Fixed. The identicon button was unchecked, though I don’t know why. As far as I know, the identicons don’t slow page loading or have any impact on the way pages look, so I guess it was entirely unintentional. Lprent will put me right in his usual style if I’ve got that wrong 😉
” New Zealand is on track. One child dies in NZ as a result of abuse every five weeks.
Three children are dead so far in New Zealand this year as a result of domestic violence and it is not even the end of March.
In many cases they get fleeting news coverage and we may not even learn their names.
Names matter. We refuse to speak the name of the mosque murderer in our search for non-violence. We won’t give him any air time – he was not us, says Prime Minister Jacinda Adern. He does not exist.
But he did. He really did! And so do the children that are dying in New Zealand as a result of domestic violence occurring right here. We need to speak their names. We need to be just as outraged by their deaths as we are by the mosque killings.
Yet we keep quiet about them because they are our national shame. We look the other way.
Currently there is an almost obscene celebration of ourselves as New Zealanders.
Adern has carefully crafted a response to a terrorist act in New Zealand so that tables have been completely turned and we have come up smelling of roses.
The message is: ‘This is not us – it is just one individual who lost the plot’.
Adern really is a good leader – she is doing well in protecting our national identity. National identities are important in a global economy.
I think it is wrong that the world’s tallest building (in Dubai) is lit up with an image of Jacinda Adern when our own dying children in New Zealand get limited media coverage.
Blurb on NZ standards from the government on-line:
(How many people are employed in PR and seriously compromising their own integrity by writing this shit with a sure hand?)
Family Life in New Zealand | New Zealand Now https://www.newzealandnow.govt.nz/why-choose-nz/family-friendly
Nov 12, 2018 – But rest assured, New Zealand is a great place to bring up children. It’s why so many Kiwis living abroad come back home when it’s time to start nesting. … There are wonderful opportunities for young people to grow up with easy … Families in New Zealand get great support from a range of public services.
Maori have numerous systems going and success. But society is up against television and its content that is probably more anti-social than positive, also drugs – alcohol, mj, other chemicals, lack of meaningful jobs with decent pay,
peer pressure and modelling; also a general lack of respect from ignorant, snooty pakeha and middle-class whites who patronise and judge, is an observation of mine.
There has been action also from the private sector generally, and not all just to get on the money bandwagon from government. Which is how some charter schools see things when bad, but not all charter schools are no good, government should ensure better standards, mentors and overview.
There is Thrive – which sounds good but with little information about the people running it, no names. Under Waves Trust, 7 Henderson Valley Road, Henderson. http://www.thrive.org.nz/contact/
Our Vision
Young parents and their children are able to reach their full potential by being connected and secure within their families and communities.
Our Mission
Thriving young people, parents and families.
Mahi tahi
We are a small team of social workers, support staff and volunteers who are committed to helping young teenage parents and their whānau flourish and thrive.
What we do
We offer a range of innovative one on one wrap around support along with various programmes that are tailored and targetted towards the needs, hopes and aspirations of teen parents.
Our first priority is the wellbeing of you and your unborn or new born baby, pepi. We work in partnership with teen parents to be or new teen parents, by ensuring that your voice is heard and that we speak with you and not for you.
The aim of all that we do is based on working to break through and address any and all of the pressing issues that a young parent, young couple face as they look to strengthen and uphold their new roles as parents to be or new parents.
Our highly skilled staff are there to guide, shape and assist every step of the way. We are have a strong reputation of building and maintaining a solid relationship with teen parents and their baby, pepi through an effective and continuous quality service provision.
WHY?
The team is focused on ensuring that you are given the necessary support, tools, and information that will improve the health and well-being of you and your child. Our commitment is based on teen parents reaching and fulfilling their potential and reaching their goals.
(This is the work and the attitude about the social need, that the government should be showing itself not through a second party.)
Then there is government’s Oranga Tamariki—Ministry for Children. I wonder how Maori feel they are getting on with their job? Can’t see an overview on that but I imagine there will be one.
I have remembered more info that is valid for this and put it up further along the post.
Yes, it is there like an unreliable cat waiting for the right moment to bite you on the ankle. So nice to look at, so innocent a pleasure, and so difficult to know how to protect yourself. I have avoided having that, but others I know have been bitten.
The only thing about smoking is that it has become established. It is stupid not to notice how Prohibition went in the USA – it encouraged crime and now with tobacco becoming hard to obtain because of the price, it has gone up on the Bell curve of effectiveness from pricing to falling effectiveness because of the enhancement of the price raising the intrinsic value of the ciggies.
“What if we were to form a mass vigil for all the children who have died in New Zealand as a result of child abuse? One candle for every little life. Between 2010 and 2016 that was 66 lives.
What if we demanded an adequate social welfare system within which children and families had wrap around care?
What if we valued children so much in New Zealand that our leader Adern would raise the pay of our teachers in early childhood and schools to demonstrate the value of their work?
But she didn’t. And we looked the other way. We did not call a mass uprising to say we wanted our teachers and schools supported. We did not yell loud enough and say ‘this is not us’.
If the recent death of the child in Maketu doesn’t raise the hairs on your arms in the same way that the spine-chilling hakas did in the aftermath of the shootings it is because we have normalised it.
Another child has died in suspicious circumstances in New Zealand and we are in no position to deny that we are a violent society.”
All this ‘this is not us’ bullshit….I’m over it. It is us. We kill our kids.
I agree we need to be making a huge fuss about it and start doing some serious research into why it is happening. And start to fix it.! There are lots of theories and ideas, of course, but in order to start making the first meaningful steps to stop these tragic happenings we need some serious data and a workable plan.
The new IDI might be able to produce deeper information about relationships and generational issues, but there’s only so far one can go with probabilistic ID linkage between such diverse datasets.
I suspect the main problem is that the numbers of mortality are too low to get real relationships from, and the gap between detecting non-lethal abuse/neglect and identifying it in the morgue is so wide. Even though health professionals are getting better at looking for it, there’d still be a massive underreporting of child injuries resulting from assault – often difficult to tell an arm broken by accident with an arm broken by dragging etc. So we see the ones who turn up dead, but you’d be lucky to see maybe a quarter of assault injuries attributed to something other than accident.
So basically asfar as I can see the main thing we can do is lower family stress by reducing inequality and hardship, throwing more social workers at everyone, and then hoping that the upper-income sociopaths get outed by their kids at school.
OOOOOH …. Eric Idle, – my absolute favourite of the Python team !
There’s just something about his eyes, his face shape, his voice , mannerisms that perfectly suited his comic cheeky , cheerful persona, – Life of Brian , – speaking to the Roman guard … ” Nah – I’m only pullin’ your leg ,- its crucifixion really , yeah I know the way , out the door , one cross each, line on the left ”
Hahahaa! – as if hes an old hand at being crucified and its just the same old , same old , humdrum routine …
The guy used to have me in hysterics of laughter 🙂
Hoots ethos must be really feeling threatened, he slips the knife into Winston again over at the fish wrap this morning. 2020 is sure going to be an interesting election.
Not particularly anti. It’s just that the dude has survived more announcements of his political demise than Christopher Lee turned to dust in all the Hammer Horrors combined.
Big ups to all those attending the service this morning in Hagley Park…
An overly heavy weight fell upon the city, still rebuilding its strength post-eqs. You can almost touch it. It is on people’s faces. It will take time to dissipate.
grim
heavy
burdensome
(of course, the city is a minor bit-part and thoughts and wishes go first and foremost to the victims and their families and communities.)
It was a special event, an involving experience for everyone (& there were many), full of character and community; & a huge credit to all involved in putting together such a good display of NZ values of respect.
Agreed. American leadership is so shite their citizens are openly embarrassed, and for some time now many travelling pretend to be Canadian to take the heat off.
I went to live in Canada in 1968 when the anti-Vietnam war riots were spreading around the US and US young were dogging the ‘draft’ to go to Vietnam so this is a historical event that happens every time politics changes rapidly,
This time it’s Trump draining the ‘Washington swamp’ finally, so maybe some of the former ‘Washington intelligence staff’ are running away from being tracked as US citizens.
Had some relations here from the UK recently who had been travelling through Asia and Australia, they said any Americans they met would say they are from the State they are from in the USA rather than the USA. Does that tell you something about how they feel about the USA and it’s International Relations ?
Russian troops have landed in Venezuela, no doubt that will making a few waves for trump.
“The arrival of two Russian air force planes carrying nearly 100 Russian troops outside Caracas on Saturday has escalated the political crisis in Venezuela.”
Admittedly, Matthew is enmeshed in a rather abysmal lot. There is Hosking who daily writes about Hosking and little else.
There is Audrey Young who struggles in later life to know what a Topic is. Whether on Dan’s panel – Or Whatever. Although she is marginally more alive than Johnny Armstrong.
So from the large Herald nursery, only about two writers cut the mustard with Fact and Humour and Balance.
I punished myself today and read a bit of smooth Hooton dated 2004, where he was jacking up National in a bouquet of Flowers and Perfume – and a Brash of bright future. Oh Yeah.
Hooton does nothing but unjack everyone – EXCEPT – his idols – Johnny Key, Frau Bennett and Billy English, each of whom gave New Zealand great wealth. Huge wealth. Incredible wealth. Tax Cuts Tax Cuts Tax Cuts.
National have decided they must get rid of Winston Peters. He is too good to be allowed to stay alive. He is a threat to Simon. Equally a threat to “strange person of power” Papakura Collins. He is the enemy of excessive Wealth.
Not a single Journalist of the Herald has ever written a word about the real people of New Zealand.
The ones who go to work. Often two jobs a day. Both Parents. Struggling to pay for a bit of Fonterra’s bland cheese. Unhoused. Batted around by Dickensian Landlords.
Hooton is in decay. Yes. But he is not the only one who has hated and destroyed the backbone of the real people of this our Nation.
Michael Fay and David Richwhite infamous!! Yes and they hollowed it out sold shares to the workers in the bank branches complete with loans to buy their shonkey shares!!
Luckily my eldest son needed our signature on the loan and we explained why we thought it was a bad idea. Son was so relieved. No job and a debt was how they left many having unloaded worthless shares.
The bank folded and those people were left paying for fresh air. That pair went to Ireland and did similar over there.
“Not a single Journalist of the Herald has ever written a word about the real people of New Zealand.
The ones who go to work. Often two jobs a day. Both Parents. Struggling to pay for a bit of Fonterra’s bland cheese. Unhoused. Batted around by Dickensian Landlords.”
Oh – so you mean your definition of ‘real people of new zealand’.
Plenty of tea New Zealanders are going perfectly fine and dandy – they are real New Zealanders as well.
Global State of the Climate 2018 – Expert Reaction
Friday, 29 March 2019, 9:17 am
Press Release: Science Media Centre
The physical signs and socio-economic impacts of climate change are accelerating according to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).
In their 2018 State of the Global Climate report, they say 2018 saw record sea level rise and exceptionally high land and ocean temperatures over the past four years, continuing the warming trend observed over the past two decades.
The statement also covers climate impacts on human populations over the past year, such as at climate hazards, displacements and food security.
The SMC asked experts to comment, feel free to use these comments in your reporting.
Professor James Renwick, climate scientist and Head of the VUW School of Geography, Environment and Earth Sciences, comments:
“The 25th annual State of the Climate report from the WMO is an excellent and accessible summary, but it makes for sobering reading. Carbon dioxide concentrations are at record levels, ocean heat content and sea levels are both at record highs, sea ice extent is well below normal in both hemisphere, glaciers and ice sheets are melting. On and on in the now-familiar litany of all the ways the climate is warming and changing around us. Even more worrying is the range of associated extreme weather events and impacts on human populations. World hunger is on the rise and we are now talking of millions of people displaced as a result of weather and climate extremes.
“Ecosystems are being affected worldwide, on land and in the oceans, where acidification is associated with rising temperatures and loss of dissolved oxygen. The record heat in New Zealand and the Tasman Sea during summer 2017/18 is an example of what we can expect much more of in future years. With no action on climate change, that record warm summer in New Zealand would be counted as a cold summer in another 50 years. The associated increases in climate and weather extremes would displace hundreds of millions and would threaten the fabric of societies everywhere.
“The globe is currently running a temperature of about 1°C above pre-industrial levels. To rein in the warming at no more than 1.5°C above pre-industrial, global emissions need to halve by 2030, and go to zero by 2050. Yet, emissions increased to record levels in 2018! Policy-makers must really take on board that climate change is an existential threat to global society, to the global economy, and to all ecosystems on earth. I hope the planned United Nations Climate Action Summit later this year really galvanises action by governments around the world.”
No conflict of interest.
Gregor Macara, climate scientist, National Institute of Water & Atmospheric Research (NIWA), comments:
“In a week that has seen the highest 48-hour rainfall total ever in New Zealand, it seems fitting that the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) is highlighting the increasing impacts of climate change around the world.
“New Zealand is far from immune and has experienced many of the indicators the WMO has concluded are becoming more pronounced globally.
“These include:
• New Zealand’s hottest ever month in January 2018 when the mean temperature was 20.3°C, a remarkable 3.1°C above average
• At New Zealand climate stations over the past six years, for every record or near-record low monthly mean temperature there have been 12 record or near-record highs.
• A hot March this year – higher temperatures than what it’s usually like in mid to late summer.
• Marine heatwaves over the past two summers – likely a contributor to this week’s wettest 48 hours on record.
• A near record 40-day dry spell in Nelson this summer which included significant wildfires.
• 2018 coming in at NZ’s equal-second warmest year on record .” [High-res graph available here under creative commons (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0)].
No conflict of interest.
Professor Jim Salinger, Visiting Scholar, Penn State University, comments:
“The 25th Anniversary issue shows hastening climate warming globally. This was true for the New Zealand region, a combined land and marine area of 4 million sq. km (the size of the Indian subcontinent), with the warmest year on 150 years of land and sea records.
“It is very alarming that the carbon dioxide levels reaching a highest 406 ppm – up from 280 ppm in the 19th century, and methane jumping unexpectedly by 25 ppb to a record 1850 ppb by 2017.
