Open mike 23/12/2022

Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, December 23rd, 2022 - 152 comments
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152 comments on “Open mike 23/12/2022 ”

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  1. Anker 1
    23 December 2022 at 8:42 am

    https://www.reuters.com/investigates/special-report/usa-transyouth-outcomes/?fbclid=IwAR12UeP0gaDwhELGQpoqiEUU8ToPQ1tzvltnXAARKRiSGZzqKP1aEBx3RoY

    A very comprehensive and balanced article about detransitioners in the transgender population.

    A journalist from Reuteurs writes about Dr Kinnon McKinnon a transman, who initially proclaimed that detransitioning was very rare and more to do with stigma. Dr McKinon dug a little deeper and changed their mind. Good case studies too

  3. Patricia Bremner 3
    23 December 2022 at 10:44 am

    Thank you and Merry Christmas to all. We hope you all have a refreshing break with family and friends. Trish and Norm Bremner.heart

  5. Francesca 5
    23 December 2022 at 12:16 pm

    pretty much a social thing amongst animals .In the absence of a rooster a hen can take over the social function of a male within the flock, but as the article revealed, no working penis or male gamete develops.If biological change was possible in human nature , there'd be no need for cosmetic surgery of the "sex change" kind.

    • Temp ORary 5.1
      23 December 2022 at 1:18 pm

      Francesca: Gender-affirming surgeries are a bit more than cosmetic. Hormone Replacement Therapy is a more common medical assistance for trans people's health and well-being anyway. Trans people preceded both of course – Māori irawhiti in Aotearoa for one.

      Sex and gender are not the same thing.

      • Francesca 5.1.1
        23 December 2022 at 3:24 pm

        Agree with you that sex and gender are not the same thing '

        Cultural expressions of gender are incredibly varied, a social construct that no one wants to be imprisoned by.

        Even full on hormone treatment won't grow a functioning penis or uterus.In that respect you cannot change sex, you will just appear more feminine or masculine

        I would be interested to see the historical use of the word irawhiti in Maori language .My understanding is that takatapui for anything other than same sex attraction , and irawhiti are contemporary constructs

      • Visubversa 5.1.2
        24 December 2022 at 9:17 am

        Sex and gender are definitely not the same thing. Sex is to gender what astronomy is to astrology. You are welcome to believe in astrology – but astronomy (and its sister sciences) got us to the moon and puts robots on Mars.

        And that so called "gender affirming" treatment affects only the primary and secondary SEX characteristics. You can "affirm" someone's gender simply by saying so.

        Chemical castration and mutilating and sterilising surgeries are today's lobotomies.

        • RedLogix 5.1.2.1
          24 December 2022 at 9:23 am

          I agree – the difference is that sex is a word that conveys something biological, definitive and objective. Gender by contrast is a made up bullshit word that means anything anyone wants it to.

  6. Temp ORary 6
    23 December 2022 at 1:09 pm

    The fix is in:

    The gates at the hotel are locked and security at the gates are only allowing people that are on the list to go up for the meeting.

    The list is provided by SODELPA General Secretary, Lenaitasi Duru on who should be allowed into the premises for the meeting…

    Some military vehicles have also been seen patrolling the area.

    The media is not allowed into the premises.

    3 of the board members that arrived for the meeting were not allowed in as they have been told that their term is expired.

    The wife of the late former Prime Minister and founder of the party, Mrs Leba Qarase was also not allowed in when she came to the venue…

    SODELPA's Acting Deputy Leader, Aseri Radrodro said… some members of the management board had their terms expired as all members that were seated in any board meeting should have their terms for two years.

    Radrodro says the main agenda for today’s meeting is the decision of the board on which party to go with.

    https://www.fijivillage.com/news/SODELPA-management-board-meeting-gets-underway-some-people-not-allowed-in-f45rx8/

    My bet is that Bainimarama's Fiji First will get the nod (14 to 8 would be my guess). But the big question is what happens then? Fiji have had a few days of hope (though strange for me to refer to a coalition headed by Rabuka in that way). Where does it go from there? Are all the military and police onside with the old PM, or just the senior officers?

    Interesting Times!

  7. Stephen D 7
    23 December 2022 at 2:08 pm

    Some background to the politics in the Caucuses.

    https://daily.jstor.org/the-birth-of-the-soviet-union-and-the-death-of-the-russian-revolution/?utm_term=Read%20More&utm_campaign=jstordaily_12222022&utm_content=email&utm_source=Act-On+Software&utm_medium=email

    ”Lenin concluded that independence plus compromise over culture and language were essential to maintaining communist control of Ukraine.”

  8. RedLogix 8
    23 December 2022 at 2:14 pm

    Waitangi Tribunal dismantles the NZ State.

    Essentially foreshadows two separate sovereignties based on race. If nothing else the Tribunal seems to have gift wrapped ACT an election year pressie beyond their wildest dreams.

    • swordfish 8.1
      23 December 2022 at 2:49 pm

      .

      Yep, a potential swing to ACT esp for former Nats suspicious that a Luxon Govt will quietly settle for much of the extremist Woke agenda … and a potential swing to NZF esp for disillusioned Labour voters aware that the Party's been captured by an affluent authoritarian cadre committed to a crude, dangerously-deluded Critical Theory dogma … destined to viciously scapegoat low/low-middle income working people into a degraded second-class citizenship if they're unlucky enough to possess the wrong skin colour.

      Health, Housing, essential disenfranchisement & so on.

      Suffering, sacrificing & an early death for them … affluence, power, perpetual virtue-signaling & in-group prestige enhancement for the Woke professional-managerial class … antithesis of traditional Social Democracy, Labour Party politics & the Left.

      Possibly an almost inevitable consequence of the elite capture of the main organs of the Left. They’ll subvert & pervert fundamental social democratic principles to their own whims & interests every single time. All the more so in an Age of Narcissism.

      We really do need a genuine new social democratic party, bereft of the ruthless self-interest & manipulative anti-democratic proclivities of affluent elitist Wokedom.

      • Anker 8.1.1
        23 December 2022 at 3:23 pm

        Agree Swordfish.

        And while I am still on the Standard, wishing you a very Merry Christmas. I hope you and your parents have the best celebration possible given the circumstances you are facing.

        Have much appreciated your commentary on the Standard

      • Sacha 8.1.2
        23 December 2022 at 7:31 pm

        I hope you find some peace over coming days.

      • Macro 8.1.3
        23 December 2022 at 9:26 pm

        Florida is the place for you!

        BTW The idea of the Treaty between the Crown and Maori was initially conceived in the early 19thC in Britain by a group of humanitarian politicians:

        Several decades before the Treaty was signed both slavery abolitionist William Wilberforce and others who were part of the humanitarian Clapham Sect backed the Church Missionary Society (CMS) and a missionary move into New Zealand.

        Wilberforce himself was an active patron to Samuel Marsden who would eventually preach the first Christian sermon on New Zealand shores in 1814 at the invitation of Maori chief Ruatara.

        The more humanitarian attitude championed in part by Wilberforce and his legal counsel, friend and later brother-in-law James Stephen, who together bought an end to the slave trade, extended to the new generation of influential humanitarian Christians.

        It was James Stephen’s son, who as British Colonial Secretary, gave the instructions to Lord Normanby ensure Hobson set out the mutually beneficial principals of agreements that became known as the Treaty of Waitangi.

        Stephen was well aware of the atrocities that had been perpetuated on the indigenous people of other nations by the process of British colonisation and was determined that this was never to happen in New Zealand.

        Maori land and resources were to be protected by law and they were to be treated as equal rights citizens with the British.

        …

        Williams and son, who were both fluent in the Maori language, knew the words that would convey the intent of this covenant, which they hoped would not only bring British law to govern the unruly activities of British citizens but protect Maori from ruthless landgrabbers and give them a say in what happened in their own land.

        ….

        Sadly within three years of the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi, when the humanitarian Christians had gone from the Colonial Office, both missionaries and Maori were faced with clear evidence that they’d both been betrayed.

      • Bearded Git 8.1.4
        23 December 2022 at 10:26 pm

        They also need a genuine socialist party in the UK…..they used to have one until they self-destructed …..if people can be convinced by the media that Corbyn is a racist they can be convinced of anything

    • Anker 8.2
      23 December 2022 at 3:13 pm

      "essentially foreshadows two separate sovereignties based on race".

      Who really wants that? Where on earth has that gone well.

      If it has to go this way, then I think Maori should run separate schooling, separate health, separate social welfare etc etc. Then get on with it.

      Learn Maturanga Maori in the Maori system. Keep it out of science.

      My husband is Maori. He's bloody disgusted with this.

      • RedLogix 8.2.1
        23 December 2022 at 3:20 pm

        Do you think any govt would be willing to say no to the Tribunal?

        • Anker 8.2.1.1
          23 December 2022 at 3:28 pm

          Red Logix, I don't know. Not this Govt.

          Labour are dialling back their co-governance plans for next year. If they are voted back in, there is very little question in my mind that they will roll it out again.

          Listened to a great interview with Jim Bolgar talking about co-governance. This was in the context of Three Waters, Hepuapua etc.

          Hepuapua, Three Waters, the Rotorua Admin Bill have given many NZders cause to be concerned about what it means and where it is going.

          Bolgar said the PM needs to come out and tell us what she means by co-governance and where she wants to take it. I couldn't agree more.

          • RedLogix 8.2.1.1.1
            23 December 2022 at 3:34 pm

            the PM needs to come out and tell us what she means by co-governance and where she wants to take it.

            Yes. In my experience, both here and in my work life, people who are persistently vague about the details of their big vision, are not being coy because they do not know these details – but because they damn well do know, but do not want to say them out loud.

            • pat 8.2.1.1.1.1
              24 December 2022 at 9:20 am

              As this ruling has only just been made and the implications are unclear it may be a little premature to pose this question but as with everything to do with this topic the question that always springs to mind is HOW can any of these aspirations be actioned within a democracy?

              As far as I can see they cannot and that is problematic.

              • Anker …
                24 December 2022 at 3:00 pm

                Bang on Pat. Wishing you a very Merry Christmas.

                Have appreciated your comments on The Standard

              • weka …
                24 December 2022 at 8:33 pm

                how about something like Scotland which has two parliaments: the Scottish and the UK? Afaik, Scots get two votes, in the UK General Election and in the Scottish GE. Not saying this should happen here, but pointing out that democracy comes in various forms.

                • pat …
                  24 December 2022 at 9:57 pm

                  Scotland is however a seperate nation within a union….not sure thats a comparable situation…where is the border in the NZ context?

                  • weka …
                    24 December 2022 at 10:32 pm

                    so it would work democratically here if there was a geographical boundary?

                    • RedLogix …
                      24 December 2022 at 10:54 pm

                      Keep in mind there are at least 13 separate iwi, each with their own sovereignty and territory. And in total covering the entire land mass of NZ.

                      Nor much geographic space left for anyone else.

                    • SPC …
                      25 December 2022 at 12:58 am

                      It does not work there. The UK problem is that there is no English parliament (one reason for the Brexit vote).

                    • weka []
                      25 December 2022 at 3:29 pm

                      In what ways do you think it doesn’t work in the UK?

                      Isn’t it the Scots that prevent the UK government from being mostly Tory? ie an English government would shift the Overton Window rightwards.

                    • SPC …
                      25 December 2022 at 1:17 am

                      The Labour Party looked at an English parliament as a way to build a better democracy back in 2016.

                      https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/feb/05/labour-rules-out-english-parliament

                      https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/feb/04/england-should-be-offered-own-parliament-to-overcome-uks-democratic-deficit

                      This was a few months before the Brexit vote.

