Open mike 29/07/2021

Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, July 29th, 2021 - 60 comments
Categories: open mike - Tags:

Open mike is your post.

For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose.

The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy).

Step up to the mike …

60 comments on “Open mike 29/07/2021 ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. tc 1
    29 July 2021 at 7:35 am

    Suscribe to Granny where Soper can tell you we're '…one covid case away from catastrophe..' and the Hosk wants ..'an apology..'

    The piece on Pharmac being fit for purpose by Matt Nippert could be worthy however opinions are not journalism which is the bulk of what granny pushes as 'news'.

    Another day of barking opinions from Grannys stable of keyboard warriors. In their own media bubble being owned and tiresome all at once.

    • Jimmy 1.1
      29 July 2021 at 7:50 am

      I assume you are talking about the NZ Herald when you say "Granny". I have to agree, there is very little worth while reading in there these days, and like you say, it's mostly opinion pieces not news. I find Stuff just as bad as well.

    • Barfly 1.2
      29 July 2021 at 7:59 am

      I'm not entirely sure why but I have lost my sense of humour towards the Herald and it's right wing shills, they seem to me to be Trumpian in their dishonesty and malice. I hope that they suffer sufficient ill fortune, pain and misery to have an epiphany related to their abysmal conduct and actions.

      • Janice 1.2.1
        29 July 2021 at 8:41 am

        It must be ratings time as I have just been offered (again) a 4 week free subscription to both online and delivered Herald. I won’t bother thank you.

        • woodart 1.2.1.1
          29 July 2021 at 10:56 am

          I think their business plan is looking bad . numbers of paid subscribers,(hard copy and web) probably arent that great. why pay for crappy opinion pieces when stuff is free? expect granny to gradually back away from paywall as it repells more than it attracts. their advertisers will NOT be happy.

      • Patricia Bremner 1.2.2
        29 July 2021 at 2:38 pm

        devil +

    • Muttonbird 1.3
      29 July 2021 at 8:51 am

      Mr. Stupidity-Allan says:

      A request for a Covid patient to be airlifted to Auckland's Middlemore Hospital on Tuesday, thought to be that of a World Health Organisation official, was turned down with hospitals in the city arguing they didn't have the capacity.

      More likely, didn't want to have the capacity to deal with the risk the patient would pose to this poorly vaccinated country.

      Clearly NZ didn't want to be seen airlifting officials for specialist treatment over ordinary Fijian people. Imagine the precedent!

      A decent journalist might have at least suggested it.

      • Muttonbird 1.3.1
        29 July 2021 at 11:20 am

        News just in: Fiji national now being transported to NZ for treatment.

        Pacific health leader Dr Collin Tukuitonga said he understood that the Covid patient has the highly dangerous Delta variant of the virus.

        If New Zealand really wanted to help, more medical staff should be sent to Fiji to help train and support those on the ground dealing with the situation there – not bringing the patient to New Zealand.

        "We're trying to keep the risk out. We can't totally predict what the Delta variant will do. I think it's unacceptable."

        The decision to bring the person to New Zealand for treatment also now sets a precedent.

        "I understand he is a Fijian national…why is he being singled out over the many other equally deserving people there?

        "How do we then decide who to accept who to take and who not to take?"

        Called it. Local Pacific health leader not happy. Can't imagine the people of Fiji are either.

        Still, Mr Stupidity-Allan got his way…

        https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/covid-19-positive-patient-from-fiji-being-allowed-into-new-zealand-for-hospital-care/V7IAEC6IJ3DUW6NPJM7E7C5BGE/

        • Janet 1.3.1.1
          29 July 2021 at 12:05 pm

          https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/covid-19-positive-patient-from-fiji-being-allowed-into-new-zealand-for-hospital-care/V7IAEC6IJ3DUW6NPJM7E7C5BGE/

          "I understand he is a Fijian national working for the World Health Organisation. Why is he being singled out over the many other equally deserving people there?

          Someone who has chosen to work for WHO has pre- accepted the conditions and situations he may find himself in.

          It is not New Zealand’s role to bail out here. Better to have sent the equipment needed there.

          UNBELIEVABLE given the fact that NZ has not vaccinated its own yet.

        • Treetop 1.3.1.2
          29 July 2021 at 1:24 pm

          I have seen footage of the conditions in Fiji's main hospital. I am not surprised that a person needs to be transported to another country for treatment.

          Looking to the future on having the medical technology and clinicians to avoid a person being transported is important.

          Not likely to happen but needs to happen.

    • Pete 1.4
      29 July 2021 at 9:18 am

      The headline of the day is the Hosking one about the Government owing us an apology for the vaccine "mess." A useless prick writing about useful pricks?

      • Muttonbird 1.4.1
        29 July 2021 at 10:36 am

        The RWNJs are complaining about 16,000 people being vaccinated in South Auckland this weekend.

        Totally bizarre.

      • AB 1.4.2
        29 July 2021 at 12:39 pm

        Just had my first shot. Smooth operation and very good staff in a massive space vacated by The Warehouse a few months back. The large space works well – separate processing areas and walkways. Clear communication from the staff. People doing useful work – the opposite of Hosking.

        • woodart 1.4.2.1
          29 July 2021 at 1:31 pm

          had my first shot in levin on tuesday, no stress, no kick in the face or whatever overused phrase badly trained scribes resort to.

      • Hongi Ika 1.4.3
        29 July 2021 at 1:13 pm

        Is he still relevant ?

        Serious Question. A ex National Party Shrill.

  2. Ad 2
    29 July 2021 at 7:55 am

    I'm working my way through the Michael Cullen autobiography "Labour Saving".

    More policy focused than usual, it shows the massive moves they made in 3 terms.

    I'd recommend it.

  3. cricklewood 3
    29 July 2021 at 8:03 am

    I thought we'd figured out selling off core services wasn't a good idea… Lets send more ratepayer money into offshore pockets and I'll bet as soon as the deal is done the squeeze will go on the staff to maximize profits…

    https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/auckland-council-planning-to-privatise-business-unit-but-guarantees-future-jobs-for-320-staff/YROQNQRGALPXSXIKF7O5XXPPCM/

  4. Jimmy 4
    29 July 2021 at 8:10 am

    Will be interesting to see what comes out of this study in to the duopoly of the grocery market. I wouldn't hold your breath for cheaper prices or much to happen at all. After the inquiry in to the petrol prices and being told we are paying too much for petrol, we are now paying even more for petrol, so cant see the supermarkets changing too much.

    Commerce Commission supermarket competition inquiry: Draft findings released today – NZ Herald

    • cricklewood 4.1
      29 July 2021 at 8:16 am

      I suspect the Supermarkets will get hit with a big stick re treatment of suppliers given they have been hammering them to increase profit margins. But that won't end in cheaper prices for the consumer.

      https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/125882108/new-world-store-owner-spoke-of-trying-to-break-people-says-suppliers-body

      • Jimmy 4.1.1
        29 July 2021 at 8:44 am

        My old company used to sell to both Foodstuffs and Woolworths Australia (Countdown) chains. They are both very hard negotiators and if you want to be on their shelves, you must play by their rules which are very demanding (rebates, discounts, advertising etc). They were far harder to deal with than the likes of The Warehouse and other customers.

