I wonder why so many Fonterra farms don't want to open their gates…..
“Fonterra’s farm open day has been labelled an “absolute nonsense”, with just 14 farms taking part and the gates all but shut to anyone still hoping to get a ticket.”
The sooner we as a society stop believing Fonterra's advertising that all farmers are family #8 wire types, with the nice nuclear family living off the land with nice green fields, healthy cows and white wooly sheep the better.
The problem farms are the big industrial farms, and they will not be the ones open anyway
#8 wire types started dying out 30 years ago – apparently replaced by 'innovators' and 'disruptors' (going forward)
They've become so efficient and effective that it means things like NZ Post are able to get mail to the lower regions of the Himalayas, or North America as quickly as they can less than 2km across town (about 11 days)
If this article is true and they were already driving dangerously through red lights, it puts the police in a difficult situation. As they are not allowed to chase, but they need to get them off the road urgently.
Edit
This is not difficult to comprehend. When the police start the chase process, and scare and excite the driver causing him to drive worse than before, go faster and more recklessly, and drive through red lights. The line of controlled behaviour in the driver's mind is crossed, and it is fleeing and going faster that sweeps his remaining brain function.
Anybody who thinks and talks to psychologists and experts in driver behaviour would know that. The police are bloody-minded, authoritarian, irresponsible, punitive and sanctimonious – their lack of intelligent thought is a repetition of thinking of Olde England with its savage response to rule and law breaking that resulted in Australia's convict settlement.
The police desire to take severe action against the driver who may not cause harm to others, then ratchet up the probability by chasing him, secure in sanctimonious whitewashing of any damage they cause by mumbling that 'he should have stopped'. That reason doesn't cut it; in a modern era when we understand so much more, the police’s response is a primitive brain effect when chasing drivers like this.
There is so much known that can explain the scenario – the effect of bad economic conditions, bad childhood experiences and lack of socialisation and self-control of the wanted driver, his or her use of drugs to bolster self-esteem if used will further decrease self-conrol, then the psychological effects that follow that all, and the effect on the body of adrenaline etc affecting both fleeing driver and chasing police. It's all known and for police to follow the same behaviour as a dog chasing a cat makes them appear simple-minded, lacking in intelligence and unable to learn from good research, and the experience of other police forces with better methods.
Game theory says it all. This is not a game and we can’t just think about theories, we are talking about better ways of living our lives, and of trying to lessen risk. There is no such thing as risk free living, despite what the Transport Authority is trying to do, also Health and Safety – both of which tend to go OTT.
Looking at it from a dispassionate math point of view, what we do know is that we lose several people a year to police pursuits. some of those pursuits are the result of minor offences or traffic infringements.
If they can lower the rate of pursuits ending in a crash with better pursuit practises, fine. But at the moment it seems safer to get the driver on camera and pick them up the following day.
Yeah, but these days we have cameras as well as the reggo.
A few years ago the usual followup was "he said he'd lent it to someone, so we can't do anything". Heck, impound the car for a bit. Just make it a reasonable likelihood of some manner of inconvenience, and eventually they'll figure it out.
Besides, the success rate of actually catching them is pretty low with pursuits, anyway. Letting them go that night probably isn't too much less likely to get a result, but sure lowers the chances of a fatality.
Or possibly a bigger factor in the lack of success for next day follow-up is it just doesn't happen all that much (and probably never did). From page 61 of the Fleeing Drivers report:
Staff recognise that the inquiry phase can be beneficial for holding offenders accountable. However, the Review found that, in practice, there was variable engagement with inquiry phases and that there is a general culture within Police where investigating after a fleeing driver event is not afforded the same priority as investigating other criminal offences. There are possibly several reasons for this, with deficiencies in the accountability mechanisms for fleeing driver events likely to be a significant factor. At present, responsibility for a fleeing driver event is often not assigned to any staff after the pursuit has been abandoned. Therefore, there is no requirement for follow-up inquiries to identify and apprehend an offender.
Unlike other incidents that Police attends, unless a fleeing driver is identified and charged as an offender, fleeing driver events are not consistently recorded in the National Intelligence Application (NIA). As a result, no file is created, which hinders follow-up inquiries and leads to intelligence gaps.
(link near the end of this subthread or at 4.1 in today's Open Mike)
But that report also says there’s not routinely cameras in cars, so there’s only the fixed traffic cameras. Apparently the cops would like to have car and body cams, though.
Did you not read the article…he was already driving through red lights which means he may have killed someone on any one of those three previous times. It was fourth time unlucky.
If he had hit and killed someone on the second red light he ran (instead of the fourth), and the police had seen it and done nothing, are the police at fault? I bet a lot of the public would be pretty angry at the police for doing nothing.
"Stuff understands the driver of the fleeing car allegedly drove through at least three red lights during the pursuit before crashing into McCaul's car."
As I read your article Jimmy and if it is indeed a true article, the car was being pursued through all the red lights.
It started with the teen driver seen driving erratically. That could mean a number of things. And he was ordered to stop and didn't. It might be better if the police had an emergency call out team available, and didn't cruise around looking for people to stop who aren't keen to be found with drink or drugs on their breath. I wonder if the road toll, accidents and deaths, would go down?
Police earlier said the pursuit began when the driver of a black Toyota Caldina failed to stop for police on Papanui Rd, about 4am. The car, which had five teenagers inside, was signalled to stop due to the "erratic" way it was being driven, Canterbury police metro area commander Superintendent Lane Todd previously said…
The crash comes seven months after police and the Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA) released a review of police pursuits called Fleeing Drivers in New Zealand.
It made eight recommendations to improve how police respond to fleeing drivers, and favoured a risk-averse approach to pursuits.
"In general, the review found that there was a lack of understanding among staff about the risk officers create by initiating a pursuit and contributing to a fleeing vehicle," the report said….
In Canterbury, there were 360 fleeing driver incidents from January to June 2019, with 268 of them being abandoned.
During that same period last year, there were 208 fleeing driver incidents and 154 abandonments.
(The stats for this year compared to the same period last year showed considerably more incidents than last year, and about double the number that were not abandoned, so continued. It seems that Christchurch has become over-zealous. And I think they have had trouble with boy racers this year, which could explain the attention. I think that a new game plan is required. What have they done in similar situations in other jurisdictions across the world, Australian states for a start, that are not just the hard-line, get tough approach; Scandinavia? Italy?)
Mandatory 6 or 12 months with no parole for fleeing or failure to stop, running consecutively with any other sentence if a court case is held on other charges. No reductions for age, early guilty plea etc on this part of the total.
The police don't always get it right, but it seems like if you drive like a wanker to get away from them, you just might succeed if they're expected to give up in the name of public safety.
Well I would not be prepared to see that my good relative or friend was sacrificed by police chasing someone who hadn't stopped when ordered to help police with their enquiries. I think that there is a lack of balance in some people's responses to this matter on this post.
Good law helps the smooth and fair running of a country. When it isn't delivering those two aspects, it needs to be thought about and amended. Keep your had-line punitive approaches to yourselves. That sort of attitude in society ends up making everyone sour and eventually unhappy.
It's apparent that the reward of failing to stop is greater than risk of being caught because it's unsafe to be pursued, so something has to change. If you think it's fair some people who don't want to be spoken to by police can just nut off driving and put other road users and pedestrians at risk, then that's your case to make. I proffer that knowing once you're tagged, there will be a stinging consequence, whether the police chase you or not, is a better deterrent than senseless road tolls.
Teen is hooning around. Lights go on, he gets an adrenaline hit, puts his foot down. Even if he starts thinking during the chase, by that time he's facing your tough penalty so he's better off taking the risk, in his eyes.
Deterrents work on rational criminals. The ones who'll cop to half a dozen burglaries if they're caught outright for one or two, because the increase in sentence is trivial compared to the crimes they were caught for. The ones who'll put the knee in if it's just one or two people trying to detain them, but as soon as backup arrives they chill out because there's no point adding aggravated assault to the charge list for the night. Might even share some jokes, because none of it's personal.
But most teen fleeing drivers aren't as rational as you or they might think they are. Impulse control and thick as shit. Deterrence isn't a consideration for them.
I do get what you're saying and mostly agree with you, but I'd expect something other than no police chases ever has to be the start point. Isn't that just ceding the roads?
In addition to the two idiots mentioned below that successfully got away and went on to kill, I also had one acquaintance that tried running once. He crashed in under a minute and wrote off his family's car. He never tried running again.
How would feel about your "good relative or friend" getting killed by an idiot driver who had never been held accountable for his idiot driving because he had successfully got away every time when police attempted to stop him?
In my young and dumb and full of bravado years I had a couple of acquaintances that were in the habit of running from the cops. Both of them went on to kill innocents in crashes they caused through their idiot driving (no, the police weren't chasing them when they caused those fatals).
The point is that the police chasing stupid usually young people, or who are criminals afraid of getting arrested, will be more of a risk when being chased. Can anyone get that through their heads. It is a matter of logical thinking rather than emotional ones by commenters. The police become another hazard to the innocent, on top of the fool drivers being bad.
