Open mike 27/03/2020

Written By: - Date published: 7:00 am, March 27th, 2020 - 166 comments
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166 comments on “Open mike 27/03/2020 ”

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  1. georgecom 1
    27 March 2020 at 8:14 am

    It seems there are different opinions regarding what people can and cannot do during this next month. Are we to stay at home, are we in isolation or is it even a curfew as the Stuff editorial called it this morning. My view, there is no curfew. There is nothing meaning I have to be home at a certain time of day or the like, what I am doing is isolating myself from other people to limit the spread of the corona virus. If I go for a 4 hour walk through my city and avoid other people that is fine, main point is isolation. If I chose to grab a fishing line and spend the day on the banks of a quiet river fishing with no one else around me thats fine as well. Just avoid other people. I understand the need for police to have the ability to ensure people are isolating, eg if I organised a game of football with mates at the local park that would not be isolation, as well as monitor security of property and assets, no issue with that. I would not expect any one to raise significant concerns about me fishing for half a day in isolation though, should I choose to do such. Common sense should prevail.

    • I Feel Love 1.1
      27 March 2020 at 9:14 am

      It does seem like the cops have a different view as yours was my view as well. Even cops pulling over ppl to ask what they're doing seems a bit much, I'm not under house arrest. This will only work if we still have some freedom to move, I live alone, share a couple kids, we need fresh air.

    • observer 1.2
      27 March 2020 at 9:24 am

      " If I go for a 4 hour walk through my city and avoid other people that is fine, main point is isolation. If I chose to grab a fishing line and spend the day on the banks of a quiet river fishing with no one else around me thats fine as well."

      Second example – fair enough. That would probably be isolated even in normal times (assuming it's a rural river).

      First example – not really. If a 4 hour walk in a city is OK because the streets are deserted, then it is OK for all of us, and so the city streets are no longer deserted. Occasional contact would build up, people linger, touch things etc.

      Some exercise and fresh air is necessary. But it's a very small sacrifice to limit it.

      • Wayne 1.2.1
        27 March 2020 at 10:19 am

        Yes, the walks, bike rides etc are supposed to be local. But it is not clear what local is. For instance I live in Bayswater, a peninsula with about 400 households. Is that my local, or is it Bayswater/Devonport, where the supermarket is?

        Quite a few people swimming and kayaking in Ngataringa Bay, which is fine. The Bay is only used by local residents and is relatively enclosed, so very safe.

        • Anne 1.2.1.1
          27 March 2020 at 10:42 am

          I have concluded 'local' means anywhere between Takapuna North and Devonport.

          That will enable me to pick up my fortnightly supply of snapper from the Takapuna fish shop (fresher than the supermarkets), shop spasmodically at either Hauraki Countdown or Devonport New World whichever takes my fancy. I can take my car for a walk around the streets inadvertently ending up on Maungauika (North Head) or other such places…

          Oh noes, I suppose the fish shop is closed. 😯

          • Carolyn_Nth 1.2.1.1.1
            27 March 2020 at 11:01 am

            I live alone, am 70 years old, and have a throat infection. I am in Mt Eden, and my only relative in Auckland is a nephew on the North Shore. He is planning to buy some groceries for me and do a contactless delivery.

            I thought this was OK as long as he doesn't come inside, and we maintain the 2 meter distance between us when he delivers stuff.

            We decided I'll email him my shopping list which he will also have a copy of to present to any cops that pull him over while driving to my place.

            • Anne 1.2.1.1.1.1
              27 March 2020 at 11:14 am

              I have a mild throat infection which I'm keeping at bay with Strepsils lozenges. That is why I wear a mask if I have to leave my home.

              • Carolyn_Nth …
                27 March 2020 at 11:21 am

                Ah. OK. I most likely have strep throat (bacterial infection – white spots on my tonsils). Because we are in unusual times, the GP prescribed antibiotics over the phone on Monday, and told me to self-isolate, just in case it's mild Covid-19.

                At the same time she booked me in for a flu jab next Tuesday, to a session for "well people". Sick people attend during a different session. So I think she expects me to be recovered by Tuesday, unless I notify them otherwise.

                • Rosemary McDonald …
                  27 March 2020 at 11:50 am

                  Taking my morning beverage out on my son's front doorstep earlier I was invited to participate in an informal neighbourhood gathering. Standing in driveways speaking loud enough to be heard.

                  One neighbour (looks well into her eighties) went for her schedule flu shot yesterday. The nurse came out to their car to stick 'em.

                  Comvita propolis lozenges and lysosomal vitamin C for tonsillitis. I am blessed with enormous tonsils and hitherto have only ever had infections in one of them at a time. Barbed wire in the throat and generally feeling like garbage.

                  The last time I was afflicted it was cheaper to buy the vitamin c( the lysosomal stuff is truly disgusting) than go to an after hours clinic. The comvita lozenges are always in my first aid kit.

                  BTW. Friends living in Wuhan continued their marathon running practise for the first few weeks of their lockdown. Now running in their apartment. 7kms he did the other day.

                  They were also saying that hospitals are using high dose vitamin C IV for patients combined with traditional Chinese medicine. They also are vigorously encouraging mask wearing and hand washing and decontamination when returning home from work.

                  • Carolyn_Nth …
                    27 March 2020 at 12:08 pm

                    Interesting. I will phone my GPs' reception before my appointment on Tuesday, and ask whether to wait in the car park.

                    I included vitamin C in my next grocery order – mainly because of problem of keeping up supplies of fresh fruit and veggies. I've also ordered some frozen veggies as back-up, but think they have diminished vitamin C content.

                    I waited a week with my sore throat before ringing my GP. It didn't clear. Also, the white spots on tonsils usually means strep throat & requires antibiotics.

                  • Carolyn_Nth …
                    27 March 2020 at 12:30 pm

                    Great about the doorstep communications in your street. I just got a phone call from my GPs' receptionist.

                    They have run out of flu jab stock, and the ETA for next batch is about mid to end April. Those already booked in will be top of the list when they arrive, and they will let me know.

                    Had a good chat with receptionist. Flu shots in car parks are only for those who have someone with them, because there's a 5 minute wait time before the person jabbed can drive. Otherwise, the jab is given in the surgery, and the jabee must wait there for 5 minutes before leaving.

                    She said I could phone them when I arrive in the car park, and they will come out and get me when the nurse is ready.

          • Wayne 1.2.1.1.2
            27 March 2020 at 11:25 am

            Anne,

            I think that be a too big for "local". It is beyond what just about anyone would do for a walk. Takapuna North to Devonport is over 10km, and encompasses around 30,000 people.

            I reckon the biggest you could do is Bayswater/Devonport, or Hauraki/Takapuna. Both areas are well under half the size of Takapuna North to Devonport. Both have supermarkets within them. So whichever of those areas you live in, you would have to stay within that area. At least that is my view. And there may well be a view that Bayswater/Devonport is too big, except for the fact the supermarket is in Devonport.

            • Anne 1.2.1.1.2.1
              27 March 2020 at 11:56 am

              I was being tongue in cheek Wayne. Carving out a nice big slice of "local" to accommodate my personal inclinations. Since the Takapuna Fish shop is likely closed I'm happy to reduce the size to Devonport/Bayswater. 🙂

              I live in Belmont and have a nephew a stones throw away in Bayswater who I can call upon at any time.

