[lprent: If you don’t want to write an explanation why you’re putting video links and its relevance to a post or whoever you’re replying to, then put it in OpenMike. Otherwise I regard it as a simpleton astroturfing and will act appropriately – in a DARK fashion. ]
[TheStandard: A moderator moved this comment to Open Mike as being off topic or irrelevant in the post it was made in. Be more careful in future.]
An immunity expert has expressed strong concerns at claims made by a Queenstown company seeking to import thousands of coronavirus rapid testing kits.
[…]
"We are doing this because we want to keep our communities safe," Regen general manager Emma Hart said.
[…]
Hart said the test the company was importing was FDA approved, and it was not trying to undermine existing testing. While the antibody test showed whether people had been exposed to the virus, Hart said they could still have it and the only way to validate this was with the test currently in use in New Zealand.
It’s important to note that these tests have not been reviewed or validated by the FDA, unlike those molecular tests that are included in the organization’s emergency use category. Instead, the FDA “does not intend to object to the development and distribution by commercial manufacturers” of these tests, provided they meet a number of criteria, including qualifying the results of their reported test results with the following information:
This test has not been reviewed by the FDA.
Negative results do not rule out SARS-CoV-2 infection, particularly in those who have been in contact with the virus. Follow-up testing with a molecular diagnostic should be considered to rule out infection in these individuals.
Results from antibody testing should not be used as the sole basis to diagnose or exclude SARS-CoV-2 infection or to inform infection status.
Positive results may be due to past or present infection with non-SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus strains, such as coronavirus HKU1, NL63, OC43, or 229E.
It was nineteen hundred and nineteen Men and women were dying With the stuff that the doctor called the flu People were dying everywhere Death was creepin' all through the air And the groans of the rich sure was sad…..
Well done to the City Mission and other services who have been working so hard to help the homeless and marginalised.
I live in central Auckland and on Lockdown Day 1 there were many people on the streets with nowhere to self-isolate. Everyone with a home was in it, so the gatherings of the homeless were even more visible than usual. They had no "bubble" or distancing.
By Lockdown Day 4 the numbers had been radically reduced. It's very noticeable.
In an emergency, beds (not homes) can be found. Now we just need to treat homelessness as a continuing emergency, after the lockdown.
Out on my sanity walk this morning. Watched a courier hobbling around this morning with a bad knee. So many people doing good work to keep everything up and running.
I felt uneasy when I saw footage of the wet markets in Thailand on Sunday last night. A ticking time bomb for another virus to enter the population.
Every wet market anywhere needs to be eliminated straight away. The people who supply the wet market need to seriously consider the harm they are doing to the human race.
I read somewhere a few weeks back that the Chinese government had outlawed wet markets after SARS. However, they were unable to stop them operating illegally, because the poorest people in China cannot afford supermarkets.
Now, of course, the answer to that is to end poverty & decrease income/wealth inequalities.
I did consider the people who cannot afford to shop at a supermarket. There needs to be a regulated way in which wet market vendors can operate. What really struck me when watching the footage was how many different animals there were in a confined space eating and defecating.
Separating animal species is where I would start and limit it to only sustainable animals. Hygiene practice is also important.
That looked quite sanitary, its more of a pet store operation. Its the real ones with dead snakes hanging to cut bits off , bbqed rats bats and toads and every type off creature dressed up for home consumption. Best to just stick to the crickets and bamboo worms.
I worked in a petshop when at college during the weekend. What I saw on Sunday was no petshop operation. It was the exploitation of animals in cruel conditions.
The heat is going on Chinese's love of pangolins. Their wildlife markets are coming under the microscope. Most certain thing in the world is the CCP can take care of that.
Daylight saving – ends 5th april would extending it maybe until the end of the lockdown help or hinder – I always miss it when the evening closes in abruptly
I especially hated it when I was working. Going out into my garden and pulling up some weeds was a very good way of relieving my frustration after a day of being unable to tell a selected few what I thought of them and their antics. However, in theory, once you are retired ( as I now am) or in lockdown ( as most of us are now) it should'nt make any difference as you can adjust your life as you please 😊
I'm beginning to wonder what day it is, Jan. I remember a favourite customer who had a downer on her nextdoor neighbour son-in-law because he didn't come out after dinner, and after a full day's work, in the summer and weed his garden.
Australia is moving to protect its collapsing businesses from predatory foreign takeovers. All foreign investment now requires approval to assess if it’s in the national interest.
Sounds weird – I understood we had a place in Auckland that makes this sort of stuff at the rate of about 60000 a day or a week ??? One mill is nothing
I saw the the bit where he criticizes Dr. Fauci for requesting 300.000 masks. He reckoned they only needed 10,000 and inferred the good doctor and his team are hoarding them.
What an ignorant piece of shit. Someone please……….
I'm just gobsmacked with how this has all gone down in the USA
It was always going to happen.
Azar had asked OMB that morning for $2 billion to buy respirator masks and other supplies for a depleted federal stockpile of emergency medical equipment, according to individuals familiar with the request, who spoke on the condition of anonymity about internal discussions.
The previously unreported argument turned on the request and on the budget official’s accusation that Azar had improperly lobbied Capitol Hill for money for the repository, which Azar denied, the individuals said.
The $2 billion request from HHS was cut to $500 million when the White House eventually sent Congress a supplemental budget request weeks later. White House budget officials now say the relief package enacted Friday secured $16 billion for the Strategic National Stockpile, more money than HHS had asked for.
Significant pressure in the US to 'get back to work' because the 'çure is worse than the disease' and 'the economy' has to be saved. The lads on TMBS dissect the latest outpouring along these lines from certified jackass Thomas Friedman – Thomas Friedman Wants You To Go Back To Work, So He Can Make More Money?
We haven't seen this stuff explicitly in NZ yet – but it's likely to come in some sotto voce form as we near the end of the 4-week shutdown. Probably from someone like Mike Hosking and his variants in the commentariat.
Broader question is that if 'the economy' is unable to reward people for doing the thing (stay home) that is most essential for the well-being of society at the moment – does that mean that ' the economy' is not actually intended to meet collective human needs?
Wow. There appears to have been a number of incidents now where he is prioritizing assistance depending on political leanings or how appreciative people are, it's insane.
It's funny – this is both exactly what I was afraid of in 2016, but in a completel;y unexpected way. The jerk's incompetence killing thousands if not more. I mean, there's still time for him to nuke someone, but who knows how badly the yanks will be hit by covid now.
We're lucky to have competent leadership – I'm not going to go overboard atm, but the comparison between US/UK/NZ is stark.
Good grief, the jerk in his current presser is claiming… the reason why America has more cases than any other country is because they are doing more testing than any other country.
What is the matter with their media representatives at these pressers? They sit there and let him get away with the biggest, baldest lies without comment.
The problem for MSM is that every "Briefing" is just a word salad gish gallop of half truths and falsehoods, interspersed with some dubious announcements that usually need redefining by WH staffers afterwards. He is just using this as a publicly funded platform for electioneering.
Some responsible news media are now refusing to attend, or to publish his briefings, and will just alert the announcements after clarification.
Faux news, of course, continue to worship him, and unfortunately as their audience is around 60% of the public, and by and large an older demographic, the outcome will not be good.
Not publishing anything from his briefings might not be the best approach. It might be better to publish a verbatim transcript, with a note at the end: "If you can decipher any coherent meaning from his words please let us know".
It does the public a real disservice when the media tries to distill actual coherent ideas from his babble. It hides the true state of utterly incompetent chaos in the White House.
I remember reading transcripts of some of Key's charming interviews and being totally flummoxed as to what parts were credible and what parts contradicted what he had just said. Often meaningless.
That is disgraceful. It means the major media networks are complicit in the distribution of the lies, deceit and ultimately the total destruction of the country. I presume it does not include CNN since the fascist bastard hates them so much.
Can't speak for anyone else but my sympathy for the American people and their media outlets is rapidly waning. I'm now of the observation that it will serve them right… they had it coming to them. Just like the Germans did in the 1930s.
It's heartbreaking. USA is a strange place, my neighbours daughter was a history teacher there, the neighbour was shocked to learn the only history that was taught is white leaning american history.
Re kicking journalists out…..
19 March 2020
That was very clear at Thursday’s daily coronavirus press briefing, as Trump went on long, boastful rants, talked about unrelated topics, and joked about kicking journalists out of daily press briefings.
It's heartbreaking alright, but if the masses are unable to differentiate between bullshit and jellybeans, there are far more useful circumstances in the big Wide Whurl to expend your emotions on.
You're obviously a CNN watcher. You'll probably therefore have seen the Amanpour programme promotion in which JA says "I do not understand the United States".
Actually she understands the USA only too well, just as she probably does Brazil, India and elsewhere – at least their 'leadership'. And especially with places that elections are generally accepted as being fair.
You can probably draw a few common denominators as well (such as narcissistic sociopath blokes). For one or two there's probably a simple solution (I mean if someone chopped Modi's index finger off, he'd probably find it hard to come across as the exceptional sage, feigning concern for his flock).
If you can rely on the polls, Trump's popularity is tickety boo ('apparently'). To my mind, if that's the case and after all that's happened (in a so-called democracy) – they get what they have asked for.
So maybe it's going to take a few JA's (from the rest of the big Wide Whurl) to start saying what they really think. We should probably start with Stray ya.
Cheer up though – it's all starting to happen, but if there's no hopey hopey change after all the stuff and things that are going down now – it's probably better to invest that heartbreaking emotion on places that'd be more appreciative of it. I can think of a few
Al Jazeera is my go to network, don't think I've watched CNN unless it was a live stream of a debate or a presser etc 🙂
They did a fantastic round up of trump and Covid on The Listening Post in the weekend. Mediaite made an excellent clip, which they also included in this weeks episode. That story is 11.11 into the link.
not only the jerks malevolence but also the support he gets from the republicans.
this is not incompetence, this is malevolence.
and his hostage taking his black mailing is why he was impeached……'do us a favor, will ya?" and the republicans bailed him out.
It is fair now to consider the US a failed state, a banana republic, and the people be damned.
In saying that, people voted for radical change, and i guess this is what radical change looks like. Sometimes we don't know how good we have it until its all gone.
Be sure to watch the bit where the droplets between 2 people talking are showen. Message = we all need some kind of mask, especially if there are no symptoms because people with no symptoms are responsible for most of the infections.
Don't forget the….bees. Thank God they keep on doing their innocent planet-friendly thing. May the information about how to nurture them spread like a virus! (Just to keep this in the now.)
