“An Afghan man waiting to know if he could get a visa to join family in New Zealand has been killed trying to flee to Pakistan, a source says.
A member of the man’s family had helped the Defence Force in Afghanistan and has already been resettled here.
So far resettlement of people who helped the Defence Force has been limited to partners and dependent children.
But other family members were also at risk from the Taliban that has now taken over Afghanistan, Community Law Centres O Aotearoa chief executive Sue Moroney said.
…The man who died was one of a group of 70 waiting for a hearing in a Wellington court about how Immigration New Zealand has stalled processing their visas. Community Law Waikato was working with the lawyers taking the action.
…An Immigration New Zealand spokesman said it had not been made aware of the incident, but understood the difficulties faced by those in Afghanistan and empathised with their situation.
The national manager of refugee and migrant services, Andrew Lockhart, said in a statement that Immigration New Zealand was unable to comment on matters while they were before the courts.”
It’s a damn shame the wheels of the system are turning ever so slowly. Must be a nightmare for these people, with the Taliban also being present in Pakistan if any of them somehow manage to slip past the Taliban border guards in Afghanistan.
Aljazeera TV is showing this Part 2 of a documentary The Forbidden Reel this week, showing film archives of Afghanistan, just before, & during, the time of the Soviet invasion & occupation.
It's a fascinating look at how westernised the people of the towns & cities were before the Taliban eventually took over & sent whole country back to a medieval-like Islamic Emirate. (25.03 min)
Here is one especially for Ad, our resident New Labour lover, so thereby as is with his beloved NZ Labour Party are enemies of Left wing politics and any real structural progressive changes in our society….and of course it goes without saying are enemies of the working classes… remember folks, just because you are better than National doesn't make you good.
[This is another personal attack and your recent comments have been in the same vein and aimed at the same commenter. Saving your aggressive attacks for OM does not give you special licence to attack others especially not others who are also Authors on this site.
You obviously cannot distinguish between robust debate and attacking others for whom you have nothing but contempt.
This is your only warning because we have been here before so many times – Incognito]
Obviously you feel strongly that the NZ Labour Party are heading the country towards a model of complete non Union workers, like Walmart. I disagree as they appear to have made strides towards better worker rights and protections. It may not happen as fast as you would like but workers are definitely better off under a Labour/Greens Government than under a Act/National Government (or the other way around which ever is the greatest)
Your video above, has no relevance to NZ and your attack on another commentator by using it is just mischievous and pointless.
This is in addition to Incognito's primary moderation.
You have been told repeatedly that comments primarily framed as a personal attacks are going to get the attention of the moderators. The odd dig here or there is going to be tolerated – especially if there's a decent argument being made – but you fail to understand the boundary. You have a clear pattern of this behaviour – making the debate aggressively personal with no provocation.
We do try to implement moderation in an incremental, proportionate fashion, warnings, advice, editing, moving to OM and then bans of increasing severity. You have used up all of these options – it's my view the next step will likely be terminal.
That would be a shame. Adrian, like Rogue Trooper whom I miss hearing from, to my mind have been some of the few working class voices that sound like the aunts and uncles I grew up with out of mining and forestry communities that frequent this site.
They understand that what was normal and not even extreme left before Rogernomics is still way to the left of where the pale blue labour party is now.
Things are not getting better for the poor and Labour is not really doing much to lift things in a serious way – the lack of implementation of the WEAG recommendations to benefit rates was a severely wasted opportunity compounded by the two tier benefit system they have introduced during COVID. The difference in approach to supporting people during lock-down this time – no increase in food limits like last time left foodbanks etc overwhelmed and distraught.
All around them people are suffering – good intentions and be kind are insufficient.
Many Labour people are happy with slow incremental steps – the trouble is as always that the right lurches right everytime they get into power. You can't beat lurches with baby steps.
NZ Labour have criminally wasted a likely once in a generation MMP majority Govt. situation due to entrenched neo liberalism long embedded in the NZ State, the “Parliamentary wing” and Caucus being able to dictate to the wider NZ Labour membership, and fifth columnist tories throughout the senior public service.
Adrian always had the opportunity to make his point without leading with a personal attack. Especially not on an author who contributes substantially to the site.
His choices, his consequences. You don't get to blame 'systemic censorship' or some such.
I hear your pain. Not all things are able to be corrected at once, and big money has huge power.
Adrian attacks the person too often in his anger. This is not helpful for the moderators.
You are correct about the lurches by the right and the left infiltrators of the 80s. This Government is trying to correct the levers and the settings, and have every intention of introducing the WEAG.
However, the pandemic has meant Health and Education needed fast support in these unusual times. We do need to keep a level of faith and trust in their good intentions. We are only half way through their second term.
We try to be tolerant of differing levels of commitment to the cause, as age experience gives a different more nuanced view of 'progress'.
Nonsense. Kids are not at school cause they are stacking shelves in the supermarket to bring some money into the family, kids can't do homework cause they have no electricity so can't read/study in the evening, kids can't study cause they can't concentrate due to living in overcrowded conditions and motels – while those who own the motels make millions off them or don't feel safe in that motel environment.
What age tells me is that those horrific stories of poverty, slum housing, children working, dependence on charity not welfare, church groups making money off the poor and so on that my grand-parents and great grand parents experienced are back – have been for some time and is getting worse.
There is no collective warm heart in charity and the government has no intention of making benefits back to the same rate as NZS as they used to be – and in my view compensating those who have suffered with the punitive rates that have existed for a long time. They freely admit that officials gave them advice not to lift benefits by another fifty dollars cause people might not go to work- and yeah they followed that advice.
At times I think they are just naive – but most times they are just not competent in addressing poverty in a timely manner. In the meantime children and adults suffer.
An alternative view to the nuclear submarine issue. I especially liked this bit.
“If we want to enjoy a peaceful future, Aotearoa should do the exact opposite of what Hooton and Malpass suggest. We should forge closer relations with others that share our anti-nuclear values – and there is no shortage of such countries.
We should increase our diplomatic capacity to build relationships and to contribute to conflict prevention and peace. We should focus our international energy on solutions to climate and the urgent transitions we need on energy, food and transport. Instead of focusing our diplomatic and security efforts on the Five Eyes, we should strengthen our relationships in, for example, Asean countries, in Latin America and, of course, in our neighbouring nuclear-free Pacific Islands.”
“If we want to enjoy a peaceful future, Aotearoa should do the exact opposite of what Hooton and Malpass suggest. We should forge closer relations with others that share our anti-nuclear values – and there is no shortage of such countries.
The ground has shifted from the 80's and this pretty delusion would leave NZ foolishly vulnerable. A Xi Xinping led-PRC has now become first a competitor and now an opponent of the US. It's a hairs-breadth away from becoming an enemy. Now we get to pick a side – there will be no idealistic 'sitting it out as a neutral, non-nuclear, non-aligned' pixie dust land.
NZ survives as a trading nation and our biggest customers will all be on one side or another – and certainly the US will not tolerate NZ trading with the PRC in the event of open hostilities. This ain't a pretty reality but more than a few kiwis need to grow up on this.
Nuclear weapons are never going away. We can ban them all we want, but any reasonably advanced nation can build a bunch before lunchtime if they feel the urgent need to. The weapons themselves – fearful as they are – are not the primary issue. The core problem is a world in which totalitarian regimes retain the capacity to project their rising power onto first their neighbours and then whole regions.
Arguing for banning nuclear weapons as solution to aggression – is like banning door locks as the answer to home invasion.
We should focus our international energy on solutions to climate and the urgent transitions we need on energy, food and transport.
All fine things. It’s called human development and we’ve been doing this really well for the decades since WW2. But you can be secure and rich, but not dead and rich.
It's [China's] a hairs-breadth away from becoming an enemy [of the US].
If that's true, then NZ should do everything possible to prevent it from happening. We may not have significant influence, but we need to send clear diplomatic signals that this is not what NZ wants – it shouldn't be what anyone wants, imho.
Now we get to pick a side – there will be no idealistic 'sitting it out as a neutral, non-nuclear, non-aligned' pixie dust land.
Ideologically-driven hawks are pushing for a 'confrontation' between China and AUKUS, and appear keen for NZ to pick a side. Can our small, stable democracy withstand pressure from our "very, very, very good [5 eyes] friend" and its other allies? Given our divergent and successful response to the pandemic so far, maybe we can.
David 'I can smell the uranium of your breath' Lange and Helen Clark won't be everyone's cup of tea, but those left-leaning PMs spoke for me on matters of (nuclear) war – hope in the fullness of time I'll be able to say the same of Ardern.
New Zealand Prime Minister's comments cause a stir New Zealand's differences are there on the record. Maybe some of those remarks were unfortunate, a bit over the top. I tend to think they would be bypassed in the fullness of time. But the more important point is, as Clark herself has said, one of principle, and if the principle's staked out on the ground and the difference is there, well so be it, and not a lot can be done about it. And I think on both sides, this includes Australia as well as the United States, the leaderships are mature enough to recognise that difference and move on.
Fingers crossed commonsense prevails over hawkish impulses, at least for now.
Choosing calm language as tensions with the United States grow, Chinese leader Xi Jinping reiterated his nation's longtime policy of multilateralism on Tuesday, telling world leaders at the United Nations that disputes among countries “need to be handled through dialogue and cooperation."
His remarks came hours after U.S. President Joe Biden said he didn't have any intention of starting a “new Cold War" — itself a response to criticism from the U.N. chief this weekend that both Washington and Beijing need to make sure their differences and tensions don't derail their 42-year-old relationship and cause problems for the rest of the planet.
"One country’s success does not have to mean another country’s failure," Xi said in a prerecorded speech to the U.N. General Assembly's leaders' meeting in New York. "The world is big enough to accommodate common development and progress of all countries."
Yes and so unsurprising for Xi to visibly walk it back on the world stage, with the AUKUS deal sewn up last week, and the 4 Pillars meeting today. China getting the message … its "wolves" will turn into standard Labradoodles once more.
But it took the collective to push back against China to get that result.
As our own PM reminded in her US speech, we need each other.
Exactly. While everyone can agree the war is morally appalling and in an ideal world all leaders would act to prevent it as a matter of principle – for the moment at least we have to rely on more pragmatic means and make the cost of it too high.
Don't think Comrade Xi regards the BRI as a neocolonialist expansion plan. Probably will just contend Western countries continue to use their multinational corporations & private companies to effectively do the same thing?
PRC won't be repudiating their claim to Taiwan. They'll most likely take it back eventually, one way or another. May not be by military means.
They've held sway in Tibet for so long they'll see no need to pull out of there.
India may yet give them another bloody nose at the border. Depends how much military might Xi wants to invest in what I assume is relatively small amount of territory. Is it resource rich in something extremely valuable?
Numbers vary, depending on what is considered a military base, and whether operational etc. but scanning various figures and tote ups online, China has barely 3 on foreign soil–one a signal station in Myanmar, and the US has 800 plus in upwards of 80 countries including Air, Navy and Marines etc. possibly more if embassies containing significant numbers of armed personnel are counted.
US Imperialism remains the largest threat to world peace as it has been since becoming a nuclear power. Time for Aotearoa NZ to leave 5 Eyes (4 Eyes sounds better) and have pride in non aligned status with a fully independent foreign policy.
It's China that you are defending here. If you want to present the PRC as morally superior to the US then my short list above would be a starting point.
I've consistently said that the US is our least bad choice and nothing I've seen changes this calculus. Up until the leadership of Xi Xinping you might have been able to make an argument for the PRC – but not now. That ship has sailed.
You call me an 'ideological hawk' and maybe I am. I am going to stand against totalitarian regimes led by authoritarian strong-men like Hitler, Imperial Japan’s Hideki Tojo, Stalin, Mao, Pol Pot, the Kim family and Xi Xinping every damn time. This doesn't mean my allies are necessarily nice people or anyone I'd want to defend. I just need them to be effective.
I think we ought to change the focus of our condemnation in fact. Under Hu, the bellicose actions in Hong Kong and the threat to Taiwan weren't happening. The problem is Xi, not China. Like every other "President for life" he is automatically illegitimate. We, and our allies, have no problem with China in general, just the fool who is prepared to risk significant consequences for what seems like self-aggrandizement.
That assertion suits your narrative, but it's not what I'm doing. In as much as any country can have morals, I don't believe the PRC is morally superior to the US, and it's disappointing that your worldview constrains you to such a narrow interpretation of my comments. I invite you to read my comment @3.2.1 again and pinpoint where you believe I’m "defending" China – unless you mean "defending" China from a military assault, in which case yes, imho all countries should be defended from military aggression.
I believe democracy, the only system of governance I've participated in, is (far) preferable to communism, and I'd rather countries didn't (try to) impose their systems of governance on others. When a majority of citizens in a sovereign country clearly want a democratic say in how their country is run then pro-democracy movements, for example in Myanmar and Belarus, can be supported diplomatically. External aggression is not the answer.
Would also prefer that fully democratic governance could be continued in Hong Kong (a special administrative region) and Taiwan (whose sovereignty China disputes), and believe that other democratic countries should do what they can, short of going to war, to support established democracies there.
As for "making an argument for the PRC" – the PRC is a fact of life. What worries me is the idea that the PRC, or at least the CCP, is so evil and so great a threat to the lifestyles of ‘the golden billion’ that it must be ‘hounded’ out of extistence. Acting on such hawisk impulses cannot end well, imho.
Perhaps what this boils down to is that I believe that, for all their faults and internal challenges, both the US and the PRC have the right to exist and to govern themselves as they see fit.
unless you mean "defending" China from a military assault
That's cool. Now point me to anyone serious who has suggested invading the PRC mainland this century. (Invoking ghosts from 200 years past does not count.)
Would also prefer that fully democratic governance could be continued in Hong Kong (a special administrative region) and Taiwan (whose sovereignty China disputes), and believe that other democratic countries should do what they can, short of going to war, to support established democracies there.
That's also nice, except Xi Xinping has said he will go to war in order to absorb Taiwan into his regime. And followed up his words with substantial military preparations combined with almost daily armed incursions into the edges of Taiwan's airspace.
Provocative words and actions. In return you suggest we accept the threatened destruction of a nation very similar to NZ – in fact you could describe them as having more in common with us than virtually any other Asian nation – as a 'fact of life'.
or at least the CCP, is so evil and so great a threat to the lifestyles of ‘the golden billion’ that it must be ‘hounded’ out of extistence.
Yes. In the past 100 odd years we've had to do it at least four times and it's on the cards we're going to have to do it again. I know that's a bitter pill, even more so if it means we get sucked back into the orbit of the hated Yanks again – but there it is. Life sometimes sucks.
So much so it might give the thoughtful pause to consider what our grandparents generation did in the immediate aftermath of that last great global conflagration WW2. And what we might have to do in order to improve on their bitterly earned solution.
That's cool. Now point me to anyone serious who has suggested invading the PRC mainland this century.
If by “this century” you mean the last 22 years, then no-one – same goes for the US. If you mean the last 100 years then Japan springs to mind.
Xi Xinping has said he will go to war in order to absorb Taiwan into his regime.
If you say so. I believe war-mongering is detestable – that goes for “totalitarian monster” Xi’s war-mongering, and anyone else’s. ‘Good war-monger’ is an oxymoron, imho.
Provocative words and actions. In return you suggest we accept the threatened destruction of a nation very similar to NZ – in fact you could describe them as having more in common with us than virtually any other Asian nation – as a 'fact of life'.
Such a disappointing (but unsurprising) fabrication – we both know I've suggested no such thing. Your continuing penchant for twisting my words is noted.
Internal conflicts (Communists vs Nationalists) and WWII gave birth to modern China – god help us all if your vision of another war to end China comes to pass.
Exactly – the idea the PRC needs a massive military and the largest navy in the world by hull count in order to 'defend' itself is a complete non-sequitur. It's sole conceivable purpose is to replace the hated Americans as the regional hegemon. And that region extends from Africa in the West to AU/NZ in the south by sea – and across Central Asia to the Middle East by land.
And while invading is easy, occupying is much harder. The subjugation of the Uighur people might well be seen as a practise run toward perfecting the mass control of large populations and rendering them incapable of resisting eternal CCP control. A decade ago such a thought would have been unthinkable – now much less so. Chillingly less so.
My vision is the exact opposite of another war – preventing Xi Xinping from invading Taiwan is precisely the means to avoid one.
My vision is the exact opposite of another war – preventing Xi Xinping from invading Taiwan is precisely the means to avoid one.
Great – no more war is our shared vision. The US and regional players (notably China and countries hosting US military bases, i.e. Japan and South Korea) should make every effort, short of war, to avoid war.
Taiwan under Japanese rule (1895 – 1945)
Taiwan was Japan's first colony and can be viewed as the first step in implementing their "Southern Expansion Doctrine" of the late 19th century. Japanese intentions were to turn Taiwan into a showpiece "model colony" with much effort made to improve the island's economy, public works, industry, cultural Japanization, and to support the necessities of Japanese military aggression in the Asia-Pacific.