    • tc 4.2
      29 July 2021 at 8:45 am

      They created the duopoly and locked out Aldi, Sainsburys and others looking to enter at that time.

      A report from them is bus ticket fodder IMO as they've effectively made NZ a much less competitive market in many areas.

      • alwyn 4.2.1
        29 July 2021 at 10:32 am

        "locked out Aldi, Sainsburys and others".

        When did this happen and how did they do it? Can you provide some links that tell this story?

      • RedLogix 4.2.2
        29 July 2021 at 11:22 am

        I have some idea of ALDI's business model; it relies on two aspects.

        One is a hyper efficient logistics model, a slimmed down core food and grocery line and then an eclectic selection of 'middle aisle' goods they rotate around all their stores very rapidly. It's an interesting mix of predictable and novel that makes for an efficient and pleasant shopping experience.

        All of their stores follow a similar layout and styling and are much smaller than the big box shops of the duopoly. You can easily get around to filling a trolley in 10min if you stay focused. And the cost of that trolley will be under $200, compared to not much change out of $300 for the same thing elsewhere. (Incidentally it's surprising how many of their line items are NZ sourced.)

        The downside for this model is that it requires a lot of shops to be efficient. A regional city like Ballarat of 110,000 people had 5 of them last I was there. They build them very fast and efficiently, the one I watched went from dirt to open day in around 5 months.

        I can well imagine however ALDI's management looking at NZ and realising that everything about the place is stacked against them. A long skinny country that reduces the efficiency of their logistics model, and high land and building costs that impact heavily on their building side. Plus they can rely on the established duopoly to pull any lever they can to make life hard for them to get established.

        That article quotes several times that "ALDIs is the one everybody wants in NZ" – sadly unless the govt can find a way to make it possible it isn't going to happen soon.

      • Hongi Ika 4.2.3
        29 July 2021 at 1:15 pm

        Commerce Commission created this mess, obviously some serious backhanders were paid, as the NZ Consumers have been well and truly shafted.

    • miravox 4.3
      29 July 2021 at 9:09 am

      Cheaper prices as such shouldn't be the aim. Fairer prices should – fairer to the consumer and to the producer and less super-profits for the supermarkets.

      I doubt more competition will help producers and in the end, if producers cannot thrive by producing stuff in environmentally and socially sustainable ways that harms us all.

    • vto 4.4
      29 July 2021 at 9:10 am

      simply legislate that no one group can hold more than 25% of the market.

      force them to sell the part of each group which exceeds that 25% mark.

      free market will sort that out…..

      • alwyn 4.4.1
        29 July 2021 at 10:38 am

        Perhaps we could do this with the Power companies. Demand that the Government sell all their shares in all but one power supplier?

        And we could split up Air New Zealand and get rid of the Government controlled monopoly?

        I find these stories being run in the Herald and Stuff to be rather a joke. Didn't these organisations try and combine a little while ago so that they could have a monopoly on printed news?

        • woodart 4.4.1.1
          29 July 2021 at 1:45 pm

          you have a point about the media, but whataboutism is a very poor way to debate the subject . you could have, should have, mentioned the short term attempt by the warehouse to get into the supermarket biz, and how quickly that was bought by one of the big two . you also should have mentioned the fact that the free market is a myth , especially in small societies, as even blind freddie can see that there are very limited competitors in all the big tick businesses, food,media,insurance,energy, telecom,etc.dig into the ownership of most bigname comps and its interesting-disappointing to see how many are owned by two-three companies. if, and its a big IF ,we get another competitor in the supermarket biz in nz, expect it to be quickly bought out by one of the big two.

    • UncookedSelachimorpha 4.5
      29 July 2021 at 3:21 pm

      My preferred solution – which I doubt is likely in neoliberal NZ – is for the government to start a Cooperative supermarket chain. Owned by the employees and consumers, such chains are not uncommon internationally, e.g. in Japan , USA and Europe. The hard part is the initial capital and organisation – that is where the government could help.

      • Graeme 4.5.1
        29 July 2021 at 5:57 pm

        Already exists with Farmlands. Mainly farm supplies, but a small selection of grocery items. They could expand to full supermarket or use their knowledge to set up a similar organisation doing the supermarket thing.

        Good idea though, I’m a Farmlands member and would be into a similar thing for general groceries.

  5. Jenny how to get there 5
    29 July 2021 at 9:37 am

    Aroha and respect to the Prime Minister for having the courage and decency to agree to be seen getting publicly vaccinated on camera yesterday.
    (On a personal note a good friend of mine who was vaccine hesitant, said she got great comfort in seeing the Prime Minister get her shot and has now booked to get hers).

    It is my hope, that soon the Prime MInister will be able to announce to the country and the world, that not just the ruling party, but the whole of New Zealand parliament are fully vaccinated.

    ….inside a hospital grappling with Delta and vaccine hesitancy

    Oliver Laughland in Memphis and Jessica Glenzain in New York

    Sat 24 Jul 2021 16.45 BST

    ….the Delta variant now tearing its way through unvaccinated Americans and inoculation rates plateauing in Tennessee amid a dangerous conservative political backlash against vaccines……..

    …..Unpicking the forces behind vaccine hesitancy is complex and multifaceted; from pervasive disinformation online, to skepticism tied to systemic medical failures and historic abuse on American communities of color.

    ……..the political situation in Tennessee has undoubtedly exacerbated the issue and left many beleaguered healthcare workers frustrated and perplexed. Tennessee’s Republican governor, Bill Lee, received his vaccine earlier in the year, but did not do so in public, mirroring a vaccine dog whistle initiated by Donald Trump.

    https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jul/24/tennessee-coronavirus-covid-delta-variant-cases-vaccines?

    The political polarisation over vaccination may not be as extreme in this country as it is in the US.

    But a recent Colmar Brunton poll on vaccine hesitancy, listed those groups with high support for getting the covid vaccine. Labour Party members made the list with 80% support. The Colmar Brunton poll did not list the level of support for getting the covid vaccine by National Party members. So we don’t know what National Party members support for getting the vaccine is. But we do know that it was too low to be on the Colmar Brunton list for high support.

    Colmar Brunton

    The groups of voters who are more likely than average (76%) to say they would definitely or probably get
    vaccinated include:
    ▪ Those aged 70+ (90%)
    ▪ Males aged 55+ (88%)
    ▪ Those with an annual household income of between $100,001 and $150,000 (83%)
    ▪ New Zealand Europeans (80%)
    ▪ Labour party supporters (80%).
    Those groups of voters who are more likely than average (17%) to say they would definitely not or probably
    not get vaccinated include:
    ▪ Those living in Gisborne or the Hawke’s Bay (30%)
    ▪ Māori (26%)

    While a large percentage of those who were against getting the vaccine were worried about side effecfs more were against getting the vaccine because they didn't think it was necessary 55%

    https://static.colmarbrunton.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/9-13-March-2021_1-NEWS-Colmar-Brunton-Poll-report.pdf

    The Colmar poll is interesting, in that it revealed that more than half of those opposed to getting the vaccine thought it wasn't necessary, 55%. (the same viewpoint of covid-19 deniers).

