Open mike 26/03/2023

Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, March 26th, 2023 - 43 comments
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43 comments on “Open mike 26/03/2023 ”

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  1. joe90 1
    26 March 2023 at 7:53 am

    Nice.

    • Barfly 1.1
      26 March 2023 at 8:34 am

      Hilarious surprise

    • Scud 1.2
      26 March 2023 at 2:13 pm

      Hold your horses mate,

      Got an election here in the Territory next yr & Territory Labor are doing a Bloody good job of giving votes to the opposition & Independents.

      The Alice literally went up in smoke on Friday night, the local Ch9 office, K Mart got trashed & a bushfire got deliberately lit next to the Airport & a number of homes went up in smoke not incl a number of cars throughout the Alice on Friday night.

      This is on top of what happened last weekend in Darwin with a bottle shop worker fatality stabbed to death & the injury of the security guard from stab wounds last Sunday Night on-top of what happened throughout Darwin & Darwin's Rural Area during the week.

      The Wife is a public servant within NTG & her Dept had a mass walkout of staff over Xmas, as a result are now below 50% Manning & on Friday there was 5 in office!

      Now she is wear 20 something hats because of Labor's mismanagement & Gunners (former Chief Minister) failed Restructure of the Public Service.

      Yes, even we have had a gutful of this Territory Labor Government & to point we moving back to BrisVegas/ Gold Coast Hinterland in the next 12-24mths. Mind you the screaming hyena with her mob isn't any better either.

  2. RP Mcmurphy 2
    26 March 2023 at 9:04 am

    it is policy that counts in elections but there are also other elements that have a bearing on the outcome. in 2008 new zealand was in the middle of being deafened by legions of dweebs in noisy cars and the Nationals party never spoke up once. They knew it was really pissing people off and the gubmint would take the hit. This year it is ram raiders and one has to ask oneself is it being spurred on by you know who.

    • Belladonna 2.1
      26 March 2023 at 10:35 am

      Not at all clear on what you mean. Are you implying that the National and/or the Labour parties are actively or covertly encouraging ram raids?

      Really?

      • Patricia Bremner 2.1.1
        26 March 2023 at 12:08 pm

        Not current groups no, but…

        as at least one group stated their aim was "To be ungovernable"… (during Local Government Elections)

        so yes, some behaviours seem more destructive than designed to gain valuables. surprise

        • Belladonna 2.1.1.1
          26 March 2023 at 12:24 pm

          Sorry Patricia, I'm not seeing the connection between your comment and RP McMurphy referencing noisy cars as a significant election issue in 2008 – and linking this explicitly to major political parties.

    • Visubversa 4.1
      26 March 2023 at 10:42 am

      Spot on. There is a clear difference between these older "transsexuals" and today's gender ideologists. There is a Facebook page "transsexual voices matter" and Debbie Hayton does great work in this area.

      "Transwomen cannot be lesbians because transwomen are biologically male, and lesbians are defined by their sexual orientation: they are females who are attracted to females."

      https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/the-moment-that-showed-the-madness-of-gender-ideology/

      • Charlotte Rust 4.1.1
        26 March 2023 at 11:01 am

        That is interesting – I was just wondering if trans women are in fact heterosexuals if they are birth male still attracted to cis females. Or is it just labelled queer?

        • weka 4.1.1.1
          26 March 2023 at 11:08 am

          trans women can be heterosexual (attracted to women), homosexual (attracted to men), or bisexual (attracted to both).

    • Stuart Munro 4.2
      26 March 2023 at 3:28 pm

      Refreshingly candid.

  5. Adrian 5
    26 March 2023 at 10:30 am

    Well that was illuminating. On Jack Tame this morning Erica Stanford has admitted that under National there will be no more money for education if they get in, but all their big changes proposed for education will be funded by “ reallocation “ of existing funding, mainly the $ 129 million of professional development will go on retraining teachers on implementing the Nats half-arsed ideas that didn’t work last time.

    • bwaghorn 5.1
      26 March 2023 at 11:42 am

      I met a teaching consultant(workshopging, with lots of bubble speak) a few years back they where billing schools $370 an hour , I'd imagine it's much more, is that really money well spent

      • Patricia Bremner 5.1.1
        26 March 2023 at 12:35 pm

        Yes bwaghorn. The usual "contracting out" to self -aggrandising "Educators" of similar talents to Luxon and co.

        I went to one in the James Bolger National years, held at a Girls High School, where we made a fruit cocktail, and it was listed as Technology. That was $400.!!

        It was run by one of my husband's football (soccer) friends. We guffawed at that, but were also furious at such rubbish being passed out as useful at such a charge out rate.

