Open Mike 28/09/2016

Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, September 28th, 2016 - 85 comments
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85 comments on “Open Mike 28/09/2016 ”

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  1. marty mars 1
    28 September 2016 at 7:17 am

    This law change – put up by tolley and supported by ardern.

    “A new law outlined today will axe a longstanding provision that gives priority to placing abused children with foster parents from the same extended family or tribe.”

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11714721

    Currently, the Care and Protection Guidelines say:
    “In all situations it is preferable for the placement of the child or young person to be with their family/whānau or extended family/whānau member. A placement outside the family/whānau will only occur when there are no suitable family/whānau, hapu or iwi placements available.”

    This is saying that cultural connections are an important consideration not the be all and end all – and now… for the 60 percent of children in care who are Māori, we are heading towards placement wherever is easiest, and cheapest. And if you don’t think this is moving towards serco running foster homes and so on you are dreaming.

    Just to set some things straight – Whānau get the same police checks and winz checks as any other placement. When placed with Whānau often that is it and those members receive less support and attention than foster parents.

    This is another insidious tentacle of colonisation and will do nothing to protect the children that need protection.

    Tariana Turia has said

    “Across the world, social scientists, politicians and family advocates have lauded the 1989 Act as being ground-breaking in the importance it placed on placing faith in our families to care for their own. The problem is that the principles of the Act were never fully upheld by successive bureaucracies who under-delivered on the resourcing required to support parents in their most vital role.

    “Why is it that Governments can invest so much in sustaining foster care organisations and yet fail to support parents and whanau as the first and fundamental carers?

    “I am extremely disappointed at Minister Tolley’s warning shot that she will delete from law, section 5 (c) (ii) that consideration must be given to how a decision affects the “family, whanau, hapu, iwi and family group”. This is effectively saying that whānau, hapū and iwi are incidental, irrelevant, to decisions around the best placement for a child.

    http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1609/S00336/anti-whanau-stance-inconsistent.htm

    I suppose the racists will come out on this one and start reciting all of the abuse cases and deaths of children by the hands of their kin – I am not dismissing the abuse that occurs daily to children, I am not trying to pretend that those things don’t happen.

    • Olwyn 1.1
      28 September 2016 at 8:18 am

      I utterly agree with you marty mars. The recent changes to CYFs, the naming of a new ministry the ministry for vulnerable children rather than just children, and the ruling out of whanau as the first port of call where there are problems , all point in a dangerous direction. So much easier to kick people out onto the street when photogenic kids are removed from the equation. So much easier to reach the bottom rung of the property ladder with a government-funded, Serco allocated foster kid or two. This policy direction has “stolen generation” written all over it.

      • Draco T Bastard 1.1.1
        28 September 2016 at 2:23 pm

        This policy direction has “stolen generation” written all over it.

        QFT

        National cares about two things:
        1. Making rich people richer
        2. Taking wealth and power away from everyone else and giving it to rich people

    • BM 1.2
      28 September 2016 at 10:13 am

      I don’t think it really matters where a Maori child is placed as long as it’s a safe and nurturing environment.

      If that’s only available in a non- Maori environment so what, it’s the well being of the child that’s most important.

      • marty mars 1.2.1
        28 September 2016 at 10:25 am

        Thanks. Now we know what our resident rwnj thinks.

        • BM 1.2.1.1
          28 September 2016 at 10:32 am

          You think that’s a bad thing?, a Maori child can only live with Maori people, what sort of fucked up racist thinking is that.

          Shame on you Super Maori.

          [Marty didn’t say that, neither did his original comment, and the law change isn’t about that. You know how to debate better than this BM. Pull your head in – weka]

      • Olwyn 1.2.2
        28 September 2016 at 10:35 am

        If you re-read marty mars’ comment, you will see that the current ruling allows for putting a child elsewhere when no other option is available. The problem lies with the fact that when the extended family option is available, it will no longer have priority. Which means that those deciding where to place a child might well prioritise the child’s having its own bedroom among strangers over their sharing a bedroom with a known-and-loved cousin, for example.

        • Chris 1.2.2.1
          28 September 2016 at 3:09 pm

          Turia is spot on here. And it’s not just affecting Maori. It’s operational failure that’s driving Tolley towards ideological law change. The perennial complaint about CYFS is that it focuses on protection over care when the Act gives equal weight to both. So social workers are putting kids in foster care before looking at care issues which if resolved would avoid that and let kids stay with their own families, consistent with both the objectives of the Act and the UNCROC. Much wider issues at play here, but Tolley’s using a steam roller to flatten everything that on all levels point to government failure.

      • Chris 1.2.3
        28 September 2016 at 2:45 pm

        So that justifies getting rid of supporting families to care for their own children as a primary objective of the Act? Because it doesn’t matter where children live? Fuck, I didn’t realise how much of a moron you are.

    • The Chairman 1.3
      28 September 2016 at 10:17 am

      “Put up by tolley and supported by ardern”

      Why is Labour supporting it?

      And with Labour also supporting it, it will be hard to overturn.

    • McFlock 1.4
      28 September 2016 at 12:36 pm

      It looks to me like Ardern might have put the cart before the horse on this one, although “supported by” might be over-egging it a bit (it’s the support equivalent of the non-apology apology).

      Putting her comment “There is not the same level of scrutiny around kin care, so there is not the same level of assessment of whether or not it’s the right or safest placement for the child.” […] “That unfortunately has undermined kin care and I can see why we have ended up in this place.” alongside your “Whānau get the same police checks and winz checks as any other placement. When placed with Whānau often that is it and those members receive less support and attention than foster parents.”, the obvious response is to make the ongoing support and attention given to all new immediate families for children conform to the same minimum level, rather than just dropping the kid off and hoping for the best.

      I’ll be interested to see if she actualy commits to a course of action one way or the other.

  2. Cinny 2
    28 September 2016 at 7:41 am

    Seymour tells the left not to do an Epsom in Mt Roskill… bahahahahahahaha pot calling the kettle black David.

    They are not hoodwinking the public, they are being straight up with them, that MOU is gold. Watch out David your electorate could be next, are you freaking out a little bit?

    http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1609/S00480/mt-roskill-arrangement-shows-oppositions-hypocrisy.htm

    • Ad 2.1
      28 September 2016 at 8:23 am

      +100
      A special place in hell for him.
      Seymour, who preaches that government and taxes are evil, but makes his living by being in government, riding the Ministerial limo, hoovering up all the taxpayer funded junkets he can find.

