Open mike 25/10/2024
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6:00 am, October 25th, 2024 - 14 comments
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- Fact brief – Do volcanoes emit more CO2 than humans?
Skeptical Science is partnering with Gigafact to produce fact briefs — bite-sized fact checks of trending claims. This fact brief was written by Sue Bin Park from the Gigafact team in collaboration with members from our team. You can submit claims you think need checking via the tipline. Do volcanoes emit ...10 hours ago - People of Courage & Decency. And Everyone In Between.
Today, news broke that Jeff Bezos, the American billionaire with a net worth of $206 B (NZ $344B), personally vetoed Washington Post’s Editorial Team from endorsing Kamala Harris.That stops the decades-old tradition of the Wapo for endorsing Presidential candidates. And editors have resigned - that includes Editor at large Robert ...16 hours ago - Let’s Talk About… Anything.
Can't we talk about anything else but love?Love that launched a thousand shipsPlease! Let's talk about anything else but loveLove that causes war and famineCan't we speak about real estate?Love of wifeWatergate?Love of children!Seasonal fluctuations in the prime interest rate?Love of chocolate, you must love chocolate, everybody loves chocolate, say ...23 hours ago - Can you hear me now?
1 day ago - Why Nations Fail
This year’s Nobel awards in economics raise critical issues about the future of the world.I was not alone with high hopes when the Soviet Union collapsed. It has been good to see various nations leave the yoke of the Soviet Empire and move towards liberal democracies with thriving economies although ...2 days ago - All very instructive
1. Who played the sax solo on Gerry Rafferty’s Baker Street?a. Kenny Gb. Lisa Simpsonc. Bill Clintond. Raphael Ravenscroft2. What did Nicola Willis, addressing a large gathering of senior public servants this week, ask them to do?a. Come up with fresh ideas and innovative audacious out of the box thinking b. ...2 days ago - More Sabotage
The Waitangi Tribunal has been one of the most effective critics of the National government and its racist, anti-Māori agenda. So naturally, they're sabotaging it with a crony appointment: Former ACT Party leader Richard Prebble has been appointed to the Waitangi Tribunal. Prebble, a Commander of the British Empire, ...2 days ago - Ghost of a (Mad) Dog
How can that dog be barkin' in the backyard?We ran over him years agoHow can that dog be runnin' by the backfence?We ran over him years agoGhost of a dogBarkin' in the backyardSongwriters: Edie Brickell, Kenny Withrow.I have to say this one caught me by surprise. I had to check ...2 days ago - David Seymour’s School Lunch Provider Has Questionable Record – Including Listeria, Hors...
Yesterday, I looked into Seymour’s school lunch provider and found out it was Compass Group - a group that has had a long list of food quality issues and settled out of court for corruption and bribery of officials.Never mind the food looked like slop - heavy, process laden food ...2 days ago - After years of cover ups and hacks, the truth on gas is out
Long stories short, here’s the top six news items of note in climate news for Aotearoa this week, and a discussion above between Bernard Hickey and The Kākā’s climate correspondent Cathrine Dyer:Gas is worse for the climate than coal, over any timeframe that is relevant for a ‘bridging strategy’. The ...2 days ago - Brown orders motorway building to start before business case done
Kia ora. Long stories short, here’s my top six things to note in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, climate and poverty on Friday, October 25: Scoop of the day: Oliver Lewis reported for BusinessDesk-$$$ this morning that Transport Minister Simeon Brown ordered construction to start on the four-lane Hawkes Bay ...2 days ago - The Hoon around the week to October 25
The podcast above of the weekly ‘Hoon’ webinar for paying subscribers on Thursday night features co-hosts & talking about the week’s news with:The Kākā’s climate correspondent on the latest climate news, including another extreme climate event in the United States; on the escalating conflict between Israel, Iran ...2 days ago
- Weekly Roundup 25-October-2024
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Open access notables The rate of global sea level rise doubled during the past three decades, Hamlington et al., Communications Earth & Environment: The rise in globally averaged sea level—or global mean sea level—is one of the most unambiguous indicators of climate change. Over the past three decades, satellites have ...2 days ago
- Does New Zealand need Vegas-style transit security on our busses?
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Wrong Turn: Labour and National can only reduce the toxic influence of their electoral competitors by rejecting their extremism.“NO ENEMIES TO THE LEFT” has always been Labour’s rule-of-thumb. What, after all, does a moderate, left-of-centre party gain by allowing its electoral rivals to become repositories for every radical (i.e. congenitally dissatisfied) ...3 days ago - All the tools we need
Off I went yesterday, me and my little ear robots, to a workshop.Did I hear every word? Reader, I most surely did. Did I have to ask anyone to repeat themselves? I did not, not one single time.Ironically, the subject of the workshop was one that prompts many to cover ...3 days ago - Join us for the weekly Hoon on YouTube Live at 5pm
3 days ago - An Unending Nightmare.
Hate Will Find A Way: Historians divide into those who see Zionism as the only sane answer to the Jews’ historic vulnerability; and those who regard the Zionist “entity” as a purely colonial construct, founded in racism and shrouded in mythology. The moralists of both camps, meanwhile, demonstrate a capacity for ...3 days ago
- A Fast-Track Backwards.
Dubious Destination: What New Zealanders face in the National-Act-NZ First Coalition Government is an attempt to return the country to the policy settings of half-a-century ago. What Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop’s fast-track legislation is designed to rehabilitate and revivify is the “national development” mindset of the 1970s and 80s.IT IS RARE ...3 days ago
- Waiting By The River.
