Open mike 27/11/2019

Written By: - Date published: 7:00 am, November 27th, 2019 - 36 comments
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36 comments on “Open mike 27/11/2019 ”

  1. Jenny How to get there 1

    The concentration of carbon dioxide in the Earth’s atmosphere has reached a record level, scientists at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, who conducted readings at the Mauna Loa Observatory in Hawaii revealed.

    The scientists said that the 415.26 parts per million (ppm) recorded over the weekend was the first daily baseline reading coming in over 415 ppm.

    https://www.pmnewsnigeria.com/2019/05/13/carbon-dioxide-level-in-atmosphere-hits-record-high/

    Countries have procrastinated for too long and need to begin making steep cuts to their greenhouse gas emissions immediately, or risk missing agreed targets for limiting global warming, a senior United Nations official said.

    https://www.stuff.co.nz/environment/climate-news/117734106/weve-wasted-too-much-time-warns-un-in-emissions-gap-report

    Not only are Greenhouse gases in the atmosphere breaking all records the rate of increase is accelerating.

    To sign national and international agreements to reach carbon neutrality by such and such a date, if these agreements contain no agreement to make actual cuts in Green house gas emissions they are just 'aspirational', as John Key was once proudly announced about his climate policy.

    When will we start making our immediate ‘steep cuts’ in our greenhouse gas emissions?

    As well as when, where should we start?

    • soddenleaf 1.1

      Co2. Cars. Private motors, overwhelmingly inefficient usage patterns. Just count number of people in a four seater. Trips that could be rebalance by freeing up the corner store. Technology that let's us work from home, can also bring basic goods to the end of the road store. The whole parking lot superstore is already being undercut by individual deliveries, just as co2 burdensome. Yet put a assortment of items in the back of a truck, delivers to the end of the road store, and everyone walks for their daily groceries. Low co2. The west needs to ditch the car cult.

      • Naki man 1.1.1

        Cars are here to stay, They just need to be electric. Groceries would only be more expensive from a corner store and i have helped carry them home in 1970. That would never work now. Many kids won't even bike or catch the bus to school.

  2. Sacha 2

    Community trumps divisiveness, writes former top journo Linda Clark: https://www.newsroom.co.nz/2019/11/27/920665/if-it-sounds-or-looks-like-trump-press-delete

    The Prime Minister talks a lot about the politics of kindness but I prefer the politics of community; where all those who can put their energies into drawing out the connections we have with one another, rather than the differences.

    New Zealand is a cluster of different communities but among and across those communities we can find common ground – if we are prepared to look and listen for it. The non-politicians amongst us do this all the time in our sports groups, our school boards, our fund-raising committees. We don’t agree on everything but we work out ways of working together positively and in ways that maintain community connections.

    Now more than ever, if we want to avoid Trump’s polarising virus, the national conversation needs the same goodwill.

  3. A 3

    Good riddance to another dodgy landlord.

    https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/117733831/landlord-says-cards-stacked-against-her-in-tenancy-tribunal

    The tenants told the tribunal she threatened to terminate their tenancy when they disputed or complained about something.

    "They believed that the termination was issued because they took her to the tribunal, asserted their rights as tenants and she was upset they would not pay an account for electrical damages," the ruling said.

    They also claimed she breached their privacy and quiet enjoyment.

    She had tried to move them to "Hamilton Garden Motel Guest and Landlord Agreement for Short Term Tenants", arguing that they were in temporary accommodation and the Residential Tenancies Act should not apply. They had lived there for between two and five years each.

    Gu said the Tenancy Tribunal would "spoil tenants" and treat landlords unfairly.

    "That's why the housing problem is getting worse and worse."

    She said she was in the process of painting and recarpeting one of her flats with a view to selling it.

    She had approached Housing New Zealand about buying it. The others would be sold over time, she said.

  4. Tony Veitch (not etc.) 4

    I suppose it was inevitable – New Zealand politics descent into the swill of populist appeal.

    After all, it worked for Trump and Morrison.