Steve Wratten is Professor of Ecology with the Bio-Protection Research Centre based at Lincoln University. He is the world leader in biological control of pests and is currently working on using ecological techniques to reduce the decline in populations of pollinators such as bees.
This includes looking at which plants provide the best food for them and why they prefer to drink dirty water.
He also wrote a gardening column for Stuff for many years.
Thanks Pingao. I already have some red flowered plants we called pineapple sage but don't think that it is right name. Easy to grow from cuttings and smells almost minty. Maybe I have been planting it! Hey! looked it up and now I think it is what I have been planting by accident.
Borage online looks good and I will find it indue course.
And perennial rocket looks good too Grafton Gully!
I'll respond here. He was talking about creating plant diversity for Bees being a good way to go.
As for seeds from supermarket – a wild flower mix would be really good.
My Cosmos are flowering now after the hard dry summer, and the bees are all over them. He didn't recommend but I've found Nasturtiums and Californian Poppies help get the bee count up in my garden as well.
Also letting some weeds grow as they flower quickly
Something I would like to see implemented is an addition to the Food Control Plan, where food producers demonstrate their Pandemic Preparedness.
If a primary producer can demonstrate safe practice then they can sell to the public when this sort of event occurs again.
I feel there are more benefits to having locally sourced, seasonal, fresh food direct from the growers, rather than us buying from the centralised duopoly.
Significantly shorter, stronger supply chain.
Moneys spent stay local.
The produce is 'handled' far less often.
Builds resilience in the smaller communities.
Has a lot of benefits that are in sync when considering climate change.
Have just this morning face timed with family in Maryland. Thank the lord they have a Governor (although a moderate Republican) who is really getting on with protecting his State. The streets are mostly deserted. Basketball hoops have been removed and tennis courts are shut down in the parks and restaurants are closed. Some do takeaways. Sixty plus are given priority in the supermarkets and pubs are closed. Working from home is norm and my loved one has a work station in the spare bedroom.
My family have a 3 month weekly order of a type of "Meals in a bag" – raw ingredients and a recipe attached for a week's meals delivered to the stoop. Wine order is all sorted and delivered. Folk who work in Washington DC still commute home but the trains are not as busy so many are working from home from there as well. It was a sigh of relief as the situation is very dire over there. My family are not that optimistic things will improve but they are hanging in there and praying things will improve over time.
Their POTUS is alarming to say the least. Delusional would be a more apt description of the state of his mind. The US is fast becoming a failed state but to be honest its not surprising. I pray for all their citizens to be saved from his actions.
WHO (WORLD Health Organisation) – in a wtf series of moments they refuse to answer or even acknowledge a question about Taiwan, while ensuring China was portrayed in a good light.
Canadian physician Dr Bruce Aylward, an aide to WHO director-general Dr Tedros Adhanom, sat down for a video interview with RTHK about the coronavirus outbreak where he was asked whether the organisation would "consider Taiwan's membership."
For several seconds, Dr Aylward sat in silence.
"Hello?" the reporter asked.
"I'm sorry, I couldn't hear your question, Yvonne," Dr Aylward responded.
"Okay, let me repeat the question," she said.
"No, that's okay. Let's move to another one then," the WHO official told her.
The reporter doubled down, saying she was "curious" to talk about Taiwan as well as the ongoing pandemic, but Dr Aylward quickly hangs up.
After calling him again, the reporter asked about what his thoughts were to Taiwan's response to the outbreak.
"Well, we've already talked about China," Dr Aylward answered. "And you know, when you look across all the different areas of China, they've actually all done quite a good job."
Let's review so far….WHO prioritized the world economy (not their job or area) over human life back in January when evidence existed this would become a pandemic if borders to China were not immediately closed. After it became a pandemic they refused to name it as such even when their own criteria had been met for weeks. THEN they had the audacity to ask for donations…apparently that wasn't met with $$$, possibly because it was already apparent they had become a mouthpiece for China.
Wuhan authorities delayed informing Beijing that the outbreak was out of their control.
The alarm system was ready. Scarred by the SARS epidemic that erupted in 2002, China had created an infectious disease reporting system that officials said was world-class: fast, thorough and, just as important, immune from meddling.
Hospitals could input patients’ details into a computer and instantly notify government health authorities in Beijing, where officers are trained to spot and smother contagious outbreaks before they spread.
It didn’t work.
After doctors in Wuhan began treating clusters of patients stricken with a mysterious pneumonia in December, the reporting was supposed to have been automatic. Instead, hospitals deferred to local health officials who, over a political aversion to sharing bad news, withheld information about cases from the national reporting system — keeping Beijing in the dark and delaying the response.
The central health authorities first learned about the outbreak not from the reporting system but after unknown whistle-blowers leaked two internal documents online.
Even after Beijing got involved, local officials set narrow criteria for confirming cases, leaving out information that could have provided clues that the virus was spreading among humans.
Hospitals were ordered to count only patients with a known connection to the source of the outbreak, the seafood market. Doctors also had to have their cases confirmed by bureaucrats before they were reported to higher-ups.
From Newshub:
All 45 New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) personnel are either on their way back to New Zealand, or already in the country, said Defence Minister Ron Mark on Monday.
Apologies for swearing but really, seeking out obscure poll results in order to attack the left doesn't seem to be the appropriate response in these difficult times.
It's probably fairer to call that 15% the cultists.
The remaining 85% that will go on to swallow their disappointment that their first choice didn't win and vote for the eventual nominee aren't cultists, They just have different views and priorities to the majority, but in the end are rational and pragmatic enough to go with the next best option to further their interests. They’re probably not part of the group inventing fantasies about rigging vote counts and spouting about the Dems pushing hoaxes and are more interested in attacking the media and whining about Dems than getting rid of Tyrannosaurus Arse.
The New New Zealand goes viral as a growing body of Australians demand to be under JA's leadership.
Australians dissatisfied with the leadership of Prime Minister Scott Morrison are banding together to call for New Zealand to annex Australia so the country can be under Jacinda Ardern's leadership.
A map dubbing Australia "New New Zealand" has gone viral on social media, alongside a call for Australia to "surrender to New Zealand immediately".
"Due to appalling lack of leadership here, and superb leadership over there, let's surrender Australia to New Zealand immediately," Scott Battersby, from Australia, posted on Facebook.
"Have them annex us and take control of our government. North Island, South Island, Big Island #newnewzealand Share away everyone … let's get this done."
Please tell me this is a joke. Is this how our Government spends its time?
What on earth required this order, and don't they have more useful things to do?
"The agreed quantity for spirits purchased must be no more than the customs/duty-free allowance which is 3 bottles (or other containers) of spirits or liqueur (each bottle or container can hold a maximum of 1.125 litres) per order."
Have there been such reports? Where did they happen? I was aware of such things when they proposed to ban the sale of spirits entirely but I would have thought that had stopped. How are our PM and deputy PM going to get on? They both had a well publicised taste for Whiskey didn't they.
Bringing back the days of the sly-groggers from when we had 6 o'clock closing I suppose.
I'm sure, if you really need more than 3+ litres of spirits to drown your sorrows at the way the government is handling the crisis with near universal support, you can order another delivery for tomorrow to see you through.
Yeah, that's a joke alright. Those quantities are pitifully insufficient to make the 300 G&Ts a day I need to get an effective dose of chloroquine analog.
So?? We await further scientific study, that is all.
Stunned Mullett – you are aware of what 'could have' implies, are you? Same as 'might have' – old imperfect subjunctive now used as conditional tense, implying greater improbability. ie – 'It could have, but probably didn't.'
If more likely but uncertain, we say, 'It may have,' implying that it quite possibly did.
Not a big story until they find enough evidence to make it convincing. Mindless sensational fluff at this stage.
Good result – even if scomo just wanted to be next to Jacinda in the papers to shore up his credibility or was worried about rocks being thrown in the street.
My mate is in an essential primary industry worker. He works for Talleys.
Last week Talleys agreed to enforce social distancing by slowing the chain, spacing out workers and reducing the kill number. Today, the kill number has gone up and management has thumbed it's nose at policing of social distancing on the chain. But what's really upsetting him is the lack of any effort by his employer to ensure the distancing of employees in their changing, ablution, and dining areas.
He's absolutely filthy. Any suggestions?
btw, he's pissing and moaning about younger workmates openly thumbing their noses at the notion of distancing, and said they're boasting about being all over the town after dark and using supermarkets as their go-to place to meet up.
Wonder if the younger workmates need reminding that the 20-29 age group are the most infected in NZ.
Wonder if there is a notice board in the smoko room that needs some printed material on it. Nah scrap that, there will be camera's there and management will give him shite for doing that.
Does he belong to a union that he could turn to?
Or… maybe he could contact MPI directly, here's their details…
Call the relevant departments – Talleys should get one chance to fix it- they get surprise visits or a camera feed is put in and the first "fail" the company goes under a form of statutory management, all the assets including owners trusts and personal assets are frozen & potentially forfeit, boot out the top management and make it unlikely that they will ever get anything back.
As to the workers – again the relevant channels but maybe also ask these young guys about which of their parents, grandparents older relatives have been important to them. Then point out that they are lining up to make them very sick..
This story highlights the wild west shambles that is the reality of tenancy legislation in this country. Literally no-one knows what is and isn't allowed or even who is in charge. It’s all left to ordinary tenants to fight (while currently with no income).
This is the result of decades of weak tenancy law in New Zealand and the worshipping of landlords, agents, and private property investors.
What we are left with is some of the most poorly maintained residential housing stock in the western world, and low income tenant at the mercy of landlords and their agents. All this with absolutely no direction from government.
Our Covid-19 wage-subsidy and benefit package now looking positively miserly when compared to Australia's:
The Australian Government last week doubled the JobSeeker payment, previously called Newstart, to $1100 a fortnight.
Businesses will receive a fortnightly wage subsidy up to $1500 per employee as part of a Federal Government bid to prevent millions of people from losing their jobs to the coronavirus pandemic.
"This $1500 payment is a flat payment and is the equivalent of around 70 per cent of the median wage and represents about 100 per cent of of the median wage in those sectors most heavily impacted by the coronavirus like retail, like hospitality and tourism," he said.
"It's more generous than [the] New Zealand scheme, it is broader than the United Kingdom scheme, as it applies to all employees not just those that have been stood down."
There you go isolation early saves a lot of hardship later on.
