Civil rights vs state's rights is binary that has loomed into a global trend due to the pandemic. Here's why it hit the US Supreme Court:
The Court has understood for many decades that the military simply cannot function if its members think orders may be optional.
The Supreme Court on Friday evening decided, no, it was not going to needlessly insert itself in the military chain of command above President Joe Biden.
The Court’s decision in Austin v. U.S. Navy SEALs 1-26 largely halted a lower court order that permitted certain sailors to defy a direct order. A group of Navy special operations personnel sought an exemption from the Pentagon’s requirement that all active duty service members get vaccinated against Covid-19, claiming that they should receive a religious exemption.
Rebel thought seems driven by the belief that moral priorities ought to prevail over state authority. If god operates through our conscience, we could feel he's telling us to do the right thing. Many folk seem to feel that way. When sovereign citizen theory is emcompassed by one's intellect, it can seem to provide an empowerment rationale. Easy to see how many are inclined to conflate the two…
When people living in some region of the world declare that their group has the right to live autonomously, they are saying that they ought to be allowed to govern themselves.
In making this claim, they are, in essence, rejecting the political and legal authority of those not in their group. They are insisting that whatever power these outsiders may have over them, this power is illegitimate; they, and they alone, have the authority to determine and enforce the rules and policies that govern their lives.
So it's when such folk join together that the political rubber hits the road. Not just here in the current focus on co-governance, but in the various independence movements in parts of Ukraine and other countries – the Kurds have been at it for a century with only token autonomy so far, which is all China allows Tibet.
The right of collective self-determination is widely recognised – but tradition retains supremacy to the right of states to dominate everyone. Such statism is increasingly under pressure from citizens feeling the need to rebel.
The fact of three dissenters on that Supreme Court verdict illustrates the point. Those judges seem to be following an authority higher than the state (individual conscience) – even if they haven't spelt that out. The dynamic balance between collective rights shared by groups subordinate to the state and traditional states' rights seems to be becoming increasingly contestable.
Interesting, eh? It instances my points re the global trend & contestability of the balance. My take is that the govt wants the supreme court to assert tradition: that the sovereign right of states is supreme.
I suppose for Labour it's just reassurance that they did the right thing & I'm okay with them getting that result. The fact that a court seems to have discounted state supremacy in favour of some other rationale is intriguing – someone ought to explore the legal ramifications to enlighten us.
The fact that a court seems to have discounted state supremacy in favour of some other rationale is intriguing …
I think you’re over-egging things just a little. IIRC, basically, the Judge no longer judged the justifications for vaccine mandates as valid with Omicron and the same Judge had ruled in favour of mandates previously. This makes for a relevant and interesting point. In any case, I don’t think there’s such a thing as “state supremacy”, neither in legal terms nor in common parlance.
Perhaps I ought to have described it as the sovereignty principle. Exective authority is likewise a traditional framing of the same thing in government.
That's precisely what I meant. It will be interesting to see if the Supreme Court rules accordingly. If it decides the lower court was right to rule against the govt I hope it cites a relevant principle for doing so.
No Court can “discount[..] state supremacy” of NZ Parliament – only NZ Parliament can make or unmake NZ Laws. It just is nonsense. It can rule against the Executive (aka the Government), as you correctly state this time.
I suspect the government is concerned about ongoing claims for compensation and future court cases that may be a lot more expensive than appealing this case.
It does seem as a bit nasty and unnecessary though.
We managed to recognize East Timor. Although a Portugese colony originally, as opposed to a Dutch one, I think that geographically it should really have become part of Indonesia when the Portugese left.
The right of collective self-determination is widely recognised – but tradition retains supremacy to the right of states to dominate everyone. Such statism is increasingly under pressure from citizens feeling the need to rebel.
I don't think God matters quite so much as ethnic, cultural and linguistic differences.
Yes, globally that's my view too. The inner prompt of the deity remains influential in the USA and I mentioned it in relation to the Supreme Court case. One still sees it operating at the top level of the sociopolitical hierarchy there despite it having faded out of contention in most other western democracies.
When Jacinda Ardern, the Queen of the furrowed brow of empathy and leader of a country which has an elite consensus that resolutely refuses to take it's security seriously, says the deal between the Solomon Islands and China is "gravely concerning" then you don't need much imagination to work out what they are saying in Canberra and Washington. And you only need to refer to a map to see why – a map that hasn't changed since 1942.
The strategic considerations that drove the Japanese to occupy the Solomon islands in WW2 was to isolate and neutralise Australia and NZ by cutting communications to the U.S. West Coast. To this end, they built an enormous fortress at Rabaul, set out to occupy the Solomons, and sought to invade and defeat allied forces in New Guinea.
Anyone who thinks the Australians and Americans are of a mind to allow the Chinese to simply saunter into the Solomons and build a naval base with a nice view of Ironbottom Sound so the Chinese can do for free what the Allies prevented the Japanese doing at a huge cost in lives and material and sit astride Australia and the United States strategic communications routes need a big reality check.
I found that thing about the Afghanis stuck in Afghanistan on 60 minutes last night a bit disturbing tbh.
I can't understand what could be preventing the government from getting the rest of those poor people out. Insisting on a visa deadline seems arbitrary and heartless to me.
I think we have an absolute human responsibility to rescue those who have put themselves in danger to protect our troops.
Michele Berdy is American, and a writer & editor at The Moscow Times. She has lived in Moscow since 1978.
Estonia was at the end of a long, ice-covered road — about 800 meters, a half-mile, the guards said. “See those lights way off there? That’s Estonia.”
It is very hard to drag 150 lbs. of luggage across a half-mile of ice in the middle of the night in below 0 temperatures with a dog on a leash.
By stopping every 100 meters and switching hands, I finally made it to the Estonia side. The border guards were very kind. I said I was a journalist and they asked why I was leaving.
On Friday, March 4, the eighth day of the war, the Russian Parliament passed a law on the media. “Fake news” about the war would be punished by up to 15 years in jail. The law’s definition of “fake news” clarified that the war could not be called “a war.” It had to be called a “special military operation.” The terms “invasion” or “aggression” were also prohibited.
Anything that “discredited” the armed forces was illegal, but what “discreditation” consisted of was not specified. Only Russian government and state-media sources could be used by non-state media.
At the newspaper, we reported on the law and expected that it would be signed into effect that night. We didn’t think, however, that it was applicable to Western media like us; The Moscow Times was registered in the Netherlands.
There have been millions driven out of their homes and countries, buildings and bodies bombed to bits but now a truly awful thing has happened. Something supersedes anything that has happened in the world in the past month. Something so unspeakable it has to be spoken about.
Biden called Putin a dictator and “cannot remain in power.” Wow.
Biden called Putin a dictator and “cannot remain in power.” Wow.
He's jealous because his own dictatorship will only last four years, whereas Putin is so popular that his has lasted much longer, and looks as if it will continue for many years to come.
Online videos have emerged, of Ukrainian forces torturing Russian POWs., shooting them in the legs as they haul them out of a van..and killing them outright
For the Bellingcat fans
The excessive cruelty displayed within the movies has garnered condemnation, even from pro-Ukrainian figures. The founding father of the US-government funded Bellingcat “investigative journalism” outlet Eliot Higgins, as an illustration, has described it as “very serious incident” and known as for a “further investigation” of the disturbing imagery.
The material comes from one Maria Dubovikova, an insider of several RT-like state media organs. Higgins naturally wants to geolocate it – his tool of choice for unpicking Putin's manufactured stories.
For those actually concerned with human rights, rather than affirming their credentials as lickspittle lackeys of a murderous totalitarian despot, prisoner interviews are an issue:
Since 27 February, the Ukrainian Ministry of Internal Affairs has shared on social media grisly photos and videos of killed Russian soldiers, soon followed by dozens of videos of prisoners of war under interrogation, sometimes blindfolded or bound, revealing their names and personal information, and expressing regret over their involvement in the invasion. The videos have raised concerns about potential violations of Article 13 Third Geneva Convention, which states that prisoners of war should be protected "against insults and public curiosity. Wikipedia
I think these online videos come from the perpetrators, and may well have been picked up by several different people, the Russians would be the most concerned
.Lets face it Stuart , breaches of the Geneva Convention are not uncommon
As I say, war is ugly, forget about war crimes, war is the crime
And yes, Higgins will be doing his utmost to “prove” it wrong, rather than seriously investigating it
Trouble is, these things have a habit of coming out
These videos are authentic. Ukraine has a big problem, they invited the ICC in to observe Russian atrocities but it appears the ICC are now investigating Ukrainian ones.