  6. Francesca 6
    26 March 2023 at 10:42 am

    So, now language must be changed to accomodate those who find certain words like mother and breasts hurtful and offensive.So we have chest feeding and birther, people who bleed etc.Women should think twice before uttering words like breast cancer, it's chest cancer ok?

    But who is advocating for those on the autism spectrum?

    These individuals are baffled by metaphor , sarcasm and figures of speech.Autistic people are locked out of communications including this language , and therefore are restricted in their human right to participate in society .It's a violence to inflict this language on autistic people.And it should be known that autistic youth and adults have 2-7 times risk of suicidal thoughts to the rest of the population.

    To make language more inclusive , we should strip out all those poetic figures of speech, along with tyrannical words like biological and same sex attraction.

    Identity theft is trending in NZ, anyone can be a lesbian…anyone can be a woman ….and anyone can be a gay guy, vaginas and dicks have got nothing to do with sex attraction apparently.In fact lesbians and gays are disgusting it seems for caring about what their partners have between their legs

    • Charlotte Rust 6.1
      26 March 2023 at 11:05 am

      SO are men' ejaculators of sperm', or merely 'fertiliser' ha ha? Once again they avoid having their bits and bobblies subjected to denigration.

      • bwaghorn 6.1.1
        26 March 2023 at 11:43 am

        I've heard more than one father described as simply the donor,

        • Charlotte Rust 6.1.1.1
          26 March 2023 at 12:42 pm

          True but women can be donors too and its not specific to a body part like breast, vagina or penis or a specific biological function as with periods, pregnancy or breast feeding.

      • Visubversa 6.1.2
        26 March 2023 at 1:29 pm

        We got through Blue September without a single male being called a "prostate owner" a "penis haver" or an "ejaculator". The Prostate Foundation knows who they are talking to and their education material uses the right words for the sex of the person they need to understand the message.

        OTOH, in Australia, the Marie Stopes Foundation put out a publication about their pregnancy termination services without mentioning the word "woman" once.

        There is a reason for this language. Men who demand to be called women can perform femininity – some very well, others not so much. The things they cannot perform relate to women's unique reproductive capacity. Therefore, the words that describe those functions must be unmoored from the word "woman" – vanish into the amorphous ether of 'pregnant people", "menstruators", etc so that those who will never be able to do those things can occupy the entirety of the concept of "woman".

  8. Visubversa 8
    26 March 2023 at 11:01 am

    Meeting in the UK yesterday.

    The same protests, noisemaking, smoke bombs, people waiting outside the venue – complaining that Lesbians are meeting without men present.

    Image

    • Francesca 8.1
      26 March 2023 at 2:09 pm

      Lesbianism (as biological women who love other biological women) once more cast into "the love which dare not speak its name"

  9. Charlotte Rust 9
    26 March 2023 at 11:21 am

    A win for women, will be controversial though on many fronts. Not for me to participate in but whatever floats your boat.

    https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2023/mar/25/berlin-welcomes-topless-female-swimmers-in-victory-for-activists

  11. joe90 11
    26 March 2023 at 1:15 pm

    Rotten. But hey, drafting legislation that only applies to former repug presidents will be quite the feat.

    A trio of House Republican committee chairs say the House of Representatives could soon take up legislation to strip state and local prosecutors of the authority to prosecute former presidents in response to Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s potential indictment of former president Donald Trump.

    https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-criminal-charges-waco-rally-b2308057.html

  12. Incognito 12
    26 March 2023 at 2:11 pm

    Shaw pointed to the arrival of anti-trans activist Kellie-Jay Keen-Minshull, AKA Posie Parker, in New Zealand as a good reason to be preparing for things to only get worse in coming months.

    “Her arrival is the kind of risk that metastasises into broader political violence. There’s a sort of loose connection between all these movements, which is exacerbated by social media and bad faith actors both in and outside of New Zealand,” he said.

    https://www.newsroom.co.nz/risk-of-political-violence-this-election-still-high-shaw

    Hardly prophetic words and more like heading for the sign-posted open door. Some saw it coming and tried to warn and act but this ran into a big issue of legality and morality (for want of a better word).

    A few more of those events/incidents and the Election could easily go down as one of the most polarised in NZ history. I fear it will get a lot uglier still sad

    But the end justifies the means, doesn’t it?

    • Shanreagh 12.1
      26 March 2023 at 2:31 pm

      I see it as 'talking out of both sides of his mouth' to use the old phrase

      followed by

      'yeah right.

      The Greens with their capture by the No Debate ideology are the causes of the current concerns.

      My understanding is that the Greens brought this ideology to the coalition table when they negotiated with Labour.

