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Comment: Trump vs Musk
Written By: Drowsy M. Kram - Date published: 11:15 am, June 8th, 2025
... but there is a big resistance to things left/socialist/progressive. His vote counts as much as anyones. 'The many' get the govts they deserve - govts they need are occasional accidents. For the many, not the moneyed. There's no hidden message - it ...Comment: Daily review 06/06/2025
Written By: Drowsy M. Kram - Date published: 11:51 am, June 7th, 2025
I do wonder what all these powerful men think their end game is. Dehumanising (the growing ranks of) 'bottom feeders' and ‘bots’ is a 'game' they play.Comment: Meta Ardern
Written By: Drowsy M. Kram - Date published: 7:39 pm, June 6th, 2025
Give me a break. Give you a break? We only won 2017 because we had a full Rainbow Sparkle Pony miracle. It’s a good win I ain’t complaining... If only. She's 44 Ad - let her go.Comment: Daily review 06/06/2025
Written By: Drowsy M. Kram - Date published: 6:27 pm, June 6th, 2025
https://thestandard.org.nz/the-trouble-with-using-ai-bots/ [5 June 2025] How to make a submission on the Regulatory Standards Bill [5 June 2025] It's easy! PLEASE do it. You have until 1:00pm on Monday 23 June 2025. This ‘we know best’ attitude is ...Comment: The Three Wakas of the Coalition of Coxes
Written By: Drowsy M. Kram - Date published: 8:09 pm, June 5th, 2025
Comment: Daily review 05/06/2025
Written By: Drowsy M. Kram - Date published: 7:51 pm, June 5th, 2025
... best news ever... Better than the Equal Pay Amendment Bill? Chris Bishop must be almost as "very non-racist" as Attorney-General and Privileges Committee chairperson Judith 'Crusher watch my eyebrows' Collins.Comment: Open mike 05/06/2025
Written By: Drowsy M. Kram - Date published: 7:29 pm, June 5th, 2025
Thanks B, for that critique of Palmer. Do you have an opinion on whether the unprecedented punishments recommended by our Parliamentary Privileges Committee are proportionate to the 'crime'? It's OK if you don't. New Zealand Parliament votes for record ...Comment: Daily review 05/06/2025
Written By: Drowsy M. Kram - Date published: 7:17 pm, June 5th, 2025
I always thought ACT MPs would make 'good' racists, but, ah, we'll see. These things take time you know. Aotearoa has been looted and is burning [5 June 2025] ACT's recent social media post presents what they call a "Te Pāti Māori translator," claiming to ...Comment: Open mike 05/06/2025
Written By: Drowsy M. Kram - Date published: 5:45 pm, June 5th, 2025
Agreed - won't be forgetting ACT asking for advice on imprisoning TPM MPs for representing their constituents by performing a (frighteningly assertive?) haka in Aotearoa NZ's Parliament. For shame, Attorney-General Collins, for shame. ACT asked for advice ...Comment: The Three Wakas of the Coalition of Coxes
Written By: Drowsy M. Kram - Date published: 10:54 am, June 5th, 2025
... it is the stuff of legends. The 3 Wakas are "exhaustingly hollow" - it's clear who and what they're grifting for Moriarty: Ooooh! Money! Money-money-money! Little money, money, money, money! Oheooheeeoh! Lovely money! It's all the rage! https://www. ...Comment: The existential moment we are in
Written By: Drowsy M. Kram - Date published: 10:24 am, June 4th, 2025
What, me worry? I'm alright, Jack - just musing https://dailystoic.com/heres-why-worry-is-pointless/Comment: Daily review 03/06/2025
Written By: Drowsy M. Kram - Date published: 7:20 pm, June 3rd, 2025
"It's a case of slower to go faster", and Luxon is soooo 'slow' - thanks farming lobbyists. https://whatsoninvers.nz/farmers-strongly-reject-methane-inhibitor-use/ Climate scientists decry govt's approach to methane [3 June 2025] Climate change scientists ...Comment: Writing in the time of Genocide
Written By: Drowsy M. Kram - Date published: 6:13 pm, June 3rd, 2025