Interesting how native Russian speaking Ukrainian soldiers can do this to fellow Russians…..but that's the whole paradox with this war.
Well of course we know you've never forgiven Higgins for proving unequivocally that Russian troops (who ostensibly weren't even in the Donbas) shot down MH17, and you never fail to smear him because no facts support your ill-judged love affair with the world's leading fascist regime.
war is the crime
Quite – but by some curious coincidence, it is always Higgins, or the US, or someone else that you find it necessary to call our attention to. never the routine dishonesty of the Kremlin or the brutality of the Russian invaders.
Why is that Francesca? Why do you have such sympathy for this brutal failed regime? Can't you find a slightly more enlightened entity to be the menkurt servant of?
Because, unlike you, she looks for a balanced view, not a blind one sided one, and besides, you are backing a regime The US which has an even worse maniacal history of deceit and ongoing murder in the form of depleted uranium shells over parts of the world, not forgetting NATO which is a offensive war machine that distributes billions of dollars in weapons irresponsibly in the pursuit of Uncle Sam’s desire of hegemony.
Well of course you have no balance whatsoever, so, like Francesca, your opinion is basically worthless.
The US which has an even worse maniacal history of deceit
Actually no – even with all their many sins, the US is infinitely better than Stalinist Russia – and it is Stalinism that impels Putin to invade Ukraine. Little matters like the right of Ukrainians to self-determination go right over your head.
Well that’s a whole different story, talk about over your head, if you think Putin is Communist, he’s more in tune with Capitalism and cronyism like Western Capitalists. In fact I hope Putin gets tossed out in the next election and it’s possible the second most popular Party by far will be elected, that is of course The real Communist Party, who incidentally, are opposed to Putin’s war. Duh
You are right Stuart…the Ukrainians right to have a corrupt ,non democratic ,crony non performing hierarchy ,'inspired' by the champions of 'freedom and democracy'..is commendable!
I'm sure they, like every one else, deserve a compassionate, generous, benevolent, fair and democratic government, but until the world actually gets one to set an example good enough the rest would be foolish not to follow, sometimes a third or fourth best choice is still better than what's incoming with the missiles.
RT doing this story, assuming it is true, reminds me of an incident in WW1 where German troops committed some war crime or other against civilians. Sure, it was reported in British newspapers, alongside another story which claimed the German government were making sausages from human corpses, or some other soylent green-level rumour.
The actual true incidents only really came to light decades later, because at the time they had been swamped by untrue propaganda.
Basically, I'd expect some level of war crimes against the invading soldiers. They should be investigated and perpetrators prosecuted. Commanders responsible for instigating or ignoring these crimes should be prosecuted.
Just as a just world would see Putin (and, yes, Cheney&GWB too) in the Hague for ordering the invasion in the first place.
Just as a just world would see Putin (and, yes, Cheney&GWB too) in the Hague for ordering the invasion in the first place.
Agreed. Donald Rumsfield as well except that he already died.
Could have issues with Dick Cheney getting to the Hague. I thought he’d already died due to prior health problems. So I looked it up. But he is 81 having had a heart transplant after about 5 heart attacks – first one when he was 37.
Also, occasionally I look up Kissinger on Wikipedia to see if he's in hell yet, and have a momentary "yay" because the first thing in the summary is pattern-recognised as a date range with an end date, but it always turns out to be his years in office.
Of course, we can't approve of that sort of behaviour. But perhaps not surprising given what the Russians have been doing to Maruipol etc. I wouldn't want to be a Russian POW, particularly from the artillery division.
Since perceptions are everything in politics the white house would prefer such high level gaffs as bidens didnt occur ; noone there wants the spectre of regime change memes rising above the already murky waters of their involvement .They,d prefer to speak of " Freedom and Democracy " !!.
The problem is that Biden saying that Putin "cannot remain in power" is likely to make it harder to stop the mayhem and murder in Ukraine, rather than easier. That's because it offers Putin no viable exit from a war he started and seems unlikely to win without a significant escalation of force.
I'd have no problem with Putin being in jail for war crimes – ideally with a bit of overlap with GW Bush and Blair in adjacent cells who should be just about finishing their sentences by now. But fortunately we don't get to exercise our moral outrage at the expense of the Ukrainian people – realpolitik should prevail.
"Oh, you want a debate about co-governance now do you, David Seymour?
Great!
Māori have been waiting 182 years for someone to come forward and negotiate in good faith the promise of the Treaty, and you've self-declared your desire to be the medium for that debate!
Wonderful news!
I applaud your demand to debate co-governance and I relish the opportunity for debate with you David.
I'll debate you anywhere you like David, every Town Hall, RSA, Marae, School Hall, University, Techs, Union Venues, Tea Rooms and knitting circles from Cape Reinga to Stewart Island.
Name the venue David. You want to do in your home electorate of Epsom? How about we do one there, one at my Marae in South Auckland and the third one in Wellington?
Your attempt to paint co-governance out as some type of conspiracy for Māori to take over the country by stealth is an absurdity that is almost Trumpian in its delusional rhetoric David and your race-baiting doesn't intimidate me in the slightest."
You will enjoy this, Robert. Matthew Tukaki is a smooth operator. Couple of clangers in his korero that I'm not even going to waste my time explaining. We both have whanau on Matakana Island…and that's about it.
And then there's the Tupuna Maunga Authority in Auckland, who want to spend 10's of millions of dollars of ratepayers money cutting trees down off public reserves, and tried to get that through without proper consultation. That has cost ratepayers close to $1m in legal fees for Court action the Authority lost.
I'm sure even more are closed after the drenching the Gisborne/Wairoa district has had over the last week or so….. Track maintenance is a constant and ongoing struggle against entropy.
Fighting out of the red corner, by way of South Auckland, Willie ''The Brown Bomber'' JACKSON…jackson!
His opponent in the blue corner, by way of the Epsom Gentlemen's club, Dave '' Star Boy'' SEYMOUR…seymour!
Ladies and Gentlemen, put your hands together for tonight's referee, Mr John Tamihere, and our three officiating judges: Jacinda Ardern, John Minto and Jessica.
The crowd goes wild…. a haka breaks out…someone calls out ''them boys ain't wearing masks.'' Dave asks for a pre fight undie change.
Why pick a side? Gabbard is simply a former representative. I guess she's just an ordinary citizen, with no clout, and I can't see how she'd have something significant and meaningful, answers to offer about the war.
Hannity's just a tv entertainer person isn't he? You'd think he'd get someone on who is current, has status and seems to reflect the American perspective. Say, someone like Marjorie Taylor Greene or Madison Cawthorn
Isn't Hannity one of those prominent people out to make everything in the US look bad since Donald Trump and the Republicans aren't in charge?
Wasnt really about ukraine as much as who had the sanest perspective in other words whos opinion would deliver the best outcome in terms of solutions .
President Putin is sitting in his office when his telephone rings.
"Hello, Mr. Putin!" a heavily accented voice said. "This is Paddy down at the Harp Pub in County Cork, Ireland. I am ringing to inform you that we are officially declaring war on you!"
"Well, Paddy," Putin replied, "This is indeed important news! How big is your army?"
"Right now," says Paddy, after a moment's calculation, "there is meself, me cousin Seán, me next door neighbour Seamus, and the entire darts team from the pub. That makes eight!"
Putin paused. "I must tell you, Paddy, that I have 1,000,000 men in my army waiting to move on my command."
"Begoora!" says Paddy. "I'll have to ring you back."
Sure enough, the next day, Paddy calls again. "Mr. Putin, the war is still on. We have managed to get us some infantry equipment!"
"And what equipment would that be Paddy?" Putin asks.
"Well, we have two combines, a bulldozer, and Murphy's farm tractor."
Putin sighs amused. "I must tell you, Paddy, that I have 60,000 tanks and 50,000 armoured personnel carriers. Also, I have increased my army to 1,500,000 since we last spoke."
"Saints preserve us!" says Paddy. "I'll have to get back to you."
Sure enough, Paddy rings again the next day. "Mr. Putin, the war is still on! We have managed to get ourselves airborne! We have modified Jackie McLaughlin's ultra-light with a couple of shotguns in the cockpit, and four boys from the Shamrock Bar have joined us as well!"
Putin was silent for a minute and then cleared his throat. "I must tell you, Paddy, that I have 1000 bombers and 2000 fighter planes. My military bases are surrounded by laser-guided, surface-to-air missile sites. And since we last spoke, I have increased my army to 2,000,000!"
"Jesus, Mary, and Joseph!" says Paddy, "I will have to ring you back."