      Shaw running a hand over over a fevered brow, looking worried and wondering how this happened and for us to be on the look out for the obvious monster that they created in the coming election is hypocrisy.

      You are correct it will get uglier. The ability to talk past, shut others up will be magnified.

      • Incognito 12.1.1
        26 March 2023 at 2:49 pm

        You won’t get anywhere by casting [ … ] as the enemy.

        • Shanreagh 12.1.1.1
          26 March 2023 at 5:36 pm

          Let me assure you I am not casting anyone as the enemy but we need to sheet home just exactly where this intolerance of women rights has come from. I can see that missing at the moment is a party that explicitly supports women's rights.

          We've got a little while so people with links to parties could see about crafting some thing that will meet the needs of both sides, TA & women.

          We also have the legislation coming inot force on 15/6/ and this may inspire TAs to force the issue.

    • Anker 12.2
      26 March 2023 at 10:15 pm

      I think NZ has been becoming more polarized for sometime.

      Regarding the gender issue, no debate has fostered a great deal of anger and yet it was not our people (ie gender critical feminists and the Let Women speak women who were violent).

      The out of control angry mob that harrassed intimidated and assaulted PP and her security and the women there for the event shows what happens if you dare to defy the trans rights activists and speak up.

      People can blame PP all they like but I saw the vitriol the aggression and threats and lies that were directed at the organisers of the CATA conference for gender critical therapists. The organisers and the key note speakers were very pleasant people and it made no difference. You could get Mahatma Gandi to say women don't have penises and men shouldn't be in women's change rooms and he would still get smeared, cancelled and physically harrased if he was here in person.

      Our international reputation has been tarnished by the images going around the world of a petit women being set upon by a mob. She said she feared for her live and watching the video it is easy to see why. #shameonNewZealand is trending on twitter. The PM needs to apologise unresservedly to the shameful treatment PP received when she was trying to hold a peaceful event to let women speak.

      And by the way I condemn the violence against James Shaw. That should mean he was outraged when the Greens had on their website "we are off to fight Nazis". I wish Marama a good recovery, but as of yet we don't no what happened and whether it was deliberate or an accident

  13. Patricia Bremner 13
    26 March 2023 at 4:42 pm

    Shaw suffered a violent assault while walking to work.

    His counterpart was knocked down on a crossing by a motor cyclist.

    How did they begin that violence?

    “The Monster they created” yeah right!!

    So, do you infer they asked for that violence?"

    Victim blaming a bit there.

    You do not protect spaces for one group by denigrating another group, and to support a right wing evangelical monied parody of Marilyn just amazes me . Bad choice imo.

    I am for my gay son, and the pain in his life finding a place and a space.

    • Shanreagh 13.1
      26 March 2023 at 5:44 pm

      I am finding it a bit difficult to follow the quotes in your post Patricia.

      The ability of women to have safe spaces does not derogate at all from the rights given to the TA or gay movement.

      I am not aware that any woman is making it an either or issue but are saying can we have safe spaces for all. Can we keep our ability to counselled by females, to be in rape Crisis centres & prisons with females, to join in with counselling groups that include only females if that is the wish and to use modern dating services to meet others of our own sex ie women meeting women were without being forced as Tasmanian lesbians were to include transwomen.

      smiley

    • Jenny are we there yet 13.2
      26 March 2023 at 9:35 pm

      heart

    • weka 13.3
      26 March 2023 at 9:43 pm

      You do not protect spaces for one group by denigrating another group, and to support a right wing evangelical monied parody of Marilyn just amazes me . Bad choice imo.

      I agree. But have you thought about why so many women do? And what they're options are if they don't?

    • Anker 13.4
      26 March 2023 at 10:19 pm

      Patricia I am a gender critical feminist because my sister and her partner (lesbians) have been harrassed and intimated by the trans rights activists.

      I have supported and loved my sister all through her life and that includes when she came out.

      I will fight to keep safe spaces for women and encourage trans people to do the same for themselves like women had to do for years.

  15. Joe90 15
    26 March 2023 at 9:48 pm

    In living memory. And tankies wonder why Baltics and Eastern Europeans loathe and fear Russia.

    /

    https://twitter.com/kajakallas/status/1639686737894014979

    • weston 15.1
      27 March 2023 at 12:48 pm

      Why do tankies etc

      This " tankie " wonders why joe 90 loaths and fears Russia so much ??

      Since when did recuing kids from a war zone become kidnap ?Who's spinning this particular line of bullshit should be the question surely ? Britain ? the yanks ?or Kiev ?

      Who were the parties engaged and by what method was pressure put upon the ICC to bring an indictment against Putin and his minister ??