    The big stand out of those who would definitely not the get the vaccine are Maori 26%. This may somewhat mirror the bad experience for Maori from the health system, that American communities of color report. This figure may also be a result of the influence of covid deniers like Billy Tekahika who has a following among Maori.

    Having an independant Maori Party in parliament, if both Maori Party MPs, alongside the rest of parliament, get the vaccine and publicly declare it, it might go some way to overcoming this hesitancy amongst Maori.

    The same for the National Party, if the National Party MPs, publicly declare that they have all been vaccinated it might go some way to overcoming vaccine hesitancy among conservatives.

    Ashley Blomfield say he hopes for 90% vaccination coverage by the end of the year.

    If achieved this would be a world first for a medium sized country. Possibly putting us on track for achieving herd immunity. Another world first.

    Love is but a song we sing.

    Fear is the way we die.

    We can make the mountains ring, or make the angels cry…..

    …..So come on people now get together….

    • Jenny how to get there 5.1
      29 July 2021 at 4:37 pm

      Meanwhile In America

      ……Republican areas where the refusal to take a safe, free, effective vaccine has allowed the Delta variant to catch fire and thwarted a US victory over the pandemic that was almost within reach.

      …..House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, a California Republican, said mask guidance rooted in science that shows Delta's deadly spread was not actually "based on science" and accused liberals of wanting to live in a "perpetual pandemic state."

      Of course, if everyone in the House were vaccinated, masks might not be needed. But more than 90 Republican members have refused to reveal their status, presumably because if they have had the shots, it might clash with their desire to cast doubt on anti-Covid measures to please their voters.

      https://edition.cnn.com/2021/07/28/world/meanwhile-in-america-july-29-intl/index.html

      To demonstrate that we are better than this, our government need to reach across the aisle to our opponents.

      If all the parliamentarians that can get vaccinated agreed and got vaccinated, and the Prime Miniser was able to announce this fact to the country and the world, this might be the sort of united lead needed to overcome the vaccine hestitancy that may "thwart" the victory over the virus that is in reach here.

      It is my opinion that to build public trust in our public institutions, politics, (like justice), not only needs to be done it needs to be seen to be done.

      If our government can form a grand coalition in times of war, My hope is that our government and loyal opposition* can do the same again andcan get their heads together and agree to publicly form a united front around getting vaccinated. In affect to agree to publicly speak with one voice on this one issue, not just in words but in deeds.

      *Loyal opposition is one of democracy’s grandest terms. Once used to shield the party out of power from accusations of treason, it now describes the institutionalization of opposition, most famously Great Britain’s elevation of the minority party leadership to a shadow cabinet. Termed the “greatest contribution of the nineteenth century to the art of government,”…..

      https://www.yalelawjournal.org/essay/the-loyal-opposition

  6. Pete 6
    29 July 2021 at 9:47 am

    The Herald online has an article about anti-vaccine protestors handing out flyers outside schools. Nothing illegal is going on, the people are protesting on public property. The Herald says. "… distributing vaccine misinformation to students."

    Why have the faces of those in the protest been pixelated? A person is holding sign saying "Questioning vaccine safety doesn't make you anti-vaxxer."

    To use that thinking,"Clearly depicting protestors outside a school doesn't make you anti anti-vaccine protestors or their message, it makes you a reporter of facts."

    • Rosemary McDonald 6.1
      29 July 2021 at 11:39 am

      The Herald article about the flyer handouterers, and the earlier one heralding the event at the Whanganui school targeting children and their whanau.

      In spite of the hype…

      Covid-19 vaccines for children: hypothetical benefits to adults do not outweigh risks to children

      Given this low incidence, the fact that covid-19 is generally asymptomatic or mild in children, and the high rate of adverse events in those vaccinated (e.g. in Pfizer’s trial of 12-15 year olds, 3 in 4 kids had fatigue and headaches, around half had chills and muscle pain, and around 1 in 4 to 5 had a fever and joint pain), a comparison of quality-adjusted life-years in the trial would very much favour the placebo group.

      The rush to give this novel and experimental 'vaccine' to school children is bordering on the obscene. What kind of society is happy to risk the future health of their youth?

      It is just over a year since the first trials in adults commenced for the Pfizer jab, and unfortunately any long term effects for those in the vaccine groups cannot be properly monitored because of the problematic un-blinding of the study group and the offering of the vaccine to the placebo group.

      Loss of data

      Diana Zuckerman, president of the National Center for Health Research, told The BMJ that the FDA could have demanded that companies use the blinded crossover design for them to win full approval for their vaccines. She said that failure to do that meant the loss of future reliable data, which is especially concerning given that preliminary data are insufficient to determine efficacy.

      “I’m especially concerned that Pfizer’s vaccine trials included only five people aged 75 and older who were diagnosed with covid-19, with an unspecified number of those defined by Pfizer as severe cases,” she said. “That makes it impossible to determine how effective the vaccine is for frail elderly patients.”

      Although the FDA has granted the vaccines emergency use authorisation, to get full licence approval two years of follow-up data are needed. The data are now likely to be scanty and less reliable given that the trials are effectively being unblinded.

      Goodman wants all companies to be held to the same standard and says they should not be allowed to make up their own rules about unblinding. He told The BMJ that, while he was “very optimistic” about the vaccines, “blowing up the trials” by allowing unblinding “will set a de facto standard for all vaccine trials to come.” And that, he said, “is dangerous.”

  7. David 7
    29 July 2021 at 11:22 am

    Wave power generation looks a very promising technology. I know there has been some talk previously about tidal generation in NZ where cost is raised as the main barrier. Also generation at 2MW per unit in the link below is much less than our hydro dams. However, as pointed out in the video link the tide is entirely predictable. No need to worry about low rainfall, no wind or not enough sun.

    https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-57991442

  8. Muttonbird 8
    29 July 2021 at 11:37 am

    Doctor quits NZ after a year because…he couldn't buy a house.

    "They weren't going to get an invitation to lodge an expression of interest and so they weren't going to get their residency, which meant they couldn't buy a house."

    – Ōtaki Medical Centre chief executive Kiwa Raureti

    Well, boohoo. Millions of Kiwis can't buy a house. Join the club which rents while you wait, Dr Richards.

    https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/covid-19-coronavirus-young-regional-gp-with-1300-patients-leaves-new-zealand-following-residency-limbo/PB7I2SWONUF6ZHOJUZF7HYQLKQ/

    • David 8.1
      29 July 2021 at 11:43 am

      If you read the whole story I think you’ll find the key message concerns residency limbo and no clear direction from the relevant minister where this is heading.

      Small town NZ loses a doctor and the surgery has closed its books to new patients. You may be ok with that. I’m not.

      • Muttonbird 8.1.1
        29 July 2021 at 12:46 pm

        I read the whole story. That was my take away. Get over it.

        • Sabine 8.1.1.1
          29 July 2021 at 5:07 pm

          No he can't buy a house, because he can not get a permanent residency.

          Otaki lost a skilled physician because Immigration simply failed him. NO ifs and buts about it.

          But then, surely we can find some Kiwi to do that, right? Right? Plenty of Kiwi doctors happy to go live rural? right? We just need to pay them more? Lol. And they can buy a house, right?