Sure enough, Paddy calls again the next day. "Good mornin', Mr. Putin! I am sorry to inform you that we have had to call off the war."
"Really? I am sorry to hear that," says Putin. "Why the sudden change of heart?"
"Well," says Paddy, "we had a long chat over a few pints of Guinness, and we decided there is no way we can feed 2,000,000 prisoners."
So the NZH rates these reports as credible. If they are indeed, some of Putin's underlings will be feeling uneasy right now even if they weren't already. However denial will run rampant for a while so could be some kind of delayed reaction eventually.
One is credited as being from the Telegraph, the other, news.com.au, though for sure both can and will be debunked if all those lost tanks turn up in red square next may day.
I'm dead keen to believe them authentic but history shows both sides do fake news as propaganda in war. Best basis for taking them at face value is multiple-source verification followed by evidence that the Russians are acting as though the reports are factual – by which I mean their military actions (tactical & strategic) contradict the public denials they are likely to issue…
Best basis for taking them at face value is multiple-source verification followed by evidence
Only way to do it, on anything.
their military actions (tactical & strategic) contradict the public denials they are likely to issue
I believe I read somewhere the russian’s announcing a phase one complete memo, though not sure the attrition and losses have done much but sap troop moral.
Time will tell. Longer won’t do those in the Kremlin any favours.
I have to admit I defaulted to the latter when I read it earlier. However, I'm now obliged to suspect the reporter intended the original meaning – as in ensconced.
Where is the mature independent foreign policy that was promised? Just another meaningless slogan! When we could have taken the moral high ground and been party to a resolution, we have been sold out again by gutless war-mongering politicians. As if sending cash to NATO wasn't enough to buy our way in to exacerbating the misery of Ukraine, we are now going to send bodies, which technically says, "We have declared war."
If you read your link carefully, you will notice the Defence Force staff are going to Europe, not Ukraine. Likely they will be observing, and possibly preparing the ground for a relief operation once the aggressors withdraw.
Is Jacinda Ardern's effective dismissal of Labour's chances in Tauranga to be taken at face-value, or is it a sly invitation to Winston Peters to run in a two-horse race against National, in the hope that he will drag the National Party into an uncomfortable quarrel with him without any reflection on Labour, and the outside chance that he might rain on their parade for the umpteenth time? After all, it's not as though talking down Labour's chances is any great revelation, but it's accepted wisdom that talking down your own chances never boosts your fortunes, even if you don't have a hope in Hell.
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David Farrar writes – The Herald reports: TVNZ says it is dealing with about 50 formal complaints over its coverage of the latest 1News-Verian political poll, with some viewers – as well as the Prime Minister and a former senior Labour MP – critical of the tone of the 6pm report. ...
Muriel Newman writes – When Meridian Energy was seeking resource consents for a West Coast hydro dam proposal in 2010, local Maori “strenuously” objected, claiming their mana was inextricably linked to ‘their’ river and could be damaged. After receiving a financial payment from the company, however, the Ngai Tahu ...
Alwyn Poole writes – “An SEP,’ he said, ‘is something that we can’t see, or don’t see, or our brain doesn’t let us see, because we think that it’s somebody else’s problem. That’s what SEP means. Somebody Else’s Problem. The brain just edits it out, it’s like a ...
Our trust in our political institutions is fast eroding, according to a Maxim Institute discussion paper, Shaky Foundations: Why our democracy needs trust. The paper – released today – raises concerns about declining trust in New Zealand’s political institutions and democratic processes, and the role that the overuse of Parliamentary urgency ...
This article was prepared for publication yesterday. More ministerial announcements have been posted on the government’s official website since it was written. We will report on these later today …. Buzz from the BeehiveThere we were, thinking the environment is in trouble, when along came Jones. Shane Jones. ...
New Zealand now has the fourth most depressed construction sector in the world behind China, Qatar and Hong Kong. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy at 8:46am on Thursday, May 2:The Lead: ...
Hi,I am just going to state something very obvious: American police are fucking crazy.That was a photo gracing the New York Times this morning, showing New York City police “entering Columbia University last night after receiving a request from the school.”Apparently in America, protesting the deaths of tens of thousands ...
Winston Peters’ much anticipated foreign policy speech last night was a work of two halves. Much of it was a standard “boilerplate” Foreign Ministry overview of the state of the world. There was some hardening up of rhetoric with talk of “benign” becoming “malign” and old truths giving way to ...
Graham Adams assesses the fallout of the Cass Review — The press release last Thursday from the UN Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls didn’t make the mainstream news in New Zealand but it really should have. The startling title of Reem Alsalem’s statement — “Implementation of ‘Cass ...
This open-for-business, under-new-management cliché-pockmarked government of Christopher Luxon is not the thing of beauty he imagines it to be. It is not the powerful expression of the will of the people that he asserts it to be. It is not a soaring eagle, it is a malodorous vulture. This newest poll should make ...
The latest labour market statistics, showing a rise in unemployment. There are now 134,000 unemployed - 14,000 more than when the National government took office. Which is I guess what happens when the Reserve Bank causes a recession in an effort to Keep Wages Low. The previous government saw a ...
Three opinion polls have been released in the last two days, all showing that the new government is failing to hold their popular support. The usual honeymoon experienced during the first year of a first term government is entirely absent. The political mood is still gloomy and discontented, mainly due ...
National's Finance Minister once met a poor person.A scornful interview with National's finance guru who knows next to nothing about economics or people.There might have been something a bit familiar if that was the headline I’d gone with today. It would of course have been in tribute to the article ...
Rob MacCulloch writes – Throughout the pandemic, the new Vice-Chancellor-of-Otago-University-on-$629,000 per annum-Can-you-believe-it-and-Former-Finance-Minister Grant Robertson repeated the mantra over and over that he saved “lives and livelihoods”.As we update how this claim is faring over the course of time, the facts are increasingly speaking differently. NZ ...
Chris Trotter writes – IT’S A COMMONPLACE of political speeches, especially those delivered in acknowledgement of electoral victory: “We’ll govern for all New Zealanders.” On the face of it, the pledge is a strange one. Why would any political leader govern in ways that advantaged the huge ...
Bryce Edwards writes – The list of former National Party Ministers being given plum and important roles got longer this week with the appointment of former Deputy Prime Minister Paula Bennett as the chair of Pharmac. The Christopher Luxon-led Government has now made key appointments to Bill ...
TL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy at 10:06am on Wednesday, May 1:The Lead: Business confidence fell across the board in April, falling in some areas to levels last seen during the lockdowns because of a collapse in ...
Over the past 36 hours, Christopher Luxon has been dong his best to portray the centre-right’s plummeting poll numbers as a mark of virtue. Allegedly, the negative verdicts are the result of hard economic times, and of a government bravely set out on a perilous rescue mission from which not ...
Auckland Transport have started rolling out new HOP card readers around the network and over the next three months, all of them on buses, at train stations and ferry wharves will be replaced. The change itself is not that remarkable, with the new readers looking similar to what is already ...
Completed reads for April: The Difference Engine, by William Gibson and Bruce Sterling Carnival of Saints, by George Herman The Snow Spider, by Jenny Nimmo Emlyn’s Moon, by Jenny Nimmo The Chestnut Soldier, by Jenny Nimmo Death Comes As the End, by Agatha Christie Lord of the Flies, by ...
On February 14, 2023 we announced our Rebuttal Update Project. This included an ask for feedback about the added "At a glance" section in the updated basic rebuttal versions. This weekly blog post series highlights this new section of one of the updated basic rebuttal versions and serves as a ...
Have a story to share about St Paul’s, but today just picturesPopular novels written at this desk by a young man who managed to bootstrap himself out of father’s imprisonment and his own young life in a workhouse Read more ...
The list of former National Party Ministers being given plum and important roles got longer this week with the appointment of former Deputy Prime Minister Paula Bennett as the chair of Pharmac. The Christopher Luxon-led Government has now made key appointments to Bill English, Simon Bridges, Steven Joyce, Roger Sowry, ...
Newsroom has a story today about National's (fortunately failed) effort to disestablish the newly-created Inspector-General of Defence. The creation of this agency was the key recommendation of the Inquiry into Operation Burnham, and a vital means of restoring credibility and social licence to an agency which had been caught lying ...
Holding On To The Present:The moment a political movement arises that attacks the whole idea of social progress, and announces its intention to wind back the hands of History’s clock, then democracy, along with its unwritten rules, is in mortal danger.IT’S A COMMONPLACE of political speeches, especially those delivered in ...
