How do we know whether a self-proclaimed free speech advocate actually means what they say – or in reality just seeks the continued dominance of their preferred speech and the social and economic arrangements that their preferred speech justifies?
Some people think that the political right has hijacked the notion of free speech to this end. So they are suspicious of anyone who loudly and conspicuously pins the star of free speech to their valiant chest. I find it hard to disagree with that view – though I do not approve of some of the more excessive actions that flow from it.
Privately, I have instead started talking about free and equal speech as the touchstone of a democracy – where all voices are heard and have (roughly) equal influence.
Some students would have noted the FSU made no defence of pro Palestinian protestors when they were accused of antisemitism. And the connection to the TU campaign against three waters (co-governance fears).
The event should go ahead all the same.
It can be presumed the FSU would oppose political funding of political parties because money has to dominate discourse.
"Some students would have noted the FSU made no defence of pro Palestinian protestors when they were accused of antisemitism. "
Really? My response to that would be they should go along and use the Q&A to ask.
I'm not quite sure why the FSU are expected to speak into the issue of 'pro palestinian protestors' being accused of anti-semitism. If the protestors were having their freedom of speech/expression curtailed, that's one thing, but being labelled anti-semitic is not that.
Sure, but if that is free speech, then labelling the state of Israel an apartheid state, is so as well.
Israelis warned back in 1977 that if they began to settle occupied territory it would undermine the standing of their nation state – and they were right.
There is only one party to the Oslo Accord peace process (state of Israel)(Likud government) running a river to the sea policy – and the Likud leader BN has always opposed that peace process.
The two RWers are Free Speech Union president Jonathan Ayling and the New Zealand Initiative’s Dr Michael Johnston.
I like the reframing of free speech though. 'Free speech' is an Americanism. In NZ we have legislation around freedom of expression. Not sure about the idea of equal speech (I don't think that is possible), but definitely agree the inequity issues need addressing.
Otoh, it was the right that stepped up to stop women's rights campaigners from being blocked from public venue hires. The left can complain about the right's free speech agenda, but it is dropping the ball in many ways on fairness.
Freedom of expression embraces free speech, the sanctity of an individual’s opinion, a free press, the transmission and receipt of ideas and information, the freedom of expression in art and other forms, the ability to receive ideas from elsewhere, and the right to silence.
Freedom of expression is one of a number of mutually supporting rights (including freedom of thought, of association and of assembly, and the right to vote) and is integral to other civil and political rights, such as the right to justice, and the right to take part in public affairs. Equally, the right to freedom of expression impacts on social and cultural rights, such as the right to education.
The term 'free speech' comes with a particular US political slant that I think is unhelpful in the NZ context. It gets used as a synonym for 'say what you want when you want'. And that slant is now part of the NZ culture wars where the liberal left use tactics to inhibit freedom of expression and the right go on about free speech rights, and we can't even have a decent conversation any more. Both sides are involved in positions that are anti-democratic and undermine freedom of expression.
AB's point about the right's impact on equity of access sits alongside the liberal left's use of ostracisation and ridicule, deplatforming, and more recently noise to disrupt the expression of others.
I don't value free speech above other forms of freedom of expression and see the principles underlying them as more important then the right to speak. And I say that as someone who frequently chooses to not write on certain topics because of concern about the backlash. We need to look at what is inhibiting or enabling freedom of expression, rather than relying on simplistic memes of 'free speech'.
cheers. I really should do a post on it. Lprent would be another good person to write a post, he has a somewhat different perspective again with an emphasis on the consequences of speech eg,
AB's point about the right's impact on equity of access sits alongside the liberal left's use of ostracisation and ridicule, deplatforming, and more recently noise to disrupt the expression of others.
From the right also come outright threats, often to women politicians on the left. And from some politicians – personal information releases by a former National MSD Minister come to mind.
Brash attacking Clark for having no children while she advocated for tax credits for low income families.
As for cancellation, what comes close to One New Zealand Brash proposing the end of Maori electorate seats. And Seymour on the Treaty and WT and NZF on references to the Treaty in legislation.
And I say that as someone who frequently chooses to not write on certain topics because of concern about the backlash.
It's worse over in the USA, the FBI sees its mission as to prevent threats to government authority and capitalism (pre and post the HUAC era). The numbers on their Fusion Centre watchlist is astonishing (from left to right, right to left).
I'm not sure what your points are here. That the right is worse and thus the left don't have to look at ourselves and our own actions?
The point of the sentence you quoted out of context was to place emphasis on the rest of the paragraph,
I don't value free speech above other forms of freedom of expression and see the principles underlying them as more important then the right to speak. And I say that as someone who frequently chooses to not write on certain topics because of concern about the backlash. We need to look at what is inhibiting or enabling freedom of expression, rather than relying on simplistic memes of 'free speech'.
Emphasis now added in italics. But I could also have written,
if the left won't look at our own undermining of freedom of expression, we have no ground upon to which put our criticism of others. And the others know this.
I was fairly sure I got your point. Which was to soft soap the criticism of the right, limiting it to access, and load it on the left.
No, and you're an idiot. Sorry, I can't be bothered with this. I'm really happy to share my thinking and clarify when asked, and I put a fair amount of effort in doing that pre-emptively, but this is starting to look like wilful ignorance.
If you cannot handle critique of the left, then you are in the wrong place. If you think critiquing the left = supporting the right, then you're just stupid.
But thanks for adding to my point. People that think they know what others thing, even when the person corrects them, are a big part of the problem. Why bother engaging with the arguments I am making when you can just write them off as RW apologia.
The reason I critique the left is because we are losing and if we don't sort this shit out, we will lose very very badly. And I know exactly what that will mean for women. Too many lefties are still running round apparently thinking we can just dump on the right and win the next election and everything will be alright. Meanwhile, society is breaking down in front of our eyes, and while the right bear the larger portion of the responsibility for that, they are not the only problem here.
I've debated on many boards – years on Kiwiblog …my left wing skin is much thicker than your own.
K-J K-M said, she would annihilate those women on the left in her way. You probably realise what she meant more than most (as given your views on the global environment and social justice you'll be staying on the left) as she is of a mind to divide women against the left on the birth sex/womens identity issue (and then her next issues prostitution and pornography).
You need to be mindful that while the idea that the left cannot win without women voters is true (and nor can Trump/GOP) and yet it is women who face the consequences of right wing government the most.
Gaslighting others on the left – telling them they have to worthy on the womens ID issue to win is unfair and sometimes untrue.
Only where the right is opposing self-ID does the point has relevance.
If the right can make/retain the issue self ID as one that divides the left and then leave the left to it, they will.
the postponed event had five speakers from across the political spectrum
that I agreed with AB that framing free speech to include the concept of equity of access/opportunity was useful
that the right has stepped up on freedom of expression and the left has dropped the ball
What would balance that? If I said that the left does good things too? Or that teh right does bad things? These are givens on a blog like TS.
Why exactly are we talking about KJK all of a sudden? She is a centre right populist trying to build power. She's not trying to divide women on the left, she hates women on the left, the left generally, and feminists. The only women she accepts are those that agree with her. But why are we talking about her at all?
You need to be mindful that while the idea that the left cannot win without women voters is true (and nor can Trump/GOP) and yet it is women who face the consequences of right wing government the most.
When I say the left is losing, I am not talking about women voters (although it may come to that). I mean that we are outnumbered, we have no strong vision and narrative to win people back to a progressive position, and large chunks of the left are engaged in a culture war we cannot win because the other side fights dirty and we don't except for the whole ostracisation thing. Telling people who don't think like us they are wrong isn't going to get them to vote left. No-one can tell me what the end game is on that stuff.
… and yet it is women who face the consequences of right wing government the most.
And? That's so obvious I'm not sure why you felt the need to say it. Of course. That's why I want the left to sort its shit out so we can avoid a fascist future.
Gaslighting others on the left – telling them they have to worthy on the womens ID issue to win is unfair and sometimes untrue.
I don't know where you think I am gaslighting because you haven't said. I am highly critical of the liberal left that has abandoned women over our sex based rights. I hadn't actually thought about whether a chance on self ID is necessary to win, but on the face of it I would say it's not necessarily. You seem to be assuming my criticism of the left is simply about self ID. It's not. It's about our lose of class politics, loss of a commitment to community and the good of all, and the apparent idea that we can force people to think like us. All of that exists independently of the gender/sex wars.