Japanese administrative rule of Taiwan ended after the end of hostilities with Japan in August 1945 during the World War II period, and the territory was placed under the control of the Republic of China (ROC) with the issuing of General Order No. 1. Japan formally renounced its sovereignty over Taiwan in the Treaty of San Francisco effective April 28, 1952. The experience of Japanese rule, ROC rule, and the February 28 massacre of 1947 continue to affect issues such as Taiwan Retrocession Day, national identity, ethnic identity, and the formal Taiwan independence movement.
Because the Yanks learned in WW2 and the Cold War that if you do not act early and decisively to contain and crush totalitarian monsters – you pay a terrible price later.
Note carefully – this does not mean you have to like the Americans, or they should be immune to scrutiny or criticism. Feel free to go on hating them as per usual. But the rest of us will also observe on where you choose to remain silent.
I might add that for many years after the Communists' very naughty win in China, Taiwan kept claiming to be the real China, and wanted to take the rest of China back. To make it worse, the silly USA decided that because Communism is so BAD, it had to officially recognise that poncey Taiwan Govt as the real China!
So piddly little Taiwan got recognised by the USA as the only one and real China, while the much more real Red China (which gave USA a good kick in the pants during Korea War) got no recognition at all.
One of the few good things Nixon did was to fix this idiocy up.
Who was suggesting that Taiwan has so much in common with NZ? Does Taiwan not still claim to be the true China Govt? Have they given uo that claim? At least NZ never made such a nonsensical claim.
Comedy! But we are both little and piddley in some ways.
I've said this elsewhere – in the aftermath of 1949 both the PRC and ROC made claim to each other's territory.
The difference in 2021 is that the ROC have long abandoned their claim when they became a democracy in the 70's, while the PRC has only doubled down on theirs.
I have scorn for ridiculous policies, like the USA insisting for 20 years or so that a tin-pot little island like Taiwan with the USA's favoured stooge Govt was the real Govt of the true China.
Taiwan never had any legitimate claim to China – lost by right of conquest with the approval of the vast majority of the people. Only US naval power prevented the same happening to Taiwan.
I have no contempt for NZ (your absurd idea).
I have a good deal of contempt for anti-Chinese people who admit no validity at all to China's claim to Taiwan. It is valid – but our Western policy has produced a situation where Taiwan now would be tragically affected by Chinese annexation.
Tell his military they can stand down from their preparations for imminent war
Stop expanding their already massive navy and airforce that now only serves an expansionist purpose
Stop their daily aggressive incursions into the airspace of other nations
Response: What countries has the PRC invaded. How many has the US invaded. 'Massive navy and airforce'? LOL! So Western countries can have massive navy and airforce but Chinese can't? China suffered 100 years of humiliation and foreign invasion from Japan and the West. Surely they have the right do everything to avoid a repeat?
Apologise for years of openly bombastic diplomatic rhetoric that is intended to intimidate and bully
Stop using their state controlled media to run jingoistic articles advocating to use nuclear weapons to eradicate Japan for instance
Response:
'intimidate and bully?' LOL – John McCain bomb bomb Iran, 'Weapons of mass destruction' the actual invasion of countless countries around the globe.
Pull back from their incursions into India and cease to militarise the Tibetean plateau
It was the Indians that went into China. The Tibetan plateau is part of China. They can do what they want there.
Dismantle the mass imprisonment of millions of Uighurs, and cease the demographic and cultural genocide of these people.
All bullshit –in any case an internal problem. No Muslim country condemns China, but only the countries that have killed the most muslims in the past 20 years.
Stop using the BRI as a fig-leaf for neo-colonial expansionism across Asia-Pacific and Africa
No country is forced into the BRI…its their sovereign choice. If you don;t do what the US says, the US rains bombs on you. The Chinese way is far superior.
Repudiate their territorial claim over Taiwan and the so called Nine Dashed Line in the South China Sea.
LOL! Taiwan also claims to be part of China, and Taiwan also claims the entire South China Sea – on behalf of guess what entity – China.
US hypocrisy is still no excuse for China, preventing local Democracy in Hong Kong, the treatment of the Muslim minority in China, and the threats against Taiwan, which whatever the past history, is now an independent self Governing State.
Suppressing the vote/undermining the Voting Rights Act, cutting funding for Family Planning/and now preparing the way step by step for a ban fertility treatments, allowing only skilled migrant labour/exploiting non voting illegals (new black slave class) for working class jobs (no sanctions on employers) let alone the millions of Americans under Patriot Act + surveillance regimes of the CT realm.
Local democracy in Hong Kong was suppressed from 1840 to 1997.
As for having to swallow the dead rat agreement for the return of its territory – there is license in contract law to revisit unequal agreements.
American encouragement of democracy in Hong Kong backfired on locals, just as arms sales to Taiwan are now doing.
There is no suppression of 'democracy' in Hong Kong.
All China is doing is simply pushing through a national security law that was agreed with the British way before 1997.
There are no issues with the treatment of the 'muslim minority'
That is bs western propaganda. That is why not one Muslim country has come out and condemned China's actions in Xinjiang. Heck, even the Taliban and China are getting close
"Now we get to pick a side – there will be no idealistic 'sitting it out as a neutral, non-nuclear, non-aligned' pixie dust land."
No need to pick a side. If there is a shooting war it will be in the South China Sea or Taiwan Straits. A long way away from NZ
The US will not go to war. Its all bluster. Americans are sick of foreign wars, and most Americans would not sacrifice their sons for Taiwan or the SCS.
On the other hand, the CPC considers Taiwan and the SCS its own territory so will fight like fuck to keep them.
On the other hand, the CPC considers Taiwan and the SCS its own territory so will fight like fuck to keep them.
There you have it in your own words. Despite all your denials above you are committed to war in the event Taiwan declares it's independence.
And who exactly is trying to 'take Taiwan off the PRC' – none other than of course the independent, democratic people and government of Taiwan themselves.
Self-serving circular nonsense – all a plausible lie intended to deceive gullible people in the west. You wouldn't try this line in Asia itself – you'd get laughed out of the room.
China has ALWAYS said it would fight like fuck to keep Taiwan. China has NEVER renounced the use of force. Publicly and loudly, in Asian and out of Asia.
And at one stage Taiwan said it would take over all of mainland China
Well there you have it. Not much ambiguity about that is there.
What you're also not mentioning is the full on blast of internal propaganda aimed at the mainland Chinese using the most openly bellicose language to inflame sentiments against the independence of Taiwan. You assume that because I cannot read Mandarin that I do not have contacts who do.
And at one stage Taiwan said it would take over all of mainland China
This is not the policy of the current govt in Taipei and it would be quite hilarious to think the mighty PRC feel at all threatened by this,
Australia getting SSN’s and the containment policy of China fails when it successfully invades Taiwan or the US & it’s regional Allies aka Japan, Sth Korea & Australia get such a beating they slowly pulled back to their respective countries like we did in WW2 when Japan achieved overmatched in the Pacific when it came a battle of survival between 42 & 43.
NZ RW Political Party’s with their Supporters & MFAT’s Trade at all costs Policy & dammed the consequences to NZ long term & or
NZ’s left burying its head in sand as the Sth Pacific Security Environment has changed forever on Thursday morning. Then acting like a drunk on the Roulette Table putting his/her last $50 on Red expecting that diplomacy will win on the Day & if not expecting the UN would ride over the hill like the US 7th CAV to protect the NZ as it’s the only plan in town?
While not considering planning for a worst scenario because a National Security & Economic Security Plan for NZ is all to hard & it means we the Left have to sallow a few dead rats like the right would have to do as well.
Thank you. So often it's the people who have put their lives on the line for the security of their nation who get these things right.
NZ’s left burying its head in sand as the Sth Pacific Security Environment has changed forever on Thursday morning.
In terms of an Asia-Pacific war with the PRC, immediate neighbours like Taiwan, Japan, Malaysia, Vietnam, Singapore and Indonesia while capable, would absorb a terrible punishment from the Chinese airforce and navy. They're just too close.
There are just three countries capable of standing up to a militant China and surviving – the US, India and now Australia. By next Thursday Australia could have a tranche of the latest Block Tomahawk cruise missiles stationed near Darwin and capable of sinking Chinese merchant ships in the Straits of Malacca.
From his perspective Xi Xinping sees a western world divided, often decadent, corrupt, weakened and unwilling to defend it's interests and allies in SE Asia. Like all bullies he holds his targets in contempt and has calculated we will let him invade Taiwan without much resistance.
The goal here is deterrence and containment. Everyone in SE Asia knows that if the PRC get away with expropriating Taiwan they will be next. Everyone in the region knows that the claim 'that Taiwan is part of China' is a plausible lie intended to fool gullibles in the west.
As you've said before, CCP strategists will have closely studied Imperial Japan's defeat and will understand two things – not to repeat the Japanese mistakes and that despite these mistakes just how close they came to winning the whole of Asia Pacific anyway. The CCP will be convinced they can do better – and indeed it's very likely they would.
Then acting like a drunk on the Roulette Table putting his/her last $50 on Red expecting that diplomacy will win on the Day & if not expecting the UN would ride over the hill like the US 7th CAV to protect the NZ as it’s the only plan in town?
As the most consistently pro-UN writer here – this is depressingly true. A decade ago one might have put some faith in a rules based UN order saving the day. But with an impotent UN incapable of even giving Taiwan independent recognition – well that cavalry ain't leaving barracks either.
In reality, the USA was not altruistically defending Australia and NZ in the battle of the Coral Sea: they were defending their own interests, which happened to coincide with ours. Lucky for us.
The Japanese did not in fact have the troops or resources available to invade Australia (the US had far more troops in Vietnam than the Japanese used in the Pacific, and the US still lost in Vietnam) and it would not have helped them with their big battles in China and Burma. It is truly unlikely that they would have bothered – despite all the scaremongering here in NZ.
Only after the defeat of the USA and Britain would we have eventually had to submit – sheer unreality. That was never going to happen.
Taiwan has persistently claimed to be the true China, even after Nixon finally recognised the real China. Small wonder that China claims Taiwan. A big dead rat there, Scud. And before China went Communist (how naughty!) the USA recognised Tibet as the 5th province of the great nation of China. Another dead rat.
The Japanese did not in fact have the troops or resources available to invade Australia
Their immediate goal was to deny the US the ability to use Townsville and Darwin as safe bases to operate from, and to then prevent Australian troops from returning back from operations in the ME and European theatres.
After that they could have subjugated the domestic populations of both AU and NZ at their leisure. A relatively modest task in comparison to what they'd already achieved in China and the across the whole of SE Asia already.
The Japs are were highly unlikely to invade Australia not for the lack of Troops, but for the necessity of Logistics of supplying of the troops on the ground. Even now most of the key access points & main arterial routes in Nth’ern Oz are still weather dependent even during the wet season, it was something we were taught on my Sub2 for Airfield Defence Guard (Airforce Infantry) SNCO and we walk the ground up at Weipa aka RAAF bare Base Scherger. The main arterial route is a class 3 rd (a form dirt rd to Pt Douglas which is closed in the wet, having drove it when I was in the AFDS Support Flt and it was rough as guts.
The Japanese Concept of Operations Plan was to contain Australia by seizing PNG, Bismarck Sea, down the Solly’s, New Hebrides & the Coral Sea. What would’ve happened had the Japs won the Battle of the Coral is anyone’s guess?
My assumption they would’ve had a crack at New Caledonia & swing left through the Sth Pacific which was weakly held by NZ & US Forces. But we were lucky that the IJN were led by very conservative Cdrs who unlike Yamamoto wanted to be Tojo in 1904, but had they not stuck with their prewar Operations Plan of chasing the Remains of the RN Far East Fleet in the Indian Ocean. But had they use their I Boats (Subs) in the Indian Ocean & use the Combined Fleet with its 4-6 or so Fleet Carriers & Battleship SQN in the Sth Pacific as Yamamoto wanted, it as the situation was in their favour as it could’ve completely unhinged the Allied War effort in the Pacific.
The reason why the Yanks lost Vietnam, is the same reasons why the lost Iraq & Afghanistan, they can’t fight a COIN War to save themselves nor do their Politicians understand the concept on How, Why When & Where fight a COIN War.
The Battle of the Coral Sea (incl the Bombing of Darwin) is a very big thing here in Oz and it studied at all levels of Command of the ADF as it was a close run thing. Thence the renew ADF interest of its former Naval & RAAF Base in Manus Is.
If we can prevent war by using Jaw Jaw i’m all for it as I know what the alternative is & it’s hell. But we on the left must also prepare what direction we must take if Jaw Jaw fails just like when poor old Neville had to make in the late 30’s when he realised it’s unlikely he could turn Hitler. My gut feeling is we are heading towards that direction that poor old Neville faced, that we are facing with China atm. Unfortunately it’s all new ball game now in our neck of the woods with the Oz SSN’s. But relying on Plan A is just plan nuts & stupid especially if it goes to shit as Ships, Aircraft & more importantly the trained Men & Women don’t grow on trees.
Thanks for the informed details there Scud. I accept that the IJN was unlikely to invade Aus/NZ in the near term – their immediate goal was to deny the US access to safe bases in northern Australia. And they damn nearly accomplished this.
All Japan had to do in 42-43 was isolate Australia and in the event the war in Europe had gone their way it would have only been a matter of time before they could have occupied a defenseless AU/NZ with relative ease.
I must confess it's only recently that I've read up on the Solomon and PNG campaigns – and just how astonishingly brutal and close the outcomes were. Whole battles literally pivoted on the most random details that could have so easily gone the other way. We grew up thinking that the Allied victory in the Pacific was somehow a given – it was no such bloody thing.
We owed a great historical debt to the US for the thousands of their young soldiers' lives that were expended expelling the Japanese troops from the islands they occupied during WW2 to build harbours & airstrips for their naval & air fleets.
Have you visited the Marine Memorial at QE2 Park in Paekakariki, RL?
It records, among other things, the numbers of marines who drowned during a tragic beach landing craft training exercise disaster that took place in far too rough seas.
Also the time someone in the training camp there accidentally fired a mortar round into the town of "Paekak", from memory, fortunately, with no casualties.
And – as the US is mainly a nation of beef eaters – how much they looked foward to each new supply of US beef that made it to the camp, after months of having to each lamb or mutton, which they referred to as "damned mountain goat!"
Wellington in particular owes the US Army (or it might have been Marines) engineers big time for constructing our magnificent & very scenic Coastal Highway from Paekakariki to Pukerua Bay.
[Sorry Mods: Left the "a" off "Gezza". First reply gone into Moderation. Can you delete it?]
@ RL. We've owed a great historical debt to the US for the thousands of their young soldiers' lives that were expended expelling the Japanese troops from the islands they occupied during WW2 to build harbours & airstrips for their naval & air fleets.
Have you visited the Marine Memorial at QE2 Park in Paekakariki, RL?
It records, among other things, the numbers of marines who drowned during a tragic beach landing craft training exercise disaster that took place in far too rough seas.
Also the time someone in the training camp there accidentally fired a mortar round into the town of "Paekak", from memory, fortunately, with no casualties.
And – as the US is mainly a nation of beef eaters – how much they looked foward to each new supply of US beef that made it to the camp, after months of having to eat NZ lamb or mutton, which they referred to as "damned mountain goat!"
Wellington in particular owes the US Army (or it might have been Marines) engineers big time for constructing our magnificent & very scenic Coastal Highway from Paekakariki to Pukerua Bay.
It's own status as a self governing part of the one China
What 'one China'?
Some years back before we moved to Australia, I did a number of tramping trips with a very senior retired Taiwanese govt official and learned a great deal from him. Kiwis really don't know much about the place – and yet we share a great deal of cultural similarity. Moreover after the great Maoist destruction of traditional Chinese heritage on the mainland, Taiwan can be considered the surviving remnant of it, a precious fragment now threatened and vulnerable. Modern Taiwan is a thriving, capable and wonderful nation – well worth visiting and getting to understand. It's what mainland China could and should have been if it was not for the communists.
There is no question that the people of Taiwan consider themselves Chinese – and they can make a strong case for this based on their unbroken chain of upholding and protecting this heritage. But absolutely they reject the idea this means they must be consumed by the CCP.
The reason why the CCP want to crush Taiwan can be explained in one word – democracy. They brutally stamped it out internally at Tiananmen Square and betrayed formal promises in order to crush it in Hong Kong. The idea that the people should be able to hold their leaders to account is an absolute anathema to the CCP who will reach out to undermine, damage and eradicate democratic governments anywhere they can reach.
The Taiwan question will neatly cleave the western world left into two camps – those who hold to the concept of socialism within a democratically accountable framework – and those who dream of a marxist revolution and permanent power.
