Open mike 25/08/2022

Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, August 25th, 2022 - 84 comments
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84 comments on “Open mike 25/08/2022 ”

  1. PsyclingLeft.Always 1

    The Ombudsman has slammed the Otago Corrections Facility for the "unacceptable" use of CCTV cameras in cells there.

    Chief Ombudsman Peter Boshier said it was "completely inappropriate" that CCTV cameras covered showers and toilets in the prison.

    Concerns over use of force events at the prison, including around pepper spray and record-keeping, were also raised in the report.

    "It is important, as a signatory to the Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture, Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment that New Zealand is treating prisoners at a certain standard," Mr Boshier said.

    Camera footage of the use of force incidents was reviewed, three of which appeared to show excessive use of force, the report said. One of those was being investigated by the prison as unlawful.

    The review of footage also found ‘‘inconsistent use of de-escalation techniques, and that some staff used unprofessional language’’.

    https://www.odt.co.nz/regions/south-otago/unacceptable-cctv-cameras-otago-prison-cells

    Sloppiness around documentation in use-of-force incidents at the prison is concerning. Records of these not being completed in a timely fashion and with signatures and dates often missing suggests poor management.

    Lax record-keeping around prisoners’ property was also noted. When staff could not identify a property owner, items would be disposed of.

    Across six months there were 56 property claims, half of them approved and settled under the euphemistic term "staff error".

    This is not a good look in terms of staff attitude. Nor is the observation by inspectors of some staff dismissing reasonable requests and using derogatory terms to describe prisoners. Also, some called prisoners by their surname or referred to them as "inmate".

    https://www.odt.co.nz/opinion/editorial/poor-prison-practices

    Yea..IMO "some" Corrections staff aye. Certainly heard from at least "one".

    As in the NZ Justice System punishment…wasnt "quite" enough….

  2. Adrian Thornton 2

    Remembering a real American patriot….

    "War Poisons Everybody": Legendary Historian Howard Zinn on His 100th Birthday

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oFmcdWTxyHk

    • aj 2.1

      There will be many people under 30 who have no idea how the world was totally conned into the Iraq War, and I found this a chilling reminder of the power of lies. Something we should never forget.

      A penetrating study of how the news media allowed themselves to be used as war propagandists in the run-up to the war in Iraq, and a good companion piece to this Howard Zinn interview.

      https://youtu.be/GN6ULkxXJ0o

      • Adrian Thornton 2.1.1

        "how the news media allowed themselves to be used as war propagandists in the run-up to the war in Iraq"….exactly right, and ever since the USA set the Middle East on fire in that illegal war…pretty much all MSM, but most especially the Liberal MSM, led and cheerleadered by The Guardian, NYT and WAPO, have not seen a Western intervention or war that they have not willingly done the heavy lifting for in terms of propaganda and often straight out disinformation….

        Not sure how the Liberal class and their media morphed so seamlessly into becoming some of the the most bloodthirsty Warhawks on the planet today…but sadly that is where we are…you see it on display on this very site on nearly a daily basis.

  3. Jenny how to get there 3

    Climate Alarm is deafening

    If humanity can mobilise enormous forces for war on each other.

    Why can't we for war on climate change?

    Heatwave in China is the most severe ever recorded in the world

    A long spell of extreme hot and dry weather is affecting energy, water supplies and food production across China

    This article has been viewed 3092 times in the last 3 hours.

    …..River and reservoir levels have fallen, factories have shut because of electricity shortages and huge areas of crops have been damaged. The situation could have worldwide repercussions, causing further disruption to supply chains and exacerbating the global food crisis.

    …..Hundreds of places have reported temperatures of more than 40°C (104°F), and many records have been broken. Subway stations have set up rest areas where people can recover from the heat.

    On 18 August, the temperature in Chongqing in Sichuan province reached 45°C (113°F), the highest ever recorded in China outside the desert-dominated region of Xinjiang. On 20 August, the temperature in the city didn’t fall below 34.9°C (94.8°F), the highest minimum temperature ever recorded in China in August. The maximum temperature was 43.7°C

    https://www.newscientist.com/article/2334921-heatwave-in-china-is-the-most-severe-ever-recorded-in-the-world/?

  4. Peter 4

    Relishing a meal for months before actually eating it is possible. Pondering the occasion before it arrives extends the pleasure.

    When the traditional happens at a quiet, but occupied time we might realise the possibilities of pleasure which we didn't take earlier.

    On January 1st when the traditional happens and 'Sir Trevor' is announced the reactions are going to be so much fun!

    For many that'll make it a 'Merry Christmas and an Unhappy New Year.' That in itself will make it for others a 'Happy New Year "

  5. arkie 5

    Surely, if this is really necessary, contacting and discussing the decision with those schools affected would be the bare minimum consideration.

    Government considers cutting 3000 senior teaching roles from budget

    In a surprise move, the government wants to cut a senior teaching role nationwide so it can cover a hole in its budget.

    Principals contacted by RNZ said they were not aware of the ministry's plan and warned the within-school roles were critical to their work.

    The lead principal for a Nelson Kāhui Ako, Nayland College principal Daniel Wilson, told RNZ the proposal was "very concerning".

    The Education Ministry said any outcomes from the collective agreement negotiations beyond June 2023 would be funded.

    It did not explain why the within-school roles were selected for a cut and what effect it would have on Kāhui Ako.

    Despite the decision to seek an end to the within-school teacher role, a briefing paper from July last year showed the government was keen to expand the scheme.

    https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/473459/government-considers-cutting-3000-senior-teaching-roles-from-budget

    • Mac1 5.1

      It's not clear from the article whether the unions involved knew of this proposal. The NZEI did not seem at all surprised and PPTA were not in favour but neither said they were uninformed. That issue should have been clearly stated in the article.

