Open mike 26/01/2024
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- 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #17
A listing of 31 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, April 21, 2024 thru Sat, April 27, 2024. Story of the week Anthropogenic climate change may be the ultimate shaggy dog story— but with a twist, because here ...28 mins ago - Pastor Who Abused People, Blames People
Hi,I spent about a year on Webworm reporting on an abusive megachurch called Arise, and it made me want to stab my eyes out with a fork.I don’t regret that reporting in 2022 and 2023 — I am proud of it — but it made me angry.Over three main stories ...3 hours ago - Vic Uni shows how under threat free speech is
The new Victoria University Vice-Chancellor decided to have a forum at the university about free speech and academic freedom as it is obviously a topical issue, and the Government is looking at legislating some carrots or sticks for universities to uphold their obligations under the Education and Training Act. They ...9 hours ago - Winston remembers Gettysburg.
Do you remember when Melania Trump got caught out using a speech that sounded awfully like one Michelle Obama had given? Uncannily so.Well it turns out that Abraham Lincoln is to Winston Peters as Michelle was to Melania. With the ANZAC speech Uncle Winston gave at Gallipoli having much in ...12 hours ago - 25
She was born 25 years ago today in North Shore hospital. Her eyes were closed tightly shut, her mouth was silently moving. The whole theatre was all quiet intensity as they marked her a 2 on the APGAR test. A one-minute eternity later, she was an 8. The universe was ...14 hours ago - Fact Brief – Is Antarctica gaining land ice?Skeptical Science is partnering with Gigafact to produce fact briefs — bite-sized fact checks of trending claims. This fact brief was written by Sue Bin Park in collaboration with members from our Skeptical Science team. You can submit claims you think need checking via the tipline. Is Antarctica gaining land ice? ...1 day ago
- Policing protests.
Images of US students (and others) protesting and setting up tent cities on US university campuses have been broadcast world wide and clearly demonstrate the growing rifts in US society caused by US policy toward Israel and Israel’s prosecution of … Continue reading ...1 day ago - Open letter to Hon Paul GoldsmithBarrie Saunders writes – Dear Paul As the new Minister of Media and Communications, you will be inundated with heaps of free advice and special pleading, all in the national interest of course. For what it’s worth here is my assessment: Traditional broadcasting free to air content through ...1 day ago
- Bryce Edwards: FastTrackWatch – The Case for the Government’s Fast Track Bill
Many criticisms are being made of the Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill, including by this writer. But as with everything in politics, every story has two sides, and both deserve attention. It’s important to understand what the Government is trying to achieve and its arguments for such a bold reform. ...1 day ago - Luxon gets out his butcher’s knife – brieflyPeter Dunne writes – The great nineteenth British Prime Minister, William Gladstone, once observed that “the first essential for a Prime Minister is to be a good butcher.” When a later British Prime Minister, Harold Macmillan, sacked a third of his Cabinet in July 1962, in what became ...1 day ago
- More tax for lessEle Ludemann writes – New Zealanders had the OECD’s second highest tax increase last year: New Zealanders faced the second-biggest tax raises in the developed world last year, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) says. The intergovernmental agency said the average change in personal income tax ...1 day ago
- Real News vs Fake News.
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Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on the past week’s editions.Share ...2 days ago - Simon Clark: The climate lies you'll hear this yearThis video includes conclusions of the creator climate scientist Dr. Simon Clark. It is presented to our readers as an informed perspective. Please see video description for references (if any). This year you will be lied to! Simon Clark helps prebunk some misleading statements you'll hear about climate. The video includes ...2 days ago
- Cutting the Public Service
It is all very well cutting the backrooms of public agencies but it may compromise the frontlines. One of the frustrations of the Productivity Commission’s 2017 review of universities is that while it observed that their non-academic staff were increasing faster than their academic staff, it did not bother to ...2 days ago - Luxon’s demoted ministers might take comfort from the British politician who bounced back after th...
Buzz from the Beehive Two speeches delivered by Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters at Anzac Day ceremonies in Turkey are the only new posts on the government’s official website since the PM announced his Cabinet shake-up. In one of the speeches, Peters stated the obvious: we live in a troubled ...2 days ago - This is how I roll over
1. Which of these would you not expect to read in The Waikato Invader?a. Luxon is here to do business, don’t you worry about thatb. Mr KPI expects results, and you better believe itc. This decisive man of action is getting me all hot and excitedd. Melissa Lee is how ...2 days ago - The Waitangi Tribunal is not “a roving Commission”……it has a restricted jurisdiction which must not be abused: it is not an inquisition NOTE – this article was published before the High Court ruled that Karen Chhour does not have to appear before the Waitangi Tribunal Gary Judd writes – The High Court ...2 days ago
- Is Oranga Tamariki guilty of neglect?Lindsay Mitchell writes – One of reasons Oranga Tamariki exists is to prevent child neglect. But could the organisation itself be guilty of the same? Oranga Tamariki’s statistics show a decrease in the number and age of children in care. “There are less children ...2 days ago
- Three Strikes saw lower reoffendingDavid Farrar writes: Graeme Edgeler wrote in 2017: In the first five years after three strikes came into effect 5248 offenders received a ‘first strike’ (that is, a “stage-1 conviction” under the three strikes sentencing regime), and 68 offenders received a ‘second strike’. In the five years prior to ...2 days ago
- Luxon’s ruthless show of strength is perfect for our angry eraBryce Edwards writes – Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has surprised everyone with his ruthlessness in sacking two of his ministers from their crucial portfolios. Removing ministers for poor performance after only five months in the job just doesn’t normally happen in politics. That’s refreshing and will be extremely ...2 days ago
- 'Lacks attention to detail and is creating double-standards.'
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- What did Melissa Lee do?
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- Maori Party (with “disgust”) draws attention to Chhour’s race after the High Court rules on Wa...Buzz from the Beehive A statement from Children’s Minister Karen Chhour – yet to be posted on the Government’s official website – arrived in Point of Order’s email in-tray last night. It welcomes the High Court ruling on whether the Waitangi Tribunal can demand she appear before it. It does ...3 days ago
- Who’s Going Up The Media Mountain?
Mr Bombastic: Ironically, the media the academic experts wanted is, in many ways, the media they got. In place of the tyrannical editors of yesteryear, advancing without fear or favour the interests of the ruling class; the New Zealand news media of today boasts a troop of enlightened journalists dedicated to ...3 days ago - “That's how I roll”
It's hard times try to make a livingYou wake up every morning in the unforgivingOut there somewhere in the cityThere's people living lives without mercy or pityI feel good, yeah I'm feeling fineI feel better then I have for the longest timeI think these pills have been good for meI ...3 days ago - “Comity” versus the rule of law
In 1974, the US Supreme Court issued its decision in United States v. Nixon, finding that the President was not a King, but was subject to the law and was required to turn over the evidence of his wrongdoing to the courts. It was a landmark decision for the rule ...4 days ago - Aotearoa: a live lab for failed Right-wing socio-economic zombie experiments once more…
Every day now just seems to bring in more fresh meat for the grinder. In their relentlessly ideological drive to cut back on the “excessive bloat” (as they see it) of the previous Labour-led government, on the mountains of evidence accumulated in such a short period of time do not ...4 days ago - Water is at the heart of farmers’ struggle to survive in BeninThis is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Megan Valére Sosou Market gardening site of the Itchèléré de Itagui agricultural cooperative in Dassa-Zoumè (Image credit: Megan Valère Sossou) For the residents of Dassa-Zoumè, a city in the West African country of Benin, choosing between drinking water and having enough ...4 days ago
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Melissa Lee – as may be discerned from the screenshot above – has not been demoted for doing something seriously wrong as Minister of ... 4 days ago - These people are not our friends
Morning in London Mother hugs beloved daughter outside the converted shoe factory in which she is living.Afternoon in London Travelling writer takes himself and his wrist down to A&E, just to be sure. Read more ...4 days ago - Some advice from our tertiary history for the University Advisory GroupMike Grimshaw writes – The recent announcement of the University Advisory Group, chaired by Sir Peter Gluckman, makes very clear where the Government’s focus and priorities lie. The remit of the Advisory Group is that Group members will consider challenges and opportunities for improvement in the university sector including: ...4 days ago
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- Bernard’s pick ‘n’ mix of the news links for Wednesday, April 24
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- Cleaning Up After Gabrielle.
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- Tolling Existing Roads
One of the government’s transport policy and agreements with it’s coalition partners made it clear that they were looking at options like tolling and road pricing. This was reinforced in it’s draft Government Policy Statement released at the start of March which made a couple of references to it. Road pricing, ...4 days ago - At a glance – The difference between weather and climateOn February 14, 2023 we announced our Rebuttal Update Project. This included an ask for feedback about the added "At a glance" section in the updated basic rebuttal versions. This weekly blog post series highlights this new section of one of the updated basic rebuttal versions and serves as a ...5 days ago
- More criminal minersWhat is it with the mining industry? Its not enough for them to pillage the earth - they apparently can't even be bothered getting resource consent to do so: The proponent behind a major mine near the Clutha River had already been undertaking activity in the area without a ...5 days ago
- Photos from the road
Photo # 1 I am a huge fan of Singapore’s approach to housing, as described here two years ago by copying and pasting from The ConversationWhat Singapore has that Australia does not is a public housing developer, the Housing Development Board, which puts new dwellings on public and reclaimed land, ...5 days ago - RMA reforms aim to ease stock-grazing rules and reduce farmers’ costs – but Taxpayers’ Union w...Buzz from the Beehive Reactions to news of the government’s readiness to make urgent changes to “the resource management system” through a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) suggest a balanced approach is being taken. The Taxpayers’ Union says the proposed changes don’t go far enough. Greenpeace says ...5 days ago
- Luxon Strikes Out.
