A Gisborne mayoral candidate is standing by a controversial picture on social media which shows him standing in a hazmat suit with a swastika on the front.
Other posts from Brown included him saying he wanted to cut down 5G towers in January 2020, and writing expletives in October 2018 about people at the speedway letting off fireworks that scared his horses.
Brown's wife, Jen Brown, also features heavily in the posts that have been compiled.
She confirmed she was a member of Voices For Freedom, a group which has encouraged its followers to run for councils to push its agenda.
So we have an ' unofficial ' force of nz soldiers fighting in Ukraine under the genius description of ' unpaid leave ' mightive missed it but i dont remember that being debated in parliament .No wonder its not just a matter of picking up the phone to find out where the body of a dead soldier is !!!
listening to JA being interview on RNZ this morn ive never heard her sounding more evasive or slippery .In between the ducking an diving she sayes bla bla bla " and the war is against Russia " could've been my imagination but it sounded like there was a definite mote of glee in that sentence …..
Did you not know that the Military personnel are supposed to be prevented from engaging in undeclared wars? If the government has declared war on behalf of its US masters we are in for a real shitfest that even NATO wont risk!!
Clearly the government hasn't declared war on anyone. Go sit down and have a cup of tea or you're going to have an aneurysm over one AWOL soldier who wanted to see action.
So, Populuxe1, if the government hasn't declared war on anyone, then why are NZ defence force personnel allowed to go and fight in the Ukraine while they're "on leave"? Are they mercenaries?
Given they are both volunteers (not recruited) and not motivated by the desire for private monetary gain then no, they fail mercenary test conditions a) and c) of the Geneva convention.
Volunteering to fight fascism is not being a mercenary.
They are, in fact, heroes of freedom loving people everywhere.
Probably because he didn't tell them he was going to fight in Ukraine because they're not allowed to? Don't call it "the Ukraine" – it's a sovereign state.
I find it extraordinary you can't conceive that he asked for leave on some pretext or other, it was granted, he flew to Europe and made his way to Ukraine all on his own. It's not that difficult.
Had he survived and been found out it would have brought him before a Court Martial and he almost certainly would have been dishonourably discharged.
It has been reported there may be as many as 100 in Crimea not just one.
What are they doing in Crimea when the action is in Donbas? There's no on the ground fighting in Crimea.
There may be – then again, there may not be.
I would be very much surprised if that number was all active personnel – you might have to provide a source as it sounds like you're conflating ex-service people, civilian volunteers and, for all I know, NZ mercenaries based elsewhere.
Obviously the reference was to Ukraine, not Crimea but instead of politely pointing out the error, you had to turn it into yet another drama. Oh what a surprise.
You have proved you can do research, even if following a 'wrong line', so don't bother asking for links. The nub of the matter is and always was that the Military, for good reason, are required to follow different rules.
Fighting raccoons. How Russian patriots became mercenaries, contacted FSB officers and turned into bandits
[…]
The history of the appearance of the scandalous PMC is interesting in its own way. Its creator is considered the leader of the nationalist movement "Bright Russia" Igor Mangushev. During the escalation of the conflict in the Donbass, he, together with like-minded people, thought about how to give an official status to the actions of the Donbass militias.
In the spring of 2014, reports began to appear that Mangushev and other representatives of the "Light Russia" went to the Donbass on a humanitarian mission together with the Moscow Region branch of the People's Cathedral movement. It was headed by Roman Telenkevich, aka Vodyanoy – he had such a call sign in those years.
You could have said the same thing for the International Brigades in Spain, although these days such is middle class flatulence that makes up so much the modern left's intellectual community you would be unlikely to find any of the West's left wing journalists, novelists, activists and poets in the trenches of the Donbas fighting Putin's fascists.
They prefer these days to sit about on message boards and find excuses for their decadent cowardice in handwringing about the nature of Zelensky's government and seeing false equivalence everywhere.
So we have an ' unofficial ' force of nz soldiers fighting in Ukraine under the genius description of ' unpaid leave ' mightive missed it but i dont remember that being debated in parliament .
Um, no. Sounds like an individual wanted an adventure or felt deeply enough for the cause to volunteer. You know, like Orwell fighting in the Spanish Civil War. It happens. At worst he failed to resign from the NZDF, which, had he lived, would probably have earned him a court martial and dishonourable discharge.
Nah, it was clearly a nod and wink arrangement, a version of don't ask don't tell. Soldier asks for leave without pay to do something and army approves, while respecting the soldiers right to take a holiday without them prying in.
It would only become a political problem if it turned out an entire company of our guys were there. A dozen or so is is just caveat emptor for them.
You read far too many Robert Ludlum novels. He wasn't SAS and was fighting in an international brigade. Even if we were to get involved, which would be highly unlikely as our forces aren't really trained for slogging through Eastern European mud in the winter, we certainly wouldn't be sending ordinary soldiers.
I am intrigued at the number of people who seem to have a bizarre view that our government (a) is somehow able to and should be tracking NZ citizens that go abroad, perhaps particularly if they are on leave from the Defence Force, and (b) are somehow organising a group of people on leave from defence to go to the Ukraine to volunteer to fight. Re (a) any government tracking New Zealanders going overseas would be regarded as wasting money, and re (b) that is so unlikely as to be farcical. There was an implication in one news report that had the soldier returned he may have been disciplined for his actions
Just after midnight tonight, the Artemis I program is launched using the SLS (Space Launch System). I am old enough to remember the Saturn V rockets of the Apollo program. In the next 24 hours we will hopefully see his twin sister, Artemis, rise on the most powerful rocket ever built. Artemis will eventually carry 46 tonnes to trans-lunar injection – three tonnes more than the most powerful Saturn V rocket.
Most powerful rocket ever built was actually the Russian N1 moon rocket, but blew up after a successful liftoff. So you're right if you say "most powerful (successful) rocket ever built ".
A rocket that blows up after launch is a major life fail, if you are a rocket. It begs the existential question all rockets must ask themselves in the quiet early morning dark sitting on the launch pad waiting – if a rocket blows up on launch, is it really a rocket?
Luxon on youth crime – empty bullshit, but dangerous too. Has the f*wit learned nothing from the Royal Commission into State Child Care?
It also signals the end of Bed-leg Sam: if Luxon welcomes him back into the cosy embrace of the Natz after being so outspoken on youth punishment, he'll look a right hypocrite!
I really don't think anyone cares about Sam Uffindel. They do, however care about thugs who punch elderly people in the face getting home detention, while the police spend money on diversity officers and putting rainbow lights on police stations. This government is weak on crime, and we're paying the price.
Uffindell otoh – well, some Kiwis care about how the Gnat's tried and true candidate selection process delivered an MP who admitted to assaulting a 13-year old, if not to other historical character defects.
Give me a child until he is 7 and I will show you the man. – Aristotle/Loyola
Might some Gnat supporters care at least a little? [I know I would!]
Maybe, but certainly not those who consider Uffindell-style japes, hijinks and shenanigans par for the course.
No-one cares. National buried it by actually holding an enquiry (you know, like the one Labour won't hold), and then with Labour's mishandling of Mr Sharma. One day soon the media will report on the outcome of the enquiry, and all will be forgotten.
Letting an MP spend weeks dragging the party through a trial by media.
"Hold an inquiry into what? "
Accusations against Sharma of bullying. Accusations by Sharma he was bullied. Allegations about MP's being coached to bypass OIA obligations. There's no shortage of material. Mind you, Labour have form for trying to bury stuff.
"The person in question was a guest and it as dealt with by the courts."
Oh a 'guest' were they. This 'guest' was (depending upon what you mean) the victim or perpetrator of sexual assault. And it was only after Newsroom broke the story that the "party was shocked into action".
Meanwhile, Sharma, for all you claim he has nothing, is making headlines again today.
So what? Sharma is an attention seeker and is just raving, he still has not produced any evidence to back up his claims.
A guest as in invited and was not a Labour party member.
Some charges were dropped and downgraded.
"There had also been no suggestion, and no evidence, that the offender has any personal connection to the present Labour Party or any member of it, the judge added"
"At sentencing, Judge Collins also said: "I'm not convinced it was for a sexual gratification or any perverted motive.
While not an excuse, the judge added the man's actions were "born out of drunken stupidity"
No I am not LibertyBelle. Did you not read the post?
"There had also been no suggestion, and no evidence, that the offender has any personal connection to the present Labour Party or any member of it, the judge added"
Not allegations, just stating the fact that Sharma hasn't produced any evidence, I noticed you haven't come up with any. No one should condone Sharma bullying his staff.