      • alwyn 2.1.1
        28 September 2016 at 12:52 pm

        “riding the Ministerial limo”.
        He doesn’t actually. He is not a minister, from his own volition, apparently.
        Only Ministers and the Leader of the Opposition in the Parliament get supplied with the limos.
        Winston is not pleased, I gather, that he is not allowed one.

    • alwyn 2.2
      28 September 2016 at 12:41 pm

      He didn’t tell them “not to do an Epsom in Mt Roskill” as you claim.
      He merely pointed out that the Labour candidate is a hypocrite for going along with something he complained about last election.
      As he pointed out “Strategic voting is a reality of MMP, but hypocrisy is optional”.

      • Chris 2.2.1
        28 September 2016 at 2:19 pm

        “Strategic voting is a reality of MMP, but hypocrisy is optional”.

        Seymour’s mixing how people vote with what parties say they’re doing. As Stephanie Rodgers referred to last week, in Epson the nats put up a candidate but told people to vote for Seymour. In Mt Roskill Labour and the Greens are being quite open about what they’re doing.

        The real question is whether Labour’s going to be really dumb again in 2017 and deliberately set out to fuck over potential coalition partners.

      • Repateet 2.2.2
        28 September 2016 at 5:11 pm

        Seymour knows all about hypocrisy, he is an expert at it. He likes people having options and that’s why he chooses hypocrisy.

        He railed against it the Epsom arrangement being described as the only thing that saved Act but that is reality. A reality he doesn’t like and doesn’t want others to focus on.

  3. Garibaldi 3
    28 September 2016 at 7:46 am

    Yet another example of the State underfunding a process then watching it fail and fobbing it off to private enterprise ,which will do a lesser job and make a profit to boot. Never mind the children , they are just “outcomes”.
    edit…. in reply to Marty Mars.

    • Manuka AOR 5.1
      28 September 2016 at 8:48 am

      Holland began screaming “Allahu Akbar” – Arabic for “God is great” – as Heneti and Hay continued to yell at each other.
      ….
      Swarbrick later told One News that Heneti “was pushing me aside quite a bit”, but with seven years of karate and two years of Muay Thai under her belt, she wasn’t afraid to intervene.

    • Puckish Rogue 5.2
      28 September 2016 at 9:11 am

      No wonder local body voting is down with clowns like this, though by the sounds of it Chloe Swarbrick probably picked up a few votes so good on her

  6. Manuka AOR 6
    28 September 2016 at 8:58 am

    Earth may be close to the warmest it has been in a million years:
    https://www.cnet.com/news/earth-may-be-at-warmest-point-in-million-years/

    Earth may be close to the warmest it has been in the last million years, especially in the part of the Pacific Ocean where potentially violent El Nino weather patterns are born, climate scientists reported on Monday.

    This doesn’t necessarily mean there will be more frequent El Ninos–which can disrupt normal weather around the world–but it could well mean that these wild patterns will be stronger when they occur, said James Hansen of NASA’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies in New York City.

    • Colonial Viper 6.1
      28 September 2016 at 9:27 am

      NASA announced a couple of weeks ago that we have just had the warmest global August on record, and it surpassed the previous warmest…which was in 2014.

      It was an increase of 0.16 deg C over the Aug 2014 temperature.

      For the math inclined that’s a 0.1 deg C rise every 15 months. Does that sound like “abrupt climate change” to you? It does to me.

      IMO we’re going to hit 2 deg C global average warming by 2030 on a pre-industrial basis, and probably we will do it with time to spare.

      Oddly enough, I am looking at a graphic which claims that we still have 28 years worth of carbon burning budget left for a 50% chance to avoid 2 deg C warming.

      But 2030 is only 14 years away.

      • Bill 6.1.1
        28 September 2016 at 10:47 am

        That budget is how big? Does it involve burning carbon at present rates (as implied by your comment)? Does it include land emissions and energy emissions? What level of cuts in energy use would be needed to satisfy that budget? Does it assume negative emission technology?

        You got a link?

        Must say. Your comments on AGW are becoming a tad ridiculous CV. Seems all you want to do is wave your arms screaming bad, badder and baddest and are quite willing to submit misleading comments to crow on about how you ‘got down’ on some bedderest of all bads scenario.

        • Manuka AOR 6.1.1.1
          28 September 2016 at 11:26 am

          Is this the link: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/mar/10/dangerous-global-warming-will-happen-sooner-than-thought-study

          ” researchers say a global tracker monitoring energy use per person points to 2C warming by 2030″

          University of Queensland and Griffith University researchers have developed a “global energy tracker” which predicts average world temperatures could climb 1.5C above pre-industrial levels by 2020.

          That forecast, based on new modelling using long-term average projections on economic growth, population growth and energy use per person, points to a 2C rise by 2030.

          • Bill 6.1.1.1.1
            28 September 2016 at 11:32 am

            No, that’s not a link containing any “graphic which claims that we still have 28 years worth of carbon burning budget left for a 50% chance to avoid 2 deg C warming.”

                • Colonial Viper …
                  28 September 2016 at 2:45 pm

                  Hi marty mars, your following me around like this is endearing but seriously: there isn’t 5ppm of difference between Clinton and Trump on climate change.

                  Clinton knows how to say the right things though, I’ll give her that.

                  • marty mars …
                    28 September 2016 at 4:55 pm

                    I’m pleased you are happy about it – and I just cannot help putting some facts in when you pontificate from on high with weepy eyes about all the things you say you care about but actually deliberately work against – like trump and his climate change denier status and this bullshit trumpism of yours of 5ppm.

              • Bill …
                29 September 2016 at 6:07 pm

                Strictly speaking, these aren’t probabilities, but are the proportion of all the model simulations that keep warming below that temperature limit.

                Okay. That’s the 5th para from your link. So it’s a graph relating to or tabulating the conclusions of various models – not the real world.

                Additional small detail. All the major models that hold to 2 degrees employ either peak dates from “yesterday” or assume negative emission tech. Some use both sleights of hand.

                That’s from Kevin Anderson who trawled through hundreds of ‘integrated assessment models’. Go to any of his more recent presentations and that information will be in there. Not one of his peers from the scientific community has challenged his findings on that front.

                But thanks for providing the link.

      • Poission 6.1.2
        28 September 2016 at 11:54 am

        NASA announced a couple of weeks ago that we have just had the warmest global August on record

        http://www.giss.nasa.gov/gfx/spot/2016/201609_data_gistemp_736x480_x2.jpg

        Neat trick with the spherical cow there,can you spot the problems?

  7. DH 7
    28 September 2016 at 9:09 am

    Seems it might be time for all those who sneered at Penny Bright to eat some humble pie….