Looking Sideways: To the Peoples Republic of China, and its friends around the world, the United States must remind them of the flailing and failing Chinese Empire of 1900.WATCHING THE SCREEN in Oamaru’s Majestic picture theatre, I struggled to make sense of Fifty-Five Days At Peking. Yes, it was exciting, ...3 days ago
- National’s fast-track fucks our future
A few years ago, we looked to be on-track to a decarbonised future, with an international consortium led by BlueFloat Energy announcing plans for huge offshore windfarms off Taranaki and Waikato. But National's corrupt fast-track law just fucked all that: Spanish offshore wind developer BlueFloat Energy is cancelling plans ...3 days ago
- NZCTU alarmed at further cuts to WorkSafe
WorkSafe’s announcement that it is planning even further restructuring and cuts just months after losing 15% of its staff has alarmed the NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi. “Our health and safety regulator is a critical component of our health and safety system, and we know it already has an undercooked capacity ...3 days ago - Member’s morning
Today the House is in an extended sitting, devoted to Member's Business as a catch-up for time stolen by the government in urgency. First up was the second reading of the Restoring Citizenship Removed By Citizenship (Western Samoa) Act 1982 Bill, soon to be known as the Citizenship (Western Samoa) ...3 days ago
- Thursday 24 October 2024
The CTU’s Fight Back Together hui received widespread coverage across national and local media, with consistent framing about the Government’s attacks on workers’ rights. In other union news, St John ambulance staff have accepted a pay offer following a Government back down on increased funding for the service. In other ...3 days ago
- Maranga Ake – Fight Back Together
My newsletter took a bit longer than I thought yesterday. I sent it at 11 am, and the protest was starting in the city at midday. Bollocks, I can still make it, I thought. I kissed the dog goodbye, gave Mrs Rockel a pat on the head and headed out ...3 days ago - Health NZ eyed charging for ED visits
3 days ago - What if Instagram girlies planned Auckland?
Go to Instagram. Search posts tagged with Auckland. You’ll be flooded with: photos of the Skytower photos taken from the top of Mt Eden photos of the Skytower taken from the top of Mt Eden. So it shouldn’t be surprising that the residents of Tāmaki Makaurau deeply value ...3 days ago
- 10,000 across the country push back against government actions(PHOTOS)
3 days ago - South Island population boom suggests it’s time for a larger Parliament
The South Island’s population is booming and is growing faster than the North and that suggests it may be time to increase the size of Parliament.. Yesterday’s announcement by Statistics NZ about the number and size of electorate seats for the next election confirms that. The announcement calculates seat size ...3 days ago - Gordon Campbell on dissing Wellington, and Porridge Radio
National has never forgiven Wellington – or its public servants – for voting for Labour and the Greens. (Red-blooded Kiwis work in the private sector.) No surprise then to find a right wing central government being willing to kick the Capital when it’s down. (See “Wellington is dying and we ...3 days ago - Why widening highways doesn’t reduce traffic congestion
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4 days ago - Woman of the Hour
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- Is the Isthmus becoming a retirement village?
We’re continuing to look at the recently released census data. A few weeks ago I looked at how travel to work and education had changed and John looked at how our cities have grown over the last 130 years. Today I wanted to look some of that growth in a ...4 days ago
- Fake Seizure Guy
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- Brighter days
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That's the only way to describe National's actions in appointing a crown observer to the Wellington City Council. Wellington didn't vote for National. They elected a council which supports public transport, housing intensification, and making Wellington a nicer place for people to live (rather than landlords and house hoarders to ...5 days ago
- A violation of law, justice, and decency
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- What’s driving the exodus of workers to Australia
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- Money’s Just Cash
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- Welcome to the world of personal air conditioning
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- Gordon Campbell on the Three Strikes cycle of failure
We all know the “tough on crime” approach is only a stop gap measure at best, and that a justice model based on incarceration doesn’t work. Our prisons are already overcrowded and under-staffed. More often than not, they function as training centres for young offenders, and as sites for gang ...5 days ago
- Luxon Shows The World Andrew Bayly Lied
In today’s press conference, Christopher Luxon re-affirmed his government’s commitment to bringing back the live animal export ban: claiming that National will do it to a “gold standard”.Heard of that term before?Well lobbyists spent $1m to help with the National-ACT-NZF reversal of Labour’s ban and the marketing term “gold standard” ...5 days ago
- Going West
Yesterday in the quiet of Sunday morning we went out West. Here you will find native rainforest, here you will find Kauri — and dieback, here you will find trails, beautiful trails, here you will find others out walking, here on the dusty road you will find a stream of ...6 days ago - The Enemy Within – Maire Leadbeater & Nicky Hager
Like so many others involved in social justice movements, Maire Leadbeater was subjected to state surveillance during a long life of activism. With the help of archival material, released SIS files, and other formerly secret material, she has been able to examine the depth of stateintrusion into the lives of ...6 days ago - Monday 21 October 2024
In union news, the Postal Workers Union is worried a scam that has conned New Zealanders out of millions of dollars is circulating for a fourth time, while FIRST are working with Woolworths to redeploy staff following the announced closure of a store in Tauranga. Latest SEEK data shows that ...6 days ago
- DTIs set to restrain housing-debt-led economic rebound
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What if I told you that if you pay for electricity in Auckland’s Isthmus, South Auckland, East Auckland, or Waiheke Island, you have a say in how a $3.76b company is run? What if I told you that one group has been in control of this resource on your behalf ...6 days ago
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- Electrifying
I went on the radio this week to talk economic gloom. My starting point was this very good piece by Geoff Bertram in The Conversation exploring the question: Does the government know what it is doing? Answer: very possibly not. Their austerity measures, which they’ve touted as getting the car ...1 week ago - Empire of the Ants
Windows, releasing 7 November 2024 After those first few super chill games I’ve had bad luck getting Next Fest demos to run on my Steam Deck (no shade – none of them claimed they would and they’re not even finished games yet) but of the couple that have I really ...1 week ago
- Why should Andrew Bayly get a pass?
Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when publishedCome in with the Big L sign plastered on your voice.Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when publishedMake fun of the worker doing his pace.Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when publishedWho am I?Text ...1 week ago - Take This Bottle, Loser.
Cuz I've done wrongAnd I'm a little afraidAnd I ain't too strongAnd this ain't easy to say:Take this bottleTake this bottleAnd just walk away - the both of youAnd let me feel the pain - I've done to youSongwriters: Michael Allen Patton / Bill Gould / Michael Andrew BordinIn case ...1 week ago - The hospital that still should have been, set on fire.
1 week ago - Still giving it a go
1 week ago - The Major Conspiracy Theories of This Election Cycle
Hi,It seems like a very, very long time ago now — but Webworm basically started as a newsletter about conspiracy theories (tending to debunk rather than spread, don’t worry). It’s almost alarming how much I wrote about them, a look through the archive the weirdest trip down memory lane.Today, with ...1 week ago - Healthcare is Not in Crisis; Financing it Is.
Healthcare sector management needs to break away from its obsession with financial information and focus on funding for access. Health New Zealand recently ‘proactively released’ 454 pages about its financial performance to July 2024. Here is a letter it did not release. Hon Dr Shane Reti, Minister of Health. Dear ...1 week ago - What National thinks of us
A "what the fuck" moment for National: Andrew Bayly went round calling a worker a "loser" on an official visit: The worker explained their interaction with Bayly, and said once the pair were introduced, Bayly asked them why they were still at work. “Take a bottle of wine and ...1 week ago
- Give New Zealand a go!
1. Who was the first woman to serve as Governor-General of New Zealand?a. Mother of the Nation Judy Bailey b. Vivacious and astute Cath Tizardc. Calm and perceptive Sylvia Cartwright d. Sovereign Citizen Liz “Unloaded” Gunn2. The formation of the National Party in 1936 was a merger of the United and Reform ...1 week ago - Government must support workers following Smithfield closure
NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi President Richard Wagstaff is calling on the Government to show leadership following the announced closure of the Smithfield meat works, and the continued loss of regional manufacturing jobs, by putting in place policies to support workers with retraining and income insurance. “The loss of 600 jobs ...1 week ago
- Aotearoa’s Big Lie
OPINIONWhen I first wrote about David Seymour’s ties to the Atlas Network this year, I came across a fellow called Trotter who argued that - although Atlas Network wasn’t a conspiracy - as David Farrar, David Seymour, and Chris Bishop all claimed - it really wasn’t worth the left’s time ...1 week ago - Fast Track Stupidity
Ten years from now, I will almost certainly be dead. But, if I were to live that long, I would be constantly challenged with the question, “Why did you not warn us about what was surely already apparent – that the globe was heating at an ever-increasing rate, and that ...1 week ago - Dr Strange in the Multiverse of Madness
2022, directed by Sam Raimi It’s a bold artistic choice on Marvel’s part to spend the entire two hour runtime of the guy’s own movie telling us how literally every version of him is fucking terrible and this one’s only the hero because Wanda managed to be even worse. I’d ...1 week ago
- Train in Vain
You must explain why this must beDid you lie when you spoke to meDid you stand by meNo, not at allWriters: Paul Simonon, Topper Headon, Mick Jones, Joe StrummerGood morning, all. Since it's Friday, I’ll take a quick look at a few of the stories from the week. There’s also ...1 week ago - Weekly Roundup 18-October-2024
Happy Friday, and welcome to another round-up of interesting stories about what’s happening in Auckland and other cities. Feel free to add your links in the comments! This post, like all our work, is brought to you by a largely volunteer crew and made possible by generous donations from our ...1 week ago
- Release: Labour backs Christchurch City Council sanctions on Israel
Labour is backing Christchurch City Council’s decision not to do business with firms involved in Israel’s illegal settlements in the Occupied Territories. ...2 days ago - Release: Government driving away offshore wind industry
The Government has created a hostile environment for companies seeking to build offshore wind farms. ...3 days ago
- Another step towards Pasifika justice
The Green Party acknowledges the historical importance of MP Teanau Tuiono’s Member’s Bill, Restoring Citizenship Removed By Citizenship (Western Samoa) Act 1982 Bill, passing its second reading in Parliament today. ...3 days ago - Sanctions Soar, Jobs Vanish – National’s Cruelty Exposed
Te Pāti Māori is enraged at the National government’s ruthless punishment of beneficiaries, all while jobs are disappearing. MSD data shows a 133% increase in sanctions over the past year, with over 14,000 sanctions in just three months. The kicker? The jobs this government insists people should find are nowhere ...4 days ago
- Police Perpetuate Siege on Ōpōtiki
Te Pāti Māori MP for Waiariki, Rawiri Waititi, says today’s police-sponsored terrorism in Ōpōtiki is a continuation of the State’s predatory behaviour towards the iwi of Te Whakatōhea. "Ōpōtiki is once again being intentionally targeted and is the direct byproduct of this Government’s 'tough on crime' legislative changes,” said MP ...4 days ago
