Voters delivered the Left their election victory based on their rediscovery of the power of government to aid society; and to stay in power, they’ll need to continue wielding it. It will be up to all of us to make sure they do it well.
I’m also not a psephologist, but I’m happy to suggest that some (but not many) ardent National voters voted Labour strategically. I’m happy to suggest some (but not many) voters across the entire country voted for a person or a party they profoundly disliked for an elaborate reason, in various combinations. But even waiting on the NZES, I’m willing to say that a lot of communities voted Labour, and for Jacinda Ardern, because they genuinely wanted to do so.
'Westland Mayor Bruce Smith said the Greens' hard-line stance on conservation issues had impacted negatively on the West Coast, or were about to, including the proposed closure of whitebaiting rivers, a general negativity towards mining and the push to protect stewardship land.
He said he believed a lot of Coasters had voted Labour to kick the Greens out.
"If the Government brings in Greens just to keep them handy for next time, there'll be pushback all right." '
'Greymouth mayor Tania Gibson agreed.
"A lot of people voted Labour this time to keep the Greens out and the Government should take note," Mrs Gibson said.'
And needless to say…also maga hat owner Alan Birchfield…included
The preliminary election result for West Coast-Tasman (my electorate too) is consistent with the national result. With twelve!! electorate candidates this election, WCT has more than its fair share of 'alternative' views.
He said he believed a lot of Coasters had voted Labour to kick the Greens out.
That's the trouble with false narratives being seeded so fast – others like him can repeat them without any challenge, including from media who should know better.
Agreed Sacha….the media will find any way it can to attack the Greens. Many on the Right must be livid that the Greens did so wonderfully well despite being written-off, invented scandals levelled at them, attacks on their Wealth Tax etc
More worrying is that just now on RNZ Morning Report the political correspondent seemed sure that only Marama Davidson and James Shaw will be offered ministerial posts outside cabinet.
No places for Genter or Sage. It's almost as though Labour believes the complete rubbish the media is spouting about people voting Labour to keep the Greens out.
Yeah – clever strategy from the Nats and the media. It prompted some tribal Labour voters like myself to party vote Green. We played a role in bouncing the Greens back from political oblivion. We might not have done so if they had played a straight ball. Dickheads.
Genter and Sage are generally recognised as having been competent associate ministers so I think hope they will be allowed to continue in their roles.
He said he believed a lot of Coasters had voted Labour to kick the Greens out.
Everyone's free to believe whatever they like. For example, I believe a lot of Coasters voted Labour because they like that Jacinda Ardern dresses in clothes from NZ fashion designers. That's the great thing about beliefs – no evidence required.
Indeed. I party voted Green, so lots of Nat voters would vote Labour to keep the Greens out, so National would look weak, so they would lose the gun lobby to ACT which would amplify their pro-gun message. Sometimes I have to hug myself at how cunning I am – voting Green in order to support ACT, a cunning plan worthy of Baldrick himself.
I think most voted Labour as a safe haven. The common refrain "They have done well" the unspoken part of that "In spite of…." take your choice of any number of things or people.
National are never going to say, "they voted for Labour because they didn't trust us".
They're never going to say :"they voted for Labour because they trust them" either. Hence the irrational meme highlighted by Hamish Keith's satirical tweet.
I will participate in any such review and try to bring attention onto the misconduct of many media outlets and the misuse of the opposition led covid response committee.
So why was the PM lying to us about border testing before the election?
After all this isnt even disputed as it is in the official records.
[lprent: What she reported according to my recollection was what she (and Bloomfield) had been told and she expressed it exactly that way. That is part of the “official record”. Your statement is maliciously incorrect in that you are stating that she stated something that was incorrect. After all PMs do not physically go around and personally run border testing themselves. They make policy and others then implement and report back to them.
So you are lying through your teeth in your statement. You are also claiming an authority (‘official records’)in bad faith. You didn’t provide a link or any support for your statement. I’d say that you are a simpleminded moronic liar peddling false facts – and quite unsuited to this forum (see the policy).
I’d suggest you try the sewer aka kiwiblog where this kind of stupid lying is not only tolerated, but also encouraged. Come back when you increase in your ability to discriminate between what are substantiated facts and what are merely your opinions – plus being able to clearly express to others which is which. ]
One National grief point has now been laid to rest.
No more will we hear from them that they were gypped as the largest single party being prevented from forming a government.
In the immortal words of Mike Cullen that he never uttered, "We won. You lost. Eat that."
Now the meme is it was an intentional loss to prevent the Greens from forcing their way into power.
If that was the message, how come Collins was saying to two vote National to keep out the Greens eight days out from election day? Don't they listen? Did they mishear Blue for Red?
Well, one thing about the National voter is that they are finely tuned to the nuances of meaning in the words Blue and Red, and not likely to be that stupid as to confuse Collins' message.
Were they instead giving the electoral finger to Collins and National by voting Red? The socialist bogeyman doesn’t work any more. The Greens aren’t that terrifying, either. Fear is a poor substitute for true insight.
Were they saying that we are cool with Labour; they can be trusted; they are in control; they know what they are doing; give me substance over slogans, action over abuse, compassion over greed?
IMO many were simply turned off by Punch N Judy who appeared hell bent on a crusade towards Blinglish's 2002 result. 6 elections later the demographics aren't the same.
Collins couldn't hide her contempt, Gez's conspiracy corner, Woody and Boags DP smear (the whitewash fooled nobody) then cap it all by insulting overweight people.
They got the result their car crash of a campaign merited. Bipartisanship had votes in it but crusher knows best.
In the immortal words of Mike Cullen that he never uttered, "We won. You lost. Eat that."
I'm not really surprised to be told he didn't say that. I didn't think that he was the sort to come out with such honesty, more of a behind-the-scenes wrecking ball on lower income people and the jobs that were there bread-and-butter.
edit
Points I note in this are that Cullen didn't understand the life and limits that ordinary people are constrained by. And also Labour has skated round the edges of committing to the low income people that are their raison d'etre.
The light bulb matters that irritated:
The fact that Europe and America and Australia had either done it already or decided to carry out the policy seemed to assure Labour that we should adopt the same without thought.
The government was sensitive to the charge that it was Nannyish, he says, but the rage over the light-bulb ban seemed "highly irrational". The new bulbs were more efficient, less expensive and more environmentally desirable.
First I have great distaste for us following automatically what other countries are doing, usually western.
Second the reason for many in NZ not wanting all new tech bulbs was because they were more expensive. He is highly irrational saying otherwise. The cost per year for the bulb, and the lower electricity cost its different type produced, show cheapness on an amortised basis. But the cost to buy the bulb at the shop rose about 300% on average. Three bulbs needed (incandescent) @ $1.10 = $3.30 | three new type @ $4.10 each (possibly more) = $12.30.
And he says that he had to accept Sue Bradford's Bill as if they did not have the ability to amend with more effective legislation: The anti-smacking bill was another strange case: even though National ended up voting for it, Labour got all the flak. Cullen says Labour could not have avoided the issue posed by green Sue Bradford's bill. Section 59 of the Crimes Act had led to the acquittal of people who had made quite serious attacks on children. And it fitted Labour policy, so opposing the measure would make people say it had no principles.
Cullen says that Labour needed to deal with the 'acquittal of people who had made quite serious attacks on children'. What's this 'quite' – they were serious attacks even murderous. An Anti-Smacking Bill was not going to stop such attacks. I remember Craig Manukau aged 11 kicked to death by the male in his life for going to a school event, also a list of others*.
Briefly re Craig: …the horrifying truth was that Craig Manukau's father went to a school disco, removed his son, took him home and kicked him to death while his mother turned up the radio to drown out the noise.
Bringing in non-smacking legislation was a statement about the state deploring this and being able to punish it – no biblical buts. But it did not try hard to conquer and overcome the actual violence in people being passed on to children, the vulnerable, and the violent parent syndrome.
…1992, the year District Court Judge Ken Mason released a report saying the Children and Young Persons Service (CYPS) was "dizzied and demoralised".
It found widespread incompetence with staff lacking adequate training. CYPS general manager Robin Wilson said Mason "got it badly wrong", but no one from the department contacted Mason to discuss the report's contents….
If violence meant a period of jail isolation and then a period of workshopping and personal thought; some determined and focussed action one on one with the instigator with jail for the recalcitrants that would have been a good Labour thing to do; instead it is just the neo-lib punitive approach.
What Cullen said. "The fact that Europe and America and Australia had either done it already or decided to do it seemed to be completely irrelevant."
What you extrapolated from what Cullen said. "The fact that Europe and America and Australia had either done it already or decided to carry out the policy seemed to assure Labour that we should adopt the same without thought.
