Open mike 27/08/2019

Written By: - Date published: 7:00 am, August 27th, 2019 - 115 comments
Categories: open mike - Tags:

Open mike is your post.

For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose.

The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy).

Step up to the mike …

115 comments on “Open mike 27/08/2019 ”

  1. Cinny 1

    Good morning 🙂 Check this out…..

    Former trade minister Todd McClay helped arrange $150,000 donation from Chinese racing industry billionaire Lin Lang to National Party

    It's paywalled, but dang…..

    https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12261215

    • Muttonbird 1.1

      This sort of behaviour by the National Party doesn't surprise anyone here, but at the very least it keeps the issue of high corruption by them in front of the voting public.

      I'm sure there will be more to come between now and the election.

    • Rapunzel 1.2

      And with the paywall the heading leaves a lot to the imagination as to who and when this took place.

  2. reuters are reporting that kfc in america are going to sell plant-based wings/nuggets…

    (this is all gonna happen sooner/faster than many expect..)

    • Robert Guyton 2.1

      Rod Slater doesn't side with you, Phillip. In fact, he's published a counter to all you believe smiley

      https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/farming/opinion/115278957/role-of-red-meat-in-a-healthy-diet-is-globally-recognised

      "I'd like to finish with a shout out to the beef and sheep farmers in New Zealand who are quickly criticised, but don't receive the plaudits they deserve.

      This is a group of individuals who have the environment at the heart of what they do, and are farming in a way that is part of the solution. They have reduced their carbon emissions by 30 per cent since 1990 and are on track to being carbon neutral by 2050 – in line with the Paris Agreement.

      This is a group of people who ring-fence soil health, biodiversity, water quality and animal welfare in their commitment towards a better future, and who take almost daily abuse in their stride and continue to do the best they can."

      Rod Slater is CEO of Beef + Lamb New Zealand Inc, Auckland

    • Hooch 2.2

      They’ll have to re-brand as Kentucky Fried Plant Based Food.

    • bwaghorn 2.3

      I would have thought that any vegan would boycott any place that sold meat as well . Because if you think this isnt about more customers rather than selling less chicken you are way thicker than I imagined .

      • phillip ure 2.3.1

        i don't want any of this stuff..

        it isn't for me..i haven't eaten flesh for four decades..don't want/need that..

        it's a form of methadone – for flesh-addicts…

        and i totally agree kfc are just reading what the market wants..

        i don't care how we get there – but less chickens suffering is just fine with me..

        and a further marker on the road to normalisation of what (still) seems to many – impossible..

        it's all good..

        (and i do avoid places where meat is cooking – but i do have to go to the supermarket..)

      • Andre 2.3.2

        It's aimed at people like me. If I'm in the mood for some nasty fast grease, and KFC offer something that's plant-based (or vat-grown) that's of acceptable taste, texture, price and gives me a top-up of stuff like B12 that I usually look to get from the meat I eat, well then I might just go there rather than Booger King.

        • phillip ure 2.3.2.1

          booger king in u.s. are already selling plant-based (beyond meat) burgers..

          so the nz version will be doing it soon enough…

          • phillip ure 2.3.2.1.1

            at the kfc-vegan news..mark richardson got that look in his face like someone has just urinated in his pocket..

            that's always fun to see…

            and garner gets triggered/blusters away – 'cos that's what he does..

            https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/lifestyle/2019/08/kfc-trialling-vegan-beyond-fried-chicken-triggering-meat-fans.html

            • The Al1en 2.3.2.1.1.1

              Loathe to agree with the biggest tool on the block, but he's correct on this. If you want the fried chicken, just eat the clucking chicken.

              • i have this mental picture of you – a few yrs from now..

                sitting in yr electric car/whatever – eating yr plant-based chicken nugget..

                and luvin' it…

                • The Al1en

                  No doubt here that whatever you picture is mental.

                  Electric car I can do, especially if it's a replacement power train for my mk1 MX-5, but fake food when there's no reason not to eat the real thing, that's just stupid.

                  I’d be more impressed if kfc went organic and free range. As it is I use a local butcher who sources local produce for the meat I don’t kill myself. I only ever use a supermarket for mince as eyelids, lips and gonads all taste the same in a cottage pie.

                  • weka

                    "I’d be more impressed if kfc went organic and free range."