“The extra 3.7 mm of sea level rise will be very significant for the coast of Australia, and especially New Zealand with its many seaside urban areas and long coasts.
“The record warm summer ending in February 2019 produced the largest ice loss on the Southern Alps glaciers since the regular end of summer snowline surveys started 42 years ago.
“We’ve seen Queensland Groper in the Bay of Islands, Northland, 3000 km out of range, snapper in Milford Sound in Fiordland, and massive mortality in the aquaculture fisheries of the Marlborough Sounds. These are a harbinger of climate in the latter part of the 20th century if we do not take action to reduce emissions from the combustion of fossil fuels and the production of greenhouse gases from other sources such as waste and agriculture immediately.”
No conflict of interest.
ends
Science Media Centre NZ
Our aim is to promote accurate, evidence-based reporting on science and technology by helping the media work more closely with the scientific community.
The Science Media Centre is New Zealand’s only trusted, independent source of information for the media on all issues related to science. Thousands of news stories providing context from and quoting New Zealand researchers have been published as a direct result of our work.
Contact Science Media Centre NZ
• Website – http://www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz
• Email – smc@sciencemediacentre.co.nz
• Phone – +64 4 499 5476
• Mobile – +64 21 859 365
• Facebook
• Twitter – @smcnz
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• Postal Address – PO Box 598, Wellington 6140
I’m so grateful to see the entire text of the media release faithfully pasted here including the contact details. That newfangled hyperlinking idea will never catch on. Off to scribe some papyrus and summon my faithful carrier pigeon.
Basic science says planetary gas traps heat, so digging up and burning carbon would inevitably increase the temperature globally. Especially if nothing is done to stop the concentration of co2 in the atmosphere. It really does not matter whether we have past the tipping point, we have or we will if nothing changes. So let’s grow the co2 level some more…
So we are running at the cliff, it looks now that we’ve run right off the top…
PM Jacinda Ardern was at the Memorial Service this morning, Soon she flies for a one day meeting with China. She will probably read that Report on her way. I’m sure James Shaw will read it as well.
Cleangreen, I know you didn’t mean to make it sound like she is neglectful, but it did rather read that way. Her plate is full.
A terrorist Attack which killed 50 and injured as many more.
A flight to China to salvage relations.
Gun law changes.
A Climate Change Tipping point Report.
A budget being prepared.
The ongoing repairs and replacements needed because of previous neglect.
I so admire this young woman who has taken on that role with such aplomb and sincerity.
She will do her level best for us all, and next election it is to be hoped we vote her a greater mandate to bring in change.
I marched on that day and held two banners up saying save rail save a planet.
I am nervous as the murders have shifted the spotlight off the most serious issue we now face for us and our children’s future.
I am 75 so don’t feel personally threatened as my life is now limited but when I look at my 7yr old grandson I almost cry at what he will face going forward so Jacinda must feel this too with a very young Girl under a year old.
Facebook is finally banning white nationalist content
The new ban, which will also apply to content supporting white separatism, comes after months of advocacy from civil rights groups.
Facebook has announced a ban on content that includes “praise, support and representation of white nationalism and separatism” — a significant policy shift that comes after months of criticism from civil rights groups.
The change, which was first reported Wednesday by Motherboard, will go into effect next week and will also apply to Instagram. The platform will also direct users who try to post this content to Life After Hate, an organization that helps people leave hate groups.
In a blog post published on Wednesday, Facebook explained its decision, noting that the new policy is the result of months of discussions between Facebook and outside groups. Previously, Facebook had banned content promoting white supremacy (generally, the belief that whites are superior to other races).
But the platform allowed white nationalist content (which promotes a belief that a white majority should control the social and political direction of predominantly white countries) and white separatist content (which argues that whites should create a separate ethnostate devoid of people of color). While their proponents argue that these ideologies are very different, groups like the Southern Poverty Law Center argue that the latter two often express a belief in white supremacy, making them all very similar.
Facebook says additional conversations with civil rights groups and experts “confirmed that white nationalism and separatism cannot be meaningfully separated from white supremacy and organized hate groups,” leading the social media platform to expand its policy on hate language.
Twitter is considering labeling tweets that violate its rules but should remain on the platform because they’re in the public interest.
Vijaya Gadde, Twitter’s head of legal, policy and trust made the announcement during an on-stage interview with the Washington Post on Wednesday.
The social media company is trying to find a way of maintaining its standards while adding context to tweets from politicians and other figures that may be offensive but are important for public debate.
Twitter has come under fire from some critics who say President Donald Trump’s tweets often violate its rules against bullying, dehumanization and threatening harm.
Well I guess even that little step is something on the way to cleaning up the garbage tip that these ‘social media’ sites have created over the past decade.
Well I hope that Twitter applies some consistency and removes the hate speech of Ahmed Bhamji, chairman of the Mt Roskill Masjid E Umar Mosque.
Hate speech and conspiracy theories like his recent rant in Aotea Square have helped radicalize so many, whether Muslim, Jewish, white supremacists or whoever. It has no place in NZ.
I’m no fan of Netanyahu and his extremist mates, but that guy’s just really irresponsible. Unless you’ve got solid evidence to suggest Mossad had anything to do with this (and good luck with that), ranting like an unhinged lunatic about Zionist conspiracy theories is just pathetic. He’s just tipping the scales in the other direction, and it’s helping no one, least of all NZ’s Muslim community.
If all this sounds familiar, it’s because sadly it is. This is not the first time Facebook has declared it will take action in this way.
In April 2016, Robert Godwin, a 74-year-old grandfather, was shot and killed in Cleveland, Ohio having been chosen at random by a killer who broadcast it live on Facebook.
At the time CEO Mark Zuckerberg told Facebook’s annual developer conference, “We have a lot of work [to do], and we will keep doing all we can to prevent tragedies like this from happening”. In May of 2017 the company announced plans to add 3000 more staff to review user content to help battle violent videos.
Not much has changed. Today’s announcement sounds awfully hollow in light of the lack of action since 2016 and does little to assuage anyone’s concerns about the company and its ability to self-regulate.
Have people seen the film The Cleaners?
It sounds relevant https://www.nziff.co.nz/2018/auckland/the-cleaners/
A thoroughly unnerving picture of our times, this gripping doco immerses us in the surreal world of the content moderators who decide what we see (or don’t see) on social media.
A thanks on 8.1 – – Thanks CG! Would have missed it otherwise
Soddenleaf
I agree with your point that we have no time here so we need to plan for the event now also. build less use of carbon emissions to slow the rate of destruction.
Yes Climate change updates like mine on 8 should be a subject that stays on the radar every day no matter what else goes on today.
As Climate change is about to kill at random many people who are also innocent in our communities as sea level rise and warming/ melting of our glaciers will flood many regions.
We saw this happen at the Franz Josef Glacier and all the flooding down at properties flooded at Hokitika perhaps from the melting of the glaciers there also?
How much pain and suffering does it take before the Government moves ‘decisively’ now?
We impatiently await James report, and hope like hell we have consensus on real change.
In the interim planting trees is a no brainer – soon as we (I) get some rains to support them…
The heat island effect in cities will only be exacerbated in future unless we take steps now to offset temperatures with the evaporative cooling and shading effect of trees. In addition trees perform many functions to enhance urban living.
Food, shade, shelter, habitat, aesthetic beauty, carbon capture, biodiversity, rain capture and transpiration, air cleaning, oxygen production…
To build resilience in communities we should get started, not wait on governments, though obviously we are… all hands on deck!
I put trees in recently that’ll take nearly a decade to bear food. Trees are a vote for the future. Start now.
Thinking about better outcomes for young children and teenagers and when they become young parents. This is heartening, and should be the norm now but probably not.
Dr Susan Baragwanath was the instigator of about 11 schools for teenage mothers, who the careless, condemning conformists with cold-blooded puritan minds were freezing out from society, and this was when the true facts about NZ early sexuality exploration and its effects were known – (by such as Jenny Shipley and the superior types in National Party).
Founder, He Huarahi Tamariki Schools
Dr. Susan Cave Baragwanath believes her fellowship came about because she had a problem, and she could not find anyone in New Zealand to help her solve it. She was a career secondary school teacher and administrator who had taught internationally. When she returned permanently to New Zealand in 1989 after 20 years away, she accepted a position as a deputy principal in one of the country’s poorest schools.
In the first week, she found a 14-year-old girl giving birth to a child in the school toilets. Baragwanath contacted the authorities about her continuing education, and she was told to forget about it. Baragwanath looked up New Zealand’s domestic law; there it was, in black and white, “every child is entitled to have a free basic formal education until the age of 19 years”. The only education available to this student, if she did not return to school (and she couldn’t as there were no childcare facilities), was distance learning. Her family did not own a phone, so she could not call her tutor, and she waited weeks for her school work to be delivered by mail. As a result, she quickly fell out of the system.
The pattern in New Zealand was for teenagers to have multiple pregnancies before age 21 and become state beneficiaries for life. Without proper research and a concrete plan going forward there seemed to Baragwanath no escape from this pattern continuing.
Maori focus:
Maori and teenage parents – Report on research. 2012
Marginalising Māori Parents
by Elizabeth Strickett and Helen Moewaka-Barnes
Massey University
Marginalising Maori Parents – for Massey University http://www.maramatanga.ac.nz/sites/default/files/12-IN-10%20Web%20ready%20%283%29.pdf
(p.10 gives information about difficulties for young fathers)
But if government could push the InZone style with good funding for it, I guess as a charter school with good overview, so that it can be offered to young parents – there would be immediate improvements and a dramatic rise in successful young people handling their lives well, whether they had a job, apart from parenting or not. But some in government might feel that sort of result really isn’t their thing
Ahem … t’was I. I’ve turned them back on, and I’m not sure how they came to be off. If there is a technical issue, I’m sure Lprent will let us know. In the mean time, enjoy the rainbow.
Awww thanks for that.
I always remember Sir Paul Reeves being interviewed some years back on Nat Radio on a Sat Morning by Kim Hill and she had a slot then when she would invite some well known person on to give a playlist of their favourite music and to talk about what it meant for them. This was a favourite of his – he particularly like the backing of the Uke and the soft way it was sung. He had first heard it Hawaii IIRC and it was one of his favourite songs. I admit on hearing itI fell for it as well – but I was never able to find it – I just remembered it. I think the singer was a little younger then by the sound of it also – but still beautiful.
Thanks once again. I’ve stored it on my youtube.
I pointed out an article on great farming practice in the Kaipara recently, and now, in Southland, a catchment wide initiative involving more than 600 farms.
They’re treating each farm individually (smart!) and collecting massive data as they go on all manner of systems and processes. This is commendable work, and it seems they’ve done their homework.
I hope some of the trial farms involve earthworks and water retention.
But… yay for this initiative.
I also like the links on the side of the page. Get involved – Become a Citizen Scientist – etc.
Climate, to some odd people, is an enormous black hole.
One such odd person being the Honourable Simon Bridges and the other his idol, the Honourable Donald Trump.
Neither of whom have ever shown any glimpse of Reality.
The ultimate Goofs in Goofs clothing.
But as long as they can sell today’s youth off into Slums – without hope of housing or a fair slice of Life – Bridges and Trump will have achieved their Monstrous aims.
I took a drive through Panmure the other day. It was Tuesday. Its the Neighbour of expensive Remuera.
Panmure is the sort of filth Simon wants. It is dreadful. Few townships in the entire world could be as sick. Long Live dead head Simon. Long live mexicop Trump.
\Winston Peters has carved a career out of race baiting immigrants.
But at least he finally has the grace to admit he was wrong to have done so. (sort of)
Maybe, just maybe, Winston Peters has sensed the wind of change blowing through the nation’s psyche.
“If you want to look at someone who’s had the longest political career of anybody in this parliament, and you think that I would claim that I’m blameless over that long career. Well, you might but I don’t assume such a thing, and I never will.”
Jenny I think the media has miss reported Winston on a number of occasions, he has been critical of the quality of the immigrants we are bringing in ie the Christchurch Mosque Shooter and the share number of Asians entering the country when we do not have the housing stock and Infrastructure to support this level of Immigration.
Labour are continuing down this track of bringing in large numbers of Immigrants which is putting pressure on ordinary New Zealanders. ie housing and social services ?
Some of us at Redline are part of a Marxist and anarchist gender-critical e-group that consists of activists in several countries – trade unionists, women’s liberation activists, gay and straight, male and female. Through this we became aware of the case outlined below. Thanks to Thistle for writing this for ...
Tiwai Point's electricity contract is up for renewal. And as usual, they're sticking their hand out, demanding a government subsidy, and threatening to close if they don't get one:The owners of the aluminium smelter said on Wednesday that there were seeking talks with the Government amid a strategic review which ...
Climate Explained is a collaboration between The Conversation, Stuff and the New Zealand Science Media Centre to answer your questions about climate change.If you have a question you’d like an expert to answer, please send it to climate.change@stuff.co.nzEveryone is going on about reducing our carbon footprint, zero ...
So, it turns out that the ACT Party - which previously called itself "the liberal party" - is financed by Nazis:ACT Party leader David Seymour says his party will not return a donation from Mike Allen, a Christchurch businessman who sells mock "Make America Great Again" hats to fund advertising ...
Just in case you don’t have a seven-year-old boy in your house (in which case this will be obvious) a well-known brand of breakfast cereal here in NZ is currently coming with All-Blacks stats cards. Perfect for finding out your favourite rugby player’s height, number of caps, and how much ...
Over the past month we've heard some horrificstories about bullying in the police. The police's response? Try to bully people into silence:The police have told a whistleblower to retract his statements to RNZ about being bullied or face legal action. The demand came just hours after Police Commissioner Mike ...
Today is a Member's Day, which should see the final part of the committee stage of David Seymour's End of Life Choice Bill. The big question today is the referendum clause: will it be necessary, or can the bill pass without it? While the majorities for his amendments during the ...
One of the key arguments used by trans ideologists is that some male-bodied people (ie men) are women because they ‘feel’ they are women. To make this hocus-pocus sound a bit more credible, some will argue that such men have a ‘female brain’. But this is thoroughly anti-scientific too. . ...