I’m starting to wonder if Anna Burns-Francis might be the best political interviewer we’ve got. That might sound unlikely to you, it came as a bit of a surprise to me.Jack Tame can be excellent, but has some pretty average days. I like Rebecca Wright on Newshub, she asks good ...5 days ago - In many ways the media that the experts wanted, turned out to be the media they have gotChris Trotter writes – Willie Jackson is said to be planning a “media summit” to discuss “the state of the media and how to protect Fourth Estate Journalism”. Not only does the Editor of The Daily Blog, Martyn Bradbury, think this is a good idea, but he has also ...5 days ago
- The Waitangi Tribunal Summons; or the more things stay the sameGraeme Edgeler writes – This morning [April 21], the Wellington High Court is hearing a judicial review brought by Hon. Karen Chhour, the Minister for Children, against a decision of the Waitangi Tribunal. This is unusual, judicial reviews are much more likely to brought against ministers, rather than ...5 days ago
- Both Parliamentary watchdogs hammer Fast-track billBoth of Parliament’s watchdogs have now ripped into the Government’s Fast-track Approvals Bill. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāMy pick of the six newsey things to know from Aotearoa’s political economy and beyond on the morning of Tuesday, April 23 are:The Lead: The Auditor General, John Ryan, has joined the ...5 days ago
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- Bernard’s pick ‘n’ mix of the news links at 6:36am on Tuesday, April 23
TL;DR: These six news links stood out in the last 24 hours to 6:36am on Tuesday, April 22:Scoop & Deep Dive: How Sir Peter Jackson got to have his billion-dollar exit cake and eat Hollywood too NZ Herald-$$$ Matt NippertFast Track Approval Bill: Watchdogs seek substantial curbs on ministers' powers ...6 days ago - What is really holding up infrastructureThe infrastructure industry yesterday issued a “hurry up” message to the Government, telling it to get cracking on developing a pipeline of infrastructure projects.The hiatus around the change of Government has seen some major projects cancelled and others delayed, and there is uncertainty about what will happen with the new ...6 days ago
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Hi,Over the weekend I revisited a podcast I really adore, Dead Eyes. It’s about a guy who got fired from Band of Brothers over two decades ago because Tom Hanks said he had “dead eyes”.If you don’t recall — 2001’s Band of Brothers was part of the emerging trend of ...6 days ago - Bernard's six-stack of substacks for Monday, April 22
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It would not be a desirable way to start your holiday by breaking your back, your head, or your wrist, but on our first hour in Singapore I gave it a try.We were chatting, last week, before we started a meeting of Hazel’s Enviro Trust, about the things that can ...6 days ago - “Unprecedented”Today, former Port of Auckland CEO Tony Gibson went on trial on health and safety charges for the death of one of his workers. The Herald calls the trial "unprecedented". Firstly, it's only "unprecedented" because WorkSafe struck a corrupt and unlawful deal to drop charges against Peter Whittall over Pike ...6 days ago
- Bryce Edwards: Time for “Fast-Track Watch”Calling all journalists, academics, planners, lawyers, political activists, environmentalists, and other members of the public who believe that the relationships between vested interests and politicians need to be scrutinised. We need to work together to make sure that the new Fast-Track Approvals Bill – currently being pushed through by the ...6 days ago
- Gordon Campbell on fast track powers, media woes and the Tiktok banFeel worried. Shane Jones and a couple of his Cabinet colleagues are about to be granted the power to override any and all objections to projects like dams, mines, roads etc even if: said projects will harm biodiversity, increase global warming and cause other environmental harms, and even if ...6 days ago
- The Government’s new fast-track invitation to corruption
Bryce Edwards writes- The ability of the private sector to quickly establish major new projects making use of the urban and natural environment is to be supercharged by the new National-led Government. Yesterday it introduced to Parliament one of its most significant reforms, the Fast Track Approvals Bill. ...6 days ago - Maori push for parallel government structuresMichael Bassett writes – If you think there is a move afoot by the radical Maori fringe of New Zealand society to create a parallel system of government to the one that we elect at our triennial elections, you aren’t wrong. Over the last few days we have ...6 days ago
- An announcement about an announcementWithout a corresponding drop in interest rates, it’s doubtful any changes to the CCCFA will unleash a massive rush of home buyers. Photo: Lynn GrievesonTL;DR: The six things that stood out to me in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, poverty and climate on Monday, April 22 included:The Government making a ...6 days ago
- All the Green Tech in China.
Sunday was a lazy day. I started watching Jack Tame on Q&A, the interviews are usually good for something to write about. Saying the things that the politicians won’t, but are quite possibly thinking. Things that are true and need to be extracted from between the lines.As you might know ...6 days ago - Western Express SuccessIn our Weekly Roundup last week we covered news from Auckland Transport that the WX1 Western Express is going to get an upgrade next year with double decker electric buses. As part of the announcement, AT also said “Since we introduced the WX1 Western Express last November we have seen ...6 days ago
- Bernard’s pick ‘n’ mix of the news links at 7:16am on Monday, April 22
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TL;DR: The six key events to watch in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the week to April 29 include:PM Christopher Luxon is scheduled to hold a post-Cabinet news conference at 4 pm today. Stats NZ releases its statutory report on Census 2023 tomorrow.Finance Minister Nicola Willis delivers a pre-Budget speech at ...7 days ago - 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #16A listing of 29 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, April 14, 2024 thru Sat, April 20, 2024. Story of the week Our story of the week hinges on these words from the abstract of a fresh academic ...7 days ago
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This is a column to say thank you. So many of have been in touch since Mum died to say so many kind and thoughtful things. You’re wonderful, all of you. You’ve asked how we’re doing, how Dad’s doing. A little more realisation each day, of the irretrievable finality of ...1 week ago - Determining the Engine Type in Your Car
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- Gaza: Aotearoa Must Support Independent Investigation into Mass GravesTe Pāti Māori are demanding the New Zealand Government support an international independent investigation into mass graves that have been uncovered at two hospitals on the Gaza strip, following weeks of assault by Israeli troops. Among the 392 bodies that have been recovered, are children and elderly civilians. Many of ...2 days ago
- Release: Working together on consistent support for veterans this Anzac Day
Our two-tiered system for veterans’ support is out of step with our closest partners, and all parties in Parliament should work together to fix it, Labour veterans’ affairs spokesperson Greg O’Connor said. ...4 days ago - Release: Penny drops – but what about Seymour and Peters?Stripping two Ministers of their portfolios just six months into the job shows Christopher Luxon’s management style is lacking, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said. ...4 days ago
- Another ‘Stolen Generation’ enabled by court ruling on Waitangi Tribunal summonsTonight’s court decision to overturn the summons of the Children’s Minister has enabled the Crown to continue making decisions about Māori without evidence, says Te Pāti Māori spokesperson for Children, Mariameno Kapa-Kingi. “The judicial system has this evening told the nation that this government can do whatever they want when ...4 days ago
- Release: Budget blunder shows Nicola Willis could cut recovery fundingIt appears Nicola Willis is about to pull the rug out from under the feet of local communities still dealing with the aftermath of last year’s severe weather, and local councils relying on funding to build back from these disasters. ...5 days ago
- Further environmental mismanagement on the cards
The Government’s resource management reforms will add to the heavy and ever-growing burden this Government is loading on to our environment. ...5 days ago - Release: RMA changes will be a disaster for environmentThe Government is making short-sighted changes to the Resource Management Act (RMA) that will take away environmental protection in favour of short-term profits, Labour’s environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said today. ...5 days ago
- Release: Labour supports urgent changes to emergency management systemLabour welcomes the release of the report into the North Island weather events and looks forward to working with the Government to ensure that New Zealand is as prepared as it can be for the next natural disaster. ...5 days ago
- Release: Labour calls for New Zealand to recognise PalestineThe Labour Party has called for the New Zealand Government to recognise Palestine, as a material step towards progressing the two-State solution needed to achieve a lasting peace in the region. ...6 days ago
- Release: Three strikes law political posturing of worst kindThe Government is bringing back a law that has little evidential backing just to look tough, Labour justice spokesperson Duncan Webb said. ...6 days ago
- Release: Government cuts unbelievably target child exploitation, violent extremism, ports and airpor...Some of our country’s most important work, stopping the sexual exploitation of children and violent extremism could go along with staff on the frontline at ports and airports. ...6 days ago
- Three strikes has failed before and will fail againResurrecting the archaic three-strikes legislation is an unwelcome return to a failed American-style approach to justice. ...6 days ago
- Release: Environmental protection vital, not ‘onerous’The Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill will give projects such as new coal mines a ‘get out of jail free’ card to wreak havoc on the environment, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said today. ...6 days ago
- Ferris – Three Strikes targets those ‘too brown to be white’The government's decision to reintroduce Three Strikes is a destructive and ineffective piece of law-making that will only exacerbate an inherently biased and racist criminal justice system, said Te Pāti Māori Justice Spokesperson, Tākuta Ferris, today. During the time Three Strikes was in place in Aotearoa, Māori and Pasifika received ...6 days ago
- Release: Govt cuts doctors and nurses in hiring freezeCuts to frontline hospital staff are not only a broken election promise, it shows the reckless tax cuts have well and truly hit the frontline of the health system, says Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall. ...1 week ago
- Fast-track submissions period must be extendedThe 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. ...1 week ago
- Release: Progress on climate will be undone by GovtNew 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. ...1 week ago
- Release: Dark day for Kiwi kids as a third of Govt cuts affect themNews that 1000 jobs at the Ministry of Education and Oranga Tamariki could go is devastating for future generations of New Zealanders. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Alarm as Government signals further blow to school lunchesMore 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. ...2 weeks ago
- Oranga Tamariki cuts commit tamariki to state abuseTe Pāti Māori is disgusted at the confirmation that hundreds are set to lose their jobs at Oranga Tamariki, and the disestablishment of the Treaty Response Unit. “This act of absolute carelessness and out of touch decision making is committing tamariki to state abuse.” Said Te Pāti Māori Oranga Tamariki ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Quick, submit – stop Govt’s dodgy approvals billThe 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. ...2 weeks ago
