I thought it was a good performance given the role of both parties. Remember the interviewers job is to ask all the stupid questions to allow the interviewee to explain the topic in more depth. That and the general public has little idea what the terms even mean.
I would like to compliment all the commentators on The Standard for their patience in dealing with Paddington's pedantic and nit-picking yesterday. Even LPrent, whose caustic comments have raised a smile in the past, was subdued.
If this is indicative of the PM's call for kindness, well done. We will all need to be patient and understanding in the difficult times that lie ahead.
I’ve left a moderation note asking for it to be dropped, thanks. Now, if we could all move on and focus on what really matters right here, right now, that would be great and might even safe lives.
"Now, if we could all move on and focus on what really matters right here"
We can, and have ……….. or maybe not – but it's six days later, and fromwhat I've seen as an interloper, Paddy Bear seems to have tucked up his tail and scarpered (possibly to re-appear under another guise)
Well said Tony. Paddington was being an irritating house fly buzzing around, but people had bigger things to think about than his/her silliness.
Jacinda’s instinctive qualities as a leader and communicator were again things we should be so grateful for at this time. Talking to a friend (on the phone) yesterday after her announcement, was interesting. He was so complimentary about how she has handled all this massive situation.
Does anyone in your household suffer from anxiety?
My youngest does, so I made up some info sheets for her last night and a list of her responsibilities before we officially go into lock down. Put official logos etc on it thanks to the covid-19 website.
This has helped sooooo much, as she now knows what to expect and can check her info sheets if she is unsure.
For example…. today my girls need to decide on any projects they wish to complete over the next month and any supplies they may need for that project, because the warehouse, mitre 10, $2 shop etc won't be open for a month come Thursday.
Saw that Warehouse will be open. Perhaps because they have many household basics at excellent prices, veg and flower plants and warmer clothing as well. They are also big and allow for space. Cheers You are such a good Mum.
Here is a little something from one of my on-line friends in the US. He offers his experiences from a similar situation he faced last year, with a cartoon that your daughters might identify with:
When I was in isolation during cancer treatments last year, some days I just played Red Dead Redemption Online because the stress of the situation made being actually productive too emotionally difficult. We all deal with stress in different ways. It ok to freak out a bit, this is a novel flu pandemic, life has changed, it’s ok to acknowledge how this is affecting you. We are all under duress, don’t beat you’re self up if your productivity is not as high as it was before or your not excited about doing stuff, this is a high stress situation. Remember to give yourself permission to feel anything right now. Feelings and random thoughts are not who you are as a person. You can only control your actions.
Well done, try and make some games out of it with mini prizes, those parents who did this in the Chch aftershocks, i.e. quessing strength of aftershocks etc, had children emerge in good health .
Would anyone know if owner operator lawn mowing business would be eligible for subsidy if the operator is a superannuitant getting pension. Which,as most people know is barely subsistence level. We have payments to make for van and motor mowers and other debts that go along with business ownership such as taxes and accountants etc.
Without this business we wouldnt survive so we have to keep it going.
I cant find mention of beneficiaries who are business owners being eligible. Help!!
There is a lot to read on this site Ffloyd. Bit about cashflow and such and lists of links. Hope this helps. It looks like the place to go if you need to do some gentle harassing.
Thought of the moment: is Tiwai Point an essential business? If it has to shut down for four weeks, have the odds suddenly shifted towards it never starting back up again? Would the various parties to the assorted contractual obligations around shutdown timeframes be more flexible right now around amending those timeframes?
I believe it takes some time to shut down and longer to start. . If they do shut now is not a good time to kill them off when we are allowed out again a 1000 jobs in the south will be a big thing.
The problems you hear about around shutting down potlines are mostly around the damage that happens when the power supply is unexpectedly lost. While planned shutdowns are still expensive, they are less expensive than unplanned forced shutdowns. Given the financial pain being caused across the rest of New Zealand, it amounts to special pleading for Tiwai Point to claim their financial pain from shutdown is somehow unique or should entitle them to special privileges.
Very little of Tiwai Point's output is used in New Zealand. It is of generally very high purity (because of the way they choose to operate the smelter, not anything special about New Zealand) and it mostly goes to Japan for specialist electronic uses. I've had occasion to look into the supply chain for the aluminium used in some engineering projects I've been involved in, and every time it has been imported.
thanks Andre. I don't care very much about Comalco's profit, other than how that might affect NZ (and we could definitely do with freeing up Manapouri power). Job losses and our international obligations to essential production matter. Do we buy specialist electronics from Japan?
The other big issue is how safe is it re covid for workers? Can good protocols be put in place?
I'd see closure generally in the context of the Powerdown and creating sustainable tech industries esp in relation to CC. Don't know if now or later is better for that, but we're not having the necessary conversation yet.
No it's not something in the news, it really was just a random thought for the morning. Given that the review decision was supposed to be complete sometime in this first quarter, I'm a little surprised at the silence.
I've never visited Tiwai Point, so this is just speculation, but here goes anyway …
As far as worker protection from COVID-19 goes, the production area of smelter type operations tends to have very low worker density, so keeping distance is unlikely to be a problem. It's a huge facility and if there's only 1000 or so there covering 24/7 shifts, they can't be very close together. Except maybe in smoko rooms.
I'd guess the higher risk would be for professional and lab staff. It's unlikely they've resisted the general execrable management trend of jamming as many people as possible into crowded open-plan areas. So they're more likely to spend all day in close proximity.
As Andre says, an orderly shutdown isn't that much of a problem.
Quite expensive in power and especially when you look at what it does to the refractories (I used to do tech sales at Kamo Green refractories during Think Big).
I wouldn't expect that it is defined as 'essential'. They may get some grace from just arguing the economic impact to the economy. We're going to be scratching for export income for a while.
I had a quick look for up to date news specific to Tiwai Point and didn't find any. But there was a lot about how chinese smelters have kept running and there's now an oversupply with reduced demand. Plus stories of how the big companies are putting the squeeze on other countries such as Icelasnd threatening to shut down if they don't get lower electricity prices.
So I suspect we're in for another disaster capitalism play from Rio Tinto for more hidden and overt subsidies that the rest of us pay for. Leveraging off of ideas like scarcity of export income and preserving jobs etc.
A thing about exotic trees and native trees in Australia and how flammable Oz trees are. We don't have a lot of Eucs here but the principle is the same and discussions here along the same lines are important.
For decades, Peter has planted a mosaic of trees including his truffle bearing hazelnuts and oaks, but also poplars and willows, and up to 30 bamboo varieties. His aim is to restore the property’s capacity to retain water at all levels, moving it gently through the soil profile rather than streaming off degraded, heavily compacted land…
Peter’s reasoning is that even a fire roaring uphill with a good draft will pause when it hits green trees. He estimates that a mature poplar, for example, is carrying 100 to 200 kg of water. As the fire and the trees interact, there’s a burst of flash evaporation from the greenery that absorbs heat. Peter says updraft wind will drop almost instantly under those conditions.
The wind controlling effect of banked deciduous foliage also worked to dramatically slow the fire’s spread and, three rows in, the blaze became controllable with groundwork and shovels.
Thanks Robert. Hope everything is going well in green land and family.
And while you have a minutes I wondered if you could tell me if I'm hurting my cherry plum tree draining rinse water towards which has a touch of detergent in it still. The leaves on a weaker side are dullish and hanging. Might just have been too dry from weeks of little water.
(I keep thinking about panic and hoping people aren't hurting themselves and having more accidents that end up needing treatment. It's going to be really interesting to see what happens with that over the next month).
I'm an essential worker apparently, but what I'm seeing today is panic driving, looking forward to some quiet roads during lockdown while I go about my essential business. Also today, 15-20 car long queues for McDonalds.
I noticed Henry Cooke being snide again. According to him, Jacinda has us "Under House Arrest"
We can go for a walk, shop for food, get our medications, Make up our own activities, use the internet, talk to friends and neighbours over the fence or on the "phone/skype
What is stuck in his craw?
Sorry, I could not locate the article again. Herald.
Be kind Henry, the PM is working hard to save lives…. get with the goal and write some helpful pieces.
Wait for Stuff regular columnist Steve Elers if you're looking for snide in attacking the PM. He had the sense to say in a column most recently, "As a commentator of everything and a master of nothing" of himself. That should be added to the descriptive blurb at the bottom of his 'work.'
Steve Elers tag line at the bottom of his opinion pieces on stuff currently say he is " a senior lecturer at Massey University and writes a weekly article on cultural and political matters' or something similar. It should read "he is an ill-informed senior lecturer at Massey who writes a weekly diatribe abusing the Prime Minister." Massey must be so proud.
I suspect they have, and tho' it's nice to be able to walk down the street (keeping me 2 mtr separation and watching the stupidity with a degree of amusement at [predominantly] male ego insecurities), shifting the problem into the private domain will probably mean a whole lot of it goes unreported.
Already, I've noticed an increase in decibels from some of the neighbouring properties in the early hours, then later the littering of RTD cans and empty bottles of piss.
I'm actually hoping Women's Refuge and various other agencies begin to report they are being overwhelmed.
We spoke of this last night, in the context of the children who go to school as they can get food. Also school can be a violence free refuge, as opposed to home. Home that now has an even higher stressed adult(s) dishing out the family harm.
Well if the stories about queues at bottle stores and panic buying are true, then probably not, it may just be spilling out on to driveways instead of the high street.
A little something to while away the long hours to be spent at home:
Yep. It's Pippa. The albatross chick /live cam. Poor little mite is being buffeted by strong winds and rain at the moment.
They also produce a video of the highlights at the end of each day which consists of Mum and Dad returning to feed her and a bunch of teenage Albatross brats who like to tease and harass her especially around feed time. Mum knows how to handle them.
Christ. Have such landlords got no shame? Name and shame – or even report to authorities. Where are they meant to go once the lock down deadline arrives?
It would seem that the powers that be at our local hospital may have missed a trick in respect to uniforms. This, to me, is a potentially serious health and safety issue.
Almost all front-line health staff (nurses) wear their uniform to and from work.
There is push-back from management against the wearing of scrubs. Scrubs are an ideal solution to keeping staff families and homes free of the virus that can be bought home on clothing. The hospitals still launder scrubs so any potential contamination stays in house.
Particularly ironic as our local hospital has just changed the colour of the surgical scrubs in January, so there must be a surplus of this clothing somewhere.
It will be interesting to see how Covid-19 affects the next Australian election. Their infection rates are much higher than ours. There could be a backlash against a last minute Cambridge Analytica campaign.
Public transport and domestic air travel can only be used for medical reasons, to get to the supermarket, for people working in essential services and for freight.
and
taxis and ride share services like Uber will continue operating.
Chris Martenson praising NZ saying PM "just doing a great job". Yep, she is. Just prior to this time segment a letter from Annie, who closed her restaurant a couple of days before officials ordered it.
Early in this piece we learn that New York is over 20,000 cases – that was quick. Other surprises are Switzerland who have more cases per person than other countries.
I have just found out the WINZ offices are closing down for fear of staff getting infected by the virus. Why isn't this classified as an essential department for citizens when they are allowing The Warehouse to remain open for business. When has the Warehouse ever been considered an essential industry/business. Have I just fallen down the rabbit hole here. What it he hell is going on. Also All the courts are closing with the exception of the District courts – how does this equate as well. People are people no matter what court they have to attend and will catch this virus no matter what the sin is.