Canadians went to the polls today in parliamentary elections, and appear to have re-elected blackface wearer Justin Trudeau. Unfortunately, they use first-past-the-post, and they've provided a perfect demonstration of how unfair this system is:PartySeats% Seats% VoteLiberal15746.4%33.1%Conservative12135.8%34.4%Bloc Québécois329.5%7.7%New Democratic Party247.1%15.9%Green Party30.9%6.5%Other10.3%2.4% [Results from Elections Canada] Yes, the Liberals got fewer votes ...
A few days ago, a friend sent me a link to a health-related FB page that had published a post from a homeopathist, offering homeopathic “vaccination”¹ against measles (using something called a “Morbillinum nosode” at a “potency” of 200C, which I’ll explain shortly). I followed the link, left a comment ...
by Gearóid Ó Loingsigh This year marks the 20th anniversary of the La Gabarra massacre. The community organised an event to remember the most well-known of the horrendous heart-breaking events that befell the communities of this area of the municipality of Tibú: the massacre carried out on August 21st 1999. ...
There was another police chase in Christchurch this morning, resulting in a crash which killed one person and injured five more. Because someone died, the chase is being investigated by the Independent Police Conduct Authority. And based on previous reports by the IPCA, we know how it will go: the ...
Just a month ago we saw the biggest protest in a generation as people marched to demand stronger action on climate change. A core demand of the protesters was to strengthen the Zero Carbon Bill's target to net-zero by 2040. So what is the government's response? Judging by the ...
Back in 2010, I wrote about the strange tale of the zombie ants, which do the bidding of their fungal overlords. (They’re not an isolated example; a range of parasites change their hosts’ behaviour. See here and here for example – though as you’ll find, the toxoplasmosis story may be ...
Shouldn't That Be: "Wrong White Crowd"? Rather than apportion guilt, would it not have been wiser for the makers of Land Of The Long White Cloud to accept that the Pakeha of 2019 are not – and never will be – “Europeans”? Just as contemporary Maori are not – and ...
One, Two, Many Truths: With the collapse of “actually existing socialism” in 1991, the universities of the West found themselves saddled with a new mission. With their ideological competitors now soundly defeated they were no longer required to demonstrate the superiority of capitalist values. Their job now was to cement ...
by the Council of Disobedient Women We call on the Council of Trade Unions to show some fortitude and take a stand with your sisters. Unionists know that there is a material world, otherwise workers could simply identify out of poverty. They could declare themselves Well Paid. Why stop ...
I spent some time reading the Regulatory Impact Statement and Bill of Rights Act advice for the government's odious control order scheme today. I am not impressed with either of them. Starting with the RIS, it is built on some pretty questionable assumptions. For example:Unless individuals have been convicted of ...
#NoFly: Walking the talk on climate change, by Shaun Hendy. BWB Texts, 2019. Reviewed by Robert McLachlan In June 2018, Swede Maja Rosén founded We stay on the ground with a pledge not to fly in 2019, and a goal of persuading 100,000 other Swedes to join her. In August, ...
We all know that NZ First is a party of and for old people who hate the young. But they've topped their previous pedophobia with a proposal that all young people be forced to do 100 hours community work:NZ First wants all young people to do 100 hours of community ...
A couple days ago the NZ Herald published a story with the headline, “Science says Bella Hadid is world’s most beautiful woman“, and followed up with the ridiculous statement that Supermodel Bella Hadid has been declared as the world’s most beautiful woman following a scientific study into what constitutes as ...
A Sustainable Proposition: With as much as 18 percent of the electorate declaring itself “undecided” about who to vote for, there is obviously plenty of space for a party like former Green Party member, Vernon Tava's, about-to-be-launched "Sustainable NZ Party" to move into. The most hospitable political territory for such ...
Keir Starmer has hinted that Labour might vote in favour of the Johnson government's shoddy deal, with the proviso that a second referendum is attached:Speaking to BBC One’s The Andrew Marr Show, he said: “We will see what that looks like but it makes sense to say that by whatever ...
In 1994, I was the editor for an issue of Planet magazine focused on cannabis, its culture and the prospects for the end of its prohibition. Part of that issue was an interview with 'Ringo', an experienced cannabis dealer.I recently posted my essay from that issue, and I figured it ...
Dr Helen Waite, sports sociologist and former elite athlete, on the invasion of women’s sport by men and the anti-scientific and misogynist ideology used to rationalise it. ...
As Brexit comes to a grisly conclusion (perhaps) people on all sides are saying intemperate and uwise things. Some, like the Daly Mail, have been doing it for years.People as normally level headed as Jon Lansman are calling for automatic deselection of MPs who vote against a (likely) Labour three ...
I've got one source saying more Labour MPs than expected are mulling whether to vote for the deal - including names who were not on the letter to Juncker and Tusk— Emilio Casalicchio (@e_casalicchio) 17 October 2019 I've compiled a list of possible reasons why Labour ...
On Wednesday, the government was loudly telling us that it needed to legislate to allow it to impose "control orders" - effectively a parole regime, but imposed without charge, prosecution, conviction or real evidence - on suspected terrorists because they couldn't be prosecuted for their supposed crimes. Today, it turns ...
On Monday, the Hit and Run inquiry heard from NZDF's former director of special operations, who claimed that the defence Minister knew everything about the Operation Burnham raid. Today, the inquiry heard from that (former) Minister - and it turns out that he didn't know nearly as much as NZDF ...
Yoga gurus and cult leaders – I’ve seen a few. Two weeks ago, I unknowingly joined an alleged new-age cult at the Kāpiti coast, together with a giant kraken and some neatly dressed pensioners who would make any book club proud.They were among the two hundred people of all ages ...
The last decade has seen a trend of increasing weapons availability to police. Assault rifles. Tasers on every hip. Guns in cars. And following the march 15 massacre, pistols on every hip, all over the country. At the same time, its also seen an increase in the abuse of force: ...
In the last couple of weeks, I’ve been busy preparing for our summer paper on Science Communication. Looking for something amusing about ‘risk’ in science, I came across this neat xkcd.com cartoon about why so many people come knocking on my door (or phoning me, or emailing me) desperately wanting ...
by John Edmundson The International Socialist Organisation (ISO) have recently reposted a February article, by Romany Tasker-Poland, explaining ISO’s position in the “trans rights” debate. It is available on their website and on their Facebook Page. The article sets out to explain why “socialists support trans rights”. It reads more ...
"Auckland City Mission: 10% of Kiwis experiencing food insecurity", RNZ, 16 October 2019:About half a million people are experiencing food insecurity, according to new research from the Auckland City Mission. Food insecurity, or food poverty, is defined as not having enough appropriate food. The City Mission said over the last ...
Media Statement for Immediate Release 16th October 2019 “Fake News” from Auckland City Council CCOs Board Chairs re pay and performance bonuses for top managers Despite comments from Auckland City Council CCOs Board Chairs re pay and performance bonuses for top managers—Herald Newspaper Tuesday Oct 15th–there is very little evidence ...
Would You Buy A Used Propaganda Video From This Man? Bridges and the National Party’s strategists have discovered that the ideas and attitudes considered acceptable by today’s editors and journalists are no longer enforceable. The rise and rise of the Internet and the social media platforms it spawned means that ...
There is plenty of evidence of the way the business mentality has permeated every level of society since the recrudescence of market liberalism 35 years ago. You only need to think of how citizens in need of help from their government, their state, their country, are now routinely described as ...
John MacCormickOver the last 40 years, New Zealanders – and people in other countries – have experienced big changes in the jobs they do and where they live and work. These changes include: a decline in manufacturing jobs an increase in jobs in ‘information-intensive’ industries (which are better paid ...
Nick Wilson, Leah Grout, Mereana Wilson, Anja Mizdrak, Phil Shoemack, Michael BakerProtecting waterways has the benefits of: (1) protecting water from hazardous microbes; (2) minimising cancer risk and other problems from nitrates in water; (3) avoiding algal blooms that are hazardous to health; (4) protecting mahinga kai uses (cultural ...
by The Council of Disobedient Women In a press release today Massey University announced it has decided to rebrand and reorientate after struggling to be a University for grown-ups. For some time the University has wanted to be a safe play space for wee-woke-misogynists who have been really badly triggered ...
After a brief dalliance with 'hard Revoke' it looks like the Lib Dems are changing ground on on Brexit, with leader Jo Swinson reverting to calling for a second referendum on Johnson's deal.The party has tabled an amendment to the Queen’s speech requesting that any deal brought back from Brussels ...
The government has decided that someone has done Something Bad. But despite their belief, there seems to be no evidence that they have actually broken the law. So the government's solution is to pass a retrospective law allowing them to be punished anyway, on a lower standard of proof. If ...
So, Judith Collins has done a Facebook rant about climate change, peddling the same shit National has been shovelling for the past twenty years: the impacts are overstated, there's no need to do anything about it, and its too hard anyway (oh, and its so unfair that people who peddle ...
Climate Explained is a collaboration between The Conversation, Stuff and the New Zealand Science Media Centre to answer your questions about climate change.If you have a question you’d like an expert to answer, please send it to climate.change@stuff.co.nzThere is a lot of discussion on the benefits of ...
I came across this song quite by accident. If it isn't one of Greta Thunberg's favourites - it should be.Video courtesy of YouTube.This post is exclusive to Bowalley Road. ...
Last month, NZDF's shoddy coverup of what it knew about civilian casualties in Operation Burnham began to fall apart, with the revelation that a report on the matter, which NZDF claimed not to have, had been sitting in an NZDF safe for the past nine years. Yesterday, the man responsible ...
While many imagine that countries like the USA and Europe dominate space activities, in fact India is now a major player on this stage. It launches satellites for its own purposes and also commercially, and has constellations orbiting our planet and returning data of vital importance to that nation in ...
Thanks to a report from the Acting Inspector General of Intelligence and Security following a complaint by Nicky Hager, we have come to find out that the SIS illegally spied on Mr. Hager on behalf of the NZDF after publication of Hager’s 2011 book, Other People’s Wars. The NZDF justified ...
COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT GLOBAL WARMING MYTH 1: Global temperatures are rising at a rapid, unprecedented rate. FACT: The HadCRUT3 surface temperature index, produced by the Hadley Centre of the UK Met Office and the Climate Research Unit of the University of East Anglia, shows warming to 1878, cooling to 1911, ...
For the past week, Extinction Rebellion has been peacefully protesting in London to demand action on climate change. The British government's response? Ban their protests:Police have banned Extinction Rebellion protests from continuing anywhere in London, as they moved in almost without warning to clear protesters who remained at the movement’s ...
An essay by Judith Collins MP reported on Carbon News yesterday seems to show an alarming shift in attitude within the National Party. Collins argues against the Zero Carbon Bill, the Paris Agreement, and downplays the magnitude of climate impacts. The Paris Agreement was adopted in December 2015 and ratified ...
When they were running for election, Labour promised to overhaul the Employment Relations Act and introduce fair pay agreements to set basic pay and conditions on an industry level, preventing bad employers from undercutting good ones. They followed this up by establishing a working group, which reported back in January ...
A list of indicators of bad science – many of these are found in articles promoted by anti-fluoride activists. Anti-fluoride activists have been pouring money into a scaremongering campaign warning pregnant women not to drink fluoridated water. They claim fluoride will lower the IQ of their future child. Fluoride ...
Nothing Left To Say: Labour's pollster, Stephen Mills, remains swaddled-up in the comforting myths of the 1980s. As if the experience of Roger Douglas’s genuinely radical post-Muldoon policy agenda was literally a once-in-a-lifetime thing – as much as the party could possibly absorb for at least the next 50 years.MEMO ...
The Royal Commission on abuse in care is very significant for the disability community. For many decades last century, thousands of disabled children, and adults who managed to survive, were locked away from families and communities. This was not for anything they had done, but for the perceived threat their ...
With an unfair voting system, uneven electorates and an un-elected upper house, the UK's "democracy" is barely worthy of the name. But now the government wants to make it worse:The government has been accused of suppressing voters’ rights with the potential disenfranchisement of tens of thousands of people after plans ...
Back in the 90's and early 2000's, the building industry was building leaky homes which should never have been granted consent. Now it turns out they've been building dodgy office blocks as well:New imaging technology has revealed hundreds of major buildings nationwide have defective or missing concrete or reinforcing steel. ...
Local body election results were released over the weekend, to joy or despair depending on where you live. In Auckland, Phil Goff trounced John Tamihere, who is muttering darkly about running for Parliament again (but which party would want him?) Wellington is now a wholly-owned subsidiary of Weta Workshop, except ...
How could government evolve over the next decades? Reports of democracy’s imminent demise are greatly exaggerated. However, satisfaction with political systems in many countries is low, so there is much to do for governments of all political stripes to improve relevance and trust. Digital technologies are seen as one ...
Two years have now gone by since the Friday afternoon when my university-student son and I headed out of our Barcelona flat to a nearby primary school, designated as a polling station for the vote that was to be held the following Sunday: the referendum on Catalonia’s independence from Spain ...
Overruled: The joint decision of Finance Minister, Grant Robertson (Labour) and his Associate Minister, David Parker (Labour) arguably the two most powerful ministers in Jacinda Ardern’s government, to grant OceanaGold the consents which Land Information Minister, Eugenie Sage (Greens) had earlier denied them, offers bitter proof of how hard fighting ...
More than double the number of people who will vote in this year’s local body elections have tried marijuana or urinated somewhere they shouldn’t have. As local elections look set for the lowest turnout in decades, with many regions falling well short of 40%, the Government is exploring a number ...
A Statement on Abortion Law Reform by the Council of Disobedient Women On the eve of bringing an end to antiquated, anti-women abortion laws Green MP Jan Logie intends to write women out of the Bill. With a stroke of the pen, the woke are aiming for total erasure ...
Musings continue apace about “the experienced businessman!” soon to be taking up a National Party MP position. Or to be more accurate, being parachuted into a seat to shut down their former MP Jamie-Lee Ross, who despite his own shortcomings shed at least some more light on the inner workings ...