Only where the right is opposing self-ID does the point has relevance.
If the right can make/retain the issue self ID as one that divides the left and then leave the left to it, they will.
Yes, another good reason for the left to sort its shit out. The right will use whatever means it can to gain power. Women won't give up their rights. That leaves the left some choices, but ignoring women isn't one of them.
Why exactly are we talking about KJK all of a sudden?
I raised her agenda – war against the left on the women's birth sex identity issue (the so called GCF cause – an irony when she herself says she is no feminist), because it is so often cited in the free speech issue by yourself.
I would have thought it obvious, it is one driving some GCF from the left, cancel culture etc.
Relevant? I would have thought so.
I don't know where you think I am gaslighting because you haven't said
Sigh.
I'm not sure what your points are here.
I would have pointed it out, But I've had enough of the, then make your points clearer then. They were clear.
No, and you're an idiot. Sorry, I can't be bothered with this
"The left can complain about the right's free speech agenda, but it is dropping the ball in many ways on fairness."
So right. The left used to defend free speech, but now progressives want to shut down events that include "right-wing" voices. So much for progressives' holy trinity of diversity, equity and inclusion. VUW have acted spinelessly, as NZ university leaders all too often do.
Why is it so hard for self-righteous progressives to understand that democracy requires a balance of liberal and conservative views? If conservatives rule unopposed, the likely result is stagnation and religious despotism. If liberals rule largely unopposed (as they have in NZ for 40 years), the result is the slide we now find ourselves upon, as our institutions become captured by "progressives" who actually undermine liberal values like freedom of expression and equality before the law.
Who was it who opposed the inclusion of gender identity in the Conversion Practices legislation? Eight conservatives – an island of sanity in our parliament. It is conservatives who are likely to challenge ideas that are at odds with the accumulated wisdom of human experience. When Chloe Swarbrick says she wants to abolish prisons, a conservative might ask her to name a single advanced civilization that has done so successfully.
Yes – a backlash led by (fee-paying) students, i.e. Victoria Uni stakeholders – what has become of our notionally independent tertiary education institutions? Will free speech stop the rot in universities, and elsewhere? I fear not, but it can be a crucial diversion.
And it's not only Aotearoa NZ, although we could be a fast follower. Let's not go here.
June 26, 2017: Wisconsin State Assembly Supports Campus Free Speech Act
The Wisconsin State Assembly sent to the State Senate last week the Campus Free Speech Act, legislation which would institute severe penalties — including suspension or explosion — for University of Wisconsin students who engage in “violent, abusive, indecent, profane, boisterous, obscene, unreasonably loud or other disorderly conduct that interferes with the free speech of others.”
"Explosion"! There's a severe penalty indeed, if ever there was one. Not much chance of an exploded student exercising their right to free speech.
Free speech never hurt anyone, and some free speech is more equal than others
Those students (who btw only pay a fraction of the cost of their education) will learn the hard way that in life people say things they may find uncomfortable.
I agree. Turning students into customers has given students too much power. University administrators live in fear of "brand damage" by student accusations of "racism", "transphobia" etc on social media. The old fees-free model needed reform, not replacement.
Not that I'm absolving university administrators of responsibility for the present situation. I wish they would show more spine and leadership in resisting activist pressure.
Twas apartheid in my later university days, and I guess protests against the Vietnam war before that – interesting times, although nowhere near as interesting as where we are now, and where we're going.
Do you think it's a good idea for students (at a University of all places ) to be exposed to a range of views and opinions? Because that's the issue here, not who pays for their education.
Do you think it's a good idea for students (at a University of all places) to be exposed to a range of views and opinions?
A range? Absolutely. I'd draw a line at, say, advocating white supremacy, but The Christchurch Call isn't everyone's cuppa – we each have our own line(s), university supremos included.
Because that's the issue here, not who pays for their education.
Might there be funding-related tensions (suggested @3.2.1.1.1) between the neoliberal universityindustry (increasingly financially-dependent on moar customers, particularly overseas students, i.e. ‘bums on seats’), and commitment to free speech, or indeed academic freedom. Such tensions may shift power imbalances – hmm, free speech knee-capped by commodification.
Free speech vs hate speech: Victoria University postpones debate after student backlash [27 Apr 2024]
In a statement, vice-chancellor Nic Smith said the debate had been postponed to ensure there was enough time to finalise the most effective format and speakers for the event. He said the university remained committed to holding the debate in late May.
"Over 600 people have registered to attend the event, reflecting the high level of interest across our community in discussing this topic. We have also had a large number of different voices express an interest in being part of the conversation. We want to ensure we have a cross-section of balanced and representative views in the discussion and we need more time to do this – hence the decision to postpone the event for a few weeks."
Patience is a virtue. A balance (that's key, imho) will likely be struck soon, although nowhere near soon enough to stop sensitive souls on all sides from working themselves into a distracting yet laser-focused lather. Are the 'freeze-peachers' and/or their opponents capable of learning during this hiatus?
And should commitment to free speech be a prerequisite for university admission? That's a tough one.
"If students are not resilient enough or mature enough to be able to deal in ideas – even those that they find uncomfortable – then maybe they shouldn't be at university."
Difficult to police though, as an individual's thoughts about what they find 'uncomfortable' remain private – sometimes even after they open their mouth.
"And should commitment to free speech be a prerequisite for university admission? "
Absolutely. Or at least, as Weka has recently articulated, freedom of expression. Students, of all people, should welcome the sunlight of free and open debate. Unless, of course, they hold to the somewhat elitist view that only their opinions, only those with which they are comfortable, matter.
I'd be comfortable with 16 / 17 / 18-year-old (potential) university students questioning the value of free speech events on campus, on a case-by-case basis. At that age, nascent, open-minded and/or changeable views might not be such a rarity, and shouldn't bar access to tuition, imho.
And perhaps those who are truly committed to free speech would be open to the idea of not excluding potential university students who are questioning, or even hold a contrary view – after all, university students are a diverse bunch, thank goodness, and could be more representative still. Just a thought.
I'd be comfortable with 17 / 18-year-old university students questioning the value of free speech events on campus, on a case-by-case basis.
Do you mean trying to get shut down? Or more that it's healthy for them to be making the critique?
And perhaps those who are truly committed to free speech would be open to the idea of not excluding potential university students who currently have a contrary view? Just a thought.
Do you mean trying to get shut down? Or more that it's healthy for them to be making the critique?
Yes, healthy – questioning the potential value (and cost) of events is healthy. I often question the value of sporting events, but never tried to shut one down, although did come close in Hamilton in 1981.
Sorry, who is being excluded?
That exchange (with Traveller) kicked off when I quoted this statement from an RNZ report.
"If students are not resilient enough or mature enough to be able to deal in ideas – even those that they find uncomfortable – then maybe they shouldn't be at university."
Just thought it was problematic for a free speech advocate to be suggesting students who might choose not to deal with (some) ideas that they found uncomfortable (for whatever reason) shouldn't be at university. I’d want to know something about the backgrounds and abilities of those (vulnerable/sensitive/fragile or immature) students, before characterising them as unsuitable for university study.
"And perhaps those who are truly committed to free speech would be open to the idea of not excluding potential university students who are questioning, or even hold a contrary view "
A contrary view to what? If you're suggesting that opposing freedom of expression/free speech is something that is an option for attending university, then you would be wrong. Opposing freedom of expression is the very antithesis of what university's should be.
"Just thought it was problematic for a free speech advocate to be suggesting students who might choose not to deal with (some) ideas that they found uncomfortable (for whatever reason) shouldn't be at university."
This depends on what purpose you proscribe to universities.
My view is that universities are "guardian of reason, inquiry and philosophical openness, preserving pure inquiry from dominant public opinions".
That being the case, I expect students to be able to critique ideas they disagree with, even ones they find abhorrent, not 'freak out' at just the names on a speakers list, before they even speak.
"I’d want to know something about the backgrounds and abilities of those (vulnerable/sensitive/fragile or immature) students, before characterising them as unsuitable for university study."
