I think this government is certainly dragging its feet on all aspects of housing, but it's a bit rich for Collins and the Nats to be lecturing and grandstanding.
The government needed to have put in place a measure for rent not going up more than 10% in a year. Once the Covid rent freeze was lifted rent has become unmanageable for those already struggling. An interim payment needs to be introduced until there is the right balance in home ownership and private rental.
The government cannot build subsidised housing quick enough. Some people have high health needs and they already have enough daily stress caused by their health. Terminal conditions, bleeding conditions requiring a blood transfusion, mobility conditions….
I don't think it makes any difference whether Labour or National are in regarding the increasing house prices. Even back in Helen Clark's days, house prices were rising sharply. NZ and Auckland in particular are a very desirable place to live.
The criteria under National to get a state home was dreadful, even with several health conditions. In 2016 I got put on the B list low down when I had 3 weeks to find a place as the landlord sold. The A list was numbered with 20 places.
The rental market is so much worse now. I find it stupid that Work and Income ask if you are looking for other accommodation. As if people can afford private rental.
and that is what opposition parties do, they grand stand, and considering that Labour. is in their second term ……….well maybe its time for hte opposition to put fire under the bums of those that want to drag their feet because they ran out of ideas on how to fix it.
So who should lecture ? No party in parliament, as even the greens have had to swallow dead rats so their moral credibility could be questioned by some. This sounds to be as a deflection to anyone asking why has nothing tangible been done, and we have had 20% increase in the property values in some markets over the last year🤬
listen to the phrasing of the government there are no actions or plans , we have to wait for a treasury report to come out. FFS. Where is the Winteck development that was 2 years ago 10 years to complete . There is no action on the site.
"Tourism has been of huge importance to the country, pre-Covid, as our biggest export earner and the direct employer of 225,000 people. Before the pandemic took hold, total spend by tourists had reached $42 billion a year, 58 percent of which was from domestic tourism. About $1.8 billion of GST was paid annually by international visitors."
Motorcycle couriers driving on the footpath in full ear-covering helmets really irritate me. Especially in suburban streets during the school holidays! I didn't mind the old Posties on bikes, and helmets you could hear through (even the new electric mobility vehicles – though I imagine that I might have a different view if I was still pushing prams, or in a wheelchair), because they retained situational awareness. I have tried ringing the courier company, and the police – but it's just not stopping.
So today I am going to go through all the fun of heading into the middle of town to make a formal written complaint at the police station today, having noted the license number this morning. Does that seem an over-reaction? And is this an issue in places other than Dunedin?
Ta for the link TA, I will have a look at it before I head in. But this motorcycle courier was driving on the footpath past driveway entrances in front of houses that they were not stopping at. If they were just looping in and out from the road, that'd be slightly different (though with the reduced hearing, still dodgy)
When I have rung the police in the past, they have seemed not entirely dismissive, but unwilling to take it any further if I didn't come in to make a written complaint. The courier company made soothing noises, but seemed unlikely do anything. After all they are the ones who set unreasonable workloads for their employees/ contractors in the first place.
It's one thing making sure my kids know to stay away from the roads because of traffic being dangerous. Having to keep them fenced up off the footpath is another, especially since the older one is starting to get tall enough to open the gate.
Edit: had a look at your link now, that quote is from a section clearly headed: Information for moped riders. So that’s irrelevant to this instance. Somewhat confusingly,on a different page it says bluntly:
You cannot ride motorcycles or mopeds on the footpath.
I guess if they have the permission to ride on the pavement, they can ride on the pavement, no matter how annoying. If they don't, they're illegal, so dob them in.
Basically desk staff said they'd get back to me. I was typing a longer response but that vanished somehow with clumsy fingers. Which is irritating!
She did briefly seem quite interested, when I told her the area of town; probably assuming gang members. But even they are not that socially irresponsible! So I guess if you want to be a renegade biker, the best patch to keep you safe from the cops is; a company logo.
Anyone else feeling very concerned about this Northland covid outbreak? I find it hard to believe that there isn’t community transmission given the strain is highly infectious……..
I have had tremendous faith in the govts response to date, but I feel pretty uneasy about this. People I know in the cafe one hour after the woman have tested negative, and now have been told they are free to get on with life…..
btw sick of people moaning about long queues to be tested……it seems people expect ease and comfort, not remembering that we are in a pandemic and they need to suck it up and do the right thing. I am not saying health board shouldn’t try and improve things.
same with people flying to Oz whose flights were canceled. People need to realise we are not living in pre-covid days…..
How many close contacts, including her husband, have been tested and were negative, 15, wasn’t it? But let’s lockdown Northland now and close all borders for a few weeks till the dust settles. And start vaccinating everybody tomorrow. It’s not good enough, as Judith says and David wants to wear his white T-shirt without a face mask.
The woman with the original infection didn't have respiratory symptoms. I'm guessing that is a big part of why there's been no community transmission.
Pretty sure that the govt would have acted quickly if there was community transmission (and will when there is). All the contact tracing will be happening. The system works, and even where it fails at the first barrier, or the second, we still have other actions for elimination.
I am more puzzled by it. I did raise that the woman could have had a false positive test or contamination in the lab. I would retest her to be sure on this.
I am concerned about the flaws in MIQ. Nurses not wearing visors when testing. People handling luggage not wearing PPE or gloves. Bus drivers transporting MIQ guests not wearing a mask. Guests mingling in exercise and smoking areas.
We do seem to be extremely lucky that all her close contacts have now tested negative, even her husband. As this South African strain is supposed to be far easier to spread around.
Tested negative so far, Jimmy. More than a week yet before they have their second test even if they remain asympyomatic, and I wouldn't bet on the husband, at least; staying that way. Plus there are the two new Pullman probables.
I wasn’t suggesting any of those things incognito, just expressing uneasiness.
yes husband tested negative and 15 other contacts negative, but don’t we have to wait another 12 days for his second test?
Queensland did a sharpe 3 day lockdown when SA variant in the cmty. And boarder worker only had it for a few days.
I don’t think we should shut our boarders, but as I posted recently tighten the criteria for people coming in. People need a very compelling reason to be travelling during a pandemic, imho.
I don’t have a huge amount of faith in the vaccine really, not that I am an anti Vaxer and I will definitely have my jab. It’s just that there is no evidence that it will stop transmission or will be effective against the mutating strains. All this “we should have the vaccine sooner” is just politicking.
my reading is that there are a lot of people feeling anxious, in part from last year, and who want some simple solutions to alleviate their anxiety and stress. The vaccine is an easy one to latch on to. Like you, I don't believe the vaccines are going to offer any quick fixes, and I think apart from the front line workers (who deserve protection) we should be letting countries with community transmission have first dibs.
One of the things for NZ about 2021 is to upskill people in how to manage chronic stress. This isn't going to go away any time soon, and I suspect many people still think it will. Was pleased to see Ardern yesterday making it clear that it's not.
Our upskilling to treat chronic anxiety is called anti depressant and anti anxiety meds. And we stay away from the news and the speeches of highly paid suits that really still try to sell us that going back to 'normal' will be a thing.
Those of us that are trying to keep our business afloat we are pretty much all on it. (these are the people that have businesses with whom i speak, most of them women – who pretty much so far have born the brunt of the pandemic – be it working from home/homeschooling etc during lock downs, having anxiety ridden kids, losing their jobs, losing their businesses, and not being paid any benefits because the partner still makes a coin).