Do you believe the brutality in this asymmetric conflict is all from one side? "The bastards' last line of defence is to call it 'fake news'. The minute they revert to this argument is when they've lost all the others." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ ...Comment: The existential moment we are in
Written By: Drowsy M. Kram - Date published: 4:12 pm, June 3rd, 2025
The ocean has absorbed enough carbon dioxide to lower its pH by 0.1 units, a 30% increase in acidity. https://www.climate.gov/news-features/understanding-climate/climate-change-atmospheric-carbon-dioxide Maybe unbounded optimism is at the root of ...Comment: Writing in the time of Genocide
Written By: Drowsy M. Kram - Date published: 3:13 pm, June 3rd, 2025
Re "real-world effects" and "Jews as targets", the IDF is doing the lion's share of sub-human killing in Gaza. But yeah, I get how "this constant propaganda" could lead to poor outcomes. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaza_genocide Gaza doctor whose nine ...Comment: Writing in the time of Genocide
Written By: Drowsy M. Kram - Date published: 11:54 am, June 3rd, 2025
Stochastic terrorism: critical reflections on an emerging concept [3 Feb 2024] While some of the most obvious examples of stochastic terrorism are ones that fit neatly into a schema which abstracts an influential speaker and a persuadable listener (think ...Comment: Open mike 02/06/2025
Written By: Drowsy M. Kram - Date published: 9:00 pm, June 2nd, 2025
“When you mix science with politics, you get politics.” - interesting SARS-CoV-2 Origin: Lab Leak Hypothesis Gains Momentum [May 2025] Line Between Science and Politics According to current knowledge, a natural origin of SARS-CoV-2 is still much more ...Comment: The existential moment we are in
Written By: Drowsy M. Kram - Date published: 5:50 pm, June 2nd, 2025
Stop all pharmaceutical direct to consumer marketing in Aotearoa. Aotearoa NZ is an outlier in this area, and not in a good way Why does New Zealand still allow direct advertising of prescription drugs? [8 August 2024] With strong evidence it can lead to ...Comment: The existential moment we are in
Written By: Drowsy M. Kram - Date published: 5:25 pm, June 2nd, 2025
I think antibiotics would be the least of our problems. Yes, more clinicians are now aware that ideally antibiotics should be used sparingly, in line with the principles of antibiotic stewardship - use, do not misuse. https://bpac.org.nz/2024/antibiotic- ...Comment: Open mike 31/05/2025
Written By: Drowsy M. Kram - Date published: 12:50 pm, May 31st, 2025
Kiwis weren't granted the opportunity to make submissions on Van Velden's Equal Pay Amendment Bill - passed under urgency without select committe consideration - but you can submit on Seymour's Regulatory Standards Bill. Make NAct count (your submission.) ...Comment: Open mike 31/05/2025
Written By: Drowsy M. Kram - Date published: 10:30 am, May 31st, 2025
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deputy_Prime_Minister_of_New_Zealand It is the dawning of the age of Aquarius David Seymour - Seymour is a Cancer. What is the regulatory standards bill? David Seymour’s Regulatory Standards Bill is a dangerous attack on ...Comment: Open mike 30/05/2025
Written By: Drowsy M. Kram - Date published: 3:38 pm, May 30th, 2025
It was at high school - the players were from forms 3 and 4. Quite big groups (40+?), and some (most/all?) of our teachers must have known about it. I don't recall any serious injuries, but it was over half a century ago. It's possible that the school ...Comment: Open mike 30/05/2025
Written By: Drowsy M. Kram - Date published: 3:10 pm, May 30th, 2025
Just ban it, and while we are at it get rid of MMA, cage fighting and boxing... I recall playing bull rush at school, but the appeal MMA et al. eludes me now. In this example, a sports 'journalist' injects a little 'MMA mongrel' into their reporting of ...Comment: Which animal does Labour resemble?