      Is the task to inform principals of collective agreement proposals the union or the government's role? In other words, as the article writes of the principals' concerns at being unaware and unconsulted, and seemingly blames government, is that fair, or just more 'gotcha' journalism?

      Anyway, it's a proposal to be discussed at the award talks and what the contracts say will be carried out.

      • Belladonna 5.1.1

        I don't see how it could be the job of the unions (representing teachers) to communicate the MoE's proposals (or bargaining positions, or whatever they are) to principals. That is surely the job of the MoE.

        Now, it's possible that they got communication ducks out of line (meaning to communicate both to the NZEI and PPTA at the same time as school principals – so there were no surprises – and no early leaks) – and didn't get to the principals in time.

        However, not all schools are participating in Kāhui Ako, and not all of them have those staff based in their schools. It would have seemed to be a simple exercise to have got the list, and ensured that those principals were informed that this discussion was on the table.

    • Peter 5.2

      It would be interesting to see an assessment of the value of Kāhui Ako. All over the country.

      Does the raw headline "Government considers cutting 3000 senior teaching roles from budget" convey the reality of what the programme not being funded will do? If the programme is of value can it be picked up under the normal staffing levels and management units?

      • Belladonna 5.2.1

        I'm not qualified to assess the value of Kāhui Ako. As with many policies, I think that the outcomes are variable.

        However, the staffing funding is what enables senior or field expert teachers from one school, to coach, train and co-teach with staff in other schools. If there is no funding, it won't happen. Individual school funding is set based on the number of pupils enrolled – not on the wider needs of the school cluster.

        Given the quote from Hipkins in the article, from last year, about wanting the program to be expanded and more flexible – I do wonder if this is an internal MoE idea, rather than a government one….

    • Patricia Bremner 5.3

      Perhaps the time for goal setting has passed, and now it is time for resources like trained teachers and materials?

    • weka 6.1

      why? Her friends did something stupid, she's apologised, it's pretty small stuff in the scheme of things.

      • Tony 6.1.1

        Are you aware her and her friends were singing "We are the flour gang" flour is slang for cocaine.

      • Anne 6.1.2

        Two friends at the least did something very, very stupid and in the process placed the prime minister of Finland in a very, very embarrassing position.

        The offence was not so much that it was a somewhat compromising photo, but rather it was posted on Facebook for all the world to see. Who needs enemies with friends like that.

        • mpledger 6.1.2.1

          I'm not sure it embarrassing for her as she was raised by lesbian parents. It's more that other people are embarrassed because they only find intimacy between straight people acceptable.

          • Anne 6.1.2.1.1

            The embarrassment I was referring to is that the party was a private affair and it is astonishing that "a friend" saw fit to post a photo on Facebook given the host was the country's prime minister. As I said… who needs enemies with a friend like that.

    • Populuxe1 6.2

      Maybe people shouldn't be so thirsty for salacious Russian agitprop

  6. Blazer 7

    They say its lonely at the top…and crowded at the…bottom….'you know you're…worth it'!frown

    Fletcher Building CEO's $6.8m pay is 'not justified', professor says | Stuff.co.nz

  7. SPC 8

    Living with Trump – A shared psychosis

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3mFaVVr6vgE&t=4s

  8. Sabine 9

    this is sexy….

    https://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/green-travel/300670303/germany-launches-worlds-first-fleet-of-hydrogen-passenger-trains

    German officials launched what they say is the world's first fleet of hydrogen-powered passenger trains Wednesday (local time), replacing 15 diesel trains that previously operated on non-electrified tracks in the state of Lower Saxony.

    The 14 trains use hydrogen fuel cells to generate electricity that powers the engines. snip

    The trains manufactured by French company Alstom are operated by regional rail company LNVG on routes between the northern towns of Cuxhaven, Bremerhaven, Bremervoerde and Buxtehude.

    Alstom says the Coradia iLint trains have a range of up to 1000km and a maximum speed of 140 kph.

    I love trains.

    • PsyclingLeft.Always 9.1

      Hi Sabine. Trains are indeed awesome. And that Train looks so Futuristic…Now ! Also so efficient as freight movers : ) However I still think NZ Trains should be Electrified.

      As the comments on your link also check

      Possibly different Germany?

      • Sabine 9.1.1

        not sure what you mean with 'different Germany'.

        I approve of all trains. I love all trains. And given a chance would always opt for a train journey to my destination rather then car/plane.

        But this is happening in East Germany – ex DDR. And hope fully it will become the norm.

        Never could understand why Wellington gave up the Electric Trolley Busses. That too was a really neat way going about town and to / from work.

        • PsyclingLeft.Always 9.1.1.1

          Hi oh sorry i could maybe have put "different situation in Germany as to Hydrogen availability." : )

          Absolutely re the Electric trolley buses. Dunedin had too : )

          It was progressively closed from 1969, with the final route closing in July 1979. However the 1979 oil crisis resulted in part of the network being reopened the next month. It closed again in March 1982

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

          Oil…Crisis ? hmmm Maybe Get those E Trolley Buses going again !

    • Chris 9.2

      Hope they don't call it the Hindenburg.

      • Sabine 9.2.1

        nah they don't.

        i think its a bit safer then the Hindenburg was, and is definitively closer to the ground then the Hinbenburg was. 🙂

        Designed in the southern French town of Tarbes and assembled in Salzgitter in central Germany, Alstom’s trains – called Coradia iLint – are trailblazers in the sector.

        The project created jobs for up to 80 employees in the two countries, according to Alstom.

        Commercial trials have been carried out since 2018 on the line with two hydrogen trains but now the entire fleet is adopting the groundbreaking technology.