    Soimun’s ‘tough on gangs’ rhetoric, while being ultimately meaningless, and from evidence in Australia, largely ineffective, appeals to the redneck/blinkered section of the middle class.

    And, in the cosmic scheme of things, in the face of an impending/actual climate crisis of catastrophic proportions, a bloody sad waste of time and energy.

  5. Anne 6

    Tomorrow is the 40th anniversary of the Erebus tragedy. Today's podcast from the Herald's series "Litany of Lies" is about the fall from grace of Justice Peter Mahon.

    https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12286432

    It sums up the entire tragedy of the Erebus affair and one man more than anyone else was responsible for the deep divisions, the loss of careers, the severed lives of innocent people and reputations left in tatters.

    Yes, I'm referring to Robert David Muldoon.

    I sincerely hope this is the story that ultimately comes out of the sad saga – what happened to those people who found themselves caught up in the aftermath through no fault of their own. My story is one of them and some of it would beggar belief, but it's all true.

    • greywarshark 6.1

      I hope you have written what you know down Anne and on someone else's computer, and taken a copy of it. One day it will have a place in a critique of that period of our political regress.

      • Anne 6.1.1

        It's documented grey and in detail.

        • greywarshark 6.1.1.1

          For the future – truth will out eventually.

          I have just listened to a male reporter on Trending now but can find no written details as to whom, talking about the Erebus disaster. He was saying that the phrase 'litany of lies' would never have been said if there had been two or three judges in the commission of enquiry.

          The tenor of his report was that the frank opinion of Judge Mahon would have been suppressed or diluted by others. I suppose that there are many such examples of sliding away from the truth in this country.

          • Anne 6.1.1.1.1

            Justice Peter Mahon was a man of letters – a well read man who had a rhetorical flourish to his style of writing. For him, the phrase "orchestrated litany of lies" would have been a normal form of expression, but to many people – who were less well read and lacked his breadth of knowledge – it would have come across as excessive.

            It was the only part of his report that was challenged. His actual finding of Air NZ culpability was never challenged but the media of the day did not highlight that fact.

            So Mahon ended up dammed by one and all.

          • Karol121 6.1.1.1.2

            Another series of comments today regarding the; "litany of lies" remark used in part summary by the late Justice Peter Mahon is in today's NZ Herald and elsewhere.

            Today, the comments are presented by Judge Gary Harrison, who was heavily involved with the matter at around that time.

            Yes. The deception by Air New Zealand during that era was clearly evident, but with the public having entirely accepted the words of this respected member of the bench (Justice Mahon, that is), so many seemed to form an opinion that the pilots were to have been considered free of blame.

            In fact, all that was really clear from the Royal Commission of Inquiry findings was that Air New Zealand (as a corporate body) had simply contrived to lay the entire blame on the pilots, but unsuccessfully, and where the attempt to do so was a highly inappropriate thing to do.

            Additionally, it was apparent that the company had at the very least, not attempted prevent the destruction of pertinent evidence relating to the event. Again, highly inappropriate conduct.

            Actually, despite public opinion after the inquiry, the pilots were not actually absolved of blame nor culpability, after the standards which should have been applied and maintained at the time were reviewed again.

            But it was certainly evident that the airline had made concerted efforts to "stitch them up". After all, neither of them were in any position to speak on behalf of themselves.

            The pilots and a generous number of others were collectively responsible for the event. No one individual nor group of individuals could reasonably be held responsible for it on their own.

            It was simply a tragic tragedy chain, comprising many human links.

            It would be refreshing if the whole Erebus 901 blame game and finger pointing thing ceased. And the sooner the better.

            The more it is dwelt on, the more likely the heartache and the anguish will remain strong, and even more likely the bitterness will remain present.

            And yes I admit that it is I who am dwelling on it today, yet again, but really only in relation to Judge Harrison's public outpourings and not relating to any matter which he has presided over as a judge.

            And hopefully for me, on this topic, for the last time in any public forum.

      • Exkiwiforces 7.1.1

        I've just finish reading a chapter in a book called "British Generals in Blair's Wars", which is a bit of an eye opener to say the least.