- Release: Govt cuts school lunches even further
The Government has gone back on its word and cut the full school lunch programme in primary schools after saying it wouldn’t. ...5 days ago
- Time to shut down failed Youth Justice Residences
The Green Party is calling for Youth Justice Residences to close, following a protest in which a group of young people spent the night on the roof of an Oranga Tamariki justice facility. ...5 days ago
- Release: Appalling process on three strikes law
The Government is subverting parliamentary process on laws the evidence already shows don’t work. ...5 days ago
- Release: Labour calls for investigation into tobacco tax cut
The Government’s decision to award a $216 million tax break for Philip Morris’ heated tobacco products reeks of tobacco industry interference and needs to be thoroughly investigated. ...5 days ago
- Release: Delay to retirement village review won’t help residents
The National Government is treading water on a much-needed review of the Retirement Villages Act, kicking any amendments down the road till the next parliamentary term in 2027. ...6 days ago
- Release: Serious concerns ignored in Govt’s fast track bill
National’s fast track bill enables the most radical and unbalanced consenting regime in living memory. ...1 week ago
- Fast-Track, off the rails: Submitters show strong opposition to Bill
Despite resounding public opposition, the fast-track legislation is being pushed through Parliament with provisions that could have real consequences for people and planet. ...1 week ago
- Release: Labour supports continuing fight for dairy access
Labour welcomes the National Government’s decision to further pursue our access to the Canadian dairy market under the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) ...1 week ago
- Release: Job losses devastating for Timaru
Confirmed news that the Smithfield meatworks will close is devastating for the hundreds of people who work there, Timaru and the wider region. ...1 week ago
- New Zealand First Member’s Bill to Improve Access to Palliative Care
New Zealand First has introduced a Member’s Bill which aims to improve access to palliative care for all New Zealanders, ensuring kiwis have better access to the compassionate palliative support they may need. The ‘Improving Access to Palliative Care Bill’ seeks to guarantee that every New Zealander has the right ...1 week ago - Release: Further uncertainty for Kiwirail as jobs set to go
KiwiRail offering voluntary redundancy to all its staff is hugely concerning given the future of New Zealand’s rail system is under threat. ...1 week ago
- ASA Declares Hobson’s Pledge Advertising Misleading and Socially Irresponsible
Te Pāti Māori Co-leaders Rawiri Waititi and Debbie Ngarewa-Packer welcome today’s ruling from the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA), which found that a Hobson's Pledge advertisement regarding customary marine titles was misleading and socially irresponsible. The two-page wraparound ad, published in The New Zealand Herald, suggested that nearly the entire coastline ...1 week ago
- Release: Benefit numbers continue to soar under National
National’s all pain approach to beneficiaries has yielded no gain as benefit numbers continue to surge past projected figures. ...1 week ago
- Soaring benefit sanctions push more into poverty
Sanctions on beneficiaries have sky-rocketed since the Coalition Government came to power, pushing more families into poverty. ...1 week ago
- International Energy Agency issues wake-up call on climate action
Today’s report from the International Energy Agency highlights how far this Government’s actions are dragging us backwards in the fight against climate change. ...1 week ago
- Release: Lack of funding puts pressure on frontline Police
News that 173 roles are being cut at Police will only put more pressure on the frontline. ...1 week ago
- Release: Bipartisan agreement on outdated marriage law
Changes to outdated relationships legislation has passed its third reading giving family violence survivors the power to quickly dissolve abusive marriages. ...1 week ago
- Release: Cuts to Apprenticeship Boost will fail future NZ
The Government’s cuts to the Apprenticeship Boost programme will leave New Zealand without the workforce it needs to build homes, schools and hospitals. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Sluggish economy means struggles ahead for Kiwis
While today’s inflation numbers are good news for Kiwis, there are still struggles ahead with rising rents, rates, insurance and high unemployment. ...2 weeks ago
- CPI figures show rents continuing to soar
Stats NZ has confirmed that higher rent prices were the biggest contributor to the annual inflation rate. Almost a fifth of the 2.2 per cent annual increase in the CPI was due to rent prices. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Govt changes threaten depleted Hauraki Gulf
The National Government has sneakily reneged on protecting the Hauraki Gulf, reducing the protected area of the marine park and inviting commercial fishing in the depleted seascape. ...2 weeks ago
- Govt’s shameful backtrack on marine conservation
The Green Party has condemned the Government’s late change to allow commercial fishing in protected areas in the Hauraki Gulf. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: No time to slow-down on disaster response
Labour welcomes the release of the Government’s response to the report into the North Island weather events but urges it to push forward with legislative change this term. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Where are the 100,000 families?