I'm sure it's not only teenagers who do it, in fact I'd put money on it.
The actual point is when directed to stop, you have to stop, just like you have to give your name to a cop if they ask, or if you don't and speed off, it's genuine cause for pursuit. I don't accept police shouldn't chase, they should, there's obviously a reason someone flees, but if it's causing death, as it sometimes does, then an alternative approach is needed. My approach is one of 'if you run, then you pay', and once it gets through to the have to get away drivers there's always a 6 month consequence whether you're chased or not, then it may make some who are only running for stupid reasons, for example licence violations, wise up and think again before flooring it.
'Aggravated' failure to stop for red and blue flashing lights while in the same act committing another driving offence, eg. speeding, dangerous driving and other offences, yields mandatory cumulative disqualification and heightened penalty – it's already in the law. At the very extreme end of the spectrum manslaughter is on.
Just saying…..(1) it hasn't worked, (2) heavier, heavier, heavier won't work either (car crushing?), and (3) it's a startling proposition that from time to time the paramountcy of public safety is best served by advised suspension of public safety. Proof that it's startling and unacceptable is that the police already employ a protocol which commands cessation of pursuit.
Slight correction to my "hasn't worked" assertion ….guess it might stamp out heinous failure to display rego/warrant if there were a mandatory order that the guilty party walk a mile in the fast lane of motorway busy hour. Public safety ?
Common sense dictates that there's a limit…..both ways. Going all Crusher ain't an answer. As well, it's ugly, stupid, and very spewy.
It seems there's no jail time involved for failing to stop, just a hefty fine (irrelevant to those with no means to pay) and driving disqualification (no deterrent to those already driving illegally).
5.6. Offenders and charging practices In New Zealand, section 52A of the Land Transport Act 1998 administers penalties for failing to stop or failing to remain stopped for an enforcement officer. The maximum penalty for a first offence is a $10,000 (NZD) fine.96 A mandatory six-month disqualification is also imposed on those drivers convicted of a first offence of failing to stop while exceeding the applicable speed limit or operating a motor vehicle in an otherwise dangerous manner (which is cumulative on any other disqualification ordered in respect of the same incident). This is commonly referred to as an “aggravated failing to stop” charge.
it's from a pdf entitled "Fleeing drivers in New Zealand" by the IPCA. page 63. Comes up when you search for the title.
It seems there's no jail time involved for failing to stop, just a hefty fine (irrelevant to those with no means to pay) and driving disqualification (no deterrent to those already driving illegally).
In contrast, all other Australian jurisdictions permit a term of imprisonment from the first offence of failing to stop, with Queensland and the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) having the most significant penalties. In Queensland, a conviction for failing to stop carries a maximum penalty of three years’ imprisonment and a fine up to $25,230 AUD. In the ACT, offenders on their second or subsequent offence can be imprisoned for up to three years and fined up to $63,000 AUD. In New South Wales, the penalties are more severe – offenders can be imprisoned for up to three years for first offence and up to five years for a second or subsequent offence.
Oddly enough, those praising the Australian approach haven't highlighted that difference.
(Didn't put the link in first time around cause it's a massive messy google search link. Let me know if the embed doesn't work)
"The police are bloody-minded, authoritarian, irresponsible, punitive and sanctimonious – their lack of intelligent thought is a repetition of thinking of Olde England with its savage response to rule and law breaking".
Why pick on the Police @grewarshark?
It's become a prerequisite for a sizable, if not all muddle to senior ranks across the public service. You missed out a couple of essential characteristics though. One is to lie (or in more acceptable terms: mislead, mis-speak, or be frugal with the truth or information) whilst keeping a straight face; and the other is to hide behind procedure and process – automated or otherwise.
There are one or two other desirable characteristics, such as a proven ability to take credit for the successes of subordinates, whilst apportioning blame to them when necessary.
A nice to have is a love of meetings, procrastination – especially when able to put it down to consultation with stakeholders; an ability to justify pay disparities between worker bees and their masters, and between the sexes; and political partisanship
That's an awful list of attributes OWT. Knowing it, how do you make any headway for better? It is said that the way to survive in quicksand is to lie down, which spreads your weight, and then what? Can you claw yourself along slowly towards something solid?
What innovative ways can we adopt to get out of our present morass here in li'l ole NZ.
Hope IN Change @ grey :). (a play on Hope AND change).
And a hope that voting for what we thought would be a progressive gummint will eventually come to pass in the fullness of time, going forward – such as Chippy's recognition that there needs to be public service reform – even if he hasn't yet realised where the roadblocks actually are.
A good dose of cynicism is always good as well JUST AS LONG as we are equally as cynical and questioning of ourselves as we are about others. (Except me of course – I'm the perfect specimen)
Go on – you're outstanding. Keep slogging on there, thinking and putting forward ideas, a thorn in the backside to the complacent, those with the wrong compass points, and the over-optimistic utopians. We will get past the thorn stage and get to the blackberries or the roses eventually, and I hope it is quickly so we can get prepared for the coming times. At present going forward is a bit weighed down with heavy side issues.
I suggest we reintroduce violence, The Rotan. The lowlife types who steal cars and joyride, etc, are precisely those who despise civilised penalties because they do not hurt them. They are also precisely the types who will practise domestic violence upon their women and children. They believe that violence works.
Fines and even jail will have no deterrent effect at all.
So there is a positive idea to be considered. And if the Left proposed it, toughie-boysie Soimon would be totally out-manoeuvred!!
Punishment and Reward. How do we break through the easy peasy attitude of young people who don't have long-term objectives to aim for, or long-term commitments to partners and children to anchor them, and bring out the being part of community thing?
The domestic violence has two sides too, one is the male thing of lashing out at the annoying other who is demanding of him and also vulnerable. The other is the role of the woman who has no clear future in mind except to find out about sex, get some sort of job and bring up kids without any definite ideas of principles. Materialistic values rule, and the children aren't taught to respect women as they watch their mothers talked down to, slapped around a bit, and perhaps both turn their self-disdain on their children. Who grow up without inner strength and little compassion.
You model yourself as on adult on your parents though perhaps unconsciously, or may aim to be totally different and be the opposite, but in either case resorting to authoritarian behaviour is likely to arise, and anger at disobedience arises also. Some parents think that when a baby is over say three months that it has brain capacity and when it cries it is deliberate and manipulating, and plans to annoy them and 'be naughty'.
There is so much wrong with the way we bring up youngsters, In Vino. How to teach a teenager the right behaviour that should have been modelled to them before age 7, it is said that by three the personality is forming I think? They need to go through perhaps a year of alternative family life, and feel the modelling, talk about their difficulties, and find themselves and a purpose for life. I am sure it has been tried somewhere, but we like to keep hitting our heads against brick walls, we have never been very clever with preparing children for adulthood and socialising them, even just teaching them basic sex education. This country gets more stupid about how to grow our children well, with every decade.
lol I got the cane at high school and those welts lasted for weeks – didn't really change much I think – I still swear. I'm sure the sadistic educator had nightmares for weeks though – having to stare at my bum as he whipped me 4 times. Still truth is there would be a queue for people willing to do the hurting via the stick to stop those people doing the hurting on others – a long one no doubt. All wanting to help by hurting. Seems a bit counter productive to me.
The Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg has refused to accept an environmental award, saying the climate movement needed people in power to start to “listen” to “science” and not awards.
…She addressed the decision in a post on Instagram from the United States.
“The climate movement does not need any more awards,” she wrote.
“What we need is for our politicians and the people in power start to listen to the current, best available science.”
While thanking the Nordic Council for the “huge honour”, she also criticised Nordic countries for not living up to their “great reputation” on climate issues.
“There is no lack of bragging about this. There is no lack of beautiful words. But when it comes to our actual emissions and our ecological footprints per capita … then it’s a whole other story,” Thunberg said.
OMG SqHosking and Squawkesby will be having menopausal fits over this……be like refusing the Knight/Dame they've never been offered in the anxious face of all their hopes and aspirations. Poor wee ones.
They could welcome the support for easing the abatement on other income – but then Labour's plan is so slow paced National might be enacting it faster than if the government was re-elected.
They could question the nanny state idea of government paying an under 20 beneficiary's rent and power out of their dole – or does National really mean a spending card for those under 20 (given they would place others 20-25 on this regime as part of sanctions a move likely directly related to term limits for those under 25)?
The public aren't interested in the detail around how governments deal to the poor. Heck, most people on TS aren't interested in that, either. I'm asking how do we create a climate of opinion where the standard response to what Bridges is saying is an eye-roll. Of course, it's the 64 million dollar question, but the task is a necessary one.
The public aren't interested in the detail around how governments deal to the poor. Heck, most people on TS aren't interested in that, either.
Hang on Chris that's a little bit rough. Just because not everybody here comments on the state of poverty in NZ doesn't mean they don't care. I think you would find that people from all walks of life donate generously to organisations like the Salvation Army. In many cases and for many reasons that is the only thing they can do.