                    I'd be extremely impressed. Fake chicken at KFC is probably a good move, given how appalling badly hens are treated. People eating KFC aren't there for the healthy food, but I think the chicken welfare argument is compelling (unlike with something like NZ lamb).

                    Still not convinced on the enviro or CC aspect.

                    • The Al1en

                      For meat eaters, I reckon free range and organic are the way forward through climate change. Local, well reared stock, besides being more flavoursome will, with reduced costs and chemical use, have a meaningful impact on damage to the environment. Win win.

                      My local pak n save only sells free range eggs. A buck more expensive than new world's cage equivalent. There was no customer survey, the decision was just imposed on the consumer. I'm happy to buy them and cut costs elsewhere in a weekly shop. For the saving, I'll buy the cheapest bog roll instead of the luxury brands instead.

                    • weka []

                      very cool of Pak n Save to do that. I’m pretty sceptical of free range labelling so I hope they’ve done due diligence on that, but a good move in the right direction.

                      Local, free range, organic/regenag makes sense to me about meat and probably a lot of dairy. A general rule is those animals will be treated better. Many of us can eat less if we are eating a lot, but many people need animal foods to be healthy.

                  • @ allen..interesting you say you won't kill..

                    ..a week or so ago i saw the results of a survey done in u.s…(don't have link to hand…)

                    ..takeaway from it was that 49% of those surveyed said if they had to kill the animals – they would not eat meat..

                    what are the reasons you won't kill what you eat..?

                    • The Al1en

                      Don't be dopey, dopey, I never said I wouldn't kill an animal to eat it. I've already stated on here a few times how I shoot, skin, gut and eat rabbits. What I said was “I use a local butcher who sources local produce for the meat I don’t kill myself” you know, 'cause farmers don't like you rocking up and shooting their cows, chickens or sheep.

                    • weka []

                      how is your butcher managing that?

                      was just explaining to McFlock the daftness of the current system where a rural farmer has to send the live animals often long distances to be killed, and then the meat can be sent back. We need another class of legislation that allows professional home kill to be sold.

                    • The Al1en

                      My understanding is all his meat comes from local farms. I believed it to be home kill, but if it can't be legally, then it must be via a nearby slaughterhouse. They've been around for years and are known for quality produce and their reputable trading name. The difference between it and supermarket cuts are night and day.

                      Home kill just makes so much sense. Of course there's a need for standards and regs for tracking and safety, and I suspect they will come when the need arises.

                    • The Al1en

                      But with climate change dictating how we live in the future, most work and leisure will probably be local, so with that there will no doubt be a fragmentation of services across the spectrum, devolved to the regional level. Makes sense butchery will be part of that too.

    • Dukeofurl 2.4

      Another opening for GE food like the BK burgers you rave on about

    • McFlock 2.5

      If it gets to decent cuts of meat, is cheaper, better for environment, and (and here is the big bit) is indistinguishable from real meat, I don't give a shit. But that threshold isn't coming anytime soon.

      Nuggets are pureed meat anyway – more like tofu than chicken breast. Dunno how they pretend bone in the meatless "wings", either.

      • gsays 2.5.1

        Rather than pureed, water blasted would be a more accurate description of the preparation of nuggets.

        • phillip ure 2.5.1.1

          sheesh..!..you and mcflock are hardly selling them to me..

          this is what i am (supposedly) missing out on..?

          heh..!

          • McFlock 2.5.1.1.1

            Phil, nuggets and cheap sausages should never be recommended to anyone. They are what one buys when one cannot afford actual food.

            • phillip ure 2.5.1.1.1.1

              yeah…the prospect horrifies..

              ..even back when i ate meat – i never ate that crap..

              ..never eaten one of those nuggets that the allen is so enamoured of..

              they look like mush with breadcrumbs on it…

              like baby-food..

              ..and cheap sausages..?…with the fat bubbling out of them..?

              (shudder..!..)

              (d'ya want bacon with that..?..)

              • The Al1en

                You're clearly obsessed, PU, that's clear to see. Two posts in two days mentioning me for no reason at all. That's an emotional issue you'll have to deal with, but still.

                never eaten one of those nuggets that the allen is so enamoured of

                How about linking to anything which backs up your claim, or admit you lied. Knowingly making false statements on here is surely frowned upon.