              • In Vino …
                27 March 2020 at 12:11 pm

                For what it is worth, Anne, I personally have found those Strepsil lozenges pretty damned useless (to quote Blinglish..) I always get best fix by regular, deep gargling with salt and water – much more effective, much quicker cure. (Just avoid swallowing…)

                • Anne …
                  27 March 2020 at 12:42 pm

                  Thanks for the reminder. It's what we used to do in the "good old days".

                • Cinny …
                  27 March 2020 at 1:11 pm

                  Hehehe when Grandma was alive and I had a bad cold in my twenties she told me to do the salt water gargle.

                  I rang her back afterwards and said…. Grandma, that made me throw up.

                  She laughed and said, yes dear, and did it get all the phlem off your chest.

                  Yes it did Grandma, but you could have warned me.

                  If I had warned you dear you would not have done it, now do you feel better.

                  Yes Grandma, thank you (she was still laughing, bless her).

                • patricia …
                  27 March 2020 at 8:29 pm

                  Same In Vino. Use as a preventative when others have a sore throat as well.

              • Wayne …
                27 March 2020 at 12:51 pm

                Yes, that is what I thought where you live, Belmont, but wasn't quite sure.

      • Anne 1.2.2
        27 March 2020 at 10:22 am

        If a 4 hour walk in a city is OK because the streets are deserted, then it is OK for all of us, and so the city streets are no longer deserted. Occasional contact would build up, people linger, touch things etc.

        Yes, I think that is what the police are concerned about. Once they are certain everyone is on the same page and knows they have to stick with it, then we can expect the police to step back. If they're still 'over zealous' in two weeks time, then we can let them know to keep their sticky beaks out of our business. 😉

    • Fireblade 1.3
      27 March 2020 at 10:56 am

      Stay home unless you genuinely have to go to the supermarket, pharmacy or doctor. It's not a fucking holiday. Don't fuck with people lives. angry

      • Anne 1.3.1
        27 March 2020 at 11:05 am

        Don't think anyone is suggesting we do otherwise Fireblade. But we do have to get some fresh air from time to time. Car batteries will go flat if they don't get an occasional little workout. Basics will need to be purchased from time to time. For instance, I have an appointment for my flu jab this arvo and I intend to use the occasion to give my car a wee run around the local streets there and back.

        None of that is fucking with people's lives. And I wear a good sized mask.

        • Carolyn_Nth 1.3.1.1
          27 March 2020 at 11:16 am

          Yes. i also have an appointment for a flu jab on Tuesday. Will drive to the GPs, and clear my PO Box at the same time.

          Where did you get the mask? Is it an n95 one?

          • Anne 1.3.1.1.1
            27 March 2020 at 11:24 am

            I picked up the last 4 from a chemist in Devonport. There's no brand name or type on it. It has a clear perspex piece at the top so the eyes are protected too.

            • Carolyn_Nth 1.3.1.1.1.1
              27 March 2020 at 11:27 am

              OK. I assume all the staff at my GPs will have masks. I will disinfect my hands after I leave, and after I leave the Post Office.

            • Carolyn_Nth 1.3.1.1.1.2
              27 March 2020 at 4:48 pm

              In her presser this arvo, the PM said there's a company in NZ that makes n95 masks. These are recommended protection for Covid-19, but not the same as the surgical ones used by doctors, etc.

              The government is taking over organising distribution of the n95 masks so the company can focus on producing as many as possible.

      • Fireblade 1.3.2
        27 March 2020 at 12:09 pm

        My sister-in-law is an infectious diseases specialist at Waikato Hospital. I know what they are planning for and what they expect to happen. It is truly horrifying. Stay home.

      • Alice Tectonite 1.3.3
        27 March 2020 at 12:37 pm

        Actual official government advice (emphasis added):

        You should stay at home as much as possible, except for going for a walk or picking up essentials.

        covid19.govt.nz

  2. Andre 2
    27 March 2020 at 8:19 am

    On the idea that authoritarian states are better at managing a crisis like COVID-19: nonsense. The important factor is state capacity and competence.

    https://www.vox.com/2020/3/26/21184238/coronavirus-china-authoritarian-system-democracy

  3. dv 3
    27 March 2020 at 8:51 am

    RE reported cases

    USA at 79000 is just below china (81000) and Italy (80000)

    USA will go top in the next day or so.

    And an Article in the Herald about the difference between the muddle responses from scum and the clear communication by Jacinta

    Covid 19 coronavirus: Sam Clench – Clarity is the quality that makes Jacinda Ardern so effective in a crisis

    Well worth a read

    https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12320229

    • dv 3.1
      27 March 2020 at 9:14 am

      Oops Scomo, not scum.

      Ans USA is now above Italy!!!!

      • Macro 3.1.1
        27 March 2020 at 9:51 am

        Well done the USA! Bigger population than Italy but way smaller than China. With he who shall not be mentioned in charge. A true catastrophe awaits. He is such a great Christian he is even giving up the nations gparents for lent. 😕

        • Cinny 3.1.1.2
          27 March 2020 at 1:18 pm

          And trump did a presser bragging they are doing more tests than South Korea, like it's a competition.

          Mum reminded me the reason trump was calling it a hoax the other week is because of the mighty dollar and he is only concerned that the virus will cause him to lose hotel revenue.

          • Macro 3.1.1.2.1
            27 March 2020 at 1:56 pm

            Mum reminded me the reason trump was calling it a hoax the other week is because of the mighty dollar and he is only concerned that the virus will cause him to lose hotel revenue.

            Yep. For Trump, the measure of his success, is the performance of the share market. He was having nightmares over the past week as every day brought new record lows. It is for that reason, and that alone, that he has urged the agreement of the new trillion dollar rescue package, and the reason why he talks about return to work by Easter, despite the fact that the US is now in a full blown pandemic. That has seemingly calmed the dealers nerves. But it wont stop the spread of COVID-19, and I would think that as the virus continues to rage even further into the American population, the true reality of what this most incompetent administration has left undone, will be obvious even to the most rednecked Trumpkin.

    • A 3.2
      27 March 2020 at 10:06 am

      Was just about to post this link from news (dot) com.au

      There is what I believe to be a historic quote from ScoMo

      “You’re suggesting I should close down businesses where there’s no medical advice that they should,” he told reporters at a press conference on Wednesday.

      “I don’t understand why we would cause that harm to a business and all their workers and their livelihoods for the sake of some sort of message convenience.

      “I think that would be quite reckless.”

      Australia’s newly appointed Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Dr Nick Coatsworth, backed up the Prime Minister on the ABC this morning.

      “To say that we’ve gone light and slow would be completely inaccurate,” Dr Coatsworth said.

      “The measures that we’ve got in at the moment are unprecedented. The impact they’re going to have on individual families is unprecedented.”

      Good to see NSW is ready to lockdown anyway.

      • RedBaronCV 3.2.1
        27 March 2020 at 11:54 am

        Scomo is like Boris Johnson and Trump. Everybody else ( states etc) do the heavy lifting closing as much as they have the authority to do then they come in after the event.

    • Dawn Trenberth 3.3
      27 March 2020 at 12:24 pm

      USA now top on 83,000 cases.

  4. Herodotus 4
    27 March 2020 at 10:11 am

    Woken up this morning to a Tui calling out, then on an olive tree the return of some Kererū.

    I know that the pūriri berries are available, but with all this peace, Tui and Kererū have already returned (or are more noticeable) same when went for a walk last night.

    • mac1 4.1
      27 March 2020 at 3:04 pm

      Were they already there and we couldn't hear them fot the noise and the rush? I too heard a tui today but I quite often do being retired and on the edge of town. In Cook's journals were references to the noise of our birdlife as he sailed offshore! Maybe they had better hearing then, too, and a quiet ship but events like our lockdown might point out to us some of the things we do miss in the noise and rush of 'normal' life.