    “Corruption at council widespread, says Crown”

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11717850

    • The Chairman 7.1
      28 September 2016 at 9:20 am

      Dickey said the Court would hear from nearly a dozen former staffers from RDC and Auckland Transport who would show – sometimes reluctantly as they were themselves implicated – that corruption had spread and become deep-rooted.

      “The extensive provision of benefits to staff at all levels of their teams resulted in a culture where corruption flourished and was normalised, with no questions asked,” he said.

      • save nz 7.1.1
        28 September 2016 at 2:39 pm

        +1 Chairman – totally true. Sad, that only Penny, of the Mayoral candidates seem concerned about it.

        There are serious issues with the relationships between council staff and private companies and where the rate payers dollars are going.

        • The Chairman 7.1.1.1
          28 September 2016 at 6:57 pm

          “There are serious issues with the relationships between council staff and private companies and where the rate payers dollars are going.”

          With this sort of carry on, one can see why the council has failed to meet Penny’s demand for transparency.

      • Macro 7.1.2
        28 September 2016 at 3:41 pm

        The extensive provision of benefits to staff at all levels of their teams resulted in a culture where corruption flourished and was normalised, with no questions asked,” he said.

        So very, very, true. And it has been going on for years. I know of someone who was regularly being treated to Box seats at Rugby Games at Eden Park years ago. I was astounded then, but he thought it was entirely ok! The fact that those offering the treats were businesses he had regular dealings with in his day to day work seemed to escape him.

        • Draco T Bastard 7.1.2.1
          28 September 2016 at 5:11 pm

          That does seem to be a problem in NZ – we simply don’t recognise the corruption that’s so much in our face.

        • The Chairman 7.1.2.2
          28 September 2016 at 7:49 pm

          The fact it is being described as “normalised” is concerning.

          It will be hard to eradicate being this in set.

    • save nz 7.2
      28 September 2016 at 2:36 pm

      +1 DH

    • whispering kate 7.3
      28 September 2016 at 4:48 pm

      Barrie George, Noone’s Deputy pleaded guilty on the eve of the trial to receiving $108,580 in bribes which he mostly used for twenty overseas holidays for himself and his family. He received 10 months Home Detention.

      What a slap with a wet bus ticket that was – with all the hoo haa over the rugby player who knocked senseless and assaulted four people and was let off – its pretty obvious that there is one law for one section of society and one for the rest of us. I can see what an unfortunate person on a benefit would get if he chose to accept money under the counter while receiving his/her miserable amount they receive from the Government. It sure wouldn’t be 10 months home detention.

      Good on you Penny for keeping up the good work, there are many who applaud your guts and determination. No bloody wonder our rates keep rising – just to keep people in holidays overseas – its disgusting.

    • Draco T Bastard 7.4
      28 September 2016 at 5:05 pm

      Crown prosecutor Brian Dickey said part of the Crown’s case is that Borlase arranged matters so the Rodney District Council – and later Auckland Transport – effectively paid to have their own staff bribed.

      Dickey outlined what he described as a pattern of transactions: Projenz laying on expensive hospitality for Noone’s staff; Noone invoicing Projenz for hundreds of thousands of dollars in allegedly sham “consultation” fees; and progressive larger contracts, first from Rodney District Council then Auckland Transport, being sent Projenz’s way.

      If the council still did it’s own work and didn’t outsource to the private sector then none of this could actually happen.

      The more privatisation that we have the more the corruption shows up.

  9. J 9
    28 September 2016 at 10:47 am

    Can someone please point me to the place where the mayoral candidates for Auckland talk about their promises on assets which they are the guardians of. Specifically – water, but also Port of Auckland and airport shares.

    Thank you very much in advance.

  11. Colonial Viper 11
    28 September 2016 at 11:27 am

    The commercial ecosystem of western propaganda surrounding Syria: tricking progressives

    From the outstanding alternative news site Consortium News

    The results of similar media manipulation can be seen in the widespread misunderstanding of the conflict in Syria, amid the demonization of the Syrian government and leadership and the skillful use of social media by anti-government activists. Influenced by both mainstream and this alternative media, most people in the West do not know that Bashar al-Assad remains popular with many Syrians. Nor do they realize that Assad won an election two years ago.

    There were three contestants in the Syrian presidential election of June 2014. Turnout was 73 percent of the registered voters, with 88 percent voting for Assad. In Beirut, the streets were clogged with tens of thousands of Syrian refugees marching through the city to vote at the Syrian Embassy. Hundreds of Syrian citizens living in the U.S. and other Western countries flew to Syria to vote because Syrian Embassies in Washington and other Western capitals were shut down.

    While Secretary of State John Kerry was condemning the Syrian election as a “farce” before it had even happened, a marketing company known as The Syria Campaign waged a campaign to block knowledge of the Syrian election. Along with demonizing President Assad, the company launched a campaign which led to Facebook censoring information about the Syrian election.

    https://consortiumnews.com/2016/09/23/how-us-propaganda-plays-in-syrian-war/

    • Psycho Milt 11.1
      28 September 2016 at 12:43 pm

      He must be very popular indeed, just like his father was before him, because he and his dad always won by a huge majority. I expect the fact that the electoral authorities don’t want to end up dangling by their heels with electrodes on their bollocks had a bit to do with those awesome results, but still, very well played.

      The funny thing is, I bet these saps aren’t even getting paid for writing this stuff.

  12. rhinocrates 12
    28 September 2016 at 12:57 pm

    Elon Musk announces that it will be cheaper to buy a house on Mars than Auckland:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A1YxNYiyALg

    (presentation starts about 20 minutes in)

  13. adam 13
    28 September 2016 at 1:47 pm

    Who was the man to cut down the last tree on Easter Island?

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0lWJluRA2XY

    • Colonial Viper 13.1
      28 September 2016 at 3:16 pm

      Hedges is magnificent as usual.

    • joe90 13.2
      28 September 2016 at 4:52 pm

      Who was the man to cut down the last tree on Easter Island?

      A fairy tale to cover up the real culprits.

      Their explanation stands in stark contrast to the traditional story, starting with the very timing of the original inhabitants’ arrival on the island. While Bahn and Dr. Flenley suggest that humans were living on the island before the first millennium of the common era was over, Dr. Lipo and Dr. Hunt say people didn’t arrive until around 1200 AD.

      According to Lipo and Hunt, the Rapa Nui people went on to thrive, although not in as large numbers as the traditional story suggests. And their agricultural lifestyle wasn’t their ruin. Instead of committing ecocide, the Rapa Nui were still doing well when the Europeans arrived.