I just heard Simon Bridges say, "The evidence is clear." He was talking about withholding benefit payments from people who don't have their kids vaccinated.
Every word he says adds to the clear evidence: he is an idiot who believes in cretinous approaches and knows he will have cretinous followers keenly supporting him.
If he knew someone with half a brain maybe they could explain to him about evidence of effective ways for people (or animals for that matter) to learn. Are punitive approaches better?
Who coulda seen this one coming? It seems those ellipses in the "rough transcript" of Donny Dumpsterfire's call to Zelensky weren't signifying innocent pauses in the conversation after all.
I think that Iwi should set up small to medium Sawmill that will take the fluctuating export market out and provide a better price per cube and jobs for local tangata whenua. I know personally that it is not to hard to do.
I think it's logical to pair Solar and Wind power together. I also think Aotearoa should have floating Solar power farms on all our Hydro dams this will have many cost savings and lower the evaporations rate of the dams.
Long read: Solar + wind, the benefits of co-location
Shared grid connections, complimentary resource availability, and more grid-friendly power are among the key advantages of pairing wind farms with solar arrays – and developers are quickly moving into the emerging space
We need to change the way we live fast as possible. It's only took 30 years to pump the same amount of carbon into our environment that has taken 200 years to pump into our environment.
We all have to do our bit to persuade our Papatuanuku government and businesses to change to a carbon neutral economy.
Climate scientist James Renwick says global governments are too slow to act to prevent disastrous levels of global warming.
says Renwick, sitting in his professorial office at Victoria University, where the Nobel Peace Prize certificate for his contribution to the Intergovernmental Panel of Climate Change (IPCC) is proudly framed on the wall.
Like a conscientious climate scientist, Renwick takes public transport from his Kāpiti Coast home to the university and back. We're late for the 4.15pm train, but his 62-year-old knees won't brook running.
But it's not his quirky persona that won him this year's Prime Minister's Science Communication Prize. While scientists sometimes become scientists because they're happier digging through data than interacting with humans, Renwick likes to talk and he's good at it. When Rotary invites him to meetings, he goes. And when the climate deniers troll, he hits reply rather than block.
I try to politely engage in conversation, point out the science.
Often he'll suggest chatting over coffee. That's usually the end of it.
"It's never really about the science, the facts, the evidence. It's about their own world view."
For 30 years, Renwick has been thinking, writing and talking about climate change, since writing the first report for the Ministry for the Environment about how climate change might affect New Zealand, in the 1990s. But in those three decades, the increase in carbon dioxide in It took 200 years to get to the first half and only 30 years for the second half," he notes carbon in the air has doubled.
And still, the policy makers are dawdling, Renwick says. As a lead author on the fourth IPCC report, in 2007, he naively
IPCC report announced that global CO₂ emissions had to almost halve by 2030 and reduce to zero by 2050 to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees.
"If the world is serious about 1½ degrees, 2020 is the absolute last year we can see any increase in emissions," Renwick says. "The corner has to be turned in the next year, and there just isn't any sign of that."
"It's not down to the individual to solve this problem, because it's a global economy. We can't do it just by ourselves. We've got to persuade governments and businesses to change."
Its good tangata are going to get quick referrals to MRI scans to diagnose some ills faster the faster one correct treatment is started the better the chances of curing the illness.
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Michael Bassett writes – If you think there is a move afoot by the radical Maori fringe of New Zealand society to create a parallel system of government to the one that we elect at our triennial elections, you aren’t wrong. Over the last few days we have ...
Without a corresponding drop in interest rates, it’s doubtful any changes to the CCCFA will unleash a massive rush of home buyers. Photo: Lynn GrievesonTL;DR: The six things that stood out to me in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, poverty and climate on Monday, April 22 included:The Government making a ...
Sunday was a lazy day. I started watching Jack Tame on Q&A, the interviews are usually good for something to write about. Saying the things that the politicians won’t, but are quite possibly thinking. Things that are true and need to be extracted from between the lines.As you might know ...
In our Weekly Roundup last week we covered news from Auckland Transport that the WX1 Western Express is going to get an upgrade next year with double decker electric buses. As part of the announcement, AT also said “Since we introduced the WX1 Western Express last November we have seen ...
TL;DR: The six key events to watch in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the week to April 29 include:PM Christopher Luxon is scheduled to hold a post-Cabinet news conference at 4 pm today. Stats NZ releases its statutory report on Census 2023 tomorrow.Finance Minister Nicola Willis delivers a pre-Budget speech at ...
A listing of 29 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, April 14, 2024 thru Sat, April 20, 2024. Story of the week Our story of the week hinges on these words from the abstract of a fresh academic ...
The ability of the private sector to quickly establish major new projects making use of the urban and natural environment is to be supercharged by the new National-led Government. Yesterday it introduced to Parliament one of its most significant reforms, the Fast Track Approvals Bill. The Government says this will ...
This is a column to say thank you. So many of have been in touch since Mum died to say so many kind and thoughtful things. You’re wonderful, all of you. You’ve asked how we’re doing, how Dad’s doing. A little more realisation each day, of the irretrievable finality of ...
Identifying the engine type in your car is crucial for various reasons, including maintenance, repairs, and performance upgrades. Knowing the specific engine model allows you to access detailed technical information, locate compatible parts, and make informed decisions about modifications. This comprehensive guide will provide you with a step-by-step approach to ...
Introduction: The allure of racing is undeniable. The thrill of speed, the roar of engines, and the exhilaration of competition all contribute to the allure of this adrenaline-driven sport. For those who yearn to experience the pinnacle of racing, becoming a race car driver is the ultimate dream. However, the ...
Introduction Automobiles have become ubiquitous in modern society, serving as a primary mode of transportation and a symbol of economic growth and personal mobility. With countless vehicles traversing roads and highways worldwide, it begs the question: how many cars are there in the world? Determining the precise number is a ...
Maintaining a safe and reliable vehicle requires regular inspections. Whether it’s a routine maintenance checkup or a safety inspection, knowing how long the process will take can help you plan your day accordingly. This article delves into the factors that influence the duration of a car inspection and provides an ...
Mazda Motor Corporation, commonly known as Mazda, is a Japanese multinational automaker headquartered in Fuchu, Aki District, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan. The company was founded in 1920 as the Toyo Cork Kogyo Co., Ltd., and began producing vehicles in 1931. Mazda is primarily known for its production of passenger cars, but ...
Your car battery is an essential component that provides power to start your engine, operate your electrical systems, and store energy. Over time, batteries can weaken and lose their ability to hold a charge, which can lead to starting problems, power failures, and other issues. Replacing your battery before it ...
In most states, you cannot register a car without a valid driver’s license. However, there are a few exceptions to this rule. Exceptions to the RuleIf you are under 18 years old: In some states, you can register a car in your name even if you do not ...
Mazda, a Japanese automotive manufacturer with a rich history of innovation and engineering excellence, has emerged as a formidable player in the global car market. Known for its reputation of producing high-quality, fuel-efficient, and driver-oriented vehicles, Mazda has consistently garnered praise from industry experts and consumers alike. In this article, ...
Struts are an essential part of a car’s suspension system. They are responsible for supporting the weight of the car and damping the oscillations of the springs. Struts are typically made of steel or aluminum and are filled with hydraulic fluid. How Do Struts Work? Struts work by transferring the ...
Car registration is a mandatory process that all vehicle owners must complete annually. This process involves registering your car with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and paying an associated fee. The registration process ensures that your vehicle is properly licensed and insured, and helps law enforcement and other authorities ...
Zoom is a video conferencing service that allows you to share your screen, webcam, and audio with other participants. In addition to sharing your own audio, you can also share the audio from your computer with other participants. This can be useful for playing music, sharing presentations with audio, or ...
Building your own computer can be a rewarding and cost-effective way to get a high-performance machine tailored to your specific needs. However, it also requires careful planning and execution, and one of the most important factors to consider is the time it will take. The exact time it takes to ...
Sleep mode is a power-saving state that allows your computer to quickly resume operation without having to boot up from scratch. This can be useful if you need to step away from your computer for a short period of time but don’t want to shut it down completely. There are ...
Introduction Computer-Assisted Translation (CAT) has revolutionized the field of translation by harnessing the power of technology to assist human translators in their work. This innovative approach combines specialized software with human expertise to improve the efficiency, accuracy, and consistency of translations. In this comprehensive article, we will delve into the ...
In today’s digital age, mobile devices have become an indispensable part of our daily lives. Among the vast array of portable computing options available, iPads and tablet computers stand out as two prominent contenders. While both offer similar functionalities, there are subtle yet significant differences between these two devices. This ...
A computer is an electronic device that can be programmed to carry out a set of instructions. The basic components of a computer are the processor, memory, storage, input devices, and output devices. The Processor The processor, also known as the central processing unit (CPU), is the brain of the ...