Written By: Drowsy M. Kram - Date published: 2:32 pm, May 30th, 2025
Mole, as in 'a labour of moles' - working hard for the common good. Cf. toad, weasel. https://www.sparknotes.com/lit/the-wind-in-the-willows/characters/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Story_of_the_Little_Mole_Who_Knew_It_Was_None_of_His_BusinessComment: Migration: the spectre at the feast
Written By: Drowsy M. Kram - Date published: 4:39 pm, May 29th, 2025
Housing affordability (although currently mitigated by the outflow of people to Oz) – is still unacceptable; and the health system is overloaded. Those are two areas where migrants (and especially refugees) have a significant impact. While the ...Comment: Open mike 29/05/2025
Written By: Drowsy M. Kram - Date published: 2:12 pm, May 29th, 2025
NAct, Atlas and other courtesans of the sorted will divert / distract like mad, but at some point the humans on spaceship Earth need to get on sustainable paths to the future. If we don't, then big economic problems will be the least of our worries. Keith ...Comment: Nicola Willis’s Debt Higher Than All 6 Years of Ardern Government
Written By: Drowsy M. Kram - Date published: 4:02 pm, May 28th, 2025
"Fund our Stolen Health System." Public, not private - Fund OUR Health Service. "Fund Pay Equity - stolen under urgency!" CoC MPs are thieves - ram raiders even. For the many, not the sorted!Comment: Open mike 27/05/2025
Written By: Drowsy M. Kram - Date published: 12:21 pm, May 28th, 2025
A scourge on MMP, and also a past and present master. Love him or hate him, I shudder to think what shape NZ would be in now if the self-made Peters had allowed the 5th National government a 4th and (likely) a 5th term in office.Comment: Open mike 28/05/2025
Written By: Drowsy M. Kram - Date published: 11:59 am, May 28th, 2025
Nice take by Joe on populist Peters as a mix of (mostly) bluster and strategic fawning. Here's Bard Billot's ode for the odious Nicky No Boats, No Pay Equity, No Mercy. An Ode for .. Nicola ‘No BS’ Willis [25 May 2025] Then The Lady of the Strait steps off ...Comment: The Peoples’ Select Committee on Pay Equity
Written By: Drowsy M. Kram - Date published: 10:06 am, May 28th, 2025
Former National MP Dame Marilyn Waring has gathered a group of female former MPs to hold their own ‘people’s select committee’ on the government’s pay equity changes... All are working on a ‘pro bono’ – unpaid – basis. Once the evidence is in, can Sharon ...
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- Various ratbags in the frame
Frame OneInto LA go Trump's forces, and into LA go his lies.Modern politics is a framing war.It’s a system that keeps rewarding the wrong people.It’s a system that keeps rewarding the lie that tells people what they want to hear.It’s a system that Donald Trump instinctively understands.Never mind that the ...6 days ago - 22 years after RAMSI, Solomon Islands social, political fractures persist
History haunts Solomon Islands. More than two decades after the end of the Tensions of 1998 to 2003, the fractures that prompted ethnic conflict between Guadalcanal and Malaita communities remain deep in politics, society and ...6 days ago - Winston Peters & Barriers To A Fairer Tax System
For paid subscribersSharing this proposal on a light work day -Winston Peters “reamed the pension” and then tried to sue once it was found out - costing taxpayers at least $1m in legal fees Read more ...6 days ago - Climate legal action necessary response to Government inaction
The New Zealand Council of Trade Unions Te Kauae Kaimahi welcomes the legal action taken against the Minister of Climate Change by a coalition of legal experts as an important step in ensuring that Aotearoa meets its climate action obligations. “We strongly support legal action to ensure that the Government ...6 days ago - Winston Peters Silent on National’s New Immigration Policy
The National-led government is once again trying to increase immigration with their Parent Boost Visa, a five-year, multi-entry scheme for parents of migrants who already live in New Zealand. This move, dressed up as a boost for “family unity” and “economic growth,” has sparked fury among right-wing groups, exposing the ...6 days ago - Climate Change: Labour chickening out again
For the past 20 years, agriculture has been the glaring gap in our climate change policy. Responsible for 50% of our emissions, it was initially excluded from the ETS, and then - under Green Pressure - was to be slowly bought in at a 90% subsidy. But National repealed all ...6 days ago - Nicola Willis Feigns Concern Over Michael Forbes Scandal