"There had also been no suggestion, and no evidence, that the offender has any personal connection to the present Labour Party or any member of it, the judge added"
How does that relate to whether or not the party covered the allegations up? The article is fairly clear:
Asked and answered. Sharma has only asked for one thing, AFAIK. An independent inquiry into the employment issues he has raised. The horse has bolted now, but why didn't they just conduct that investigation? Unless they have something to hide.
Perhaps. But Labour have botched this up, and they have a renegade running amok with accusations. They could have cauterised this with an investigation into the employment issues, but for reasons best known only to themselves, they won't.
Which part of a three week delay don't you understand?
"… and it was up to the complainants whether they wanted to tell their parents etc, at the time they chose not to, but felt pressured by media, one of the complainants said it became a political football."
Still doesn't support your claim LibertyBelle. It is not seedy, at 16 years old, it was entirely up the complainants who they told or not, which is their legal right.
Still doesnt prove your point LibertyBelle and it was up to the complainants whether they wanted to tell their parents etc, at the time they chose not to, but felt pressured by media, one of the complainants said it became a political football.
They don't need NZ residency to "fuck off to…..Australia"
Australia is giving them immediate residency unconditionally – they neither need nor benefit from having NZ residency 'first' (and actually may be worse off – it's a lot more beneficial long term, if you're resident in Australia, to become an Australian citizen, rather than a NZ resident/citizen)
The justification for putting nurses in the second tier of immigration is looking more and more threadbare.
Perhaps it's time for Minister Wood to review the situation:
as I've said consistently along the way: the outcome is what matters. I'll be keeping a close eye on how the settings go, bearing in mind the whole system only really kicked in from yesterday.
"If we need to make adjustments as we move forward to get to the outcomes, then I'll certainly be open to doing that."
Australia is giving them immediate residency unconditionally –
Nurses without NZ PR seeking Aussie residency might have their applications considered quickly/rapidly, but "immediate residency unconditionally"? Fake news.
If you meet the criteria (recognized nursing qualification from an approved provider) my understanding is that it is 'unconditional'. You certainly don't have to have a job, or even a job offer, nor do you have to be working for 2 years to gain residency.
Those are the elements where Australia and New Zealand differ.
It seems as though it is more difficult and time-consuming to gain PR in NZ, for nurses, than it is in Oz; and you certainly don't get in with lower qualifications (although Australia also has a pathway to residency through studying nursing programme).
Really, I think that the perception that there were significant numbers of immigrant nurses trying to gain NZ residency as a backdoor into Australia, is a chimera. It might have been true in the past – though I don't really think it's very likely – but certainly hasn't been true for the last few years.
This article talks about the unhappiness with the current delays in processing skilled migrant (nursing) visas in Oz – and what the govt is proposing to do about it.
So, Australia doesn’t have it exactly right yet, but is actively working on the elements which are hindering the process.
[Australian] Assistant Trade Minister Tim Ayres said on Friday that the government had “some work to do” to bring more skilled migrants into the country, while Skills and Training Minister Brendan O’Connor said “we need to increase the permanent skilled migration pathway.”
Good clarification – "immediate residency unconditionally" didn't ring true.
Aotearoa, being Australia’s poorer, smaller sister, may have to do a bit more work with less. Number 8 wire only goes so far.
I was speaking in the context of the OP – who was commenting on NZ-trained immigrant nurses (who can't get residency without spending another 2 years here, away from their families) – leaving for Australia.
So the 'qualified' was implied, in my comment.
Really, the assumption that immigrant nurses will only use NZ as a backdoor to Australia doesn't seem to be based on anything apart from rather dated anecdata. Time for the Minister to bite the bullet, and actually review the settings.
Apologies if I my brief reply (@5.2.1.2.2) failed to make it clear that I was questioning the veracity of a specific assertion @5.2.1.2, to wit:
Australia is giving them [NZ-trained and qualified immigrant nurses?] immediate residency unconditionally –
The veracity of "immediate residency unconditionally" in that context seemed doubtful, and your reply @5.2.1.2.2.1 was a good clarification.
Note, for example, the apparent incongruity between "immediate residency unconditionally" (@5.2.1.2) and "current delays in processing skilled migrant (nursing) visas in Oz" (@5.2.1.2.2.1).
In the context of my comment on the original link – 'immediately' referred to 'once the visa is processed'. Contrasting the situation in Australia, where there is no requirement for a 2 year 'probation' period before residency is granted; while in NZ the nurse has to work for 2 years before residency is granted.
So when the nurse has their approved visa (a process which is technically identical so far as qualifications are concerned in both countries) – Australia has 'immediate residence unconditionally' while NZ has a 2 year delay, as well as requirements over where you have to work, and (possibly- I haven't checked recently) a requirement to have a job offer, before applying. NZ PR is not 'immediate' and not 'unconditional'.
Nurses have been pointing out that difference, highlighting that the Australian model is much more attractive for families – who can settle in 'immediately' rather than family members not being eligible for work or uni, etc, because of the lack of PR status of the parent (and, in NZ, apparently not even able to come, in some circumstances). As well as the natural uncertainty of whether the Government will change the rules on them part-way through the process.
Got it – "unconditional" if conditions for a successful visa application are met – thanks for the further clarifications to sort out semantics.
Nurses plan to leave NZ over residency rules: 'I can't wait any more' [29 August 2022] (also linked to by LB @5.2)
"The work-to-residence path requires two years' work in the role ahead of gaining residence which supports addressing the shortages, whereas a straight-to-residence pathway would not require any time in the role before a worker could potentially leave.
"A two-year period ensures a degree of commitment to the role and to New Zealand.
Imho, qualifying foreign nurses should be on NZ's ‘immediate residency' priority list, as per Gordon Campbell's recent column, but your "immediate residency unconditionally" framing didn't ring true to me – too hyperbolic even for NZ opposition pollies.
As you and I have noted already, it's not all sweetness and light on the NZ and/or Aus immigration fronts – plenty of tension(s) and competing interests. Funnily enough, on a recent visit to the A&E department at our local hospital, Dad was assessed initially by a nurse who had migrated very recently from Australia. She was excellent, but still getting used to using some of the ECG equipment, including plugging it in – apparently it's not standardised across all DHBs, let alone between NZ and Aus.
Aus is a great place to visit, and I wish all who would live there well.
KYIV, Ukraine — As renewed shelling intensified fears about a nuclear accident at the Zaporizhzhia power plant, the Ukrainian authorities stepped up emergency drills on Saturday and rushed to hand out potassium iodide, a drug that can protect people from radiation-induced thyroid cancer, to tens of thousands of people living near the facility.
In a country still haunted by the memory of the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear disaster, officials urged the public not to panic even as complex negotiations to allow for a team of scientists from the International Atomic Energy Agency to visit the Russian-controlled plant in southeastern Ukraine took on added urgency.
China has issued a thinly veiled attack on Russia’s brinkmanship over the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant in Ukraine, as fears of disaster escalate following a near-miss at the site.
A senior Chinese official told the UN on Friday that just one incident might cause a serious nuclear accident “with irreversible consequences for the ecosystem and public health of Ukraine and its neighbouring countries”.
Geng Shuang, China’s deputy permanent representative at the UN, pointedly called on all parties involved “to exercise maximum restraint strictly abide by international law and minimise the risk of accidents”, adding: ”We must not allow the tragedies of the Chernobyl and Fukushima nuclear accidents to be repeated.”
Nothing really, just paste the URL as is in the Text Editor on a separate line and it should work. Your first attempt was not (on) a separate line and your second attempt was an embedded link.
On February 14, 2023 we announced our Rebuttal Update Project. This included an ask for feedback about the added "At a glance" section in the updated basic rebuttal versions. This weekly blog post series highlights this new section of one of the updated basic rebuttal versions and serves as a ...
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Wellington’s massively upzoned District Plan adds the opportunity for tens of thousands of new homes not just in the central city (such as these Webb St new builds) but also close to the CBD and public transport links. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Wellington gave itself the chance of ...
It’s Friday and we’re halfway through March Madness. Here’s some of the things that caught our attention this week. This Week in Greater Auckland On Monday Matt asked how we can get better event trains and an option for grade separating Morningside Dr. On Tuesday Matt looked into ...
Something you might not know about me is that I’m quite a stubborn person. No, really. I don’t much care for criticism I think’s unfair or that I disagree with. Few of us do I suppose.Back when I was a drinker I’d sometimes respond defensively, even angrily. There are things ...
Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The five things that mattered in Aotearoa’s political economy that we wrote and spoke about via The Kākā and elsewhere for paying subscribers in the last week included:PM Christopher Luxon said the reversal of interest deductibility for landlords was done to help renters, who ...