  5. A 5
    27 March 2020 at 10:18 am

    Somehow I missed this…the PM being her fabulous self on FB on the night just before the lockdown began.

    https://www.facebook.com/jacindaardern/videos/147109069954329/

    • Macro 5.1
      27 March 2020 at 12:25 pm

      Thanks for that link A. An object lesson in kindness, understanding, and communication.

      We are so fortunate to have such a leader at this time.

  6. Sabine 6
    27 March 2020 at 10:47 am

    on the coming recession and a third of the country unemployed.

    https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=12320069

    Economists are predicting that hundreds of thousands of New Zealanders could be left without jobs due to the impact of the lockdown and coronavirus.

    Senior economists are predicting unemployment to reach 15 per cent, with one warning it could even hit 30 per cent as Covid-19 brings the economy to a shuddering halt.

    Another said the sudden stop to most sectors would make the pandemic far more economically-damaging than even the Global Financial Crisis, while another one described Covid-19's economic impact as "an everywhere, everything, everyone all at once shock"..

    or from the US

    https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2020/03/quantifying-coming-recession/608443/

    State jobless filings are growing geometrically, a signal of how the national numbers will change when we have them. Last Monday, Colorado had 400 people apply for unemployment insurance. This Tuesday: 6,800. California has seen its daily filings jump from 2,000 to 80,000. Oregon went from 800 to 18,000. In Connecticut, nearly 2 percent of the state’s workers declared that they were newly jobless on a single day. Many other states are reporting the same kinds of figures.

    These numbers are subject to sharp changes; things like large plant closures lead them to jump and fall and jump and fall. But for them to rise so precipitously, across all of the states? To stay high? That is new. The economy is not tipping into a jobs crisis. It is exploding into one. Given the trajectory of state reports, it is certain that the country will set a record for new jobless claims next week, not only in raw numbers but also in the share of workers laid off. The total is expected to be in the range of 1.5 million to 2.5 million, and to climb from there.

    I do hope that when the Government has bailed out everyone they deem 'solvent enough' to be 'bail out worthy' someone will tell them that no one can survive on the wage subsidy and no one can survive on unemployment figures. And maybe now its time to help HE TANGATA, and i hope they have a few more ideas then just throwing 20$ bills at the poor and the poor working class in the hope that that will shut us up for a week or several. And i hope that they are not deducting Student loans either from their hand outs to the people.

    He aha te mea nui o te ao, he tangata he tangata he tangata.

    • The Al1en 6.1
      27 March 2020 at 12:08 pm

      no one can survive on the wage subsidy

      That's blatantly not true.

      • Sabine 6.1.1
        27 March 2020 at 12:57 pm

        electricity bills – 25 pw

        gas bills (if applicable)

        water bills / waste water – 15 pw

        telephone/internet – 25 pw

        line charges (if applicable and rural it is)

        mortgage (rent) – 400 pw

        car payments – 50 pw

        car insurance – 15 pw

        household insurance – 15 pw

        Student loans (if applicable)

        an loans that come with a weekly bill

        please explain to me how people can manage the bills and food on 350 – 580 per week, over several weeks.

        while people won't be starving they also won't be 'surviving' i.e. managing to keep up all he payments.

        And please don't come with the refrain of 'please negotiate' with your suppliers, because everyone who is currently on this wage subsidy will be negotiating, like the good little trooper they are.

        As for have no options ot spend? There are people that will order in their groceries, their medication, and as i said, you still have all your bills to pay in full as non of these companies such as spark / electricity companies/line companies/water care etc have dropped any of their prices.

        so yeah, you do the math and you ask yourself how long you can do this before you can't do it anymore.

        So feel free to tell me where i am blatantly wrong. As far as it goes, i have been on this for a while now and i have not once said something that was 'blatantly' wrong.

        you can have a play here to see how far you get on the subsidy. https://www.newzealandnow.govt.nz/living-in-nz/money-tax/comparable-living-costs
        mortgage costs / rent from here
        https://www.interest.co.nz/property/home-loan-affordability

        • The Al1en 6.1.1.1
          27 March 2020 at 1:04 pm

          I earn less than the wage subsidy every week. I pay tax and student loan.

          I am not dead or in the poor house.

          "no one can survive on the wage subsidy" is still blatantly not true.

          • Sabine 6.1.1.1.1
            27 March 2020 at 1:11 pm

            if you consider 'surviving' as keeping what you have and hopefully have a job, then maybe you are correct.

            if you consider surviving as the action of paying your bills, not accruing anymore debt, not defaulting on rent payments/ mortgage payments and loosing your belongings in the long term then i am correct.

            so no i am not 'blatantly' wrong. Nor are you 'absolutely correct'.

            But i am liking the comments of "Doing good. Everything (me) is gonna be OK."

            🙂

            • The Al1en 6.1.1.1.1.1
              27 March 2020 at 1:15 pm

              I haven't said that for some it will be sustainable, but I am 100% correct in saying your assertion "no one can survive on the wage subsidy" is blatantly untrue as I am living proof of it being done on less. I have done this for a number of years with no debts other than a mortgage.

              • Sabine …
                27 March 2020 at 1:20 pm

                again,

                as i said, we are disagreing on the meaning of 'surviving.

                so let me rephrase this, while no one will outright starve on this subsidy, many will not survive.

                feel better now? And please feel free to discuss the actual point i made. Namely that people will not be able to keep up with payments, that many will not go back to jobs, and that they will have no means to pay back any debt accrued under lock down and the very potential extention of lock down period once we realise taht 4 weeks may not be enough. And that many many people will lose what little they have. And how to deal with a potential wave of unemployed and unhoused people to add to our current unemployed and unhoused people.

                • The Al1en …
                  27 March 2020 at 1:22 pm

                  No, that's still not acceptable to counter "no one can survive on the wage subsidy" when they can and, as I've clearly stated, do.

                  • Sabine …
                    27 March 2020 at 1:38 pm

                    and you have still to demonstrate how people will 'survive' their regular bill payments.

                    but then you won't right, because all you want it to tell me i am incorrect, and my friend, i am not.

                    People will 'not survive' this. They will not starve in their houses, but they will not 'survive' this.

                    From the Merriam Webster (and if you have an issue with their interpretation please take it up with them)

                    surviving

                    [Deleted long list of synonyms and antonyms. One (master) link suffices: https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/surviving – Incognito]

                    • The Al1en …
                      27 March 2020 at 1:55 pm

                      Despite the long post that says nothing, you're assertions that "Because no one can 'survive' on this without defaulting and declaring bankrputcy in the coming month" and "no one can survive on the wage subsidy" are still blatantly not true.

                      Given that I take home, after deductions, a mere $380pw in wages and get a $70 accommodation supplement, I pay my mortgage, my rates, my utilities, petrol, wof, reggo and internet with mobile and home line included, and have done for a number of years.

                      Now while this doesn't play nicely with your apocalyptic narrative, there are many many people like me, and the beneficiaries on even less, who are managing and not destitute. It's not easy, compromises have to be made, like I don't buy boutique chocolates for example, but I bought a 4k car on payments without forgoing the basics.

                      People with big mortgages will get the mortgage holiday for 6 months, which I won't, so that biggest chunk won't come out of the wage guarantee payment. It will be hard, really hard for some over extended and living beyond their means, and will no doubt result in some going under financially, but to be so finite in saying people won't survive is not only alarmist, but a joke slogan to those who cope and manage with low incomes on a weekly basis.