That's tipical the lock everyone up attitude from national in reality this situation is being handled better than most other countries Te tangata Te tangata.
At the start you 2 were just brushing this situation off next minute.
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The Charities Services decision to require the Waipareira Trust to claw back $385,000 of interest-free loans from John Tamihere brings renewed attention to the links between Whānau Ora and the Trust.Thomas Cranmer writes – Revelations earlier this month in the Herald that the social services charity Waipareira ...
National has developed a novel election strategy. It involves being both for and against almost every issue that comes down the pike. The use of te reo on public signage? Recently National Party leader Christopher Luxon came out against the bi-lingual use of te reo in the naming of government ...
Anti-densification residents’ and ratepayers’ groups are cock-a-hoop over National’s partial backflip on MDRS over the weekend and have ramped up their campaigns to stop densification in their areas. Photo: Lynn Grieveson/Getty ImagesTL;DR: NIMBY groups are cock-a-hoop this morning, calling on councils and the Government to completely abandon the MDRS housing ...
It’s been two months but today the Auckland Transport board meet for again. There’s a lot on the agenda so I can’t cover it all in this post but here are some of the highlights from their regular board papers. The open session starts at 9am and can be watched on ...
This story by Aaron Cantú was originally published in Capital & Main and is part of Covering Climate Now, a global journalism collaboration strengthening coverage of the climate story. Monic Uriarte was thrilled to get approved for an affordable apartment in Los Angeles’ University Park, close to USC. But soon after she and her ...
This incomplete picture speaks of everything we love most about a summer holiday in Aotearoa: The bach, the beach, the barbecue, the sand, the christmas ham sandwiches, the serenity.We love it, don’t we, Aotearoa? Getting away to somewhere warm and quiet with a high tide and a hammock. And if ...
Buzz from the Beehive Ministers who took time out from the Labour Party congress to attend to portfolio duties were focused largely on promoting the country’s interests overseas. The statements with the widest implications dealt with: Trade – Damien O’Connor joined ministerial representatives at a meeting in Detroit, USA, ...
In the last year of a second term in government. the election outcome shouldn’t even be close. All that’s required for a competent Opposition to be streets ahead in the polls, is an ability to look like a credible government-in-waiting. Instead, we’ve got a very tight contest. There’s a reason ...
The Herald reports that WINZ debt has reached the staggering total of $2.4 billion, with the usual racism and sexism in who owes and how much they pay: Anti-poverty groups say the poorest Kiwis are caught in a debt trap as the total amount of money owed to the ...
There was a poll last week which asked if now was the right time for a tax cut. Which is quite an odd thing to ask really, don’t you think?We’ve got to pay back the money used to keep paying people and stop businesses going under during the pandemic. Our ...
The Treasury released its budget economic forecasts. What do they say about the economy over the next four months?Brian Easton writes – Let me begin me with an irritation. One post-budget headline was ‘Treasury optimistic over recession risk in Budget 2023‘. Treasury being optimistic is almost an ...
As a politician swallowing a rat under a very public spotlight, Chris Bishop gave a spirited and relatively smooth account of himself yesterday. File Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Chris Bishop has detailed National’s new housing policy for Election 2023 that confirms a National Government would not force councils ...
After signalling it a week ago, yesterday National launched their new housing policy which abandons their support for the Medium Density Residential Standards (MDRS) that they had worked with the government to deliver back in 2021 and shifts the focus to more sprawl. Overall there are three key areas National ...
The audacity of National’s “u-turn” over housing intensification is an extraordinary slap in the face for Chris Bishop and Nicola Willis. If it does nothing else, it raises questions about their political judgement, not for the first time.. Some in the Caucus have still not forgiven them for their ...
As the general election approaches, the Association of Former Members of the Parliament of New Zealand has organised an essay competition to to foster democracy. Secondary school students are being challenged to identify the important elements of a successful democracy, explain their value and consider whether they can be improved ...
Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: For paying subscribers, here's my pick of the week’s top six news developments, quotes and charts of the week with my personal reflections, plus my suggestions for Sunday reading and listening. There’s also one fun thing. In summary this week, my six takeaways were:Christopher ...
With Open Arms: Is it at all reasonable to suppose that a colonial society in which whites traditionally occupied all the upper rungs of the ethnic hierarchy, and where the colonised were relegated to the bottom of the socio-economic ladder, will respond positively to a concerted indigenous push from below, ...
Hi,Just a quick online-only update that Webworm won “Best Team Investigation” last night at the Voyagers.This means a lot, especially considering we were up against giant newsrooms like Stuff and TVNZ:WINNER: David Farrier and Hayden Donnell | Webworm – The Downward Spiral of Arise ChurchJUDGES: Alan Sunderland and Ali Ikram“This ...
May 28, 2025.Ladies and gentlemen. It’s a beautiful clear morning here in Auckland City. We’re heading for a maximum temperature of 14 degrees, and the local time is now 10:30am. Please remain seated if you’d like to, or get up and walk around the plane if you prefer. New regulations ...
Somebody has made a new survey and it tells us this little waterlogged nation of ours is rocketing up the misery charts. Maybe they took it before the sun came back out.Or maybe they took it any time in the last two years. Because negativity is quite surely the new ...
The appointment of Elizabeth Longworth as Chair of the New Zealand National Commission for UNESCO was one of just two press statements on the government’s official website today. Perhaps that’s because ministers have been busy preparing speeches for the Labour Party faithful who have gathered in Wellington for the party’s ...
Alarm bells have been rung by the department after its Deputy Director-General for Operations warns, ‘the initial view shows that we do not have sufficient funding to cover our basic running costs’.Thomas Cranmer writes – Following last week’s budget, alarm bells have been rung by the Department ...
Luxon went after the NIMBY vote, declaring National’s 2021 bipartisan deal with Labour to make it much easier to put three townhouses on a regular section ‘wrong’. File Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTLDR: The week’s news in Aotearoa’s political economy I covered via The Kākā for subscribers included:The Labour ...
Hello! This is the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on the week.Here’s what you may have missed.Last Sunday’s column was about the budget A big chunk of this year’s budget coverage was brought to us by the words crass, gauche and venal. The big questions ...
Hi,Usually Webworms are quite focussed — this one is the opposite. No rhyme or reason. A bit like my brain: sometimes ultra-focussed, other times utterly unable to settle on a goddamn thing. And as we head into the weekend, there are a bunch of things buzzing around in my head ...
The Mainstream Media, and especially the New Zealand Herald, regularly carry misinformed columns on the causes of the country’s low-grade economic performance over recent years. One old codger, John Gascoigne, who describes himself as “a Cambridge-based economic commentator” (not the university, alas!) correctly told us early this week that New ...
The Treasury released its budget economic forecasts. What do they say about the economy over the next four months?Let me begin me with an irritation. One post-budget headline was ‘Treasury optimistic over recession risk in Budget 2023'. Treasury being optimistic is almost an oxymoron. They fire down the centre.It is ...
Photo by Ron Fung on UnsplashIt’s that time of the week again when and I co-host our ‘hoon’ webinar with paying subscribers to The Kākā for an hour at 5 pm. Jump on this link on YouTube Livestream for our chat about the week’s news with special guests:5.00 pm ...
1. Who most likely gave LOTO Luxon the idea to pull the rug on the urban density policy?a. A leading thinker on affordable housing b. A leading thinker on 15 minute cities c. A leading thinker on sustainable urban planning d. National-Party-supporting property developers2 . With what was this illustration made?a. Artificial inseminationb. ...
Buzz from the BeehivePoint of Order tallied $314.4 million of spending in the latest ministerial statements posted on the government’s official website. This includes a lump of money to – yes, really – help identify businesses in tourism and hospitality which treat their staffs well and to fund the ...
It’s that time of the week for an ‘Ask Me Anything’ session for paying subscribers about the week that was for an hour from midday (my apologies for the late start today), including:the Government’s payment of $130 million of Climate Emergency Fund money to NZ Steel to help it cut ...
National/ACT would have 62 seats in a 120 seat Parliament if the latest poll results were replicated in the October election, but micro-movements around the median and the size of Te Pāti Māori’s caucus will decide who governs. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: National/ACT could govern alone after October ...
Welcome to Friday – again! Hard to believe we’re almost in June. Here’s our latest roundup of stories that caught our eye this week. The Week in Greater Auckland On Monday, Matt covered the transport highlights from this year’s Budget. On Tuesday, Matt asked if the end is ...
What should one make of the Reserve Bank Governor’s extraordinary donation of a hostage to fortune in forecasting an end to interest rate hikes? Conspiracy theorists will be scratching their tinfoil hats and mumbling about positioning for a whacking great payoff on being forced out by a new government. ...
Shocking The Pakeha: An entirely forgivable impulse, some might say, given how easily so many Pakeha are shocked. Merely to suggest that Te Tiriti o Waitangi should be taken seriously is sufficient to set some Pakeha off. Others are shocked by the inclusion of more than a word or two ...
During New Zealand First coalition negotiations our policy was to train and resource 1800 new frontline police. We secured this coalition policy win to ensure our streets had a police force that could tackle crime - after years of neglect. Remember those previous nine years of neglect saw a ‘tag ...
Katie Kenny from Stuff published an article today with a lazy attempt at so-called ‘fact checking’ my recent comments on the World Health Organisation’s concerning new regulations being developed. What is most surprising is that throughout this entire ‘fact checking’ process, Kenny never once rang me asking for my side ...
The National Party has released another confused and rushed policy that will only further worsen the inequality that is driven by unaffordable housing. ...
Welcome to sunny and calm Wellington, which I know those of you who are visiting would of course expect to be the case. It’s been a busy week since we put forward the 2023 Budget. Labour MPs have been out across the motu giving the good oil on the Budget. ...
Kia orana, Talofa lava, Mālo e lelei, Taloha ni, Fakaalofa lahi atu, Noa’ia e mauri, Ni sa bula vinaka, Kia ora, Tena Koutou Katoa. Labour Party President Jill Day, Prime Minister Hipkins, Party faithful, delegates and comrades, whānau and friends, it’s a privilege to be here today. I begin my ...
One of my kaumātua up North stood before the Waitangi Tribunal and said: ‘He aha kē ahau, te tangata kore hara i mua i te Atua, e tu nei kia whakawaatia e koe, te tangata tāhae, te tangata hara, te tangata kore tikanga?Ko koe kē te tika, kia tū ...