                    • SPC …
                      25 December 2022 at 4:18 pm

                      In what ways do you think it doesn’t work in the UK?

                      English nationalism impacts on the wider UK governance, when that is a regional self governance matter.

                      Isn’t it the Scots that prevent the UK government from being mostly Tory? ie an English government would shift the Overton Window rightwards.

                      An English parliament would have no impact on the maku-up of the UK Commons.

                      https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2021/jan/31/keir-starmer-urged-to-back-radical-constitutional-reform-for-uk

                      https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2021/jan/25/uk-at-risk-of-becoming-failed-state-says-gordon-brown

                      https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2022/sep/22/labour-considering-abolishing-house-of-lords-if-it-wins-next-election-leaked-report-reveals

                    • weka []
                      25 December 2022 at 6:02 pm

                      Ok, I misunderstood. You’re essentially arguing that having devolved governments across all the UK would improve things. How would you see that working here?

                    • SPC …
                      25 December 2022 at 7:05 pm

                      How our future arrangements would work …

                      There are two parties contesting for government which complicates co-operation (developing a coherent consensus about the way forward).

                      There is acting on the signing onto acceptance of indigenous peoples rights at the UN, and also these two WT reports (the second in the writing since mid 2018).

                      He Puapua refers to the break from the old practice and to a new working relationship with the indigenous, and besides that there is making the Treaty work in practice (after chieftainship of iwi was lost along with land).

                      I can note that national agency (Maori Health Authority) and local delivery (Whanau Ora) add to the historic Te Puni Kōkiri role. One suspects there will be more infrastructure to iwi land to enable housing needs to be met (and improved "water" – via or around local councils) – PGF+. None of this is outside what occurs within more devolved structures of other democracies (federal governance with states or regions, more empowered local councils and non government delivery providers).

                      The term co-governance (as per management of the conservation estate and beyond) may become less threatening to some when they realise it retains an elected governments role and function – and is less than some Maori seek.

                      Given what is provided (at each stage) will be less than what is sought, it will be an on-going process.

                    • pat …
                      26 December 2022 at 11:04 am

                      The philosophical issue is do we wish to govern ourselves through the mechanism of democracy.?…only when that is answered can you design how that will be applied.

                      We are attempting to place the cart before the horse.

                    • weka []
                      26 December 2022 at 11:28 am

                      I haven’t seen anyone in the debate say we should do away with democracy. I’m confident that the answer to your question is yes, and that this answer is what nearly all people would choose.

                      What seems more the sticking point is that you appear to use the term ‘democracy’ to mean a narrow definition of what democracy is, and other people are using a broader definition. I see no inherent conflict between democracy and the concept of co-governance. I’ve not see anyone make a credible argument for why it is (haven’t read all the comments/threads of course).

                      You’ve also not addressed the issue of how our current form of democracy fails because it blocks the Treaty.

                    • pat …
                      26 December 2022 at 4:08 pm

                      "I haven’t seen anyone in the debate say we should do away with democracy. I’m confident that the answer to your question is yes, and that this answer is what nearly all people would choose."

                      Consider, if you entrench certain acts that cannot be overturned by popular vote do you then have democracy?….I suggest not, and welcome an argument that says otherwise.

                    • weka []
                      27 December 2022 at 11:48 pm

                      how would such entrenchment be arrived at? Atm, afaik, parliament can entrench whatever it wants if it has sufficient vote and citizens don’t get a say in that.

                  • SPC …
                    25 December 2022 at 12:55 am

                    Those with states such as Oz and USA would appreciate there are overlapping systems – with Maori their institutions would be national and local. There is already Whanau Ora, and a Maori Health Authority (and Te Puni Kōkiri has been around for decades).

                    • weka …
                      25 December 2022 at 3:30 pm

                      are you suggesting that Māori could have their own state government and NZ shifts to two houses?

                    • SPC …
                      25 December 2022 at 4:03 pm

                      No, just that iwi self determination and nationwide programmes like a Maori Health Authority and Whanau Ora are well known within existing democratic governance systems.

                      And the PM has already negated the concept of an upper house (and handover of conservation estate to Maori) in favour of co-governance of such Crown assets. It was presumably a reaction to both He Puapua and the anticipated second stage WT report.

                    • pat …
                      25 December 2022 at 9:19 pm

                      There is a fundamental fact that is being overlooked here….governance requires the raising and allocation of revenue (resources)…and democracy selects those bestowed with that power..

                      The Scottish taxation system is different to the rest of the UK and that is determined by a border….if you are Scottish but live in England you are subject to English taxation and allocation and vice versa.

                      How do you apply a differential allocation of resources without the definition of a border AND maintain it when the selection of those taxing and allocating are done so by a democratic majority?

                    • weka []
                      26 December 2022 at 8:44 am

                      the issues you raise are important, but they’re essentially design issues. I pointed to Scotland of an example of how a people’s “aspirations be actioned within a democracy”. I wasn’t saying NZ should do this, in fact, from a sustainability design perspective, we should be developing our own solutions arising from Māori and the people’s represented by the Crown (ie the Treaty partners). Scotland opens our minds to other ways of thinking and doing.

                      If the issue is how to do that within a democracy in NZ, to me the starting point is to work through the philosophical issues first. The how will follow as those resolve, although talking about the how may also be how some people work through their philosophical objection.

                      Another way to look at this is to consider that system of democracy we have now is anti-democratic in that it by default fails to honour the treaty. We’ve gone some way to resolving that eg Māori GE seats, and making changes within systems that don’t assume Pākehā dominant thought as the default but instead centre te Ao Māori. But we’re a long way from fair or just.

                  • pat …
                    26 December 2022 at 12:19 pm

                    Democracy is the ability to elect representation by majority vote.

                    If we have that then whatever law/regulation/governance we have will be determined by the majority….if we have law/regulation that is unable to be amended by majority then we no longer have democracy.

                    If you believe democracy means something else then describe it.

                    • weka …
                      26 December 2022 at 12:58 pm

                      Democracy is the ability to elect representation by majority vote.

                      That’s one, narrow definition. It points to one form of representative democracy.

                      There are other forms of democracy.

                      a system of government by the whole population or all the eligible members of a state, typically through elected representatives

                      From my laptop’s dictionary. Note there is nothing there about majority rule.

                      Another ways of forming policy/laws,

                      Consensus democracy, consensus politics or consensualism is the application of consensus decision-making to the process of legislation in a democracy. It is characterized by a decision-making structure that involves and takes into account as broad a range of opinions as possible, as opposed to systems where minority opinions can potentially be ignored by vote-winning majorities.[1] The latter systems are classified as majoritarian democracy.

                      https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Consensus_democracy

                    • pat …
                      26 December 2022 at 1:21 pm

                      Both examples given rely upon elected representatives by a majority…..they are actions taken after the fact.

        • Incognito 8.2.1.2
          23 December 2022 at 8:34 pm

          What kind of question is that?

          Can you be more specific and/or narrow it down to one or more of the final recommendations?

          For your convenience, here is a link to the 1926-page Report of the Inquiry:

          https://forms.justice.govt.nz/search/Documents/WT/wt_DOC_192668456/Te%20Raki%20W.pdf

          • RedLogix 8.2.1.2.1
            24 December 2022 at 8:14 am

            I would suggest the burden of proof lies with those who support this report and to explain to the rest of us exactly how they imagine it would be implemented.

            But how about starting with this recommendation on p1825:

            In our view, a crucial first step will be for the Crown to recognise the agreement in te Tiriti as described in our stage 1 report, and our conclusion that the Crown did not acquire sovereignty through an informed cession by the rangatira who signed te Tiriti at Waitangi, Waimate, and Māngungu.5

            In short the Tribunal is claim that the NZ Crown has no sovereignty and should therefore be dismantled. Do you agree or not?

            • Sacha 8.2.1.2.1.1
              24 December 2022 at 6:49 pm

              In short the Tribunal is claim that the NZ Crown has no sovereignty and should therefore be dismantled.

              There is nothing in that passage to support your characterisation. Here is a little more on either side, for context (p1825-1826):

              To settle these grievances and restore its honour, the Crown should now enter into discussions with Te Raki Māori about how full restoration of their tino rangatiratanga can be effected in a contemporary context. We are cautious not to pre-empt work that is likely ongoing to establish which groups should carry out these negotiations on behalf of the claimants. However, the negotiations will need to be sensitive to the different structures of tribal authority that exist in Te Raki, and within Ngāpuhi, and seek to provide for the exercise of both hapū and iwi rangatiratanga. In our view, a crucial first step will be for the Crown to recognise the agreement in te Tiriti as described in our stage 1 report, and our conclusion that the Crown did not acquire sovereignty through an informed cession by the rangatira who signed te Tiriti at Waitangi, Waimate, and Māngungu. Only then can the parties move forward with a shared understanding, and begin to take steps towards giving practical effect to the agreement that they entered into in 1840, today.
              Any new institutional arrangements agreed upon should provide for Te Raki hapū and iwi to exercise the tino rangatiratanga they were guaranteed in te Tiriti, alongside other Crown agencies and local authorities within their rohe. There are optimistic signs that this is not out of reach for the parties. We note that Te Raki Māori have remained committed to te Tiriti as the foundation for their relationship with the Crown, despite the fact that its guarantees and obligations have been neglected for so many years, and little redress for past breaches has been forthcoming. Furthermore, we are conscious that in recent years government organisations have begun taking a greater interest in treaty rights of Māori at a national and local level, and steps undertaken to provide some Te Raki hapū with a greater say in aspects of governance within their rohe. We have no doubt that this will be a complex task requiring perseverance and good will from both parties. For that reason, we think this work should begin as soon as possible to establish the basis upon which parties can together move forward towards a settlement.

              The writer is not keen on paragraphs, but that sure does not sound like dismantling the Crown to me.

      • Robert Guyton 8.2.2
        23 December 2022 at 5:09 pm

        So, this super-observant society lived across these far-flung Pacific islands for centuries, undistracted by theatres, television, nick-nacks and trivial gee-gaws, under super-clear skies, amidst thronging insect, reptilian, amphibian life, drinking clear, clean water, breathing air from the old-growth forests etc, etc, te mea, te mea, using their un-spoilt eyesight, hearing, sensitivities, but their findings, observations, conclusions, impressions should be discounted, kept seperate, because NOT SCIENCE???

        Why, Anker?

      • weka 8.2.3
        23 December 2022 at 5:27 pm

        Learn Maturanga Maori in the Maori system. Keep it out of science.

        this means that any knowledge from Māori about say NZ bird species would be not available to Western science (researchers, education). Why do you want that?

        Mātauranga is the Māori word for knowledge, wisdom, understanding, skill. Again, why would you want to segregate that off?

        https://maoridictionary.co.nz/search?idiom=&phrase=&proverb=&loan=&histLoanWords=&keywords=matauranga

        You seem to be wanting to have it both ways. That Māori should be assimilated into the dominant (Pākehā) system, but at the same time they should keep their 'Māori' things away from that. Is that what you are really saying?

        • Anker 8.2.3.1
          23 December 2022 at 10:08 pm

          Thanks Weka. Probably didn't explain myself so well here.

          I am not sure what the implications of the Waitangi Tribunal findings are.

          But my initial response following from what RL said "Essentially foreshadows two separate sovereignties based on race."