Nicola Willis has once again shown her promises are based on ghost families, with less than half registering for the FamilyBoost payments. ...2 weeks ago
- Significant step forward for Pasifika justice in Aotearoa
The Green Party has welcomed news that MP Teanau Tuiono’s Member’s Bill has moved forward with unanimous support from the select committee. ...3 weeks ago
- Release: Bill restoring Samoan Citizenship progresses
Labour is pleased the Samoan Citizenship Bill has unanimous support as it enters second reading. ...3 weeks ago
- Release: National bent the rules to keep coalition commitment
The National Government bent all sorts of rules to give $24 million to Gumboot Friday just to fulfil a coalition agreement. ...3 weeks ago
- Greens support call for divestment from illegal Israeli settlements
The Green Party echoes a call for banks to divest from entities linked to Israel’s illegal settlements in Palestine, and says Crown Financial Institutions should follow suit. ...3 weeks ago
- Release: National’s deficit stories don’t hold up
Te Whatu Ora’s finances have deteriorated under the National Government, turning a surplus into a deficit, and breaking promises made to New Zealanders to pay for it. ...3 weeks ago
- Release: Politics over police safety puts shame on PM
The Prime Minister’s decision to back his firearms minister on gun law changes despite multiple warnings shows his political judgement has failed him yet again. ...3 weeks ago
- Govt Gambling Safety of our Moana
Yesterday the government announced the list of 149 projects selected for fast-tracking across Aotearoa. Trans-Tasman Resources’ plan to mine the seabed off the coast of Taranaki was one of these projects. “We are disgusted but not surprised with the government’s decision to fast-track the decimation of our seabed,” said Te ...3 weeks ago
- Release: Govt takes the scalpel to regional health budgets
At Labour’s insistence, Te Whatu Ora financial documents have been released by the Health Select Committee today showing more cuts are on the way for our health system. ...3 weeks ago
- Trojan Horse approach to fast-track projects threatens environment
The Government’s fast-track list is another example of its reckless approach to the environment and disregard for due process. ...3 weeks ago
- Release: Fast track list reveals Govt’s backroom deals
The coalition Government’s backroom deals with coal and ironsands mining companies have finally been revealed – and it’s not pretty. ...3 weeks ago
- Release: Nicole McKee unfit for firearms portfolio
Fresh questions have been raised about the conduct of the Firearms Minister after revelations she misled New Zealanders about her role in stopping gun reforms prior to the mosque shootings. ...3 weeks ago
- NZ investing in Pacific disaster preparedness & climate resilience
New Zealand will contribute $20 million to the Pacific Resilience Facility, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters have announced. “The Pacific Islands region faces severe challenges from natural disasters and climate change impacts and New Zealand is committed to doing its part to help meet them,” ...13 hours ago - Police to increase presence on Auckland public transport
Aucklanders will see a greater Police presence on public transport services to boost safety and reassure public transport workers and passengers, Police Minister Mark Mitchell and Transport and Auckland Minister Simeon Brown say. “Minister Brown and I are working together, alongside Police and Auckland Transport in response to the horrific ...14 hours ago
- Government funds helicopter replacements
The Government is investing in eight new emergency helicopters to replace some of New Zealand’s ageing air ambulance fleet, Associate Health Minister Casey Costello and ACC Minister Matt Doocey announced today. “Our air ambulance helicopters play a vital role in saving lives around New Zealand,” Casey Costello says. “This is ...2 days ago
- China and New Zealand strengthen organic trade
An uplift to New Zealand’s organic product trade is expected through a new upgraded arrangement with China, Food Safety Minister Andrew Hoggard says.“The upgraded Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) for organic products will deliver opportunities for our organic export sector.”The upgraded MRA was signed in Central Otago today by Andrew Hoggard ...2 days ago
- Judicial appointments announced
Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced two Court of Appeal and two High Court appointments. The four appointments will take effect on 21 November 2024 and are: Justice Christine French Justice French, who has been appointed President of the Court of Appeal, graduated with an LLB (Honours) from the University of Otago ...2 days ago
- Tuatapere Hump Ridge Track becomes New Zealand’s 11th Great Walk
Conservation Minister Tama Potaka joined tangata whenua from Ngāi Tahu and local community members today to celebrate the opening of New Zealand’s eleventh Great Walk – the Tuatapere Hump Ridge Track. “The 60km upgraded track provides the opportunity to do one of New Zealand’s world-class multi-day walks, and will bring ...2 days ago
- New Chief Criminal Cases Review Commissioner
The Honourable Denis Clifford has been appointed Chief Commissioner of the Criminal Cases Review Commission, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says. Hon Clifford brings a wealth of expertise and experience that will prove invaluable to the Commission. “He has served as a judge at both the Court of Appeal and High ...2 days ago
- Changes to improve building fire safety
The Government is progressing changes to better protect Kiwis and their property from fires, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “Following the tragic Loafer’s Lodge fire in 2023, 37 boardings houses across the country were assessed and I am pleased to say that all fire safety recommendations from the ...2 days ago
- Germany and New Zealand partner to support agriculture and tackle global emissions
New Zealand and Germany have announced the official start of a partnership aimed at supporting the agriculture sector and tackle global agricultural greenhouse gas emissions Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced today. “The partnership, called the Alliance for the Climate – Dialogue on Climate and Agriculture between New Zealand and Germany (Agri-DENZ project), ...2 days ago
- New members appointed to the Waitangi Tribunal
Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka today confirmed the appointment of two new members to the Waitangi Tribunal, as well as the reappointment of Kevin Prime. The members appointed and reappointed are: Hon Richard Prebble (CBE). Mr Prebble is a former Cabinet Minister where he held a broad range of portfolios. ...3 days ago
- New appointments to the Local Government Commission
Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has today announced the reappointment of the current Chair and the appointment of a temporary member to the Local Government Commission.Current Chair Brendan Duffy ONZM has been reappointed as Chair for a one-year term ending 23 October 2025, while Gwen Bull CNZM will be joining ...3 days ago
- New Electoral Commission Chair appointed
Today the House agreed to Justice Simon Moore KC being appointed chair of the Electoral Commission, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says. “Justice Moore brings with him a high level of legal acumen and decision-making ability, strategic planning skills and unquestionable personal integrity and independence. “He retired from the High Court ...3 days ago
- Education Minister attending conference in Australia
