With farmers you’re dealing with a settler mentality of working the land and a righteous sense of hard work and purpose. Its very hard to shift and is aligned with the ‘farmer friendly’ Tory party from the beginning of this colonised nation.
All farmland is stolen land from Maori and this is yet another factor in the farmer’s settler mentality that coincides with the Tory worldview; racist and privileged.
Green pasture livestock farming is the visible face of colonisation and environmental destruction.
All once pristine forest with birdsong, is now stripped bare monocultured paddocks and erosion prone slopes populated with greenhouse gas and nitrogen spewing ruminant animals that are bred for a life of suffering and misery as they are forcefully impregnated (raped) and then have their babies ripped from them for pet food whilst we steal their baby’s milk, and then in turn after their exhausted bodies give out they are mercilessly and thanklessly sent to slaughter — whilst the propaganda machine rolls on telling us its all good for the economy, good for rugby, good for our diets, good for our standing in the world as a leading food producer for the millions now suffering from diabetes, obesity and other Western diseases they never knew before all of this.
And, of course, its all good for the pockets of the managerial elites, advertising companies, sports celebrities and Tory politicians propogating this existential nightmare.
(quite a few forces to wrestle with there..eh….?…what to do..?…)
[Phil, I have put the quoted text as a block quote to make it clearer that the whole segment is a verbatim quote. You must always acknowledge the source, one way or another, and I have added the source link. Just adding piddly “speech-marks” is not enough to avoid accusations of plagiarism, which is intellectual theft. Please don’t this again – Incognito]
I agree with the general thrust of your post. There was however some land willingly sold by Maori. Maori could see that limited immigration was in their best interests. They needed capital to buy guns and European sailing ships and other technologies. It was when they realised that the British would not take "no" as an answer to further land purchases that the situation changed.
The legal concept of Terra Nullius could not be used here as the land was clearly "settled" by European understanding.
In 1840, Lieutenant William Hobson, following instructions of the British government, pronounced the southern island of New Zealand to be uninhabited by civilized peoples, which qualified the land to be terra nullius, and therefore fit for the Crown's political occupation. Hobson's decision was also influenced by a small party of French settlers heading towards Akaroa on Banks Peninsula to settle in 1840.[26]
But seriously, it looks like the British were having a bob each way to be sure to head the French off. Your link mentions that the French were already settling in Akaroa. While they made a claim to the South Island under Terra Nullius this is not what they actually did in practice. The British offered and signed the Treaty with Ngai Tahu. This was a recognition of their sovereignty as offering the English version asked Maori to cede sovereignty over their territories. The British then recognised Ngai Tahu title to most of the South Island as they set about to purchase that land from them (be it through some very dodgy practices).
Make the concept of the "just transition" central to every discussion. When Bernie Sanders talks to coal miners he doesn't blame them for digging the stuff up – he reassures them that they will not suffer terrifying economic stress and failure. Capitalism's normal way of dealing with sudden change is to throw the weak and the losers to the economic wolves while the winners make out like bandits. People need reassuring that this won't be allowed to happen.
and i don't blame farmers for buying into the bullshit they were fed by clark govt followed even more by key – the white-gold expansion-myths they both peddled…
and of course the banks who lined up to throw money at them – to follow this economic-fantasy…
and animal-extraction 'farmers' need to transition to growing actual food…
and their 'transition' is/will be one of the most complex..
(and one of the reasons i have been shouting about this – is that i am/have been dismayed by the amount of treaty settlement money that has been pissed away on this economic-folly…all on a road to nowhere..)
Phillip Since large chunks of your comment seems to have been stolen from Paul Judge who commented in the dairy farming Blog on “the daily blog” on the 28th you should be the last person to talk about stealing things.or have I got that wrong.
Hi Phil, it was New view @ 1.4 and @ 1.4.1.1 who accused of stealing because you gave no credit to the original source or creator. I tend to agree with New view but because it might have been an honest mistake I let you off the hook with a warning only. I also explained to you that using “speech-marks” only is not sufficient. You can argue and object all you like but if you make the same mistake again you are likely to receive a ban for it for two reasons: 1) you have been warned; 2) it is wrong not to acknowledge the original source/creator when copying & pasting text. Simply use quotation marks and mention the source; it is not that hard.
Morena folks, this is a needle for you. A pea under your mattress.
Has anyone emailed their local nat MP and shared their opinion about the defiance of the speakers ruling?
Go on, do it.
It is satisfying to express our disappointment here amongst like minded people, far more effective to let our employees know we are watching them and we aren't happy.
Superb work by Guyon Espiner that clearly shows that Pharmac does NOT always get it right, as much as some people want to believe everything that comes out of their mouths. (The audio version also played earlier on Morning Report). This is the switch I'm caught up in and have raised a few times on this site this year.
Medsafe advised caution. But if the Pharmac agency has appointed a Jenny Shipley type person, she will go for making neolib management, hard-ball, cost-effective decisions and those who are not suited are just externalities. I fear that may be the case, and explain the reason and approach causing concerns. An example of the loss of citizen agency through their political process to affect and change practices of appointed agencies which the pollies have little say or control over.
The Big Pharmaceuticals are trying to break our Pharmac and I wouldnt rely on a word Espiner says as hes the mouth piece of the PR spin doctors employed by drug companies, just giving their version. hes gone beyond giving information and become an advocate
In the US 15 years ago , there were similar spruikers telling the listeners that Oxycontin is safe for lots of things- yes these pills are not in the addictive category but its the same sort of spin
@Duke, you've clearly never suffered a major reaction from a drug brand switch, have you? I have, twice. Don't recall big pharma encouraging me to do so.
Dull always? likes to direct attention away from the main point. There may be a wander over to some facts not quite right, or a historic reference to past measures, or a fault in the commenter.
Just another The Chairman with a different style, but like a great big wet sponge on everything said. A reply in as contentious way as possible, with an aim to damping down discussion and putting the opinionated one on the back foot.
Oh, and Duke, you're happy enough for someone to have a breakthrough seizure after many years of full control on one brand while driving down the road and ploughing into your family, that seizure being the result of a forced brand switch messing up their medication levels? I'm sure you don't mind the very real risk of people being killed, do you?
An excellent piece, and because if your contributions here on the issue Kay I was able to explain some of the subtleties to my partner.
Wasn't that person from Pharmacy an absolute….the word liar comes to mind…? ….but if course we can't say that about the spokesperson for our national treasure.
All that is needed here is a policy change. The real question is why is the government resisting? Do they really believe the current arrangement is saving them money?
Doesnt add up . From what she describes, that isnt a relationship according to Social Welfare rules.
And anyway , if after 6 months of 'dating' they do form a relationship and notify Social Welfare to become complying. Whats the real issue ? That 9 months later 'she doesnt like his choice of music' and it ends and then has to go back to Social Welfare again .
She should think about those on casual or part time work where they may not have work for longer periods of time.
That circumstances change over time is nothing new and there are pathways to deal with it. Is it because she doesnt like the inconvenience ?
@A 10.22.
Various policy changes could instantly stop beneficiaries lives from being made more miserable. Such as, raising the abatement levels on any income significantly, restoring proportionately the 1991 benefit cuts, and income splitting–so relationships of whatever kind or duration, have no impact on benefit applicants or recipients.
Left over neo liberal dogma seems why the Govt. is resisting implementing the recommendations of the recent working party. Neo liberalism has a winners and losers model, people choose to be poor, laid off, under employed, or born into the kiwi underclass you see! A moralistic judgement is made or implied, even if it is macro economic factors well beyond an individuals control that led to their situation.
“Losers” must not be rewarded in any way. Helen Clark had the “jobs jolt” that basically declared “no go” geographic areas for beneficiaries to reside in. And drug testing remains inequitable. It is a modern twist on “work will set you free”–and a placation of certain voters–whose second favourite sport is beneficiary bashing.
The whole scenario has seen the original intent of Social Security become a sadistic punishment maze in the form of WINZ/MSD, where staff can be personally rewarded for NOT providing vulnerable people with the assistance they seek. The failure to redress this effectively is one of the biggest, and most heartless at least, errors of this Govt.
Heh, our glorious ex leader Mr Key was a “benefit boy”, raised in a state house. Yes, the 1964 Act was from a time of “war widow” benefits and infinitesimal unemployment, one “bread winner” supporting a family, children largely born within a marriage etc. etc. different times, which is exactly why WINZ/MSD/ACC need a drastic overhaul in the 21st Century.
There are acres of research, anecdotes, and stats available from Beneficiary Advocates, AAAP–Auckland Action Against Poverty, Academics and Social Agencies even including Salvation Army, the Govt.Household Labour Force Survey etc. describing the reality of life for the NZ underclass.
I have been involved with the old Auckland Peoples Centre, have done case work, and know in and out the travails of dealing with the poisonous WINZ culture. People queuing in the early hours outside a local office when they know AAAP advocates are coming–because the local branches apply policy not the Act–and do not inform all applicants and beneficiaries of their full entitlements. Paula Rebstock mentored Paula Bennett do not forget, and Bennett had a six week trip to the US to really bone up on how to put the slipper into the vulnerable. It is a rotten culture past its useby.
Glad you brought that up A. I was looking through today's news and saw the relationship piece further on and it just caught a nerve and I hadn't noticed you were there already and put it up at 16,
TM what’s your point in bringing up Key. Three prime ministers ago. Paula Bennett is in the opposition not the Government. Your Government has been in power long enough to implement policy that you would like. Why are you swinging around trying to hit people that haven’t been in Government for years, or so called barking dogs like Bennett and Bridges. Why don’t you swing at the present government which is clearly not moving fast enough in the direction you would like.
Illustrating how the once reasonably benevolent Social Security system degenerated into a “war on the poor” complete with state assisted demonising of beneficiaries. Remember the Shipley era “dob in a bludger” TV ads anyone? That attitude persists at WINZ/MSD/ACC.
Bennie bashing is still the second favourite sport of many New Zealanders. Low paid workers and middle class (often on WFF tax credits themselves) alike, love to hate those in receipt of a jobseeker pittance.
A reckoning is here though with the advent of AI and precarious/contract/Intern work.
NZ First revealing further their lack of heart and human kindliness which must of course, be accompanied by practicality. Their attitude on testing and drug use at gatherings, festivals is an example of snooty moralistic superiority and bone-headed obsession with control over their fellow humans. If they cared two hoots, or even one, they would support this safety measure, despite being disparaging about the way that so many will experiment with their own wellbeing and health in such a reckless way.
Darroch Ball, Law and Order Spokesperson for New Zealand First, does not support drug checking as a harm reduction strategy and is currently blocking a clarification of the Misuse of Drugs Act that would allow the service to be implemented nationally…
“His message is abstain or die,” says KnowYourStuffNZ’s Managing Director, Wendy Allison. "His perspective is callous and deeply flawed…
Apparently the stalwarts of NZ First want to control every part of human life, from the position of power they have scrambled to and decree what is right for the public who will suffer if they don’t conform. The dour and narrow do-as-I-say, obey or else suffer the consequences dictators, who love judging others and uniformity to their own limited outlook, and can brook no dissent or alternative view.
They asked Winston about this policy i think on last night's TV1 News and his answer was that he was not sure if they had this right. Classic NZF with leader and spokesperson on different planets.
I am sure that a number of people are sick of talking about serious political matters that are so silly that we can hardly take them seriously. Here is a Billy Connolly clip on farting for light relief. If not, feel free to ignore it and go on with your analysis of the Big Orange, and the Big Yellow and other merry men and women strutting and puking as if all the world is a stage.
This is Billy Connolly talking totally inconsequentially about farting and he doesn't mention politicians anywhere but he probably didn't know that the bets were that the offender was a politician. And because he was really offensive, and didn't know, and everyone looked at the person nearby which was Billy who had to bear the externalities, and that is so likely for a politician, that almost makes it a certainty.
Well it would be forward-thinking and practical to take a precautionary, preventative approach where there is a practice of reckless drug-taking that people persist with. (Buying stuff from people to put in your body and not knowing just what it is, and whether the seller does either?!)
But NZF and leftish conservative people like Jim Anderton cannot bring themselves to be anything but backward-looking when attempts to change old ways and mores come along. (Jim lost a family member to drugs and then set on the line of zero drugs, continuing the same failing practice that had resulted in so much trouble, illness, death and corruption.) Sigh.
If I had Don Drumpfeone explicitly wanting to know my identity after spittle-flecked ranting about spying and treason, then I'd be fairly anxious to get protection too.
yep – with the t-wreck-rump after you you'd be down low and moving fast
Lawyers acting for the whistleblower at the centre of the impeachment inquiry into Donald Trump’s attempts to solicit foreign help for his re-election campaign have warned that their client’s personal safety is in danger partly as a result of the president’s remarks.
Andrew Bakaj, the lead attorney for the unnamed intelligence official who sounded the alarm on Trump’s activities relating to Ukraine, expressed fears on Sunday that the whistleblower could be put “in harm’s way” were his or her identity made public. In a letter to the acting Director of National Intelligence, Joseph Maguire, Bakaj points directly at Trump’s aggressive statements that he said prompted “concerns for our client’s safety”.
Daryl Davis decided to write a book with the theme of 'Why do you hate me when you don't know me.' He gets an interview with the KKK leader and they become friendly acquaintances.
Black man Daryl David, hot musician and KKK Klan Leader Roger Kelly end up visiting each other's homes, first Daryl is invited to Kelly's, and finally Kelly visits Davis. The KKK leader in the end declares to a crowd, "I've more respect for that black man than for you white n..gers out there." That is a big step for mankind. Perhaps we can make breakthrough after much persistence and face to face meetings to clear the toxic gunk away. Still different, but having respect for the person. Davis says, "Ignorance breeds fear".
Seems to have more success than the Auckland Uni VC's approach. When fascist-adjacents were advertising on campus earlier in the year, he reckoned they barely existed. Now, he's regrettably unable to do anything about them.