        The French group has inked four contracts for several dozen trains between Germany, France and Italy, with no sign of demand waning.

        https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/8/24/germany-inaugurates-worlds-first-hydrogen-powered-train-fleet
        this is exciting news.

    • Barfly 10.1

      IMO NZ fighters there aren't doing it for financial reward they are doing it because they have the skills, physical capability and they feel a moral need to assist Ukraine resist the Russian invasion.

      • Tony 10.1.1

        In Barflys opinion the NZ mercenaries are there for the moral support of the most corrupt nazi infested regime in the Western world, What an ignorant opinion to hold .. but hey! thanks for the laugh.

        • Incognito 10.1.1.1

          Nobody is laughing at your ignorance. Stop twisting other people's words.

          • Tony 10.1.1.1.1

            Display my ignorance Incognito and I will laugh with you? I merely repeated what he said, where is the twist?

            • Incognito 10.1.1.1.1.1

              Here are some insight into the motivations of those who join the fight in Ukraine:

              https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/473487/corporal-dominic-abelen-confirmed-as-new-zealander-killed-in-ukraine

              Te Herenga Waka, Victoria University Wellington, foreign fighters and international law researcher Marnie Lloydd told Midday Report enlisting in another country's military was not currently prohibited by New Zealand law.

              "Nor is it prohibited in general terms to join an armed group overseas," Lloydd said.

              "New Zealand's actually always kept open the possibility of foreign enlistment, so in another state's forces and also certain types of foreign fighting."

              Some forms of foreign fighting, like being a mercenary [my italics] or joining a terrorist group were criminalised.

              https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/473469/100-nz-defence-personnel-likely-in-ukraine-at-any-one-time-former-soldier

              https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/morningreport/audio/2018855480/former-nz-soldier-in-ukraine-proud-to-see-other-new-zealanders-on-front-line

              Barfly called them “NZ fighters”, which you twisted into “NZ mercenaries”.

              Your ignorance and word twisting is on full display here and you’re lying about it too claiming that you “merely repeated”, which is clearly not true. If it was a ‘mere repeat’, you could have quoted verbatim, but you didn’t do that, did you now? You were not even paraphrasing, you were twisting.

              Here’s one for you: provide evidence to support your bold claim that Ukraine is “the most corrupt nazi infested regime in the Western world”. Put up or shut up.

              • adam

                The Ukrainian oligarchs being far right nut bags, so you mean apart from banning of opposition parties, putting out lists of journalist they want to arrest, and using human shields?

                Anyone defending either the Russian or Ukrainian Oligarchs at this point is an idiot.

                • Incognito

                  WTF are you blathering on about? What kind of stupid framing a question (to me?) is that?

                  • adam

                    Sorry not purrfect Incognito.

                    But you seem to be under the illusion the Ukrainian ruling class is democratic and nice.

                    And not inspired by racism and anti-democratic practices.

                    • joe90

                      And not inspired by racism and anti-democratic practices.

                      So you're inspired by the rapist’s, murderer’s, torturer’s, mutilator’s and thieve’s blatant disregard for the human rights, their denial of the agency of millions, and their brutal, genocidal war of imperial conquest against the Ukrainian people?

                      //

                    • Incognito

                      But you seem to be under the illusion the Ukrainian ruling class is democratic and nice.

                      Really? What gave you that idea? Your bow is so long it reached all the way to LaLa-Land.

                    • adam

                      I see joe90 is dribbling shit again, I've been pretty constant Russian invasion = war crime. War = Oligarchs making working folk die for no reason.

                      But then again a war monger like you joe90…

                      [You have form attacking others here with your typical outbursts (aka brain farts) and no constructive points for debate, e.g. https://thestandard.org.nz/should-we-just-settle/#comment-1879634. This is your warning – Incognito]

                    • Incognito []

                      Mod note

              • Tony

                Incognito you are coming across as a very stressed cat, how's the blood pressure? relax and I will answer the claim of Ukraine being the most corrupt nazi infested regime by asking you to name one more corrupt than Ukraine, go on point out a more corrupt European regime? you can't so that makes it Ukraine by obvious deduction, barfly twisted mercenary into fighter, I untwisted his words and the essence of his rant was the mercenary was there in moral support, yea right! he was killed on the front lines in the East, which is where Ukraine nazis are killing Russian speaking Ukrainians and he was kia.

                [You don’t set the rules here. You don’t refuse to answer a question about your bold claim by asking a counter-question. You don’t get to move the goal posts from “the Western world” to “European”. You don’t get to untwist and then re-twist someone else’s comment because you think it was a rant. You don’t get to make bold claims based on your absurd assumptions about a dead Kiwi fighting with or close to “Ukraine Nazis” “on the front lines in the East” and the ugly implications this might evoke. You don’t get to troll this site with your twisted BS. This is your warning – Incognito]

                • Incognito

                  Mod note

                  • Tony

                    My counter question answers the question, and happy to leave it with Western total corrupt regimes, can you name me a more corrupt one than Ukraine please? It's called a logical deductive argument and acceptable to most academics but not you and easy up on the bold print buddy it makes you come across like the school prefect.The mercenary was kia on the front lines in the Donbass. I didn’t twist his words he used the wrong identification of the kia, he was a mercenary, a soldier of fortune, do a little independent analysis and you might be a more broad minded prefect cog.

                  • adam

                    Really? What gave you that idea?

                    Well the way you jump on anyone who says Ukrainian is a sack of shit government. Or the war is bad for working folk. Or indeed anyone who does not follow the official line.

                  • adam

                    Your link don't work.

    • Sabine 10.2

      Enough for them to go there and lose their lives.

      • Barfly 10.2.1

        Do you really think that money is their motivation?

        • Blazer 10.2.1.1

          I certainly…do.