The real war is to ensure the security of western democracy, and otherwise due international regime respect for national sovereignty. This is not served by a NATO stick in the territorial face of historic Russia, nor by anything of the like to historic China – whether via Hong Kong or Taiwan.
We have to learn from History – which nobody generally does.
Nations have revolutions and ideologies, but each nation's cultural style of rule tends to creep back and new theories like communism or democracy get subverted – the nation reverts to its natural culture. Putin could be seen as the newest autocratic Czar: Stalin as the last one.
Despite its half-forgotten communist ideology, this Chinese Govt is growing stronger, and behaving much as all the stronger dynasties did in the past.
We preach democracy, but practise our usual imperialist hypocrisy.
Democracy is good for us, but what we foster elsewhere can be a different matter.
For all practical purposes the current governing coalition in Taipei policy is that "The position of the Pan-Green Coalition of the ROC is that Taiwan is an independent sovereign state named "Republic of China", and Taiwan is not part of "China".
And this position is supported strongly by the Taiwanese people themselves. They and everyone else in the region watched events in Hong Kong unfold with dismay and are more determined than ever not to become vassals of China's 'President for Life'.
The Taiwanese 'question' has as much to do with the Western world, as the Quebec question has to do with China.
The Western world has declared forever that Taiwan is part of China. Indeed the US recognised Taiwan as China up until 1979.
"The idea that the people should be able to hold their leaders to account is an absolute anathema to the CCP who will reach out to undermine, damage and eradicate democratic governments anywhere they can reach."
Bullshit —the CPC does not give a flying fuck how NZ or Australia governs itself. Its always the West trying to change China, not the other way round.
Everyone in the region knows that the claim 'that Taiwan is part of China' is a plausible lie intended to fool gullibles in the west.
Taiwanese call themselves part of China – just look at their passport cover. And the PRC considers Taiwan part of China. And the USA recognised the Taiwanese government as the sole government of all of China up until 1949. And all Western countries abide, or at least pay lip service to the one China policy.
.
“Since the Kuomintang (KMT) retreat from mainland China in 1949, the island of Taiwan has firmly been held by the Republic of China (ROC) who continued to hold de facto sovereignty over the island. Though the legality of the KMT takeover of Taiwan has long been under question, the ROC was able to maintain its status as representing “China” in the United Nations until 1971, when it lost its seat to the mainland People’s Republic of China (PRC). Without an ROC surrender, the PRC has sought to reduce the political legitimacy of a formally independent Taiwan, through economic and diplomatic coercion in a policy it dubbed the ‘One China Principle’.
Although both countries still view themselves as the legitimate representative of ‘China’, since the 1990s, there has been a rising movement for the formal recognition of a separate Taiwanese independence and identity. A view in Taiwan is that the Republic of China and the People’s Republic of China are both sovereign, thus forming “two Chinas”, or “one China, one Taiwan”. Nevertheless, there are grounds for the notion that the PRC and the ROC/Taiwan have undergone such different paths, that it is impossible to reconcile the growing Taiwanese identity with a singular ‘China’.”
Precisely. An intelligent PRC leadership would have recognised this reality by now – instead under Xi Xingping it's doubled down on the rhetoric, intensified the jingoistic fervour and staked a great deal of his personal credibility and legitimacy on absorbing Taiwan.
However murky and contested the origins of this question – the reality is that Taiwan has been a separately governed entity since 1949 and forcing a 're-unification' against the will of the Taiwanese people has zero legitimacy.
“Oh for heavens sake, the PRC has no interest in taking over all of SE Asia and it would be militarily unrealistic.”
Well someone should tell Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia & India then. That China isn’t a threat to their respective countries? As the bulk of their Regular Armies, Airforces & in Vietnam’s case it Naval Assets are in the Nth, as it might something to do with the Middle Kingdom during the Middle Ages, including post 1949 as those countries respective both oral & written histories as they have clearly not forgotten Chinese invasions over the centuries or after 1949.
Just like the Eastern Europeans & Nordic Countries of Russia’s past intentions & the same could be said of the US since the end of WW2.
My faith in the UN, Humanity and Nations keeping their word that they will keep up their end of the negotiations died in East Timor in 99, when I was a part the Chap7 Peacekeeping Force INTERFET99- 00 and the remains of this carcass was buried, cremated & nuke during my 1-2 wk stint in Sth Sudan if not sooner in Middle East Region.
I know are a number of individuals here on The Standard who comment & write the odd post, still have faith in the UN, Humanity & that Nations keep their word during & after negotiations have gone in favour of them or against them.
Unfortunately, these individuals are going to hit Moral, Ethical, Religious ie (Quaker, Methodist & Presbyterian) Fork in the rd, Cross rd or the Crossing the Rubicon in the next 5-10yrs if Jaw Jaw fails to prevent War War aka the Two Way Range.
It is a bitter & sour pill to swallow with a very bad after taste, which is something I’m still struggling to understand or come to grips with the “Why, the Who & the How” Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow & into the Future. Some days it get the better of me of these decisions made by Politicians & that of my immediate Commanders or made by me as a Section/ Patrol Commander have made or should’ve, could’ve or shouldn’t & or shouldn’t etc, etc.
So we have had a few issues with some breaking covid rules, I am yet to read of anyone being convicted and what penalties they were imposed. So why increase the fines? This could be seen as a means to appease those in lockdown that are baying for blood, you could be forgiven in thinking that this is a right wing governments response 😱.
I think the main reason there have been few convictions is because like everything else, court cases are affected by lockdowns and are running way behind schedule. One notable anti-masker woman in Auckland who was arrested about 4 to 5 weeks ago will not face proceedings until mid to late October.
Altho I think quite a high number of people will contine to get caught breaching lockdowns. Folk are getting tired of their seclusion & taking risks.
Not a justification, by any means, but none of us has ever faced anything like these socially deprived enforced “home detentions” in our lives before. They’re necessary, but far from enjoyable.
Sarah's an excellent swimmer. I put a bread chunk down expecting a pukeko would amble along the path over my fence & find it. Once I saw her little face peek out from the foliage, I slowly pulled out my cellcam & beyond that hardly made another movement. She probably didn't realise I was there….
It looks like restrictions are coming for unvaccinated NZers. Great stuff. About time. There will need to be a special exemption for the immune compromised though.
Great another set of rules that are going to disproportionately effect Maori and Polynesians and no doubt other marginalized groups… just what NZ society needs…
Cheered on no doubt by the masses, the explosion of racism relating to the outbreak in South Auckland in facebook groups has been unreal, sickening actually…
But I guess that doesnt matter to those who've got secure accommodation, stable employment probably living in a leafy central suburbs and toasting your massive capital gains…
This is going to end badly long term there'll be massive schisms in society which I doubt we'll ever truly recover from…
What the hell has that diatribe got to do with the problem of unvaccinated people? Anyone who refuses to be vaccinated – whether they are white, black, yellow, green or brindle – should have restrictions placed on them so the rest of the community can go about their lives in relative safety. Simple as that.
And for your edification, the majority of anti-vaxxers are white so can't see what the subject of racism and poverty has to do with it except to infer I'm one of the masses ganging up on them on Facebook. I don't do Facebook precisely for the reason you have stated. As far as I can tell it is mainly a cesspit of conspiracy theorists, racists, rednecks and ignoramuses.
Also Im not talking about white anti vaxxers…. im talking about communities and demographics of people who for a bunch or reasons are already falling behind in vaccination rates. Mainly Maori and Polynesian in younger age cohorts. They already get the shitty end of the stick when it comes to education, health, justice, housing etc etc this is going to be another policy that drives that wedge deeper…
Well with Tamaki and Te Koha dripping poison in their ears for the last 8 months or so for political purposes, I can understand why there is a need to make up for the misinformation they have been receiving. The H2R people have been doing good work, and the older ones are getting jabbed at much the same rate as other demographics. It is the younger demographic that needs the catch up and there is work being done there also.
Yep the likes of the self appointed Bishop are a big problem, I can forsee a time if we go the route of a vaccine passport someone is going to have to decide if churchs are included in that. Exempt churches many will be upset, include them and that will play right into someone like Brian Tamaki's hands.
With initiatives such as the Shot Bros, and the likes of the Ngati Hine vaccination centre, I don't see Māori/Pacifica vaccinations lagging much behind Pakeha, for long.
Judith gave a reasonable interview on The Nation this morning, must have had some training. Will be interesting to see what’s in their ‘peer reviewed’ COVID Plan coming out next week. I wonder if it was Des Gorman who they used.
Must have a watch. Either tomorrow morning, or maybe later on their On Demand Three Now option.
Will tell you what I think.
Hopefully she’s listening to what see’s actually saying in this interview . Earlier this week on one tv appearance she referred to NZ’s Covid response “sittings” when she obviously meant to say settings.
Tbh she blurts out so many verbal bloopers like that I reckon either she’s really actually a bit of a doofus, or that she panics in important or difficult interviews & loses track. All the interviewer has to do is talk over her a couple of times, shoot some rapid-fire questions at her & she seems to come apart.
That’s interesting. Tova’s gone for her jugular at various other times.
Even John Campbell started off giving her a bit of a grilling earlier this week on Breakfast on One. But then backed off & let her have her say uniterrupted.
Wonder if the word’s gone out that if you keep giving her a savaging you won’t get any more interviews?
I don’t do farcebook much. Does Collins post tame interviews or soliloquies there?
That's an excellent interview with Collins. Best I've seen from her ever since her appointment as National's leader, I think.
Interesting comments she makes about the new Police Teams just announced (ARTs by another name after the Police Commissioner knows he got it wrong, by caving in to pressure from some quarters & cancelling the ARTs)
Quite a wide-ranging interview. She doesn't disgrace herself.
Tova even grills her at the end, telling her that National MPs are leaking their unhappiness with Collins to her. Collins says she's never seen them happier or more focussed on doing their jobs.
When Tova threw her some curve ball questions about her low polling, her senior office staff leaving, & recent public criticisms by her former Chief Press Officer, she remained unfazed & gave quite reasonable answers.
Newshub's published the full interview already, in the embedded video here:
One swallow doesn't make a summer. A leopard can't change its spots. Can't teach an old dog new tricks, etc, etc.
Collins is 62 years old. She's been in parliament for 20 years and was a lawyer before that. Media training at this point is clearly going against everything she has built herself upon, and is papering over the not inconsiderable cracks in her ethical and behavioural make up.
She may very well not be a spiteful and vindictive bully, but that is certainly the way she comes across to the public.
Yes, I agree. I find her erratic as well. So obviously far from being suitable PM material only the truly deluded + dedicated National supporter would give her even a snowflake's chance in hell of getting her Party back into power. Unlikely to see the year out. Must be deaf to the obvious sounds of the knives sharpening.
Only my opinion, but think she is one of those people who cravws the job a bit too much more than looking inward and seeing if they could actually handle the thing and the spotlight.
I actually think she was a pretty good senior MP, but leader material was kind of obvious from the start never going to work out very well.
Especially against Ardern.
To much clash of persona angry against a persona of nice.
What they are both actually like in real life would be interesting to see.
Notable contrast with the constant interruptions, the insertion of their own ill informed opinions and eye rolling from Tova and other media interviewers when interviewing Government MP's.
From chats to friends around, many are struggling with demotivated/depressed children. How can these children ( and adults) get some interaction between friends without meeting covertly, reminder that should level 2 remain until school returns that will be over 7 weeks ?
I cannot see Auckland being in level 2 before holidays, as should we be granted level 2 status result will be mass exodus as Aks spread around the country. Perhaps as an idea to throw out there, what about some give? Keep the boundary in tact but allow bubble mix over the holidays.
I take a walk each day for approximately one hour, and local parks are usually busy with children/teens hanging out. This morning we took our dog to Taipari Strand in Te Atatu, and there were family groups and teens out walking. Like you, I'm concerned about the mental health of our young people (in fact of everyone) at this time.
No; Cricklewood, let's not say "fuck the rules", it is possible to extend bubbles in even Delta PAL3, without resorting to such self-entitled nihilism. But then that's easy for me to say down here in Ōtepoti – where I have had kids back at school for a couple of weeks, and spent much free time out and about with scorching weather recently (not been on site a lot because beaches are not at all friendly to mobile devices what with sand and brine).
Also, kids are not just prone to depression just because of the COVID19 pandemic, the ongoing climate catastrophes (of which, SARS-CoV-2 emergence is but a single example) are quite enough for that!
A total of 15,543 people began the survey, 10,000 (68%) completed it. There was an even split in terms of gender (51% male, 49% female) and age group (49% aged 16-20; 51% aged 21-25 years)…
Many endorsed a range of negative emotions, with over 50% of respondents saying they had felt afraid, sad, anxious, angry, powerless, helpless, and/or guilty. The emotions least often reported were optimism and indifference. Respondents endorsed a range of negative thoughts, with 77% saying the future was frightening. Among those who said they talked with others about climate change (81·2% of the sample), almost half (48·4%) reported that other people had ignored or dismissed them. Results for thoughts and feelings about climate change varied significantly by country but were strikingly present in all populations…
Participants tended to rate government response negatively… Over 60% of the sample disagreed with every positive statement and agreed with every negative statement, with significant differences among countries. Across all countries, participants reported greater feelings of betrayal than of reassurance
Essentially yes. There is a good analysis of the thinking by Ministers and the Ministry of Health here. There are pros and cons – the teams are required to repay some of the cost they do take up some of the space in MIQ. Ministers have sought to move teams out of designated MIQ hotels to other spaces, but there are problems with doing that, including insufficient staff and inadequate facilities. If they were to cancel visiting teams when the country is for the most part covid free, there would be hell to pay. Not from myself, but I know my neighbours (and many like them) would be livid. What else would there be for them to live for?
Poor Lauren Boebert she had to steal from her campaign funds to pay her rent and utilities and she clearly can't afford paying anybody to proofread her stuff.
The Associated Press with Spanish-language broadcaster Univision accompanied the Ocean Warrior this summer on an 18-day voyage to observe up close for the first time the Chinese distant water fishing fleet on the high seas off South America.
The vigilante patrol was prompted by an international outcry last summer when hundreds of Chinese vessels were discovered fishing for squid near the long-isolated Galapagos Islands, a UNESCO world heritage site that inspired 19th-century naturalist Charles Darwin and is home to some of the world’s most endangered species, from giant tortoises to hammerhead sharks.
China’s deployment to this remote expanse is no accident. Decades of overfishing have pushed its overseas fleet, the world’s largest, ever farther from home. Officially capped at 3,000 vessels, the fleet might actually consist of thousands more. Keeping such a sizable flotilla at sea, sometimes for years at a time, is at once a technical feat made possible through billions in state subsidies and a source of national pride akin to what the U.S. space program was for generations of Americans.
Thanks joe. I found that very interesting & informative. Let's hope that UN International Treaty On Fishing the video refers to gets finalised & passed before too much longer
Altho if countries like China happily sign up to it, it probably won't amount to a hill of beans if their long-range fleet fishing boats continue switching off their trackers & carry on illegally fishing other countries' EEZs.
Also the increasingly muscular -& frequently even outright aggressive – posture PLAN – their navy – is adopting might end up seeing China's ever-growing number of huge, well-armed, seagoing Coast Guard ships involved in confrontations with naval assets of other countries coming to challenge Chinese fishing ships operating within their territorial waters.
Ah, The bastards are back up to their usual shenanigans again, that’s the 3rd straight yr they’ve rape & pillage around the Galapagos Is. Last yr was the worst the locals, Government Bodies & the various NGO’s, with some saying if there is another yr like this by the Chinese Fishing Fleet in 2021. They certainly believe that the Chinese Fishing Fleet would case the biodiversity around the Galapagos Is to totally collapse.
Gezza,
The Chinese Fishing Fleet were using the same tactics in NZ’s EEZ for 2-3yrs straight possibly now Nth to Nth East of the Kermadec’s out of Fiji’s EZZ & Tonga via the Minerva Reefs up to a depth of between 50- 100kms inside NZ’s EEZ Illegally & even more concerning is the reported use of the Chinese Coast Guard Ships (these Ships are the size or bigger of the current RNZN ANZAC Frigates with a Combat Mission System & Intelligence, Surveillance & Reconnaissance also known as ISR Capability to match the ANZAC’s) the necessary overwatch incase the Kiwis coming looking.
Given the NZDF lack of resources to Enforce NZ’s EEZ through the lack of funding & lack from NZG over the decades. Countries like China & to a lesser degree Sth Korea & Taiwan including a of EU Countries in the Southern Ocean . See NZ’s EEZ as a rich juicy target to be raped & pillage, and especially now since last Thursday when Australia said it’s now going to purchase a number of SSN’s. Expect to see the Chinese Fishing Fleet & it various Coast Guard/ Spy Ships aka start mapping the sea floor as the start poking down NZ’s Eastern edge of its EEZ.