      Its an obligation afaik under international law to protect civilians in a war zone but Russia by protecting these children is being accused of a war crime !! up is down down is up in this crazy world we live in

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    Back in January a StatsNZ employee gave a speech at Rātana on behalf of tangata whenua in which he insulted and criticised the government. The speech clearly violated the principle of a neutral public service, and StatsNZ started an investigation. Part of that was getting an external consultant to examine ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago
  • Are we fine with 47.9% home-ownership by 2048?

    Renting for life: Shared ownership initiatives are unlikely to slow the slide in home ownership by much. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy today are:A Deloitte report for Westpac has projected Aotearoa’s home-ownership rate will ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • Let's Win This

    You're broken down and tiredOf living life on a merry go roundAnd you can't find the fighterBut I see it in you so we gonna walk it outAnd move mountainsWe gonna walk it outAnd move mountainsAnd I'll rise upI'll rise like the dayI'll rise upI'll rise unafraidI'll rise upAnd I'll ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago
  • Waimahara: The Singing Spirit of Water

    There’s been a change in Myers Park. Down the steps from St. Kevin’s Arcade, past the grassy slopes, the children’s playground, the benches and that goat statue, there has been a transformation. The underpass for Mayoral Drive has gone from a barren, grey, concrete tunnel, to a place that thrums ...
    Greater AucklandBy Connor Sharp
    4 days ago
  • A major milestone: Global climate pollution may have just peaked

    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections Global society may have finally slammed on the brakes for climate-warming pollution released by human fossil fuel combustion. According to the Carbon Monitor Project, the total global climate pollution released between February and May 2024 declined slightly from the amount released during the same ...
    Skeptical Science
    4 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Tuesday, July 23

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 7:00 am on Tuesday, July 23 are:Deep Dive: Penlink: where tolling rhetoric meets reality BusinessDesk-$$$’s Oliver LewisScoop: Te Pūkenga plans for regional polytechs leak out ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Tuesday, July 23

    TL;DR: As of 6:00 am on Tuesday, July 23, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:Health: Shane Reti announced the Board of Te Whatu Ora- Health New Zealand was being replaced with Commissioner Lester Levy ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • HealthNZ and Luxon at cross purposes over budget blowout

    Health NZ warned the Government at the end of March that it was running over Budget. But the reasons it gave were very different to those offered by the Prime Minister yesterday. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon blamed the “botched merger” of the 20 District Health Boards (DHBs) to create Health ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    4 days ago
  • 2500-3000 more healthcare staff expected to be fired, as Shane Reti blames Labour for a budget defic...

    Long ReadKey Summary: Although National increased the health budget by $1.4 billion in May, they used an old funding model to project health system costs, and never bothered to update their pre-election numbers. They were told during the Health Select Committees earlier in the year their budget amount was deficient, ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    4 days ago
  • Might Kamala Harris be about to get a 'stardust' moment like Jacinda Ardern?

    As a momentous, historic weekend in US politics unfolded, analysts and commentators grasped for precedents and comparisons to help explain the significance and power of the choice Joe Biden had made. The 46th president had swept the Democratic party’s primaries but just over 100 days from the election had chosen ...
    PunditBy Tim Watkin
    5 days ago
  • Solutions Interview: Steven Hail on MMT & ecological economics

    TL;DR: I’m casting around for new ideas and ways of thinking about Aotearoa’s political economy to find a few solutions to our cascading and self-reinforcing housing, poverty and climate crises.Associate Professor runs an online masters degree in the economics of sustainability at Torrens University in Australia and is organising ...
    The KakaBy Steven Hail
    5 days ago
  • Reported back

    The Finance and Expenditure Committee has reported back on National's Local Government (Water Services Preliminary Arrangements) Bill. The bill sets up water for privatisation, and was introduced under urgency, then rammed through select committee with no time even for local councils to make a proper submission. Naturally, national's select committee ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago
  • Vandrad the Viking, Christopher Coombes, and Literary Archaeology

    Some years ago, I bought a book at Dunedin’s Regent Booksale for $1.50. As one does. Vandrad the Viking (1898), by J. Storer Clouston, is an obscure book these days – I cannot find a proper online review – but soon it was sitting on my shelf, gathering dust alongside ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    5 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell On The Biden Withdrawal

    History is not on the side of the centre-left, when Democratic presidents fall behind in the polls and choose not to run for re-election. On both previous occasions in the past 75 years (Harry Truman in 1952, Lyndon Johnson in 1968) the Democrats proceeded to then lose the White House ...
    WerewolfBy lyndon
    5 days ago
  • Joe Biden's withdrawal puts the spotlight back on Kamala and the USA's complicated relatio...

