Our Resistance
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- Date published:
8:55 am, January 11th, 2024 - 7 comments
Categories: Conservation, helen clark, housing, Maori Issues, Social issues, Unions -
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There are still groups of people in New Zealand who can and do organise to resist the damage of the right.
My previous post invited gentle readers to identify where they might put their activist energy. If you want to do more than complain about it in 2024, here’s a few groups to join in with or donate to that are effective at resisting the damage of really dumb government.
Iwi
The Maori King has been first off the block to organise resistance by summoning iwi to a hui that will be held on January 20th at Tūrangawaewae Marae, whereby the “mauri of the hui” will be carried on to the annual Rātana and Waitangi Day celebrations later in the year.
I have no idea if all iwi can be brought together in a few days time, but good on the Maori King for giving it a go. Certainly a concentrated voice of iwi and kingitanga will be great to see going into Waitangi and Ratana and from there to energise the rest of the year. Bolger, Clark, Key and Ardern all had to grow up fast to deal with high level Maori engagement. Can Luxon reach that level?
I have no particular sympathy for kingitanga, but good on them for calling out a voice for unity and resistance.
Unions
You could help out one of the remaining unions. The powerful ones are the NZEI, Nurses Union, Union of Salaried Medical Specialists, Public Sector Association, E Tu, and First Union.
With unemployment stubbornly low, it is a great time to be in a union. There are about 400,000 union members in New Zealand which is about 17% of the overall workforce. Wages have risen strongly in recent years. Public servants are required to be politically neutral but unions don’t.
Conservation
New Zealand has proportionally one of the strongest conservation activist networks in the world. The Forest and Bird Society has over 100,000 members and branches in nearly every part of the country. A branch as rural as North Canterbury has over 1,200 members.
There are about 70 national and regional organisations with an interest in the environment, conservation and outdoor recreation here. There are major branches of international organisations such as Greenpeace and Friends of the Earth. If you want to feel good about activism in a hurry, join in with a group and plant a tree or clean up a beach, and your heart will be brimming with virtue again.
The list of conservation and environmental groups in New Zealand is simply massive, some covering a few acres of bush and others going for full landscape rehabilitation.
If you want to see a really simple win, a reminder that 40,000 people chipped in to buy a beach in Abel Tasman National Park in 2017 to stop it being sold. The latent power is there.
Justice
There are so many amazing people working for justice here in Aotearoa that it is heartwarming just to read the stories. Here’s just three of them:
There’s Pillars, who support positive futures for whanau of people doing time in prison.
There’s the Pathway Charitable Group, which is all about support for people getting out of prison and setting their life up again.
JustSpeak is a youth-initiated organisation that puts a lot of work into legislative submissions about criminal law, among other things.
There’s a full list of Corrections partner organisations listed out by region if you have people near you affected by Corrections. So many families to help.
Housing
There are so many people and families needing help with housing and there are simply massive efforts by charities to help. Just a few of the big ones include:
Smaller ones like Monte Cecilia Housing Trust show what happens from small beginnings. If you start from a place of helping people, you alter the politics of New Zealand for good one action at a time.
Aid Delivery Organisations
Whole-service Non Government Organisations in New Zealand are substantial and have grown in scale through the shrinking of the state in the 1990s. Some of the standout ones that you could join in with are:
- The Salvation Army. They are renowned for their work with drug addiction, homelessness, early childhood education, and food parcels. They get about $30 million a year in donations, and as far as I can see wring every cent out of it.
- Te Whanau Waipereira. This is an urban Maori grouping in Auckland and Northland with a massive reach into the provision of health including dentistry and inoculations, legal representation, housing provision, and education. There are many other powerful urban iwi groups rolling out the good every day.
Others that do huge work at the grassroots that will warm the cockles of your heart if you put your leftie shoulder into it include Caritas, the Anglican Trust for Women and Children, Society of St Vinent de Paul, Presbyterian Support, the Aukland City Mission and Christchurch City Mission, Baptist Community Ministries, and OXFAM.
Donors and Donor Organisations
Sir Stephen Tindall’s Tindall Foundation has donated more than $130m to help those less well off. It doesn’t have a sole focus on the charitable sector, also supporting training and research.
There’s Neal and Annette Plowman who gifted $100m to establish the Next Foundation. This one focuses on education and environmental philanthropy.
Then there’s the Todd Foundation. This is a family-run community-focused organisation that has gifted over $60m since it was founded.
And of course the Morgan Foundation, which is the one set up by Sam Morgan after he sold TradeMe. The Morgan Foundation focuses on the battle against the poverty gap and wealth disparity. Sam’s own one is called the Jasmine Trust, which does pretty much the same thing.
There are also large regional ones like the Central Lakes Trust, focusing on environmental action funding.
We ought not expect that they will always donate just for leftie grassroots causes, but mostly they do. The charitable sector in New Zealand is where much of the beating heart of the left remains, and mapping out its friendly funding partners is really important.
And finally, for those who wonder where the brains are, there’s the Helen Clark Foundation, and Child Poverty Action Group.