I am increasingly becoming confused about how these decisions are agreed upon. What about all the thousands of people who are now without jobs. How do they get any support if they can't get to their local WINZ Office. Not everybody has a computer or even able to afford to get online. Somebody clarify to me – am I missing something here. I have a loved one who is fragile and involved in these two departments and its hard enough with the enormity of the environment right now without pulling up the drawbridge on one department – WINZ and allowing the other District Courts to remain open to the milling crowds of people who go in their bldgs each day.
Phones are not much use when the system crashes through overload. Its a futile exercise even trying to get through. People who are needing WINZ right now are out of jobs, scared shitless, and vulnerable and the powers that be should have been better prepared for the influx of numbers and laid on more staff and perspex screens for them to protect from this virus if they are so worried over them. I am definitely down the rabbit hole over this.
The Warehouse helped stop the peasants revolting when we entered the fire economy – they are essential to the survival of liberalism as the dominate ideology.
I went to a supermarket in central Auckland this morning and it was remarkably calm and relatively uncrowded. No busier than a typical pre-Christmas day. Queue at checkout no longer than usual. Some shelves were sparsely stocked but there was nothing on my list I couldn't get if I changed brands. Posh pasta instead of budget pasta, no biggie.
I realize many people are not as conveniently close to supermarkets and dairies as I am. But in the last 48 hours I have had no problem buying both essentials and treats (and no I'm not hoarding).
I too wonder why the warehouse remains open. Yes it does sell some food but it's not a main offering IIRC a lot of it is imported and we need to do without the shopping fix that people may want to access for other goods. Why have they not got the stay at home message.
WINZ I would have thought was essential. – Okay they would want internet & phone first and they need to call back the pay as you use people – maybe they should stuff some form of access around the supermarkets – dedicated phone line or a credit that goes only to WINZ.
"Self-isolation" allows for a walk outside, carefully avoiding contact, but based on my (obviously random) sample of seeing people on the street on this last day before lockdown, I'd say at least a quarter still don't "get it". Plenty of proximity and touching.
It takes time for the message to sink in, so we can expect an extension after one month, as community transfer continues. If we can't be trusted to do this right, then it's going to be a full curfew.
Yes. I can't believe the queues outside some supermarkets (and gun shops) where people are not doing the 2 meter distancing from each other. I hope this gets controlled in future.
I certainly won't be venturing out til that is sorted.
I'm fortunate that I was able to book a supermarket home delivery for Sunday, and I have a nephew on standby who will deliver more more food (mostly fresh fruit & veges) when I need them.
Micro businesses – NZrs who make their own work since various governments made it so hard for small business which collapsed unable to compete with the world.
And here we see how the gummint agencies are just not concerned about helping these great innovative entrepreneurs in their small businesses.
<i>Only about $200 went through the till yesterday – down from about $1500 on a good day…. "Honestly I'm freaking out. I don't know if I can sustain it because how am I going to pay my rent even?
"I haven't even paid this month's rent yet, you know what I mean? "How do I pay the rent? How do I pay the wages, the power bill, the phone bill, my mortgage?"
Boyd said as a sole trader she did not yet have the 13-digit business number required to access government relief funds. "I really don't understand that either because I've been trying to get my New Zealand business number."
I even went to my accountant and he went online with me and it wouldn't get through. It kept saying 'error' but it won't tell me what the error is."
Boyd said she was worried about her staff, one of whom was expecting a baby.</i>
This leaves landlords able to bank renters' money with interest while having no outgoings at all.
A far as I am aware though all the other fixed costs like rates, insurance and property management fees will likely remain. You would be surprised at what a large fraction of your rent these consume. Including other smaller sundries we allow 50% of the rent to go in fixed costs. After that comes the variable costs like mortgage interest and annual company tax.
If a tenant stops paying their rent, a mortgage holiday will be very welcome, but it goes nowhere near covering all our costs.
The government should look at dole plus half rent paid for those losing their income/employment. Half rent would cover such utility costs for the landlord.
Tenants are going to be shafted; either owing massive amounts in rent or kicked out after the lockdown period is over.
A comment elsewhere on the subject with respect to the fraught idea of the random negotiating of rent reductions between tenant (powerless) and landlord (the clue is in the name).
Do you know what. I wouldn't have an issue if we were all in this together but today the preferential treatment for the comparatively wealthy beggars belief.
The reasoning for the mortgage holiday is apparently so people don't 'lose their homes'.
What if they did 'lose their homes', what would they be then?
i hardly believe that a company with 80 million annual turnover would have a owner who would 'loose' the house.
nah, these guys are making sure that some survive – whom ever they consider 'solvent' – and the rest so far can get fucked. Essentially this is a very national bail out, it is what i would have expected from teh National Party.
I am honestly out of wits when it comes to the 'hand outs' of this government.
funnily enough i was interviewed today by some 'regional NZ herald' guy and i essentially said that the government needs to either offer interest free loans or offer a rent/mortgage/lease/bill holiday to all of us. Its not ok to tell us to take a bank loan on the eve of Financial Crisis 2.0. So far my loyal customers have come through. I have discounted everything, and tomorrow last day – morning only – hopefully will see me make enough money for the Landlord.
I already advised my chocolate supplier that next month bill will be the first that i will miss in 8 years.
I don't wish the Labour Party and the coalition any ill, but i will never ever support them – not with money, not with time, and most certainly not with a vote. I just don't have any reason to do so.
The scheme will include a limit of $500,000 per loan and will apply to firms with a turnover of between $250,000 and $80 million per annum. The loans will be for a maximum of three years and expected to be provided by the banks at competitive, transparent rates.
well these businesses are very deserving, and need a bail out as where all those below 250.000 turnover per annum can get fucked.
Contrary to rumours, misinformation etc here and elsewhere, WINZ has NOT closed down completely.
MSD/WINZ has been designated an essential service. Like many other Goverment departments also classed as essential services, it has closed its service centres for face to face appointments, advice etc – BUT will continue to provide advice, help etc via its internet site and by phome.
Some other changes mentioned in that article of interest:
MSD is also making a number of other changes, coming into effect on 30 March, for a six-month period:
Removing the need to provide subsequent medical certificates for clients already getting Jobseeker Support or Sole Parent Support
Deferring any Disability Allowance reviews
Delaying Annual Reviews (including all annual reviews of income, confirming your circumstances (CYC) and annual circumstances letters (ACL), social housing reviews, and life certificates
NOTE that the section on Service Centre states that:
We've closed our service centres to keep people safe and stop the spread of COVID-19. If you need to contact us urgently you can use MyMSD or contact us.
FYI here is the URL for that "Contact Us' link – contact numbers are under each of the main headings. Press the + sign.
Note the wording in this particular section which I have underlined:
Left your job voluntarily or fired for misconduct
If you've left your job without a good reason or have been fired for misconduct, you may still need to wait up to 13 weeks before your payments start.
This 13 week period is a non-entitlement period, not a stand-down.
The wording "you may still need to wait up to 13 weeks", implies that this is not a compulsory set period; rather a period of time to a maximum of 13 weeks which is open to a decision by WINZ based on the circumstances of each case where someone has left a job voluntarily or has been fired for misconduct.
Hope the above helps.
PS – Just heard the PM, in her press conference currently underway, confirm that The Warehouse will not be open and is not an essential service.
At the press conference on Friday announcing the New York shutdown, Governor Andrew Cuomo said, “I want to be able to say to the people of New York—I did everything we could do. And if everything we do saves just one life, I’ll be happy.”
This statement reflects a disastrous sentimentalism. Everything for the sake of physical life? What about justice, beauty, and honor? There are many things more precious than life. And yet we have been whipped into such a frenzy in New York that most family members will forgo visiting sick parents. Clergy won’t visit the sick or console those who mourn. The Eucharist itself is now subordinated to the false god of “saving lives.”
[…]
A number of my friends disagree with me. They support the current measures, insisting that Christians must defend life. But the pro-life cause concerns the battle against killing, not an ill-conceived crusade against human finitude and the dolorous reality of death.
Yes that is a huge kick in the guts for renters. Why is the mortgage holiday for people who are renting out their properties. Sounds more like "a be kind to banks week."
Right up there with all the high income employees and directors not taking a haircut while they spend their time laying people off.
As for Winz – tone deaf as usual – just pushing the everyone can go online agenda – despite benefits being insufficent to support being able to afford these services or for that matter a phone. Oh and guess what the library has been closed so even if there is one the internet can't be used there either.
A six-month mortgage holiday for people whose incomes have been affected by Covid-19 will mean people won't lose their homes as a result of the economic disruption caused by this virus
Still a massive imbalance in the way two sections of society are being treated. And it still applies to the landlord who claims the holiday on their own home.
One section is being offered massive relief around the biggest household cost of all at this very stressful and critical time, while another section is offered nothing in the same area.
This needs to be sorted or there will be massive unrest.
The scheme will include a limit of $500,000 per loan and will apply to firms with a turnover of between $250,000 and $80 million per annum. The loans will be for a maximum of three years and expected to be provided by the banks at competitive, transparent rates.
i really don't see why a business owner with 80 million turn over needs a mortgage holiday, while the dude on 70.000 does not. But then maybe the dude with the 80 million dollar business needs to buy some more cheap houses when the dudes on regular wages default. After all we can't have socialism for the poor, no we only have it for the well to do, and the very rich. Besides, when the Labour critters quit parliament they would like to have some lucrative jobs on boards and such, so consider it a 'prepayment' for services to be rendered in the future.
Now somebody understands what my thread was about. A lot of people on benefits do not own a computer and if they do own one they cannot afford to go online. Libraries were open with computers and wifi and were available to these beneficeries and now they have closed down too. Owning a computer and being online is a luxury to many people and I find it quite extraordinary to plead the safety of their staff the reason for closing down. What about all the staff in supermarkets, pharmacies, they are having to run the gauntlet of being in harm's way. I just don't buy it at all their excuse for shutting down.
Even the District Court is staying open for the poor felons going before the judges. Obviously they want to punish the felons and punish the poor bastards who are out of work, mentally unwell, physically disabled etc. as well.
Yes, I definitely have gone down the rabbit hole on this one.
If people use the month to outdoor exercise, on foot or bike and get plenty of sleep then our public health (stronger immune systems) will be stronger for it. It is a good time of year for it.
If you've got elderly neighbours don't forget to make sure they are ok, because they may be scared or have no family close by.
We've contacted ours to let them know (via a note slipped under their door) if we go to the supermarket etc we will contact them know in advance should they need anything.
Mention was made in the comment at 18 that prompted my one at 25 re WINZ, that all Courtrs except District Courts were being closed down.
The Court situation is actually a lot more complex than what was stated at 18 and is still being sorted out. Advice about what is happening with the Courts is being promulgated on an ongoing basis on the following link and also on the Courts of New Zealand Twitter account @CourtsofNZ.
"Courts are an essential service. It is essential that New Zealand courts continue to uphold the rule of law and to ensure that fair trial rights, the right to natural justice and rights under the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act are upheld"
"However, the move to level 4 will be extremely disruptive to everyday court practices. It will affect the ability of all who support the operations of the courts, and those who appear before them, to prepare for or attend at court."