    This is a free articleCoverageThis morning, US President Joe Biden announced his withdrawal from the Presidential race. And that is genuinely newsworthy. Thanks for your service, President Biden, and all the best to you and yours.However, the media in New Zealand, particularly the 1News nightly bulletin, has been breathlessly covering ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    5 days ago
  • Why we have to challenge our national fiscal assumptions

    A homeless person’s camp beside a blocked-off slipped damage walkway in Freeman’s Bay: we are chasing our tail on our worsening and inter-related housing, poverty and climate crises. Photo: Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • Existential Crisis and Damaged Brains

    What has happened to it all?Crazy, some'd sayWhere is the life that I recognise?(Gone away)But I won't cry for yesterdayThere's an ordinary worldSomehow I have to findAnd as I try to make my wayTo the ordinary worldYesterday morning began as many others - what to write about today? I began ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago
  • A speed limit is not a target, and yet…

    This is a guest post from longtime supporter Mr Plod, whose previous contributions include a proposal that Hamilton become New Zealand’s capital city, and that we should switch which side of the road we drive on. A recent Newsroom article, “Back to school for the Govt’s new speed limit policy“, ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    5 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Monday, July 22

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 7:00 am on Monday, July 22 are:Today’s Must Read: Father and son live in a tent, and have done for four years, in a million ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Monday, July 22

    TL;DR: As of 7:00 am on Monday, July 22, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:US President Joe Biden announced via X this morning he would not stand for a second term.Multinational professional services firm ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #29

    A listing of 32 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, July 14, 2024 thru Sat, July 20, 2024. Story of the week As reflected by preponderance of coverage, our Story of the Week is Project 2025. Until now traveling ...
    Skeptical Science
    6 days ago
  • I'd like to share what I did this weekend

    This weekend, a friend pointed out someone who said they’d like to read my posts, but didn’t want to pay. And my first reaction was sympathy.I’ve already told folks that if they can’t comfortably subscribe, and would like to read, I’d be happy to offer free subscriptions. I don’t want ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    6 days ago
  • For the children – Why mere sentiment can be a misleading force in our lives, and lead to unex...

    National: The Party of ‘Law and Order’ IntroductionThis weekend, the Government formally kicked off one of their flagship policy programs: a military style boot camp that New Zealand has experimented with over the past 50 years. Cartoon credit: Guy BodyIt’s very popular with the National Party’s Law and Order image, ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    6 days ago
  • A friend in uncertain times

    Day one of the solo leg of my long journey home begins with my favourite sound: footfalls in an empty street. 5.00 am and it’s already light and already too warm, almost.If I can make the train that leaves Budapest later this hour I could be in Belgrade by nightfall; ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    6 days ago
  • The Chaotic World of Male Diet Influencers

    Hi,We’ll get to the horrific world of male diet influencers (AKA Beefy Boys) shortly, but first you will be glad to know that since I sent out the Webworm explaining why the assassination attempt on Donald Trump was not a false flag operation, I’ve heard from a load of people ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    6 days ago
  • It's Starting To Look A Lot Like… Y2K

    Do you remember Y2K, the threat that hung over humanity in the closing days of the twentieth century? Horror scenarios of planes falling from the sky, electronic payments failing and ATMs refusing to dispense cash. As for your VCR following instructions and recording your favourite show - forget about it.All ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago
  • Bernard’s Saturday Soliloquy for the week to July 20

    Climate Change Minister Simon Watts being questioned by The Kākā’s Bernard Hickey.TL;DR: My top six things to note around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the week to July 20 were:1. A strategy that fails Zero Carbon Act & Paris targetsThe National-ACT-NZ First Coalition Government finally unveiled ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Pharmac Director, Climate Change Commissioner, Health NZ Directors – The latest to quit this m...

    Summary:As New Zealand loses at least 12 leaders in the public service space of health, climate, and pharmaceuticals, this month alone, directly in response to the Government’s policies and budget choices, what lies ahead may be darker than it appears. Tui examines some of those departures and draws a long ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    1 week ago
  • Flooding Housing Policy

    The Minister of Housing’s ambition is to reduce markedly the ratio of house prices to household incomes. If his strategy works it would transform the housing market, dramatically changing the prospects of housing as an investment.Leaving aside the Minister’s metaphor of ‘flooding the market’ I do not see how the ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    1 week ago
  • A Voyage Among the Vandals: Accepted (Again!)