New Zealanders will be highly concerned that the World Health Organisation proposes to effectively take control of independent decision making away from sovereign countries and place control with the Director General. W.H.O International Health Regulations on future outbreaks of disease aim to give the Director General extraordinary and wide-sweeping powers. ...
The Green Party is calling on the Government to take responsibility for reducing inflation by taxing wealth instead of leaving RBNZ to continue hiking the Official Cash Rate. ...
The Green Party has released its list of candidates for the 2023 election. With a mix of familiar faces, fresh new talent, and strong tangata whenua voices, this exceptional group of candidates are ready to set the direction of the next Government. ...
Thank you for your invitation to be here, after yesterday's budget, and for the opportunity to talk with you. In the economic and social turmoil following the arrival of COVID 19 in New Zealand many concerns emerged. How would we keep our economy going and maintain our exports which are ...
At the heart of Budget 2023 is a cost of living package, designed to ease the pressure on New Zealanders in the face of global inflation and the challenges of rebuilding from extreme weather events. It provides practical cost of living relief across some of the core expenses facing Kiwis ...
A long standing Green Party policy has been extended yet again in this year’s Budget. This will deliver warmer homes for thousands of people, lower power bills, and cut climate pollution. ...
The Green Party is fully on board with free bus and train travel for under 12s and half price travel for under 25s - next stop, free travel for all under 18s, students, and apprentices. ...
Earlier this week, the Prime Minister announced a billion dollar flood and cyclone recovery package as part of Budget 2023. This is about doing the basics - repairing and rebuilding what has been damaged and making smart investments, including $100 million of protection funding to ensure future events don’t cause ...
The Fuel Industry (Improving Fuel Resilience) Amendment Bill would: boost New Zealand’s fuel supply resilience and economic security enable the minimum stockholding obligation regulations to be adapted as the energy and transport environment evolves. “Last November, I announced a six-point plan to improve the resiliency of our fuel supply from ...
The Government is making sure those on low incomes will no longer have to wait five weeks to get the minimum weekly rate of ACC, and improving the data collected to make the system fairer, Minister for ACC Peeni Henare said today. The Accident Compensation (Access Reporting and Other Matters) ...
A compulsory code of conduct will ensure school board members are crystal clear on their responsibilities and expected standard of behaviour, Minister of Education Jan Tinetti said. It’s the first time a compulsory code of conduct has been published for state and state-integrated school boards and comes into effect on ...
Tena koutou katoa and thank you, Mayor Nadine Taylor, for your welcome to Marlborough. Thanks also Doug Saunders-Loder and all of you for inviting me to your annual conference. As you might know, I’m quite new to this job – and I’m particularly pleased that the first organisation I’m giving a ...
The Government will enter into a funding arrangement with councils in cyclone and flood affected regions to support them to offer a voluntary buyout for owners of Category 3 designated residential properties. It will also co-fund work needed to protect Category 2 designated properties. “From the beginning of this process ...
The Government has announced changes to strengthen requirements in venues with pokie (gambling) machines will come into effect from 15 June. “Pokies are one of the most harmful forms of gambling. They can have a detrimental impact on individuals, their friends, whānau and communities,” Internal Affairs Minister Barbara Edmonds said. ...
The total Police workforce is now the largest it has ever been. Police constabulary stands at 10,700 officers – an increase of 21% since 2017 Māori officers have increased 40%, Pasifika 83%, Asian 157%, Women 61% Every district has got more Police under this Government The Government has delivered on ...
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon Nanaia Mahuta met with Korea President Yoon, as well as Pacific Islands Forum Secretary General Henry Puna, during her recent visit to Korea. “It was an honour to represent Aotearoa New Zealand at the first Korea – Pacific Leaders’ Summit. We discussed Pacific ambitions under the ...
The Government’s Research and Development Tax Incentive has supported more than $2 billion of New Zealand business innovation – an increase of around $1 billion in less than nine months. "Research and innovation are essential in helping us meet the biggest challenges and seize opportunities facing New Zealand. It’s fantastic ...
The next ‘giant leap’ in New Zealand’s space journey has been taken today with the launch of the National Space Policy, Economic Development Minister Barbara Edmonds announced. “Our space sector is growing rapidly. Each year New Zealand is becoming a more and more attractive place for launches, manufacturing space-related technology ...
A new Year 7-13 designated character wharekura will be built in Pāpāmoa, Associate Minister of Education Kelvin Davis has announced. The wharekura will focus on science, mathematics and creative technologies while connecting ākonga to the whakapapa of the area. The decision follows an application by the Ngā Pōtiki ā Tamapahore ...
Protecting the environment by establishing a stronger, more consistent system for freedom camping Supporting councils to better manage freedom camping in their region and reduce the financial and social impacts on communities Ensuring that self-contained vehicle owners have time to prepare for the new system The Self-Contained Motor Vehicle ...
A new law passed last night could see up to 25 percent of Family Court judges’ workload freed up in order to reduce delays, Minister of Justice Kiri Allan said. The Family Court (Family Court Associates) Legislation Bill will establish a new role known as the Family Court Associate. The ...
New Zealand businesses will begin reaping the rewards of our gold-standard free trade agreement with the United Kingdom (UK FTA) from today. “The New Zealand UK FTA enters into force from today, and is one of the seven new or upgraded Free Trade Agreements negotiated by Labour to date,” Prime ...
The Government will reform outdated surrogacy laws to improve the experiences of children, surrogates, and the growing number of families formed through surrogacy, by adopting Labour MP Tāmati Coffey’s Member’s Bill as a Government Bill, Minister Kiri Allan has announced. “Surrogacy has become an established method of forming a family ...
Defence Minister Andrew Little departs for Singapore tomorrow to attend the 20th annual Shangri-La Dialogue for Defence Ministers from the Indo-Pacific region. “Shangri-La brings together many countries to speak frankly and express views about defence issues that could affect us all,” Andrew Little said. “New Zealand is a long-standing participant ...
Research, Science and Innovation Minister Dr Ayesha Verrall and the Chinese Minister of Science and Technology Wang Zhigang met in Wellington today and affirmed the two countries’ long-standing science relationship. Minister Wang was in New Zealand for the 6th New Zealand-China Joint Commission Meeting on Science and Technology Cooperation. Following ...
5 percent uplift clearer and simpler to navigate Domestic productions can access more funding sources 20 percent rebate confirmed for post-production, digital and visual effects Qualifying expenditure for post-production, digital and visual effects rebate dropped to $250,000 to encourage more smaller productions The Government is making it easier for the ...
Deputy Prime Minister and Associate Minister of Foreign Affairs (Pacific Region) Carmel Sepuloni will represent New Zealand at Samoa’s 61st Anniversary of Independence commemorations in Apia. “Aotearoa New Zealand is pleased to share in this significant occasion, alongside other invited Pacific leaders, and congratulates Samoa on the milestone of 61 ...
The Government is continuing to support retailers with additional funding for the highly popular Fog Cannon Subsidy Scheme, Police and Small Business Minister Ginny Andersen announced today. “The Government is committed to improving retailers’ safety,” Ginny Andersen said. “I’ve seen first-hand the difference fog cannons are making. Not only do ...
The Government has received the first independent review of the Intelligence and Security Act 2017, Prime Minister Chris Hipkins says. The review, considered by the Parliamentary Intelligence and Security Committee, was presented to the House of Representatives today. “Ensuring the safety and security of New Zealanders is of the utmost ...
Prime Minister Chris Hipkins has expressed condolences on behalf of New Zealand to the Kingdom of Tonga following the death of Her Royal Highness Princess Mele Siu’ilikutapu Kalaniuvalu Fotofili. “New Zealand sends it’s heartfelt condolences to the people of Tonga, and to His Majesty King Tupou VI at this time ...
Prime Minister Chris Hipkins has expressed condolences on behalf of New Zealand to the Kingdom of Tonga following the death of Her Royal Highness Princess Mele Siu’ilikutapu Kalaniuvalu Fotofili. “New Zealand sends it’s heartfelt condolences to the people of Tonga, and to His Majesty King Tupou VI at this time ...
Defence Minister Andrew Little and Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta have today announced the extension of the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) deployment to Solomon Islands, as part of the regionally-led Solomon Islands International Assistance Force (SIAF). “Aotearoa New Zealand has a long history of working alongside the Royal Solomon ...
Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta will travel to the Republic of Korea today to attend the Korea–Pacific Leaders’ Summit in Seoul and Busan. “Korea is an important partner for Aotearoa New Zealand and the Pacific region. I am eager for the opportunity to meet and discuss issues that matter to our ...
Trade and Export Growth Minister Damien O’Connor joined ministerial representatives at a meeting in Detroit, USA today to announce substantial conclusion of negotiations of a new regional supply chains agreement among 14 Indo-Pacific countries. The Supply Chains agreement is one of four pillars being negotiated within the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework ...
Our most spoken Pacific language is taking centre stage this week with Vaiaso o le Gagana Samoa – Samoa Language Week kicking off around the country. “Understanding and using the Samoan language across our nation is vital to its survival,” Barbara Edmonds said. “The Samoan population in New Zealand are ...
Over 90 per cent of New Zealanders are expected to receive this year’s nationwide test of the Emergency Mobile Alert system tonight between 6-7pm. “Emergency Mobile Alert is a tool that can alert people when their life, health, or property, is in danger,” Kieran McAnulty said. “The annual nationwide test ...
ENGLISH: Whakatōhea and the Crown sign Deed of Settlement A Deed of Settlement has been signed between Whakatōhea and the Crown, 183 years to the day since Whakatōhea rangatira signed the Treaty of Waitangi, Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Andrew Little has announced. Whakatōhea is an iwi based in ...
Elizabeth Longworth has been appointed as the Chair of the New Zealand National Commission for UNESCO, Associate Minister of Education Jo Luxton announced today. UNESCO is the United Nations agency responsible for promoting cooperative action among member states in the areas of education, science, culture, social science (including peace and ...
Tourism and hospitality employer accreditation scheme to recognise quality employers Better education and career opportunities in tourism Cultural competency to create more diverse and inclusive workplaces Innovation and technology acceleration to drive satisfying, skilled jobs Strengthening our tourism workers and supporting them into good career pathways, pay and working conditions ...
Tourism and hospitality employer accreditation scheme to recognise quality employers Better education and career opportunities in tourism Cultural competency to create more diverse and inclusive workplaces Innovation and technology acceleration to drive satisfying, skilled jobs Strengthening our tourism workers and supporting them into good career pathways, pay and working conditions ...