For the remainder of this week it is expected that courts will operate only in the priority areas of:proceedings that affect: liberty of the individual, personal safety and wellbeing, and matters in which resolution is time-critical.
Proceedings in the following courts will not go ahead this week: Supreme Court, Court of Appeal, Employment Court, Environment Court (with one exception), Māori Land Court, Waitangi Tribunal, and Coroners Court.
To the maximum extent possible, and to avoid the need for people to attend court in person, the courts will use remote participation eg AVL where that is possible, telephone or email.
“However, in the District Court in-person attendances may be required in some cases. Where court attendance is unavoidable, the safety of the public, court staff and members of the legal profession is paramount. Measures have been taken to achieve physical distance and to improve courthouse hygiene.”
In summary (rough mix of quotes and shortened wording):
From today, the following proceedings take priorityin the District Court (all full quotes):
Criminal when the defendant is in custody: Public order offenders; Bail applications (including breaches); Sentencing those already in custody; Deportation warrants; CP(MIP); Breach of PSOs.
Civil: Injunctions, Harassment orders; Harmful digital communications; Tenancy Tribunal appeals against evictions.
Youth: Arrests (first appearances); Secure care applications, Bail applications; Review of custody, CP (MIP), Early release hearing (see separate letter from Principal Youth Court Judge Walker.)
Family: Public Health Order applications; Without notice applications: Care and protection (s 67 and s 78 immediate uplift); Protection and related Orders (Family Violence Act); Care of Children applications (family violence related); Mental Health (applications for compulsory treatment orders); Other without notice applications: PPPR, PRA, Hague Convention; Substance Addiction (Compulsory Treatment); s 67 Care and Protection.
Other proceedings will be administratively adjourned to the next available date except in the case of Youth Court which will be adjourned for four weeks. (shortened)
"If AVL facilities are not available, the Duty Solicitor (or Duty Youth Advocate or Assigned Youth Advocate in Youth Court) must attend in person.
If facilities for the defendant to appear by AVL are not available, the defendant will appear in person.
In the Family Court, counsel are to appear by telephone or AVL, and if facilities are not available, in person.
In Civil cases, counsel can appear by telephone."
Again, I hope that clarifies things a bit at least.
Methinks Macro is getting bored out of his brain with this lock-down before its even officially started. Didn't you manage to get into town for a bout of panic buying this afto?
OMG! that s serious price gouging. Mine was $10 a kilo, mind you I brought my own container. From here on in, I'll ring up and order, and she will pack and either drop off or I can pick up from the store.
i buy all my meat from the local butcher. The guy and his wife know what they do, they have five kids and the mad butcher's meat is just rubbish. But yeah, what a rip of.
Macro – the sprout-with-toothpicks image is one I saw a few days back and sent to friends, most of whom didn't get it at all! I was amazed but learned the lesson about niche-knowledge and the ease with which one can assume that what to you is obvious (and in this case, funny) is neither of those to people who haven't tried growing an avocado this way.
Ahh a sad commentary on our society. There is not a vegetable seedling to be had in the whole of town right now. I fear for those tender young things in inexpert hands. I wonder how and where they will be placed in the expectation that within a week or two they will be harvested.
I wonder if these sis sandflys are going to try and arrest me when I go to the supermarket today.??? They will be drooling to do that with there new powers
Some of the symptoms of the virus is loss of smell and taste
Its better that we do it hard and correct now and minimise the virus spread than not to isolation properly now and the virus spread rapidly causing chaos to our love one's and our hospital system.
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Over the past 36 hours, Christopher Luxon has been dong his best to portray the centre-right’s plummeting poll numbers as a mark of virtue. Allegedly, the negative verdicts are the result of hard economic times, and of a government bravely set out on a perilous rescue mission from which not ...
Auckland Transport have started rolling out new HOP card readers around the network and over the next three months, all of them on buses, at train stations and ferry wharves will be replaced. The change itself is not that remarkable, with the new readers looking similar to what is already ...
Completed reads for April: The Difference Engine, by William Gibson and Bruce Sterling Carnival of Saints, by George Herman The Snow Spider, by Jenny Nimmo Emlyn’s Moon, by Jenny Nimmo The Chestnut Soldier, by Jenny Nimmo Death Comes As the End, by Agatha Christie Lord of the Flies, by ...
On February 14, 2023 we announced our Rebuttal Update Project. This included an ask for feedback about the added "At a glance" section in the updated basic rebuttal versions. This weekly blog post series highlights this new section of one of the updated basic rebuttal versions and serves as a ...
Have a story to share about St Paul’s, but today just picturesPopular novels written at this desk by a young man who managed to bootstrap himself out of father’s imprisonment and his own young life in a workhouse Read more ...
The list of former National Party Ministers being given plum and important roles got longer this week with the appointment of former Deputy Prime Minister Paula Bennett as the chair of Pharmac. The Christopher Luxon-led Government has now made key appointments to Bill English, Simon Bridges, Steven Joyce, Roger Sowry, ...
Newsroom has a story today about National's (fortunately failed) effort to disestablish the newly-created Inspector-General of Defence. The creation of this agency was the key recommendation of the Inquiry into Operation Burnham, and a vital means of restoring credibility and social licence to an agency which had been caught lying ...
Holding On To The Present:The moment a political movement arises that attacks the whole idea of social progress, and announces its intention to wind back the hands of History’s clock, then democracy, along with its unwritten rules, is in mortal danger.IT’S A COMMONPLACE of political speeches, especially those delivered in ...
Stuck In The Middle With You:As Christopher Luxon feels the hot breath of Act’s and NZ First’s extremists on the back of his neck and, as he reckons with the damage their policies are already inflicting upon a country he’s described as “fragile”, is there not some merit in reaching out ...
The unpopular coalition government is currently rushing to repeal section 7AA of the Oranga Tamariki Act. The clause is Oranga Tamariki's Treaty clause, and was inserted after its systematic stealing of Māori children became a public scandal and resulted in physical resistance to further abductions. The clause created clear obligations ...
Buzz from the Beehive The government’s official website – which Point of Order monitors daily – not for the first time has nothing much to say today about political happenings that are grabbing media headlines. It makes no mention of the latest 1News-Verian poll, for example. This shows National down ...
It Takes A Train To Cry:Surely, there is nothing lonelier in all this world than the long wail of a distant steam locomotive on a cold Winter’s night.AS A CHILD, I would lie awake in my grandfather’s house and listen to the traffic. The big wooden house was only a ...
Packing A Punch: The election of the present government, including in its ranks politicians dedicated to reasserting the rights of the legislature in shaping and determining the future of Māori and Pakeha in New Zealand, should have alerted the judiciary – including its anomalous appendage, the Waitangi Tribunal – that its ...
Dead Woman Walking: New Zealand’s media industry had been moving steadily towards disaster for all the years Melissa Lee had been National’s media and communications policy spokesperson, and yet, when the crisis finally broke, on her watch, she had nothing intelligent to offer. Christopher Luxon is a patient man - but he’s not ...
Chris Trotter writes – New Zealand politics is remarkably easy-going: dangerously so, one might even say. With the notable exception of John Key’s flat ruling-out of the NZ First Party in 2008, all parties capable of clearing MMP’s five-percent threshold, or winning one or more electorate seats, tend ...
Bryce Edwards writes – Polling shows that Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau has the lowest approval rating of any mayor in the country. Siting at -12 per cent, the proportion of constituents who disapprove of her performance outweighs those who give her the thumbs up. This negative rating is ...
Luxon will no doubt put a brave face on it, but there is no escaping the pressure this latest poll will put on him and the government. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on Aotearoa-NZ’s political ...
This is a re-post from The Climate Brink by Andrew Dessler In the wake of any unusual weather event, someone inevitably asks, “Did climate change cause this?” In the most literal sense, that answer is almost always no. Climate change is never the sole cause of hurricanes, heat waves, droughts, or ...
Something odd happened yesterday, and I’d love to know if there’s more to it. If there was something which preempted what happened, or if it was simply a throwaway line in response to a journalist.Yesterday David Seymour was asked at a press conference what the process would be if the ...
Hi,From time to time, I want to bring Webworm into the real world. We did it last year with the Jurassic Park event in New Zealand — which was a lot of fun!And so on Saturday May 11th, in Los Angeles, I am hosting a lil’ Webworm pop-up! I’ve been ...
Education Minister Erica Standford yesterday unveiled a fundamental reform of the way our school pupils are taught. She would not exactly say so, but she is all but dismantling the so-called “inquiry” “feel good” method of teaching, which has ruled in our classrooms since a major review of the New ...
Exactly where are we seriously going with this government and its policies? That is, apart from following what may as well be a Truss-Lite approach on the purported economic “plan“, and Victorian-era regression when it comes to social policy.Oh it’ll work this time of course, we’re basically assured, “the ...
Hey Uncle Dave, When the Poms joined the EEC, I wasn't one of those defeatists who said, Well, that’s it for the dairy job. And I was right, eh? The Chinese can’t get enough of our milk powder and eventually, the Poms came to their senses and backed up the ute ...
Polling shows that Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau has the lowest approval rating of any mayor in the country. Siting at -12 per cent, the proportion of constituents who disapprove of her performance outweighs those who give her the thumbs up. This negative rating is higher than for any other mayor ...
Buzz from the Beehive Pharmac has been given a financial transfusion and a new chair to oversee its spending in the pharmaceutical business. Associate Health Minister David Seymour described the funding for Pharmac as “its largest ever budget of $6.294 billion over four years, fixing a $1.774 billion fiscal cliff”. ...
Bryce Edwards writes – Many criticisms are being made of the Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill, including by this writer. But as with everything in politics, every story has two sides, and both deserve attention. It’s important to understand what the Government is trying to achieve and its ...
TL;DR: Here’s my top 10 ‘pick ‘n’ mix of links to news, analysis and opinion articles as of 10:10am on Monday, April 29:Scoop: The children's ward at Rotorua Hospital will be missing a third of its beds as winter hits because Te Whatu Ora halted an upgrade partway through to ...
span class=”dropcap”>As hideous as David Seymour can be, it is worth keeping in mind occasionally that there are even worse political figures (and regimes) out there. Iran for instance, is about to execute the country’s leading hip hop musician Toomaj Salehi, for writing and performing raps that “corrupt” the nation’s ...
Yesterday marked 10 years since the first electric train carried passengers in Auckland so it’s a good time to look back at it and the impact it has had. A brief history The first proposals for rail electrification in Auckland came in the 1920’s alongside the plans for earlier ...
Right now, in Aotearoa-NZ, our ‘animal spirits’ are darkening towards a winter of discontent, thanks at least partly to a chorus of negative comments and actions from the Government Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on ...
You make people evil to punish the paststuck inside a sequel with a rotating castThe following photos haven’t been generated with AI, or modified in any way. They are flesh and blood, human beings. On the left is Galatea Young, a young mum, and her daughter Fiadh who has Angelman ...
April has been a quiet month at A Phuulish Fellow. I have had an exceptionally good reading month, and a decently productive writing month – for original fiction, anyway – but not much has caught my eye that suggested a blog article. It has been vaguely frustrating, to be honest. ...
A listing of 31 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, April 21, 2024 thru Sat, April 27, 2024. Story of the week Anthropogenic climate change may be the ultimate shaggy dog story— but with a twist, because here ...