Like Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, who claimed “shock” over his press secretary’s litany of misconduct, Finance Minister Nicola Willis proclaiming dismay today rings hollow. Michael Forbes, accused of illegally recording women, including sex workers, without consent, was allowed to resign rather than face dismissal.Nicola Willis’ claim that the “situation is ...6 days ago
- Union News 2024
December 2024 Wednesday 18 DecemberDecember 18, 2024The Government has announced a 1.5% increase in the minimum wage from 1 April 2025, well below forecast inflation of 2.5%. Unions have reacted strongly and denounced it as a real terms cut.… Read More »Wednesday 18 December Friday 13 DecemberDecember 13, 2024More public service ...6 days ago
- Tuesday 10 June
290 library workers across Christchurch will get a pay rise to reflect the “true value” of their work, despite the abrupt cancellation of their pay equity claim, due to a strong commitment to pay equity from Christchurch City Council. Care workers at the country’s largest provider of Māori-based support for ...6 days ago
- Harnessing NIC surveillance for better climate security outcomes
Australia’s National Intelligence Community could substantially enhance Australia’s climate security response. It could do so by applying its surveillance resources to the task. The 2024 Independent Intelligence Review lists transnational challenges—which includes climate change—as one ...6 days ago
- Electrifying?
I got chills, they're multiplyingAnd I'm losing control'Cause the power you're supplyingIt's electrifyingSongwriter: John Farrar.This morning Breakfast’s Chris Chang (CC) interviewed Chippy, and boy was he an enthusiast of your National-led government, if we can call them that.“‘Everyone Must Go’, remember that controversial tourism slogan the government spent $500,000 on ...6 days ago - Australia adrift. We must restore our merchant shipping fleet
Australia’s ports may be busy, but we have no way of ensuring that ships will keep coming to them in wartime. In an age of contested supply chains, strategic competition and rising instability, this absence ...7 days ago
- The Trump EPA tried to bury some good news
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections The Trump administration has taken an ostrich-like approach to climate change. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is required to publish a report about the country’s sources of climate-changing pollution each year by April 15. This year, that didn’t happen. But the completed report ...7 days ago - Of Fantasy Babies and Genre Bathwater: A Reply to The Second Story
Fantasy geeks might have at some point stumbled across a famous line from Terry Pratchett: “J.R.R. Tolkien has become a sort of mountain, appearing in all subsequent fantasy in the way that Mt. Fuji appears so often in Japanese prints. Sometimes it’s big and up close. Sometimes it’s a shape ...1 week ago - Wee Chris did a boo-boo
New Zealand politician and Cabinet Minister, Chris Bishop, talks about his feelings. ...1 week ago - Filthy riches
On the occasion of the publication of another Rich List, let us bow our heads, brothers and sisters, and remind ourselves of the saying: The only thing money proves is that you have money.It may also be proof of luck, or timing, or inheritance, or connections; but confusing wealth with ...1 week ago - The rich-list is a social failure
RNZ has a piece this morning on the latest NBR rich list, reporting that the ultra-rich are doing great (despite the government-induced recession). The 119 individuals and families listed are now collectively worth more than $100 billion - 40% of Aotearoa's annual GDP. Meanwhile, while they're revelling in their wealth, ...1 week ago
- Tear Gas & Rubber Bullets: The National Guard Has Moved In
Hi,Getting tear gassed by the National Guard fucking sucks. Everything stings, you can’t breathe, and you can’t see. You can hear just fine — the almost comical pop-pop-pop as more tear gas canisters are sent arcing over the crowd. It strikes you how everyone has their own unique cough; their ...1 week ago - Civil War