          From the link above:
          ” A regional medical practice has been forced to close its doors to new patients due to the loss of a beloved GP, who left New Zealand after a year in limbo in the residency queue.

          Due to Covid’s impact on the immigration office, the Government suspended Expressions of Interest (EOI) selections for the skilled migrant category (SMC) in 2020.

          Ōtaki GP Dr Harding Richards, originally from Wales, left New Zealand last month, while waiting for the invitation to lodge an Expression of Interest.”

          nah, its all good. Who needs doctors anyways, don’t these rural people know that they should live in towns if they want doctors, or at least be able to go to Emergency department if they need a doctor.

          • Muttonbird 8.1.1.1.1
            29 July 2021 at 8:35 pm

            Meh. He didn't stick around for long. He seems like a mercenary for hire to be honest. How do we know he just didn't like New Zealand? He did ditch us at the earliest opportunity.

      • Molly 8.1.2
        29 July 2021 at 5:59 pm

        Neither am I.

        INZ dropped the ball here, to the detriment of that doctor, his family and the Ōtaki community.

    • Treetop 8.2
      29 July 2021 at 6:26 pm

      This is not good for the health consumers who use the medical centre, they would have built up trust with the GP.

      Immigration NZ could have done more. A category for rural GPs which works.

      • Muttonbird 8.2.1
        29 July 2021 at 9:07 pm

        Built up trust? He's only been there a year, now he's off to another adventure.

        Next!

  9. Forget now 9
    29 July 2021 at 11:59 am

    So the WiSpa flashpoint might be sparking again on Saturday in LA (though it'll be next month before the news reaches us in Aotearoa), hopefully not though; with the increasing COVID rates in LA. But if the transphobes are going to be there, so will counter-protestors, and the police. Still no charges for knife attacks in the first protest (July 3rd), despite; police presence, multiple witnesses, and video. LAPD have been a bit evasive about the necessariness of their force (2nd protest – July 17th), but that's hardly news:

    According to Chief Moore, officer’s from the LAPD Rampart Division had arrested 41 people, 40 individuals who were cited for failure to disperse after an unlawful assembly was declared and one for possession of illegal or prohibited items at a protest. He said LAPD officers recorded firing projectiles 10 times and striking people with batons nine times according to body cam footage.

    Multiple videos were shared on social media that showed confrontations with the LAPD, several protestors depicted were allegedly injured by officers and on the videos claimed that they posed no threat.

    The Chief told the Board of Commissioners his department would investigate all allegations of misconduct, he emphasized that those videos posted on social media only showed certain perspectives and alleged that activists were “essentially shopping clips and snippets” online that distort facts.

    https://www.losangelesblade.com/2021/07/20/lapd-under-scrutiny-for-excessive-force-in-wi-spa-confrontation/

    The massive media attention resulted in two weekends of chaotic rallies in LA this month, in which anti-trans and trans-rights protesters fought in the streets, and women carrying “protect female spaces” signs paraded alongside members of the far-right Proud Boys. Trans counter-protesters and their supporters described being Maced, stabbed and chased by rightwing demonstrators, as well as injured by police…

    https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jul/28/anti-trans-video-los-angeles-protest-wi-spa

    Over the last week, California has reported an average of nearly 7,400 new coronavirus cases a day — roughly eight times the rate from four weeks ago

    https://ktla.com/news/california/our-projections-are-sobering-california-considers-new-measures-amid-covid-surge/

    • Molly 9.1
      29 July 2021 at 12:26 pm

      I've just read the long Guardian article, and it seems apparent to me that the wording is very careful…

      Misinformation about Wi Spa, a Korean spa in Los Angeles, quickly spread around the world. Since then, trans women in LA have faced violence and online abuse

      On 24 June, a woman claimed on Instagram that a Korean spa in Los Angeles had allowed a “man” to expose himself to women and girls in the women’s section.

      IF you believe that self-ID as a woman is all that is necessary, then you can then be reassured that a 'man' was not present. It can also be true that someone exposed their body complete with male genitalia in the changing room. Nowhere in the article does it state this is a fabrication.

      We are back in the strange world of (mis)appropriation of existing language to cry discrimination.

      It also seems as if it is the TA responses that generate pushback. There are levers being pulled without regard for others. including the safety of trans people.

      • Forget now 9.1.1
        29 July 2021 at 1:05 pm

        The article is indeed very careful not to allege that Cubana Angel was flat out lying; Molly. Though whilst reading, you must have seen this bit which certainly indicates the possibility, and more importantly that the spa was operating legally even if the undemonstrated presence was fact. But any protest this weekend is more likely to be using that as pretext, rather than reason anymore.

        It is unclear whether a trans woman was actually present.

        There was no footage of anyone inside the changing room and no other witnesses have since spoken out to corroborate the account. A local LGBTQ+ paper reported that a spa employee said there were no trans patrons with appointments that day, leading some to question whether the incident was staged. An LA police department (LAPD) spokesperson initially told the Guardian in early July that the police were not investigating the spa incident because “there was no crime reported”. On 26 July, after news outlets had highlighted questions about the initial allegations the month before, LAPD said the department was now investigating “a report of an indecent exposure at a spa” on 23 June.

        In California, businesses have long been required to let trans patrons use facilities that match their gender. The spa, where customers are often naked, has not confirmed whether a trans customer was present, and has repeatedly defended its policies as simply in compliance with California’s non-discrimination law.

        It is the slow motion train-wreck of it all that I find fascinating. Apparently the 10th and 24th were no shows for transphobes. It just seems to have more of a fortnightly rhythm for some reason. But even if no one gets bludgeoned to death this time, the Californian infection rates seem likely to give the next occurrence a body count.

        • Molly 9.1.1.1
          29 July 2021 at 1:25 pm

          From your response.

          "It is unclear whether a trans woman was actually present.

          There was no footage of anyone inside the changing room and no other witnesses have since spoken out to corroborate the account. '

          and… "In California, businesses have long been required to let trans patrons use facilities that match their gender."

          So…

          1. Despite accusations to the contrary, she may have been accurate with her account of someone with male genitalia exposing themselves in the changing rooms.
          2. That accuracy cannot be corroborated by camera footage from within the changing rooms (which I thought was illegal, but hey, no evidence!)
          3. People who identify as female – with male genitalia are legally entitiled to use female changing rooms anyway. So even if she is telling the truth, its legal, so what's the problem?

          This kind of shifting thinking allows for a myriad number of justifications for avoiding a conversation about the impact on women and children who are used to having changing and toilet facilities separate to those with male genitalia, and the consequent alarm and vulnerability they feel when that expectation is not met.

          Women are being asked to adjust immediately, without consultation or even being permitted a voice, in this change which may not seem radical to some, but is to many women. Women are being asked to relinquish their safe spaces without regard for why they are there in the first place.

          "But even if no one gets bludgeoned to death this time, the Californian infection rates seem likely to give the next occurrence a body count."

          The Wi Spa incident that I saw, shows a woman making a complaint to reception about someone exposing a penis in a women's changing room. She did not ask for violence, she asked that they remove that person from that space.

          I didn't see any incitement to violence in that original recording. The violence that occurs after the situation is ramped up cannot be laid at her door.