The next step in the four step plan is for him to say "maybe there was something we could have done but it's too late now"
No Maori chief sold land to settlers so they'd live nearby… …is that a racial smear? Coz history shows that the Maori who adapt, to get across the ocean, to the new ecology of Aotearoa, to storms, to new groups arriving from the pacific.. …well before, cook and Tasman or whoever would have arrived. And after, those that traded, that welcome, that adjusted and learnt new farming techniques, religions, etc…
Sorry I just don't see it, even if you agree that nothing good came with Cook, that Maori had always given up land to conquest by other Maori, even if you put all the blinkers on, from both sides. It was racism to not compensate when moving a church, or graveyard, just because they were Maori. Or did settlers just apply their own values to themselves, and Maori expectations to Maori. Isn’t that the conceit I the heart of the debate, that compensating relies on western European values.
So people here have both Scots and Maori background. So they were pushed off the highlands, only then to have their first generation nz ancesters thrown off their Maori land…. …have the British compensated them for highland land?
The Scots came here to get a better deal, as did all our ancestors. And we were going along in a jerky but positive way when we weren't inflamed by the export market beyond being rational.
Five years ago it was just an idea – but after 18 months of construction and 80 million dollars later – what's poised to be Christchurch's central emporium for food, drink and culture is about to open in a few hours. And developers are hoping it will bring vibrancy back to the central city. It aims to be waste-free, have as much locally grown produce as possible and hopes to attract 10,000 to 15,000 customers a day. One of the developers and owners of the Oxford Terrace precinct, Richard Peebles joins us now.
Major banks have announced a temporary pause to the closure of regional branches while they look at rolling out regional "banking hubs".
The Government announced on Monday that four regional banking hubs would open in Opunake, Martinborough, Stoke and Twizel to provide basic banking as part of a trial beginning in early 2020.
The hubs will feature a Smart ATM, where people will be able to make deposits and transfer money, as well as withdraw cash. Each hub will also have support staff to assist people using the ATM.
The trial was brokered by the Government with Kiwibank, BNZ, TSB, ANZ, ASB and Westpac, which will share the cost of running the hubs.
Pioneer Credit (ASX:PNC) has announced its net profit (NPAT) has dropped 76 per cent to of $4.3 million for the 2019 full year.
The result came on the back of the application of Amortised Cost to its portfolio. Earnings increased by 16.7 per cent to $63.4 million.
And Tourism might have to look at its short and medium term business model. WTF who’d have thunk it!
New Zealand tourism sees threat if climate change deters long-haul flyers
When will we treasure our young parents and support and train them in their parenting role and have a friendly hub that provides them with medical help so they can carry out their task of bringing up their children well. A good short course regularly in parenting skills, house hold maintenance, creative work. People would smile, the kids would bloom and this era of hate-filled government for young single parents, and older ones, would end and we could bury it 100 metres down and plant flowers on the spot.
Myself and my partner of three months are in this exact situation. I was refused Working for Families payments and the accommodation supplement as soon as I declared that we were in a relationship.
On average I then lost $500 per week leaving me unable to cover my weekly bills, let alone pay board to my partner. I am working three different jobs trying to make ends meet, barely breaking even and finding that I am spending just as much, if not more, on childcare than I am earning. The fact that I am paying other people to spend time with my kids so that I can work to cover that and not even make any extra money to better our lives saddens me.
Thankfully my partner does help me out financially (he doesn't really have a choice as he chooses love over money).
"Andrew Rawnsley is one of the best political journalists currently writing. His analysis of the violence engulfing British politics ATM is fascinating. It maters to NZ too: Crusher Collins returned from London last week after meeting leading Brexiteers (the people using political violence as a tactic). The same week: the Nats staged their stunt over film taking during sittings of our Parliament and edited by them to create misleading messages."
Good expected result – bit tough that they couldn't monetise their disgusting attitudes and I do feel sorry for cumin and spittle – nah not even slightly lol just joking //sarc tag sarc//
The High Court has rejected a judicial review of Regional Facilities Auckland's decision to block two controversial Canadian speakers from using a council-owned venue.
RFA, Auckland Council and Auckland Mayor Phil Goff were sued over the decision to bar Lauren Southern and Stefan Molyneux.
Free Speech Coalition member David Cumin and Dunedin bookseller Malcolm Moncrief-Spittle, who purchased a premium ticket to the event, sought a number of declarations, including that the decision was unlawful.
A summary of Justice Pheroze Jagose's judgment said RFA did not exercise "any public power" in cancelling the event, which was to be held last August.
Essentially operation of the Council Public venues is a 'private operation' and not a public function which can be reviewed.
The BORA has no connection to the cancellation. And Goffs 'decision' that the venues were available to the speakers , seems to have been made after the staff made an operational decision largely based on the safety requirements
This was a murder-suicide of a couple 70s and 80s. The woman was very ill, and they may have decided that the present was the time to die together. He was thoughtful and phoned police so that they would be found and have the care and attention needed.
If they had recourse to a managed demise they would not have been forced into this graceless way of exiting this world. The present euthanasia bill is only to cover terminally ill people and that can hardly get past all the rigid minds who can't make any decisions for themselves, and don't want anybody else to have an option.
Or, she was unwell and they were struggling due to lack of social support and this was a way out (with or without her consent). Which is pretty much a core concern of those against euthanasia.
I keep getting surprised that no-one accepts that you may die when you get old, and is unwilling to say to old people you may die if you want to. If you want to go it’s of no matter what social support is available. It;s a pity that people can't accept dying in this country, we are constantly hearing of people dying before their time in other countries. It's a global world, and we are trying to get people to limit their extravagances and materialism and also it would help to reduce world population. All good reasons to be allowed to die when you are old and want to. It is most strange that people aren't cared about much in this country, except when there is some disaster and we make all the right noises. It is not till you want to die that you become precious to everyone wanting you to feel every last creak and groan before you go.
I don't believe anyone has argued that death can be avoided permanently. Some do argue the sacredness of all life, even in extremis (e.g. Catholic theologians, I think).
But the main objection I have is that it can't just be restricted to the low-hanging fruit of people who have clear wishes expressed to the last, with their decision assuredly unaffected by financial pressures or a temporary depression or a difficult transition late in life. Similarly, a disabled friend of mine has concerns that maybe an offer of a needle eventually becomes the easier solution than the offer of decent needs assistance.
Formalising the bureaucracy of legally killing someone is a big step, and it worries me that you have to oversimplify your opponents so much in order to justify it.
worries me too. And that disabled people haven't been well listened to yet.
"Similarly, a disabled friend of mine has concerns that maybe an offer of a needle eventually becomes the easier solution than the offer of decent needs assistance"
NZ is a country that cut the care budget to the elderly some years ago, and the MoH was trying to cut disability support budget just this year. That's not even getting to ACC or WINZ. I don't know if many NZers are unaware of what is going on, or just don't care.
in case that's not clear, if there is an argument that we may end up in a situation of funded care vs offering a needle, we're already a country that wants to withdraw care funding.
I'm ok with people dying if they want to, wouldn't even restrict that to old people or the terminally ill. The state sanctioning that and providing the resources and support to do it needs way more care than what is being proposed with the current Bill. The issue of care matters, because a country that refuses to look after disabled people properly (that's NZ), will not manage euthanasia properly either.
If people are ok with some people dying when they don't want to, then we can carry on, but let's just be honest about it.
i am totally opposed to this euthanasia/state-sanctioned killing bill – for all the reasons cited above..
plus also concerns about grasping possible inheritors wanting to hasten the process – and so talking the old into 'doing it for the kids' or whatever..
if there was support for the old/disabled at the levels where it is in countries that have eithanasia…(c.f. netherlands)..then and only then should this idea be considered..
and even then – what to do about the hurry-up! relatives..?
Edit
We are getting more cancer help but getting a vaccination against meningococcal disease can cost between $130-$145. There is no public funding for this damn bug that recently killed a 26 year old fit dance teacher in a day. I have had cancer treatment myself, but the concern I feel is for these young people snuffed out so quickly by this disease. (It is recommended that contacts also have a vaccination.) Cancer has very good public relations and has achieved greater funding and attention because it doesn't kill people suddenly like this damn mening. disease.
There should be a grant helping people organise their lives and getting them prepared for hospice care when needed, and that would be helpful to them rather than paying it to put off the inevitable. People with kiddies could get some help to give time so they could prepare their children for the time when they are not there for them any more I think.
Freedoms – they are being encroached on. The trend for developers to want to put their own stamp on 'their' development like aristocratic estate owners is an amazing impost in a modern society.
Hobsonville Point house rules: Paint, fence height, planting, tents and more
Now for something completely different that hopefully will bring a smile to your face.
I was employed by one of the greatest people I have had the privilege to know, my late boss. He was an officer and a gentleman. with a great sense of responsibility to society with a quick wit and a wicked sense of humour. He was a war hero brought up in the great depression as a young person. He was also a very successful businessman and I am convinced one of the things that made him a success was his attitude towards others and his staff, with a talent for attracting the right people for the right job. He is a great loss to New Zealand
Every so often he would write a company magazine designed towards customers and the staff. Always full of wit and great snippets of wisdom apart from the technical know-how. This weekend we had a de-clutter session and at the back of a cupboard, I found the last issue of this persons magazine I had saved. I decided to read some of the snippets of wit and humour by this great guy, and decided to list them here as I am sure they will bring a smile.
“A gossip is someone with a great sense of rumuor.
If it wasn't for electricity we would be computing by candlelight.
Today's mighty oaks are just yesterday's nut that held its ground
Forget health foods I need all the preservatives I can get.
Growing old is mandatory. Growing up is optional.”
It’s quite common here in Oz with new housing estate and it can quite a headache for those trying to build a new house from these asshole developers and it actually creates a very sterile suburbs.
I worked for a time on Hobsonville Point that Grey refers to above, setting out the area in its initial stages – like many of them, they are Australian developers bringing over your typical New Australian suburb and planting them in NZ. There is one at the bottom of the South side of the Bombay Hills, which is almost the same as the Perth suburb I am currently residing in at the moment. There are some features however that I do find attractive and this is the inclusion of many parks and play areas.
YEA The Super Gold Card app it will be good for some of our elderly tangata. I think if the apps are advertised they will get a cell phone it will encourage Our elderly to learn new skills.
Just felt Ruamoko not to big enough to let me know he's moving.
There was a bit of A thunder storm today Ingrid.
I have lowered my meat consumption for the environment I still think we need some meat in our diet just not to much.
Here you go Whanau this is stark evedince that human caused climate change / global warming is our reality it is not fiction like the neanderthal want us to believe.
I can see that the neanderthal are stuffing with new improvements in renewable energy storage and generations and bio oils. Remember these people are ruthless they have no morels they will try anything to stop us transitioning into a society we're every person and country becomes energy independent. That takes away the neanderthal power to manipulate the tangata of the Papatuanuku. That's why they are fighting Green Energy and our reality of global warming sea level riseing with tooth and nail. But like the old saying goes it's Te tangata Te tangata more than tangata Mana that holds the Mana.
The problem – rising carbon dioxide in the atmosphere
The level of CO2 has been rising since the industrial revolution and is now at its highest for about 4 million years. The rate of the rise is even more striking – the fastest for 66m years – with scientists saying we are in “uncharted territory”.
The causes – fossil fuel burning
Billions of tonnes of CO2 are sent into the atmosphere every year from coal, oil and gas burning. There is no sign of these emissions starting to fall rapidly, as is needed.
The causes – forest destruction
The felling of forests for timber, cattle, soy and palm oil is a big contributor to carbon emissions. It is also a major cause of the annihilation of wildlife on Earth.
The consequences – global temperature rise
The planet’s average temperature started to climb steadily two centuries ago, but has rocketed since the second world war as consumption and population has risen. Global heating means there is more energy in the atmosphere, making extreme weather events more frequent and more intense.
The consequences – ice melting in Greenland
Greenland has lost almost 4 trillion tonnes of ice since 2002. Mountain ranges from the Himalayas to the Andes to the Alps are also losing ice rapidly as glaciers shrink. A third of the Himalayan and Hindu Kush ice is already doomed.
As heating melts the sea ice, the darker water revealed absorbs more of the sun’s heat, causing more heating – one example of the vicious circles in the climate system. Scientists think the changes in the Arctic may be responsible for worsened heatwaves and floods in Eurasia and North America.
Our government is investing wisely to provide safe cost effective Roads and Highways.
Ka pai to Gull moving into the South Island Eco Maori knows what the prices of fuel is down there. That's why it will be awesome when I see Tangata and Countrys becoming energy independent Ma Te Wa.
Its good to see Africa Americans getting some justice that women shooting her Neighbour who was having tea in his own whare Ka pai.
You think Im going to far kiss my whero.
Tony thank for your good mahi as GrayMouth Mayor all the best on your new journey in life.
In the year 2000 Aotearoa had a fairer wealth distribution our vaxcernated tamariki % were higher the age of our vehicle fleet was younger our sports stadium were full there was low or known homeless people our cost of living was low. What happened well Prebble conned his way into the Labour Party ie Labour started making policy for the wealth people with out thinking about the negative effects it has on the common tangata. Then we get 10 years of a business only government. I say that in the years 2000 the business were not making huge profits.
The class action on the South Island bovine problems is Lawyers showing the rest of the class how they can quite easily take boths sides heaps putea. as I have said war is for idiots negotiation is needed on both sides of the fences. When lawyers are involved the only winner is Te lawyer
We should have more Australian comedy content on TV they have some funny buggers in Australia.
I agree with your views Magda on Our environment and the effects that Modern culture has had on our environment.
Electric cars are not expensive I could buy a good car with only 40.000 km on the clock for $10,000. dollars and cut my carbon footprint in half.
Sir Bob I agree with your comments on gas in Aotearoa. But I think our government used the tactic of legislation to get the big 3 gas companies to let Gull in the South Island.
Here you go Whanau they were warned about the way they we have been treating our environment 100s of years ago and even nowadays they don't want to change the UN sustainable economic growth. Ma Te Wa times are going to change fast kia kaha to all the good tangata fighting for our future climate.