- Government throws coal on the climate crisis fireThe Government’s policy announced today to ease consenting for coal mining will have a lasting impact across generations. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Public transport costs to double as National looks at unaffordable roading project insteadCancelling 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. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Cost of living in Auckland still not a priorityA 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. ...2 weeks ago
- Te Pāti Māori to visit Queensland to strengthen ties with Māori in AustraliaTe Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi, and Mema Paremata mō Tāmaki-Makaurau, Takutai Tarsh Kemp, will travel to the Gold Coast to strengthen ties with Māori in Australia next week (15-21 April). The visit, in the lead-up to the 9th Australian National Kapa haka Festival, will be an opportunity for both ...2 weeks ago
- Greens look to fast-track submissions on harmful lawThe 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. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Govt should stop making people’s lives harder and build more homesThe 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. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Melissa Lee missing in action on mediaThe action Melissa Lee promised to protect democracy and the media sector is missing, Media and Communications spokesperson Willie Jackson said. ...2 weeks ago
- Landlord Government leaves little hope for rentersThe Government’s announcement on tenancy rules prove that it does not care about renters. ...2 weeks ago
- Opportunity to build a more sustainable economyGreen 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. ...2 weeks ago
- Significant step forward in fixing cruel and unjust pastA 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. ...3 weeks ago
- Missed opportunity but NZ will surely one day recognise the right to a sustainable environmentNew 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. ...3 weeks ago
- Release: Don’t cut our lunches – clear message sent to GovernmentTens of thousands of people are demanding the Government commits to fully funding free and healthy school lunches. ...3 weeks ago
- Release: Govt makes U-turn on Suicide Prevention OfficeLabour welcomes the Government’s U-turn on the closure of the Suicide Prevention Office, says Labour Mental Health spokesperson Ingrid Leary. ...3 weeks ago
- Pharmac Chair appointed
Hon Paula Bennett has been appointed as member and chair of the Pharmac board, Associate Health Minister David Seymour announced today. "Pharmac is a critical part of New Zealand's health system and plays a significant role in ensuring that Kiwis have the best possible access to medicines,” says Mr Seymour. ...10 hours ago - Taking action on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum DisorderHundreds of New Zealand families affected by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) will benefit from a new Government focus on prevention and treatment, says Health Minister Dr Shane Reti. “We know FASD is a leading cause of preventable intellectual and neurodevelopmental disability in New Zealand,” Dr Reti says. “Every day, ...1 day ago
- New sports complex opens in KaikoheRegional Development Minister Shane Jones today attended the official opening of Kaikohe’s new $14.7 million sports complex. “The completion of the Kaikohe Multi Sports Complex is a fantastic achievement for the Far North,” Mr Jones says. “This facility not only fulfils a long-held dream for local athletes, but also creates ...1 day ago
- Diplomacy needed more than everForeign Minister Winston Peters’ engagements in Türkiye this week underlined the importance of diplomacy to meet growing global challenges. “Returning to the Gallipoli Peninsula to represent New Zealand at Anzac commemorations was a sombre reminder of the critical importance of diplomacy for de-escalating conflicts and easing tensions,” Mr Peters ...2 days ago
- Anzac Commemorative Address, Buttes New British Cemetery BelgiumAmbassador Millar, Burgemeester, Vandepitte, Excellencies, military representatives, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen – good morning and welcome to this sacred Anzac Day dawn service. It is an honour to be here on behalf of the Government and people of New Zealand at Buttes New British Cemetery, Polygon Wood – a deeply ...2 days ago
- Anzac Commemorative Address – NZ National Service, Chunuk BairDistinguished guests - It is an honour to return once again to this site which, as the resting place for so many of our war-dead, has become a sacred place for generations of New Zealanders. Our presence here and at the other special spaces of Gallipoli is made ...3 days ago
- Anzac Commemorative Address – Dawn Service, Gallipoli, TürkiyeMai ia tawhiti pamamao, te moana nui a Kiwa, kua tae whakaiti mai matou, ki to koutou papa whenua. No koutou te tapuwae, no matou te tapuwae, kua honoa pumautia. Ko nga toa kua hinga nei, o te Waipounamu, o te Ika a Maui, he okioki tahi me o ...3 days ago
- PM announces changes to portfoliosPaul Goldsmith will take on responsibility for the Media and Communications portfolio, while Louise Upston will pick up the Disability Issues portfolio, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced today. “Our Government is relentlessly focused on getting New Zealand back on track. As issues change in prominence, I plan to adjust Ministerial ...4 days ago
- New catch limits for unique fishery areasRecreational catch limits will be reduced in areas of Fiordland and the Chatham Islands to help keep those fisheries healthy and sustainable, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The lower recreational daily catch limits for a range of finfish and shellfish species caught in the Fiordland Marine Area and ...4 days ago
- Minister welcomes hydrogen milestoneEnergy Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed an important milestone in New Zealand’s hydrogen future, with the opening of the country’s first network of hydrogen refuelling stations in Wiri. “I want to congratulate the team at Hiringa Energy and its partners K one W one (K1W1), Mitsui & Co New Zealand ...5 days ago
- Urgent changes to system through first RMA Amendment BillThe coalition Government is delivering on its commitment to improve resource management laws and give greater certainty to consent applicants, with a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) expected to be introduced to Parliament next month. RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop has today outlined the first RMA Amendment ...5 days ago
- Overseas decommissioning models consideredOverseas models for regulating the oil and gas sector, including their decommissioning regimes, are being carefully scrutinised as a potential template for New Zealand’s own sector, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. The Coalition Government is focused on rebuilding investor confidence in New Zealand’s energy sector as it looks to strengthen ...5 days ago
- Release of North Island Severe Weather Event InquiryEmergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell has today released the Report of the Government Inquiry into the response to the North Island Severe Weather Events. “The report shows that New Zealand’s emergency management system is not fit-for-purpose and there are some significant gaps we need to address,” Mr Mitchell ...5 days ago
- Justice Minister to attend Human Rights CouncilJustice Minister Paul Goldsmith is today travelling to Europe where he’ll update the United Nations Human Rights Council on the Government’s work to restore law and order. “Attending the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva provides us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while ...6 days ago
- Patterson reopens world’s largest wool scouring facilityAssociate Agriculture Minister, Mark Patterson, formally reopened the world’s largest wool processing facility today in Awatoto, Napier, following a $50 million rebuild and refurbishment project. “The reopening of this facility will significantly lift the economic opportunities available to New Zealand’s wool sector, which already accounts for 20 per cent of ...6 days ago
- Speech to the Southland Otago Regional Engineering Collective Summit, 18 April 2024Hon Andrew Bayly, Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing At the Southland Otago Regional Engineering Collective (SOREC) Summit, 18 April, Dunedin Ngā mihi nui, Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Ko Whanganui aho Good Afternoon and thank you for inviting me to open your summit today. I am delighted ...6 days ago
- Government to introduce revised Three Strikes lawThe Government is delivering on its commitment to bring back the Three Strikes legislation, Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee announced today. “Our Government is committed to restoring law and order and enforcing appropriate consequences on criminals. We are making it clear that repeat serious violent or sexual offending is not ...6 days ago
- New diplomatic appointmentsForeign Minister Winston Peters has today announced four new diplomatic appointments for New Zealand’s overseas missions. “Our diplomats have a vital role in maintaining and protecting New Zealand’s interests around the world,” Mr Peters says. “I am pleased to announce the appointment of these senior diplomats from the ...6 days ago
- Humanitarian support for Ethiopia and SomaliaNew Zealand is contributing NZ$7 million to support communities affected by severe food insecurity and other urgent humanitarian needs in Ethiopia and Somalia, Foreign Minister Rt Hon Winston Peters announced today. “Over 21 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance across Ethiopia, with a further 6.9 million people ...6 days ago
- Arts Minister congratulates Mataaho CollectiveMinister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Paul Goldsmith is congratulating Mataaho Collective for winning the Golden Lion for best participant in the main exhibition at the Venice Biennale. "Congratulations to the Mataaho Collective for winning one of the world's most prestigious art prizes at the Venice Biennale. “It is good ...1 week ago
- Supporting better financial outcomes for KiwisThe Government is reforming financial services to improve access to home loans and other lending, and strengthen customer protections, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly and Housing Minister Chris Bishop announced today. “Our coalition Government is committed to rebuilding the economy and making life simpler by cutting red tape. We are ...1 week ago
- Trade relationship with China remains strong“China remains a strong commercial opportunity for Kiwi exporters as Chinese businesses and consumers continue to value our high-quality safe produce,” Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says. Mr McClay has returned to New Zealand following visits to Beijing, Harbin and Shanghai where he met ministers, governors and mayors and engaged in trade and agricultural events with the New ...1 week ago
- PM’s South East Asia mission does the businessPrime 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 ...1 week ago
- $41m to support clean energy in South East AsiaNew 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 ...1 week ago
- Minister releases Fast-track stakeholder listThe 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 ...1 week ago
- Judicial appointments announcedAttorney-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 ...1 week ago
- Education Minister heads to major teaching summit in SingaporeEducation 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 ...1 week ago
- Value of stopbank project proven during cycloneA 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 ...1 week ago
- Anzac commemorations, Türkiye relationship focus of visitForeign 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 ...1 week ago
- Minister to Europe for OECD meeting, Anzac DayScience, 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 ...1 week ago
- Comprehensive Partnership the goal for NZ and the PhilippinesPrime 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 ...1 week ago