If you’re keen on leftie causes and getting on in life, you can always consider bequests (maybe as a social-good tax on yourself in the absence of an inheritance tax).
Hopefully everyone who is annoyed that their own organisation was left out can add their own in the comments with what they do, and a link.
New Zealand is brimming with good people doing good things for the good, and in my book that defines them as working against the right wing in New Zealand. They are nodes of resistance. They are political (though not in the Charities Act sense) because every act against the damage that the right does here is a political act. Who knows you may even find people of the right doing good as well 😊
We have no need to be pessimistic about the left as political parties being out of power when we have so many avenues with which to empower ourselves out of Left Melancholy, in our communities, in our land.
So go to it.
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The Government must abandon its Marine and Coastal Area (Takutai Moana) Act interventions after the Waitangi Tribunal found it was committing gross breaches of the Treaty. ...5 days ago
- Greens call on Govt to leave Te Reo in schools alone
As Te Wiki o te Reo Māori approaches, the Government is considering deprioritising teaching Te Reo Māori in our schools. ...6 days ago
- Govt cannot ignore racism
The Government’s directive to the public service to ignore race is nothing more than a dog whistle and distraction from the structural racism we need to address. ...6 days ago
- Release: Lemauga Lydia Sosene to take medical leave
Labour’s Mangere MP Lemauga Lydia Sosene has been diagnosed with breast cancer and will shortly take medical leave. ...6 days ago
- Potential intelligence sharing with Israel must be investigated
Concerns have been raised that our spy arrangements may mean that intelligence is being shared between Aotearoa and Israel. An urgent inquiry must be launched in response to this. ...6 days ago
- Release: Charter schools undermine our education system
The Government is taking a wrecking ball to our public education system by reinstating charter schools. ...7 days ago
- Youngest MP to travel to Canada to accept Politician of the Year Award
Aotearoa’s Youngest Member of Parliament, and Te Pāti Māori MP, Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke, will travel to Montreal to accept the One Young World Politician of the Year Award next week. The One Young World Politician of the Year Award was created in 2018 to recognise the most promising young politicians between ...7 days ago
- Greens celebrate huge step forward for ADHD community
The Greens welcome today’s long-coming announcement by Pharmac of consultation to remove the special authority renewal criteria for methylphenidate, dexamfetamine and modafinil and to fund lisdexamfetamine. ...7 days ago
- Release: Millions to be spent dividing NZ for no reason
The National Party is wasting millions of dollars allowing David Seymour’s Treaty Principals Bill to be drafted and go to Select Committee. ...7 days ago
- Release: New Zealanders departing our shores at a record rate
The Migration figures released by Stats NZ today show National is continuing to drive Kiwis away from New Zealand in record numbers. ...7 days ago
- Te Tai Tokerau MP Slams Govt Overreach in Scrapping Māori Wards
Mema Paremata for Te Tai Tokerau, Mariameno Kapa-Kingi, has reflected on the decisions made by the councils of the North amidst the government’s push to remove Māori Wards and weaken mana whenua representation. “Actions taken by the Kaipara District Council to remove Māori Wards are the embodiment of the eradication ...1 week ago
- Govt already seeking advice on Treaty referendum
On one hand, the Prime Minister has assured Aotearoa that his party will not support the Treaty Principles Bill beyond first reading, but on the other, his Government has already sought advice on holding a referendum on our founding document. ...1 week ago
- Release: Aged care will be worse off if redesign rushed
New Zealanders needing aged care support and the people who care for them will be worse off if the Government pushes through a flawed and rushed redesign of dementia and aged care. ...1 week ago
- Release: Govt fails hundreds of workers as mills close
Labour is devastated at news hundreds of workers are set to lose their jobs following the closure of Winstone Pulp mills. ...1 week ago
- Job losses from mill closures consequence of Govt inaction
Hundreds of jobs lost as a result of pulp mill closures in the Ruapehu District are a consequence of government inaction in addressing the shortfalls of our electricity network. ...1 week ago
- Ngarewa-Packer devastated for Ruapehu following WPI closure
Te Pāti Māori Co-Leader and MP for Te Tai Hauāuru is devastated for the Ruapehu community following today’s decision to close two Winstone Pulp mills. “My heart goes out to all the workers, their whānau, and the wider Ruapehu community affected by the closure of Winstone Pulp International,” said Ngarewa-Packer. ...1 week ago
- Release: Cabinet should stop the Treaty Principles Bill
National Party Ministers have a majority in Cabinet and can stop David Seymour’s Treaty Principles Bill, which even the Prime Minister has described as “divisive and unhelpful.” ...1 week ago
- Release: Staff gagged to keep fast track list secret
The National Government is so determined to hide the list of potential projects that will avoid environmental scrutiny it has gagged Ministry for the Environment staff from talking about it. ...1 week ago
- Release: Labour challenges Te Whatu Ora gag orders
Labour has complained to the Te Kawa Mataaho Public Service Commission about the high number of non-disclosure agreements that have effectively gagged staff at Te Whatu Ora Health NZ from talking about anything relating to their work. ...1 week ago
- Greens call on Treaty Principles Bill to be abandoned after letter from Christian leaders
The Green Party is once again urging the Prime Minister to abandon the Treaty Principles Bill as a letter from more than 400 Christian leaders calls for the proposed legislation to be dropped. ...1 week ago
- Sign the petition: Keep military-style firearms off our streets
Help us tell the Government that reintroducing military-style firearms should not be up for debate. ...2 weeks ago
- Vast majority of councils support Māori wards