          • Foreign waka 6.1.1.1.2
            27 March 2020 at 6:19 pm

            TA if you have to maintain a household and kids than no. If you are single person sharing a flat or rent in a rural town and study via online options, its possible.

            Its a matter of degree and what responsibility has to be met.

        • bill 6.1.1.2
          27 March 2020 at 1:13 pm

          please explain to me how people can manage the bills and food on 350 – 580 per week, over several weeks.

          Crap, innit? But if you talk to an unemployed person near you, they might be kind enough to tell you how they have survived for months or years at the lower end of your weekly income band.

          • Sabine 6.1.1.2.1
            27 March 2020 at 1:29 pm

            But that is the point, they don't, they hang on. And for once i will also add that our abysmal suicide levels may actually due to this.

            I have argued many many times that we need better benefits, lower rents, more regulation in the housing market, that we need a CGT and tha we need to raise taxes on the higher end, and even now, we still refuse to do that. I have not been kind to he current government for a while now, and one reason is that they literally did nothing of substance but are simply handing out band aids that don't stick well enough to cover the oozing wounds.

            I have friends who are in that boat, and like the Ex – Co Leader from the Greens Metiria Turei admitted non of them survives without 'cheating'. Be that working on the low end, prostitution, or outright lying to Winz, or if they have family that still can support them.

            And if you read the article in the Herald today ( i linked to hat earlier) we can expect a huge number of jobs to be gone for a long long time. there might be a pandemic economy for a while but i would venture that non of that will really benefit people at the lower end.

            so really, this should be discussed, and maybe now that it actually affects people that usually have no issue making and spending money, it will affect how we measure the cost of living for unemployed and beneficiaries. Because no one can 'survive' on this without defaulting and declaring bankrputcy in the coming month (plural) to come.

            • The Al1en 6.1.1.2.1.1
              27 March 2020 at 1:30 pm

              Because no one can 'survive' on this without defaulting and declaring bankrputcy in the coming month.

              That's blatantly not true.

              • Sabine …
                27 March 2020 at 1:45 pm

                I am not the only one saying this. So really, many many will not 'survive' this. I have a comment in moderation (i have no idea how to unlink links – with the defintion of Merriam Webster and hopefully you will be able to agree with their many meanings of 'surviving') https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/surviving

                https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=12320069

                Economists are predicting that hundreds of thousands of New Zealanders could be left without jobs due to the impact of the lockdown and coronavirus.

                Senior economists are predicting unemployment to reach 15 per cent, with one warning it could even hit 30 per cent as Covid-19 brings the economy to a shuddering halt.

                Another said the sudden stop to most sectors would make the pandemic far more economically-damaging than even the Global Financial Crisis, while another one described Covid-19's economic impact as "an everywhere, everything, everyone all at once shock"..

                • The Al1en …
                  27 March 2020 at 1:56 pm

                  Yeah yeah 🙄 Direct contrary evidence from the poorly/low paid or benefit recipients says you're talking bollocks for the fun of it.

                  • Sabine …
                    27 March 2020 at 2:06 pm

                    nope. that is not what i said, and you know that.

                    My friend too is a beneficiary, and she is 'not surviving'. She is simply not dying in a ditch. There is a difference between the two.

                    And fwiw, i don't think that anyone on unemployemnt or the benefit gets anywhere near enough to 'survive'. And i also have been on record for this on the Standard.

                    As i often say, Benefits and Unemployment money in NZ is too much to die of and too little to live of.

                    • The Al1en …
                      27 March 2020 at 2:11 pm

                      You said "Because no one can 'survive' on this without defaulting and declaring bankrputcy in the coming month" and "no one can survive on the wage subsidy". I've shown that to be a fatalistic untruth, as many people already live on less per week.

                      Maybe you shouldn't write in such absolutes.

                    • Sabine …
                      27 March 2020 at 2:25 pm

                      The Al1en,

                      i am happy with what i said. I linked to the thesaurus of the Merriam Webster Dictionary and they agree with me.

                      So thanks for your concern, but yeah, nah nah. And people will not be able 'to survive'.

                      Luckily it seems that the Banks are finally coming to play and allow for a full mortgage holiday for people to apply for. And if that is so, i hope that the government will use their emergency powers to simply declare eviction illegal during the time of the pandemic.

                      And i do hope that the government will come around to increase benefits and unemployment benefits so that you too (and everyone on a benefit) can do more then just hang on by a thread (another way of saying 'survive'') but actually 'survive'.

                      and that is all i have to say to that. You can continue to be pedantic if it helps you get through the day.

                    • The Al1en …
                      27 March 2020 at 2:31 pm

                      It's not pedantry. Having already given my income details up thread, I'll happily put my experience as a low wage earner and what passes for surviving means over whatever dictionary definition you need to call on to back up what can only describe as an untruthful, panic induced absolute.

            • bill 6.1.1.2.1.2
              27 March 2020 at 2:51 pm

              We're on the same page.

              Look. I know cafes and what not are closed, but I wonder how many people – those now on an employer administered wage subsidy – grasp 'the reality as was' for thousands, of a 'flat white' from a cafe being a treat and not a convenience?

              Or put another way. I wonder how many people will read this comment and reflect that the thought had never crossed their mind?

              Suicide rates will most assuredly rise. But I suspect the biggest rise will occur in formerly cloistered sections of the population.

          • Wayne 6.1.1.2.2
            27 March 2020 at 4:00 pm

            Most people will also have an Accommodation Supplement on top of those low wage figures if they have high rent or mortgage. And if they have children will also have Working for Families.

            • bill 6.1.1.2.2.1
              27 March 2020 at 4:06 pm

              Tell me Wayne. The cap on Accommodation Supplement – what is it again? Remind everyone here, lest they think it is any way a serious measure intended to mitigate the financial stress of high rents.

              And Working for Families extended to unemployed people did it? okay. How much does an unemployed person receive from that quarter?

    • Janet 6.2
      27 March 2020 at 12:15 pm

      Don,t forget, not much opportunity to spend it in Lockdown .The dollars should go a lot further .

      • Cinny 6.2.1
        27 March 2020 at 1:21 pm

        Unfortunately all the specials have been removed from the supermarket. This will make life a bit more challenging for some

        • Sabine 6.2.1.1
          27 March 2020 at 1:31 pm

          on a food group that i am on, someone posted the picture of a cauliflower for 12.99$ the piece.

          i guess that can't be regulated either.

          • Cinny 6.2.1.1.1
            27 March 2020 at 1:47 pm

            Fork!!!

            I was too scared to go to the panic stricken supermarket on Wednesday and ended up paying $12 for a pack of sanitary pads at the garage.

            But $13 for a cauli, what the actual fork?

            Hope that person reports the seller, that's price gouging and Jacinda won't stand for it.

            Edit…
            “The Prime Minister has warned retailers not to price gouge just to make a buck, even asking for names of specific shops to be handed over to her when it’s been mentioned in press conferences. ”
            https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-zealand/2020/03/coronavirus-how-to-dob-in-price-gouging-retailers-during-the-lockdown.html

            • Sabine 6.2.1.1.1.1
              27 March 2020 at 1:50 pm

              Nah, thats regular price for cauliflower – its not in the season, so its hot house, all the farmer markets are closed, a lot of the small food supply shops are closed, and this is now what people have to pay.

              as for reporting? The government has emergency powers and could regulate.