It was not so much the Labour Party but really the Chris Hipkins party yesterday at Labour’s caucus retreat in Martinborough. The former Prime Minister was more or less consistent on wealth tax, which he was at best equivocal about, and social insurance, which he was not willing to revisit. ...
Buzz from the BeehiveThe text reproduced above appears on a page which records all the media statements and speeches posted on the government’s official website by Melissa Lee as Minister of Media and Communications and/or by Jenny Marcroft, her Parliamentary Under-secretary. It can be quickly analysed ...
For forty years, Robert Muldoon has been a dirty word in our politics. His style of government was so repulsive and authoritarian that the backlash to it helped set and entrench our constitutional norms. His pig-headedness over forcing through Think Big eventually gave us the RMA, with its participation and ...
Bryce Edwards writes – Is the new government reducing tax on rental properties to benefit landlords or to cut the cost of rents? That’s the big question this week, after Associate Finance Minister David Seymour announced on Sunday that the Government would be reversing the Labour Government’s removal ...
Saudi Arabia is rarely far from the international spotlight. The war in Gaza has brought new scrutiny to Saudi plans to normalise relations with Israel, while the fifth anniversary of the controversial killing of Jamal Khashoggi was marked shortly before the war began on October 7. And as the home ...
Questions need to be asked on both sides of the worldPeter Williams writes – The NRL Judiciary hands down an eight week suspension to Sydney Roosters forward Spencer Leniu , an Auckland-born Samoan, after he calls Ezra Mam, Sydney-orn but of Aboriginal and Torres Strait ...
Ele Ludemann writes – Contrary to what many headlines and news stories are saying, residential landlords are not getting a tax break. The government is simply restoring to them the tax deductibility of interest they had until the previous government removed it. There is no logical reason ...
I can't remember when it was goodMoments of happiness in bloomMaybe I just misunderstoodAll of the love we left behindWatching our flashbacks intertwineMemories I will never findIn spite of whatever you becomeForget that reckless thing turned onI think our lives have just begunI think our lives have just begunDoes anyone ...
Michael Bassett writes – At first reading, a front-page story in the New Zealand Herald on 13 March was bizarre. A group of severely intellectually limited teenagers, with little understanding of the law, have been pleading to the Justice Select Committee not to pass a bill dealing with ram ...
How much political capital is Christopher Luxon willing to burn through in order to deliver his $2.9 billion gift to landlords? Evidently, Luxon is: (a) unable to cost the policy accurately. As Anna Burns-Francis pointed out to him on Breakfast TV, the original ”rock solid” $2.1 billion cost he was ...
TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read:Jonathon Porritt calling bullshit in his own blog post on mainstream climate science as ‘The New Denialism’.Local scoop:The Wellington City Council’s list of proposed changes to the IHP recommendations to be debated later today was leaked this ...
TL;DR:Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said yesterday tenants should be grateful for the reinstatement of interest deductibility because landlords would pass on their lower tax costs in the form of lower rents. That would be true if landlords were regulated monopolies such as Transpower or Auckland Airport1, but they’re not, ...
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Tom Toro Tom Toro is a cartoonist and author. He has published over 200 cartoons in The New Yorker since 2010. His cartoons appear in Playboy, the Paris Review, the New York Times, American Bystander, and elsewhere. Related: What 10 EV lovers ...
The business section of the NZ Herald is full of opinion. Among the more opinionated of all is the ex-Minister of Transport, ex-Minister of Railways, ex MP for Auckland Central (1975-93, Labour), Wellington Central (1996-99, ACT, then list-2005), ex-leader of the ACT Party, uncle to actor Antonia, the veritable granddaddy ...
Hi,Just quickly — I’m blown away by the stories you’ve shared with me over the last week since I put out the ‘Gary’ podcast, where I told you about the time my friend’s flatmate killed the neighbour.And you keep telling me stories — in the comments section, and in my ...
The first season of Rings of Power was not awful. It was thoroughly underwhelming, yes, and left a lingering sense of disappointment, but it was more expensive mediocrity than catastrophe. I wrote at length about the series as it came out (see the Review section of the blog, and go ...
Buzz from the Beehive Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden told Auckland Business Chamber members they were the first audience to hear her priorities as a minister in a government committed to cutting red tape and regulations. She brandished her liberalising credentials, saying Flexible labour markets are the ...
Chris Trotter writes – TO UNDERSTAND WHY NEWSHUB FAILED, it is necessary to understand how TVNZ changed. Up until 1989, the state broadcaster had been funded by a broadcasting licence fee, collected from every citizen in possession of a television set, supplemented by a relatively modest (compared ...
Bob Edlin writes – The Māori Party has been busy issuing a mix of warnings and threats as its expresses its opposition to interest deductibility for landlords and the plans of seabed miners. It remains to be seen whether they follow the example of indigenous litigants in Australia, ...
The Government has accepted Labour’s change to the Road User Charge (RUC) discount for hybrid vehicles, meaning there will still be some incentive for people to buy greener vehicles. ...
Kicking the most vulnerable people out of state housing and pushing them towards homelessness will result in a proliferation of poverty and trauma across our most vulnerable communities. ...
Te Pāti Māori co-leader and MP for Waiariki, Rawiri Waititi has penned a letter asking MPs to support his members bill to remove GST from all food. The bill is expected to go through its first reading in parliament this Wednesday. “I’m calling on all political parties to support my ...
This year is about getting real with Kiwis and discussing the tough issues, as the National Government exacerbates inequality and divides New Zealand, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said ...
The Government adding Significant Natural Areas (SNAs) to its already roaring environmental policy bonfire is an assault on the future of wildlife that makes Aotearoa unique. ...
After 12 years of fighting to protect our moana we are finding ourselves back at square one and back at court. Today, the Environmental Protection Agency is sitting in Hawera to reconsider an application from Trans-Tasman Resources to dig up 50 million tonnes of the seabed in South Taranaki. This ...
Minister Shane Jones’ decision to step away from a seabed mining project is evidence of the murky waters surrounding the Government’s fast-track legislation. ...
The growth of Treaty of Waitangi clauses in legislation caused so much worry that a special oversight group was set up by the last government in a bid to get greater coherence in the publicservice on Treaty matters. When ministers first considered the need for tighter oversight in 2021, there ...
The growth of Treaty of Waitangi clauses in legislation caused so much worry that a special oversight group was set up by the last government in a bid to get greater coherence in the publicservice on Treaty matters. When ministers first considered the need for tighter oversight in 2021, there ...
The Coalition Government’s miscalculation saga continues as it has forgotten an eyewatering $90 million gap in its interest deductibility cost figures, say Labour Finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds and Revenue Spokesperson Deborah Russell. ...
He Pou a Rangi Climate Change Commission has today released advice that says if the Government doesn’t act now New Zealand is at risk of not meeting its climate goals. ...
The Coalition Government has today confirmed it is abandoning first home buyers who are struggling to get ahead, says Labour Finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds. ...
The New Zealand public voted for a change in direction at the 2023 general election and that is exactly what this coalition government has been delivering in its first 100 days. There was an immediate focus on the economy, easing the cost of living, cracking down on law and order ...
The Government has left the health system as an afterthought, announcing half-baked targets at the last minute of their 100-day plan, says Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall. ...
Kiwis are still waiting for their promised cost of living support after 100 days of a National Government that is taking us backwards, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said today. ...
The National Government has spent its first 100 days stopping, cutting and reversing. They have scrapped stuff for stuff for the sake of it, without putting up any solutions of their own – and it’s hardworking New Zealanders who will pay for it. ...
100 days of National taking NZ backwardsThe National Government has spent its first 100 days stopping, cutting and reversing. They have scrapped stuff for stuff for the sake of it, without putting up any solutions of their own – and it’s hardworking New Zealanders who will pay for it. ...
The Government must commit to funding free and healthy school lunches, as thousands of people sign the petition to keep them, education spokesperson Jan Tinetti says. ...
If the Government was serious about moving families into public housing, they would build more houses so there is actually somewhere for people to go. ...
The free and healthy school lunches programme feeds our kids, helps them to learn, and saves families money – but it is at risk under this Government, education spokesperson Jan Tinetti said. ...
The Government’s proposed changes to Firearms Prohibition Orders (FPO) add almost nothing new and are merely an attempt to distract from its plans to loosen gun laws, police spokesperson Ginny Andersen and justice spokesperson Dr Duncan Webb said. ...