You're assuming that students opposed to free speech are actually "vulnerable/sensitive/fragile or immature". My experience has been such people are actually very open to new ideas, to ideas they disagree with. The people fighting against freedom of expression are (often) actually elitist and privileged. They are not used to being drawn out of the comfort of their cozy ideas and so baulk at any suggestion they put those ideas to the test.
Salient visited the Provost/Acting Vice Chancellor, Bryony James, for a kōrero. The conversation was productive and wide-ranging, and revealed a genuine desire from James and Reece Moores (Director of the Office of the VC) to counter what they see as corrosive and polarising online discourse. They’re worried that productive dialogue has been harmed by social media, and are seeking a remedy.
It’s important to note that their solution is an interesting fix, and one we should be open to. Moores and James stressed the mediated debate format would allow fact-checking. They acknowledged the total absence of Māori voices was an issue, and assured Salient they were working to amend it—so watch this space. The idea is a good one, but this specific panel aint it.
If you're suggesting that opposing freedom of expression/free speech is something that is an option for attending university, then you would be wrong.
And yet, opposing "a panel discussion about the rights and responsibilities associated with freedom of speech" (in its present form) was the very option chosen by some students attending Victoria University – that's the reality, however unpalatable.
Of course, if prospective students were tested for their propensity to question the value of a variety of events on campus, and particularly for their willingness to call for certain events to be cancelled, then youngsters scoring above an arbitrary threshold on the 'wrong-think' scale could be barred from enrolling – sweet! Otoh, that might select for students savvy enough to mask their aberrant thoughts – damn!
And what about those pesky students who are already enrolled; the ones who gained admission when there were no filters to screen out 'wrong thinking' customers. Instant expulsion seems harsh – after all, these are typically young people with few obvious prior 'wrong-think offences'. Perhaps a three-strikes system could be trialled to give malfunctioning students a couple of opportunities to see the error of their ways and adjust their values, thoughts and actions accordingly.
That being the case, I expect students to be able to critique ideas they disagree with, even ones they find abhorrent, not 'freak out' at just the names on a speakers list, before they even speak.
That's an (aspirational?) expectation – but these are not criteria for admission to university study in Aotearoa, and I’d be interested to learn if any university has incorporated such an expectation into their student admission processes. Imho, NZ’s tertiary education industry has no business regulating the values and thoughts of its customers with regard to free speech, among other things.
You're assuming that students opposed to free speech are actually "vulnerable/sensitive/fragile or immature".
Nope, just picked a parenthetical selection of antonyms for words in Ayling's quote at the end of this RNZ report – apologies for laziness.
"If students are not resilient enough or mature enough to be able to deal in ideas – even those that they find uncomfortable – then maybe they shouldn't be at university." – Ayling
Here are a couple of items on the tension between free speech and inclusivity/harassment in UK, European and US universities. Imho they're useful because they consider both aspects, and without compromise between pro-free speech and (new-ish) anti-harassment/pro-inclusivity factions there can be little progress, just useless and distracting conflict between absolutist camps.
Free speech is not universities’ problem. It’s students’
[9 Feb 2024]
Conflict on campus feels more intractable than ever – yet methods to resolve it are increasingly legalistic, silencing students in the process. Jim Dickinson sets out an alternative
As a new generation rises, tension between free speech and inclusivity on college campuses simmers
[13 Jan 2024]
Yet as the U.S. Education Department opens dozens of federal civil rights inquiries around antisemitism and Islamophobia, college leaders face pressure to counter hateful speech even if it’s constitutionally protected, Howard Gillman, chancellor of the University of California, Irvine, said during a panel on campus free speech on Wednesday.
Says Gillman: “There is increasingly now a sense of obligation on the part of campuses to do something.”
“And yet, opposing "a panel discussion about the rights and responsibilities associated with freedom of speech" (in its present form) was the very option chosen by some students attending Victoria University“
And that’s their right, but it’s also a misleading claim. The ‘form’ is a red herring. Here’s Marcail Parkinson’s objection:
“…people “freaked out” when they saw the panel line up, which looked like a platform for “right wing voices”, with the involvement of Free Speech Union president Jonathan Ayling and the New Zealand Initiative’s Dr Michael Johnston.”
This morning I have listened to Jonathan Ayling and Marcail Parkinson interviewed by Sean Plunkett, and Henry Broadbent (Salient) interviewed by Michael Walls. They were clear that their problem is not with the format but with Ayling himself. Broadbent claimed that Ayling represents ‘hate speech’, and when asked for an example specifically cited the FSU’s support of critical feminist speakers right to speech. In fact the long form interview then became a platform for those claims to be repeated constantly by Broadbent. When asked if he was looking for a blanket ban on the FSU, he confirmed that is precisely what he wants. These are opinions/prejudices they are entitled to hold, but don’t pretend this is a debate about the ‘form’, or that it is in any way appropriate for the University to shut down the free speech of others by acting on them.
“Of course, if prospective students were tested for their propensity to question the value of a variety of events on campus, and particularly for their willingness to call for certain events to be cancelled,“
‘Tested’? My goodness what are you suggesting? And the issue is not the value of the events, the issue is that people like Marcail want to be the arbiter of the people who speak at the events.
“Nope, just picked a parenthetical selection of antonyms for words in Ayling's quote at the end of this RNZ report – apologies for laziness.”
Ayling used the words not ‘resilient’ and not ‘mature’. You used the words ‘vulnerable/sensitive/fragile or immature’ . These are very different. And this is a problem, because those who oppose free speech are often elitist bullies. They consider themselves to be the guardians of a 'new orthodoxy', and they stand on the lives of the truly vulnerable to ensure their opinions are not subject to critique or challenge.
Ayling used the words not ‘resilient’ and not ‘mature’. You used the words ‘vulnerable/sensitive/fragile or immature’. These are very different.
Imho, students who are "not resilient" or "not mature" (Ayling's descriptors for people he believes maybe "shouldn't be at university") might also be fairly described as "vulnerable/sensitive/fragile" or "immature", but there are other descriptors.
‘Tested’? My goodness what are you suggesting?
Maybe think about what Ayling is suggesting. It's not up to Ayling (or you, or me) to decide who has access to a university education – thank goodness. That could be a difficult and thankless task, I reckon, and I might be tempted to favour admission of Kiwis from under-represented demographics and/or socioeconomic backgrounds.
"If students are not resilient enough or mature enough to be able to deal in ideas – even those that they find uncomfortable – then maybe they shouldn't be at university." – Ayling
“Imho, students who are "not resilient" or "not mature" (Ayling's descriptors for people he believes maybe "shouldn't be at university") might also be fairly described as "vulnerable/sensitive/fragile" or "immature"…”
They might ‘also be’, but they are not one and the same. I found it interesting Henry Broadbent repeatedly claimed that in defending the free speech of gender critical feminists, the FSU were somehow engaging (and yes I don’t mean defending, actually engaging) in hate speech against trans people. The inability to distinguish between defending ones right to free expression, and taking a position on the content of that expression suggests a disturbing lack of critical awareness.
“Maybe think about what Ayling is suggesting. It's not up to Ayling (or you, or me) to decide who has access to a university education – thank goodness.”
Ah but Ayling has a point. If people aspire to higher education, and yet are not able to cope with ideas they find challenging, perhaps university is not for them. But then again, maybe we have a different view on what the purpose of a University is. Or is not.
“…and I might be tempted to favour admission of Kiwis from under-represented demographics and/or socioeconomic backgrounds.”
Mmm. Why would you specifically single out these groups to contrast the views of Ayling? Are you suggesting that it is these groups who are ‘not resilient’, or, God forbid, unable to cope with ideas they find uncomfortable?
It's not mine either. I felt you were implying that in the way you singled out these groups to contrast the views of Ayling. I am of the view that limits of freedom of expression actually increases, rather than diminishes, social vulnerability across society,
Thanks for that – this thread has broadened my horizons as to the tensions between free speech and inclusivity et al. on uni campuses.
Amazing to see the number of recent articles on the topic, and resources already in place to defuse tensions. Hope Vic managers can help to organise a safe event that’s not too inflammatory, and that everyone can get something out of – like these (North American) links.