Councils across the country have now decided where they stand regarding Māori wards, with a resounding majority in favour of keeping them in what is a significant setback for the Government. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Government on the wrong side of Māori wards
The National-led government has been given a clear message from the local government sector, as almost all councils reject the Government’s bid to treat Māori wards different to other wards. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Labour congratulates Kuīni Ngā Wai hono i te po Paki
The Labour Party congratulates Kuīni Ngā Wai hono i te po Paki on being crowned as the eighth Te Ariki Nui – head of Te Kiingitanga. ...2 weeks ago
- Green Party welcomes new Maaori Kuiini
The Green Party welcomes the coronation of the new Maaori Kuiini, Te Arikinui Nga Wai Hono i te Po, today in Turangawaewae. ...2 weeks ago
- ECE teachers deserve better than this Government
The Green Party is unsurprised but disappointed by today’s announcement from the Government that will see our Early Childhood Centre teachers undermined and pay parity pushed further out of reach. ...2 weeks ago
- Urgent intervention needed on supermarkets
The Green Party is calling on the Government to intervene in the supermarket duopoly dominating our supply of groceries following today’s report from the Commerce Commission. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Rainbow youth neglected in mental health funding
Labour backs the call from The Rainbow Support Collective members for mental health funding specifically earmarked for grassroots and peer led community organisations to be set up in a way that they are able to access. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Transport in NZ has to be more than just roads
As expected, the National Land Transport Programme lacks ambition for our cities and our country’s rail network and puts the majority of investment into roads. ...2 weeks ago
- Foreign Minister to travel to New York, French Polynesia
Foreign Minister Winston Peters is travelling to New York next week to attend the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly, followed by a visit to French Polynesia. “In the context of the myriad regional and global crises, our engagements in New York will demonstrate New Zealand’s strong support for ...10 hours ago - Thanking social workers on their national day
“Today, on Aotearoa New Zealand Social Workers’ Day, I would like to recognise the tremendous effort social workers make not just today, but every day,” Children’s Minister and Minister for the Prevention of Family and Sexual Violence Karen Chhour says. “I thank all those working on the front line for ...13 hours ago
- Minister of State for Trade heads to Laos for ASEAN meetings
Minister of State for Trade Nicola Grigg will travel to Laos this week to attend the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Economic Ministers’ Meetings in Vientiane. “The Government is committed to strengthening our relationship with ASEAN,” Ms Grigg says. “With next year marking 50 years since New Zealand became ...13 hours ago
- Members appointed to retail crime MAG
The Government has appointed four members to the Ministerial Advisory Group for victims of retail crime, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith and Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee say. “I am delighted to appoint Michael Hill’s national retail manager Michael Bell to the group, as well as Waikato community advocate and business ...16 hours ago
- Speech to the New Zealand Nurses Organisation AGM and Conference 2024
It’s my pleasure to be here to join the opening of the NZNO AGM and Conference for 2024. First, I’d like to thank NZNO Kaiwhakahaere Kerri Nuku, NZNO President, Anne Daniels, and Chief Execuitve Paul Gaulter for inviting me to speak today. Thank you also to all the NZNO members ...17 hours ago
- Improvements for New Zealand authors
Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says changes to the Public Lending Right [PLR] scheme will help benefit both the National Library and authors who have books available in New Zealand libraries. “I am amending the regulations so that eligible authors will no longer have to reapply every year ...1 day ago
- Minister commends Police for gang operation
Police Minister Mark Mitchell congratulates Police for the outstanding result of their most recent operation, targeting the Comancheros. “That Police have been able to round up the majority of the Comancheros leadership, and many of their patched members and prospects, shows not only the capability of Police, but also shows ...2 days ago
- New appointments to the EPA board
Environment Minister Penny Simmonds has announced a major refresh of the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) board with four new appointments and one reappointment. The new board members are Barry O’Neil, Jennifer Scoular, Alison Stewart and Nancy Tuaine, who have been appointed for a three-year term ending in August 2027. “I would ...2 days ago
- Enabling rural recovery works in Hawke’s Bay
Cabinet has approved an Order in Council to enable severe weather recovery works to continue in the Hawke’s Bay, Environment Minister Penny Simmonds and Minister for Emergency Management and Recovery Mark Mitchell say. “Cyclone Gabrielle and the other severe weather events in early 2023 caused significant loss and damage to ...2 days ago
- FamilyBoost childcare payment registrations open
From today, low-to-middle-income families with young children can register for the new FamilyBoost payment, to help them meet early childhood education (ECE) costs. The scheme was introduced as part of the Government’s tax relief plan to help Kiwis who are doing it tough. “FamilyBoost is one of the ways we ...2 days ago
- Prioritising victims with tougher sentences
The Government has today agreed to introduce sentencing reforms to Parliament this week that will ensure criminals face real consequences for crime and victims are prioritised, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says. "In recent years, there has been a concerning trend where the courts have imposed fewer and shorter prison sentences ...2 days ago
- Targets data confirms rise in violent crime
The first quarterly report on progress against the nine public service targets show promising results in some areas and the scale of the challenge in others, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says. “Our Government reinstated targets to focus our public sector on driving better results for New Zealanders in health, education, ...2 days ago
