Open mike 28/05/2021

Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, May 28th, 2021 - 89 comments
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89 comments on “Open mike 28/05/2021 ”

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  1. Jimmy 1
    28 May 2021 at 7:36 am

    Next we will be arranging stretch limos to bring criminals in to justice.

    Arthur Taylor brokers peaceful rearrest of fugitive using helicopter | Stuff.co.nz

    • Noel 1.1
      28 May 2021 at 9:26 am

      Cheap compared to our legal costs reimbursement during his incarceration. $15000 for one case he took.

    • bwaghorn 1.2
      28 May 2021 at 12:46 pm

      Did you read it . The crime paid for the chopper, he saved us a fortune scrambling allover otago looking for him

  2. Incognito 2
    28 May 2021 at 8:22 am

    It can be a fine line between central coordination and authoritarian bureaucratic control. Done right, it can boost local grassroots initiatives and action and make them more efficient and effective. Done wrong, it can lead to (more) delays, (more) money waste, and unnecessarily antagonise and even kill off participation at ground level [no pun]. It’ll be interesting to see how bureaucratic boffins and Ministry mandarins (mainly in Wellington) deal with this delicate job.

    https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/443534/fears-new-kauri-dieback-funding-will-be-chewed-up-by-bureaucracy

  3. Jimmy 3
    28 May 2021 at 8:38 am

    Good on Mike King for calling out the lack of action by Labour on mental health. I do think he is wrong with the following paragraph though:

    "I know none of this is your fault prime minister"

    The buck stops at the top and she has the power to change things.

    Mike King to return his membership of the New Zealand Order of Merit | Stuff.co.nz

    • Muttonbird 3.1
      28 May 2021 at 8:48 am

      I accept that Mike King works tirelessly on this but is his approach the right one.

      Is it right to fight for mental health improvements with belligerence?

    • Robert Guyton 3.2
      28 May 2021 at 8:48 am

      Mike King, expert in his field is wrong in his gracious view of the prime minister, but the accusatory Jimmy is right?

      Strange days.

      • Pete 3.2.1
        28 May 2021 at 1:07 pm

        King might be right about everything he says. So are those who have problems with Pharmac. And those who are upset with provisions for children with disabilities. And those who are very critical about housing people in motels or those scathing about housing in general. And those in full attack about child poverty.

        Since the buck stops at the top Ardern should resign as well as all ministers for all portfolios involving those areas.

        Where to next from there? A new Prime Minister and a new cabinet will re-prioritise and all the money for all those people who are making pleas about underfunding will be happy?

        Then a cacophony will start from those who've been prioritised off the list about shortfalls, things being dire and the politicians in power being ineffective. Following that will come the inevitable, "the buck stops at the top, the PM (whoever that is) should resign."

    • Noel 3.3
      28 May 2021 at 11:31 am

      Saving the carbon footprint by the on call specialist operating from home instead of travelling to the hospital I guess just doesn't cut it with a patient who has reached their treatment cap just when they need it.

  4. Adrian 4
    28 May 2021 at 8:48 am

    In reply to Incognito. This is the point I was making yesterday about the proliferation of “ unproductive “ jobs, where so called jobs are created that are really a handbrake on productivity. A computer has never planted a tree, but a shit-load more money will have been spent on spreadsheets and planning documents and pretty brochures and pre-planting pissups and coffee clutches so that in the end there is nothing left to do the actual mahi.But look look, we created all these jobs. Bullshit, they are unproductive leeching vampire entities which leave nothing left for the grafter with a shovel.

    • McFlock 4.1
      28 May 2021 at 3:54 pm

      A lot of tree planters would still be in lockdown without computers crunching genomes, helping design vaccines, managing the production and distribution of the vaccines, and monitoring the efficacy and safety of those vaccines.

  5. Incognito 5
    28 May 2021 at 8:52 am

    An excellent piece on what we know about a social unemployment insurance scheme.