The Education Minister is travelling to Australia today to attend the 23rd edition of public policy conference, Consilium. “New Zealand and Australia share common challenges and aspirations for education. New South Wales has recently introduced a new curriculum that is explicit, sequenced and knowledge based while Victoria is requiring structured ...3 days ago
- Launching VisAble to enable safer lives
The launch of new community advocacy group VisAble signals an important development in community advocacy to achieve more focus on the needs and rights of disabled people in the family violence and sexual violence system. Minister for the Prevention of Family and Sexual Violence, Karen Chhour, and Disabilities Issues Minister, ...3 days ago
- $100m NZ-Brazil trade boost through 13 key partnerships
Minister for Trade Todd McClay, today announced the signing of 13 Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) between New Zealand and Brazilian companies as part of the New Zealand Trade Mission to São Paulo this week. “These partnerships mark a significant step in strengthening the trade relationship between the two nations and are ...3 days ago
- 30,000 households get FamilyBoost payments
Almost 30,000 households have now received their first payments under the FamilyBoost childcare payment scheme and thousands more will receive them soon, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. “In total, $11.5 million has been paid out to 29,805 households after only three weeks of claims being open,” Nicola Willis says. “High ...3 days ago
- 1,452 children into better homes from emergency housing
Ki te kahore he whakakitenga, ka ngaro te Iwi – without a vision, the people will perish. Almost 1,500 tamariki that were growing up in emergency housing motels have been supported into better homes under the government’s Priority One mahi, Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka says. “The total number of ...3 days ago
- Suspension of new SNAs passes its third reading
The three-year suspension of identification of new significant natural areas (SNAs) has passed its third reading. “We’ve made this change via the Resource Management (Freshwater and Other Matters) Amendment Act because we’ve heard concerns from some stakeholders that the approach to identifying new SNAs was too broad, capturing areas with ...3 days ago
- Government funds food for additional 10,000 children in ECE
Associate Education Minister David Seymour has today announced that KidsCan Charitable Trust will be delivering the new Early Childhood Education (ECE) Food Programme, starting in February 2025. “I would like to acknowledge KidsCan for their amazing work supporting children’s learning since 2005. In 2019 they launched a national early childhood ...3 days ago
- Attorney-General to deliver law lecture in Sydney
Attorney-General Judith Collins is travelling to Sydney to speak at Western Sydney University on the constitutional and rule of law challenges in the current uncertain global environment. “It is timely to take the opportunity to discuss constitutional and rule of law challenges,” Ms Collins says. “We find ourselves in increasingly ...3 days ago
- Speeding up flood protection works in Māngere
An Order in Council to speed up flood mitigation works for hundreds of at-risk properties in Mangere, Auckland, has been approved, Environment Minister Penny Simmonds and Minister for Emergency Management and Recovery Mark Mitchell say. “The Auckland Anniversary weekend floods and Cyclone Gabrielle in early 2023 had a devastating impact ...3 days ago
- Gisborne leads New Zealand in national drill
ShakeOut, our national earthquake drill and tsunami hīkoi, is happening today with over 665,000 people around New Zealand taking part in the drill,” says Mark Mitchell, Minister for Emergency Management and Recovery. “ShakeOut is a great opportunity for all of us to put our preparedness to the test. “Gisborne is ...3 days ago
- Speech to Institute of Public Administration New Zealand
Good morning, kia ora koutou. Thank you, Liz, for your introduction, and to you all for the opportunity to speak to you today. It’s a pleasure to be here. And it’s a particular pleasure to continue a tradition that was started by one of my predecessors Sir Bill English. I’m ...3 days ago
- Bill to improve charity lotteries passes third reading
Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says lotteries run by charities such as Pet Refuge and the Heart Foundation can now operate and advertise online permanently. “Temporary legislation that allowed lotteries for non-commercial to operate online was due to expire at the end of October, which would have forced ...3 days ago
- Bill to improve charity lotteries passes third reading
Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says lotteries run by charities such as Pet Refuge and the Heart Foundation can now operate and advertise online permanently. “Temporary legislation that allowed lotteries for non-commercial to operate online was due to expire at the end of October, which would have forced ...3 days ago
- Mental Health Bill passes first reading
A bill that will repeal the current Mental Health (Compulsory Assessment and Treatment) Act 1992 has passed first reading in Parliament today, Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey says. “As New Zealand’s first Mental Health Minister I am very pleased to introduce this Bill to the House. This Bill will modernise ...3 days ago
- Mental Health Bill passes first reading
A bill that will repeal the current Mental Health (Compulsory Assessment and Treatment) Act 1992 has passed first reading in Parliament today, Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey says. “As New Zealand’s first Mental Health Minister I am very pleased to introduce this Bill to the House. This Bill will modernise ...3 days ago
- Minister clears up incident information
Minister for Children Karen Chhour wants to clarify the facts following Chloe Swarbrick’s questions in Parliament this afternoon about the incident at Korowai Manaaki this week. “Claims that young people there didn’t have access to food, are false,” Children’s Minister Karen Chhour says. “Claims that young people there didn’t have ...4 days ago
- White paper on increasing access to medicines accepted
Associate Health Minister David Seymour is pleased to accept the Valuing Life Medicines Access Summit White Paper delivered by Patient Voice Aotearoa (PVA). PVA gives patients a unified voice to help inform better health policy and improve access to healthcare, while fiercely advocating for their rights. “We welcome the White ...4 days ago
- Coalition Government’s reforms give workers the best chance to succeed and prosper
Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety Brooke van Velden responds to NZCTU’s protest across the country and says this Government is delivering for all workers, including the over 85 percent of New Zealand’s labour force who are not union members. “This coalition Government is focused on delivering for all hardworking ...4 days ago
- NZ joins UK initiative for AI safety
The Government is joining the UK’s Bletchley Declaration on Artificial Intelligence (AI) Safety, Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology, and for Digitising Government Judith Collins says. “AI used responsibly can be a game changer for New Zealand, supporting productivity, innovation, and economic development,” Ms Collins says “The UK’s Bletchley Declaration ...4 days ago
- Government to overhaul anti-money laundering regime
The Government will introduce a single supervisor and a new funding model in a major overhaul of New Zealand’s Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) system, Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee says. “Cabinet has approved an AML/CFT reform work programme which will change the supervisor structure that monitors ...4 days ago
- First RMA Amendment Bill passes third reading