    As previously noted, my historical fantasy piece, set in the fifth-century Mediterranean, was accepted for a Pirate Horror anthology, only for the anthology to later fall through. But in a good bit of news, it turned out that the story could indeed be re-marketed as sword and sorcery. As of ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    1 week ago
  • The Kākā's Chorus for Friday, July 19

    An employee of tobacco company Philip Morris International demonstrates a heated tobacco device. Photo: Getty ImagesTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy on Friday, July 19 are:At a time when the Coalition Government is cutting spending on health, infrastructure, education, housing ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Friday, July 19

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 8:30 am on Friday, July 19 are:Scoop: NZ First Minister Casey Costello orders 50% cut to excise tax on heated tobacco products. The minister has ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Weekly Roundup 19-July-2024

    Kia ora, it’s time for another Friday roundup, in which we pull together some of the links and stories that caught our eye this week. Feel free to add more in the comments! Our header image this week shows a foggy day in Auckland town, captured by Patrick Reynolds. ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    1 week ago
  • Weekly Climate Wrap: A market-led plan for failure

    TL;DR : Here’s the top six items climate news for Aotearoa this week, as selected by Bernard Hickey and The Kākā’s climate correspondent Cathrine Dyer. A discussion recorded yesterday is in the video above and the audio of that sent onto the podcast feed.The Government released its draft Emissions Reduction ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Tobacco First

    Save some money, get rich and old, bring it back to Tobacco Road.Bring that dynamite and a crane, blow it up, start all over again.Roll up. Roll up. Or tailor made, if you prefer...Whether you’re selling ciggies, digging for gold, catching dolphins in your nets, or encouraging folks to flutter ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago
  • Trump’s Adopted Son.

    Waiting In The Wings: For truly, if Trump is America’s un-assassinated Caesar, then J.D. Vance is America’s Octavian, the Republic’s youthful undertaker – and its first Emperor.DONALD TRUMP’S SELECTION of James D. Vance as his running-mate bodes ill for the American republic. A fervent supporter of Viktor Orban, the “illiberal” prime ...
    Bowalley Road
    1 week ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Friday, July 19

    TL;DR: As of 6:00 am on Friday, July 19, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:The PSA announced the Employment Relations Authority (ERA) had ruled in the PSA’s favour in its case against the Ministry ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago

  • Joint statement from the Prime Ministers of Canada, Australia and New Zealand

    Australia, Canada and New Zealand today issued the following statement on the need for an urgent ceasefire in Gaza and the risk of expanded conflict between Hizballah and Israel. The situation in Gaza is catastrophic. The human suffering is unacceptable. It cannot continue.  We remain unequivocal in our condemnation of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    18 hours ago
  • AG reminds institutions of legal obligations

    Attorney-General Judith Collins today reminded all State and faith-based institutions of their legal obligation to preserve records relevant to the safety and wellbeing of those in its care. “The Abuse in Care Inquiry’s report has found cases where records of the most vulnerable people in State and faith‑based institutions were ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    21 hours ago
  • More young people learning about digital safety

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says the Government’s online safety website for children and young people has reached one million page views.  “It is great to see so many young people and their families accessing the site Keep It Real Online to learn how to stay safe online, and manage ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    21 hours ago
  • Speech to the Conference for General Practice 2024

    Tēnā tātou katoa,  Ngā mihi te rangi, ngā mihi te whenua, ngā mihi ki a koutou, kia ora mai koutou. Thank you for the opportunity to be here and the invitation to speak at this 50th anniversary conference. I acknowledge all those who have gone before us and paved the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    23 hours ago
  • Employers and payroll providers ready for tax changes

    New Zealand’s payroll providers have successfully prepared to ensure 3.5 million individuals will, from Wednesday next week, be able to keep more of what they earn each pay, says Finance Minister Nicola Willis and Revenue Minister Simon Watts.  “The Government's tax policy changes are legally effective from Wednesday. Delivering this tax ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Experimental vineyard futureproofs wine industry

    An experimental vineyard which will help futureproof the wine sector has been opened in Blenheim by Associate Regional Development Minister Mark Patterson. The covered vineyard, based at the New Zealand Wine Centre – Te Pokapū Wāina o Aotearoa, enables controlled environmental conditions. “The research that will be produced at the Experimental ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Funding confirmed for regions affected by North Island Weather Events

    The Coalition Government has confirmed the indicative regional breakdown of North Island Weather Event (NIWE) funding for state highway recovery projects funded through Budget 2024, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Regions in the North Island suffered extensive and devastating damage from Cyclone Gabrielle and the 2023 Auckland Anniversary Floods, and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Indonesian Foreign Minister to visit

    Indonesia’s Foreign Minister, Retno Marsudi, will visit New Zealand next week, Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced.   “Indonesia is important to New Zealand’s security and economic interests and is our closest South East Asian neighbour,” says Mr Peters, who is currently in Laos to engage with South East Asian partners. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Strengthening partnership with Ngāti Maniapoto