          I can't imagine how that would work. Would that mean separate laws for Maori and Pakeha? Separate parliaments (which I think was suggested in Hepuapua. ? I am really opposed to these race based policies. Nearly every Maori in NZ also has significant Pakeha ansestry. Intermarriage in NZ has worked really well in bringing the two races together (my own marriage a case in point!)

          My reference to Matarangi Maori is to do with keeping science separate. In the words of the Listener 7 MM isn't science. In his very clear article Graham Adams makes the point that Dawn Freshwater (Ak Uni VC) , Siouxie W, Shaun Hendry and even the Royal Society don't say it is.

          https://pointofordernz.wordpress.com/2021/08/03/the-attacks-on-seven-eminent-professors-over-a-listener-letter-in-which-they-championed-science-have-missed-their-target/

          But actually I do have to admit that this time I have over reacted.

          • Nic the NZer 8.2.3.1.1
            23 December 2022 at 11:12 pm

            I suspect that the reactions of prominent staff of Auckland University should be understood in the context of the ongoing University restructuring.

            • Anker 8.2.3.1.1.1
              24 December 2022 at 10:55 am

              Nic this happened ie the Listener 7 issue in 2021.

              I think there is some truth in what you are saying though as many people fear if they speak out on certain issues in the current climate their jobs would be threatened. One of the Listener 7 was demoted from some of his teaching roles.

              I listened to an interview with him. He is a world expert in fish eggs (something like that anyway, I listened to it over a year ago). A guy who is obviously outstanding in his field and totally committed to science.

          • weka 8.2.3.1.2
            26 December 2022 at 8:56 am

            I appreciate the acknowledgement of overreaction.

            I understand your reference re mātauranga Māori, but my questions remain. Are you really saying that Māori knowledge and Western Science should be kept separate eg in education? That education should ignore the work being done where WS and MM are working together. As an example, scientists in NZ should stop using Māori knowledge of native species in their research?

            But my initial response following from what RL said "Essentially foreshadows two separate sovereignties based on race."

            I can't imagine how that would work. Would that mean separate laws for Maori and Pakeha? Separate parliaments (which I think was suggested in Hepuapua. ? I am really opposed to these race based policies. Nearly every Maori in NZ also has significant Pakeha ansestry. Intermarriage in NZ has worked really well in bringing the two races together (my own marriage a case in point!)

            It's not actually race. There is no such thing as race. It's ethnicity and nationality. Think of the Treaty representing two sets of nations: those in Te Ao Māori (Iwi, hapū, whānau), and those represented by the Crown (non-Māori). I've given the example elsewhere in the thread about Scotland, where there is a Scottish parliament and Scotland is also governed by the UK parliament, and Scots get two votes. Do the English object to this?

            On ethnicity, the problem with the position that you take is that it's essentially assimilationist and ultimately exterminationist (I'm talking culture here not blood/DNA). We know that te reo Māori has been suppressed by colonisation. While there is a current renaissance te reo is still at risk, because the mainstream, dominant culture in NZ doesn't value it to the extent of making the changes that will enable it to be fully what it once was.

            If you lose the language, the ability to conceptualise and communicate specific cultures, how can the culture survive?

            Saying Māori can have their things over there but they shouldn't be mainstream (ie they shouldn't be dominant) is a form of separatism which is why I don't really get your position.

            • RedLogix 8.2.3.1.2.1
              26 December 2022 at 9:38 am

              There is no such thing as race

              Oh good. Can we now abolish the 'racism' word along with it?

              Well maybe we aren't ready for that just yet. From my reading of the room, no-one here has any problem with Maori – or any other ethnicity – being valued and expressed as part of our national life. That diversity is something we can and should be proud of. The ‘assimilationist’ word can be safely tucked back into the late 19th century where it belongs.

              But the point being debated here lies in the political domain, and this Tribunal report seems very coy about it's vision for the future of NZ. On one hand it clearly rejects the idea of Crown sovereignty, and insists the rangatira who signed the ToW never ceded their pre-1840 tribal territories and rights to govern their iwi members – while at the same limiting the role of the Crown to that of governing British subjects only.

              As I stated at the outset – the conclusions in the report clearly foreshadows at least two separate sovereignties in New Zealand – full restoration of iwi based tribal governance, and a separate Crown based one for everyone else. And they go on to state, as I have quoted, because this Crown entity never has obtained sovereignty over any territory or resources in New Zealand – and it might therefore be logically relegated to a secondary function, merely regulating the affairs of the unruly second-class guest workers and tenants who arrived post -1840.

              I guess this is what they meant by 'de-colonising' all along. But nothing to see here – I am just overreacting it would seem.

              • weka …
                26 December 2022 at 10:14 am

                Oh good. Can we now abolish the 'racism' word along with it?

                Thanks for letting us know that you don't know what the issues are. The differences between race and ethnicity are key to understanding all positions in the debate, and this is standard left wing analysis of the last 30 years.

                Playing games with semantics is a distraction.

                • RedLogix …
                  26 December 2022 at 10:26 am

                  It is a little hard to understand how racism is so central to the issues, yet at the same time race does not exist. That seems to be another sort of semantic game. Still you may well be correct, the racism word is so useful to bash people with we will likely need to hold onto it for a while yet.

                  I see the substantive portion of my comment remains unaddressed.

                  • weka …
                    26 December 2022 at 10:49 am

                    There is only one species of human, Homo sapiens. That there are more than one (different races) is an idea that underpins a particular kind of racism i.e. some 'races' are superior and some are inferior. It's the basis of the beliefs of for example Nazis, the KKK, Australian colonisers, European/US slave owners.

                    There is a long history of this and how it has impacted on specific peoples. eg x people have lower intelligence.

                    There is no scientific evidence to support the idea that there are distinct races of humans who are fundamentally different in their evolutionary biology. There are differences like skin colour which have arisen because of where one's ancestors lived (the relationship between sun exposure and melanin). But pale and dark humans are still the same 'race'.

                    Ethnicity is the mix of culture, genealogy and place.

                    It's not semantics to point out the difference between race and ethnicity in a political and philosophical debate. If we don't have words to differentiate between concepts then we can't build understanding or even communicate ideas.

                    Likewise racism is a word we use to apply to a set of concepts. I assume we have that word because addressing the prejudice against people on the basis of ethnicity became a necessity at a time when people still thought of 'races'. But it's not hard to understand that we don't have to take the word racism literally to know what it means.

                    I see the substantive portion of my comment remains unaddressed.

                    I didn't read the rest of your comment because your first sentence was problematic in multiple ways and needed to be addressed up front.

                    • RedLogix …
                      26 December 2022 at 10:57 am

                      Good so we have arrived at my core contention here all along. I firmly believe that all human beings are part of one human family. This one human race boasts an infinite variety of personality, customs, interests, appearance, beliefs and language. The challenge for human beings at this stage of development is to unite as one organic whole, delighting in the differences which make each member of the human family unique.

                      But the moment anyone heads in this direction we immediately have the 'assimilationist' word trotted out at us. Oh and ‘problematic’ for good measure.

                    • weka []
                      26 December 2022 at 11:40 am

                      your paragraph eliminates ethnicity and replaces it with all humans assimilated into a oneness. It’s literally assimilationist.

                      One alternative to that is that we protect and uphold the rights of different ethnicities to be distinct and have their own sovereignty, aspirations, and resources (imo this applies to different nations as well), and develop peace through that.

                      One of the key problems with your position is that the dominant culture will by default remain the dominant culture, esp in a low form of democracy like one person/one vote and majority rules. The consequences of that are all around us in the form of institutional racism and impacts on Māori and other non-Anglo/Euro ethnicities. If you believe that colonisation and institutional racism aren’t the drivers of for example Māori prison stats or poor health outcomes, then make the case. If you believe that they are the drivers but that the dominant culture can fix those things, then again, make the case.

                      But the moment anyone heads in this direction we immediately have the ‘assimilationist’ word trotted out at us. Oh and ‘problematic’ for good measure.

                      That’s because your position argues for assimilation, and is problematic (because it doesn’t account for race and ethnicity). I’ve given reasonable arguments to support both of those assertions. Make your counter argument to those if you want.

                    • RedLogix …
                      26 December 2022 at 12:14 pm

                      (because it doesn’t account for race and ethnicity)

                      Whoops – suddenly when you need it the race word (and it's fashionable companion 'ethnicity') reappears. I thought we had agreed there was only one human race; but when I point to the logical consequence of this – you immediately fall back to needing more than one race and ethnicity in order to have multiple identities competing for power in a zero sum game.

                      One of the key problems with your position is that the dominant culture will by default remain the dominant culture,

                      Would you argue that the Chinese people are racist because they are the dominant ethnicity in China? Or Latinos in Latin America? Tongans in Tonga? Or is it just white people you have a problem with?

                      esp in a low form of democracy like one person/one vote and majority rules.

                      Interesting. Are you arguing that a higher form of democracy would innately privilege some ethnic groups with more democratic power than others? Or do you have some other mechanism in mind?

                      The consequences of that are all around us in the form of institutional racism and impacts on Māori and other non-Anglo/Euro ethnicities.

                      Given that for example the best social statistics by ethnic group in New Zealand (and across much of the allegedly racist Anglo world) are found for Asian minorities – it is not at all clear to me how this institutional racism is supposed to work. For instance the lowest imprisonment rate per pop by ethnicity in New Zealand is for Asians – by quite a margin.

                      It also find it odd that people will argue for diversity of culture, values and behaviours – and yet insist that it is always racism whenever you get diverse outcomes.

                      That’s because your position argues for assimilation,

                      Unity does not mean uniformity – it means respecting and honouring diversity while seeking universal development and progress. A single family will have individuals each unique in their personalities, experience, roles and responsibilities; they will progress and be successful if they are united in both purpose and spirit. If they treat each other as rivals in a zero sum power game it will be hell.

                    • weka []
                      26 December 2022 at 12:27 pm

                      Whoops – suddenly when you need it the race word (and it’s fashionable companion ‘ethnicity’) reappears. I thought we had agreed there was only one human race; but when I point to the logical consequence of this – you immediately fall back to needing more than one race and ethnicity in order to have multiple identities competing for power in a zero sum game.

                      No, you decided it completely ignore what race and ethnicity mean and how they are different, and using that willful ignorance to push your own agenda. This is basically you, yet again, deciding what I am saying rather than listening and making counter arguments. Can’t be bothered.

                    • RedLogix …
                      26 December 2022 at 12:35 pm

                      Can’t be bothered.

                      Because my argument challenges the core assumption of the woke cult – that all that matters about any person is their identity category. And how this plays into whatever divisive power game being played today.

                    • weka []
                      26 December 2022 at 1:12 pm

                      several ironies there,

                      1. I disagree with a fair amount of identity politics (close-ish to your idea of woke) as it is practiced. I prefer the concept of solidarity politics, because it allows for diversity without going into the neoliberal/libertarian excesses of IP. SP can fit easily with left wing and green politics. I don’t for instance believe that all that matters about an person is their identity category (you are wrong about that).
                      2. You have yet again decided that you know what I think/believe/feel and that I don’t. You are wrong about why I can’t be bothered. I haven’t even read most of your comments here. Reason being that you refuse to engage with shared language/concepts from which to communicate. There’s no basis on which to debate if people don’t understand the position of their political opponent. In other words, I can’t be bothered talking with someone who makes shit up about my views. This has been a long standing, consistent position from me.

                      I’m pointing these out because I want to be clear that you really have no idea what my position is but you continually argue against something in your own head as if it were my argument. And you mostly get it wrong. What’s the point?