The vaccine is what is needed to be done, and now we have world wide large scale testing that will tell us if it will work. So seriously we should not be rushing into it.
But anyone at this stage pretending that this is not an issue and will be over by christmas, gone just like this, like a miracle etc……..is just fooling him/herself.
And even then, so its over now, the pandemic is gone, half of the world has not properly worked in a long time and is broke as, a lot of people are dead, etc, do we really think we can just go back to March 1 2020 and pretend it did not happen?
another 12 months is a long time. Meds are ambulances at the bottom of the cliff. Useful, but we can put some fences at the top too. Long term stress, esp in a situation like this that has so many unknowns, is a big burden. Best we pay attention to how we adapt sooner rather than later. Chch should have taught us some things about this (but so much we didn't learn there).
Adapting is the best way forward. Pulling the plug on a business is sometimes necessary. It is the unknown which causes the most fear. All one can do is go a day at a time.
Still a fair amount of denial about our situation methinks. Which is interesting for those of us involved in climate action. This one is more in our faces, but still taking some time for people to get to grips with the long nature of teh crisis.
Meds is pretty much the only thing available to most of us, so meds it is. People like me, and those that i know, we don't have the luxury to dream about stuff that ain't never gonna happen and good mental care is one of these 'nice things to have' that we should have, but all we get is meds.
We adapt, we work through our grief, and we understood that this Covid thing is going to be a marathon not a sprint. So the best that one can do is go day by day, one step at a time and hopefully stay afloat and make it through the other side, mentally and emotionally not too damaged.
Chances are this is going to take the better part of another 2 – 3 years until it has run its course – either by humans becoming more adapt at the virus, or the virus running out of bodies thanks to vaccines or a combination of both.
The best mental health advise that i can give at this current time, is don't expect these things to happen fast, do expect lockdowns in the future – hopefully only short and isolated ones, and a bit more hardship just generally. So no need to rush anything, expectations or wishes, and just go slowly. And if it gets to much, Meds.
Meds is pretty much the only thing available to most of us, so meds it is. People like me, and those that i know, we don't have the luxury to dream about stuff that ain't never gonna happen and good mental care is one of these 'nice things to have' that we should have, but all we get is meds.
Yes, this is why I am suggesting that NZ doesn't leave the stress to our usual poor attention to mental health. We've got some breathing space that many others in the world don't have, we could actually attend to this now.
The government could do so much, not only for the reasons mentioned by you, but also by the fact that they were elected in majority and could right now simply govern, boldly and with the future in mind.
I don't see it happening, i don't hear it happening and i have confined the ideas that government (well a Labour led government) could and will do something to the dust bin of history.
Running on not bettering the life of our most vulnerable has ruled sensible things such as better mental healthcare out full stop. Why you may say? Because our most vulnerable have lived in uncertainty – financially, physically for the longest time and they would know something about depression and anxiety, and they only have meds if they are lucky to have a doctor to go too.
Sometimes anxiety is an appropriate reaction to a very stressful event, like potential exposure to covid or anxiety about ones business failing due to covid. If you are wired to experience anxiety more intensely then meds are a good idea, unless is it a temporary stressor such as waiting for a covid test to return.
Just for the record, I didn't say I was anxious, just very concerned about the situation in Northland. Registering concern or even anxiety can be a very helpful thing as it can lead to behaviours like scanning, social distancing or even getting tested if it is warranted. The people I worry about are the over confident people who think we are still living pre covid and that we have can still have that life (and that they expect and feel entitled to that life). These are the people who will let the side down because they will not take the pandemic seriously and realize they have a crucial role in stopping the spread of the virus. We all do. They are the people who are still partying as the Titanic sinks. Unfortunately there are a few of these in my life and they cause some frustration and concern. This is not a time to be wildly optimistic.
It is not for me to say how anyone should feel. When stress goes up it needs to come down. People need access to services when required. I am not immune to stress.
Being over confident about Covid can be the cause of a person being infected or worse.
I think I got the reply wrong. You raise some good points.
All in all, NZ is in a pretty good place at the moment: good border controls, and testing capacity for when those controls leak. So I don't think a widespread outbreak from this case is likely to have been missed.
We still need to scan/log contacts better, and there will be a review on how the person was released from isolation with the virus (just as a matter of business as usual). Maybe there are things that need addressing there.
If community cases are detected, then the next step is a regional lockdown like Auckland had.
But while it's possible, this particular Sword of Damocles is the new normal. Maybe a vaccine will stop transmission, maybe not.
Personally, I stopped closely following the covid news sometime in lockdown. Not to "bury my head in the sand", but I realised that 90% of the news regarding it won't actually affect my behaviour, so why reinforce the stress?
Either I get to go to work and potter around stores and cafes, or I'm back in some level of lockdown. I can deal with either. I'll miss hugs, though.
same re following the news closely. Can't remember the last time I listened to a live press conference on covid. I figure I'll hear what I need hear on TS or twitter or look it up on RNZ. I do like talking through the issues though, which I'm not sure is that great stress wise.
Anker, my comment about stress was in response to "All this “we should have the vaccine sooner” is just politicking." I was pointing to the possibility that people's politics are in part being driven by the chronic stress and anxiety.
Completely agree that anxiety is a reasonable response to the situation we are in. Chronic stress wears away at people, lowers immunity, affects cognition, makes it harder to handle painful emotions and experiences. I really think we should be looking at this, mostly because I think this is how it is going to be from now on. People used to living under chronic stress understand this, and there are a lot of people for whom this is a new thing.
I wasn’t suggesting any of those things incognito, just expressing uneasiness.
Yes, I know, but others did and I was just expressing my sarcasm about that but I forgot to include the \sarc tag; it is important to keep a sense of perspective. My apologies for the confusion.
It appears that current vaccines are effective against current strains although a booster shot might be desired/required, which is quite similar to flu vaccinations.
You’re correct that, as far as I know, it is not yet known if current vaccines will stop transmission. My guess is they won’t.
The Europeans are going to stiff us all over vaccine deliveries, you just know it. Our only role is to go up there and save them from fascism, then they can get back to shitting on everyone else.
a request of people who visit this site and I hope it is o.k. to make this request. A small survey.
If you were invited to a rather large indoor party with someone who left MIQ a week before would you attend the party? Very interested to hear peoples view including any qualifiers.
Well, before Christmas I picked up my brother and sister-in-law from their two weeks in managed isolation and drove them for an hour to their place. Then spent the rest of the afternoon with them. So I'm not that bothered about spending time with people straight out of MI.
On the other hand, she had covid way back in March last year, along with their son, and he was in the house the whole time while they were ill, so there's a pretty good chance they currently have immunity.
Yes of course. Despite the failures at the border, these are the exceptions, not the rule. And let's face it, the MOH and other government agencies have knowledge and expertise now that dwarfs what they had 10 months ago, and will competently deal with any rare breaches 8n a fast and effective way.
And ffs, life goes on. Let's get real here. We are a lucky country and should embrace our good fortune rather than become hostage to fear.
But then I probably wouldn't go to a; rather large indoor party, anyway; even if it wasn't with someone who left MIQ a week before. Not so keen on subjecting myself to compromise music, and drunken blather; aside from the infection risk. I might do a smaller more focused event (say; a 6 person meal, or board-game) if they were definitely asymptomatic when I arrived though.