          What else could it be!

        • Sabine 10.2.1.2

          Yes. That and maybe a sense of adventurism, maybe even a believe in doing the right thing, but money is a reason for people to sell their skills as soldiers / mercenaries to a foreign country. The only difference with the Ukraine war vs Iraq war is that the Ukraine war is approved by the 'left' 'left leaning' people.

          In the Iraq war we called these guys 'mercenaries' and we complained a lot about Halliburton and Blackwater/Xe – just to name two of the companies that make good money out of war and death.

          And the US paying the NZ government to send NZ troops to a war zone in which we have absolutely no reason to send anyone too, is in this case the company that enjoys the money.

          Btw, I am stil waiting for Nato to officially fight for the Ukraine with the footsoldiers provided by the member states/countries. So far its crickets. But i guess if they were to call on the Members to send proper troops in big numbers to defend Ukraine at the Members costs, a lot of the countries that go rooo raahhhh at the idea of sanctions and pretend outrage, would get real quiet at the idea of coffins coming home and at the idea of paying for these coffins to come home.

  9. tsmithfield 12

    I wonder if National will stand a candidate in Sharma's electorate in the next election, and rather support Sharma to hold it?

    Strategically it is a risk free option that could end up with an Epsom type outcome for National. As it is an electoral seat, if National were to lose it, they would be no worse off due to proportionality and the list. But, if Sharma were to hold it, and buddied up with National, then National would have a lot to gain in terms of overhang.

    • weka 12.1

      Yeah but then they'd have to deal with a loose unit until the next election (and perhaps the one after).

      • Sabine 12.1.1

        Who knows, maybe he is better of in the N party. How many seats can L lose before it becomes an issue?

      • tsmithfield 12.1.2

        I guess it depends on how the polls are looking closer to the time. If it is looking close, then it could be an option. But if National looks like they are well ahead, then probably not worth the drama.

    • Peter 12.2

      National will stand a candidate and most likely win the seat. They'll be hoping Sharma destroys Labour's chances by standing. Sharma hasn't got a hope in hell given his behaviour.

    • observer 12.3

      I don't know if it's "risk-free", given his behaviour. Has he met the National whips? wink

      The likely outcome would be news bulletins like … "And today Gaurav Sharma has alleged this and that, and Christopher Luxon has spent the day denying this and that. In other news, National launched a vote-chasing policy which we'll briefly mention after we've covered the scandal …"

      • tsmithfield 12.3.1

        I guess if he was independent he wouldn't be subject to National's whips?

        • observer 12.3.1.1

          But in the scenario you suggest he wouldn't be "independent". National would be giving him a free run, and that's going to cost.

          Of course he wouldn't be subject to whips in the narrow sense of sitting in a caucus. But there's a quid pro quo. He'd have to keep recording those phone calls when the Nats "bully" him by calling in their favours.

          Incidentally Labour would love this deal to happen ("See, we told you what he was!"). But it won't happen.

    • Jimmy 12.4

      I don't think National would want Sharma. I think they will stand their own candidate and have a good chance of winning the seat.

      • Matiri 12.4.1

        Tim Macindoe held the seat for National, lost it to Sharma and is a List MP now. Expect he wants the seat back!

  10. logie97 15

    It would appear that Mallard has offered an apology to Peters for trespassing him at the occupation earlier this year.

    Perhaps Peters could now apologise to the rest of New Zealand for helping to inflame the protest by supporting the 5 percent and countenancing their behaviour. Or perhaps they are the 5 pcnt that he hopes to gain to get back into parliament.