The great Victorian era English politician Lord Macauley stood in the British House of Parliament and said, "The gallery in which the reporters sit has become a fourth estate of the realm".He understood and outlined even way back then, the significant role and influence media have in a democracy. ...
"The Government is moving quickly to realise an additional $46 million in tariff savings in the EU market this season for Kiwi exporters,” Minister for Trade and Agriculture, Todd McClay says. Parliament is set, this week, to complete the final legislative processes required to bring the New Zealand – European ...
New Zealand’s social workers are qualified, experienced, and more representative of the communities they serve, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “I want to acknowledge and applaud New Zealand’s social workers for the hard work they do, providing invaluable support for our most vulnerable. “To coincide with World ...
Cabinet has agreed to a reduced road user charge (RUC) rate for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. Owners of PHEVs will be eligible for a reduced rate of $38 per 1,000km once all light electric vehicles (EVs) move into the RUC system from 1 April. ...
Minister of Agriculture and Trade, Todd McClay, says that today’s opening of Riverland Foods manufacturing plant in Christchurch is a great example of how trade access to overseas markets creates jobs in New Zealand. Speaking at the official opening of this state-of-the-art pet food factory the Minister noted that exports ...
Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Wellington today. “It was a pleasure to host Foreign Minister Wang Yi during his first official visit to New Zealand since 2017. Our discussions were wide-ranging and enabled engagement on many facets of New Zealand’s relationship with China, including trade, ...
Kāinga Ora – Homes & Communities has been instructed to end the Sustaining Tenancies Framework and take stronger measures against persistent antisocial behaviour by tenants, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “Earlier today Finance Minister Nicola Willis and I sent an interim Letter of Expectations to the Board of Kāinga Ora. ...
Tēna koutou katoa. Greetings everyone. Thank you to the Auckland Chamber of Commerce and the Honourable Simon Bridges for hosting this address today. I acknowledge the business leaders in this room, the leaders and governors, the employers, the entrepreneurs, the investors, and the wealth creators. The coalition Government shares your ...
Minister Winston Peters completed the final leg of his visit to South and South East Asia in Singapore today, where he focused on enhancing one of New Zealand’s indispensable strategic partnerships. “Singapore is our most important defence partner in South East Asia, our fourth-largest trading partner and a ...
Minister of Internal Affairs and Workplace Relations and Safety, Hon. Brooke van Velden, will travel to the Republic of Korea to represent New Zealand at the Third Summit for Democracy on 18 March. The summit, hosted by the Republic of Korea, was first convened by the United States in 2021, ...
ICNZ Speech 7 March 2024, Auckland Acknowledgements and opening Mōrena, ngā mihi nui. Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Nor Whanganui aho. Good morning, it’s a privilege to be here to open the ICNZ annual conference, thank you to Mark for the Mihi Whakatau My thanks to Tim Grafton for inviting me ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Lead Coordination Minister Judith Collins have expressed their deepest sympathy on the five-year anniversary of the Christchurch terror attacks. “March 15, 2019, was a day when families, communities and the country came together both in sorrow and solidarity,” Mr Luxon says. “Today we pay our respects to the 51 shuhada ...
Speech for Financial Advice NZ Conference 5 March 2024 Acknowledgements and opening Morena, Nga Mihi Nui. Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Nor Whanganui aho. Thanks Nate for your Mihi Whakatau Good morning. It’s a pleasure to formally open your conference this morning. What a lovely day in Wellington, What a great ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters held discussions in Jakarta today about the future of relations between New Zealand and South East Asia’s most populous country. “We are in Jakarta so early in our new government’s term to reflect the huge importance we place on our relationship with Indonesia and South ...
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters has announced that the Foreign Minister of China, Wang Yi, will visit New Zealand next week. “We look forward to re-engaging with Foreign Minister Wang Yi and discussing the full breadth of the bilateral relationship, which is one of New Zealand’s ...
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has today opened the new Auckland Rail Operations Centre, which will bring together KiwiRail, Auckland Transport, and Auckland One Rail to improve service reliability for Aucklanders. “The recent train disruptions in Auckland have highlighted how important it is KiwiRail and Auckland’s rail agencies work together to ...
The Government is proud to support the 10th edition of Crankworx Rotorua as the Crankworx World Tour returns to Rotorua from 16-24 March 2024, says Minister for Economic Development Melissa Lee. “Over the past 10 years as Crankworx Rotorua has grown, so too have the economic and social benefits that ...
Legislation implementing coalition Government tax commitments and addressing long-standing tax anomalies will be progressed in Parliament next week, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The legislation is contained in an Amendment Paper to the Taxation (Annual Rates for 2023–24, Multinational Tax, and Remedial Matters) Bill issued today. “The Amendment Paper represents ...
Associate Environment Minister Andrew Hoggard has today announced that the Government has agreed to suspend the requirement for councils to comply with the Significant Natural Areas (SNA) provisions of the National Policy Statement for Indigenous Biodiversity for three years, while it replaces the Resource Management Act (RMA).“As it stands, SNAs ...
Agriculture Minister Todd McClay has classified the drought conditions in the Marlborough, Tasman, and Nelson districts as a medium-scale adverse event, acknowledging the challenging conditions facing farmers and growers in the district. “Parts of Marlborough, Tasman, and Nelson districts are in the grip of an intense dry spell. I know ...
The Government is helping farmers eradicate the significant impact of facial eczema (FE) in pastoral animals, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced. “A $20 million partnership jointly funded by Beef + Lamb NZ, the Government, and the primary sector will save farmers an estimated NZD$332 million per year, and aims to ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has completed a successful visit to India, saying it was an important step in taking the relationship between the two countries to the next level. “We have laid a strong foundation for the Coalition Government’s priority of enhancing New Zealand-India relations to generate significant future benefit for both countries,” says Mr Peters, ...
Cabinet has agreed to provide $7 million to ensure the 2024 ski season can go ahead on the Whakapapa ski field in the central North Island but has told the operator Ruapehu Alpine Lifts it is the last financial support it will receive from taxpayers. Cabinet also agreed to provide ...
Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says the launch of a new mobile breast screening unit in Counties Manukau reinforces the coalition Government’s commitment to drive better cancer services for all New Zealanders. Speaking at the launch of the new mobile clinic, Dr Reti says it’s a great example of taking ...
Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says the launch of a new mobile breast screening unit in Counties Manukau reinforces the coalition Government’s commitment to drive better cancer services for all New Zealanders. Speaking at the launch of the new mobile clinic, Dr Reti says it’s a great example of taking ...
Unlocking economic growth and land for housing are critical elements of the Government’s plan for our transport network, and planned upgrades to State Highway 29 (SH29) near Tauriko will deliver strongly on those priorities, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “The SH29 upgrades near Tauriko will improve safety at the intersections ...
Unlocking economic growth and land for housing are critical elements of the Government’s plan for our transport network, and planned upgrades to State Highway 29 (SH29) near Tauriko will deliver strongly on those priorities, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “The SH29 upgrades near Tauriko will improve safety at the intersections ...
Lower fruit and vegetable prices are welcome news for New Zealanders who have been doing it tough at the supermarket, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. Stats NZ reported today the price of fruit and vegetables has dropped 9.3 percent in the 12 months to February 2024. “Lower fruit and vege ...
Tēnā koutou katoa and greetings to you all. Chair, I am honoured to address the sixty-eighth session of the Commission on the Status of Women. I acknowledge the many crises impacting the rights of women and girls. Heightened global tensions, war, climate related and humanitarian disasters, and price inflation all ...
Tēnā koutou katoa and greetings to you all. Chair, I am honoured to address the 68th session of the Commission on the Status of Women. I acknowledge the many crises impacting the rights of women and girls. Heightened global tensions, war, climate related and humanitarian disasters, and price inflation all ...
The coalition Government is supporting farmers to enhance land management practices by investing $3.3 million in locally led catchment groups, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced. “Farmers and growers deliver significant prosperity for New Zealand and it’s vital their ongoing efforts to improve land management practices and water quality are supported,” ...
Good evening everyone and thank you for that lovely introduction. Thank you also to the Honourable Simon Bridges for the invitation to address your members. Since being sworn in, this coalition Government has hit the ground running with our 100-day plan, delivering the changes that New Zealanders expect of us. ...
Recommendations from the Climate Change Commission for New Zealand on the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) auction and unit limit settings for the next five years have been tabled in Parliament, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. “The Commission provides advice on the ETS annually. This is the third time the ...
The coalition Government is beginning its fight to lower building costs and reduce red tape by exempting minor building work from paying the building levy, says Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk. “Currently, any building project worth $20,444 including GST or more is subject to the building levy which is ...