Anyone else starting to wonder if the test being used at the Pullman was ineffective with the South African variant? Maybe improperly stored or transported, because the later tests were successful in detecting it.
As for the survey; still a provisional yes for a smaller (brie) gathering, rather than a shindig (or hootenany).
If they're emphasising pushing numbers through community screening and previous MIQ residents, they might have shifted to a more rapid, more sensitive, but less specific test. So more false positives and detection of historic cases.
There's a fair chance at this stage that the shepherd equivalent is to be looking for a lost sheep and finding a couple of others that died ages ago. Maybe the live sheep is still out there, maybe not.
I just cannot believe the sense of entitlement of some of these people. How about showing some gratitude that we, the 5m, are even allowing you back into NZ and the risk we, the 5m, are taking as a result.
Well before the 2020 border closures, both our Prime Minister and her Deputy repeatedly warned come home now, or maybe it will not be possible.
My dad's special recipe: get an old baguette and put it out in the sun for a day or two to harden up. Use a table saw or bandsaw to cut it up into cubes. Fry the cubes up in butter and seasonings or garlic to make sure any residual soft bits go jawbreaker hard.
No – that's for breadcrumbing the rat cutlets. You have to use the right implement for the right dish BG!
Of course, the trick is getting those rodents to run fast enough on the treadmill to turn the grinder wheel. No solar panels back in them old days. Not being the one on the hubcap frypan is wonderful incentive there.
You cannot please everyone! Over the last six or seven years or so, I have never had a bad Air NZ meal………haven't had one for over a year mind you, but people always complained about airline food. I always thought Air NZ food was pretty good.
Returning to NZ is a bit like the hospital waiting list for surgery. You need to wait, the surgery can be postponed, rescheduled and then postponed again. Once you have your procedure you usually feel better. You can pick up an infection while in hospital and need to remain longer.
I nearly forgot, some people complain about the hospital food.
lol travelling to a first nations region in a private jet and claiming to be motel workers to scam yourself ahead of the vaccine queue is a ruse so low that it even gets you kicked from a casino company.
But this scam reminds me of the adage "if the only punishment is a fine, then it's legal for rich people".
Nothing could be further from the truth – it was investors that screwed it up, and continue to do so. Let investors find or create productive avenues for obtaining ongoing income – instead of parasiting off peoples' need for housing.
John Banks has reportedly been removed from his radio show after a “blatantly racist” incident yesterday where a caller said Māori were “genetically predisposed to crime, alcohol and underperformance educationally”.
It seems the loss of advertising is behind Bank's removal, rather than any moral integrity from Cursed Talk. The duplicity in his statements would be astounding from anyone else, they're not really unexpected from him:
"I didn't pick it up at the time, here when you're broadcasting, you're talking to producers, you're talking to bosses," Banks said.
"I spoke to people later in the show who disagreed with the man and I picked it up then, however this wasn't enough to demonstrate that his comments were wrong and racist."…
Banks interrupted the caller, saying “just a minute, your children need to get used to their stone-age culture because if their stone-age culture doesn’t change, these people will come through your bathroom window”.
Govt is saying the two people have been in isolation since Sunday and are being retested. Results and a press conference tonight. Two other people with positive tests turned out to be an historic case (no longer infectious) and a false positive.
the pair completed their managed isolation in the same facility and at the same time as the Northland community case and are now under investigation.
"The two former returnees both returned a positive test for Covid-19, however it is yet to be confirmed if they are recent or historic infections. Further urgent testing is being carried out this evening," the ministry said in a statement.
"The two people are asymptomatic and have already completed their managed isolation and previously returned two negative tests.
"Both individuals are currently self-isolating at home.
If they completed their Pullman stay at the same time as the initial case, that means they have been in the community since the 15th. I sure hope that were as thorough as she was about tracking their movements. Also, likely to have been in Auckland rather than Northland, though that is unconfirmed speculation on my part.
It didn't say what tests they were using. The PCR involves scouring the sample for virus fragments then duplicating the genetic material until it becomes detectable. It sounds weird, but the science is solid. Though it does also copy inert viral remnants as well as active infection.
The testing laboratories do 45 "cycles" of PCR on a Covid-19 test sample, which takes a little over half an hour. After this time, a single SARS-CoV-2 RNA molecule will have become 17 million million identical DNA molecules. These are so small that you STILL can't see them with your eyes.
To see how much DNA there is, and to find out if the test is positive, the PCR reaction mix includes a special tag that glows when it is cut up.
But if the virus cell envelope has ruptured (ie virus is dead, inasmuch as it was ever alive in the first place – say; inactive) and there are fragments left over in the swab sample, then these viral remnants may be replicated by the envelop protein primer template. Despite their being no active SARS-CoV-2 virus infection in the subject.
Hope that makes more sense, Incog. Don't know if I'd started drinking when I typed the above description, but certainly have been now. I'm probably missing something important out, but that's basically it.
Think of making a clay mold from a sculture (analogizing the DNA template for the RNA viral envelope protein), then making a bunch of wax casts with that mold, then stacking them up in a gigantic mountain of candles so that they can be seen burning from another mountain top many kilometers away. This is getting a bit farfetched of a methaphor really…
Anyway, I was mainly here to read, not write, and now I just want to go watch more old music on Youtube. Enjoy your night, morning now!
The two positive cases completed quarantine on the 15 January and had been residing in North Auckland since. Urgent re-testing this evening confirmed the pair's Covid status.
Best to know now I guess. I'd like to be smug and say I called it for them residing in Auckland since the 15th (upthread somewhere), but over the entire country that's a one in three chance they'd live in the City, and Christchurch has an international airport (still open?); so unlikely to be the South Island. Certainly feel more sober now after that news Jester.
Their contact list is a lot patchier than the Northland case; maybe just going from EFTPOS records and receipts? They are referred to as a pair, so hopefully they live together in North Auckland – Albany, Orewa, and Silverdale are fairly close.
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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 ...
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 ...
Chris 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 ...
Graeme 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 ...
Both 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 ...
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Sarah SpengemanPeople wait to board an electric bus in Pune, India. (Image credit: courtesy of ITDP) Public transportation riders in Pune, India, love the city’s new electric buses so much they will actually skip an older diesel bus that ...
The 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 ...
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 ...
Buzz from the Beehive The 180 or so recipients of letters from the Government telling them how to submit infrastructure projects for “fast track” consideration includes some whose project applications previously have been rejected by the courts. News media were quick to feature these in their reports after RMA Reform Minister Chris ...
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 ...
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 ...
Feel 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 ...
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. ...
Michael 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 ...
Without 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 ...
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 ...
In 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 ...
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 ...
A 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 ...
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. The Government says this will ...
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 ...
Identifying the engine type in your car is crucial for various reasons, including maintenance, repairs, and performance upgrades. Knowing the specific engine model allows you to access detailed technical information, locate compatible parts, and make informed decisions about modifications. This comprehensive guide will provide you with a step-by-step approach to ...
Introduction: The allure of racing is undeniable. The thrill of speed, the roar of engines, and the exhilaration of competition all contribute to the allure of this adrenaline-driven sport. For those who yearn to experience the pinnacle of racing, becoming a race car driver is the ultimate dream. However, the ...
Introduction Automobiles have become ubiquitous in modern society, serving as a primary mode of transportation and a symbol of economic growth and personal mobility. With countless vehicles traversing roads and highways worldwide, it begs the question: how many cars are there in the world? Determining the precise number is a ...