              • McFlock

                Fat's not a problem. I wish the cheapest ones had it. But they're just bland, pointless, flavourless tubes with texture similar to cheese or tofu but a tendency to sit in the stomach like lead fishing wieghts.

                • The Al1en

                  The fat – Where the flavour lives.

                  Had them at Mcdonalds, and yeah, pretty pointless food. The best bit was the sweet and sour dipping sauce. Not a patch on a nice, real bit of breast meat.

  3. A 3

    https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-08-26/cash-ban-so-you-pay-the-bank-to-hold-your-money-what-imf-wants/11443646

    Research on what cash bans would do if actually implemented show that they will have no effect on black market economies. Of course not – criminals get around things, normal people suffer and in this case it would be for having money in the bank.

    A recent IMF blog entitled “Cashing In: How to Make Negative Interest Rates Work”, explains its motive in wanting negative interest rates — a situation where instead of receiving money on deposits, depositors must pay regularly to keep their money with the bank.

  4. cleangreen 4

    Martyn Bradbury and Mike King both said it right today;

    https://thedailyblog.co.nz/2019/08/26/suicide-rate-hits-all-time-record-high/

    Matryn said stop vilifying males.

    Mike King was very powerful this morning on Newshub also.

    He should get NZ’der of the year award no fear at all bless him.

    Thank you Mike for saying this to NZ on Newhub and Jacinda;

    Quote; “stop the racial – gender profiling now” – as you are doing more harm than you will ever know; unquote.

    • James 4.1

      Edit:-apology for formatting

      stop the racial – gender profiling now – as you are doing more harm than you will ever know

      And yet so many sexist and racist on here are happy to profile on gender and race – if the person is white and male of course.

      [formatting fixed. I think. Let me know if that’s not right. – weka]

      • Muttonbird 4.1.1

        Did you have a go at formatting and screwed up, then edited and screwed up royally, then just gave up because you couldn't get your puny brain around it?

        It's not dyslexia, you're just not very bright.

        [I can’t see anything in your comment other than abuse, and possibly an attempt to start a flame war. Re-read the Policy and pull your head in please – weka]

      • Molly 4.1.2

        I have already posted on TDB, – so I'll just repost my comment here:

        "Perhaps it has something to do with the limited boundaries we place on males, young and old in New Zealand. We still – via social interactions and national media – subscribe to a restricted set of male attributes as being acceptable. Successful at business, sports, drinking and sexual attractiveness is constantly reinforced. While none of these are bad on their own, they ignore other positive aspects of men that contribute to their own and community wellbeing. Writing, dancing, listening, being involved with community and supporting others, probably a larger proportion of men work in other fields and have other interests than that we are constantly shown.

        I’ve never considered the term “toxic masculinity” to refer to males per se, I’ve always considered it to be the idea that limits the expression of masculinity to a certain number of archetypes, leaving men with a very proscribed set of behaviours and values that they are expected to adher to. It is not good for males or females to restrict options in that way.

        The lack of connection and community between all demographics, does not bode well for good health for individuals, families and the wider society."

        • Rosemary McDonald 4.1.2.1

          We still – via social interactions and national media –

          Almost impossible in these times to avoid. The world is too much with us…in our faces, in our ears, inveigling its way into our minds…difficult to avoid the madding crowd.

          We have been conditioned to compare ourselves with others, to compete, to measure our achievements against the achievements of others.  Am I acceptable? Am I good enough? Do I measure up? Do I have the requisite number of friends on Faceache? Am I 'Liked'?

        • Wensleydale 4.1.2.2

          Observations On How To Be A Man In New Zealand:

          Must like sport – preferably ruggers. Go to games, get half-cut, bellow like an irate elephant seal and generally make a nuisance of yourself. Harass pedestrians with your drunken shenanigans on the walk home. Better yet, drive. Sure, you've had a few, but what sort of man can't operate a motor vehicle after downing a box of Export Gold? Are you a homo or something?

          Must engage in overt displays of "success". Having a flash car is good. Having several is better. Throw money around. Money is the only valid gauge of success. Talk about how much money you have. It's super impressive and women don't find it tedious or off-putting.

          Drink a lot. Getting hammered and vomiting all over yourself is fun and makes you appear incredibly masculine. If you don't drink, you're either a poof or one of those religious weirdos.

          Must remain stoic in the face of even the most traumatic life events. Yeah, your Mum died, but don't cry about it, you big sook.