    Answer: very little, i.e. next to nothing.

    Fortunately, some have put on their thinking hats and are asking good questions. The general public has to do the same, become informed, and actively engage with and participate in the “wider public consultation later in 2021”. Alternatively, people can sit back, criticise from their comfy musty armchairs and rant from their crusty keyboards; the usual throwing out old clichés, peppering with cheesy slogans, and lashing lazy labels accusing and laying blame with Government and one’s preferred stakeholder(s) AKA BAU.

    https://www.newsroom.co.nz/max-harris-some-questions-about-that-redundancy-insurance-scheme

    • Pat 5.1
      28 May 2021 at 9:14 am

      A good piece (as opposed to Mr Dunne's conflation with health) that notes…

      "There is a need for more support for workers in transition. But as Vanessa Cole highlights, increasing core benefits and restructuring the welfare system is the more obvious answer to this problem – which does not require the design of a new scheme and administration."

      Until such time as the benefit (and to whom) such a scheme bestows then it should be treated with the disdain it deserves.

      • Incognito 5.1.1
        28 May 2021 at 9:31 am

        I skipped Dunne’s piece; life is too short.

        • Phillip ure 5.1.1.1
          29 May 2021 at 5:18 pm

          as an example of the stopped clock being occaisonally right..this one stands..

          dunne makes sense on this one..

          why set up a whole new beaurocracy/complicated system..to foster a two-teir system of support..

          when the same outcome can be achieved..without the inevitable evils/inequities of a two-teir system..by just raising the levels of support offered by the current welfare system..?

          (this is the first time i have ever supported anything dunne has said..)

          • Incognito 5.1.1.1.1
            29 May 2021 at 6:22 pm

            Noted, thanks.

            I don’t choose to read stuff just because they are ‘right’ about something; there’s plenty of stuff that’s ‘right’ about something.

            Of course, Dunne makes sense; he used to be known as ‘Mr common sense’ and he was apparently quite happy and proud of that nickname.

            None of what you mentioned tempted me to read Dunne’s piece though.

      • Treetop 5.1.2
        28 May 2021 at 9:36 am

        Targeted support by Winz could be given to a worker in transition when it comes to mortgage repayments.

        No one wants to see more people straining the rental market or living in a motel.

        • Pat 5.1.2.1
          28 May 2021 at 9:46 am

          As per covid response.

          As far as I can see the main beneficiaries of this scheme are the finance sector….more (publicly provided) revenue to support the markets and a further underwriting of the over exposed residential mortgage books…..and all for a mere (up to) 2% of GDP.

          • Treetop 5.1.2.1.1
            28 May 2021 at 10:25 am

            In Covid times a person is doing well to eat, be housed, have access to health care, be able to find work, (even if it is a fill in job). Swapping the office for an out door job could benefit mental health.

            The situation could be a hell of a lot worse, bodies piling up, minimal access to health care for non Covid related issues, soup kitchens, tent city.

            The thing about Covid is that being wealthly does not exclude a person from having their health compromised by Covid.

            • Pat 5.1.2.1.1.1
              28 May 2021 at 10:30 am

              Think we are at cross purposes….the government dosnt need an ACC modelled unemployment insurance scheme because it can respond as needed as they have during covid should the need arise.

              • greywarshark …
                28 May 2021 at 11:06 am

                Just another layer of sifting and grinding bureaucracy, unneeded and expensive and not cost-efficient, you think Pat?

                • Pat …
                  28 May 2021 at 11:16 am

                  More than that…its objective is not to benefit working NZers at risk of unemployment

                  • greywarshark …
                    28 May 2021 at 11:23 am

                    edit
                    That figures. Everything that is put forward these days is likely to have another agenda. Got to put them all through the Devious Delusion microscope I think – looking for the ‘germs’ of unhealthy ideas (for ordinary people).