- Asia Foundation Board appointments announced
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced the appointments of Hone McGregor, Professor David Capie, and John Boswell to the Board of the Asia New Zealand Foundation. Bede Corry, Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Trade, has also been appointed as an ex-officio member. The new trustees join Dame Fran Wilde (Chair), ...3 days ago
- Endeavour Fund projects for economic growth
New Zealand’s largest contestable science fund is investing in 72 new projects to address challenges, develop new technology and support communities, Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Judith Collins says. “This Endeavour Fund round being funded is focused on economic growth and commercial outputs,” Ms Collins says. “It involves funding of more ...3 days ago
- Social Services Providers Whakamanawa National Conference 16 September 2024
Thank you for the introduction and the invitation to speak to you here today. I am honoured to be here in my capacity as Minister for the Prevention of Family and Sexual Violence, and Minister for Children. Thank you for creating a space where we can all listen and learn, ...3 days ago
- Parihaka infrastructure upgrades funded
The Government will provide a $5.8 million grant to improve water infrastructure at Parihaka in Taranaki, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones and Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka say. “This grant from the Regional Infrastructure Fund will have a multitude of benefits for this hugely significant cultural site, including keeping local ...3 days ago
- Serious assaults down 22% in Auckland CBD
Cross-government action to tackle crime and antisocial behaviour in Auckland is getting traction, says Police Minister Mark Mitchell. “Our central cities should be great places to live and work, but in recent years they have become hot spots for crime and anti-social behaviour. In Auckland, businesses and residents suffered as ...3 days ago
- Increased certainty for contractors coming
Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden says upcoming changes to the Employment Relations Act will provide greater certainty for contractors and businesses. “These changes to legislation are necessary to ensure businesses and workers have more clarity from the start of their contracting arrangement. It is an ACT-National coalition ...3 days ago
- Draft critical minerals list released for consultation
A draft list of minerals deemed essential to New Zealand’s economy and strengthening its mineral resilience has been released for consultation, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. The draft Critical Minerals List identifies 35 minerals essential to economic functions, are in demand internationally, and face high risk of supply disruption domestically ...3 days ago
- Government eliminates $190 million in trade barriers to boost the economy
The Government has successfully removed trade barriers affecting nearly $190 million worth of exports to help grow the economy, Minister for Trade and Agriculture Todd McClay today announced. “In the past year, we have resolved 14 Non Tariff Barriers (NTBs), returning significant value to kiwi exporters. These efforts directly boost our ...4 days ago
- Reo Māori the ‘beating heart’ of Aotearoa New Zealand
From private business to the Paris Olympics, reo Māori is growing with the success of New Zealanders, says Minister for Māori Development Tama Potaka. “I’m joining New Zealanders across the country in celebrating this year’s Te Wiki o te Reo Māori – Māori Language Week, which has a big range ...5 days ago
- Need and value at forefront of public service delivery
New Cabinet policy directives will ensure public agencies prioritise public services on the basis of need and award Government contracts on the basis of public value, Minister for the Public Service Nicola Willis says. “Cabinet Office has today issued a circular to central government organisations setting out the Government’s expectations ...6 days ago
- Minister to attend Police Ministers Council Meeting
Police Minister Mark Mitchell will join with Australian Police Ministers and Commissioners at the Police Ministers Council meeting (PMC) today in Melbourne. “The council is an opportunity to come together to discuss a range of issues, gain valuable insights on areas of common interest, and different approaches towards law enforcement ...6 days ago
- New Bill to crack down on youth vaping
The coalition Government has introduced legislation to tackle youth vaping, Associate Health Minister Casey Costello announced today. “The Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products Amendment Bill (No 2) is aimed at preventing youth vaping. “While vaping has contributed to a significant fall in our smoking rates, the rise in youth vaping ...6 days ago
- Interest in agricultural and horticultural products regulatory review welcomed
Regulation Minister David Seymour, Environment Minister Penny Simmonds, and Food Safety Minister Andrew Hoggard have welcomed interest in the agricultural and horticultural products regulatory review. The review by the Ministry for Regulation is looking at how to speed up the process to get farmers and growers access to the safe, ...6 days ago
- Bill to allow online charity lotteries passes first reading
Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says the Government is moving at pace to ensure lotteries for charitable purposes are allowed to operate online permanently. Charities fundraising online, such as those run by the Heart Foundation, Coastguard NZ, Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust and local hospices will continue to do ...6 days ago
- Tax exempt threshold changes to benefit startups
Technology companies are among the startups which will benefit from increases to current thresholds of exempt employee share schemes, Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Judith Collins and Revenue Minister Simon Watts say. Tax exempt thresholds for the schemes are increasing as part of the Taxation (Annual Rates for 2024-25, Emergency ...6 days ago
- Getting the healthcare you need, when you need it
The path to faster cancer treatment, an increase in immunisation rates, shorter stays in emergency departments and quick assessment and treatments when you are sick has been laid out today. Health Minister Dr Shane Reti has revealed details of how the ambitious health targets the Government has set will be ...7 days ago