Hi,I spent about a year on Webworm reporting on an abusive megachurch called Arise, and it made me want to stab my eyes out with a fork.I don’t regret that reporting in 2022 and 2023 — I am proud of it — but it made me angry.Over three main stories ...
The new Victoria University Vice-Chancellor decided to have a forum at the university about free speech and academic freedom as it is obviously a topical issue, and the Government is looking at legislating some carrots or sticks for universities to uphold their obligations under the Education and Training Act. They ...
Do you remember when Melania Trump got caught out using a speech that sounded awfully like one Michelle Obama had given? Uncannily so.Well it turns out that Abraham Lincoln is to Winston Peters as Michelle was to Melania. With the ANZAC speech Uncle Winston gave at Gallipoli having much in ...
She was born 25 years ago today in North Shore hospital. Her eyes were closed tightly shut, her mouth was silently moving. The whole theatre was all quiet intensity as they marked her a 2 on the APGAR test. A one-minute eternity later, she was an 8. The universe was ...
Skeptical Science is partnering with Gigafact to produce fact briefs — bite-sized fact checks of trending claims. This fact brief was written by Sue Bin Park in collaboration with members from our Skeptical Science team. You can submit claims you think need checking via the tipline. Is Antarctica gaining land ice? ...
Images of US students (and others) protesting and setting up tent cities on US university campuses have been broadcast world wide and clearly demonstrate the growing rifts in US society caused by US policy toward Israel and Israel’s prosecution of … Continue reading → ...
Barrie Saunders writes – Dear Paul As the new Minister of Media and Communications, you will be inundated with heaps of free advice and special pleading, all in the national interest of course. For what it’s worth here is my assessment: Traditional broadcasting free to air content through ...
Many criticisms are being made of the Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill, including by this writer. But as with everything in politics, every story has two sides, and both deserve attention. It’s important to understand what the Government is trying to achieve and its arguments for such a bold reform. ...
Peter Dunne writes – The great nineteenth British Prime Minister, William Gladstone, once observed that “the first essential for a Prime Minister is to be a good butcher.” When a later British Prime Minister, Harold Macmillan, sacked a third of his Cabinet in July 1962, in what became ...
Ele Ludemann writes – New Zealanders had the OECD’s second highest tax increase last year: New Zealanders faced the second-biggest tax raises in the developed world last year, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) says. The intergovernmental agency said the average change in personal income tax ...
We all know something’s not right with our elections. The spread of misinformation, people being targeted with soundbites and emotional triggers that ignore the facts, even the truth, and influence their votes.The use of technology to produce deep fakes. How can you tell if something is real or not? Can ...
This video includes conclusions of the creator climate scientist Dr. Simon Clark. It is presented to our readers as an informed perspective. Please see video description for references (if any). This year you will be lied to! Simon Clark helps prebunk some misleading statements you'll hear about climate. The video includes ...
It is all very well cutting the backrooms of public agencies but it may compromise the frontlines. One of the frustrations of the Productivity Commission’s 2017 review of universities is that while it observed that their non-academic staff were increasing faster than their academic staff, it did not bother to ...
Buzz from the Beehive Two speeches delivered by Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters at Anzac Day ceremonies in Turkey are the only new posts on the government’s official website since the PM announced his Cabinet shake-up. In one of the speeches, Peters stated the obvious: we live in a troubled ...
1. Which of these would you not expect to read in The Waikato Invader?a. Luxon is here to do business, don’t you worry about thatb. Mr KPI expects results, and you better believe itc. This decisive man of action is getting me all hot and excitedd. Melissa Lee is how ...
…it has a restricted jurisdiction which must not be abused: it is not an inquisitionNOTE – this article was published before the High Court ruled that Karen Chhour does not have to appear before the Waitangi Tribunal Gary Judd writes – The High Court ...
Lindsay Mitchell writes – One of reasons Oranga Tamariki exists is to prevent child neglect. But could the organisation itself be guilty of the same?Oranga Tamariki’s statistics show a decrease in the number and age of children in care. “There are less children ...
David Farrar writes: Graeme Edgeler wrote in 2017: In the first five years after three strikes came into effect 5248 offenders received a ‘first strike’ (that is, a “stage-1 conviction” under the three strikes sentencing regime), and 68 offenders received a ‘second strike’. In the five years prior to ...
Bryce Edwards writes – Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has surprised everyone with his ruthlessness in sacking two of his ministers from their crucial portfolios. Removing ministers for poor performance after only five months in the job just doesn’t normally happen in politics. That’s refreshing and will be extremely ...
TL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the two days to 6:06am on Thursday, April 25:Politics: PM Christopher Luxon has set up a dual standard for ministerial competence by demoting two National Cabinet ministers while leaving also-struggling ...
Hi,Today I mainly want to share some of your thoughts about the recent piece I wrote about success and failure, and the forces that seemingly guide our lives. But first, a quick bit of housekeeping: I am doing a Webworm popup in Los Angeles on Saturday May 11 at 2pm. ...
It is hard to see what Melissa Lee might have done to “save” the media. National went into the election with no public media policy and appears not to have developed one subsequently. Lee claimed that she had prepared a policy paper before the election but it had been decided ...
Open access notablesIce acceleration and rotation in the Greenland Ice Sheet interior in recent decades, Løkkegaard et al., Communications Earth & Environment:In the past two decades, mass loss from the Greenland ice sheet has accelerated, partly due to the speedup of glaciers. However, uncertainty in speed derived from satellite products ...
Buzz from the Beehive A statement from Children’s Minister Karen Chhour – yet to be posted on the Government’s official website – arrived in Point of Order’s email in-tray last night. It welcomes the High Court ruling on whether the Waitangi Tribunal can demand she appear before it. It does ...
Mr Bombastic:Ironically, the media the academic experts wanted is, in many ways, the media they got. In place of the tyrannical editors of yesteryear, advancing without fear or favour the interests of the ruling class; the New Zealand news media of today boasts a troop of enlightened journalists dedicated to ...
It's hard times try to make a livingYou wake up every morning in the unforgivingOut there somewhere in the cityThere's people living lives without mercy or pityI feel good, yeah I'm feeling fineI feel better then I have for the longest timeI think these pills have been good for meI ...
In 1974, the US Supreme Court issued its decision in United States v. Nixon, finding that the President was not a King, but was subject to the law and was required to turn over the evidence of his wrongdoing to the courts. It was a landmark decision for the rule ...
Every day now just seems to bring in more fresh meat for the grinder.In their relentlessly ideological drive to cut back on the “excessive bloat” (as they see it) of the previous Labour-led government, on the mountains of evidence accumulated in such a short period of time do not ...
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Megan Valére SosouMarket gardening site of the Itchèléré de Itagui agricultural cooperative in Dassa-Zoumè (Image credit: Megan Valère Sossou) For the residents of Dassa-Zoumè, a city in the West African country of Benin, choosing between drinking water and having enough ...
Buzz from the Beehive Melissa Lee – as may be discerned from the screenshot above – has not been demoted for doing something seriously wrong as Minister of ...
Morning in London Mother hugs beloved daughter outside the converted shoe factory in which she is living.Afternoon in London Travelling writer takes himself and his wrist down to A&E, just to be sure. Read more ...
Mike Grimshaw writes – The recent announcement of the University Advisory Group, chaired by Sir Peter Gluckman, makes very clear where the Government’s focus and priorities lie. The remit of the Advisory Group is that Group members will consider challenges and opportunities for improvement in the university sector including: ...
Unemployment is on the rise and it’s only going to get worse under this Government, Labour finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds said. Stats NZ figures show the unemployment rate grew to 4.3 percent in the March quarter from 4 percent in the December quarter. “This is the second rise in unemployment ...
The New Zealand Labour Party welcomes the entering into force of the European Union and New Zealand free trade agreement. This agreement opens the door for a huge increase in trade opportunities with a market of 450 million people who are high value discerning consumers of New Zealand goods and ...
The National-led Government continues its fiscal jiggery pokery with its Pharmac announcement today, Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall says. “The government has increased Pharmac funding but conceded it will only make minimal increases in access to medicine”, said Ayesha Verrall “This is far from the bold promises made to fund ...
This afternoon’s interim Waitangi Tribunal report must be taken seriously as it affects our most vulnerable children, Labour children’s spokesperson Willow-Jean Prime. ...
Te Pāti Māori are demanding the New Zealand Government support an international independent investigation into mass graves that have been uncovered at two hospitals on the Gaza strip, following weeks of assault by Israeli troops. Among the 392 bodies that have been recovered, are children and elderly civilians. Many of ...
Our two-tiered system for veterans’ support is out of step with our closest partners, and all parties in Parliament should work together to fix it, Labour veterans’ affairs spokesperson Greg O’Connor said. ...
Stripping two Ministers of their portfolios just six months into the job shows Christopher Luxon’s management style is lacking, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said. ...
Tonight’s court decision to overturn the summons of the Children’s Minister has enabled the Crown to continue making decisions about Māori without evidence, says Te Pāti Māori spokesperson for Children, Mariameno Kapa-Kingi. “The judicial system has this evening told the nation that this government can do whatever they want when ...
It appears Nicola Willis is about to pull the rug out from under the feet of local communities still dealing with the aftermath of last year’s severe weather, and local councils relying on funding to build back from these disasters. ...
The Government is making short-sighted changes to the Resource Management Act (RMA) that will take away environmental protection in favour of short-term profits, Labour’s environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said today. ...
Labour welcomes the release of the report into the North Island weather events and looks forward to working with the Government to ensure that New Zealand is as prepared as it can be for the next natural disaster. ...
The Labour Party has called for the New Zealand Government to recognise Palestine, as a material step towards progressing the two-State solution needed to achieve a lasting peace in the region. ...
Some of our country’s most important work, stopping the sexual exploitation of children and violent extremism could go along with staff on the frontline at ports and airports. ...
The Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill will give projects such as new coal mines a ‘get out of jail free’ card to wreak havoc on the environment, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said today. ...
The government's decision to reintroduce Three Strikes is a destructive and ineffective piece of law-making that will only exacerbate an inherently biased and racist criminal justice system, said Te Pāti Māori Justice Spokesperson, Tākuta Ferris, today. During the time Three Strikes was in place in Aotearoa, Māori and Pasifika received ...
Cuts to frontline hospital staff are not only a broken election promise, it shows the reckless tax cuts have well and truly hit the frontline of the health system, says Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall. ...
The Green Party has joined the call for public submissions on the fast-track legislation to be extended after the Ombudsman forced the Government to release the list of organisations invited to apply just hours before submissions close. ...
New Zealand’s good work at reducing climate emissions for three years in a row will be undone by the National government’s lack of ambition and scrapping programmes that were making a difference, Labour Party climate spokesperson Megan Woods said today. ...
More essential jobs could be on the chopping block, this time Ministry of Education staff on the school lunches team are set to find out whether they're in line to lose their jobs. ...
Te Pāti Māori is disgusted at the confirmation that hundreds are set to lose their jobs at Oranga Tamariki, and the disestablishment of the Treaty Response Unit. “This act of absolute carelessness and out of touch decision making is committing tamariki to state abuse.” Said Te Pāti Māori Oranga Tamariki ...