Bad ancestors: does the climate crisis violate the rights of those yet to be born?
Our environmental vandalism has made urgent the question of ethical responsibilities across decades and centuries
What if climate breakdown is a violation of the rights of those yet to be born? Finally, this urgent question seems to be getting the attention it deserves. Last month an astonishing 7 million people from nearly 200 countries took to the streets as part of the youth-led global climate strike. Young people around the world recognise that the disastrous repercussions of the already present ecological crisis will fall disproportionately on their shoulders, and the shoulders of generations to come – in particular on those whose communities have emitted the smallest proportion of greenhouse gasses.
That is precisely what some concerned young people have been arguing in the US court system since 2015, when a group of seven plaintiffs, not yet old enough to vote, filed a lawsuit in the commonwealth court of Pennsylvania against Governor Tom Wolf and various state agencies. The suit argued that the defendants had failed to take necessary action to regulate carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases consistent with the commonwealth’s obligations as a public trustee. In the legal team’s language, the state was failing in its responsibility to “conserve and maintain public natural resources, including the atmosphere, for the benefit of present and future generations
Back in the US, municipalities such as New York City, San Francisco and Richmond are suing fossil fuel companies for billions of dollars in damages for suppressing information about the hazards of carbon emissions and impending sea-level rise. Additionally, First Nations communities are invoking treaty rights to prevent the pipeline transport of fossil fuels over unceded indigenous territories. The citizens behind these creative legal campaigns are trying to curb resource exploitation to ensure we leave behind a place that is livable
We cannot say we were not warned. In an 1847 speech, pioneering conservationist and congressman George Perkins Marsh identified processes that would later be understood as part of the greenhouse effect. His popular 1864 book, Man and Nature: Or, Physical Geography as Modified by Human Action, reprimanded those who despoil the environment and recommended a course of resource management that would take the needs of future generations into account. “The Earth is fast becoming an unfit home for its noblest inhabitant, and another era of equal human crime and human improvidence … would reduce it to such a condition of impoverished productiveness, of shattered surface, of climactic excess, as to threaten the depravation, barbarism, and perhaps even extinction of the species,” he wrote. “The world cannot afford to wait till the slow and sure progress of exact science has taught it a better economy
Eco Maori hope that Maketu pies keeps on trading they have great pies I love the fish pies actually all their pies if I see Maketu pies I will buy them.
Tomorrow is the day that the Pike River Whanau get back to see inside the mine kia kaha.
I think that alcoholism is a deases that needs to be declared as that I have seen the damage it is doing to Tangata Whenua and other cultures.
Ka pai to Orange Sky for providing portable showers for the homeless people. Aotearoa has the worst homeless people in the OECD not long ago Aotearoa had the highest living standard in the OECD.
Negative yesterday, negative today. Negative all year, according to one departing reader telling me I’ve grown strident and predictable. Fair enough. If it’s any help, every time I go to write about a certain topic that begins with C and ends with arrrrs, I do brace myself and ask: Again? Are ...
Bryce Edwards writes – It’s been a tumultuous time in politics in recent months, as the new National-led Government has driven through its “First 100 Day programme”. During this period there’s been a handful of opinion polls, which overall just show a minimal amount of flux in public support ...
Inspirational: The Family of Man is a glorious hymn to human equality, but, more than that, it is a clarion call to human freedom. Because equality, unleavened by liberty, is a broken piano, an unstrung harp; upon which the songs of fraternity will never be played.“Somebody must have been telling lies about ...
Tax Lawyer Barbara Edmonds vs Emperor Justinian I- Nolo Contendere: False historical explanations of pivotal events are very far from being inconsequential.WHEN BARBARA EDMONDS made reference to the Roman Empire, my ears pricked up. It is, lamentably, very rare to hear a politician admit to any kind of familiarity ...
It’s been a tumultuous time in politics in recent months, as the new National-led Government has driven through its “First 100 Day programme”. During this period there’s been a handful of opinion polls, which overall just show a minimal amount of flux in public support for the various parties in ...
Buzz from the Beehive Housing Minister Chris Bishop delivered news – packed with the ingredients to enflame political passions – worthy of supplanting Winston Peters in headline writers’ priorities. He popped up at the post-Cabinet press conference to promise a crackdown on unruly and antisocial state housing tenants. His ...
Ele Ludemann writes – The Reserve Bank is advertising for a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion advisor. The Bank has one mandate – to keep inflation between one and three percent. It has failed in that and is only slowly getting inflation back down to the upper limit. Will it ...
Last week former National Party leader Simon Bridges was appointed by the Government as the new chair of the New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA). You can read about the appointment in Thomas Coughlan’s article, Simon Bridges to become chair of NZ Transport Agency Waka KotahiThe fact that a ...
Bryce Edwards writes – Last week former National Party leader Simon Bridges was appointed by the Government as the new chair of the New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA). You can read about the appointment in Thomas Coughlan’s article, Simon Bridges to become chair of NZ Transport Agency ...
TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read: Gavin Jacobson talks to Thomas Piketty 10 years on from Capital in the 21st CenturyThe SalvoLocal scoop: Green MP’s business being investigated over migrant exploitation claims StuffSteve KilgallonLocal deep-dive: The commercial contractors making money from School ...
It’s a home - but Kāinga Ora tenants accused of “abusing the privilege” may lose it. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The Government announced a crackdown on Kāinga Ora tenants who were unruly and/or behind on their rent, with Housing Minister Chris Bishop saying a place in a state ...
This is a guest post by Connor Sharp of Surface Light Rail Light rail in Auckland: A way forward sooner than you think With the coup de grâce of Auckland Light Rail (ALR) earlier this year, and the shift of the government’s priorities to roads, roads, and more roads, it ...
Note: As a paid-up Webworm member, I’ve recorded this Webworm as a mini-podcast for you as well. Some of you said you liked this option - so I aim to provide it when I get a chance to record! Read more ...
TL;DR: In my ‘six-stack’ of substacks at 6.06pm on Monday, March 18:IKEA is accused of planting big forests in New Zealand to green-wash; REDD-MonitorA City for People takes a well-deserved victory lap over Wellington’s pro-YIMBY District Plan votes; A City for PeopleSteven Anastasiou takes a close look at the sticky ...
Buzz from the Beehive Here’s hoping for a lively post-cabinet press conference when the PM and – perhaps – some of his ministers tell us what was discussed at their meeting today. Until then, Point of Order has precious little Beehive news to report after its latest monitoring of the ...
David Farrar writes – We now have almost all 2023 data in, which has allowed me to update my annual table of how labour went against its promises. This is basically their final report card. The promiseThe result Build 100,000 affordable homes over 10 ...
I’m a bit worried that I’ve started a previous newsletter with the words “just when you think they couldn’t get any worse…” Seems lately that I could begin pretty much every issue with that opening. Such is the nature of our coalition government that they seem to be outdoing each ...
Geoffrey Miller writes – Timing is everything. And from China’s perspective, this week’s visit by its foreign minister to New Zealand could be coming at just the right moment. The visit by Wang Yi to Wellington will be his first since 2017. Anniversaries are important to Beijing. ...
Depictions of Islam in Western popular culture have rarely been positive, even before 9/11. Five years on from the mosque shootings, this is one of the cultural headwinds that the Muslim community has to battle against. Whatever messages of tolerance and inclusion are offered in daylight, much of our culture ...
Last week Transport Minster Simeon Brown and Mayor Wayne Brown opened the new Auckland Rail Operations Centre. The new train control centre will see teams from KiwiRail, Auckland Transport and Auckland One Rail working more closely together to improve train services across the city. The Auckland Rail Operations Centre in ...
Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Retiring former Labour Finance Minister Grant Robertson said in an exit interview with Q+A yesterday the Government can and should sustain more debt to invest in infrastructure for future generations. Elsewhere in the news in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy at 6:36am: Read more ...
Timing is everything. And from China’s perspective, this week’s visit by its foreign minister to New Zealand could be coming at just the right moment. The visit by Wang Yi to Wellington will be his first since 2017. Anniversaries are important to Beijing. It is more than just a happy ...
TL;DR: The key events to watch in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the week to March 18 include:China’s Foreign Minister visiting Wellington today;A post-cabinet news conference this afternoon; the resumption of Parliament on Tuesday for two weeks before Easter;retiring former Labour Finance Minister Grant Robertson gives his valedictory speech in Parliament; ...
New Zealand First Leader Winston Peters’s state-of-the-nation speech on Sunday was really a state-of-Winston-First speech. He barely mentioned any of the Government’s key policies and could not even wholly endorse its signature income tax cuts. Instead, he rehearsed all of his complaints about the Ardern Government, including an extraordinary claim ...
A listing of 35 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, March 10, 2024 thru Sat, March 16, 2024. Story of the week This week we'll give you a little glimpse into how we collect links to share and ...
A listing of 35 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, March 10, 2024 thru Sat, March 16, 2024. Story of the week This week we'll give you a little glimpse into how we collect links to share and ...
“I’ve been internalising a really complicated situation in my head.”When they kept telling us we should wait until we get to know him, were they taking the piss? Was it a case of, if you think this is bad, wait till you get to know the real Christopher, after the ...
Happy fourth anniversary, Pandemic That Upended Bloody Everything. I have been observing it by enjoying my second bout of COVID. It’s 5.30 on Sunday morning and only now are lights turning back on for me.Allow me to copy and paste what I told reader Sara yesterday:Depleted, fogged and crappy. Resting, ...
Happy fourth anniversary, Pandemic That Upended Bloody Everything. I have been observing it by enjoying my second bout of COVID. It’s 5.30 on Sunday morning and only now are lights turning back on for me.Allow me to copy and paste what I told reader Sara yesterday:Depleted, fogged and crappy. Resting, ...
Happy fourth anniversary, Pandemic That Upended Bloody Everything. I have been observing it by enjoying my second bout of COVID. It’s 5.30 on Sunday morning and only now are lights turning back on for me.Allow me to copy and paste what I told reader Sara yesterday:Depleted, fogged and crappy. Resting, ...
.“$10 and a target that bleeds” - Bleeding Targets for Under $10!.Thanks for reading Frankly Speaking ! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.This government appears hell-bent on either scrapping life-saving legislation or reintroducing things that - frustrated critics insist - will be dangerous and likely ...
“It hardly strikes me as fair to criticise a government for doing exactly what it said it was going to do. For actually keeping its promises.”THUNDER WAS PLAYING TAG with lightning flashes amongst the distant peaks. Its rolling cadences interrupted by the here-I-come-here-I-go Doppler effect of the occasional passing car. ...
Subversive & Disruptive Technologies: Just as happened with that other great regulator of the masses, the Medieval Church, the advent of a new and hard-to-control technology – the Internet – is weakening the ties that bind. Then, and now, those who enjoy a monopoly on the dissemination of lies, cannot and will ...
Been Here Before: To find the precedents for what this Coalition Government is proposing, it is necessary to return to the “glory days” of Muldoonism.THE COALITION GOVERNMENT has celebrated its first 100 days in office by checking-off the last of its listed commitments. It remains, however, an angry government. It ...
Bob Edlin writes – And what is the world watching today…? The email newsletter from Associated Press which landed in our mailbox early this morning advised: In the news today: The father of a school shooter has been found guilty of involuntary manslaughter; prosecutors in Trump’s hush-money case ...
Bryce Edwards writes – Is another Green MP on their way out? And are the Greens severely tarnished by another integrity scandal? For the second time in three months, the Green Party has secretly suspended an MP over integrity issues. Mystery is surrounding the party’s decision to ...
For the last few years, the Green Party has been the party that has managed to avoid the plague of multiple scandals that have beleaguered other political parties. It appears that their luck has run out with a second scandal which, unfortunately for them, coincided with Golraz Ghahraman, the focus ...
TL;DR: The six newsey things that stood out to me as of 6:46am on Saturday, March 16.Andy Foster has accidentally allowed a Labour/Green amendment to cut road user chargers for plug-in hybrid vehicles, which the Government might accept; NZ HeraldThomas CoughlanSimeon Brown has rejected a plea from Westport ...
What seemed a booming success a couple of years ago has collapsed into fraud convictions.I looked at the crash of FTX (short for ‘Futures Exchange’) in November 2022 to see whether it would impact on the financial system as a whole. Fortunately there was barely a ripple, probably because it ...
Anybody following the situation in Ukraine and Russia would probably have been amused by a recent Tweet on X NATO seems to be putting in an awful lot of effort to influence what is, at least according to them, a sham election in an autocracy.When do the Ukrainians go to ...
TL;DR:Shaun Baker on Wynyard Quarter's transformation. Magdalene Taylor on the problem with smart phones. How private equity are now all over reinsurance. Dylan Cleaver on rugby and CTE. Emily Atkin on ‘Big Meat’ looking like ‘Big Oil’.Bernard’s six-stack of substacks at 6pm on March 15Photo by Jeppe Hove Jensen ...
Buzz from the Beehive Finance Minister Nicola Willis had plenty to say when addressing the Auckland Business Chamber on the economic growth that (she tells us) is flagging more than we thought. But the government intends to put new life into it: We want our country to be a ...
The Transport and Infrastructure Committee has reported back on the Road User Charges (Light Electric RUC Vehicles) Amendment Bill, basicly rubberstamping it. While there was widespread support among submitters for the principle that EV and PHEV drivers should pay their fair share for the roads, they also overwhelmingly disagreed with ...
Peter Dunne writes – This week’s government bailout – the fifth in the last eighteen months – of the financially troubled Ruapehu Alpine Lifts company would have pleased many in the central North Island ski industry. The government’s stated rationale for the $7 million funding was that it ...
See if you can spot the difference. An Iranian born female MP from a progressive party is accused of serial shoplifting. Her name is leaked to the media, which goes into a pack frenzy even before the Police launch an … Continue reading → ...