- Targeted supports to accelerate reading
The coalition Government is delivering targeted and structured literacy supports to accelerate learning for struggling readers. From Term 1 2025, $33 million of funding for Reading Recovery and Early Literacy Support will be reprioritised to interventions which align with structured approaches to teaching. “Structured literacy will change the way children ...7 days ago
- Survivors invited to Abuse in Care national apology
With two months until the national apology to survivors of abuse in care, expressions of interest have opened for survivors wanting to attend. “The Prime Minister will deliver a national apology on Tuesday 12 November in Parliament. It will be a very significant day for survivors, their families, whānau and ...7 days ago
- Rangatahi inspire at Ngā Manu Kōrero final
Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi, engari he toa takitini kē - My success is not mine alone but is the from the strength of the many. Aotearoa New Zealand’s top young speakers are an inspiration for all New Zealanders to learn more about the depth and beauty conveyed ...7 days ago
- Driving structured literacy in schools
The coalition Government is driving confidence in reading and writing in the first years of schooling. “From the first time children step into the classroom, we’re equipping them and teachers with the tools they need to be brilliant in literacy. “From 1 October, schools and kura with Years 0-3 will receive ...1 week ago
- Labour’s misleading information is disappointing
Labour’s misinformation about firearms law is dangerous and disappointing, Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee says. “Labour and Ginny Andersen have repeatedly said over the past few days that the previous Labour Government completely banned semi-automatic firearms in 2019 and that the Coalition Government is planning to ‘reintroduce’ them. ...1 week ago
- Govt takes action on mpox response, widens access to vaccine
The Government is taking immediate action on a number of steps around New Zealand’s response to mpox, including improving access to vaccine availability so people who need it can do so more easily, Health Minister Dr Shane Reti and Associate Health Minister David Seymour announced today. “Mpox is obviously a ...1 week ago
- Next steps agreed for Treaty Principles Bill
Associate Justice Minister David Seymour says Cabinet has agreed to the next steps for the Treaty Principles Bill. “The Treaty Principles Bill provides an opportunity for Parliament, rather than the courts, to define the principles of the Treaty, including establishing that every person is equal before the law,” says Mr Seymour. “Parliament ...1 week ago
- Government unlocking potential of AI
Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Judith Collins today announced a programme to drive Artificial Intelligence (AI) uptake among New Zealand businesses. “The AI Activator will unlock the potential of AI for New Zealand businesses through a range of support, including access to AI research experts, technical assistance, AI tools and resources, ...1 week ago
- Government releases Wairoa flood review findings
The independent rapid review into the Wairoa flooding event on 26 June 2024 has been released, Environment Minister Penny Simmonds, Local Government Minister Simeon Brown and Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell announced today. “We welcome the review’s findings and recommendations to strengthen Wairoa's resilience against future events,” Ms ...1 week ago
- Promoting faster payment times for government
The Government is sending a clear message to central government agencies that they must prioritise paying invoices in a timely manner, Small Business and Manufacturing Minister Andrew Bayly says. Data released today promotes transparency by publishing the payment times of each central government agency. This data will be published quarterly ...1 week ago
- Acknowledgement to Kīngi Tuheitia speech
E te māngai o te Whare Pāremata, kua riro māku te whakaputa i te waka ki waho moana. E te Pirimia tēnā koe.Mr Speaker, it is my privilege to take this adjournment kōrero forward. Prime Minister – thank you for your leadership. Taupiri te maunga Waikato te awa Te Wherowhero ...1 week ago
- Interim fix to GST adjustment rules to support businesses
Inland Revenue can begin processing GST returns for businesses affected by a historic legislative drafting error, Revenue Minister Simon Watts says. “Inland Revenue has become aware of a legislative drafting error in the GST adjustment rules after changes were made in 2023 which were meant to simplify the process. This ...1 week ago
- West Papuan fighters who kidnapped Kiwi pilot propose terms of release
RNZ Pacific Pro-independence fighters in the Indonesian-ruled West Papua region have proposed the terms of release for the New Zealand pilot taken hostage almost 18 months ago. The armed faction of the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) kidnapped Phillip Merhtens, a 38-year-old pilot working for the Indonesian internal feeder ...4 hours ago - Budget 2024: Light at the end of the tunnel
The House - The government's maiden Budget is finally reaching the end of its long approval process, and it's going to be just in time. ...5 hours ago - How do ecosystems collapse? Our study shows evolution plays a role – and can delay a disaster
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Christopher Blake, PhD Student, Monash University Piyaset/Shutterstock Dying coral reefs, rainforests transforming into savannas, grasslands turning into deserts – these are ecosystem “tipping points”, boundary lines we’re desperate not to cross. In dynamic systems filled with life, these critical thresholds ...5 hours ago
- Celebrity Treasure Island power rankings: Cully goes to Hollywood
Alex Casey ranks week two of Celebrity Treasure Island NZ. This week on Celebrity Treasure Island was all about craving. Old drama school friends craving a hug and a cry in a caravan, broadcasters craving more than one seventh of a cream donut, former deputy prime ministers and drag queens ...6 hours ago - Surrogacy Commodifies Women, Says Women’s Rights Party
While commercial surrogacy is technically illegal in New Zealand, the involvement of fertility services in surrogacy through assisted reproductive technology is a commercial activity paid for by intending parents, with potential harm for birth ...8 hours ago - Politics with Michelle Grattan: Adam Bandt on why the Greens are playing hardball on housing