Proposed changes to tax legislation to prevent the over-taxation of low-earning trusts are welcome, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The changes have been recommended by Parliament’s Finance and Expenditure Committee following consideration of submissions on the Taxation (Annual Rates for 2023–24, Multinational Tax, and Remedial Matters) Bill. “One of the ...
Assalaamu alaikum. السَّلَام عليكم In light of the holy month of Ramadan, I want to extend my warmest wishes to our Muslim community in New Zealand. Ramadan is a time for spiritual reflection, renewed devotion, perseverance, generosity, and forgiveness. It’s a time to strengthen our bonds and appreciate the diversity ...
Former Transport Minister and CEO of the Auckland Business Chamber Hon Simon Bridges has been appointed as the new Board Chair of the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) for a three-year term, Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced today. “Simon brings extensive experience and knowledge in transport policy and governance to the role. He will ...
Good morning all, it is a pleasure to be here as Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology. It is fantastic to see how connected and collaborative the life science and biotechnology industry is here in New Zealand. I would like to thank BioTechNZ and NZTech for the invitation to address ...
Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says he is looking forward to the day when three key water projects in Northland are up and running, unlocking the full potential of land in the region. Mr Jones attended a community event at the site of the Otawere reservoir near Kerikeri on Friday. ...
Associate Finance Minister David Seymour has today announced that the Government has agreed to restore deductibility for mortgage interest on residential investment properties. “Help is on the way for landlords and renters alike. The Government’s restoration of interest deductibility will ease pressure on rents and simplify the tax code,” says ...
Sport and Recreation Minister Chris Bishop will travel to Switzerland today to attend an Executive Committee meeting and Symposium of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). Mr Bishop will then travel on to London where he will attend a series of meetings in his capacity as Infrastructure Minister. “New Zealanders believe ...
Pacific Media Watch Earthwise hosts Lois and Martin Griffiths. Earthwise presenters Lois and Martin Griffiths on Plains FM 96.9 community radio talk to Dr David Robie, a New Zealand author, independent journalist and media educator with a passion for the Asia-Pacific region. David talks about the struggle to raise awareness ...
Pacific Media Watch Ismail al-Ghoul, an Al Jazeera Arabic correspondent who was held for 12 hours at Gaza’s al-Shifa hospital, says Israeli forces rounded up Palestinian journalists at the facility and made them kneel on the ground for hours, while naked and blindfolded. “The occupation forces handcuffed and blindfolded us ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tony Wood, Program Director, Energy, Grattan Institute chinasong, Shutterstock Electricity customers in four Australian states can breathe a sigh of relief. After two years in a row of 20% price increases, power prices have finally stabilised. In many places they’re ...
Chumbawamba have reportedly issued the deputy PM a cease-and-desist notice after he used their song 'Tubthumping' before his state of the nation speech. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Deborah Lupton, SHARP Professor, Vitalities Lab, Centre for Social Research in Health and Social Policy Centre, and the ARC Centre of Excellence for Automated Decision-Making and Society, UNSW Sydney kitzcorner/Shutterstock The assertion from Queensland’s chief health officer John Gerrard that ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Peter Martin, Visiting Fellow, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University Shutterstock Why are musicians so keen to get played on the radio? It can’t be because of the money. In Australia they are paid at rates so low they ...
"Farmers make a point not to tell our urban cousins how to live, yet Chlöe from central Auckland is hell-bent on having her say about farmers," says ACT Rural Communities spokesman Mark Cameron. “On her first day in the House as Green ...
Analysis by Dr Bryce Edwards – Democracy Project (https://democracyproject.nz)Political scientist, Dr Bryce Edwards. It’s been a tumultuous time in politics in recent months, as the new National-led Government has driven through its “First 100 Day programme”. During this period there’s been a handful of opinion polls, which overall just ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tim Curran, Associate Professor of Ecology, Lincoln University, New Zealand Getty Images/Gerald Corsi In the latest move to reform environmental laws in New Zealand, the coalition government has introduced a bill to fast-track consenting processes for projects deemed to ...
Uber has argued it does not have as much control over drivers as the unions suggest, and wants a judgment ruling that drivers are employees and not contractors set aside and sent back to the Employment Court. The 2022 ruling followed a three-week hearing in which four drivers sought to ...
What can and can’t be purchased by disabled people or their carers has been slashed in an effort by the Ministry of Disabled People Whaikaha to save money. The purchasing guidelines, a set of rules that sets out what can be purchased using the various streams of Government disability funding, ...
The Treasury has published today a new Analytical Note by Tod Wright and Hien Nguyen, Fiscal incidence in New Zealand: The effects of taxes and benefits on household incomes in tax year 2018/19 . Analyses of the distributional impact of taxation and government ...
The Treasury has published today a new Analytical Note by Cory Davis, Boston Hart and Benjamin Stubbing, Household cost-of-living impacts from the Emissions Trading Scheme and using transfers to mitigate regressive outcomes . This Analytical Note ...
A coalition of public transport and climate organisations, united as ‘Transport for All’, is actively opposing the government’s transport proposals. The draft Government Policy Statement (GPS) includes plans for higher fares for public transport, ...
Greater Wellington is inviting feedback on proposed changes to its Revenue and Financing Policy. The Revenue and Financing Policy covers the Council’s various sources of funding, and how the cost of services is shared across the region. This includes ...
Labour has conceded it could have done more to deal with disruptive state housing tenants while in government but says the current coalition is going too far. ...
The band has asked their record label to issue a cease and desist to stop the NZ First leader using their 1997 hit to support his ‘misguided political views’. “I get knocked down, but I get up again,” blared through the speakers on Sunday as Winston Peters took the stage ...
By Lydia Lewis, RNZ Pacific journalist Food rationing is underway in remote areas in Papua New Guinea’s Highlands following torrential rain and flash flooding. More than 20 people have been reported dead in Chimbu Province. In nearby Enga Province, the centre of last month’s massacre, a 15-year-old boy has been ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Andrew Hughes, Lecturer, Research School of Management, Australian National University After months of debate and intrigue, the AFL’s 19th and newest team, the Tasmania Devils, finally launched its jumper, logo and colours in Devonport this week. The Devils will wear green, ...
Brannavan Gnanalingam reviews the debut novel by Saraid de Silva.One of the most baffling things for children who move to a new country is what their parents’ (or grandparents’) lives were like prior to moving – for kids in particular, they’re too busy trying to fit in in their ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Stephen Gaunson, Associate Professor in Cinema Studies, RMIT University Narelle Portanier/Binge “If you don’t know who your mob are, you don’t know who you are,” Detective Andrea “Andie” Whitford (played by Leah Purcell) is told early into the new crime ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Elise Klein, Associate professor, Australian National University It’s commonly accepted that women do the vast majority of caregiving in Australian society. But less appreciated is that Indigenous women do larger amounts of unpaid care than any other group. Working with the Aboriginal ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian Beaumont, Election Analyst (Psephologist) at The Conversation; and Honorary Associate, School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne Joe Biden and Donald Trump have both secured their parties’ nominations for the November 5 United States general election by winning a ...
Comment: There has been a striking contrast in trans-Tasman interest about Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi’s visit to New Zealand and Australia. While the Australian press has been full of articles about the visit – including his curious decision to meet with former prime minister and China booster Paul Keating ...
After years of pressuring banks and other institutions to stop investing in fossil fuels, climate campaigners are making some progress. So how does divestment work?For years, climate activists have been pushing banks and other big institutions to divest from fossil fuels. New research from climate advocacy group 350 Aotearoa ...
For Boba, Ethan and Ashley, K-pop is a place to belong, a way to express themselves, and a bridge to connect with others. The three young Polynesians are part of a K-pop fan community in Tāmaki Makaurau. It’s one of many that have sprung up worldwide as K-pop has gone ...
For Boba, Ethan and Ashley, K-pop is a place to belong, a way to express themselves, and a bridge to connect with others. This one-off documentary presents three intimate portraits of young Polynesians who are pulled into a Korean cultural phenomenon. K-POLYS is directed by Litia Tuiburelevu, Produced by Hex ...
There’s ample evidence demonstrating free school lunch programmes provide wide benefits across schools, households and communities according to public health researchers. ACT Minister David Seymour wants to reduce the spending on Aotearoa New Zealand’s ...
By Wata Shaw in Suva Fiji is facing an exodus of Fijians as many are leaving for overseas seeking employment and education and others are migrating, says Opposition MP Viliame Naupoto. Speaking in Parliament, he said: “His Excellency’s speech (Ratu Wiliame Katonivere) comes after a little over one year of ...