The Ugandan government wants to murder gay people:Uganda has announced plans to impose the death penalty on homosexuals. The bill, colloquially known as “Kill the Gays” in Uganda, was nullified five years ago on a technicality, but the government said on Thursday it plans to resurrect it within weeks. The ...
Hassan Vally, La Trobe UniversityWho doesn’t want to know if drinking that second or third cup of coffee a day will improve your memory, or if sleeping too much increases your risk of a heart attack? We’re invested in staying healthy and many of us are interested in reading ...
Freedom Of Speech? The Säuberung (cleansing by fire) was the work of the German Student Union which, on 10 May 1933, under the watchful eye of the Nazi Reichminister for Propaganda, Joseph Goebbels, consigned 25,000 books to the flames in a ritual exorcism of “un-German thought”. According to the logic of the ...
“There can be no such thing as kaupapa Māori political parties or politics in Aotearoa” (Willie Jackson, Labour Party (2017). Māori TV, General/List Election Special) I begin with that claim because at the time, I was confounded at first that it fell out of Willie Jackson’s mouth, and then ...
New Zealand has prided itself for decades with regard to its lack of pollution, and all will be aware that the ‘100% Pure New Zealand‘ meme is under threat through land, water and air pollution of various causes. There is another type of contamination that the country also faces: light ...
New Zealand’s media is doing its part in Japan, reassuring those in the path of the storm that they won’t miss any rugby while away from their flooded homes. New Zealand sports reporters stationed in Japan for the Rugby World Cup have had the rare and heartwarming opportunity to inform ...
Regional Development Minister Shane Jones is the only Cabinet member in favour of putting it all on green. As Finance Minister Grant Robertson finds himself with an enormous $7.5 billion surplus, the Government has begun intense, at times contentious conversations about whether to put the money on red or black at ...
by Susanne Kemp At the start of September close to 100,000 school teachers went on strike in Jordan. They demanded a 50% pay rise. A pay rise actually agreed to by the regime back in 2014. In early October, however, in the face of government repression and threats, the teachers’ ...
Rt Hon Winston Peters, New Zealand First Leader New Zealand First Leader Rt Hon Winston Peters says the Government’s steps to reduce farm livestock emissions are necessary and timely. Today the Government and farming leaders announced a plan to measure and price emissions at the farm level by 2025. “Many farmers ...
New Zealand First MP Shane Jones has hit back at those who are upset over a change in approach to partnership visas. There has been a specific government directive to stop waiving requirements such as couples needing to have lived together for 12 months - a test Indian couples who have ...
The North Auckland Line rejuvenation kicks off with teams surveying the rail corridor and Northland construction contractors are showing interest in the project.KiwiRail provided an industry briefing for Northland contracting and construction companies about future work opportunities on rejuvenating Northland’s rail lines. The briefing session in Whangarei was held to ...
Journalist Andrew Dickens, reporting from the 2019 New Zealand First Conference, states that the Party once again proved “they are more than a sideshow”. In his op-ed article for NewstalkZB, Mr Dickens said he has always been an admirer of the Party, saying they are “a true centrist party”. “[NZ ...
New Zealand First's potential policy of compulsory community service for ages 15-19 years old has been getting support from those in the industry. A policy remit was passed during their recent Conference in Christchurch, gaining the support of a majority of its membership. Party leader Winston Peters has been talking ...
New Zealand First leader Winston Peters says the Party hopes to decide it’s stance pill testing at music festivals "before the season of concern", with festivals generally held during the summer months. Mr Peters' comments come in an interview with TVNZ's Q+A and follow a remit from the party's youth ...
New Zealand First leader Winston Peters says he has been told to be "alert" to potential cost blowouts for the light rail project in Auckland. Mr Peters said no such concerns were raised with him from ministerial colleagues, including Transport Minister Phil Twyford of the Labour Party. He suggested that ...
Rt Hon Winston Peters Leader of New Zealand First The Benefits of having New Zealand First in the Centre: Security, Experience & Balance 2.00pm, 20th October 2019 Ladies and Gentlemen Thank you all for your warm welcome to this, the party’s 26thConvention. Speaking on behalf of caucus colleagues, it’s great to ...
Fletcher Tabuteau, Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs Fletcher Tabuteau is travelling to the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu this week to continue toadvance important bilateral relationships in our region consistent with thePacific Reset. Mr Tabuteau will engage in a range of bilateral meetings and visit New Zealand development ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters is predicting a hard Brexit for the United Kingdom, as he believes British Prime Minister Boris Johnson won’t be able to negotiate terms before the October 30 deadline. The Minister, who was one of the first to publicly come out and predict British voters would leave ...
Speaking at the Council of Trade Unions' (CTU) biennial conference, New Zealand First leader Winston Peters told unionists that any future attacks on the Government won't work. "Now, we are being attacked by the union movement in this country. You can have your views but I'm here to say standing ...
We want every New Zealander to be happy, safe, and healthy. To do this, we need to support strong, safe communities, and a robust and efficient health system. ...
Defence Minister Ron Mark has used his powers to overrule a noise complaint ruling against Whenuapai airbase on the grounds of "national security". The Environment Court last month released a ruling in favour of a private developer, declaring the Auckland airbase had to comply with noise restrictions when it performs ...
New Zealand First leader Winston Peters has opened fire against "unreconstructed morons" after NZ First MP Shane Jones was photographed on holiday holding an AR-15 rifle. Mr Peters is defending Mr Jones, telling Magic Talk host Peter Williams that his MP was just having fun "like most people do". "The ...
New Zealand First Deputy Leader and Under-Secretary for Regional Economic Development Fletcher Tabuteau was in attendance during the morning blessing of the Rotorua Lakefront development project. Around 60 people gathered on the shores of Lake Rotorua, including city mayor Steve Chadwick and deputy Dave Donaldson. The Lakefront development is a ...
Forestry Minister Shane Jones is considering reining in on conversions of farmland to forestry, and also issued a warning to foreign-owned forestry companies that make up nearly 75 per cent of the industry. He said too many foreign companies had not provided enough access for domestic processors to get timber. ...
Speaking to Radio NZ, New Zealand First leader Winston Peters said the tightening of the parental category visa is a direct result of the Party’s coalition negotiations with the Labour Party. He said the new changes switch the financial onus from the parent moving to New Zealand to the child ...
The Coalition Government is set to cut red tape in the building and construction sector in an effort to allow more houses to be built, including prefabricated houses. The changes will enable the mass factory production of "high quality" buildings, slash the likely number of building inspections for factory produced ...
Since coming into Government, we’ve worked hard to tackle homelessness and make sure everyone has a warm, dry home. And today, on World Homeless Day, we want to report back and update you on our progress so far. ...
New Zealand First leader Winston Peters has hit back at National Party leader Simon Bridges who criticized the Coalition Government’s approach to crime, and said that the latter isn't credible in his attack on the Government over gang recruitment. "We've got as massive drug problem in this country. It is ...
New Zealand Mānuka honey exporters have welcomed an initiative by the Coalition Government to help secure the term “mānuka honey” to be used exclusively by Kiwi exporters, ensuring that our multimillion-dollar industry is protected. Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones had recently announced that a Provincial Growth Funding of $5.7 ...
Political commentator Mike Hosking has labelled New Zealand First leader Winston Peters as “the voice of reason in a government soft on drugs”, for the Party’s stance on drug testing at music festivals. “If common sense is worth a vote, Winston Peters is quids in,” Mr Hosking said. The Labour ...
Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Regional Economic Development Fletcher Tabuteau has announced Provincial Growth Funding to ensure work opportunities in Turangi and Whanganui, through its skills and employment programme, Te Ara Mahi. A fund of $500,000 will go to Rafting NZ in Turangi for a 16-week river guide training course to train ...
Treasury has shown that the Coalition Government has a $7.5 billion surplus, which is $4 billion higher than what was expected in the 2019 Budget unveiled last May. It is also $2 billion higher than the actual surplus unveiled this time last year, and at a size that has not ...
Official Information Act figures released to NZME show there were 350 assaults on officers in the year to the end of June, 79 more than the year before. The increase in attacks have sparked calls for more legal protection for first responders to be enacted. The assaults included officers being ...
“Nobody wants to see babies uplifted”, this was the pronouncement of Minister for Children Hon. Tracey Martin as her department, Oranga Tamariki, faces multiple inquiries into the number of babies being taken from their families. “But a baby can die with a single punch, “the Minister continued. “So sometimes, Oranga ...
We're making progress on tackling the long-term challenges: from homelessness, to strengthening border security, to bringing banking back New Zealand's small towns. ...
Associate Transport Minister Shane Jones has backed the ambitious plan to move Auckland’s port to Northport, at Whangarei harbour, which he says will be the “King Kong of infrastructure”. The plan is part of the recommendations of a six-person independent working group, which has recommended the Ports of Auckland be ...
The Government and farming sector leaders have agreed to a world-first partnership to reduce primary sector emissions in one of the most significant developments on climate action in New Zealand's history. Today farming leaders and the Government announced a plan to join forces to develop practical and cost-effective ways to ...
More houses for homeless New Zealanders are being opened today in Tauranga by Associate Housing Minister Kris Faafoi. Six 2-bedroom quality units are being opened at 878 Cameron Road by Minister Faafoi and Accessible Properties, a local Community Housing Provider (CHP). Accessible Properties now provides more than 1,700 community housing ...
Finance Minister Grant Robertson departs tomorrow for events and meetings in Japan and Vietnam. While in Japan, he will discuss economic and fiscal issues including meeting with the Minister of Finance, Taro Aso, and Minister of Economic and Fiscal Policy, Yasutoshi Nishimura. He will meet with the Minister of Education, ...
The Government’s Housing Dashboard released today confirms record numbers of state houses are under construction and shows the Government build programme is gaining momentum. “After nine years of inaction, and a hands-off attitude from the previous government we’re starting to see things move in the right direction for housing,” says ...
Mr Speaker, I wish to make a ministerial statement relating to the Auckland fire. The Government is closely monitoring the situation with the fire at the NZ International Convention Centre and is thankful that everyone is now safe. Firefighters are doing an incredible job managing the fire and bringing it ...
The Government is investing in ambitious research that will digitise Te Reo, grow the low-carbon protein efficient aquaculture industry, help interpret environmental trends, and large data sets says Research, Science and Innovation Minister Megan Woods. The four projects range from teaching Siri to speak Te Reo to crunching large environmental ...
A new education-to-employment brokerage service to strengthen connections between local employers and schools. Funding for more trades focused ‘speed-dating’ events to connect schools with employers. Promotional campaign to raise profile of vocational education. The Government is taking action to increase the number of young people taking up vocational education and ...
A Bill to improve prison security and ensure the fair, safe, and humane treatment of people in prison while upholding public safety has passed its third reading. Corrections Minister Kelvin Davis says the Corrections Amendment Bill makes a number of changes to ensure the Corrections Act 2004 is fit for ...
Minister for Māori Development, Nanaia Mahuta, has selected Arihia Bennett MNZM, Chief Executive Officer of Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu, as the Te Puni Kōkiri appointed representative on the New Zealand-China Council. The New Zealand-China Council (the Council) was established in 2012 as a New Zealand led and funded organisation ...
Responsibility for processing the small number of Southern Response claims still to be settled will be transferred to EQC by the end of the year. “As claim numbers reduce, it no longer makes sense for the Crown to have two organisations processing the remaining Canterbury claims,” Grant Robertson says. “Since ...
Health Minister David Clark is encouraging Whanganui residents to take up the opportunity for free bowel screening, which can detect cancer early when it’s easier to treat. Over the next two years 12,000 Whanganui locals, aged 60 to 74 will be invited to participate in the National Bowel Screening ...
Minister for Pacific Peoples Aupito William Sio, heads to Oslo today to represent New Zealand at the sixth Our Ocean Conference, which is being hosted by the Norwegian Government from the 23-24 October. “The Our Ocean Conference mobilises real action on issues like marine plastic pollution and the impacts of ...
Two secondary-school initiatives are being expanded as part of the Government’s plan to see more young New Zealanders take up a trade to help close the skills gap. This includes the largest single increase in Trades Academy places in recent years. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Education Minister Chris ...
Session 4: Pacific Connectivity – Youth, Media and New Opportunities Kia ora tatou katoa and Warm Pacific greetings to one and all. Representatives of Tainui, the local people of the land, or manawhenua – the indigenous peoples of this area – have welcomed you this morning in accordance with ...
The Government today announced its support for a project that could substantially reduce agricultural greenhouse gas emissions from cattle. The announcement was made as part of Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s and Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor’s visit to Nelson’s Cawthron Aquaculture Park. The Cawthron Institute will receive $100,000 from the Government’s ...
Social Development Minister Carmel Sepuloni has welcomed the first reading of the New Zealand Superannuation and Veteran’s Pension Legislation Amendment Bill. “Every New Zealander has a stake in New Zealand Superannuation and Veteran’s Pension,” says Carmel Sepuloni. “They are our most common form of social assistance – nearly 800,000 New ...
Babies in Auckland aged six months and over can receive a free vaccination and children will all have access to vaccines, Associate Minister of Health Julie Anne Genter announced today at Papatoetoe High School. The move comes as part of Government efforts to step up the fight against measles. ...
***Check against delivery*** Good morning. It is a pleasure to be here, and to have the honour of opening this important conference on behalf of the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs. Let us take the opportunity to acknowledge all the people who have helped make today possible, including our special ...
Police Minister Stuart Nash says the safety of frontline officers and members of the public will be the focus of a new trial of specialist Police response teams in three of our largest urban centres. Police have this morning released details of an initiative to be trialled in Counties Manukau, ...
The Minister of Fisheries is calling for entries for a new public award to celebrate innovation in our seafood sector. “I have established the Seafood Sustainability Awards to recognise and celebrate those throughout industry, tangata whenua and communities who demonstrate outstanding dedication and innovation towards the sustainability of New Zealand’s ...
Minister for Women Julie Anne Genter welcomes leaders in the private sector taking action on closing their gender pay gaps to ensure a fairer workplace for all New Zealanders. Ms Genter today launched a new report, Addressing the gender pay gap and driving women’s representation in senior leadership, from the Champions for ...