Ele Ludemann writes – The government is omitting general Treaty references from legislation : The growth of Treaty of Waitangi clauses in legislation caused so much worry that a special oversight group was set up by the last Government in a bid to get greater coherence in the public service on Treaty ...
What was that judge thinking?Peter Williams writes – That Golriz Ghahraman and District Court Judge Maria Pecotic were once lawyer colleagues is incontrovertible. There is published evidence that they took at least one case to the Court of Appeal together. There was a report on ...
TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read:Climate Scorpion – the sting is in the tail. Introducing planetary solvency. A paper via the University of Exeter’s Institute and Faculty of Actuaries.Local scoop:Kāinga Ora starts pulling out of its Auckland projects and selling land RNZ ...
Wellington’s massively upzoned District Plan adds the opportunity for tens of thousands of new homes not just in the central city (such as these Webb St new builds) but also close to the CBD and public transport links. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Wellington gave itself the chance of ...
It’s Friday and we’re halfway through March Madness. Here’s some of the things that caught our attention this week. This Week in Greater Auckland On Monday Matt asked how we can get better event trains and an option for grade separating Morningside Dr. On Tuesday Matt looked into ...
Something you might not know about me is that I’m quite a stubborn person. No, really. I don’t much care for criticism I think’s unfair or that I disagree with. Few of us do I suppose.Back when I was a drinker I’d sometimes respond defensively, even angrily. There are things ...
Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The five things that mattered in Aotearoa’s political economy that we wrote and spoke about via The Kākā and elsewhere for paying subscribers in the last week included:PM Christopher Luxon said the reversal of interest deductibility for landlords was done to help renters, who ...
It was not so much the Labour Party but really the Chris Hipkins party yesterday at Labour’s caucus retreat in Martinborough. The former Prime Minister was more or less consistent on wealth tax, which he was at best equivocal about, and social insurance, which he was not willing to revisit. ...
Buzz from the BeehiveThe text reproduced above appears on a page which records all the media statements and speeches posted on the government’s official website by Melissa Lee as Minister of Media and Communications and/or by Jenny Marcroft, her Parliamentary Under-secretary. It can be quickly analysed ...
For forty years, Robert Muldoon has been a dirty word in our politics. His style of government was so repulsive and authoritarian that the backlash to it helped set and entrench our constitutional norms. His pig-headedness over forcing through Think Big eventually gave us the RMA, with its participation and ...
Bryce Edwards writes – Is the new government reducing tax on rental properties to benefit landlords or to cut the cost of rents? That’s the big question this week, after Associate Finance Minister David Seymour announced on Sunday that the Government would be reversing the Labour Government’s removal ...
Saudi Arabia is rarely far from the international spotlight. The war in Gaza has brought new scrutiny to Saudi plans to normalise relations with Israel, while the fifth anniversary of the controversial killing of Jamal Khashoggi was marked shortly before the war began on October 7. And as the home ...
Questions need to be asked on both sides of the worldPeter Williams writes – The NRL Judiciary hands down an eight week suspension to Sydney Roosters forward Spencer Leniu , an Auckland-born Samoan, after he calls Ezra Mam, Sydney-orn but of Aboriginal and Torres Strait ...
Ele Ludemann writes – Contrary to what many headlines and news stories are saying, residential landlords are not getting a tax break. The government is simply restoring to them the tax deductibility of interest they had until the previous government removed it. There is no logical reason ...
I can't remember when it was goodMoments of happiness in bloomMaybe I just misunderstoodAll of the love we left behindWatching our flashbacks intertwineMemories I will never findIn spite of whatever you becomeForget that reckless thing turned onI think our lives have just begunI think our lives have just begunDoes anyone ...
Michael Bassett writes – At first reading, a front-page story in the New Zealand Herald on 13 March was bizarre. A group of severely intellectually limited teenagers, with little understanding of the law, have been pleading to the Justice Select Committee not to pass a bill dealing with ram ...
How much political capital is Christopher Luxon willing to burn through in order to deliver his $2.9 billion gift to landlords? Evidently, Luxon is: (a) unable to cost the policy accurately. As Anna Burns-Francis pointed out to him on Breakfast TV, the original ”rock solid” $2.1 billion cost he was ...
TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read:Jonathon Porritt calling bullshit in his own blog post on mainstream climate science as ‘The New Denialism’.Local scoop:The Wellington City Council’s list of proposed changes to the IHP recommendations to be debated later today was leaked this ...
TL;DR:Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said yesterday tenants should be grateful for the reinstatement of interest deductibility because landlords would pass on their lower tax costs in the form of lower rents. That would be true if landlords were regulated monopolies such as Transpower or Auckland Airport1, but they’re not, ...
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Tom Toro Tom Toro is a cartoonist and author. He has published over 200 cartoons in The New Yorker since 2010. His cartoons appear in Playboy, the Paris Review, the New York Times, American Bystander, and elsewhere. Related: What 10 EV lovers ...
The business section of the NZ Herald is full of opinion. Among the more opinionated of all is the ex-Minister of Transport, ex-Minister of Railways, ex MP for Auckland Central (1975-93, Labour), Wellington Central (1996-99, ACT, then list-2005), ex-leader of the ACT Party, uncle to actor Antonia, the veritable granddaddy ...
Hi,Just quickly — I’m blown away by the stories you’ve shared with me over the last week since I put out the ‘Gary’ podcast, where I told you about the time my friend’s flatmate killed the neighbour.And you keep telling me stories — in the comments section, and in my ...
The first season of Rings of Power was not awful. It was thoroughly underwhelming, yes, and left a lingering sense of disappointment, but it was more expensive mediocrity than catastrophe. I wrote at length about the series as it came out (see the Review section of the blog, and go ...
Buzz from the Beehive Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden told Auckland Business Chamber members they were the first audience to hear her priorities as a minister in a government committed to cutting red tape and regulations. She brandished her liberalising credentials, saying Flexible labour markets are the ...
Chris Trotter writes – TO UNDERSTAND WHY NEWSHUB FAILED, it is necessary to understand how TVNZ changed. Up until 1989, the state broadcaster had been funded by a broadcasting licence fee, collected from every citizen in possession of a television set, supplemented by a relatively modest (compared ...
Bob Edlin writes – The Māori Party has been busy issuing a mix of warnings and threats as its expresses its opposition to interest deductibility for landlords and the plans of seabed miners. It remains to be seen whether they follow the example of indigenous litigants in Australia, ...
Every year, in the Budget, Parliament forks out money to government agencies to do certain things. And every year, as part of the annual review cycle, those agencies are meant to report on whether they have done the things Parliament gave them that money for. Agencies which consistently fail to ...
Mike Grimshaw writes – Recent events in American universities point to an underlying crisis of coherent thinking, an issue that increasingly affects the progressive left across the Western world. This of course is nothing new as anyone who can either remember or has read of the late ...
The Government has accepted Labour’s change to the Road User Charge (RUC) discount for hybrid vehicles, meaning there will still be some incentive for people to buy greener vehicles. ...
Kicking the most vulnerable people out of state housing and pushing them towards homelessness will result in a proliferation of poverty and trauma across our most vulnerable communities. ...
Te Pāti Māori co-leader and MP for Waiariki, Rawiri Waititi has penned a letter asking MPs to support his members bill to remove GST from all food. The bill is expected to go through its first reading in parliament this Wednesday. “I’m calling on all political parties to support my ...
This year is about getting real with Kiwis and discussing the tough issues, as the National Government exacerbates inequality and divides New Zealand, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said ...
The Government adding Significant Natural Areas (SNAs) to its already roaring environmental policy bonfire is an assault on the future of wildlife that makes Aotearoa unique. ...
After 12 years of fighting to protect our moana we are finding ourselves back at square one and back at court. Today, the Environmental Protection Agency is sitting in Hawera to reconsider an application from Trans-Tasman Resources to dig up 50 million tonnes of the seabed in South Taranaki. This ...
Minister Shane Jones’ decision to step away from a seabed mining project is evidence of the murky waters surrounding the Government’s fast-track legislation. ...
The growth of Treaty of Waitangi clauses in legislation caused so much worry that a special oversight group was set up by the last government in a bid to get greater coherence in the publicservice on Treaty matters. When ministers first considered the need for tighter oversight in 2021, there ...
The growth of Treaty of Waitangi clauses in legislation caused so much worry that a special oversight group was set up by the last government in a bid to get greater coherence in the publicservice on Treaty matters. When ministers first considered the need for tighter oversight in 2021, there ...
The Coalition Government’s miscalculation saga continues as it has forgotten an eyewatering $90 million gap in its interest deductibility cost figures, say Labour Finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds and Revenue Spokesperson Deborah Russell. ...
He Pou a Rangi Climate Change Commission has today released advice that says if the Government doesn’t act now New Zealand is at risk of not meeting its climate goals. ...
The Coalition Government has today confirmed it is abandoning first home buyers who are struggling to get ahead, says Labour Finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds. ...
The New Zealand public voted for a change in direction at the 2023 general election and that is exactly what this coalition government has been delivering in its first 100 days. There was an immediate focus on the economy, easing the cost of living, cracking down on law and order ...
The Government has left the health system as an afterthought, announcing half-baked targets at the last minute of their 100-day plan, says Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall. ...
Kiwis are still waiting for their promised cost of living support after 100 days of a National Government that is taking us backwards, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said today. ...
The National Government has spent its first 100 days stopping, cutting and reversing. They have scrapped stuff for stuff for the sake of it, without putting up any solutions of their own – and it’s hardworking New Zealanders who will pay for it. ...
100 days of National taking NZ backwardsThe National Government has spent its first 100 days stopping, cutting and reversing. They have scrapped stuff for stuff for the sake of it, without putting up any solutions of their own – and it’s hardworking New Zealanders who will pay for it. ...
The Government must commit to funding free and healthy school lunches, as thousands of people sign the petition to keep them, education spokesperson Jan Tinetti says. ...
If the Government was serious about moving families into public housing, they would build more houses so there is actually somewhere for people to go. ...
The free and healthy school lunches programme feeds our kids, helps them to learn, and saves families money – but it is at risk under this Government, education spokesperson Jan Tinetti said. ...
The Government’s proposed changes to Firearms Prohibition Orders (FPO) add almost nothing new and are merely an attempt to distract from its plans to loosen gun laws, police spokesperson Ginny Andersen and justice spokesperson Dr Duncan Webb said. ...
The great Victorian era English politician Lord Macauley stood in the British House of Parliament and said, "The gallery in which the reporters sit has become a fourth estate of the realm".He understood and outlined even way back then, the significant role and influence media have in a democracy. ...
The government’s attack on Māori health this week is committing tangata-whenua to a premature death, says Te Pāti Māori. “The government have begun their onslaught on Māori health with the abolishment of the Māori Health Authority and smokefree laws in the same day” said health spokesperson and co-leader, Debbie Ngarewa-Packer. ...
New Zealand’s social workers are qualified, experienced, and more representative of the communities they serve, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “I want to acknowledge and applaud New Zealand’s social workers for the hard work they do, providing invaluable support for our most vulnerable. “To coincide with World ...
Cabinet has agreed to a reduced road user charge (RUC) rate for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. Owners of PHEVs will be eligible for a reduced rate of $38 per 1,000km once all light electric vehicles (EVs) move into the RUC system from 1 April. ...
Minister of Agriculture and Trade, Todd McClay, says that today’s opening of Riverland Foods manufacturing plant in Christchurch is a great example of how trade access to overseas markets creates jobs in New Zealand. Speaking at the official opening of this state-of-the-art pet food factory the Minister noted that exports ...
Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Wellington today. “It was a pleasure to host Foreign Minister Wang Yi during his first official visit to New Zealand since 2017. Our discussions were wide-ranging and enabled engagement on many facets of New Zealand’s relationship with China, including trade, ...
Kāinga Ora – Homes & Communities has been instructed to end the Sustaining Tenancies Framework and take stronger measures against persistent antisocial behaviour by tenants, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “Earlier today Finance Minister Nicola Willis and I sent an interim Letter of Expectations to the Board of Kāinga Ora. ...
Tēna koutou katoa. Greetings everyone. Thank you to the Auckland Chamber of Commerce and the Honourable Simon Bridges for hosting this address today. I acknowledge the business leaders in this room, the leaders and governors, the employers, the entrepreneurs, the investors, and the wealth creators. The coalition Government shares your ...
Minister Winston Peters completed the final leg of his visit to South and South East Asia in Singapore today, where he focused on enhancing one of New Zealand’s indispensable strategic partnerships. “Singapore is our most important defence partner in South East Asia, our fourth-largest trading partner and a ...
Minister of Internal Affairs and Workplace Relations and Safety, Hon. Brooke van Velden, will travel to the Republic of Korea to represent New Zealand at the Third Summit for Democracy on 18 March. The summit, hosted by the Republic of Korea, was first convened by the United States in 2021, ...
ICNZ Speech 7 March 2024, Auckland Acknowledgements and opening Mōrena, ngā mihi nui. Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Nor Whanganui aho. Good morning, it’s a privilege to be here to open the ICNZ annual conference, thank you to Mark for the Mihi Whakatau My thanks to Tim Grafton for inviting me ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Lead Coordination Minister Judith Collins have expressed their deepest sympathy on the five-year anniversary of the Christchurch terror attacks. “March 15, 2019, was a day when families, communities and the country came together both in sorrow and solidarity,” Mr Luxon says. “Today we pay our respects to the 51 shuhada ...
Speech for Financial Advice NZ Conference 5 March 2024 Acknowledgements and opening Morena, Nga Mihi Nui. Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Nor Whanganui aho. Thanks Nate for your Mihi Whakatau Good morning. It’s a pleasure to formally open your conference this morning. What a lovely day in Wellington, What a great ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters held discussions in Jakarta today about the future of relations between New Zealand and South East Asia’s most populous country. “We are in Jakarta so early in our new government’s term to reflect the huge importance we place on our relationship with Indonesia and South ...