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  • “Racism” becomes a buzz word on the campaign trail – but our media watchdogs stay muzzled when...
    Buzz from the Beehive  Oh, dear.  We have nothing to report from the Beehive. At least, we have nothing to report from the government’s official website. But the drones have not gone silent.  They are out on the election campaign trail, busy buzzing about this and that in the hope ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    3 days ago
  • Play it, Elvis
    Election Hell special!! This week’s quiz is a bumper edition featuring a few of the more popular questions from last weekend’s show, as well as a few we didn’t have time for. You’re welcome, etc. Let us press on, etc. 1.  What did Christopher Luxon use to his advantage in ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago
  • Pure class warfare
    National unveiled its fiscal policy today, announcing all the usual things which business cares about and I don't. But it did finally tell us how National plans to pay for its handouts to landlords: by effectively cutting benefits: The biggest saving announced on Friday was $2b cut from the ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    3 days ago
  • Ask Me Anything about the week to Sept 29
    Photo by Anna Ogiienko on UnsplashIt’s that time of the week for an ‘Ask Me Anything’ session for paying subscribers about the week that was for an hour, including:duelling fiscal plans from National and Labour;Labour cutting cycling spending while accusing National of being weak on climate;Research showing the need for ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • Weekly Roundup 29-September-2023
    Welcome to Friday and the last one for September. This week in Greater Auckland On Monday, Matt highlighted at the latest with the City Rail Link. On Tuesday, Matt covered the interesting items from Auckland Transport’s latest board meeting agendas. On Thursday, a guest post from Darren Davis ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    3 days ago
  • Protest at Parliament: The Reunion.
    Brian’s god spoke to him. He, for of course the Lord in Tamaki’s mind was a male god, with a mighty rod, and probably some black leathers. He, told Brian - “you must put a stop to all this love, hope, and kindness”. And it did please the Brian.He said ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago
  • Labour cuts $50m from cycleway spending
    Labour is cutting spending on cycling infrastructure while still trying to claim the higher ground on climate. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The Labour Government released a climate manifesto this week to try to claim the high ground against National, despite having ignored the Climate Commission’s advice to toughen ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • The Greater Of Two Evils.
    Not Labour: If you’re out to punish the government you once loved, then the last thing you need is to be shown evidence that the opposition parties are much, much worse.THE GREATEST VIRTUE of being the Opposition is not being the Government. Only very rarely is an opposition party elected ...
    3 days ago
  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #39 2023
    Open access notables "Net zero is only a distraction— we just have to end fossil fuel emissions." The latter is true but the former isn't, or  not in the real world as it's likely to be in the immediate future. And "just" just doesn't enter into it; we don't have ...
    4 days ago
  • Chris Trotter: Losing the Left
    IN THE CURRENT MIX of electoral alternatives, there is no longer a credible left-wing party. Not when “a credible left-wing party” is defined as: a class-oriented, mass-based, democratically-structured political organisation; dedicated to promoting ideas sharply critical of laissez-faire capitalism; and committed to advancing democratic, egalitarian and emancipatory ideals across the ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    4 days ago
  • Road rage at Kia Kaha Primary School
    It is not the school holidays yet at Kia Kaha Primary School!It can be any time when you are telling a story.Telling stories about things that happened in the past is how we learn from our mistakes.If we want to.Anyway, it is not the school holidays yet at Kia Kaha ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 days ago
  • Road rage at Kia Kaha Primary School
    It is not the school holidays yet at Kia Kaha Primary School!It can be any time when you are telling a story.Telling stories about things that happened in the past is how we learn from our mistakes.If we want to.Anyway, it is not the school holidays yet at Kia Kaha ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 days ago
  • Road rage at Kia Kaha Primary School
    It is not the school holidays yet at Kia Kaha Primary School!It can be any time when you are telling a story.Telling stories about things that happened in the past is how we learn from our mistakes.If we want to.Anyway, it is not the school holidays yet at Kia Kaha ...
    More than a fieldingBy David Slack
    4 days ago
  • Hipkins fires up in leaders’ debate, but has the curtain already fallen on the Labour-led coalitio...
    Labour’s  Chris Hipkins came out firing, in the  leaders’ debate  on Newshub’s evening programme, and most of  the pundits  rated  him the winner against National’s  Christopher Luxon. But will this make any difference when New  Zealanders  start casting their ballots? The problem  for  Hipkins is  that  voters are  all too ...
    Point of OrderBy tutere44
    4 days ago
  • Govt is energising housing projects with solar power – and fuelling the public’s concept of a di...
    Buzz from the Beehive  Not long after Point of Order published data which show the substantial number of New Zealanders (77%) who believe NZ is becoming more divided, government ministers were braying about a programme which distributes some money to “the public” and some to “Maori”. The ministers were dishing ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago
  • MIKE GRIMSHAW: Election 2023 – a totemic & charisma failure?
    The D&W analysis Michael Grimshaw writes –  Given the apathy, disengagement, disillusionment, and all-round ennui of this year’s general election, it was considered time to bring in those noted political operatives and spin doctors D&W, the long-established consultancy firm run by Emile Durkheim and Max Weber. Known for ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • FROM BFD: Will Winston be the spectre we think?
    Kissy kissy. Cartoon credit BoomSlang. The BFD. JC writes-  Allow me to preface this contribution with the following statement: If I were asked to express a preference between a National/ACT coalition or a National/ACT/NZF coalition then it would be the former. This week Luxon declared his position, ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • California’s climate disclosure bill could have a huge impact across the U.S.
    This re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Andy Furillo was originally published by Capital & Main and is part of Covering Climate Now, a global journalism collaboration strengthening coverage of the climate story. The California Legislature took a step last week that has the potential to accelerate the fight against climate ...
    4 days ago
  • Untangling South East Queensland’s Public Transport