Where's the 'without thought'? Not what he said, greywarshark, not what he said.
Well I have changed the wording slightly as indicated by my 'edit'. And i have seen that adopting overseas policy is a default position in a number of governments. We find policies used overseas and install them here without apparent thought for how they will work here – if there is thought then it is fleeting and dismisses unintended consequences.
You said 'without thought'. Cullen is saying we did as several other countries did, which would have meant he had considered that and the actual actions taken. He is also saying that opponents of what he had done need to consider that his policy had also been considered and enacted by other countries, using that evidence as support for his having done the same.
And a frenzied stabbing from a male incensed that his partner was able to make a life with a job, and so he had to cut her down to size literally. Meanwhile their poor child had to endure this foul stuff, and whatever culture, we have this sour attitude that rises like bile and man becomes vengeful God.
Thirdly, the Government is determined to pass this bill. It was an election commitment. Nine years ago, when Helen Clark was absent on overseas leave, I rose in this House on the second reading of the Employment Contracts Bill and committed the Labour Party to repealing the Employment Contracts Act. And we will repeal the Employment Contracts Act. Eat that! You lost, we won, it goes! It is as simple as that. Therefore, on Monday morning we will—
Maeve Binchy in her wisdom of maturity – good to listen to about how we are and what we can think about the world. Good v Bad and What's the Meaning of Life?
Fox spews Laura Inghram reckons Jacinda Aderns forcing people who don't take compulsory test's in isolation facilities is removing freedoms and is fascist.
Suzanne Evans, a former journalist who hopped from the Conservative Party to the UK Independence Party before ditching politics, regularly shares posts critical of using lockdowns to tackle Covid-19. Yesterday Evans said that "New Zealand now has a fascist government under @jacindaardern. Are you going to act, @amnesty?".
The comment came above a retweet from fellow lockdown-sceptic Bernie Spofforth, who had shared an edited video containing messages from Dr Ashley Bloomfield and Jacinda Ardern about the policy of moving all positive cases to quarantine facilities and enforcing testing.
The video spliced together a press briefing from Bloomfield and a Facebook live video from Ardern and added graphics and memes.
Also, if we live in a fascist state we don't realise it as we have just had an election where 60%+of the people approved of what we have done by voting Green, Labour and even NZF.
This of course makes a stupidity of a claim that the non-fascist National voters, in order to keep out the Greens, voted for a fascist Labour party…….. as preferable.
Since June, lending to investors has tripled and last month banks lent out more than $7.3 billion to house buyers – which is an all-time record.
Sorry Robertson you will have to upset all your mates in financial circles, the tight, closed ones) and set up special rates for just young families and older single people who are wanting a secure home. And it may be that you will need a State Mortgages system, set up through Kiwibank and other NZ owned banks that report to NZ financial entities. Get some steel and show that you're the Right Stuff.
On Te Karere this afternoon I had my first glimpse of ACT Party MP Nicole McKee with her talking.
The item was about the shooting up north, the hi-jacking, kidnapping and whatever else went on.
McKee was described by Newsroom as a 'prominent gun advocate' in a piece 'ACT Party Nicole McKee wants 'commonsense and practicalities' brought back into Government."
So what did she have? Commonsense and practicalities? No, just a redneck.
Her answer is to 'sort the gangs out.' Okay Nicole McKee we've got plenty of land up here, how about building us another couple of prisons and we can sort the gangs out by picking them up and locking them away? How about 'moving the economy,' generating economic activity by importing personnel from overseas to staff those jails?
We need ambulances at the bottom of cliffs as much as we need another useless MP who cannot see what the real problem is and cannot show what leadership and hope look like.
Full marks to her at least I suppose for not suggesting that miscreants and gangs be shot on sight.
How many NZs see this as an insult to their intelligence, and an indication of her blinkered outlook? Fancy standing for a place in our political entity saying the same things that have been trotted out for decades and been shown to be worse than useless!
This is a sign that we need a better political system. Each candidate will have to sit and pass a special set of papers that give an overview when finished, of all the things that will need to be understood by newbies, mostly at the 101/201 level.
There will be explanation of hard science and how it is being utilised in NZ. And a lot of 'soft' science, sociology, study of the importance of early training and secure loving care to build confident little people, who grow right. Understanding statistics, planning, common building materials and tendering and how to get round that. Also entrepreneurship and the importance of paid work in a community.
I will work out a set of uni papers that I think all should study when I get round to it. How do we contain our irritation, and our disgust at the waste of time and low standards in the choices for representatives in the present system? We have not reacted back to the 'change agents' foisted on us and their ploys that suit sharp financial types good both at calculation with all sorts of figures, and also at how to get power.
How about a 4 day working week it's long over due.
With AI robots and more mechanization there won't be enough work for everyone.
20% less gridlock on motorways less stress more productive work places.
The last time we had a major move forward was at the end of the depression 1936 it helped reduce unemployment and gave people a better work life balance.
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 ...
TL;DR: In today’s ‘six-stack’ of substacks at 6.06pm on Tuesday, March 19:Kāinga Ora’s dry rot The Spinoff DailyBill McKibben on ‘Climate Superfunds’ making Big Oil pay for climate damage The Crucial YearsPreston Mui on returning to 1980s-style productivity growth NoahpinionAndy Boenau on NIMBYs needing unusual bedfellows Urbanism SpeakeasyNed Resnikoff's case ...
Negative yesterday, negative today. Negative all year, according to one departing reader telling me I’ve grown strident and predictable. Fair enough. If it’s any help, every time I go to write about a certain topic that begins with C and ends with arrrrs, I do brace myself and ask: Again? Are ...
Bryce Edwards writes – It’s been a tumultuous time in politics in recent months, as the new National-led Government has driven through its “First 100 Day programme”. During this period there’s been a handful of opinion polls, which overall just show a minimal amount of flux in public support ...
Inspirational: The Family of Man is a glorious hymn to human equality, but, more than that, it is a clarion call to human freedom. Because equality, unleavened by liberty, is a broken piano, an unstrung harp; upon which the songs of fraternity will never be played.“Somebody must have been telling lies about ...
Tax Lawyer Barbara Edmonds vs Emperor Justinian I- Nolo Contendere: False historical explanations of pivotal events are very far from being inconsequential.WHEN BARBARA EDMONDS made reference to the Roman Empire, my ears pricked up. It is, lamentably, very rare to hear a politician admit to any kind of familiarity ...
It’s been a tumultuous time in politics in recent months, as the new National-led Government has driven through its “First 100 Day programme”. During this period there’s been a handful of opinion polls, which overall just show a minimal amount of flux in public support for the various parties in ...
Buzz from the Beehive Housing Minister Chris Bishop delivered news – packed with the ingredients to enflame political passions – worthy of supplanting Winston Peters in headline writers’ priorities. He popped up at the post-Cabinet press conference to promise a crackdown on unruly and antisocial state housing tenants. His ...
Ele Ludemann writes – The Reserve Bank is advertising for a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion advisor. The Bank has one mandate – to keep inflation between one and three percent. It has failed in that and is only slowly getting inflation back down to the upper limit. Will it ...
Last week former National Party leader Simon Bridges was appointed by the Government as the new chair of the New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA). You can read about the appointment in Thomas Coughlan’s article, Simon Bridges to become chair of NZ Transport Agency Waka KotahiThe fact that a ...
Bryce Edwards writes – Last week former National Party leader Simon Bridges was appointed by the Government as the new chair of the New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA). You can read about the appointment in Thomas Coughlan’s article, Simon Bridges to become chair of NZ Transport Agency ...
TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read: Gavin Jacobson talks to Thomas Piketty 10 years on from Capital in the 21st CenturyThe SalvoLocal scoop: Green MP’s business being investigated over migrant exploitation claims StuffSteve KilgallonLocal deep-dive: The commercial contractors making money from School ...
It’s a home - but Kāinga Ora tenants accused of “abusing the privilege” may lose it. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The Government announced a crackdown on Kāinga Ora tenants who were unruly and/or behind on their rent, with Housing Minister Chris Bishop saying a place in a state ...
This is a guest post by Connor Sharp of Surface Light Rail Light rail in Auckland: A way forward sooner than you think With the coup de grâce of Auckland Light Rail (ALR) earlier this year, and the shift of the government’s priorities to roads, roads, and more roads, it ...
Note: As a paid-up Webworm member, I’ve recorded this Webworm as a mini-podcast for you as well. Some of you said you liked this option - so I aim to provide it when I get a chance to record! Read more ...
TL;DR: In my ‘six-stack’ of substacks at 6.06pm on Monday, March 18:IKEA is accused of planting big forests in New Zealand to green-wash; REDD-MonitorA City for People takes a well-deserved victory lap over Wellington’s pro-YIMBY District Plan votes; A City for PeopleSteven Anastasiou takes a close look at the sticky ...