The Government is trying to bring in a law that will allow Ministers to cut corners and kill off native species, Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said. ...
Cancelling urgently needed new Cook Strait ferries and hiking the cost of public transport for many Kiwis so that National can announce the prospect of another tunnel for Wellington is not making good choices, Labour Transport Spokesperson Tangi Utikere said. ...
A laundry list of additional costs for Tāmaki Makarau Auckland shows the Minister for the city is not delivering for the people who live there, says Labour Auckland Issues spokesperson Shanan Halbert. ...
Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi, and Mema Paremata mō Tāmaki-Makaurau, Takutai Tarsh Kemp, will travel to the Gold Coast to strengthen ties with Māori in Australia next week (15-21 April). The visit, in the lead-up to the 9th Australian National Kapa haka Festival, will be an opportunity for both ...
The Green Party has today launched a step-by-step guide to help New Zealanders make their voice heard on the Government’s democracy dodging and anti-environment fast track legislation. ...
The National Government’s proposed changes to the Residential Tenancies Act will mean tenants can be turfed from their homes by landlords with little notice, Labour housing spokesperson Kieran McAnulty said. ...
People with an interest in the health of Northland’s marine ecosystems are invited to a public meeting to discuss how to deal with kina barrens, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones will lead the discussion, which will take place on Friday, 10 May, at Awanui Hotel in ...
Kiwi exporters are $100 million better off today with the NZ EU FTA entering into force says Trade Minister Todd McClay. “This is all part of our plan to grow the economy. New Zealand's prosperity depends on international trade, making up 60 per cent of the country’s total economic activity. ...
There are heartening signs that the extractive sector is once again becoming an attractive prospect for investors and a source of economic prosperity for New Zealand, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The beginnings of a resurgence in extractive industries are apparent in media reports of the sector in the past ...
The return of the historic Ō-Rākau battle site to the descendants of those who fought there moved one step closer today with the first reading of Te Pire mō Ō-Rākau, Te Pae o Maumahara / The Ō-Rākau Remembrance Bill. The Bill will entrust the 9.7-hectare battle site, five kilometres west ...
Energy Minister Simeon Brown has announced 25 new high-speed EV charging hubs along key routes between major urban centres and outlined the Government’s plan to supercharge New Zealand’s EV infrastructure. The hubs will each have several chargers and be capable of charging at least four – and up to 10 ...
The coalition Government will not proceed with the previous Government’s plans to regulate residential property managers, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. “I have written to the Chairperson of the Social Services and Community Committee to inform him that the Government does not intend to support the Residential Property Managers Bill ...
The Government has announced an independent review into the disability support system funded by the Ministry of Disabled People – Whaikaha. Disability Issues Minister Louise Upston says the review will look at what can be done to strengthen the long-term sustainability of Disability Support Services to provide disabled people and ...
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith has attended the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva and outlined the Government’s plan to restore law and order. “Speaking to the United Nations Human Rights Council provided us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while responding to issues and ...
The Government and Rotorua Lakes Council are committed to working closely together to end the use of contracted emergency housing motels in Rotorua. Associate Minister of Housing (Social Housing) Tama Potaka says the Government remains committed to ending the long-term use of contracted emergency housing motels in Rotorua by the ...
Trade Minister Todd McClay heads overseas today for high-level trade talks in the Gulf region, and a key OECD meeting in Paris. Mr McClay will travel to Riyadh to meet with counterparts from Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). “New Zealand’s goods and services exports to the Gulf region ...
Education Minister Erica Stanford has outlined six education priorities to deliver a world-leading education system that sets Kiwi kids up for future success. “I’m putting ambition, achievement and outcomes at the heart of our education system. I want every child to be inspired and engaged in their learning so they ...
The new NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) App is a secure ‘one stop shop’ to provide the services drivers need, Transport Minister Simeon Brown and Digitising Government Minister Judith Collins say. “The NZTA App will enable an easier way for Kiwis to pay for Vehicle Registration and Road User Charges (RUC). ...
Whānau with tamariki growing up in emergency housing motels will be prioritised for social housing starting this week, says Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka. “Giving these whānau a better opportunity to build healthy stable lives for themselves and future generations is an essential part of the Government’s goal of reducing ...
Racing Minister Winston Peters has paid tribute to an icon of the industry with the recent passing of Dave O’Sullivan (OBE). “Our sympathies are with the O’Sullivan family with the sad news of Dave O’Sullivan’s recent passing,” Mr Peters says. “His contribution to racing, initially as a jockey and then ...
Assalaamu alaikum, greetings to you all. Eid Mubarak, everyone! I want to extend my warmest wishes to you and everyone celebrating this joyous occasion. It is a pleasure to be here. I have enjoyed Eid celebrations at Parliament before, but this is my first time joining you as the Minister ...
Associate Health Minister David Seymour has announced Pharmac’s largest ever budget of $6.294 billion over four years, fixing a $1.774 billion fiscal cliff. “Access to medicines is a crucial part of many Kiwis’ lives. We’ve committed to a budget allocation of $1.774 billion over four years so Kiwis are ...
Hon Paula Bennett has been appointed as member and chair of the Pharmac board, Associate Health Minister David Seymour announced today. "Pharmac is a critical part of New Zealand's health system and plays a significant role in ensuring that Kiwis have the best possible access to medicines,” says Mr Seymour. ...
Hundreds of New Zealand families affected by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) will benefit from a new Government focus on prevention and treatment, says Health Minister Dr Shane Reti. “We know FASD is a leading cause of preventable intellectual and neurodevelopmental disability in New Zealand,” Dr Reti says. “Every day, ...
Regional Development Minister Shane Jones today attended the official opening of Kaikohe’s new $14.7 million sports complex. “The completion of the Kaikohe Multi Sports Complex is a fantastic achievement for the Far North,” Mr Jones says. “This facility not only fulfils a long-held dream for local athletes, but also creates ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters’ engagements in Türkiye this week underlined the importance of diplomacy to meet growing global challenges. “Returning to the Gallipoli Peninsula to represent New Zealand at Anzac commemorations was a sombre reminder of the critical importance of diplomacy for de-escalating conflicts and easing tensions,” Mr Peters ...
Ambassador Millar, Burgemeester, Vandepitte, Excellencies, military representatives, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen – good morning and welcome to this sacred Anzac Day dawn service. It is an honour to be here on behalf of the Government and people of New Zealand at Buttes New British Cemetery, Polygon Wood – a deeply ...
Distinguished guests - It is an honour to return once again to this site which, as the resting place for so many of our war-dead, has become a sacred place for generations of New Zealanders. Our presence here and at the other special spaces of Gallipoli is made ...
Mai ia tawhiti pamamao, te moana nui a Kiwa, kua tae whakaiti mai matou, ki to koutou papa whenua. No koutou te tapuwae, no matou te tapuwae, kua honoa pumautia. Ko nga toa kua hinga nei, o te Waipounamu, o te Ika a Maui, he okioki tahi me o ...
Paul Goldsmith will take on responsibility for the Media and Communications portfolio, while Louise Upston will pick up the Disability Issues portfolio, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced today. “Our Government is relentlessly focused on getting New Zealand back on track. As issues change in prominence, I plan to adjust Ministerial ...
Recreational catch limits will be reduced in areas of Fiordland and the Chatham Islands to help keep those fisheries healthy and sustainable, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The lower recreational daily catch limits for a range of finfish and shellfish species caught in the Fiordland Marine Area and ...
Energy Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed an important milestone in New Zealand’s hydrogen future, with the opening of the country’s first network of hydrogen refuelling stations in Wiri. “I want to congratulate the team at Hiringa Energy and its partners K one W one (K1W1), Mitsui & Co New Zealand ...
The coalition Government is delivering on its commitment to improve resource management laws and give greater certainty to consent applicants, with a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) expected to be introduced to Parliament next month. RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop has today outlined the first RMA Amendment ...
Overseas models for regulating the oil and gas sector, including their decommissioning regimes, are being carefully scrutinised as a potential template for New Zealand’s own sector, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. The Coalition Government is focused on rebuilding investor confidence in New Zealand’s energy sector as it looks to strengthen ...
Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell has today released the Report of the Government Inquiry into the response to the North Island Severe Weather Events. “The report shows that New Zealand’s emergency management system is not fit-for-purpose and there are some significant gaps we need to address,” Mr Mitchell ...
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith is today travelling to Europe where he’ll update the United Nations Human Rights Council on the Government’s work to restore law and order. “Attending the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva provides us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while ...
Associate Agriculture Minister, Mark Patterson, formally reopened the world’s largest wool processing facility today in Awatoto, Napier, following a $50 million rebuild and refurbishment project. “The reopening of this facility will significantly lift the economic opportunities available to New Zealand’s wool sector, which already accounts for 20 per cent of ...
Hon Andrew Bayly, Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing At the Southland Otago Regional Engineering Collective (SOREC) Summit, 18 April, Dunedin Ngā mihi nui, Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Ko Whanganui aho Good Afternoon and thank you for inviting me to open your summit today. I am delighted ...
The Government is delivering on its commitment to bring back the Three Strikes legislation, Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee announced today. “Our Government is committed to restoring law and order and enforcing appropriate consequences on criminals. We are making it clear that repeat serious violent or sexual offending is not ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has today announced four new diplomatic appointments for New Zealand’s overseas missions. “Our diplomats have a vital role in maintaining and protecting New Zealand’s interests around the world,” Mr Peters says. “I am pleased to announce the appointment of these senior diplomats from the ...
New Zealand is contributing NZ$7 million to support communities affected by severe food insecurity and other urgent humanitarian needs in Ethiopia and Somalia, Foreign Minister Rt Hon Winston Peters announced today. “Over 21 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance across Ethiopia, with a further 6.9 million people ...
Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Paul Goldsmith is congratulating Mataaho Collective for winning the Golden Lion for best participant in the main exhibition at the Venice Biennale. "Congratulations to the Mataaho Collective for winning one of the world's most prestigious art prizes at the Venice Biennale. “It is good ...
The Government is reforming financial services to improve access to home loans and other lending, and strengthen customer protections, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly and Housing Minister Chris Bishop announced today. “Our coalition Government is committed to rebuilding the economy and making life simpler by cutting red tape. We are ...
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Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has completed a successful trip to Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines, deepening relationships and capitalising on opportunities. Mr Luxon was accompanied by a business delegation and says the choice of countries represents the priority the New Zealand Government places on South East Asia, and our relationships in ...
New Zealand is demonstrating its commitment to reducing global greenhouse emissions, and supporting clean energy transition in South East Asia, through a contribution of NZ$41 million (US$25 million) in climate finance to the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-led Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM). Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced ...
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Asia Pacific Report Ngāti Kahungunu in Aotearoa New Zealand’s Hawkes Bay region has become the first indigenous Māori iwi (tribe) to sign a resolution calling for a “ceasefire in Palestine”, reports Te Ao Māori News. Reporter Te Aniwaniwa Paterson talked to Te Otāne Huata, who has been organising peace rallies ...
By Dale Luma in Port Moresby “We want grants and not concessional loans,” is the crisp message from Papua New Guinea businesses directly affected by the Black Wednesday looting four months ago. The businesses, which lost millions after the January 10 rioting and looting, say they need grants as part ...
