday night, we watched Civil War because that is one terrifying cliff we've ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 days ago

  • Govt’s Wellington tunnel vision aims to ease the way to the airport (but zealous promoters of cycl...
    Buzz from the Beehive A pet project and governmental tunnel vision jump out from the latest batch of ministerial announcements. The government is keen to assure us of its concern for the wellbeing of our pets. It will be introducing pet bonds in a change to the Residential Tenancies Act ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago

  • The case for cultural connectedness
    A recent report generated from a Growing Up in New Zealand (GUiNZ) survey of 1,224 rangatahi Māori aged 11-12 found: Cultural connectedness was associated with fewer depression symptoms, anxiety symptoms and better quality of life. That sounds cut and dry. But further into the report the following appears: Cultural connectedness is ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • Useful context on public sector job cuts
    David Farrar writes –    The Herald reports: From the gory details of job-cuts news, you’d think the public service was being eviscerated.   While the media’s view of the cuts is incomplete, it’s also true that departments have been leaking the particulars faster than a Wellington ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • Gordon Campbell On When Racism Comes Disguised As Anti-racism
    Remember the good old days, back when New Zealand had a PM who could think and speak calmly and intelligently in whole sentences without blustering? Even while Iran’s drones and missiles were still being launched, Helen Clark was live on TVNZ expertly summing up the latest crisis in the Middle ...
    Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
    4 days ago

  • Govt ignored economic analysis of smokefree reversal
    Costello did not pass on analysis of the benefits of the smokefree reforms to Cabinet, emphasising instead the extra tax revenues of repealing them. Photo: Hagen Hopkins, Getty Images TL;DR: The six news items that stood out to me at 7:26 am today are:The Lead: Casey Costello never passed on ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago

  • True Blue.
    True loveYou're the one I'm dreaming ofYour heart fits me like a gloveAnd I'm gonna be true blueBaby, I love youI’ve written about the job cuts in our news media last week. The impact on individuals, and the loss to Aotearoa of voices covering our news from different angles.That by ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago

  • Who is running New Zealand’s foreign policy?
    While commentators, including former Prime Minister Helen Clark, are noting a subtle shift in New Zealand’s foreign policy, which now places more emphasis on the United States, many have missed a key element of the shift. What National said before the election is not what the government is doing now. ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    4 days ago

  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #15
    A listing of 31 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, April 7, 2024 thru Sat, April 13, 2024. Story of the week Our story of the week is about adults in the room setting terms and conditions of ...
    Skeptical Science
    4 days ago

  • Feline Friends and Fragile Fauna The Complexities of Cats in New Zealand’s Conservation Efforts

    Cats, with their independent spirit and beguiling purrs, have captured the hearts of humans for millennia. In New Zealand, felines are no exception, boasting the highest national cat ownership rate globally [definition cat nz cat foundation]. An estimated 1.134 million pet cats grace Kiwi households, compared to 683,000 dogs ...

    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    5 days ago

  • Or is that just they want us to think?
    Nice guy, that Peter Williams. Amiable, a calm air of no-nonsense capability, a winning smile. Everything you look for in a TV presenter and newsreader.I used to see him sometimes when I went to TVNZ to be a talking head or a panellist and we would yarn. Nice guy, that ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    5 days ago

  • Fact Brief – Did global warming stop in 1998?
    Skeptical Science is partnering with Gigafact to produce fact briefs — bite-sized fact checks of trending claims. This fact brief was written by Sue Bin Park in collaboration with members from our Skeptical Science team. You can submit claims you think need checking via the tipline. Did global warming stop in ...
    Skeptical Science
    5 days ago

  • Arguing over a moot point.
    I have been following recent debates in the corporate and social media about whether it is a good idea for NZ to join what is known as “AUKUS Pillar Two.” AUKUS is the Australian-UK-US nuclear submarine building agreement in which … Continue reading → ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    6 days ago

  • No Longer Trusted: Ageing Boomers, Laurie & Les, Talk Politics.
    Turning Point: “What has turned me away from the mainstream news media is the very strong message that its been sending out for the last few years.” “And what message might that be?” “That the people who own it, the people who run it, and the people who provide its content, really don’t ...
    Bowalley Road
    6 days ago