      What ultimately did in the thriving civilization, they argue, was contact with Europeans. The explorers carried diseases, thinning the population, before ultimately enslaving and decimating many.

      http://www.csmonitor.com/Science/2016/0217/Mystery-of-Rapa-Nui-What-really-happened-at-Easter-Island

  14. Bearded Bit 14
    28 September 2016 at 1:55 pm

    Good old Maggie Barry-has funding for lawyers defending the indefensible, but not for huts, tracks and biodiversity.

    “DOC today sought leave to appeal [[to the Supreme Court] the court’s direction that the Director-General reconsider his decision on a land exchange for the Ruataniwha Water Storage Scheme.
    We are making this appeal because the effect of the decision on the management of public conservation land is a matter of public importance,” Conservation Minister Maggie Barry said.”

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11718531

  15. Ed 15
    28 September 2016 at 1:56 pm

    Widespread corruption
    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11717850

    Is this Just “normal” crony capitalism, or enhancing business profitablity by design (ACT and the limited control of “Council Controlled entities,” or an isolated incident that shows that corruption does eventually get caught by Auckland City processes.

    If this is happening in Auckland, is it also happening with roads of National/ACT significance?

    • save nz 15.1
      28 September 2016 at 3:03 pm

      It’s not just Auckland, theres the National government (so many issues to point out from Saudi Sheep to Scenic hotels) also I heard a rumour that Wellington council has just approved 8 million dollars to Singapore Airlines to fly to Wellington… Most people just want the libraries and their rubbish collected, not blowing money left right and centre.

      Theres also advice given to Auckland council from their so called private advisers Simpson Grierson (legal) and Deloittes… (IT). Someone should work out if these advisers fees have ballooned over the years and whether the advice was of sufficient quality for the amount of fees…

      Don’t forget the IT guy in Southland who stole millions from the health board with fake invoices…

      So many staff with their noses in the troughs.. I suspect the current case is just the tip of the ice berg. What’s going on with the SOF isn’t that their remit to look into this stuff …

      • Colonial Viper 15.1.1
        28 September 2016 at 3:12 pm

        Don’t forget the IT guy in Southland who stole millions from the health board with fake invoices…

        A famous Dunedin story and rumours of where he stashed that wealth abound

      • McFlock 15.1.2
        28 September 2016 at 4:48 pm

        … and also Dunedin, the council fleet manager who offloaded council vehicles to local dealers at low prices and pocketed the cash.

      • CC 15.1.3
        28 September 2016 at 5:50 pm

        Not a rumour save nz, the Wellington City Council slush fund administered by the CEO, handed $8m to Singapore Airlines to have a service that hubs at Canberra rather than Sydney or Melbourne. Funny – no screams of disapproval from the CEO of the Chamber of Commerce that threatened to take the Council to Court for voting to pay a living wage!

  16. Bearded Git 16
    28 September 2016 at 1:59 pm

    Good old Maggie Barry-has funds for lawyers defending the indefensible but not for track, huts and biodiversity.

    “DOC today sought leave to appeal [to the Supreme Court] the court’s direction that the Director-General reconsider his decision on a land exchange for the Ruataniwha Water Storage Scheme.
    “We are making this appeal because the effect of the decision on the management of public conservation land is a matter of public importance,” Conservation Minister Maggie Barry said.”

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11718531

  17. Chris 17
    28 September 2016 at 2:38 pm

    Don’t buy from Australian companies? If you really want to hurt them boycott all sport with Australia. That’s what’ll do it.

    https://norightturn.blogspot.co.nz/2016/08/dont-buy-australian.html

  18. Takere 18
    28 September 2016 at 3:22 pm

    Looks like we’ve got Muzza & the Pom’s have got a “poet” as a Foreign Minister called Boris who’s currently in Turkey collecting his prize for writing this poem for Erdogan;

    Winner of the British magazine, the Spectator, offered a £1,000 ($1,440) prize for the most offensive poem against Erdoğan.

    “There was a young fellow from Ankara
    Who was a terrific wankerer
    Till he sowed his wild oats
    With the help of a goat
    But he didn’t even stop to thankera.”

    Muzza,Boris & Trump would make an awesome team? What for, I don’t know yet?

    http://qz.com/688126/would-you-like-to-read-boris-johnsons-dirty-goat-sex-limerick-about-the-turkish-president/

  19. Chris 19
    28 September 2016 at 3:36 pm

    Here’s a classic example of what happens to people since Labour got rid of the special benefit in 2004:

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/84670949/a-womans-struggle-after-daughters-death

    Doesn’t look like she’s getting temporary additional support but that wouldn’t deal with a situation like this anywhere near as effectively as how the special benefit used to.

    • weka 19.1
      28 September 2016 at 6:38 pm

      There’s a lot to be angry about in that article but my palpable rage comes from Stuff putting 11 helpline numbers under that article and not a single one of them is to a beneficiary advocacy group.

  20. ianmac 20
    28 September 2016 at 5:44 pm

    Reading the text of Trumps debate yesterday on a linguists site, it identifies what happens when Trump speaks. On paper it transcribes as a disjointed mess regarding “the terrible deal the US has made with Iran,” for example.
    But live with gestures and tones he does get his message to those who want to hear.

    Read Key’s transcribed of the off-the -cuff speeches and exactly the same happens. Disjointed and ambiguous but the believers get his message. And later he can use the ambiguity to justify his position.

    So I think Key and Trump use the same speaking style and it works!

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    The pungent smell of gasoline in your car can be an alarming and potentially dangerous problem. Not only is the odor unpleasant, but it can also indicate a serious issue with your vehicle’s fuel system. In this article, we will explore the various reasons why your car may smell like ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    1 hour ago

  • How to Remove Tree Sap from Car A Comprehensive Guide
    Tree sap can be a sticky, unsightly mess on your car’s exterior. It can be difficult to remove, but with the right techniques and products, you can restore your car to its former glory. Understanding Tree Sap Tree sap is a thick, viscous liquid produced by trees to seal wounds ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    1 hour ago

  • How Much Paint Do You Need to Paint a Car?
    The amount of paint needed to paint a car depends on a number of factors, including the size of the car, the number of coats you plan to apply, and the type of paint you are using. In general, you will need between 1 and 2 gallons of paint for ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    1 hour ago

  • Can You Jump a Car in the Rain? Safety Precautions and Essential Steps
    Jump-starting a car is a common task that can be performed even in adverse weather conditions like rain. However, safety precautions and proper techniques are crucial to avoid potential hazards. This comprehensive guide will provide detailed instructions on how to safely jump a car in the rain, ensuring both your ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    1 hour ago