              • Sabine …
                28 May 2021 at 12:13 pm

                Actually the country needs an employment benefit that is paid out due to contributions paid in while working, rather then being the 'generous' benefit being based on a partners income and thus nothing is paid out in many cases, it is today.

                And if you actually see on your pay slip the amount of dollars you contribute to the system every week, you might be more inclined to see it as an earned benefit and a right, rather then a generous hand out by a government – any government – that is too little to live on and too much to die of. Which is what we have now.

                Having an unemployment benefit that you get (YOU GET!) wen unemployed and knowing what that amount will be as it is based on your past wage will actually help you navigate the time with no income better then that poverty trap that NZ unemployment and benefit is.

                • Pat …
                  28 May 2021 at 12:28 pm

                  Targeted taxes?

                  There are numerous ways you can structure unemployment assistance but I would suggest that any system needs to be complete…multiple systems and/or inequitable systems are not a desirable position.

                  The problem with any insurance type scheme, be it state run (such as you describe) or private is the time limitation and contestability, however as I have indicated I dont think the current proposal is designed to address unemployment per se in any case.

        • Noel 5.1.2.2
          28 May 2021 at 11:36 am

          Told my boys when the entered the work force when things get tight just make sure the mortgage repayment insurance and income protection is kept up to date.

    • Foreign Waka 5.2
      28 May 2021 at 11:26 am

      It does look like that this is basically a state insurance scheme requiring another layer of tax to be introduced. Maybe like the Acc levy, Social Insurance levy is being deducted after (or before?) the general tax (bracket by income). Kiwi saver is for retirement and thus the social welfare portfolio is basically then completely separated. The one thing that needs to be done with such a move is to anchor this legally that it cant be privatized. Buyer be aware.

      • Treetop 5.2.1
        28 May 2021 at 2:11 pm

        EQC was an insurance rort and it was full of anomalies and some people went through years of arguments with their insurer about the fine print and rebuild/dodgey repair.

        • Foreign Waka 5.2.1.1
          28 May 2021 at 3:20 pm

          Yes, it is disgraceful what unfolded in Christchurch. Mr. Brownlee has a lot to answer for the grief that people had to endure. Admittingly, some were under insured but still, those botch up jobs and forced homelessness was heart breaking to watch. I belief some are still at it. I always felt that Mr. Brownlee worked for the Insurer despite the taxpayer footing his wage bill. He was responsible of getting Fletcher, the only building company in NZ????? sign up and subcontract to cowboy operators. They should be liable and yet again, nothing happens. Corrupt to the core.

  6. Muttonbird 6
    28 May 2021 at 9:40 am

    Standby for a flood of stories like this:

    Covid-19: Kiwi stuck in Melbourne can't get home to see terminally ill mum

    Sad for that man to not be able to get an MIQ spot, but this sort of disruption was explained before the travel bubble opened. One of which is clearly that MIQ spots are not held in reserve for potential lockdowns.

    People were told in no uncertain terms that in the event of a level change either side of the Tasman, you would be inconvenienced. The NZ government spent months of difficult negotiations working on exactly this sort of thing.

    There are clear risks involved with trans-Tasman travel.

    Rules change, deal with it.

    https://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/news/125267271/covid19-kiwi-stuck-in-melbourne-cant-get-home-to-see-terminally-ill-mum

    • alwyn 6.1
      28 May 2021 at 10:20 am

      I would like to see a story with a headline that says Morrison has cancelled his trip to New Zealand.

      Why should he be allowed in without going through quarantine just to give a couple of poseurs a chance to pretend they have Covid 19 on the run while wining and dining at our expense in Queenstown?

      If they want to talk about her wedding plans do it via Skype. He can come and visit after New Zealand has, if ever, got people at serious risk from Covid 19 vaccinated.

      • Red Blooded One 6.1.1
        28 May 2021 at 11:02 am

        I believe Alwyn, that Morrison is flying in from Canberra (ACT), like anyone coming from anywhere else in Australia other than from (VIC).