Greater access to primary care, including 193 more front line clinical staff More hauora services and increased mental health support Boost for maternity and early years programmes Funding for cancers, HIV and longer term conditions Greater access to primary care, improved maternity care and mental health support are ...
Greater access to primary care, including 193 more front line clinical staff More hauora services and increased mental health support Boost for maternity and early years programmes Funding for cancers, HIV and longer term conditions Greater access to primary care, improved maternity care and mental health support are ...
The Government continues progress on the survivor-led independent redress system for historic abuse in care, with the announcement of the design and advisory group members today. “The main recommendation of the Royal Commission of Inquiry’s Abuse in Care interim redress report was for a survivor-led independent redress system, and the ...
Aotearoa New Zealand is providing NZ$7.75 million to respond to urgent humanitarian needs in the Horn of Africa, Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta announced today. The Horn of Africa is experiencing its most severe drought in decades, with five consecutive failed rainy seasons. At least 43.3 million people require lifesaving and ...
Health Minister Ayesha Verrall has opened two new state-of-the-art mental health facilities at the Christchurch Hillmorton Hospital campus, as the Government ramps up its efforts to build a modern fit for purpose mental health system. The buildings, costing $81.8 million, are one of 16 capital projects the Government has funded ...
The Government is continuing to invest in our regional economies by announcing another $24 million worth of investment into ten diverse projects, Regional Development Minister Kiri Allan says. “Our regions are the backbone of our economy and today’s announcement continues to build on the Government’s investment to boost regional economic ...
An $8 million boost to New Zealand Māori Tourism will help operators insulate themselves for the future. Spread over the next four years, the investment acknowledges the on-going challenges faced by the industry and the significant contribution Māori make to tourism in Aotearoa. It builds on the $15 million invested ...
Defence Minister Andrew Little has marked the arrival of the first 18 Bushmaster protected mobility vehicles for the New Zealand Army, alongside personnel at Trentham Military Camp today. “The arrival of the Bushmaster fleet represents a significant uplift in capability and protection for defence force personnel, and a milestone in ...
A new poem by Wellington poet Victoria Lewis. Carmine well – the cherries appeared quietly there on the kitchen bench as if to smile and say i love you,and you dared to forget those gleaming fruit form a prayer, a devotion bloody on the inside, taut on the out ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra nitpicker/Shutterstock By coincidence, the furore around the consultancy firm PwC is raging just as the National Anti-Corruption Commission is gearing up for its start of business on July 1. The PwC scandal, ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ricardo Villegas, Senior Lecturer of Law, University of South Australia Today, Federal Court Justice Anthony Besanko handed down his long-awaited judgment in the defamation case that Ben Roberts-Smith, Australia’s most decorated living former SAS soldier, brought against the Age, the Sydney Morning ...
Wayne Brown has named and attempted to shame councillors who oppose the sale of the council's airport shares, but some are returning fire, saying he does not have the votes to pass his plan. ...
Some certainty has arrived for those impacted by severe weather events earlier this year but the bulk of the detail for a buyout scheme affecting at least 700 homes is a work in progress, writes political editor Jo Moir.Analysis: Cyclone Recovery Minister Grant Robertson has been determined since February ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By David Rolph, Professor of Law, University of Sydney At the heart of the spectacular defamation trial brought by decorated Australian soldier Ben Roberts-Smith were two key questions. Had the Age, the Sydney Morning Herald and the Canberra Times damaged his reputation ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Deborah Bateson, Professor of Practice, University of Sydney Shutterstock Australians’ access to a range of contraceptive options depends on where they live and how wealthy they are. A recent parliamentary inquiry recommends ways to end this “postcode lottery” for people ...
Labour's campaign chair is standing by a social media post which likens National's prescriptions policy to dystopian TV show and novel The Handmaid's Tale. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra The Coalition’s decision to oppose the Voice to Parliament has put its moderate members in a jam. Some moderates are active yes advocates, while others are trying to keep low profiles. Bridget Archer, the outspoken ...
Greenpeace Aotearoa is calling out the agriculture industry’s "undue influence" over the Government’s agricultural emissions policy, saying that " predatory denial and delay " have stalled the development of plans to price and reduce ...
“The huge fire in South Auckland illustrates the serious human health risks of incinerating flock, the residual material left over from the scrap metal process. It is one reason we will be opposing the building of a waste incinerator in Te Awamutu ...
It’s reassuring to think that by paying for private treatment you’re ‘freeing up a bed’ in a public hospital. But the reality is private beds don’t free up public beds, they replace them. Ethicists argue that healthcare is special. Unlike other consumer goods, its availability and accessibility should be based ...
The office of mayor Wayne Brown has hit back at criticism journalists were “cherry-picked” for this morning’s budget announcement. A number of media outlets, including The Spinoff, Stuff, TVNZ and Newshub, were not invited to hear Brown’s budget address. Some, however, made it into the room after Brown had started ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Matthew Klugman, Research Fellow, Institute for Health & Sport, member of the Community, Identity and Displacement Research Network, and Co-convenor of the Olympic Research Network, Victoria University Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised this article contains mention of the Stolen ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sudyumna Dahal, PhD Student, Australian National University Shutterstock The human costs of tobacco and smoking worldwide are huge. 1.3 billion people use tobacco, mostly in low- and middle-income countries. More than 8 million people die prematurely because of tobacco, at ...
Today, the Government released a discussion document: Safer Online Services and Media Platforms. It aims to reduce people’s exposure to harmful content, and create a system that is easier to navigate if people need to report harmful content. The ...
The Act Party’s compared a proposal to improve online safety to the government’s doomed hate speech laws, and pledged to “kill” it off as well. Consultation is set to begin on a Department of Internal Affairs proposal to change how online content is regulated in New Zealand. But David Seymour ...
A new report from the Auditor-General on four initiatives to improve outcomes for Māori has highlighted the importance of strong relationships between public organisations and Māori, and of taking the time needed to build these relationships. However, ...
The Broadcasting Standards Authority welcomes today’s launch of the public discussion document, Safer Online Services and Media Platforms, on a proposed new content regulation framework. The Authority has long been an advocate for a more flexible regulatory ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alice Clement, Research Associate in the College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University Virtual Australian Museum of Palaeontology, Author providedPalaeontology is the study of evolution and prehistoric life, usually preserved as fossils in rocks. It combines aspects of geology ...
Inclusive Aotearoa Collective Tāhono welcomes the release of the Safer Online Services and Media Platforms report from Te Tari Taiwhenua, dealing with content regulation for media and social media. “We welcome the move to an independent regulator that ...
The drearily titled “Safer Online Services and Media Platforms” document has just been released. Here’s a TLDR summary from The Spinoff’s Shanti Mathias: The suggested changes are pretty different from what we have right now. All digital industries that publish content, including overseas companies like Meta and Google and local ...
The drearily titled “Safer Online Services and Media Platforms” document has just been released. Here’s a TLDR summary from The Spinoff’s Shanti Mathias: The suggested changes are pretty different from what we have right now. All digital industries that publish content, including overseas companies like Meta and Google and local ...
The Safer Online Services and Media Platforms document has just been released by the government’s Content Regulatory Review. It does more than capitalise nouns – here’s what you need to know about what’s inside. What is this document with the world’s most boring name?It’s a proposal from the Department ...
The Safer Online Services and Media Platforms document has just been released by the government’s Content Regulatory Review. It does more than capitalise nouns – here’s what you need to know about what’s inside. What is this document with the world’s most boring name?It’s a proposal from the Department ...
The 2010s musical theatre phenomenon has finally made it to Spark Arena. Does does it live up to the years of expectation? This Angelica Schuyler is transcendent Full disclosure: I am overly familiar with Hamiton without being a full-on Hamilstan. I’ve listened to the cast recording countless times, watched it ...
The 2010s musical theatre phenomenon has finally made it to Spark Arena. Does does it live up to the years of expectation? This Angelica Schuyler is transcendent Full disclosure: I am overly familiar with Hamiton without being a full-on Hamilstan. I’ve listened to the cast recording countless times, watched it ...
Members of the press being turned away from the door distracted from the announcement of asset sales and inflation-pegged rates in Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown’s final budget proposal Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown didn’t mince words at a fiery press conference this morning where he confirmed he’d be calling for a ...
During New Zealand First coalition negotiations our policy was to train and resource 1800 new frontline police. We secured this coalition policy win to ensure our streets had a police force that could tackle crime - after years of neglect. Remember those ...
The government and councils will offer a buyout option to property owners whose land is too risky to rebuild on, and co-fund protection works for those who need it. ...
The government will work with councils to offer a “voluntary buyout” for owners of homes written off by Cyclone Gabrielle and other recent severe weather. About 700 category three properties – those where it’s deemed the risk of future severe weather cannot be sufficiently mitigated – are expected to be ...
Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown’s proposed budget presents a dangerous false choice between cutting public services and privatising Auckland’s assets. The proposal to councillors offers to reinstate funding for public services and increase the pay ...
A leaked consultation document from the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) shows plans to draft and introduce legislation that would entirely restructure the New Zealand censorship regime, bringing online speech, such as material on social media ...
A crucial day for the future of the city, and the mayor’s message to hundreds of thousands of Aucklanders: I don’t want to talk to you. Wayne Brown was right. The media is awash with drongos. I personally have behaved drongoistically – to borrow a Winstonism – at least twice ...
The PSA is pleased Te Whatu Ora has listened to its concerns and is seeking further consultation with unions on a major restructuring as it seeks to remove duplication and centralise services. "This will be a huge relief for workers," said ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Antje Deckert, Associate Professor (Criminology), Auckland University of Technology Getty Images When TVNZ cancelled reality TV show Police Ten 7 earlier this year, it certainly rattled some law-and-order cages. The show’s former host Graham Bell, who described suspects variously ...
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Applications to mine in the ocean could begin in July. Why are scientists and activists so concerned?Far from the light of the surface, animals are pale; some glow in the dense darkness, have translucent shells; grow very big or very small. Even the most comprehensive list of deep ocean ...
The Independent Police Conduct Authority has found that a Police dog handler was not justified in using his dog to bite a man who was resisting arrest but was justified in using the dog against a second man who threatened Police. At a Whanganui suburb ...
The interdisciplinary artist from Te Whanganui-a-Tara shares all the mahi that happens behind the scenes. Ana (Ngāti Tāwhaki, Ngāi Tūhoe) has won multiple awards for her theatre work, and has been the recipient of the Te Tumu Toi New Zealand Arts Foundation Springboard Award, where she was mentored by ...