Maintaining a safe and reliable vehicle requires regular inspections. Whether it’s a routine maintenance checkup or a safety inspection, knowing how long the process will take can help you plan your day accordingly. This article delves into the factors that influence the duration of a car inspection and provides an ...
Mazda Motor Corporation, commonly known as Mazda, is a Japanese multinational automaker headquartered in Fuchu, Aki District, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan. The company was founded in 1920 as the Toyo Cork Kogyo Co., Ltd., and began producing vehicles in 1931. Mazda is primarily known for its production of passenger cars, but ...
Your car battery is an essential component that provides power to start your engine, operate your electrical systems, and store energy. Over time, batteries can weaken and lose their ability to hold a charge, which can lead to starting problems, power failures, and other issues. Replacing your battery before it ...
In most states, you cannot register a car without a valid driver’s license. However, there are a few exceptions to this rule. Exceptions to the RuleIf you are under 18 years old: In some states, you can register a car in your name even if you do not ...
Mazda, a Japanese automotive manufacturer with a rich history of innovation and engineering excellence, has emerged as a formidable player in the global car market. Known for its reputation of producing high-quality, fuel-efficient, and driver-oriented vehicles, Mazda has consistently garnered praise from industry experts and consumers alike. In this article, ...
Struts are an essential part of a car’s suspension system. They are responsible for supporting the weight of the car and damping the oscillations of the springs. Struts are typically made of steel or aluminum and are filled with hydraulic fluid. How Do Struts Work? Struts work by transferring the ...
Car registration is a mandatory process that all vehicle owners must complete annually. This process involves registering your car with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and paying an associated fee. The registration process ensures that your vehicle is properly licensed and insured, and helps law enforcement and other authorities ...
Zoom is a video conferencing service that allows you to share your screen, webcam, and audio with other participants. In addition to sharing your own audio, you can also share the audio from your computer with other participants. This can be useful for playing music, sharing presentations with audio, or ...
Building your own computer can be a rewarding and cost-effective way to get a high-performance machine tailored to your specific needs. However, it also requires careful planning and execution, and one of the most important factors to consider is the time it will take. The exact time it takes to ...
Sleep mode is a power-saving state that allows your computer to quickly resume operation without having to boot up from scratch. This can be useful if you need to step away from your computer for a short period of time but don’t want to shut it down completely. There are ...
Introduction Computer-Assisted Translation (CAT) has revolutionized the field of translation by harnessing the power of technology to assist human translators in their work. This innovative approach combines specialized software with human expertise to improve the efficiency, accuracy, and consistency of translations. In this comprehensive article, we will delve into the ...
In today’s digital age, mobile devices have become an indispensable part of our daily lives. Among the vast array of portable computing options available, iPads and tablet computers stand out as two prominent contenders. While both offer similar functionalities, there are subtle yet significant differences between these two devices. This ...
A computer is an electronic device that can be programmed to carry out a set of instructions. The basic components of a computer are the processor, memory, storage, input devices, and output devices. The Processor The processor, also known as the central processing unit (CPU), is the brain of the ...
Te 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 ...
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. ...
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. ...
Tonight’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 ...
It 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. ...
The 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. ...
Labour 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. ...
The 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. ...
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. ...
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. ...
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 ...
Cuts 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. ...
The Green Party has joined the call for public submissions on the fast-track legislation to be extended after the Ombudsman forced the Government to release the list of organisations invited to apply just hours before submissions close. ...
New Zealand’s good work at reducing climate emissions for three years in a row will be undone by the National government’s lack of ambition and scrapping programmes that were making a difference, Labour Party climate spokesperson Megan Woods said today. ...
More essential jobs could be on the chopping block, this time Ministry of Education staff on the school lunches team are set to find out whether they're in line to lose their jobs. ...
Te 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 ...
The Government is trying to bring in a law that will allow Ministers to cut corners and kill off native species, Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said. ...
Cancelling urgently needed new Cook Strait ferries and hiking the cost of public transport for many Kiwis so that National can announce the prospect of another tunnel for Wellington is not making good choices, Labour Transport Spokesperson Tangi Utikere said. ...
A laundry list of additional costs for Tāmaki Makarau Auckland shows the Minister for the city is not delivering for the people who live there, says Labour Auckland Issues spokesperson Shanan Halbert. ...
Te 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 ...
The Green Party has today launched a step-by-step guide to help New Zealanders make their voice heard on the Government’s democracy dodging and anti-environment fast track legislation. ...
The National Government’s proposed changes to the Residential Tenancies Act will mean tenants can be turfed from their homes by landlords with little notice, Labour housing spokesperson Kieran McAnulty said. ...
Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson is calling on all parties to support a common-sense change that’s great for the planet and great for consumers after her member’s bill was drawn from the ballot today. ...
A significant milestone has been reached in the fight to strike an anti-Pasifika and unfair law from the country’s books after Teanau Tuiono’s members’ bill passed its first reading. ...
New Zealand has today missed the opportunity to uphold the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment, says James Shaw after his member’s bill was voted down in its first reading. ...
Today’s advice from the Climate Change Commission paints a sobering reality of the challenge we face in combating climate change, especially in light of recent Government policy announcements. ...
Minister for Disability Issues Penny Simmonds appears to have delayed a report back to Cabinet on the progress New Zealand is making against international obligations for disabled New Zealanders. ...
Hundreds 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, ...
Regional 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 ...
Foreign 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 ...
Ambassador 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 ...
Distinguished 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 ...
Mai 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 ...
Paul 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 ...
Recreational 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 ...
Energy 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 ...
The 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 ...
Overseas 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 ...
Emergency 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 ...
Justice 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 ...
Associate 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 ...
Hon 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 ...
The 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 ...
Foreign 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 ...
New 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 ...
Minister 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 ...
The 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 ...
“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 ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has completed a successful trip to Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines, deepening relationships and capitalising on opportunities. Mr Luxon was accompanied by a business delegation and says the choice of countries represents the priority the New Zealand Government places on South East Asia, and our relationships in ...
New Zealand is demonstrating its commitment to reducing global greenhouse emissions, and supporting clean energy transition in South East Asia, through a contribution of NZ$41 million (US$25 million) in climate finance to the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-led Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM). Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced ...
The Government is today releasing a list of organisations who received letters about the Fast-track applications process, says RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop. “Recently Ministers and agencies have received a series of OIA requests for a list of organisations to whom I wrote with information on applying to have a ...
Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister David Jonathan Boldt as a Judge of the High Court, and the Honourable Justice Matthew Palmer as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Boldt graduated with an LLB from Victoria University of Wellington in 1990, and also holds ...
Education Minister Erica Stanford will lead the New Zealand delegation at the 2024 International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP) held in Singapore. The delegation includes representatives from the Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) Te Wehengarua and the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) Te Riu Roa. The summit is co-hosted ...
A stopbank upgrade project in Tairawhiti partly funded by the Government has increased flood resilience for around 7000ha of residential and horticultural land so far, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones today attended a dawn service in Gisborne to mark the end of the first stage of the ...
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters will represent the Government at Anzac Day commemorations on the Gallipoli Peninsula next week and engage with senior representatives of the Turkish government in Istanbul. “The Gallipoli campaign is a defining event in our history. It will be a privilege to share the occasion ...