Government Ministers today welcomed the release of a marine environment report highlighting the four key issues affecting our oceans, estuaries and coastlines. The release underlines the importance of government proposals to combat climate pollution, ensure clean freshwater, protect biodiversity, make land use more sustainable, and reduce waste and plastic. Environment ...
The Government has approved funding for a new acute mental health facility for Waikato which will provide better care and support to people with mental health and addiction issues. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Health Minister Dr David Clark announced the $100 million project to replace the aging Henry Rongomau ...
The Government is making progress on its goal to integrate te reo Māori into education by 2025, with over 500 teachers and support staff already graduating from Te Ahu o te Reo Māori, Associate Education Minister Kelvin Davis announced today. Kelvin Davis made the announcement at an awards ceremony in Waikanae today, for ...
Statistics Minister James Shaw has welcomed the first release of 2018 Census data. The first release of data today, 23 September, includes key data on population, regional growth, the number of homes and the size of different ethnic groups in New Zealand. Data from the 2018 Census will support the ...
Minister for Statistics James Shaw today announced a public consultation on a proposed algorithm charter for government agencies. The charter has been developed by the Government Chief Data Steward in response to growing calls for more transparency in government use of data. Computer algorithms – procedures or formulas for solving ...
Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor, Climate Change Minister James Shaw and visiting Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte co-hosted a business roundtable in Auckland this morning focused on working together to address climate change. “The Netherlands is an important partner for New Zealand. We share a strong agricultural history. Sustainable agribusiness and ...
The Government is taking action to build an inclusive economy where more of us receive our fair share at work and businesses can compete on great products and services, not undercutting wages and conditions, Immigration and Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Iain Lees-Galloway says. Two consultations launched today seek feedback ...
The future for New Zealand’s threatened indigenous freshwater fish looks brighter with the passing of the Conservation (Indigenous Freshwater Fish) Amendment Bill in Parliament today said Minister of Conservation, Eugenie Sage. “Until now, our freshwater fish legislation has been 20 years out of date. We have lacked effective tools to ...
At 1.30pm tomorrow, hundreds of thousands of Kiwis will join about 65 million people around the globe in ShakeOut, the world’s biggest earthquake drill. The annual drill is to remind people of the right action to take during an earthquake which is to Drop, Cover, Hold, and to practise their ...
Kiwis are benefiting from higher wage growth and low inflation under the Coalition Government. Stats NZ data out today shows the rise in the cost of living remains low, as annual Consumers Price Index (CPI) inflation fell to 1.5% in September from 1.7% in June. “The low inflation comes as ...
New Zealand’s economic strength and resilience has been recognised in a major update on the state of the global economy. The IMF’s latest World Economic Outlook released overnight shows a reduced global growth forecast over the next two years as issues like the US-China trade war and Brexit take hold. ...
Justice Minister Andrew Little has today introduced a new Bill to prevent terrorism and support the de-radicalisation of New Zealanders returning from overseas. The Terrorism Suppression (Control Orders) Bill gives the New Zealand Police the ability to apply to the High Court to impose control orders on New Zealanders who ...
A Bill that proposes targeted changes to simplify the processes for Māori land owners when engaging with the Māori Land Court has had its First Reading today. “The approach taken by the Government is to ensure that the protection of Māori land remains a priority as we seek to improve ...
Let me first thank all the new unionists and members in the room. There is nothing more important to improving people’s working lives than people making the decision to care, to get on board and help, to take up the reins and get involved. Congratulations to you. You bring the ...
Minister of Defence Ron Mark has signed a certificate exempting the activity of engine testing at Whenuapai Airbase from the Resource Management Act 1991. The Act gives the Minister of Defence the power to exempt activities for the purposes of national security. The certificate will mean the recent Environment Court ...
Finance Minister Grant Robertson has announced New Zealand will join the Coalition of Finance Ministers for Climate Action while attending APEC meetings in Chile. The objective of the 39 member Coalition is to share information and promote action to tackle climate change. It was formed in April this year, in ...
Feedback sought– Lyttelton commercial zone parking The Associate Minister for Greater Christchurch Regeneration, Poto Williams, is seeking feedback on a proposal to remove on-site car parking requirements for new developments in the Lyttelton commercial zone. The proposal, by Christchurch City Council, asks that powers under section 71 of the Greater ...
Hon Minister Poto Williams Associate Minister for Greater Christchurch Regeneration MEDIA STATEMENT Tuesday 15 October 2019 Feedback sought – Hagley Oval The Associate Minister for Greater Christchurch Regeneration, Poto Williams, is seeking feedback on a proposal about Hagley Oval. The proposal was developed by Regenerate Christchurch ...
Ladies and gentlemen, NZCTU President Richard Wagstaff, members of respective unions – thank you for the invitation to speak to you today. This might be preaching to the choir, but the importance of trade unions in New Zealand’s historical arch is difficult to understate. And it is my belief that ...
The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) is pleased to announce the appointment of three organisations to provide refugee settlement support services in five new locations from February 2020. The new settlement locations were announced ...
The prime minister has hailed a ‘historic’ agreement between the government and farming groups. What does it amount to, and is it a substantial step forward in the climate fight, or a ‘sellout’?What’s all this then?For as long as the Emissions Trading Scheme has existed, it has been dogged by ...
Farmers won't have to start paying for their emissions until 2025, as long as they make progress in finding ways to measure and price emissions at the farm level. ...
Thursday, 24 October: Greenpeace is calling the Government’s surprise backdown on its commitment to put farming into the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) a major sell-out. ...
Editor’s Note: Here below is a list of the main issues currently under discussion in New Zealand and links to media coverage.New Zealand Parliament Buildings, Wellington, New Zealand.Today’s content by Dr Bryce Edwards.Environment Richard Harman (Politik): Farm leaders win Government backdown Henry Cooke and Luke Malpass (Stuff): Farmers ...
Act MP David Seymour is confident the public is well-equipped to vote in a referendum on whether to ratify legislation to allow terminally-ill adults to request assisted dying. ...
Changes are being proposed to the standards and guidelines that apply to Election Programmes which are broadcast by or for political parties and candidates in the run-up to the general election. In consultation with broadcasters, the Broadcasting ...
Federated Farmers is pleased to be working with the government via the industry’s ‘He Waka Eke Noa’ commitment but continues to oppose agriculture entering the Emissions Trading Scheme, ...
As the interminable saga surrounding the Wellington Mayoralty election result drags on, some are already blaming the uncertainty on the fact that the election was carried out under proportional representation – in this case, the Single Transferable Vote ...
Vision NZ says it is a mockery that people who have been in the county five minutes can decide the fate of our nation. New Zealand is one of the few countries in the world that gives non-citizens the right to vote. Vision NZ will put a stop to this ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Cedric van den Berg, PhD student, The University of Queensland How does an optical illusion work? – Scarlett, age 8, Shellharbour, NSW. Take a look at this image and move your eyes across the pattern: Your eyes tell the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Greg Barton, Chair in Global Islamic Politics, Alfred Deakin Institute for Citizenship and Globalisation, Deakin University “Remaining and expanding”. The propaganda tagline of Islamic State (IS) has rung hollow since the collapse of the physical caliphate. But recent developments in north-eastern Syria ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Donna Bridges, Lecture of sociology, Charles Sturt University The construction and building industries can be dangerous places to work. These jobs not only pose risks to a person’s physical health, but can threaten their mental health, too. In Australia, “tradies” make up ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Andrew Blakers, Professor of Engineering, Australian National University For the past few years, Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions have headed in the wrong direction. The upward trajectory has come amid overwhelming evidence that the world must bring carbon dioxide emissions down. But the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Callie Little, Postdoctoral research fellow, University of New England Teachers have very little to do with why some kids are better at school than others, our research shows. This contradicts the popular view that teachers matter most (after genes) when it comes ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Julia Quilter, Associate Professor of Law, University of Wollongong Cycling is often held up as a model of healthy and sustainable urban transport. So why have bike laws become more, not less, draconian? Our ongoing research shows mandatory helmet laws have become ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Andreas Cebulla, Senior Research Fellow, South Australian Centre for Economic Studies , University of Adelaide Skilled migration, a mainstay of Australia’s economic and population policies, should be a win-win. Federal and state governments are looking for migrants to meet skills shortfalls and ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Simon Ryan, Associate Professor (Literature), Australian Catholic University When in 2017 Nordstrom began selling US$425 jeans (A$620) covered in fake mud, it seemed the long prophesied “late stage capitalism” had finally arrived. Suddenly the phrase itself was everywhere from Reddit to Twitter ...
Good morning, and welcome to The Bulletin. In today’s edition: Euthanasia bill set to go to a referendum, police whistleblower says he was threatened with legal action, and the finer details of Zero Carbon report.The country is likely to see another referendum next year, on the question of whether the ...
Boris got his Brexit bill approved by Parliament with a swag of Labour party votes – but in principle only. And the opposition has shafted him on his request for an urgent timetable to turn it into legislation before the given Brexit day of 31 October. Nor is the EU ...
The latest in Sony’s stable of 90s remasters should come with a pair of rose-coloured glasses. Sam Brooks reviews the 2019 MediEvil remaster.In this generation of gaming, we’ve seen the glowed-up return of a few of our childhood avatars. The bandicoot spins back in, looking fresher than ever. The purple dragon ...
With over 15,000 public submissions on the bill, the Environment Select Committee had a lot to think about. Here’s everything they did – and didn’t – seek to change about the Zero Carbon Bill.Please do not print it out, but let it be known that the Environment Select Committee has ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Opposition leader Anthony Albanese has finally seen off John Setka from the ALP, with the militant construction union leader capitulating and quitting the party. Setka, who lost a court case he brought in his fight ...
New Zealanders will almost certainly face a referendum next year on whether to legalise voluntary euthanasia after a make-or-break vote in Parliament cleared the way. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Nationals leader Michael McCormack has admitted his party should have handled better agriculture minister Bridget McKenzie’s bring-forward of the planned dairy code. Some Nationals were furious when McKenzie suddenly sped up the code’s preparation in ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra While the drought continues to hit the Nationals’ constituents hard, the party faces a testing terrain on a political level. In this episode of Politics with Michelle Grattan, Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack acknowledges the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Peter Martin, Visiting Fellow, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University Treasury secretary Steven Kennedy – in the job for for just weeks after moving across from the department of infrastructure last month – has dismissed talk of spending big on ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Christian Downie, Australian Research Council DECRA Fellow, Australian National University It’s time we started talking about the principal opponents to action on climate change – fossil fuel industries. If history has taught us anything, it is when oil, gas and coal industries ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jodie Grigg, Research Associate at the National Drug Research Institute, Curtin University My friends are taking ecstasy at raves and music festivals. Is it safe? — Anonymous Key points no drug use, including ecstasy, is 100% safe festivals can present ...
Editor’s Note: Here below is a list of the main issues currently under discussion in New Zealand and links to media coverage.New Zealand Parliament Buildings, Wellington, New Zealand.Today’s content by Dr Bryce Edwards.Transport Todd Niall (Stuff): Auckland Light Rail: Goff says it’s the Government’s call Richard Harman ...
It isn't the first time Tiwai Point's owners have warned they may close the aluminium smelter, but this Government is unlikely to be handing out financial assistance. ...
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says APEC will definitely still be held in Auckland in 2021, despite the destruction caused by the fire at the NZ International Convention Centre. ...
The headline said it all. Stats NZ has released 2018 census data on New Zealanders’ commuting habits and, guess what, we love a motorised polluter. “Car streets ahead for travel to work and education” was the heading. It should have been “cars rule, all other options drool”.New cycleways are under construction ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Mark Liu, Chancellors Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Fashion and Textiles Designer, University of Technology Sydney The tech giants Amazon, Google and Facebook have all begun to use machine learning to give you tips on what to wear. Is fashion styling the next field ...
Prime Minister is meeting with officials at the scene of a massive blaze in Auckland's CBD. Watch a live video of a media stand-up with FENZ and the PM. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Vanessa Bowden, Postdoctoral research fellow, University of Newcastle It is becoming increasingly possible that sea-level rise of a metre or more will occur this century. You might expect this threat to preoccupy coastal homeowners. But many deny the need to act, for ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Chloe Watfern, Scientia PhD scholar, UNSW At Studio A, on the fourth floor of the Crows Nest community centre, a group of artists is working quietly. An occasional burst of laughter erupts from a corner of the studio. It makes its way ...
In response to Meghan Markle’s admission that she’s finding it a struggle to be a new mother in the media spotlight, columnists across the globe have banded together to launch a charity to support all those women who ‘have it worse’, Emily Writes can exclusively reveal.Meghan Markle – duchess, new ...
Will New Zealand’s largest construction firm have to write off yet more money over the troubled International Convention Centre project?Both Fletcher Building and SkyCity’s share prices have felt the impact of the devastating fire that has raged at Auckland’s half completed convention centre for over a day now. More than ...
The new and spectacular atlas We Are Here is page after page of haunting, hella beautiful visual data, each chapter introduced with an essay. This one, Lost in the Forest, opens the section on people. At some point in the 1990s, one of the creators of this book tried to impress ...
Kassie Hartendorp (Ngāti Raukawa) has been looking to Māori stories and storytellers to learn more about our gender identities before colonisation. There’s a lot to be read between the lines, she writes.Te ao Māori can be a very gendered place to be. In some settings, your gender can tell you ...
The Shouting Valley is a powerful group exhibition at the Gus Fisher Gallery in Auckland that interrogates and gives voice to the people caught between borders. But is the real paradox of this politically charged show the limit of what art can do? Lana Lopesi reviews. “What’s bad about borders?” asked ...
The future of the Tiwai Point aluminium smelter is under question again as majority owner, mining giant Rio Tinto, is reviewing the plant's future. ...
There will be another crucial vote for the voluntary euthanasia bill later today - whether or not a referendum will be held at the 2020 general election. ...
It was never intended that state owned enterprises should use their monopoly commercial or regulatory power to stifle competition, yet it is at least arguable that is what has happened says Peter Dunne. ...