The coalition Government’s Resource Management (Freshwater and Other Matters) Amendment Bill has passed its third reading in Parliament, delivering on the Government’s commitment to improve resource management laws and give greater certainty to councils and consent applicants, RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay, Environment Minister Penny Simmonds ...4 days ago
- Government reduces Forestry ETS annual charge by 50 per cent
The Government has today started consultation on a 50 per cent reduction to the annual charge for forest owners participating in the Forestry Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) Registry, Forestry Minister Todd McClay announced. “Following an independent review released last week we are proposing to lower the per-hectare annual charge to ...4 days ago
- Open work rights return for partners of high skilled migrants
The Government is ensuring New Zealand attracts and retains the workers and skills it needs by returning open work rights to partners of high-skilled migrants. “We are committed to growing the economy and our immigration system is critical to that. From 2 December, open work rights will be available to ...4 days ago
- Funding boost for Hato Hone St John
Associate Minister of Health Casey Costello and Minister for ACC Matt Doocey have announced today that the Government has invested over $21 million in additional funding into Hato Hone St John. “Hato Hone St John provides an essential service by ensuring people receive timely treatment in an emergency. This is ...4 days ago
- Police deliver clear message to gangs
Today, Police dealt a significant blow to the Mongrel Mob Barbarians in Opotiki with the execution of over thirty search warrants across the North Island, and sent a clear message that the misery and violence that they cause will not be tolerated, says Police Minister Mark Mitchell. “I want to ...5 days ago
- Rooftop youth will face consequences
“The young offenders involved in the rooftop incident at an Oranga Tamariki youth justice residence in Auckland need to know there will be consequences for their actions, Children’s Minister Karen Chhour says. “Last night, 13 young people gained access to the roof of the Korowai Manaaki residence at about 6.30pm. ...5 days ago
- Government to appoint Crown Observer to Wellington City Council
Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has today announced his intention to appoint a Crown Observer to Wellington City Council, following news that the Council will now be required to rewrite its 2024-34 Long Term Plan. “I have been concerned about the Council’s ability to manage their Long Term Plan amendment ...5 days ago
- Government provides clarity to farmers and councils on freshwater plans
The Government will move to add an amendment to the Resource Management Act Amendment Bill, currently before Parliament, which will restrict councils’ ability to notify freshwater plans before the gazettal of the replacement National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management, RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay and Environment ...5 days ago
- How women’s cricket can follow-on to target Olympic glory
When the Women’s Cricket World Cup was held in New Zealand in 2022, it was part of the big three women’s events to grace these shores in quick succession, alongside the rugby and football World Cups. But a number of things conspired against it; the backdrop of the Covid-19 pandemic, ...2 hours ago - LNP wins Queensland election, likely with a clear majority
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian Beaumont, Election Analyst (Psephologist) at The Conversation; and Honorary Associate, School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne With 45% of enrolled voters counted in today’s Queensland state election, The Poll Bludger’s results have the Liberal National Party (LNP) winning ...5 hours ago - UN experts ‘alarmed’ by Kanaky New Caledonia deaths as Pacific fact-finding mission readies
By Stefan Armbruster of BenarNews France has been criticised for the “alarming” death toll in New Caledonia during recent protests and its “cold shower” approach to decolonisation by experts of the UN Human Rights Committee. The UN committee met this week in Geneva for France’s five-yearly human rights review with ...9 hours ago
- PM shares rugby banter with Australia, Pacific leaders at CHOGM police event
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has shared some friendly rugby banter with Australian and Pacific colleagues at an event highlighting the Pacific Policing Initiative. ...14 hours ago - Government Keeping Eye On Flashpoint Khalistan ‘Referendum’ In Auckland
The issue assumes significance with potential repercussions for New Zealand-India relations, which have seen a major up-tick in recent months. ...15 hours ago - PNG bus shooting: ‘This sort of revenge killing is unheard of’
By Grace Tinetali-Fiavaai, RNZ Pacific journalist Papua New Guinea police say 10 people have been tragically killed after a series of violent “revenge killings” along the Laiagam-Sirunki Highway in the Highlands province of Enga. The attacks, which occured last Friday and Monday, are believed to be connected to an unresolved ...18 hours ago
- Health Ministry not winning any friends over conflict of interest handling
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- The House: Restoring Citizenship Bill passes second reading
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- Going down a Wikipedia rabbit hole? Science says you’re one of these three types
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- Todd Muller on what the US election means for New Zealand – and who will win
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- The Secret Diary of .. political appointments
Former Act leader Richard Prebble“Name?”“Prebs.”“Please take a seat, Mr Prebs.”“I’m already sitting down.”“Yes, but that’s a nice seat. Leather. Take it with you after I appoint you as a new member of the Waitangi Tribunal.”“Wait – this is an interview process. Where is the robust questioning?”“I asked you for your ...1 day ago
- Short story: second place in the Sargeson Prize
Robinson is making progress, real progress. Two weeks with this new approach and he’s written more than the past year combined. It’s drastic, for sure: leaving his phone beside the fruit bowl, climbing into the roof space above his garage, kicking the ladder away and only letting Janet resurrect it ...1 day ago
- The Weekend: What does your taste say about you?
Madeleine Chapman reflects on the week that was. There’s a saying that I used to like that goes: you are the average of the five people you spend the most time with. I used to like the saying because I love psychological categorisation and it made me think, for a ...1 day ago
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All week we’ve been counting down the top 100 New Zealand TV shows of the 21st century so far (read more about the process here). Here’s the list in full, for your long weekend reading pleasure. My watchlistWatched: 0To watch: 0go to list 100. Reservoir Hill (2009) I’m ...1 day ago
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- New Zealand’s place in a turbulent Pacific region
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By Lydia Lewis, RNZ Pacific presenter/Bulletin editor Fiji Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka is cautioning New Caledonia’s local government to “be reasonable” in its requests from Paris ahead of a Pacific fact-finding mission. A much-anticipated high-level visit by Pacific leaders to the French territory is confirmed, after it was postponed by ...2 days ago
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Auckland election votes for Entrust open until 5pm.