Science, Innovation and Technology and Defence Minister Judith Collins will next week attend the OECD Science and Technology Ministerial conference in Paris and Anzac Day commemorations in Belgium. “Science, innovation and technology have a major role to play in rebuilding our economy and achieving better health, environmental and social outcomes ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The Prime Minister was accompanied by MP Paulo Garcia, the first Filipino to be elected to a legislature outside the Philippines. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon and President Marcos Jr discussed opportunities to ...
The Government has announced that $20 million in funding will be made available to Westport to fund much needed flood protection around the town. This measure will significantly improve the resilience of the community, says Local Government Minister Simeon Brown. “The Westport community has already been allocated almost $3 million ...
The Government is proud to support the first ever Repco Supercars Championship event in Taupō as up to 70,000 motorsport fans attend the Taupō International Motorsport Park this weekend, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. “Anticipation for the ITM Taupō Super400 is huge, with tickets and accommodation selling out weeks ...
Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced an increase to the Rates Rebate Scheme, putting money back into the pockets of low-income homeowners. “The coalition Government is committed to bringing down the cost of living for New Zealanders. That includes targeted support for those Kiwis who are doing things tough, such ...
The Coalition Government is investing in a project to boost survival rates of New Zealand mussels and grow the industry, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has announced. “This project seeks to increase the resilience of our mussels and significantly boost the sector’s productivity,” Mr Jones says. “The project - ...
Benefit figures released today underscore the importance of the Government’s plan to rebuild the economy and have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “Benefit numbers are still significantly higher than when National was last in government, when there was about 70,000 fewer ...
The Government’s commitment to doubling New Zealand’s renewable energy capacity is backed by new data showing that clean energy has helped the country reach its lowest annual gross emissions since 1999, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealand’s latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory (1990-2022) published today, shows gross emissions fell ...
The Government is bringing the earthquake-prone building review forward, with work to start immediately, and extending the deadline for remediations by four years, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “Our Government is focused on rebuilding the economy. A key part of our plan is to cut red tape that ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his Thai counterpart, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, have today agreed that New Zealand and the Kingdom of Thailand will upgrade the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership by 2026. “New Zealand and Thailand have a lot to offer each other. We have a strong mutual desire to build ...
RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Transport Minister Simeon Brown have today announced the Coalition Government’s intention to extend port coastal permits for a further 20 years, providing port operators with certainty to continue their operations. “The introduction of the Resource Management Act in 1991 required ports to obtain coastal ...
Today’s announcement that inflation is down to 4 per cent is encouraging news for Kiwis, but there is more work to be done - underlining the importance of the Government’s plan to get the economy back on track, acting Finance Minister Chris Bishop says. “Inflation is now at 4 per ...
Tara 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. ...
Scout 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 ...
Megan 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 ...
A 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 ...
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. ...
My 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 ...
Newsroom, 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 ...
Tara 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 ...
Working 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 ...
There’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 ...
Asia 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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
Opinion by Lynley Hood. Forty years on from my 1985 Fulbright Grant, my disquiet over the war in Gaza evoked some troubling questions. The answer to my first question – What is the primary purpose of the Fulbright Programme? – was on the Fulbright NZ website. It says: US Senator, ...
The ministers responsible for green-lighting major projects need to be open about potential conflicts of interest, says Transparency International. ...
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 ...
Source: 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 ...
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 ...
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: ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian Beaumont, Election Analyst (Psephologist) at The Conversation; and Honorary Associate, School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne The Queensland state election will be held in October. A YouGov poll for The Courier Mail, conducted April 9–17 from a sample ...
Source: 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 ...
A 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 ...
A 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 ...
The 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.AUCKLAND1 Hemingway’s Goblet by Dermot Ross (Mary Egan Publishing, $38)A handsomely produced (debossed cover, lovely ...
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I think this government is certainly dragging its feet on all aspects of housing, but it's a bit rich for Collins and the Nats to be lecturing and grandstanding.
The government needed to have put in place a measure for rent not going up more than 10% in a year. Once the Covid rent freeze was lifted rent has become unmanageable for those already struggling. An interim payment needs to be introduced until there is the right balance in home ownership and private rental.
The government cannot build subsidised housing quick enough. Some people have high health needs and they already have enough daily stress caused by their health. Terminal conditions, bleeding conditions requiring a blood transfusion, mobility conditions….
I don't think it makes any difference whether Labour or National are in regarding the increasing house prices. Even back in Helen Clark's days, house prices were rising sharply. NZ and Auckland in particular are a very desirable place to live.
How many State Houses did National add in those 9 years in Government?
No where near enough. But over the last few years the wait list has virtually quadrupled.
I would like to know if there is a change in criteria for a state house under National and under Labour?
I wonder why that might be the case.
The criteria under National to get a state home was dreadful, even with several health conditions. In 2016 I got put on the B list low down when I had 3 weeks to find a place as the landlord sold. The A list was numbered with 20 places.
The rental market is so much worse now. I find it stupid that Work and Income ask if you are looking for other accommodation. As if people can afford private rental.
Thanks.
this is a fun read.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/prime-minister-jacinda-ardern-promised-to-fix-the-housing-crisis-and-our-readers-had-a-lot-to-say-about-it/GKMYH2Z2OLONQZ5VTHMKJNW5V4/
and that is what opposition parties do, they grand stand, and considering that Labour. is in their second term ……….well maybe its time for hte opposition to put fire under the bums of those that want to drag their feet because they ran out of ideas on how to fix it.
So who should lecture ? No party in parliament, as even the greens have had to swallow dead rats so their moral credibility could be questioned by some. This sounds to be as a deflection to anyone asking why has nothing tangible been done, and we have had 20% increase in the property values in some markets over the last year🤬
listen to the phrasing of the government there are no actions or plans , we have to wait for a treasury report to come out. FFS. Where is the Winteck development that was 2 years ago 10 years to complete . There is no action on the site.
Facts can be so inconvenient depending on one’s narrative.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/new-zealands-public-housing-crisis-waiting-list-grows-nearly-1000-in-two-months/UFYUW4QAUXIYZARA2ASC2L56VY/
Conflict of interests?
https://www.newsroom.co.nz/agency-ambitions-spark-tourism-turf-war
"Tourism has been of huge importance to the country, pre-Covid, as our biggest export earner and the direct employer of 225,000 people. Before the pandemic took hold, total spend by tourists had reached $42 billion a year, 58 percent of which was from domestic tourism. About $1.8 billion of GST was paid annually by international visitors."
Motorcycle couriers driving on the footpath in full ear-covering helmets really irritate me. Especially in suburban streets during the school holidays! I didn't mind the old Posties on bikes, and helmets you could hear through (even the new electric mobility vehicles – though I imagine that I might have a different view if I was still pushing prams, or in a wheelchair), because they retained situational awareness. I have tried ringing the courier company, and the police – but it's just not stopping.
So today I am going to go through all the fun of heading into the middle of town to make a formal written complaint at the police station today, having noted the license number this morning. Does that seem an over-reaction? And is this an issue in places other than Dunedin?
Save yourself the journey – It's probably legal.
First hit on google for motorbikes on path nz.
You must ride on the road – you can't ride on the footpath or a cycle path unless you have permission from the road controlling authority to ride on the footpath to deliver mail, newspapers or other printed matter to letterboxes.
You're welcome.