Go Bus drivers in South Auckland will continue refusing to collect fares tomorrow as their protest continues with the intent of avoiding disruption to passengers while highlighting the need for fair wage negotiations with their employer, FIRST Union ...
Smoke continues to billow in downtown Auckland 24 hours after fire broke out in the incomplete complex.Shortly after 1pm yesterday came the first reports of a fire on the site of the SkyCity New Zealand International Convention Centre in central Auckland. That brought a massive mobilisation of emergency services, evacuations ...
He Kākano Ahau is a podcast by writer and activist Kahu Kutia (Ngāi Tūhoe) that explores stories of Māori in the city, and weaves together strands of connection. In episode one: the legacy of urban marae Tapu te Ranga.I grew up where the tarseal on the road crumbles away into ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Australians are divided over whether the nation’s universities have too many foreign students, according to the Australian National University’s ANUpoll, released Wednesday. In the polling, 52.8% said the mix between foreign and domestic students was ...
National's leader Simon Bridges says a bill imposing restrictions on people returning after fighting for extremist groups would only keep New Zealanders "half safe". ...
Alex Casey talks to Leigh Hart about the return of Late Night Big Breakfast, the finest morning TV parody show New Zealand has ever made. Late Night Big Breakfast is set to return to TVNZ in 2020 after a five year hiatus, creator and comedian Leigh Hart has confirmed. Filmed in ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tom Gordon, PhD candidate. Sydney University Physics Education Research (SUPER) group, University of Sydney If you want to get good marks in your exams, there’s no substitute for study. So do past exams, go over your notes, read what you need to ...
Otago University academic Chris Brickell wonders whether his new book on LGBT objects ought to be the sort of thing bookshops would want to have on their shelves. ...
South Aucklanders from Mangere to East Tamaki will be riding their Go Bus services to work for free tomorrow morning, as FIRST Union bus drivers opt out of collecting fares for their employer in an industrial action designed to show the wider public ...
What do we make of the Air New Zealand decision to quit the Auckland-Los Angeles-London route? Nothing much as it simply reflects the changing dynamics of the airline industry. Gone are the days when Air NZ took the McDonnell Douglas DC-10-30 into the fleet and began flying Los Angeles, then ...
Was the SkyCity Convention Centre construction site at higher risk of fire than any other construction site or building? Alex Braae asks the experts.A fire at the SkyCity Convention Centre construction site has continued to burn this morning, after a night of lighting up the Auckland CBD sky.The fire, which ...
Sky City and Fletcher Building see another "material delay" to opening of International Convention Centre as fire still rages. Plan B needed for APEC in November 2021, says Goff ...
First it was KiwiBuild, now it’s Auckland’s light rail that’s looking increasingly shambolic. Jenée Tibshraeny from Interest asks what’s going on, and how thin is that ice that transport minister Phil Twyford is skating on.The Opposition’s latest attack phrase aimed at the government is set to be one of its ...
Open mike 29/03/2019 
Some of us at Redline are part of a Marxist and anarchist gender-critical e-group that consists of activists in several countries – trade unionists, women’s liberation activists, gay and straight, male and female. Through this we became aware of the case outlined below. Thanks to Thistle for writing this for ...3 hours ago
Tiwai Point's electricity contract is up for renewal. And as usual, they're sticking their hand out, demanding a government subsidy, and threatening to close if they don't get one:The owners of the aluminium smelter said on Wednesday that there were seeking talks with the Government amid a strategic review which ...16 hours ago
Climate Explained is a collaboration between The Conversation, Stuff and the New Zealand Science Media Centre to answer your questions about climate change. If you have a question you’d like an expert to answer, please send it to climate.change@stuff.co.nz Everyone is going on about reducing our carbon footprint, zero ...18 hours ago
2 days ago
by the Council of Disobedient Women We call on the Council of Trade Unions to show some fortitude and take a stand with your sisters. Unionists know that there is a material world, otherwise workers could simply identify out of poverty. They could declare themselves Well Paid. Why stop ...3 days ago
Keir Starmer has hinted that Labour might vote in favour of the Johnson government's shoddy deal, with the proviso that a second referendum is attached:Speaking to BBC One’s The Andrew Marr Show, he said: “We will see what that looks like but it makes sense to say that by whatever ...3 days ago
In 1994, I was the editor for an issue of Planet magazine focused on cannabis, its culture and the prospects for the end of its prohibition. Part of that issue was an interview with 'Ringo', an experienced cannabis dealer.I recently posted my essay from that issue, and I figured it ...5 days ago
Media Statement for Immediate Release 16th October 2019 “Fake News” from Auckland City Council CCOs Board Chairs re pay and performance bonuses for top managers Despite comments from Auckland City Council CCOs Board Chairs re pay and performance bonuses for top managers—Herald Newspaper Tuesday Oct 15th–there is very little evidence ...7 days ago
Climate Explained is a collaboration between The Conversation, Stuff and the New Zealand Science Media Centre to answer your questions about climate change. If you have a question you’d like an expert to answer, please send it to climate.change@stuff.co.nz There is a lot of discussion on the benefits of ...1 week ago
Thanks to a report from the Acting Inspector General of Intelligence and Security following a complaint by Nicky Hager, we have come to find out that the SIS illegally spied on Mr. Hager on behalf of the NZDF after publication of Hager’s 2011 book, Other People’s Wars. The NZDF justified ...1 week ago
COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT GLOBAL WARMING MYTH 1: Global temperatures are rising at a rapid, unprecedented rate. FACT: The HadCRUT3 surface temperature index, produced by the Hadley Centre of the UK Met Office and the Climate Research Unit of the University of East Anglia, shows warming to 1878, cooling to 1911, ...1 week ago
A list of indicators of bad science – many of these are found in articles promoted by anti-fluoride activists. Anti-fluoride activists have been pouring money into a scaremongering campaign warning pregnant women not to drink fluoridated water. They claim fluoride will lower the IQ of their future child. Fluoride ...1 week ago
More than double the number of people who will vote in this year’s local body elections have tried marijuana or urinated somewhere they shouldn’t have. As local elections look set for the lowest turnout in decades, with many regions falling well short of 40%, the Government is exploring a number ...2 weeks ago
Musings continue apace about “the experienced businessman!” soon to be taking up a National Party MP position. Or to be more accurate, being parachuted into a seat to shut down their former MP Jamie-Lee Ross, who despite his own shortcomings shed at least some more light on the inner workings ...2 weeks ago
“There can be no such thing as kaupapa Māori political parties or politics in Aotearoa” (Willie Jackson, Labour Party (2017). Māori TV, General/List Election Special) I begin with that claim because at the time, I was confounded at first that it fell out of Willie Jackson’s mouth, and then ...2 weeks ago
Rt Hon Winston Peters, New Zealand First Leader New Zealand First Leader Rt Hon Winston Peters says the Government’s steps to reduce farm livestock emissions are necessary and timely. Today the Government and farming leaders announced a plan to measure and price emissions at the farm level by 2025. “Many farmers ...11 mins ago
We're rebuilding our hospitals, protecting our oceans, and taking mental health seriously. ...6 days ago
The Government and farming sector leaders have agreed to a world-first partnership to reduce primary sector emissions in one of the most significant developments on climate action in New Zealand's history. Today farming leaders and the Government announced a plan to join forces to develop practical and cost-effective ways to ...5 mins ago
The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) is pleased to announce the appointment of three organisations to provide refugee settlement support services in five new locations from February 2020. The new settlement locations were announced ...42 mins ago
The prime minister has hailed a ‘historic’ agreement between the government and farming groups. What does it amount to, and is it a substantial step forward in the climate fight, or a ‘sellout’?What’s all this then?For as long as the Emissions Trading Scheme has existed, it has been dogged by ...55 mins ago
Farmers won't have to start paying for their emissions until 2025, as long as they make progress in finding ways to measure and price emissions at the farm level. ...57 mins ago
Editor’s Note: Here below is a list of the main issues currently under discussion in New Zealand and links to media coverage.
New Zealand’s agricultural sector has been given time to fulfil its own climate change commitments. ...2 hours ago
The fire at Sky City in Auckland is into its third day, with flames still evident this morning and smoke continuing to affect the central city. ...4 hours ago
Boris got his Brexit bill approved by Parliament with a swag of Labour party votes – but in principle only. And the opposition has shafted him on his request for an urgent timetable to turn it into legislation before the given Brexit day of 31 October. Nor is the EU ...5 hours ago
With euthanasia likely to join cannabis as a referendum topic at the 2020 election, political campaigning could get messy. ...5 hours ago
Teenager Princess Elliot left her small town for the city, to make her name in netball - now the speedster's taking the rugby world by storm. ...5 hours ago
Kirsten Slade draws a review of a book of drawings by Sarah Laing. ...5 hours ago
Victoria University of Wellington's Simon Mackenzie, Trevor Bradley, Angus Lindsay explain why armed cops in cars in a bad idea. ...5 hours ago
The Auckland housing market remains soft but there are signs it is stirring, according to the latest Kiwibank regional economic survey. ...5 hours ago
A proposal for an extreme spring clean of the RMA and associated legislation that would embed climate change mitigation into the system. ...5 hours ago
Why did MediaWorks decide to embark on such a public process in announcing its TV arm was for sale and risk badly undermining its brand? ...5 hours ago
Winston Peters has admitted he's not immortal - so is NZ First capable of carrying on without him? ...6 hours ago
A los of support for the second round of gun law changes seems to boil down to the issue of fairness, writes Laura Walters. ...15 hours ago
After the leak of new transport proposals, critics say the Government risks falling victim to “airport derangement syndrome”. ...17 hours ago
It isn't the first time Tiwai Point's owners have warned they may close the aluminium smelter, but this Government is unlikely to be handing out financial assistance. ...17 hours ago
Air New Zealand has revealed it will axe its flagship Los Angeles to London route, resulting in the loss of at least 130 jobs. ...19 hours ago
As global economic risks continue to run high, there is increasing concern about the quality of debt in the corporate bond market. ...19 hours ago
The future of the Tiwai Point aluminium smelter is under question again as majority owner, mining giant Rio Tinto, is reviewing the plant's future. ...20 hours ago
It was never intended that state owned enterprises should use their monopoly commercial or regulatory power to stifle competition, yet it is at least arguable that is what has happened says Peter Dunne. ...20 hours ago
Otago University academic Chris Brickell wonders whether his new book on LGBT objects ought to be the sort of thing bookshops would want to have on their shelves. ...23 hours ago
What do we make of the Air New Zealand decision to quit the Auckland-Los Angeles-London route? Nothing much as it simply reflects the changing dynamics of the airline industry. Gone are the days when Air NZ took the McDonnell Douglas DC-10-30 into the fleet and began flying Los Angeles, then ...24 hours ago
Sky City and Fletcher Building see another "material delay" to opening of International Convention Centre as fire still rages. Plan B needed for APEC in November 2021, says Goff ...1 day ago
All the identicons seem to have disappeared since yesterday!? Tried Edge and Chrome.
lprent
All our pretty colours have gone. We need some images to brighten our pages of stark considerations. Helpfully yours, greywarshark.
It’s also a pretty good way of picking commenters I like to read as I scroll down OM.
Fixed. The identicon button was unchecked, though I don’t know why. As far as I know, the identicons don’t slow page loading or have any impact on the way pages look, so I guess it was entirely unintentional. Lprent will put me right in his usual style if I’ve got that wrong 😉
Good fix. I was bit busy.
But probably just an accident.
” New Zealand is on track. One child dies in NZ as a result of abuse every five weeks.
Three children are dead so far in New Zealand this year as a result of domestic violence and it is not even the end of March.
In many cases they get fleeting news coverage and we may not even learn their names.
Names matter. We refuse to speak the name of the mosque murderer in our search for non-violence. We won’t give him any air time – he was not us, says Prime Minister Jacinda Adern. He does not exist.
But he did. He really did! And so do the children that are dying in New Zealand as a result of domestic violence occurring right here. We need to speak their names. We need to be just as outraged by their deaths as we are by the mosque killings.
Yet we keep quiet about them because they are our national shame. We look the other way.
Currently there is an almost obscene celebration of ourselves as New Zealanders.
Adern has carefully crafted a response to a terrorist act in New Zealand so that tables have been completely turned and we have come up smelling of roses.
The message is: ‘This is not us – it is just one individual who lost the plot’.
Adern really is a good leader – she is doing well in protecting our national identity. National identities are important in a global economy.
I think it is wrong that the world’s tallest building (in Dubai) is lit up with an image of Jacinda Adern when our own dying children in New Zealand get limited media coverage.
Frankly, it’s tacky.”
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12215934
I agree.
And there’s not much more I can add….other than I won’t be celebrating our Our National Day of Unity until we sort this shit out.
So true Rosemary thanks for reminding us.
Blurb on NZ standards from the government on-line:
(How many people are employed in PR and seriously compromising their own integrity by writing this shit with a sure hand?)
Family Life in New Zealand | New Zealand Now
https://www.newzealandnow.govt.nz/why-choose-nz/family-friendly
Nov 12, 2018 – But rest assured, New Zealand is a great place to bring up children. It’s why so many Kiwis living abroad come back home when it’s time to start nesting. … There are wonderful opportunities for young people to grow up with easy … Families in New Zealand get great support from a range of public services.
Maori have numerous systems going and success. But society is up against television and its content that is probably more anti-social than positive, also drugs – alcohol, mj, other chemicals, lack of meaningful jobs with decent pay,
peer pressure and modelling; also a general lack of respect from ignorant, snooty pakeha and middle-class whites who patronise and judge, is an observation of mine.
There has been action also from the private sector generally, and not all just to get on the money bandwagon from government. Which is how some charter schools see things when bad, but not all charter schools are no good, government should ensure better standards, mentors and overview.
Parents Centre –
https://www.parentscentre.org.nz/lobyingandadvocacy/default.asp
(Not always helped financially by government.)