The Taxpayers’ Union is welcoming comments from Christopher Luxon this morning recommitting to ‘no new taxes’ as part of Budget 2024. “Mr Luxon’s refusal at the Post-Cabinet press conference yesterday to repeat the ‘no new taxes’ promise ...
SAFE is urgently calling on the Environment Committee to reject the Government’s Fast-Track Approvals Bill, and is urging New Zealanders to rally behind the call. The proposed Bill, currently under consideration with the Environment select committee, ...
Teammates who spend all their time picking fights with spectators are only helpful for the other team, writes Madeleine Chapman. Anyone who has ever played a team sport competitively, particularly as a child and particularly, for some reason, basketball, will know that there’s a lot of politics involved. While there ...
The long-running Wellington music festival is too focused on the Jim Beam-ness and not enough on the Homegrown-ness.There is something about Homegrown that’s difficult to place. A barely perceptible-ness. Like feeling a ghost is watching you from the corner of the room but when you look, there’s nothing there. ...
The latest Ipsos New Zealand Issues Monitor reveals that fewer New Zealanders believe crime / law and order is one of the top issues facing our country. In 2018, Ipsos New Zealand started tracking the key issues facing New Zealand. In this wave ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kate Griffiths, Deputy Program Director, Budgets and Government, Grattan Institute Australia’s political donations rules are woefully inadequate, but donations reform is finally on the agenda. The federal government has signalled its interest in reform and will soon begin briefing MPs on its ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Mark Patrick Taylor, Chief Environmental Scientist, EPA Victoria; Honorary Professor, School of Natural Sciences, Macquarie University Naiyana Somchitkaeo/Shutterstock A recent study published in the prestigious New England Journal of Medicine has linked microplastics with risk to human health. The study ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Albert Van Dijk, Professor, Water and Landscape Dynamics, Fenner School of Environment & Society, Australian National University Global climate records were shattered in 2023, from air and sea temperatures to sea-level rise and sea-ice extent. Scores of countries recorded their hottest year ...
As part of our series exploring how New Zealanders live and our relationship with money, a teacher explains why he and his partner are in frugal mode – and how they’re making it work. Gender: Male Age: 35Ethnicity: Pākehā Role: I am an intermediate school teacher and my partner is ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sarah Bendall, Senior Lecturer, Institute for Humanities and Social Sciences, Australian Catholic University Binge Mary & George, the new British television drama series, depicts the real-life story of Mary Villiers and her son George, and their social climbing at the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jason Nassios, Associate Professor, Centre of Policy Studies, Victoria University This article is part of The Conversation’s series examining the housing crisis. Read the other articles in the series here. Australian state and federal governments spend money in many ways to ...
The finance minister is denying that there’s a $5.6b shortfall in paying for the government’s campaign promises, including tax cuts. At his post-cabinet press conference yesterday, the PM refused to rule out new taxes to pay for the cuts, writes Anna Rawhiti-Connell in this excerpt from The Bulletin, The Spinoff’s ...
Kāinga Ora tenants abused by their neighbours are doubting the government's crackdown on disruptive tenants will make a difference on their behaviour. ...
Kāinga Ora is New Zealand’s biggest residential landlord, housing more than 180,000 vulnerable people in more than 67,000 properties. Yesterday the government announced a crackdown on its tenants who fall behind on rent. One longtime Kāinga Ora tenant shares her experience.For 18 years I lived in a 1960s standalone ...
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Yea. This couple sound totally reasonable. NOT! Indeed, good to know who they really are….
So we have an ' unofficial ' force of nz soldiers fighting in Ukraine under the genius description of ' unpaid leave ' mightive missed it but i dont remember that being debated in parliament .No wonder its not just a matter of picking up the phone to find out where the body of a dead soldier is !!!
listening to JA being interview on RNZ this morn ive never heard her sounding more evasive or slippery .In between the ducking an diving she sayes bla bla bla " and the war is against Russia " could've been my imagination but it sounded like there was a definite mote of glee in that sentence …..
https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/morningreport/audio/2018856373/prime-minister-on-recovering-body-of-soldier-killed-in-ukraine
New Zealanders traditionally fight fascism wherever we find it.
Got your rocks off baby?
Did you not know that the Military personnel are supposed to be prevented from engaging in undeclared wars? If the government has declared war on behalf of its US masters we are in for a real shitfest that even NATO wont risk!!
Clearly the government hasn't declared war on anyone. Go sit down and have a cup of tea or you're going to have an aneurysm over one AWOL soldier who wanted to see action.
So, Populuxe1, if the government hasn't declared war on anyone, then why are NZ defence force personnel allowed to go and fight in the Ukraine while they're "on leave"? Are they mercenaries?
Given they are both volunteers (not recruited) and not motivated by the desire for private monetary gain then no, they fail mercenary test conditions a) and c) of the Geneva convention.
Volunteering to fight fascism is not being a mercenary.
They are, in fact, heroes of freedom loving people everywhere.
Probably because he didn't tell them he was going to fight in Ukraine because they're not allowed to? Don't call it "the Ukraine" – it's a sovereign state.
I find it extraordinary you can't conceive that he asked for leave on some pretext or other, it was granted, he flew to Europe and made his way to Ukraine all on his own. It's not that difficult.
Had he survived and been found out it would have brought him before a Court Martial and he almost certainly would have been dishonourably discharged.
WTF – Talk about an exaggerating drama queen – you really take the cake.
Perhaps you also need to read before you insult. It has been reported there may be as many as 100 in Crimea not just one.
What are they doing in Crimea when the action is in Donbas? There's no on the ground fighting in Crimea.
There may be – then again, there may not be.
I would be very much surprised if that number was all active personnel – you might have to provide a source as it sounds like you're conflating ex-service people, civilian volunteers and, for all I know, NZ mercenaries based elsewhere.
Look who's talking.
Here's a Link – since you need spoon feeding:
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/473589/nzdf-contacting-nearly-100-soldiers-on-leave-without-pay
Obviously the reference was to Ukraine, not Crimea but instead of politely pointing out the error, you had to turn it into yet another drama. Oh what a surprise.
Um, being on leave without pay is actually a thing. It doesn't automatically mean they're fighting in Ukraine.
https://www.employment.govt.nz/leave-and-holidays/other-types-of-leave/leave-without-pay/
You have proved you can do research, even if following a 'wrong line', so don't bother asking for links. The nub of the matter is and always was that the Military, for good reason, are required to follow different rules.
So basically you're full of it
Fascists, private military companies, organised crime, secret services and ultranationalists.
https://twitter.com/den_kazansky/status/1563753741697916928
Fighting raccoons. How Russian patriots became mercenaries, contacted FSB officers and turned into bandits
[…]
The history of the appearance of the scandalous PMC is interesting in its own way. Its creator is considered the leader of the nationalist movement "Bright Russia" Igor Mangushev. During the escalation of the conflict in the Donbass, he, together with like-minded people, thought about how to give an official status to the actions of the Donbass militias.
In the spring of 2014, reports began to appear that Mangushev and other representatives of the "Light Russia" went to the Donbass on a humanitarian mission together with the Moscow Region branch of the People's Cathedral movement. It was headed by Roman Telenkevich, aka Vodyanoy – he had such a call sign in those years.
https://lenta.ru/articles/2021/12/06/enot/
google translate
The magnified image of purported ideals:
where once we would have joined and fought with unity, now we give them training and weapons.
Those who actually fight are now deniable oddballs for diplomats to solve. No RSA plaque for them.
Ukraine is now the world's largest virtue signal.
You seem to be busting for WW3! There are very good reasons for no foreign "boots on the ground".
You could have said the same thing for the International Brigades in Spain, although these days such is middle class flatulence that makes up so much the modern left's intellectual community you would be unlikely to find any of the West's left wing journalists, novelists, activists and poets in the trenches of the Donbas fighting Putin's fascists.
They prefer these days to sit about on message boards and find excuses for their decadent cowardice in handwringing about the nature of Zelensky's government and seeing false equivalence everywhere.
How is this different from the SCW?
I guess the main difference is the Fascists have now got nukes.
I thought they relinquished their nukes when they became independent.
Cheerleading a colonialist war of imperial aggression to own the libs. Classy.
Um, no. Sounds like an individual wanted an adventure or felt deeply enough for the cause to volunteer. You know, like Orwell fighting in the Spanish Civil War. It happens. At worst he failed to resign from the NZDF, which, had he lived, would probably have earned him a court martial and dishonourable discharge.
Nah, it was clearly a nod and wink arrangement, a version of don't ask don't tell. Soldier asks for leave without pay to do something and army approves, while respecting the soldiers right to take a holiday without them prying in.