  • Can taxpayers be confident PIJF cash was spent wisely?
    Graham Adams writes about the $55m media fund — When Patrick Gower was asked by Mike Hosking last week what he would say to the many Newstalk ZB callers who allege the Labour government bribed media with $55 million of taxpayers’ money via the Public Interest Journalism Fund — and ...
    Point of OrderBy gadams1000
    7 hours ago

  • EGU2024 – An intense week of joining sessions virtually
    Note: this blog post has been put together over the course of the week I followed the happenings at the conference virtually. Should recordings of the Great Debates and possibly Union Symposia mentioned below, be released sometime after the conference ends, I'll include links to the ones I participated in. ...
    Skeptical Science
    9 hours ago

  • Submission on “Fast Track Approvals Bill”
    The following was my submission made on the “Fast Track Approvals Bill”. This potential law will give three Ministers unchecked powers, un-paralled since the days of Robert Muldoon’s “Think Big” projects.The submission is written a bit tongue-in-cheek. But it’s irreverent because the FTAB is in itself not worthy of respect. ...
    Frankly SpeakingBy Frank Macskasy
    10 hours ago

  • The Case for a Universal Family Benefit
    One Could Reduce Child Poverty At No Fiscal CostFollowing the Richardson/Shipley 1990 ‘redesign of the welfare state’ – which eliminated the universal Family Benefit and doubled the rate of child poverty – various income supplements for families have been added, the best known being ‘Working for Families’, introduced in 2005. ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    11 hours ago

  • A who’s who of New Zealand’s dodgiest companies
    Submissions on National's corrupt Muldoonist fast-track law are due today (have you submitted?), and just hours before they close, Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop has been forced to release the list of companies he invited to apply. I've spent the last hour going through it in an epic thread of bleats, ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    13 hours ago

  • On Lee’s watch, Economic Development seems to be stuck on scoring points from promoting sporting e...
    Buzz from the Beehive A few days ago, Point of Order suggested the media must be musing “on why Melissa is mute”. Our article reported that people working in the beleaguered media industry have cause to yearn for a minister as busy as Melissa Lee’s ministerial colleagues and we drew ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    14 hours ago

  • New Zealand has never been closed for business
    1. What was The Curse of Jim Bolger?a. Winston Peters b. Soon after shaking his hand, world leaders would mysteriously lose office or shuffle off this mortal coilc. Could never shake off the Mother of All Budgetsd. Dandruff2. True or false? The Chairman of a Kiwi export business has asked the ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    15 hours ago

  • Stop the panic – we’ve been here before
    Jack Vowles writes – New Zealand is said to be suffering from ‘serious populist discontent’. An IPSOS MORI survey has reported that we have an increasing preference for strong leaders, think that the economy is rigged toward the rich and powerful, and political elites are ignoring ‘hard-working people’.  ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    17 hours ago

  • Melissa Lee and the media: ending the quest
    Chris Trotter writes –  MELISSA LEE should be deprived of her ministerial warrant. Her handling – or non-handling – of the crisis engulfing the New Zealand news media has been woeful. The fate of New Zealand’s two linear television networks, a question which the Minister of Broadcasting, Communications ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    19 hours ago

  • The Hoon around the week to April 19
    TL;DR: The podcast above features co-hosts and , along with regular guests Robert Patman on Gaza and AUKUS II, and on climate change.The six things that mattered in Aotearoa’s political economy that we wrote and spoke about via The Kākā and elsewhere for paying subscribers in the ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    19 hours ago

  • The ‘Humpty Dumpty’ end result of dismantling our environmental protections
    Policymakers rarely wish to make plain or visible their desire to dismantle environmental policy, least of all to the young. Photo: Lynn GrievesonTL;DR: Here’s the top five news items of note in climate news for Aotearoa-NZ this week, and a discussion above between Bernard Hickey and The Kākā’s climate correspondent ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    20 hours ago

  • Nicola's Salad Days.
    I like to keep an eye on what’s happening in places like the UK, the US, and over the ditch with our good mates the Aussies. Let’s call them AUKUS, for want of a better collective term. More on that in a bit.It used to be, not long ago, that ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    20 hours ago

  • Study sees climate change baking in 19% lower global income by 2050
    TL;DR: The global economy will be one fifth smaller than it would have otherwise been in 2050 as a result of climate damage, according to a new study by the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) and published in the journal Nature. (See more detail and analysis below, and ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    21 hours ago

  • Weekly Roundup 19-April-2024
    It’s Friday again. Here’s some of the things that caught our attention this week. This Week on Greater Auckland On Tuesday Matt covered at the government looking into a long tunnel for Wellington. On Wednesday we ran a post from Oscar Simms on some lessons from Texas. AT’s ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    22 hours ago

  • Jack Vowles: Stop the panic – we’ve been here before
    New Zealand is said to be suffering from ‘serious populist discontent’. An IPSOS MORI survey has reported that we have an increasing preference for strong leaders, think that the economy is rigged toward the rich and powerful, and political elites are ignoring ‘hard-working people’.  The data is from February this ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    23 hours ago

  • Clearing up confusion (or trying to)
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters is understood to be planning a major speech within the next fortnight to clear up the confusion over whether or not New Zealand might join the AUKUS submarine project. So far, there have been conflicting signals from the Government. RNZ reported the Prime Minister yesterday in ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    1 day ago

  • How to Retrieve Deleted Call Log iPhone Without Computer
    How to Retrieve Deleted Call Log on iPhone Without a Computer: A Step–by–Step Guide Losing your iPhone call history can be frustrating, especially when you need to find a specific number or recall an important conversation. But before you panic, know that there are ways to retrieve deleted call logs on your iPhone, even without a computer. This guide will explore various methods, ranging from simple checks to utilizing iCloud backups and third–party applications. So, let‘s dive in and recover those lost calls! 1. Check Recently Deleted Folder: Apple understands that accidental deletions happen. That‘s why they introduced the “Recently Deleted“ folder for various apps, including the Phone app. This folder acts as a safety net, storing deleted call logs for up to 30 days before permanently erasing them. Here‘s how to check it: Open the Phone app on your iPhone. Tap on the “Recents“ tab at the bottom. Scroll to the top and tap on “Edit“. Select “Show Recently Deleted“. Browse the list to find the call logs you want to recover. Tap on the desired call log and choose “Recover“ to restore it to your call history. 2. Restore from iCloud Backup: If you regularly back up your iPhone to iCloud, you might be able to retrieve your deleted call log from a previous backup. However, keep in mind that this process will restore your entire phone to the state it was in at the time of the backup, potentially erasing any data added since then. Here‘s how to restore from an iCloud backup: Go to Settings > General > Reset. Choose “Erase All Content and Settings“. Follow the on–screen instructions. Your iPhone will restart and show the initial setup screen. Choose “Restore from iCloud Backup“ during the setup process. Select the relevant backup that contains your deleted call log. Wait for the restoration process to complete. 3. Explore Third–Party Apps (with Caution): ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    1 day ago