  • Mortgage rates at 10% anyone?
    No – nothing about that in PM Luxon’s nine-point plan to improve the lives of New Zealanders. But beyond our shores Jamie Dimon, the long-serving head of global bank J.P. Morgan Chase, reckons that the chances of a goldilocks soft landing for the economy are “a lot lower” than the ...
    Point of OrderBy xtrdnry
    6 days ago

  • Sad tales from the left
    Michael Bassett writes –  Have you noticed the odd way in which the media are handling the government’s crackdown on surplus employees in the Public Service? Very few reporters mention the crazy way in which State Service numbers rocketed ahead by more than 16,000 during Labour’s six years, ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago

  • In Whose Best Interests?
    On The Spot: The question Q+A host, Jack Tame, put to the Workplace & Safety Minister, Act’s Brooke van Velden, was disarmingly simple: “Are income tax cuts right now in the best interests of lowering inflation?”JACK TAME has tested another MP on his Sunday morning current affairs show, Q+A. Minister for Workplace ...
    Bowalley Road
    6 days ago

  • Don’t Question, Don’t Complain.
    It has to start somewhereIt has to start sometimeWhat better place than here?What better time than now?So it turns out that I owe you all an apology.It seems that all of the terrible things this government is doing, impacting the lives of many, aren’t necessarily ‘bad’ per se. Those things ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    6 days ago

  • Auckland faces 25% water inflation shock
    Three Waters became a focus of anti-Government protests under Labour, but its dumping by the new Government hasn’t solved councils’ funding problems and will eventually hit the back pockets of everyone. Photo: Lynn Grieveson/Getty ImagesTL;DR: The six news items that stood out to me at 8:06 am today are:The Government ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago

  • Small accomplishments and large ironies
    Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on the past week’s editions.Share Read more ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    6 days ago

  • The Song of Saqua: Volume VII
    In order to catch up to the actual progress of the D&D campaign, I present you with another couple of sessions. These were actually held back to back, on a Monday and Tuesday evening. Session XV Alas, Goatslayer had another lycanthropic transformation… though this time, he ran off into the ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    6 days ago

  • Accelerating the Growth Rate?
    There is a constant theme from the economic commentariat that New Zealand needs to lift its economic growth rate, coupled with policies which they are certain will attain that objective. Their prescriptions are usually characterised by two features. First, they tend to be in their advocate’s self-interest. Second, they are ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    7 days ago

  • Comprehensive Partnership the goal for NZ and the Philippines
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr.  The Prime Minister was accompanied by MP Paulo Garcia, the first Filipino to be elected to a legislature outside the Philippines. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon and President Marcos Jr discussed opportunities to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    9 hours ago

  • Government commits $20m to Westport flood protection
    The Government has announced that $20 million in funding will be made available to Westport to fund much needed flood protection around the town. This measure will significantly improve the resilience of the community, says Local Government Minister Simeon Brown. “The Westport community has already been allocated almost $3 million ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    15 hours ago

  • Taupō takes pole position
    The Government is proud to support the first ever Repco Supercars Championship event in Taupō as up to 70,000 motorsport fans attend the Taupō International Motorsport Park this weekend, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. “Anticipation for the ITM Taupō Super400 is huge, with tickets and accommodation selling out weeks ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    16 hours ago

  • Cost of living support for low-income homeowners
    Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced an increase to the Rates Rebate Scheme, putting money back into the pockets of low-income homeowners.  “The coalition Government is committed to bringing down the cost of living for New Zealanders. That includes targeted support for those Kiwis who are doing things tough, such ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    18 hours ago

  • Government backing mussel spat project
    The Coalition Government is investing in a project to boost survival rates of New Zealand mussels and grow the industry, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has announced. “This project seeks to increase the resilience of our mussels and significantly boost the sector’s productivity,” Mr Jones says. “The project - ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    18 hours ago

  • Government focused on getting people into work
    Benefit figures released today underscore the importance of the Government’s plan to rebuild the economy and have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “Benefit numbers are still significantly higher than when National was last in government, when there was about 70,000 fewer ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    21 hours ago