Buzz from the Beehive Here’s hoping for a lively post-cabinet press conference when the PM and – perhaps – some of his ministers tell us what was discussed at their meeting today. Until then, Point of Order has precious little Beehive news to report after its latest monitoring of the ...
David Farrar writes – We now have almost all 2023 data in, which has allowed me to update my annual table of how labour went against its promises. This is basically their final report card. The promiseThe result Build 100,000 affordable homes over 10 ...
I’m a bit worried that I’ve started a previous newsletter with the words “just when you think they couldn’t get any worse…” Seems lately that I could begin pretty much every issue with that opening. Such is the nature of our coalition government that they seem to be outdoing each ...
Geoffrey Miller writes – Timing is everything. And from China’s perspective, this week’s visit by its foreign minister to New Zealand could be coming at just the right moment. The visit by Wang Yi to Wellington will be his first since 2017. Anniversaries are important to Beijing. ...
Depictions of Islam in Western popular culture have rarely been positive, even before 9/11. Five years on from the mosque shootings, this is one of the cultural headwinds that the Muslim community has to battle against. Whatever messages of tolerance and inclusion are offered in daylight, much of our culture ...
Last week Transport Minster Simeon Brown and Mayor Wayne Brown opened the new Auckland Rail Operations Centre. The new train control centre will see teams from KiwiRail, Auckland Transport and Auckland One Rail working more closely together to improve train services across the city. The Auckland Rail Operations Centre in ...
Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Retiring former Labour Finance Minister Grant Robertson said in an exit interview with Q+A yesterday the Government can and should sustain more debt to invest in infrastructure for future generations. Elsewhere in the news in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy at 6:36am: Read more ...
Timing is everything. And from China’s perspective, this week’s visit by its foreign minister to New Zealand could be coming at just the right moment. The visit by Wang Yi to Wellington will be his first since 2017. Anniversaries are important to Beijing. It is more than just a happy ...
TL;DR: The key events to watch in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the week to March 18 include:China’s Foreign Minister visiting Wellington today;A post-cabinet news conference this afternoon; the resumption of Parliament on Tuesday for two weeks before Easter;retiring former Labour Finance Minister Grant Robertson gives his valedictory speech in Parliament; ...
New Zealand First Leader Winston Peters’s state-of-the-nation speech on Sunday was really a state-of-Winston-First speech. He barely mentioned any of the Government’s key policies and could not even wholly endorse its signature income tax cuts. Instead, he rehearsed all of his complaints about the Ardern Government, including an extraordinary claim ...
A listing of 35 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, March 10, 2024 thru Sat, March 16, 2024. Story of the week This week we'll give you a little glimpse into how we collect links to share and ...
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“I’ve been internalising a really complicated situation in my head.”When they kept telling us we should wait until we get to know him, were they taking the piss? Was it a case of, if you think this is bad, wait till you get to know the real Christopher, after the ...
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Happy fourth anniversary, Pandemic That Upended Bloody Everything. I have been observing it by enjoying my second bout of COVID. It’s 5.30 on Sunday morning and only now are lights turning back on for me.Allow me to copy and paste what I told reader Sara yesterday:Depleted, fogged and crappy. Resting, ...
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.“$10 and a target that bleeds” - Bleeding Targets for Under $10!.Thanks for reading Frankly Speaking ! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.This government appears hell-bent on either scrapping life-saving legislation or reintroducing things that - frustrated critics insist - will be dangerous and likely ...
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Anybody following the situation in Ukraine and Russia would probably have been amused by a recent Tweet on X NATO seems to be putting in an awful lot of effort to influence what is, at least according to them, a sham election in an autocracy.When do the Ukrainians go to ...
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Ele Ludemann writes – The government is omitting general Treaty references from legislation : The growth of Treaty of Waitangi clauses in legislation caused so much worry that a special oversight group was set up by the last Government in a bid to get greater coherence in the public service on Treaty ...
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Buzz from the BeehiveThe text reproduced above appears on a page which records all the media statements and speeches posted on the government’s official website by Melissa Lee as Minister of Media and Communications and/or by Jenny Marcroft, her Parliamentary Under-secretary. It can be quickly analysed ...
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Bryce Edwards writes – Is the new government reducing tax on rental properties to benefit landlords or to cut the cost of rents? That’s the big question this week, after Associate Finance Minister David Seymour announced on Sunday that the Government would be reversing the Labour Government’s removal ...
Saudi Arabia is rarely far from the international spotlight. The war in Gaza has brought new scrutiny to Saudi plans to normalise relations with Israel, while the fifth anniversary of the controversial killing of Jamal Khashoggi was marked shortly before the war began on October 7. And as the home ...
Questions need to be asked on both sides of the worldPeter Williams writes – The NRL Judiciary hands down an eight week suspension to Sydney Roosters forward Spencer Leniu , an Auckland-born Samoan, after he calls Ezra Mam, Sydney-orn but of Aboriginal and Torres Strait ...
Ele Ludemann writes – Contrary to what many headlines and news stories are saying, residential landlords are not getting a tax break. The government is simply restoring to them the tax deductibility of interest they had until the previous government removed it. There is no logical reason ...
I can't remember when it was goodMoments of happiness in bloomMaybe I just misunderstoodAll of the love we left behindWatching our flashbacks intertwineMemories I will never findIn spite of whatever you becomeForget that reckless thing turned onI think our lives have just begunI think our lives have just begunDoes anyone ...
Michael Bassett writes – At first reading, a front-page story in the New Zealand Herald on 13 March was bizarre. A group of severely intellectually limited teenagers, with little understanding of the law, have been pleading to the Justice Select Committee not to pass a bill dealing with ram ...
How much political capital is Christopher Luxon willing to burn through in order to deliver his $2.9 billion gift to landlords? Evidently, Luxon is: (a) unable to cost the policy accurately. As Anna Burns-Francis pointed out to him on Breakfast TV, the original ”rock solid” $2.1 billion cost he was ...
TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read:Jonathon Porritt calling bullshit in his own blog post on mainstream climate science as ‘The New Denialism’.Local scoop:The Wellington City Council’s list of proposed changes to the IHP recommendations to be debated later today was leaked this ...
TL;DR:Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said yesterday tenants should be grateful for the reinstatement of interest deductibility because landlords would pass on their lower tax costs in the form of lower rents. That would be true if landlords were regulated monopolies such as Transpower or Auckland Airport1, but they’re not, ...
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Tom Toro Tom Toro is a cartoonist and author. He has published over 200 cartoons in The New Yorker since 2010. His cartoons appear in Playboy, the Paris Review, the New York Times, American Bystander, and elsewhere. Related: What 10 EV lovers ...
The business section of the NZ Herald is full of opinion. Among the more opinionated of all is the ex-Minister of Transport, ex-Minister of Railways, ex MP for Auckland Central (1975-93, Labour), Wellington Central (1996-99, ACT, then list-2005), ex-leader of the ACT Party, uncle to actor Antonia, the veritable granddaddy ...
Hi,Just quickly — I’m blown away by the stories you’ve shared with me over the last week since I put out the ‘Gary’ podcast, where I told you about the time my friend’s flatmate killed the neighbour.And you keep telling me stories — in the comments section, and in my ...
The first season of Rings of Power was not awful. It was thoroughly underwhelming, yes, and left a lingering sense of disappointment, but it was more expensive mediocrity than catastrophe. I wrote at length about the series as it came out (see the Review section of the blog, and go ...
Buzz from the Beehive Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden told Auckland Business Chamber members they were the first audience to hear her priorities as a minister in a government committed to cutting red tape and regulations. She brandished her liberalising credentials, saying Flexible labour markets are the ...
Chris Trotter writes – TO UNDERSTAND WHY NEWSHUB FAILED, it is necessary to understand how TVNZ changed. Up until 1989, the state broadcaster had been funded by a broadcasting licence fee, collected from every citizen in possession of a television set, supplemented by a relatively modest (compared ...
Bob Edlin writes – The Māori Party has been busy issuing a mix of warnings and threats as its expresses its opposition to interest deductibility for landlords and the plans of seabed miners. It remains to be seen whether they follow the example of indigenous litigants in Australia, ...
The Government has accepted Labour’s change to the Road User Charge (RUC) discount for hybrid vehicles, meaning there will still be some incentive for people to buy greener vehicles. ...
Kicking the most vulnerable people out of state housing and pushing them towards homelessness will result in a proliferation of poverty and trauma across our most vulnerable communities. ...
Te Pāti Māori co-leader and MP for Waiariki, Rawiri Waititi has penned a letter asking MPs to support his members bill to remove GST from all food. The bill is expected to go through its first reading in parliament this Wednesday. “I’m calling on all political parties to support my ...