Opinion and analysisThere’s a lot to cover, as usual, but I’d like to focus mostly on the risks to our democracy today.First -In New Zealand, ACT and National supporter Nick Mowbray1 wins in NZ’s richest stakes.Another ACT/National donor, Graeme Hart, comes second, $8b behind the Mowbrays — landing at $12b. ...1 week ago - These Sordid Scandals Should Have Sunk The Government
The stench of cover-ups from the current coalition Government reveals a grim truth: the right-wing establishment is more invested in protecting its own and saving face than upholding justice. The latest revelations about National MP Hamish Campbell’s deep ties to the Two by Twos cult, Chris Luxon’s disgraced press secretary ...1 week ago
- Monday 9 June
Parents of New Zealand citizens and residents will be able to access visas, with the government announcing a programme it says will bring families together. Simeon Brown has announced more investment to strengthen critical infrastructure at Auckland City Hospital and Greenlane Clinical Centre. A Māori business leader says urgent reform ...1 week ago
- LA Live #8 – town hall
Thank you to everyone who tuned into my live video! Join me for my next live video in the app.Get more from David Farrier in the Substack appAvailable for iOS and AndroidGet the app ...1 week ago
- Live in LA #7
Thank you , , and many others for tuning into my live video! Join me for my next live video in the app.Get more from David Farrier in the Substack appAvailable for iOS and AndroidGet the app ...1 week ago
- LA Live #6
Thank you to everyone who tuned into my live video! Join me for my next live video in the app.Get more from David Farrier in the Substack appAvailable for iOS and AndroidGet the app ...1 week ago
- LA Live #3
Join me for my next live video in the app.Get more from David Farrier in the Substack appAvailable for iOS and AndroidGet the app ...1 week ago
- Strategist coverage of ASPI’s The Cost of Defence
On 29 May, ASPI released its annual defence budget briefing, The Cost of Defence. Introducing the report, ASPI executive director Justin Bassi reflected on its aim of ‘strengthening Australia’s long-term security, prosperity and sovereignty’ and its ...1 week ago
- The National Guard is in LA
Hi, Tear gas in the air, a lot of coughing. A lot of guns. And anger.But so far, peace.I’ll be going live throughout the day here on Webworm.Thanks to anyone who backs my work. Really. Not here without you.Subscribe nowDavid. ...1 week ago
- A note to subscribers: I’ll be back on June 23
FYI and briefly to all subscribers, I’m going to take a break from daily news updates for a couple of weeks while Lynn and I have a proper holiday.I’ll keep writing, but not so much about the news and I’ll look to publish those pieces from June 23.Sometimes, it’s useful ...1 week ago - Deluded Damien Grant versus Phil Goff Over Gaza
1 week ago
- Gordon Campbell on free speech and anti-Semitism
According to Workplace Health and Safety Minister Brooke Van Velden, employers are having to endure a “culture of fear” created by Worksafe, which has the power to prosecute them if if they are operating unsafe workplaces. There seems to be only anecdotal evidence – from employers at a government roadshow ...1 week ago - 2025 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #23
A listing of 26 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, June 1, 2025 thru Sat, June 7, 2025. Stories we promoted this week, by category: Climate Policy and Politics (5 articles) Inside EPA`s backdoor bid to stop regulating ...1 week ago
- Senior Quam Papa Est: When Presidents and Prime Ministers are older than the Pope
On a dreary Dunedin winter’s day, one’s mind turns to odd things. It happens. Today, it occurred to me that with the election of Pope Leo XIV in May, and with Donald Trump ... 1 week ago - The Regulatory Standards Bill: ACT’s Backdoor to Power
The number one biggest gameIt's when they gain the most fameIt's like a race to the topBecause they wanna be bossThey don't care who they step onAs long as they get alongPoliticians in my eyesSongwriter: Bobby Hackney.Today, I’m very pleased to bring to you this guest newsletter on the Regulatory ...1 week ago - Seymour’s privatisation push
Open to all readersSeymour's privatisation push David Seymour believes privatisation is a good thing. Let me refresh his memory. The BNZ had to be bailed out...twice, and is now in foreign ownership. The railways had to be bought back, having been run into the ground by foreign private ownership. Air ...1 week ago - Can Peaceful Protest Still Shift NZ’s Stubborn Government?