  • How to Factory Reset iPhone without Computer: A Comprehensive Guide to Restoring your Device
    Life throws curveballs, and sometimes, those curveballs necessitate wiping your iPhone clean and starting anew. Whether you’re facing persistent software glitches, preparing to sell your device, or simply wanting a fresh start, knowing how to factory reset iPhone without a computer is a valuable skill. While using a computer with ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    1 day ago

  • How to Call Someone on a Computer: A Guide to Voice and Video Communication in the Digital Age
    Gone are the days when communication was limited to landline phones and physical proximity. Today, computers have become powerful tools for connecting with people across the globe through voice and video calls. But with a plethora of applications and methods available, how to call someone on a computer might seem ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    1 day ago

  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #16 2024
    Open access notables Glacial isostatic adjustment reduces past and future Arctic subsea permafrost, Creel et al., Nature Communications: Sea-level rise submerges terrestrial permafrost in the Arctic, turning it into subsea permafrost. Subsea permafrost underlies ~ 1.8 million km2 of Arctic continental shelf, with thicknesses in places exceeding 700 m. Sea-level variations over glacial-interglacial cycles control ...
    Skeptical Science
    1 day ago

  • Where on a Computer is the Operating System Generally Stored? Delving into the Digital Home of your ...
    The operating system (OS) is the heart and soul of a computer, orchestrating every action and interaction between hardware and software. But have you ever wondered where on a computer is the operating system generally stored? The answer lies in the intricate dance between hardware and software components, particularly within ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    1 day ago

  • How Many Watts Does a Laptop Use? Understanding Power Consumption and Efficiency
    Laptops have become essential tools for work, entertainment, and communication, offering portability and functionality. However, with rising energy costs and growing environmental concerns, understanding a laptop’s power consumption is more important than ever. So, how many watts does a laptop use? The answer, unfortunately, isn’t straightforward. It depends on several ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    1 day ago

  • How to Screen Record on a Dell Laptop A Guide to Capturing Your Screen with Ease
    Screen recording has become an essential tool for various purposes, such as creating tutorials, capturing gameplay footage, recording online meetings, or sharing information with others. Fortunately, Dell laptops offer several built-in and external options for screen recording, catering to different needs and preferences. This guide will explore various methods on ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    1 day ago

  • How Much Does it Cost to Fix a Laptop Screen? Navigating Repair Options and Costs
    A cracked or damaged laptop screen can be a frustrating experience, impacting productivity and enjoyment. Fortunately, laptop screen repair is a common service offered by various repair shops and technicians. However, the cost of fixing a laptop screen can vary significantly depending on several factors. This article delves into the ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    1 day ago

  • How Long Do Gaming Laptops Last? Demystifying Lifespan and Maximizing Longevity
    Gaming laptops represent a significant investment for passionate gamers, offering portability and powerful performance for immersive gaming experiences. However, a common concern among potential buyers is their lifespan. Unlike desktop PCs, which allow for easier component upgrades, gaming laptops have inherent limitations due to their compact and integrated design. This ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    1 day ago

  • Climate Change: Turning the tide
    The annual inventory report of New Zealand's greenhouse gas emissions has been released, showing that gross emissions have dropped for the third year in a row, to 78.4 million tons: All-told gross emissions have decreased by over 6 million tons since the Zero Carbon Act was passed in 2019. ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    1 day ago

  • How to Unlock Your Computer A Comprehensive Guide to Regaining Access
    Experiencing a locked computer can be frustrating, especially when you need access to your files and applications urgently. The methods to unlock your computer will vary depending on the specific situation and the type of lock you encounter. This guide will explore various scenarios and provide step-by-step instructions on how ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    2 days ago

  • Faxing from Your Computer A Modern Guide to Sending Documents Digitally
    While the world has largely transitioned to digital communication, faxing still holds relevance in certain industries and situations. Fortunately, gone are the days of bulky fax machines and dedicated phone lines. Today, you can easily send and receive faxes directly from your computer, offering a convenient and efficient way to ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    2 days ago

  • Protecting Your Home Computer A Guide to Cyber Awareness
    In our increasingly digital world, home computers have become essential tools for work, communication, entertainment, and more. However, this increased reliance on technology also exposes us to various cyber threats. Understanding these threats and taking proactive steps to protect your home computer is crucial for safeguarding your personal information, finances, ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    2 days ago

  • Server-Based Computing Powering the Modern Digital Landscape
    In the ever-evolving world of technology, server-based computing has emerged as a cornerstone of modern digital infrastructure. This article delves into the concept of server-based computing, exploring its various forms, benefits, challenges, and its impact on the way we work and interact with technology. Understanding Server-Based Computing: At its core, ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    2 days ago

  • Vroom vroom go the big red trucks
    The absolute brass neck of this guy.We want more medical doctors, not more spin doctors, Luxon was saying a couple of weeks ago, and now we’re told the guy has seven salaried adults on TikTok duty. Sorry, doing social media. The absolute brass neck of it. The irony that the ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago

  • Jones finds $410,000 to help the government muscle in on a spat project
    Buzz from the Beehive Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones relishes spatting and eagerly takes issue with environmentalists who criticise his enthusiasm for resource development. He relishes helping the fishing industry too. And so today, while the media are making much of the latest culling in the public service to ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    2 days ago

  • Again, hate crimes are not necessarily terrorism.
    Having written, taught and worked for the US government on issues involving unconventional warfare and terrorism for 30-odd years, two things irritate me the most when the subject is discussed in public. The first is the Johnny-come-lately academics-turned-media commentators who … Continue reading → ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    2 days ago

  • Despair – construction consenting edition
    Eric Crampton writes – Kainga Ora is the government’s house building agency. It’s been building a lot of social housing. Kainga Ora has its own (but independent) consenting authority, Consentium. It’s a neat idea. Rather than have to deal with building consents across each different territorial authority, Kainga Ora ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago

  • Coalition promises – will the Govt keep the commitment to keep Kiwis equal before the law?
    Muriel Newman writes – The Coalition Government says it is moving with speed to deliver campaign promises and reverse the damage done by Labour. One of their key commitments is to “defend the principle that New Zealanders are equal before the law.” To achieve this, they have pledged they “will not advance ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago

  • An impermanent public service is a guarantee of very little else but failure
    Chris Trotter writes –  The absence of anything resembling a fightback from the public servants currently losing their jobs is interesting. State-sector workers’ collective fatalism in the face of Coalition cutbacks indicates a surprisingly broad acceptance of impermanence in the workplace. Fifty years ago, lay-offs in the thousands ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago

  • What happens after the war – Mariupol
    Mariupol, on the Azov Sea coast, was one of the first cities to suffer almost complete destruction after the start of the Ukraine War started in late February 2022. We remember the scenes of absolute destruction of the houses and city structures. The deaths of innocent civilians – many of ...
    Open ParachuteBy Ken
    2 days ago

  • Babies and benefits – no good news
    Lindsay Mitchell writes – Ten years ago, I wrote the following in a Listener column: Every year around one in five new-born babies will be reliant on their caregivers benefit by Christmas. This pattern has persisted from at least 1993. For Maori the number jumps to over one in three.  ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago

  • Should the RBNZ be looking through climate inflation?
    Climate change is expected to generate more and more extreme events, delivering a sort of structural shock to inflation that central banks will have to react to as if they were short-term cyclical issues. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāMy pick of the six newsey things to know from Aotearoa’s ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago

  • Bernard's pick 'n' mix of the news links
    The top six news links I’ve seen elsewhere in the last 24 hours, as of 9:16 am on Thursday, April 18 are:Housing: Tauranga residents living in boats, vans RNZ Checkpoint Louise TernouthHousing: Waikato councillor says wastewater plant issues could hold up Sleepyhead building a massive company town Waikato Times Stephen ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago

  • Gordon Campbell on the public sector carnage, and misogyny as terrorism
    It’s a simple deal. We pay taxes in order to finance the social services we want and need. The carnage now occurring across the public sector though, is breaking that contract. Over 3,000 jobs have been lost so far. Many are in crucial areas like Education where the impact of ...
    Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
    2 days ago

  • Meeting the Master Baiters
    Hi,A friend had their 40th over the weekend and decided to theme it after Curb Your Enthusiasm fashion icon Susie Greene. Captured in my tiny kitchen before I left the house, I ending up evoking a mix of old lesbian and Hillary Clinton — both unintentional.Me vs Hillary ClintonIf you’re ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    2 days ago

  • How extreme was the Earth's temperature in 2023
    This is a re-post from Andrew Dessler at the Climate Brink blog In 2023, the Earth reached temperature levels unprecedented in modern times. Given that, it’s reasonable to ask: What’s going on? There’s been lots of discussions by scientists about whether this is just the normal progression of global warming or if something ...
    Skeptical Science
    2 days ago

  • Backbone, revisited
    The schools are on holiday and the sun is shining in the seaside village and all day long I have been seeing bunches of bikes; Mums, Dads, teens and toddlers chattering, laughing, happy, having a bloody great time together. Cheers, AT, for the bits of lane you’ve added lately around the ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago

  • Ministers are not above the law
    Today in our National-led authoritarian nightmare: Shane Jones thinks Ministers should be above the law: New Zealand First MP Shane Jones is accusing the Waitangi Tribunal of over-stepping its mandate by subpoenaing a minister for its urgent hearing on the Oranga Tamariki claim. The tribunal is looking into the ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    3 days ago

  • What’s the outfit you can hear going down the gurgler? Probably it’s David Parker’s Oceans Sec...
    Buzz from the Beehive Point  of Order first heard of the Oceans Secretariat in June 2021, when David Parker (remember him?) announced a multi-agency approach to protecting New Zealand’s marine ecosystems and fisheries. Parker (holding the Environment, and Oceans and Fisheries portfolios) broke the news at the annual Forest & ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    3 days ago

  • Will politicians let democracy die in the darkness?
    Bryce Edwards writes  – Politicians across the political spectrum are implicated in the New Zealand media’s failing health. Either through neglect or incompetent interventions, successive governments have failed to regulate, foster, and allow a healthy Fourth Estate that can adequately hold politicians and the powerful to account. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago

  • Matt Doocey doubles down on trans “healthcare”
    Citizen Science writes –  Last week saw two significant developments in the debate over the treatment of trans-identifying children and young people – the release in Britain of the final report of Dr Hilary Cass’s review into gender healthcare, and here in New Zealand, the news that the ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago

  • A TikTok Prime Minister.
    One night while sleeping in my bed I had a beautiful dreamThat all the people of the world got together on the same wavelengthAnd began helping one anotherNow in this dream, universal love was the theme of the dayPeace and understanding and it happened this wayAfter such an eventful day ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago

  • Texas Lessons
    This is a guest post by Oscar Simms who is a housing activist, volunteer for the Coalition for More Homes, and was the Labour Party candidate for Auckland Central at the last election. ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    3 days ago

  • Bernard's pick 'n' mix of the news links at 6:06 am
    The top six news links I’ve seen elsewhere in the last 24 hours as of 6:06 am on Wednesday, April 17 are:Must read: Secrecy shrouds which projects might be fast-tracked RNZ Farah HancockScoop: Revealed: Luxon has seven staffers working on social media content - partly paid for by taxpayer Newshub ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago

  • Fighting poverty on the holiday highway
    Turning what Labour called the “holiday highway” into a four-lane expressway from Auckland to Whangarei could bring at least an economic benefit of nearly two billion a year for Northland each year. And it could help bring an end to poverty in one of New Zealand’s most deprived regions. The ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    3 days ago

  • Bernard's six-stack of substacks at 6:26 pm
    Tonight’s six-stack includes: launching his substack with a bunch of his previous documentaries, including this 1992 interview with Dame Whina Cooper. and here crew give climate activists plenty to do, including this call to submit against the Fast Track Approvals bill. writes brilliantly here on his substack ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago

  • At a glance – Is the science settled?
    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 ...
    Skeptical Science
    3 days ago

  • Apposite Quotations.
    How Long Is Long Enough? Gaza under Israeli bombardment, July 2014. This posting is exclusive to Bowalley Road. ...
    Bowalley Road
    4 days ago

  • What’s a life worth now?
    You're in the mall when you hear it: some kind of popping sound in the distance, kids with fireworks, maybe. But then a moment of eerie stillness is followed by more of the fireworks sound and there’s also screaming and shrieking and now here come people running for their lives.Does ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 days ago