As it’s easier to deploy its SSN’s & possible Bomber Subs through the backdoor of NZ and possibly shot the gap between Stewart Island and Campbell Island to patrol around the RAN Fleet Bases & off Adelaide’s ASC Dockyard than trying to head down the Tasman or through the Indonesian Archipelago.
As I’ve said already the Sth Pacific & NZ Security Environment has changed forever now since Thursday when Australia announced it will now purchase a number of SSN’s & to paraphrase the AoC 11 Group AVM Sir Keith Parks at the start of BoB “The Bastards won’t stop now until we either surrender or we knock’m out of the sky”
Btw, I’m not saying we should sunk them Willy nilly, but the NZG should now onwards Publicly Announce the Chinese Fishing Fleet when they are caught illegally in NZ’s EEZ & not through the usual back channels of quite diplomacy. Also that should go for everyone else for that matter regardless of who the are if it’s ship or a sub.
Daylight savings in my house already (though not officially till 2am tomorrow) which has me a bit off kilter, but at least kids in bed early for once. Some weird stories out of Te Anau about going fulltime into summer, which seems to be largely marketing fluff. But then, Te Waipounamu is more of a South-West Island than a South Island to Te Ika-a-Māui. Even Ōtautahi (CHCH) is further west of anything up in the Big Fish short of Cape Reinga.
Rather than perpetually staying in Daylight Saving Time, the SW Islands might be better to adopt a similar timezone UTC+11 as "New Caledonia" (that other western outcrop of the largely sunken continent of Zelandia), or the Solomons. Which would still allow a local Daylight Saving Time, which has advantages in such a temperate zone with substantial seasonal variations (though some dislike it).
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In today’s digital world, screenshots have become an indispensable tool for communication and documentation. Whether you need to capture an important email, preserve a website page, or share an error message, screenshots allow you to quickly and easily preserve digital information. If you’re an Asus laptop user, there are several ...
A factory reset restores your Gateway laptop to its original factory settings, erasing all data, apps, and personalizations. This can be necessary to resolve software issues, remove viruses, or prepare your laptop for sale or transfer. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to factory reset your Gateway laptop: Method 1: ...
“You talking about me?”The neoliberal denigration of the past was nowhere more unrelenting than in its depiction of the public service. The Post Office and the Railways were held up as being both irremediably inefficient and scandalously over-manned. Playwright Roger Hall’s “Glide Time” caricatures were presented as accurate depictions of ...
Roger Partridge writes – When the Coalition Government took office last October, it inherited a country on a precipice. With persistent inflation, decades of insipid productivity growth and crises in healthcare, education, housing and law and order, it is no exaggeration to suggest New Zealand’s first-world status was ...
Rob MacCulloch writes – In 2022, the Curriculum Centre at the Ministry of Education employed 308 staff, according to an Official Information Request. Earlier this week it was announced 202 of those staff were being cut. When you look up “The New Zealand Curriculum” on the Ministry of ...
Chris Bishop’s bill has stirred up a hornets nest of opposition. Photo: Lynn Grieveson for The KākāTL;DR: The six things that stood out to me in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, poverty and climate from the last day included:A crescendo of opposition to the Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill is ...
Monday left me brokenTuesday, I was through with hopingWednesday, my empty arms were openThursday, waiting for love, waiting for loveThe end of another week that left many of us asking WTF? What on earth has NZ gotten itself into and how on earth could people have voluntarily signed up for ...
Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on the past week’s editions.State of humanity, 20242024, it feels, keeps presenting us with ever more challenges, ever more dismay.Do you give up yet? It seems to ask.No? How about this? Or this?How about this?Full story Share ...
Determining the hardest sport in the world is a subjective matter, as the difficulty level can vary depending on individual abilities, physical attributes, and experience. However, based on various factors including physical demands, technical skills, mental fortitude, and overall accomplishment, here is an exploration of some of the most challenging ...
The allure of sport transcends age, culture, and geographical boundaries. It captivates hearts, ignites passions, and provides unparalleled entertainment. Behind the spectacle, however, lies a fascinating world of financial investment and expenditure. Among the vast array of competitive pursuits, one question looms large: which sport carries the hefty title of ...
Introduction Pickleball, a rapidly growing paddle sport, has captured the hearts and imaginations of millions around the world. Its blend of tennis, badminton, and table tennis elements has made it a favorite among players of all ages and skill levels. As the sport’s popularity continues to surge, the question on ...
Abstract: Soccer, the global phenomenon captivating millions worldwide, has a rich history that spans centuries. Its origins trace back to ancient civilizations, but the modern version we know and love emerged through a complex interplay of cultural influences and innovations. This article delves into the fascinating journey of soccer’s evolution, ...
Tinting car windows offers numerous benefits, including enhanced privacy, reduced glare, UV protection, and a more stylish look for your vehicle. However, the cost of window tinting can vary significantly depending on several factors. This article provides a comprehensive guide to help you understand how much you can expect to ...
The pungent smell of gasoline in your car can be an alarming and potentially dangerous problem. Not only is the odor unpleasant, but it can also indicate a serious issue with your vehicle’s fuel system. In this article, we will explore the various reasons why your car may smell like ...
Tree sap can be a sticky, unsightly mess on your car’s exterior. It can be difficult to remove, but with the right techniques and products, you can restore your car to its former glory. Understanding Tree Sap Tree sap is a thick, viscous liquid produced by trees to seal wounds ...
The amount of paint needed to paint a car depends on a number of factors, including the size of the car, the number of coats you plan to apply, and the type of paint you are using. In general, you will need between 1 and 2 gallons of paint for ...
Jump-starting a car is a common task that can be performed even in adverse weather conditions like rain. However, safety precautions and proper techniques are crucial to avoid potential hazards. This comprehensive guide will provide detailed instructions on how to safely jump a car in the rain, ensuring both your ...
Graham Adams writes about the $55m media fund — When Patrick Gower was asked by Mike Hosking last week what he would say to the many Newstalk ZB callers who allege the Labour government bribed media with $55 million of taxpayers’ money via the Public Interest Journalism Fund — and ...
Note: this blog post has been put together over the course of the week I followed the happenings at the conference virtually. Should recordings of the Great Debates and possibly Union Symposia mentioned below, be released sometime after the conference ends, I'll include links to the ones I participated in. ...
The following was my submission made on the “Fast Track Approvals Bill”. This potential law will give three Ministers unchecked powers, un-paralled since the days of Robert Muldoon’s “Think Big” projects.The submission is written a bit tongue-in-cheek. But it’s irreverent because the FTAB is in itself not worthy of respect. ...
One Could Reduce Child Poverty At No Fiscal CostFollowing the Richardson/Shipley 1990 ‘redesign of the welfare state’ – which eliminated the universal Family Benefit and doubled the rate of child poverty – various income supplements for families have been added, the best known being ‘Working for Families’, introduced in 2005. ...
Buzz from the Beehive A few days ago, Point of Order suggested the media must be musing “on why Melissa is mute”. Our article reported that people working in the beleaguered media industry have cause to yearn for a minister as busy as Melissa Lee’s ministerial colleagues and we drew ...
1. What was The Curse of Jim Bolger?a. Winston Peters b. Soon after shaking his hand, world leaders would mysteriously lose office or shuffle off this mortal coilc. Could never shake off the Mother of All Budgetsd. Dandruff2. True or false? The Chairman of a Kiwi export business has asked the ...
Jack Vowles writes – New Zealand is said to be suffering from ‘serious populist discontent’. An IPSOS MORI survey has reported that we have an increasing preference for strong leaders, think that the economy is rigged toward the rich and powerful, and political elites are ignoring ‘hard-working people’. ...
Chris Trotter writes – MELISSA LEE should be deprived of her ministerial warrant. Her handling – or non-handling – of the crisis engulfing the New Zealand news media has been woeful. The fate of New Zealand’s two linear television networks, a question which the Minister of Broadcasting, Communications ...
TL;DR: The podcast above features co-hosts and , along with regular guests Robert Patman on Gaza and AUKUS II, and on climate change.The six things that mattered in Aotearoa’s political economy that we wrote and spoke about via The Kākā and elsewhere for paying subscribers in the ...
Policymakers rarely wish to make plain or visible their desire to dismantle environmental policy, least of all to the young. Photo: Lynn GrievesonTL;DR: Here’s the top five news items of note in climate news for Aotearoa-NZ this week, and a discussion above between Bernard Hickey and The Kākā’s climate correspondent ...
I like to keep an eye on what’s happening in places like the UK, the US, and over the ditch with our good mates the Aussies. Let’s call them AUKUS, for want of a better collective term. More on that in a bit.It used to be, not long ago, that ...
TL;DR: The global economy will be one fifth smaller than it would have otherwise been in 2050 as a result of climate damage, according to a new study by the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) and published in the journal Nature. (See more detail and analysis below, and ...
New Zealand is said to be suffering from ‘serious populist discontent’. An IPSOS MORI survey has reported that we have an increasing preference for strong leaders, think that the economy is rigged toward the rich and powerful, and political elites are ignoring ‘hard-working people’. The data is from February this ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters is understood to be planning a major speech within the next fortnight to clear up the confusion over whether or not New Zealand might join the AUKUS submarine project. So far, there have been conflicting signals from the Government. RNZ reported the Prime Minister yesterday in ...
Life throws curveballs, and sometimes, those curveballs necessitate wiping your iPhone clean and starting anew. Whether you’re facing persistent software glitches, preparing to sell your device, or simply wanting a fresh start, knowing how to factory reset iPhone without a computer is a valuable skill. While using a computer with ...
Gone are the days when communication was limited to landline phones and physical proximity. Today, computers have become powerful tools for connecting with people across the globe through voice and video calls. But with a plethora of applications and methods available, how to call someone on a computer might seem ...
Open access notables Glacial isostatic adjustment reduces past and future Arctic subsea permafrost, Creel et al., Nature Communications:Sea-level rise submerges terrestrial permafrost in the Arctic, turning it into subsea permafrost. Subsea permafrost underlies ~ 1.8 million km2 of Arctic continental shelf, with thicknesses in places exceeding 700 m. Sea-level variations over glacial-interglacial cycles control ...
The operating system (OS) is the heart and soul of a computer, orchestrating every action and interaction between hardware and software. But have you ever wondered where on a computer is the operating system generally stored? The answer lies in the intricate dance between hardware and software components, particularly within ...
Laptops have become essential tools for work, entertainment, and communication, offering portability and functionality. However, with rising energy costs and growing environmental concerns, understanding a laptop’s power consumption is more important than ever. So, how many watts does a laptop use? The answer, unfortunately, isn’t straightforward. It depends on several ...
Screen recording has become an essential tool for various purposes, such as creating tutorials, capturing gameplay footage, recording online meetings, or sharing information with others. Fortunately, Dell laptops offer several built-in and external options for screen recording, catering to different needs and preferences. This guide will explore various methods on ...
A cracked or damaged laptop screen can be a frustrating experience, impacting productivity and enjoyment. Fortunately, laptop screen repair is a common service offered by various repair shops and technicians. However, the cost of fixing a laptop screen can vary significantly depending on several factors. This article delves into the ...
Gaming laptops represent a significant investment for passionate gamers, offering portability and powerful performance for immersive gaming experiences. However, a common concern among potential buyers is their lifespan. Unlike desktop PCs, which allow for easier component upgrades, gaming laptops have inherent limitations due to their compact and integrated design. This ...
The annual inventory report of New Zealand's greenhouse gas emissions has been released, showing that gross emissions have dropped for the third year in a row, to 78.4 million tons: All-told gross emissions have decreased by over 6 million tons since the Zero Carbon Act was passed in 2019. ...
Experiencing a locked computer can be frustrating, especially when you need access to your files and applications urgently. The methods to unlock your computer will vary depending on the specific situation and the type of lock you encounter. This guide will explore various scenarios and provide step-by-step instructions on how ...
While the world has largely transitioned to digital communication, faxing still holds relevance in certain industries and situations. Fortunately, gone are the days of bulky fax machines and dedicated phone lines. Today, you can easily send and receive faxes directly from your computer, offering a convenient and efficient way to ...
In our increasingly digital world, home computers have become essential tools for work, communication, entertainment, and more. However, this increased reliance on technology also exposes us to various cyber threats. Understanding these threats and taking proactive steps to protect your home computer is crucial for safeguarding your personal information, finances, ...
In the ever-evolving world of technology, server-based computing has emerged as a cornerstone of modern digital infrastructure. This article delves into the concept of server-based computing, exploring its various forms, benefits, challenges, and its impact on the way we work and interact with technology. Understanding Server-Based Computing: At its core, ...
The absolute brass neck of this guy.We want more medical doctors, not more spin doctors, Luxon was saying a couple of weeks ago, and now we’re told the guy has seven salaried adults on TikTok duty. Sorry, doing social media. The absolute brass neck of it. The irony that the ...
Buzz from the Beehive Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones relishes spatting and eagerly takes issue with environmentalists who criticise his enthusiasm for resource development. He relishes helping the fishing industry too. And so today, while the media are making much of the latest culling in the public service to ...
Having written, taught and worked for the US government on issues involving unconventional warfare and terrorism for 30-odd years, two things irritate me the most when the subject is discussed in public. The first is the Johnny-come-lately academics-turned-media commentators who … Continue reading → ...
Eric Crampton writes – Kainga Ora is the government’s house building agency. It’s been building a lot of social housing. Kainga Ora has its own (but independent) consenting authority, Consentium. It’s a neat idea. Rather than have to deal with building consents across each different territorial authority, Kainga Ora ...
Muriel Newman writes – The Coalition Government says it is moving with speed to deliver campaign promises and reverse the damage done by Labour. One of their key commitments is to “defend the principle that New Zealanders are equal before the law.” To achieve this, they have pledged they “will not advance ...
Chris Trotter writes – The absence of anything resembling a fightback from the public servants currently losing their jobs is interesting. State-sector workers’ collective fatalism in the face of Coalition cutbacks indicates a surprisingly broad acceptance of impermanence in the workplace. Fifty years ago, lay-offs in the thousands ...
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. ...
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. ...
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. ...
Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson is calling on all parties to support a common-sense change that’s great for the planet and great for consumers after her member’s bill was drawn from the ballot today. ...
A significant milestone has been reached in the fight to strike an anti-Pasifika and unfair law from the country’s books after Teanau Tuiono’s members’ bill passed its first reading. ...
New Zealand has today missed the opportunity to uphold the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment, says James Shaw after his member’s bill was voted down in its first reading. ...
Today’s advice from the Climate Change Commission paints a sobering reality of the challenge we face in combating climate change, especially in light of recent Government policy announcements. ...
Minister for Disability Issues Penny Simmonds appears to have delayed a report back to Cabinet on the progress New Zealand is making against international obligations for disabled New Zealanders. ...
The Government’s newly announced review of methane emissions reduction targets hints at its desire to delay Aotearoa New Zealand’s urgent transition to a climate safe future, the Green Party said. ...
The Government must commit to the Maitai School building project for students with high and complex needs, to ensure disabled students from the top of the South Island have somewhere to learn. ...
Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey and his Government colleagues have made a meal of their mental health commitments, showing how flimsy their efforts to champion the issue truly are, says Labour Mental Health spokesperson Ingrid Leary. ...
Māori are yet to see anything from this Government except cuts, reversals and taking our people backwards, Māori Development spokesperson Willie Jackson said. ...
The Coalition Government’s refusal to commit to ongoing funding for social housing is seeing the sector pull back on developments and families watch their dreams of securing a home fade away, says Labour Housing spokesperson Kieran McAnulty. ...
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 ...
The Government is today releasing a list of organisations who received letters about the Fast-track applications process, says RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop. “Recently Ministers and agencies have received a series of OIA requests for a list of organisations to whom I wrote with information on applying to have a ...
Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister David Jonathan Boldt as a Judge of the High Court, and the Honourable Justice Matthew Palmer as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Boldt graduated with an LLB from Victoria University of Wellington in 1990, and also holds ...
Education Minister Erica Stanford will lead the New Zealand delegation at the 2024 International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP) held in Singapore. The delegation includes representatives from the Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) Te Wehengarua and the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) Te Riu Roa. The summit is co-hosted ...
A stopbank upgrade project in Tairawhiti partly funded by the Government has increased flood resilience for around 7000ha of residential and horticultural land so far, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones today attended a dawn service in Gisborne to mark the end of the first stage of the ...
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters will represent the Government at Anzac Day commemorations on the Gallipoli Peninsula next week and engage with senior representatives of the Turkish government in Istanbul. “The Gallipoli campaign is a defining event in our history. It will be a privilege to share the occasion ...
Science, Innovation and Technology and Defence Minister Judith Collins will next week attend the OECD Science and Technology Ministerial conference in Paris and Anzac Day commemorations in Belgium. “Science, innovation and technology have a major role to play in rebuilding our economy and achieving better health, environmental and social outcomes ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The Prime Minister was accompanied by MP Paulo Garcia, the first Filipino to be elected to a legislature outside the Philippines. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon and President Marcos Jr discussed opportunities to ...