              I mean we are all already spending our time negotiating with our suppliers and financial advisors and now we should report stupid food prices? these are the stupid food prices that we have on any regular day.
              i am not a fan of the Mad Butcher, but for many families that is the only meat they buy because its cheap. And the mad butcher is not considered ‘essential’. Go figure.

      • Andre 6.2.2
        27 March 2020 at 1:36 pm

        not much opportunity to spend it

        Yeah, all those millenials frittering away vast sums on smashed avocado toast and barista coffee should come out of this with their first home deposits all sorted and ready to go!

      • bill 6.2.3
        27 March 2020 at 2:55 pm

        not much opportunity to spend it in Lockdown

        Essentials can be had. Us unemployed have only ever really had access to essentials…and we have struggled/survived.

        Time to roll out a recurring emergency universal payment that's set at a level well above benefit rates.

    • Macro 7.1
      27 March 2020 at 12:05 pm

      With Trump's swift action and bold leadership, the US has managed to limit projected deaths from COVID-19 to a maximum of 1 per person!

      • The Al1en 7.1.1
        27 March 2020 at 12:11 pm

        I read a telling joke about the lack of testing among the poor in the face of $3000 charges.

        How do you know if you have covid 19? Cough in a rich persons face and wait for their test results to come back.

        • Macro 7.1.1.1
          27 March 2020 at 12:32 pm

          Yeah I've seen that one too. In such circumstances a little humour is a valuable thing. We are very lucky to be living here with a responsible govt. I pass on my hopes and wishes to my on-line friends in the US, because they fear for their lives right now.

  8. roblogic 8
    27 March 2020 at 12:14 pm

    Been skimming thru r/conspiracy, a couple of gems amidst the dross:

    https://www.reddit.com/r/conspiracy/comments/fo4m4s/chinese_virus_is_getting_exposed/

    https://youtu.be/pmSG8vfhroY David Icke on COVID-19

  9. Morrissey 9
    27 March 2020 at 12:17 pm

    Fust Never Sleeps

    We're in lockdown, but that democracy-hating lout D.P. Farrar is still posting up his nonsense….

    https://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/2020/03/meet_your_future_voters.html

    • te reo putake 9.1
      27 March 2020 at 1:22 pm

      The Penguin lookalike and part time paedophile impersonator is also calling for the re-opening of butcher's shops. I note that the CEO of the Mad Butcher has admitted that the chain tried to exploit the situation:

      "Based on the fact that we got told we were essential services, everybody was panic-buying up until that time and we panic-bought as well from our supplier. Our sales were up 60 per cent week-on-week, so we panic-bought as well because we had to keep serving all these customers."

      Happily, the CEO has personally added to the available meat supply:

      "Mad Butcher chief executive Michael Morton said on Friday that he was gutted …"

      • Sabine 9.1.1
        27 March 2020 at 1:54 pm

        actually i would call that 'stocking up'. And yes, they should be essential services as many on the low incomes only shop at the local mad butchers. They can't afford the regular $ 20 – 25 kg for fatty mince at countdown or new world or pak n save.

      • Carolyn_Nth 9.1.2
        27 March 2020 at 2:29 pm

        In her press stand up yesterday, Ardern was asked about keeping open butchers and fruit and veg shops, and pointing out they have a lot of stock that will go to waste.

        Ardern said that no food in NZ needs to go to waste. They can find and supply people who need it without opening the shops to the general public.

        Think about it – kidscan, people in quarantine or self isolated as they arrive in the country etc. I'd have thought the govt would ensure shops are paid something for their unused food stocks. They just need to get in touch with the relevant govt dept or authorities.

        PS: Ardern said opening up all these small shops would have an increase in people walking around in different locations and they are trying to limit that.

        Also, it must be easy to monitor and regulate the general public’s use of supermarkets than across a load of small shops.

        • bill 9.1.2.1
          27 March 2020 at 3:00 pm

          Y'know…if I'm asymptomatic and go to the supermarket, then I can infect someone who lives many km away from me. Whereas, if only small local stores/shops were open to the public…

          • Carolyn_Nth 9.1.2.1.1
            27 March 2020 at 3:05 pm

            Does it matter that much how far away the supermarket is? And Ardern also said it's putting more workers at risk to open al those shops.

            She said that at just before 40minutes here. been trying to find the other comment she made about it – maybe between about 27 minutes and 34 minutes.

            • bill 9.1.2.1.1.1
              27 March 2020 at 4:15 pm

              <i>Does it matter that much how far away the supermarket is? </i>

              Not so much the distance per se, more the catchment population/area. My local shop essentially covers a few thousand people within a few km. The nearest supermarket covers all of Dunedin (and then some).

              So, if I spread the virus, I'd have thought he job of tracing contacts becomes somewhat onerous and sketchy if looking at a supermarket with large numbers of people from all around the show, compared to tracing through a fairly discrete population in a fairly well defined or contained geographical area.

              edit – as for numbers of workers being exposed – I dunno the numbers. But if supermarkets were treated as ‘warehouses’ to supply outlying shops, then I’m not exactly sure why it ought to be assumed more workers get exposed.

              • Carolyn_Nth …
                27 March 2020 at 4:40 pm

                OK. Found the bit in the above video where Ardern talks about this. It starts about 29 mins 44 secs. She says there doesn't need to be any wastage of food and that there are plenty of people who need it. She said that's she's sure they can use food that can no longer be sold across the counter.

                She also says, for small towns they need to make sure people have access to the same essential services and foods that other parts of the country do. So in those areas where there are no supermarkets, then special consideration is given to dairies, superettes, etc.

                • bill …
                  27 March 2020 at 5:09 pm

                  Maybe we're talking at slight cross purposes. I'm not suggesting "all" food outlets be open. However, to minimise contact, make tracing easier and potential flare-ups more contained and local, shut down supermarkets wherever possible. Turn them into "supply hubs" for (designated if need be) local outlets.

                  What's more cautious and liable to aid containment? A 1000 people coming backwards and forwards from 'all around' to one supermarket, or 100 people going to and fro 10 different dairies? (With the 'back-shop' of the supermarket operating just as before, but the front end open to retailers, not the public)

                  I'd have thought the latter scenario, where feasible, was the more prudent one.

                  • Carolyn_Nth …
                    27 March 2020 at 5:20 pm

                    Good point. I have heard someone, maybe the PM or Bloomfield, say that it's better for only 1 person from each household be the one to go to the supermarket. And also, someone, maybe a supermarket CEO, say it's better to do a fairly big supermarket shop with each visit, rather than keep going back for small amounts of groceries.

                    Supermarkets seem to have settled down now and are not being over-run with shoppers.

                    I think it maybe that at them moment the govt is going for simplicity, and as much as possible across the board regulations re-shopping, etc.

                    They do seem to have some leeway for special circumstances for small communities. They may fine tune it more a they see how things are playing out.

                • Patricia 2 …
                  27 March 2020 at 8:16 pm

                  The problem is getting the food distributed to those who need it. Many foodbanks have closed. So fresh fruit and vegetables just going to waste.

      • joe90 9.1.3
        27 March 2020 at 2:43 pm

        Two days in and his morans are losing their shit.

      • KJT 9.1.4
        28 March 2020 at 8:36 am

        I too, assumed butchers would be allowed to stay open.

        After all they are solely food sellers.

        Dairy's are.

        Stocking up in anticipation of a rush, seems to be sensible, rather than necessarily greedy.