There have been numerous protests in New Zealand, with thousands taking to the streets over policies that undermine Māori rights, dodge climate action, cut wages, fail the people in Gaza and deepen social inequality. From the massive hīkoi against the Treaty Principles Bill to rallies slamming environmental deregulation, Kiwis are ...1 week ago
- Speak Plainly
Speak plainly to meGo with the flowThat's how you show your loveSpeak plainlySpeak plainlyWords by Marlon Williams and Kommi Tamati-Elliffe.Morena all,This morning, I thought we’d have a bit of a kōrero about whatever you like. I’ve skimmed through the headlines, and there wasn’t much I wanted to cover.I did contemplate ...1 week ago - Fact brief – Are CO2 measurements reliable?
Skeptical Science is partnering with Gigafact to produce fact briefs — bite-sized fact checks of trending claims. You can submit claims you think need checking via the tipline. Are CO2 measurements reliable? Measurements of the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere are consistent, reliable, and globally verified across multiple independent ...1 week ago
- Germany’s chance in frigate deal rises—potentially at cost to Australia-Japan relationship
German shipbuilder TKMS has significantly increased its chances in Canberra’s frigate competition by partnering with Saab, an entrenched supplier of crucial equipment for Australian warships. This challenges widespread assumptions that Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) is ...1 week ago
- Government Damaging New Zealand’s International Standing
New Zealand, once a shining example of progressive governance, is faltering under a right-wing Coalition Government determined to drag us back to the colonial dark ages. The “Coalition of Chaos,” as it’s been correctly named, is making Aotearoa an international laughing stock, with Prime Minister Chris Luxon, NZ First leader ...1 week ago
- Homelessness up by 58%
It’s hard to tell what’s worse: the National government persisting in prioritising money and non-existent1 “growth” over lives and well-being, or the many people that believe this is the way to succeed.Homelessness spiked up 53% over a few short months in NZ’s major metropolitan city, Auckland in March. Now it’s ...1 week ago
- Totally Normal #35: This Turned My Brain Into AI
Hi,It occurred to me recently that we don’t feature nearly enough worms here on Webworm, so today I am setting that right: I don’t really know what else to say about this story from two years ago, except that I hope the worms had a good (second) life. As much ...1 week ago - Taking Economics
ACT ‘s neoliberals are still trying to sneak in a change to the constitution.When ACT – the Association of Consumers and Taxpayers – was formed, its then party leader, Roger Douglas, with an optimistic exaggeration which marked his time as Minister of Finance, announced that he was sure it would ...1 week ago - Ukraine’s drone attack offers fearful lesson for a Chinese invasion force
Ukraine’s massive drone strike against Russian air bases on 1 June should reverberate across all theaters of conflict. But there is one Western Pacific scenario where it could be very relevant indeed: a Chinese invasion ...1 week ago
- Just one word, that’s all it takes
1. There is a single word you can utter in New Zealand that will elicit everything from snide putdowns to snarling hatred. What is that word?a. Feijoab. MMPc. Thingy d. Jacinda2. What punishment did TPM get?a. Made to write 1000 times: We must learn to be more like Parmjeet Parmar ...1 week ago - Overshadowed by border dispute, India-Pakistan water security risks grow
A disputed India-Pakistan border in Kashmir isn’t the only threat to stability on the subcontinent. One that’s often overlooked is water security. India and Pakistan should incorporate transboundary watery cooperation into broader security dialogues to ...1 week ago
- Friday 6 June
Te Pāti Māori co-leaders Debbie Ngarewa-Packer and Rawiri Waititi have been suspended from Parliament for 21 days for the Treaty Principles haka. Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke has been suspended for seven days. A high-powered group of former political leaders have publicly urged Prime Minister Christopher Luxon to restate New Zealand’s commitment to ...1 week ago
- Shared custodianship: Indigenous voices in critical infrastructure
The six-year delay in approving Woodside Energy’s North West Shelf extension reflects a failure to integrate Indigenous Australians as strategic partners in the nation’s development agenda. Policymakers and project proponents should recognise the impasse is ...1 week ago
- Police Failed to Properly Investigate Michael Forbes
The recent revelations about the right-wing sicko Michael Forbes, former press secretary to Chris Luxon, expose a troubling failure by the New Zealand Police to properly investigate allegations of predatory behaviour. Reports confirm that police seized Forbes’ work and personal phones while probing complaints, including allegations of non-consensual audio recordings ...1 week ago
- Suspending Shame
Mighty riverHear that rushin' soundOh, oh, yeahCool, clear waterLay my burden downAwa reareae kuhī anaWai arohaTurakina ki raro rāSongwriter: Don McGlashan.Suppose a group of indigenous politicians in the US or Australia stood in their place of representatives and performed a traditional challenge in the face of present-day injustice being piled ...2 weeks ago - Runways, fuel, ports and rail: the case for an ADF repair organisation
Without sufficient resilience the Australian Defence Force risks being knocked out of the fight—defanged and disabled—in the opening hours of a future high-intensity war. The ADF must be able to repair damage to mission-critical combat ...2 weeks ago
- Peter Bale, Cathrine Dyer, Robert Patman, Jamie Shea & Treasa Dunworth ‘Hoon’ around the new...