        Anyway back to Basra, after the pom's ended combat operations in the Basra area they into a internal security/ peace stabilisation operation. The British General in charge of the Basra AO got all the major players/ HoD's from the former Iraqi Government for a meeting to get all services back up running and form a central planning committee to oversee with help from varuios specialise British Army Units and imbed members from the Brit TA whose day jobs back in the UK were identical to their jobs in Barsa. With the idea of overseeing the Iraqis bringing back on the services, problem solve, provide training, provide a CoA for the long term IRT funding for rebuilding the services, training etc etc.

        Just as the Pom's were slowly getting their post conflict plan up and running (bear in mind there was no overall Post Conflict Plan prior to the first round going down range, during or to the last round down range from the Yanks. Read this book from Pommy POV and as I said its an eye opener.). This fuckwit of an yank called Bremer decided to sack everyone of the former Iraqi Government from the Top down and everything turned to shit soon afterwards.

        It's probably no wonder Basra is still without its services today because of this fuckwit's decisions and we could still point the fingers at the other 3 muppets who should never be spoken of again.

  6. SPC 8

    I suppose it's only a coincidence that National's law and order policy was presented by the the party leader around the time of the end of year opinion polls …

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rkSFxWARrZY

  7. Gabby 9

    Wonder what fiscal hole Slick's funding his lawn ordure polussy from.

  8. Molly 10

    If anyone plays boardgames with their family, and doesn't understand the appeal of Monopoly, the original version "The Landlord's game" was created by a Quaker woman, Elizabeth G Magie and the story behind the original game is that it could be played with two sets of rules, one that created a society and one that rewarded monopolist capitalism.

    The person who purchased the outdated patent of the original game has produced a reproduction, which is now for sale. (Quite pricey given the additional shipping, but quite a few board games are around $150 NZD.)

  9. greywarshark 11

    In June 2019 there were wildfires in wild uninhabited areas in the far noth of the Northern Hemisphere. We have to plant urgently in NZ and as a world response, just to keep up with what is burning down.

    In June, the fires released an estimated 50 megatonnes of carbon dioxide – the equivalent of Sweden's annual carbon output, according to Cams. https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/world/395357/arctic-ablaze-in-unprecedented-wildfires

    What have the wild animals been able to do? Would they have been able to run away and survive. What would have been left to eat afterwards? In every fire there is destruction of living beings of all sorts, from insects up.

    2019 https://siberiantimes.com/ecology/others/news/massive-wildlife-tragedy-as-bears-and-foxes-flee-taiga-while-smaller-animals-suffocate-in-smoke/

    2019 https://www.greenpeace.org/international/story/23765/russian_wildfires_pictures/

    2019 https://theconversation.com/huge-wildfires-in-the-arctic-and-far-north-send-a-planetary-warning-121167

    2019 https://www.vox.com/2019/8/1/20750200/siberia-wildfire-russia-fire-smoke-trump-putin

    The problems for Siberian tigers in 2001 – https://www.newscientist.com/article/dn1392-forest-fires-threaten-siberian-tigers/

    Yet there are plans to cut down trees in Auckland as a complete project because some deskhound, green or brown, has set a target that sounded right at the time it was thought up. The thinking is another example of last century slow-burn thinking carried forward. Trees should be considered individually. Ideas about natives being planted en masse are only good if they are extra, not the traditional way of clearing all before some new project is implemented.

    • solkta 11.1

      Yet there are plans to cut down trees in Auckland as a complete project because some deskhound, green or brown, has set a target that sounded right at the time it was thought up.

      Stop talking through your arse. The plan has the full support of the Tree Council and Forest and Bird. These are people who are arborists, biosecurity specialists and others who have been doing the mahi on the ground for decades. It is also not a matter of “clearing all” as the majority of trees on the maunga are natives.

  10. Eco maori 12

    Kia Ora 1 News.

    Its good to see that wealthier cheats are getting held accountable for their cheating.

    Any publicity is good publicity to some people.

    Let's hope no one is poisoned from the American chemical factory fire the smoke will be loaded with chemicals.

    Ka kite Ano.