Happy May Day. Join a union. Q: What’s worse than a staff break room where the only place to sit and have a cup of tea is on a teetering stack of old pornography magazines? A: Your boss replacing the magazine stacks with chairs that are “heartily encrusted with ...
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We get but one birthday a year – why not make it last as long as possible by scheduling as many meals with friends and family as you can? This is an excerpt from our weekly food newsletter, The Boil Up. How do you celebrate your birthday? Do you celebrate at ...
A Koi Tū discussion paper released today proposes sweeping changes to New Zealand’s media industry. The principal’s key author, Gavin Ellis, explains how journalists have a key role to play in making others value their role in society. This is an abridged version of a piece first published on knightlyviews.com ...
The Government’s spending cuts are again targeting support for Māori with proposed reform of the agency charged with advising on Māori wellbeing and development. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ian Douglas, Honorary Senior Lecturer, UNSW Aviation., UNSW Sydney The history of budget jet airlines in Australia is a long road littered with broken dreams. New entrants have consistently struggled to get a foothold. Low-cost carrier Bonza has just become the industry’s ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Rosalind Dixon, Director, Gilbert + Tobin Centre of Public Law, UNSW Sydney Australia is finally having a sustained conversation about violence against women and what we can do about it. It is more than time. Australian women and girls continue to experience ...
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Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jonti Horner, Professor (Astrophysics), University of Southern Queensland A bright Eta Aquariid meteor photobombed this photo of comet C/2020 F8 (SWAN) in May 2020.Jonti Horner Meteors – commonly known as shooting stars – can be seen on any night of the ...
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Winston Peters has been keen to dismiss speculation on our involvement in Aukus but will give a speech tonight on the direction of our foreign policy, writes Anna Rawhiti-Connell in this excerpt from The Bulletin, The Spinoff’s morning news round-up. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign up here. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Patrick Usmar, Lecturer in Critical Media Literacies, Auckland University of Technology Getty Images With the coalition government’s ban of student mobile phones in New Zealand schools coming into effect this week, reaction has ranged from the sceptical (kids will just get ...
Hospitals around the country are not allowed to make a single hiring decision without the approval of Te Whatu Ora's head office, including for cleaners and administration staff. ...
A new report on protecting journalism and democracy in New Zealand recommends a levy be charged on global platforms like Facebook and Google to fund media firms undertaking public interest reporting. It also calls for the reinstatement of a powerful Broadcasting Commission to distribute public funding for journalism and other ...
On International Workers' Day, also known as May Day, the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions Te Kauae Kaimahi and the wider union movement are celebrating the proud history of the labour movement during a tough time for working people. ...
From bills to beards, a walk through the former Green co-leader’s time in politics. After close to a decade in politics, James Shaw is preparing to bid farewell to parliament. Tonight will see the former minister deliver his valedictory address, certain to be a speech filled with Shaw’s trademark wit ...
Two months ago, MPs unanimously voted to give themselves a week off in Efeso Collins’ honour. On Tuesday, most were too busy to give even an hour of their time. The day Fa’anānā Efeso Collins died, parliament felt different. In a building that operates at a breakneck pace, everyone stopped ...
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Asia Pacific Report A Pacific civil society alliance has condemned French neocolonial policies in Kanaky New Caledonia, saying Paris is set on “maintaining the status quo” and denying the indigenous Kanak people their inalienable right to self-determination. The Pacific Regional Non-Governmental Organisations (PRNGOs) Alliance, representing some 15 groups, said in ...
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Adrian Orr taking apart Corin Dann's economic ignorance on RNZ as I speak.
I thought it was a good performance given the role of both parties. Remember the interviewers job is to ask all the stupid questions to allow the interviewee to explain the topic in more depth. That and the general public has little idea what the terms even mean.
Fair point. Dann made wild assumptions and Orr jumped on them very firmly
I would like to compliment all the commentators on The Standard for their patience in dealing with Paddington's pedantic and nit-picking yesterday. Even LPrent, whose caustic comments have raised a smile in the past, was subdued.
If this is indicative of the PM's call for kindness, well done. We will all need to be patient and understanding in the difficult times that lie ahead.
Agreed,TV
Paddington Needs to be Self isolated
Just ignore.
Maybe we were all out panic buying.
Yep! It was bloody hard not to chip in – which would have simply added to the pedantry.
Pushing the barriers at all costs – in order to be right. Twas so; Twas not; Twas so; Twas not.
Hopefully the Bear is of a mood to be feeling particularly cuddly
I’ve left a moderation note asking for it to be dropped, thanks. Now, if we could all move on and focus on what really matters right here, right now, that would be great and might even safe lives.
"Now, if we could all move on and focus on what really matters right here"
We can, and have ……….. or maybe not – but it's six days later, and fromwhat I've seen as an interloper, Paddy Bear seems to have tucked up his tail and scarpered (possibly to re-appear under another guise)
Next
Well said Tony. Paddington was being an irritating house fly buzzing around, but people had bigger things to think about than his/her silliness.
Jacinda’s instinctive qualities as a leader and communicator were again things we should be so grateful for at this time. Talking to a friend (on the phone) yesterday after her announcement, was interesting. He was so complimentary about how she has handled all this massive situation.
Does anyone in your household suffer from anxiety?
My youngest does, so I made up some info sheets for her last night and a list of her responsibilities before we officially go into lock down. Put official logos etc on it thanks to the covid-19 website.
This has helped sooooo much, as she now knows what to expect and can check her info sheets if she is unsure.
For example…. today my girls need to decide on any projects they wish to complete over the next month and any supplies they may need for that project, because the warehouse, mitre 10, $2 shop etc won't be open for a month come Thursday.
Saw that Warehouse will be open. Perhaps because they have many household basics at excellent prices, veg and flower plants and warmer clothing as well. They are also big and allow for space. Cheers You are such a good Mum.
Cheers 🙂
Ironically I chickened out, way too many people up town today Lmao!!!
The Plan B projects are…. De-cluttering with Marie Kondo…. and… how to be resourceful!!! ROFL 🙂
Here is a little something from one of my on-line friends in the US. He offers his experiences from a similar situation he faced last year, with a cartoon that your daughters might identify with:
[lprent; Changed image width to 520. ]
Well done, try and make some games out of it with mini prizes, those parents who did this in the Chch aftershocks, i.e. quessing strength of aftershocks etc, had children emerge in good health .
Would anyone know if owner operator lawn mowing business would be eligible for subsidy if the operator is a superannuitant getting pension. Which,as most people know is barely subsistence level. We have payments to make for van and motor mowers and other debts that go along with business ownership such as taxes and accountants etc.
Without this business we wouldnt survive so we have to keep it going.
I cant find mention of beneficiaries who are business owners being eligible. Help!!
There is a lot to read on this site Ffloyd. Bit about cashflow and such and lists of links. Hope this helps. It looks like the place to go if you need to do some gentle harassing.
https://www.business.govt.nz/news/coronavirus-information-for-businesses/
Thank you greywarshark. I will look into that site.
Thought of the moment: is Tiwai Point an essential business? If it has to shut down for four weeks, have the odds suddenly shifted towards it never starting back up again? Would the various parties to the assorted contractual obligations around shutdown timeframes be more flexible right now around amending those timeframes?
I believe it takes some time to shut down and longer to start. . If they do shut now is not a good time to kill them off when we are allowed out again a 1000 jobs in the south will be a big thing.
also my understanding that you can't just shut it down temporarily (technical reasons).
I would guess that it's essential. We're not going to stop using aluminium this year.
The problems you hear about around shutting down potlines are mostly around the damage that happens when the power supply is unexpectedly lost. While planned shutdowns are still expensive, they are less expensive than unplanned forced shutdowns. Given the financial pain being caused across the rest of New Zealand, it amounts to special pleading for Tiwai Point to claim their financial pain from shutdown is somehow unique or should entitle them to special privileges.
Very little of Tiwai Point's output is used in New Zealand. It is of generally very high purity (because of the way they choose to operate the smelter, not anything special about New Zealand) and it mostly goes to Japan for specialist electronic uses. I've had occasion to look into the supply chain for the aluminium used in some engineering projects I've been involved in, and every time it has been imported.
thanks Andre. I don't care very much about Comalco's profit, other than how that might affect NZ (and we could definitely do with freeing up Manapouri power). Job losses and our international obligations to essential production matter. Do we buy specialist electronics from Japan?
The other big issue is how safe is it re covid for workers? Can good protocols be put in place?
I'd see closure generally in the context of the Powerdown and creating sustainable tech industries esp in relation to CC. Don't know if now or later is better for that, but we're not having the necessary conversation yet.
(btw if this is something in the news, a link can help for those of us not up to speed).
No it's not something in the news, it really was just a random thought for the morning. Given that the review decision was supposed to be complete sometime in this first quarter, I'm a little surprised at the silence.
I've never visited Tiwai Point, so this is just speculation, but here goes anyway …
As far as worker protection from COVID-19 goes, the production area of smelter type operations tends to have very low worker density, so keeping distance is unlikely to be a problem. It's a huge facility and if there's only 1000 or so there covering 24/7 shifts, they can't be very close together. Except maybe in smoko rooms.
I'd guess the higher risk would be for professional and lab staff. It's unlikely they've resisted the general execrable management trend of jamming as many people as possible into crowded open-plan areas. So they're more likely to spend all day in close proximity.
As Andre says, an orderly shutdown isn't that much of a problem.
Quite expensive in power and especially when you look at what it does to the refractories (I used to do tech sales at Kamo Green refractories during Think Big).
I wouldn't expect that it is defined as 'essential'. They may get some grace from just arguing the economic impact to the economy. We're going to be scratching for export income for a while.
I had a quick look for up to date news specific to Tiwai Point and didn't find any. But there was a lot about how chinese smelters have kept running and there's now an oversupply with reduced demand. Plus stories of how the big companies are putting the squeeze on other countries such as Icelasnd threatening to shut down if they don't get lower electricity prices.
So I suspect we're in for another disaster capitalism play from Rio Tinto for more hidden and overt subsidies that the rest of us pay for. Leveraging off of ideas like scarcity of export income and preserving jobs etc.
Hmmmm. Good thought!
A thing about exotic trees and native trees in Australia and how flammable Oz trees are. We don't have a lot of Eucs here but the principle is the same and discussions here along the same lines are important.
https://the-riotact.com/the-exotic-weeds-that-saved-a-braidwood-truffle-forest-from-destruction/360629
For decades, Peter has planted a mosaic of trees including his truffle bearing hazelnuts and oaks, but also poplars and willows, and up to 30 bamboo varieties. His aim is to restore the property’s capacity to retain water at all levels, moving it gently through the soil profile rather than streaming off degraded, heavily compacted land…
Peter’s reasoning is that even a fire roaring uphill with a good draft will pause when it hits green trees. He estimates that a mature poplar, for example, is carrying 100 to 200 kg of water. As the fire and the trees interact, there’s a burst of flash evaporation from the greenery that absorbs heat. Peter says updraft wind will drop almost instantly under those conditions.
The wind controlling effect of banked deciduous foliage also worked to dramatically slow the fire’s spread and, three rows in, the blaze became controllable with groundwork and shovels.
That's a great article, grey.
Thanks Robert. Hope everything is going well in green land and family.