Stuck In The Middle With You:As Christopher Luxon feels the hot breath of Act’s and NZ First’s extremists on the back of his neck and, as he reckons with the damage their policies are already inflicting upon a country he’s described as “fragile”, is there not some merit in reaching out ...
The unpopular coalition government is currently rushing to repeal section 7AA of the Oranga Tamariki Act. The clause is Oranga Tamariki's Treaty clause, and was inserted after its systematic stealing of Māori children became a public scandal and resulted in physical resistance to further abductions. The clause created clear obligations ...
The Government needs to be clear with the people of the Nelson Marlborough region about the changes it is considering for the Nelson Hospital rebuild, Labour health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall said. ...
Ministers must front up about which projects it will push through under its Fast Track Approvals legislation, Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said today. ...
The Government is again adding to New Zealand’s growing unemployment, this time cutting jobs at the agencies responsible for urban development and growing much needed housing stock. ...
With Minister Karen Chhour indicating in the House today that she either doesn’t know or care about the frontline cuts she’s making to Oranga Tamariki, we risk seeing more and more of our children falling through the cracks. ...
The Labour Party is saddened to learn of the death of Sir Robert Martin, a globally renowned disability advocate who led the way for disability rights both in New Zealand and internationally. ...
Labour is calling for the Government to urgently rethink its coalition commitment to restart live animal exports, Labour animal welfare spokesperson Rachel Boyack said. ...
Today’s Financial Stability Report has once again highlighted that poverty and deep inequality are political choices - and this Government is choosing to make them worse. ...
The Green Party is calling on the Government to do more for our households in most need as unemployment rises and the cost of living crisis endures. ...
Unemployment is on the rise and it’s only going to get worse under this Government, Labour finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds said. Stats NZ figures show the unemployment rate grew to 4.3 percent in the March quarter from 4 percent in the December quarter. “This is the second rise in unemployment ...
The New Zealand Labour Party welcomes the entering into force of the European Union and New Zealand free trade agreement. This agreement opens the door for a huge increase in trade opportunities with a market of 450 million people who are high value discerning consumers of New Zealand goods and ...
The National-led Government continues its fiscal jiggery pokery with its Pharmac announcement today, Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall says. “The government has increased Pharmac funding but conceded it will only make minimal increases in access to medicine”, said Ayesha Verrall “This is far from the bold promises made to fund ...
This afternoon’s interim Waitangi Tribunal report must be taken seriously as it affects our most vulnerable children, Labour children’s spokesperson Willow-Jean Prime. ...
Te Pāti Māori are demanding the New Zealand Government support an international independent investigation into mass graves that have been uncovered at two hospitals on the Gaza strip, following weeks of assault by Israeli troops. Among the 392 bodies that have been recovered, are children and elderly civilians. Many of ...
Our two-tiered system for veterans’ support is out of step with our closest partners, and all parties in Parliament should work together to fix it, Labour veterans’ affairs spokesperson Greg O’Connor said. ...
Stripping two Ministers of their portfolios just six months into the job shows Christopher Luxon’s management style is lacking, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said. ...
Tonight’s court decision to overturn the summons of the Children’s Minister has enabled the Crown to continue making decisions about Māori without evidence, says Te Pāti Māori spokesperson for Children, Mariameno Kapa-Kingi. “The judicial system has this evening told the nation that this government can do whatever they want when ...
It appears Nicola Willis is about to pull the rug out from under the feet of local communities still dealing with the aftermath of last year’s severe weather, and local councils relying on funding to build back from these disasters. ...
The Government is making short-sighted changes to the Resource Management Act (RMA) that will take away environmental protection in favour of short-term profits, Labour’s environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said today. ...
Labour welcomes the release of the report into the North Island weather events and looks forward to working with the Government to ensure that New Zealand is as prepared as it can be for the next natural disaster. ...
The Labour Party has called for the New Zealand Government to recognise Palestine, as a material step towards progressing the two-State solution needed to achieve a lasting peace in the region. ...
Some of our country’s most important work, stopping the sexual exploitation of children and violent extremism could go along with staff on the frontline at ports and airports. ...
The Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill will give projects such as new coal mines a ‘get out of jail free’ card to wreak havoc on the environment, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said today. ...
The government's decision to reintroduce Three Strikes is a destructive and ineffective piece of law-making that will only exacerbate an inherently biased and racist criminal justice system, said Te Pāti Māori Justice Spokesperson, Tākuta Ferris, today. During the time Three Strikes was in place in Aotearoa, Māori and Pasifika received ...
Cuts to frontline hospital staff are not only a broken election promise, it shows the reckless tax cuts have well and truly hit the frontline of the health system, says Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall. ...
The Green Party has joined the call for public submissions on the fast-track legislation to be extended after the Ombudsman forced the Government to release the list of organisations invited to apply just hours before submissions close. ...
New Zealand’s good work at reducing climate emissions for three years in a row will be undone by the National government’s lack of ambition and scrapping programmes that were making a difference, Labour Party climate spokesperson Megan Woods said today. ...
More essential jobs could be on the chopping block, this time Ministry of Education staff on the school lunches team are set to find out whether they're in line to lose their jobs. ...
Te Pāti Māori is disgusted at the confirmation that hundreds are set to lose their jobs at Oranga Tamariki, and the disestablishment of the Treaty Response Unit. “This act of absolute carelessness and out of touch decision making is committing tamariki to state abuse.” Said Te Pāti Māori Oranga Tamariki ...
The Government is considering creating a new tier of minerals permitting that will make it easier for hobby miners to prospect for gold. “New Zealand was built on gold, it’s in our DNA. Our gold deposits, particularly in regions such as Otago and the West Coast have always attracted fortune-hunters. ...
Minister for Trade Todd McClay today announced that New Zealand and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will commence negotiations on a free trade agreement (FTA). Minister McClay met with his counterpart UAE Trade Minister Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi in Dubai, where they announced the launch of negotiations on a ...
New Zealand Sign Language Week is an excellent opportunity for all Kiwis to give the language a go, Disabilities Issues Minister Louise Upston says. This week (May 6 to 12) is New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) Week. The theme is “an Aotearoa where anyone can sign anywhere” and aims to ...
Six tertiary students have been selected to work on NASA projects in the US through a New Zealand Space Scholarship, Space Minister Judith Collins announced today. “This is a fantastic opportunity for these talented students. They will undertake internships at NASA’s Ames Research Center or its Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), where ...
New Zealanders will be safer because of a $1.9 billion investment in more frontline Corrections officers, more support for offenders to turn away from crime, and more prison capacity, Corrections Minister Mark Mitchell says. “Our Government said we would crack down on crime. We promised to restore law and order, ...
The OECD’s latest report on New Zealand reinforces the importance of bringing Government spending under control, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The OECD conducts country surveys every two years to review its members’ economic policies. The 2024 New Zealand survey was presented in Wellington today by OECD Chief Economist Clare Lombardelli. ...
The Government has delivered on its election promise to provide a financially sustainable model for Auckland under its Local Water Done Well plan. The plan, which has been unanimously endorsed by Auckland Council’s Governing Body, will see Aucklanders avoid the previously projected 25.8 per cent water rates increases while retaining ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters discussed the need for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, and enhanced cooperation in the Pacific with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock during her first official visit to New Zealand today. "New Zealand and Germany enjoy shared interests and values, including the rule of law, democracy, respect for the international system ...
The Minister Responsible for RMA Reform, Chris Bishop today released his decision on four recommendations referred to him by the Western Bay of Plenty District Council, opening the door to housing growth in the area. The Council’s Plan Change 92 allows more homes to be built in existing and new ...
Thank you, John McKinnon and the New Zealand China Council for the invitation to speak to you today. Thank you too, all members of the China Council. Your effort has played an essential role in helping to build, shape, and grow a balanced and resilient relationship between our two ...
The Government is modernising insurance law to better protect Kiwis and provide security in the event of a disaster, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly announced today. “These reforms are long overdue. New Zealand’s insurance law is complicated and dated, some of which is more than 100 years old. ...
The coalition Government is refreshing its approach to supporting pay equity claims as time-limited funding for the Pay Equity Taskforce comes to an end, Public Service Minister Nicola Willis says. “Three years ago, the then-government introduced changes to the Equal Pay Act to support pay equity bargaining. The changes were ...
Structured literacy will change the way New Zealand children learn to read - improving achievement and setting students up for success, Education Minister Erica Stanford says. “Being able to read and write is a fundamental life skill that too many young people are missing out on. Recent data shows that ...