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters has announced that the Foreign Minister of China, Wang Yi, will visit New Zealand next week. “We look forward to re-engaging with Foreign Minister Wang Yi and discussing the full breadth of the bilateral relationship, which is one of New Zealand’s ...
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has today opened the new Auckland Rail Operations Centre, which will bring together KiwiRail, Auckland Transport, and Auckland One Rail to improve service reliability for Aucklanders. “The recent train disruptions in Auckland have highlighted how important it is KiwiRail and Auckland’s rail agencies work together to ...
The Government is proud to support the 10th edition of Crankworx Rotorua as the Crankworx World Tour returns to Rotorua from 16-24 March 2024, says Minister for Economic Development Melissa Lee. “Over the past 10 years as Crankworx Rotorua has grown, so too have the economic and social benefits that ...
Legislation implementing coalition Government tax commitments and addressing long-standing tax anomalies will be progressed in Parliament next week, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The legislation is contained in an Amendment Paper to the Taxation (Annual Rates for 2023–24, Multinational Tax, and Remedial Matters) Bill issued today. “The Amendment Paper represents ...
Associate Environment Minister Andrew Hoggard has today announced that the Government has agreed to suspend the requirement for councils to comply with the Significant Natural Areas (SNA) provisions of the National Policy Statement for Indigenous Biodiversity for three years, while it replaces the Resource Management Act (RMA).“As it stands, SNAs ...
Agriculture Minister Todd McClay has classified the drought conditions in the Marlborough, Tasman, and Nelson districts as a medium-scale adverse event, acknowledging the challenging conditions facing farmers and growers in the district. “Parts of Marlborough, Tasman, and Nelson districts are in the grip of an intense dry spell. I know ...
The Government is helping farmers eradicate the significant impact of facial eczema (FE) in pastoral animals, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced. “A $20 million partnership jointly funded by Beef + Lamb NZ, the Government, and the primary sector will save farmers an estimated NZD$332 million per year, and aims to ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has completed a successful visit to India, saying it was an important step in taking the relationship between the two countries to the next level. “We have laid a strong foundation for the Coalition Government’s priority of enhancing New Zealand-India relations to generate significant future benefit for both countries,” says Mr Peters, ...
Cabinet has agreed to provide $7 million to ensure the 2024 ski season can go ahead on the Whakapapa ski field in the central North Island but has told the operator Ruapehu Alpine Lifts it is the last financial support it will receive from taxpayers. Cabinet also agreed to provide ...
Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says the launch of a new mobile breast screening unit in Counties Manukau reinforces the coalition Government’s commitment to drive better cancer services for all New Zealanders. Speaking at the launch of the new mobile clinic, Dr Reti says it’s a great example of taking ...
Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says the launch of a new mobile breast screening unit in Counties Manukau reinforces the coalition Government’s commitment to drive better cancer services for all New Zealanders. Speaking at the launch of the new mobile clinic, Dr Reti says it’s a great example of taking ...
Unlocking economic growth and land for housing are critical elements of the Government’s plan for our transport network, and planned upgrades to State Highway 29 (SH29) near Tauriko will deliver strongly on those priorities, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “The SH29 upgrades near Tauriko will improve safety at the intersections ...
Unlocking economic growth and land for housing are critical elements of the Government’s plan for our transport network, and planned upgrades to State Highway 29 (SH29) near Tauriko will deliver strongly on those priorities, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “The SH29 upgrades near Tauriko will improve safety at the intersections ...
Lower fruit and vegetable prices are welcome news for New Zealanders who have been doing it tough at the supermarket, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. Stats NZ reported today the price of fruit and vegetables has dropped 9.3 percent in the 12 months to February 2024. “Lower fruit and vege ...
Tēnā koutou katoa and greetings to you all. Chair, I am honoured to address the sixty-eighth session of the Commission on the Status of Women. I acknowledge the many crises impacting the rights of women and girls. Heightened global tensions, war, climate related and humanitarian disasters, and price inflation all ...
Tēnā koutou katoa and greetings to you all. Chair, I am honoured to address the 68th session of the Commission on the Status of Women. I acknowledge the many crises impacting the rights of women and girls. Heightened global tensions, war, climate related and humanitarian disasters, and price inflation all ...
The coalition Government is supporting farmers to enhance land management practices by investing $3.3 million in locally led catchment groups, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced. “Farmers and growers deliver significant prosperity for New Zealand and it’s vital their ongoing efforts to improve land management practices and water quality are supported,” ...
Good evening everyone and thank you for that lovely introduction. Thank you also to the Honourable Simon Bridges for the invitation to address your members. Since being sworn in, this coalition Government has hit the ground running with our 100-day plan, delivering the changes that New Zealanders expect of us. ...
Recommendations from the Climate Change Commission for New Zealand on the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) auction and unit limit settings for the next five years have been tabled in Parliament, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. “The Commission provides advice on the ETS annually. This is the third time the ...
The coalition Government is beginning its fight to lower building costs and reduce red tape by exempting minor building work from paying the building levy, says Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk. “Currently, any building project worth $20,444 including GST or more is subject to the building levy which is ...
Proposed changes to tax legislation to prevent the over-taxation of low-earning trusts are welcome, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The changes have been recommended by Parliament’s Finance and Expenditure Committee following consideration of submissions on the Taxation (Annual Rates for 2023–24, Multinational Tax, and Remedial Matters) Bill. “One of the ...
Assalaamu alaikum. السَّلَام عليكم In light of the holy month of Ramadan, I want to extend my warmest wishes to our Muslim community in New Zealand. Ramadan is a time for spiritual reflection, renewed devotion, perseverance, generosity, and forgiveness. It’s a time to strengthen our bonds and appreciate the diversity ...
Former Transport Minister and CEO of the Auckland Business Chamber Hon Simon Bridges has been appointed as the new Board Chair of the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) for a three-year term, Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced today. “Simon brings extensive experience and knowledge in transport policy and governance to the role. He will ...
Good morning all, it is a pleasure to be here as Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology. It is fantastic to see how connected and collaborative the life science and biotechnology industry is here in New Zealand. I would like to thank BioTechNZ and NZTech for the invitation to address ...
Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says he is looking forward to the day when three key water projects in Northland are up and running, unlocking the full potential of land in the region. Mr Jones attended a community event at the site of the Otawere reservoir near Kerikeri on Friday. ...
Associate Finance Minister David Seymour has today announced that the Government has agreed to restore deductibility for mortgage interest on residential investment properties. “Help is on the way for landlords and renters alike. The Government’s restoration of interest deductibility will ease pressure on rents and simplify the tax code,” says ...
Sport and Recreation Minister Chris Bishop will travel to Switzerland today to attend an Executive Committee meeting and Symposium of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). Mr Bishop will then travel on to London where he will attend a series of meetings in his capacity as Infrastructure Minister. “New Zealanders believe ...
This year’s Pacific Language Weeks celebrate regional unity and the contribution of Pacific communities to New Zealand culture, says Minister for Pacific Peoples Dr Shane Reti. Dr Reti announced dates for the 2024 Pacific Language Weeks during a visit to the Pasifika festival in Auckland today and says there’s so ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tim Curran, Associate Professor of Ecology, Lincoln University, New Zealand Getty Images/Gerald Corsi In the latest move to reform environmental laws in New Zealand, the coalition government has introduced a bill to fast-track consenting processes for projects deemed to ...
Uber has argued it does not have as much control over drivers as the unions suggest, and wants a judgment ruling that drivers are employees and not contractors set aside and sent back to the Employment Court. The 2022 ruling followed a three-week hearing in which four drivers sought to ...
What can and can’t be purchased by disabled people or their carers has been slashed in an effort by the Ministry of Disabled People Whaikaha to save money. The purchasing guidelines, a set of rules that sets out what can be purchased using the various streams of Government disability funding, ...
The Treasury has published today a new Analytical Note by Tod Wright and Hien Nguyen, Fiscal incidence in New Zealand: The effects of taxes and benefits on household incomes in tax year 2018/19 . Analyses of the distributional impact of taxation and government ...
The Treasury has published today a new Analytical Note by Cory Davis, Boston Hart and Benjamin Stubbing, Household cost-of-living impacts from the Emissions Trading Scheme and using transfers to mitigate regressive outcomes . This Analytical Note ...
A coalition of public transport and climate organisations, united as ‘Transport for All’, is actively opposing the government’s transport proposals. The draft Government Policy Statement (GPS) includes plans for higher fares for public transport, ...
Greater Wellington is inviting feedback on proposed changes to its Revenue and Financing Policy. The Revenue and Financing Policy covers the Council’s various sources of funding, and how the cost of services is shared across the region. This includes ...
Labour has conceded it could have done more to deal with disruptive state housing tenants while in government but says the current coalition is going too far. ...
The band has asked their record label to issue a cease and desist to stop the NZ First leader using their 1997 hit to support his ‘misguided political views’. “I get knocked down, but I get up again,” blared through the speakers on Sunday as Winston Peters took the stage ...
By Lydia Lewis, RNZ Pacific journalist Food rationing is underway in remote areas in Papua New Guinea’s Highlands following torrential rain and flash flooding. More than 20 people have been reported dead in Chimbu Province. In nearby Enga Province, the centre of last month’s massacre, a 15-year-old boy has been ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Andrew Hughes, Lecturer, Research School of Management, Australian National University After months of debate and intrigue, the AFL’s 19th and newest team, the Tasmania Devils, finally launched its jumper, logo and colours in Devonport this week. The Devils will wear green, ...
Brannavan Gnanalingam reviews the debut novel by Saraid de Silva.One of the most baffling things for children who move to a new country is what their parents’ (or grandparents’) lives were like prior to moving – for kids in particular, they’re too busy trying to fit in in their ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Stephen Gaunson, Associate Professor in Cinema Studies, RMIT University Narelle Portanier/Binge “If you don’t know who your mob are, you don’t know who you are,” Detective Andrea “Andie” Whitford (played by Leah Purcell) is told early into the new crime ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Elise Klein, Associate professor, Australian National University It’s commonly accepted that women do the vast majority of caregiving in Australian society. But less appreciated is that Indigenous women do larger amounts of unpaid care than any other group. Working with the Aboriginal ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian Beaumont, Election Analyst (Psephologist) at The Conversation; and Honorary Associate, School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne Joe Biden and Donald Trump have both secured their parties’ nominations for the November 5 United States general election by winning a ...
Comment: There has been a striking contrast in trans-Tasman interest about Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi’s visit to New Zealand and Australia. While the Australian press has been full of articles about the visit – including his curious decision to meet with former prime minister and China booster Paul Keating ...
After years of pressuring banks and other institutions to stop investing in fossil fuels, climate campaigners are making some progress. So how does divestment work?For years, climate activists have been pushing banks and other big institutions to divest from fossil fuels. New research from climate advocacy group 350 Aotearoa ...
For Boba, Ethan and Ashley, K-pop is a place to belong, a way to express themselves, and a bridge to connect with others. The three young Polynesians are part of a K-pop fan community in Tāmaki Makaurau. It’s one of many that have sprung up worldwide as K-pop has gone ...
For Boba, Ethan and Ashley, K-pop is a place to belong, a way to express themselves, and a bridge to connect with others. This one-off documentary presents three intimate portraits of young Polynesians who are pulled into a Korean cultural phenomenon. K-POLYS is directed by Litia Tuiburelevu, Produced by Hex ...
There’s ample evidence demonstrating free school lunch programmes provide wide benefits across schools, households and communities according to public health researchers. ACT Minister David Seymour wants to reduce the spending on Aotearoa New Zealand’s ...
By Wata Shaw in Suva Fiji is facing an exodus of Fijians as many are leaving for overseas seeking employment and education and others are migrating, says Opposition MP Viliame Naupoto. Speaking in Parliament, he said: “His Excellency’s speech (Ratu Wiliame Katonivere) comes after a little over one year of ...
The Taxpayers’ Union is welcoming comments from Christopher Luxon this morning recommitting to ‘no new taxes’ as part of Budget 2024. “Mr Luxon’s refusal at the Post-Cabinet press conference yesterday to repeat the ‘no new taxes’ promise ...
SAFE is urgently calling on the Environment Committee to reject the Government’s Fast-Track Approvals Bill, and is urging New Zealanders to rally behind the call. The proposed Bill, currently under consideration with the Environment select committee, ...
Teammates who spend all their time picking fights with spectators are only helpful for the other team, writes Madeleine Chapman. Anyone who has ever played a team sport competitively, particularly as a child and particularly, for some reason, basketball, will know that there’s a lot of politics involved. While there ...
The long-running Wellington music festival is too focused on the Jim Beam-ness and not enough on the Homegrown-ness.There is something about Homegrown that’s difficult to place. A barely perceptible-ness. Like feeling a ghost is watching you from the corner of the room but when you look, there’s nothing there. ...
The latest Ipsos New Zealand Issues Monitor reveals that fewer New Zealanders believe crime / law and order is one of the top issues facing our country. In 2018, Ipsos New Zealand started tracking the key issues facing New Zealand. In this wave ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kate Griffiths, Deputy Program Director, Budgets and Government, Grattan Institute Australia’s political donations rules are woefully inadequate, but donations reform is finally on the agenda. The federal government has signalled its interest in reform and will soon begin briefing MPs on its ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Mark Patrick Taylor, Chief Environmental Scientist, EPA Victoria; Honorary Professor, School of Natural Sciences, Macquarie University Naiyana Somchitkaeo/Shutterstock A recent study published in the prestigious New England Journal of Medicine has linked microplastics with risk to human health. The study ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Albert Van Dijk, Professor, Water and Landscape Dynamics, Fenner School of Environment & Society, Australian National University Global climate records were shattered in 2023, from air and sea temperatures to sea-level rise and sea-ice extent. Scores of countries recorded their hottest year ...