          Resulting conflicts seem to be deliberately escalated by bad actors on both sides of the debate. This is easier to do, when no discussion is allowed on the topic, and people are shut down from raising their concerns.

          • Sabine 9.1.1.1.1
            29 July 2021 at 5:22 pm

            And that is it, is it not, the issue with 'any man being able to identify as female' and thus gain access to spaces that previously had been of limits to men. It is no good for biological women and trans women.

            I can see this being such a bad thing for any women from a conservative background, be that muslima, jewish orthodox, christian orthodox (all of the flavours) etc, or even just women who have experienced trauma and who will now have another place that they won't go to.

            But maybe that is the expected and requested result. Make biological women stay home again.

            • Molly 9.1.1.1.1.1
              29 July 2021 at 5:48 pm

              It surprises me that those championing the inclusion of self-identified females into women's spaces use the criticism that women are treating such people as if they are predators by denying them that space.

              Personally, I probably not even notice transitioned transwomen into that space, and would hope they would feel comfortable there, for it would not cause distress to any of the other users of that space, including – as you mention, those women whose culture or beliefs prohibit them from sharing space with biological males.

              However, the conflation of self-id biologically male intact people being permitted to enter and use those spaces is a different story.

              Apart from the aforementioned issues regarding privacy and culture, this inclusion does actually provides a mechanism for those that may wish to cause harm – whether anyone likes it or not. The offence then has to occur before the complaint can be laid, when previously those spaces where women were vulnerable and in states of undress were not even able to be accessed before self-id. We are going backwards in terms of protection of women.

              If those who disagree think this is unlikely, I am sure that there are those who can see the possibilities for harassment under the self-id laws and will play it out. The cost of this will be borne by women, once again.

              • Sabine …
                29 July 2021 at 6:11 pm

                It surprises me that those championing the inclusion of self-identified females into women's spaces use the criticism that women are treating such people as if they are predators by denying them that space.

                Why does it surprise you? these are the same people that call a lesbian or a straight guy who does not want a relationship or a quicky with a transwomen a transphobe. They call gay men who do not want a relationship with a transman a transphobe.

                They just want access to the spaces, and once that is gained they have won. Thus we go from single sex spaces to mixed only spaces, and the more you look the less you will find women in these spaces. Biological and transwomen. I left a comment on the 'Sex we need to talk thread' about some transmen and their observations. You might enjoy the read, and fwiw, i tend to agree with them. The issue never was and never will be Transwomen who present as female. The issue is with the male that don't present as women, don't want to present as women, but who want access to females spaces. They simply sign a paper, and thus voila, they can now do as they please when they please and until some poor women, child, or t trans person gets harmed nothing will be done, in fact our concerns will be poo poo'ed but then what else is new in the world? Womens concerns have been poo poo'ed since time keeping began.

  10. joe90 10
    29 July 2021 at 2:05 pm

    A week in a backpackers swanning about in central Brisbane? Not going to end well.

    Queensland has recorded one new case of COVID-19 in a person in hotel quarantine, as genome sequencing confirms a man in a Brisbane backpacker hostel acquired

    Health Minister Yvette D'Ath said the sequencing confirmed the man had the Alpha variant and did not contract COVID-19 while in hotel quarantine.

    […]

    Chief Health Officer Jeannette Young said further contact tracing was underway after it was discovered the infected traveller had flown to Western Australia after completing quarantine in Queensland.

    "When he got out of hotel quarantine here in Brisbane, he'd done his 14 days and has three negative tests, he then on-travelled to Western Australia," Dr Young said.

    "They turned him around, they put him in a hotel for two days until there was a suitable flight, and then he was placed on that flight and returned to Queensland."

    https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-07-29/queensland-coronavirus-cases-update-covid/100331784

  11. RobbieWgtn 11
    29 July 2021 at 4:10 pm

    Sir Bob Jones on why he's taken a $10,000 bet that Labour will lose the next election

    WHY THE GOVERNMENT WILL FALL IN 2023 | No Punches Pulled

    • Ad 11.1
      29 July 2021 at 4:53 pm

      He reads political inevitability like Marx or Castells or some other loony long wave proponent.

      The local government elections next year will have some indicators.

      [removed spurious letter from e-mail address]

Recent Comments

Recent Posts

  • Bernard’s Saturday Soliloquy for the week to July 27

    Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: My top six things to note around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the week to July 27 were:1. The Minister for Ford Rangers strikes againTransport Minister Simeon Brown was again the busiest of the Cabinet ministers this week, announcing an ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 mins ago
  • Ticket To Anywhere

    You got a fast carAnd I want a ticket to anywhereMaybe we make a dealMaybe together we can get somewhereAny place is betterYesterday’s newsletter, Trust In Me, on the report of abuse in state care, and by religious organisations, between 1950 and 2019, coupled with the hypocrisy of Christopher Luxon ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    47 mins ago
  • Stories of varying weight

    Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on anything you may have missed. Share Read more ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    6 hours ago
  • Balancing External Security and the Economy

    New Zealand is again having to reconcile conflicting pressures from its military and its trade interests. Should we join Pillar Two of AUKUS and risk compromising our markets in China? For a century after New Zealand was founded in 1840, its external security arrangements and external economics arrangements were aligned. ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    18 hours ago
  • Weekly Climate Wrap: The unravelling of the offsets

    The ‘50 Shades of Green’ farmers’ protest in 2019 was heavy on climate change denial, but five years on, scepticism and criticism about the idea that pine forests can save us is growing across the board. File photo: Lynn GrievesonTL;DR: Here’s the top six news items of note in climate ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    23 hours ago
  • What makes us tick

    This morning the sky was bright.The birds, in their usual joyous bliss. Nature doesn’t seem to feel the heat of what might angst humans.Their calls are clear and beautiful.Just some random thoughts:MāoriPaul Goldsmith has announced his government will roll back the judiciary’s rulings on Māori Customary Marine Title, which recognises ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    24 hours ago
  • Foreshore and seabed 2.0

    In 2003, the Court of Appeal delivered its decision in Ngati Apa v Attorney-General, ruling that Māori customary title over the foreshore and seabed had not been universally extinguished, and that the Māori Land Court could determine claims and confirm title if the facts supported it. This kicked off the ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    1 day ago
  • Gordon Campbell on the Royal Commission report into abuse in care

    Earlier this week at Parliament, Labour leader Chris Hipkins was applauded for saying that the response to the final report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care had to be “bigger than politics.” True, but the fine words, apologies and “we hear you” messages will soon ring ...
    WerewolfBy lyndon
    1 day ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Friday, July 26

    TL;DR: In news breaking this morning:The Ministry of Education is cutting $2 billion from its school building programme so the National-ACT-NZ First Coalition Government has enough money to deliver tax cuts; The Government has quietly lowered its child poverty reduction targets to make them easier to achieve;Te Whatu Ora-Health NZ’s ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • Weekly Roundup 26-July-2024

    Kia ora. These are some stories that caught our eye this week – as always, feel free to share yours in the comments. Our header image this week (via Eke Panuku) shows the planned upgrade for the Karanga Plaza Tidal Swimming Steps. The week in Greater Auckland On ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    1 day ago
  • God what a relief