It would only become a political problem if it turned out an entire company of our guys were there. A dozen or so is is just caveat emptor for them.
You read far too many Robert Ludlum novels. He wasn't SAS and was fighting in an international brigade. Even if we were to get involved, which would be highly unlikely as our forces aren't really trained for slogging through Eastern European mud in the winter, we certainly wouldn't be sending ordinary soldiers.
I am intrigued at the number of people who seem to have a bizarre view that our government (a) is somehow able to and should be tracking NZ citizens that go abroad, perhaps particularly if they are on leave from the Defence Force, and (b) are somehow organising a group of people on leave from defence to go to the Ukraine to volunteer to fight. Re (a) any government tracking New Zealanders going overseas would be regarded as wasting money, and re (b) that is so unlikely as to be farcical. There was an implication in one news report that had the soldier returned he may have been disciplined for his actions
Just after midnight tonight, the Artemis I program is launched using the SLS (Space Launch System). I am old enough to remember the Saturn V rockets of the Apollo program. In the next 24 hours we will hopefully see his twin sister, Artemis, rise on the most powerful rocket ever built. Artemis will eventually carry 46 tonnes to trans-lunar injection – three tonnes more than the most powerful Saturn V rocket.
What a sight it is going to be.
Most powerful rocket ever built was actually the Russian N1 moon rocket, but blew up after a successful liftoff. So you're right if you say "most powerful (successful) rocket ever built ".
A rocket that blows up after launch is a major life fail, if you are a rocket. It begs the existential question all rockets must ask themselves in the quiet early morning dark sitting on the launch pad waiting – if a rocket blows up on launch, is it really a rocket?
Is a newborn baby a bipedal primate?
No. It is poo creation facility.
Luxon on youth crime – empty bullshit, but dangerous too. Has the f*wit learned nothing from the Royal Commission into State Child Care?
It also signals the end of Bed-leg Sam: if Luxon welcomes him back into the cosy embrace of the Natz after being so outspoken on youth punishment, he'll look a right hypocrite!
https://twitter.com/rugbyintel/status/1563730397976207360
Sam's nightclubbing behaviour is Mr & Mrs Uffindell's fault.
Nice on, Luxxy!
I've gotten old – took at least a minute for the 'nightclubbing' penny to drop.
I really don't think anyone cares about Sam Uffindel. They do, however care about thugs who punch elderly people in the face getting home detention, while the police spend money on diversity officers and putting rainbow lights on police stations. This government is weak on crime, and we're paying the price.
You're right – no one cares about Uffindel.
Uffindell otoh – well, some Kiwis care about how the Gnat's tried and true candidate selection process delivered an MP who admitted to assaulting a 13-year old, if not to other historical character defects.
Might some Gnat supporters care at least a little? [I know I would!]
Maybe, but certainly not those who consider Uffindell-style japes, hijinks and shenanigans par for the course.
Here's another pearl, just for you
No-one cares. National buried it by actually holding an enquiry (you know, like the one Labour won't hold), and then with Labour's mishandling of Mr Sharma. One day soon the media will report on the outcome of the enquiry, and all will be forgotten.
I care and you don't, which will come as a surprise to exactly no one
No, I really don't care. He's part of the nats horrible selection policy failures, and he's theirs to own.
Yes, you don't care – see @4.2.1.1.1. We (you & me) agree – you don't care.
Still, curious that one who really doesn't care would labour the point so
Yes, because contrary to your "No-one cares." assertion @4.2.1.1, I care.
Btw, that's your 3rd post to me on this – shows just how little you care
Oh, you cared enough to delete your comment – there's hope for you yet.
What mishandling? Hold an inquiry into what? Sharma bullying his staff is not in dispute. National are keeping the results of the inquiry private.
"What mishandling?"
Letting an MP spend weeks dragging the party through a trial by media.
"Hold an inquiry into what? "
Accusations against Sharma of bullying. Accusations by Sharma he was bullied. Allegations about MP's being coached to bypass OIA obligations. There's no shortage of material. Mind you, Labour have form for trying to bury stuff.
Well, so much for Sharma falsely claiming he has been silenced. Labour is not responsible for his atrocious behaviour.
Sharma bullying his staff is not in dispute, his allegations are unfounded and he has not produced any evidence to back up his claims.
Your link doesn't prove what you claim. The person in question was a guest and it as dealt with by the courts.
"The person in question was a guest and it as dealt with by the courts."
Oh a 'guest' were they. This 'guest' was (depending upon what you mean) the victim or perpetrator of sexual assault. And it was only after Newsroom broke the story that the "party was shocked into action".
Meanwhile, Sharma, for all you claim he has nothing, is making headlines again today.
So what? Sharma is an attention seeker and is just raving, he still has not produced any evidence to back up his claims.
A guest as in invited and was not a Labour party member.
Some charges were dropped and downgraded.
"There had also been no suggestion, and no evidence, that the offender has any personal connection to the present Labour Party or any member of it, the judge added"
"At sentencing, Judge Collins also said: "I'm not convinced it was for a sexual gratification or any perverted motive.
While not an excuse, the judge added the man's actions were "born out of drunken stupidity"
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/labour-party-summer-camp-case-high-court-dismisses-suppression-bid-as-young-man-fights-for-secrecy/SFSSNY5ZU7SUYWIJ62HLPO443Y/
"A guest as in invited and was not a Labour party member."
You are now justifying the behaviour. Congratulations. I'll take your allegations about Sharma with a grain of salt.
No I am not LibertyBelle. Did you not read the post?
"There had also been no suggestion, and no evidence, that the offender has any personal connection to the present Labour Party or any member of it, the judge added"
Not allegations, just stating the fact that Sharma hasn't produced any evidence, I noticed you haven't come up with any. No one should condone Sharma bullying his staff.
"There had also been no suggestion, and no evidence, that the offender has any personal connection to the present Labour Party or any member of it, the judge added"
How does that relate to whether or not the party covered the allegations up? The article is fairly clear:
Yesterday, when Newsroom broke the story about sexual harassment and assault taking place at a Labour Party youth camp, the party was shocked into action.
You are the one that had an issue with the fact that the person in question was a guest. The party didn't cover it up, the article is an opinion.
"Again, investigation into what?"
Asked and answered. Sharma has only asked for one thing, AFAIK. An independent inquiry into the employment issues he has raised. The horse has bolted now, but why didn't they just conduct that investigation? Unless they have something to hide.
Sharma, for all you claim he has nothing, is making headlines again today.
If he stole a toddler's candy he'd make bigger headlines. So?
As I'm sure you've noticed, the political journos aren't giving credence to his rants any more. Who can blame them?
Perhaps. But Labour have botched this up, and they have a renegade running amok with accusations. They could have cauterised this with an investigation into the employment issues, but for reasons best known only to themselves, they won't.
Again, investigation into what? Sharma bullying his staff is not in dispute. You have no evidence to back up your claim LibertyBelle.
Because National has no form for trying to bury something almost too horrible for words.
//
They both have form. You can engage in whataboutery, or own it.
So far you haven't proved Labour have form LibertyBelle.
Labour camp sexual assault: Who knew what, when? | The Spinoff
and
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/352384/labour-camp-misconduct-victim-reached-out-to-megan-woods
Again, that doesn't prove it that Labour have form.
"Still doesnt prove your point LibertyBelle"
Which part of a three week delay don't you understand?
"… and it was up to the complainants whether they wanted to tell their parents etc, at the time they chose not to, but felt pressured by media, one of the complainants said it became a political football."
That's actually quite seedy. It's not solely up to the complainants to tell the police. They were 16 FFS. "support was only made available to victims on Saturday, a three-week delay, possibly in recognition a story would be coming out." This is disgusting treatment, and politically motivated.
Still doesn't support your claim LibertyBelle. It is not seedy, at 16 years old, it was entirely up the complainants who they told or not, which is their legal right.
Labour decided to deal with accusations of misconduct by a non member sensitively and in a manner that protected victims.
National decided to protect and promote a member charged with crimes almost too horrible for words.
There is no comparison.
"Labour decided to deal with accusations of misconduct by a non member sensitively and in a manner that protected victims."
"However, Newsroom's editor Tim Murphy told Morning Report the affected teenagers didn't get much support until the day before the story was due to break. He said support was only made available to victims on Saturday, a three-week delay, possibly in recognition a story would be coming out. He said a senior cabinet MP was also told about the assault by one of the victims who was dissatisfied with the way it was handled. "It seems to have fallen into a big hole from the event to now," he said."