    This is a cross post Adventures in Transitland by Darren Davis. I recently visited Brisbane and South East Queensland and came away both impressed while also pondering some key changes to make public transport even better in the region. Here goes with my take on things. A bit of ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    4 days ago
  • Try A Little Kindness.
    My daughter arrived home from the supermarket yesterday and she seemed a bit worried about something. It turned out she wanted to know if someone could get her bank number from a receipt.We wound the story back.She was in the store and there was a man there who was distressed, ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago
  • What makes NZFirst tick
    New Zealand’s longest-running political roadshow rolled into Opotiki yesterday, with New Zealand First leader Winston Peters knowing another poll last night showed he would make it back to Parliament and National would need him and his party if they wanted to form a government. The Newshub Reid Research poll ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    4 days ago
  • September AMA
    Hi,As September draws to a close — I feel it’s probably time to do an Ask Me Anything. You know how it goes: If you have any burning questions, fire away in the comments and I will do my best to answer. You might have questions about Webworm, or podcast ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    4 days ago
  • Bludgers lying in the scratcher making fools of us all
    The mediocrity who stands to be a Prime Minister has a litany.He uses it a bit like a Koru Lounge card. He will brandish it to say: these people are eligible. And more than that, too: These people are deserving. They have earned this policy.They have a right to this policy. What ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    5 days ago
  • More “partnerships” (by the look of it) and redress of over $30 million in Treaty settlement wit...
    Buzz from the Beehive Point of Order has waited until now – 3.45pm – for today’s officially posted government announcements.  There have been none. The only addition to the news on the Beehive’s website was posted later yesterday, after we had published our September 26 Buzz report. It came from ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    5 days ago
  • ALEX HOLLAND: Labour’s spending
    Alex Holland writes –  In 2017 when Labour came to power, crown spending was $76 billion per year. Now in 2023 it is $139 billion per year, which equates to a $63 billion annual increase (over $1 billion extra spend every week!) In 2017, New Zealand’s government debt ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • If not now, then when?
    Labour released its fiscal plan today, promising the same old, same old: "responsibility", balanced books, and of course no new taxes: "Labour will maintain income tax settings to provide consistency and certainty in these volatile times. Now is not the time for additional taxes or to promise billions of ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago
  • THE FACTS:  77% of Kiwis believe NZ is becoming more divided
    The Facts has posted –        KEY INSIGHTSOf New Zealander’s polled: Social unity/division 77%believe NZ is becoming more divided (42% ‘much more’ + 35% ‘a little more’) 3%believe NZ is becoming less divided (1% ‘much less’ + 2% ‘a little less’) ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell on the cynical brutality of the centre-right’s welfare policies
    The centre-right’s enthusiasm for forcing people off the benefit and into paid work is matched only by the enthusiasm (shared by Treasury and the Reserve Bank) for throwing people out of paid work to curb inflation, and achieve the optimal balance of workers to job seekers deemed to be desirable ...
    5 days ago
  • Wednesday’s Chorus: Arthur Grimes on why building many, many more social houses is so critical
    New research shows that tenants in social housing - such as these Wellington apartments - are just as happy as home owners and much happier than private tenants. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The election campaign took an ugly turn yesterday, and in completely the wrong direction. All three ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • Old habits
    Media awareness about global warming and climate change has grown fairly steadily since 2004. My impression is that journalists today tend to possess a higher climate literacy than before. This increasing awareness and improved knowledge is encouraging, but there are also some common interpretations which could be more nuanced. ...
    Real ClimateBy rasmus
    5 days ago
  • Bennie Bashing.
    If there’s one thing the mob loves more than keeping Māori in their place, more than getting tough on the gangs, maybe even more than tax cuts. It’s a good old round of beneficiary bashing.Are those meanies in the ACT party stealing your votes because they think David Seymour is ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago
  • The kindest cuts
    Labour kicks off the fiscal credibility battle today with the release of its fiscal plan. National is expected to follow, possibly as soon as Thursday, with its own plan, which may (or may not) address the large hole that the problems with its foreign buyers’ ban might open up. ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    5 days ago
  • Green right turn in Britain? Well, a start
    While it may be unlikely to register in New Zealand’s general election, Britain’s PM Rishi Sunak has done something which might just be important in the long run. He’s announced a far-reaching change in his Conservative government’s approach to environmental, and particularly net zero, policy. The starting point – ...
    Point of OrderBy xtrdnry
    5 days ago
  • At a glance – How do human CO2 emissions compare to natural CO2 emissions?
    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 ...
    6 days ago
  • How could this happen?
    Canada is in uproar after the exposure that its parliament on September 22 provided a standing ovation to a Nazi veteran who had been invited into the chamber to participate in the parliamentary welcome to Ukrainian President Zelensky. Yaroslav Hunka, 98, a Ukrainian man who volunteered for service in ...
    6 days ago
  • Always Be Campaigning
    The big screen is a great place to lay out the ways of the salesman. He comes ready-made for Panto, ripe for lampooning.This is not to disparage that life. I have known many good people of that kind. But there is a type, brazen as all get out. The camera ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    6 days ago
  • STEPHEN FRANKS: Press seek to publicly shame doctor – we must push back
    The following is a message sent yesterday from lawyer Stephen Franks on behalf of the Free Speech Union. I don’t like to interrupt first thing Monday morning, but we’ve just become aware of a case where we think immediate and overwhelming attention could help turn the tide. It involves someone ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago
  • Competing on cruelty
    The right-wing message calendar is clearly reading "cruelty" today, because both National and NZ First have released beneficiary-bashing policies. National is promising a "traffic light" system to police and kick beneficiaries, which will no doubt be accompanied by arbitrary internal targets to classify people as "orange" or "red" to keep ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    6 days ago