The Third Way: Navigating the tension between free speech and inclusion
During this webinar, we’ll discuss the ideological tension between free speech and inclusion and why a both/and framing is needed to help higher education get out of a false binary. Gain ideas and strategies from leaders in the higher ed space who are working to shape a different conversation about freedom of speech and inclusion and how those two ideals can be — and should be — advanced in unison.
More than 600 people had registered their interest in attending the event, a panel discussion about the role of universities in free speech. But earlier this week the university postponed the event with a notice saying “the mere framing of this event has surfaced a depth of feeling and a polarisation of views on how we should proceed, that has made it challenging to even schedule a conversation about how to have challenging conversations”.
Student association president Marcail Parkinson said that context had not been clear and people “freaked out” when they saw the panel line up, which looked like a platform for “right wing voices”, with the involvement of Free Speech Union president Jonathan Ayling and the New Zealand Initiative’s Dr Michael Johnston.
“Hopefully, those conversations will mean that the event is inclusive and doesn't make people feel unsafe in any way. But it's yet to be seen whether that will actually come through.”
'Inclusive' is now code for 'agrees with what I think'.
There's a Leunig cartoon that skewers "inclusivity" thus:
"This is an inclusive society. Anyone deemed to be acting, speaking or thinking in a non-inclusive manner will be excluded".
I have experienced this directly myself, having been uninvited from attending certain weekly academic discussions for having the wrong views about maatauranga Maaori and "systemic racism". Apparently some people didn't feel safe.
Yes there are some subjects that where, sadly, the discourse is now dominated by a singular point of view. The discussion around the place of Mātauranga is one case in point.
I had a period in my life when I was addicted to crack-cocaine..(not 'p'.. cocaine..)
As an addiction it is notable for lots and lots of wasted days and wasted nights..binges for days/nites on end….
..and the obsessive behaviour with the glass-pipe…
..with users overly focussed on the delivery vehicle..and sucking on that pipe like they are trying to suck the life out of it..and clinging onto that pipe.. seemingly for dear life..
The echoes of that past pastime..when watching vapers..is disturbing…
They are giving themselves a lifelong addiction…
And the allowing of this to happen..by the last Govt…is perhaps what historians will view as their greatest failing .
Went to Welly recently and could not believe the amount of vaping I saw. Particularly in those under 25. Plus the smell, it's a really odd smell. Tobacco has a smell, love it or hate it – but it gets moved on by the wind. But a lot of people vaping seems to linger, with that sweet sickly chemically aroma hanging about even in the wind.
..at first look it seems ok..but if it goes too low…then that will create/feed a black market..
And as for banning disposable vapes..this is good in an environmental impact way….but as for putting a dent in smoking levels..?… especially amongst the young ..?..
All around the country hospital emergency departments are barely functioning and what does this neat benevolent government do? It demands 105 million dollars of saving in the health budget and gives each region a figure of how it is expected to save.
Our health system was held together by paper and straw under Labour but now it is falling apart under National, and what's more – they don't care.
We had better hope there is no huge natural disaster on the scale of Cyclone Gabrielle over the next three years because who would clean up the mess and pay for it?
The NACTZ?
Yeah right. They would expect the communities affected to hold a few gala days and sausage sizzles to pay for it themselves.
Hi Mike the Lefty. Have a listen to this pre-election debate with Paddy Gower – between 34 mins and 44 mins. It covers Luxon's health views [in broad terms] plus a revealing few minutes on racism in NZ. Then compare with what is actually happening:
He comes across as a lying, pompous sociopath and that is what he is proving to be.
Health unions have warned the constraints will impact medical care, which is denied by Health NZ and Health Minister Shane Reti.
"We expect local managers to use their judgement to make decisions in their own settings when it comes to how they manage this," Apa said.
….
When asked to supply the document or advice confirming that cost-cutting would not impact patient care, a spokesperson for the minister said he met officials often and received this assurance from Health NZ verbally.
There is a problem with (supply and demand) access to primary health care and loss of any after hours clinics they provide then impacts on A and E in the hospitals.
Not enough doctors, but also loss of nurses to hospitals (better pay and attempt to properly staff wards).
There have been gains in new nurses (local and offshore inflow), offset with the Oz drive to take some their way.
This is exacerbated by an economy dependent on migrant inflow, to offset loss of workers to Oz or to provide stimulus for fools growth.
New Zealand is again having to reconcile conflicting pressures from its military and its trade interests. Should we join Pillar Two of AUKUS and risk compromising our markets in China? For a century after New Zealand was founded in 1840, its external security arrangements and external economics arrangements were aligned. ...
The ‘50 Shades of Green’ farmers’ protest in 2019 was heavy on climate change denial, but five years on, scepticism and criticism about the idea that pine forests can save us is growing across the board. File photo: Lynn GrievesonTL;DR: Here’s the top six news items of note in climate ...
This morning the sky was bright.The birds, in their usual joyous bliss. Nature doesn’t seem to feel the heat of what might angst humans.Their calls are clear and beautiful.Just some random thoughts:MāoriPaul Goldsmith has announced his government will roll back the judiciary’s rulings on Māori Customary Marine Title, which recognises ...
In 2003, the Court of Appeal delivered its decision in Ngati Apa v Attorney-General, ruling that Māori customary title over the foreshore and seabed had not been universally extinguished, and that the Māori Land Court could determine claims and confirm title if the facts supported it. This kicked off the ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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. ...
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 Carereport released this week, and with:The Kākā’s climate correspondent on a UN push to not recognise carbon offset markets and ...
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 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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 Carereport in Parliament he wanted to ‘do the ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 Inquirypublished its final report yesterday.PM Christopher Luxon and The Minister responsible for ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 iconon the left hand side of the screenThis video / audio section is under development. ...
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 ...
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, ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 Brownannounced plans to use PPPs to fund, build and run a four-lane expressway between Auckland ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 Deloittereport for Westpac has projected Aotearoa’s home-ownership rate will ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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-$$$’sOliver LewisScoop:Te Pūkenga plans for regional polytechs leak out ...
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 announcedthe Board of Te Whatu Ora-Health New Zealand was being replaced with Commissioner Lester Levy ...
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 ...
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, ...
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 ...
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 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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 Orderimage, ...
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; ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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. ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 PSAannounced the Employment Relations Authority (ERA) had ruled in the PSA’s favour in its case against the Ministry ...
TL;DR: The podcast above of the weekly ‘hoon’ webinar for paying subscribers last night features co-hosts and talking with:The Kākā’s climate correspondent talking about the National-ACT-NZ First Government’s release of its first Emissions Reduction Plan;University of Otago Foreign Relations Professor and special guest Dr Karin von ...
Open access notablesImproving global temperature datasets to better account for non-uniform warming, Calvert, Quarterly Journal of the Royal Meteorological Society:To better account for spatial non-uniform trends in warming, a new GITD [global instrumental temperature dataset] was created that used maximum likelihood estimation (MLE) to combine the land surface ...
A late change to charter school legislation will cheat educators out of fair pay and negotiating power proving charter schools are just a vehicle to make profit out of our education system. ...
In 2004 te iwi Māori rallied against the Crown’s attempt to confiscate our coastlines and moana with the Foreshore and Seabed Act. This led to the largest hīkoi of a generation and the birth of Te Pāti Māori. 20 years later, history is repeating itself. Today the government has announced ...
It has been five and a half years since the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care was established to investigate the abuse of children, young people, and vulnerable adults within state and faith-based institutions. Yesterday, the final report - Whanaketia through pain and trauma, from darkness to light ...
The Green Party is calling on the Government to take action off the back of the International Court of Justice ruling on Israel’s illegal occupation of Palestine. ...
On Friday the International Court of Justice reaffirmed what Palestinian’s have been telling us for decades: that the occupation and colonisation of Palestinian lands by Israel is illegal and must end immediately. They also called for reparations for Palestinian’s who have lived under Israeli occupation since it began in 1967. ...
Labour calls on the Government to act after the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled that Israel’s occupation of Palestinian Territories is illegal. ...
The 53.7 percent rise in benefit sanctions over the last year is more proof of this Government’s disdain for our communities most in need of support. ...