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra The government has found many of its key measures stuck in a legislative quagmire, with both Greens and Coalition playing hardball with Labor’s plans. This week the government’s housing legislation has stalled in the ...8 hours ago
- Digital health research can be positive for Indigenous people. But our study found it needs to follo...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Andrew Goodman, Postdoctoral Fellow in Indigenous Health, CSIRO Digital technologies are transforming health care for all Australians, and this includes Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Electronic health interventions (eHealth) can involve features such as telehealth, instant messaging and mobile apps that ...8 hours ago
- What’s the difference between a psychopath and a sociopath? Less than you might think
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Bruce Watt, Associate Professor in Psychology, Bond University Benoit Daoust/Shutterstock Articles about badly behaved people and how to spot them are common. You don’t have to Google or scroll too much to find headlines such as 7 signs your boss is ...8 hours ago
- Australia desperately needs a strong federal environmental protection agency. Our chances aren’t l...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Justine Bell-James, Associate Professor in Environment and Property Law, TC Beirne School of Law, The University of Queensland Enrico Della Pietra/Shutterstock When Labor came to power federally after almost a decade in opposition, Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek pledged to turn around ...8 hours ago
- The Productivity Commission wants all Australian kids to get 3 days a week of childcare – but it w...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Melissa Tham, Research fellow at the Mitchell Institute, Victoria University The federal government has released a highly anticipated report into Australia’s childcare system. The report, by the Productivity Commission, says addressing affordability should be a priority. It recommends fully subsidised childcare for ...8 hours ago
- New teen accounts on Instagram are a welcome step, but real ‘peace of mind’ requires more
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tama Leaver, Professor of Internet Studies, Curtin University As Australia and other countries debate the merits of banning kids under 14 from social media, Meta has announced a significant “reimagining” of teenagers’ experience of Instagram. These new “Teen Accounts” will be set ...9 hours ago
- Ministers defend level of scrutiny on gang patch ban changes
Two ministers have argued politicians' scrutiny - by Cabinet and Parliament - is enough, and the Attorney-General says it wasn't necessary to examine the changes. ...9 hours ago
- Will the exploding pager attack be the spark that ignites an Israel-Hezbollah war?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Amin Saikal, Emeritus professor of Middle Eastern and Central Asian Studies, Australian National University The alleged Israeli attack on members of Hezbollah via their pagers is another ominous development propelling the Middle East towards a full-scale regional war. It leaves Hezbollah with ...10 hours ago
- Productivity Commission charts the costly path to universal early childhood education
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Big increases in government spending on child care have been recommended by the Productivity Commission, that would see families earning up to A$80,000 fully subsidised under the Child Care Subsidy (CCS). This would cover ...10 hours ago
- Gareth Evans condemns Labor timidity, tells leadership to ‘recover mojo’
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra A former senior member of the Hawke and Keating governments, Gareth Evans, has accused the Albanese government of political timidity, condemning its instinct to “move into cautious, defensive, wedge-avoiding mode”. In a speech on ...10 hours ago
- Flying to a footy final? Watch your wallet. Here’s why airfares soar
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Doug Drury, Professor/Head of Aviation, CQUniversity Australia ymgerman/Shutterstock Planning a flight to an AFL final is like trying to decide when and how to hop on an amusement park ride that hasn’t stopped. You don’t know where you need to ...10 hours ago
- Runt is a gentle, beautifully shot, and warmly humorous small town Australian story
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John McAloon, Senior Lecturer, Graduate School of Health, University of Technology Sydney Court McAllister/STUDIOCANAL When young Annie Shearer (Lilly LaTorre) meets a stray dog named Runt (Squid) the two become inseparable. They live in the dry Western Australian town of ...10 hours ago
- Gone By Lunchtime: David Seymour and the zombie utopia
The treaty principles bill is dominating 2024 political headlines. Is it really all about 2026? Church leaders oppose it. Christopher Luxon is increasingly exasperated by getting asked about it. And David Seymour has reworded a critical part of it. Is the Act leader on the back foot over a ...11 hours ago
- Why the case for higher speed limits is fatally flawed
Analysis - Proponents argue even marginal time savings for some drivers justify the changes, Timothy Welch writes, but at what cost? ...12 hours ago
- The harder I work, the luckier I get? What coaches, athletes and fans need to understand about luck ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Steven Rynne, Associate Professor, Sports Coaching; Affiliate, UQ Poche Centre for Indigenous Health, The University of Queensland In the world of elite sport, where everything is planned down to the last minute detail, surprisingly few are prepared to acknowledge the inherent role ...12 hours ago
- The changes to author payment scheme the Public Lending Right, explained
It just got easier for authors to get paid for the use of their books by libraries. But is it enough? What is the Public Lending Right scheme and why am I hearing about it now? The Public Lending Right scheme (PLR) is an annual payment to New Zealand authors ...12 hours ago
- AUKUS in talks with Canada, Japan, NZ, say leaders