The Government has announced that $20 million in funding will be made available to Westport to fund much needed flood protection around the town. This measure will significantly improve the resilience of the community, says Local Government Minister Simeon Brown. “The Westport community has already been allocated almost $3 million ...
The Government is proud to support the first ever Repco Supercars Championship event in Taupō as up to 70,000 motorsport fans attend the Taupō International Motorsport Park this weekend, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. “Anticipation for the ITM Taupō Super400 is huge, with tickets and accommodation selling out weeks ...
Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced an increase to the Rates Rebate Scheme, putting money back into the pockets of low-income homeowners. “The coalition Government is committed to bringing down the cost of living for New Zealanders. That includes targeted support for those Kiwis who are doing things tough, such ...
The Coalition Government is investing in a project to boost survival rates of New Zealand mussels and grow the industry, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has announced. “This project seeks to increase the resilience of our mussels and significantly boost the sector’s productivity,” Mr Jones says. “The project - ...
Benefit figures released today underscore the importance of the Government’s plan to rebuild the economy and have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “Benefit numbers are still significantly higher than when National was last in government, when there was about 70,000 fewer ...
The Government’s commitment to doubling New Zealand’s renewable energy capacity is backed by new data showing that clean energy has helped the country reach its lowest annual gross emissions since 1999, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealand’s latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory (1990-2022) published today, shows gross emissions fell ...
The Government is bringing the earthquake-prone building review forward, with work to start immediately, and extending the deadline for remediations by four years, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “Our Government is focused on rebuilding the economy. A key part of our plan is to cut red tape that ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his Thai counterpart, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, have today agreed that New Zealand and the Kingdom of Thailand will upgrade the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership by 2026. “New Zealand and Thailand have a lot to offer each other. We have a strong mutual desire to build ...
RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Transport Minister Simeon Brown have today announced the Coalition Government’s intention to extend port coastal permits for a further 20 years, providing port operators with certainty to continue their operations. “The introduction of the Resource Management Act in 1991 required ports to obtain coastal ...
Today’s announcement that inflation is down to 4 per cent is encouraging news for Kiwis, but there is more work to be done - underlining the importance of the Government’s plan to get the economy back on track, acting Finance Minister Chris Bishop says. “Inflation is now at 4 per ...
Refreshed health guidance released today will help parents and schools make informed decisions about whether their child needs to be in school, addressing one of the key issues affecting school attendance, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour. In recent years, consistently across all school terms, short-term illness or medical reasons ...
Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is streamlining high-level oceans management while maintaining a focus on supporting the sector’s role in the export-led recovery of the economy. “I am working to realise the untapped potential of our fishing and aquaculture sector. To achieve that we need to be smarter with ...
Associate Agriculture Minister Mark Patterson is speaking at the International Wool Textile Organisation Congress in Adelaide, promoting New Zealand wool, and outlining the coalition Government’s support for the revitalisation the sector. "New Zealand’s wool exports reached $400 million in the year to 30 June 2023, and the coalition Government ...
The Government is making legislative changes to make it easier for new early learning services to be established, and for existing services to operate, Associate Education Minister David Seymour says. The changes involve repealing the network approval provisions that apply when someone wants to establish a new early learning service, ...
Changes to the Resource Management Act will align consenting for coal mining to other forms of mining to reduce barriers that are holding back economic development, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The inconsistent treatment of coal mining compared with other extractive activities is burdensome red tape that fails to acknowledge ...
Trade, Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay has concluded productive discussions with ministerial counterparts in Beijing today, in support of the New Zealand-China trade and economic relationship. “My meeting with Commerce Minister Wang Wentao reaffirmed the complementary nature of the bilateral trade relationship, with our Free Trade Agreement at its ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon today paid tribute to Singapore’s outgoing Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. Meeting in Singapore today immediately before Prime Minister Lee announced he was stepping down, Prime Minister Luxon warmly acknowledged his counterpart’s almost twenty years as leader, and the enduring legacy he has left for Singapore and South East ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. While in Singapore as part of his visit to South East Asia this week, Prime Minister Luxon also met with Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and will meet with Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has made further appointments to the Board of Antarctica New Zealand as part of a continued effort to ensure the Scott Base Redevelopment project is delivered in a cost-effective and efficient manner. The Minister has appointed Neville Harris as a new member of the Board. Mr ...
Finance Minister Nicola Willis will travel to the United States on Tuesday to attend a meeting of the Five Finance Ministers group, with counterparts from Australia, the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. “I am looking forward to meeting with our Five Finance partners on how we can work ...
The coalition Government has today announced purrfect and pawsitive changes to the Residential Tenancies Act to give tenants with pets greater choice when looking for a rental property, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “Pets are important members of many Kiwi families. It’s estimated that around 64 per cent of New ...
State Highway 1 (SH1) through Wellington City is heavily congested at peak times and while planning continues on the duplicate Mt Victoria Tunnel and Basin Reserve project, the Government has also asked NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) to consider and provide advice on a Long Tunnel option, Transport Minister Simeon Brown ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Foreign Minister Winston Peters have condemned Iran’s shocking and illegal strikes against Israel. “These attacks are a major challenge to peace and stability in a region already under enormous pressure," Mr Luxon says. "We are deeply concerned that miscalculation on any side could ...
Hundreds of people in little over a week have turned out in Northland to hear Regional Development Minister Shane Jones speak about plans for boosting the regional economy through infrastructure. About 200 people from the infrastructure and associated sectors attended an event headlined by Mr Jones in Whangarei today. Last ...
Health Minister Dr Shane Reti has today thanked outgoing Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora Chair Dame Karen Poutasi for her service on the Board. “Dame Karen tendered her resignation as Chair and as a member of the Board today,” says Dr Reti. “I have asked her to ...
The NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) has signalled their proposed delivery approach for the Government’s 15 Roads of National Significance (RoNS), with the release of the State Highway Investment Proposal (SHIP) today, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Boosting economic growth and productivity is a key part of the Government’s plan to ...
New Zealand is renewing its connections with a world facing urgent challenges by pursuing an active, energetic foreign policy, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. “Our country faces the most unstable global environment in decades,” Mr Peters says at the conclusion of two weeks of engagements in Egypt, Europe and the United States. “We cannot afford to sit back in splendid ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has announced the Australian Governor-General, His Excellency General The Honourable David Hurley and his wife Her Excellency Mrs Linda Hurley, will make a State visit to New Zealand from Tuesday 16 April to Thursday 18 April. The visit reciprocates the State visit of former Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy ...
Associate Health Minister David Seymour has announced that Medsafe has approved 11 cold and flu medicines containing pseudoephedrine. Pharmaceutical suppliers have indicated they may be able to supply the first products in June. “This is much earlier than the original expectation of medicines being available by 2025. The Government recognised ...
New Zealand and the United States have recommitted to their strategic partnership in Washington DC today, pledging to work ever more closely together in support of shared values and interests, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. “The strategic environment that New Zealand and the United States face is considerably more ...
April 11, 2024 Joint Declaration by United States Secretary of State the Honorable Antony J. Blinken and New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs the Right Honourable Winston Peters We met today in Washington, D.C. to recommit to the historic partnership between our two countries and the principles that underpin it—rule ...
By Koroi Hawkins, RNZ Pacific editor in Honiara Solomon Islands’ incumbent prime minister Manasseh Sogavare has been re-elected in the East Choiseul constituency. It is the opening move in the political chess match to form the country’s next government. Returning officer Christopher Makoni made the declaration late last night after ...
Headline: The moment of friction. – 36th Parallel Assessments In strategic studies “friction” is a term that it is used to describe the moment when military action encounters adversary resistance. “Friction” is one of four (along with an unofficial fifth) “F’s” in military strategy, which includes force (kinetic mass), ...
The Fast-track Bill, if passed, would allow three Ministers, unchallenged and unchecked, to approve the immediate extraction and exhaustion of one-off resources. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Stephen Duckett, Honorary Enterprise Professor, School of Population and Global Health, and Department of General Practice and Primary Care, The University of Melbourne iamharin/Shutterstock For many people, the term “bulk billed” refers to a GP visit they don’t have to pay ...
Emmas Hislop, Sidnam and Wehipeihana discuss what’s in a name. Emma Sidnam: Hello Emmas! Thank you so much for agreeing to do this with me. My first question for you is related to what’s been on my mind for a while. It’s very important. You see we’ve recently had some ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michael Sievers, Research Fellow, Global Wetlands Project, Australia Rivers Institute, Griffith University Chris Brown Humans love the coast. But we love it to death, so much so we’ve destroyed valuable coastal habitat – in the case of some types of habitat, ...
Josh Thomson on the 80s milk ad jingle he can’t stop singing, the beauty of The Simpsons, why Jersey Shore is as good as Shakespeare and more. For someone who spends a lot of time on our screens, popping up in everything from 7 Days to Taskmaster, Educators to Good ...
In apparent defiance of the Biden administration, the Netanyahu government has now initiated missile strikes against Iran. Last Saturday night (Sunday morning in New Zealand) Iran launched more than 300 drones, cruise missiles and ballistic missiles against Israeli military targets. With the assistance of US, UK and possibly French forces, ...
Māori representation brings a perspective that encompasses not only the interests of Māori communities but also a broader, holistic approach to environmental stewardship and community well-being, principles deeply embedded in Te Ao Māori (the Māori ...
When Thomas James was on his solo camp as part of Outward Bound, the keen outdoorsman didn’t find it too challenging, as others often do. In what might just be the perfect illustration of his character, he saw it as a great opportunity to solve a few problems. “I thought, ...
This week in Auckland, a group of young people took over the microphone at a ministerial press conference, to explain why they oppose the Fast-Track Approvals Bill. One young woman said, ‘We’re here because we love Aotearoa New Zealand. We want to raise our children in an environment that’s thriving, ...
The summer was wonderful. Evie was wonderful, too; finally a teenager, finally worthy of long, hot days. She shaved her legs for the first time and bought cut-off shorts from the op-shop that made them look long. She got a Warehouse singlet so tight on her new shape that her ...
From the unstable and drippy to the hi-tech and pretty, here’s our ranking of all the tunnels you can drive through in this country. The first tunnel seems to have been built in 2200BC in Babylonia, kicking off a global phenomenon for digging holes in order to get places more ...
Lucinda Bennett on the art of being greedy but resourceful. This is an excerpt from our weekly food newsletter, The Boil Up. When I picture the market, it is always this time of year. Crisp air, dripping nose, counting coins with cold fingers. Sunlight pale, filtered through specks of dew still ...
Zoë Colling’s favourite piece in the ‘That’s So Last Century’ collection is a lubrication chart for a sewing machine from the ’60s. It’s about the size of a postcard, and carefully maintained. “I like it that this piece of ephemera highlights that manual and technical side of the skill involved ...
Kia Ora Gaza A passionate haka reverberated through Auckland International Airport as a medical team of three New Zealand doctors received an emotional farewell from a big crowd of supporters before flying to Turkey to join the international Freedom Flotilla to Gaza. The doctors, who left Auckland yesterday, hope to ...
With submissions closing today, Macassey-Pickard says groups around the country have been supporting a huge range of people to make their submissions. ...
Our response to the new legislation is informed by targeted conversations with practitioners working in the system and through an implementation lens. ...
The new ‘Fast-track Approvals Bill’ would give just three Ministers the power to approve or deny development projects. They would avoid the usual checks and balances that are in place to protect rivers, land, the ocean, and communities. ...
COMMENTARY:By Eugene Doyle Helen Clark, how I miss you. The former New Zealand Prime Minister — the safest pair of hands this country has had in living memory — gave a masterclass on the importance of maintaining an independent foreign policy when she spoke at an AUKUS symposium held ...
The government's released the list of organisations provided with information on how to apply - just hours before public submissions on the bill close. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Milton Speer, Visiting Fellow, School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, University of Technology Sydney Before climate change really got going, eastern Australia’s flash floods tended to concentrate on our coastal regions, east of the Great Dividing Range. But that’s changing. Now ...
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“An Afghan man waiting to know if he could get a visa to join family in New Zealand has been killed trying to flee to Pakistan, a source says.
A member of the man’s family had helped the Defence Force in Afghanistan and has already been resettled here.
So far resettlement of people who helped the Defence Force has been limited to partners and dependent children.
But other family members were also at risk from the Taliban that has now taken over Afghanistan, Community Law Centres O Aotearoa chief executive Sue Moroney said.
…The man who died was one of a group of 70 waiting for a hearing in a Wellington court about how Immigration New Zealand has stalled processing their visas. Community Law Waikato was working with the lawyers taking the action.
…An Immigration New Zealand spokesman said it had not been made aware of the incident, but understood the difficulties faced by those in Afghanistan and empathised with their situation.
The national manager of refugee and migrant services, Andrew Lockhart, said in a statement that Immigration New Zealand was unable to comment on matters while they were before the courts.”
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/immigration/126486667/taliban-believed-to-have-killed-afghan-man-waiting-for-result-of-nz-visa-bid
………………………………………..
It’s a damn shame the wheels of the system are turning ever so slowly. Must be a nightmare for these people, with the Taliban also being present in Pakistan if any of them somehow manage to slip past the Taliban border guards in Afghanistan.
Aljazeera TV is showing this Part 2 of a documentary The Forbidden Reel this week, showing film archives of Afghanistan, just before, & during, the time of the Soviet invasion & occupation.
It's a fascinating look at how westernised the people of the towns & cities were before the Taliban eventually took over & sent whole country back to a medieval-like Islamic Emirate. (25.03 min)
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=9SKaYxREbr4
Next week they'll be showing Part 3: The Rise of the mujahideen.
Here is one especially for Ad, our resident New Labour lover, so thereby as is with his beloved NZ Labour Party are enemies of Left wing politics and any real structural progressive changes in our society….and of course it goes without saying are enemies of the working classes… remember folks, just because you are better than National doesn't make you good.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=58GjNX6pnTM
[This is another personal attack and your recent comments have been in the same vein and aimed at the same commenter. Saving your aggressive attacks for OM does not give you special licence to attack others especially not others who are also Authors on this site.
You obviously cannot distinguish between robust debate and attacking others for whom you have nothing but contempt.
This is your only warning because we have been here before so many times – Incognito]
Obviously you feel strongly that the NZ Labour Party are heading the country towards a model of complete non Union workers, like Walmart. I disagree as they appear to have made strides towards better worker rights and protections. It may not happen as fast as you would like but workers are definitely better off under a Labour/Greens Government than under a Act/National Government (or the other way around which ever is the greatest)
Your video above, has no relevance to NZ and your attack on another commentator by using it is just mischievous and pointless.
See my Moderation note @ 7:30 am.
This is in addition to Incognito's primary moderation.
You have been told repeatedly that comments primarily framed as a personal attacks are going to get the attention of the moderators. The odd dig here or there is going to be tolerated – especially if there's a decent argument being made – but you fail to understand the boundary. You have a clear pattern of this behaviour – making the debate aggressively personal with no provocation.
We do try to implement moderation in an incremental, proportionate fashion, warnings, advice, editing, moving to OM and then bans of increasing severity. You have used up all of these options – it's my view the next step will likely be terminal.
Team 🙂
What are comrades for?
That would be a shame. Adrian, like Rogue Trooper whom I miss hearing from, to my mind have been some of the few working class voices that sound like the aunts and uncles I grew up with out of mining and forestry communities that frequent this site.
They understand that what was normal and not even extreme left before Rogernomics is still way to the left of where the pale blue labour party is now.
Things are not getting better for the poor and Labour is not really doing much to lift things in a serious way – the lack of implementation of the WEAG recommendations to benefit rates was a severely wasted opportunity compounded by the two tier benefit system they have introduced during COVID. The difference in approach to supporting people during lock-down this time – no increase in food limits like last time left foodbanks etc overwhelmed and distraught.
All around them people are suffering – good intentions and be kind are insufficient.
Many Labour people are happy with slow incremental steps – the trouble is as always that the right lurches right everytime they get into power. You can't beat lurches with baby steps.
Agree with your summary Descendant.
NZ Labour have criminally wasted a likely once in a generation MMP majority Govt. situation due to entrenched neo liberalism long embedded in the NZ State, the “Parliamentary wing” and Caucus being able to dictate to the wider NZ Labour membership, and fifth columnist tories throughout the senior public service.
Adrian always had the opportunity to make his point without leading with a personal attack. Especially not on an author who contributes substantially to the site.
His choices, his consequences. You don't get to blame 'systemic censorship' or some such.
I hear your pain. Not all things are able to be corrected at once, and big money has huge power.
Adrian attacks the person too often in his anger. This is not helpful for the moderators.