  • Further funding for Pharmac (forgotten in the Budget?) looks like a $1bn appeal from a PM in need of...
    Buzz from the Beehive One Labour plan  – for 3000 more public homes by 2025 – is the most recent to be posted on the government’s official website. Another – a prime ministerial promise of more funding for Pharmac – has been released as a Labour Party press statement. Who ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago
  • Bryce Edwards: The Vested interests shaping National Party policies
    As the National Party gets closer to government, lobbyists and business interests will be lining up for influence and to get policies adopted. It’s therefore in the public interest to have much more scrutiny and transparency about potential conflicts of interests that might arise. One of the key individuals of ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    6 days ago
  • Labour may be on way out of power and NZ First back in – but will Peters go into coalition with Na...
    Voters  are deserting Labour in droves, despite Chris  Hipkins’  valiant  rearguard  action.  So  where  are they  heading?  Clearly  not all of them are going to vote National, which concedes that  the  outcome  will be “close”. To the Right of National, the ACT party just a  few weeks  ago  was ...
    Point of OrderBy tutere44
    6 days ago
  • GRAHAM ADAMS: Will the racists please stand up?
    Accusations of racism by journalists and MPs are being called out. Graham Adams writes –    With the election less than three weeks away, what co-governance means in practice — including in water management, education, planning law and local government — remains largely obscure. Which is hardly ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell on whether Winston Peters can be a moderating influence
    As the centre-right has (finally!) been subjected to media interrogation, the polls are indicating that some voters may be starting to have second thoughts about the wisdom of giving National and ACT the power to govern alone. That’s why yesterday’s Newshub/Reid Research poll had the National/ACT combo dropping to 60 ...
    6 days ago
  • Tuesday’s Chorus: RBNZ set to rain on National's victory parade
    ANZ has increased its forecast for house inflation later this year on signs of growing momentum in the market ahead of the election. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: National has campaigned against the Labour Government’s record on inflation and mortgage rates, but there’s now a growing chance the Reserve ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago
  • After a Pittsburgh coal processing plant closed, ER visits plummeted
    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Katie Myers. This story was originally published by Grist and is part of Covering Climate Now, a global journalism collaboration strengthening coverage of the climate story. Pittsburgh, in its founding, was blessed and cursed with two abundant natural resources: free-flowing rivers and a nearby coal seam. ...
    6 days ago
  • September-23 AT Board Meeting
    Today the AT board meet again and once again I’ve taken a look at what’s on the agenda to find the most interesting items. Closed Agenda Interestingly when I first looked at the agendas this paper was there but at the time of writing this post it had been ...
    6 days ago
  • Electorate Watch: West Coast-Tasman
    Continuing my series on interesting electorates, today it’s West Coast-Tasman.A long thin electorate running down the northern half of the west coast of the South Island. Think sand flies, beautiful landscapes, lots of rain, Pike River, alternative lifestylers, whitebaiting, and the spiritual home of the Labour Party. A brief word ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    6 days ago
  • Big money brings Winston back
    National leader Christopher Luxon yesterday morning conceded it and last night’s Newshub poll confirmed it; Winston Peters and NZ First are not only back but highly likely to be part of the next government. It is a remarkable comeback for a party that was tossed out of Parliament in ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    6 days ago
  • 20 days until Election Day, 7 until early voting begins… but what changes will we really see here?
    As this blogger, alongside many others, has already posited in another forum: we all know the National Party’s “budget” (meaning this concept of even adding up numbers properly is doing a lot of heavy, heavy lifting right now) is utter and complete bunk (read hung, drawn and quartered and ...
    exhALANtBy exhalantblog
    7 days ago
  • A night out
    Everyone was asking, Are you nervous? and my response was various forms of God, yes.I've written more speeches than I can count; not much surprises me when the speaker gets to their feet and the room goes quiet.But a play? Never.YOU CAME! THANK YOU! Read more ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    7 days ago
  • A pallid shade of Green III
    Clearly Labour's focus groups are telling it that it needs to pay more attention to climate change - because hot on the heels of their weaksauce energy efficiency pilot programme and not-great-but-better-than-nothing solar grants, they've released a full climate manifesto. Unfortunately, the core policies in it - a second Emissions ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    7 days ago
  • A coalition of racism, cruelty, and chaos
    Today's big political news is that after months of wibbling, National's Chris Luxon has finally confirmed that he is willing to work with Winston Peters to become Prime Minister. Which is expected, but I guess it tells us something about which way the polls are going. Which raises the question: ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    7 days ago
  • More migrant workers should help generate the tax income needed to provide benefits for job seekers
    Buzz from the Beehive Under something described as a “rebalance” of its immigration rules, the Government has adopted four of five recommendations made in an independent review released in July, The fifth, which called on the government to specify criteria for out-of-hours compliance visits similar to those used during ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    7 days ago
  • Letter To Luxon.
    Some of you might know Gerard Otto (G), and his G News platform. This morning he wrote a letter to Christopher Luxon which I particularly enjoyed, and with his agreement I’m sharing it with you in this guest newsletter.If you’d like to make a contribution to support Gerard’s work you ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    7 days ago
  • LINDSAY MITCHELL: Alarming trend in benefit numbers
    Lindsay Mitchell writes –  While there will not be another quarterly release of benefit numbers prior to the election, limited weekly reporting continues and is showing an alarming trend. Because there is a seasonal component to benefit number fluctuations it is crucial to compare like with like. In ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    1 week ago
  • BRIAN EASTON: Has there been external structural change?
    A close analysis of the Treasury assessment of the Medium Term in its PREFU 2023 suggests the economy may be entering a new phase.   Brian Easton writes –  Last week I explained that the forecasts in the just published Treasury Pre-election Economic and Fiscal Update (PREFU 2023) was ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    1 week ago