Aotearoa could be a country where every child grows up feeling safe, loved and with a sense of belonging in their whānau and community. But for some of our children, this is far from reality. Instead, they are trapped in a maze of intergenerational harm that they can’t escape on ...
Te Pāti Māori are calling for David Seymour to resign as Associate Health Minister in response to his call for Pharmac to ignore the Treaty of Waitangi. “This announcement is just another example of the government’s anti-Tiriti, anti-Māori agenda.” Said Co-leader and spokesperson for health, Debbie Ngarewa-Packer. “Seymour thinks it ...
The soaring price of renting is driving the rise of inflation in this country - with latest figures from Stats NZ showing rents are up 4.8 per cent on average while annual inflation is at 3.3 per cent. ...
National’s Emissions Reduction Plan will take New Zealand further from the economy we need to ensure the next generation has a stable climate and secure livelihoods. ...
Following consultation with named parties and thorough consideration of privacy interests, the Green Party is in a position to release the Executive Summary of the final report from the independent investigation into Darleen Tana. ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon should be asking serious questions of his Minister for Resources Shane Jones now it’s been revealed he misled the public about a dinner with mining companies that he didn’t declare and said wasn’t pre-arranged. ...
Te Pāti Māori have submitted to the Justice Select Committee against the Sentencing (Reinstating Three Strikes) Amendment Bill. The bill will further entrench racism in our justice system and fails to focus on rehabilitation. “Reinstating Three Strikes will empower a systematically racist system and exacerbate the overrepresentation of Māori in ...
The Transport and Infrastructure Committee is set to make a determination on the Residential Tenancies Amendment (RTA) Bill in the coming weeks. “This legislation will give landlords the power to kick our whānau out onto the street for no reason” said Housing spokesperson, Mariameno Kapa-Kingi. “Their solution to the housing ...
“National’s campaign was about tackling crime and the best they can do is a two-year long Ministerial Advisory Group,” Labour justice spokesperson Duncan Webb said. ...
“There are more examples of charter schools failing their students than there are success stories. The coalition Government is driving to dismantle our public school system and instead promote a privatised, competitive structure that puts profits before kids,” Jan Tinetti said. ...
“This government is choosing to deliberately mislead and withhold information, keeping our people in the dark about this government’s agenda and the future of our mokopuna,” said co-leader and spokesperson for Health, Debbie Ngarewa-Packer. The call comes after the demand from the Chief Ombudsman that Associate Minister of Health, Casey ...
“Today’s climate announcement by Simon Watts makes clear the National Government is simply paying lip service to meeting its climate change targets,” Megan Woods said. ...
National is choosing to make life harder for workers by taking away the rights our communities have fought hard for. Here's how they’re taking workers backwards. ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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. ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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. ...
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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" How to kill off debt without selling your favourite classic car or treasured artwork"
Headline in NZHerald today which perfectly reflects our massive food bank lines in a recession.
Haven't quite got to the toys lined up for sale down Ladies Mile stage yet..
May not be far away though.
Today's NZ Herald also carried stories about:
* car thieves stealing a Porsche from a Parnell address and leading the police a merry dance thru' the Waikato before they were stopped
* overworked after-hours medical centres and stressed GPs
* a man who needed knee surgery spending a long time on the surgical waiting list
So it's business as usual in GodZone.
C'mon..!.. that's a bit unfair to Herald ..
They don't only do bleed-journalism..
..they also do entertain-stories..!
.. so they do achieve a balance ..of sorts..
Forgot to add that:
* our public hospitals have been told to cut $105 million from their budgets by July.
* the navy is in a "fragile" state.
Despite all that, we should count our blessings.
And look..!..over there .!…more patches..!
A free speech event is postponed because, well, some students don’t like their perceived view of the speakers. https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/350258865/victoria-university-postpones-challenging-free-speech-event
This is the weird country we have become.
How do we know whether a self-proclaimed free speech advocate actually means what they say – or in reality just seeks the continued dominance of their preferred speech and the social and economic arrangements that their preferred speech justifies?
Some people think that the political right has hijacked the notion of free speech to this end. So they are suspicious of anyone who loudly and conspicuously pins the star of free speech to their valiant chest. I find it hard to disagree with that view – though I do not approve of some of the more excessive actions that flow from it.
Privately, I have instead started talking about free and equal speech as the touchstone of a democracy – where all voices are heard and have (roughly) equal influence.
How do we know? By listening to them. The only people wanting their preferred speech to dominate in this instance are a cohort of students.
Some students would have noted the FSU made no defence of pro Palestinian protestors when they were accused of antisemitism. And the connection to the TU campaign against three waters (co-governance fears).
The event should go ahead all the same.
It can be presumed the FSU would oppose political funding of political parties because money has to dominate discourse.
"Some students would have noted the FSU made no defence of pro Palestinian protestors when they were accused of antisemitism. "
Really? My response to that would be they should go along and use the Q&A to ask.
Yes really. And relevant to the USA university issue atm.
I'm not quite sure why the FSU are expected to speak into the issue of 'pro palestinian protestors' being accused of anti-semitism. If the protestors were having their freedom of speech/expression curtailed, that's one thing, but being labelled anti-semitic is not that.
Sure, but if that is free speech, then labelling the state of Israel an apartheid state, is so as well.
Israelis warned back in 1977 that if they began to settle occupied territory it would undermine the standing of their nation state – and they were right.
There is only one party to the Oslo Accord peace process (state of Israel)(Likud government) running a river to the sea policy – and the Likud leader BN has always opposed that peace process.
"Sure, but if that is free speech, then labelling the state of Israel an apartheid state, is so as well."
Of course. Why would it be otherwise?
It doesn't appear to be a RW event. Jane Kelsey was one of the speakers. The other two I don't know, so just doing a quick google.
Nicola Moreham, not a lot online about her, but there is this paper on physical privacy
https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/law/pdf/staff-profile-publications/2014-Intrusion-CLJ.pdf
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicole_Moreham
John Byron, is a policy advisor at an Australian university, and was an advisor for the Australian Labour party in opposition.
https://theconversation.com/profiles/john-byron-117201
The two RWers are Free Speech Union president Jonathan Ayling and the New Zealand Initiative’s Dr Michael Johnston.
I like the reframing of free speech though. 'Free speech' is an Americanism. In NZ we have legislation around freedom of expression. Not sure about the idea of equal speech (I don't think that is possible), but definitely agree the inequity issues need addressing.
Otoh, it was the right that stepped up to stop women's rights campaigners from being blocked from public venue hires. The left can complain about the right's free speech agenda, but it is dropping the ball in many ways on fairness.
Isn't freedom of expression just free speech extended to all other forms of communication?
I find this from NZ HRC useful,
https://tikatangata.org.nz/human-rights-in-aotearoa/freedom-of-opinion-and-expression
The term 'free speech' comes with a particular US political slant that I think is unhelpful in the NZ context. It gets used as a synonym for 'say what you want when you want'. And that slant is now part of the NZ culture wars where the liberal left use tactics to inhibit freedom of expression and the right go on about free speech rights, and we can't even have a decent conversation any more. Both sides are involved in positions that are anti-democratic and undermine freedom of expression.
AB's point about the right's impact on equity of access sits alongside the liberal left's use of ostracisation and ridicule, deplatforming, and more recently noise to disrupt the expression of others.
I don't value free speech above other forms of freedom of expression and see the principles underlying them as more important then the right to speak. And I say that as someone who frequently chooses to not write on certain topics because of concern about the backlash. We need to look at what is inhibiting or enabling freedom of expression, rather than relying on simplistic memes of 'free speech'.
Thanks Weka, you make some excellent points.
cheers. I really should do a post on it. Lprent would be another good person to write a post, he has a somewhat different perspective again with an emphasis on the consequences of speech eg,
https://thestandard.org.nz/a-sad-lament-from-the-serial-left/#comment-1989528
From the right also come outright threats, often to women politicians on the left. And from some politicians – personal information releases by a former National MSD Minister come to mind.
Brash attacking Clark for having no children while she advocated for tax credits for low income families.
As for cancellation, what comes close to One New Zealand Brash proposing the end of Maori electorate seats. And Seymour on the Treaty and WT and NZF on references to the Treaty in legislation.