                    • RedLogix …
                      26 December 2022 at 1:50 pm

                      I haven’t even read most of your comments here.

                      Well that must certainly help understanding each other.

                      I’m pointing these out because I want to be clear that you really have no idea what my position

                      Because like so many people who claim high minded, radical agendas, you are remarkably coy about what you really mean when pressed for details. Every conversation gets reduced to rounds of 'no I did not say that' or the other, or it is too exhausting to be bothered stating clearly what your position is.

                      I prefer the concept of solidarity politics, because it allows for diversity without going into the neoliberal/libertarian excesses of IP

                      Well if you had explained this a lot sooner I might well have understood you a lot better. And if Solidarity Politics places a great deal of emphasis on consensus decision making – then I can only agree.

                      Our current political system places far too much weight on personalities and confrontation, made far worse by tribal political parties that do little but disrespect, belittle and undermine each other at every turn. A few days ago I described an alternate democratic structure that stripped of innately polarising elements such as political parties, would naturally lend itself toward consensus based decision-making – a process that only works when it is founded in the clash of ideas and opinions rather than egos and personalities.

  9. fender 9
    23 December 2022 at 3:50 pm

    As the RNZ linked article explains, this is separate from any co-govenance "wokeism". This is the result of the Crown creating the TOW, and the Crown failing to adhere to the treaty they signed up to.

    But I'm sure it won't stop the predictable crowd from blaming the Ardern Govt.

    • RedLogix 9.1
      23 December 2022 at 3:58 pm

      According to the article:

      In 2010, Ngāpuhi – the country's largest iwi – commenced hearings by asking the Tribunal to examine the basis of the New Zealand government's authority to govern. Was sovereignty ceded, or was it usurped?

      to which the Tribunal seems to have said no, that iwi did not cede sovereignty. And while the case was specific to Northland iwi, it is hard to see how it would not be extended to the whole of the nation. In other words, the historic idea that Maori became citizens of the New Zealand state by virtue of the first clause of the ToW was never true.

      Do you agree?

      • fender 9.1.1
        23 December 2022 at 4:07 pm

        Makes no difference if I agree or not, I'm no lawyer. The Tribunal is full of lawyers better qualified than me to determine the contract and breeches of that contract.

        • RedLogix 9.1.1.1
          23 December 2022 at 4:25 pm

          You're correct. I'm no fancy pants lawyer either. Maybe we should just stop worrying about it and let the highly paid experts on the Waitangi Tribunal get on with whatever it is they have in mind.

          • fender 9.1.1.1.1
            23 December 2022 at 4:57 pm

            Any worry we have about it makes little difference.

            I'm unaware of their remuneration level.

            Not sure the TOW has anything specific in mind other than making legal conclusions and recommendations, but I'm sure some will see a conspiracy where none may or may not exist.

            • Shanreagh 9.1.1.1.1.1
              24 December 2022 at 9:40 am

              Not sure the TOW has anything specific in mind other than making legal conclusions and recommendations, but I'm sure some will see a conspiracy where none may or may not exist.

              I predict that misinterpretations of the reports of the Waitangi Tribunal will become a constant feature of The Standard and will lead, if it has not already done so, to (conspiracy) theories on a par with the level of misinformation put forward by anti vaxxers.

              And harking back to the refrain used by anti vaxxers please don't do your research from the depths of your own minds and lack of knowldge.

              Please do your own research from the actual reports of the Tribunal, a history of the Treaty, a knowledge of previous Treaty settlements, goodwill the thought that by scare mongering on the basis of your knowledge, possibly based on profound ignorance may lead directly to a change of government.

              I for one think exposing one's ignorance and possibly misinterpreting the role of the Tribunal will lead directly to a change of Government.

              Please do your fellow left wingers a service by reading first and reacting second. Reading means going to the actual report/s and not just newspaper reports or opinion pieces.

              • RedLogix …
                24 December 2022 at 2:47 pm

                I predict that misinterpretations of the reports of the Waitangi Tribunal will become a constant feature of The Standard and will lead, if it has not already done so, to (conspiracy) theories on a par with the level of misinformation put forward by anti vaxxers.

                So far all I have done is quote directly from the report itself and restated some of the obvious implications.

                In the meantime you already accused anyone of doing this of being a racist 'anti-Maari' and spreading disinformation. All bog-standard tactics of someone bereft of argument and have been flogged to death for decades.

                Just to note the usual progression of these kind of attack escalates from: 'coloniser' to 'racist' to 'white supremacist' to 'fascist' and culminating in something like 'genocidal nazi baby-eater'. You will likely flog each perogative word (and a few others I have overlooked) to the point of uselessness, in a pointless power-struggle, demonising anyone you disagree with. With the ultimate demand that such deplorable sub-humans should be silenced, cancelled and ideally eliminated.

                Otherwise Merry Christmas to you.

                • Incognito …
                  24 December 2022 at 4:12 pm

                  Your Minority Report is impressive in the way it escalates a relatively innocuous comment into full-blown demonization. You know better than most here that this is one way of derailing robust debate and straddling into flame war territory. You also know that there is no need for it if one has positive intentions for genuine debate – there are other ways to make a point.

                  • RedLogix …
                    24 December 2022 at 4:18 pm

                    You know full well that I am describing the usual progression of these things. You and I have both seen this done over and over.

                    • Incognito …
                      24 December 2022 at 4:35 pm

                      We both know that the “the usual progression of these things” doesn’t mean that it’s inevitable and will happen. We also both know that giving someone the benefit of doubt is a sign of good faith debating. There’s no need to push things into an undesirable direction without good cause.

                    • RedLogix …
                      24 December 2022 at 4:46 pm

                      I generally respond to people with much the same degree of good faith as they exhibit towards me.

                      I will leave it as an exercise to work out who led with the 'anti-Maari' jibe and 'disinformation' meme – in response to me referencing a Radio NZ article and quoting the Tribunal report itself. Not a promising start would you agree?

                    • Incognito []
                      26 December 2022 at 2:40 pm

                      The jibe you seem to be referring to is in the comment @ 9.3, AFAICS, which was a reply to the first comment of this thread @ 9 by fender, not by you.

                      Essentially, your excuse seems to be ‘they started it’ and you immediately without any hesitation and self-restraint chose to wear the shoe to start kicking with it and not necessarily just the ball.

                      Rather surprisingly, I find myself disagreeing with your versions more and more. What comes to mind is reductio ad absurdum as a rhetorical weapon rather than a genuine argument, coupled with binary absolutism and fatalism. In other words, if X then Y and nothing else. Other commenters seem to think and argue in a similar way – with the least effort possible – which is why many of the discussions of late here on TS are flawed from the outset and run into the proverbial within a few replies (although some run on ad infinitum even after the numbering of nested comments runs out and then continue elsewhere on TS). This contrarian resistance and antagonism seems to have deeper roots and larger wings than just lack of imagination. It also reminds of the gotcha style of ‘interviewing’ that we have come accustomed to on talk back. Robust debate appears to be going extinct, slowly but surely; perhaps these are manifestations of the changing Zeitgeist.

                    • SPC …
                      24 December 2022 at 5:05 pm

                      But is the over-egged send-up an accurate foretelling by an observer or a participant?

                      When issues of national identity, group (marginalising those not of the faith based marriage bed) or class interest are touched on, Archie Bunker syndrome (cue dancing cossacks) appears,

                      Here we are challenged by a new neo-liberalism peak (NACT, note how the end of the Cold War resulted in the ECA, the end of estate tax, the deliberate lowering of wages and benefits etc) alongside a retreat to a defence of assimilation era colonialism (our Brexit – Johnson/Truss tango).

                      So it sort of behooves the older male folk not to become too easily tarnished with coloniser/sovereignty imposter/Afrikaaner-Pakeha smears (by the snapper toothed piranas of tweeterland who lie on their back for indigenous peoples only).

                    • RedLogix …
                      26 December 2022 at 3:04 pm

                      @Incognito

                      Maybe I have just seen the race card (and escalating variations on it) played far too often and have developed an allergy to it.

                      If you think it OK to give this lazy, derogatory form of sneering a free pass – and expect it to contribute to quality debate – the I guess we will just have to let your experiment run and see how it works out.

                    • Incognito []
                      26 December 2022 at 3:49 pm

                      As always, context matters; who says what, when, and why? Not all those who use a lazy label conform to the stereotype of lazy race baiter, not even when provoked. In fact, some use sarcasm as a rhetorical tool. However, in heated debates on controversial issues less sarcasm might be more conducive to constructive discussions with fewer kneejerk responses.

                      Of course, this is not ‘my experiment’ but the kaupapa of this site. And of course, there always will be subversive elements such as trolls and astroturfers who try to derail debate here and public debate in general and sabotage and undermine the oft-fragile discussions on this forum. The TS commentariat is our best defence against such efforts and attacks. The commentariat is not a (small) group of neutral and objective observers but of active participants with (strong) interests and intentions (and sometimes (?) agendas). However, in typical Left style, more attacks seem to be coming from within (and behind) and comments have become more polarising and divisive.

                    • SPC …
                      26 December 2022 at 3:38 pm

                      RedLogix, the thing is – Shanreagh was merely giving advice to fender on how best to approach the issue in future, study up and be informative. To counter …. the inference that this was about you was your own. Sorry to disillusion you, but you are not the major concern re disinformation etc.

                      It sort of behooves the older folk not to become too easily taken to entrenched end game positions (lest experience has become a burden rather than something learned from).

                • Shanreagh …
                  24 December 2022 at 4:33 pm

                  Good grief!

                  Total over reaction.

                  I am looking back at the very mild call to do a better job than gut reactions in my post at 9.40am 24/12/22.

                  My concern is by stirring up we will put the possibility of a Nact win on the cards. While they may have different policies on Treaty claims, though who knows with the Nats, the other things that come with these governments will make us very sorry as the rights of workers and those without 7 houses recede into the far distance.

                  So it was a call to comment but to do so from one's own researched talking points not those from RW media or a once over lightly.

                  It was not directed at you but at the very apt comment of fender.

                  All I asked was that people read the actual report before jumping into their usual stances. I don't usually use words such as fascist or white supremacist in relation to those who disagree with the means etc of meeting Treaty claims.

                  I tried to draw an analogy with the anti vax mis & dis-information that dominated our media. Possibly not very successfully perhaps. The fact is that we had to waste minutes of our souls on arguments that had no merit eg magnetic vaccines, govt control etc etc, because nay sayers had brought these arguments into the public arena as if they were valid arguments.

                  I don't want us to waste minutes/hours/ etc of our lives responding to OTT views about Treaty settlements. My call has always been, as a good legally trained person, to go back to the source. Media commentary is very much a secondary source.

                  The source when looking at these Treaty claims/settlements is the actual reports of the Tribunal.

                  • RedLogix …
                    24 December 2022 at 4:57 pm

                    OK so where do you want to go with the clear statements in the report which state that the iwi chiefs never ceded any sovereignty (repeated throughout the report in numerous statements) and on p1825:

                    In our view, a crucial first step will be for the Crown to recognise the agreement in te Tiriti as described in our stage 1 report, and our conclusion that the Crown did not acquire sovereignty through an informed cession by the rangatira who signed te Tiriti at Waitangi, Waimate, and Māngungu.

                    Seems fairly unambiguous to me. But then again I am not the one with the well trained legal mind.

                    • Shanreagh …
                      24 December 2022 at 5:38 pm

                      As I said I have not read the report. As I said also in my note to Robert further down we are having a Christmas Eve Christmas dinner as a sort of memory of his family and their long European history.