The podcast above of the weekly ‘Hoon’ webinar for paying subscribers on Thursday night features co-host talking with regular guests and about the week’s news in geopolitics and climate. Bernard couldn’t get on because of technical issues.This week’s Hoon featured special guests Jamie Shea from Chatham House ...2 weeks ago
- Skeptical Science New Research for Week #23 2025
Open access notables Land-based sensors reveal high frequency of coastal flooding, Hino et al., Communications Earth & Environment: Coastal flooding is occurring more frequently due to global sea-level rise, among other factors. However, current understanding of coastal flood frequency and sea-level rise impacts is predominantly based on tide gauges, which ...2 weeks ago
- A parliamentary lynching
I have spent the afternoon watching the debate on the outrageous and anti-democratic privileges committee report on Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke, Debbie Ngarewa-Packer, and Rawiri Waititi. And after three hours, Waititi moved closure to get it over with. The government, which used its majority on the privileges committee to recommend an unprecedented ...2 weeks ago
- Chief of defence: budget under pressure, choices must be made
The Australian Defence Organisation’s budget is under pressure, and Defence must make choices, Admiral David Johnston, the chief of the defence force, said on 4 June when asked whether more money was needed. In preparation ...2 weeks ago
- Australia still lacks missile defence. Golden Dome can be part of the answer
Australia should support the Trump Administration’s proposed Golden Dome missile defence system. By participating in development, deployment and operation of Golden Dome, Australia could rely on it partly for defence against attack by long-range missiles. ...2 weeks ago
- David Seymour’s Bill Tramples Democratic Process
With jaw-dropping cynicism, Deputy Prime Minister David Seymour and his ACT Party have plumbed new depths, trampling democratic values in their rush to ram through the Regulatory Standards Bill.The right-wing government’s rush to force this contentious bill through under urgency, using AI to sift through 23,000 public submissions, isn’t just ...2 weeks ago
- Join us at 5pm for this week’s Hoon
Photo by Alexas_Fotos on UnsplashKia oraKia oraCome and join us for our weekly ‘Hoon’ webinar with paying subscribers to The Kākā for an hour at 5 pm today.Jump on this link on YouTube Livestream for our chat with myself, and regular guests and , plus special guests Jamie ...2 weeks ago - The audacity
It’s so damn good to have something to fist pump, isn’t it?I mean, that Ukraine drone attack was something else wasn’t it? The future of warfare, delivered by Amazon parts, assembled in garages, guided by Google Maps, hidden in plain sight among pizza drones.You just had to marvel at the ...2 weeks ago - Thursday 5 June
NZNO members are holding stop work meetings to consider industrial action for better pay and higher staff-to-patient ratios. More than 1000 former international rugby players are taking legal action against sports governing bodies on claims they suffered brain injuries during their careers. After spending $23m but failing to modernise the ...2 weeks ago
- On climate, new administration must go beyond South Korea’s borders
Lee Jae-myung’s victory in South Korea’s snap presidential elections have ended six months of political turmoil. The time is ripe for the country to lift its engagement on regional issues, including climate change. Lee’s ...2 weeks ago
- NZ Government’s Deputy Press Secretary A “Peeping Tom”
Michael Forbes with right wing NZ PM Christopher Luxon (right)For paid subscribers One of the news pieces that frustrates me is National Party Deputy Chief Secretary Michael Forbes illicitly recording sex workers, and women in every day scenarios - at the gym, in their bedrooms at home, at a supermarket, ...2 weeks ago - Coalition’s Climate Cop-Out Risks $2 Billion Export Hit
New Zealand’s National-led coalition of chaos government has once again proven its inability to tackle the climate crisis with even a shred of competence. The world is watching, and the verdict is damning: Aotearoa is failing to curb CO2 emissions by any meaningful measure and the National-led government's 2025 Budget ...2 weeks ago
- In a world of entangled threats, the Indo-Pacific turns to resilience
This year’s Shangri-La Dialogue made one thing clear: we are living in a more dangerous decade. From cyberattacks to grey-zone coercion, climate shocks to supply chain sabotage, the global security landscape is more complex and ...2 weeks ago
- Productivity growth languishing
I hadn’t had a look for a while at the OECD labour productivity (real GDP per hour worked) data, but the release of the latest OECD Economic Outlook the other day prompted me to spend some time in the (less user-friendly than it was) OECD database. It takes a while ...2 weeks ago - Tell us about it, Janet.