- Government commits $20m to Westport flood protectionThe 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 ...1 week ago
- Taupō takes pole positionThe 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 ...1 week ago
- Cost of living support for low-income homeownersLocal 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 ...1 week ago
- Government backing mussel spat projectThe 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 - ...1 week ago
- Government focused on getting people into workBenefit 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 ...1 week ago
- Clean energy key driver to reducing emissionsThe 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 ...1 week ago
- Earthquake-prone buildings review brought forwardThe 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 ...2 weeks ago
- Thailand and NZ to agree to Strategic PartnershipPrime 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 ...2 weeks ago
- Government consults on extending coastal permits for portsRMA 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 ...2 weeks ago
- Fast-track Approvals Bill Presents A Serious Risk To New Zealand Exporters
“Our exporters should, therefore, be deeply concerned that the Fast-track Approvals Bill was not assessed for consistency with any of our free trade commitments prior to being introduced to the House,” says Gary Taylor, Chief Executive of the Environmental ...3 hours ago - 'Immigration changes necessary' – Stanford
Immigration Minister Erica Stanford says work has started on a broader accredited employer work visa review. ...3 hours ago - Green co-leader James Shaw came 'very close' to resigning as minister under Labour govtThe former minister reveals he "ended up storming out" of a Cabinet meeting over disagreements on climate change and biodiversity. ...6 hours ago
- NZCTU Welcomes Corporate Manslaughter Bill IntroductionNZCTU President Richard Wagstaff is calling on all political parties to support the new Member’s Bill from Labour’s workplace relations and safety spokesperson Camilla Belich MP that would ensure negligent companies are held accountable when their employees ...6 hours ago
- US election forecaster with near-perfect track record not ready call 2024 just yetA historian with an uncanny track record of predicting US election winners tells RNZ's Sunday Morning that President Biden looks to be on track for another term, but things could still go very wrong for him. ...6 hours ago
- US election forecaster with near-perfect track record not ready to call 2024 just yetA historian with a track record of predicting US election winners tells RNZ's Sunday Morning that President Biden looks to be on track for another term, but things could still go wrong for him. ...6 hours ago
- Fish and quiz: The many uses of written parliamentary questionsMinisters have to answer thousands of written questions each year - but how are they used, and for what end? ...7 hours ago
- Former Deputy PM Paula Bennett appointed Pharmac board chairThe former National MP "brings a wealth of experience" to the role, David Seymour says. ...9 hours ago
- Inside the home of New Zealand’s greatest crime writer
Ngaio Marsh House is one of Christchurch’s best kept secrets – and contains more than a few mysteries of its own. Trust Ngaio Marsh to leave more than a few mysteries scattered through her house long after her departure. For a start, there’s the curious concrete portal in the garden, ...11 hours ago - ‘Apologies to Dvořák’: How a serenade for strings cemented one of New Zealand TV’s strongest...Appointment viewing has been lost to the mists of time, but memories of Montana Sunday Theatre can still be conjured by hitting play on a particular piece of classical music. “You’re not going to be able to sell it.” Over 30 years on, Karen Bieleski still recalls how the task ...11 hours ago
- An Ode to .. King Luxon
Performance Review King Luxon sat behind His massive polished oak desk. It is Performance Review time. There is a knock on the door. “Enter!” says the King. In steps Minister of Disabilities and Carer Pedicures, Penny Simmonds. “I can explain everything …” she begins. “Fine,” says King Luxon, pressing the ...12 hours ago - In the studio with artist power couple Claudia Kogachi and Josephine JelicichThe pair opened their first fully collaborative exhibition, Nina for Flowers, last Saturday. Gabi Lardies visited their studio to find out who Nina is and what working together was like. ‘It didn’t start out like, ‘This is a show about Nina,’” says Josephine Jelicich, gripping a thermos of peppermint tea. ...15 hours ago
- An ode to the muesli bar, a national treasureThank you, Dr Maximilian Oskar Bircher-Benner, for your brilliant invention. I’m another mid-20s Kiwi who had an OE last year. I hopped on my bicycle where France meets the Atlantic and cycled east. I pedalled through the Loire Valley, down rivers lined with willows and ancient wisteria-draped chateaus. I relished ...15 hours ago
- Government urged to hit the gas on revamp of road user chargesInfrastructure New Zealand is pushing for new road user charges to be brought in quicker to help relieve pressure on strained transport funding. ...1 day ago
- US student Palestine protests against Israel’s war on Gaza inspire global action
Asia Pacific Report From France to Australia, university pro-Palestine protests in the United States have now spread to several countries with students pitching on-campus camps. And students at Columbia and other US universities remain defiant as campuses have witnessed the biggest protests since the anti-Vietnam war and anti-apartheid eras in ...1 day ago - Former Te Whatu Ora chairperson Rob Campbell criticises Health NZ's 'savings' directi...Rob Campbell said it shows "poor management" and is "frankly irresponsible". ...1 day ago
- ‘To lead is to serve’ – Governor-General to call PM election in Solomon IslandsRNZ Pacific The race to form the next government of Solomon Islands could be a tight one, with no single party emerging from the election with enough seats to govern. Caretaker prime minister Manasseh Sogavare’s Our Party did the best, securing 15 out of the 50 seats in the House. ...1 day ago
- Bryce Edwards – FastTrackWatch: The Case for the Government’s Fast Track BillAnalysis by Dr Bryce Edwards, Democracy Project (https://democracyproject.nz) New Zealand Government’s Fast Track legislation. Many criticisms are being made of the Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill, including by this writer. But as with everything in politics, every story has two sides, and both deserve attention. It’s important to understand what the Government ...1 day ago
- NZ and Türkiye pledge cooperation during natural disastersThe two countries have "a long history of coming to each other's aid", including after the 2023 Turkish earthquakes, Winston Peters says. ...1 day ago
- Waste not, want not: New series Food Waste Kitchen turns food trash into treasureTara Ward talks to presenter Naomi Toilalo about the new TV show that turns food waste into a three course feast. Naomi Toilalo is standing in the warehouse at Good Neighbour Tauranga, helping unpack the two-and-a-half tonnes of rejected food that will arrive at the community support hub that day. ...1 day ago
- Vaping regulations fight 'immeasurably harder' under coalition – campaignerFocus on Politics - Successive governments have claimed crack downs on youth vaping, but the bending and breaking of rules seems pervasive. ...1 day ago
- Dog of the month: Scout, who is so independent she could be a catScout is our latest Dog of the Month. This feature was offered as a reward during our What’s Eating Aotearoa PledgeMe campaign. Thank you to Scout’s human, Avril, for her support. Dog name: Scout (named after the little girl in To Kill a Mockingbird – she inherited the independent spirit ...1 day ago
- ‘I don’t know if we were brave or stupid’: Megan Alatini on changing reality TVMegan Alatini takes us through her life in TV, including ‘terrible’ daytime TV, the class of Carol Hirschfeld and her most embarrassing TrueBliss moment. When she responded to a vague newspaper ad asking “do you have what it takes to be a popstar?” 25 years ago, Megan Alatini never guessed ...1 day ago
- Behind the counter: Wellington shopkeepersA new exhibition in Wellington showcases the faces behind your local goods and services. Back in 1977, when I was a fine arts student at the University of Canterbury, I took a series of photographs of Christchurch shopkeepers. The photos were for a calendar – a project for my end ...2 days ago
- Iranian Solidarity Group New Zealand Condemns Toomaj Salehi's Death Sentence And The New Aggres...Toomaj and his resistance to tyranny through his songs have become an icon for the youth of Iran, so his sentence has hit the nation hard. Toomaj Salehi is not the first artist to pay the price for standing with the people. ...2 days ago
- Short story: Calf Creek, by Anna ScaifeMy cousin Dylan and I spotted these big eels under the bridge that summer. We watched them lounging under the dark weed, facing into the flow of water, their mouths frozen open. Dylan and I couldn’t stop thinking about those eels. The night we went down to the creek, we ...2 days ago
- Newsroom welcomes the Secret DiaryNewsroom, home of satire. My long-running weekly satirical series The Secret Diary has moved to Newsroom and will appear every Saturday, with Victor Billot’s wildly popular satirical Odes continuing to appear every Sunday. Diaries, Odes – while serious political columnists toil at meaningful opinions and stroke their chins to an ...2 days ago
- I saw ‘The Sign’, and it opened up my eyes: All the fuss around Bluey, explainedTara Ward unravels the many nuanced layers of a cartoon about talking dogs. This is an excerpt from our weekly pop culture newsletter Rec Room. Sign up here. It’s not often an episode of a children’s cartoon has adults sobbing into their sleeves, but that’s exactly what happened this week when ...2 days ago
- Jessica Tater has ambition without bordersWorking as a doctor in developing countries to help communities achieve better health outcomes is nothing short of a life goal for Jessica Tater. The University of Otago medical student has her sights firmly set on joining the international humanitarian organisation Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) when she qualifies ...2 days ago
- The island where people’s stories are paramountThere’s an island in the far reaches of Auckland’s territory, sitting off the tip of the Coromandel Peninsula, 30 minutes by air from the city or four hours on the slow boat. Aotea Great Barrier is off-grid, it has a population of fewer than a thousand people … and most ...2 days ago
- Australian author leads silence protest over ‘blood debt’ owed to PapuansAsia Pacific Report An Australian author and advocate, Jim Aubrey, today led a national symbolic one minute’s silence to mark the “blood debt” owed to Papuan allies during the Second World War indigenous resistance against the invading Japanese forces. “A promise to most people is a promise,” Aubrey said in ...2 days ago
- Israel delays Gaza Freedom Flotilla departure with bureaucratic ‘block’Asia Pacific Report The Freedom Flotilla is ready to sail to Gaza, reports Kia Ora Gaza. All the required paperwork has been submitted to the port authority, and the cargo has been loaded and prepared for the humanitarian trip to the besieged enclave. However, organisers received word of an “administrative ...2 days ago
- Have New Zealanders really been ‘misled’ about AUKUS, or is involvement now a foregone conclusio...ANALYSIS: By Marco de Jong, Auckland University of Technology and Robert G. Patman, University of Otago When former prime minister Helen Clark spoke out against New Zealand potentially compromising its independent foreign policy by joining pillar two of the AUKUS security pact, Foreign Minister Winston Peters responded bluntly: On ...2 days ago
- Palestine protesters challenge TVNZ over Israeli ambassador’s ‘propaganda’Pacific Media Watch Palestine solidarity protesters today demonstrated at the Auckland headquarters of Television New Zealand, accusing the country’s major TV network of broadcasting “propaganda” backing Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza. About 50 protesters targeted the main entrance to the TVNZ building near Sky Tower and also picketed a side ...2 days ago
- Lynley Hood Opinion – Senator Fulbright must be spinning in his grave2 days ago