Sustainable Tarras (ST) supports today’s commitment from the new Christchurch City Holdings (CCHL) board seeking increased transparency and community engagement on the Tarras airport, as debated with Christchurch City Council (CCC) at today’s ...
This Sunday, 4 June, Wellington and Christchurch will join over 300 cities worldwide in observing the National Animal Rights Day. The events remember the billions of animals who lose their lives each year due to human actions, and acknowledge the ...
EDS has lodged its submission on “ Strengthening National Direction on Renewable Electricity Generation and Electricity Transmission ”, a consultation document prepared by the Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment and the Ministry ...
Auckland’s mayor snubbed most journalists from a morning launch of his new budget. While the Herald was among a select few allowed in the room, reporters from outlets like Stuff weren’t sent an invitation. In a story headlined “Wayne Brown snubs Stuff readers on major Auckland Council budget update”, a ...
A nationwide poll on pay gaps shows nearly 2 out of every 3 New Zealanders consider pay gaps to be a ‘significant’ or ‘very significant’ issue (64%), with a similar number supporting new pay transparency policies to address the issue (63%). ...
I said we could still be friends but now I just want him to leave me alone.Want Hera’s help? Email your problem to [email protected]Dear HeraTowards the end of last year, I was surprised to see a university acquaintance from a different city – we’d had one tutorial together – at ...
Wayne Brown’s proposed budget will see rates increases pegged to inflation – but it requires his desired sell-off of Auckland Airport shores. The mayor is presenting his budget in Auckland today. Few were invited to witness the moment live, with media like Stuff reportedly left out (The Spinoff was not ...
When it was first unveiled, the government’s extension in this year’s Budget of 20 hours free early childhood education to 2-year-olds from next March was hailed as a masterstroke. The Minister of Finance said it would save qualifying households ...
I didn’t know this but because we have reciprocal health agreements with Australia and the United Kingdom, visitors from those countries will not have to pay for prescriptions once the $5 fee is removed here in July. Naturally that means New Zealanders enjoy reciprocity in their experience of local health ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By James Pang, Research Fellow in Psychology, Monash University Shutterstock The human brain is made up of around 86 billion neurons, linked by trillions of connections. For decades, scientists have believed that we need to map this intricate connectivity in detail ...
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lighten up Rosemary..
https://youtu.be/bVtOYRID0nQ
[lprent: If you don’t want to write an explanation why you’re putting video links and its relevance to a post or whoever you’re replying to, then put it in OpenMike. Otherwise I regard it as a simpleton astroturfing and will act appropriately – in a DARK fashion. ]
[TheStandard: A moderator moved this comment to Open Mike as being off topic or irrelevant in the post it was made in. Be more careful in future.]
Where there's one lie….
An immunity expert has expressed strong concerns at claims made by a Queenstown company seeking to import thousands of coronavirus rapid testing kits.
[…]
"We are doing this because we want to keep our communities safe," Regen general manager Emma Hart said.
[…]
Hart said the test the company was importing was FDA approved, and it was not trying to undermine existing testing. While the antibody test showed whether people had been exposed to the virus, Hart said they could still have it and the only way to validate this was with the test currently in use in New Zealand.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/coronavirus/120652381/coronavirus-queenstown-company-claims-it-can-access-thousands-of-rapid-testing-kits
It’s important to note that these tests have not been reviewed or validated by the FDA, unlike those molecular tests that are included in the organization’s emergency use category. Instead, the FDA “does not intend to object to the development and distribution by commercial manufacturers” of these tests, provided they meet a number of criteria, including qualifying the results of their reported test results with the following information:
https://techcrunch.com/2020/03/27/the-fda-just-okayed-multiple-15-minute-blood-tests-to-screen-for-coronavirus-but-there-are-caveats/
The 1919 Influenza Blues · Essie Jenkins
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-QzjvjqMNA
Well done to the City Mission and other services who have been working so hard to help the homeless and marginalised.
I live in central Auckland and on Lockdown Day 1 there were many people on the streets with nowhere to self-isolate. Everyone with a home was in it, so the gatherings of the homeless were even more visible than usual. They had no "bubble" or distancing.
By Lockdown Day 4 the numbers had been radically reduced. It's very noticeable.
In an emergency, beds (not homes) can be found. Now we just need to treat homelessness as a continuing emergency, after the lockdown.
Lack of tourists has certainly freed up space in motels to house the homeless. Motels are not ideal long term to house the homeless.
City Mission are doing a fantastic job with providing food assistance packs.
On my street there are 3 motels and one motel houses a lot of homeless.
the new age communist…
https://youtu.be/jPCNc90i3JA
Out on my sanity walk this morning. Watched a courier hobbling around this morning with a bad knee. So many people doing good work to keep everything up and running.
This is what he is risking…a disturbing account from a healthy young man https://twitter.com/ShirazMaher/status/1243554346396246018
John Hopkins tracker is closing in on three-quarters of a million reported cases fast now. Likely a million by Thursday.
I felt uneasy when I saw footage of the wet markets in Thailand on Sunday last night. A ticking time bomb for another virus to enter the population.
Every wet market anywhere needs to be eliminated straight away. The people who supply the wet market need to seriously consider the harm they are doing to the human race.
I read somewhere a few weeks back that the Chinese government had outlawed wet markets after SARS. However, they were unable to stop them operating illegally, because the poorest people in China cannot afford supermarkets.
Now, of course, the answer to that is to end poverty & decrease income/wealth inequalities.
I did consider the people who cannot afford to shop at a supermarket. There needs to be a regulated way in which wet market vendors can operate. What really struck me when watching the footage was how many different animals there were in a confined space eating and defecating.
Separating animal species is where I would start and limit it to only sustainable animals. Hygiene practice is also important.
End poverty & decrease income/wealth inequalities? I see there are only about 500 billionaires in China.
Agreed and thank god China and Vietnam have led the way by banning them
But we need to examine all of our food production practices, factory farming is barbaric
I found this to be a thoughtful and considered article
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/28/is-factory-farming-to-blame-for-coronavirus
The food chain in factory farming cannot be ignored.
Some scientists have been warning governments to be prepared for a pandemic and could have been listened to more carefully.
Animal welfare groups have also been warning governments about factory farming and this can no longer be ignored.
Put both on the reset list.
That looked quite sanitary, its more of a pet store operation. Its the real ones with dead snakes hanging to cut bits off , bbqed rats bats and toads and every type off creature dressed up for home consumption. Best to just stick to the crickets and bamboo worms.
I worked in a petshop when at college during the weekend. What I saw on Sunday was no petshop operation. It was the exploitation of animals in cruel conditions.
I agree but there's a few billion that wouldn't, Have you ever been to an elephant camp or live snake show.
No. I did have a ride on an elephant about 40 years ago at Wellington Zoo. I worked in a petshop 45 years ago.
I am pleased that somethings are now considered to not be acceptable. Change has been too slow.
The heat is going on Chinese's love of pangolins. Their wildlife markets are coming under the microscope. Most certain thing in the world is the CCP can take care of that.
Daylight saving – ends 5th april would extending it maybe until the end of the lockdown help or hinder – I always miss it when the evening closes in abruptly
I especially hated it when I was working. Going out into my garden and pulling up some weeds was a very good way of relieving my frustration after a day of being unable to tell a selected few what I thought of them and their antics. However, in theory, once you are retired ( as I now am) or in lockdown ( as most of us are now) it should'nt make any difference as you can adjust your life as you please 😊
I'm beginning to wonder what day it is, Jan. I remember a favourite customer who had a downer on her nextdoor neighbour son-in-law because he didn't come out after dinner, and after a full day's work, in the summer and weed his garden.
Or try getting out of bed earlier old mate .
I was actually thinking abut the work from home crowd who stick pretty much to normal hours
It's making hard to get out of bed to be at work by 730 when its pitch black at 6 .
I know I know moaning bloody farmers 😉
It's overstayed its welcome by about a month. Far too bloody cold in the mornings.
Too bloody dark, too.
Australia is moving to protect its collapsing businesses from predatory foreign takeovers. All foreign investment now requires approval to assess if it’s in the national interest.
We should be doing the same here. I've seen a couple of substantial shareholder increase notices.
as for tourism…
https://youtu.be/1vKrL_YVqSg
[lprent: I fail to see the relevance to the post and I’m not going to run a video to find out. ]
[TheStandard: A moderator moved this comment to Open Mike as being off topic or irrelevant in the post it was made in. Be more careful in future.]
Watching trumps presser right now. Holy cow, he said people in NY are very happy, wtf?
For the first time there is social distancing going on in the presser.
He's so proud they are getting 1 million masks offshore to help with their PPE, in a country of over 300 million that's bugger all masks.
I'm just gobsmacked with how this has all gone down in the USA.
Sounds weird – I understood we had a place in Auckland that makes this sort of stuff at the rate of about 60000 a day or a week ??? One mill is nothing
Whanganui make 2 grades of masks and are manufacturing 24 hrs a day.
I saw the the bit where he criticizes Dr. Fauci for requesting 300.000 masks. He reckoned they only needed 10,000 and inferred the good doctor and his team are hoarding them.
What an ignorant piece of shit. Someone please……….
Oops… not the good doctor but the New York medical team. Sorry, that's what happens when you drop into the middle of a discussion.
It was always going to happen.
Azar had asked OMB that morning for $2 billion to buy respirator masks and other supplies for a depleted federal stockpile of emergency medical equipment, according to individuals familiar with the request, who spoke on the condition of anonymity about internal discussions.
The previously unreported argument turned on the request and on the budget official’s accusation that Azar had improperly lobbied Capitol Hill for money for the repository, which Azar denied, the individuals said.
The $2 billion request from HHS was cut to $500 million when the White House eventually sent Congress a supplemental budget request weeks later. White House budget officials now say the relief package enacted Friday secured $16 billion for the Strategic National Stockpile, more money than HHS had asked for.
http://archive.li/6dAY2 (wapo)
Significant pressure in the US to 'get back to work' because the 'çure is worse than the disease' and 'the economy' has to be saved. The lads on TMBS dissect the latest outpouring along these lines from certified jackass Thomas Friedman – Thomas Friedman Wants You To Go Back To Work, So He Can Make More Money?
We haven't seen this stuff explicitly in NZ yet – but it's likely to come in some sotto voce form as we near the end of the 4-week shutdown. Probably from someone like Mike Hosking and his variants in the commentariat.