                      I said i would read it over the break and I will. I don't think giving anyone a sentence or two without context or allowing a read is a very good way to get a balanced view. I gave the info about legally trained to indicate why, as a person, I am not attracted to superficial once over lightly summaries from the news media. I am sure you have your ways of seeking proof as a result of your engineering training and work.

          • Robert Guyton 9.1.1.1.2
            23 December 2022 at 5:11 pm

            Lawyers are "fancy pants"?

            How so?

      • Anker 9.1.2
        23 December 2022 at 4:24 pm

        thanks for clarifying Red Logix

        "the historic idea that Maroi became citizens of the NZ state by virtue of the first clause of the ToW was never true".

        Well, where the hell does that leave us then

      • Shanreagh 9.1.3
        24 December 2022 at 10:04 am

        @ Redlogix
        Possibly best for you to read the actual report rather than purport to debate on the basis of some media commentary.

        • RedLogix 9.1.3.1
          24 December 2022 at 11:11 am

          At something like 2000 pages long I imaging few people have read the whole thing in detail. I have scanned it though to get a sense of the general tenor, and read more carefully Ch12 which is the main conclusion and recommendation section.

          Have you?

          • Shanreagh 9.1.3.1.1
            24 December 2022 at 11:55 am

            Top of my list over the break. I have read/contributed to the content of several (4-5?) over the years. If you are familiar with Govt report writing and analysis then these follow that style. I don't find the style of writing difficult or overwhelming. I would rather read one of these reports than any OTT 'commentary' by people who think they know what the reports says.

            As a general rule to reports are beautifully written with great historical accuracy.

            • Shanreagh 9.1.3.1.1.1
              24 December 2022 at 5:19 pm

              If you read my comments you will note that I am not commenting on the substance of the ToW Ngapuhi report until I have actually read it. All my comments have been of a general nature. Of course I have read the commentaries/opinion in the news media but don't class this as giving me enough to comment on the substance.

          • swordfish 9.1.3.1.2
            24 December 2022 at 1:27 pm

            .

            Shanreagh (to RedLogix):

            Possibly best for you to read the actual report rather than purport to debate on the basis of some media commentary.

            RedLogix (to Shanreagh):

            I have scanned it though to get a sense of the general tenor, and read more carefully Ch12 which is the main conclusion and recommendation section … Have you?

            Shanreagh (to RedLogix):

            Top of my list over the break.

            LOL … you're your own worst enemy, Shanreagh.

            You haven’t read the report at all … & yet your chastising someone who has read the key findings for allegedly not reading it. Hilarious stuff.

            You’re a mindless child-like cheerleader for any & every ethno-nationalist /separatist / anti-democratic demand dreamt up in the power-hungry minds of the most radical Maori activists & Corporate Iwi. All emanating from a deep well of narcissism, virtue-signaling, elitist in-group prestige enhancement.

            [Are you pleased with the impact of your sniping and personal attacks on others here?

            Weka has asked you before “to reign in the person stuff a bit” (https://thestandard.org.nz/co-governance-is-orthodox-policy-for-both-national-and-labour/#comment-1924040) and I have given you a Mod note before that one (https://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-27-10-2022/#comment-1918092).

            I hope you are not planning to keep this up for the rest of the year. I wish you and your parents well and hope that things will be better next year – Incognito]

    • Anker 9.2
      23 December 2022 at 4:27 pm

      You are correct to a degree fender it is separate from any co-govenance wokeism.

      However if it is the case that Maori never became citizens of the NZ state by virue of the first clause of the ToW, doesn't it blow apart the concept of co-governance? I would have thought it did

      • fender 9.2.1
        23 December 2022 at 4:40 pm

        You may well be correct. Maybe co-governance would be a better option than dividing the country into two separate states.

        This is very messy and has the potential to put an end to NZ as we know it. Shame the Crown tried to trick their treaty partners, maybe they should have enacted a law preventing them from studying law (just kidding).

        edit: sounds like co-governance might not be enough for some anyway.

        • Sacha 9.2.1.1
          23 December 2022 at 7:37 pm

          has the potential to put an end to NZ as we know it

          Good. We can do so much better.

          • Shanreagh 9.2.1.1.1
            24 December 2022 at 9:25 am

            True.

            We possibly have a chance to do better.

            • RedLogix 9.2.1.1.1.1
              24 December 2022 at 2:23 pm

              Well at least you acknowledge this is the potential import of this report.

              Still taking what is already widely regarded as one of the best nations on earth (in the top 10 list for almost all measures of human development) – and then assuming that re-winding the clock to the political arrangements of 1840 would have to be an 'improvement' – is an untested assumption to say the least.

          • swordfish 9.2.1.1.2
            24 December 2022 at 3:42 pm

            .

            has the potential to put an end to NZ as we know it

            Good. We can do so much better.

            The Year Zero Burn it all Down Nihilism of the socially-detached, genuinely privileged professional middle-classes … no skin in the game, no consequences for you, wielding power over others, arrogantly deluding yourselves you have the moral authority to decide precisely who the oppressed & oppressors are (and almost always getting it horribly wrong … usually for self-interested reasons) … hence, casually, recklessly, frivolously advocating deeply destructive, almost-unhinged Utopian fantasies that others … poorer, older, more vulnerable … will pay a massive price for.

            In particular, affluent Pakeha who disproportionately inherited the wealth from colonisation appear determined to viciously scapegoat the non-indigenous working class into 2nd class citizenship

            And such is the innate narcissism of your little cadre that you'll will always double-down no matter how dire the consequences of your Taliban-like demolition.

      • Craig H 9.2.2
        23 December 2022 at 9:17 pm

        To quote the third principle from the original English text:

        In consideration thereof Her Majesty the Queen of England extends to the Natives of New Zealand Her royal protection and imparts to them all the Rights and Privileges of British Subjects.

        There's a debate about the specific interpretation and impact of the first principle of te Tiriti, but the third principle clearly grants what later became the concept of citizenship regardless of the first principle unless Te Tiriti is repudiated completely.

        • RedLogix 9.2.2.1
          24 December 2022 at 7:22 am

          Yet if the iwi chiefs never ceded sovereignty at the Tribunal reports, then logically all Maori remain subjects of those chiefs – and not citizens of NZ.

          unless Te Tiriti is repudiated completely.

          Well yes – maybe that is the intent.

          • SPC 9.2.2.1.1
            24 December 2022 at 4:14 pm

            He Puapua (the term means “a break” as in from, what was done to what is done next) is the name of the report to government on how it can act on New Zealand’s signing of the UN Declaration concerning the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

            Among the recommendations is creating a Māori Senate or Upper House to considering returning conservation land to iwi/hapū. But the PM has said no to an upper house … and so far the talk is around co-governance (as per the National government and the Waikato River) rather than handing over conservation land to iwi.

            The second stage of this WT report makes it clearer why the government has chosen the co-governance route in management of the Crown estate (land/water) and gone with the Maori Health Authority – to deal with the nationwide issue (as distinct from iwi claims). It can do so while maintaining a semblance of democratic norm.

            National can refuse to act on any or all of the recommendations He Puapua and WT, but Maori complaint will continue to result in findings that we are in breach. There are approaches of negation they could take but they have consequences.

    • Shanreagh 9.3
      24 December 2022 at 10:01 am

      Agree and coming up with the usual anti- 'maari' sentiments that have been such an unwelcome refrain in TS over the last year or so.

      This refrain is not based on knowledge but by 'doing one's own research' in the highways and byways of the opinion pieces, misguided and ignorant reports of the media.

      If we were less primed to see conspiracy where none exists, to be fearful of giving a fair go to our neighbours, friends, relations and fellow NZers and write on the basis of knowledge we would be further forward. Many people who may have worked around the Treaty or have a good knowledge of NZ history would gladly answer a million queries about history, meaning than try to react to posts that are essentially

      I don't understand it, I won't seek to understand it but I will give my opinion based on my misunderstanding

      Surely we can do better?

      Reading the actual report for a start is a good step. It is long but well worth it for the clear writing and the knowledge of NZ history it espouses.

      https://forms.justice.govt.nz/search/Documents/WT/wt_DOC_192668456/Te%20Raki%20W.pdf

      A couple of key points

      every settlement since the year dot has given successful claimants

      • the ability to have Crown-owned land offered back
      • an amount in financial redress
      • an ability to have a meaningful say in the future of areas that cannot be offered back or a not crown owned but are under State control
      • changes to names that have been wrongly spelt or attributed (Aoraki etc)

      So these are not shock, horror aspects.

      • swordfish 9.3.1
        24 December 2022 at 4:07 pm

        .

        Agree and coming up with the usual anti- 'maari' sentiments that have been such an unwelcome refrain in TS over the last year or so.

        Spare me the pathetic attempts to smear anyone who fails to immediately march in lockstep with each new radically-undemocratic ethno-nationalist demand [this may come as a bit of a shock to you, incidentally, but Māori don’t have a hive-mind … your highly paternalistic Noble Savage romanticism may just have led you badly astray here]

        Your perceived moral & intellectual superiority is pure self-delusion.

        Like much of your financially-privileged, power-wielding little Woke cadre, you're views are little more than shallow, narcissistic, frivolous virtue-signaling.

        Still, if you’re lucky, this little exchange might just motivate Moana Maniapoto to tweet: “We see you, Shanreagh, and you’re special”.

        [You are no in Pre-Mod until you have acknowledged that you have read, understood, and accepted the Mod note for you here: https://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-23-12-2022/#comment-1928119 – Incognito]

  10. swordfish 10
    23 December 2022 at 4:40 pm

    .

    Public opinion on a few high profile social issues / party policy as expressed in recent polling:

    (1) Q: Do you think young people should be sent to military boot camps if they are serious offenders? This would involve young people aged 10 to 17. [1 News-Kantar Nov 2022]

    Yes: 60%

    No: 31%

    DK: 9%

    Overwhelming support from National & ACT voters (81% & 77% respectively), very strong support from women aged 55+ & Aucklanders (67% & 65% respectively) … both Labour voters & Wellingtonians are fairly evenly divided (full figures aren't provided but there's a hint that a plurality of Labour voters support the idea) … only Green voters (71%) are strongly opposed.
    .

    (2) Q: The Government has proposed removing management and ownership of what is called the three waters, drinking water, wastewater and storm water from elected local councils to four regional water entities whose boards will be half appointed by councils and half appointed by Iwi. Do you support or oppose the proposed three waters reforms? [ Curia Oct 2022]

    Entire sample:

    Support 19% …… (women 22% / men 17%)

    Oppose 56% …… (women 52% / men 61%)

    Unsure 24% …….. (women 26% / men 22%)

    .

    Support 19% …… (Age 18-39: 21% / Age 40-59: 21% / Age 60+: 16%)

    Oppose 56% …… (Age 18-39: 47% / Age 40-59: 58%/ Age 60+: 62%)

    Unsure 24% …….. (Age 18-39: 32% / Age 40-59: 21%/ Age 60+: 21%)

    .

    Support 19% …… (Akl: 16% / Wgtn: 25% / Chch: 16% / Prov Cities 29%)

    Oppose 56% …… (Akl: 49% / Wgtn: 29%/ Chch: 57% / Prov Cities 54%)

    Unsure 24% …….. (Akl: 35% / Wgtn: 45%/ Chch: 28% / Prov Cities 17%)

    .