This year is about getting real with Kiwis and discussing the tough issues, as the National Government exacerbates inequality and divides New Zealand, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said ...
The Government adding Significant Natural Areas (SNAs) to its already roaring environmental policy bonfire is an assault on the future of wildlife that makes Aotearoa unique. ...
After 12 years of fighting to protect our moana we are finding ourselves back at square one and back at court. Today, the Environmental Protection Agency is sitting in Hawera to reconsider an application from Trans-Tasman Resources to dig up 50 million tonnes of the seabed in South Taranaki. This ...
Minister Shane Jones’ decision to step away from a seabed mining project is evidence of the murky waters surrounding the Government’s fast-track legislation. ...
The growth of Treaty of Waitangi clauses in legislation caused so much worry that a special oversight group was set up by the last government in a bid to get greater coherence in the publicservice on Treaty matters. When ministers first considered the need for tighter oversight in 2021, there ...
The growth of Treaty of Waitangi clauses in legislation caused so much worry that a special oversight group was set up by the last government in a bid to get greater coherence in the publicservice on Treaty matters. When ministers first considered the need for tighter oversight in 2021, there ...
The Coalition Government’s miscalculation saga continues as it has forgotten an eyewatering $90 million gap in its interest deductibility cost figures, say Labour Finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds and Revenue Spokesperson Deborah Russell. ...
He Pou a Rangi Climate Change Commission has today released advice that says if the Government doesn’t act now New Zealand is at risk of not meeting its climate goals. ...
The Coalition Government has today confirmed it is abandoning first home buyers who are struggling to get ahead, says Labour Finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds. ...
The New Zealand public voted for a change in direction at the 2023 general election and that is exactly what this coalition government has been delivering in its first 100 days. There was an immediate focus on the economy, easing the cost of living, cracking down on law and order ...
The Government has left the health system as an afterthought, announcing half-baked targets at the last minute of their 100-day plan, says Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall. ...
Kiwis are still waiting for their promised cost of living support after 100 days of a National Government that is taking us backwards, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said today. ...
The National Government has spent its first 100 days stopping, cutting and reversing. They have scrapped stuff for stuff for the sake of it, without putting up any solutions of their own – and it’s hardworking New Zealanders who will pay for it. ...
100 days of National taking NZ backwardsThe National Government has spent its first 100 days stopping, cutting and reversing. They have scrapped stuff for stuff for the sake of it, without putting up any solutions of their own – and it’s hardworking New Zealanders who will pay for it. ...
The Government must commit to funding free and healthy school lunches, as thousands of people sign the petition to keep them, education spokesperson Jan Tinetti says. ...
If the Government was serious about moving families into public housing, they would build more houses so there is actually somewhere for people to go. ...
The free and healthy school lunches programme feeds our kids, helps them to learn, and saves families money – but it is at risk under this Government, education spokesperson Jan Tinetti said. ...
The Government’s proposed changes to Firearms Prohibition Orders (FPO) add almost nothing new and are merely an attempt to distract from its plans to loosen gun laws, police spokesperson Ginny Andersen and justice spokesperson Dr Duncan Webb said. ...
The great Victorian era English politician Lord Macauley stood in the British House of Parliament and said, "The gallery in which the reporters sit has become a fourth estate of the realm".He understood and outlined even way back then, the significant role and influence media have in a democracy. ...
The government’s attack on Māori health this week is committing tangata-whenua to a premature death, says Te Pāti Māori. “The government have begun their onslaught on Māori health with the abolishment of the Māori Health Authority and smokefree laws in the same day” said health spokesperson and co-leader, Debbie Ngarewa-Packer. ...
"The Government is moving quickly to realise an additional $46 million in tariff savings in the EU market this season for Kiwi exporters,” Minister for Trade and Agriculture, Todd McClay says. Parliament is set, this week, to complete the final legislative processes required to bring the New Zealand – European ...
New Zealand’s social workers are qualified, experienced, and more representative of the communities they serve, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “I want to acknowledge and applaud New Zealand’s social workers for the hard work they do, providing invaluable support for our most vulnerable. “To coincide with World ...
Cabinet has agreed to a reduced road user charge (RUC) rate for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. Owners of PHEVs will be eligible for a reduced rate of $38 per 1,000km once all light electric vehicles (EVs) move into the RUC system from 1 April. ...
Minister of Agriculture and Trade, Todd McClay, says that today’s opening of Riverland Foods manufacturing plant in Christchurch is a great example of how trade access to overseas markets creates jobs in New Zealand. Speaking at the official opening of this state-of-the-art pet food factory the Minister noted that exports ...
Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Wellington today. “It was a pleasure to host Foreign Minister Wang Yi during his first official visit to New Zealand since 2017. Our discussions were wide-ranging and enabled engagement on many facets of New Zealand’s relationship with China, including trade, ...
Kāinga Ora – Homes & Communities has been instructed to end the Sustaining Tenancies Framework and take stronger measures against persistent antisocial behaviour by tenants, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “Earlier today Finance Minister Nicola Willis and I sent an interim Letter of Expectations to the Board of Kāinga Ora. ...
Tēna koutou katoa. Greetings everyone. Thank you to the Auckland Chamber of Commerce and the Honourable Simon Bridges for hosting this address today. I acknowledge the business leaders in this room, the leaders and governors, the employers, the entrepreneurs, the investors, and the wealth creators. The coalition Government shares your ...
Minister Winston Peters completed the final leg of his visit to South and South East Asia in Singapore today, where he focused on enhancing one of New Zealand’s indispensable strategic partnerships. “Singapore is our most important defence partner in South East Asia, our fourth-largest trading partner and a ...
Minister of Internal Affairs and Workplace Relations and Safety, Hon. Brooke van Velden, will travel to the Republic of Korea to represent New Zealand at the Third Summit for Democracy on 18 March. The summit, hosted by the Republic of Korea, was first convened by the United States in 2021, ...
ICNZ Speech 7 March 2024, Auckland Acknowledgements and opening Mōrena, ngā mihi nui. Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Nor Whanganui aho. Good morning, it’s a privilege to be here to open the ICNZ annual conference, thank you to Mark for the Mihi Whakatau My thanks to Tim Grafton for inviting me ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Lead Coordination Minister Judith Collins have expressed their deepest sympathy on the five-year anniversary of the Christchurch terror attacks. “March 15, 2019, was a day when families, communities and the country came together both in sorrow and solidarity,” Mr Luxon says. “Today we pay our respects to the 51 shuhada ...
Speech for Financial Advice NZ Conference 5 March 2024 Acknowledgements and opening Morena, Nga Mihi Nui. Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Nor Whanganui aho. Thanks Nate for your Mihi Whakatau Good morning. It’s a pleasure to formally open your conference this morning. What a lovely day in Wellington, What a great ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters held discussions in Jakarta today about the future of relations between New Zealand and South East Asia’s most populous country. “We are in Jakarta so early in our new government’s term to reflect the huge importance we place on our relationship with Indonesia and South ...
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters has announced that the Foreign Minister of China, Wang Yi, will visit New Zealand next week. “We look forward to re-engaging with Foreign Minister Wang Yi and discussing the full breadth of the bilateral relationship, which is one of New Zealand’s ...
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has today opened the new Auckland Rail Operations Centre, which will bring together KiwiRail, Auckland Transport, and Auckland One Rail to improve service reliability for Aucklanders. “The recent train disruptions in Auckland have highlighted how important it is KiwiRail and Auckland’s rail agencies work together to ...
The Government is proud to support the 10th edition of Crankworx Rotorua as the Crankworx World Tour returns to Rotorua from 16-24 March 2024, says Minister for Economic Development Melissa Lee. “Over the past 10 years as Crankworx Rotorua has grown, so too have the economic and social benefits that ...
Legislation implementing coalition Government tax commitments and addressing long-standing tax anomalies will be progressed in Parliament next week, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The legislation is contained in an Amendment Paper to the Taxation (Annual Rates for 2023–24, Multinational Tax, and Remedial Matters) Bill issued today. “The Amendment Paper represents ...
Associate Environment Minister Andrew Hoggard has today announced that the Government has agreed to suspend the requirement for councils to comply with the Significant Natural Areas (SNA) provisions of the National Policy Statement for Indigenous Biodiversity for three years, while it replaces the Resource Management Act (RMA).“As it stands, SNAs ...
Agriculture Minister Todd McClay has classified the drought conditions in the Marlborough, Tasman, and Nelson districts as a medium-scale adverse event, acknowledging the challenging conditions facing farmers and growers in the district. “Parts of Marlborough, Tasman, and Nelson districts are in the grip of an intense dry spell. I know ...