It's worse over in the USA, the FBI sees its mission as to prevent threats to government authority and capitalism (pre and post the HUAC era). The numbers on their Fusion Centre watchlist is astonishing (from left to right, right to left).
I'm not sure what your points are here. That the right is worse and thus the left don't have to look at ourselves and our own actions?
The point of the sentence you quoted out of context was to place emphasis on the rest of the paragraph,
Emphasis now added in italics. But I could also have written,
I was fairly sure I got your point. Which was to soft soap the criticism of the right, limiting it to access, and load it on the left.
That a woman would do that, given how the right behaves is somewhat astonishing .. and not get it … is astonishing.
And I did not quote anything out of context, I quoted something you said to relate to something in another country
I know how that feels.
No, and you're an idiot. Sorry, I can't be bothered with this. I'm really happy to share my thinking and clarify when asked, and I put a fair amount of effort in doing that pre-emptively, but this is starting to look like wilful ignorance.
If you cannot handle critique of the left, then you are in the wrong place. If you think critiquing the left = supporting the right, then you're just stupid.
But thanks for adding to my point. People that think they know what others thing, even when the person corrects them, are a big part of the problem. Why bother engaging with the arguments I am making when you can just write them off as RW apologia.
The reason I critique the left is because we are losing and if we don't sort this shit out, we will lose very very badly. And I know exactly what that will mean for women. Too many lefties are still running round apparently thinking we can just dump on the right and win the next election and everything will be alright. Meanwhile, society is breaking down in front of our eyes, and while the right bear the larger portion of the responsibility for that, they are not the only problem here.
anyway, thanks for being honest about what you think my values are, that's refreshing even if it's wrong.
If … straw argument .. is not debating my point.
Your original post was unbalanced, end of.
I've debated on many boards – years on Kiwiblog …my left wing skin is much thicker than your own.
K-J K-M said, she would annihilate those women on the left in her way. You probably realise what she meant more than most (as given your views on the global environment and social justice you'll be staying on the left) as she is of a mind to divide women against the left on the birth sex/womens identity issue (and then her next issues prostitution and pornography).
You need to be mindful that while the idea that the left cannot win without women voters is true (and nor can Trump/GOP) and yet it is women who face the consequences of right wing government the most.
Gaslighting others on the left – telling them they have to worthy on the womens ID issue to win is unfair and sometimes untrue.
Only where the right is opposing self-ID does the point has relevance.
If the right can make/retain the issue self ID as one that divides the left and then leave the left to it, they will.
that's quite the misinterpretation.
My original post said these things,
What would balance that? If I said that the left does good things too? Or that teh right does bad things? These are givens on a blog like TS.
Why exactly are we talking about KJK all of a sudden? She is a centre right populist trying to build power. She's not trying to divide women on the left, she hates women on the left, the left generally, and feminists. The only women she accepts are those that agree with her. But why are we talking about her at all?
When I say the left is losing, I am not talking about women voters (although it may come to that). I mean that we are outnumbered, we have no strong vision and narrative to win people back to a progressive position, and large chunks of the left are engaged in a culture war we cannot win because the other side fights dirty and we don't except for the whole ostracisation thing. Telling people who don't think like us they are wrong isn't going to get them to vote left. No-one can tell me what the end game is on that stuff.
And? That's so obvious I'm not sure why you felt the need to say it. Of course. That's why I want the left to sort its shit out so we can avoid a fascist future.
I don't know where you think I am gaslighting because you haven't said. I am highly critical of the liberal left that has abandoned women over our sex based rights. I hadn't actually thought about whether a chance on self ID is necessary to win, but on the face of it I would say it's not necessarily. You seem to be assuming my criticism of the left is simply about self ID. It's not. It's about our lose of class politics, loss of a commitment to community and the good of all, and the apparent idea that we can force people to think like us. All of that exists independently of the gender/sex wars.
Yes, another good reason for the left to sort its shit out. The right will use whatever means it can to gain power. Women won't give up their rights. That leaves the left some choices, but ignoring women isn't one of them.
I was referring to the post I replied to – 3.1.2.1.1.
I raised her agenda – war against the left on the women's birth sex identity issue (the so called GCF cause – an irony when she herself says she is no feminist), because it is so often cited in the free speech issue by yourself.
I would have thought it obvious, it is one driving some GCF from the left, cancel culture etc.
Relevant? I would have thought so.
Sigh.
I would have pointed it out, But I've had enough of the, then make your points clearer then. They were clear.
And the sarc.
"The left can complain about the right's free speech agenda, but it is dropping the ball in many ways on fairness."
So right. The left used to defend free speech, but now progressives want to shut down events that include "right-wing" voices. So much for progressives' holy trinity of diversity, equity and inclusion. VUW have acted spinelessly, as NZ university leaders all too often do.
Why is it so hard for self-righteous progressives to understand that democracy requires a balance of liberal and conservative views? If conservatives rule unopposed, the likely result is stagnation and religious despotism. If liberals rule largely unopposed (as they have in NZ for 40 years), the result is the slide we now find ourselves upon, as our institutions become captured by "progressives" who actually undermine liberal values like freedom of expression and equality before the law.
Who was it who opposed the inclusion of gender identity in the Conversion Practices legislation? Eight conservatives – an island of sanity in our parliament. It is conservatives who are likely to challenge ideas that are at odds with the accumulated wisdom of human experience. When Chloe Swarbrick says she wants to abolish prisons, a conservative might ask her to name a single advanced civilization that has done so successfully.
Yes – a backlash led by (fee-paying) students, i.e. Victoria Uni stakeholders – what has become of our notionally independent tertiary education institutions? Will free speech stop the rot in universities, and elsewhere? I fear not, but it can be a crucial diversion.
And it's not only Aotearoa NZ, although we could be a fast follower. Let's not go here.
"Explosion"! There's a severe penalty indeed, if ever there was one. Not much chance of an exploded student exercising their right to free speech.![wink wink](https://cdn2.thestandard.org.nz/wp-content/plugins/ark-wysiwyg-comment-editor/ckeditor/plugins/smiley/images/wink_smile.png)
Free speech never hurt anyone, and some free speech is more equal than others
https://www.officeforstudents.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/quality-and-standards/freedom-of-speech/changes-to-regulation/
Those students (who btw only pay a fraction of the cost of their education) will learn the hard way that in life people say things they may find uncomfortable.
we should definitely make their education free then.
I agree. Turning students into customers has given students too much power. University administrators live in fear of "brand damage" by student accusations of "racism", "transphobia" etc on social media. The old fees-free model needed reform, not replacement.
Not that I'm absolving university administrators of responsibility for the present situation. I wish they would show more spine and leadership in resisting activist pressure.
@weka – My tertiary education wasn’t free for NZ taxpayers, but it was practically free for me, and I became a taxpayer in due course.
@Traveller – Yes, life is hard, for some, and learning the hard way is all some people understand.
Commodification of higher education has largely bled the unrest from our brightest and best, but there's still the occasional issue "those students" will rally behind – thank goodness.
Twas apartheid in my later university days, and I guess protests against the Vietnam war before that – interesting times, although nowhere near as interesting as where we are now, and where we're going.
Do you think it's a good idea for students (at a University of all places
) to be exposed to a range of views and opinions? Because that's the issue here, not who pays for their education.
A range? Absolutely. I'd draw a line at, say, advocating white supremacy, but The Christchurch Call isn't everyone's cuppa – we each have our own line(s), university supremos included.
Might there be funding-related tensions (suggested @3.2.1.1.1) between the neoliberal university industry (increasingly financially-dependent on moar customers, particularly overseas students, i.e. ‘bums on seats’), and commitment to free speech, or indeed academic freedom. Such tensions may shift power imbalances – hmm, free speech knee-capped by commodification.
Patience is a virtue. A balance (that's key, imho) will likely be struck soon, although nowhere near soon enough to stop sensitive souls on all sides from working themselves into a distracting yet laser-focused lather. Are the 'freeze-peachers' and/or their opponents capable of learning during this hiatus?
And should commitment to free speech be a prerequisite for university admission? That's a tough one.
Difficult to police though, as an individual's thoughts about what they find 'uncomfortable' remain private – sometimes even after they open their mouth.