  • Howling at the Moon
    Karl du Fresne writes –  There’s a crisis in the news media and the media are blaming it on everyone except themselves. Culpability is being deflected elsewhere – mainly to the hapless Minister of Communications, Melissa Lee, and the big social media platforms that are accused of hoovering ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • Newshub is Dead.
    I don’t normally send out two newsletters in a day but I figured I’d say something about… the news. If two newsletters is a bit much then maybe just skip one, I don’t want to overload people. Alternatively if you’d be interested in sometimes receiving multiple, smaller updates from me, ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago

  • Seymour is chuffed about cutting early-learning red tape – but we hear, too, that Jones has loose...
    Buzz from the Beehive David Seymour and Winston Peters today signalled that at least two ministers of the Crown might be in Wellington today. Seymour (as Associate Minister of Education) announced the removal of more red tape, this time to make it easier for new early learning services to be ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago

  • Bryce Edwards: Will politicians let democracy die in the darkness?
    Politicians across the political spectrum are implicated in the New Zealand media’s failing health. Either through neglect or incompetent interventions, successive governments have failed to regulate, foster, and allow a healthy Fourth Estate that can adequately hold politicians and the powerful to account. Our political system is suffering from the ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    4 days ago

  • Was Hawkesby entirely wrong?
    David Farrar  writes –  The Broadcasting Standards Authority ruled: Comments by radio host Kate Hawkesby suggesting Māori and Pacific patients were being prioritised for surgery due to their ethnicity were misleading and discriminatory, the Broadcasting Standards Authority has found. It is a fact such patients are prioritised. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • PRC shadow looms as the Solomons head for election
    PRC and its proxies in Solomons have been preparing for these elections for a long time. A lot of money, effort and intelligence have gone into ensuring an outcome that won’t compromise Beijing’s plans. Cleo Paskall writes – On April 17th the Solomon Islands, a country of ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • Climate Change: Criminal ecocide
    We are in the middle of a climate crisis. Last year was (again) the hottest year on record. NOAA has just announced another global coral bleaching event. Floods are threatening UK food security. So naturally, Shane Jones wants to make it easier to mine coal: Resources Minister Shane Jones ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago

  • Is saving one minute of a politician's time worth nearly $1 billion?
    Is speeding up the trip to and from Wellington airport by 12 minutes worth spending up more than $10 billion? Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The six news items that stood out to me in the last day to 8:26 am today are:The Lead: Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago

  • Long Tunnel or Long Con?
    Yesterday it was revealed that Transport Minister had asked Waka Kotahi to look at the options for a long tunnel through Wellington. State Highway 1 (SH1) through Wellington City is heavily congested at peak times and while planning continues on the duplicate Mt Victoria Tunnel and Basin Reserve project, the ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    4 days ago

  • Smoke And Mirrors.
    You're a fraud, and you know itBut it's too good to throw it all awayAnyone would do the sameYou've got 'em goingAnd you're careful not to show itSometimes you even fool yourself a bitIt's like magicBut it's always been a smoke and mirrors gameAnyone would do the sameForty six billion ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago

  • $41m to support clean energy in South East Asia
    New Zealand is demonstrating its commitment to reducing global greenhouse emissions, and supporting clean energy transition in South East Asia, through a contribution of NZ$41 million (US$25 million) in climate finance to the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-led Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM). Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    13 hours ago

  • Minister releases Fast-track stakeholder list
    The Government is today releasing a list of organisations who received letters about the Fast-track applications process, says RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop. “Recently Ministers and agencies have received a series of OIA requests for a list of organisations to whom I wrote with information on applying to have a ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    15 hours ago

  • Judicial appointments announced
    Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister David Jonathan Boldt as a Judge of the High Court, and the Honourable Justice Matthew Palmer as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Boldt graduated with an LLB from Victoria University of Wellington in 1990, and also holds ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    16 hours ago

  • Education Minister heads to major teaching summit in Singapore
    Education Minister Erica Stanford will lead the New Zealand delegation at the 2024 International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP) held in Singapore. The delegation includes representatives from the Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) Te Wehengarua and the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) Te Riu Roa.  The summit is co-hosted ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    17 hours ago

  • Value of stopbank project proven during cyclone
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  • Anzac commemorations, Türkiye relationship focus of visit
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  • Minister to Europe for OECD meeting, Anzac Day
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  • Comprehensive Partnership the goal for NZ and the Philippines
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  • Government commits $20m to Westport flood protection
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  • Taupō takes pole position
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  • Government backing mussel spat project
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  • Clean energy key driver to reducing emissions
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  • Earthquake-prone buildings review brought forward
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  • Thailand and NZ to agree to Strategic Partnership
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  • Government consults on extending coastal permits for ports
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  • Inflation coming down, but more work to do
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  • School attendance restored as a priority in health advice
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  • Unnecessary bureaucracy cut in oceans sector
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  • Removing red tape to help early learners thrive
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  • McClay reaffirms strong NZ-China trade relationship
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  • Prime Minister Luxon acknowledges legacy of Singapore Prime Minister Lee
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon today paid tribute to Singapore’s outgoing Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.   Meeting in Singapore today immediately before Prime Minister Lee announced he was stepping down, Prime Minister Luxon warmly acknowledged his counterpart’s almost twenty years as leader, and the enduring legacy he has left for Singapore and South East ...
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  • PMs Luxon and Lee deepen Singapore-NZ ties
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    5 days ago

  • Antarctica New Zealand Board appointments
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  • Finance Minister travels to Washington DC
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  • Pet bonds a win/win for renters and landlords
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    5 days ago

  • Long Tunnel for SH1 Wellington being considered
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  • New Zealand condemns Iranian strikes
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  • Huge interest in Government’s infrastructure plans
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  • Health Minister thanks outgoing Health New Zealand Chair
    Health Minister Dr Shane Reti has today thanked outgoing Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora Chair Dame Karen Poutasi for her service on the Board.   “Dame Karen tendered her resignation as Chair and as a member of the Board today,” says Dr Reti.  “I have asked her to ...
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  • Roads of National Significance planning underway
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  • Navigating an unstable global environment
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  • NZ welcomes Australian Governor-General
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    1 week ago

  • Pseudoephedrine back on shelves for Winter
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  • NZ and the US: an ever closer partnership
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    1 week ago

  • Joint US and NZ declaration
    April 11, 2024 Joint Declaration by United States Secretary of State the Honorable Antony J. Blinken and New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs the Right Honourable Winston Peters We met today in Washington, D.C. to recommit to the historic partnership between our two countries and the principles that underpin it—rule ...
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  • NZ and US to undertake further practical Pacific cooperation
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