The Government is helping farmers eradicate the significant impact of facial eczema (FE) in pastoral animals, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced. “A $20 million partnership jointly funded by Beef + Lamb NZ, the Government, and the primary sector will save farmers an estimated NZD$332 million per year, and aims to ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has completed a successful visit to India, saying it was an important step in taking the relationship between the two countries to the next level. “We have laid a strong foundation for the Coalition Government’s priority of enhancing New Zealand-India relations to generate significant future benefit for both countries,” says Mr Peters, ...
Cabinet has agreed to provide $7 million to ensure the 2024 ski season can go ahead on the Whakapapa ski field in the central North Island but has told the operator Ruapehu Alpine Lifts it is the last financial support it will receive from taxpayers. Cabinet also agreed to provide ...
Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says the launch of a new mobile breast screening unit in Counties Manukau reinforces the coalition Government’s commitment to drive better cancer services for all New Zealanders. Speaking at the launch of the new mobile clinic, Dr Reti says it’s a great example of taking ...
Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says the launch of a new mobile breast screening unit in Counties Manukau reinforces the coalition Government’s commitment to drive better cancer services for all New Zealanders. Speaking at the launch of the new mobile clinic, Dr Reti says it’s a great example of taking ...
Unlocking economic growth and land for housing are critical elements of the Government’s plan for our transport network, and planned upgrades to State Highway 29 (SH29) near Tauriko will deliver strongly on those priorities, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “The SH29 upgrades near Tauriko will improve safety at the intersections ...
Unlocking economic growth and land for housing are critical elements of the Government’s plan for our transport network, and planned upgrades to State Highway 29 (SH29) near Tauriko will deliver strongly on those priorities, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “The SH29 upgrades near Tauriko will improve safety at the intersections ...
Lower fruit and vegetable prices are welcome news for New Zealanders who have been doing it tough at the supermarket, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. Stats NZ reported today the price of fruit and vegetables has dropped 9.3 percent in the 12 months to February 2024. “Lower fruit and vege ...
Tēnā koutou katoa and greetings to you all. Chair, I am honoured to address the sixty-eighth session of the Commission on the Status of Women. I acknowledge the many crises impacting the rights of women and girls. Heightened global tensions, war, climate related and humanitarian disasters, and price inflation all ...
Tēnā koutou katoa and greetings to you all. Chair, I am honoured to address the 68th session of the Commission on the Status of Women. I acknowledge the many crises impacting the rights of women and girls. Heightened global tensions, war, climate related and humanitarian disasters, and price inflation all ...
The coalition Government is supporting farmers to enhance land management practices by investing $3.3 million in locally led catchment groups, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced. “Farmers and growers deliver significant prosperity for New Zealand and it’s vital their ongoing efforts to improve land management practices and water quality are supported,” ...
Good evening everyone and thank you for that lovely introduction. Thank you also to the Honourable Simon Bridges for the invitation to address your members. Since being sworn in, this coalition Government has hit the ground running with our 100-day plan, delivering the changes that New Zealanders expect of us. ...
Recommendations from the Climate Change Commission for New Zealand on the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) auction and unit limit settings for the next five years have been tabled in Parliament, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. “The Commission provides advice on the ETS annually. This is the third time the ...
The coalition Government is beginning its fight to lower building costs and reduce red tape by exempting minor building work from paying the building levy, says Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk. “Currently, any building project worth $20,444 including GST or more is subject to the building levy which is ...
Proposed changes to tax legislation to prevent the over-taxation of low-earning trusts are welcome, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The changes have been recommended by Parliament’s Finance and Expenditure Committee following consideration of submissions on the Taxation (Annual Rates for 2023–24, Multinational Tax, and Remedial Matters) Bill. “One of the ...
Assalaamu alaikum. السَّلَام عليكم In light of the holy month of Ramadan, I want to extend my warmest wishes to our Muslim community in New Zealand. Ramadan is a time for spiritual reflection, renewed devotion, perseverance, generosity, and forgiveness. It’s a time to strengthen our bonds and appreciate the diversity ...
Former Transport Minister and CEO of the Auckland Business Chamber Hon Simon Bridges has been appointed as the new Board Chair of the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) for a three-year term, Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced today. “Simon brings extensive experience and knowledge in transport policy and governance to the role. He will ...
Good morning all, it is a pleasure to be here as Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology. It is fantastic to see how connected and collaborative the life science and biotechnology industry is here in New Zealand. I would like to thank BioTechNZ and NZTech for the invitation to address ...
Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says he is looking forward to the day when three key water projects in Northland are up and running, unlocking the full potential of land in the region. Mr Jones attended a community event at the site of the Otawere reservoir near Kerikeri on Friday. ...
Associate Finance Minister David Seymour has today announced that the Government has agreed to restore deductibility for mortgage interest on residential investment properties. “Help is on the way for landlords and renters alike. The Government’s restoration of interest deductibility will ease pressure on rents and simplify the tax code,” says ...
Sport and Recreation Minister Chris Bishop will travel to Switzerland today to attend an Executive Committee meeting and Symposium of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). Mr Bishop will then travel on to London where he will attend a series of meetings in his capacity as Infrastructure Minister. “New Zealanders believe ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Deborah Lupton, SHARP Professor, Vitalities Lab, Centre for Social Research in Health and Social Policy Centre, and the ARC Centre of Excellence for Automated Decision-Making and Society, UNSW Sydney kitzcorner/Shutterstock The assertion from Queensland’s chief health officer John Gerrard that ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Peter Martin, Visiting Fellow, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University Shutterstock Why are musicians so keen to get played on the radio? It can’t be because of the money. In Australia they are paid at rates so low they ...
"Farmers make a point not to tell our urban cousins how to live, yet Chlöe from central Auckland is hell-bent on having her say about farmers," says ACT Rural Communities spokesman Mark Cameron. “On her first day in the House as Green ...
Analysis by Dr Bryce Edwards – Democracy Project (https://democracyproject.nz)Political scientist, Dr Bryce Edwards. It’s been a tumultuous time in politics in recent months, as the new National-led Government has driven through its “First 100 Day programme”. During this period there’s been a handful of opinion polls, which overall just ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tim Curran, Associate Professor of Ecology, Lincoln University, New Zealand Getty Images/Gerald Corsi In the latest move to reform environmental laws in New Zealand, the coalition government has introduced a bill to fast-track consenting processes for projects deemed to ...
Uber has argued it does not have as much control over drivers as the unions suggest, and wants a judgment ruling that drivers are employees and not contractors set aside and sent back to the Employment Court. The 2022 ruling followed a three-week hearing in which four drivers sought to ...
What can and can’t be purchased by disabled people or their carers has been slashed in an effort by the Ministry of Disabled People Whaikaha to save money. The purchasing guidelines, a set of rules that sets out what can be purchased using the various streams of Government disability funding, ...
The Treasury has published today a new Analytical Note by Tod Wright and Hien Nguyen, Fiscal incidence in New Zealand: The effects of taxes and benefits on household incomes in tax year 2018/19 . Analyses of the distributional impact of taxation and government ...
The Treasury has published today a new Analytical Note by Cory Davis, Boston Hart and Benjamin Stubbing, Household cost-of-living impacts from the Emissions Trading Scheme and using transfers to mitigate regressive outcomes . This Analytical Note ...
A coalition of public transport and climate organisations, united as ‘Transport for All’, is actively opposing the government’s transport proposals. The draft Government Policy Statement (GPS) includes plans for higher fares for public transport, ...
Greater Wellington is inviting feedback on proposed changes to its Revenue and Financing Policy. The Revenue and Financing Policy covers the Council’s various sources of funding, and how the cost of services is shared across the region. This includes ...
Labour has conceded it could have done more to deal with disruptive state housing tenants while in government but says the current coalition is going too far. ...
The band has asked their record label to issue a cease and desist to stop the NZ First leader using their 1997 hit to support his ‘misguided political views’. “I get knocked down, but I get up again,” blared through the speakers on Sunday as Winston Peters took the stage ...
By Lydia Lewis, RNZ Pacific journalist Food rationing is underway in remote areas in Papua New Guinea’s Highlands following torrential rain and flash flooding. More than 20 people have been reported dead in Chimbu Province. In nearby Enga Province, the centre of last month’s massacre, a 15-year-old boy has been ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Andrew Hughes, Lecturer, Research School of Management, Australian National University After months of debate and intrigue, the AFL’s 19th and newest team, the Tasmania Devils, finally launched its jumper, logo and colours in Devonport this week. The Devils will wear green, ...