    Ka kite Ano link below

  11. Eco maori 13

    Kia Ora Te Ao Maori News.

    I think that they should keep the Opotiki maternity unit open the Wahine have a long road to get to Whakatane from the Coast .???????.

    Awsome that Purirua the government giving Ngāti Toa whenua to build their Tangata whare Ka pai.

    Great to see that Whangarei is getting government help to build Marae style Whare for the 70 homeless people. A Whare is very important in Tangata Whenua Culture

    Ka pai to the zero waste program being promoted by Tangata Whenua.
    Good that the Auckland Council are taking Kauri Dieback seriously and protecting Tane Mahuta and his mokopuna

    Ka kite Ano

  12. Eco maori 14

    Kia Ora Breakfast.

    I back a system with the lowest carbon footprint to deliver the goods to Aotearoa biggest city Auckland.

    It would be stupid to send the goods to another port and fright it by road or rail back to Auckland. Instead boost fright to Tauranga and up North after all we should be doing everything we can to become more effective and efficient in every aspect of our lives. It's not all about the money people any more.

    Cool that Yellow Birds ethical sestanable fashion clothes for your tohu sustainable products is the new Gold.

    The Judge could read there body language.

    Ka kite Ano

  13. Eco maori 15

    This is great showing Aotearoa that fright can be trucked around on Electric power only this story gives me a sore face.

    ​The truck has been launched with assistance from the Government's Low Emission Vehicles Contestable Fund.

    Watch: Alsco explains how and why a heavy EV makes sense for New Zealand.

    Alsco New Zealand has launched what it claims is the country's first "inter-city heavy EV" truck.

    The company,formerly known as NZTS, serves about 30,000 customers per week cleaning and delivering uniforms/linen and distributing cleaning products.

    Alsco is now running a Hino GH 1828 truck with a fully-EV power system producing a continuous 259kW (372kW maximum) and 1825Nm (3500Nm peak). The range to complete battery depletion is 200km

    The composite design of the truck is by Action Manufacturing and includes a body with extra curves for improved aerodynamics, which it claims saves 5-7 per cent in fuel on any type of truck

    The new truck replaces a diesel vehicle. With calculations based on an average 5.6 tonne load carried over the same 284km route daily, Alsco claims the new plug-in truck will save at least 25,000 litres of diesel and 67,610 kg of CO2 per year.

    The build of the electric truck cost $225,938; with the Contestable Fund grant of $50,126 it was $19,915 extra over an equivalent diesel unit

    With the difference in electricity/diesel cost, less than half the maintenance and no Road User Charges (itself a $34,378 cost for the diesel truck), the capital cost of the EV truck will be recovered in 0.4 years

    Ka kite Ano link below.

    https://i.stuff.co.nz/motoring/EVs/117770655/nzs-first-intercity-ev-truck-is-on-the-road

  14. Eco maori 16

    We just have to look into our past and see what we did in those days and replacate them to minimise our carbon footprint.

    Cut the wrap! UK dairy farm aims to be first to go single-use plastic-free

    Staff at Mossgiel farm hope to promote a more sustainable model of dairy farming, including delivering milk in reusable glass bottles

    Lying in a field of grass among his herd of dairy cows, Ayrshire farmer Bryce Cunningham picks up and pretends to throw away a plastic carton of milk. This is what we want to get rid of on our farm, he says in a promotional video, as he explains his quest to become the UK’s first single-use plastic-free milk producer.

    After raising more than £10,000 from a crowdfunding campaign, he’s managed to replace single-use plastic cartons with 32,000 glass bottles adorned with the face of Robert Burns – who’s said to have once worked on the farmland – which he is able to wash and reuse.

    Ka kite Ano link below.

    https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/nov/28/scottish-dairy-farm-aims-to-become-uks-first-to-go-single-use-plastic-free-mossgiel-ayrshire

  15. Eco maori 17

    Ka pai this will be a model that tangata whenua should copy.

    Tūhoe touts eco status of planned first of 40 co-housing villages

    Charlotte Jones, local democracy reporter

    The Eastern Bay could soon become the epicentre of co-operative housing in New Zealand.