    1. What's not to love about the way the Harris campaign is turning things around?a. Nothingb. Love all of itc. God what a reliefd. Not that it will be by any means easye. All of the above 2. Documents released by the Ministry of Health show Associate Health Minister Casey ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    1 day ago
  • Trust In Me

    Trust in me in all you doHave the faith I have in youLove will see us through, if only you trust in meWhy don't you, you trust me?In a week that saw the release of the 3,000 page Abuse in Care report Christopher Luxon was being asked about Boot Camps. ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 day ago
  • The Hoon around the week to July 26

    TL;DR: The podcast above of the weekly ‘hoon’ webinar for paying subscribers last night features co-hosts and talking about the Royal Commission Inquiry into Abuse in Care report released this week, and with:The Kākā’s climate correspondent on a UN push to not recognise carbon offset markets and ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Friday, July 26

    TL;DR: As of 6:00 am on Friday, July 26, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:Transport: Simeon Brown announced $802.9 million in funding for 18 new trains on the Wairarapa and Manawatū rail lines, which ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • Radical law changes needed to build road

    The northern expressway extension from Warkworth to Whangarei is likely to require radical changes to legislation if it is going to be built within the foreseeable future. The Government’s powers to purchase land, the planning process and current restrictions on road tolling are all going to need to be changed ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    1 day ago
  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #30 2024

    Open access notables Could an extremely cold central European winter such as 1963 happen again despite climate change?, Sippel et al., Weather and Climate Dynamics: Here, we first show based on multiple attribution methods that a winter of similar circulation conditions to 1963 would still lead to an extreme seasonal ...
    Skeptical Science
    2 days ago
  • First they came for the Māori

    Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when publishedFirst they came for the doctors But I was confused by the numbers and costs So I didn't speak up Then they came for our police and nurses And I didn't think we could afford those costs anyway So I ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    2 days ago
  • Join us for the weekly Hoon on YouTube Live

    Photo by Joshua J. Cotten on UnsplashWe’re back again after our mid-winter break. We’re still with the ‘new’ day of the week (Thursday rather than Friday) when we have our ‘hoon’ webinar with paying subscribers to The Kākā for an hour at 5 pm.Jump on this link on YouTube Livestream ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Will the real PM Luxon please stand up?

    Notes: This is a free article. Abuse in Care themes are mentioned. Video is at the bottom.BackgroundYesterday’s report into Abuse in Care revealed that at least 1 in 3 of all who went through state and faith based care were abused - often horrifically. At least, because not all survivors ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    2 days ago
  • Will debt reduction trump abuse in care redress?

    Luxon speaks in Parliament yesterday about the Abuse in Care report. Photo: Hagen Hopkins/Getty ImagesTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy today are:PM Christopher Luxon said yesterday in tabling the Abuse in Care report in Parliament he wanted to ‘do the ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Olywhites and Time Bandits

    About a decade ago I worked with a bloke called Steve. He was the grizzled veteran coder, a few years older than me, who knew where the bodies were buried - code wise. Despite his best efforts to be approachable and friendly he could be kind of gruff, through to ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    2 days ago
  • Why were the 1930s so hot in North America?

    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Jeff Masters and Bob Henson Those who’ve trawled social media during heat waves have likely encountered a tidbit frequently used to brush aside human-caused climate change: Many U.S. states and cities had their single hottest temperature on record during the 1930s, setting incredible heat marks ...
    Skeptical Science
    2 days ago
  • Throwback Thursday – Thinking about Expressways

    Some of the recent announcements from the government have reminded us of posts we’ve written in the past. Here’s one from early 2020. There were plenty of reactions to the government’s infrastructure announcement a few weeks ago which saw them fund a bunch of big roading projects. One of ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    2 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Thursday, July 25

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 7:00 am on Thursday, July 25 are:News: Why Electric Kiwi is closing to new customers - and why it matters RNZ’s Susan EdmundsScoop: Government drops ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • The Possum: Demon or Friend?

    Hi,I felt a small wet tongue snaking through one of the holes in my Crocs. It explored my big toe, darting down one side, then the other. “He’s looking for some toe cheese,” said the woman next to me, words that still haunt me to this day.Growing up in New ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    2 days ago
  • Not a story

    Yesterday I happily quoted the Prime Minister without fact-checking him and sure enough, it turns out his numbers were all to hell. It’s not four kg of Royal Commission report, it’s fourteen.My friend and one-time colleague-in-comms Hazel Phillips gently alerted me to my error almost as soon as I’d hit ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Thursday, July 25

    TL;DR: As of 6:00 am on Thursday, July 25, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day were:The Abuse in Care Royal Commission of Inquiry published its final report yesterday.PM Christopher Luxon and The Minister responsible for ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • A tougher line on “proactive release”?

    The Official Information Act has always been a battle between requesters seeking information, and governments seeking to control it. Information is power, so Ministers and government agencies want to manage what is released and when, for their own convenience, and legality and democracy be damned. Their most recent tactic for ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    3 days ago
  • 'Let's build a motorway costing $100 million per km, before emissions costs'

    TL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy today are:Transport and Energy Minister Simeon Brown is accelerating plans to spend at least $10 billion through Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) to extend State Highway One as a four-lane ‘Expressway’ from Warkworth to Whangarei ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • Lester's Prescription – Positive Bleeding.

    I live my life (woo-ooh-ooh)With no control in my destinyYea-yeah, yea-yeah (woo-ooh-ooh)I can bleed when I want to bleedSo come on, come on (woo-ooh-ooh)You can bleed when you want to bleedYea-yeah, come on (woo-ooh-ooh)Everybody bleed when they want to bleedCome on and bleedGovernments face tough challenges. Selling unpopular decisions to ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago
  • Casey Costello gaslights Labour in the House

    Please note:To skip directly to the- parliamentary footage in the video, scroll to 1:21 To skip to audio please click on the headphone icon on the left hand side of the screenThis video / audio section is under development. ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    3 days ago
  • Why is the Texas grid in such bad shape?

    This is a re-post from the Climate Brink by Andrew Dessler Headline from 2021 The Texas grid, run by ERCOT, has had a rough few years. In 2021, winter storm Uri blacked out much of the state for several days. About a week ago, Hurricane Beryl knocked out ...
    Skeptical Science
    3 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell on a textbook case of spending waste by the Luxon government

    Given the crackdown on wasteful government spending, it behooves me to point to a high profile example of spending by the Luxon government that looks like a big, fat waste of time and money. I’m talking about the deployment of NZDF personnel to support the US-led coalition in the Red ...
    WerewolfBy lyndon
    3 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Wednesday, July 24

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 7:40 am on Wednesday, July 24 are:Deep Dive: Chipping away at the housing crisis, including my comments RNZ/Newsroom’s The DetailNews: Government softens on asset sales, ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • LXR Takaanini

    As I reported about the city centre, Auckland’s rail network is also going through a difficult and disruptive period which is rapidly approaching a culmination, this will result in a significant upgrade to the whole network. Hallelujah. Also like the city centre this is an upgrade predicated on the City ...
    Greater AucklandBy Patrick Reynolds
    3 days ago
  • Four kilograms of pain

    Today, a 4 kilogram report will be delivered to Parliament. We know this is what the report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in State and Faith-based Care weighs, because our Prime Minister told us so.Some reporter had blindsided him by asking a question about something done by ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Wednesday, July 24

    TL;DR: As of 7:00 am on Wednesday, July 24, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:Beehive: Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced plans to use PPPs to fund, build and run a four-lane expressway between Auckland ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • Luxon gets caught out

    NewstalkZB host Mike Hosking, who can usually be relied on to give Prime Minister Christopher Luxon an easy run, did not do so yesterday when he interviewed him about the HealthNZ deficit. Luxon is trying to use a deficit reported last year by HealthNZ as yet another example of the ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    3 days ago
  • A worrying sign

    Back in January a StatsNZ employee gave a speech at Rātana on behalf of tangata whenua in which he insulted and criticised the government. The speech clearly violated the principle of a neutral public service, and StatsNZ started an investigation. Part of that was getting an external consultant to examine ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago
  • Are we fine with 47.9% home-ownership by 2048?