Helping parents shouldn’t be a vacuum that business jumps in to fill
to sell their product.
https://www.momentumlife.co.nz/stories/why-kids-should-have-chores
About Author: Momentum Life is a leading provider of Life insurance, Funeral insurance and Accident insurance in New Zealand.
https://www.lifetimeincome.co.nz/about-us/news/2017/october/meet-the-grandparents-raising-their-grandchildren/
Life insurance – retirement plans.
Middle class working parent.
https://thespinoff.co.nz/parenting/24-01-2018/working-mothers-make-great-employees-so-stop-being-an-asshole-about-them/
http://www.homeandfamily.net.nz/about/ (120 years in Christchurch)
https://www.theparentingplace.com/our-story/
Ian and Mary Grant (Christian)
https://www.iosis.org.nz/about-us/story/
Baptist Christian – Mangere, Manurewa, Papakura.
There is Thrive – which sounds good but with little information about the people running it, no names. Under Waves Trust, 7 Henderson Valley Road, Henderson.
http://www.thrive.org.nz/contact/
Our Vision
Young parents and their children are able to reach their full potential by being connected and secure within their families and communities.
Our Mission
Thriving young people, parents and families.
Mahi tahi
We are a small team of social workers, support staff and volunteers who are committed to helping young teenage parents and their whānau flourish and thrive.
What we do
We offer a range of innovative one on one wrap around support along with various programmes that are tailored and targetted towards the needs, hopes and aspirations of teen parents.
Our first priority is the wellbeing of you and your unborn or new born baby, pepi. We work in partnership with teen parents to be or new teen parents, by ensuring that your voice is heard and that we speak with you and not for you.
The aim of all that we do is based on working to break through and address any and all of the pressing issues that a young parent, young couple face as they look to strengthen and uphold their new roles as parents to be or new parents.
Our highly skilled staff are there to guide, shape and assist every step of the way. We are have a strong reputation of building and maintaining a solid relationship with teen parents and their baby, pepi through an effective and continuous quality service provision.
WHY?
The team is focused on ensuring that you are given the necessary support, tools, and information that will improve the health and well-being of you and your child. Our commitment is based on teen parents reaching and fulfilling their potential and reaching their goals.
(This is the work and the attitude about the social need, that the government should be showing itself not through a second party.)
Then there is government’s Oranga Tamariki—Ministry for Children. I wonder how Maori feel they are getting on with their job? Can’t see an overview on that but I imagine there will be one.
I have remembered more info that is valid for this and put it up further along the post.
Substance abuse. I wonder if substance use/abuse is recorded when a death or extreme neglect and abuse are investigated?
Because I’ll bet that in the vast majority of cases alcohol use and abuse and/or legal or illegal drug use are significant factors.
My happy day will be when alcohol use attracts the same degree of social opprobrium as tobacco smoking.
Yes, it is there like an unreliable cat waiting for the right moment to bite you on the ankle. So nice to look at, so innocent a pleasure, and so difficult to know how to protect yourself. I have avoided having that, but others I know have been bitten.
The only thing about smoking is that it has become established. It is stupid not to notice how Prohibition went in the USA – it encouraged crime and now with tobacco becoming hard to obtain because of the price, it has gone up on the Bell curve of effectiveness from pricing to falling effectiveness because of the enhancement of the price raising the intrinsic value of the ciggies.
Hi Rosemary, I agree about the horrific rate we harm our vulnerable.
It is simplistic click bait shenanagins to convolute Prime Minister Arderns response to the Mosque murders, with our harm of our tamariki.
Our leader has already identified child poverty as the one issue she wants to address.
“… simplistic click bait shenanagins…”
Really? When I read Tulloch’s piece it resonated.
“What if we were to form a mass vigil for all the children who have died in New Zealand as a result of child abuse? One candle for every little life. Between 2010 and 2016 that was 66 lives.
What if we demanded an adequate social welfare system within which children and families had wrap around care?
What if we valued children so much in New Zealand that our leader Adern would raise the pay of our teachers in early childhood and schools to demonstrate the value of their work?
But she didn’t. And we looked the other way. We did not call a mass uprising to say we wanted our teachers and schools supported. We did not yell loud enough and say ‘this is not us’.
If the recent death of the child in Maketu doesn’t raise the hairs on your arms in the same way that the spine-chilling hakas did in the aftermath of the shootings it is because we have normalised it.
Another child has died in suspicious circumstances in New Zealand and we are in no position to deny that we are a violent society.”
All this ‘this is not us’ bullshit….I’m over it. It is us. We kill our kids.
I agree we need to be making a huge fuss about it and start doing some serious research into why it is happening. And start to fix it.! There are lots of theories and ideas, of course, but in order to start making the first meaningful steps to stop these tragic happenings we need some serious data and a workable plan.
We have most of the data already.
The new IDI might be able to produce deeper information about relationships and generational issues, but there’s only so far one can go with probabilistic ID linkage between such diverse datasets.
I suspect the main problem is that the numbers of mortality are too low to get real relationships from, and the gap between detecting non-lethal abuse/neglect and identifying it in the morgue is so wide. Even though health professionals are getting better at looking for it, there’d still be a massive underreporting of child injuries resulting from assault – often difficult to tell an arm broken by accident with an arm broken by dragging etc. So we see the ones who turn up dead, but you’d be lucky to see maybe a quarter of assault injuries attributed to something other than accident.
So basically asfar as I can see the main thing we can do is lower family stress by reducing inequality and hardship, throwing more social workers at everyone, and then hoping that the upper-income sociopaths get outed by their kids at school.
Indeed, Rosemary…
There is a twisted sense of self being presented around by ‘Nz’, from what I have observed…
It is nothing new, as you well know…and from the experiences you share here…
The most vulnerable are still treated poorly and seemingly not valued…
Youth suicide rates…
Bullying and abuse (from all sources)…
NZ is not a united country…
It is a severley damaged and deluded one…
“It is a severley damaged and deluded one…”
OOOOOH …. Eric Idle, – my absolute favourite of the Python team !
There’s just something about his eyes, his face shape, his voice , mannerisms that perfectly suited his comic cheeky , cheerful persona, – Life of Brian , – speaking to the Roman guard … ” Nah – I’m only pullin’ your leg ,- its crucifixion really , yeah I know the way , out the door , one cross each, line on the left ”
Hahahaa! – as if hes an old hand at being crucified and its just the same old , same old , humdrum routine …
The guy used to have me in hysterics of laughter 🙂
Monty Python – Crucifixion – YouTube
Hoots ethos must be really feeling threatened, he slips the knife into Winston again over at the fish wrap this morning. 2020 is sure going to be an interesting election.
The definition of stupidity is doing the same thing again and expecting a different result.
Hootz and MSM still trying to drive the nail into Winnie ?
Still haven’t figured out it requires a stake through the heart and earnest prayer.
Mcflock is anti Winnie so you would use a nail gun for sure.
Winnie is legendary and the oldest sitting MP so don’t count him out as you will fail.
Not particularly anti. It’s just that the dude has survived more announcements of his political demise than Christopher Lee turned to dust in all the Hammer Horrors combined.
Big ups to all those attending the service this morning in Hagley Park…
An overly heavy weight fell upon the city, still rebuilding its strength post-eqs. You can almost touch it. It is on people’s faces. It will take time to dissipate.
grim
heavy
burdensome
(of course, the city is a minor bit-part and thoughts and wishes go first and foremost to the victims and their families and communities.)
It was a special event, an involving experience for everyone (& there were many), full of character and community; & a huge credit to all involved in putting together such a good display of NZ values of respect.
Americans must be getting pretty desperate for regime change in Venezuela now.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/mar/28/venezuela-blackout-latest-news-maduro-sniper-prayers
Why does the USA have to poke it’s nose in everywhere, they need to tidy up the shambles they have at home ?
Agreed. American leadership is so shite their citizens are openly embarrassed, and for some time now many travelling pretend to be Canadian to take the heat off.
https://www.outsideonline.com/2201026/stop-telling-people-youre-canada
How’s them eggs for national pride?
Wethe peole,
you must be young saying that.
I am a naturalised Canadian and Kiwi born too.
I went to live in Canada in 1968 when the anti-Vietnam war riots were spreading around the US and US young were dogging the ‘draft’ to go to Vietnam so this is a historical event that happens every time politics changes rapidly,
This time it’s Trump draining the ‘Washington swamp’ finally, so maybe some of the former ‘Washington intelligence staff’ are running away from being tracked as US citizens.
‘..dogging the draft…” 😆
higherstandard
“dodging the draft”‘
Not me, as I did my time in the NZ army in 1964.
But the US kids were leaving US and coming over the border to Toronto where I was then as i bumped into several of them there.
Had some relations here from the UK recently who had been travelling through Asia and Australia, they said any Americans they met would say they are from the State they are from in the USA rather than the USA. Does that tell you something about how they feel about the USA and it’s International Relations ?
‘Cause Venezuela has ‘their’ oil.
Russian troops have landed in Venezuela, no doubt that will making a few waves for trump.
“The arrival of two Russian air force planes carrying nearly 100 Russian troops outside Caracas on Saturday has escalated the political crisis in Venezuela.”
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/03/trump-tells-russia-troops-venezuela-190327171525621.html
Cuba had to do the same thing in the 1960’s to protect itself from USA aggression ?
Hooton decay
Admittedly, Matthew is enmeshed in a rather abysmal lot. There is Hosking who daily writes about Hosking and little else.
There is Audrey Young who struggles in later life to know what a Topic is. Whether on Dan’s panel – Or Whatever. Although she is marginally more alive than Johnny Armstrong.
So from the large Herald nursery, only about two writers cut the mustard with Fact and Humour and Balance.
I punished myself today and read a bit of smooth Hooton dated 2004, where he was jacking up National in a bouquet of Flowers and Perfume – and a Brash of bright future. Oh Yeah.
Hooton does nothing but unjack everyone – EXCEPT – his idols – Johnny Key, Frau Bennett and Billy English, each of whom gave New Zealand great wealth. Huge wealth. Incredible wealth. Tax Cuts Tax Cuts Tax Cuts.
National have decided they must get rid of Winston Peters. He is too good to be allowed to stay alive. He is a threat to Simon. Equally a threat to “strange person of power” Papakura Collins. He is the enemy of excessive Wealth.
Not a single Journalist of the Herald has ever written a word about the real people of New Zealand.
The ones who go to work. Often two jobs a day. Both Parents. Struggling to pay for a bit of Fonterra’s bland cheese. Unhoused. Batted around by Dickensian Landlords.
Hooton is in decay. Yes. But he is not the only one who has hated and destroyed the backbone of the real people of this our Nation.
Home ownership keeps dropping. Kiwi paradise of renting forever must be maintain say Bridges. It’s the kiwi way to improvise more and more kiwis.
The Banks are not lending at present and are scared to lend on new building projects as the market may crash ?
The Banks are in the business of making money for their shraeholders, they are not interested in economic growth or looking after New Zealanders.
The NZ Banks are looking after their major shareholders in Australia and the USA.
The Labour Government was stupid selling the BNZ to Fay Richwhite IMHO ?
Michael Fay and David Richwhite infamous!! Yes and they hollowed it out sold shares to the workers in the bank branches complete with loans to buy their shonkey shares!!
Luckily my eldest son needed our signature on the loan and we explained why we thought it was a bad idea. Son was so relieved. No job and a debt was how they left many having unloaded worthless shares.
The bank folded and those people were left paying for fresh air. That pair went to Ireland and did similar over there.
Yep did the same thing to British Rail.
“Not a single Journalist of the Herald has ever written a word about the real people of New Zealand.
The ones who go to work. Often two jobs a day. Both Parents. Struggling to pay for a bit of Fonterra’s bland cheese. Unhoused. Batted around by Dickensian Landlords.”
Oh – so you mean your definition of ‘real people of new zealand’.
Plenty of tea New Zealanders are going perfectly fine and dandy – they are real New Zealanders as well.
James yes agree all the “parasites” working for the overseas banks and corporates who are stripping NZ and it’s workers ?
Sambimbo out, jimbo in.
100% OT. Well expressed.
Horeskin is infatuated with himself and his horeskin ?
Latest NZ scientific climate change report today 29th March 2019.
NZ P.M. Jacinda Ardern needs to read this NZ scientific report released today.
Our NZ climate is now moving out of reach of changing it so this report from senior NZ scientists are warning the Labour coalition Government.
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/SC1903/S00049/global-state-of-the-cliate-2018-expert-reaction.htm
SCOOP
Global State of the Climate 2018 – Expert Reaction
Friday, 29 March 2019, 9:17 am
Press Release: Science Media Centre
The physical signs and socio-economic impacts of climate change are accelerating according to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).
In their 2018 State of the Global Climate report, they say 2018 saw record sea level rise and exceptionally high land and ocean temperatures over the past four years, continuing the warming trend observed over the past two decades.
The statement also covers climate impacts on human populations over the past year, such as at climate hazards, displacements and food security.
The SMC asked experts to comment, feel free to use these comments in your reporting.
Professor James Renwick, climate scientist and Head of the VUW School of Geography, Environment and Earth Sciences, comments:
“The 25th annual State of the Climate report from the WMO is an excellent and accessible summary, but it makes for sobering reading. Carbon dioxide concentrations are at record levels, ocean heat content and sea levels are both at record highs, sea ice extent is well below normal in both hemisphere, glaciers and ice sheets are melting. On and on in the now-familiar litany of all the ways the climate is warming and changing around us. Even more worrying is the range of associated extreme weather events and impacts on human populations. World hunger is on the rise and we are now talking of millions of people displaced as a result of weather and climate extremes.
“Ecosystems are being affected worldwide, on land and in the oceans, where acidification is associated with rising temperatures and loss of dissolved oxygen. The record heat in New Zealand and the Tasman Sea during summer 2017/18 is an example of what we can expect much more of in future years. With no action on climate change, that record warm summer in New Zealand would be counted as a cold summer in another 50 years. The associated increases in climate and weather extremes would displace hundreds of millions and would threaten the fabric of societies everywhere.