See details at end of yesterdays post.
New Green MP:
Biodiversity is a basic Green principle so it is appropriate to use it in political contexts.
Luxon, please keep this man away from ANZAC Day parades…
Man called a ‘loser’ by Andrew Bayly a former NZDF member
https://www.1news.co.nz/2024/10/24/man-called-a-loser-by-andrew-bayly-a-former-nzdf-member/
New motto for the NZDF:
"Who Swears, Wins"!!
Bishop doubles down on fast track sea bed mining disaster, saying what investors in offshore wind farms want is of no concern.
He claims the government can have both, they say they are no longer interested.
https://www.1news.co.nz/2024/10/24/wind-farm-plan-scrapped-key-uncertainties-include-allocation-of-seabed/
What is it about those who work in corporate affairs for big tobacco?
Mining before off shore wind farms, which will keep power prices high.
Importing LNG, which will increase power cost to business.
No action in increasing solar panel take up.
On top of the offshore windfarm fast-track disaster, a group of people at Gibbston near Queenstown has formed a group to try and stop a fast-tracked 900-lot subdivision that will wreck landscapes and will destroy the rural amenity currently enjoyed by residents at Gibbston….paywalled link below.
Under the Queenstown Lakes District Plan, which cost many millions to write over the last 10 years, this subdivision would have had no chance.
https://www.odt.co.nz/regions/queenstown/fear-dark-sky-certification-risk-if-village-goes-ahead
The fast-track legislation also includes a massive subdivision in the precious rural landscape near the start of the access road to Coronet Peak skifield. Again the district plan would have prevented this.
The fast-track bill is an anti-democratic anti-environment disaster.
"The fast-track bill is an anti-democratic anti-environment disaster."
That's what makes it so attractive to the government; a few in the business sector stand to make a lot of money.
Oops Andrew. MP Smith and Bayley talked with Oyster farmers in the morning.
In the afternoon they went to Dodson Street Beer Gardens. Beer and whiskey was available.
The afternoon ended with the visit to Spy Valley Wines.
Funny that Dodson Street was not mentioned?
Bayly told the House he had no alcohol at all before any of his interactions with the complainant but did have a small wine tasting at the end of day. (RNZ story yesterday).
So he visits Dodson Street Beer Garden before Spy Valley but had no alcohol there?
What's more likely is that he is a liar as well being unfit to be an MP let alone a Minister.
On top of the highly inappropriate appointments, which were also contrary to advice, of Steven Rainbow (Humans Rights Commissioner) and Melissa Derby (Race Relations Commissioner), two more far right wing cranks have been planted in our vulnerable institutions:
Phillip Crump to NZ on Air
Richard Prebble to the Waitangi Tribunal
It's like deliberately injecting cancer into a person and waiting for them to die…
When I read the description of Crump on the spinoff website he seems to be a great deal more sensible than you appear to claim. Indeed he seems to be a breath of fresh air that is sorely needed at NZ on Air.
https://thespinoff.co.nz/media/23-10-2024/is-there-room-for-conservatives-in-culture-nz-on-air-is-about-to-find-out
Quoting from that opinion piece:
"For a year, still anonymous, [Crump] wrote about hot button topics like the Three Waters co-governance provisions, the decision to approve Covid vaccines or the Posie Parker tour, attracting thousands, sometimes tens of thousands of views. His pieces interrogated topics which were suddenly hard to discuss in many broad media outlets, while also being still of huge interest to many right-leaning New Zealanders. "
These topics were extensively discussed across all media, as I remember.
What this man will push is for the kind of 'balance', as in the BBC in recent years by tory pressure. The most extreme right-wing view commentator 'balances', not an extreme left-wing position, but a centrist one. And this is on news shows that warp into opinion-spouting, rather than factual debate.
Interesting that Crump critiques covid vaccine decision reporting. Framing amplification of uninformed opinions from people unhappy about covid measures (which the government said repeatedly was led by the advice of health officials, who updated us daily in the news), as some sort of free speech issue? During an epidemic, where the government does have, as in wartime, a mandate, in fact, a political imperative to bring the populace along with them?
The enquiry comes after the emergency, and if there was political mishandling,and serious social harm it comes out then. Oh, that's right, there has been an enquiry: which this government is witholding from us. Will there be an enquiry about that?
Just spotted Crump is "a senior lawyer who had recently returned to New Zealand after 20 years in the UK."
Yup, more importation of UK tory values.
The Trump/Hitler re-run grows legs:
Trump was just hinting that Kelly, a retired marine corps 4-star general, was not as subservient as the job description required. However it does alert us to a way he could scoop the undecided vote – he stopped dying his hair orange when he figured out that there weren't enough punk voters, so now he fronts as a classic blonde.
He could adopt this stance in response to reporters asking him why he likes Hitler's generals: "They tried to blow him up, right? They had attitude. They strategically placed the brief-case just behind that massive oak table leg, so the force of the blast was directed away from Hitler. That was caring. Look, I'm a blonde Aryan staunch dudester, what more do you want??" Everyone would gaze at each other wondering.
Then the Lange market reef-fish thing would kick in, and all the undecideds would pivot simultaneously and fall into line as they realised how cool a leader like that is.
lol, 'Murica (Nsf sensitive souls)
@NickKnudsenUS
Just found out this ad when tested moves under-30-men 3.5 points away from Donald Trump.
That’s MASSIVE!
Please share widely!
Guys don’t want to be controlled either.
#MAGAInYourBedroom
https://x.com/NickKnudsenUS/status/1849499225069060281/video/1
https://xcancel.com/SundaeDivine/status/1849565701398208642