    Renting for life: Shared ownership initiatives are unlikely to slow the slide in home ownership by much. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy today are:A Deloitte report for Westpac has projected Aotearoa’s home-ownership rate will ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • Let's Win This

    You're broken down and tiredOf living life on a merry go roundAnd you can't find the fighterBut I see it in you so we gonna walk it outAnd move mountainsWe gonna walk it outAnd move mountainsAnd I'll rise upI'll rise like the dayI'll rise upI'll rise unafraidI'll rise upAnd I'll ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago
  • Waimahara: The Singing Spirit of Water

    There’s been a change in Myers Park. Down the steps from St. Kevin’s Arcade, past the grassy slopes, the children’s playground, the benches and that goat statue, there has been a transformation. The underpass for Mayoral Drive has gone from a barren, grey, concrete tunnel, to a place that thrums ...
    Greater AucklandBy Connor Sharp
    4 days ago
  • A major milestone: Global climate pollution may have just peaked

    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections Global society may have finally slammed on the brakes for climate-warming pollution released by human fossil fuel combustion. According to the Carbon Monitor Project, the total global climate pollution released between February and May 2024 declined slightly from the amount released during the same ...
    Skeptical Science
    4 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Tuesday, July 23

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 7:00 am on Tuesday, July 23 are:Deep Dive: Penlink: where tolling rhetoric meets reality BusinessDesk-$$$’s Oliver LewisScoop: Te Pūkenga plans for regional polytechs leak out ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Tuesday, July 23

    TL;DR: As of 6:00 am on Tuesday, July 23, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:Health: Shane Reti announced the Board of Te Whatu Ora- Health New Zealand was being replaced with Commissioner Lester Levy ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • HealthNZ and Luxon at cross purposes over budget blowout

    Health NZ warned the Government at the end of March that it was running over Budget. But the reasons it gave were very different to those offered by the Prime Minister yesterday. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon blamed the “botched merger” of the 20 District Health Boards (DHBs) to create Health ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    4 days ago
  • 2500-3000 more healthcare staff expected to be fired, as Shane Reti blames Labour for a budget defic...

    Long ReadKey Summary: Although National increased the health budget by $1.4 billion in May, they used an old funding model to project health system costs, and never bothered to update their pre-election numbers. They were told during the Health Select Committees earlier in the year their budget amount was deficient, ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    4 days ago
  • Might Kamala Harris be about to get a 'stardust' moment like Jacinda Ardern?

    As a momentous, historic weekend in US politics unfolded, analysts and commentators grasped for precedents and comparisons to help explain the significance and power of the choice Joe Biden had made. The 46th president had swept the Democratic party’s primaries but just over 100 days from the election had chosen ...
    PunditBy Tim Watkin
    5 days ago
  • Solutions Interview: Steven Hail on MMT & ecological economics

    TL;DR: I’m casting around for new ideas and ways of thinking about Aotearoa’s political economy to find a few solutions to our cascading and self-reinforcing housing, poverty and climate crises.Associate Professor runs an online masters degree in the economics of sustainability at Torrens University in Australia and is organising ...
    The KakaBy Steven Hail
    5 days ago
  • Reported back

    The Finance and Expenditure Committee has reported back on National's Local Government (Water Services Preliminary Arrangements) Bill. The bill sets up water for privatisation, and was introduced under urgency, then rammed through select committee with no time even for local councils to make a proper submission. Naturally, national's select committee ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago
  • Vandrad the Viking, Christopher Coombes, and Literary Archaeology

    Some years ago, I bought a book at Dunedin’s Regent Booksale for $1.50. As one does. Vandrad the Viking (1898), by J. Storer Clouston, is an obscure book these days – I cannot find a proper online review – but soon it was sitting on my shelf, gathering dust alongside ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    5 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell On The Biden Withdrawal

    History is not on the side of the centre-left, when Democratic presidents fall behind in the polls and choose not to run for re-election. On both previous occasions in the past 75 years (Harry Truman in 1952, Lyndon Johnson in 1968) the Democrats proceeded to then lose the White House ...
    WerewolfBy lyndon
    5 days ago
  • Joe Biden's withdrawal puts the spotlight back on Kamala and the USA's complicated relatio...

    This is a free articleCoverageThis morning, US President Joe Biden announced his withdrawal from the Presidential race. And that is genuinely newsworthy. Thanks for your service, President Biden, and all the best to you and yours.However, the media in New Zealand, particularly the 1News nightly bulletin, has been breathlessly covering ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    5 days ago
  • Why we have to challenge our national fiscal assumptions

    A homeless person’s camp beside a blocked-off slipped damage walkway in Freeman’s Bay: we are chasing our tail on our worsening and inter-related housing, poverty and climate crises. Photo: Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • Existential Crisis and Damaged Brains

    What has happened to it all?Crazy, some'd sayWhere is the life that I recognise?(Gone away)But I won't cry for yesterdayThere's an ordinary worldSomehow I have to findAnd as I try to make my wayTo the ordinary worldYesterday morning began as many others - what to write about today? I began ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago
  • A speed limit is not a target, and yet…

    This is a guest post from longtime supporter Mr Plod, whose previous contributions include a proposal that Hamilton become New Zealand’s capital city, and that we should switch which side of the road we drive on. A recent Newsroom article, “Back to school for the Govt’s new speed limit policy“, ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    5 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Monday, July 22

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 7:00 am on Monday, July 22 are:Today’s Must Read: Father and son live in a tent, and have done for four years, in a million ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Monday, July 22

    TL;DR: As of 7:00 am on Monday, July 22, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:US President Joe Biden announced via X this morning he would not stand for a second term.Multinational professional services firm ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #29

    A listing of 32 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, July 14, 2024 thru Sat, July 20, 2024. Story of the week As reflected by preponderance of coverage, our Story of the Week is Project 2025. Until now traveling ...
    Skeptical Science
    6 days ago
  • I'd like to share what I did this weekend

    This weekend, a friend pointed out someone who said they’d like to read my posts, but didn’t want to pay. And my first reaction was sympathy.I’ve already told folks that if they can’t comfortably subscribe, and would like to read, I’d be happy to offer free subscriptions. I don’t want ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    6 days ago
  • For the children – Why mere sentiment can be a misleading force in our lives, and lead to unex...