- Fast-track bill could affect NZ's reputation – Transparency InternationalThe ministers responsible for green-lighting major projects need to be open about potential conflicts of interest, says Transparency International. ...2 days ago
- We’re all feeling the collective grief and trauma of violence against women – but this is the pr...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Anastasia Powell, Professor, Family and Sexual Violence, RMIT University It has been a particularly distressing start to the year. There is little that can ease the current grief of individuals, families and communities who have needlessly lost a loved one to men’s ...2 days ago
- Species living closely together in symbiosis is far older and way more common than you might thinkSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Gregory Moore, Senior Research Associate, School of Ecosystem and Forest Sciences, The University of Melbourne Lichen, the first described example of symbiosis. AdeJ Artventure/Shutterstock Once known only to those studying biology, the word symbiosis is now widely used. Symbiosis is the intimate ...2 days ago
- What is childhood dementia? And how could new research help?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kim Hemsley, Head, Childhood Dementia Research Group, Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University Olena Ivanova/Shutterstock “Childhood” and “dementia” are two words we wish we didn’t have to use together. But sadly, around 1,400 ...2 days ago
- Jobseekers get about $345 less than pensioners each fortnight. This gap is hurting, and is set to wi...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Peter Whiteford, Professor, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University The government’s Economic Inclusion Advisory Committee has just published its second report. It was set up by Treasurer Jim Chalmers and Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth in 2022 to provide: ...2 days ago
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- The government's 20 trips abroad in AprilThe government appears committed to overseas visits with 14 ministers and MPs in 18 countries this month. ...2 days ago
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- Labor facing heavy defeat in Queensland, but faring better in federal pollsSource: 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 The Queensland state election will be held in October. A YouGov poll for The Courier Mail, conducted April 9–17 from a sample ...2 days ago
- Why the potential for another Donald Trump presidency is making Iran very nervousSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Amin Naeni, PhD candidate at Alfred Deakin Institute for Citizenship and Globalisation, Deakin University There’s been much talk in recent months about what a possible second Donald Trump presidency in the United States could mean for Europe, Russia’s war in Ukraine, the ...2 days ago
- ‘The worst piece of law proposed since 1979’: Reactions to the Fast-track Approvals BillA brief round-up of submissions on the controversial proposed law. This is an excerpt from our weekly environmental newsletter Future Proof. Sign up here. Last week, submissions on the controversial Fast-track Approvals Bill closed just hours after the government released a list of stakeholder organisations who were sent letters advising how they could ...2 days ago
- The Friday Poem: ‘Cereal giving’ by Robin PeaceA poem from Robin Peace’s new collection Detritus of Empire: feather / grass / rock. Cereal giving I see a woman’s hands, see her curious hands break a stalk as she walks through the tall prairie, the savannah, the steppe, wherever it was. See her idly bite the grass that ...2 days ago
- The Unity Books bestseller chart for the week ending April 26The only published and available best-selling indie book chart in New Zealand is the top 10 sales list recorded every week at Unity Books’ stores in High St, Auckland, and Willis St, Wellington. AUCKLAND 1 Hemingway’s Goblet by Dermot Ross (Mary Egan Publishing, $38) A handsomely produced (debossed cover, lovely ...2 days ago
- Te Rūnanga O Ngāti Whātua Welcomes Commissioner's Decision Regarding Awataha MaraeThe Commissioner's decision validates the longstanding efforts of the local community and ensures that Awataha Marae will be managed to serve the needs of the local community, particularly for hosting tangihanga. ...2 days ago
- We reconstructed landscapes that greeted the first humans in Australia around 65,000 years agoSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tristan Salles, Associate professor, University of Sydney Examples of Australian landscapes. Unsplash Seventy thousand years ago, the sea level was much lower than today. Australia, along with New Guinea and Tasmania, formed a connected landmass known as Sahul. Around this time – ...2 days ago
- What do we lose when our old suburbs disappear?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Felicity Castagna, Lecturer, Creative Writing, Western Sydney University Day Day Market, Parramatta Photo: Garry Trinh I live on the edge of Parramatta, Australia’s fastest-growing city, on the kind of old-fashioned suburban street that has 1950s fibros constructed in the post-war housing boom, ...2 days ago
- Does fighting inflation always lead to recession? What 60 years of NZ data can tell usSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michael Ryan, Teaching Fellow in Economics, University of Waikato GettyImages fatido/Getty Images There is an ongoing global debate over whether the high inflation seen in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic can be lowered without a recession. New Zealand is not ...2 days ago
- After spending $700,000 on pins for Covid-19 workers, department now cutting costsA government office that set aside millions for lapel pins for pandemic workers is now looking to cut back on spending. ...2 days ago
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- The Week in Politics: Days of drama and demotionsAnalysis - Two ministers were stripped of portfolios in a warning to Cabinet, drama broke out at the Waitangi Tribunal, and the gang patch ban bill ran into opposition. ...2 days ago
- Hear me out: All I want is a TrueBliss T-shirtTara Ward makes an impassioned plea for some vital pop culture merch. In April 1999, I became obsessed with a new reality television show called Popstars. Every Tuesday night, five strangers transformed into music royalty before my very eyes as Joe, Keri, Carly, Erika and Megan were chosen to form ...2 days ago
- Solemn ANZAC dawn service at PNG’s Isurava battle memorialPNG Post-Courier In the early hours of ANZAC Day, aerial photographs captured an impressive gathering of Australians and Papua New Guineans at Isurava in the Northern (Oro) Province. The solemn dawn service yesterday was held at a site steeped in history, where some of the fiercest battles of World War ...2 days ago
- Political editors panel: A reshuffle and the fast trackListen - RNZ's Jo Moir and NZ Herald's Claire Trevett dissect the demotion of two ministers and the PM's response on Morning Report. ...2 days ago
- After-hours clinics on verge of collapse in some regionsOverworked GPs have signalled they can no longer cover, while funding is falling short. ...2 days ago
- Oranga Tamariki Axes Specialist Māori Roles, Weakens Commitment To Te Ao MāoriThe PSA is shocked that Oranga Tamariki has used the cost cutting drive to downgrade its commitment to Te Ao Māori and remove many specialist Māori roles. ...2 days ago
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Who will be this guy?
https://www.theholocaustexplained.org/resistance-responses-collaboration/non-conformity/refusal-to-salute/
As hundreds of Palestinian civilians are being killed by Israel every day, and the survivors are being herded into smaller and smaller pockets, Germany Intervenes to support Israel's actions at the World Court.
https://www.dw.com/en/what-does-it-mean-if-a-third-party-intervenes-at-the-international-court-of-justice/a-68024168
Will Germany's Judge Nolte be the new August Landmesser?
There is strong evidence that judges sitting in the World Court favor the states that appoint them.
https://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/abs/10.1086/430765#:~:text=The%20International%20Court%20of%20Justice%20(ICJ)%20has%20jurisdiction%20over%20disputes,the%20states%20that%20appoint%20them.
Will Judge Nolte defy his country's support for Israel?
The 17 judges of the World Court are due to release their decision on, whether or not the World Court will grant South Africa's application for an interim order for a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza.
South Africa sought their application for an interim order for a ceasefire from the world court, on the grounds that Israel is conducting war crimes in Gaza that amount to genocide. The crime of genocide is decided both by evidence of "intent" and by the evidence of acts that "destroy in whole or in part, a national, ethnic, racial, or religious group."
The burden of proof for the World Court to issue an interim order for a ceasefire is much lesser than that for a full hearing of the court. All that needs to be proved for an interim order, is that there is a "possibility" that Israel's actions in Gaza amount to genocide.
The United Nations International Court of Justice, AKA The World Court, is the highest legal body in the United Nations system.. The judgements handed down by the World Court are always partly political partly judicial
For example the US Judge will vote against a ceasefire, the judge for South Africa will vote for a ceasefire, the judge for Israel will vote against a ceasefire, etc,
Some time in the future, this World Court hearing and the deliberations of its judges made in chambers, will be dramatised. This dramatisation may even be streamed on Netflix.
Like the recent Netflix dramatisation based on the transcripts of the Tokyo War Crimes Trial, the manipulation and pressure on the judges by the US will be laid bare. The published dissenting opinions of the judges made in chambers against US pressure and manipulation of the court will also be laid bare.
https://www.netflix.com/nz/title/80091880
Who will be the main protagonist of this new Netflix dramatisation?
Germany's Georg Nolte will be the one to watch.
Germany have filed a intervention with the World Court in support of Israel. The sole country to do so. Germany's intervention will not be heard in this preliminary hearing, for an interim order, and will only be heard at the full hearing, which everyone admits could be months or even years away.
I suspect that the reason the German government have lodged an intervention with the court in support of Israel is to send a message to Georg Nolte.
The message being delivered to Judge Nolte by the German state, is this – If you vote for South Africa's application for an interim order for a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza, you will be up against the full weight of the German state.
Based on how their countries have voted on the issue of a ceasefire in the UN General Assembly, the vote by the judges of the World Court for an interim ceasefire order will be very close, Just one judge going against the expected outcome will make a difference. Israel and the US have made it clear what the expected outcome of the World Court will be.
All politics is pressure.
Because of US political pressure on its allied governments, I expect that the judges in the World Court appointed by those governments, will not vote to issue an order for a ceasefire in Gaza and the best South Africa could expect from the judges of the World Court is a watered down interim order for Israel to allow in more humanitarian aid.
Georg Nolt's vote in chambers could change this dynamic.
Why would Judge Nolte be motivated to go against his country?
Judge Georg Nolte is a Holocaust scholar an a stickler for the letter of law in international affairs and has edited several published works on international law relating to genocide. Judge Nolte is well aware of the historical parallels of voting with the other US allied judges against South Africa's ceasefire application.
Will Judge Nolte be Germany's new August Landmesser?
Georg Nolte hero, or villain?
History will decide.
"An absolute tsunami of aid trucks refused entry into Gaza". Starvation of 2 million Palestinians as a weapon of war.