And while you have a minutes I wondered if you could tell me if I'm hurting my cherry plum tree draining rinse water towards which has a touch of detergent in it still. The leaves on a weaker side are dullish and hanging. Might just have been too dry from weeks of little water.
Short term no, long term quite likely… some detergents are much worse than others for that matter. Cold Water laundry detergent is pretty nasty.
Having reactive skin, I stick to liquid woolwash.
Thought I might just kick around home today.
Maybe a little trip into town this afto to do a bit of panic buying?
Exciting times!
Take care out there Macro!
(I keep thinking about panic and hoping people aren't hurting themselves and having more accidents that end up needing treatment. It's going to be really interesting to see what happens with that over the next month).
I'm an essential worker apparently, but what I'm seeing today is panic driving, looking forward to some quiet roads during lockdown while I go about my essential business. Also today, 15-20 car long queues for McDonalds.
I noticed Henry Cooke being snide again. According to him, Jacinda has us "Under House Arrest"
We can go for a walk, shop for food, get our medications, Make up our own activities, use the internet, talk to friends and neighbours over the fence or on the "phone/skype
What is stuck in his craw?
Sorry, I could not locate the article again. Herald.
Be kind Henry, the PM is working hard to save lives…. get with the goal and write some helpful pieces.
It was on Stuff. Did Cooke write the headline? Or the expert Chief Sensational Headline Writer?
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/coronavirus/120501534/coronavirus-jacinda-ardern-just-made-the-most-consequential-decision-of-her-career-putting-nz-on-house-arrest
Wait for Stuff regular columnist Steve Elers if you're looking for snide in attacking the PM. He had the sense to say in a column most recently, "As a commentator of everything and a master of nothing" of himself. That should be added to the descriptive blurb at the bottom of his 'work.'
Steve Elers tag line at the bottom of his opinion pieces on stuff currently say he is " a senior lecturer at Massey University and writes a weekly article on cultural and political matters' or something similar. It should read "he is an ill-informed senior lecturer at Massey who writes a weekly diatribe abusing the Prime Minister." Massey must be so proud.
Alcohol. The Police have always said that over 70% of their work is dealing with alcohol related incidents.
Does the shutdown mean that the Police get a respite from dealing with drunks spilling out onto the street? That would be great wouldn't it?
Maybe. But not if the reduction in problems on the street is matched or exceeded by an increase in alcohol-related domestic problems.
True but at least those punch-ups outside pubs should diminish. Would domestic drink related problems increase? Hope not.
I suspect they have, and tho' it's nice to be able to walk down the street (keeping me 2 mtr separation and watching the stupidity with a degree of amusement at [predominantly] male ego insecurities), shifting the problem into the private domain will probably mean a whole lot of it goes unreported.
Already, I've noticed an increase in decibels from some of the neighbouring properties in the early hours, then later the littering of RTD cans and empty bottles of piss.
I'm actually hoping Women's Refuge and various other agencies begin to report they are being overwhelmed.
Yes. And overseas there are reports of increased domestic violence, largely against women, during Covid-19 lock downs. It can keep the abused trapped in homes with their abusers.
We spoke of this last night, in the context of the children who go to school as they can get food. Also school can be a violence free refuge, as opposed to home. Home that now has an even higher stressed adult(s) dishing out the family harm.
Yes. I think they may be a reason for keeping schools open as long as possible.
And for re-opening them as soon as it is wise and safe to do so.
Well if the stories about queues at bottle stores and panic buying are true, then probably not, it may just be spilling out on to driveways instead of the high street.
A little something to while away the long hours to be spent at home:
Yep. It's Pippa. The albatross chick /live cam. Poor little mite is being buffeted by strong winds and rain at the moment.
They also produce a video of the highlights at the end of each day which consists of Mum and Dad returning to feed her and a bunch of teenage Albatross brats who like to tease and harass her especially around feed time. Mum knows how to handle them.
Have just received info of an eviction going ahead today. Mother and seven year old is the info I have to hand atm.
Christ. Have such landlords got no shame? Name and shame – or even report to authorities. Where are they meant to go once the lock down deadline arrives?
or even report to authorities
Apparently Tenancy Services were contacted. No joy. Eviction gets actioned.
Nice to each other, wins again.
It would seem that the powers that be at our local hospital may have missed a trick in respect to uniforms. This, to me, is a potentially serious health and safety issue.
Almost all front-line health staff (nurses) wear their uniform to and from work.
There is push-back from management against the wearing of scrubs. Scrubs are an ideal solution to keeping staff families and homes free of the virus that can be bought home on clothing. The hospitals still launder scrubs so any potential contamination stays in house.
Particularly ironic as our local hospital has just changed the colour of the surgical scrubs in January, so there must be a surplus of this clothing somewhere.
Have seen this at my local. Still with stethescopes etc round their neck.
It will be interesting to see how Covid-19 affects the next Australian election. Their infection rates are much higher than ours. There could be a backlash against a last minute Cambridge Analytica campaign.
RNZ has an article with services that will to operate during the lock down.
This is good to see:
and
Looks like something is broken in the right hand feeds.
I will have a look at it when I finish work today.
My belated breakfast fixed it. Should see the feed improving.
Whoa! A big backlog with loads of interesting feeds form the past little while.
Many thanks for fixing it.
Looks like an updated version of the plugin wanted to use an updated version of the curl libraries.
Chris Martenson praising NZ saying PM "just doing a great job". Yep, she is. Just prior to this time segment a letter from Annie, who closed her restaurant a couple of days before officials ordered it.
Early in this piece we learn that New York is over 20,000 cases – that was quick. Other surprises are Switzerland who have more cases per person than other countries.
https://youtu.be/EzaHBM7PP8A?t=1263
I have just found out the WINZ offices are closing down for fear of staff getting infected by the virus. Why isn't this classified as an essential department for citizens when they are allowing The Warehouse to remain open for business. When has the Warehouse ever been considered an essential industry/business. Have I just fallen down the rabbit hole here. What it he hell is going on. Also All the courts are closing with the exception of the District courts – how does this equate as well. People are people no matter what court they have to attend and will catch this virus no matter what the sin is.
I am increasingly becoming confused about how these decisions are agreed upon. What about all the thousands of people who are now without jobs. How do they get any support if they can't get to their local WINZ Office. Not everybody has a computer or even able to afford to get online. Somebody clarify to me – am I missing something here. I have a loved one who is fragile and involved in these two departments and its hard enough with the enormity of the environment right now without pulling up the drawbridge on one department – WINZ and allowing the other District Courts to remain open to the milling crowds of people who go in their bldgs each day.
Our Winz Office closed months ago. Now communications are by phone or email.
Phones are not much use when the system crashes through overload. Its a futile exercise even trying to get through. People who are needing WINZ right now are out of jobs, scared shitless, and vulnerable and the powers that be should have been better prepared for the influx of numbers and laid on more staff and perspex screens for them to protect from this virus if they are so worried over them. I am definitely down the rabbit hole over this.
The Warehouse helped stop the peasants revolting when we entered the fire economy – they are essential to the survival of liberalism as the dominate ideology.
I went to a supermarket in central Auckland this morning and it was remarkably calm and relatively uncrowded. No busier than a typical pre-Christmas day. Queue at checkout no longer than usual. Some shelves were sparsely stocked but there was nothing on my list I couldn't get if I changed brands. Posh pasta instead of budget pasta, no biggie.
I realize many people are not as conveniently close to supermarkets and dairies as I am. But in the last 48 hours I have had no problem buying both essentials and treats (and no I'm not hoarding).
In Auckland at least, panic is pointless.
I too wonder why the warehouse remains open. Yes it does sell some food but it's not a main offering IIRC a lot of it is imported and we need to do without the shopping fix that people may want to access for other goods. Why have they not got the stay at home message.
WINZ I would have thought was essential. – Okay they would want internet & phone first and they need to call back the pay as you use people – maybe they should stuff some form of access around the supermarkets – dedicated phone line or a credit that goes only to WINZ.
Update from Ministry, etc today says it has not been decided that the Warehouse will stay open. I think it means it's still being assessed.
Maybe someone from Warehouse was premature. He also said if anyone is unsure if their business was an "essential service" it probably isn't.
It should be closed, let's hope sense prevails.
"Self-isolation" allows for a walk outside, carefully avoiding contact, but based on my (obviously random) sample of seeing people on the street on this last day before lockdown, I'd say at least a quarter still don't "get it". Plenty of proximity and touching.
It takes time for the message to sink in, so we can expect an extension after one month, as community transfer continues. If we can't be trusted to do this right, then it's going to be a full curfew.
Yes. I can't believe the queues outside some supermarkets (and gun shops) where people are not doing the 2 meter distancing from each other. I hope this gets controlled in future.
I certainly won't be venturing out til that is sorted.
I'm fortunate that I was able to book a supermarket home delivery for Sunday, and I have a nephew on standby who will deliver more more food (mostly fresh fruit & veges) when I need them.
Love the reply.
https://twitter.com/damiengleeson/status/1241883851783147521
Nothing to see here – move along
cool, I'll skip it then.
Do you want me to delete it?
Humour from incognito – will I'll be knocked over by a peacock feather…
Micro businesses – NZrs who make their own work since various governments made it so hard for small business which collapsed unable to compete with the world.
And here we see how the gummint agencies are just not concerned about helping these great innovative entrepreneurs in their small businesses.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/412485/hospitality-business-owners-fear-for-their-future-after-lockdown-announced
<i>Only about $200 went through the till yesterday – down from about $1500 on a good day…. "Honestly I'm freaking out. I don't know if I can sustain it because how am I going to pay my rent even?
"I haven't even paid this month's rent yet, you know what I mean? "How do I pay the rent? How do I pay the wages, the power bill, the phone bill, my mortgage?"
Boyd said as a sole trader she did not yet have the 13-digit business number required to access government relief funds. "I really don't understand that either because I've been trying to get my New Zealand business number."
I even went to my accountant and he went online with me and it wouldn't get through. It kept saying 'error' but it won't tell me what the error is."
Boyd said she was worried about her staff, one of whom was expecting a baby.</i>
The next government action will cover business and residential expense payments whose incomes have been impacted.
you keep saying that…… we don't see it tho however.
A stunning kick in the guts for renters who continue to have to pay rent while homeowners, including their own landlords get a mortgage holiday!
This is a massively unfair playing field – the haves once again getting special treatment at the expense of the have-nots.
This leaves landlords able to bank renters' money with interest while having no outgoings at all.
Tell me I'm missing something here…
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12319343
It also means that the landlord with a mortgage can claim this where their tenant’s income is affected – instead of hassling the tenant.
There is so little interest on bank accounts its not going to tempt anyone.
This leaves landlords able to bank renters' money with interest while having no outgoings at all.
A far as I am aware though all the other fixed costs like rates, insurance and property management fees will likely remain. You would be surprised at what a large fraction of your rent these consume. Including other smaller sundries we allow 50% of the rent to go in fixed costs. After that comes the variable costs like mortgage interest and annual company tax.
If a tenant stops paying their rent, a mortgage holiday will be very welcome, but it goes nowhere near covering all our costs.
The government should look at dole plus half rent paid for those losing their income/employment. Half rent would cover such utility costs for the landlord.
A comment elsewhere on the subject with respect to the fraught idea of the random negotiating of rent reductions between tenant (powerless) and landlord (the clue is in the name).