    Support 19% …… (Towns: 13% / Rural: 18%)

    Oppose 56% …… (Towns: 73% / Rural: 66%)

    Unsure 24% …….. (Towns: 14% / Rural: 16%)

    .

    Support 19% …… (Least deprived: 13% / Moderate: 17% / Most Deprived 33%)

    Oppose 56% …… (Least deprived: 63% / Moderate: 55% / Most Deprived 47%)

    Unsure 24% …….. (Least deprived: 24% / Moderate: 28% / Most Deprived 20%)
    .

    Support 19% …… (Nat: 23% / ACT: 4% / Lab 28% / Green 31%/ Undecided voters 13%)

    Oppose 56% …… (Nat: 63% / ACT: 78% / Lab 39% / Green 37%/ Undecided voters 64%)

    Unsure 24% …….. (Nat: 14% / ACT: 18% / Lab 34% / Green 31%/ Undecided voters 23%)

    [Curia asked the same question again in Nov 2022: results were: Support 23%/ Oppose 60%/ Unsure 18% … no crosstabs/demographic breakdowns provided at this point]

    .

    (3) Government's plan to merge RNZ & TVNZ [Curia Nov 2022] (precise wording of question not available):

    Support 22%

    Oppose 54%

    Unsure 24%

    • fender 10.1
      23 December 2022 at 5:05 pm

      What were the figures for the question " should NZ have a civil war over treaty breeches and the TOW making conclusions threatening Pakeha domination"

      • swordfish 10.1.1
        23 December 2022 at 6:51 pm

        .

        I'm not entirely sure they poll on the lurid echo-chamber fantasies of ludicrously self-righteous Pakeha Woke dogmatists who reduce the nuanced, complex & paradoxical reality of New Zealand history to a crude, distorted, simple-minded good vs evil Morality Tale that serves the contemporary interests of both Corporate Iwi & their Pakeha professional-managerial class fellow-travellers.

        But I could check with the major Polling organisations if you'd like.

        • fender 10.1.1.1
          23 December 2022 at 7:12 pm

          Wouldn't want to put you to any trouble, just a simple question to Farrar at the next anti-tax anti-woke bigots get-together would do.

        • RedLogix 10.1.1.2
          23 December 2022 at 7:19 pm

          Dear God I wish I had the talent for that! laugh

          • fender 10.1.1.2.1
            23 December 2022 at 7:44 pm

            You have greater talents than emulating an embittered yesteryear talk-back host flinging slogans. Only Trump should be wishing he was as articulate as our smelly swordfish wink

            • Robert Guyton 10.1.1.2.1.1
              24 December 2022 at 10:16 am

              Yee haw x2!

            • Anker 10.1.1.2.1.2
              24 December 2022 at 10:50 am

              Do you not realise how bad you make yourself look Fender, slinging about mud at a man who is seriously ill?

              • Robert Guyton …
                24 December 2022 at 11:16 am

                Mud shmud! Fender's funny. Swordy's happy to put pen (mightier than the sword!) to paper and besmirch his fellow posters and can defend himself, floridly.

                It's almost Christmas – the gifts beneath my tree are jiggling with anticipation and the table's groaning in the expectation of the weight it will bear on Christmas Day. Be happy, lax and lax again (relaaaaaaax).

                • Anker …
                  24 December 2022 at 2:52 pm

                  Merry Christmas Robert. Wishing you and yours a very happy celebration

                  • Robert Guyton …
                    24 December 2022 at 3:57 pm

                    Thanks, Anker – I'm at home, wrapping gifts (mostly for grandchildren) on the lounge floor; my daughter and her partner and 2 of their friends are painting cards for each other, cooking wonderful Christmas food and we're all rushing to be ready for the Christmas Parade tonight in the village. My wife is fully-engaged in knitting a dragon for one of our grandsons and I have finished sorting through the op-shop treasures I have collected throughout the year, as gifts for all of my whanau (cheepy, me!). I know what I'm getting – a gorgeous canna lily – bought it myself this morning 🙂 I've finally found a gift I know my wife will love – 5 "historical" books about towns around Southland, usually very expensive, but at $3:00 each in an op-shop, I couldn't believe my good fortune! I'll bask in the golden glow on Christmas morning! We found a huge fresh puffball in the community garden this morning and that's being added to tonight's meal now – unusual but special. We have visitors from Canada at the moment and one of them is a fungi specialist and loves to eat all sorts of fungi. He assures us the puffball will be a treat! It's very warm here in Riverton, clammy even, but there might be a deluge later in the evening – perhaps during the parade 🙂 Often we put a float in, but this year we're keeping our powder dry. Last year I dressed as Santa and listened to children's Christmas wishes, but I thought once in a life-time was enough 🙂 I trust all is well in your household and that Christmas is not causing you any anxiety. Robert

                    • Shanreagh …
                      24 December 2022 at 4:47 pm

                      Sounds great Robert.

                      We are having our Christmas celebration tonight to mark my partner's and his parents long association with Europe and Germany in particular. (His late father served as an officer with the Indian Army in Germany during the latter part of WW2 and then as a Prof. He was a polymath like his son) )

                      I feel enlivened by the change of emphasis.

                      My partner who is an avid native forest person/land revegetator has asked for special slow release fertiliser for potting up natives in pots and has got this.

                      Over the years the emphasis has moved from gifts to food and thoughts.

                    • Robert Guyton …
                      24 December 2022 at 7:31 pm

                      Wonderful, Shanreagh! I wish your partner well in their reforesting endeavours. If you tell them that I am growing karaka successfully down here on the south coast of the South Island, they might be encouraged – kawakawa too, and kauri! There's no stopping us treehuggers! 🙂

                    • Anker …
                      24 December 2022 at 9:57 pm

                      Very sweet. Have a good day tommorrow

              • Shanreagh …
                24 December 2022 at 12:06 pm

                Good grief does being ill give a person a free pass or something? I much prefer the attitude of my neighbour, who when we were talking about his recently diagnosed serious heart trouble/ops and my question about whether there was any truth that this type of illness, in particular, made people bad tempered said

                1 yes he had been warned by his clinicians that you could get bad and short tempered

                2 warned about stress impeding making the best recovery

                3 said he had decided to taiho at the moment on changing the world/pub type discussions until he knew he was not going to react in an OTT way.

              • fender …
                24 December 2022 at 2:02 pm

                Anker,

                1) I'm unaware of the health status of swordfish. If this has been disclosed on TS I have missed it probably because I don't have the time to spend here that I did a few years back.

                2) A few months ago I expressed to swordfish that his comments had become littered with lazy slurs used by right-wing trolls to insult marginalised groups that I hadn't noticed in his comments years ago.

                3) Just as I have no knowledge of anyone's health status it's pretty rude and presumptuous to lump anyone's defence of marginalised groups as them somehow belonging to an affluent authoritarian cadre of compulsive virtue-signalling critical race theory loving hive-minders.

                4) Any push-back to the use of slogans used to insult and belittle already downtrodden groups isn't motivated by a desire to harm anyone's fragile or otherwise health status. If push-back were to further harm someones health it would perhaps be best to avoid using condescending language usually employed by right-wingers motivated by hate and bigotry.

                5) Any harm caused to swordfish by any comment I've made is something I regret and would like make apologies for, but I believe he's less of the snowflake you are suggesting he is.

                6) Merry Christmas to you, swordfish and anyone else reading this. All the best for 2023.

                • Anker …
                  24 December 2022 at 2:55 pm

                  Merry Christmas Fender

                • Anker …
                  24 December 2022 at 3:06 pm

                  Yes Fender. I may be over reacting, but I have a relative who means the world to me who is facing a similar prognosis as Swordfish. I am very protective of her

                  • Shanreagh …
                    24 December 2022 at 5:06 pm

                    Anker we all have trials and tribulations to bear, some in more serious ways than others.

                    There is no mana in allowing one's health to give free rein to a free for all in making or supporting horrible personal comments to be made about other people. In fact the mana is all the other way. We admire those who despite ill health make sound arguments on the issues without bringing hurtful personal malice into it.

                    Pl read my story about my neighbour who decided not to give in to the grumpiness that could have been expected with/after his serious heart/health issues I really admired his self knowledge, medical knowledge and his denial of falling into a grumpy stereotype.

                    This is a board where we discuss issues.

      • Shanreagh 10.1.2
        24 December 2022 at 11:59 am

        Good point fender, perhaps they could have a trial run on TS to work out the best most biased way to frame the questions?

        NB heavy sarcasm.

    • Sacha 10.2
      23 December 2022 at 7:19 pm

      Support 19% …… (Least deprived: 13% / Moderate: 17% / Most Deprived 33%)

      Interesting gradient.

  11. joe90 11
    23 December 2022 at 5:39 pm

    Go easy on those imported choccies.

    .

    Long viewed as healthier than other sweet treats, some brands of dark chocolate contain potentially dangerous amounts of heavy metals, according to research released on Thursday by Consumer Reports.

    Scientists at the nonprofit advocacy organization recently measured the amount of heavy metals in 28 popular brands of dark chocolate bars and found cadmium and lead in all of them. For 23 of the bars, consuming just an ounce a day would put an adult over a level for at least one of the metals that could be harmful, CR said. Five of the bars were above those levels for both cadmium and lead.

    Long-term exposure to even small amounts of heavy metals can lead to a slew of health issues, including developmental problems and brain development in young children, experts say.

    https://www.cbsnews.com/news/dark-chocolate-metals-lead-consumer-reports-hersheys-trader-joes-cadmium/

    https://www.consumerreports.org/health/food-safety/lead-and-cadmium-in-dark-chocolate-a8480295550/

  12. Anker 12
    23 December 2022 at 5:49 pm

    Dam! Always told myself fine to early dark chocolate as word on the street was it was good for you!

    • Robert Guyton 12.1
      23 December 2022 at 5:50 pm

      Word on the street is that Seymour's a smart cookie.

      • fender 12.1.1
        23 December 2022 at 6:43 pm

        Those ACT ( Association for Corporate Takeover) streets aren't very welcoming to polite bearded hippy types. Hope you came through unscathed.

      • Anker 12.1.2
        24 December 2022 at 2:58 pm

        Surprized to hear your promoting Seymour Robert

        • Shanreagh 12.1.2.1
          24 December 2022 at 5:27 pm

          So I am I, especially as he wasn't!

          Word on the street is that Seymour's a smart cookie.

          I have heard this as well. Does this mean that as I agree with Robert that I also have heard the same sentiment that I am supporting/promoting Seymour. I don't think so.

          But the fact is he is viewed as increasingly personable and the sale of the quote to raise funds for the Prostate Foundation through his own Trade me account has meant that others are looking at this 'joker' and his party.

    • Sabine 12.2
      23 December 2022 at 7:31 pm

      You are fine to eat dark chocolate. The trouble is that living is deadly, and people should keep that in mind. At the end of life we die, all of us and as such, enjoy a good chocolate, a fine wine, some nice meat, home made pasta, cheese and bread. Moderation is the key.

      • Anker 12.2.1
        23 December 2022 at 11:01 pm

        Here's to that Sabine! Hope everyone enjoys their Christmas

      • Robert Guyton 12.2.2
        24 December 2022 at 11:18 am

        3 cheers for the Moderates!
        Hip hip, hooray! Hip-hi … ( a half-cheer).

        • Shanreagh 12.2.2.1
          24 December 2022 at 12:11 pm

          Moderates are often decried as sitting on the fence types…….imagine sitting on a chocolate fence and moderately eating your way through, of course with great care and attention.