Voice Memos is a convenient app on your iPhone that allows you to quickly record and store audio snippets. These recordings can be useful for a variety of purposes, such as taking notes, capturing ideas, or recording interviews. While you can listen to your voice memos on your iPhone, you ...
Laptop screens are essential for interacting with our devices and accessing information. However, when lines appear on the screen, it can be frustrating and disrupt productivity. Understanding the underlying causes of these lines is crucial for finding effective solutions. Types of Screen Lines Horizontal lines: Also known as scan ...
Right-clicking is a common and essential computer operation that allows users to access additional options and settings. While most desktop computers have dedicated right-click buttons on their mice, laptops often do not have these buttons due to space limitations. This article will provide a comprehensive guide on how to right-click ...
Powering up and shutting down your ASUS laptop is an essential task for any laptop user. Locating the power button can sometimes be a hassle, especially if you’re new to ASUS laptops. This article will provide a comprehensive guide on where to find the power button on different ASUS laptop ...
Dell laptops are renowned for their reliability, performance, and versatility. Whether you’re a student, a professional, or just someone who needs a reliable computing device, a Dell laptop can meet your needs. However, if you’re new to Dell laptops, you may be wondering how to get started. In this comprehensive ...
Two-thirds of the country think that “New Zealand’s economy is rigged to advantage the rich and powerful”. They also believe that “New Zealand needs a strong leader to take the country back from the rich and powerful”. These are just two of a handful of stunning new survey results released ...
In today’s digital world, screenshots have become an indispensable tool for communication and documentation. Whether you need to capture an important email, preserve a website page, or share an error message, screenshots allow you to quickly and easily preserve digital information. If you’re an Asus laptop user, there are several ...
A factory reset restores your Gateway laptop to its original factory settings, erasing all data, apps, and personalizations. This can be necessary to resolve software issues, remove viruses, or prepare your laptop for sale or transfer. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to factory reset your Gateway laptop: Method 1: ...
“You talking about me?”The neoliberal denigration of the past was nowhere more unrelenting than in its depiction of the public service. The Post Office and the Railways were held up as being both irremediably inefficient and scandalously over-manned. Playwright Roger Hall’s “Glide Time” caricatures were presented as accurate depictions of ...
Roger Partridge writes – When the Coalition Government took office last October, it inherited a country on a precipice. With persistent inflation, decades of insipid productivity growth and crises in healthcare, education, housing and law and order, it is no exaggeration to suggest New Zealand’s first-world status was ...
Rob MacCulloch writes – In 2022, the Curriculum Centre at the Ministry of Education employed 308 staff, according to an Official Information Request. Earlier this week it was announced 202 of those staff were being cut. When you look up “The New Zealand Curriculum” on the Ministry of ...
Chris Bishop’s bill has stirred up a hornets nest of opposition. Photo: Lynn Grieveson for The KākāTL;DR: The six things that stood out to me in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, poverty and climate from the last day included:A crescendo of opposition to the Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill is ...
Monday left me brokenTuesday, I was through with hopingWednesday, my empty arms were openThursday, waiting for love, waiting for loveThe end of another week that left many of us asking WTF? What on earth has NZ gotten itself into and how on earth could people have voluntarily signed up for ...
Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on the past week’s editions.State of humanity, 20242024, it feels, keeps presenting us with ever more challenges, ever more dismay.Do you give up yet? It seems to ask.No? How about this? Or this?How about this?Full story Share ...
Determining the hardest sport in the world is a subjective matter, as the difficulty level can vary depending on individual abilities, physical attributes, and experience. However, based on various factors including physical demands, technical skills, mental fortitude, and overall accomplishment, here is an exploration of some of the most challenging ...
Our two-tiered system for veterans’ support is out of step with our closest partners, and all parties in Parliament should work together to fix it, Labour veterans’ affairs spokesperson Greg O’Connor said. ...
Stripping two Ministers of their portfolios just six months into the job shows Christopher Luxon’s management style is lacking, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said. ...
It appears Nicola Willis is about to pull the rug out from under the feet of local communities still dealing with the aftermath of last year’s severe weather, and local councils relying on funding to build back from these disasters. ...
The Government is making short-sighted changes to the Resource Management Act (RMA) that will take away environmental protection in favour of short-term profits, Labour’s environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said today. ...
Labour welcomes the release of the report into the North Island weather events and looks forward to working with the Government to ensure that New Zealand is as prepared as it can be for the next natural disaster. ...
The Labour Party has called for the New Zealand Government to recognise Palestine, as a material step towards progressing the two-State solution needed to achieve a lasting peace in the region. ...
Some of our country’s most important work, stopping the sexual exploitation of children and violent extremism could go along with staff on the frontline at ports and airports. ...
The Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill will give projects such as new coal mines a ‘get out of jail free’ card to wreak havoc on the environment, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said today. ...
Cuts to frontline hospital staff are not only a broken election promise, it shows the reckless tax cuts have well and truly hit the frontline of the health system, says Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall. ...
The Green Party has joined the call for public submissions on the fast-track legislation to be extended after the Ombudsman forced the Government to release the list of organisations invited to apply just hours before submissions close. ...
New Zealand’s good work at reducing climate emissions for three years in a row will be undone by the National government’s lack of ambition and scrapping programmes that were making a difference, Labour Party climate spokesperson Megan Woods said today. ...
More essential jobs could be on the chopping block, this time Ministry of Education staff on the school lunches team are set to find out whether they're in line to lose their jobs. ...
The Government is trying to bring in a law that will allow Ministers to cut corners and kill off native species, Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said. ...
Cancelling urgently needed new Cook Strait ferries and hiking the cost of public transport for many Kiwis so that National can announce the prospect of another tunnel for Wellington is not making good choices, Labour Transport Spokesperson Tangi Utikere said. ...
A laundry list of additional costs for Tāmaki Makarau Auckland shows the Minister for the city is not delivering for the people who live there, says Labour Auckland Issues spokesperson Shanan Halbert. ...
The Green Party has today launched a step-by-step guide to help New Zealanders make their voice heard on the Government’s democracy dodging and anti-environment fast track legislation. ...
The National Government’s proposed changes to the Residential Tenancies Act will mean tenants can be turfed from their homes by landlords with little notice, Labour housing spokesperson Kieran McAnulty said. ...
Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson is calling on all parties to support a common-sense change that’s great for the planet and great for consumers after her member’s bill was drawn from the ballot today. ...
A significant milestone has been reached in the fight to strike an anti-Pasifika and unfair law from the country’s books after Teanau Tuiono’s members’ bill passed its first reading. ...
New Zealand has today missed the opportunity to uphold the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment, says James Shaw after his member’s bill was voted down in its first reading. ...
Today’s advice from the Climate Change Commission paints a sobering reality of the challenge we face in combating climate change, especially in light of recent Government policy announcements. ...
Minister for Disability Issues Penny Simmonds appears to have delayed a report back to Cabinet on the progress New Zealand is making against international obligations for disabled New Zealanders. ...
The Government’s newly announced review of methane emissions reduction targets hints at its desire to delay Aotearoa New Zealand’s urgent transition to a climate safe future, the Green Party said. ...
Mai ia tawhiti pamamao, te moana nui a Kiwa, kua tae whakaiti mai matou, ki to koutou papa whenua. No koutou te tapuwae, no matou te tapuwae, kua honoa pumautia. Ko nga toa kua hinga nei, o te Waipounamu, o te Ika a Maui, he okioki tahi me o ...
Paul Goldsmith will take on responsibility for the Media and Communications portfolio, while Louise Upston will pick up the Disability Issues portfolio, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced today. “Our Government is relentlessly focused on getting New Zealand back on track. As issues change in prominence, I plan to adjust Ministerial ...
Recreational catch limits will be reduced in areas of Fiordland and the Chatham Islands to help keep those fisheries healthy and sustainable, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The lower recreational daily catch limits for a range of finfish and shellfish species caught in the Fiordland Marine Area and ...
Energy Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed an important milestone in New Zealand’s hydrogen future, with the opening of the country’s first network of hydrogen refuelling stations in Wiri. “I want to congratulate the team at Hiringa Energy and its partners K one W one (K1W1), Mitsui & Co New Zealand ...
The coalition Government is delivering on its commitment to improve resource management laws and give greater certainty to consent applicants, with a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) expected to be introduced to Parliament next month. RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop has today outlined the first RMA Amendment ...
Overseas models for regulating the oil and gas sector, including their decommissioning regimes, are being carefully scrutinised as a potential template for New Zealand’s own sector, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. The Coalition Government is focused on rebuilding investor confidence in New Zealand’s energy sector as it looks to strengthen ...
Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell has today released the Report of the Government Inquiry into the response to the North Island Severe Weather Events. “The report shows that New Zealand’s emergency management system is not fit-for-purpose and there are some significant gaps we need to address,” Mr Mitchell ...
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith is today travelling to Europe where he’ll update the United Nations Human Rights Council on the Government’s work to restore law and order. “Attending the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva provides us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while ...