        Being stuck at home having only countdown mince, should be a human rights violation. 😁

    • Rapunzel 9.2
      27 March 2020 at 3:02 pm

      Have never posted on that site but if did or someone does they might like to tell Farrar if he doesn't already know that the National Party change of legislation applies only to those physically detained. Those serving a sentence of home detention of any length and those are often fraudsters are free to vote in an election by attendance at a polling booth they are not removed from the roll – so the whole thing was hypocritical from the outset

    • Sabine 10.1
      27 March 2020 at 2:09 pm

      Grab em by the pussy.

      Its ok if you do it if you are a celebrety, they just let you do it.

      whats good for the goose is good for he gander, and besides boys will be boys, and nothing can be done.

      How is he orange one doing?

      • peterh 10.1.1
        27 March 2020 at 2:40 pm

        Almost all the country are POSITIVE and then we have Sabine what a pain in the arse

      • adam 10.1.2
        27 March 2020 at 3:07 pm

        Come on Sabine we all know trump is a fucking arsehole.

        Show some respect to this women can you?

        • In Vino 10.1.2.1
          27 March 2020 at 7:15 pm

          I have time for Sabine, and can see she has a point to make.

          Adam, what point are you trying to make? 'Women' is plural. 'This' is singular. I agree about Trump, but what your other sentence about respect means I have no idea.

          • adam 10.1.2.1.1
            28 March 2020 at 5:11 am

            I got my spelling wrong. I apologise.

            FFS the issue is Biden sexually assaulted Tara Reade

            Or did the russians do it? Or trump? Anybody but Biden I guess?

            Can you explain why my misspelling is the end of the world In Vino? Because I'm totally confused , do we do arguing over bad spelling now and avoid talking about sexual assault?

            Or is it acceptable to have people run for office, to be like this as long as they are not trump?

            Because I'm of the school of thought – Fuck all the rapist and men who use power for sexual advantage – be they left wing or right.

    • bill 10.2
      27 March 2020 at 3:03 pm

      There's a lengthy interview given by her on The Hill. fck it. link.

  11. weka 11
    27 March 2020 at 2:39 pm

    Is NZ still at 2 cases of known community transmission?

  13. Observer Tokoroa 13
    27 March 2020 at 3:07 pm

    Guilty – a new thought about Evil

    I realise that we have quite a large number of prisons…

    But Punishment is not given to any of our criminals.

    The absence of Punishment hands out an unrepentant easy existance- and leads to endless recidivism.

    I think our ancestors got things right, when they issued a matching punishment for the Crime committed.

    What is your view ? But please don't tell me that being in prison is a hardship in Aotearoa.

    • Cinny 13.1
      27 March 2020 at 3:24 pm

      Where are you going with this please Observer Tokoroa?

      • Incognito 13.1.1
        27 March 2020 at 3:27 pm

        Back to the Dark Ages.

      • Brigid 13.1.2
        27 March 2020 at 4:07 pm

        To join Brian the Bish? Maybe she wants a Harley too.

      • Observer Tokoroa 13.1.3
        27 March 2020 at 4:50 pm

        Hi Cinny

        I am suggesting that if a crime is committed the consequence should be Punishment.

        That was the case until very recent times. Well into the 1960's.

        Why do think crime is not a problem ? May I ask

        • Cinny 13.1.3.1
          27 March 2020 at 4:59 pm

          observer tokoroa, Your logical fallacy is ……. a loaded question

          A question that had a presumption built into it so that it couldn't be answered without appearing guilty.

          A logical fallacy is a flaw in reasoning.

          Logical fallacies are like tricks or illusions of thought, and they’re often very sneakily used by politicians and the media to fool people.

        • KJT 13.1.3.2
          27 March 2020 at 9:29 pm

          Have you seen the studies about how people become criminals?

          Or the evidence from countries, that are "soft on crime" that have much less crime and recidivism?

          If you really want to make people safer you address the causes of crime before it occurs. Not enact revenge, afterwards.

    • joe90 13.2
      27 March 2020 at 3:47 pm

      But please don't tell me that being in prison is a hardship in Aotearoa.

      Have you been imprisoned in Aotearoa?

      • Observer Tokoroa 13.2.1
        27 March 2020 at 5:02 pm

        Hi Joe

        I haven't been imprisoned. But I had to go through a lot of internal Gates and play rugby with a mob of hard running badies every so often.

        That was Paparua Christchurch

        As Morrissey the Saint says below: my Rugby is ignorant.

        • Morrissey 13.2.1.1
          27 March 2020 at 7:26 pm

          Ian Smith is a rugby ignoramus. I was commenting not on your rugby knowledge, but your astonishing ignorance about the reality of imprisonment.

    • Morrissey 13.3
      27 March 2020 at 4:28 pm

      But please don't tell me that being in prison is a hardship in Aotearoa.

      ????

      What an ignorant comment.

    • Gabby 13.4
      27 March 2020 at 5:41 pm

      Can't you HANDLE the troot?

  14. Andre 14
    27 March 2020 at 4:23 pm

    Y'all-Qaeda rides again!

    To defend their First Amendment right to peaceably assemble and spread coronavirus.

    https://www.motherjones.com/coronavirus-updates/2020/03/self-quarantine-orders-meet-the-right-wing-militia-movement/

    • dv 14.1
      27 March 2020 at 4:35 pm

      Andre you are aware that Trump has a breakthru treatment for the virus that limits the deaths to one per person.

      • Andre 14.1.1
        27 March 2020 at 4:42 pm

        I'd expect nothing less than a beautiful solution like that from the stable genius. No doubt it's bigly expensive, so it will be reserved for family, friends and followers. In that order.

  15. Observer Tokoroa 15
    27 March 2020 at 5:37 pm

    Life of Riley

    Hi

    The Harshness in our prisons is so horrible, that 72% of offenders return to Prison each year. Happily.

    It costs a minimum $100, 000 dollars a year to keep each criminal Happy. There is of course, no Punishment in helping the offenders into and out of prison. Wonderful.

    • Muttonbird 15.1
      27 March 2020 at 5:43 pm

      It is a terrible indictment on New Zealand housing and social infrastructure that so many men from our poorest communities would rather prison than home.

    • KJT 15.2
      28 March 2020 at 8:19 am

      Prison has failed to prevent further crime in 72% of cases, by your own statement.

      In other words as even Bill English admitted, "The prison system is a costly and expensive failure".

      Who would have thought that putting mostly not very bright,, disadvantaged and poorly educated youngsters in prison, results in, better educated in crime, angry and unemployable young men coming out, Eh?

  16. Fireblade 16
    27 March 2020 at 5:50 pm

    National Party cheerleaders in despair can bitch and whine to their bumbling and irrelevant leader using Facebook Messenger. Please note: Soimun's video is subtitled so everyone can understand what he's saying.

    https://mobile.twitter.com/simonjbridges/status/1242984359402942464?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet

  17. RedbaronCV 17
    27 March 2020 at 5:54 pm

    Grant still doesn't seem to be getting it.

    He now seems to have sort of belatedly pivoted towards the Danish model for employment but talks about it being a high trust enviroment so we have to trust employers. – Same ones that have been screwing the workforce for years – well good luck with that. Same government who made all their contractors redundant a few days before lock down.

    He needs to go a lot further than that – companies over a certain size who want subsidies or to make mass redundancies should have to have their applications co signed by any unions on their premises saying that all steps have been taken to consult and make savings elsewhere ( chop high end payroll) .

    As for overseas owned workplaces – a lien over land buildings and other assets if they try to jump ship.