        Are you suggesting that there shouldn't be a bubble at all? or are you a little confused about Geography?

        I'll treat your snide and petty comments of weddings with the silence and contempt it deserves.

        Had my first Vaccination, waiting for my second, woohoo, thank you NZ for keeping us safe.

        • alwyn 6.1.1.1
          28 May 2021 at 11:49 am

          I presume you are not aware that Morrison was in Melbourne on 20 May? If you were you probably wouldn't make such a silly remark. I'll treat your ignorance with the contempt it deserves.

          Every person now in New Zealand who was there on that day are being told to self-isolate. Wouldn't it be easier for him just not to come.

          Had a first vaccination have you? Where do you live? I have been totally unable to find out when I can expect anything to happen. The DHB tell me that they have no idea and my Doctor hasn't got any news either. I guess you are just lucky, or you know people who know people.

          • Red Blooded One 6.1.1.1.1
            28 May 2021 at 12:31 pm

            And what you neglected to tell us with your question was actually he may not be allowed in, so it was a silly question to start with.

            I live in Northland so yeah I guess I'm lucky. I don't know people anymore than I'm sure you do. I just patiently waited until I heard Chris Hipkins give advice that anyone who can get it should and as the local Vaccination Centre welcomed me with open arms (metaphorically) I was and am very grateful to get the first jab.

            Patience is a virtue my dear friend. Until you get your turn, keep scanning furiously wherever you go (as I'm sure you are) and stay safe.

            • alwyn 6.1.1.1.1.1
              28 May 2021 at 2:03 pm

              Why is it so hard to simply admit that you were not aware of something? You simply have to say so and then take note of the new information.

              You now say " he may not be allowed in, so it was a silly question". The operative word is "may". Were he not to be allowed in I would be quite happy, in exactly the same way as if he chose not to come. We don't know whether that is going to happen though, do we? So it is not a silly question.

              In practice of course we wouldn't ever hear that we weren't going to let him. He would be told but that would be kept very, very quiet. Then we would have a face-saving "I think it best that I do not travel. Although the risk is negligible blah blah blah I have chosen not to make the trip"

          • McFlock 6.1.1.1.2
            28 May 2021 at 4:12 pm

            Quarantine doesn't apply to ACT.

            The order simply says "isolate or quarantine". Then get tested. Then isolate as advised by a medical officer of health.

            So as a one-off, if he returns a negative test and doesn't go hugging crowds, they might say a negative test is fine.

            Maybe he'll delay until next week. Maybe not. But inter-government business is backing up.

      • Drowsy M. Kram 6.1.2
        28 May 2021 at 12:06 pm

        I would like to see a story with a headline that says Morrison has cancelled his trip to New Zealand.

        Agreed alwyn, but how likely is it that Morrison will set a good example at this time?

        Scott Morrison could be in trouble if he comes to NZ as planned – Jennifer Curtin

        Government officials are scrambling to work out how the Australian Prime Minister can visit New Zealand this weekend without having to go into isolation.

        Scott Morrison is scheduled to arrive in New Zealand this Sunday, for a much anticipated two-day visit.

        However, his meeting comes as Melbourne is in lockdown.

        A public health order issued yesterday requires anybody in New Zealand who has been in the Greater Melbourne area since May 20, to self-isolate until they returned a negative Covid-19 test.

        Morrison was in Pakenham, a suburb of Melbourne, for an interview on 20 May.

        University of Auckland Professor of Politics Jennifer Curtin says coming here could be a bad look for Australian voters.

        • alwyn 6.1.2.1
          28 May 2021 at 12:33 pm

          Actually I think it will be a much worse look for the New Zealand Prime Minister.

          What effect do you think it will have if there is a special ruling, just for Morrison, that says he doesn't have to isolate because he's special? That ruling will, of course, have to be given by the New Zealand Government. And that of course he can be trusted not to have Covid 19. Yeah sure.