My landlord requires his pound of flesh on the seventh.
I am debating if i shall cut it from the ribs or the hind?
Do you know what. I wouldn't have an issue if we were all in this together but today the preferential treatment for the comparatively wealthy beggars belief.
The reasoning for the mortgage holiday is apparently so people don't 'lose their homes'.
What if they did 'lose their homes', what would they be then?
I'll tell you what they'd be…
…renters.
i hardly believe that a company with 80 million annual turnover would have a owner who would 'loose' the house.
nah, these guys are making sure that some survive – whom ever they consider 'solvent' – and the rest so far can get fucked. Essentially this is a very national bail out, it is what i would have expected from teh National Party.
I am honestly out of wits when it comes to the 'hand outs' of this government.
funnily enough i was interviewed today by some 'regional NZ herald' guy and i essentially said that the government needs to either offer interest free loans or offer a rent/mortgage/lease/bill holiday to all of us. Its not ok to tell us to take a bank loan on the eve of Financial Crisis 2.0. So far my loyal customers have come through. I have discounted everything, and tomorrow last day – morning only – hopefully will see me make enough money for the Landlord.
I already advised my chocolate supplier that next month bill will be the first that i will miss in 8 years.
I don't wish the Labour Party and the coalition any ill, but i will never ever support them – not with money, not with time, and most certainly not with a vote. I just don't have any reason to do so.
well these businesses are very deserving, and need a bail out as where all those below 250.000 turnover per annum can get fucked.
WINZ Ongoing Services
Contrary to rumours, misinformation etc here and elsewhere, WINZ has NOT closed down completely.
MSD/WINZ has been designated an essential service. Like many other Goverment departments also classed as essential services, it has closed its service centres for face to face appointments, advice etc – BUT will continue to provide advice, help etc via its internet site and by phome.
More here in the last hour or so:
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/covid-19/412487/winz-moves-to-online-and-phone-services
Some other changes mentioned in that article of interest:
There is more on MSD's website here: – https://www.workandincome.govt.nz/eligibility/emergencies/2020/coronavirus.html
NOTE that the section on Service Centre states that:
FYI here is the URL for that "Contact Us' link – contact numbers are under each of the main headings. Press the + sign.
https://www.workandincome.govt.nz/about-work-and-income/contact-us/phone-numbers.html#null
Standdown periods were discussed at length over the last few days. These have been suspended for the six months from 23 March 2020 – 23 November 2020.
More detail and further links here – https://www.workandincome.govt.nz/online-services/apply/what-is-a-stand-down.html
Note the wording in this particular section which I have underlined:
The wording "you may still need to wait up to 13 weeks", implies that this is not a compulsory set period; rather a period of time to a maximum of 13 weeks which is open to a decision by WINZ based on the circumstances of each case where someone has left a job voluntarily or has been fired for misconduct.
Hope the above helps.
PS – Just heard the PM, in her press conference currently underway, confirm that The Warehouse will not be open and is not an essential service.
Thanks for the info veutoviper.
Xtian writer's pro-life
maskhood slips.At the press conference on Friday announcing the New York shutdown, Governor Andrew Cuomo said, “I want to be able to say to the people of New York—I did everything we could do. And if everything we do saves just one life, I’ll be happy.”
This statement reflects a disastrous sentimentalism. Everything for the sake of physical life? What about justice, beauty, and honor? There are many things more precious than life. And yet we have been whipped into such a frenzy in New York that most family members will forgo visiting sick parents. Clergy won’t visit the sick or console those who mourn. The Eucharist itself is now subordinated to the false god of “saving lives.”
[…]
A number of my friends disagree with me. They support the current measures, insisting that Christians must defend life. But the pro-life cause concerns the battle against killing, not an ill-conceived crusade against human finitude and the dolorous reality of death.
https://www.firstthings.com/web-exclusives/2020/03/say-no-to-deaths-dominion
Yes that is a huge kick in the guts for renters. Why is the mortgage holiday for people who are renting out their properties. Sounds more like "a be kind to banks week."
Right up there with all the high income employees and directors not taking a haircut while they spend their time laying people off.
As for Winz – tone deaf as usual – just pushing the everyone can go online agenda – despite benefits being insufficent to support being able to afford these services or for that matter a phone. Oh and guess what the library has been closed so even if there is one the internet can't be used there either.
What i read was
A six-month mortgage holiday for people whose incomes have been affected by Covid-19 will mean people won't lose their homes as a result of the economic disruption caused by this virus
A key word was home , not property.
Still a massive imbalance in the way two sections of society are being treated. And it still applies to the landlord who claims the holiday on their own home.
One section is being offered massive relief around the biggest household cost of all at this very stressful and critical time, while another section is offered nothing in the same area.
This needs to be sorted or there will be massive unrest.
It also means that the landlord with a mortgage can claim this where their tenant’s income is affected – instead of hassling the tenant.
They'll be hassling the tenant alright, as soon as they think it's safe to do so
I'd say a few days after the lockdown finishes…
this is from the article linked above.
The scheme will include a limit of $500,000 per loan and will apply to firms with a turnover of between $250,000 and $80 million per annum. The loans will be for a maximum of three years and expected to be provided by the banks at competitive, transparent rates.
i really don't see why a business owner with 80 million turn over needs a mortgage holiday, while the dude on 70.000 does not. But then maybe the dude with the 80 million dollar business needs to buy some more cheap houses when the dudes on regular wages default. After all we can't have socialism for the poor, no we only have it for the well to do, and the very rich. Besides, when the Labour critters quit parliament they would like to have some lucrative jobs on boards and such, so consider it a 'prepayment' for services to be rendered in the future.
Now somebody understands what my thread was about. A lot of people on benefits do not own a computer and if they do own one they cannot afford to go online. Libraries were open with computers and wifi and were available to these beneficeries and now they have closed down too. Owning a computer and being online is a luxury to many people and I find it quite extraordinary to plead the safety of their staff the reason for closing down. What about all the staff in supermarkets, pharmacies, they are having to run the gauntlet of being in harm's way. I just don't buy it at all their excuse for shutting down.
Even the District Court is staying open for the poor felons going before the judges. Obviously they want to punish the felons and punish the poor bastards who are out of work, mentally unwell, physically disabled etc. as well.
Yes, I definitely have gone down the rabbit hole on this one.
Screen shots from web cams around the world.
https://twitter.com/noahkalina/status/1242114225121693696
If people use the month to outdoor exercise, on foot or bike and get plenty of sleep then our public health (stronger immune systems) will be stronger for it. It is a good time of year for it.
Mix it up a bit for a giggle and wear fancy dress on a bike ride.
If you've got elderly neighbours don't forget to make sure they are ok, because they may be scared or have no family close by.
We've contacted ours to let them know (via a note slipped under their door) if we go to the supermarket etc we will contact them know in advance should they need anything.
Courts and COVID-19
Mention was made in the comment at 18 that prompted my one at 25 re WINZ, that all Courtrs except District Courts were being closed down.
The Court situation is actually a lot more complex than what was stated at 18 and is still being sorted out. Advice about what is happening with the Courts is being promulgated on an ongoing basis on the following link and also on the Courts of New Zealand Twitter account @CourtsofNZ.
https://www.courtsofnz.govt.nz/publications/announcements/covid-19-coronavirus/court-protocols/
(quot; ") from of a note from Chief Justice Winkelmann on the link
Further advice re District Court hearings is also u=included in the above main link and inter alia includes this link https://www.districtcourts.govt.nz/media-information/information-for-legal-practitioners/for-the-profession-re-24-march-2020-23-march-2020
In summary (rough mix of quotes and shortened wording):
Again, I hope that clarifies things a bit at least.
Hmmm out of toilet paper..
Will this work?
If yer gonna try to wipe yer bum with that, I recommend you remove the spikes first.
No I want it to sprout like an avocado stone – then I can plant it in the garden and get lots of rolls for free!
Wellll, if growing lots of toilet rolls with spikes sticking out of them is your thing, I'm not gonna judge.
Methinks Macro is getting bored out of his brain with this lock-down before its even officially started. Didn't you manage to get into town for a bout of panic buying this afto?
Go Macro – we need positive, creative ideas like yours (but preferably ones that will work..) Anyway – just ignore all those unworthy put-downs.
[don’t think you meant to use your email as user name. Have changed it, but please check before your next comment – weka]
Mod note In Vino.
Yep! I managed to snare a bag of spuds! And 400 grams of mince from the butcher!
My nice lady butcher has been run off her feet today 🙁 She had to restock the shop at least twice; and care for her 8 year old and 1 year old.
saw a pack of mince – mad butcher – 2 kg – white fatty 'premium mince for
$ 40.
OMG! that s serious price gouging. Mine was $10 a kilo, mind you I brought my own container. From here on in, I'll ring up and order, and she will pack and either drop off or I can pick up from the store.
i buy all my meat from the local butcher. The guy and his wife know what they do, they have five kids and the mad butcher's meat is just rubbish. But yeah, what a rip of.
Macro – the sprout-with-toothpicks image is one I saw a few days back and sent to friends, most of whom didn't get it at all! I was amazed but learned the lesson about niche-knowledge and the ease with which one can assume that what to you is obvious (and in this case, funny) is neither of those to people who haven't tried growing an avocado this way.
Ahh a sad commentary on our society. There is not a vegetable seedling to be had in the whole of town right now. I fear for those tender young things in inexpert hands. I wonder how and where they will be placed in the expectation that within a week or two they will be harvested.
Clever folk who for-some-reason don't garden, brought seeds-for-sprouting and micro greens – fast, simple and healthy.
Yeah that's what we have done too.
In the garden the amaranth is particularly yummy right now – then we leave it to seed.
🙂
Almost looks as good as my lunch buddha bowl.
thats pretty funny
The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment says The Warehouse Group has not been granted an exemption to trade during the mandatory four-week lockdown.
5:20 PM · Mar 24, 2020
Son's happy. 4 weeks holiday with no visitors on 80% pay.
Kia Ora The Am Show.
Esport is one of the fastest growing sport in the world.
Time to pay horticultural workers more putea.
The Spanish flue affect Maori in higher rates than others.
Like to see you find a house to rent that cheap $350 a week.
Ka kite Ano.
Kia Ora Newshub. .
Coincidence ya right.
Kia Kaha everyone.
Ka kite Ano.
Kia Ora Te Ao Maori News.
We do need to give the tangata with out a voice a voice.
The free Kai being delivered to the needy is good.
Kia Kaha tangata whenua o Aotearoa.
Ka kite Ano
Kia Ora The Am Show.
People won't get board with all the gadgets we have these day's.
Ka kite Ano
Some Eco Maori Music For The Minute.
https://youtu.be/cEXhZ8PwM-Y
I wonder if these sis sandflys are going to try and arrest me when I go to the supermarket today.??? They will be drooling to do that with there new powers
Kia Ora Newshub.
Its good that our government caught the dubble dipping business trying to cheat in these times is low.
Ka kite Ano
Kia Ora Te Ao Maori News.
Some of the symptoms of the virus is loss of smell and taste
Its better that we do it hard and correct now and minimise the virus spread than not to isolation properly now and the virus spread rapidly causing chaos to our love one's and our hospital system.
Ka kite Ano