You are correct about the lurches by the right and the left infiltrators of the 80s. This Government is trying to correct the levers and the settings, and have every intention of introducing the WEAG.
However, the pandemic has meant Health and Education needed fast support in these unusual times. We do need to keep a level of faith and trust in their good intentions. We are only half way through their second term.
We try to be tolerant of differing levels of commitment to the cause, as age experience gives a different more nuanced view of 'progress'.
Nonsense. Kids are not at school cause they are stacking shelves in the supermarket to bring some money into the family, kids can't do homework cause they have no electricity so can't read/study in the evening, kids can't study cause they can't concentrate due to living in overcrowded conditions and motels – while those who own the motels make millions off them or don't feel safe in that motel environment.
What age tells me is that those horrific stories of poverty, slum housing, children working, dependence on charity not welfare, church groups making money off the poor and so on that my grand-parents and great grand parents experienced are back – have been for some time and is getting worse.
There is no collective warm heart in charity and the government has no intention of making benefits back to the same rate as NZS as they used to be – and in my view compensating those who have suffered with the punitive rates that have existed for a long time. They freely admit that officials gave them advice not to lift benefits by another fifty dollars cause people might not go to work- and yeah they followed that advice.
At times I think they are just naive – but most times they are just not competent in addressing poverty in a timely manner. In the meantime children and adults suffer.
The gentle sentiments rather than the angry ones.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_ra8X_8waA
I appreciate the angle you are coming from and share your criticism of the Labour party.
I would like to continue reading yr opinions. In the spirit of the test match tonight, play the ball not the man.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/world/south-pacific/126487798/aukus-logic-is-morally-wrong-and-new-zealand-must-resist-it
An alternative view to the nuclear submarine issue. I especially liked this bit.
“If we want to enjoy a peaceful future, Aotearoa should do the exact opposite of what Hooton and Malpass suggest. We should forge closer relations with others that share our anti-nuclear values – and there is no shortage of such countries.
We should increase our diplomatic capacity to build relationships and to contribute to conflict prevention and peace. We should focus our international energy on solutions to climate and the urgent transitions we need on energy, food and transport. Instead of focusing our diplomatic and security efforts on the Five Eyes, we should strengthen our relationships in, for example, Asean countries, in Latin America and, of course, in our neighbouring nuclear-free Pacific Islands.”
What a breath of fresh air.
“If we want to enjoy a peaceful future, Aotearoa should do the exact opposite of what Hooton and Malpass suggest. We should forge closer relations with others that share our anti-nuclear values – and there is no shortage of such countries.
The ground has shifted from the 80's and this pretty delusion would leave NZ foolishly vulnerable. A Xi Xinping led-PRC has now become first a competitor and now an opponent of the US. It's a hairs-breadth away from becoming an enemy. Now we get to pick a side – there will be no idealistic 'sitting it out as a neutral, non-nuclear, non-aligned' pixie dust land.
NZ survives as a trading nation and our biggest customers will all be on one side or another – and certainly the US will not tolerate NZ trading with the PRC in the event of open hostilities. This ain't a pretty reality but more than a few kiwis need to grow up on this.
Nuclear weapons are never going away. We can ban them all we want, but any reasonably advanced nation can build a bunch before lunchtime if they feel the urgent need to. The weapons themselves – fearful as they are – are not the primary issue. The core problem is a world in which totalitarian regimes retain the capacity to project their rising power onto first their neighbours and then whole regions.
Arguing for banning nuclear weapons as solution to aggression – is like banning door locks as the answer to home invasion.
We should focus our international energy on solutions to climate and the urgent transitions we need on energy, food and transport.
All fine things. It’s called human development and we’ve been doing this really well for the decades since WW2. But you can be secure and rich, but not dead and rich.
If that's true, then NZ should do everything possible to prevent it from happening. We may not have significant influence, but we need to send clear diplomatic signals that this is not what NZ wants – it shouldn't be what anyone wants, imho.
Ideologically-driven hawks are pushing for a 'confrontation' between China and AUKUS, and appear keen for NZ to pick a side. Can our small, stable democracy withstand pressure from our "very, very, very good [5 eyes] friend" and its other allies? Given our divergent and successful response to the pandemic so far, maybe we can.
David 'I can smell the uranium of your breath' Lange and Helen Clark won't be everyone's cup of tea, but those left-leaning PMs spoke for me on matters of (nuclear) war – hope in the fullness of time I'll be able to say the same of Ardern.
Fingers crossed commonsense prevails over hawkish impulses, at least for now.
Yes and so unsurprising for Xi to visibly walk it back on the world stage, with the AUKUS deal sewn up last week, and the 4 Pillars meeting today. China getting the message … its "wolves" will turn into standard Labradoodles once more.
But it took the collective to push back against China to get that result.
As our own PM reminded in her US speech, we need each other.
Exactly. While everyone can agree the war is morally appalling and in an ideal world all leaders would act to prevent it as a matter of principle – for the moment at least we have to rely on more pragmatic means and make the cost of it too high.
The ‘doves’ will be cooing, but where does this calm leave our standard ‘hawks‘?
Suppose it could be the calm before the storm – ‘hawks’ can only hope, although most ‘birds’ with any sense, even ‘eagles’, prefer calm, clear skys.
It's a terrible old saw "talk softly but carry a big stick" (Popularised by Theodore Roosevelt).
Looks pretty much like the Australians said last week we're getting a big stick, and this week China at the UN goes "OK we understand".
Well and good. Now in the spirit of this new found co-operation Xi Xinping can:
Xi Xinping can say anything he damn well pleases – his actions will be what counts.
Don't think Comrade Xi regards the BRI as a neocolonialist expansion plan. Probably will just contend Western countries continue to use their multinational corporations & private companies to effectively do the same thing?
PRC won't be repudiating their claim to Taiwan. They'll most likely take it back eventually, one way or another. May not be by military means.
They've held sway in Tibet for so long they'll see no need to pull out of there.
India may yet give them another bloody nose at the border. Depends how much military might Xi wants to invest in what I assume is relatively small amount of territory. Is it resource rich in something extremely valuable?
It would also be good if the US dismantled its military bases in:
– the Marshall Islands and
– Guam,
– pulled back a couple of its bases in Japan down to say a dozen,
– scaled back in Korea down to say half a dozen bases,
– Packed up in Kyrgystan, and
– Proposed how to roll back back the trade sanctions with China.
That might take a bit of heat out of stuff.
Let "them" do it first?
All has been said on the subject a couple of millennia ago:
“Si Vis Pacem, Para Bellum”
Who's off first?
I don't mind.
Xi and Biden need to do something historic, together, to show they can still really do diplomacy.
Numbers vary, depending on what is considered a military base, and whether operational etc. but scanning various figures and tote ups online, China has barely 3 on foreign soil–one a signal station in Myanmar, and the US has 800 plus in upwards of 80 countries including Air, Navy and Marines etc. possibly more if embassies containing significant numbers of armed personnel are counted.
US Imperialism remains the largest threat to world peace as it has been since becoming a nuclear power. Time for Aotearoa NZ to leave 5 Eyes (4 Eyes sounds better) and have pride in non aligned status with a fully independent foreign policy.
Isn't it though. For a moment I thought it might be 'all on' – a terrifying prospect.
It's China that you are defending here. If you want to present the PRC as morally superior to the US then my short list above would be a starting point.
I've consistently said that the US is our least bad choice and nothing I've seen changes this calculus. Up until the leadership of Xi Xinping you might have been able to make an argument for the PRC – but not now. That ship has sailed.
You call me an 'ideological hawk' and maybe I am. I am going to stand against totalitarian regimes led by authoritarian strong-men like Hitler, Imperial Japan’s Hideki Tojo, Stalin, Mao, Pol Pot, the Kim family and Xi Xinping every damn time. This doesn't mean my allies are necessarily nice people or anyone I'd want to defend. I just need them to be effective.
I think we ought to change the focus of our condemnation in fact. Under Hu, the bellicose actions in Hong Kong and the threat to Taiwan weren't happening. The problem is Xi, not China. Like every other "President for life" he is automatically illegitimate. We, and our allies, have no problem with China in general, just the fool who is prepared to risk significant consequences for what seems like self-aggrandizement.
That assertion suits your narrative, but it's not what I'm doing. In as much as any country can have morals, I don't believe the PRC is morally superior to the US, and it's disappointing that your worldview constrains you to such a narrow interpretation of my comments. I invite you to read my comment @3.2.1 again and pinpoint where you believe I’m "defending" China – unless you mean "defending" China from a military assault, in which case yes, imho all countries should be defended from military aggression.
I believe democracy, the only system of governance I've participated in, is (far) preferable to communism, and I'd rather countries didn't (try to) impose their systems of governance on others. When a majority of citizens in a sovereign country clearly want a democratic say in how their country is run then pro-democracy movements, for example in Myanmar and Belarus, can be supported diplomatically. External aggression is not the answer.
Would also prefer that fully democratic governance could be continued in Hong Kong (a special administrative region) and Taiwan (whose sovereignty China disputes), and believe that other democratic countries should do what they can, short of going to war, to support established democracies there.
As for "making an argument for the PRC" – the PRC is a fact of life. What worries me is the idea that the PRC, or at least the CCP, is so evil and so great a threat to the lifestyles of ‘the golden billion’ that it must be ‘hounded’ out of extistence. Acting on such hawisk impulses cannot end well, imho.
Perhaps what this boils down to is that I believe that, for all their faults and internal challenges, both the US and the PRC have the right to exist and to govern themselves as they see fit.
unless you mean "defending" China from a military assault
That's cool. Now point me to anyone serious who has suggested invading the PRC mainland this century. (Invoking ghosts from 200 years past does not count.)
Would also prefer that fully democratic governance could be continued in Hong Kong (a special administrative region) and Taiwan (whose sovereignty China disputes), and believe that other democratic countries should do what they can, short of going to war, to support established democracies there.
That's also nice, except Xi Xinping has said he will go to war in order to absorb Taiwan into his regime. And followed up his words with substantial military preparations combined with almost daily armed incursions into the edges of Taiwan's airspace.
Provocative words and actions. In return you suggest we accept the threatened destruction of a nation very similar to NZ – in fact you could describe them as having more in common with us than virtually any other Asian nation – as a 'fact of life'.
or at least the CCP, is so evil and so great a threat to the lifestyles of ‘the golden billion’ that it must be ‘hounded’ out of extistence.
Yes. In the past 100 odd years we've had to do it at least four times and it's on the cards we're going to have to do it again. I know that's a bitter pill, even more so if it means we get sucked back into the orbit of the hated Yanks again – but there it is. Life sometimes sucks.
So much so it might give the thoughtful pause to consider what our grandparents generation did in the immediate aftermath of that last great global conflagration WW2. And what we might have to do in order to improve on their bitterly earned solution.
If by “this century” you mean the last 22 years, then no-one – same goes for the US. If you mean the last 100 years then Japan springs to mind.
If you say so. I believe war-mongering is detestable – that goes for “totalitarian monster” Xi’s war-mongering, and anyone else’s. ‘Good war-monger’ is an oxymoron, imho.
Such a disappointing (but unsurprising) fabrication – we both know I've suggested no such thing. Your continuing penchant for twisting my words is noted.
Internal conflicts (Communists vs Nationalists) and WWII gave birth to modern China – god help us all if your vision of another war to end China comes to pass.
Exactly – the idea the PRC needs a massive military and the largest navy in the world by hull count in order to 'defend' itself is a complete non-sequitur. It's sole conceivable purpose is to replace the hated Americans as the regional hegemon. And that region extends from Africa in the West to AU/NZ in the south by sea – and across Central Asia to the Middle East by land.
And while invading is easy, occupying is much harder. The subjugation of the Uighur people might well be seen as a practise run toward perfecting the mass control of large populations and rendering them incapable of resisting eternal CCP control. A decade ago such a thought would have been unthinkable – now much less so. Chillingly less so.
My vision is the exact opposite of another war – preventing Xi Xinping from invading Taiwan is precisely the means to avoid one.
Great – no more war is our shared vision. The US and regional players (notably China and countries hosting US military bases, i.e. Japan and South Korea) should make every effort, short of war, to avoid war.
END OF EMPIRE – 100 days in 1945 that changed Asia and the World
http://www.endofempire.asia/0817-3-general-order-no-1-4/
Why does the USA need 10 battle groups, why do they spend more on arms than the next 10 nations combined.
Because the Yanks learned in WW2 and the Cold War that if you do not act early and decisively to contain and crush totalitarian monsters – you pay a terrible price later.
Note carefully – this does not mean you have to like the Americans, or they should be immune to scrutiny or criticism. Feel free to go on hating them as per usual. But the rest of us will also observe on where you choose to remain silent.
The two-war doctrine.
https://www.britannica.com/topic/two-theatre-war
I might add that for many years after the Communists' very naughty win in China, Taiwan kept claiming to be the real China, and wanted to take the rest of China back. To make it worse, the silly USA decided that because Communism is so BAD, it had to officially recognise that poncey Taiwan Govt as the real China!
So piddly little Taiwan got recognised by the USA as the only one and real China, while the much more real Red China (which gave USA a good kick in the pants during Korea War) got no recognition at all.
One of the few good things Nixon did was to fix this idiocy up.
Who was suggesting that Taiwan has so much in common with NZ? Does Taiwan not still claim to be the true China Govt? Have they given uo that claim? At least NZ never made such a nonsensical claim.
Comedy! But we are both little and piddley in some ways.
I've said this elsewhere – in the aftermath of 1949 both the PRC and ROC made claim to each other's territory.
The difference in 2021 is that the ROC have long abandoned their claim when they became a democracy in the 70's, while the PRC has only doubled down on theirs.
Your contempt for New Zealand is noted.
Did Taiwan really become a democracy in the 1970's?
Correction noted – the process started in the mid-80's with the first proper opposition party and could be considered fully democratic by the 90's.
Comedy, as I said. A Democracy by 1990! Wow!
I have scorn for ridiculous policies, like the USA insisting for 20 years or so that a tin-pot little island like Taiwan with the USA's favoured stooge Govt was the real Govt of the true China.
Taiwan never had any legitimate claim to China – lost by right of conquest with the approval of the vast majority of the people. Only US naval power prevented the same happening to Taiwan.
I have no contempt for NZ (your absurd idea).
I have a good deal of contempt for anti-Chinese people who admit no validity at all to China's claim to Taiwan. It is valid – but our Western policy has produced a situation where Taiwan now would be tragically affected by Chinese annexation.
The point is that this is not China's fault.
What? Are you going to stand us, "Marxists" who aren't joining in with the pointless, juvenile and ineffectual dick waving, against a wall.
Please chill, comrade.
Response: What countries has the PRC invaded. How many has the US invaded. 'Massive navy and airforce'? LOL! So Western countries can have massive navy and airforce but Chinese can't? China suffered 100 years of humiliation and foreign invasion from Japan and the West. Surely they have the right do everything to avoid a repeat?
Response:
'intimidate and bully?' LOL – John McCain bomb bomb Iran, 'Weapons of mass destruction' the actual invasion of countless countries around the globe.
It was the Indians that went into China. The Tibetan plateau is part of China. They can do what they want there.
All bullshit –in any case an internal problem. No Muslim country condemns China, but only the countries that have killed the most muslims in the past 20 years.
No country is forced into the BRI…its their sovereign choice. If you don;t do what the US says, the US rains bombs on you. The Chinese way is far superior.
LOL! Taiwan also claims to be part of China, and Taiwan also claims the entire South China Sea – on behalf of guess what entity – China.
US hypocrisy is still no excuse for China, preventing local Democracy in Hong Kong, the treatment of the Muslim minority in China, and the threats against Taiwan, which whatever the past history, is now an independent self Governing State.
Suppressing the vote/undermining the Voting Rights Act, cutting funding for Family Planning/and now preparing the way step by step for a ban fertility treatments, allowing only skilled migrant labour/exploiting non voting illegals (new black slave class) for working class jobs (no sanctions on employers) let alone the millions of Americans under Patriot Act + surveillance regimes of the CT realm.
Local democracy in Hong Kong was suppressed from 1840 to 1997.
As for having to swallow the dead rat agreement for the return of its territory – there is license in contract law to revisit unequal agreements.
American encouragement of democracy in Hong Kong backfired on locals, just as arms sales to Taiwan are now doing.
There is no suppression of 'democracy' in Hong Kong.
All China is doing is simply pushing through a national security law that was agreed with the British way before 1997.
There are no issues with the treatment of the 'muslim minority'
That is bs western propaganda. That is why not one Muslim country has come out and condemned China's actions in Xinjiang. Heck, even the Taliban and China are getting close
Sure.
"Now we get to pick a side – there will be no idealistic 'sitting it out as a neutral, non-nuclear, non-aligned' pixie dust land."