Trade Minister Todd McClay says Canada’s refusal to comply in full with a CPTPP trade dispute ruling in our favour over dairy trade is cynical and New Zealand has no intention of backing down. Mr McClay said he has asked for urgent legal advice in respect of our ‘next move’ ...
The rights of our children and young people will be enhanced by changes the coalition Government will make to strengthen oversight of the Oranga Tamariki system, including restoring a single Children’s Commissioner. “The Government is committed to delivering better public services that care for our most at-risk young people and ...
The Government is making it easier for minor changes to be made to a building consent so building a home is easier and more affordable, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “The coalition Government is focused on making it easier and cheaper to build homes so we can ...
New Zealand lost a true legend when internationally renowned disability advocate Sir Robert Martin (KNZM) passed away at his home in Whanganui last night, Disabilities Issues Minister Louise Upston says. “Our Government’s thoughts are with his wife Lynda, family and community, those he has worked with, the disability community in ...
Good evening – Before discussing the challenges and opportunities facing New Zealand’s foreign policy, we’d like to first acknowledge the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs. You have contributed to debates about New Zealand foreign policy over a long period of time, and we thank you for hosting us. ...
From today, passengers travelling internationally from Auckland Airport will be able to keep laptops and liquids in their carry-on bags for security screening thanks to new technology, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Creating a more efficient and seamless travel experience is important for holidaymakers and businesses, enabling faster movement through ...
People with an interest in the health of Northland’s marine ecosystems are invited to a public meeting to discuss how to deal with kina barrens, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones will lead the discussion, which will take place on Friday, 10 May, at Awanui Hotel in ...
Kiwi exporters are $100 million better off today with the NZ EU FTA entering into force says Trade Minister Todd McClay. “This is all part of our plan to grow the economy. New Zealand's prosperity depends on international trade, making up 60 per cent of the country’s total economic activity. ...
There are heartening signs that the extractive sector is once again becoming an attractive prospect for investors and a source of economic prosperity for New Zealand, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The beginnings of a resurgence in extractive industries are apparent in media reports of the sector in the past ...
The return of the historic Ō-Rākau battle site to the descendants of those who fought there moved one step closer today with the first reading of Te Pire mō Ō-Rākau, Te Pae o Maumahara / The Ō-Rākau Remembrance Bill. The Bill will entrust the 9.7-hectare battle site, five kilometres west ...
Energy Minister Simeon Brown has announced 25 new high-speed EV charging hubs along key routes between major urban centres and outlined the Government’s plan to supercharge New Zealand’s EV infrastructure. The hubs will each have several chargers and be capable of charging at least four – and up to 10 ...
The coalition Government will not proceed with the previous Government’s plans to regulate residential property managers, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. “I have written to the Chairperson of the Social Services and Community Committee to inform him that the Government does not intend to support the Residential Property Managers Bill ...
The Government has announced an independent review into the disability support system funded by the Ministry of Disabled People – Whaikaha. Disability Issues Minister Louise Upston says the review will look at what can be done to strengthen the long-term sustainability of Disability Support Services to provide disabled people and ...
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith has attended the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva and outlined the Government’s plan to restore law and order. “Speaking to the United Nations Human Rights Council provided us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while responding to issues and ...
The Government and Rotorua Lakes Council are committed to working closely together to end the use of contracted emergency housing motels in Rotorua. Associate Minister of Housing (Social Housing) Tama Potaka says the Government remains committed to ending the long-term use of contracted emergency housing motels in Rotorua by the ...
Trade Minister Todd McClay heads overseas today for high-level trade talks in the Gulf region, and a key OECD meeting in Paris. Mr McClay will travel to Riyadh to meet with counterparts from Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). “New Zealand’s goods and services exports to the Gulf region ...
Education Minister Erica Stanford has outlined six education priorities to deliver a world-leading education system that sets Kiwi kids up for future success. “I’m putting ambition, achievement and outcomes at the heart of our education system. I want every child to be inspired and engaged in their learning so they ...
The new NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) App is a secure ‘one stop shop’ to provide the services drivers need, Transport Minister Simeon Brown and Digitising Government Minister Judith Collins say. “The NZTA App will enable an easier way for Kiwis to pay for Vehicle Registration and Road User Charges (RUC). ...
Whānau with tamariki growing up in emergency housing motels will be prioritised for social housing starting this week, says Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka. “Giving these whānau a better opportunity to build healthy stable lives for themselves and future generations is an essential part of the Government’s goal of reducing ...
Racing Minister Winston Peters has paid tribute to an icon of the industry with the recent passing of Dave O’Sullivan (OBE). “Our sympathies are with the O’Sullivan family with the sad news of Dave O’Sullivan’s recent passing,” Mr Peters says. “His contribution to racing, initially as a jockey and then ...
Assalaamu alaikum, greetings to you all. Eid Mubarak, everyone! I want to extend my warmest wishes to you and everyone celebrating this joyous occasion. It is a pleasure to be here. I have enjoyed Eid celebrations at Parliament before, but this is my first time joining you as the Minister ...
Associate Health Minister David Seymour has announced Pharmac’s largest ever budget of $6.294 billion over four years, fixing a $1.774 billion fiscal cliff. “Access to medicines is a crucial part of many Kiwis’ lives. We’ve committed to a budget allocation of $1.774 billion over four years so Kiwis are ...
Hon Paula Bennett has been appointed as member and chair of the Pharmac board, Associate Health Minister David Seymour announced today. "Pharmac is a critical part of New Zealand's health system and plays a significant role in ensuring that Kiwis have the best possible access to medicines,” says Mr Seymour. ...
Hundreds of New Zealand families affected by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) will benefit from a new Government focus on prevention and treatment, says Health Minister Dr Shane Reti. “We know FASD is a leading cause of preventable intellectual and neurodevelopmental disability in New Zealand,” Dr Reti says. “Every day, ...
Regional Development Minister Shane Jones today attended the official opening of Kaikohe’s new $14.7 million sports complex. “The completion of the Kaikohe Multi Sports Complex is a fantastic achievement for the Far North,” Mr Jones says. “This facility not only fulfils a long-held dream for local athletes, but also creates ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters’ engagements in Türkiye this week underlined the importance of diplomacy to meet growing global challenges. “Returning to the Gallipoli Peninsula to represent New Zealand at Anzac commemorations was a sombre reminder of the critical importance of diplomacy for de-escalating conflicts and easing tensions,” Mr Peters ...
Ambassador Millar, Burgemeester, Vandepitte, Excellencies, military representatives, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen – good morning and welcome to this sacred Anzac Day dawn service. It is an honour to be here on behalf of the Government and people of New Zealand at Buttes New British Cemetery, Polygon Wood – a deeply ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jane Kelsey, Emeritus Professor of Law, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau Getty Images Resources Minister Shane Jones has reportedly asked officials for advice on whether oil and gas companies could be offered “bonds” as compensation if drilling rights offered by ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kate Gleeson, Associate Professor of Law, Macquarie University Shutterstock The Albanese government is weighing up the costs of delivering an election promise to protect religious people from discrimination in Commonwealth law. Such protections were relatively uncontroversial when included in state anti-discrimination ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Yen Ying Lim, Associate Professor, Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, Monash University Pexels/Andrea Piacquadio Dementia is often described as “the long goodbye”. Although the person is still alive, dementia slowly and irreversibly chips away at their memories and the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Judy Bush, Senior Lecturer in Urban Planning, The University of Melbourne Adam Calaitzis/Shutterstock I met with a friend for a walk beside Merri Creek, in inner Melbourne. She had lived in the area for a few years, and as we walked ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By David Throsby, Distinguished Professor of Economics, Macquarie University Arts companies and individual artists in Australia are supported by government arts agencies, philanthropists, industry bodies, private donors and patrons. However, it is frequently overlooked that a major source of support for the arts ...
Harm Reduction Coalition Aotearoa, a new incorporated society dedicated to ending harmful drug policies, officially launched today, seeks a new fit-for-purpose drug law for Aotearoa New Zealand, rooted in science, experience and evidence. ...
The Corrections Minister admits he "muddied the water" after he and the Prime Minister repeatedly provided incorrect information about a $1.9 billion prison spend-up. ...
It took a post-post-cabinet statement to confirm that 810 new beds will be built at Waikeria, writes Stewart Sowman-Lund in this extract from The Bulletin. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign up here. ...
Lili Tokaduadua was only 15 when she left her family in Fiji to pursue her netball dream in New Zealand. She’d been playing the sport for 10 years and was offered a netball scholarship at Auckland’s Howick College. Now, in her first year out of high school, the 19-year-old defender ...