          • ghostwhowalksnz 6.1.2.1.1
            28 May 2021 at 12:39 pm

            Theres always exemptions for quarantine free travel ( this was only an isolation situation), diplomats , foreign heads of state , breavement and so on.

            • ghostwhowalksnz 6.1.2.1.1.1
              28 May 2021 at 12:48 pm

              Part of the actual wording in the Melbourne restrictions issued 3 days ago

              This direction applies to the following people:

              Any person who attended the locations of interest in Melbourne, Australia at the times and dates (Australia Eastern Standard time), as set out in Schedule 1.

              So its for those who attended the 'locations of interest' in Melbourne or places that are known to be visited by positive covid people. Mossrison was in Packenham will is SE edge of the urban area

              Not the first time 2 bit professors of politics dont do their research

              • alwyn …
                28 May 2021 at 2:31 pm

                I'm afraid you really should have done a little bit more research.

                You are looking at the wrong part of the order. On 27 May the notification was extended to anyone who had been in Greater Melbourne. It was no longer limited to a specified set of locations.

                You aren't going to claim that Morrison wasn't in Greater Melbourne are you? Really, can't you read the things you link to properly?

                Not the first time I suppose.
                The one you quote was at 9.00 am
                The extension was just below it at 4.00 pm

                • Incognito …
                  28 May 2021 at 3:11 pm

                  This direction applies to any person who was in Greater Melbourne as described in Schedule 1 between 20 May 2021 and 25 May 2021.

                  • alwyn …
                    28 May 2021 at 3:39 pm

                    That was the bit. Did you do this by typing it in, or by cut and paste? I couldn't do it by the cut and paste. I don't see why but it wouldn't work for me. I thought it might be because it was a pdf but I didn't have time just then to look further.

                    Being lazy, and out of time, I just typed in the info to identify where to look.

                    • Incognito …
                      28 May 2021 at 4:14 pm

                      You may want to have a look at Schedule 1.

                    • McFlock …
                      28 May 2021 at 4:26 pm

                      shit, I keep forgetting: Always read the fine print when tory concern trolls are concerned.

                      I mean, Morrison might have transited through a restricted suburb to get there, but if he was in a car and didn't stop he should probably get a pass lol

                    • Incognito []
                      28 May 2021 at 4:34 pm

                      I’m not familiar with Melbourne; is Pakenham part of Greater Melbourne as listed in Schedule 1?

                    • Pat …
                      28 May 2021 at 4:37 pm

                      Fraid so…Cardinia

                    • Incognito []
                      28 May 2021 at 4:39 pm

                      Ta

                    • Pat …
                      28 May 2021 at 5:00 pm

                      Just been widened to the whole state…but Morrison and co are still coming. Pre tested.

                    • McFlock …
                      28 May 2021 at 5:19 pm

                      Ah.

                      Okey dokey. So the "no quarantine" still applies. Lucky that.

                    • alwyn …
                      28 May 2021 at 6:44 pm

                      @incognito 4.34 pm

                      Here is a rough map of Greater Melbourne.It has an area of about 10,000 sq km, ie it is enormous. The population is around 4.5 million

                      https://www.travelvictoria.com.au/victoria/metropolitancouncils/

                      As Pat says it is in Cardinia, number 5 on the map. Within that it is about a third of the way across from the Western Boundary and about midway between the Northern and Southern Boundaries.

                    • Muttonbird …
                      28 May 2021 at 10:06 pm

                      Scott Morrison should be quarantining for 14 days if he wants to come here and benefit from the glow of Jacinda Ardern.

                      Or not come at all.

                    • McFlock …
                      28 May 2021 at 10:54 pm

                      Scott Morrison should be quarantining for 14 days if he wants to come here and benefit from the glow of Jacinda Ardern.