Also, hope that university managers do due diligence to minimise the dissemination of misinformation (at a University, of all places.)
Forgot to add (@3.2.1.2) that 'some people never learn' – I blame poor teachers (just kidding teachers – keep up the good work).
"And should commitment to free speech be a prerequisite for university admission? "
Absolutely. Or at least, as Weka has recently articulated, freedom of expression. Students, of all people, should welcome the sunlight of free and open debate. Unless, of course, they hold to the somewhat elitist view that only their opinions, only those with which they are comfortable, matter.
I'd be comfortable with 16 / 17 / 18-year-old (potential) university students questioning the value of free speech events on campus, on a case-by-case basis. At that age, nascent, open-minded and/or changeable views might not be such a rarity, and shouldn't bar access to tuition, imho.
And perhaps those who are truly committed to free speech would be open to the idea of not excluding potential university students who are questioning, or even hold a contrary view – after all, university students are a diverse bunch, thank goodness, and could be more representative still. Just a thought.
Do you mean trying to get shut down? Or more that it's healthy for them to be making the critique?
Sorry, who is being excluded?
Yes, healthy – questioning the potential value (and cost) of events is healthy. I often question the value of sporting events, but never tried to shut one down, although did come close in Hamilton in 1981.
That exchange (with Traveller) kicked off when I quoted this statement from an RNZ report.
Just thought it was problematic for a free speech advocate to be suggesting students who might choose not to deal with (some) ideas that they found uncomfortable (for whatever reason) shouldn't be at university. I’d want to know something about the backgrounds and abilities of those (vulnerable/sensitive/fragile or immature) students, before characterising them as unsuitable for university study.
"And perhaps those who are truly committed to free speech would be open to the idea of not excluding potential university students who are questioning, or even hold a contrary view "
A contrary view to what? If you're suggesting that opposing freedom of expression/free speech is something that is an option for attending university, then you would be wrong. Opposing freedom of expression is the very antithesis of what university's should be.
"Just thought it was problematic for a free speech advocate to be suggesting students who might choose not to deal with (some) ideas that they found uncomfortable (for whatever reason) shouldn't be at university."
This depends on what purpose you proscribe to universities.
My view is that universities are "guardian of reason, inquiry and philosophical openness, preserving pure inquiry from dominant public opinions".
What is the purpose of a university? (pearson.com)
That being the case, I expect students to be able to critique ideas they disagree with, even ones they find abhorrent, not 'freak out' at just the names on a speakers list, before they even speak.
"I’d want to know something about the backgrounds and abilities of those (vulnerable/sensitive/fragile or immature) students, before characterising them as unsuitable for university study."
You're assuming that students opposed to free speech are actually "vulnerable/sensitive/fragile or immature". My experience has been such people are actually very open to new ideas, to ideas they disagree with. The people fighting against freedom of expression are (often) actually elitist and privileged. They are not used to being drawn out of the comfort of their cozy ideas and so baulk at any suggestion they put those ideas to the test.
And yet, opposing "a panel discussion about the rights and responsibilities associated with freedom of speech" (in its present form) was the very option chosen by some students attending Victoria University – that's the reality, however unpalatable.
Of course, if prospective students were tested for their propensity to question the value of a variety of events on campus, and particularly for their willingness to call for certain events to be cancelled, then youngsters scoring above an arbitrary threshold on the 'wrong-think' scale could be barred from enrolling – sweet! Otoh, that might select for students savvy enough to mask their aberrant thoughts – damn!
And what about those pesky students who are already enrolled; the ones who gained admission when there were no filters to screen out 'wrong thinking' customers. Instant expulsion seems harsh – after all, these are typically young people with few obvious prior 'wrong-think offences'. Perhaps a three-strikes system could be trialled to give malfunctioning students a couple of opportunities to see the error of their ways and adjust their values, thoughts and actions accordingly.
That's an (aspirational?) expectation – but these are not criteria for admission to university study in Aotearoa, and I’d be interested to learn if any university has incorporated such an expectation into their student admission processes. Imho, NZ’s tertiary education industry has no business regulating the values and thoughts of its customers with regard to free speech, among other things.
https://www2.nzqa.govt.nz/ncea/understanding-secondary-quals/university-entrance/
Nope, just picked a parenthetical selection of antonyms for words in Ayling's quote at the end of this RNZ report – apologies for laziness.
Here are a couple of items on the tension between free speech and inclusivity/harassment in UK, European and US universities. Imho they're useful because they consider both aspects, and without compromise between pro-free speech and (new-ish) anti-harassment/pro-inclusivity factions there can be little progress, just useless and distracting conflict between absolutist camps.
“And yet, opposing "a panel discussion about the rights and responsibilities associated with freedom of speech" (in its present form) was the very option chosen by some students attending Victoria University“
And that’s their right, but it’s also a misleading claim. The ‘form’ is a red herring. Here’s Marcail Parkinson’s objection:
“…people “freaked out” when they saw the panel line up, which looked like a platform for “right wing voices”, with the involvement of Free Speech Union president Jonathan Ayling and the New Zealand Initiative’s Dr Michael Johnston.”
This morning I have listened to Jonathan Ayling and Marcail Parkinson interviewed by Sean Plunkett, and Henry Broadbent (Salient) interviewed by Michael Walls. They were clear that their problem is not with the format but with Ayling himself. Broadbent claimed that Ayling represents ‘hate speech’, and when asked for an example specifically cited the FSU’s support of critical feminist speakers right to speech. In fact the long form interview then became a platform for those claims to be repeated constantly by Broadbent. When asked if he was looking for a blanket ban on the FSU, he confirmed that is precisely what he wants. These are opinions/prejudices they are entitled to hold, but don’t pretend this is a debate about the ‘form’, or that it is in any way appropriate for the University to shut down the free speech of others by acting on them.
“Of course, if prospective students were tested for their propensity to question the value of a variety of events on campus, and particularly for their willingness to call for certain events to be cancelled,“
‘Tested’? My goodness what are you suggesting? And the issue is not the value of the events, the issue is that people like Marcail want to be the arbiter of the people who speak at the events.
“Nope, just picked a parenthetical selection of antonyms for words in Ayling's quote at the end of this RNZ report – apologies for laziness.”
Ayling used the words not ‘resilient’ and not ‘mature’. You used the words ‘vulnerable/sensitive/fragile or immature’ . These are very different. And this is a problem, because those who oppose free speech are often elitist bullies. They consider themselves to be the guardians of a 'new orthodoxy', and they stand on the lives of the truly vulnerable to ensure their opinions are not subject to critique or challenge.
Imho, students who are "not resilient" or "not mature" (Ayling's descriptors for people he believes maybe "shouldn't be at university") might also be fairly described as "vulnerable/sensitive/fragile" or "immature", but there are other descriptors.
Maybe think about what Ayling is suggesting. It's not up to Ayling (or you, or me) to decide who has access to a university education – thank goodness. That could be a difficult and thankless task, I reckon, and I might be tempted to favour admission of Kiwis from under-represented demographics and/or socioeconomic backgrounds.
“Imho, students who are "not resilient" or "not mature" (Ayling's descriptors for people he believes maybe "shouldn't be at university") might also be fairly described as "vulnerable/sensitive/fragile" or "immature"…”
They might ‘also be’, but they are not one and the same. I found it interesting Henry Broadbent repeatedly claimed that in defending the free speech of gender critical feminists, the FSU were somehow engaging (and yes I don’t mean defending, actually engaging) in hate speech against trans people. The inability to distinguish between defending ones right to free expression, and taking a position on the content of that expression suggests a disturbing lack of critical awareness.
“Maybe think about what Ayling is suggesting. It's not up to Ayling (or you, or me) to decide who has access to a university education – thank goodness.”
Ah but Ayling has a point. If people aspire to higher education, and yet are not able to cope with ideas they find challenging, perhaps university is not for them. But then again, maybe we have a different view on what the purpose of a University is. Or is not.
“…and I might be tempted to favour admission of Kiwis from under-represented demographics and/or socioeconomic backgrounds.”
Mmm. Why would you specifically single out these groups to contrast the views of Ayling? Are you suggesting that it is these groups who are ‘not resilient’, or, God forbid, unable to cope with ideas they find uncomfortable?