The beloved local grocers lost a legal challenge to stop a new cycleway outside their store. Joel MacManus reports. In the annals of New Zealand legal history, there are a few brave people who have dared to stand up to the powers that be, no matter how bleak the odds ...
How what we produce and what we eat connects us to the world beyond our shores, visualised. Walking around a supermarket or vege shop, it might be obvious that everything on the shelves came from somewhere. But you might ...
Thirty years on from Rwanda’s genocide, is guilt over the atrocities is blinding the world to the true nature of its current leadership? The post The repressive underside of Rwanda’s regime appeared first on Newsroom. ...
Opinion: Last week, important recommendations for our criminal justice system were made by the international community. Every five years, each member of the United Nations has its human rights practices reviewed. This rolling event – the Universal Periodic Review – is the culmination of a government reporting on its human ...
Highly pathogenic avian influenza – H5N1, or bird flu – has been flying around the world since the late 1990s. New Zealand, Australia and the Pacific Islands are so far free of it, but now it’s been discovered in mainland Antarctica and scientists say it’s only a matter of time ...
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The following interview with auto electrician and former caver Stu Berendt, 68, of Charleston on the West Coast, came about because he was part of the caving team that found the rare and amazing fossil remains of the giant Haast eagle, the subject of one of the year’s best books, ...
A $1.8b funding boost for Pharmac still won’t enable it to buy more drugs, raising questions about the Government’s approach to the agency The post Can Pharmac do more with the same pot of money? appeared first on Newsroom. ...
Professor Jemma Geoghegan, of the University of Otago, Otakou Whakaihu Waka, co-leads a Te Niwha project aimed at understanding how and where avian influenza could affect Aotearoa New Zealand, as the highly infectious H5N1 virus spreads globally. The virus has now spread to all continents except Oceania and was recently ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Eric Stokan, Assistant Professor of Political Science, University of Maryland, Baltimore County If you live in one of the most economically deprived neighborhoods in your city, you might think the government is directing a smaller share of public funds to your community. ...
Wansolwara The news media’s crucial role in climate change and environment journalism was the focus of The University of the South Pacific’s Journalism Programme 2024 World Press Freedom Day celebrations. The European Union Ambassador to the Pacific, Barbara Plinkert, and Pacific Islands Forum Secretary General Henry Puna were the chief ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michael Adams, Professor of Corporate Law & Academic Director of UNE Sydney campus, University of New England Last August, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) launched legal proceedings against Qantas. The consumer watchdog accused the airline of selling thousands of tickets ...
This episode of A View From Afar was recorded LIVE on May 6, 2024 (NZST) which is Sunday evening, May 5, 2024 at 8:30pm (USEST). In an analytical essay titled ‘A moment of friction’ political scientist Dr Paul Buchanan wrote how we are living within a decisive moment ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alison Taylor, Assistant Professor, Bond University Metro Goldwyn Mayer Pictures At the crux of the critical response to Luca Guadagnino’s new movie Challengers is one word: “sexy”. The film charts a love triangle between three up-and-coming tennis players: Tashi (Zendaya), ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jenny Stewart, Professor of Public Policy, ADFA Canberra, UNSW Sydney For years, First Nations people have been telling governments they want to be listened to. In particular, they want more ownership of the programs and services that are supposed to help them. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Gregory Moore, Senior Research Associate, School of Ecosystem and Forest Sciences, The University of Melbourne Why do trees have bark? Julien, age 6, Melbourne. This is a great question, Julien. We are so familiar with bark on trees, that most of us ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Anthony Nasser, Senior Lecturer in Physiotherapy, University of Technology Sydney PeopleImages.com – Yuri A/Shutterstock The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is an important ligament in the knee. It runs from the thigh bone (femur) to the shin bone (tibia) and helps stabilise ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian Beaumont, Election Analyst (Psephologist) at The Conversation; and Honorary Associate, School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne I covered the May 2 United Kingdom local government elections for The Poll Bludger. The Blackpool South parliamentary byelection was also held, ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Deanna Grant-Smith, Professor of Management, University of the Sunshine Coast The federal government has announced a “Commonwealth Prac Payment” to support selected groups of students doing mandatory work placements. Those who are studying to be a teacher, nurse, midwife or social ...
We round up everything coming to streaming services this week, including Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+, Apple TV+, ThreeNow, Neon and TVNZ+. If you love a dark comedy: Bodkin (Netflix, May 9)An English podcaster, an Irish podcaster and American podcaster walk into a pub and…make a TV show? ...
By Eleisha Foon, RNZ Pacific senior journalist A Pacific regionalism academic has called out New Zealand’s Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters for withholding information from the public on AUKUS and says the security deal “raises serious questions for the Pacific region”. Auckland University of Technology academic Dr Marco de Jong ...
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Civil rights vs state's rights is binary that has loomed into a global trend due to the pandemic. Here's why it hit the US Supreme Court:
Rebel thought seems driven by the belief that moral priorities ought to prevail over state authority. If god operates through our conscience, we could feel he's telling us to do the right thing. Many folk seem to feel that way. When sovereign citizen theory is emcompassed by one's intellect, it can seem to provide an empowerment rationale. Easy to see how many are inclined to conflate the two…
https://www.internationalaffairs.org.au/australianoutlook/the-international-blueprint-for-anti-government-extremism-and-the-rise-of-the-sovereign-citizen-movements/
Furthermore, there's a philosophical basis upon which to build: https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/personal-autonomy/
So it's when such folk join together that the political rubber hits the road. Not just here in the current focus on co-governance, but in the various independence movements in parts of Ukraine and other countries – the Kurds have been at it for a century with only token autonomy so far, which is all China allows Tibet.
The right of collective self-determination is widely recognised – but tradition retains supremacy to the right of states to dominate everyone. Such statism is increasingly under pressure from citizens feeling the need to rebel.
The fact of three dissenters on that Supreme Court verdict illustrates the point. Those judges seem to be following an authority higher than the state (individual conscience) – even if they haven't spelt that out. The dynamic balance between collective rights shared by groups subordinate to the state and traditional states' rights seems to be becoming increasingly contestable.
Our own government is doing precisely the opposite.
It is appealing the court decision striking down vaccine mandates for NZDF and NZPolice.
That's despite vaccine mandates ending within days.
Interesting, eh? It instances my points re the global trend & contestability of the balance. My take is that the govt wants the supreme court to assert tradition: that the sovereign right of states is supreme.
I suppose for Labour it's just reassurance that they did the right thing & I'm okay with them getting that result. The fact that a court seems to have discounted state supremacy in favour of some other rationale is intriguing – someone ought to explore the legal ramifications to enlighten us.
I think you’re over-egging things just a little. IIRC, basically, the Judge no longer judged the justifications for vaccine mandates as valid with Omicron and the same Judge had ruled in favour of mandates previously. This makes for a relevant and interesting point. In any case, I don’t think there’s such a thing as “state supremacy”, neither in legal terms nor in common parlance.
state supremacy
Perhaps I ought to have described it as the sovereignty principle. Exective authority is likewise a traditional framing of the same thing in government.
That’s just more sloppy language and loose framing, in my view.
The only supremacy that I’m aware of is that of Parliament as the supreme Lawmaker of this nation, in the context that’s relevant here.
That's precisely what I meant. It will be interesting to see if the Supreme Court rules accordingly. If it decides the lower court was right to rule against the govt I hope it cites a relevant principle for doing so.
No Court can “discount[..] state supremacy” of NZ Parliament – only NZ Parliament can make or unmake NZ Laws. It just is nonsense. It can rule against the Executive (aka the Government), as you correctly state this time.
I’m done here.
I suspect the government is concerned about ongoing claims for compensation and future court cases that may be a lot more expensive than appealing this case.
It does seem as a bit nasty and unnecessary though.
Which is not only hubris, it is an irresponsible use of taxpayers money.
So, you’re back commenting here, as if nothing happened and nothing has changed?
?? I was replying to Ad's comment about the Government appealing the High Court decision.
I just wrote you a final Mod note; check the Replies.
Yes I've just seen it. I have accepted your comments and moved on. My comment above is entirely unrelated.
Ok, thanks for acknowledging and happy commenting.
We managed to recognize East Timor. Although a Portugese colony originally, as opposed to a Dutch one, I think that geographically it should really have become part of Indonesia when the Portugese left.
The right of collective self-determination is widely recognised – but tradition retains supremacy to the right of states to dominate everyone. Such statism is increasingly under pressure from citizens feeling the need to rebel.
I don't think God matters quite so much as ethnic, cultural and linguistic differences.