As part of our series exploring how New Zealanders live and our relationship with money, a teacher explains why he and his partner are in frugal mode – and how they’re making it work. Gender: Male Age: 35Ethnicity: Pākehā Role: I am an intermediate school teacher and my partner is ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sarah Bendall, Senior Lecturer, Institute for Humanities and Social Sciences, Australian Catholic University Binge Mary & George, the new British television drama series, depicts the real-life story of Mary Villiers and her son George, and their social climbing at the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jason Nassios, Associate Professor, Centre of Policy Studies, Victoria University This article is part of The Conversation’s series examining the housing crisis. Read the other articles in the series here. Australian state and federal governments spend money in many ways to ...
The finance minister is denying that there’s a $5.6b shortfall in paying for the government’s campaign promises, including tax cuts. At his post-cabinet press conference yesterday, the PM refused to rule out new taxes to pay for the cuts, writes Anna Rawhiti-Connell in this excerpt from The Bulletin, The Spinoff’s ...
Kāinga Ora tenants abused by their neighbours are doubting the government's crackdown on disruptive tenants will make a difference on their behaviour. ...
Kāinga Ora is New Zealand’s biggest residential landlord, housing more than 180,000 vulnerable people in more than 67,000 properties. Yesterday the government announced a crackdown on its tenants who fall behind on rent. One longtime Kāinga Ora tenant shares her experience.For 18 years I lived in a 1960s standalone ...
Why does this myth persist, and what’s the real reason our skin is suffering?It’s one of the biggest international grievances New Zealanders hold, up there with the sinking of the Rainbow Warrior and 1981’s underarm incident. We’re quick to tell international travellers that the world’s pollution led to the ...
Bob’s relationship with certain members of Lincoln’s academic staff continued to deteriorate in the 1990s. Others supported him publicly, though articles such as Roland Clark’s 1993 piece in Growing Today cannot have pleased the university management. Clark wrote that Bob was selling onions from the Biological Husbandry Unit to a ...
SailGP’s races feature in-your-face action, with agile, hydro-foiling catamarans tacking and jibing for the title over several days. However, public comments ahead of the global series’ return to New Zealand have left this past year’s controversy in the shadows, as a key appointment attracts criticism from dolphin advocates. A year ...
Opinion: We are fast approaching a fundamental change in prisons. As the number of people on custodial remand looks set to overtake the number of sentenced prisoners, the main function of prisons in New Zealand may become incarcerating un-sentenced people who may not be guilty of offending. We have already ...
A huge seven months lies in store for the White Ferns, beginning this week with the visit of England and culminating with the T20 World Cup in Bangladesh in September and October. Starting on Tuesday in Dunedin, the world ranked No. 2 visitors will play five T20s and three ODIs, ...
Opinion: In a move that has shocked road safety advocates across the country, the new Minister of Transport, Simeon Brown, is poised to abandon the previous government’s speed limit reduction policy, particularly around schools. Even more alarmingly, he wants school speed limits to be variable rather than full-time, arguing ...
Auckland Council is opposing a fast-track development backed by Sir John Kirwan and Spark NZ, because it doesn’t meet stringent new climate adaptation requirements The post Surf-data centre faces new 3.8C climate warming rules appeared first on Newsroom. ...
When the Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Act was introduced in 2009 it was firmly targeted at gangs and drugs. The legislation means police no longer need a conviction to seize assets that criminals can’t prove were paid for legitimately, as long as their alleged offences are punishable by more than a ...
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The letters, which were published last week, were addressed to Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) Chairperson Megawati Sukarnoputri, National Democrat Party (NasDem) Chairperson Surya Paloh, National Awakening Party (PKB) Chairperson Muhaimin Iskandar, Justice and Prosperity Party (PKS) President Ahmad Syaikhu and United Development Party (PPP) Chairperson Muhammad Mardiono. In ...
Evicting more people from state housing is ignorant to the consequences of poverty, the Greens say, but the Housing Minister says it's a privilege that can be taken away if abused. ...
Evicting more people from state housing is ignorant to the consequences of poverty, the Greens say, but the Housing Minister says it's a privilege that can be taken away if abused. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Emerald L King, Lecturer in Humanities, University of Tasmania IMDB Between Netflix’s 2023 live-action version of One Piece, and its latest take on Avatar: The Last Airbender, fans are once again asking: why are live-action anime adaptations so tricky to ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Emerald L King, Lecturer in Humanities, University of Tasmania IMDB Between Netflix’s 2023 live-action version of One Piece, and its latest take on Avatar: The Last Airbender, fans are once again asking: why are live-action anime adaptations so tricky to ...
The government says it still intends to deliver tax cuts by July, but will not lock them in until they have got them past their coalition partners. ...
Kiingi Tuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII has hosted members of the Green Party Caucus at Tuurangawaewae Marae in Ngaaruawahia. The audience follows the King’s Hui-aa-Motu on 20 January, where more than 10,000 people gathered to discuss national ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Dr Rachael Potter, Research Associate and Lecturer in Work and Organisational Psychology, University of South Australia Ground Picture/Shutterstock Pregnant women and workers with children are often unfairly treated by their bosses and colleagues, despite laws to protect against workplace discrimination ...
Reacting to Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s refusal to rule out introducing new taxes at the budget, Taxpayers’ Union Campaigns Manager, Connor Molloy, said: “Today’s refusal to rule out new taxes suggests the Government is nothing more ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Stephen Duckett, Honorary Enterprise Professor, School of Population and Global Health, and Department of General Practice and Primary Care, The University of Melbourne Aila Images/Shutterstock Aged-care workers will receive a significant pay increase after the Fair Work Commission ruled they ...
He’s bringing ‘Sophie’ back, yeah. Goodshirt’s ‘Sophie’ music video is one of the most instantly recognisable New Zealand music videos of all time. Featuring a woman listening to the song on headphones while her entire house is burgled behind her, the video won the New Zealand music award for Best ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Blaxland, Professor, Strategic and Defence Studies Centre, Australian National University A year ago, the AUKUS agreement was formally announced between Australian and UK Prime Ministers Anthony Albanese and Rishi Sunak and US President Joe Biden. The agreement mapped out the “optimal ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Andreas Helwig, Associate Professor, Electro-Mechanical Engineering, University of Southern Queensland SmartS/Shutterstock Steam locomotives clattering along railway tracks. Paddle steamers churning down the Murray. Dreadnought battleships powered by steam engines. Many of us think the age of steam has ended. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Carrie Leonetti, Associate Professor of Law, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau Victims who experience family violence in Aotearoa New Zealand are treated differently, depending on which part of the justice system they turn to for help. But a new member’s bill ...
(given fonterra is our biggest polluter – it is the elephant we must wrestle..
this is a tidy summary of some of the issues with them..)
[Source link: https://thedailyblog.co.nz/2019/09/28/dear-nz-dairy-farmers-let-me-see-if-i-can-get-this-completely-straight/#comment-476731 ]
(quite a few forces to wrestle with there..eh….?…what to do..?…)
[Phil, I have put the quoted text as a block quote to make it clearer that the whole segment is a verbatim quote. You must always acknowledge the source, one way or another, and I have added the source link. Just adding piddly “speech-marks” is not enough to avoid accusations of plagiarism, which is intellectual theft. Please don’t this again – Incognito]
Great Monday morning soapbox (in the good way)…get on the soapbox I say!, thanks.
All farmland is stolen land from Maori
That is just not true. Most yes, but there is no need to get ridiculously simplistic in our historical understanding.
unless you follow the (australian) excuse of terra nullus – all of nz was 'stolen' from maori – surely..?
but anyway – if we change the 'all' to 'most' you are happy with the rest..?
I agree with the general thrust of your post. There was however some land willingly sold by Maori. Maori could see that limited immigration was in their best interests. They needed capital to buy guns and European sailing ships and other technologies. It was when they realised that the British would not take "no" as an answer to further land purchases that the situation changed.
The legal concept of Terra Nullius could not be used here as the land was clearly "settled" by European understanding.
Your understanding is one angle.
South Island? That's another country isn't it?
But seriously, it looks like the British were having a bob each way to be sure to head the French off. Your link mentions that the French were already settling in Akaroa. While they made a claim to the South Island under Terra Nullius this is not what they actually did in practice. The British offered and signed the Treaty with Ngai Tahu. This was a recognition of their sovereignty as offering the English version asked Maori to cede sovereignty over their territories. The British then recognised Ngai Tahu title to most of the South Island as they set about to purchase that land from them (be it through some very dodgy practices).
This site shows those land purchases: https://teara.govt.nz/en/interactive/36363/maori-land-loss-south-island
"What to do?"
Make the concept of the "just transition" central to every discussion. When Bernie Sanders talks to coal miners he doesn't blame them for digging the stuff up – he reassures them that they will not suffer terrifying economic stress and failure. Capitalism's normal way of dealing with sudden change is to throw the weak and the losers to the economic wolves while the winners make out like bandits. People need reassuring that this won't be allowed to happen.
@ ab..i agree..
and i don't blame farmers for buying into the bullshit they were fed by clark govt followed even more by key – the white-gold expansion-myths they both peddled…
and of course the banks who lined up to throw money at them – to follow this economic-fantasy…
and animal-extraction 'farmers' need to transition to growing actual food…
and their 'transition' is/will be one of the most complex..
(and one of the reasons i have been shouting about this – is that i am/have been dismayed by the amount of treaty settlement money that has been pissed away on this economic-folly…all on a road to nowhere..)
AB +100
Phillip Since large chunks of your comment seems to have been stolen from Paul Judge who commented in the dairy farming Blog on “the daily blog” on the 28th you should be the last person to talk about stealing things.or have I got that wrong.
yeah…they are called speech-marks…for a reason..
He didn’t write an article Phillip. It was his comment. You didn’t give him any credit for it. Can’t you think for yourself.
Hat tip.
See my Moderation note @ 8:56 AM.
@ incognito..
i object to being accused of plagiarism..
if i state 'this is a tidy summary'…and put it in speech-marks..(however 'piddly'..)
how on earth can i be accused of plagiarism..?
that is two 'acknowledgements' that the opinion is not mine..
and is it not accepted practice that speech-marks are signifying the words of others..?
when did that change..?
Hi Phil, it was New view @ 1.4 and @ 1.4.1.1 who accused of stealing because you gave no credit to the original source or creator. I tend to agree with New view but because it might have been an honest mistake I let you off the hook with a warning only. I also explained to you that using “speech-marks” only is not sufficient. You can argue and object all you like but if you make the same mistake again you are likely to receive a ban for it for two reasons: 1) you have been warned; 2) it is wrong not to acknowledge the original source/creator when copying & pasting text. Simply use quotation marks and mention the source; it is not that hard.
Morena folks, this is a needle for you. A pea under your mattress.
Has anyone emailed their local nat MP and shared their opinion about the defiance of the speakers ruling?
Go on, do it.
It is satisfying to express our disappointment here amongst like minded people, far more effective to let our employees know we are watching them and we aren't happy.
Wont make a bit of difference- their office staff will just reply with selected talking points drawn up by Bridges and Brownlee
As Iprent said on another post, Parliament TV is hardly bothered with by the average person even on this website let alone the wider public.
That's the spirit, Duke.
For anyone else, a tune while you draft your messages.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uLPYSlgiDlE
Superb work by Guyon Espiner that clearly shows that Pharmac does NOT always get it right, as much as some people want to believe everything that comes out of their mouths. (The audio version also played earlier on Morning Report). This is the switch I'm caught up in and have raised a few times on this site this year.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/in-depth/399908/seizures-driving-stand-downs-as-pharmac-pulls-epilepsy-drug-funding
Medsafe advised caution. But if the Pharmac agency has appointed a Jenny Shipley type person, she will go for making neolib management, hard-ball, cost-effective decisions and those who are not suited are just externalities. I fear that may be the case, and explain the reason and approach causing concerns. An example of the loss of citizen agency through their political process to affect and change practices of appointed agencies which the pollies have little say or control over.
The Big Pharmaceuticals are trying to break our Pharmac and I wouldnt rely on a word Espiner says as hes the mouth piece of the PR spin doctors employed by drug companies, just giving their version. hes gone beyond giving information and become an advocate
In the US 15 years ago , there were similar spruikers telling the listeners that Oxycontin is safe for lots of things- yes these pills are not in the addictive category but its the same sort of spin
Clearly you neither listened nor read the link Kay provided Dukeofurl.
Why not do that….then comment.?
@Duke, you've clearly never suffered a major reaction from a drug brand switch, have you? I have, twice. Don't recall big pharma encouraging me to do so.
Where do you get this bullshit from???
Dull always? likes to direct attention away from the main point. There may be a wander over to some facts not quite right, or a historic reference to past measures, or a fault in the commenter.
Just another The Chairman with a different style, but like a great big wet sponge on everything said. A reply in as contentious way as possible, with an aim to damping down discussion and putting the opinionated one on the back foot.
Oh, and Duke, you're happy enough for someone to have a breakthrough seizure after many years of full control on one brand while driving down the road and ploughing into your family, that seizure being the result of a forced brand switch messing up their medication levels? I'm sure you don't mind the very real risk of people being killed, do you?
An excellent piece, and because if your contributions here on the issue Kay I was able to explain some of the subtleties to my partner.
Wasn't that person from Pharmacy an absolute….the word liar comes to mind…? ….but if course we can't say that about the spokesperson for our national treasure.
(and some good news in an area of interest of mine..the normalisation of what once was an outlier-diet..)
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/sep/26/mcdonalds-beyond-burger-new-plant-based-food-plt
'Small-market test rolls out months after rival Burger King began testing the plant-based Impossible Foods burger'..
(the plant-based future rolls nearer and nearer..)
https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/116188360/benefit-relationship-test-is-putting-our-lives-on-hold
All that is needed here is a policy change. The real question is why is the government resisting? Do they really believe the current arrangement is saving them money?
Doesnt add up . From what she describes, that isnt a relationship according to Social Welfare rules.
And anyway , if after 6 months of 'dating' they do form a relationship and notify Social Welfare to become complying. Whats the real issue ? That 9 months later 'she doesnt like his choice of music' and it ends and then has to go back to Social Welfare again .
She should think about those on casual or part time work where they may not have work for longer periods of time.