Ta for the link TA, I will have a look at it before I head in. But this motorcycle courier was driving on the footpath past driveway entrances in front of houses that they were not stopping at. If they were just looping in and out from the road, that'd be slightly different (though with the reduced hearing, still dodgy)
When I have rung the police in the past, they have seemed not entirely dismissive, but unwilling to take it any further if I didn't come in to make a written complaint. The courier company made soothing noises, but seemed unlikely do anything. After all they are the ones who set unreasonable workloads for their employees/ contractors in the first place.
It's one thing making sure my kids know to stay away from the roads because of traffic being dangerous. Having to keep them fenced up off the footpath is another, especially since the older one is starting to get tall enough to open the gate.
Edit: had a look at your link now, that quote is from a section clearly headed: Information for moped riders. So that’s irrelevant to this instance. Somewhat confusingly,on a different page it says bluntly:
You cannot ride motorcycles or mopeds on the footpath.
https://www.nzta.govt.nz/vehicles/vehicle-types/motorcycles-and-mopeds/#motorcycles
I guess if they have the permission to ride on the pavement, they can ride on the pavement, no matter how annoying. If they don't, they're illegal, so dob them in.
Let us know the response.
Basically desk staff said they'd get back to me. I was typing a longer response but that vanished somehow with clumsy fingers. Which is irritating!
She did briefly seem quite interested, when I told her the area of town; probably assuming gang members. But even they are not that socially irresponsible! So I guess if you want to be a renegade biker, the best patch to keep you safe from the cops is; a company logo.
I have had tremendous faith in the govts response to date, but I feel pretty uneasy about this. People I know in the cafe one hour after the woman have tested negative, and now have been told they are free to get on with life…..
btw sick of people moaning about long queues to be tested……it seems people expect ease and comfort, not remembering that we are in a pandemic and they need to suck it up and do the right thing. I am not saying health board shouldn’t try and improve things.
same with people flying to Oz whose flights were canceled. People need to realise we are not living in pre-covid days…..
How many close contacts, including her husband, have been tested and were negative, 15, wasn’t it? But let’s lockdown Northland now and close all borders for a few weeks till the dust settles. And start vaccinating everybody tomorrow. It’s not good enough, as Judith says and David wants to wear his white T-shirt without a face mask.
The woman with the original infection didn't have respiratory symptoms. I'm guessing that is a big part of why there's been no community transmission.
Pretty sure that the govt would have acted quickly if there was community transmission (and will when there is). All the contact tracing will be happening. The system works, and even where it fails at the first barrier, or the second, we still have other actions for elimination.
I am more puzzled by it. I did raise that the woman could have had a false positive test or contamination in the lab. I would retest her to be sure on this.
I am concerned about the flaws in MIQ. Nurses not wearing visors when testing. People handling luggage not wearing PPE or gloves. Bus drivers transporting MIQ guests not wearing a mask. Guests mingling in exercise and smoking areas.
We do seem to be extremely lucky that all her close contacts have now tested negative, even her husband. As this South African strain is supposed to be far easier to spread around.
Tested negative so far, Jimmy. More than a week yet before they have their second test even if they remain asympyomatic, and I wouldn't bet on the husband, at least; staying that way. Plus there are the two new Pullman probables.
Queensland did a sharpe 3 day lockdown when SA variant in the cmty. And boarder worker only had it for a few days.
I don’t think we should shut our boarders, but as I posted recently tighten the criteria for people coming in. People need a very compelling reason to be travelling during a pandemic, imho.
I don’t have a huge amount of faith in the vaccine really, not that I am an anti Vaxer and I will definitely have my jab. It’s just that there is no evidence that it will stop transmission or will be effective against the mutating strains. All this “we should have the vaccine sooner” is just politicking.
my reading is that there are a lot of people feeling anxious, in part from last year, and who want some simple solutions to alleviate their anxiety and stress. The vaccine is an easy one to latch on to. Like you, I don't believe the vaccines are going to offer any quick fixes, and I think apart from the front line workers (who deserve protection) we should be letting countries with community transmission have first dibs.
One of the things for NZ about 2021 is to upskill people in how to manage chronic stress. This isn't going to go away any time soon, and I suspect many people still think it will. Was pleased to see Ardern yesterday making it clear that it's not.
Our upskilling to treat chronic anxiety is called anti depressant and anti anxiety meds. And we stay away from the news and the speeches of highly paid suits that really still try to sell us that going back to 'normal' will be a thing.
Those of us that are trying to keep our business afloat we are pretty much all on it. (these are the people that have businesses with whom i speak, most of them women – who pretty much so far have born the brunt of the pandemic – be it working from home/homeschooling etc during lock downs, having anxiety ridden kids, losing their jobs, losing their businesses, and not being paid any benefits because the partner still makes a coin).
The vaccine is what is needed to be done, and now we have world wide large scale testing that will tell us if it will work. So seriously we should not be rushing into it.
But anyone at this stage pretending that this is not an issue and will be over by christmas, gone just like this, like a miracle etc……..is just fooling him/herself.
And even then, so its over now, the pandemic is gone, half of the world has not properly worked in a long time and is broke as, a lot of people are dead, etc, do we really think we can just go back to March 1 2020 and pretend it did not happen?
another 12 months is a long time. Meds are ambulances at the bottom of the cliff. Useful, but we can put some fences at the top too. Long term stress, esp in a situation like this that has so many unknowns, is a big burden. Best we pay attention to how we adapt sooner rather than later. Chch should have taught us some things about this (but so much we didn't learn there).
Adapting is the best way forward. Pulling the plug on a business is sometimes necessary. It is the unknown which causes the most fear. All one can do is go a day at a time.
Still a fair amount of denial about our situation methinks. Which is interesting for those of us involved in climate action. This one is more in our faces, but still taking some time for people to get to grips with the long nature of teh crisis.
Meds is pretty much the only thing available to most of us, so meds it is. People like me, and those that i know, we don't have the luxury to dream about stuff that ain't never gonna happen and good mental care is one of these 'nice things to have' that we should have, but all we get is meds.
We adapt, we work through our grief, and we understood that this Covid thing is going to be a marathon not a sprint. So the best that one can do is go day by day, one step at a time and hopefully stay afloat and make it through the other side, mentally and emotionally not too damaged.
Chances are this is going to take the better part of another 2 – 3 years until it has run its course – either by humans becoming more adapt at the virus, or the virus running out of bodies thanks to vaccines or a combination of both.
The best mental health advise that i can give at this current time, is don't expect these things to happen fast, do expect lockdowns in the future – hopefully only short and isolated ones, and a bit more hardship just generally. So no need to rush anything, expectations or wishes, and just go slowly. And if it gets to much, Meds.
Yes, this is why I am suggesting that NZ doesn't leave the stress to our usual poor attention to mental health. We've got some breathing space that many others in the world don't have, we could actually attend to this now.
I agree about expectations.
The government could do so much, not only for the reasons mentioned by you, but also by the fact that they were elected in majority and could right now simply govern, boldly and with the future in mind.
I don't see it happening, i don't hear it happening and i have confined the ideas that government (well a Labour led government) could and will do something to the dust bin of history.
Running on not bettering the life of our most vulnerable has ruled sensible things such as better mental healthcare out full stop. Why you may say? Because our most vulnerable have lived in uncertainty – financially, physically for the longest time and they would know something about depression and anxiety, and they only have meds if they are lucky to have a doctor to go too.