Associate Agriculture Minister, Mark Patterson, formally reopened the world’s largest wool processing facility today in Awatoto, Napier, following a $50 million rebuild and refurbishment project. “The reopening of this facility will significantly lift the economic opportunities available to New Zealand’s wool sector, which already accounts for 20 per cent of ...
Hon Andrew Bayly, Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing At the Southland Otago Regional Engineering Collective (SOREC) Summit, 18 April, Dunedin Ngā mihi nui, Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Ko Whanganui aho Good Afternoon and thank you for inviting me to open your summit today. I am delighted ...
The Government is delivering on its commitment to bring back the Three Strikes legislation, Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee announced today. “Our Government is committed to restoring law and order and enforcing appropriate consequences on criminals. We are making it clear that repeat serious violent or sexual offending is not ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has today announced four new diplomatic appointments for New Zealand’s overseas missions. “Our diplomats have a vital role in maintaining and protecting New Zealand’s interests around the world,” Mr Peters says. “I am pleased to announce the appointment of these senior diplomats from the ...
New Zealand is contributing NZ$7 million to support communities affected by severe food insecurity and other urgent humanitarian needs in Ethiopia and Somalia, Foreign Minister Rt Hon Winston Peters announced today. “Over 21 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance across Ethiopia, with a further 6.9 million people ...
Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Paul Goldsmith is congratulating Mataaho Collective for winning the Golden Lion for best participant in the main exhibition at the Venice Biennale. "Congratulations to the Mataaho Collective for winning one of the world's most prestigious art prizes at the Venice Biennale. “It is good ...
The Government is reforming financial services to improve access to home loans and other lending, and strengthen customer protections, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly and Housing Minister Chris Bishop announced today. “Our coalition Government is committed to rebuilding the economy and making life simpler by cutting red tape. We are ...
“China remains a strong commercial opportunity for Kiwi exporters as Chinese businesses and consumers continue to value our high-quality safe produce,” Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says. Mr McClay has returned to New Zealand following visits to Beijing, Harbin and Shanghai where he met ministers, governors and mayors and engaged in trade and agricultural events with the New ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has completed a successful trip to Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines, deepening relationships and capitalising on opportunities. Mr Luxon was accompanied by a business delegation and says the choice of countries represents the priority the New Zealand Government places on South East Asia, and our relationships in ...
New Zealand is demonstrating its commitment to reducing global greenhouse emissions, and supporting clean energy transition in South East Asia, through a contribution of NZ$41 million (US$25 million) in climate finance to the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-led Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM). Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced ...
The Government is today releasing a list of organisations who received letters about the Fast-track applications process, says RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop. “Recently Ministers and agencies have received a series of OIA requests for a list of organisations to whom I wrote with information on applying to have a ...
Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister David Jonathan Boldt as a Judge of the High Court, and the Honourable Justice Matthew Palmer as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Boldt graduated with an LLB from Victoria University of Wellington in 1990, and also holds ...
Education Minister Erica Stanford will lead the New Zealand delegation at the 2024 International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP) held in Singapore. The delegation includes representatives from the Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) Te Wehengarua and the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) Te Riu Roa. The summit is co-hosted ...
A stopbank upgrade project in Tairawhiti partly funded by the Government has increased flood resilience for around 7000ha of residential and horticultural land so far, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones today attended a dawn service in Gisborne to mark the end of the first stage of the ...
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters will represent the Government at Anzac Day commemorations on the Gallipoli Peninsula next week and engage with senior representatives of the Turkish government in Istanbul. “The Gallipoli campaign is a defining event in our history. It will be a privilege to share the occasion ...
Science, Innovation and Technology and Defence Minister Judith Collins will next week attend the OECD Science and Technology Ministerial conference in Paris and Anzac Day commemorations in Belgium. “Science, innovation and technology have a major role to play in rebuilding our economy and achieving better health, environmental and social outcomes ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The Prime Minister was accompanied by MP Paulo Garcia, the first Filipino to be elected to a legislature outside the Philippines. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon and President Marcos Jr discussed opportunities to ...
The Government has announced that $20 million in funding will be made available to Westport to fund much needed flood protection around the town. This measure will significantly improve the resilience of the community, says Local Government Minister Simeon Brown. “The Westport community has already been allocated almost $3 million ...
The Government is proud to support the first ever Repco Supercars Championship event in Taupō as up to 70,000 motorsport fans attend the Taupō International Motorsport Park this weekend, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. “Anticipation for the ITM Taupō Super400 is huge, with tickets and accommodation selling out weeks ...
Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced an increase to the Rates Rebate Scheme, putting money back into the pockets of low-income homeowners. “The coalition Government is committed to bringing down the cost of living for New Zealanders. That includes targeted support for those Kiwis who are doing things tough, such ...
The Coalition Government is investing in a project to boost survival rates of New Zealand mussels and grow the industry, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has announced. “This project seeks to increase the resilience of our mussels and significantly boost the sector’s productivity,” Mr Jones says. “The project - ...
Benefit figures released today underscore the importance of the Government’s plan to rebuild the economy and have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “Benefit numbers are still significantly higher than when National was last in government, when there was about 70,000 fewer ...
The Government’s commitment to doubling New Zealand’s renewable energy capacity is backed by new data showing that clean energy has helped the country reach its lowest annual gross emissions since 1999, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealand’s latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory (1990-2022) published today, shows gross emissions fell ...
The Government is bringing the earthquake-prone building review forward, with work to start immediately, and extending the deadline for remediations by four years, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “Our Government is focused on rebuilding the economy. A key part of our plan is to cut red tape that ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his Thai counterpart, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, have today agreed that New Zealand and the Kingdom of Thailand will upgrade the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership by 2026. “New Zealand and Thailand have a lot to offer each other. We have a strong mutual desire to build ...
RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Transport Minister Simeon Brown have today announced the Coalition Government’s intention to extend port coastal permits for a further 20 years, providing port operators with certainty to continue their operations. “The introduction of the Resource Management Act in 1991 required ports to obtain coastal ...
Today’s announcement that inflation is down to 4 per cent is encouraging news for Kiwis, but there is more work to be done - underlining the importance of the Government’s plan to get the economy back on track, acting Finance Minister Chris Bishop says. “Inflation is now at 4 per ...
Refreshed health guidance released today will help parents and schools make informed decisions about whether their child needs to be in school, addressing one of the key issues affecting school attendance, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour. In recent years, consistently across all school terms, short-term illness or medical reasons ...
Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is streamlining high-level oceans management while maintaining a focus on supporting the sector’s role in the export-led recovery of the economy. “I am working to realise the untapped potential of our fishing and aquaculture sector. To achieve that we need to be smarter with ...
Associate Agriculture Minister Mark Patterson is speaking at the International Wool Textile Organisation Congress in Adelaide, promoting New Zealand wool, and outlining the coalition Government’s support for the revitalisation the sector. "New Zealand’s wool exports reached $400 million in the year to 30 June 2023, and the coalition Government ...
The Government is making legislative changes to make it easier for new early learning services to be established, and for existing services to operate, Associate Education Minister David Seymour says. The changes involve repealing the network approval provisions that apply when someone wants to establish a new early learning service, ...
Changes to the Resource Management Act will align consenting for coal mining to other forms of mining to reduce barriers that are holding back economic development, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The inconsistent treatment of coal mining compared with other extractive activities is burdensome red tape that fails to acknowledge ...
Asia Pacific Report Chief Mandla Mandela, a member of the National Assembly of South Africa and Nelson Mandela’s grandson, has joined the Freedom Flotilla in istanbul as the ships prepare to sail for Gaza, reports Kia Ora Gaza. Mandela is also the ambassador for the Global Campaign to Return to ...
Pacific Media Watch Journalists who report on environmental issues are encountering growing difficulties in many parts of the world, reports Reporters Without Borders. According to the tally kept by RSF, 200 journalists have been subjected to threats and physical violence, including murder, in the past 10 years because they were ...
Analysis by Dr Bryce Edwards, Democracy Project (https://democracyproject.nz)Political scientist, Dr Bryce Edwards. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has surprised everyone with his ruthlessness in sacking two of his ministers from their crucial portfolios. Removing ministers for poor performance after only five months in the job just doesn’t normally happen in ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Hawkins, Senior Lecturer, Canberra School of Politics, Economics and Society, University of Canberra BagzhanSadvakassov/Upsplash, CC BY-SA Australia’s inflation rate has fallen for the fifth successive quarter, and it’s now less than half of what it was back in late 2022. ...
ACT's Rural Communities and Veterans spokesman Mark Cameron responds to cancellations and protests of ANZAC Day commemorations in Wellington. He says, "These pitiful attempts to detract from ANZAC Day are not at all indicative of the feelings of mainstream ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Meighen McCrae, Associate Professor of Strategic & Defence Studies, Australian National University American and Australian stretcher bearers working together near the front line during the Battle of Hamel in 1918.Australian War Memorial While the AUKUS alliance is new, the Australian-American partnership ...