Brannavan Gnanalingam reviews the debut novel by Saraid de Silva.One of the most baffling things for children who move to a new country is what their parents’ (or grandparents’) lives were like prior to moving – for kids in particular, they’re too busy trying to fit in in their ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Stephen Gaunson, Associate Professor in Cinema Studies, RMIT University Narelle Portanier/Binge “If you don’t know who your mob are, you don’t know who you are,” Detective Andrea “Andie” Whitford (played by Leah Purcell) is told early into the new crime ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Elise Klein, Associate professor, Australian National University It’s commonly accepted that women do the vast majority of caregiving in Australian society. But less appreciated is that Indigenous women do larger amounts of unpaid care than any other group. Working with the Aboriginal ...
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 Joe Biden and Donald Trump have both secured their parties’ nominations for the November 5 United States general election by winning a ...
Comment: There has been a striking contrast in trans-Tasman interest about Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi’s visit to New Zealand and Australia. While the Australian press has been full of articles about the visit – including his curious decision to meet with former prime minister and China booster Paul Keating ...
After years of pressuring banks and other institutions to stop investing in fossil fuels, climate campaigners are making some progress. So how does divestment work?For years, climate activists have been pushing banks and other big institutions to divest from fossil fuels. New research from climate advocacy group 350 Aotearoa ...
For Boba, Ethan and Ashley, K-pop is a place to belong, a way to express themselves, and a bridge to connect with others. The three young Polynesians are part of a K-pop fan community in Tāmaki Makaurau. It’s one of many that have sprung up worldwide as K-pop has gone ...
For Boba, Ethan and Ashley, K-pop is a place to belong, a way to express themselves, and a bridge to connect with others. This one-off documentary presents three intimate portraits of young Polynesians who are pulled into a Korean cultural phenomenon. K-POLYS is directed by Litia Tuiburelevu, Produced by Hex ...
There’s ample evidence demonstrating free school lunch programmes provide wide benefits across schools, households and communities according to public health researchers. ACT Minister David Seymour wants to reduce the spending on Aotearoa New Zealand’s ...
By Wata Shaw in Suva Fiji is facing an exodus of Fijians as many are leaving for overseas seeking employment and education and others are migrating, says Opposition MP Viliame Naupoto. Speaking in Parliament, he said: “His Excellency’s speech (Ratu Wiliame Katonivere) comes after a little over one year of ...
The Taxpayers’ Union is welcoming comments from Christopher Luxon this morning recommitting to ‘no new taxes’ as part of Budget 2024. “Mr Luxon’s refusal at the Post-Cabinet press conference yesterday to repeat the ‘no new taxes’ promise ...
SAFE is urgently calling on the Environment Committee to reject the Government’s Fast-Track Approvals Bill, and is urging New Zealanders to rally behind the call. The proposed Bill, currently under consideration with the Environment select committee, ...
Teammates who spend all their time picking fights with spectators are only helpful for the other team, writes Madeleine Chapman. Anyone who has ever played a team sport competitively, particularly as a child and particularly, for some reason, basketball, will know that there’s a lot of politics involved. While there ...
The long-running Wellington music festival is too focused on the Jim Beam-ness and not enough on the Homegrown-ness.There is something about Homegrown that’s difficult to place. A barely perceptible-ness. Like feeling a ghost is watching you from the corner of the room but when you look, there’s nothing there. ...
The latest Ipsos New Zealand Issues Monitor reveals that fewer New Zealanders believe crime / law and order is one of the top issues facing our country. In 2018, Ipsos New Zealand started tracking the key issues facing New Zealand. In this wave ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kate Griffiths, Deputy Program Director, Budgets and Government, Grattan Institute Australia’s political donations rules are woefully inadequate, but donations reform is finally on the agenda. The federal government has signalled its interest in reform and will soon begin briefing MPs on its ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Mark Patrick Taylor, Chief Environmental Scientist, EPA Victoria; Honorary Professor, School of Natural Sciences, Macquarie University Naiyana Somchitkaeo/Shutterstock A recent study published in the prestigious New England Journal of Medicine has linked microplastics with risk to human health. The study ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Albert Van Dijk, Professor, Water and Landscape Dynamics, Fenner School of Environment & Society, Australian National University Global climate records were shattered in 2023, from air and sea temperatures to sea-level rise and sea-ice extent. Scores of countries recorded their hottest year ...
As part of our series exploring how New Zealanders live and our relationship with money, a teacher explains why he and his partner are in frugal mode – and how they’re making it work. Gender: Male Age: 35Ethnicity: Pākehā Role: I am an intermediate school teacher and my partner is ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sarah Bendall, Senior Lecturer, Institute for Humanities and Social Sciences, Australian Catholic University Binge Mary & George, the new British television drama series, depicts the real-life story of Mary Villiers and her son George, and their social climbing at the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jason Nassios, Associate Professor, Centre of Policy Studies, Victoria University This article is part of The Conversation’s series examining the housing crisis. Read the other articles in the series here. Australian state and federal governments spend money in many ways to ...
The finance minister is denying that there’s a $5.6b shortfall in paying for the government’s campaign promises, including tax cuts. At his post-cabinet press conference yesterday, the PM refused to rule out new taxes to pay for the cuts, writes Anna Rawhiti-Connell in this excerpt from The Bulletin, The Spinoff’s ...
Kāinga Ora tenants abused by their neighbours are doubting the government's crackdown on disruptive tenants will make a difference on their behaviour. ...
Kāinga Ora is New Zealand’s biggest residential landlord, housing more than 180,000 vulnerable people in more than 67,000 properties. Yesterday the government announced a crackdown on its tenants who fall behind on rent. One longtime Kāinga Ora tenant shares her experience.For 18 years I lived in a 1960s standalone ...
Why does this myth persist, and what’s the real reason our skin is suffering?It’s one of the biggest international grievances New Zealanders hold, up there with the sinking of the Rainbow Warrior and 1981’s underarm incident. We’re quick to tell international travellers that the world’s pollution led to the ...
Bob’s relationship with certain members of Lincoln’s academic staff continued to deteriorate in the 1990s. Others supported him publicly, though articles such as Roland Clark’s 1993 piece in Growing Today cannot have pleased the university management. Clark wrote that Bob was selling onions from the Biological Husbandry Unit to a ...
SailGP’s races feature in-your-face action, with agile, hydro-foiling catamarans tacking and jibing for the title over several days. However, public comments ahead of the global series’ return to New Zealand have left this past year’s controversy in the shadows, as a key appointment attracts criticism from dolphin advocates. A year ...
Opinion: We are fast approaching a fundamental change in prisons. As the number of people on custodial remand looks set to overtake the number of sentenced prisoners, the main function of prisons in New Zealand may become incarcerating un-sentenced people who may not be guilty of offending. We have already ...
A huge seven months lies in store for the White Ferns, beginning this week with the visit of England and culminating with the T20 World Cup in Bangladesh in September and October. Starting on Tuesday in Dunedin, the world ranked No. 2 visitors will play five T20s and three ODIs, ...
Opinion: In a move that has shocked road safety advocates across the country, the new Minister of Transport, Simeon Brown, is poised to abandon the previous government’s speed limit reduction policy, particularly around schools. Even more alarmingly, he wants school speed limits to be variable rather than full-time, arguing ...
Auckland Council is opposing a fast-track development backed by Sir John Kirwan and Spark NZ, because it doesn’t meet stringent new climate adaptation requirements The post Surf-data centre faces new 3.8C climate warming rules appeared first on Newsroom. ...
When the Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Act was introduced in 2009 it was firmly targeted at gangs and drugs. The legislation means police no longer need a conviction to seize assets that criminals can’t prove were paid for legitimately, as long as their alleged offences are punishable by more than a ...
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The letters, which were published last week, were addressed to Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) Chairperson Megawati Sukarnoputri, National Democrat Party (NasDem) Chairperson Surya Paloh, National Awakening Party (PKB) Chairperson Muhaimin Iskandar, Justice and Prosperity Party (PKS) President Ahmad Syaikhu and United Development Party (PPP) Chairperson Muhammad Mardiono. In ...
Evicting more people from state housing is ignorant to the consequences of poverty, the Greens say, but the Housing Minister says it's a privilege that can be taken away if abused. ...
Evicting more people from state housing is ignorant to the consequences of poverty, the Greens say, but the Housing Minister says it's a privilege that can be taken away if abused. ...
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Kiingi Tuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII has hosted members of the Green Party Caucus at Tuurangawaewae Marae in Ngaaruawahia. The audience follows the King’s Hui-aa-Motu on 20 January, where more than 10,000 people gathered to discuss national ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Dr Rachael Potter, Research Associate and Lecturer in Work and Organisational Psychology, University of South Australia Ground Picture/Shutterstock Pregnant women and workers with children are often unfairly treated by their bosses and colleagues, despite laws to protect against workplace discrimination ...