Still doesnt prove your point LibertyBelle and it was up to the complainants whether they wanted to tell their parents etc, at the time they chose not to, but felt pressured by media, one of the complainants said it became a political football.
Oh people care about uffindell.
But they know that rich privileged people really face justice so shrug their shoulders and think so it goes.
"So it goes."
https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/1969/05/17/dresden
rarely?
The state of Victoria will now pay the entire course costs for its nurses and midwives.
The Vic opposition immediately agrees with the pledge.
Any time Labour. Or National.
Little would rather pay $10k a pop to foreigners.
Plus undermine attempts by the local workforce to settle their seemingly eternal pay parity negotiations.
With advisors Little listens to who needs Tories?
And this:
"Frustrated New Zealand-trained migrant nurses are planning to leave the country because they cannot find an immediate path to residency, just as the government tries to entice foreigners to fill thousands of jobs in hospitals, aged care and clinics."
'immediate' path to PR…so they can fuck off to…..Australia.
And the ones that don't will go some way to preventing the system collapsing. Or we could just continue to deny there's a crisis.
They don't need NZ residency to "fuck off to…..Australia"
Australia is giving them immediate residency unconditionally – they neither need nor benefit from having NZ residency 'first' (and actually may be worse off – it's a lot more beneficial long term, if you're resident in Australia, to become an Australian citizen, rather than a NZ resident/citizen)
The justification for putting nurses in the second tier of immigration is looking more and more threadbare.
Perhaps it's time for Minister Wood to review the situation:
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/470399/minister-open-to-immigration-changes-for-nurses-if-new-system-fails
Well said.
Nurses without NZ PR seeking Aussie residency might have their applications considered quickly/rapidly, but "immediate residency unconditionally"? Fake news.
https://www.nursingmidwiferyboard.gov.au/Accreditation/IQNM/Before-you-apply/Immigration-and-employment.aspx
If you meet the criteria (recognized nursing qualification from an approved provider) my understanding is that it is 'unconditional'. You certainly don't have to have a job, or even a job offer, nor do you have to be working for 2 years to gain residency.
Those are the elements where Australia and New Zealand differ.
It seems as though it is more difficult and time-consuming to gain PR in NZ, for nurses, than it is in Oz; and you certainly don't get in with lower qualifications (although Australia also has a pathway to residency through studying nursing programme).
Really, I think that the perception that there were significant numbers of immigrant nurses trying to gain NZ residency as a backdoor into Australia, is a chimera. It might have been true in the past – though I don't really think it's very likely – but certainly hasn't been true for the last few years.
This article talks about the unhappiness with the current delays in processing skilled migrant (nursing) visas in Oz – and what the govt is proposing to do about it.
So, Australia doesn’t have it exactly right yet, but is actively working on the elements which are hindering the process.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/visas-for-nurses-must-be-fast-tracked-to-fill-critical-shortages-20220824-p5bcbj.html
Good clarification – "immediate residency unconditionally" didn't ring true.
Aotearoa, being Australia’s poorer, smaller sister, may have to do a bit more work with less. Number 8 wire only goes so far.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Number_8_wire#In_language_and_culture
I was speaking in the context of the OP – who was commenting on NZ-trained immigrant nurses (who can't get residency without spending another 2 years here, away from their families) – leaving for Australia.
So the 'qualified' was implied, in my comment.
Really, the assumption that immigrant nurses will only use NZ as a backdoor to Australia doesn't seem to be based on anything apart from rather dated anecdata. Time for the Minister to bite the bullet, and actually review the settings.
Apologies if I my brief reply (@5.2.1.2.2) failed to make it clear that I was questioning the veracity of a specific assertion @5.2.1.2, to wit:
The veracity of "immediate residency unconditionally" in that context seemed doubtful, and your reply @5.2.1.2.2.1 was a good clarification.
Note, for example, the apparent incongruity between "immediate residency unconditionally" (@5.2.1.2) and "current delays in processing skilled migrant (nursing) visas in Oz" (@5.2.1.2.2.1).
Looks like we're down to debating the semantics.
In the context of my comment on the original link – 'immediately' referred to 'once the visa is processed'. Contrasting the situation in Australia, where there is no requirement for a 2 year 'probation' period before residency is granted; while in NZ the nurse has to work for 2 years before residency is granted.
So when the nurse has their approved visa (a process which is technically identical so far as qualifications are concerned in both countries) – Australia has 'immediate residence unconditionally' while NZ has a 2 year delay, as well as requirements over where you have to work, and (possibly- I haven't checked recently) a requirement to have a job offer, before applying. NZ PR is not 'immediate' and not 'unconditional'.
Nurses have been pointing out that difference, highlighting that the Australian model is much more attractive for families – who can settle in 'immediately' rather than family members not being eligible for work or uni, etc, because of the lack of PR status of the parent (and, in NZ, apparently not even able to come, in some circumstances). As well as the natural uncertainty of whether the Government will change the rules on them part-way through the process.
Got it – "unconditional" if conditions for a successful visa application are met – thanks for the further clarifications to sort out semantics.
Imho, qualifying foreign nurses should be on NZ's ‘immediate residency' priority list, as per Gordon Campbell's recent column, but your "immediate residency unconditionally" framing didn't ring true to me – too hyperbolic even for NZ opposition pollies.
As you and I have noted already, it's not all sweetness and light on the NZ and/or Aus immigration fronts – plenty of tension(s) and competing interests. Funnily enough, on a recent visit to the A&E department at our local hospital, Dad was assessed initially by a nurse who had migrated very recently from Australia. She was excellent, but still getting used to using some of the ECG equipment, including plugging it in – apparently it's not standardised across all DHBs, let alone between NZ and Aus.
Aus is a great place to visit, and I wish all who would live there well.
Pak N Save always used to be the cheapest supermarket to shop at, but it seems like Countdown Meadowbank is now the place to go.
Man walks out of Auckland supermarket with loaded trolley without paying – NZ Herald
Omicron vaccine weeks away:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/madelinehalpert/2022/08/26/omicron-specific-boosters-could-be-available-by-labor-day-heres-who-should-get-one/?sh=7eb290654652
The forecast isn't too flash.
https://twitter.com/Gerashchenko_en/status/1563883623673208833
KYIV, Ukraine — As renewed shelling intensified fears about a nuclear accident at the Zaporizhzhia power plant, the Ukrainian authorities stepped up emergency drills on Saturday and rushed to hand out potassium iodide, a drug that can protect people from radiation-induced thyroid cancer, to tens of thousands of people living near the facility.
In a country still haunted by the memory of the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear disaster, officials urged the public not to panic even as complex negotiations to allow for a team of scientists from the International Atomic Energy Agency to visit the Russian-controlled plant in southeastern Ukraine took on added urgency.
https://archive.ph/at5LW (nyt)
Must be serious for China to dip it's oar.
China has issued a thinly veiled attack on Russia’s brinkmanship over the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant in Ukraine, as fears of disaster escalate following a near-miss at the site.
A senior Chinese official told the UN on Friday that just one incident might cause a serious nuclear accident “with irreversible consequences for the ecosystem and public health of Ukraine and its neighbouring countries”.
Geng Shuang, China’s deputy permanent representative at the UN, pointedly called on all parties involved “to exercise maximum restraint strictly abide by international law and minimise the risk of accidents”, adding: ”We must not allow the tragedies of the Chernobyl and Fukushima nuclear accidents to be repeated.”
https://inews.co.uk/news/world/china-putin-russian-roulette-zaporizhzhia-nuclear-plant-ukraine-disaster-near-miss-russia-1818988
Auckland is getting its walking & cycling bridge after all! What I’d call recycling of an old bridge.
https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/government-restores-vital-connection-across-manukau-harbour
Ngā Hau Māngere looks fantastic. Can't wait to try the fishing.
Some good photos https://www.greaterauckland.org.nz/2022/08/29/cycling-over-one-harbour/
I think I'll leave the fishing until the crowds subside
Nice pun 😉
Have friends who will be very excited to use this.
Top health boss backs action against alcohol harm https://twitter.com/_chloeswarbrick/status/1564083508175179776
Let's try that again..
https://twitter.com/_chloeswarbrick/status/1564083508175179776
FIFY
Ta. What was broken with the link?
Nothing really, just paste the URL as is in the Text Editor on a separate line and it should work. Your first attempt was not (on) a separate line and your second attempt was an embedded link.
Ah, I must have copied the auto-converted link. Phew
Of course he's serious.
/
https://twitter.com/RichardWellings/status/1563099789625270275
The invisible hand is right up Wellings's backside and making his lips move.