Pōneke based peace activists staged a silent protest at the ANZAC day service to highlight New Zealand’s complicity in war and genocide, and urge the government to take concrete steps to stop the genocide in Palestine. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Magdalena M.E. Bunbury, Postdoctoral Researcher, James Cook University Burial with a horse at the Rákóczifalva site, Hungary (8th century AD).Sándor Hegedűs, Hungarian National Museum, CC BY How do we understand past societies? For centuries, our main sources of information have been ...
Amanda Thompson doesn’t really do Anzac Day. But what she does do is remember the people she knew who had a lifetime to remember stuff they didn’t really want to, because of a war they didn’t ask for. And she does make Anzac biscuits.First published in 2021.All my ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kathryn Willis, Postdoctoral Researcher, CSIRO Xavier Boulenger/Shutterstock In the two decades to 2019, global plastic production doubled. By 2040, plastic manufacturing and processing could consume as much as 20% of global oil production and use up 15% of the annual carbon ...
With our collective remembrance, and steadfast belief in our common humanity, we strengthen our hope and resolve to do what we can to foster dialogue and understanding, and to heal divisions in our pursuit of peace. ...
Principal reasons for the opposition is the loss of the public’s democratic right to have “a fair say” and the vital need for a government free from corruption, said Casey Cravens of Dunedin, president of the New Zealand Federation of Freshwater ...
Never mind the scoreboard – in the 2000 Bledisloe Cup decider, the real trans-Tasman battle was won before kickoff.First published in 2016. The dawn of the new millennium was a dark time for the All Blacks. Their final game pre-Y2K was a 22-18 loss to South Africa in the ...
I’m on the wrong side of 40, I never pursued creative work and now my job is killing my soul. Help! Want Hera’s help? Email your problem to helpme@thespinoff.co.nzDear Hera,May I start with the least original conversation opener you’re likely to hear around the motu at the moment, particularly in Wellington: ...
“Never again - No AUKUS” was the message of the wreath laid at this morning’s national ANZAC Day commemorative service at Pukeahu National War Memorial Park this morning by the Stop AUKUS group. ...
Until this month, Auckland swimmer Hazel Ouwehand had never met a qualifying time in an Olympic event for a New Zealand team, even as a junior. Now she’s very likely off to the Paris Olympics after swimming well under the qualifying standard in the 100m butterfly twice – both in ...
While Anzac Day has experienced a resurgence in recent years, our other day of remembrance has slowly faded from view.The Sunday Essay is made possible thanks to the support of Creative New Zealand. Original illustrations by Hope McConnell.First published in 2022.The high school’s head girl and ...
Australian and New Zealand volunteers fought together in the Waikato War, yet still its place in the Anzac tradition is unacknowledged by our defence forces or Returned Services Association.First published in 2018.When I was a boy cub I attended Anzac Day services in the South Auckland suburb of ...
A poem by Wellington writer Tayi Tibble.Hoki Mai She kisses him goodbye with her eyes still wet and alight from their last swim in the Awatere river. At the train station celebration, she leads the Kapa Haka but her voice keeps breaking under and over itself like waves. ...
A poem from Bill Manhire’s 2017 book of verse Some Things to Place in a Coffin.My World War I Poem Inside each trench, the sound of prayer. Inside each prayer, the sound of digging. Image courtesy of Auckland War Memorial Museum. ...
There are three books I have wolfed down in one sitting over the last two years. Colleen Maria Lenihan’s gorgeous and sad debut Kōhine, Noelle McCarthy’s memoir Grand about becoming her mother and then unbecoming her, and now Hine Toa, a staunch yet gentle self-portrait by living legend Ngāhuia te ...
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Asia Pacific Report Students and activist staff at Australia’s University of Sydney (USyd) have set up a Gaza solidarity encampment in support of Palestinians and similar student-led protests in the United States. The camp was pitched as mass graves, crippled hospitals, thousands of civilian deaths and the near-total destruction of ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By James B. Dorey, Lecturer in Biological Sciences, University of Wollongong Australian teddy bear bees are cute and fluffy, but get a look at that massive (unbarbed) stinger! James Dorey Photography Most of us have been stung by a bee and we ...
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I wonder why so many Fonterra farms don't want to open their gates…..
“Fonterra’s farm open day has been labelled an “absolute nonsense”, with just 14 farms taking part and the gates all but shut to anyone still hoping to get a ticket.”
https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/farming/116986443/fonterra-accused-of-pr-stunt-with-open-gates-campaign
The sooner we as a society stop believing Fonterra's advertising that all farmers are family #8 wire types, with the nice nuclear family living off the land with nice green fields, healthy cows and white wooly sheep the better.
The problem farms are the big industrial farms, and they will not be the ones open anyway
But I really like that nice farming picture you painted Y-F. You are destroying my dreams, and I want NZ farms to be like that.
#8 wire types started dying out 30 years ago – apparently replaced by 'innovators' and 'disruptors' (going forward)
They've become so efficient and effective that it means things like NZ Post are able to get mail to the lower regions of the Himalayas, or North America as quickly as they can less than 2km across town (about 11 days)
Maybe because its a Worksafe nightmare, everybody must be accounted for, supervised and made aware of the risks.
Just having people and vehicles on the property increases the risk of M.Bovis type contamination.
Not all people are farmer friendly, Vegans, Safe, etc all looking too video anything in a negative light.
From the Farmers perspective, more hassle than reward, just not worth the aggrivation.
If this article is true and they were already driving dangerously through red lights, it puts the police in a difficult situation. As they are not allowed to chase, but they need to get them off the road urgently.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/117005490/fleeing-driver-allegedly-ran-at-least-three-red-lights-before-fatal-crash
Edit
This is not difficult to comprehend. When the police start the chase process, and scare and excite the driver causing him to drive worse than before, go faster and more recklessly, and drive through red lights. The line of controlled behaviour in the driver's mind is crossed, and it is fleeing and going faster that sweeps his remaining brain function.
Anybody who thinks and talks to psychologists and experts in driver behaviour would know that. The police are bloody-minded, authoritarian, irresponsible, punitive and sanctimonious – their lack of intelligent thought is a repetition of thinking of Olde England with its savage response to rule and law breaking that resulted in Australia's convict settlement.
The police desire to take severe action against the driver who may not cause harm to others, then ratchet up the probability by chasing him, secure in sanctimonious whitewashing of any damage they cause by mumbling that 'he should have stopped'. That reason doesn't cut it; in a modern era when we understand so much more, the police’s response is a primitive brain effect when chasing drivers like this.
There is so much known that can explain the scenario – the effect of bad economic conditions, bad childhood experiences and lack of socialisation and self-control of the wanted driver, his or her use of drugs to bolster self-esteem if used will further decrease self-conrol, then the psychological effects that follow that all, and the effect on the body of adrenaline etc affecting both fleeing driver and chasing police. It's all known and for police to follow the same behaviour as a dog chasing a cat makes them appear simple-minded, lacking in intelligence and unable to learn from good research, and the experience of other police forces with better methods.
There are many such as yourself GS who bring forward valid reasons why not to, yet what other solutions are there ?
and when a case will surface (police observed a car being driven in a reckless fashion) no action resulting in a crash ?
you already used the term “ may not” there is also the case “May Have”
i cannot see anything better than a neutral:loss result by using game theory.
Game theory says it all. This is not a game and we can’t just think about theories, we are talking about better ways of living our lives, and of trying to lessen risk. There is no such thing as risk free living, despite what the Transport Authority is trying to do, also Health and Safety – both of which tend to go OTT.
Looking at it from a dispassionate math point of view, what we do know is that we lose several people a year to police pursuits. some of those pursuits are the result of minor offences or traffic infringements.
If they can lower the rate of pursuits ending in a crash with better pursuit practises, fine. But at the moment it seems safer to get the driver on camera and pick them up the following day.
What's the success rate of trying to find them the next day and holding them accountable?
Back decades ago when I had acquaintances that ran from police, the next day success rate was precisely zero, as far as I could tell.
Yeah, but these days we have cameras as well as the reggo.
A few years ago the usual followup was "he said he'd lent it to someone, so we can't do anything". Heck, impound the car for a bit. Just make it a reasonable likelihood of some manner of inconvenience, and eventually they'll figure it out.
Besides, the success rate of actually catching them is pretty low with pursuits, anyway. Letting them go that night probably isn't too much less likely to get a result, but sure lowers the chances of a fatality.
Or possibly a bigger factor in the lack of success for next day follow-up is it just doesn't happen all that much (and probably never did). From page 61 of the Fleeing Drivers report:
(link near the end of this subthread or at 4.1 in today's Open Mike)
But that report also says there’s not routinely cameras in cars, so there’s only the fixed traffic cameras. Apparently the cops would like to have car and body cams, though.
So cabs have better camera pickup than cop cars. 🙄 Sounds same old same old lol.
the cost of an HD dash cam and a cam on the back seat is pretty trivial these days, I would have thought. Meh.