The leaders said that new partners could contribute to the so-called AUKUS "Pillar Two", which does not involve nuclear submarines. ...13 hours ago
- ‘I am a proud reader of some objectively terrible books’: Time Out’s Abby Irwin-Jones
Welcome to The Spinoff Bookseller Confessional, in which we get to know Aotearoa’s booksellers. This week: Abby Irwin-Jones, book buyer at Time Out in Mt Eden, Auckland. Weirdest question you’ve ever been asked on the shop floor I had a very well-dressed, charismatic young man come in right before closing ...13 hours ago
- Funding cuts could see ‘significant change’ for Whakaata Māori
Its chief executive says the organisation is looking "at everything possible" to achieve cost savings and ensure the next 20 years for Whakaata Māori. ...13 hours ago
- Nurses tell health minister targets not possible without more funding
In response Shane Reti said they had more funding than ever, and now needed "bold new thinking". ...13 hours ago
- Doctors confront minister on hiring freeze that ‘should not be happening’
Psychiatrists who heard Matt Doocey's comments shook their heads in apparent disbelief and started murmuring. ...13 hours ago
- ‘Cocktail of issues’ at Te Whatu Ora / Health NZ says Commissioner
Its "precarious" financial position isn't the most pressing, Lester Levy says. ...14 hours ago
- The government is looking to combat disinformation – but what about truth in political advertising...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Yee-Fui Ng, Associate Professor, Faculty of Law, Monash University The federal government has just introduced a new bill that seeks to combat disinformation and misinformation on the internet. This is a laudable measure in the context of a rise of dangerous ...15 hours ago
- Why is the internet overflowing with rubbish ads – and what can we do about it?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Steve D’Alessandro, Professor of Marketing, School of Business and Law, Edith Cowan University Kenny Eliason/Unsplash It is difficult to spend any time on the internet these days without being inundated with advertisements. In Australia alone this year, online advertising has ...15 hours ago
- Harris gains in post-debate US national polls, but will her gains be sustained?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian Beaumont, Election Analyst (Psephologist) at The Conversation; and Honorary Associate, School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne The United States presidential election will be held on November 5. In analyst Nate Silver’s aggregate of national polls, Democrat Kamala Harris ...15 hours ago
- Celebrating the lynchpin of our democracy, parliament’s online petitions page
Ban all fireworks. Give everyone fireworks. Rewrite the national anthem. Stop politicians blocking me on social media: parliament’s online petitions page is a trip inside the nation’s raw, unfiltered political id. If you asked people to point to the centrifugal force powering New Zealand’s democracy, most would name the parliamentary ...15 hours ago
- Environment Ministry opens detailed climate projections to the public
Anyone can visit the public database and select whether they are interested in drought, rainfall, wind or temperature, which season they are interested in and whether they would like to see projections for low, medium or high greenhouse gas emissions. ...16 hours ago
- Small populations of Stone Age people drove dwarf hippos and elephants to extinction on Cyprus
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Corey J. A. Bradshaw, Matthew Flinders Professor of Global Ecology and Node Leader in the ARC Centre of Excellence for Indigenous and Environmental Histories and Futures, Flinders University Imagine growing up beside the eastern Mediterranean Sea 14,000 years ago. You’re an accomplished ...16 hours ago
- It’s time we called out Māori brands too
We seem to have a double-standard when it comes to businesses using Māori cultural elements. So where should we draw the line? Ātea editor Liam Rātana argues with himself about it. In a society arguably at the peak of cancel culture, cultural sensitivity can be a minefield for brands to ...17 hours ago
- Faster is not always better: why the case for higher speed limits is fatally flawed
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Timothy Welch, Senior Lecturer in Urban Planning, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau Getty Images As the government’s plan to increase speed limits begins to roll out, a group of local and international road safety and health experts has warned the ...17 hours ago
- I’m a school principal. Here’s why I’m worried about the new curriculum
Rushed-in changes risk burning out teachers and overwhelming our most vulnerable students, argues principal Martyn Weatherill. Parents may be wondering why teachers and principals asked the government last week to pause the fast-track implementation of new structured maths and English curricula by Term 1 next year. It isn’t because we ...18 hours ago
- ‘Held at ransom’: victim-survivors open up about the use of child sex abuse material to fight cr...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Carol Ronken, Industry Fellow in the Centre of Justice, Queensland University of Technology fizkes/Shutterstock Warning: This article discusses details of child sexual abuse On one hand I would struggle to know that my abuse material was out there being ...18 hours ago
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Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Andrew Partington, Research Fellow (Health Economics), Flinders University Jsme MILA/Pexels Australia is facing a surge in hospital presentations in older adults. Between 2015–16 and 2019–20, hospitalisations among people aged 75–84 increased by an average of 3% annually, the largest rise of ...18 hours ago
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Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Monica Fahey, Adjunct Fellow in molecular ecology, Macquarie University Matt Sheumack/Shutterstock For millennia, Indigenous knowledge holders have passed down lore to the next generation. Much lore describes the relationships between people and Country, including custodial responsibilities to care for other species ...18 hours ago
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"If you want to see a really simple win, a reminder that 40,000 people chipped in to buy a beach in Abel Tasman National Park in 2017 to stop it being sold. The latent power is there."