                      Well, he's been vaccinated. He'll be tested regardless of whether he comes. All his contacts will be traced, if only for security purposes, so if he tests positive in the next week the response can be highly targeted. If he caught it in a quick visit to an area of 4 million that is still in the low double figures for active cases.

                      If he's just coming for a rugby match and photo op with no additional diplomatic discussions, fair call, he can wait a couple of weeks.

                      But there are bilateral conversations coming to a head (deportees and refugees) and of course the geopolitical problems du jour, and sometimes zoom isn't the best for that sort of thing. Huawei hardware to use a US company’s platform, for a start 🙂

            • mpledger 6.1.2.1.1.2
              28 May 2021 at 4:17 pm

              Diplomats etc have to quarantine – they just quarantine at a separate facility from NZers (IIRC). Bereavement is not an exception.

              • ghostwhowalksnz …
                28 May 2021 at 6:16 pm

                Diplomats dont…. some have voluntarily 'isolated at home'

                List of exceptions here, Diplomats specifically ruled out due to Vienna convention

                'The diplomatic exception, which allows re-entry to those who normally live here, is being expanded to include diplomats taking up new posts in New Zealand.

          • Drowsy M. Kram 6.1.2.1.2
            28 May 2021 at 1:59 pm

            Actually I think it will be a much worse look for the New Zealand Prime Minister.

            'Think', alwyn, or hope? Kia kaha – keep on thinking/hoping laugh

      • Pete 6.1.3
        28 May 2021 at 3:49 pm

        You're probably like me – you can think of 501 reasons he shouldn't come there.

      • Gabby 6.1.4
        28 May 2021 at 5:02 pm

        I'd prefer to see a story that NZ has cancelled his trip.

    • Treetop 6.2
      28 May 2021 at 2:29 pm

      7 days may turn into another 7 days, have people thought about that?

  7. greywarshark 7
    28 May 2021 at 11:08 am

    An interesting little story about history for a break from politics today.

    https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/us-canada-island-dispute

  8. weka 8
    28 May 2021 at 11:14 am

    This more than anything tells me that the no debate part of the trans rights movements is illiberal. If you can’t express solidarity with detrans people, or you seek to minimise or marginalise them and their experiences, I’m going to assume no ability for class analysis. Which is a neoliberal position.

    https://twitter.com/imwatson91/status/1397984035876577282

    • bwaghorn 8.1
      28 May 2021 at 12:53 pm

      Detransitioners???

      • weka 8.1.1
        28 May 2021 at 1:08 pm

        People who medically and/or surgically transitioned to the opposite of their biological sex, and then later reversed that to the extent they are able (some transition tech is permanent). The trans activist response has often been to deny they exists, to minimise, to tell them to shut up as talking about detrans harms trans people and so on.

        many detrans people are lesbians, who transitioned originally due to intense pressure in society that tells young women being female is terrible and wrong. It’s easier to transition to be a trans man than to be out as a lesbian. Much of the gender critical debate is in response to the over medicalisation of gender dysphoria leading to transition that is later regretted. There’s just been a high profile judicial review in the UK that’s ruled that children and teens cannot give consent to some treatments. This case was taken by a young detrans woman.

        • solkta 8.1.1.1
          28 May 2021 at 1:19 pm

          It’s easier to transition to be a trans man than to be out as a lesbian.

          I really don't believe that.

          • Drowsy M. Kram 8.1.1.1.1
            28 May 2021 at 2:45 pm

            It might be helpful to understand the (origins of) views of the increasing number of young females who see transitioning as the preferred option. My concern over this trend is not free from personal bias.