Did you not read the article…he was already driving through red lights which means he may have killed someone on any one of those three previous times. It was fourth time unlucky.
If he had hit and killed someone on the second red light he ran (instead of the fourth), and the police had seen it and done nothing, are the police at fault? I bet a lot of the public would be pretty angry at the police for doing nothing.
Hi Jimmy
I've read the article twice now and can not see where it says he was already running red lights.
It says "…allegedly drove through at least three red lights during the pursuit…"
Could you point out where it says before the chase started?
"Stuff understands the driver of the fleeing car allegedly drove through at least three red lights during the pursuit before crashing into McCaul's car."
As I read your article Jimmy and if it is indeed a true article, the car was being pursued through all the red lights.
It started with the teen driver seen driving erratically. That could mean a number of things. And he was ordered to stop and didn't. It might be better if the police had an emergency call out team available, and didn't cruise around looking for people to stop who aren't keen to be found with drink or drugs on their breath. I wonder if the road toll, accidents and deaths, would go down?
Police earlier said the pursuit began when the driver of a black Toyota Caldina failed to stop for police on Papanui Rd, about 4am. The car, which had five teenagers inside, was signalled to stop due to the "erratic" way it was being driven, Canterbury police metro area commander Superintendent Lane Todd previously said…
McCaul was the fifth person to die relating to police pursuits in Christchurch this year.
The crash comes seven months after police and the Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA) released a review of police pursuits called Fleeing Drivers in New Zealand.
It made eight recommendations to improve how police respond to fleeing drivers, and favoured a risk-averse approach to pursuits.
"In general, the review found that there was a lack of understanding among staff about the risk officers create by initiating a pursuit and contributing to a fleeing vehicle," the report said….
In Canterbury, there were 360 fleeing driver incidents from January to June 2019, with 268 of them being abandoned.
During that same period last year, there were 208 fleeing driver incidents and 154 abandonments.
(The stats for this year compared to the same period last year showed considerably more incidents than last year, and about double the number that were not abandoned, so continued. It seems that Christchurch has become over-zealous. And I think they have had trouble with boy racers this year, which could explain the attention. I think that a new game plan is required. What have they done in similar situations in other jurisdictions across the world, Australian states for a start, that are not just the hard-line, get tough approach; Scandinavia? Italy?)
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/117005490/fleeing-driver-allegedly-ran-at-least-three-red-lights-before-fatal-crash
🙂
Mandatory 6 or 12 months with no parole for fleeing or failure to stop, running consecutively with any other sentence if a court case is held on other charges. No reductions for age, early guilty plea etc on this part of the total.
The police don't always get it right, but it seems like if you drive like a wanker to get away from them, you just might succeed if they're expected to give up in the name of public safety.
Well I would not be prepared to see that my good relative or friend was sacrificed by police chasing someone who hadn't stopped when ordered to help police with their enquiries. I think that there is a lack of balance in some people's responses to this matter on this post.
Good law helps the smooth and fair running of a country. When it isn't delivering those two aspects, it needs to be thought about and amended. Keep your had-line punitive approaches to yourselves. That sort of attitude in society ends up making everyone sour and eventually unhappy.
It's apparent that the reward of failing to stop is greater than risk of being caught because it's unsafe to be pursued, so something has to change. If you think it's fair some people who don't want to be spoken to by police can just nut off driving and put other road users and pedestrians at risk, then that's your case to make. I proffer that knowing once you're tagged, there will be a stinging consequence, whether the police chase you or not, is a better deterrent than senseless road tolls.
It still relies on a rational calculation.
Teen is hooning around. Lights go on, he gets an adrenaline hit, puts his foot down. Even if he starts thinking during the chase, by that time he's facing your tough penalty so he's better off taking the risk, in his eyes.
Deterrents work on rational criminals. The ones who'll cop to half a dozen burglaries if they're caught outright for one or two, because the increase in sentence is trivial compared to the crimes they were caught for. The ones who'll put the knee in if it's just one or two people trying to detain them, but as soon as backup arrives they chill out because there's no point adding aggravated assault to the charge list for the night. Might even share some jokes, because none of it's personal.
But most teen fleeing drivers aren't as rational as you or they might think they are. Impulse control and thick as shit. Deterrence isn't a consideration for them.
@McFlock
I do get what you're saying and mostly agree with you, but I'd expect something other than no police chases ever has to be the start point. Isn't that just ceding the roads?
In addition to the two idiots mentioned below that successfully got away and went on to kill, I also had one acquaintance that tried running once. He crashed in under a minute and wrote off his family's car. He never tried running again.
How would feel about your "good relative or friend" getting killed by an idiot driver who had never been held accountable for his idiot driving because he had successfully got away every time when police attempted to stop him?
In my young and dumb and full of bravado years I had a couple of acquaintances that were in the habit of running from the cops. Both of them went on to kill innocents in crashes they caused through their idiot driving (no, the police weren't chasing them when they caused those fatals).
Sobering and pointed post.
The point is that the police chasing stupid usually young people, or who are criminals afraid of getting arrested, will be more of a risk when being chased. Can anyone get that through their heads. It is a matter of logical thinking rather than emotional ones by commenters. The police become another hazard to the innocent, on top of the fool drivers being bad.
Thats what teenagers do " if you drive like a wanker to get away from them"
The point is before the sirens and lights went on it was only 'erratically' , which is a police nonsense word like 'suspicious'.
what they really were doing was 'late at night , an older car , 2 or more young people'
So a person is dead because a car driving was erratic?
Where are the words dangerous driving or known dangerous criminal that would justify a chase ?
I'm sure it's not only teenagers who do it, in fact I'd put money on it.
The actual point is when directed to stop, you have to stop, just like you have to give your name to a cop if they ask, or if you don't and speed off, it's genuine cause for pursuit. I don't accept police shouldn't chase, they should, there's obviously a reason someone flees, but if it's causing death, as it sometimes does, then an alternative approach is needed. My approach is one of 'if you run, then you pay', and once it gets through to the have to get away drivers there's always a 6 month consequence whether you're chased or not, then it may make some who are only running for stupid reasons, for example licence violations, wise up and think again before flooring it.
'Aggravated' failure to stop for red and blue flashing lights while in the same act committing another driving offence, eg. speeding, dangerous driving and other offences, yields mandatory cumulative disqualification and heightened penalty – it's already in the law. At the very extreme end of the spectrum manslaughter is on.
Just saying…..(1) it hasn't worked, (2) heavier, heavier, heavier won't work either (car crushing?), and (3) it's a startling proposition that from time to time the paramountcy of public safety is best served by advised suspension of public safety. Proof that it's startling and unacceptable is that the police already employ a protocol which commands cessation of pursuit.
Slight correction to my "hasn't worked" assertion ….guess it might stamp out heinous failure to display rego/warrant if there were a mandatory order that the guilty party walk a mile in the fast lane of motorway busy hour. Public safety ?
Common sense dictates that there's a limit…..both ways. Going all Crusher ain't an answer. As well, it's ugly, stupid, and very spewy.
I don't think it's going crusher, at all, but am happy to see credible alternatives put forward.
It seems there's no jail time involved for failing to stop, just a hefty fine (irrelevant to those with no means to pay) and driving disqualification (no deterrent to those already driving illegally).
it's from a pdf entitled "Fleeing drivers in New Zealand" by the IPCA. page 63. Comes up when you search for the title.
Was thinking the same thing.
From that same pdf:
Oddly enough, those praising the Australian approach haven't highlighted that difference.
(Didn't put the link in first time around cause it's a massive messy google search link. Let me know if the embed doesn't work)
"The police are bloody-minded, authoritarian, irresponsible, punitive and sanctimonious – their lack of intelligent thought is a repetition of thinking of Olde England with its savage response to rule and law breaking".
Why pick on the Police @grewarshark?
It's become a prerequisite for a sizable, if not all muddle to senior ranks across the public service. You missed out a couple of essential characteristics though. One is to lie (or in more acceptable terms: mislead, mis-speak, or be frugal with the truth or information) whilst keeping a straight face; and the other is to hide behind procedure and process – automated or otherwise.
There are one or two other desirable characteristics, such as a proven ability to take credit for the successes of subordinates, whilst apportioning blame to them when necessary.
A nice to have is a love of meetings, procrastination – especially when able to put it down to consultation with stakeholders; an ability to justify pay disparities between worker bees and their masters, and between the sexes; and political partisanship
That's an awful list of attributes OWT. Knowing it, how do you make any headway for better? It is said that the way to survive in quicksand is to lie down, which spreads your weight, and then what? Can you claw yourself along slowly towards something solid?
What innovative ways can we adopt to get out of our present morass here in li'l ole NZ.
Hope IN Change @ grey :). (a play on Hope AND change).
And a hope that voting for what we thought would be a progressive gummint will eventually come to pass in the fullness of time, going forward – such as Chippy's recognition that there needs to be public service reform – even if he hasn't yet realised where the roadblocks actually are.