Right now would be a good time to do many things.
yep. The kind of chronic stress I am talking about isn't new to me and many of my peers.
What's different this time is the middle and political classes are experiencing it too and it might sharpen their minds 😈 We will see.
Hi Sabine, you are right about day by day, one step at a time.
May I be so bold as to suggest the importance of now. Anxiety is a product of the past or future.
Meditation, yoga, breathing exercises, time in nature all aid in access to 'nowness'.
Sometimes anxiety is an appropriate reaction to a very stressful event, like potential exposure to covid or anxiety about ones business failing due to covid. If you are wired to experience anxiety more intensely then meds are a good idea, unless is it a temporary stressor such as waiting for a covid test to return.
Just for the record, I didn't say I was anxious, just very concerned about the situation in Northland. Registering concern or even anxiety can be a very helpful thing as it can lead to behaviours like scanning, social distancing or even getting tested if it is warranted. The people I worry about are the over confident people who think we are still living pre covid and that we have can still have that life (and that they expect and feel entitled to that life). These are the people who will let the side down because they will not take the pandemic seriously and realize they have a crucial role in stopping the spread of the virus. We all do. They are the people who are still partying as the Titanic sinks. Unfortunately there are a few of these in my life and they cause some frustration and concern. This is not a time to be wildly optimistic.
It is not for me to say how anyone should feel. When stress goes up it needs to come down. People need access to services when required. I am not immune to stress.
Being over confident about Covid can be the cause of a person being infected or worse.
I think I got the reply wrong. You raise some good points.
All in all, NZ is in a pretty good place at the moment: good border controls, and testing capacity for when those controls leak. So I don't think a widespread outbreak from this case is likely to have been missed.
We still need to scan/log contacts better, and there will be a review on how the person was released from isolation with the virus (just as a matter of business as usual). Maybe there are things that need addressing there.
If community cases are detected, then the next step is a regional lockdown like Auckland had.
But while it's possible, this particular Sword of Damocles is the new normal. Maybe a vaccine will stop transmission, maybe not.
Personally, I stopped closely following the covid news sometime in lockdown. Not to "bury my head in the sand", but I realised that 90% of the news regarding it won't actually affect my behaviour, so why reinforce the stress?
Either I get to go to work and potter around stores and cafes, or I'm back in some level of lockdown. I can deal with either. I'll miss hugs, though.
same re following the news closely. Can't remember the last time I listened to a live press conference on covid. I figure I'll hear what I need hear on TS or twitter or look it up on RNZ. I do like talking through the issues though, which I'm not sure is that great stress wise.
Anker, my comment about stress was in response to "All this “we should have the vaccine sooner” is just politicking." I was pointing to the possibility that people's politics are in part being driven by the chronic stress and anxiety.
Completely agree that anxiety is a reasonable response to the situation we are in. Chronic stress wears away at people, lowers immunity, affects cognition, makes it harder to handle painful emotions and experiences. I really think we should be looking at this, mostly because I think this is how it is going to be from now on. People used to living under chronic stress understand this, and there are a lot of people for whom this is a new thing.
The problem has been growing and is another one that won’t be easily or quickly fixed.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/122695066/new-zealands-psychological-crisis-putting-lives-at-risk
However, experts do offer some good and useful advice that everybody can adopt.
https://www.newsroom.co.nz/keeping-calm-in-a-world-gone-viral [by Dr Sarb Johal]
Yes, I know, but others did and I was just expressing my sarcasm about that but I forgot to include the \sarc tag; it is important to keep a sense of perspective. My apologies for the confusion.
It appears that current vaccines are effective against current strains although a booster shot might be desired/required, which is quite similar to flu vaccinations.
You’re correct that, as far as I know, it is not yet known if current vaccines will stop transmission. My guess is they won’t.
The Europeans are going to stiff us all over vaccine deliveries, you just know it. Our only role is to go up there and save them from fascism, then they can get back to shitting on everyone else.
It was predictable that there would be disparity in vaccine roll outs due to the demand and the shortage.
It seems to me to be doing quite well, as far as global rollouts of in-demand products go.
If it were a cellphone, we'd have loads of reports of breaking screens or exploding batteries by now, as well as the shortages…
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/covid-19-coronavirus-if-border-rules-tighten-what-rights-do-returning-new-zealanders-have/3FFAVDEJNDDXMC3DDY5
Found this interesting.
That link didn't work for me.
Is this it?
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/covid-19-coronavirus-if-border-rules-tighten-what-rights-do-returning-new-zealanders-have/3FFAVDEJNDDXMC3DDY5NUPD444/
The ethics of a pandemic.
Yeah that's the link.
a request of people who visit this site and I hope it is o.k. to make this request. A small survey.
If you were invited to a rather large indoor party with someone who left MIQ a week before would you attend the party? Very interested to hear peoples view including any qualifiers.
Unlikely- probably not.
Well, before Christmas I picked up my brother and sister-in-law from their two weeks in managed isolation and drove them for an hour to their place. Then spent the rest of the afternoon with them. So I'm not that bothered about spending time with people straight out of MI.
On the other hand, she had covid way back in March last year, along with their son, and he was in the house the whole time while they were ill, so there's a pretty good chance they currently have immunity.
yeah, probably. Depends on the party lol
Yes of course. Despite the failures at the border, these are the exceptions, not the rule. And let's face it, the MOH and other government agencies have knowledge and expertise now that dwarfs what they had 10 months ago, and will competently deal with any rare breaches 8n a fast and effective way.
And ffs, life goes on. Let's get real here. We are a lucky country and should embrace our good fortune rather than become hostage to fear.
No.
But then I probably wouldn't go to a; rather large indoor party, anyway; even if it wasn't with someone who left MIQ a week before. Not so keen on subjecting myself to compromise music, and drunken blather; aside from the infection risk. I might do a smaller more focused event (say; a 6 person meal, or board-game) if they were definitely asymptomatic when I arrived though.
nope.
Breaking news two likely new cases in the community from the Pullman.
Wondering if people want to repeat my survey. Would you go to a largish indoor party with someone who had left MIQ in the last week?
nope.
Anyone else starting to wonder if the test being used at the Pullman was ineffective with the South African variant? Maybe improperly stored or transported, because the later tests were successful in detecting it.
As for the survey; still a provisional yes for a smaller (brie) gathering, rather than a shindig (or hootenany).
Maybe a longer incubation period for a new strain or a connection with the positive case at MIQ, the Northland case and now the 2 think from Orewa.
A no for me attending a gathering as to great a risk. I will not even travel on Intercity. I still leave the house most days.
If it helps, I am in a camper and headed north.
Currently @ the Raglan campground and headed to Matauri Bay, via Whangarei/Ngunguru.
We are signing in everywhere.
I could be swayed with a camper trip to Matauri Bay.
If you can be @ Raglan motor camp before 10 am Friday, yr welcome to join us.
[Removed spurious word from user name]
still a yeah, probably.
If they're emphasising pushing numbers through community screening and previous MIQ residents, they might have shifted to a more rapid, more sensitive, but less specific test. So more false positives and detection of historic cases.
There's a fair chance at this stage that the shepherd equivalent is to be looking for a lost sheep and finding a couple of others that died ages ago. Maybe the live sheep is still out there, maybe not.
No, after two weeks maybe.
I just cannot believe the sense of entitlement of some of these people. How about showing some gratitude that we, the 5m, are even allowing you back into NZ and the risk we, the 5m, are taking as a result.