    National: The Party of ‘Law and Order’ IntroductionThis weekend, the Government formally kicked off one of their flagship policy programs: a military style boot camp that New Zealand has experimented with over the past 50 years. Cartoon credit: Guy BodyIt’s very popular with the National Party’s Law and Order image, ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    6 days ago
  • A friend in uncertain times

    Day one of the solo leg of my long journey home begins with my favourite sound: footfalls in an empty street. 5.00 am and it’s already light and already too warm, almost.If I can make the train that leaves Budapest later this hour I could be in Belgrade by nightfall; ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    6 days ago
  • The Chaotic World of Male Diet Influencers

    Hi,We’ll get to the horrific world of male diet influencers (AKA Beefy Boys) shortly, but first you will be glad to know that since I sent out the Webworm explaining why the assassination attempt on Donald Trump was not a false flag operation, I’ve heard from a load of people ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    6 days ago
  • It's Starting To Look A Lot Like… Y2K

    Do you remember Y2K, the threat that hung over humanity in the closing days of the twentieth century? Horror scenarios of planes falling from the sky, electronic payments failing and ATMs refusing to dispense cash. As for your VCR following instructions and recording your favourite show - forget about it.All ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago
  • Bernard’s Saturday Soliloquy for the week to July 20

    Climate Change Minister Simon Watts being questioned by The Kākā’s Bernard Hickey.TL;DR: My top six things to note around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the week to July 20 were:1. A strategy that fails Zero Carbon Act & Paris targetsThe National-ACT-NZ First Coalition Government finally unveiled ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Pharmac Director, Climate Change Commissioner, Health NZ Directors – The latest to quit this m...

    Summary:As New Zealand loses at least 12 leaders in the public service space of health, climate, and pharmaceuticals, this month alone, directly in response to the Government’s policies and budget choices, what lies ahead may be darker than it appears. Tui examines some of those departures and draws a long ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    1 week ago
  • Flooding Housing Policy

    The Minister of Housing’s ambition is to reduce markedly the ratio of house prices to household incomes. If his strategy works it would transform the housing market, dramatically changing the prospects of housing as an investment.Leaving aside the Minister’s metaphor of ‘flooding the market’ I do not see how the ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    1 week ago
  • A Voyage Among the Vandals: Accepted (Again!)

    As previously noted, my historical fantasy piece, set in the fifth-century Mediterranean, was accepted for a Pirate Horror anthology, only for the anthology to later fall through. But in a good bit of news, it turned out that the story could indeed be re-marketed as sword and sorcery. As of ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    1 week ago
  • The Kākā's Chorus for Friday, July 19

    An employee of tobacco company Philip Morris International demonstrates a heated tobacco device. Photo: Getty ImagesTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy on Friday, July 19 are:At a time when the Coalition Government is cutting spending on health, infrastructure, education, housing ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Friday, July 19

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 8:30 am on Friday, July 19 are:Scoop: NZ First Minister Casey Costello orders 50% cut to excise tax on heated tobacco products. The minister has ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Weekly Roundup 19-July-2024

    Kia ora, it’s time for another Friday roundup, in which we pull together some of the links and stories that caught our eye this week. Feel free to add more in the comments! Our header image this week shows a foggy day in Auckland town, captured by Patrick Reynolds. ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    1 week ago
  • Weekly Climate Wrap: A market-led plan for failure

    TL;DR : Here’s the top six items climate news for Aotearoa this week, as selected by Bernard Hickey and The Kākā’s climate correspondent Cathrine Dyer. A discussion recorded yesterday is in the video above and the audio of that sent onto the podcast feed.The Government released its draft Emissions Reduction ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Tobacco First

    Save some money, get rich and old, bring it back to Tobacco Road.Bring that dynamite and a crane, blow it up, start all over again.Roll up. Roll up. Or tailor made, if you prefer...Whether you’re selling ciggies, digging for gold, catching dolphins in your nets, or encouraging folks to flutter ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago
  • Trump’s Adopted Son.

    Waiting In The Wings: For truly, if Trump is America’s un-assassinated Caesar, then J.D. Vance is America’s Octavian, the Republic’s youthful undertaker – and its first Emperor.DONALD TRUMP’S SELECTION of James D. Vance as his running-mate bodes ill for the American republic. A fervent supporter of Viktor Orban, the “illiberal” prime ...
    Bowalley Road
    1 week ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Friday, July 19

    TL;DR: As of 6:00 am on Friday, July 19, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:The PSA announced the Employment Relations Authority (ERA) had ruled in the PSA’s favour in its case against the Ministry ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago

  • Joint statement from the Prime Ministers of Canada, Australia and New Zealand

    Australia, Canada and New Zealand today issued the following statement on the need for an urgent ceasefire in Gaza and the risk of expanded conflict between Hizballah and Israel. The situation in Gaza is catastrophic. The human suffering is unacceptable. It cannot continue.  We remain unequivocal in our condemnation of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    17 hours ago
  • AG reminds institutions of legal obligations

    Attorney-General Judith Collins today reminded all State and faith-based institutions of their legal obligation to preserve records relevant to the safety and wellbeing of those in its care. “The Abuse in Care Inquiry’s report has found cases where records of the most vulnerable people in State and faith‑based institutions were ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    20 hours ago
  • More young people learning about digital safety

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says the Government’s online safety website for children and young people has reached one million page views.  “It is great to see so many young people and their families accessing the site Keep It Real Online to learn how to stay safe online, and manage ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    20 hours ago
  • Speech to the Conference for General Practice 2024

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

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

    An experimental vineyard which will help futureproof the wine sector has been opened in Blenheim by Associate Regional Development Minister Mark Patterson. The covered vineyard, based at the New Zealand Wine Centre – Te Pokapū Wāina o Aotearoa, enables controlled environmental conditions. “The research that will be produced at the Experimental ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Funding confirmed for regions affected by North Island Weather Events

    The Coalition Government has confirmed the indicative regional breakdown of North Island Weather Event (NIWE) funding for state highway recovery projects funded through Budget 2024, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Regions in the North Island suffered extensive and devastating damage from Cyclone Gabrielle and the 2023 Auckland Anniversary Floods, and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Indonesian Foreign Minister to visit

    Indonesia’s Foreign Minister, Retno Marsudi, will visit New Zealand next week, Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced.   “Indonesia is important to New Zealand’s security and economic interests and is our closest South East Asian neighbour,” says Mr Peters, who is currently in Laos to engage with South East Asian partners. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Strengthening partnership with Ngāti Maniapoto

    He aha te kai a te rangatira? He kōrero, he kōrero, he kōrero. The government has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the aspirations of Ngāti Maniapoto, Minister for Māori Development Tama Potaka says. “My thanks to Te Nehenehenui Trust – Ngāti Maniapoto for bringing their important kōrero to a ministerial ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Transport Minister thanks outgoing CAA Chair

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Two Bills designed to improve regulation and make it easier to do business have passed their first reading in Parliament, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. The Regulatory Systems (Economic Development) Amendment Bill and Regulatory Systems (Immigration and Workforce) Amendment Bill make key changes to legislation administered by the Ministry ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • ‘Open banking’ and ‘open electricity’ on the way

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Page generated in The Standard by Wordpress at 2024-07-27T00:31:53+00:00