  • Clean energy key driver to reducing emissions
    The Government’s commitment to doubling New Zealand’s renewable energy capacity is backed by new data showing that clean energy has helped the country reach its lowest annual gross emissions since 1999, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealand’s latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory (1990-2022) published today, shows gross emissions fell ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    22 hours ago

  • Earthquake-prone buildings review brought forward
    The Government is bringing the earthquake-prone building review forward, with work to start immediately, and extending the deadline for remediations by four years, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “Our Government is focused on rebuilding the economy. A key part of our plan is to cut red tape that ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Thailand and NZ to agree to Strategic Partnership
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his Thai counterpart, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, have today agreed that New Zealand and the Kingdom of Thailand will upgrade the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership by 2026. “New Zealand and Thailand have a lot to offer each other. We have a strong mutual desire to build ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Government consults on extending coastal permits for ports
    RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Transport Minister Simeon Brown have today announced the Coalition Government’s intention to extend port coastal permits for a further 20 years, providing port operators with certainty to continue their operations. “The introduction of the Resource Management Act in 1991 required ports to obtain coastal ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Inflation coming down, but more work to do
    Today’s announcement that inflation is down to 4 per cent is encouraging news for Kiwis, but there is more work to be done - underlining the importance of the Government’s plan to get the economy back on track, acting Finance Minister Chris Bishop says. “Inflation is now at 4 per ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • School attendance restored as a priority in health advice
    Refreshed health guidance released today will help parents and schools make informed decisions about whether their child needs to be in school, addressing one of the key issues affecting school attendance, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour. In recent years, consistently across all school terms, short-term illness or medical reasons ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Unnecessary bureaucracy cut in oceans sector
    Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is streamlining high-level oceans management while maintaining a focus on supporting the sector’s role in the export-led recovery of the economy. “I am working to realise the untapped potential of our fishing and aquaculture sector. To achieve that we need to be smarter with ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Patterson promoting NZ’s wool sector at International Congress
    Associate Agriculture Minister Mark Patterson is speaking at the International Wool Textile Organisation Congress in Adelaide, promoting New Zealand wool, and outlining the coalition Government’s support for the revitalisation the sector.    "New Zealand’s wool exports reached $400 million in the year to 30 June 2023, and the coalition Government ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Removing red tape to help early learners thrive
    The Government is making legislative changes to make it easier for new early learning services to be established, and for existing services to operate, Associate Education Minister David Seymour says. The changes involve repealing the network approval provisions that apply when someone wants to establish a new early learning service, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • RMA changes to cut coal mining consent red tape
    Changes to the Resource Management Act will align consenting for coal mining to other forms of mining to reduce barriers that are holding back economic development, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The inconsistent treatment of coal mining compared with other extractive activities is burdensome red tape that fails to acknowledge ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • McClay reaffirms strong NZ-China trade relationship
    Trade, Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay has concluded productive discussions with ministerial counterparts in Beijing today, in support of the New Zealand-China trade and economic relationship. “My meeting with Commerce Minister Wang Wentao reaffirmed the complementary nature of the bilateral trade relationship, with our Free Trade Agreement at its ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Prime Minister Luxon acknowledges legacy of Singapore Prime Minister Lee
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon today paid tribute to Singapore’s outgoing Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.   Meeting in Singapore today immediately before Prime Minister Lee announced he was stepping down, Prime Minister Luxon warmly acknowledged his counterpart’s almost twenty years as leader, and the enduring legacy he has left for Singapore and South East ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • PMs Luxon and Lee deepen Singapore-NZ ties
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. While in Singapore as part of his visit to South East Asia this week, Prime Minister Luxon also met with Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and will meet with Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.  During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Antarctica New Zealand Board appointments
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has made further appointments to the Board of Antarctica New Zealand as part of a continued effort to ensure the Scott Base Redevelopment project is delivered in a cost-effective and efficient manner.  The Minister has appointed Neville Harris as a new member of the Board. Mr ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Finance Minister travels to Washington DC