    Frankly a phone call from a government minister lecturing them doesn't cut it.

    As to the banks and loans. I get that the government doesn't have the resources for this but the rules again need to be tight. These are the banks that couldn't even see a paedophile ring transacting under their noses.

    • Muttonbird 17.1
      27 March 2020 at 6:02 pm

      It's a difficult position. Employers didn't get where they are by being honest. The model is that you screw everyone for maximum profit for yourself. That is the very definition of capitalism. Those that can do it, do it.

      So when a wage subsidy scheme comes along in unprecedented times the very first thing an employer will do is work out how to maximise it for themselves.

      The government will have to adjust constantly to the raiding that most employers will indulge in.

      • RedbaronCV 17.1.1
        27 March 2020 at 7:14 pm

        Difficult for whom? Yes I agree that is the mode but it doesn't mean that steps should not be taken to deter this type of behaviour.

        But hey over three years labour has done next to nothing to improve the basic lot of waged employees – are they even consulting the trade unions over all this or justt sucking up to the boss class.

        • Muttonbird 17.1.1.1
          27 March 2020 at 7:39 pm

          I'm saying it's difficult for the Government to second guess self-serving employers in a pandemic situation while trying to look after workers.

          Employers are almost like a virus themselves.

          • RedBaronCV 17.1.1.1.1
            27 March 2020 at 10:20 pm

            But it doesn't have to be like this .

            These subsidies are in the billions & if Graant had his wits about him he would chuck $50-$100 million towards the unions and they could use it to hire lawyers to chase down the employers that people are complaining about or have questions about before it puts them out of work..

            Not on a one by one basis or by expecting people to go individually to employment tribunals but on a class action basis-. plus fund some decent information about peoples rights etc. The game has to change.

            I was looking at that "raise the bar" website which seemed to have solid information well presented. Then I looked down the page and realised there was a bank account there. Felt pretty sad that this absolutely useful activity was being funded by donations from the low paid . It sucks at every level.

            And still the top end of town is untouched. Every $20 mill of excess top end wages is 400 $50k p.a jobs.

  18. Foreign waka 18
    27 March 2020 at 6:55 pm

    I get to hear these comments in general discussions:

    1/ we are in a kind of martial law situation and it is OK.

    I think most do not understand what that actually means.When martial law is declared, civil liberties, such as the right to free movement, free speech, protection from unreasonable searches, and habeas corpus laws (protection against illegal confinement, such as holding a person without charges), are suspended.

    2/ you cannot leave the house other than go to the nearest supermarket.

    3/ having a bb gun is ok and a shot from it will only hurt a little bit (!?)

  19. Macro 19
    27 March 2020 at 7:14 pm

    If you didn’t catch this on TV this evening
    here it is:
    Brilliant!

  20. Tony Veitch (not etc.) 20
    27 March 2020 at 7:44 pm

    The cynic in me thinks that the government has very successfully marginalised Soimun by giving him the 'important' title of chairman of a committee which will have little effect on what happens during the epidemic but will keep him happy (and hopefully out of sight and sound).

  21. Bazza64 21
    27 March 2020 at 8:18 pm

    Muttonbird, you must have had some bad experiences with your employers to hold such an unrealistic view of them. By your reckoning anyone who is an employee & then decides they want to start a business and employee people must then be dishonest.

    Not all employers are bad people, most smaller businesses are just people trying to better themselves in life.

    Sorry that employment for you has left a bitter taste.

    • observer 22.1
      27 March 2020 at 9:15 pm

      He's alive!

      I was wondering where he'd got to. Good on him for having no truck with the frothing Ardern-haters, at least.

    • Cinny 22.2
      27 March 2020 at 9:30 pm

      Hard case, who would have thought the leader of national would be tucked away somewhere with his own 0800si.wants2help2 phone number, while nationals most popular leader ever is praising the leader of the opposition.

      It sure is an interesting moment in NZ's history for so many reasons.

    • RedBaronCV 22.3
      27 March 2020 at 10:01 pm

      I suspect he is not suffering though. I believe he is still a director of air NZ plus the ANZ bank and possibly others. Air NZ cut their average director fee from $150k to around $120k – 15% for a part time job.

      Mostly I feel though that he is just trying to catch some of the positive glow off Jacinda to keep the RW in the frame. I felt he did much the same around 2008 – cosying up to Helen & Micheal Cullen so people would not feel so threatened by NACT and give him the job.

      Personally I see it as pretty manipulative.

  23. Incognito 23
    27 March 2020 at 10:17 pm

    I’ll bet these people have some good tips on self-isolation and staying in your bubble.

    https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/expeditions/expedition62/index.html

  24. Barfly 24
    27 March 2020 at 10:45 pm

    I will be posting tomorrow asking for advice and help with a tenancy issue. Please

    help if you can

    Barfly

  26. Eco Maori 26
    28 March 2020 at 6:28 pm

    Kia Ora Newshub.

    Yes the days are getting shorter and colder.

    Awsome getting blood from people who have had the virus to treat the people who have been hit hard by the virus.

    Ka kite Ano.

  27. Eco Maori 27
    28 March 2020 at 6:47 pm

    Kia Ora Te Ao Maori News.

    Thanks to all the health workers running our health care centres and hospitals.

    Its good to see Iwi getting Kai for their Tangata.

    Iwi contacting their Tangata online is great use the new tool to protect te tangata.

    Ka kite Ano

  29. Eco Maori 29
    29 March 2020 at 6:28 pm

    Kia Ora Newshub.

    Bullying is not on these people who have the virus have enough stress their is no need to add to it.

    That's good some supermarket workers getting a 10% pay rise.

    Some people will use any means to hack your lives be careful.

    Ka kite Ano.

  30. Eco Maori 30
    29 March 2020 at 6:55 pm

    Kia Ora Te Ao Maori News.

    Cool the online Facebook Te reo teaching program. It can be good for all tamariki.

    Puhi Kai ariki looks good organic kia.

    Ka kite Ano.

  31. Eco Maori 31
    30 March 2020 at 8:42 am

    Kia Ora Newshub.

    We need to help our youth get a higher education.

    Can you see the big picture men are making a big MESS of their Country.

    There you go there is something positive out there.

    Some people are good at throwing Crap around.

    Ka kite Ano

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    Earlier this week at Parliament, Labour leader Chris Hipkins was applauded for saying that the response to the final report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care had to be “bigger than politics.” True, but the fine words, apologies and “we hear you” messages will soon ring ...
    WerewolfBy lyndon
    1 day ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Friday, July 26

    TL;DR: In news breaking this morning:The Ministry of Education is cutting $2 billion from its school building programme so the National-ACT-NZ First Coalition Government has enough money to deliver tax cuts; The Government has quietly lowered its child poverty reduction targets to make them easier to achieve;Te Whatu Ora-Health NZ’s ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • Weekly Roundup 26-July-2024

    Kia ora. These are some stories that caught our eye this week – as always, feel free to share yours in the comments. Our header image this week (via Eke Panuku) shows the planned upgrade for the Karanga Plaza Tidal Swimming Steps. The week in Greater Auckland On ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    1 day ago
  • God what a relief

    1. What's not to love about the way the Harris campaign is turning things around?a. Nothingb. Love all of itc. God what a reliefd. Not that it will be by any means easye. All of the above 2. Documents released by the Ministry of Health show Associate Health Minister Casey ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    1 day ago
  • Trust In Me