That circumstances change over time is nothing new and there are pathways to deal with it. Is it because she doesnt like the inconvenience ?
@A 10.22.
Various policy changes could instantly stop beneficiaries lives from being made more miserable. Such as, raising the abatement levels on any income significantly, restoring proportionately the 1991 benefit cuts, and income splitting–so relationships of whatever kind or duration, have no impact on benefit applicants or recipients.
Left over neo liberal dogma seems why the Govt. is resisting implementing the recommendations of the recent working party. Neo liberalism has a winners and losers model, people choose to be poor, laid off, under employed, or born into the kiwi underclass you see! A moralistic judgement is made or implied, even if it is macro economic factors well beyond an individuals control that led to their situation.
“Losers” must not be rewarded in any way. Helen Clark had the “jobs jolt” that basically declared “no go” geographic areas for beneficiaries to reside in. And drug testing remains inequitable. It is a modern twist on “work will set you free”–and a placation of certain voters–whose second favourite sport is beneficiary bashing.
The whole scenario has seen the original intent of Social Security become a sadistic punishment maze in the form of WINZ/MSD, where staff can be personally rewarded for NOT providing vulnerable people with the assistance they seek. The failure to redress this effectively is one of the biggest, and most heartless at least, errors of this Govt.
The original intent of Social welfare was far more moralistic and limited than you think. The DPB didnt arrive till late 60s? or so.
Can you find any justification for your other claims,
Heh, our glorious ex leader Mr Key was a “benefit boy”, raised in a state house. Yes, the 1964 Act was from a time of “war widow” benefits and infinitesimal unemployment, one “bread winner” supporting a family, children largely born within a marriage etc. etc. different times, which is exactly why WINZ/MSD/ACC need a drastic overhaul in the 21st Century.
There are acres of research, anecdotes, and stats available from Beneficiary Advocates, AAAP–Auckland Action Against Poverty, Academics and Social Agencies even including Salvation Army, the Govt.Household Labour Force Survey etc. describing the reality of life for the NZ underclass.
I have been involved with the old Auckland Peoples Centre, have done case work, and know in and out the travails of dealing with the poisonous WINZ culture. People queuing in the early hours outside a local office when they know AAAP advocates are coming–because the local branches apply policy not the Act–and do not inform all applicants and beneficiaries of their full entitlements. Paula Rebstock mentored Paula Bennett do not forget, and Bennett had a six week trip to the US to really bone up on how to put the slipper into the vulnerable. It is a rotten culture past its useby.
So you retract your claim here, as you are off on another tangent
"The whole scenario has seen the original intent of Social Security become a sadistic punishment maze in the form of WINZ/MSD,.."
The original intent was and still is that are supported back into work where possible.
And yes , it must be a pain having to construct your life around the rules made by WINZ/MSD.
But hello, what is having a job like
Are you claiming social security was originally intended to be a sadistic punishment maze dookidooki?
Glad you brought that up A. I was looking through today's news and saw the relationship piece further on and it just caught a nerve and I hadn't noticed you were there already and put it up at 16,
TM what’s your point in bringing up Key. Three prime ministers ago. Paula Bennett is in the opposition not the Government. Your Government has been in power long enough to implement policy that you would like. Why are you swinging around trying to hit people that haven’t been in Government for years, or so called barking dogs like Bennett and Bridges. Why don’t you swing at the present government which is clearly not moving fast enough in the direction you would like.
um..!..perhaps because key/the tories caused the problems now needing to be fixed..?
(just guessing here..)
Illustrating how the once reasonably benevolent Social Security system degenerated into a “war on the poor” complete with state assisted demonising of beneficiaries. Remember the Shipley era “dob in a bludger” TV ads anyone? That attitude persists at WINZ/MSD/ACC.
Bennie bashing is still the second favourite sport of many New Zealanders. Low paid workers and middle class (often on WFF tax credits themselves) alike, love to hate those in receipt of a jobseeker pittance.
A reckoning is here though with the advent of AI and precarious/contract/Intern work.
NZ First revealing further their lack of heart and human kindliness which must of course, be accompanied by practicality. Their attitude on testing and drug use at gatherings, festivals is an example of snooty moralistic superiority and bone-headed obsession with control over their fellow humans. If they cared two hoots, or even one, they would support this safety measure, despite being disparaging about the way that so many will experiment with their own wellbeing and health in such a reckless way.
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1909/S00392/lives-put-at-risk-as-darroch-ball-ignores-evidence.htm
Festival Drug Testing: Lives At Risk As Ball Ignores Evidence
Darroch Ball, Law and Order Spokesperson for New Zealand First, does not support drug checking as a harm reduction strategy and is currently blocking a clarification of the Misuse of Drugs Act that would allow the service to be implemented nationally…
“His message is abstain or die,” says KnowYourStuffNZ’s Managing Director, Wendy Allison. "His perspective is callous and deeply flawed…
Apparently the stalwarts of NZ First want to control every part of human life, from the position of power they have scrambled to and decree what is right for the public who will suffer if they don’t conform. The dour and narrow do-as-I-say, obey or else suffer the consequences dictators, who love judging others and uniformity to their own limited outlook, and can brook no dissent or alternative view.
They asked Winston about this policy i think on last night's TV1 News and his answer was that he was not sure if they had this right. Classic NZF with leader and spokesperson on different planets.
All parties fly kites and see which way the wind blows.
Makes them sound like a bunch of farts.
I am sure that a number of people are sick of talking about serious political matters that are so silly that we can hardly take them seriously. Here is a Billy Connolly clip on farting for light relief. If not, feel free to ignore it and go on with your analysis of the Big Orange, and the Big Yellow and other merry men and women strutting and puking as if all the world is a stage.
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ex8eilkWxgM&list=PLA358F07102200687
This is Billy Connolly talking totally inconsequentially about farting and he doesn't mention politicians anywhere but he probably didn't know that the bets were that the offender was a politician. And because he was really offensive, and didn't know, and everyone looked at the person nearby which was Billy who had to bear the externalities, and that is so likely for a politician, that almost makes it a certainty.
Not sure where NZF is coming from on this one ?
Well it would be forward-thinking and practical to take a precautionary, preventative approach where there is a practice of reckless drug-taking that people persist with. (Buying stuff from people to put in your body and not knowing just what it is, and whether the seller does either?!)
But NZF and leftish conservative people like Jim Anderton cannot bring themselves to be anything but backward-looking when attempts to change old ways and mores come along. (Jim lost a family member to drugs and then set on the line of zero drugs, continuing the same failing practice that had resulted in so much trouble, illness, death and corruption.) Sigh.
Charming.
/
https://twitter.com/grynbaum/status/1178458528547266560
I am not surprised at all. Probably the person knew this would happen and had to make a call, whether to speak out, or not to speak out.
Not quite but hey, Epstein.
https://twitter.com/joshtpm/status/1178481572393181186
If I had Don Drumpfeone explicitly wanting to know my identity after spittle-flecked ranting about spying and treason, then I'd be fairly anxious to get protection too.
https://edition.cnn.com/2019/09/29/politics/trump-impeachment-inquiry-whistleblower-complaint-adam-schiff/index.html
yep – with the t-wreck-rump after you you'd be down low and moving fast
Of course they're under federal protection lol… one would think that would be automatic with them being from the intelligence community.
How we could act about these racist white supremacists in Christchurch to open up their minds, and let some healing sunlight in.
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4gly9n9RBo
Daryl Davis decided to write a book with the theme of 'Why do you hate me when you don't know me.' He gets an interview with the KKK leader and they become friendly acquaintances.
Black man Daryl David, hot musician and KKK Klan Leader Roger Kelly end up visiting each other's homes, first Daryl is invited to Kelly's, and finally Kelly visits Davis. The KKK leader in the end declares to a crowd, "I've more respect for that black man than for you white n..gers out there." That is a big step for mankind. Perhaps we can make breakthrough after much persistence and face to face meetings to clear the toxic gunk away. Still different, but having respect for the person. Davis says, "Ignorance breeds fear".
Seems to have more success than the Auckland Uni VC's approach. When fascist-adjacents were advertising on campus earlier in the year, he reckoned they barely existed. Now, he's regrettably unable to do anything about them.
The next step in the four step plan is for him to say "maybe there was something we could have done but it's too late now"
Everyone likes red baseball caps.
https://www.twitter.com/ASLuhn/status/1177699667607465991
nice one 🙂
No Maori chief sold land to settlers so they'd live nearby… …is that a racial smear? Coz history shows that the Maori who adapt, to get across the ocean, to the new ecology of Aotearoa, to storms, to new groups arriving from the pacific.. …well before, cook and Tasman or whoever would have arrived. And after, those that traded, that welcome, that adjusted and learnt new farming techniques, religions, etc…
Sorry I just don't see it, even if you agree that nothing good came with Cook, that Maori had always given up land to conquest by other Maori, even if you put all the blinkers on, from both sides. It was racism to not compensate when moving a church, or graveyard, just because they were Maori. Or did settlers just apply their own values to themselves, and Maori expectations to Maori. Isn’t that the conceit I the heart of the debate, that compensating relies on western European values.
So people here have both Scots and Maori background. So they were pushed off the highlands, only then to have their first generation nz ancesters thrown off their Maori land…. …have the British compensated them for highland land?
The Scots came here to get a better deal, as did all our ancestors. And we were going along in a jerky but positive way when we weren't inflamed by the export market beyond being rational.
Sourcing local product – good. But so big that it will smother smaller shops in Christchurch?
https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/first-up/audio/2018715423/waste-free-locally-grown-ch-riverside-market-opens-today
Five years ago it was just an idea – but after 18 months of construction and 80 million dollars later – what's poised to be Christchurch's central emporium for food, drink and culture is about to open in a few hours. And developers are hoping it will bring vibrancy back to the central city. It aims to be waste-free, have as much locally grown produce as possible and hopes to attract 10,000 to 15,000 customers a day. One of the developers and owners of the Oxford Terrace precinct, Richard Peebles joins us now.
I think it would be uncomfortable for a cop to come forward about bullying and allow his name to be published.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/morningreport/audio/2018715441/i-was-bullied-for-a-decade-former-detective
This is a good sign. I hope that it is rolled out to all places where it can be established it is needed.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/116205037/government-reaches-deal-with-banks-to-push-pause-on-regional-branch-closures
Major banks have announced a temporary pause to the closure of regional branches while they look at rolling out regional "banking hubs".
The Government announced on Monday that four regional banking hubs would open in Opunake, Martinborough, Stoke and Twizel to provide basic banking as part of a trial beginning in early 2020.
The hubs will feature a Smart ATM, where people will be able to make deposits and transfer money, as well as withdraw cash. Each hub will also have support staff to assist people using the ATM.
The trial was brokered by the Government with Kiwibank, BNZ, TSB, ANZ, ASB and Westpac, which will share the cost of running the hubs.
For those interested in finance here are some interesting figures and details.
https://play.stuff.co.nz/details/_6090446730001
Pioneer Credit (ASX:PNC) has announced its net profit (NPAT) has dropped 76 per cent to of $4.3 million for the 2019 full year.
The result came on the back of the application of Amortised Cost to its portfolio. Earnings increased by 16.7 per cent to $63.4 million.
And Tourism might have to look at its short and medium term business model. WTF who’d have thunk it!
New Zealand tourism sees threat if climate change deters long-haul flyers
https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/116193329/climate-change-threat-for-tourism-sparks-research-on-impact
When will we treasure our young parents and support and train them in their parenting role and have a friendly hub that provides them with medical help so they can carry out their task of bringing up their children well. A good short course regularly in parenting skills, house hold maintenance, creative work. People would smile, the kids would bloom and this era of hate-filled government for young single parents, and older ones, would end and we could bury it 100 metres down and plant flowers on the spot.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/116188360/benefit-relationship-test-is-putting-our-lives-on-hold
$500 down
Myself and my partner of three months are in this exact situation. I was refused Working for Families payments and the accommodation supplement as soon as I declared that we were in a relationship.
On average I then lost $500 per week leaving me unable to cover my weekly bills, let alone pay board to my partner. I am working three different jobs trying to make ends meet, barely breaking even and finding that I am spending just as much, if not more, on childcare than I am earning. The fact that I am paying other people to spend time with my kids so that I can work to cover that and not even make any extra money to better our lives saddens me.
Thankfully my partner does help me out financially (he doesn't really have a choice as he chooses love over money).
"Andrew Rawnsley is one of the best political journalists currently writing. His analysis of the violence engulfing British politics ATM is fascinating. It maters to NZ too: Crusher Collins returned from London last week after meeting leading Brexiteers (the people using political violence as a tactic). The same week: the Nats staged their stunt over film taking during sittings of our Parliament and edited by them to create misleading messages."
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/sep/29/boris-johnson-seeks-to-divide-conquer-with-incendiary-rhetoric
who is that a quote from?
Good expected result – bit tough that they couldn't monetise their disgusting attitudes and I do feel sorry for cumin and spittle – nah not even slightly lol just joking //sarc tag sarc//
Yes. Good result.
Essentially operation of the Council Public venues is a 'private operation' and not a public function which can be reviewed.
The BORA has no connection to the cancellation. And Goffs 'decision' that the venues were available to the speakers , seems to have been made after the staff made an operational decision largely based on the safety requirements
oops Goff said the venues werent available after the decision made by officials
I think the key bit is
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/116118532/police-attend-serious-family-violence-incident-in-christchurch
This was a murder-suicide of a couple 70s and 80s. The woman was very ill, and they may have decided that the present was the time to die together. He was thoughtful and phoned police so that they would be found and have the care and attention needed.
If they had recourse to a managed demise they would not have been forced into this graceless way of exiting this world. The present euthanasia bill is only to cover terminally ill people and that can hardly get past all the rigid minds who can't make any decisions for themselves, and don't want anybody else to have an option.
Or, she was unwell and they were struggling due to lack of social support and this was a way out (with or without her consent). Which is pretty much a core concern of those against euthanasia.