    He aha te kai a te rangatira? He kōrero, he kōrero, he kōrero. The government has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the aspirations of Ngāti Maniapoto, Minister for Māori Development Tama Potaka says. “My thanks to Te Nehenehenui Trust – Ngāti Maniapoto for bringing their important kōrero to a ministerial ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Transport Minister thanks outgoing CAA Chair

    Transport Minister Simeon Brown has thanked outgoing Chair of the Civil Aviation Authority, Janice Fredric, for her service to the board.“I have received Ms Fredric’s resignation from the role of Chair of the Civil Aviation Authority,” Mr Brown says.“On behalf of the Government, I want to thank Ms Fredric for ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Test for Customary Marine Title being restored

    The Government is proposing legislation to overturn a Court of Appeal decision and amend the Marine and Coastal Area Act in order to restore Parliament’s test for Customary Marine Title, Treaty Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith says.  “Section 58 required an applicant group to prove they have exclusively used and occupied ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Opposition united in bad faith over ECE sector review

    Regulation Minister David Seymour says that opposition parties have united in bad faith, opposing what they claim are ‘dangerous changes’ to the Early Childhood Education sector, despite no changes even being proposed yet.  “Issues with affordability and availability of early childhood education, and the complexity of its regulation, has led ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Kiwis having their say on first regulatory review

    After receiving more than 740 submissions in the first 20 days, Regulation Minister David Seymour is asking the Ministry for Regulation to extend engagement on the early childhood education regulation review by an extra two weeks.  “The level of interest has been very high, and from the conversations I’ve been ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government upgrading Lower North Island commuter rail

    The Coalition Government is investing $802.9 million into the Wairarapa and Manawatū rail lines as part of a funding agreement with the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA), KiwiRail, and the Greater Wellington and Horizons Regional Councils to deliver more reliable services for commuters in the lower North Island, Transport Minister Simeon ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government moves to ensure flood protection for Wairoa

    Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced his intention to appoint a Crown Manager to both Hawke’s Bay Regional and Wairoa District Councils to speed up the delivery of flood protection work in Wairoa."Recent severe weather events in Wairoa this year, combined with damage from Cyclone Gabrielle in 2023 have ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • PM speech to Parliament – Royal Commission of Inquiry’s Report into Abuse in Care

    Mr Speaker, this is a day that many New Zealanders who were abused in State care never thought would come. It’s the day that this Parliament accepts, with deep sorrow and regret, the Report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care.  At the heart of this report are the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Government acknowledges torture at Lake Alice

    For the first time, the Government is formally acknowledging some children and young people at Lake Alice Psychiatric Hospital experienced torture. The final report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in State and Faith-based Care “Whanaketia – through pain and trauma, from darkness to light,” was tabled in Parliament ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Government acknowledges courageous abuse survivors

    The Government has acknowledged the nearly 2,400 courageous survivors who shared their experiences during the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Historical Abuse in State and Faith-Based Care. The final report from the largest and most complex public inquiry ever held in New Zealand, the Royal Commission Inquiry “Whanaketia – through ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Half a million people use tax calculator

    With a week to go before hard-working New Zealanders see personal income tax relief for the first time in fourteen years, 513,000 people have used the Budget tax calculator to see how much they will benefit, says Finance Minister Nicola Willis.  “Tax relief is long overdue. From next Wednesday, personal income ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Paid Parental Leave improvements pass first reading

    Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden says a bill that has passed its first reading will improve parental leave settings and give non-biological parents more flexibility as primary carer for their child. The Regulatory Systems Amendment Bill (No3), passed its first reading this morning. “It includes a change ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Rebuilding the economy through better regulation

    Two Bills designed to improve regulation and make it easier to do business have passed their first reading in Parliament, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. The Regulatory Systems (Economic Development) Amendment Bill and Regulatory Systems (Immigration and Workforce) Amendment Bill make key changes to legislation administered by the Ministry ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • ‘Open banking’ and ‘open electricity’ on the way

    New legislation paves the way for greater competition in sectors such as banking and electricity, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly says. “Competitive markets boost productivity, create employment opportunities and lift living standards. To support competition, we need good quality regulation but, unfortunately, a recent OECD report ranked New ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Charity lotteries to be permitted to operate online

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says lotteries for charitable purposes, such as those run by the Heart Foundation, Coastguard NZ, and local hospices, will soon be allowed to operate online permanently. “Under current laws, these fundraising lotteries are only allowed to operate online until October 2024, after which ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Accelerating Northland Expressway

    The Coalition Government is accelerating work on the new four-lane expressway between Auckland and Whangārei as part of its Roads of National Significance programme, with an accelerated delivery model to deliver this project faster and more efficiently, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “For too long, the lack of resilient transport connections ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Sir Don to travel to Viet Nam as special envoy