Well before the 2020 border closures, both our Prime Minister and her Deputy repeatedly warned come home now, or maybe it will not be possible.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/lifestyle/covid-19-coronavirus-managed-isolation-guest-complains-about-breakfast-would-you-complain/L2ZZECBGK4NXIIVQUGME4TVGPM/
… aren't croutons supposed to be hard, or am I just a savage?
that photo of the caesar salad made me hungry.
I don't even know what a crouton is. Maybe I am just ignorant! Actually, maybe not 'maybe'.
they're little bits of stale toast for soup and caesar salad. Good use for old bread.
My dad's special recipe: get an old baguette and put it out in the sun for a day or two to harden up. Use a table saw or bandsaw to cut it up into cubes. Fry the cubes up in butter and seasonings or garlic to make sure any residual soft bits go jawbreaker hard.
My god, how could anyone eat such slop?!
Well, it seemed pretty good after getting home from school. Walking for miles barefoot in the snow, uphill and with a headwind both there and back.
You lived on top of a hill?
Privileged…
Anyone who lives in Riverton is privileged.
Anyone who comments here is privileged.
And was your home in a paper bag like mine? In middle of road?
Sounds like an angle-grinder might be useful here too…I like croutons.
No – that's for breadcrumbing the rat cutlets. You have to use the right implement for the right dish BG!
Of course, the trick is getting those rodents to run fast enough on the treadmill to turn the grinder wheel. No solar panels back in them old days. Not being the one on the hubcap frypan is wonderful incentive there.
I'm remembering what those Dunedin hospital meals looks liked in the media a few years back. That MIQ menu looks positively gourmet.
god yes
and it's a whole lot better than what many families get right now – and they are getting these meals three times a day. Wanker.
You cannot please everyone! Over the last six or seven years or so, I have never had a bad Air NZ meal………haven't had one for over a year mind you, but people always complained about airline food. I always thought Air NZ food was pretty good.
Oh dear! What a shame! Never mind………
WTF! If he doesn't like it get on the next plane from where he's come from. I know I shouldn't say things like that, but FFS
Returning to NZ is a bit like the hospital waiting list for surgery. You need to wait, the surgery can be postponed, rescheduled and then postponed again. Once you have your procedure you usually feel better. You can pick up an infection while in hospital and need to remain longer.
I nearly forgot, some people complain about the hospital food.
Clickbait
lol travelling to a first nations region in a private jet and claiming to be motel workers to scam yourself ahead of the vaccine queue is a ruse so low that it even gets you kicked from a casino company.
But this scam reminds me of the adage "if the only punishment is a fine, then it's legal for rich people".
Agree McFlock, fines are never 'justice', as they treat all as equal, when plainy we are not.
I always have believed community service for anyone who appears in court is a far superior penalty than a meaningless (for some) financial penalty.
And as someone who has had both, the CS taught me a lesson (reinforced for many weeks) and yet fines just bred hardship and resentment.
Sam Sykes, a kiwisaver fund manager, reckons the cure to the housing crisis is more investors.
Nothing could be further from the truth – it was investors that screwed it up, and continue to do so. Let investors find or create productive avenues for obtaining ongoing income – instead of parasiting off peoples' need for housing.
Shot. Chaser.
https://twitter.com/Te_Taipo/status/1354197599138373633
John Banks has reportedly been removed from his radio show after a “blatantly racist” incident yesterday where a caller said Māori were “genetically predisposed to crime, alcohol and underperformance educationally”.
https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/john-banks-removed-his-radio-show-after-blatantly-racist-caller-said-m-ori-were-stone-age-people-reports
It seems the loss of advertising is behind Bank's removal, rather than any moral integrity from Cursed Talk. The duplicity in his statements would be astounding from anyone else, they're not really unexpected from him:
'Hone' Carsehole at it again?
Hone Hawera reckons there are two new cases we are not being told about on ZB!
Govt is saying the two people have been in isolation since Sunday and are being retested. Results and a press conference tonight. Two other people with positive tests turned out to be an historic case (no longer infectious) and a false positive.
So other Pullman hotel cases. Now 2 more people released with negative tests and potential to be community cases.
This has to be sorted out fast what the cause/s are.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/435296/two-more-possible-cases-of-covid-19-linked-to-pullman-hotel-being-investigated
If they completed their Pullman stay at the same time as the initial case, that means they have been in the community since the 15th. I sure hope that were as thorough as she was about tracking their movements. Also, likely to have been in Auckland rather than Northland, though that is unconfirmed speculation on my part.
When it comes to recent or historical infections and the 2 negative tests.
Were a case historical would it test negative?
But they have both tested positive.
There could be a community case out there not linked to the Pullman Hotel.
Genome sequencing will tell me more. Pullman Hotel senario seems the most likely.
It didn't say what tests they were using. The PCR involves scouring the sample for virus fragments then duplicating the genetic material until it becomes detectable. It sounds weird, but the science is solid. Though it does also copy inert viral remnants as well as active infection.
I see the PCR test is the test which matters and the genome sequencing.
Huh??
https://www.otago.ac.nz/biochemistry/research/otago736925.html
But if the virus cell envelope has ruptured (ie virus is dead, inasmuch as it was ever alive in the first place – say; inactive) and there are fragments left over in the swab sample, then these viral remnants may be replicated by the envelop protein primer template. Despite their being no active SARS-CoV-2 virus infection in the subject.
Hope that makes more sense, Incog. Don't know if I'd started drinking when I typed the above description, but certainly have been now. I'm probably missing something important out, but that's basically it.
Think of making a clay mold from a sculture (analogizing the DNA template for the RNA viral envelope protein), then making a bunch of wax casts with that mold, then stacking them up in a gigantic mountain of candles so that they can be seen burning from another mountain top many kilometers away. This is getting a bit farfetched of a methaphor really…
Anyway, I was mainly here to read, not write, and now I just want to go watch more old music on Youtube. Enjoy your night, morning now!
According to the 10:35pm "breaking" news, they are positive unfortunately, and now being taken into MIQ.
The thing I don't like is that I first heard about them via Hone Harawera on One ZB, and not from the ministry via Ashley or Hipkins.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/435296/two-more-people-linked-with-pullman-hotel-treated-as-confirmed-covid-cases
Best to know now I guess. I'd like to be smug and say I called it for them residing in Auckland since the 15th (upthread somewhere), but over the entire country that's a one in three chance they'd live in the City, and Christchurch has an international airport (still open?); so unlikely to be the South Island. Certainly feel more sober now after that news Jester.
Their contact list is a lot patchier than the Northland case; maybe just going from EFTPOS records and receipts? They are referred to as a pair, so hopefully they live together in North Auckland – Albany, Orewa, and Silverdale are fairly close.
https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/diseases-and-conditions/covid-19-novel-coronavirus/covid-19-health-advice-public/contact-tracing-covid-19/covid-19-contact-tracing-locations-interest
Back to the doomscrolling…
Edit: O Fuck! those two 5-9pm (plus two shorter) slots at BBQ King. They weren’t working in a food shop were they?
Restaurant is another word for "food shop". May not be as sober as I thought:
https://www.thebbqking-online.co.nz/
Good to see Biden signing orders requiring that Federal private prisons be stopped.
I know its a fraction of the total, but its a good move.
How many do we have here?
Serco have a contract to run the Auckland South Correction Facility until 2040.