No need to pick a side. If there is a shooting war it will be in the South China Sea or Taiwan Straits. A long way away from NZ
The US will not go to war. Its all bluster. Americans are sick of foreign wars, and most Americans would not sacrifice their sons for Taiwan or the SCS.
On the other hand, the CPC considers Taiwan and the SCS its own territory so will fight like fuck to keep them.
On the other hand, the CPC considers Taiwan and the SCS its own territory so will fight like fuck to keep them.
There you have it in your own words. Despite all your denials above you are committed to war in the event Taiwan declares it's independence.
And who exactly is trying to 'take Taiwan off the PRC' – none other than of course the independent, democratic people and government of Taiwan themselves.
Self-serving circular nonsense – all a plausible lie intended to deceive gullible people in the west. You wouldn't try this line in Asia itself – you'd get laughed out of the room.
China has ALWAYS said it would fight like fuck to keep Taiwan. China has NEVER renounced the use of force. Publicly and loudly, in Asian and out of Asia.
And at one stage Taiwan said it would take over all of mainland China
Well there you have it. Not much ambiguity about that is there.
What you're also not mentioning is the full on blast of internal propaganda aimed at the mainland Chinese using the most openly bellicose language to inflame sentiments against the independence of Taiwan. You assume that because I cannot read Mandarin that I do not have contacts who do.
And at one stage Taiwan said it would take over all of mainland China
This is not the policy of the current govt in Taipei and it would be quite hilarious to think the mighty PRC feel at all threatened by this,
Not much ambiguity about that is there.
Agree. Not at all. It is a consistent policy of both the Communists, and the KMT that Taiwan is part of China.
The Taiwanese also claim all of the South China Sea – on behalf of China.
Why PRC and Taiwan agree on the South China Sea – Asia Dialogue (theasiadialogue.com)
Pretty much proves that both PRC and Taiwan agree that Taiwan is part of China.
Don’t know what scares me the most:
Australia getting SSN’s and the containment policy of China fails when it successfully invades Taiwan or the US & it’s regional Allies aka Japan, Sth Korea & Australia get such a beating they slowly pulled back to their respective countries like we did in WW2 when Japan achieved overmatched in the Pacific when it came a battle of survival between 42 & 43.
NZ RW Political Party’s with their Supporters & MFAT’s Trade at all costs Policy & dammed the consequences to NZ long term & or
NZ’s left burying its head in sand as the Sth Pacific Security Environment has changed forever on Thursday morning. Then acting like a drunk on the Roulette Table putting his/her last $50 on Red expecting that diplomacy will win on the Day & if not expecting the UN would ride over the hill like the US 7th CAV to protect the NZ as it’s the only plan in town?
While not considering planning for a worst scenario because a National Security & Economic Security Plan for NZ is all to hard & it means we the Left have to sallow a few dead rats like the right would have to do as well.
Thank you. So often it's the people who have put their lives on the line for the security of their nation who get these things right.
NZ’s left burying its head in sand as the Sth Pacific Security Environment has changed forever on Thursday morning.
In terms of an Asia-Pacific war with the PRC, immediate neighbours like Taiwan, Japan, Malaysia, Vietnam, Singapore and Indonesia while capable, would absorb a terrible punishment from the Chinese airforce and navy. They're just too close.
There are just three countries capable of standing up to a militant China and surviving – the US, India and now Australia. By next Thursday Australia could have a tranche of the latest Block Tomahawk cruise missiles stationed near Darwin and capable of sinking Chinese merchant ships in the Straits of Malacca.
From his perspective Xi Xinping sees a western world divided, often decadent, corrupt, weakened and unwilling to defend it's interests and allies in SE Asia. Like all bullies he holds his targets in contempt and has calculated we will let him invade Taiwan without much resistance.
The goal here is deterrence and containment. Everyone in SE Asia knows that if the PRC get away with expropriating Taiwan they will be next. Everyone in the region knows that the claim 'that Taiwan is part of China' is a plausible lie intended to fool gullibles in the west.
As you've said before, CCP strategists will have closely studied Imperial Japan's defeat and will understand two things – not to repeat the Japanese mistakes and that despite these mistakes just how close they came to winning the whole of Asia Pacific anyway. The CCP will be convinced they can do better – and indeed it's very likely they would.
Then acting like a drunk on the Roulette Table putting his/her last $50 on Red expecting that diplomacy will win on the Day & if not expecting the UN would ride over the hill like the US 7th CAV to protect the NZ as it’s the only plan in town?
As the most consistently pro-UN writer here – this is depressingly true. A decade ago one might have put some faith in a rules based UN order saving the day. But with an impotent UN incapable of even giving Taiwan independent recognition – well that cavalry ain't leaving barracks either.
In reality, the USA was not altruistically defending Australia and NZ in the battle of the Coral Sea: they were defending their own interests, which happened to coincide with ours. Lucky for us.
The Japanese did not in fact have the troops or resources available to invade Australia (the US had far more troops in Vietnam than the Japanese used in the Pacific, and the US still lost in Vietnam) and it would not have helped them with their big battles in China and Burma. It is truly unlikely that they would have bothered – despite all the scaremongering here in NZ.
Only after the defeat of the USA and Britain would we have eventually had to submit – sheer unreality. That was never going to happen.
Taiwan has persistently claimed to be the true China, even after Nixon finally recognised the real China. Small wonder that China claims Taiwan. A big dead rat there, Scud. And before China went Communist (how naughty!) the USA recognised Tibet as the 5th province of the great nation of China. Another dead rat.
The Japanese did not in fact have the troops or resources available to invade Australia
Their immediate goal was to deny the US the ability to use Townsville and Darwin as safe bases to operate from, and to then prevent Australian troops from returning back from operations in the ME and European theatres.
After that they could have subjugated the domestic populations of both AU and NZ at their leisure. A relatively modest task in comparison to what they'd already achieved in China and the across the whole of SE Asia already.
Only after the defeat of USA and Britain could they have made such a major new step. As I said and Yamamoto knew – never going to happen.
The Japs are were highly unlikely to invade Australia not for the lack of Troops, but for the necessity of Logistics of supplying of the troops on the ground. Even now most of the key access points & main arterial routes in Nth’ern Oz are still weather dependent even during the wet season, it was something we were taught on my Sub2 for Airfield Defence Guard (Airforce Infantry) SNCO and we walk the ground up at Weipa aka RAAF bare Base Scherger. The main arterial route is a class 3 rd (a form dirt rd to Pt Douglas which is closed in the wet, having drove it when I was in the AFDS Support Flt and it was rough as guts.
The Japanese Concept of Operations Plan was to contain Australia by seizing PNG, Bismarck Sea, down the Solly’s, New Hebrides & the Coral Sea. What would’ve happened had the Japs won the Battle of the Coral is anyone’s guess?
My assumption they would’ve had a crack at New Caledonia & swing left through the Sth Pacific which was weakly held by NZ & US Forces. But we were lucky that the IJN were led by very conservative Cdrs who unlike Yamamoto wanted to be Tojo in 1904, but had they not stuck with their prewar Operations Plan of chasing the Remains of the RN Far East Fleet in the Indian Ocean. But had they use their I Boats (Subs) in the Indian Ocean & use the Combined Fleet with its 4-6 or so Fleet Carriers & Battleship SQN in the Sth Pacific as Yamamoto wanted, it as the situation was in their favour as it could’ve completely unhinged the Allied War effort in the Pacific.
The reason why the Yanks lost Vietnam, is the same reasons why the lost Iraq & Afghanistan, they can’t fight a COIN War to save themselves nor do their Politicians understand the concept on How, Why When & Where fight a COIN War.
The Battle of the Coral Sea (incl the Bombing of Darwin) is a very big thing here in Oz and it studied at all levels of Command of the ADF as it was a close run thing. Thence the renew ADF interest of its former Naval & RAAF Base in Manus Is.
If we can prevent war by using Jaw Jaw i’m all for it as I know what the alternative is & it’s hell. But we on the left must also prepare what direction we must take if Jaw Jaw fails just like when poor old Neville had to make in the late 30’s when he realised it’s unlikely he could turn Hitler. My gut feeling is we are heading towards that direction that poor old Neville faced, that we are facing with China atm. Unfortunately it’s all new ball game now in our neck of the woods with the Oz SSN’s. But relying on Plan A is just plan nuts & stupid especially if it goes to shit as Ships, Aircraft & more importantly the trained Men & Women don’t grow on trees.
Thanks for the informed details there Scud. I accept that the IJN was unlikely to invade Aus/NZ in the near term – their immediate goal was to deny the US access to safe bases in northern Australia. And they damn nearly accomplished this.
All Japan had to do in 42-43 was isolate Australia and in the event the war in Europe had gone their way it would have only been a matter of time before they could have occupied a defenseless AU/NZ with relative ease.
I must confess it's only recently that I've read up on the Solomon and PNG campaigns – and just how astonishingly brutal and close the outcomes were. Whole battles literally pivoted on the most random details that could have so easily gone the other way. We grew up thinking that the Allied victory in the Pacific was somehow a given – it was no such bloody thing.
We owed a great historical debt to the US for the thousands of their young soldiers' lives that were expended expelling the Japanese troops from the islands they occupied during WW2 to build harbours & airstrips for their naval & air fleets.
Have you visited the Marine Memorial at QE2 Park in Paekakariki, RL?
It records, among other things, the numbers of marines who drowned during a tragic beach landing craft training exercise disaster that took place in far too rough seas.
Also the time someone in the training camp there accidentally fired a mortar round into the town of "Paekak", from memory, fortunately, with no casualties.
And – as the US is mainly a nation of beef eaters – how much they looked foward to each new supply of US beef that made it to the camp, after months of having to each lamb or mutton, which they referred to as "damned mountain goat!"
Wellington in particular owes the US Army (or it might have been Marines) engineers big time for constructing our magnificent & very scenic Coastal Highway from Paekakariki to Pukerua Bay.
[Sorry Mods: Left the "a" off "Gezza". First reply gone into Moderation. Can you delete it?]
@ RL. We've owed a great historical debt to the US for the thousands of their young soldiers' lives that were expended expelling the Japanese troops from the islands they occupied during WW2 to build harbours & airstrips for their naval & air fleets.
Have you visited the Marine Memorial at QE2 Park in Paekakariki, RL?
It records, among other things, the numbers of marines who drowned during a tragic beach landing craft training exercise disaster that took place in far too rough seas.
Also the time someone in the training camp there accidentally fired a mortar round into the town of "Paekak", from memory, fortunately, with no casualties.
And – as the US is mainly a nation of beef eaters – how much they looked foward to each new supply of US beef that made it to the camp, after months of having to eat NZ lamb or mutton, which they referred to as "damned mountain goat!"
Wellington in particular owes the US Army (or it might have been Marines) engineers big time for constructing our magnificent & very scenic Coastal Highway from Paekakariki to Pukerua Bay.
I think you forgot Japan in there.
It's own status as a self governing part of the one China meant the UN was never going to recognise Taiwan independence.
Nixon realised winning the Cold War with Russia required a sacrifice. Yet neither Trump nor Biden has the IQ to step up in any comparable way today.
It's own status as a self governing part of the one China
What 'one China'?
Some years back before we moved to Australia, I did a number of tramping trips with a very senior retired Taiwanese govt official and learned a great deal from him. Kiwis really don't know much about the place – and yet we share a great deal of cultural similarity. Moreover after the great Maoist destruction of traditional Chinese heritage on the mainland, Taiwan can be considered the surviving remnant of it, a precious fragment now threatened and vulnerable. Modern Taiwan is a thriving, capable and wonderful nation – well worth visiting and getting to understand. It's what mainland China could and should have been if it was not for the communists.
There is no question that the people of Taiwan consider themselves Chinese – and they can make a strong case for this based on their unbroken chain of upholding and protecting this heritage. But absolutely they reject the idea this means they must be consumed by the CCP.
The reason why the CCP want to crush Taiwan can be explained in one word – democracy. They brutally stamped it out internally at Tiananmen Square and betrayed formal promises in order to crush it in Hong Kong. The idea that the people should be able to hold their leaders to account is an absolute anathema to the CCP who will reach out to undermine, damage and eradicate democratic governments anywhere they can reach.
The Taiwan question will neatly cleave the western world left into two camps – those who hold to the concept of socialism within a democratically accountable framework – and those who dream of a marxist revolution and permanent power.
The real war is to ensure the security of western democracy, and otherwise due international regime respect for national sovereignty. This is not served by a NATO stick in the territorial face of historic Russia, nor by anything of the like to historic China – whether via Hong Kong or Taiwan.
We have to learn from History – which nobody generally does.
Nations have revolutions and ideologies, but each nation's cultural style of rule tends to creep back and new theories like communism or democracy get subverted – the nation reverts to its natural culture. Putin could be seen as the newest autocratic Czar: Stalin as the last one.
Despite its half-forgotten communist ideology, this Chinese Govt is growing stronger, and behaving much as all the stronger dynasties did in the past.
We preach democracy, but practise our usual imperialist hypocrisy.
Democracy is good for us, but what we foster elsewhere can be a different matter.
Red Logix. Your comment is daft.
Taiwanese 'independence' simply means Taiwan declares they are not Chinese, not that they are not PRC Chinese. That is what mainland China is against.
The actual situation is more complex than you pretend it it.
For all practical purposes the current governing coalition in Taipei policy is that "The position of the Pan-Green Coalition of the ROC is that Taiwan is an independent sovereign state named "Republic of China", and Taiwan is not part of "China".
And this position is supported strongly by the Taiwanese people themselves. They and everyone else in the region watched events in Hong Kong unfold with dismay and are more determined than ever not to become vassals of China's 'President for Life'.
The Taiwanese 'question' has as much to do with the Western world, as the Quebec question has to do with China.
The Western world has declared forever that Taiwan is part of China. Indeed the US recognised Taiwan as China up until 1979.
"The idea that the people should be able to hold their leaders to account is an absolute anathema to the CCP who will reach out to undermine, damage and eradicate democratic governments anywhere they can reach."
Bullshit —the CPC does not give a flying fuck how NZ or Australia governs itself. Its always the West trying to change China, not the other way round.
Everyone in the region knows that the claim 'that Taiwan is part of China' is a plausible lie intended to fool gullibles in the west.
Taiwanese call themselves part of China – just look at their passport cover. And the PRC considers Taiwan part of China. And the USA recognised the Taiwanese government as the sole government of all of China up until 1949. And all Western countries abide, or at least pay lip service to the one China policy.
.
“Since the Kuomintang (KMT) retreat from mainland China in 1949, the island of Taiwan has firmly been held by the Republic of China (ROC) who continued to hold de facto sovereignty over the island. Though the legality of the KMT takeover of Taiwan has long been under question, the ROC was able to maintain its status as representing “China” in the United Nations until 1971, when it lost its seat to the mainland People’s Republic of China (PRC). Without an ROC surrender, the PRC has sought to reduce the political legitimacy of a formally independent Taiwan, through economic and diplomatic coercion in a policy it dubbed the ‘One China Principle’.
Although both countries still view themselves as the legitimate representative of ‘China’, since the 1990s, there has been a rising movement for the formal recognition of a separate Taiwanese independence and identity. A view in Taiwan is that the Republic of China and the People’s Republic of China are both sovereign, thus forming “two Chinas”, or “one China, one Taiwan”. Nevertheless, there are grounds for the notion that the PRC and the ROC/Taiwan have undergone such different paths, that it is impossible to reconcile the growing Taiwanese identity with a singular ‘China’.”
https://globalriskinsights.com/2021/06/the-difficult-case-of-taiwans-sovereignty/
Precisely. An intelligent PRC leadership would have recognised this reality by now – instead under Xi Xingping it's doubled down on the rhetoric, intensified the jingoistic fervour and staked a great deal of his personal credibility and legitimacy on absorbing Taiwan.
However murky and contested the origins of this question – the reality is that Taiwan has been a separately governed entity since 1949 and forcing a 're-unification' against the will of the Taiwanese people has zero legitimacy.
The goal here is deterrence and containment. Everyone in SE Asia knows that if the PRC get away with expropriating Taiwan they will be next.
Oh for heavens sake, the PRC has no interest in taking over all of SE Asia and it would be militarily unrealistic.
They are utterly committed to Taiwan remaining part of the Chinese nation (not necessarily the PRC – yet), and that is a policy from way way way back.
No big deal or surprises here. Afterall Taiwan wanted to take back the Chinese mainland originally.
If you think the average New Zealander gives a flying fuck about dying to defend Taiwanese, you are deranged
“Oh for heavens sake, the PRC has no interest in taking over all of SE Asia and it would be militarily unrealistic.”
Well someone should tell Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia & India then. That China isn’t a threat to their respective countries? As the bulk of their Regular Armies, Airforces & in Vietnam’s case it Naval Assets are in the Nth, as it might something to do with the Middle Kingdom during the Middle Ages, including post 1949 as those countries respective both oral & written histories as they have clearly not forgotten Chinese invasions over the centuries or after 1949.