    Sir Don McKinnon will travel to Viet Nam this week as a Special Envoy of the Government, Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced.    “It is important that the Government give due recognition to the significant contributions that General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong made to New Zealand-Viet Nam relations,” Mr ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Grant Illingworth KC appointed as transitional Commissioner to Royal Commission

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says newly appointed Commissioner, Grant Illingworth KC, will help deliver the report for the first phase of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into COVID-19 Lessons, due on 28 November 2024.  “I am pleased to announce that Mr Illingworth will commence his appointment as ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • NZ to advance relationships with ASEAN partners

    Foreign Minister Winston Peters travels to Laos this week to participate in a series of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-led Ministerial meetings in Vientiane.    “ASEAN plays an important role in supporting a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific,” Mr Peters says.   “This will be our third visit to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Backing mental health services on the West Coast

    Construction of a new mental health facility at Te Nikau Grey Hospital in Greymouth is today one step closer, Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey says. “This $27 million facility shows this Government is delivering on its promise to boost mental health care and improve front line services,” Mr Doocey says. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • NZ support for sustainable Pacific fisheries

    New Zealand is committing nearly $50 million to a package supporting sustainable Pacific fisheries development over the next four years, Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones announced today. “This support consisting of a range of initiatives demonstrates New Zealand’s commitment to assisting our Pacific partners ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Students’ needs at centre of new charter school adjustments

    Associate Education Minister David Seymour says proposed changes to the Education and Training Amendment Bill will ensure charter schools have more flexibility to negotiate employment agreements and are equipped with the right teaching resources. “Cabinet has agreed to progress an amendment which means unions will not be able to initiate ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Commissioner replaces Health NZ Board

    In response to serious concerns around oversight, overspend and a significant deterioration in financial outlook, the Board of Health New Zealand will be replaced with a Commissioner, Health Minister Dr Shane Reti announced today.  “The previous government’s botched health reforms have created significant financial challenges at Health NZ that, without ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Minister to speak at Australian Space Forum

    Minister for Space and Science, Innovation and Technology Judith Collins will travel to Adelaide tomorrow for space and science engagements, including speaking at the Australian Space Forum.  While there she will also have meetings and visits with a focus on space, biotechnology and innovation.  “New Zealand has a thriving space ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Climate Change Minister to attend climate action meeting in China

    Climate Change Minister Simon Watts will travel to China on Saturday to attend the Ministerial on Climate Action meeting held in Wuhan.  “Attending the Ministerial on Climate Action is an opportunity to advocate for New Zealand climate priorities and engage with our key partners on climate action,” Mr Watts says. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Oceans and Fisheries Minister to Solomons

    Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is travelling to the Solomon Islands tomorrow for meetings with his counterparts from around the Pacific supporting collective management of the region’s fisheries. The 23rd Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Committee and the 5th Regional Fisheries Ministers’ Meeting in Honiara from 23 to 26 July ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Government launches Military Style Academy Pilot

    The Government today launched the Military Style Academy Pilot at Te Au rere a te Tonga Youth Justice residence in Palmerston North, an important part of the Government’s plan to crackdown on youth crime and getting youth offenders back on track, Minister for Children, Karen Chhour said today. “On the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Nine priority bridge replacements to get underway

    The Government has welcomed news the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) has begun work to replace nine priority bridges across the country to ensure our state highway network remains resilient, reliable, and efficient for road users, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.“Increasing productivity and economic growth is a key priority for the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Update on global IT outage

    Acting Prime Minister David Seymour has been in contact throughout the evening with senior officials who have coordinated a whole of government response to the global IT outage and can provide an update. The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet has designated the National Emergency Management Agency as the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • New Zealand, Japan renew Pacific partnership

    New Zealand and Japan will continue to step up their shared engagement with the Pacific, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.    “New Zealand and Japan have a strong, shared interest in a free, open and stable Pacific Islands region,” Mr Peters says.    “We are pleased to be finding more ways ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • New infrastructure energises BOP forestry towns

    New developments in the heart of North Island forestry country will reinvigorate their communities and boost economic development, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones visited Kaingaroa and Kawerau in Bay of Plenty today to open a landmark community centre in the former and a new connecting road in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • 'Pacific Futures'

    President Adeang, fellow Ministers, honourable Diet Member Horii, Ambassadors, distinguished guests.    Minasama, konnichiwa, and good afternoon, everyone.    Distinguished guests, it’s a pleasure to be here with you today to talk about New Zealand’s foreign policy reset, the reasons for it, the values that underpin it, and how it ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

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