            A selection of relevant links (playing both 'sides'):

            https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irreversible_Damage

            U.S. Sex Reassignment Surgery Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Gender Transition (Male To Female, Female To Male), And Segment Forecasts, 2020 – 2027

            Regret after Gender-affirmation Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Prevalence [March 2021]
            Based on this review, there is an extremely low prevalence of regret in transgender patients after GAS. We believe this study corroborates the improvements made in regard to selection criteria for GAS. However, there is high subjectivity in the assessment of regret and lack of standardized questionnaires, which highlight the importance of developing validated questionnaires in this population.

            https://www.cedars-sinai.org/newsroom/most-gender-dysphoria-established-by-age-7-study-finds/

          • weka 8.1.1.1.2
            28 May 2021 at 6:25 pm

            "I really don't believe that."

            Maybe try listening to detransition lesbians then.

            • arkie 8.1.1.1.2.1
              28 May 2021 at 6:44 pm

              Like Ky Scheevers?

              During my time as a detrans woman, I said and did many things that I now see as harmful and transphobic. At the time, I thought I was acting in accordance with feminism and working in the best interest of transmasculine people. In my mind I was trying to help people, I would never have acted as I did if I thought I was doing harm. Nonetheless, my motivations do not cancel out the harm of my actions, nor do they excuse them.

              https://kyschevers.medium.com/transphobia-in-the-detrans-womens-community-447d68247dcf

              • weka …
                28 May 2021 at 8:41 pm

                Please explain how their experience relates to the pressure on young women to not be female or lesbian.

                • arkie …
                  28 May 2021 at 9:10 pm

                  Schevers identif[ied] as male when she entered college, starting testosterone therapy soon after her mother’s death by suicide, and going off testosterone while still identifying as genderqueer. [She] gav[e] up her genderqueer identity and embrac[ed] the idea that not only her gender dysphoria but all gender dysphoria was false and caused by internalized sexism combined with trauma—an idea that she then did much to advance and proliferate online.

                  Today, however, Schevers has recanted this view.

                  https://slate.com/human-interest/2021/02/detransition-movement-star-ex-gay-explained.html

                  • weka …
                    29 May 2021 at 2:18 pm

                    Not sure what your point is tbh. Did you read the Twitter thread? No one here has said all gender dysphoria is false and it’s not a common option among the detrans people I follow.

                    the example you quote lends to the argument of social culture pressures harming lots of different people.

              • solkta …
                28 May 2021 at 9:11 pm

                He seems to be saying that for him it was the opposite:

                For seven years I lived as a detransitioned woman. I believed that I had transitioned as a way to cope with trauma and internalized sexism, that I had been trying to escape the stigma of being a butch lesbian in a homophobic society. I thought I had to reclaim womanhood in order to heal and find wholeness. I was part of a larger community of detransitioned women and re-identified women, a community heavily influenced by radical feminist and lesbian separatist theory and culture. Together we worked to support each other in healing from “female disidentification” and reconnecting with being women. Many of us shared our stories online, through blogs, videos and other media.

                Now I see my detransition as a kind of anti-trans conversion therapy, grounded in transphobic radical feminist ideology. Like all forms of conversion therapy, it was unsuccessful and deeply damaging. I have indeed been hurt by trauma and living in a sexist, homophobic society but coming to believe that I needed to give up being trans in order to heal those wounds only caused further damage. I can see now that I wasted years of my life trying to fix a part of myself that was never broken and suffering needlessly in the process. Even worse, I fear that I’ve mislead other people into engaging in similar self-destructive practices. I presented myself as a detransition success story but the truth is that detransitioning did not work for me and was an act of self-denial and rejection.

                https://aninjusticemag.com/detransition-as-conversion-therapy-a-survivor-speaks-out-7abd4a9782fa

        • LWilliams 8.1.1.2
          28 May 2021 at 8:26 pm

          Worth a watch for a perspective on ROGD and detransition.

  10. Foreign Waka 10
    28 May 2021 at 11:31 am

    Are banks in difficulties and cannot pay out when needed?

    https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/tsb-bank-freezes-tauranga-pensioners-accounts-to-protect-funds/CLUKDBGEBKRD4R65GY552SF7KA/

    Last week it was Westpac. Is there a need to look closer?