“The globe is currently running a temperature of about 1°C above pre-industrial levels. To rein in the warming at no more than 1.5°C above pre-industrial, global emissions need to halve by 2030, and go to zero by 2050. Yet, emissions increased to record levels in 2018! Policy-makers must really take on board that climate change is an existential threat to global society, to the global economy, and to all ecosystems on earth. I hope the planned United Nations Climate Action Summit later this year really galvanises action by governments around the world.”
No conflict of interest.
Gregor Macara, climate scientist, National Institute of Water & Atmospheric Research (NIWA), comments:
“In a week that has seen the highest 48-hour rainfall total ever in New Zealand, it seems fitting that the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) is highlighting the increasing impacts of climate change around the world.
“New Zealand is far from immune and has experienced many of the indicators the WMO has concluded are becoming more pronounced globally.
“These include:
• New Zealand’s hottest ever month in January 2018 when the mean temperature was 20.3°C, a remarkable 3.1°C above average
• At New Zealand climate stations over the past six years, for every record or near-record low monthly mean temperature there have been 12 record or near-record highs.
• A hot March this year – higher temperatures than what it’s usually like in mid to late summer.
• Marine heatwaves over the past two summers – likely a contributor to this week’s wettest 48 hours on record.
• A near record 40-day dry spell in Nelson this summer which included significant wildfires.
• 2018 coming in at NZ’s equal-second warmest year on record .” [High-res graph available here under creative commons (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0)].
No conflict of interest.
Professor Jim Salinger, Visiting Scholar, Penn State University, comments:
“The 25th Anniversary issue shows hastening climate warming globally. This was true for the New Zealand region, a combined land and marine area of 4 million sq. km (the size of the Indian subcontinent), with the warmest year on 150 years of land and sea records.
“It is very alarming that the carbon dioxide levels reaching a highest 406 ppm – up from 280 ppm in the 19th century, and methane jumping unexpectedly by 25 ppb to a record 1850 ppb by 2017.
“The extra 3.7 mm of sea level rise will be very significant for the coast of Australia, and especially New Zealand with its many seaside urban areas and long coasts.
“The record warm summer ending in February 2019 produced the largest ice loss on the Southern Alps glaciers since the regular end of summer snowline surveys started 42 years ago.
“We’ve seen Queensland Groper in the Bay of Islands, Northland, 3000 km out of range, snapper in Milford Sound in Fiordland, and massive mortality in the aquaculture fisheries of the Marlborough Sounds. These are a harbinger of climate in the latter part of the 20th century if we do not take action to reduce emissions from the combustion of fossil fuels and the production of greenhouse gases from other sources such as waste and agriculture immediately.”
No conflict of interest.
ends
Science Media Centre NZ
Our aim is to promote accurate, evidence-based reporting on science and technology by helping the media work more closely with the scientific community.
The Science Media Centre is New Zealand’s only trusted, independent source of information for the media on all issues related to science. Thousands of news stories providing context from and quoting New Zealand researchers have been published as a direct result of our work.
Contact Science Media Centre NZ
• Website – http://www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz
• Email – smc@sciencemediacentre.co.nz
• Phone – +64 4 499 5476
• Mobile – +64 21 859 365
• Facebook
• Twitter – @smcnz
• YouTube
• Postal Address – PO Box 598, Wellington 6140
Thanks CG! Would have missed it otherwise
I’m so grateful to see the entire text of the media release faithfully pasted here including the contact details. That newfangled hyperlinking idea will never catch on. Off to scribe some papyrus and summon my faithful carrier pigeon.
Basic science says planetary gas traps heat, so digging up and burning carbon would inevitably increase the temperature globally. Especially if nothing is done to stop the concentration of co2 in the atmosphere. It really does not matter whether we have past the tipping point, we have or we will if nothing changes. So let’s grow the co2 level some more…
So we are running at the cliff, it looks now that we’ve run right off the top…
You know that you don’t need to post the entire thing after the link.
You trying to channel Ed?
Knowing what is relevant seems beyond some folk.
PM Jacinda Ardern was at the Memorial Service this morning, Soon she flies for a one day meeting with China. She will probably read that Report on her way. I’m sure James Shaw will read it as well.
Cleangreen, I know you didn’t mean to make it sound like she is neglectful, but it did rather read that way. Her plate is full.
A terrorist Attack which killed 50 and injured as many more.
A flight to China to salvage relations.
Gun law changes.
A Climate Change Tipping point Report.
A budget being prepared.
The ongoing repairs and replacements needed because of previous neglect.
I so admire this young woman who has taken on that role with such aplomb and sincerity.
She will do her level best for us all, and next election it is to be hoped we vote her a greater mandate to bring in change.
True that Patricia,
I marched on that day and held two banners up saying save rail save a planet.
I am nervous as the murders have shifted the spotlight off the most serious issue we now face for us and our children’s future.
I am 75 so don’t feel personally threatened as my life is now limited but when I look at my 7yr old grandson I almost cry at what he will face going forward so Jacinda must feel this too with a very young Girl under a year old.
We must keep up the pressure for change now.
Yes Cleangreen, at 77 I feel the same. Cheers.
In case you have missed it –
Face book is banning all white nationalist content.
https://www.vox.com/technology/2019/3/27/18284319/facebook-instagram-white-nationalism-ban
Meanwhile:
Twitter is considering labeling Trump tweets that violate its rules:
https://edition.cnn.com/2019/03/28/tech/trump-twitter-rules-label/index.html
Well I guess even that little step is something on the way to cleaning up the garbage tip that these ‘social media’ sites have created over the past decade.
There is still a long way to go.
Well I hope that Twitter applies some consistency and removes the hate speech of Ahmed Bhamji, chairman of the Mt Roskill Masjid E Umar Mosque.
Hate speech and conspiracy theories like his recent rant in Aotea Square have helped radicalize so many, whether Muslim, Jewish, white supremacists or whoever. It has no place in NZ.
https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-zealand/2019/03/jews-outraged-after-mosque-leader-blames-mossad-for-christchurch-attack.html
I’m no fan of Netanyahu and his extremist mates, but that guy’s just really irresponsible. Unless you’ve got solid evidence to suggest Mossad had anything to do with this (and good luck with that), ranting like an unhinged lunatic about Zionist conspiracy theories is just pathetic. He’s just tipping the scales in the other direction, and it’s helping no one, least of all NZ’s Muslim community.
Has there been any evidence of Israeli involvement with the Christchurch Massacre ?
No. Zero evidence. He is just trying to import all the hate and bigotry that prevails in the ME to our country.
it is already here , that is why we have 50 dead in christchurch.
So we call out that rubbish no matter who spouts it. ” It is not welcome here” to quote our Pm.
It is significant that Trump has been identified as symptomatic of what’s wrong with twitter.
Chief Troll. He’s even got the haircut.
And a Trolls orange skin.
Paul Brislenon RNZ says:
Have people seen the film The Cleaners?
It sounds relevant
https://www.nziff.co.nz/2018/auckland/the-cleaners/
A thoroughly unnerving picture of our times, this gripping doco immerses us in the surreal world of the content moderators who decide what we see (or don’t see) on social media.
A thanks on 8.1 – – Thanks CG! Would have missed it otherwise
Soddenleaf
I agree with your point that we have no time here so we need to plan for the event now also. build less use of carbon emissions to slow the rate of destruction.
Yes Climate change updates like mine on 8 should be a subject that stays on the radar every day no matter what else goes on today.
As Climate change is about to kill at random many people who are also innocent in our communities as sea level rise and warming/ melting of our glaciers will flood many regions.
We saw this happen at the Franz Josef Glacier and all the flooding down at properties flooded at Hokitika perhaps from the melting of the glaciers there also?
How much pain and suffering does it take before the Government moves ‘decisively’ now?
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/SC1903/S00049/global-state-of-the-cliate-2018-expert-reaction.htm
We impatiently await James report, and hope like hell we have consensus on real change.
In the interim planting trees is a no brainer – soon as we (I) get some rains to support them…
The heat island effect in cities will only be exacerbated in future unless we take steps now to offset temperatures with the evaporative cooling and shading effect of trees. In addition trees perform many functions to enhance urban living.
Food, shade, shelter, habitat, aesthetic beauty, carbon capture, biodiversity, rain capture and transpiration, air cleaning, oxygen production…
To build resilience in communities we should get started, not wait on governments, though obviously we are… all hands on deck!
I put trees in recently that’ll take nearly a decade to bear food. Trees are a vote for the future. Start now.
Thinking about better outcomes for young children and teenagers and when they become young parents. This is heartening, and should be the norm now but probably not.
This gives an example of the background of the why of NZ’s poor record with parents and children on world statistical tables.
https://www.efworld.org/uploads/files/75555390665357702-susancavebaragwanath.pdf
Dr Susan Baragwanath was the instigator of about 11 schools for teenage mothers, who the careless, condemning conformists with cold-blooded puritan minds were freezing out from society, and this was when the true facts about NZ early sexuality exploration and its effects were known – (by such as Jenny Shipley and the superior types in National Party).
Founder, He Huarahi Tamariki Schools
Dr. Susan Cave Baragwanath believes her fellowship came about because she had a problem, and she could not find anyone in New Zealand to help her solve it. She was a career secondary school teacher and administrator who had taught internationally. When she returned permanently to New Zealand in 1989 after 20 years away, she accepted a position as a deputy principal in one of the country’s poorest schools.
In the first week, she found a 14-year-old girl giving birth to a child in the school toilets. Baragwanath contacted the authorities about her continuing education, and she was told to forget about it. Baragwanath looked up New Zealand’s domestic law; there it was, in black and white, “every child is entitled to have a free basic formal education until the age of 19 years”. The only education available to this student, if she did not return to school (and she couldn’t as there were no childcare facilities), was distance learning. Her family did not own a phone, so she could not call her tutor, and she waited weeks for her school work to be delivered by mail. As a result, she quickly fell out of the system.
The pattern in New Zealand was for teenagers to have multiple pregnancies before age 21 and become state beneficiaries for life. Without proper research and a concrete plan going forward there seemed to Baragwanath no escape from this pattern continuing.
Maori focus:
Maori and teenage parents – Report on research. 2012
Marginalising Māori Parents
by Elizabeth Strickett and Helen Moewaka-Barnes
Massey University
Marginalising Maori Parents – for Massey University
http://www.maramatanga.ac.nz/sites/default/files/12-IN-10%20Web%20ready%20%283%29.pdf
(p.10 gives information about difficulties for young fathers)
https://www.islandchild.org.nz/
This sounds a good initiative.
But if government could push the InZone style with good funding for it, I guess as a charter school with good overview, so that it can be offered to young parents – there would be immediate improvements and a dramatic rise in successful young people handling their lives well, whether they had a job, apart from parenting or not. But some in government might feel that sort of result really isn’t their thing
In the link it says that the doco shown in 2018 can be viewed on tv on demand. So if you can, very good, worth a look.
https://inzoneeducation.org.nz/media-coverage/
Better off fixing up out current schools.
Hopefully the hubs will sort the problem, however they need to be rammed through at all cost.
Check out the “Swamp Monster” in the background!
Talk about draining the swamp. lol
Hi marks for lprent for restoring our colours.
Ahem … t’was I. I’ve turned them back on, and I’m not sure how they came to be off. If there is a technical issue, I’m sure Lprent will let us know. In the mean time, enjoy the rainbow.
Thanks TRP.
A rainbow – couldn’t resist. Need a laugh.
Ha! And here’s a nice note to end the working week on:
Awww thanks for that.
I always remember Sir Paul Reeves being interviewed some years back on Nat Radio on a Sat Morning by Kim Hill and she had a slot then when she would invite some well known person on to give a playlist of their favourite music and to talk about what it meant for them. This was a favourite of his – he particularly like the backing of the Uke and the soft way it was sung. He had first heard it Hawaii IIRC and it was one of his favourite songs. I admit on hearing itI fell for it as well – but I was never able to find it – I just remembered it. I think the singer was a little younger then by the sound of it also – but still beautiful.
Thanks once again. I’ve stored it on my youtube.
Te reo putake “Twas you” Brilliant Cheers.
I pointed out an article on great farming practice in the Kaipara recently, and now, in Southland, a catchment wide initiative involving more than 600 farms.
They’re treating each farm individually (smart!) and collecting massive data as they go on all manner of systems and processes. This is commendable work, and it seems they’ve done their homework.
I hope some of the trial farms involve earthworks and water retention.
But… yay for this initiative.
I also like the links on the side of the page. Get involved – Become a Citizen Scientist – etc.
Good onya whoever set up that page.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/the-vision-is-clear/news/article.cfm?c_id=1504591&objectid=12214443
Blubberboy and friends sure burned through the cash https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=12217589
Time to pass the (digital) hat around and present an offer for the blog to the liquidator!
Big spender of OPM ?
Hi Cleangreen
You are Right.
Climate, to some odd people, is an enormous black hole.
One such odd person being the Honourable Simon Bridges and the other his idol, the Honourable Donald Trump.
Neither of whom have ever shown any glimpse of Reality.
The ultimate Goofs in Goofs clothing.
But as long as they can sell today’s youth off into Slums – without hope of housing or a fair slice of Life – Bridges and Trump will have achieved their Monstrous aims.
I took a drive through Panmure the other day. It was Tuesday. Its the Neighbour of expensive Remuera.
Panmure is the sort of filth Simon wants. It is dreadful. Few townships in the entire world could be as sick. Long Live dead head Simon. Long live mexicop Trump.
I don’t know if we’re all extras in an antipodean version of Counterpart but I find myself agreeing with John Armstrong – weird.
Where was the royal family?
\Winston Peters has carved a career out of race baiting immigrants.
But at least he finally has the grace to admit he was wrong to have done so. (sort of)
Maybe, just maybe, Winston Peters has sensed the wind of change blowing through the nation’s psyche.
Jenny I think the media has miss reported Winston on a number of occasions, he has been critical of the quality of the immigrants we are bringing in ie the Christchurch Mosque Shooter and the share number of Asians entering the country when we do not have the housing stock and Infrastructure to support this level of Immigration.
Labour are continuing down this track of bringing in large numbers of Immigrants which is putting pressure on ordinary New Zealanders. ie housing and social services ?