That’s not my experience – why do you to ask![wink wink](https://cdn2.thestandard.org.nz/wp-content/plugins/ark-wysiwyg-comment-editor/ckeditor/plugins/smiley/images/wink_smile.png)
"That’s not my experience – why do you to ask "
It's not mine either. I felt you were implying that in the way you singled out these groups to contrast the views of Ayling. I am of the view that limits of freedom of expression actually increases, rather than diminishes, social vulnerability across society,
Thanks for that – this thread has broadened my horizons as to the tensions between free speech and inclusivity et al. on uni campuses.
Amazing to see the number of recent articles on the topic, and resources already in place to defuse tensions. Hope Vic managers can help to organise a safe event that’s not too inflammatory, and that everyone can get something out of – like these (North American) links.
"Thanks for that – this thread has broadened my horizons as to the tensions between free speech and inclusivity et al. on uni campuses."
Thanks to you too! And I’ll have a look at those links when work etc permits.
Has a reason been proffered for this cancellation..?
(That post link just comes up with a black page for me..)
From the link:
More than 600 people had registered their interest in attending the event, a panel discussion about the role of universities in free speech. But earlier this week the university postponed the event with a notice saying “the mere framing of this event has surfaced a depth of feeling and a polarisation of views on how we should proceed, that has made it challenging to even schedule a conversation about how to have challenging conversations”.
Student association president Marcail Parkinson said that context had not been clear and people “freaked out” when they saw the panel line up, which looked like a platform for “right wing voices”, with the involvement of Free Speech Union president Jonathan Ayling and the New Zealand Initiative’s Dr Michael Johnston.
“Hopefully, those conversations will mean that the event is inclusive and doesn't make people feel unsafe in any way. But it's yet to be seen whether that will actually come through.”
'Inclusive' is now code for 'agrees with what I think'.
There's a Leunig cartoon that skewers "inclusivity" thus:
"This is an inclusive society. Anyone deemed to be acting, speaking or thinking in a non-inclusive manner will be excluded".
I have experienced this directly myself, having been uninvited from attending certain weekly academic discussions for having the wrong views about maatauranga Maaori and "systemic racism". Apparently some people didn't feel safe.
Yes there are some subjects that where, sadly, the discourse is now dominated by a singular point of view. The discussion around the place of Mātauranga is one case in point.
This is bullshit..!
I am firmly on the side of free speech .
I mean ..what the fornicate are universities for..?..
..if not the debating of ideas..?
What is the university afraid of..?
What is the left afraid of..?
Can't they stand behind their ideas..?.. can't they argue them..
If they are unable to articulate the bankruptcy of r/w politics… they should stand aside…
..and let someone else have a go ..
..and I would go and watch that..
.I almost thirst for something like that…
"I mean ..what the fornicate are universities for..?….if not the debating of ideas..?"
That horse bolted some time ago, Phillip.
Apparently the student association head at Vic said she was "glad to see the event was postponed and being reformatted."
It's all positively orwellian.
The too-soon..!-file..
This time it's ayesha verral… pontificating on vaping by young people..(!)..
(This on focus on politics on rnz ).
Ahem ..!…teenage vaping increased sixfold in the years labour was in power ..
Your point ..?
We just have to do what Australia has done…make them prescription only…
Nothing else will work…
And will just be an exercise in auto-eroticism…
I fear we have missed that boat. To many of our young are addicted, and addicted bad.
Plus the corner dairy will most probably shut without vapes. Most of the owner I speak to, get between 65%-85% of their cash flow from vapes.
We have dug ourselves a hell of a ugly hole.
I had a period in my life when I was addicted to crack-cocaine..(not 'p'.. cocaine..)
As an addiction it is notable for lots and lots of wasted days and wasted nights..binges for days/nites on end….
..and the obsessive behaviour with the glass-pipe…
..with users overly focussed on the delivery vehicle..and sucking on that pipe like they are trying to suck the life out of it..and clinging onto that pipe.. seemingly for dear life..
The echoes of that past pastime..when watching vapers..is disturbing…
They are giving themselves a lifelong addiction…
And the allowing of this to happen..by the last Govt…is perhaps what historians will view as their greatest failing .
Along the lines of w.t.f. were they thinking..?
It was truly odd move by the last government.
Went to Welly recently and could not believe the amount of vaping I saw. Particularly in those under 25. Plus the smell, it's a really odd smell. Tobacco has a smell, love it or hate it – but it gets moved on by the wind. But a lot of people vaping seems to linger, with that sweet sickly chemically aroma hanging about even in the wind.
That's a very big confession Phillip.
Well done for fighting hard through it and being still here.
Chrs..!
I have always been pretty open about the wild years….
..in part I am an object lesson in how change is possible…junky to vegan pot-smoker..
..the arc is also part of my vegan narrative ..
If I recall it right, you once said you beat heroin addiction via marjjuana and cocaine.
Did the crack cocaine addiction come after that?
We all sort of know nicotine is addictive and from that comes association with the hand and mouth habit and tobacco taste etc.
The last government had a plan to reduce the amount of nicotine in cigarettes. Do you think that would work?
And if so would it possible to provide vapes with lower nicotine levels to ease them off it (and any associated habits)?
And how did you get off crack cocaine addiction?
Hi ..
I just used marijuana when I cold-turkied off heroin…for the last time…
A large bag of very strong weed ..and a large lump of hashish ..
I used cannabis to help me kick alcohol…tobacco..heroin..cocaine..crack cocaine..barbiturates ..
And I got the crack-cocaine habit after the heroin..
This was in parts foreign…and how I kicked it was by going to Jamaica..and hanging with the rastafarians..and smoking lots of weed..
Marijuana is medicine..
And cocaine would be very effective in helping p-addicts to do away with their monkey..
'cos cocaine is easy to kick..so could make the journey to free..so much easier/do-able..
..a stepping stone..over/thru the horrors of meth withdrawals..
..and of course..some pot..
please fix your username.
Ok ..
I have posted two more comments..they have not as yet appeared..
I should add that crack cocaine is much much harder to kick than powdered cocaine ..dunno why that is ..
..but it is the most obsessive of all the addictions I sampled…
This is why I flew to Jamaica…to remove myself from access/opportunity to have what I so desired. .
And re reducing nicotine levels..
..at first look it seems ok..but if it goes too low…then that will create/feed a black market..
And as for banning disposable vapes..this is good in an environmental impact way….but as for putting a dent in smoking levels..?… especially amongst the young ..?..
..yeah .nah..!..eh .?
..the Aussie way is the only way..
All around the country hospital emergency departments are barely functioning and what does this neat benevolent government do? It demands 105 million dollars of saving in the health budget and gives each region a figure of how it is expected to save.
Our health system was held together by paper and straw under Labour but now it is falling apart under National, and what's more – they don't care.
We had better hope there is no huge natural disaster on the scale of Cyclone Gabrielle over the next three years because who would clean up the mess and pay for it?
The NACTZ?
Yeah right. They would expect the communities affected to hold a few gala days and sausage sizzles to pay for it themselves.
Hi Mike the Lefty. Have a listen to this pre-election debate with Paddy Gower – between 34 mins and 44 mins. It covers Luxon's health views [in broad terms] plus a revealing few minutes on racism in NZ. Then compare with what is actually happening:
He comes across as a lying, pompous sociopath and that is what he is proving to be.
Another link:
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/515300/hospitals-asked-to-save-total-of-105-million-by-july-te-whatu-ora-confirms
Yeah… and pigs might fly.
There is a problem with (supply and demand) access to primary health care and loss of any after hours clinics they provide then impacts on A and E in the hospitals.
Not enough doctors, but also loss of nurses to hospitals (better pay and attempt to properly staff wards).
There have been gains in new nurses (local and offshore inflow), offset with the Oz drive to take some their way.
This is exacerbated by an economy dependent on migrant inflow, to offset loss of workers to Oz or to provide stimulus for fools growth.
Christchurch's after hours clinic currently closes at 10pm where it used to be 24 hours. Just another symptom of difficult times.
So the continuation of war in Gaza, and a regional war in the Middle East all to protect a corrupt politician?
It would appear so.
Thousands are dead so far, making it look like our politicians are as corrupt as well.