          Must not discuss feelings. Feelings are for girls and homos. Displays of white-knuckled rage are exempt. Being angry is manly. Crying is not. (If you can't get angry, swearing a lot is an appropriate substitute. Try to use the c-word at least once in every sentence.) If feelings are discussed at all, they must be discussed with other males, at the pub, and only in the most facetious and flippant of terms. Your laughter isn't forced. Really, it's not.

          Lewd comments directed at women are not offensive. They're hilarious and just a bit of harmless 'banter'. Likewise, touching women without their permission. John Key totally got away with it, so if girls don't like it, they're probably militant lesbians who hate men.

          Don't watch rom-coms, read, attend plays or dance. (If you must read, it should be non-fiction and preferably about cars. Or serial killers.) Don't be fruity. Sit in the garage, smear yourself in engine oil and listen to The Rock. Get one of those calenders with boobs on it. Boobs are great.

        • I feel love 4.1.2.3

          Molly, thank you. White male mid 40s here, I've never understood the men that feel under threat whenever someone criticises us, I've accepted it's not bloody personal. I liked your comment very much, thank you.

          • James 4.1.2.3.1

            its not a criticism- is a sweeping generalisation highlighting the personal views of the poster.

            I dont take offence because it’s a laughable post.

            Pity for the poster they must be consistently outraged.

            • phillip ure 4.1.2.3.1.1

              c'mon..!..that is a fair/close description of many nz men…

              maybe not yr urban luvvies – but outside those enclaves..?

              the above rules…!

    • Rosemary McDonald 4.2

      I'm not a telly-watcher but I just invested 18 minutes to watch that particular segment. Thank you very much for the link…more than well worth it and yes, King most certainly presented a powerful message. I did catch the pulling out the earplugs bit during the speech from Our Leader…I do hope she gets over the slight and bleeding well listens.

      From a media critical perspective…very interesting body language from those around the table during the studio discussion with Mike King. Who is the numpty doing the 'arms tightly folded and leaning away from the table' thing? The others were clearly well engaged with King on an arguably sensitive topic….

    • SHG 4.3

      Now compare the media and funding profiles of breast cancer and prostate cancer. Guess which one kills the most people?

  5. greywarshark 5

    Why we should resist being all-wired into a wired community. The idea of having everything in the Cloud comes from people who can make up wonderful songs and images and talk of Cloud 9; people in the theatrical industry and its rich relation Public Relations or PR. Look at them with distrust, they have a 'virus' that will eventually bring us all to ill health.

    From Scoop:

    Passports And IDs Left Online: Privacy Breach On Tuia 250 Aplications

    The Ministry for Culture and Heritage yesterday revealed it had mistakenly exposed the sensitive details of about 300 mostly young people online…

    Technology commentator Paul Spain said while most of the information was gone from the internet, the question was who had accessed it while it was online.

    "This could be a problem for them for months if not years to come because others are now able to impersonate them and they could do all sorts of things when they [can] pretend to be someone else."

  6. Treaty O'Rome 6

    The Most Rev Justin Welby is in talks with a cross-party group of senior MPs to chair a series of public meetings in which alternatives to leaving the EU without an agreement would be put forward.

    [If you can’t make an effort to type in your user name correctly, I can’t be bothered to approve your comments when they’re held in Auto-Moderation because of that. Final warning – Incognito]

  7. Brigid 7

    Some may find this interesting.

    Americans who choose Russia as their home

    Education is very important, and wide. You wont find a physicist who doesn't know poetry or a psychiatrist who doesn't understand engineering.

    All medical treatment is free for Russians and paid parental leave is three years.

  8. Treaty O’Rome 8

    What do you call the level beyond SURREAL?

    The latest Brexit twist is that the Archbishop of Canterbury is going to lead rage search for a No-No-Deal solution.

    God bless us.

    “The Most Rev Justin Welby is in talks with a cross-party group of senior MPs to chair a series of public meetings in which alternatives to leaving the EU without an agreement would be put forward.”

    https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/news/justin-welby-warned-not-to-interfere-with-brexit-rqd86nrhw

  9. Agora 9

    Twitter Sleuths Uncover Anti-Sanders Conspiracy

    https://www.salon.com/2019/08/26/twitter-sleuths-uncover-an-anti-bernie-conspiracy-infuriating-the-pundit-class/

    Weka, does that make one a Twit ?