    Finance Minister Nicola Willis will travel to the United States on Tuesday to attend a meeting of the Five Finance Ministers group, with counterparts from Australia, the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.  “I am looking forward to meeting with our Five Finance partners on how we can work ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Pet bonds a win/win for renters and landlords
    The coalition Government has today announced purrfect and pawsitive changes to the Residential Tenancies Act to give tenants with pets greater choice when looking for a rental property, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “Pets are important members of many Kiwi families. It’s estimated that around 64 per cent of New ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Long Tunnel for SH1 Wellington being considered
    State Highway 1 (SH1) through Wellington City is heavily congested at peak times and while planning continues on the duplicate Mt Victoria Tunnel and Basin Reserve project, the Government has also asked NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) to consider and provide advice on a Long Tunnel option, Transport Minister Simeon Brown ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • New Zealand condemns Iranian strikes
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Foreign Minister Winston Peters have condemned Iran’s shocking and illegal strikes against Israel.    “These attacks are a major challenge to peace and stability in a region already under enormous pressure," Mr Luxon says.    "We are deeply concerned that miscalculation on any side could ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Huge interest in Government’s infrastructure plans
    Hundreds of people in little over a week have turned out in Northland to hear Regional Development Minister Shane Jones speak about plans for boosting the regional economy through infrastructure. About 200 people from the infrastructure and associated sectors attended an event headlined by Mr Jones in Whangarei today. Last ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • Health Minister thanks outgoing Health New Zealand Chair
    Health Minister Dr Shane Reti has today thanked outgoing Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora Chair Dame Karen Poutasi for her service on the Board.   “Dame Karen tendered her resignation as Chair and as a member of the Board today,” says Dr Reti.  “I have asked her to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • Roads of National Significance planning underway
    The NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) has signalled their proposed delivery approach for the Government’s 15 Roads of National Significance (RoNS), with the release of the State Highway Investment Proposal (SHIP) today, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.  “Boosting economic growth and productivity is a key part of the Government’s plan to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • Navigating an unstable global environment
    New Zealand is renewing its connections with a world facing urgent challenges by pursuing an active, energetic foreign policy, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.   “Our country faces the most unstable global environment in decades,” Mr Peters says at the conclusion of two weeks of engagements in Egypt, Europe and the United States.    “We cannot afford to sit back in splendid ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • NZ welcomes Australian Governor-General
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has announced the Australian Governor-General, His Excellency General The Honourable David Hurley and his wife Her Excellency Mrs Linda Hurley, will make a State visit to New Zealand from Tuesday 16 April to Thursday 18 April. The visit reciprocates the State visit of former Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • Pseudoephedrine back on shelves for Winter
    Associate Health Minister David Seymour has announced that Medsafe has approved 11 cold and flu medicines containing pseudoephedrine. Pharmaceutical suppliers have indicated they may be able to supply the first products in June. “This is much earlier than the original expectation of medicines being available by 2025. The Government recognised ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • NZ and the US: an ever closer partnership
    New Zealand and the United States have recommitted to their strategic partnership in Washington DC today, pledging to work ever more closely together in support of shared values and interests, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.    “The strategic environment that New Zealand and the United States face is considerably more ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Joint US and NZ declaration
    April 11, 2024 Joint Declaration by United States Secretary of State the Honorable Antony J. Blinken and New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs the Right Honourable Winston Peters We met today in Washington, D.C. to recommit to the historic partnership between our two countries and the principles that underpin it—rule ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • NZ and US to undertake further practical Pacific cooperation
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced further New Zealand cooperation with the United States in the Pacific Islands region through $16.4 million in funding for initiatives in digital connectivity and oceans and fisheries research.   “New Zealand can achieve more in the Pacific if we work together more urgently and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Government redress for Te Korowai o Wainuiārua
    The Government is continuing the bipartisan effort to restore its relationship with iwi as the Te Korowai o Wainuiārua Claims Settlement Bill passed its first reading in Parliament today, says Treaty Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith. “Historical grievances of Te Korowai o Wainuiārua relate to 19th century warfare, land purchased or taken ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Focus on outstanding minerals permit applications
    New Zealand Petroleum and Minerals is working to resolve almost 150 outstanding minerals permit applications by the end of the financial year, enabling valuable mining activity and signalling to the sector that New Zealand is open for business, Resources Minister Shane Jones says.  “While there are no set timeframes for ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Applications open for NZ-Ireland Research Call
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