Broader question is that if 'the economy' is unable to reward people for doing the thing (stay home) that is most essential for the well-being of society at the moment – does that mean that ' the economy' is not actually intended to meet collective human needs?
"does that mean that ' the economy' is not actually intended to meet collective human needs? "
think that may be a rhetorical question
And This:
Ignore the bankers – the Trump economy is not worth more coronavirus deaths
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/mar/29/bankers-trump-economy-coronavirus-deaths
Wow. There appears to have been a number of incidents now where he is prioritizing assistance depending on political leanings or how appreciative people are, it's insane.
It's funny – this is both exactly what I was afraid of in 2016, but in a completel;y unexpected way. The jerk's incompetence killing thousands if not more. I mean, there's still time for him to nuke someone, but who knows how badly the yanks will be hit by covid now.
We're lucky to have competent leadership – I'm not going to go overboard atm, but the comparison between US/UK/NZ is stark.
Good grief, the jerk in his current presser is claiming… the reason why America has more cases than any other country is because they are doing more testing than any other country.
What is the matter with their media representatives at these pressers? They sit there and let him get away with the biggest, baldest lies without comment.
The problem for MSM is that every "Briefing" is just a word salad gish gallop of half truths and falsehoods, interspersed with some dubious announcements that usually need redefining by WH staffers afterwards. He is just using this as a publicly funded platform for electioneering.
Some responsible news media are now refusing to attend, or to publish his briefings, and will just alert the announcements after clarification.
Faux news, of course, continue to worship him, and unfortunately as their audience is around 60% of the public, and by and large an older demographic, the outcome will not be good.
Not publishing anything from his briefings might not be the best approach. It might be better to publish a verbatim transcript, with a note at the end: "If you can decipher any coherent meaning from his words please let us know".
It does the public a real disservice when the media tries to distill actual coherent ideas from his babble. It hides the true state of utterly incompetent chaos in the White House.
I remember reading transcripts of some of Key's charming interviews and being totally flummoxed as to what parts were credible and what parts contradicted what he had just said. Often meaningless.
The media is waiting for his next outburst when he rants about 'fake news' and the 'fake news media.' It should be funny really.
As a parody a la The Office it would have been a hit.
Re the media in his pressers….. if they ask confronting questions, no more pressers for them. That's how he gets away with it.
Also have heard the major networks neglect to broadcast hardly any international news, unless it puts the USA in a good light.
That is disgraceful. It means the major media networks are complicit in the distribution of the lies, deceit and ultimately the total destruction of the country. I presume it does not include CNN since the fascist bastard hates them so much.
Can't speak for anyone else but my sympathy for the American people and their media outlets is rapidly waning. I'm now of the observation that it will serve them right… they had it coming to them. Just like the Germans did in the 1930s.
It's heartbreaking. USA is a strange place, my neighbours daughter was a history teacher there, the neighbour was shocked to learn the only history that was taught is white leaning american history.
Re kicking journalists out…..
It's heartbreaking alright, but if the masses are unable to differentiate between bullshit and jellybeans, there are far more useful circumstances in the big Wide Whurl to expend your emotions on.
You're obviously a CNN watcher. You'll probably therefore have seen the Amanpour programme promotion in which JA says "I do not understand the United States".
Actually she understands the USA only too well, just as she probably does Brazil, India and elsewhere – at least their 'leadership'. And especially with places that elections are generally accepted as being fair.
You can probably draw a few common denominators as well (such as narcissistic sociopath blokes). For one or two there's probably a simple solution (I mean if someone chopped Modi's index finger off, he'd probably find it hard to come across as the exceptional sage, feigning concern for his flock).
If you can rely on the polls, Trump's popularity is tickety boo ('apparently'). To my mind, if that's the case and after all that's happened (in a so-called democracy) – they get what they have asked for.
So maybe it's going to take a few JA's (from the rest of the big Wide Whurl) to start saying what they really think. We should probably start with Stray ya.
Cheer up though – it's all starting to happen, but if there's no hopey hopey change after all the stuff and things that are going down now – it's probably better to invest that heartbreaking emotion on places that'd be more appreciative of it. I can think of a few
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0qW9P-uYfM
Hopefully ‘Elt’s’ as embarrassed as I am having to watch it
Lmao 🙂 Awesomesauce !
Al Jazeera is my go to network, don't think I've watched CNN unless it was a live stream of a debate or a presser etc 🙂
They did a fantastic round up of trump and Covid on The Listening Post in the weekend. Mediaite made an excellent clip, which they also included in this weeks episode. That story is 11.11 into the link.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZ-BhOzGnNQ
My thoughts entirely, as well. My on-line friends in the US are very anxious for their safety right now.
Give him time…
https://twitter.com/LizSly/status/1243671822299795457
not only the jerks malevolence but also the support he gets from the republicans.
this is not incompetence, this is malevolence.
and his hostage taking his black mailing is why he was impeached……'do us a favor, will ya?" and the republicans bailed him out.
It is fair now to consider the US a failed state, a banana republic, and the people be damned.
In saying that, people voted for radical change, and i guess this is what radical change looks like. Sometimes we don't know how good we have it until its all gone.
People in New York will be very happy when Trump leaves the Whitehouse.
It is not good in New York and some sensible decisions need to be made quickly.
PDF's morons are losing their minds. All is well.
What about? The local butcher not being open, or Jacinda's facial expressions?
Edit: I typed the above without looking and then found this…
Two for two, lol.
Today's Peak Prosperity virus update. It's still live atm
Be sure to watch the bit where the droplets between 2 people talking are showen. Message = we all need some kind of mask, especially if there are no symptoms because people with no symptoms are responsible for most of the infections.
Ok lets believe China,they have told us the truth since day one ,right?
Really why would anyone take any notice of anything China say as the have lied and ducked fro cover since day one.
Will our PM ask their Ambassador to come in and reply to hard questions and set financial penalties?
Crickets.
The yanks are the bigger problem now. What "questions" do you have for China?
I guess the pneumonia cases are spiking..
https://twitter.com/BNODesk/status/1244313529110405120
Ouch – looks at statista on Russia – everything is in Moscow.
https://www.statista.com/statistics/1102935/coronavirus-cases-by-region-in-russia/
"Well, now we know, don’t we, what they’re truly worth. Now we know that when the chips are down there are no shit jobs – only shit wages."
https://www.interest.co.nz/opinion/104305/prompted-don-brash-chris-trotter-mulls-question-when-government%E2%80%99s-meritorious-quest
the tail end of a commentators musings…the rest may not be quite so palatable
Actually an interesting column on a difficult topic. Thanks Pat.
A "who to save by getting a place in the lifeboat" scenario.
And yes ultimately low wages for very important work like supermarket folk or nurses, or rubbish collectors.
Don't forget the….bees. Thank God they keep on doing their innocent planet-friendly thing. May the information about how to nurture them spread like a virus! (Just to keep this in the now.)
https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/saturday/audio/2018740565/steve-wratten-plants-to-please-bees
Steve Wratten is Professor of Ecology with the Bio-Protection Research Centre based at Lincoln University. He is the world leader in biological control of pests and is currently working on using ecological techniques to reduce the decline in populations of pollinators such as bees.
This includes looking at which plants provide the best food for them and why they prefer to drink dirty water.
He also wrote a gardening column for Stuff for many years.
Thanks for link, been planting bee balm for years. Going to add a few more different plants this year.
What was the supermarket seed/plant he said to attract bees? A weed I think.
They go crazy for borage!
Also red flowered pineapple sage which is flowering now : )
And perennial rocket, in flower for weeks now – bees galore.
Thanks Pingao. I already have some red flowered plants we called pineapple sage but don't think that it is right name. Easy to grow from cuttings and smells almost minty. Maybe I have been planting it! Hey! looked it up and now I think it is what I have been planting by accident.
Borage online looks good and I will find it indue course.
And perennial rocket looks good too Grafton Gully!
I'll respond here. He was talking about creating plant diversity for Bees being a good way to go.
As for seeds from supermarket – a wild flower mix would be really good.
My Cosmos are flowering now after the hard dry summer, and the bees are all over them. He didn't recommend but I've found Nasturtiums and Californian Poppies help get the bee count up in my garden as well.
Also letting some weeds grow as they flower quickly
A cheering note thanks Adam.
Something I would like to see implemented is an addition to the Food Control Plan, where food producers demonstrate their Pandemic Preparedness.
If a primary producer can demonstrate safe practice then they can sell to the public when this sort of event occurs again.
I feel there are more benefits to having locally sourced, seasonal, fresh food direct from the growers, rather than us buying from the centralised duopoly.
Significantly shorter, stronger supply chain.
Moneys spent stay local.
The produce is 'handled' far less often.
Builds resilience in the smaller communities.
Has a lot of benefits that are in sync when considering climate change.
Have just this morning face timed with family in Maryland. Thank the lord they have a Governor (although a moderate Republican) who is really getting on with protecting his State. The streets are mostly deserted. Basketball hoops have been removed and tennis courts are shut down in the parks and restaurants are closed. Some do takeaways. Sixty plus are given priority in the supermarkets and pubs are closed. Working from home is norm and my loved one has a work station in the spare bedroom.
My family have a 3 month weekly order of a type of "Meals in a bag" – raw ingredients and a recipe attached for a week's meals delivered to the stoop. Wine order is all sorted and delivered. Folk who work in Washington DC still commute home but the trains are not as busy so many are working from home from there as well. It was a sigh of relief as the situation is very dire over there. My family are not that optimistic things will improve but they are hanging in there and praying things will improve over time.
Their POTUS is alarming to say the least. Delusional would be a more apt description of the state of his mind. The US is fast becoming a failed state but to be honest its not surprising. I pray for all their citizens to be saved from his actions.
WHO (WORLD Health Organisation) – in a wtf series of moments they refuse to answer or even acknowledge a question about Taiwan, while ensuring China was portrayed in a good light.
Let's review so far….WHO prioritized the world economy (not their job or area) over human life back in January when evidence existed this would become a pandemic if borders to China were not immediately closed. After it became a pandemic they refused to name it as such even when their own criteria had been met for weeks. THEN they had the audacity to ask for donations…apparently that wasn't met with $$$, possibly because it was already apparent they had become a mouthpiece for China.
Wuhan authorities delayed informing Beijing that the outbreak was out of their control.