Also, bombing of hospitals now not even claiming the presence of Hamas. Ethnic cleansing at its most brutal
We hear of 1st world countries sneeringly refer to 3rd world countries as, corrupt, brutal despotic, banana republics. Bloody hell, they're amateurs compared to what's going on here
It will get worse. Now the US has reinstalled the blockade of Yemen, that country, which has already been devastated by UK and US weaponry in the service of Saudi Arabia, will now be devastated again directly by the US. Last time even the New York Times called out the US on complicity in war crimes through supply of weapons, targeting and air to air refuelling without which the destruction would have been impossible. A child starved to death every 9 minutes. When cholera arrived, a child died every 5 mins
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2017/08/31/opinion/columnists/yemen-famine-cholera.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blockade_of_Yemen
No comment links are frowned upon at the Standard I think. If you have an opinion state it.
Of themselves as a starter, not links relevant to a topic at hand.
Your reference for where the US reinstalled a blockade of Yemen?
And it was not the USA who established the last one.
This all presumes that there will be some calm "day after".
That's conceit, though well intentioned.
There will be no logical transition from active conflict to some calm post-conflict reality, one where we see some clear shift in the politics, economy, and security environment for Gaza.
This is already looking a lot worse than the UN-security team buffer zones on the Egyptian border or even the Golan Heights.
No nation in their right mind would send their people to secure Gazans from Israel or Israelis from Hamas – even if both sides permitted it.
This one is really different. There's no quick withdrawal of Israel and no commitment by Hamas to stop either. It's many years away.
The only players still trying for a settlement are the UAE and the US. Every plan is being rejected both by Hamas and Israel.
Gaza looks now like a highly compressed form of Kabul: recently taken over fully and anyone looking for freedom is instead consigned to increased disintegration and despair.
'
Crunch time:
Friday 26 January, 2024, 1 p.m. Central European Standard Time.
The reading of the Court's order can be followed live in New Zealand at 1 a.m.
Saturday 27 January, 2024, on the Court’s website and on UN Web TV.
https://webtv.un.org/en/asset/k1u/k1uwq4cxuv
The cognitive dissonance, hypocrisy and inconsistency of ACT. The party of "property rights" ( and inherited privilege for white, wealthy people) opposing the "property rights" of Mãori.
Link please
https://newsroom.co.nz/2023/11/15/anne-salmond-why-acts-treaty-referendum-is-disrespectful-and-arrogant/
ACT is all about "property rights" and "keeping what your ancestors have possessed, unless you are brown and colonised. That is almost their entire reason for existence.
I keep saying this, but act represent the most vial part of our culture to a tee.
The squirming out of contract, not honor ones word, and ripping off people as much as possible. This is cultural cringe stuff, which shocks people from other countries, and makes me feel very uncomfortable to come from here.
Here is an excellent video by Sabien Hossenfeilder explaining the key science that proves that modern climate change is caused by humans. An excellent video to give to skeptics or climate change deniers you may know.
She also provides an excellent video debunking the somewhat outlandish claim that I often hear that runaway global warming will turn earth into Venus. She goes into the science of how Venus became what it is, and why that is unlikely to happen on earth.
I think the real, provable issues are serious enough, and that outlandish claims that are easily disproven simply gives ammunition to the denialists. So, I think it is important to focus on the actual problems rather than hysterical claims that I think are actually counterproductive.
Jesus Christ, how corrupt do you have to be in NZ politics before the media call you out as corrupt?
https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/350158370/tobacco-lobbyist-guest-ministers-swearing-ceremony
NZ First are a bunch of filthy, corrupt grifters. The whole party is owned by tobacco money yet our MSM is to cozy with their place in the swamp to be bothered calling it out.
The recent review of our electoral laws was pretty damn long on making it easier for political parties – given half a chance and they'll happily have four year terms, lowered thresholds, and utterly opaque funding rules forever – but anti-corruption laws? Nah.
Kiri Allan in today's Herald gives an extraordinary and insightful interview on her time in politics and summation of how it all fell apart. Well worth reading and it's not a "premium" item.
Yes it’s a brilliant PR piece, perfectly timed for her upcoming book release.
Zero compassion, right there.
Perfect timing by the court too in setting the trial date today. Obviously, this is all too much of a coincidence
She allegedly drove a vehicle with excess breath alcohol. She allegedly (by her own admission) drove a vehicle on a rainy evening “after a few beers” and “in quite an erratic state of mind”. She was the Minister of Justice, yet her first instinct (ahead of cooperating with police), was to ‘seek legal counsel’. Compassion? Any I might have had ended once I’d read this public display of self indulgence.
Sorry, forgot link
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/kiri-allan-on-her-night-of-shame-i-made-a-series-of-decisions-you-regret-them-for-a-lifetime/RVVIP22ZVVC5HD4T3Y2BOOAUMA/
that was what RG meant by zero compassion, right there.
The bit of an interview I caught today on 1 news at lunch had her say she was on her way to kill her self, but yip you crow all you want little cock.
Well if she did say that, she's got a serious credibility issue.
"She was heading to somebody’s house. “I was seeking probably solace in just some people … just given the state I was in. But I made that decision to drive.”"
Kiri Allan on her night of shame: ‘I made a series of decisions. You regret them for a lifetime’ (newstalkzb.co.nz) "
how is being honest about being actively suicidal a credibility issue?
I've deleted my reply and will stop commenting on this. When I was 18 I lost a close relative (he was 27) to suicide. In my 20's I lost a close friend in a car accident involving a drunk driver. 15 years ago I had to tell the staff at a business I ran that a 19 year old colleague had been killed in an accident involving a drunk driver. I'm angry by what Kiri has done.
I'm less angry than I would be if she hadn't been suicidal. People who are out of their minds make very bad decisions. She has been honest about this, that it was true for her that she fucked up majorly. Maybe she needs to be saying more about how what she did impacts on others? That would be fair I think.
David @ 5.1
You piece of common shit!
Have you ever lost a relative or close friend to a drunk driver, Anne?
Pffft!
Have you ever lost a relative or close friend to suicide, David?
Yes. On both counts.
so we're back to zero compassion.
and fwiw, I think Anne just showed zero compassion as well.
You're right, Weka, I can't show compassion for Kiri. I know I should be able to (genuinely), but not after reading Claire Trevett's piece.
The difference is that Kiri Allan is a public figure and we know a fair bit about her and the context around the incident. OTOH, David is an anonymous commenter on TS since 29 November last year who might even be using a pseudonym and we know next to nothing about him, or at least not until he chose to share some background info @ 7:41 pm.
David’s first comment in this thread @ 5.1 (https://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-26-01-2024/#comment-1986817) was insensitive enough to provoke a (negative) response.
He claims he “can’t” show compassion because of a piece written by someone else, which to me suggests a possible underlying bias towards Kiri Allan.
the comparison was between David and Anne 😉
Anne was dismissive about how someone might feel about having someone close to them kill themselves. That's compassionless.
If we can't have compassion for our political enemies, why should anyone including David?
And if the issue is that David is a troll, or astroturfer or just a RWNJ, then isn't it better to err on the side of caution? Otherwise why would RWNJs not display the same behaviour towards us?
On and on it goes.
My response weka @ 7:20pm had nothing to do with 'lacking compassion' for someone losing a friend or relative in an accident involving a drunk driver.
On the basis of David's original comment @ 5.1, I saw a nasty put-down of someone who has been to hell and back. I saw it as a cop-out. He then comes up with a reply to me about drunk driving which I also saw as a cop-out. I called him out with my "Pffft".
He eventually relates his personal experience which he should have provided from the get-go then I would have understood where he was coming from. Still doesn't let him entirely off the hook.
Kiri has every right to tell her story, just as Golriz has done and Todd Muller before them. I felt compassion and admiration for all three of them. It takes guts to front up like they did.
sure, you have compassion for some people and not others.
His reply wasn't 'about drunk driving'. It was about having someone close to you who is killed by a drunk driver.
Which you were very dismissive of.
I’m sure you had your reasons. It was still a compassionless comment in a conversation about compassion.
That's one hell of a leap to take! Any suicidal thoughts involved were not even known to me until I saw Waghorn's comment last night. I was responding to David’s comment at 5.1 only. Check the timelines if you don't believe me.
As Incognito pointed out, he made his original statement with no context whatsoever. In his short life span here thus far, 'David' has made numerous smart-arse comments designed to inflame. Despite his subsequent explanation, which I don't dispute, I still suspect he took the opportunity to have a crack at Allan.
In future, please don't put a claim in my mouth that was never there. Thank-you.
Sorry, that should have read “Anne was dismissive about how someone might feel about having someone close to them be killed by a drunk driver. That’s compassionless”
David’s comment and your reply to that comment, from above,
Accept you got it wrong weka. My "Pffft" was to inform him that his response @ 7.08pm had no bearing on his original remark @ 5.1 which was:
His reply introducing the subject of drunk driving was a diversionary tactic imho. You misinterpreted my response. I will not be commenting further.
Unfortunately none of us are mind readers and when a commenter uses one word that is by definition dismissive, then people are going to read that in response to the comment it was made about. If you want to have more nuance in your commentary, maybe use more words.
I thought it was her media colleagues buttering up their last resort readers. she should never have got the job she was incapable of. She should shut up and take the punishment.
Why should she shut up about mental health?
This government seems hellbent on creating dramas all over the place. Haven't got off to a good start at all. Luxon's "I used to run an airline" self belief is waning rapidly,
And yet their popularity is rising strong.
Luxon got through the mini-budget and 2 separate large engagements with Maori quite unscathed.
There is no organised opposition to them in Parliament.
Also with inflation coming down, unemployment still good at 3.9%, no tropical disasters to respond to, and GDP forecasts improving, they have momentum going into the May Budget 2024.
Yes I heard Willis on RadioNZ saying something like "yes we have inflation coming down but we still have more work to do" as though the drop to 4.7% happened under their watch when in reality it was under Labour's
There is always a honeymoon period for new governments….check the polls in a year’s time.
The RB wanted 4% by the end of 2023 – but the 1.8% increase in the 3rd quarter stopped that.
The 4th quarter 0.5% means they have a chance of getting it to the 3% target by the end of 2024, when that 1.8% quarter is in the past.
Their problems are higher rates (water costs) and rising rents (migrant labour and maybe student inflow pressure). And higher shipping costs.
Food was still up 4.8% in the quarter which also doesn't help.