    • Agora 9.1

      Startling new poll finds that Joe Biden has rapidly lost support among voters under 50. But yes: Small sample size

      https://www.salon.com/2019/08/26/new-poll-finds-biden-sanders-warren-in-three-way-tie-but-is-it-an-outlier/

    • Dukeofurl 9.2

      Fantasists. How you can believe anything based on what is 'uncovered' on Twitter.

      Its US elections , negative stories come by the truckload, did you not notice the Clinton ones ? …plus negative stuff about Trump..it came in mountains

      • phillip ure 9.2.1

        twitter is often first – and by a decent margin – on many stories..

        plus you can make twitter how you want it to be – by choosing to follow whom/whatever you choose..

        for news/commentary/humour it is light yrs ahead of faceache (luv that name – gonna nick/use it..)

        yr dismissal is unfounded..

        • phillip ure 9.2.1.1

          (example of twitter-humour..)

          'I like how Jeff Goldblum gets Jeff Goldblummier with every passing year.

          By the time he’s eighty he’ll just be a small cube of highly condensed quirk, gently vibrating and occasionally making cat sounds'

          (now – that is fucken funny..!..).

  10. logie97 10

    Talking of Polls

    Does anyone here know who is responsible for this one …

    https://www.pundit.co.nz/poll-of-polls

    Apparently it is regularly updated. (last update was 30 May 2017)

  11. swordfish 11

    Jacinda Ardern says drop in popularity natural for Government taking on big issues

    Henry Cooke Aug 27 2019

    Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says losing some of her popularity is the result of taking on serious challenges in Government.

    Ardern's preferred prime ministerial polling dropped two times in the last two Colmar Brunton/One News Surveys, from 51 per cent in April not long after the terror attack to 41 per cent in July.

    https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/115307809/jacinda-ardern-says-drop-in-popularity-natural-for-government-taking-on-big-issues

    Thing is:

    (1) She remains the second most popular PM (after Key & ahead of Clark, Muldoon, Lange, Bolger)

    (2) Both Key & Clark experienced falls in the Preferred PM during their first term

    (though much more so Clark … she fluctuated wildly … plunged from 48% to 35%, then modest revival, then fell again from 38% right down to 30% before another revival. Key higher & steadier,but began to fall after the 13 month mark)

    Comparison

    Colmar Brunton: Preferred PM

    First 12 Months (in chronological order)

    Clark: 43, 48, 46, 41, 35, 38, 36, 34. 30, 37 … (range: 30-48) … (average: 38.8)

    Ardern: 37, 41, 37, 41, 40, 42 … … … … … … …(range: 37-42) … (average: 39.7)

    Key: 51, 51, 51, 50, 54 … … … … … … … … … … (range: 50-54) … (average: 51.4)

    Month 13-21 (in chronological order)

    Clark: 39, 34, 38, 41, 37, 39, 42, 38 … … … (range: 34-42) … (average: 38.5)

    Ardern: 39, 44, 51, 45, 41 … … … … … … … (range: 39-51) … (average: 44.0)

    Key: 49, 48, 46. 45 … … … … … … … … … … (range: 45-49) … (average: 47.0)

    (Note; Latest Colmar Brunton was at the 21 Month mark)

    Clark's average was consistent over those two time periods / Key's average fell 4 points / Ardern's average rose 4 points.

    • Robert Guyton 11.1

      You are James' worst enemysmiley
      Ranking alongside of reason, rationality and logic.

    • Sacha 11.2

      In our political system, 'preferred pm' is a meaningless measure. We do not get to vote for them. Even net favourable might shine more light.

      • swordfish 11.2.1

        Yeah, I was responding to arguments made in the Henry Cooke article.

        Wouldn't call Preferred PM "meaningless" … fluctuations indicate movement in popularity of Leader … which is often (not always, but often), in turn, linked to the popularity / electoral fortunes of their Party.

  12. Poission 12

    Raison d'etre for co founder of extinction rebellion.

    A co-founder of the Extinction Rebellion environmental movement has called for a mass ingestion of psychedelic substances in protest against the criminalisation of drugs….