Co-incidently we were talking about this and the housing cost blowout on the weekend as a way of helping provide both social housing and lower cost housing.
What we envisioned was two (maybe government run) trusts that owned land in perpetuity that could never be sold specifically for the purpose of housing. In part we were thinking of Singapore and the state owning the land but also about how to prevent future governments selling the land off.
Two trusts to give a choice about the purchase, fundraising and or giving of land for
1.Standard residential housing land in which the house only could be bought and sold thereby lowering the cost of entering home ownership.
2. Social housing land where only state housing for the poor and working class could be built on.
Over time these landholdings could potentially become quite significant.
Land going into trusts could be :
1. Purchased
2. Fundraised
3. Donated
4. Left in wills
Thank you for reminding us of that wide range of groups helping prop up society and the environment.
My two favourites, both of which make a difference on the ground and hold the government-of-the-day to account: Dave Letele's BBM and Mike King's Gumboot Friday.
MIke Kings gumboot organisation received a significant grant from the coalition govt shortly after Matt Doocey was announced as Minsiter of Mental Health. Interesting guy. He trained as a counselling psychologist, worked in the UK for the NHS and then moved into managing mental health services (including the Tavistock) there. You might find that Gumboot appreciate the very prompt financial support from the Coalition Govt.
https://www.teaonews.co.nz/2023/12/02/gumboot-friday-gets-enormous-boost-from-new-coalition/
I would like to suggest one more group to add to the list of the groups resisting the damage of the right….
Anti-War….
There are a number of groups working in this area;
GPJA
PSNA
Auckland Peace Action
Greenpeace
The current Right Wing government seem bent on undermining and even reversing this country's long standing and hard won independent foreign policy stance, by closer Aligning this country with the increasingly isolated US superpower, and in particular; Weakening our Nuclear Free Status by joining the nuclear Tier 2 AUKUS agreement.
This weakening of independent foreign policy is most notable in the field of international jurisprudence.
The Labour government recently and rightfully gave written and oral submissions to World Court supporting the merits of Ukraine taking Russia to the World Court to hear Russia's allegations of genocide against Ukraine.
This right wing National led government, following US and Israel urging, has now wrongfully decided not to support the merits of South Africa taking Israel to the UN World Court to hear South Africa's allegations of genocide against Israel.
This case has ramifications for war and peace for world.
Mustafa Baruti Secretary General of the Palestinian National Initiative. You Tube from Ramallah.
k/o
1. My iwi are not affiliated to Kingitanga but never underestimate the history and mana behind Tuheitia. Desipte the short time available, he will pull in the requisite attendance. (What they do with that is another question). NB: Hapu are generally the primary political unit, plus there are multiple kaupapa whanau who will draw sustenance from Kingitanga and Waitangi.
2. Unions are not as weak as they were but have yet to flex any muscle at all that threatens the status quo. Thanks Labour (circa. 1980s).
3. While there have been some significant collaborations, Forest & Bird et al. will ultimately oppose Maori efforts at rangatiratanga if/when Maori seek cultural harvests beyond fish and titi (eg kereru, kiwi, tui etc.).
4. I'll skip to Philanthropy. I always acknowledge sponsorship when I get it (which I currently do, from an international bank omfg) but the ease with which capitalists can buy "charitability" is, of course, an outcome of predatory capitalism (if that isn't a tautology). Old Man Morgan was on to something when he wanted to cull cats (you'd want to add dogs too to be comprehensive re: flighless birds) but he lost interest. If he'd stuck with it, who knows, maybe a squillionaire would've actually imlemented a step change (urgh) in NZ biodiversity issues.
I digress. Poor people always give more (ie as a % of what they have). Find a way to harness that and you might see some change…
I'm unsure whether the Labour Party has a role to play in this enterprise. Over the past 40 years, it has identified itself as neoliberal and, at best, only tinkered with application of the dogma. Outside the ranks of public sector bureaucracy no one seems to take it seriously – although the bureaucrats are gearing up to implement the post-liberal agenda of the current govrenment, with all the suffering and misery that entails. Perhaps it's time start over?