"Energy prices for Europe are expected to increase as more petroleum products and crude tankers are diverting away from the Rea Sea and Suez Canal. Longer trips for the Middle-Eastern barrels that replaced Russian flows to Europe introduce supply issues, …"
https://www.cnbc.com/2024/01/23/more-tankers-divert-from-red-sea-and-its-another-boost-for-us-oil.html
No sustained fuel price spike for us yet, but it's being monitored by MBIE.
https://www.mbie.govt.nz/building-and-energy/energy-and-natural-resources/energy-statistics-and-modelling/energy-statistics/weekly-fuel-price-monitoring/
Inflation will be back to double figure by may, could be sooner. So I'd be careful saying how good it is now.
https://moverdb.com/container-shipping/
Trade from the Persian Gulf to ASEAN refineries is not impacted, nor that in North Asia (or ASEAN) areas to us. Nor that from America to us. Nor across the Atlantic
This is a specific targeting of the European West (supporting Ukraine) who switched away from Russian supply (sanctions) and their supply of energy and EV's/electronics etc from Asia.
The current GOP block of funding to Ukraine (and subsequent risk to NATO from a Trump victory) explains belligerent talk from Mdvedev of late (Ukraine belongs to Russia and they will have what they want elsewhere in Europe).
It's a, first Ukraine then Palestine, strategic allegiance after all (Russia-Iran).
Debate, nope it's the SPC show.
Bugger me.
It's not my problem that you thought that inflation would rise to double figures because of a shipping cost rise on a route that does not impact us.
OH dear, you missed the price of all containers went up?
You get that, I was not making any other argument – you just go on a waka of your own, all the time.
Assumptions make asses…
The world index is an average … duh.
Yeap and the average has gone up. And is still going up.
Too soon to point that out, too soon to point out we are not immune to rising averages.
You get how inflation is created right? I’m not noticing that at the moment.
Don’t play the shmuck card.
This page shows some of the regional variations.
Europe to Asia up a lot both ways
America to Asia variable dependent on direction, Asia to America up, not otherwise.
America to Europe not up either way, but down.
https://moverdb.com/container-shipping/#top%22
Minutia is the all in option with you. So no more. If I'm right in May apologies or I'll admit I'm wrong. Happy to wait and see.
The extent of the higher cost factor will be dependent on how much of our Asian trade is on ships that are/were on the Asian-Europe route – and whether they charge separate container rates within the region or not.
For mine it's a possible 1%+ issue, so I don't see the risk of a rate higher than 5% (as it is at the moment).
I want to try this concept out on Standardistas.
The difference between pre-culture war L/R politics and L/R politics now, is that now people are more committed to their partisanship than they are to the country they live in (although they may not see the difference).
For instance, in the 80s and 90s there was a strong L/R political culture in NZ, but it was more like we swung between the two, there was a strong fight between the two, but we all still got on.
Whereas now, the divides aren't as binary, and some are downright unclear. Many people operate as if the divides are still binary. And there is a strong commitment (on all sides) to positions that overrides concern for the wellbeing of people, community and country.
That last paragraph presents differently depending on the position.
What do you all think?
The difference in the 80's/90's was that it was an economic change to a neo-liberal market order with a lot of victims (and a lot going to Oz, thus their 2001 response) – unemployment and then declining health (convergence for older workers and the super increase age 60 to 65 1990-2000).
The end of our egalitarianism(1/4 acre homeownership stock standard) is subject for lament.
Now it is more cultural and otherwise a sense of global middle class (educated, job and travel mobile) and local underclass.
The American input is faith based provider term limit welfare reform, high levels of imprisonment/parole/probation management/community policing, prosperity religion gospel where God is on the side of the middle class (and wealthier elites) and end time rapture where God is to come judge the liberals and send them all to hell – culture war fuel.
Then there is the anti-globalism of the American nativism – a reboot of their isolationism being spread on social media (sovereignty movement, anti UN etc).
I was thinking about the US, particularly how the rise of Trump has empowered a politics before country culture.
It's hard to tell with the US though. Maybe it was always like that and Trump just allowed it to be more obvious.
Likewise with your second to last paragraph.
Trump managed to successfully engage a massive cohort of people who regular politics had left behind. In a NZ context its like he managed to energize the whole of West and South Auckland to vote for him. Boris sorta did the same, theres a lesson for the left in there somewhere….
Against a background of great global and psychological unsteadiness, people feel they need to choose a corner the defend it like crazy – or they'll go crazy.
Logic, accomodation of new ideas, kindness toward the other corners, doesn't get a look in now.
Imo.
that's how I see it too. Conservatism is a natural response to stress and perceived danger.
I think there are other things going on too. The degree of disconnect from shared reality and objective reality among some of the new political movements. Social media and the huge degree of intentional emotional/psychological manipulation being done. Both of those undermine attempts to resolve issues via as you say logic, new ideas, kindness.
I also think the climate and biodiversity crises are of such a scale that the human mind and heart aren't well equipped to understand and respond them.
You are correct, weka, imo.
Sadly, others recognise this and seek to exploit 🙂
I do think though, that the human mind is equiped to understand and respond.
Yours is.
true, but I had and have to work at it. The urge to respond well is built into me, but the skills in how to cope with the scale of the crisis, those I had to develop.
I am a carrier of stress and don't show any symptoms. I am also a conservative who can see light at the end of a very dark tunnel.. Ardern killed kindness by preaching it and doing the opposite. As a farmer I am welcoming climate change as it is a positive. the bank also recognises that climate change will be beneficial to our business and dropped 20 basic points of the mortgage. You guys need to get all that shit out of your heads and rejoin the modern world.
Yep in NZ its an opportunity to do new things, have run across a few mango trees doing well and fruiting outside in Auckland, Sugarcane on the marginal land in the North, Bannanas, Pineapples on a commercial scale we are actually well placed.
I just dropped 20 basic points trying to work out what the fuck you are on about. Explain yourself.
I'm sure that all will be clear if you read it as 20 basis points and not 20 basic points. I'm sure that that was just a typo by Ian and he meant basis.
Gee, thanks for that mate. Not the bit I didn’t understand…
It seemed very simple to follow to me.
Still, I often find it very hard to understand some of the wild conjectures made by some contributors to this blog so who am I to comment.
The evil hag Ardern killed kindness and waged war on we rich white farmers who are now quite happy because we might have some mangoes, but sad because of our repressed rage that a woman built a very dark tunnel which I got stuck in. The bank gave us some basic points which we will use to grow more mangoes and stop female harridans from stepping out of the kitchen and building more tunnels.
Listen to yourselves, idiots.
My, my.
You certainly do have some exceedingly dark thoughts about our former PM. Relax, she is no longer in the job and persisting in such ideas can't possibly be good for you.
Quite apart from the * or ** or *** divides of focus on media, for many there is a higher level of pressure in their daily lives (affording rent/mortgage – education standards/access to a functioning health system).
that's both not new, in the sense we've had those times before, and new, in the sense that now we have the accumulation of nearly 50 years of neoliberalism and it's compounded.
I don't know if it's just me, but I find myself having to actively reframe my mind to stop believing that things are going to go back to normal. I don't think they are going to, but my brain is habituated to thinking they will (godzone)
This time is like no other time. It's up to us to ride this wave.
your wave is a dunper mate.
A few thoughts.
Other divides that seem to be wider than 20 yrs ago- Rural/Urban and Haves/ Have-nots.
I think part of the polarisation is social media. In two ways. Someone else's pithy paragraph sums up them (othering) rendering everything black and white, no grey.
Also, and more importantly, time spent at the screen is time spent reinforcing, polishing and hardening the idea of the individual. Time not spent in others company- church, sports or cultural or interest groups, service or volunteer time. All of which bring you into meaningful contact with folk dissimilar to you.
The demise or splintering of the left was way more pronounced by the state's reaction to Covid than it was for the right.
Because the "left" is where the action is, gsays. It's not surprising that multiplication of thought occurred there; the Right abhors such divisioning (made-up word).
In any case, it wasn't the "State's" reaction to Covid – it was the Left's 🙂
Plus, I challenge your claim that the Rural had divided more from the Urban. This is not true.
Your penultimate paragraph though, I agree with, although it needs parsing 🙂
In regards to rural urban, what I am getting at is the disconnect with so many folk as to where their food comes from.
In the mid '80s I feel in love with a horticulturalists daughter. He would send his produce off to the auctions and would get a fair price for it.
Over the next few years, the rise and rise of the supermarkets meant that they would tell him when his season would start, finish and how much produce he would deliver and at what cost.
This has two effects, city folk get most of their food whims met (regardless of season or country of origin) and plenty of primary producers forced into the arms if the foreign owned banks. Therefore dancing to the banksters tune rather than their local community.
I'm fully on-board with your "supermarket-kills-growers" vibe, gsays. It is true.
I love that you "feel in love" with a horticulturalists daughter (there's a film in there 🙂 The return for growers from those supermarkets is a crime against humanity.
Hah, feel worked then, still does as a matter of fact.
Typing on a small screen during lunch break and fading eyesight.
Yeah, only need to do the math on a $2 Broccoli head at countdown in season to figure that the people that actually do the hard bit are getting shafted.
This began before social media, with the change in employment laws and requirement to be able to work shifts and two incomes to afford rent and mortgage. This ended the concept of a common time for gathering. Basic things like not being able to be available for evening training or weekend games played their part in the beginning.
For me, "others" means, "other-than-humans".
If we don't spend time with birds, trees, fish, flies, we become disconnected and start to spin out.
We are presently spinning out, as a species, imo.
That will be an impact on older folks who don't get out as much or as far as they did.
Totally agree Robert. I gave a reflection on this very subject last year – too long to post here.
A summary:
If we look at the history of the theology of creation perhaps the the fault lies with the Masoretes.
The Masoretes were groups of Jewish scribe scholars who worked from around the end of the 5th through 10th centuries. Each group compiled a system of pronunciation and grammatical guides on the external form of the biblical text in an attempt to standardize the pronunciation, paragraph and verse divisions, of the Hebrew Bible for the worldwide Jewish community. Had they put a tsere (two dots) under the Resh they would have the root word yarad which means to come down or lower oneself. The original had no dots. Perhaps it is more correct to use root word yarad (to lower oneself) rather than radah (to rule over). In the original Hebrew the word starts with a Yod which is a picture of a heavenly messenger or yarad which means to lower oneself and not a Resh which means to rule over.