    Tūhoe and a private group of individuals are both looking into building co-operative housing in the region.

    A resource consent application has been lodged on behalf of the Tūhoe Charitable Trust to build a 25-unit eco village at the old Tāneatua railway yard on the corner of Morrison and Station Roads.

    The second group is at a much earlier stage in its housing dream with a meeting planned next week to gauge community interest and progress the idea.

    Tūhoe's proposed eco-village is the first of 40 the iwi wants to build for its people. The village will be similar to Tūhoe's Te Kura Whare which houses its governing body Te Uru Taumatua

    The development and will contain communal gardens and orchards, a communal kitchen and dining area, solar electricity, roof collected rainwater as a water source, onsite botanical wastewater treatment and disposal and encouragement away from heavy reliance on private motor vehicles

    Tūhoe has received written approval from four neighbours to the site while another three have expressed concerns about privacy, construction noise, traffic and whether the eco-village could affect the resale value of their homes

    The council understands the intention is to provide services at the village in an environmentally sustainable manner, including not connecting to existing infrastructure," said Mr Begley.

    Ka kite Ano link below

    https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/ldr/404423/tuhoe-touts-eco-status-of-planned-first-of-40-co-housing-villages

  16. greywarshark 19

    Name suppression. WTF. Haha on us the public that we can't be protected against nasty little termites after their precious.

    7 Aug 2019 The serial fraudster, also known as Joanne Sharp, landed work at the ministry some six years after getting name suppression when she was prosecuted for defrauding Tower Insurance.

    From late 2013, Harrison used fake invoices and bogus contractors to con the transport ministry out of $726,000.

    https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/114732640/10k-rolex-watch-among-assets-seized-from-fraudster-joanne-harrison?rm=a

  17. Eco maori 20

    Kia Ora 1 News.

    Its the new phenomenon buying products made sustainable and ethical.

    Its good to see some Australians getting justice.
    That was a big explosion at that Texas chemicals plant.

    Ka kite Ano

  18. Eco maori 21

    Kia Ora Te Ao Maori News.

    That's a good thing people getting goods donated for Samoa in there time of need.

    Ka pai Heartland for reaching out to help tangata whenua get mahi with the organisation.

    Cool to see tangata whenua getting into the clothing fashion industry.

    Ka pai to the Maori Basket ball player to get into the Basket ball Hall of Fame.

    Ka kite Ano

  19. Eco maori 22

    One point I would like to make is towns and cities sewage system carbon footprint is not included in the data.??????????????

    Climate Change: Everything New Zealand needs to do to get to zero carbon

    Ka kite Ano link below.

    https://i.stuff.co.nz/environment/117587959/climate-change-everything-new-zealand-needs-to-do-to-get-to-zero-carbon

  20. Eco maori 23

    Some Eco Maori Music For The Minute.

    https://youtu.be/9o_jVHmU_V4

  21. Eco maori 24

    Kia Ora 1 News.

    I think that the Maori Council is still got Mana.

    The South land Paparoa and Pike River 29 track looks like a great walk into Aotearoa forest.

    That's good a new drydock may be built in Whangarei.

    Why would a charity burn the Great Rainforest in Brazil that they are trying to protect. These people who think that there lies are going to be believed if they repeated it are not nice at all.

    Ka kite Ano

  22. Eco maori 25

    Kia Ora Te Ao Maori News.

    That's good that people have reported oil pollution going into the Awa we must treat all our Wai as taonga that they are.

    That Awsome the Taramaki Iwi mahi together and celebrateing it to make a better future for their mokopuna kia Ora.

    Ka kite Ano

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    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
  • The Hoon around the week to July 19

    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 ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #29 2024

    Open access notables Improving 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 ...
    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
    16 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
    19 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
    20 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
    22 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
    24 hours ago
  • Experimental vineyard futureproofs wine industry

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Sir Don McKinnon will travel to Viet Nam this week as a Special Envoy of the Government, Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced.    “It is important that the Government give due recognition to the significant contributions that General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong made to New Zealand-Viet Nam relations,” Mr ...
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