I keep getting surprised that no-one accepts that you may die when you get old, and is unwilling to say to old people you may die if you want to. If you want to go it’s of no matter what social support is available. It;s a pity that people can't accept dying in this country, we are constantly hearing of people dying before their time in other countries. It's a global world, and we are trying to get people to limit their extravagances and materialism and also it would help to reduce world population. All good reasons to be allowed to die when you are old and want to. It is most strange that people aren't cared about much in this country, except when there is some disaster and we make all the right noises. It is not till you want to die that you become precious to everyone wanting you to feel every last creak and groan before you go.
I don't believe anyone has argued that death can be avoided permanently. Some do argue the sacredness of all life, even in extremis (e.g. Catholic theologians, I think).
But the main objection I have is that it can't just be restricted to the low-hanging fruit of people who have clear wishes expressed to the last, with their decision assuredly unaffected by financial pressures or a temporary depression or a difficult transition late in life. Similarly, a disabled friend of mine has concerns that maybe an offer of a needle eventually becomes the easier solution than the offer of decent needs assistance.
Formalising the bureaucracy of legally killing someone is a big step, and it worries me that you have to oversimplify your opponents so much in order to justify it.
worries me too. And that disabled people haven't been well listened to yet.
"Similarly, a disabled friend of mine has concerns that maybe an offer of a needle eventually becomes the easier solution than the offer of decent needs assistance"
NZ is a country that cut the care budget to the elderly some years ago, and the MoH was trying to cut disability support budget just this year. That's not even getting to ACC or WINZ. I don't know if many NZers are unaware of what is going on, or just don't care.
in case that's not clear, if there is an argument that we may end up in a situation of funded care vs offering a needle, we're already a country that wants to withdraw care funding.
True that.
I'm ok with people dying if they want to, wouldn't even restrict that to old people or the terminally ill. The state sanctioning that and providing the resources and support to do it needs way more care than what is being proposed with the current Bill. The issue of care matters, because a country that refuses to look after disabled people properly (that's NZ), will not manage euthanasia properly either.
If people are ok with some people dying when they don't want to, then we can carry on, but let's just be honest about it.
i am totally opposed to this euthanasia/state-sanctioned killing bill – for all the reasons cited above..
plus also concerns about grasping possible inheritors wanting to hasten the process – and so talking the old into 'doing it for the kids' or whatever..
if there was support for the old/disabled at the levels where it is in countries that have eithanasia…(c.f. netherlands)..then and only then should this idea be considered..
and even then – what to do about the hurry-up! relatives..?
Edit
We are getting more cancer help but getting a vaccination against meningococcal disease can cost between $130-$145. There is no public funding for this damn bug that recently killed a 26 year old fit dance teacher in a day. I have had cancer treatment myself, but the concern I feel is for these young people snuffed out so quickly by this disease. (It is recommended that contacts also have a vaccination.) Cancer has very good public relations and has achieved greater funding and attention because it doesn't kill people suddenly like this damn mening. disease.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/116183441/prominent-christchurch-dance-teacher-dies-after-a-days-illness
This chap has brain cancer and wants extension of life treatment – not a cure. How can we afford to meet all these entitled people;s needs?
Currently, the newsreader and creative director, is in the “precarious situation” of needing an unfunded cancer treatment, Avastin, to extend his life which comes with a hefty price tag of $34,000 for six months.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/tv-radio/116016678/kiwi-radio-personality-michael-kooge-says-hes-being-left-to-die-as-he-cant-afford-cancer-treatment
There should be a grant helping people organise their lives and getting them prepared for hospice care when needed, and that would be helpful to them rather than paying it to put off the inevitable. People with kiddies could get some help to give time so they could prepare their children for the time when they are not there for them any more I think.
Then there is this story – very hopeful seeming – is she really cured?
US doctor saves life of Kiwi woman with cancer after her call for help on Facebook
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12271594
Freedoms – they are being encroached on. The trend for developers to want to put their own stamp on 'their' development like aristocratic estate owners is an amazing impost in a modern society.
Hobsonville Point house rules: Paint, fence height, planting, tents and more
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=12272076
Now for something completely different that hopefully will bring a smile to your face.
I was employed by one of the greatest people I have had the privilege to know, my late boss. He was an officer and a gentleman. with a great sense of responsibility to society with a quick wit and a wicked sense of humour. He was a war hero brought up in the great depression as a young person. He was also a very successful businessman and I am convinced one of the things that made him a success was his attitude towards others and his staff, with a talent for attracting the right people for the right job. He is a great loss to New Zealand
Every so often he would write a company magazine designed towards customers and the staff. Always full of wit and great snippets of wisdom apart from the technical know-how. This weekend we had a de-clutter session and at the back of a cupboard, I found the last issue of this persons magazine I had saved. I decided to read some of the snippets of wit and humour by this great guy, and decided to list them here as I am sure they will bring a smile.
“A gossip is someone with a great sense of rumuor.
If it wasn't for electricity we would be computing by candlelight.
Today's mighty oaks are just yesterday's nut that held its ground
Forget health foods I need all the preservatives I can get.
Growing old is mandatory. Growing up is optional.”
Lastly a bit of Shakespear according to this guy
“Sneezing – much achoo about nothing”
Grey@https://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-30-09-2019/#comment-1658311
It’s quite common here in Oz with new housing estate and it can quite a headache for those trying to build a new house from these asshole developers and it actually creates a very sterile suburbs.
I worked for a time on Hobsonville Point that Grey refers to above, setting out the area in its initial stages – like many of them, they are Australian developers bringing over your typical New Australian suburb and planting them in NZ. There is one at the bottom of the South side of the Bombay Hills, which is almost the same as the Perth suburb I am currently residing in at the moment. There are some features however that I do find attractive and this is the inclusion of many parks and play areas.
Kia Ora Newshub
YEA The Super Gold Card app it will be good for some of our elderly tangata. I think if the apps are advertised they will get a cell phone it will encourage Our elderly to learn new skills.
Just felt Ruamoko not to big enough to let me know he's moving.
There was a bit of A thunder storm today Ingrid.
I have lowered my meat consumption for the environment I still think we need some meat in our diet just not to much.
Ka kite Ano
Kia Ora Te Ao Maori News.
Kamo high school one would think with that name and 60 % Maori the school would have Te reo Maori.
I see a the Te Arawa tangata whanau links kia kaha
Its great to see tangata whenua culture going strong and some tangata from Te Tairawhiti getting recognized for their mahi.
Ruben was a good Rugby league player and a good role model for sports tamariki.
I enjoy seeing sports people respecting Tangata Whenua culture
Kia Ora to Six60 beautiful waiata
Miss Earth that's excellent we are going to respect the Phenomenon we all came from
Ka kite Ano
Here you go Whanau this is stark evedince that human caused climate change / global warming is our reality it is not fiction like the neanderthal want us to believe.
I can see that the neanderthal are stuffing with new improvements in renewable energy storage and generations and bio oils. Remember these people are ruthless they have no morels they will try anything to stop us transitioning into a society we're every person and country becomes energy independent. That takes away the neanderthal power to manipulate the tangata of the Papatuanuku. That's why they are fighting Green Energy and our reality of global warming sea level riseing with tooth and nail. But like the old saying goes it's Te tangata Te tangata more than tangata Mana that holds the Mana.
Climate change
The climate crisis explained in 10 charts
From the rise and rise of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere to possible solutions
Damian Carrington and Cath Levett
The problem – rising carbon dioxide in the atmosphere
The level of CO2 has been rising since the industrial revolution and is now at its highest for about 4 million years. The rate of the rise is even more striking – the fastest for 66m years – with scientists saying we are in “uncharted territory”.
The causes – fossil fuel burning
Billions of tonnes of CO2 are sent into the atmosphere every year from coal, oil and gas burning. There is no sign of these emissions starting to fall rapidly, as is needed.
The causes – forest destruction
The felling of forests for timber, cattle, soy and palm oil is a big contributor to carbon emissions. It is also a major cause of the annihilation of wildlife on Earth.
The consequences – global temperature rise
The planet’s average temperature started to climb steadily two centuries ago, but has rocketed since the second world war as consumption and population has risen. Global heating means there is more energy in the atmosphere, making extreme weather events more frequent and more intense.
The consequences – ice melting in Greenland
Greenland has lost almost 4 trillion tonnes of ice since 2002. Mountain ranges from the Himalayas to the Andes to the Alps are also losing ice rapidly as glaciers shrink. A third of the Himalayan and Hindu Kush ice is already doomed.
The consequences – rising sea levels
Sea levels are inexorably rising as ice on land melts and hotter oceans expand. Sea levels are slow to respond to global heating, so even if the temperature rise is restricted to 2C, one in five people in the world will eventually see their cities submerged, from New York to London to Shanghai.
The consequences – shrinking Arctic sea ice
As heating melts the sea ice, the darker water revealed absorbs more of the sun’s heat, causing more heating – one example of the vicious circles in the climate system. Scientists think the changes in the Arctic may be responsible for worsened heatwaves and floods in Eurasia and North America.
<
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/sep/20/the-climate-crisis-explained-in-10-charts
Why is Eco Maori mahi being edited. A
https://youtu.be/QAB6aXOfUmU
Kia Ora The Am Show.
Our government is investing wisely to provide safe cost effective Roads and Highways.
Ka pai to Gull moving into the South Island Eco Maori knows what the prices of fuel is down there. That's why it will be awesome when I see Tangata and Countrys becoming energy independent Ma Te Wa.
Its good to see Africa Americans getting some justice that women shooting her Neighbour who was having tea in his own whare Ka pai.
You think Im going to far kiss my whero.
Tony thank for your good mahi as GrayMouth Mayor all the best on your new journey in life.
In the year 2000 Aotearoa had a fairer wealth distribution our vaxcernated tamariki % were higher the age of our vehicle fleet was younger our sports stadium were full there was low or known homeless people our cost of living was low. What happened well Prebble conned his way into the Labour Party ie Labour started making policy for the wealth people with out thinking about the negative effects it has on the common tangata. Then we get 10 years of a business only government. I say that in the years 2000 the business were not making huge profits.
The class action on the South Island bovine problems is Lawyers showing the rest of the class how they can quite easily take boths sides heaps putea. as I have said war is for idiots negotiation is needed on both sides of the fences. When lawyers are involved the only winner is Te lawyer
We should have more Australian comedy content on TV they have some funny buggers in Australia.
I agree with your views Magda on Our environment and the effects that Modern culture has had on our environment.
Electric cars are not expensive I could buy a good car with only 40.000 km on the clock for $10,000. dollars and cut my carbon footprint in half.
Sir Bob I agree with your comments on gas in Aotearoa. But I think our government used the tactic of legislation to get the big 3 gas companies to let Gull in the South Island.
Ka kite Ano link below
I have had bulls raging they are near impossible to stop them fighting you need a good set of dogs to stop them fighting.
Here you go Whanau they were warned about the way they we have been treating our environment 100s of years ago and even nowadays they don't want to change the UN sustainable economic growth. Ma Te Wa times are going to change fast kia kaha to all the good tangata fighting for our future climate.
Bad ancestors: does the climate crisis violate the rights of those yet to be born?
Our environmental vandalism has made urgent the question of ethical responsibilities across decades and centuries
What if climate breakdown is a violation of the rights of those yet to be born? Finally, this urgent question seems to be getting the attention it deserves. Last month an astonishing 7 million people from nearly 200 countries took to the streets as part of the youth-led global climate strike. Young people around the world recognise that the disastrous repercussions of the already present ecological crisis will fall disproportionately on their shoulders, and the shoulders of generations to come – in particular on those whose communities have emitted the smallest proportion of greenhouse gasses.
That is precisely what some concerned young people have been arguing in the US court system since 2015, when a group of seven plaintiffs, not yet old enough to vote, filed a lawsuit in the commonwealth court of Pennsylvania against Governor Tom Wolf and various state agencies. The suit argued that the defendants had failed to take necessary action to regulate carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases consistent with the commonwealth’s obligations as a public trustee. In the legal team’s language, the state was failing in its responsibility to “conserve and maintain public natural resources, including the atmosphere, for the benefit of present and future generations
Back in the US, municipalities such as New York City, San Francisco and Richmond are suing fossil fuel companies for billions of dollars in damages for suppressing information about the hazards of carbon emissions and impending sea-level rise. Additionally, First Nations communities are invoking treaty rights to prevent the pipeline transport of fossil fuels over unceded indigenous territories. The citizens behind these creative legal campaigns are trying to curb resource exploitation to ensure we leave behind a place that is livable
We cannot say we were not warned. In an 1847 speech, pioneering conservationist and congressman George Perkins Marsh identified processes that would later be understood as part of the greenhouse effect. His popular 1864 book, Man and Nature: Or, Physical Geography as Modified by Human Action, reprimanded those who despoil the environment and recommended a course of resource management that would take the needs of future generations into account. “The Earth is fast becoming an unfit home for its noblest inhabitant, and another era of equal human crime and human improvidence … would reduce it to such a condition of impoverished productiveness, of shattered surface, of climactic excess, as to threaten the depravation, barbarism, and perhaps even extinction of the species,” he wrote. “The world cannot afford to wait till the slow and sure progress of exact science has taught it a better economy
Ka kite Ano link below below.
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/oct/01/bad-ancestors-climate-crisis-democracy
Some Eco Maori Music For The Minute.
https://youtu.be/KSN7Nz4ECQM
Kia Ora Te Ao Maori News
Eco Maori hope that Maketu pies keeps on trading they have great pies I love the fish pies actually all their pies if I see Maketu pies I will buy them.
Tomorrow is the day that the Pike River Whanau get back to see inside the mine kia kaha.
I think that alcoholism is a deases that needs to be declared as that I have seen the damage it is doing to Tangata Whenua and other cultures.
Ka pai to Orange Sky for providing portable showers for the homeless people. Aotearoa has the worst homeless people in the OECD not long ago Aotearoa had the highest living standard in the OECD.
Ka kite Ano