    Trust in me in all you doHave the faith I have in youLove will see us through, if only you trust in meWhy don't you, you trust me?In a week that saw the release of the 3,000 page Abuse in Care report Christopher Luxon was being asked about Boot Camps. ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 day ago
  • The Hoon around the week to July 26

    TL;DR: The podcast above of the weekly ‘hoon’ webinar for paying subscribers last night features co-hosts and talking about the Royal Commission Inquiry into Abuse in Care report released this week, and with:The Kākā’s climate correspondent on a UN push to not recognise carbon offset markets and ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Friday, July 26

    TL;DR: As of 6:00 am on Friday, July 26, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:Transport: Simeon Brown announced $802.9 million in funding for 18 new trains on the Wairarapa and Manawatū rail lines, which ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • Radical law changes needed to build road

    The northern expressway extension from Warkworth to Whangarei is likely to require radical changes to legislation if it is going to be built within the foreseeable future. The Government’s powers to purchase land, the planning process and current restrictions on road tolling are all going to need to be changed ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    1 day ago
  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #30 2024

    Open access notables Could an extremely cold central European winter such as 1963 happen again despite climate change?, Sippel et al., Weather and Climate Dynamics: Here, we first show based on multiple attribution methods that a winter of similar circulation conditions to 1963 would still lead to an extreme seasonal ...
    Skeptical Science
    2 days ago
  • First they came for the Māori

    Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when publishedFirst they came for the doctors But I was confused by the numbers and costs So I didn't speak up Then they came for our police and nurses And I didn't think we could afford those costs anyway So I ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    2 days ago
  • Join us for the weekly Hoon on YouTube Live

    Photo by Joshua J. Cotten on UnsplashWe’re back again after our mid-winter break. We’re still with the ‘new’ day of the week (Thursday rather than Friday) when we have our ‘hoon’ webinar with paying subscribers to The Kākā for an hour at 5 pm.Jump on this link on YouTube Livestream ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Will the real PM Luxon please stand up?

    Notes: This is a free article. Abuse in Care themes are mentioned. Video is at the bottom.BackgroundYesterday’s report into Abuse in Care revealed that at least 1 in 3 of all who went through state and faith based care were abused - often horrifically. At least, because not all survivors ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    2 days ago
  • Will debt reduction trump abuse in care redress?

    Luxon speaks in Parliament yesterday about the Abuse in Care report. Photo: Hagen Hopkins/Getty ImagesTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy today are:PM Christopher Luxon said yesterday in tabling the Abuse in Care report in Parliament he wanted to ‘do the ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Olywhites and Time Bandits

    About a decade ago I worked with a bloke called Steve. He was the grizzled veteran coder, a few years older than me, who knew where the bodies were buried - code wise. Despite his best efforts to be approachable and friendly he could be kind of gruff, through to ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    2 days ago
  • Why were the 1930s so hot in North America?

    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Jeff Masters and Bob Henson Those who’ve trawled social media during heat waves have likely encountered a tidbit frequently used to brush aside human-caused climate change: Many U.S. states and cities had their single hottest temperature on record during the 1930s, setting incredible heat marks ...
    Skeptical Science
    2 days ago
  • Throwback Thursday – Thinking about Expressways

    Some of the recent announcements from the government have reminded us of posts we’ve written in the past. Here’s one from early 2020. There were plenty of reactions to the government’s infrastructure announcement a few weeks ago which saw them fund a bunch of big roading projects. One of ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    2 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Thursday, July 25

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 7:00 am on Thursday, July 25 are:News: Why Electric Kiwi is closing to new customers - and why it matters RNZ’s Susan EdmundsScoop: Government drops ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • The Possum: Demon or Friend?

    Hi,I felt a small wet tongue snaking through one of the holes in my Crocs. It explored my big toe, darting down one side, then the other. “He’s looking for some toe cheese,” said the woman next to me, words that still haunt me to this day.Growing up in New ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    2 days ago
  • Not a story

    Yesterday I happily quoted the Prime Minister without fact-checking him and sure enough, it turns out his numbers were all to hell. It’s not four kg of Royal Commission report, it’s fourteen.My friend and one-time colleague-in-comms Hazel Phillips gently alerted me to my error almost as soon as I’d hit ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Thursday, July 25

    TL;DR: As of 6:00 am on Thursday, July 25, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day were:The Abuse in Care Royal Commission of Inquiry published its final report yesterday.PM Christopher Luxon and The Minister responsible for ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • A tougher line on “proactive release”?

    The Official Information Act has always been a battle between requesters seeking information, and governments seeking to control it. Information is power, so Ministers and government agencies want to manage what is released and when, for their own convenience, and legality and democracy be damned. Their most recent tactic for ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    3 days ago
  • 'Let's build a motorway costing $100 million per km, before emissions costs'

    TL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy today are:Transport and Energy Minister Simeon Brown is accelerating plans to spend at least $10 billion through Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) to extend State Highway One as a four-lane ‘Expressway’ from Warkworth to Whangarei ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • Lester's Prescription – Positive Bleeding.

    I live my life (woo-ooh-ooh)With no control in my destinyYea-yeah, yea-yeah (woo-ooh-ooh)I can bleed when I want to bleedSo come on, come on (woo-ooh-ooh)You can bleed when you want to bleedYea-yeah, come on (woo-ooh-ooh)Everybody bleed when they want to bleedCome on and bleedGovernments face tough challenges. Selling unpopular decisions to ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago
  • Casey Costello gaslights Labour in the House

    Please note:To skip directly to the- parliamentary footage in the video, scroll to 1:21 To skip to audio please click on the headphone icon on the left hand side of the screenThis video / audio section is under development. ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    3 days ago
  • Why is the Texas grid in such bad shape?

    This is a re-post from the Climate Brink by Andrew Dessler Headline from 2021 The Texas grid, run by ERCOT, has had a rough few years. In 2021, winter storm Uri blacked out much of the state for several days. About a week ago, Hurricane Beryl knocked out ...
    Skeptical Science
    3 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell on a textbook case of spending waste by the Luxon government

    Given the crackdown on wasteful government spending, it behooves me to point to a high profile example of spending by the Luxon government that looks like a big, fat waste of time and money. I’m talking about the deployment of NZDF personnel to support the US-led coalition in the Red ...
    WerewolfBy lyndon
    3 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Wednesday, July 24

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 7:40 am on Wednesday, July 24 are:Deep Dive: Chipping away at the housing crisis, including my comments RNZ/Newsroom’s The DetailNews: Government softens on asset sales, ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • LXR Takaanini

    As I reported about the city centre, Auckland’s rail network is also going through a difficult and disruptive period which is rapidly approaching a culmination, this will result in a significant upgrade to the whole network. Hallelujah. Also like the city centre this is an upgrade predicated on the City ...
    Greater AucklandBy Patrick Reynolds
    3 days ago
  • Four kilograms of pain

    Today, a 4 kilogram report will be delivered to Parliament. We know this is what the report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in State and Faith-based Care weighs, because our Prime Minister told us so.Some reporter had blindsided him by asking a question about something done by ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Wednesday, July 24

    TL;DR: As of 7:00 am on Wednesday, July 24, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:Beehive: Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced plans to use PPPs to fund, build and run a four-lane expressway between Auckland ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • Luxon gets caught out

    NewstalkZB host Mike Hosking, who can usually be relied on to give Prime Minister Christopher Luxon an easy run, did not do so yesterday when he interviewed him about the HealthNZ deficit. Luxon is trying to use a deficit reported last year by HealthNZ as yet another example of the ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    3 days ago
  • A worrying sign

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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