  • 100 new public EV chargers to be added to national network
    The public EV charging network has received a significant boost with government co-funding announced today for over 100 EV chargers – with over 200 charging ports altogether – across New Zealand, and many planned to be up and running on key holiday routes by Christmas this year. Minister of Energy ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    18 hours ago
  • Safeguarding Tuvalu language and identity
    Tuvalu is in the spotlight this week as communities across New Zealand celebrate Vaiaso o te Gagana Tuvalu – Tuvalu Language Week. “The Government has a proven record of supporting Pacific communities and ensuring more of our languages are spoken, heard and celebrated,” Pacific Peoples Minister Barbara Edmonds said. “Many ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • New community-level energy projects to support more than 800 Māori households
    Seven more innovative community-scale energy projects will receive government funding through the Māori and Public Housing Renewable Energy Fund to bring more affordable, locally generated clean energy to more than 800 Māori households, Energy and Resources Minister Dr Megan Woods says. “We’ve already funded 42 small-scale clean energy projects that ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Huge boost to Te Tai Tokerau flood resilience
    The Government has approved new funding that will boost resilience and greatly reduce the risk of major flood damage across Te Tai Tokerau. Significant weather events this year caused severe flooding and damage across the region. The $8.9m will be used to provide some of the smaller communities and maraes ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Napier’s largest public housing development comes with solar
    The largest public housing development in Napier for many years has been recently completed and has the added benefit of innovative solar technology, thanks to Government programmes, says Housing Minister Dr Megan Woods. The 24 warm, dry homes are in Seddon Crescent, Marewa and Megan Woods says the whanau living ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Te Whānau a Apanui and the Crown initial Deed of Settlement I Kua waitohua e Te Whānau a Apanui me...
    Māori: Kua waitohua e Te Whānau a Apanui me te Karauna te Whakaaetanga Whakataunga Kua waitohua e Te Whānau a Apanui me te Karauna i tētahi Whakaaetanga Whakataunga hei whakamihi i ō rātou tāhuhu kerēme Tiriti o Waitangi. E tekau mā rua ngā hapū o roto mai o Te Whānau ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Plan for 3,000 more public homes by 2025 – regions set to benefit
    Regions around the country will get significant boosts of public housing in the next two years, as outlined in the latest public housing plan update, released by the Housing Minister, Dr Megan Woods. “We’re delivering the most public homes each year since the Nash government of the 1950s with one ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Immigration settings updates
    Judicial warrant process for out-of-hours compliance visits 2023/24 Recognised Seasonal Employer cap increased by 500 Additional roles for Construction and Infrastructure Sector Agreement More roles added to Green List Three-month extension for onshore Recovery Visa holders The Government has confirmed a number of updates to immigration settings as part of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Poroporoaki: Tā Patrick (Patu) Wahanga Hohepa
    Tangi ngunguru ana ngā tai ki te wahapū o Hokianga Whakapau Karakia. Tārehu ana ngā pae maunga ki Te Puna o te Ao Marama. Korihi tangi ana ngā manu, kua hinga he kauri nui ki te Wao Nui o Tāne. He Toa. He Pou. He Ahorangi. E papaki tū ana ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Renewable energy fund to support community resilience
    40 solar energy systems on community buildings in regions affected by Cyclone Gabrielle and other severe weather events Virtual capability-building hub to support community organisations get projects off the ground Boost for community-level renewable energy projects across the country At least 40 community buildings used to support the emergency response ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • COVID-19 funding returned to Government
    The lifting of COVID-19 isolation and mask mandates in August has resulted in a return of almost $50m in savings and recovered contingencies, Minister of Health Dr Ayesha Verrall announced today. Following the revocation of mandates and isolation, specialised COVID-19 telehealth and alternative isolation accommodation are among the operational elements ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Appointment of District Court Judge
    Susie Houghton of Auckland has been appointed as a new District Court Judge, to serve on the Family Court, Attorney-General David Parker said today.  Judge Houghton has acted as a lawyer for child for more than 20 years. She has acted on matters relating to the Hague Convention, an international ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Government invests further in Central Hawke’s Bay resilience
    The Government has today confirmed $2.5 million to fund a replace and upgrade a stopbank to protect the Waipawa Drinking Water Treatment Plant. “As a result of Cyclone Gabrielle, the original stopbank protecting the Waipawa Drinking Water Treatment Plant was destroyed. The plant was operational within 6 weeks of the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago
  • Govt boost for Hawke’s Bay cyclone waste clean-up
    Another $2.1 million to boost capacity to deal with waste left in Cyclone Gabrielle’s wake. Funds for Hastings District Council, Phoenix Contracting and Hog Fuel NZ to increase local waste-processing infrastructure. The Government is beefing up Hawke’s Bay’s Cyclone Gabrielle clean-up capacity with more support dealing with the massive amount ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago
  • Taupō Supercars revs up with Government support
    The future of Supercars events in New Zealand has been secured with new Government support. The Government is getting engines started through the Major Events Fund, a special fund to support high profile events in New Zealand that provide long-term economic, social and cultural benefits. “The Repco Supercars Championship is ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago
  • There is no recession in NZ, economy grows nearly 1 percent in June quarter
    The economy has turned a corner with confirmation today New Zealand never was in recession and stronger than expected growth in the June quarter, Finance Minister Grant Robertson said. “The New Zealand economy is doing better than expected,” Grant Robertson said. “It’s continuing to grow, with the latest figures showing ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago
  • Highest legal protection for New Zealand’s largest freshwater springs
    The Government has accepted the Environment Court’s recommendation to give special legal protection to New Zealand’s largest freshwater springs, Te Waikoropupū Springs (also known as Pupū Springs), Environment Minister David Parker announced today.   “Te Waikoropupū Springs, near Takaka in Golden Bay, have the second clearest water in New Zealand after ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago
  • More support for victims of migrant exploitation
    Temporary package of funding for accommodation and essential living support for victims of migrant exploitation Exploited migrant workers able to apply for a further Migrant Exploitation Protection Visa (MEPV), giving people more time to find a job Free job search assistance to get people back into work Use of 90-day ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago
  • Strong export boost as NZ economy turns corner
    An export boost is supporting New Zealand’s economy to grow, adding to signs that the economy has turned a corner and is on a stronger footing as we rebuild from Cyclone Gabrielle and lock in the benefits of multiple new trade deals, Finance Minister Grant Robertson says. “The economy is ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago
  • Funding approved for flood resilience work in Te Karaka
    The Government has approved $15 million to raise about 200 homes at risk of future flooding. More than half of this is expected to be spent in the Tairāwhiti settlement of Te Karaka, lifting about 100 homes there. “Te Karaka was badly hit during Cyclone Gabrielle when the Waipāoa River ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago
  • Further business support for cyclone-affected regions
    The Government is helping businesses recover from Cyclone Gabrielle and attract more people back into their regions. “Cyclone Gabrielle has caused considerable damage across North Island regions with impacts continuing to be felt by businesses and communities,” Economic Development Minister Barbara Edmonds said. “Building on our earlier business support, this ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago
  • New maintenance facility at Burnham Military Camp underway
    Defence Minister Andrew Little has turned the first sod to start construction of a new Maintenance Support Facility (MSF) at Burnham Military Camp today. “This new state-of-art facility replaces Second World War-era buildings and will enable our Defence Force to better maintain and repair equipment,” Andrew Little said. “This Government ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago
  • Foreign Minister to attend United Nations General Assembly
    Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta will represent New Zealand at the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York this week, before visiting Washington DC for further Pacific focussed meetings. Nanaia Mahuta will be in New York from Wednesday 20 September, and will participate in UNGA leaders ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago
  • Midwives’ pay equity offer reached
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