    “The causes of the crisis are political, economic, legal and cultural systemic issues but underneath that are issues of human trauma, powerlessness, scarcity and separation. The system resides within us and the psychedelic medicines are opportunities to help us shift our consciousness,” she told the conference.

    https://www.newscientist.com/article/2213787-extinction-rebellion-founder-calls-for-mass-psychedelic-disobedience/

    Read more: https://www.newscientist.com/article/2213787-extinction-rebellion-founder-calls-for-mass-psychedelic-disobedience/#ixzz5xla9m1nO

    • Robert Guyton 12.1

      Really, Poission?

      "Bradbrook, a former biophysicist, said it was not Extinction Rebellion’s policy to promote the use of drugs, but they had played a role in her personal journey towards founding the movement."

      She also said,

      "I would support a mass civil disobedience… "

      The co-founder of Extinction Rebellion has not "called for a mass ingestion of psychedelic substances… "

      My bold for clarity.

    • joe90 12.2

      Turn on, tune in, drop out!

      • Poission 12.2.1

        Dinosaur.

        • phillip ure 12.2.1.1

          you haven't had a rip-snorter/w.t.f. acid-blowout..?..there..poisson..?

          (you haven't lived 'till you have seen a melting mountain – and the like – with yr own two eyes..eh..?..)

          maybe it's not for you – but i would recommend a decent dose of mdma for ya/everyone….

          ..helps make people more civilised – i have found..

          helps them take care of their garbage..

          and everyone has garbage they are hauling around – eh poisson..?

      • phillip ure 12.2.2

        done – done – and done…

        • joe90 12.2.2.1

          – and done…and then I realised that I had to make a living..

          • phillip ure 12.2.2.1.1

            i have had issues with wee dr tim – ever since he gave evidence against a bunch of people to save his own arse..

            they went to jail for a long time (for dealing acid..) – dr tim walked away..

            and i walked away from dr tim…

            i think the common term for such a person – is a 'rat'…

    • weka 13.1

      Or has had enough

    • alwyn 13.2

      She has seen the writing on the wall.

      She has no chance of getting another go at being in Cabinet this term and she can see, as all but the most one-eyed Government supporters can, that the result of the next election is going to see National with more seats than Labour and with both NZF and the Greens gone from the House.

      She really cannot face the thought of another nine years in Opposition so is calling it quits. I wonder how many others from her side of the House will follow her example?

      • The Al1en 13.2.1

        Surely the saying goes 'the best way to hide a lie is between two truths' not the truth before two lies.

        • alwyn 13.2.1.1

          "he best way to hide a lie is between two truths"

          That's exactly what I did! Look at the first sentence in para 2. Truth "She has no chance ….." Truth "the result of the next ……" and in between I said "as all but the most ….".

          It turns out that that was in fact a Lie. You and McFlock, surely as hard left a pair of commenters as exists in the blogosphere obviously both see that the current CoL will have gone in about September next year. Congratulations on your perspicacity For the current Government it is going to be So long and thanks for all the fish.

          • McFlock 13.2.1.1.1

            There will be a coalition agreement next year. Whichever parties sign that agreement, it will supplant the current agreement.

            The only hope for National to be a party involved in the new coalition agreement is for Labour to become as friendless in parliament as national habitually is.

            Labour currently has two quite popular friends. National have none. For Labour to lose one friend might happen, and depending on who gets lost and who is looking, this might be merely unfortunate. But for Labour to lose both would be most unfortunate for them indeed.

            Whereas for National to get a 5% friend? That would be fucking miraculous. The conservatives need to overcome their reputation for poetry, while the Tamakis can't even get a party name registered.

      • McFlock 13.2.2

        lols

        Keep telling yourself that.

    • mauī 13.3

      Woohoo, CV for Dunedin South!

  13. A 14

    Yes, the Ihumatao land should be brought back.

    No, the iwi shouldn't pay!!

    https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12262515

    • marty mars 14.1

      I agree

      PM – "They are seeking a by-Māori-for-Māori solution and I am going to respect that process and allow that to occur."

      The government originally took the land from the people – it is up to the government to fix it – by giving the land back.

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    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. ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    18 hours ago
  • Weekly Climate Wrap: The unravelling of the offsets

    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 ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    23 hours ago
  • What makes us tick

    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 ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    24 hours ago
  • Foreshore and seabed 2.0

    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 ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    1 day ago
  • Gordon Campbell on the Royal Commission report into abuse in care

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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