Yes, globally that's my view too. The inner prompt of the deity remains influential in the USA and I mentioned it in relation to the Supreme Court case. One still sees it operating at the top level of the sociopolitical hierarchy there despite it having faded out of contention in most other western democracies.
When Jacinda Ardern, the Queen of the furrowed brow of empathy and leader of a country which has an elite consensus that resolutely refuses to take it's security seriously, says the deal between the Solomon Islands and China is "gravely concerning" then you don't need much imagination to work out what they are saying in Canberra and Washington. And you only need to refer to a map to see why – a map that hasn't changed since 1942.
The strategic considerations that drove the Japanese to occupy the Solomon islands in WW2 was to isolate and neutralise Australia and NZ by cutting communications to the U.S. West Coast. To this end, they built an enormous fortress at Rabaul, set out to occupy the Solomons, and sought to invade and defeat allied forces in New Guinea.
Anyone who thinks the Australians and Americans are of a mind to allow the Chinese to simply saunter into the Solomons and build a naval base with a nice view of Ironbottom Sound so the Chinese can do for free what the Allies prevented the Japanese doing at a huge cost in lives and material and sit astride Australia and the United States strategic communications routes need a big reality check.
I found that thing about the Afghanis stuck in Afghanistan on 60 minutes last night a bit disturbing tbh.
I can't understand what could be preventing the government from getting the rest of those poor people out. Insisting on a visa deadline seems arbitrary and heartless to me.
I think we have an absolute human responsibility to rescue those who have put themselves in danger to protect our troops.
Here's a useful source of alt Russian views: https://www.themoscowtimes.com/news
Michele Berdy is American, and a writer & editor at The Moscow Times. She has lived in Moscow since 1978.
There have been millions driven out of their homes and countries, buildings and bodies bombed to bits but now a truly awful thing has happened. Something supersedes anything that has happened in the world in the past month. Something so unspeakable it has to be spoken about.
Biden called Putin a dictator and “cannot remain in power.” Wow.
Biden called Putin a dictator and “cannot remain in power.” Wow.
He's jealous because his own dictatorship will only last four years, whereas Putin is so popular that his has lasted much longer, and looks as if it will continue for many years to come.
"whereas Putin is so popular "
ROFL
War is ugly
Online videos have emerged, of Ukrainian forces torturing Russian POWs., shooting them in the legs as they haul them out of a van..and killing them outright
For the Bellingcat fans
https://www.rt.com/russia/552804-moscow-investigates-alleged-footage-of/
The material comes from one Maria Dubovikova, an insider of several RT-like state media organs. Higgins naturally wants to geolocate it – his tool of choice for unpicking Putin's manufactured stories.
For those actually concerned with human rights, rather than affirming their credentials as lickspittle lackeys of a murderous totalitarian despot, prisoner interviews are an issue:
Since 27 February, the Ukrainian Ministry of Internal Affairs has shared on social media grisly photos and videos of killed Russian soldiers, soon followed by dozens of videos of prisoners of war under interrogation, sometimes blindfolded or bound, revealing their names and personal information, and expressing regret over their involvement in the invasion. The videos have raised concerns about potential violations of Article 13 Third Geneva Convention, which states that prisoners of war should be protected "against insults and public curiosity. Wikipedia
I think these online videos come from the perpetrators, and may well have been picked up by several different people, the Russians would be the most concerned
.Lets face it Stuart , breaches of the Geneva Convention are not uncommon
https://www.osce.org/files/f/documents/e/7/233896.pdf
https://www.hrw.org/news/2022/03/16/ukraine-respect-rights-prisoners-war
As I say, war is ugly, forget about war crimes, war is the crime
And yes, Higgins will be doing his utmost to “prove” it wrong, rather than seriously investigating it
Trouble is, these things have a habit of coming out
These videos are authentic. Ukraine has a big problem, they invited the ICC in to observe Russian atrocities but it appears the ICC are now investigating Ukrainian ones.
Interesting how native Russian speaking Ukrainian soldiers can do this to fellow Russians…..but that's the whole paradox with this war.
Well of course we know you've never forgiven Higgins for proving unequivocally that Russian troops (who ostensibly weren't even in the Donbas) shot down MH17, and you never fail to smear him because no facts support your ill-judged love affair with the world's leading fascist regime.
war is the crime
Quite – but by some curious coincidence, it is always Higgins, or the US, or someone else that you find it necessary to call our attention to. never the routine dishonesty of the Kremlin or the brutality of the Russian invaders.
Why is that Francesca? Why do you have such sympathy for this brutal failed regime? Can't you find a slightly more enlightened entity to be the menkurt servant of?
Because, unlike you, she looks for a balanced view, not a blind one sided one, and besides, you are backing a regime The US which has an even worse maniacal history of deceit and ongoing murder in the form of depleted uranium shells over parts of the world, not forgetting NATO which is a offensive war machine that distributes billions of dollars in weapons irresponsibly in the pursuit of Uncle Sam’s desire of hegemony.
Well of course you have no balance whatsoever, so, like Francesca, your opinion is basically worthless.
The US which has an even worse maniacal history of deceit
Actually no – even with all their many sins, the US is infinitely better than Stalinist Russia – and it is Stalinism that impels Putin to invade Ukraine. Little matters like the right of Ukrainians to self-determination go right over your head.
Well that’s a whole different story, talk about over your head, if you think Putin is Communist, he’s more in tune with Capitalism and cronyism like Western Capitalists. In fact I hope Putin gets tossed out in the next election and it’s possible the second most popular Party by far will be elected, that is of course The real Communist Party, who incidentally, are opposed to Putin’s war. Duh
Who the hell said Stalin was communist? He was a totalitarian despot – a leader that rules through fear.
Putin is one of those too.
You are right Stuart…the Ukrainians right to have a corrupt ,non democratic ,crony non performing hierarchy ,'inspired' by the champions of 'freedom and democracy'..is commendable!
I'm sure they, like every one else, deserve a compassionate, generous, benevolent, fair and democratic government, but until the world actually gets one to set an example good enough the rest would be foolish not to follow, sometimes a third or fourth best choice is still better than what's incoming with the missiles.
Touché!
Nevertheless, even our own experience with colonialism teaches us that one's own sons-of-bitches are always preferable to some other outfit's.
RT doing this story, assuming it is true, reminds me of an incident in WW1 where German troops committed some war crime or other against civilians. Sure, it was reported in British newspapers, alongside another story which claimed the German government were making sausages from human corpses, or some other soylent green-level rumour.
The actual true incidents only really came to light decades later, because at the time they had been swamped by untrue propaganda.
Basically, I'd expect some level of war crimes against the invading soldiers. They should be investigated and perpetrators prosecuted. Commanders responsible for instigating or ignoring these crimes should be prosecuted.
Just as a just world would see Putin (and, yes, Cheney&GWB too) in the Hague for ordering the invasion in the first place.
Agreed. Donald Rumsfield as well except that he already died.
Could have issues with Dick Cheney getting to the Hague. I thought he’d already died due to prior health problems. So I looked it up. But he is 81 having had a heart transplant after about 5 heart attacks – first one when he was 37.
Yeah, the "Pinochet slip".
Also, occasionally I look up Kissinger on Wikipedia to see if he's in hell yet, and have a momentary "yay" because the first thing in the summary is pattern-recognised as a date range with an end date, but it always turns out to be his years in office.
Of course, we can't approve of that sort of behaviour. But perhaps not surprising given what the Russians have been doing to Maruipol etc. I wouldn't want to be a Russian POW, particularly from the artillery division.
Since perceptions are everything in politics the white house would prefer such high level gaffs as bidens didnt occur ; noone there wants the spectre of regime change memes rising above the already murky waters of their involvement .They,d prefer to speak of " Freedom and Democracy " !!.
The problem is that Biden saying that Putin "cannot remain in power" is likely to make it harder to stop the mayhem and murder in Ukraine, rather than easier. That's because it offers Putin no viable exit from a war he started and seems unlikely to win without a significant escalation of force.
I'd have no problem with Putin being in jail for war crimes – ideally with a bit of overlap with GW Bush and Blair in adjacent cells who should be just about finishing their sentences by now. But fortunately we don't get to exercise our moral outrage at the expense of the Ukrainian people – realpolitik should prevail.
Willie Jackson
16h ·
"Oh, you want a debate about co-governance now do you, David Seymour?
Great!
Māori have been waiting 182 years for someone to come forward and negotiate in good faith the promise of the Treaty, and you've self-declared your desire to be the medium for that debate!
Wonderful news!