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He’s bringing ‘Sophie’ back, yeah. Goodshirt’s ‘Sophie’ music video is one of the most instantly recognisable New Zealand music videos of all time. Featuring a woman listening to the song on headphones while her entire house is burgled behind her, the video won the New Zealand music award for Best ...
The simplest answer can be the right one. https://publicaddress.net/speaker/rewarding-competence/
The Joe Nunweek article linked from Drummond's one is in the same vein. https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/25-10-2020/expecting-less-or-more-of-labours-new-voters/
And on a satirical note..
https://twitter.com/hamish_keith/status/1320896061091631106
I’ve deleted this comment … outside chance it could be considered borderline as far as putting the site in some sort of legal jeopardy.
Now I'm curious..
Be quick … this post will self-destruct in the not-too-distant future 🙂
https://sub-zero-politics.blogspot.com/2020/10/the-offending-comment-ill-just.html
I missed the window. Thank you for trying.
I wonder if it's ever crossed Labour's mind that there are more tenants of voting age than landlords.
But do they vote?
and do they donate?
'Westland Mayor Bruce Smith said the Greens' hard-line stance on conservation issues had impacted negatively on the West Coast, or were about to, including the proposed closure of whitebaiting rivers, a general negativity towards mining and the push to protect stewardship land.
He said he believed a lot of Coasters had voted Labour to kick the Greens out.
"If the Government brings in Greens just to keep them handy for next time, there'll be pushback all right." '
'Greymouth mayor Tania Gibson agreed.
"A lot of people voted Labour this time to keep the Greens out and the Government should take note," Mrs Gibson said.'
And needless to say…also maga hat owner Alan Birchfield…included
https://www.odt.co.nz/regions/west-coast/coasters-divided-over-conservation-direction
The preliminary election result for West Coast-Tasman (my electorate too) is consistent with the national result. With twelve!! electorate candidates this election, WCT has more than its fair share of 'alternative' views.
Labour 46.6%
National 26%
2017 election – Labour 39.9% National 37%
That's the trouble with false narratives being seeded so fast – others like him can repeat them without any challenge, including from media who should know better.
I can believe that a few voters went that way at the end, but the polls were pretty clear for months that mostly it was just that people liked Labour.
Agreed Sacha….the media will find any way it can to attack the Greens. Many on the Right must be livid that the Greens did so wonderfully well despite being written-off, invented scandals levelled at them, attacks on their Wealth Tax etc
More worrying is that just now on RNZ Morning Report the political correspondent seemed sure that only Marama Davidson and James Shaw will be offered ministerial posts outside cabinet.
No places for Genter or Sage. It's almost as though Labour believes the complete rubbish the media is spouting about people voting Labour to keep the Greens out.
Yeah – clever strategy from the Nats and the media. It prompted some tribal Labour voters like myself to party vote Green. We played a role in bouncing the Greens back from political oblivion. We might not have done so if they had played a straight ball. Dickheads.
Genter and Sage are generally recognised as having been competent associate ministers so I
thinkhope they will be allowed to continue in their roles.He said he believed a lot of Coasters had voted Labour to kick the Greens out.
Everyone's free to believe whatever they like. For example, I believe a lot of Coasters voted Labour because they like that Jacinda Ardern dresses in clothes from NZ fashion designers. That's the great thing about beliefs – no evidence required.
Indeed. I party voted Green, so lots of Nat voters would vote Labour to keep the Greens out, so National would look weak, so they would lose the gun lobby to ACT which would amplify their pro-gun message. Sometimes I have to hug myself at how cunning I am – voting Green in order to support ACT, a cunning plan worthy of Baldrick himself.
Reads more like Blackadder the first.
I think most voted Labour as a safe haven. The common refrain "They have done well" the unspoken part of that "In spite of…." take your choice of any number of things or people.
National are never going to say, "they voted for Labour because they didn't trust us".
The MSM are also never going to say, "they voted for Labour because they didn't trust us".
…most voted Labour as a safe haven.
And some didn't because they know that for the most vulnerable in our community Labour offer no more of a safe haven than National.
They're never going to say :"they voted for Labour because they trust them" either. Hence the irrational meme highlighted by Hamish Keith's satirical tweet.
https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/formal-review-into-governments-covid-19-response-would-distraction-chris-hipkins-says
I will participate in any such review and try to bring attention onto the misconduct of many media outlets and the misuse of the opposition led covid response committee.
So why was the PM lying to us about border testing before the election?
After all this isnt even disputed as it is in the official records.
[lprent: What she reported according to my recollection was what she (and Bloomfield) had been told and she expressed it exactly that way. That is part of the “official record”. Your statement is maliciously incorrect in that you are stating that she stated something that was incorrect. After all PMs do not physically go around and personally run border testing themselves. They make policy and others then implement and report back to them.
So you are lying through your teeth in your statement. You are also claiming an authority (‘official records’)in bad faith. You didn’t provide a link or any support for your statement. I’d say that you are a simpleminded moronic liar peddling false facts – and quite unsuited to this forum (see the policy).
I’d suggest you try the sewer aka kiwiblog where this kind of stupid lying is not only tolerated, but also encouraged. Come back when you increase in your ability to discriminate between what are substantiated facts and what are merely your opinions – plus being able to clearly express to others which is which. ]
One National grief point has now been laid to rest.
No more will we hear from them that they were gypped as the largest single party being prevented from forming a government.
In the immortal words of Mike Cullen that he never uttered, "We won. You lost. Eat that."
Now the meme is it was an intentional loss to prevent the Greens from forcing their way into power.
If that was the message, how come Collins was saying to two vote National to keep out the Greens eight days out from election day? Don't they listen? Did they mishear Blue for Red?
Well, one thing about the National voter is that they are finely tuned to the nuances of meaning in the words Blue and Red, and not likely to be that stupid as to confuse Collins' message.
Were they instead giving the electoral finger to Collins and National by voting Red? The socialist bogeyman doesn’t work any more. The Greens aren’t that terrifying, either. Fear is a poor substitute for true insight.
Were they saying that we are cool with Labour; they can be trusted; they are in control; they know what they are doing; give me substance over slogans, action over abuse, compassion over greed?
IMO many were simply turned off by Punch N Judy who appeared hell bent on a crusade towards Blinglish's 2002 result. 6 elections later the demographics aren't the same.
Collins couldn't hide her contempt, Gez's conspiracy corner, Woody and Boags DP smear (the whitewash fooled nobody) then cap it all by insulting overweight people.
They got the result their car crash of a campaign merited. Bipartisanship had votes in it but crusher knows best.
I'm not really surprised to be told he didn't say that. I didn't think that he was the sort to come out with such honesty, more of a behind-the-scenes wrecking ball on lower income people and the jobs that were there bread-and-butter.
Some of what Cullen did say, including a sub voce description of Key. Read here…….
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sunday-star-times/features/2329749/Regrets-I-ve-had-a-few-Michael-Cullen-reflects
edit
Points I note in this are that Cullen didn't understand the life and limits that ordinary people are constrained by. And also Labour has skated round the edges of committing to the low income people that are their raison d'etre.
The light bulb matters that irritated:
First I have great distaste for us following automatically what other countries are doing, usually western.
Second the reason for many in NZ not wanting all new tech bulbs was because they were more expensive. He is highly irrational saying otherwise. The cost per year for the bulb, and the lower electricity cost its different type produced, show cheapness on an amortised basis. But the cost to buy the bulb at the shop rose about 300% on average. Three bulbs needed (incandescent) @ $1.10 = $3.30 | three new type @ $4.10 each (possibly more) = $12.30.
And he says that he had to accept Sue Bradford's Bill as if they did not have the ability to amend with more effective legislation:
The anti-smacking bill was another strange case: even though National ended up voting for it, Labour got all the flak. Cullen says Labour could not have avoided the issue posed by green Sue Bradford's bill. Section 59 of the Crimes Act had led to the acquittal of people who had made quite serious attacks on children. And it fitted Labour policy, so opposing the measure would make people say it had no principles.
Cullen says that Labour needed to deal with the 'acquittal of people who had made quite serious attacks on children'. What's this 'quite' – they were serious attacks even murderous. An Anti-Smacking Bill was not going to stop such attacks. I remember Craig Manukau aged 11 kicked to death by the male in his life for going to a school event, also a list of others*.
Craig's sad story from 1992: https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/faces-of-innocents/81267814/faces-of-innocents-craig-manukau
Briefly re Craig: …the horrifying truth was that Craig Manukau's father went to a school disco, removed his son, took him home and kicked him to death while his mother turned up the radio to drown out the noise.