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    NewstalkZB host Mike Hosking, who can usually be relied on to give Prime Minister Christopher Luxon an easy run, did not do so yesterday when he interviewed him about the HealthNZ deficit. Luxon is trying to use a deficit reported last year by HealthNZ as yet another example of the ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    3 days ago
  • A worrying sign

    Back in January a StatsNZ employee gave a speech at Rātana on behalf of tangata whenua in which he insulted and criticised the government. The speech clearly violated the principle of a neutral public service, and StatsNZ started an investigation. Part of that was getting an external consultant to examine ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago
  • Are we fine with 47.9% home-ownership by 2048?

    Renting for life: Shared ownership initiatives are unlikely to slow the slide in home ownership by much. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy today are:A Deloitte report for Westpac has projected Aotearoa’s home-ownership rate will ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • Let's Win This

    You're broken down and tiredOf living life on a merry go roundAnd you can't find the fighterBut I see it in you so we gonna walk it outAnd move mountainsWe gonna walk it outAnd move mountainsAnd I'll rise upI'll rise like the dayI'll rise upI'll rise unafraidI'll rise upAnd I'll ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago
  • Waimahara: The Singing Spirit of Water

    There’s been a change in Myers Park. Down the steps from St. Kevin’s Arcade, past the grassy slopes, the children’s playground, the benches and that goat statue, there has been a transformation. The underpass for Mayoral Drive has gone from a barren, grey, concrete tunnel, to a place that thrums ...
    Greater AucklandBy Connor Sharp
    4 days ago
  • A major milestone: Global climate pollution may have just peaked

    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections Global society may have finally slammed on the brakes for climate-warming pollution released by human fossil fuel combustion. According to the Carbon Monitor Project, the total global climate pollution released between February and May 2024 declined slightly from the amount released during the same ...
    Skeptical Science
    4 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Tuesday, July 23

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 7:00 am on Tuesday, July 23 are:Deep Dive: Penlink: where tolling rhetoric meets reality BusinessDesk-$$$’s Oliver LewisScoop: Te Pūkenga plans for regional polytechs leak out ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Tuesday, July 23

    TL;DR: As of 6:00 am on Tuesday, July 23, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:Health: Shane Reti announced the Board of Te Whatu Ora- Health New Zealand was being replaced with Commissioner Lester Levy ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • HealthNZ and Luxon at cross purposes over budget blowout

    Health NZ warned the Government at the end of March that it was running over Budget. But the reasons it gave were very different to those offered by the Prime Minister yesterday. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon blamed the “botched merger” of the 20 District Health Boards (DHBs) to create Health ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    4 days ago
  • 2500-3000 more healthcare staff expected to be fired, as Shane Reti blames Labour for a budget defic...

    Long ReadKey Summary: Although National increased the health budget by $1.4 billion in May, they used an old funding model to project health system costs, and never bothered to update their pre-election numbers. They were told during the Health Select Committees earlier in the year their budget amount was deficient, ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    4 days ago
  • Might Kamala Harris be about to get a 'stardust' moment like Jacinda Ardern?

    As a momentous, historic weekend in US politics unfolded, analysts and commentators grasped for precedents and comparisons to help explain the significance and power of the choice Joe Biden had made. The 46th president had swept the Democratic party’s primaries but just over 100 days from the election had chosen ...
    PunditBy Tim Watkin
    5 days ago
  • Solutions Interview: Steven Hail on MMT & ecological economics

    TL;DR: I’m casting around for new ideas and ways of thinking about Aotearoa’s political economy to find a few solutions to our cascading and self-reinforcing housing, poverty and climate crises.Associate Professor runs an online masters degree in the economics of sustainability at Torrens University in Australia and is organising ...
    The KakaBy Steven Hail
    5 days ago
  • Reported back

    The Finance and Expenditure Committee has reported back on National's Local Government (Water Services Preliminary Arrangements) Bill. The bill sets up water for privatisation, and was introduced under urgency, then rammed through select committee with no time even for local councils to make a proper submission. Naturally, national's select committee ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago
  • Vandrad the Viking, Christopher Coombes, and Literary Archaeology

    Some years ago, I bought a book at Dunedin’s Regent Booksale for $1.50. As one does. Vandrad the Viking (1898), by J. Storer Clouston, is an obscure book these days – I cannot find a proper online review – but soon it was sitting on my shelf, gathering dust alongside ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    5 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell On The Biden Withdrawal

    History is not on the side of the centre-left, when Democratic presidents fall behind in the polls and choose not to run for re-election. On both previous occasions in the past 75 years (Harry Truman in 1952, Lyndon Johnson in 1968) the Democrats proceeded to then lose the White House ...
    WerewolfBy lyndon
    5 days ago
  • Joe Biden's withdrawal puts the spotlight back on Kamala and the USA's complicated relatio...

    This is a free articleCoverageThis morning, US President Joe Biden announced his withdrawal from the Presidential race. And that is genuinely newsworthy. Thanks for your service, President Biden, and all the best to you and yours.However, the media in New Zealand, particularly the 1News nightly bulletin, has been breathlessly covering ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    5 days ago
  • Why we have to challenge our national fiscal assumptions

    A homeless person’s camp beside a blocked-off slipped damage walkway in Freeman’s Bay: we are chasing our tail on our worsening and inter-related housing, poverty and climate crises. Photo: Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • Existential Crisis and Damaged Brains

    What has happened to it all?Crazy, some'd sayWhere is the life that I recognise?(Gone away)But I won't cry for yesterdayThere's an ordinary worldSomehow I have to findAnd as I try to make my wayTo the ordinary worldYesterday morning began as many others - what to write about today? I began ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago
  • A speed limit is not a target, and yet…

    This is a guest post from longtime supporter Mr Plod, whose previous contributions include a proposal that Hamilton become New Zealand’s capital city, and that we should switch which side of the road we drive on. A recent Newsroom article, “Back to school for the Govt’s new speed limit policy“, ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    5 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Monday, July 22

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 7:00 am on Monday, July 22 are:Today’s Must Read: Father and son live in a tent, and have done for four years, in a million ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Monday, July 22

    TL;DR: As of 7:00 am on Monday, July 22, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:US President Joe Biden announced via X this morning he would not stand for a second term.Multinational professional services firm ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #29

    A listing of 32 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, July 14, 2024 thru Sat, July 20, 2024. Story of the week As reflected by preponderance of coverage, our Story of the Week is Project 2025. Until now traveling ...
    Skeptical Science
    6 days ago
  • I'd like to share what I did this weekend

    This weekend, a friend pointed out someone who said they’d like to read my posts, but didn’t want to pay. And my first reaction was sympathy.I’ve already told folks that if they can’t comfortably subscribe, and would like to read, I’d be happy to offer free subscriptions. I don’t want ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    6 days ago
  • For the children – Why mere sentiment can be a misleading force in our lives, and lead to unex...

    National: The Party of ‘Law and Order’ IntroductionThis weekend, the Government formally kicked off one of their flagship policy programs: a military style boot camp that New Zealand has experimented with over the past 50 years. Cartoon credit: Guy BodyIt’s very popular with the National Party’s Law and Order image, ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    6 days ago
  • A friend in uncertain times

    Day one of the solo leg of my long journey home begins with my favourite sound: footfalls in an empty street. 5.00 am and it’s already light and already too warm, almost.If I can make the train that leaves Budapest later this hour I could be in Belgrade by nightfall; ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    6 days ago
  • The Chaotic World of Male Diet Influencers

    Hi,We’ll get to the horrific world of male diet influencers (AKA Beefy Boys) shortly, but first you will be glad to know that since I sent out the Webworm explaining why the assassination attempt on Donald Trump was not a false flag operation, I’ve heard from a load of people ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    6 days ago
  • It's Starting To Look A Lot Like… Y2K

    Do you remember Y2K, the threat that hung over humanity in the closing days of the twentieth century? Horror scenarios of planes falling from the sky, electronic payments failing and ATMs refusing to dispense cash. As for your VCR following instructions and recording your favourite show - forget about it.All ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago
  • Bernard’s Saturday Soliloquy for the week to July 20

    Climate Change Minister Simon Watts being questioned by The Kākā’s Bernard Hickey.TL;DR: My top six things to note around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the week to July 20 were:1. A strategy that fails Zero Carbon Act & Paris targetsThe National-ACT-NZ First Coalition Government finally unveiled ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Pharmac Director, Climate Change Commissioner, Health NZ Directors – The latest to quit this m...

    Summary:As New Zealand loses at least 12 leaders in the public service space of health, climate, and pharmaceuticals, this month alone, directly in response to the Government’s policies and budget choices, what lies ahead may be darker than it appears. Tui examines some of those departures and draws a long ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    1 week ago
  • Flooding Housing Policy

    The Minister of Housing’s ambition is to reduce markedly the ratio of house prices to household incomes. If his strategy works it would transform the housing market, dramatically changing the prospects of housing as an investment.Leaving aside the Minister’s metaphor of ‘flooding the market’ I do not see how the ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    1 week ago
  • A Voyage Among the Vandals: Accepted (Again!)

    As previously noted, my historical fantasy piece, set in the fifth-century Mediterranean, was accepted for a Pirate Horror anthology, only for the anthology to later fall through. But in a good bit of news, it turned out that the story could indeed be re-marketed as sword and sorcery. As of ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    1 week ago
  • The Kākā's Chorus for Friday, July 19

    An employee of tobacco company Philip Morris International demonstrates a heated tobacco device. Photo: Getty ImagesTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy on Friday, July 19 are:At a time when the Coalition Government is cutting spending on health, infrastructure, education, housing ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Friday, July 19

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 8:30 am on Friday, July 19 are:Scoop: NZ First Minister Casey Costello orders 50% cut to excise tax on heated tobacco products. The minister has ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Weekly Roundup 19-July-2024

    Kia ora, it’s time for another Friday roundup, in which we pull together some of the links and stories that caught our eye this week. Feel free to add more in the comments! Our header image this week shows a foggy day in Auckland town, captured by Patrick Reynolds. ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    1 week ago
  • Weekly Climate Wrap: A market-led plan for failure

    TL;DR : Here’s the top six items climate news for Aotearoa this week, as selected by Bernard Hickey and The Kākā’s climate correspondent Cathrine Dyer. A discussion recorded yesterday is in the video above and the audio of that sent onto the podcast feed.The Government released its draft Emissions Reduction ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Tobacco First

    Save some money, get rich and old, bring it back to Tobacco Road.Bring that dynamite and a crane, blow it up, start all over again.Roll up. Roll up. Or tailor made, if you prefer...Whether you’re selling ciggies, digging for gold, catching dolphins in your nets, or encouraging folks to flutter ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago
  • Trump’s Adopted Son.