I applaud your demand to debate co-governance and I relish the opportunity for debate with you David.
I'll debate you anywhere you like David, every Town Hall, RSA, Marae, School Hall, University, Techs, Union Venues, Tea Rooms and knitting circles from Cape Reinga to Stewart Island.
Name the venue David. You want to do in your home electorate of Epsom? How about we do one there, one at my Marae in South Auckland and the third one in Wellington?
Your attempt to paint co-governance out as some type of conspiracy for Māori to take over the country by stealth is an absurdity that is almost Trumpian in its delusional rhetoric David and your race-baiting doesn't intimidate me in the slightest."
Read more here: https://www.facebook.com/WillieJacksonLabour
You will enjoy this, Robert. Matthew Tukaki is a smooth operator. Couple of clangers in his korero that I'm not even going to waste my time explaining. We both have whanau on Matakana Island…and that's about it.
Enjoy.
https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/matthew-tukaki-national-maori-authority-chairman-says-theres-nothing-to-be-concerned-about-with-co-governance-arrangements/
Whoops! I forgot the dessert.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/127074685/conservation-minister-backs-thoe-over-lake-waikaremoana-closure-at-odds-over-reopening-date
It's open again now (Feb 14th I think) – so whatever issues DoC and Tuhoe had appear to have been resolved.
Correct, from what I've been told.
However, extrapolate that situation out across the country. That was just a mild disagreement ( confusion)?
Many issues won't be able to be resolved so easily especially around health funding and constitutional considerations.
Oh, I agree. And we have no information (at all) about what DoC had to offer Tuhoe to get the National Park open again. I suspect it was substantial.
And then there's the Tupuna Maunga Authority in Auckland, who want to spend 10's of millions of dollars of ratepayers money cutting trees down off public reserves, and tried to get that through without proper consultation. That has cost ratepayers close to $1m in legal fees for Court action the Authority lost.
I was up there earlier this month.
The unsealed road (Wairoa end) (SH 38) to Aniwanawa is in a pretty bad state.
Tuhoe has prevented this section being sealed, even though Shane Jones was prepared to give Provincial Fund money for it.
https://www.wairoadc.govt.nz/our-council/news/article/324/waikaremoana-community-reaffirms-road-sealing
Quite a few tracks were still closed.
I'm sure even more are closed after the drenching the Gisborne/Wairoa district has had over the last week or so….. Track maintenance is a constant and ongoing struggle against entropy.
Go get 'em Willie
Ladies and Gentlemen!
Fighting out of the red corner, by way of South Auckland, Willie ''The Brown Bomber'' JACKSON…jackson!
His opponent in the blue corner, by way of the Epsom Gentlemen's club, Dave '' Star Boy'' SEYMOUR…seymour!
Ladies and Gentlemen, put your hands together for tonight's referee, Mr John Tamihere, and our three officiating judges: Jacinda Ardern, John Minto and Jessica.
The crowd goes wild…. a haka breaks out…someone calls out ''them boys ain't wearing masks.'' Dave asks for a pre fight undie change.
If only this was all fantasy.
As much chance of Seymour=tit,taking up Willie's challenge as you …voting..Labour.
Seymour would give Willie the Will Smith Oscar Jab.
Seymour is a posturer.
Be like Sweden they said…
/
https://twitter.com/RottenInDenmark/status/1507686173002670091
Pick a Side
Tulsi or Hannity ?
Why pick a side? Gabbard is simply a former representative. I guess she's just an ordinary citizen, with no clout, and I can't see how she'd have something significant and meaningful, answers to offer about the war.
Hannity's just a tv entertainer person isn't he? You'd think he'd get someone on who is current, has status and seems to reflect the American perspective. Say, someone like Marjorie Taylor Greene or Madison Cawthorn
Isn't Hannity one of those prominent people out to make everything in the US look bad since Donald Trump and the Republicans aren't in charge?
Pick a side? I'll go with Ukraine.
Wasnt really about ukraine as much as who had the sanest perspective in other words whos opinion would deliver the best outcome in terms of solutions .
Legendary Stalingrad tank division destroyed
Ukraine has more tanks than what it started with
President Putin is sitting in his office when his telephone rings.
"Hello, Mr. Putin!" a heavily accented voice said. "This is Paddy down at the Harp Pub in County Cork, Ireland. I am ringing to inform you that we are officially declaring war on you!"
"Well, Paddy," Putin replied, "This is indeed important news! How big is your army?"
"Right now," says Paddy, after a moment's calculation, "there is meself, me cousin Seán, me next door neighbour Seamus, and the entire darts team from the pub. That makes eight!"
Putin paused. "I must tell you, Paddy, that I have 1,000,000 men in my army waiting to move on my command."
"Begoora!" says Paddy. "I'll have to ring you back."
Sure enough, the next day, Paddy calls again. "Mr. Putin, the war is still on. We have managed to get us some infantry equipment!"
"And what equipment would that be Paddy?" Putin asks.
"Well, we have two combines, a bulldozer, and Murphy's farm tractor."
Putin sighs amused. "I must tell you, Paddy, that I have 60,000 tanks and 50,000 armoured personnel carriers. Also, I have increased my army to 1,500,000 since we last spoke."
"Saints preserve us!" says Paddy. "I'll have to get back to you."
Sure enough, Paddy rings again the next day. "Mr. Putin, the war is still on! We have managed to get ourselves airborne! We have modified Jackie McLaughlin's ultra-light with a couple of shotguns in the cockpit, and four boys from the Shamrock Bar have joined us as well!"
Putin was silent for a minute and then cleared his throat. "I must tell you, Paddy, that I have 1000 bombers and 2000 fighter planes. My military bases are surrounded by laser-guided, surface-to-air missile sites. And since we last spoke, I have increased my army to 2,000,000!"
"Jesus, Mary, and Joseph!" says Paddy, "I will have to ring you back."
Sure enough, Paddy calls again the next day. "Good mornin', Mr. Putin! I am sorry to inform you that we have had to call off the war."
"Really? I am sorry to hear that," says Putin. "Why the sudden change of heart?"
"Well," says Paddy, "we had a long chat over a few pints of Guinness, and we decided there is no way we can feed 2,000,000 prisoners."
So the NZH rates these reports as credible. If they are indeed, some of Putin's underlings will be feeling uneasy right now even if they weren't already. However denial will run rampant for a while so could be some kind of delayed reaction eventually.
One is credited as being from the Telegraph, the other, news.com.au, though for sure both can and will be debunked if all those lost tanks turn up in red square next may day.
I'm dead keen to believe them authentic but history shows both sides do fake news as propaganda in war. Best basis for taking them at face value is multiple-source verification followed by evidence that the Russians are acting as though the reports are factual – by which I mean their military actions (tactical & strategic) contradict the public denials they are likely to issue…
Only way to do it, on anything.
I believe I read somewhere the russian’s announcing a phase one complete memo, though not sure the attrition and losses have done much but sap troop moral.
Time will tell. Longer won’t do those in the Kremlin any favours.
Great link about the 4th Tank Guards
On Saturday, it was rooted in Trostyanets,
I'm not sure whether to damn the never very high editorial standards of the Herald, or applaud the triumph of kiwi vernacular.
I have to admit I defaulted to the latter when I read it earlier. However, I'm now obliged to suspect the reporter intended the original meaning – as in ensconced.
Maybe it's the ancients wargaming background – but rout as in
is underutilized – except by barbarous New World denizens who mean route.
Here we go again, bending over to take it where it hurts for another US initiated poxy proxy war.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/300551807/live-nz-sending-defence-force-staff-to-help-in-ukraine-conflict-pm-announces
Where is the mature independent foreign policy that was promised? Just another meaningless slogan! When we could have taken the moral high ground and been party to a resolution, we have been sold out again by gutless war-mongering politicians. As if sending cash to NATO wasn't enough to buy our way in to exacerbating the misery of Ukraine, we are now going to send bodies, which technically says, "We have declared war."
If you read your link carefully, you will notice the Defence Force staff are going to Europe, not Ukraine. Likely they will be observing, and possibly preparing the ground for a relief operation once the aggressors withdraw.
Is Jacinda Ardern's effective dismissal of Labour's chances in Tauranga to be taken at face-value, or is it a sly invitation to Winston Peters to run in a two-horse race against National, in the hope that he will drag the National Party into an uncomfortable quarrel with him without any reflection on Labour, and the outside chance that he might rain on their parade for the umpteenth time? After all, it's not as though talking down Labour's chances is any great revelation, but it's accepted wisdom that talking down your own chances never boosts your fortunes, even if you don't have a hope in Hell.