And one person's response – to become a social worker. But Judge Mason's verbal comment below says that the social work system was badly run and ineffective which is really wilful neglect in my opinion. https://www.nzherald.co.nz/hawkes-bay-today/news/linda-hall-protecting-our-children-is-vital/IJEGGC5RFRDJ3VFMO5P4EQXANE/
Bringing in non-smacking legislation was a statement about the state deploring this and being able to punish it – no biblical buts. But it did not try hard to conquer and overcome the actual violence in people being passed on to children, the vulnerable, and the violent parent syndrome.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/73681718/a-trail-of-broken-promises-1992-2015
There was a report on CYPS and this is a great video and comment – listen to this. 'Former judge Ken Mason discusses his historical review of CYFS':
If violence meant a period of jail isolation and then a period of workshopping and personal thought; some determined and focussed action one on one with the instigator with jail for the recalcitrants that would have been a good Labour thing to do; instead it is just the neo-lib punitive approach.
*https://childabuseinnz.wordpress.com/my-memorial/
What Cullen said. "The fact that Europe and America and Australia had either done it already or decided to do it seemed to be completely irrelevant."
What you extrapolated from what Cullen said. "The fact that Europe and America and Australia had either done it already or decided to carry out the policy seemed to assure Labour that we should adopt the same without thought.
Where's the 'without thought'? Not what he said, greywarshark, not what he said.
Well I have changed the wording slightly as indicated by my 'edit'. And i have seen that adopting overseas policy is a default position in a number of governments. We find policies used overseas and install them here without apparent thought for how they will work here – if there is thought then it is fleeting and dismisses unintended consequences.
Sorry, mate, it's not 'slightly'.
You said 'without thought'. Cullen is saying we did as several other countries did, which would have meant he had considered that and the actual actions taken. He is also saying that opponents of what he had done need to consider that his policy had also been considered and enacted by other countries, using that evidence as support for his having done the same.
And a frenzied stabbing from a male incensed that his partner was able to make a life with a job, and so he had to cut her down to size literally. Meanwhile their poor child had to endure this foul stuff, and whatever culture, we have this sour attitude that rises like bile and man becomes vengeful God.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/massey-stabbing-victim-came-to-nz-for-a-better-life-ex-partner-was-fixated-with-it/M73SFFPFNTZIKNCSUODPZ7B3SQ/
In the interests of accuracy one must agree that he didn't say precisely what you quote.
What he did say, on 9 September 2000 was.
"Eat that. You lost, we won" Same words but a slightly different order. Hansard for that date is not on-line I'm afraid.
In 2009 Farrar wrote, "
The quote, according to Farrar, referred to the disappearance of the ECA in September 2000, not the election result of 1999, the context I gave it. https://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/2009/04/cullen_did_say_it_after_all.html
And I seem to remember that Cullen was heard to mutter that in relation to the 2002 National loss. "You lost. We won. Eat that!" Not in a speech.
Maybe it was an echo of Farrar's 1999 quote though I do not recall his one.
It was 9 August 2000:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1Iwfzv-Mt3CRG1Sa2QxTlBVQ2M/view
Now that the election is over I just want Labour to start governing from next week being a fresh election cycle.
Those who did not win need to remember that they are there to serve the voters and not theirselves.
testing
Looks like a pass.
Maeve Binchy in her wisdom of maturity – good to listen to about how we are and what we can think about the world. Good v Bad and What's the Meaning of Life?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6eKBMlu8o30
With Shaw coming out of talks with nothing, its ha4d to see them putting something together by Friday to put to their members.
Bad omen.
Bad Omen(s)? You Never Know…
Living under a black cloud Ad? Where is your hope?
Fox spews Laura Inghram reckons Jacinda Aderns forcing people who don't take compulsory test's in isolation facilities is removing freedoms and is fascist.
Did they realise we are covid free.
What a fool Inghram is.
What about the rights of those people who get infected and die?
She doesn't care.
She's a Haw-Haw for the worst aspects of the current administration.
Interesting there is a parallel line from the UK. Nasty and busily crafted, not just a random putdown.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/covid-19-coronavirus-kiwis-fight-back-after-nz-compared-to-nazi-germany/N5RCKEXHQACFT4RW3R7QNIDQKI/ A right-wing British politician has outraged Kiwis online after likening New Zealand to Nazi Germany in a series of tweets taking aim at Jacinda Ardern and the Government's Covid response.
Suzanne Evans, a former journalist who hopped from the Conservative Party to the UK Independence Party before ditching politics, regularly shares posts critical of using lockdowns to tackle Covid-19. Yesterday Evans said that "New Zealand now has a fascist government under @jacindaardern. Are you going to act, @amnesty?".
The comment came above a retweet from fellow lockdown-sceptic Bernie Spofforth, who had shared an edited video containing messages from Dr Ashley Bloomfield and Jacinda Ardern about the policy of moving all positive cases to quarantine facilities and enforcing testing.
The video spliced together a press briefing from Bloomfield and a Facebook live video from Ardern and added graphics and memes.
Thank god she and her fellow fuxxers are a long way away.
With a bit of luck Evans won't come here because she will need to be tested or do 21 days in isolation.
Evans needs to focus on Covid in the UK and not in NZ.
Also, if we live in a fascist state we don't realise it as we have just had an election where 60%+of the people approved of what we have done by voting Green, Labour and even NZF.
This of course makes a stupidity of a claim that the non-fascist National voters, in order to keep out the Greens, voted for a fascist Labour party…….. as preferable.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/429289/housing-boom-could-get-worse-economist-warns
Economists are calling on the Reserve Bank of New Zealand to reinstate lending restrictions, warning the housing market is spiralling out of control.
In May, the Reserve Bank temporarily removed loan to value ratio (LVR) restrictions, freeing banks to sell mortgages to buyers with small deposits.
Since June, lending to investors has tripled and last month banks lent out more than $7.3 billion to house buyers – which is an all-time record.
Sorry Robertson you will have to upset all your mates in financial circles, the tight, closed ones) and set up special rates for just young families and older single people who are wanting a secure home. And it may be that you will need a State Mortgages system, set up through Kiwibank and other NZ owned banks that report to NZ financial entities. Get some steel and show that you're the Right Stuff.
Is New Zealand well served by having the dense shit Duncan Garner in a news/entertainment position?
He is a very, very slow learner:
https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2020/10/duncan-garner-i-can-now-see-why-jacinda-ardern-got-your-vote-and-your-support.html
Typically, this tone deaf spanner makes it all about him and his privileged social life. He also outs himself as a National Party voter.
In the nicest possible way, trickortreaters might like to far cry toff. Thanks.
On Te Karere this afternoon I had my first glimpse of ACT Party MP Nicole McKee with her talking.
The item was about the shooting up north, the hi-jacking, kidnapping and whatever else went on.
McKee was described by Newsroom as a 'prominent gun advocate' in a piece 'ACT Party Nicole McKee wants 'commonsense and practicalities' brought back into Government."
So what did she have? Commonsense and practicalities? No, just a redneck.
Her answer is to 'sort the gangs out.' Okay Nicole McKee we've got plenty of land up here, how about building us another couple of prisons and we can sort the gangs out by picking them up and locking them away? How about 'moving the economy,' generating economic activity by importing personnel from overseas to staff those jails?
We need ambulances at the bottom of cliffs as much as we need another useless MP who cannot see what the real problem is and cannot show what leadership and hope look like.
Full marks to her at least I suppose for not suggesting that miscreants and gangs be shot on sight.
How many NZs see this as an insult to their intelligence, and an indication of her blinkered outlook? Fancy standing for a place in our political entity saying the same things that have been trotted out for decades and been shown to be worse than useless!
This is a sign that we need a better political system. Each candidate will have to sit and pass a special set of papers that give an overview when finished, of all the things that will need to be understood by newbies, mostly at the 101/201 level.
There will be explanation of hard science and how it is being utilised in NZ. And a lot of 'soft' science, sociology, study of the importance of early training and secure loving care to build confident little people, who grow right. Understanding statistics, planning, common building materials and tendering and how to get round that. Also entrepreneurship and the importance of paid work in a community.
I will work out a set of uni papers that I think all should study when I get round to it. How do we contain our irritation, and our disgust at the waste of time and low standards in the choices for representatives in the present system? We have not reacted back to the 'change agents' foisted on us and their ploys that suit sharp financial types good both at calculation with all sorts of figures, and also at how to get power.
Livestreaming from cawthron inst Nelson now. Souxie Wiles Sereen Adams from the Cawthron on the planet and things….
http://www.cawthron.live
How about a 4 day working week it's long over due.
With AI robots and more mechanization there won't be enough work for everyone.
20% less gridlock on motorways less stress more productive work places.
The last time we had a major move forward was at the end of the depression 1936 it helped reduce unemployment and gave people a better work life balance.
Now is the time to push this idea forward.