    Waiting In The Wings: For truly, if Trump is America’s un-assassinated Caesar, then J.D. Vance is America’s Octavian, the Republic’s youthful undertaker – and its first Emperor.DONALD TRUMP’S SELECTION of James D. Vance as his running-mate bodes ill for the American republic. A fervent supporter of Viktor Orban, the “illiberal” prime ...
    Bowalley Road
    1 week ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Friday, July 19

    TL;DR: As of 6:00 am on Friday, July 19, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:The PSA announced the Employment Relations Authority (ERA) had ruled in the PSA’s favour in its case against the Ministry ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago

  • Joint statement from the Prime Ministers of Canada, Australia and New Zealand

    Australia, Canada and New Zealand today issued the following statement on the need for an urgent ceasefire in Gaza and the risk of expanded conflict between Hizballah and Israel. The situation in Gaza is catastrophic. The human suffering is unacceptable. It cannot continue.  We remain unequivocal in our condemnation of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    18 hours ago
  • AG reminds institutions of legal obligations

    Attorney-General Judith Collins today reminded all State and faith-based institutions of their legal obligation to preserve records relevant to the safety and wellbeing of those in its care. “The Abuse in Care Inquiry’s report has found cases where records of the most vulnerable people in State and faith‑based institutions were ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    20 hours ago
  • More young people learning about digital safety

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says the Government’s online safety website for children and young people has reached one million page views.  “It is great to see so many young people and their families accessing the site Keep It Real Online to learn how to stay safe online, and manage ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    21 hours ago
  • Speech to the Conference for General Practice 2024

    Tēnā tātou katoa,  Ngā mihi te rangi, ngā mihi te whenua, ngā mihi ki a koutou, kia ora mai koutou. Thank you for the opportunity to be here and the invitation to speak at this 50th anniversary conference. I acknowledge all those who have gone before us and paved the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    23 hours ago
  • Employers and payroll providers ready for tax changes

    New Zealand’s payroll providers have successfully prepared to ensure 3.5 million individuals will, from Wednesday next week, be able to keep more of what they earn each pay, says Finance Minister Nicola Willis and Revenue Minister Simon Watts.  “The Government's tax policy changes are legally effective from Wednesday. Delivering this tax ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Experimental vineyard futureproofs wine industry

    An experimental vineyard which will help futureproof the wine sector has been opened in Blenheim by Associate Regional Development Minister Mark Patterson. The covered vineyard, based at the New Zealand Wine Centre – Te Pokapū Wāina o Aotearoa, enables controlled environmental conditions. “The research that will be produced at the Experimental ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Funding confirmed for regions affected by North Island Weather Events

    The Coalition Government has confirmed the indicative regional breakdown of North Island Weather Event (NIWE) funding for state highway recovery projects funded through Budget 2024, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Regions in the North Island suffered extensive and devastating damage from Cyclone Gabrielle and the 2023 Auckland Anniversary Floods, and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Indonesian Foreign Minister to visit

    Indonesia’s Foreign Minister, Retno Marsudi, will visit New Zealand next week, Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced.   “Indonesia is important to New Zealand’s security and economic interests and is our closest South East Asian neighbour,” says Mr Peters, who is currently in Laos to engage with South East Asian partners. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Strengthening partnership with Ngāti Maniapoto

    He aha te kai a te rangatira? He kōrero, he kōrero, he kōrero. The government has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the aspirations of Ngāti Maniapoto, Minister for Māori Development Tama Potaka says. “My thanks to Te Nehenehenui Trust – Ngāti Maniapoto for bringing their important kōrero to a ministerial ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Transport Minister thanks outgoing CAA Chair

    Transport Minister Simeon Brown has thanked outgoing Chair of the Civil Aviation Authority, Janice Fredric, for her service to the board.“I have received Ms Fredric’s resignation from the role of Chair of the Civil Aviation Authority,” Mr Brown says.“On behalf of the Government, I want to thank Ms Fredric for ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Test for Customary Marine Title being restored

    The Government is proposing legislation to overturn a Court of Appeal decision and amend the Marine and Coastal Area Act in order to restore Parliament’s test for Customary Marine Title, Treaty Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith says.  “Section 58 required an applicant group to prove they have exclusively used and occupied ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Opposition united in bad faith over ECE sector review

    Regulation Minister David Seymour says that opposition parties have united in bad faith, opposing what they claim are ‘dangerous changes’ to the Early Childhood Education sector, despite no changes even being proposed yet.  “Issues with affordability and availability of early childhood education, and the complexity of its regulation, has led ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Kiwis having their say on first regulatory review

    After receiving more than 740 submissions in the first 20 days, Regulation Minister David Seymour is asking the Ministry for Regulation to extend engagement on the early childhood education regulation review by an extra two weeks.  “The level of interest has been very high, and from the conversations I’ve been ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government upgrading Lower North Island commuter rail

    The Coalition Government is investing $802.9 million into the Wairarapa and Manawatū rail lines as part of a funding agreement with the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA), KiwiRail, and the Greater Wellington and Horizons Regional Councils to deliver more reliable services for commuters in the lower North Island, Transport Minister Simeon ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government moves to ensure flood protection for Wairoa

    Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced his intention to appoint a Crown Manager to both Hawke’s Bay Regional and Wairoa District Councils to speed up the delivery of flood protection work in Wairoa."Recent severe weather events in Wairoa this year, combined with damage from Cyclone Gabrielle in 2023 have ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • PM speech to Parliament – Royal Commission of Inquiry’s Report into Abuse in Care

    Mr Speaker, this is a day that many New Zealanders who were abused in State care never thought would come. It’s the day that this Parliament accepts, with deep sorrow and regret, the Report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care.  At the heart of this report are the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Government acknowledges torture at Lake Alice

    For the first time, the Government is formally acknowledging some children and young people at Lake Alice Psychiatric Hospital experienced torture. The final report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in State and Faith-based Care “Whanaketia – through pain and trauma, from darkness to light,” was tabled in Parliament ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Government acknowledges courageous abuse survivors

    The Government has acknowledged the nearly 2,400 courageous survivors who shared their experiences during the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Historical Abuse in State and Faith-Based Care. The final report from the largest and most complex public inquiry ever held in New Zealand, the Royal Commission Inquiry “Whanaketia – through ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Half a million people use tax calculator

    With a week to go before hard-working New Zealanders see personal income tax relief for the first time in fourteen years, 513,000 people have used the Budget tax calculator to see how much they will benefit, says Finance Minister Nicola Willis.  “Tax relief is long overdue. From next Wednesday, personal income ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Paid Parental Leave improvements pass first reading

    Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden says a bill that has passed its first reading will improve parental leave settings and give non-biological parents more flexibility as primary carer for their child. The Regulatory Systems Amendment Bill (No3), passed its first reading this morning. “It includes a change ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Rebuilding the economy through better regulation

    Two Bills designed to improve regulation and make it easier to do business have passed their first reading in Parliament, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. The Regulatory Systems (Economic Development) Amendment Bill and Regulatory Systems (Immigration and Workforce) Amendment Bill make key changes to legislation administered by the Ministry ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • ‘Open banking’ and ‘open electricity’ on the way

    New legislation paves the way for greater competition in sectors such as banking and electricity, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly says. “Competitive markets boost productivity, create employment opportunities and lift living standards. To support competition, we need good quality regulation but, unfortunately, a recent OECD report ranked New ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Charity lotteries to be permitted to operate online

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says lotteries for charitable purposes, such as those run by the Heart Foundation, Coastguard NZ, and local hospices, will soon be allowed to operate online permanently. “Under current laws, these fundraising lotteries are only allowed to operate online until October 2024, after which ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Accelerating Northland Expressway

    The Coalition Government is accelerating work on the new four-lane expressway between Auckland and Whangārei as part of its Roads of National Significance programme, with an accelerated delivery model to deliver this project faster and more efficiently, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “For too long, the lack of resilient transport connections ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Sir Don to travel to Viet Nam as special envoy

    Sir Don McKinnon will travel to Viet Nam this week as a Special Envoy of the Government, Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced.    “It is important that the Government give due recognition to the significant contributions that General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong made to New Zealand-Viet Nam relations,” Mr ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Grant Illingworth KC appointed as transitional Commissioner to Royal Commission

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says newly appointed Commissioner, Grant Illingworth KC, will help deliver the report for the first phase of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into COVID-19 Lessons, due on 28 November 2024.  “I am pleased to announce that Mr Illingworth will commence his appointment as ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • NZ to advance relationships with ASEAN partners

    Foreign Minister Winston Peters travels to Laos this week to participate in a series of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-led Ministerial meetings in Vientiane.    “ASEAN plays an important role in supporting a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific,” Mr Peters says.   “This will be our third visit to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Backing mental health services on the West Coast

    Construction of a new mental health facility at Te Nikau Grey Hospital in Greymouth is today one step closer, Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey says. “This $27 million facility shows this Government is delivering on its promise to boost mental health care and improve front line services,” Mr Doocey says. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • NZ support for sustainable Pacific fisheries

    New Zealand is committing nearly $50 million to a package supporting sustainable Pacific fisheries development over the next four years, Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones announced today. “This support consisting of a range of initiatives demonstrates New Zealand’s commitment to assisting our Pacific partners ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Students’ needs at centre of new charter school adjustments

    Associate Education Minister David Seymour says proposed changes to the Education and Training Amendment Bill will ensure charter schools have more flexibility to negotiate employment agreements and are equipped with the right teaching resources. “Cabinet has agreed to progress an amendment which means unions will not be able to initiate ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Commissioner replaces Health NZ Board

    In response to serious concerns around oversight, overspend and a significant deterioration in financial outlook, the Board of Health New Zealand will be replaced with a Commissioner, Health Minister Dr Shane Reti announced today.  “The previous government’s botched health reforms have created significant financial challenges at Health NZ that, without ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Minister to speak at Australian Space Forum

    Minister for Space and Science, Innovation and Technology Judith Collins will travel to Adelaide tomorrow for space and science engagements, including speaking at the Australian Space Forum.  While there she will also have meetings and visits with a focus on space, biotechnology and innovation.  “New Zealand has a thriving space ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Climate Change Minister to attend climate action meeting in China

    Climate Change Minister Simon Watts will travel to China on Saturday to attend the Ministerial on Climate Action meeting held in Wuhan.  “Attending the Ministerial on Climate Action is an opportunity to advocate for New Zealand climate priorities and engage with our key partners on climate action,” Mr Watts says. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Oceans and Fisheries Minister to Solomons

    Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is travelling to the Solomon Islands tomorrow for meetings with his counterparts from around the Pacific supporting collective management of the region’s fisheries. The 23rd Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Committee and the 5th Regional Fisheries Ministers’ Meeting in Honiara from 23 to 26 July ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Government launches Military Style Academy Pilot

    The Government today launched the Military Style Academy Pilot at Te Au rere a te Tonga Youth Justice residence in Palmerston North, an important part of the Government’s plan to crackdown on youth crime and getting youth offenders back on track, Minister for Children, Karen Chhour said today. “On the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Nine priority bridge replacements to get underway

    The Government has welcomed news the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) has begun work to replace nine priority bridges across the country to ensure our state highway network remains resilient, reliable, and efficient for road users, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.“Increasing productivity and economic growth is a key priority for the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Update on global IT outage

    Acting Prime Minister David Seymour has been in contact throughout the evening with senior officials who have coordinated a whole of government response to the global IT outage and can provide an update. The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet has designated the National Emergency Management Agency as the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • New Zealand, Japan renew Pacific partnership

    New Zealand and Japan will continue to step up their shared engagement with the Pacific, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.    “New Zealand and Japan have a strong, shared interest in a free, open and stable Pacific Islands region,” Mr Peters says.    “We are pleased to be finding more ways ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • New infrastructure energises BOP forestry towns

    New developments in the heart of North Island forestry country will reinvigorate their communities and boost economic development, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones visited Kaingaroa and Kawerau in Bay of Plenty today to open a landmark community centre in the former and a new connecting road in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • 'Pacific Futures'

    President Adeang, fellow Ministers, honourable Diet Member Horii, Ambassadors, distinguished guests.    Minasama, konnichiwa, and good afternoon, everyone.    Distinguished guests, it’s a pleasure to be here with you today to talk about New Zealand’s foreign policy reset, the reasons for it, the values that underpin it, and how it ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

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