Just like the Eastern Europeans & Nordic Countries of Russia’s past intentions & the same could be said of the US since the end of WW2.
[fixed minor typo in e-mail address]
My faith in the UN, Humanity and Nations keeping their word that they will keep up their end of the negotiations died in East Timor in 99, when I was a part the Chap7 Peacekeeping Force INTERFET99- 00 and the remains of this carcass was buried, cremated & nuke during my 1-2 wk stint in Sth Sudan if not sooner in Middle East Region.
I know are a number of individuals here on The Standard who comment & write the odd post, still have faith in the UN, Humanity & that Nations keep their word during & after negotiations have gone in favour of them or against them.
Unfortunately, these individuals are going to hit Moral, Ethical, Religious ie (Quaker, Methodist & Presbyterian) Fork in the rd, Cross rd or the Crossing the Rubicon in the next 5-10yrs if Jaw Jaw fails to prevent War War aka the Two Way Range.
It is a bitter & sour pill to swallow with a very bad after taste, which is something I’m still struggling to understand or come to grips with the “Why, the Who & the How” Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow & into the Future. Some days it get the better of me of these decisions made by Politicians & that of my immediate Commanders or made by me as a Section/ Patrol Commander have made or should’ve, could’ve or shouldn’t & or shouldn’t etc, etc.
So we have had a few issues with some breaking covid rules, I am yet to read of anyone being convicted and what penalties they were imposed. So why increase the fines? This could be seen as a means to appease those in lockdown that are baying for blood, you could be forgiven in thinking that this is a right wing governments response 😱.
https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2021/09/government-significantly-increases-fines-for-breaking-covid-19-rules.html
Herodotus, More concern at the anti vax group joining any protest group here, as they have in Australia imo.
I think the main reason there have been few convictions is because like everything else, court cases are affected by lockdowns and are running way behind schedule. One notable anti-masker woman in Auckland who was arrested about 4 to 5 weeks ago will not face proceedings until mid to late October.
Easy enough to work that one out.
Good point Anne. 👍🏼
Altho I think quite a high number of people will contine to get caught breaching lockdowns. Folk are getting tired of their seclusion & taking risks.
Not a justification, by any means, but none of us has ever faced anything like these socially deprived enforced “home detentions” in our lives before. They’re necessary, but far from enjoyable.
I think it is the other way. People have got tired of people breaching and are now dobbing them in. People were always breaching.
Saw it during first lockdown – middle of night traffic, daytime helicopters.
Everybody should have a stream, I reckon.
https://vimeo.com/296222780
Sarah's an excellent swimmer. I put a bread chunk down expecting a pukeko would amble along the path over my fence & find it. Once I saw her little face peek out from the foliage, I slowly pulled out my cellcam & beyond that hardly made another movement. She probably didn't realise I was there….
It looks like restrictions are coming for unvaccinated NZers. Great stuff. About time. There will need to be a special exemption for the immune compromised though.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/the-90-project-pm-jacinda-ardern-on-a-no-jab-no-entry-scheme-and-childrens-vaccinations/GYRJDOOQOOH2EMSO7QQEGBUKDQ/
Surely they need to be in permanent lockdown and excluded from society ….
For the greater good?
If enough get vaccinated we have space to allow those that cannot.
Whether we have the space for those that won't while still protecting those that cannot, remains in question.
It actually looks promising in NZ, as it appears the certainly won't are in single figures, unlike the USA where in some States it is as high as 50%>
Great another set of rules that are going to disproportionately effect Maori and Polynesians and no doubt other marginalized groups… just what NZ society needs…
Cheered on no doubt by the masses, the explosion of racism relating to the outbreak in South Auckland in facebook groups has been unreal, sickening actually…
But I guess that doesnt matter to those who've got secure accommodation, stable employment probably living in a leafy central suburbs and toasting your massive capital gains…
This is going to end badly long term there'll be massive schisms in society which I doubt we'll ever truly recover from…
What the hell has that diatribe got to do with the problem of unvaccinated people? Anyone who refuses to be vaccinated – whether they are white, black, yellow, green or brindle – should have restrictions placed on them so the rest of the community can go about their lives in relative safety. Simple as that.
And for your edification, the majority of anti-vaxxers are white so can't see what the subject of racism and poverty has to do with it except to infer I'm one of the masses ganging up on them on Facebook. I don't do Facebook precisely for the reason you have stated. As far as I can tell it is mainly a cesspit of conspiracy theorists, racists, rednecks and ignoramuses.
To clarify im not infering anything about you.
Also Im not talking about white anti vaxxers…. im talking about communities and demographics of people who for a bunch or reasons are already falling behind in vaccination rates. Mainly Maori and Polynesian in younger age cohorts. They already get the shitty end of the stick when it comes to education, health, justice, housing etc etc this is going to be another policy that drives that wedge deeper…
Well with Tamaki and Te Koha dripping poison in their ears for the last 8 months or so for political purposes, I can understand why there is a need to make up for the misinformation they have been receiving. The H2R people have been doing good work, and the older ones are getting jabbed at much the same rate as other demographics. It is the younger demographic that needs the catch up and there is work being done there also.
Yep the likes of the self appointed Bishop are a big problem, I can forsee a time if we go the route of a vaccine passport someone is going to have to decide if churchs are included in that. Exempt churches many will be upset, include them and that will play right into someone like Brian Tamaki's hands.
I just dont think it works out in the long run.
Good ole Dr Seuss lays it out for us.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBCUkdd57qc
Nice one gsays very apt for the times
Giving a person a small amount of power – of any kind – and it's always instructive to see what they do with it.
With initiatives such as the Shot Bros, and the likes of the Ngati Hine vaccination centre, I don't see Māori/Pacifica vaccinations lagging much behind Pakeha, for long.
Judith gave a reasonable interview on The Nation this morning, must have had some training. Will be interesting to see what’s in their ‘peer reviewed’ COVID Plan coming out next week. I wonder if it was Des Gorman who they used.
Must have a watch. Either tomorrow morning, or maybe later on their On Demand Three Now option.
Will tell you what I think.
Hopefully she’s listening to what see’s actually saying in this interview . Earlier this week on one tv appearance she referred to NZ’s Covid response “sittings” when she obviously meant to say settings.
Tbh she blurts out so many verbal bloopers like that I reckon either she’s really actually a bit of a doofus, or that she panics in important or difficult interviews & loses track. All the interviewer has to do is talk over her a couple of times, shoot some rapid-fire questions at her & she seems to come apart.
A very gentle interview from Tova. Marginal pushing about internal politics. The rest could have been a puff piece.
Maybe 3 didn’t want to potentially alienate a senior politician, so went easy.
Judith came across as a reasonable human being. Although she does have a habit of smiling at the wrong time.
That’s interesting. Tova’s gone for her jugular at various other times.
Even John Campbell started off giving her a bit of a grilling earlier this week on Breakfast on One. But then backed off & let her have her say uniterrupted.
Wonder if the word’s gone out that if you keep giving her a savaging you won’t get any more interviews?
I don’t do farcebook much. Does Collins post tame interviews or soliloquies there?
That's an excellent interview with Collins. Best I've seen from her ever since her appointment as National's leader, I think.
Interesting comments she makes about the new Police Teams just announced (ARTs by another name after the Police Commissioner knows he got it wrong, by caving in to pressure from some quarters & cancelling the ARTs)
Quite a wide-ranging interview. She doesn't disgrace herself.
Tova even grills her at the end, telling her that National MPs are leaking their unhappiness with Collins to her. Collins says she's never seen them happier or more focussed on doing their jobs.
When Tova threw her some curve ball questions about her low polling, her senior office staff leaving, & recent public criticisms by her former Chief Press Officer, she remained unfazed & gave quite reasonable answers.
Newshub's published the full interview already, in the embedded video here:
https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2021/09/could-have-been-prevented-collins-says-nz-too-slow-to-extract-afghan-allies-after-man-beaten-to-death-by-taliban.html
It won't last.
One swallow doesn't make a summer. A leopard can't change its spots. Can't teach an old dog new tricks, etc, etc.
Collins is 62 years old. She's been in parliament for 20 years and was a lawyer before that. Media training at this point is clearly going against everything she has built herself upon, and is papering over the not inconsiderable cracks in her ethical and behavioural make up.
She may very well not be a spiteful and vindictive bully, but that is certainly the way she comes across to the public.
Yes, I agree. I find her erratic as well. So obviously far from being suitable PM material only the truly deluded + dedicated National supporter would give her even a snowflake's chance in hell of getting her Party back into power. Unlikely to see the year out. Must be deaf to the obvious sounds of the knives sharpening.
Only my opinion, but think she is one of those people who cravws the job a bit too much more than looking inward and seeing if they could actually handle the thing and the spotlight.
I actually think she was a pretty good senior MP, but leader material was kind of obvious from the start never going to work out very well.
Especially against Ardern.
To much clash of persona angry against a persona of nice.
What they are both actually like in real life would be interesting to see.
Notable contrast with the constant interruptions, the insertion of their own ill informed opinions and eye rolling from Tova and other media interviewers when interviewing Government MP's.
From chats to friends around, many are struggling with demotivated/depressed children. How can these children ( and adults) get some interaction between friends without meeting covertly, reminder that should level 2 remain until school returns that will be over 7 weeks ?
I cannot see Auckland being in level 2 before holidays, as should we be granted level 2 status result will be mass exodus as Aks spread around the country. Perhaps as an idea to throw out there, what about some give? Keep the boundary in tact but allow bubble mix over the holidays.
I take a walk each day for approximately one hour, and local parks are usually busy with children/teens hanging out. This morning we took our dog to Taipari Strand in Te Atatu, and there were family groups and teens out walking. Like you, I'm concerned about the mental health of our young people (in fact of everyone) at this time.
Imo if your children are struggling with the isolation fuck the rules if you are able to extend the bubble so there's some social contact.
No; Cricklewood, let's not say "fuck the rules", it is possible to extend bubbles in even Delta PAL3, without resorting to such self-entitled nihilism. But then that's easy for me to say down here in Ōtepoti – where I have had kids back at school for a couple of weeks, and spent much free time out and about with scorching weather recently (not been on site a lot because beaches are not at all friendly to mobile devices what with sand and brine).
Also, kids are not just prone to depression just because of the COVID19 pandemic, the ongoing climate catastrophes (of which, SARS-CoV-2 emergence is but a single example) are quite enough for that!
https://poseidon01.ssrn.com/delivery.php?ID=881031104121114079066098019026125088005017063054033022103011063061126010027090018009077044118083080033031047116097064069074090044023007113118003001009087080090062065048062012030095122071117015009000011026069002037117029007106127110126103082031086093096022011115068004084127100031077097116091&EXT=pdf&INDEX=TRUE
My grandkids loved lockdown. All those adults at home playing with them.
Is this true?
https://twitter.com/hinemoana/status/1441311742714286082?s=21
Essentially yes. There is a good analysis of the thinking by Ministers and the Ministry of Health here. There are pros and cons – the teams are required to repay some of the cost they do take up some of the space in MIQ. Ministers have sought to move teams out of designated MIQ hotels to other spaces, but there are problems with doing that, including insufficient staff and inadequate facilities. If they were to cancel visiting teams when the country is for the most part covid free, there would be hell to pay. Not from myself, but I know my neighbours (and many like them) would be livid. What else would there be for them to live for?
thems the rules.
https://sportnz.org.nz/covid-19-response/advice-guidance-and-resources/international-travel-exemption-form/
The best people.
https://news.yahoo.com/imeach-biden-lauren-boebert-mocked-215222954.html
Poor Lauren Boebert she had to steal from her campaign funds to pay her rent and utilities and she clearly can't afford paying anybody to proofread her stuff.
Strip mining the high seas.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xB6-bAF9B8A&feature=youtu.be
The Associated Press with Spanish-language broadcaster Univision accompanied the Ocean Warrior this summer on an 18-day voyage to observe up close for the first time the Chinese distant water fishing fleet on the high seas off South America.
The vigilante patrol was prompted by an international outcry last summer when hundreds of Chinese vessels were discovered fishing for squid near the long-isolated Galapagos Islands, a UNESCO world heritage site that inspired 19th-century naturalist Charles Darwin and is home to some of the world’s most endangered species, from giant tortoises to hammerhead sharks.
China’s deployment to this remote expanse is no accident. Decades of overfishing have pushed its overseas fleet, the world’s largest, ever farther from home. Officially capped at 3,000 vessels, the fleet might actually consist of thousands more. Keeping such a sizable flotilla at sea, sometimes for years at a time, is at once a technical feat made possible through billions in state subsidies and a source of national pride akin to what the U.S. space program was for generations of Americans.
https://apnews.com/article/china-oceans-overfishing-squid-294ff1e489589b2510cc806ec898c78f
Thanks joe. I found that very interesting & informative. Let's hope that UN International Treaty On Fishing the video refers to gets finalised & passed before too much longer
Altho if countries like China happily sign up to it, it probably won't amount to a hill of beans if their long-range fleet fishing boats continue switching off their trackers & carry on illegally fishing other countries' EEZs.
Also the increasingly muscular -& frequently even outright aggressive – posture PLAN – their navy – is adopting might end up seeing China's ever-growing number of huge, well-armed, seagoing Coast Guard ships involved in confrontations with naval assets of other countries coming to challenge Chinese fishing ships operating within their territorial waters.
Ah, The bastards are back up to their usual shenanigans again, that’s the 3rd straight yr they’ve rape & pillage around the Galapagos Is. Last yr was the worst the locals, Government Bodies & the various NGO’s, with some saying if there is another yr like this by the Chinese Fishing Fleet in 2021. They certainly believe that the Chinese Fishing Fleet would case the biodiversity around the Galapagos Is to totally collapse.
Gezza,
The Chinese Fishing Fleet were using the same tactics in NZ’s EEZ for 2-3yrs straight possibly now Nth to Nth East of the Kermadec’s out of Fiji’s EZZ & Tonga via the Minerva Reefs up to a depth of between 50- 100kms inside NZ’s EEZ Illegally & even more concerning is the reported use of the Chinese Coast Guard Ships (these Ships are the size or bigger of the current RNZN ANZAC Frigates with a Combat Mission System & Intelligence, Surveillance & Reconnaissance also known as ISR Capability to match the ANZAC’s) the necessary overwatch incase the Kiwis coming looking.
Given the NZDF lack of resources to Enforce NZ’s EEZ through the lack of funding & lack from NZG over the decades. Countries like China & to a lesser degree Sth Korea & Taiwan including a of EU Countries in the Southern Ocean . See NZ’s EEZ as a rich juicy target to be raped & pillage, and especially now since last Thursday when Australia said it’s now going to purchase a number of SSN’s. Expect to see the Chinese Fishing Fleet & it various Coast Guard/ Spy Ships aka start mapping the sea floor as the start poking down NZ’s Eastern edge of its EEZ.
As it’s easier to deploy its SSN’s & possible Bomber Subs through the backdoor of NZ and possibly shot the gap between Stewart Island and Campbell Island to patrol around the RAN Fleet Bases & off Adelaide’s ASC Dockyard than trying to head down the Tasman or through the Indonesian Archipelago.
As I’ve said already the Sth Pacific & NZ Security Environment has changed forever now since Thursday when Australia announced it will now purchase a number of SSN’s & to paraphrase the AoC 11 Group AVM Sir Keith Parks at the start of BoB “The Bastards won’t stop now until we either surrender or we knock’m out of the sky”
Btw, I’m not saying we should sunk them Willy nilly, but the NZG should now onwards Publicly Announce the Chinese Fishing Fleet when they are caught illegally in NZ’s EEZ & not through the usual back channels of quite diplomacy. Also that should go for everyone else for that matter regardless of who the are if it’s ship or a sub.
Heroine of the Federation rewarded.
https://twitter.com/JuliaDavisNews/status/1441444734095052802
Daylight savings in my house already (though not officially till 2am tomorrow) which has me a bit off kilter, but at least kids in bed early for once. Some weird stories out of Te Anau about going fulltime into summer, which seems to be largely marketing fluff. But then, Te Waipounamu is more of a South-West Island than a South Island to Te Ika-a-Māui. Even Ōtautahi (CHCH) is further west of anything up in the Big Fish short of Cape Reinga.
Rather than perpetually staying in Daylight Saving Time, the SW Islands might be better to adopt a similar timezone UTC+11 as "New Caledonia" (that other western outcrop of the largely sunken continent of Zelandia), or the Solomons. Which would still allow a local Daylight Saving Time, which has advantages in such a temperate zone with substantial seasonal variations (though some dislike it).
Time is an illusion. Luchtime doubly so.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/452292/push-for-permanent-daylight-savings-in-southland
https://www.odt.co.nz/regions/southland/te-anau-time-tricksters-hope-stunt-will-attract-tourists
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/88/World_Time_Zones_Map.png