St. Francis of Assisi would go to the woods to worship God with the animals. It is said that the animals wild and tame would approach him. That is why you always see St. Francis of Assisi pictured with a bird on his shoulder and a wolf by his side. The story goes that a town was being attacked by a wolf and the town leaders came to St. Francis knowing his affinity for animals and asked if he could help. St. Francis went to the wolf and had a little conversation with the wolf and then reported to the town leaders that the wolf was just hungry and if they would feed him he would not attack. Thus, the town sort of adopted this wolf as a result of St. Francis’s conversation or yiredu with the wolf.
The industrial Revolution was firmly based on the assumption of humans dominion or radah over creation. And look where that has ended up.
Thanks, Macro – your sample indicates that the full reflection will have been a valuable read. I'm a big fan of St. Francis, o at least, of what I have gleaned from popular stories about him. His epiphany/metanoia interests me very much, especially where he abandoned all, including his clothes, something that's not unknown with young people nowadays experiencing overwhelm of a serious sort; the rejection of all of societies trappings 🙂
I wonder if you know "Valerian Hare" by Janosh? It's a story for children and reflects the St. Francis's tory beautifully.
No I haven't Robert – now I'm intrigued.
Will see if I can find a copy.
such good points, thank-you.
Lordie Weka it's a whole post in its own.
It's more efficient to describe a massive decrease in both left political activism and party membership from the mid 1980s, and a parallel big decrease from even mild political participation in voting either at local or central elections.
The last big march about climate change, for example, was 2017 which is 6 years ago.
The last big Maori-focused march was the Foreshore and Seabed hikoi which was 2004.
That doesn't mean there's fewer people doing good things; it means more activists are choosing to put their energy into local trusts and charities, and only occasionally getting back into it for particular campaigns.
Now, why that is, is a whole book.
I know, I know, I hope to do a post. Maybe you can too. Maybe all the authors could, we run a kind of blog party.
Was the decrease in party membership a consequence of the shift to neoliberalism or was it already happening?
Seems a worthwhile view. I'm in favour of a framing based on triadic structure. Whereas the ancient microcosm/macrocosm binary ruled identity via belief/paradigm, connecting persons into large like-minded group, it makes more sense nowadays to insert mesocosm in between.
To do so, a user must use metaphysics combined with pragmatism: google only gives us ecosystemic framing via examples of usage, so be pragmatic & use their utility as basis for extending the principle. Define mesocosm as the user's group context. Since commons in the group mind produce like-mindedness in the group, idiosyncrasy works in natural complementarity with collaboration. It allows individuals to align with tam spirit when mutual benefits make that a good idea at the time.
Most folks operate unconsciously but will shift together in mesocosmic operational contexts they use via the tacit psyche (as verified by Kahneman & Tversky) which Polanyi first provided the philosphical basis for all those decades ago (Personal Knowledge). When public intellectuals realise the number 1 produces holism, 2 produces dualism, 3 relates things to each other (relativism) they'll acquire a principled basis upon which to theorise. Principles are primary components of metaphysics.
Since 1 provides common operating context to parts of the whole it creates by integrating them, the user connects the framing to their situation experientially to check the match between cerebral waffle & what actually happens. Problematic traditional categories often confuse participants: relevant or bullshit? Half the time folks are uncertain, so we ought to use the grey zone for all such uncertain states of mind. Call the grey zone the third dimension of politics between right & wrong.
No time to proof-read that so it's team spirit I was mentioning at the end of the second paragraph. The other triad relevant is voter/party/state.
The gist of where I'm coming from on politics in a state of malaise is that the conceptual reframe enables progress. Others will be unconvinced, feeling that the status quo always wins, so only the proactive will be early adopters.
Sorry about the break in the site. I disabled two plugins on the main site so that I could make them site specific. Got the dreaded white screen of death on the main site.
It left my test site running, but I couldn't get to the backend for either the multisite or the thestandard. So I couldn't turn the plugin back on.
Had to relearn wp-cli and how to activate a 'network' plugin.
Now I have to to figure out how I want that plugin to operate in the new theme. It runs the data for the other site right bar RSS pickups.
Now I have to figure out how to detach that RSS aggregator from the site. It really needs to run as a separate process like the sphinx search does. I'll look around for a linux tool.
International Left news.
Well done to the Unions in Argentina – A general strike to protest a bill which will widen the powers of their nob of a president.
Also from, the ABC – war against the far right Junta in Myanmar is going well
In this shit just got totally sick – IDF using drones to kill civilians. War crime scum, being war crime scum.
https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/war-gaza-israeli-quadcopters-hi-tech-weapon-menacing-palestinian-civilians
Russia Vs. Ukraine – Now a utter cluster fuck of a meat grinder. And in both cases just means death for young men who are thrown into the front lines. If you just support one side and don't feel for those young men on both sides. I question your ability to make a moral judgement.
https://libcom.org/article/darkest-hour-dawn-assemblys-view-another-year-trench-warfare-2024
War crimes
1. sniper shooting civilians after they talk with journalists (done to intimidate both the public and media).
2. use of drones to fire at unarmed civilians in streets makes a war crimes charge list – unless a street/area curfew was made known first (hardly likely if it was a place to gather for food aid etc).
The question here is whether this candidate will be allowed to contest Putin's re-election. Putin had said allowed candidates would be those not opposed to the war in Ukraine.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-68095968
mansplaining war crimes, really?
Also do me a favour and put up something which in not propaganda like the BBC on Russia. I mean I'm no fan of Putin, but even so the BBC are so beyond fucked up in this area of reporting, so lack credibility on Russia to anyone with half a brain.
You described the IDF as ***. I described what actions were war crimes by those who did them. The IDF is complicit dependent on orders given.
Want to cancel the BBC?
Bugger off. Lets just do the great march of return. I can give you hours and hours of the IDF being low life scum.
Bloody nora, can you read? I said, on Russia the BBC has no credibility. SMD, you have no credibility on some subjects – do you need to be canceled? Next stupid question.
[
If you ask stupid questions like that here you’re guaranteed reactions that make you think more carefully about what you wish for – Incognito]
And you post that to someone who wrote this a day ago.
https://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-25-01-2024/#comment-1986608
Is the anger at those who do not emote in sync, supposed to discourage debate and welcome only affirmation? Is that not a little tribal?
As for the BBC report it was based on an interview with someone standing for President, what about it could be problematic. It’s the BBC and it is Russia?
My post had nothing to do with elections in russia – it was about a dumb f*&king war that has turned into a clusterfuck of a meat grinder, and the men at the front. You know the actual working people who are actually being thrown into this sick meat grinder. Did you even read it? Or was party politics in a dictatorship more important?
News Flash – russia is not a democracy!!!!!!!
BUT the Beeb.
I see you have no comment of the Great March of Return. Was it the assassinations you could not handle? The killing of Women and Children by the IDF? The murder of unarmed medics and journalists? What are you scared of? That the IDF you have defened is actually evil – truly moral bankrupt den of scum and villainy? I have seen the building/cars/tents blown up, lost friends, heard the heart breaks, and then seen the bodies.
The IDF are evil – the most simplest statement in 2024.
More anger for not emoting in sync.
I would have thought the relevance of a Russian standing for President, on a policy of ending the war relevant as to a tiring of the loss of life, (Ukraine of the war zone the one unable to hold an election) fairly obvious.
I mentioned something about it on the 25th – the relevance of the link in the post at 10.27pm.
It appears discourse is not always the wise option.
Mod note
Not even sure what you said, care to clarify?
Because out of context many things go awry.
Thank you for asking clarification.
The context is easy. I included a direct quote of your offence in the Mod note. The idea being that you’d pay attention to what you said.
Let’s start with this site’s Policy (https://thestandard.org.nz/policy/), which you should know very well by now. Right at the top:
Cancelling is excluding others and suggesting or threatening this therefore draws the inevitable response of the Moderators here. In any case, you don’t have the means to cancel other commenters whom you (strongly) disagree with and/or dislike. Thus, it was a stupid question, even if it was rhetorical. And preceding it with the acronym “SMD” was particularly dim-witted.
If you cannot stick to the Policy and engage in robust & civil debate here then take your aggro somewhere else. I note that this is not the first time Mods pull you up on this behaviour.
Context – please re-read his comment about cancelling the BBC – which is stupid statement and totally at odds with what I said.
My response, as always is not angry, just forthright. So lets review – My point was a media outlet is not trustworthy on a topic, the other punter went to utter stupidity about me cancelling said media outlet. My response was to point it was like cancelling them and their Small Minded Dementia – utter stupidity. How can you read it any other way, unless your looking to read it another way.
Because
When have I ever supported cancelling here or anywhere, and offered an opinion contrary to – thinking anyone who supports such cancelling or censorship, is quite frankly, an authoritarian tool. If we are talking about not first times and such.
So thank you for the clarification.
I get what you are saying here adam, and agree that you weren't suggesting cancellation but instead indirectly pointing out the problem with the previous comment.
But it would go a long way if you stopped casting aspersions on other commenters, and now a moderator. This is why you come across as aggro. And it makes some of your comments hard to parse.
You should be aware that often mods are reading comments in the backend list as they are published ie out of context.
Do people buy off the plans, and repent when they see the insurance premiums?
https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-zealand/2024/01/wayne-brown-says-council-needs-more-control-after-1400-buildings-approved-on-flood-plains-since-deadly-floods.html
January 26 India's Republic Day – and well poised to win by an innings vs England in a test match
January 26 Australia's Invasion Day – Smith fails to impersonate Warner and they collapse and look likely to trail the West Indies on the first innings by 100-200 runs.
https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/world/2024/01/australia-day-protests-erupt-nationwide-against-invasion-day-police-chase-protesters-at-parliament.html
Marvelous.
https://www.theneweuropean.co.uk/edition/not-again/