    Banking Ombudsman (women) the team was working closely with the parties to find a resolution before deciding whether to commence a formal investigation. hahahahahahaha… yeah right, what its Tui time again?

  11. georgecom 11
    28 May 2021 at 5:38 pm

    This may be a somewhat naive or clumsy perspective on middle east politics. However I thought maybe Joe Biden should approach the various leaders tied in to the Israel-Palestine issue as basically being assholes. See them as assholes and treat them as assholes and sort things out that way.

    See Netanyahu and others in his administration as a pack of assholes. Tell them to stop shelling Palestine, stop the settlement of Palestinian lands, sort out a deal with Jerusalem and keep their noses out of Iranian affairs. If they act like assholes again and start shelling Gaza then they can kiss good bye to billions of dollars on US military aid, the aid stops if they continue acting like assholes.

    See Hamas leaders as a pack of assholes. Tell them to stop sending rockets into Israel and confirm Israels right to exist without threat of violence. if they want things to get better for the Palestinian people stop acting like assholes.

    See the Iranian leaders as a pack of assholes. tell them to keep their noses out of Israel affair and confirm Israel right to exist without threat of violence. if they want sanctions lifted then stop building nuclear bombs, sign a deal on that and enjoy some better times. if not, continue to act like a pack of assholes.

    • Nic the NZer 11.1
      28 May 2021 at 5:58 pm

      Its already illegal for the US to send AID to a place where its used for attacks on a civilian population. Its also widely understood Israel would back off from the worst attacks were it not receiving this AID.

      • georgecom 11.1.1
        28 May 2021 at 11:04 pm

        so maybe the US needs to grow some and treat Netanyahu like an asshole and cut the military aid. he of course would moan and complain about it but things might chance quite quickly. essentially understand no one is "right" or "wrong". they are all wrong and acting like pricks. continue being pricks and things continue as they are. Act like decent human beings and maybe things have a chance. Yes I realise that is a very simplistic view, I am just sick of them acting like pricks and trying to justify their actions as being righteous or some moral cause. Forget being pro Palestine or pro Israel or anti Israel etc. Take the view that both and all are run by pricks and treat them accordingly. continue being pricks and things continue as they are. Act like decent human beings and maybe things have a chance.

        • Ad 11.1.1.1
          29 May 2021 at 4:55 am

          The quick answer to your proposal is that all current rulers in the Middle East are assholes, and, being assholes, none of them can be trusted not to attack the other. So that's not a very helpful approach to diplomacy.

          Fair enough you are sick of them; me too.

          I'd much rather listen to palaeolithic southern Turkish archaeology.

          • georgecom 11.1.1.1.1
            29 May 2021 at 11:42 am

            no probably not a helpful approach to diplomacy and probably said with a degree of hyperbole on my part. perhaps what prompted my outburst, at least in part, was the seeming lack of condemnation from Biden of Netanyahus actions. Personally I do not have any 'soft spot' for Israel. Nor for Palestine for that matter however. Neither have a monopoly on being right nor wrong, having a 'moral' or 'just' cause. Probably about time Netanyahu went off to jail for corruption and a new Israeli PM took over.

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  • Tobacco First

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  • Trump’s Adopted Son.

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  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Friday, July 19

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  • 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 ...
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    18 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 ...
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    21 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 ...
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    21 hours ago
  • Speech to the Conference for General Practice 2024

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

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

    An experimental vineyard which will help futureproof the wine sector has been opened in Blenheim by Associate Regional Development Minister Mark Patterson. The covered vineyard, based at the New Zealand Wine Centre – Te Pokapū Wāina o Aotearoa, enables controlled environmental conditions. “The research that will be produced at the Experimental ...
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    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 ...
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    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. ...
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  • 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 ...
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    2 days ago
  • Transport Minister thanks outgoing CAA Chair

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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    3 days ago
  • ‘Open banking’ and ‘open electricity’ on the way

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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