A good dose of cynicism is always good as well JUST AS LONG as we are equally as cynical and questioning of ourselves as we are about others. (Except me of course – I'm the perfect specimen)
Go on – you're outstanding. Keep slogging on there, thinking and putting forward ideas, a thorn in the backside to the complacent, those with the wrong compass points, and the over-optimistic utopians. We will get past the thorn stage and get to the blackberries or the roses eventually, and I hope it is quickly so we can get prepared for the coming times. At present going forward is a bit weighed down with heavy side issues.
I suggest we reintroduce violence, The Rotan. The lowlife types who steal cars and joyride, etc, are precisely those who despise civilised penalties because they do not hurt them. They are also precisely the types who will practise domestic violence upon their women and children. They believe that violence works.
Fines and even jail will have no deterrent effect at all.
So there is a positive idea to be considered. And if the Left proposed it, toughie-boysie Soimon would be totally out-manoeuvred!!
Punishment and Reward. How do we break through the easy peasy attitude of young people who don't have long-term objectives to aim for, or long-term commitments to partners and children to anchor them, and bring out the being part of community thing?
The domestic violence has two sides too, one is the male thing of lashing out at the annoying other who is demanding of him and also vulnerable. The other is the role of the woman who has no clear future in mind except to find out about sex, get some sort of job and bring up kids without any definite ideas of principles. Materialistic values rule, and the children aren't taught to respect women as they watch their mothers talked down to, slapped around a bit, and perhaps both turn their self-disdain on their children. Who grow up without inner strength and little compassion.
You model yourself as on adult on your parents though perhaps unconsciously, or may aim to be totally different and be the opposite, but in either case resorting to authoritarian behaviour is likely to arise, and anger at disobedience arises also. Some parents think that when a baby is over say three months that it has brain capacity and when it cries it is deliberate and manipulating, and plans to annoy them and 'be naughty'.
There is so much wrong with the way we bring up youngsters, In Vino. How to teach a teenager the right behaviour that should have been modelled to them before age 7, it is said that by three the personality is forming I think? They need to go through perhaps a year of alternative family life, and feel the modelling, talk about their difficulties, and find themselves and a purpose for life. I am sure it has been tried somewhere, but we like to keep hitting our heads against brick walls, we have never been very clever with preparing children for adulthood and socialising them, even just teaching them basic sex education. This country gets more stupid about how to grow our children well, with every decade.
lol I got the cane at high school and those welts lasted for weeks – didn't really change much I think – I still swear. I'm sure the sadistic educator had nightmares for weeks though – having to stare at my bum as he whipped me 4 times. Still truth is there would be a queue for people willing to do the hurting via the stick to stop those people doing the hurting on others – a long one no doubt. All wanting to help by hurting. Seems a bit counter productive to me.
I know it's naughty….
I couldn't help but think the theme for images on posts on TS today was puppets and masters.
A hero at age 16
OMG SqHosking and Squawkesby will be having menopausal fits over this……be like refusing the Knight/Dame they've never been offered in the anxious face of all their hopes and aspirations. Poor wee ones.
I think she would have done the same with the Nobel Peace Prize. All credit to her.
How is the government going to deal with the popular response sentiment like this inevitably receives? Such a difficult task yet crucial task.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/117017482/national-promises-welfare-crackdown-and-return-to-social-investment-if-elected
They could welcome the support for easing the abatement on other income – but then Labour's plan is so slow paced National might be enacting it faster than if the government was re-elected.
They could question the nanny state idea of government paying an under 20 beneficiary's rent and power out of their dole – or does National really mean a spending card for those under 20 (given they would place others 20-25 on this regime as part of sanctions a move likely directly related to term limits for those under 25)?
The public aren't interested in the detail around how governments deal to the poor. Heck, most people on TS aren't interested in that, either. I'm asking how do we create a climate of opinion where the standard response to what Bridges is saying is an eye-roll. Of course, it's the 64 million dollar question, but the task is a necessary one.
Hang on Chris that's a little bit rough. Just because not everybody here comments on the state of poverty in NZ doesn't mean they don't care. I think you would find that people from all walks of life donate generously to organisations like the Salvation Army. In many cases and for many reasons that is the only thing they can do.
That's not what I said.
Happy to accept that but can't quite figure out what you mean. Genuine question – not trying to be a smart arse. 🙂
Edit: Think I’ve got – sort of.
I just heard Simon Bridges say, "The evidence is clear." He was talking about withholding benefit payments from people who don't have their kids vaccinated.
Every word he says adds to the clear evidence: he is an idiot who believes in cretinous approaches and knows he will have cretinous followers keenly supporting him.
If he knew someone with half a brain maybe they could explain to him about evidence of effective ways for people (or animals for that matter) to learn. Are punitive approaches better?
Does that means that gang members who don't get their kids vaccinated will end up owing money?
Bridges is well into bullshit territory these days. Flailing about until Collins knifes him.
The evidence is clear that Simon Bridges talks like a former Crown prosecutor but not as a Leader of the Opposition and potential Prime Minister.
He must have made a crap lawyer.
Winston reckoned in the House that Simon was never operating in the Courtroom but that he was an office worker. Not denied by Simon.
Isn't Simon the son of a preacherman – would have picked up some mannerisms from father perhaps.
Who coulda seen this one coming? It seems those ellipses in the "rough transcript" of Donny Dumpsterfire's call to Zelensky weren't signifying innocent pauses in the conversation after all.
https://www.motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2019/10/and-now-ellipsesgate/
Kia ora Breakfast they have blocked my other device
https://youtu.be/LHCob76kigA
Kia Ora 1 News.
The system needs a total overhaul to make it fair and just.
The dangers of Global Warming are here and Now.
That's good controller of opossum they kill a lot of our beautiful birds and other wildlife.
Ka kite Ano.
Kia Ora Te Ao Maori News.
Ka pai.
Eco Maori ignores idiots
I think that Iwi should set up small to medium Sawmill that will take the fluctuating export market out and provide a better price per cube and jobs for local tangata whenua. I know personally that it is not to hard to do.
Ka kite Ano
I think it's logical to pair Solar and Wind power together. I also think Aotearoa should have floating Solar power farms on all our Hydro dams this will have many cost savings and lower the evaporations rate of the dams.
Long read: Solar + wind, the benefits of co-location
Shared grid connections, complimentary resource availability, and more grid-friendly power are among the key advantages of pairing wind farms with solar arrays – and developers are quickly moving into the emerging space
Ka kite Ano link below.
https://www.pv-magazine-australia.com/2019/10/12/long-read-solar-wind-the-benefits-of-co-location/?utm_source=Bibblio&utm_campaign=Network
We need to change the way we live fast as possible. It's only took 30 years to pump the same amount of carbon into our environment that has taken 200 years to pump into our environment.
We all have to do our bit to persuade our Papatuanuku government and businesses to change to a carbon neutral economy.
Climate scientist James Renwick says global governments are too slow to act to prevent disastrous levels of global warming.
says Renwick, sitting in his professorial office at Victoria University, where the Nobel Peace Prize certificate for his contribution to the Intergovernmental Panel of Climate Change (IPCC) is proudly framed on the wall.
Like a conscientious climate scientist, Renwick takes public transport from his Kāpiti Coast home to the university and back. We're late for the 4.15pm train, but his 62-year-old knees won't brook running.
But it's not his quirky persona that won him this year's Prime Minister's Science Communication Prize. While scientists sometimes become scientists because they're happier digging through data than interacting with humans, Renwick likes to talk and he's good at it. When Rotary invites him to meetings, he goes. And when the climate deniers troll, he hits reply rather than block.
I try to politely engage in conversation, point out the science.
Often he'll suggest chatting over coffee. That's usually the end of it.
"It's never really about the science, the facts, the evidence. It's about their own world view."
For 30 years, Renwick has been thinking, writing and talking about climate change, since writing the first report for the Ministry for the Environment about how climate change might affect New Zealand, in the 1990s. But in those three decades, the increase in carbon dioxide in It took 200 years to get to the first half and only 30 years for the second half," he notes carbon in the air has doubled.
And still, the policy makers are dawdling, Renwick says. As a lead author on the fourth IPCC report, in 2007, he naively
IPCC report announced that global CO₂ emissions had to almost halve by 2030 and reduce to zero by 2050 to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees.
"If the world is serious about 1½ degrees, 2020 is the absolute last year we can see any increase in emissions," Renwick says. "The corner has to be turned in the next year, and there just isn't any sign of that."
"It's not down to the individual to solve this problem, because it's a global economy. We can't do it just by ourselves. We've got to persuade governments and businesses to change."
Ka kite Ano link below.
https://i.stuff.co.nz/environment/climate-news/116804801/climate-scientist-james-renwick-talks-the-talk-on-climate-change.
Kia Ora Te Ao Maori News.
Its good tangata are going to get quick referrals to MRI scans to diagnose some ills faster the faster one correct treatment is started the better the chances of curing the illness.
Ka kite Ano
https://youtu.be/qQfetkoGrpU