The alarm system was ready. Scarred by the SARS epidemic that erupted in 2002, China had created an infectious disease reporting system that officials said was world-class: fast, thorough and, just as important, immune from meddling.
Hospitals could input patients’ details into a computer and instantly notify government health authorities in Beijing, where officers are trained to spot and smother contagious outbreaks before they spread.
It didn’t work.
After doctors in Wuhan began treating clusters of patients stricken with a mysterious pneumonia in December, the reporting was supposed to have been automatic. Instead, hospitals deferred to local health officials who, over a political aversion to sharing bad news, withheld information about cases from the national reporting system — keeping Beijing in the dark and delaying the response.
The central health authorities first learned about the outbreak not from the reporting system but after unknown whistle-blowers leaked two internal documents online.
Even after Beijing got involved, local officials set narrow criteria for confirming cases, leaving out information that could have provided clues that the virus was spreading among humans.
Hospitals were ordered to count only patients with a known connection to the source of the outbreak, the seafood market. Doctors also had to have their cases confirmed by bureaucrats before they were reported to higher-ups.
http://archive.li/q8Qn4 (nyt)
NZ has withdrawn its forces from Iraq.
From Newshub:
All 45 New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) personnel are either on their way back to New Zealand, or already in the country, said Defence Minister Ron Mark on Monday.
https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-zealand/2020/03/new-zealand-withdraws-all-military-personnel-from-camp-taji-in-iraq.html
And 15% of the cult reckon they'll vote for this POS.
https://twitter.com/joekennedy/status/1244403749151543301
It's pretty twisted you'd use this as an opportunity to attack Sanders.
Have a fucking look at yourself.
Parsing what folk actually write does seem to be beyond you.
Apologies for swearing but really, seeking out obscure poll results in order to attack the left doesn't seem to be the appropriate response in these difficult times.
It's probably fairer to call that 15% the cultists.
The remaining 85% that will go on to swallow their disappointment that their first choice didn't win and vote for the eventual nominee aren't cultists, They just have different views and priorities to the majority, but in the end are rational and pragmatic enough to go with the next best option to further their interests. They’re probably not part of the group inventing fantasies about rigging vote counts and spouting about the Dems pushing hoaxes and are more interested in attacking the media and whining about Dems than getting rid of Tyrannosaurus Arse.
Indeed. Apologies to the 85%.
Ungrateful c****. In this story it’s Property Brokers.
Summary – why give tenants a break when we have welfare?
https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/checkpoint/audio/2018740796/propery-managers-tell-landlords-not-to-give-rent-holidays
Good to see John Oliver is still on air. Latest episode now available from your favourite streaming site.
The New New Zealand goes viral as a growing body of Australians demand to be under JA's leadership.
Please tell me this is a joke. Is this how our Government spends its time?
What on earth required this order, and don't they have more useful things to do?
"The agreed quantity for spirits purchased must be no more than the customs/duty-free allowance which is 3 bottles (or other containers) of spirits or liqueur (each bottle or container can hold a maximum of 1.125 litres) per order."
https://covid19.govt.nz/government-actions/covid-19-alert-level/essential-businesses/
may well have been a request from police and/or NGOs dealing with family violence…..but then I suspect seeking an answer is not your purpose, eh?
Indeed. He types before he thinks.
That’s ok, though. We will do the thinking for him.
Have to say I've been impressed with the responses to his comments today.
Probably responding to reports of big purchases by some unscrupulous people hoping to profit through resales on the black market.
Have there been such reports? Where did they happen? I was aware of such things when they proposed to ban the sale of spirits entirely but I would have thought that had stopped. How are our PM and deputy PM going to get on? They both had a well publicised taste for Whiskey didn't they.
Bringing back the days of the sly-groggers from when we had 6 o'clock closing I suppose.
I'm sure, if you really need more than 3+ litres of spirits to drown your sorrows at the way the government is handling the crisis with near universal support, you can order another delivery for tomorrow to see you through.
Yeah, that's a joke alright. Those quantities are pitifully insufficient to make the 300 G&Ts a day I need to get an effective dose of chloroquine analog.
I was wondering when you might start giving us some progress reports on that.
🤪 … 🥴 … 🤢 … 🤮 … rinse and repeat
Some policy expert, and probably not – this seems pretty useful, to be honest.
https://thestandard.org.nz/how-this-may-play-out/#comment-1696391
Fascinating
Covid-19 could have spread among humans for years or even decades before now, a team of scientists has discovered
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=12320841
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-020-0820-9
So?? We await further scientific study, that is all.
Stunned Mullett – you are aware of what 'could have' implies, are you? Same as 'might have' – old imperfect subjunctive now used as conditional tense, implying greater improbability. ie – 'It could have, but probably didn't.'
If more likely but uncertain, we say, 'It may have,' implying that it quite possibly did.
Not a big story until they find enough evidence to make it convincing. Mindless sensational fluff at this stage.
Today Jacinda Ardern got a better deal for Kiwis in Australia.
John Key never managed that. But he and Turnbull looked nice in their kayaks.
So who really did the photo-ops, and who actually gets results?
…so if there was no Covid-19, then she would have got this deal too?
Who knows? Counter-factuals do whatever you want them to do.
But she's all hugs and no substance. Apparently.
(at least Bridges has stopped saying "part-time PM", his attack line from last year. Even he's worked out how silly that is).
Good result – even if scomo just wanted to be next to Jacinda in the papers to shore up his credibility or was worried about rocks being thrown in the street.
My mate is in an essential primary industry worker. He works for Talleys.
Last week Talleys agreed to enforce social distancing by slowing the chain, spacing out workers and reducing the kill number. Today, the kill number has gone up and management has thumbed it's nose at policing of social distancing on the chain. But what's really upsetting him is the lack of any effort by his employer to ensure the distancing of employees in their changing, ablution, and dining areas.
He's absolutely filthy. Any suggestions?
btw, he's pissing and moaning about younger workmates openly thumbing their noses at the notion of distancing, and said they're boasting about being all over the town after dark and using supermarkets as their go-to place to meet up.
That blows.
Wonder if the younger workmates need reminding that the 20-29 age group are the most infected in NZ.
Wonder if there is a notice board in the smoko room that needs some printed material on it. Nah scrap that, there will be camera's there and management will give him shite for doing that.
Does he belong to a union that he could turn to?
Or… maybe he could contact MPI directly, here's their details…
Hope that helps a lil bit, please let us know how he gets on.
Done.
Talleys – nobody could be surprised by that.
Call the relevant departments – Talleys should get one chance to fix it- they get surprise visits or a camera feed is put in and the first "fail" the company goes under a form of statutory management, all the assets including owners trusts and personal assets are frozen & potentially forfeit, boot out the top management and make it unlikely that they will ever get anything back.
As to the workers – again the relevant channels but maybe also ask these young guys about which of their parents, grandparents older relatives have been important to them. Then point out that they are lining up to make them very sick..
He has a right to refuse to work until safety issues are addressed.
Don't know how that will go with Talleys, though.
Darien Fenton is a good person to contact.
Good advice KJT, re Darien.
true
https://twitter.com/OutAndAbouter/status/1244239639596187648
This story highlights the wild west shambles that is the reality of tenancy legislation in this country. Literally no-one knows what is and isn't allowed or even who is in charge. It’s all left to ordinary tenants to fight (while currently with no income).
This is the result of decades of weak tenancy law in New Zealand and the worshipping of landlords, agents, and private property investors.
What we are left with is some of the most poorly maintained residential housing stock in the western world, and low income tenant at the mercy of landlords and their agents. All this with absolutely no direction from government.
Shame on us.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/412965/property-brokers-tell-landlords-not-to-offer-rent-holidays
Reports are that Kiwis in Australia are getting AUD750/week for six months. That's nearly AUD20K.
Why then have we actual Kiwis been offered just NZD7K over three months?
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=12321030
…at the rate they are going across the ditch, there may not be any Kiwis or Australians left alive in Australia in six months! Just sayin'!
Our Covid-19 wage-subsidy and benefit package now looking positively miserly when compared to Australia's:
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/412983/covid-19-jacinda-ardern-praises-australia-s-wage-subsidy-scheme-for-including-kiwis
Kia Ora Newshub.
That's good the virus testings are going to cover a wider % of people.
Times are changing.
Ka kite Ano
Kia Ora Te Ao Maori News.
Its good to see someone helping Te Kaumatua to get there medication.
Kiwi fruit has great vitamins.
Ka kite Ano
Kia Ora Newshub.
Investing in the renewable energy sector would be a great move.
The minimum wage goes up to $18.90 A hour Awsome.
In times like this you can only hope.
Mangaere budgeting services does great mahi.
Ka kite Ano
Kia Ora Newshub.
That's is cool some business people getting health and safety gear imported into Aotearoa.
5 billion in government backed loans to businesses is great.
Everyone needs to stay isolated in their roopu and whare.
Ka kite Ano.
Kia Ora Te Ao Maori News.
That's is good 100.00 health packages being delivered around Aotearoa.
Having broadband during this virus lock down will help their education and keep them occupied during this virus lock down.
Ka kite Ano
Kia Ora The Am Show.
Investing in renewable energy with that energy manufacturing closed loop products with our renewable natural resources.
I'll raise a glass of water to how this situation has been managed in Aotearoa.
Ka kite Ano
Kia Ora Newshub.
That would be good to trace the people's phones who are coming to Aotearoa from overseas.??????.
Sweden only time will tell.
Ka kite Ano
Kia Ora Te Ao Maori News.
Its good that Maori are going to get tested in Taramaki Makaru.
Ka kite Ano
Kia Ora The Am Show.
There you go isolation early saves a lot of hardship later on.
That's tipical the lock everyone up attitude from national in reality this situation is being handled better than most other countries Te tangata Te tangata.
At the start you 2 were just brushing this situation off next minute.
Ka kite Ano
Kia Ora Newshub.
Its good to our government giving our sports team with a bailout.
Ka kite Ano.
Kia Ora Te Ao Maori News.
The Rangatahi need to heed the isolation to protect our Kaumatua.
Cool that Te Tairawhiti has a Rahui on Kai Moana during isolation.
Ka kite Ano
Kia Ora Newshub.
Waiting in line 2 hours for alcohol stuff that.
I have stopped drinking coffee and have many positives from that.
The positive effects on our environment and waterways is great.
Ka kite Ano
Kia Ora Te Ao Maori News.
People must learn to respect their Wahine and tamariki during this isolation lock down if we do this correctly we will be better than most others.
Ka kite Ano