Writing in The Post today was Janet Wilson, Todd Muller’s Press Secretary for the five minutes between Simon Bridges and Judith Collins when the National Party considered a return to being the party of conservative gentlemen farmers, it had long been. As we know, Muller froze in the headlights, and ...2 weeks ago - One big, beautiful, climate-killing bill
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Samantha Harrington. Dana will do a Livestream with Yale Climate Connections on the subject today, Wednesday 6/4 at 5–6pm ET as well. Tune in here. House Republicans worked to eliminate clean energy tax credits in a massive tax bill that they passed in ...2 weeks ago
- Looming in the background: Indian Navy’s role in confrontation with Pakistan
Don’t overlook the role of the Indian Navy in Operation Sindoor, New Delhi’s response last month for a terrorist attack from Pakistani territory. Yes, the Indian air force and army undertook all the kinetic action. ...2 weeks ago
- Bernard’s Picks ‘n’ Mixes for Thursday, June 5
Briefly, here’s my ‘Picks ‘n’ Mixes’ of news and other links1 from Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, climate and poverty on Thursday, June 5, including:RNZ/Reid Research’s poll taken straight after the Budget showed the Labour/Green/Te Pāti Māori bloc jumping ahead of National/NZ First/ACT, with PM Christopher Luxon’s personal popularity falling ...2 weeks ago - Michael Forbes’ Sex Worker Exploitation Shames Government
In a shocking revelation, the National Party's deputy chief press secretary to Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has resigned amidst allegations of recording sex workers without their consent. According to numerous reports, Michael Forbes allegedly amassed a large number of audio recordings and photographs of women in compromising situations, including sex ...2 weeks ago
- Five important ideas from Britain’s defence review
It’s ‘a truly transformational and genuinely strategic review,’ according to the three external reviewers who headed its production. Prime Minister Keir Starmer says the document, Britain’s Strategic Defence Review 2025, is a ‘landmark shift in ...2 weeks ago
- Craig Renney – Locked out – Budget 2025 and the choices of the Coalition Government
Craig Renney will share his insights into Budget 2025, showing exactly what is going on with the government accounts, and what it might mean for the Election next year. Who are the winners and losers from the choices made by the Minister of Finance? How might different choices lead to ...2 weeks ago - Get on with it, Defence. Counter-drone capability is urgent
After watching videos of flaming Russian bombers on Sunday, Canberra decision makers have no excuse for foot-dragging in fielding counters to small, cheap drones. A similar attack could happen in Australia at any moment and ...2 weeks ago
- A Roundup Of Right-Wing Propagandists
New Zealand’s political landscape is often full of noise from conservative commentators preaching free speech, family values, and fiscal restraint. Their propaganda criticises progressive policies, while dodging coalition of chaos failures, campaigning that reeks of double standards. This post cuts through their hypocrisy, exposing the cracks in their so-called principles. Ani ...2 weeks ago
- Giving the finger to democracy
So, the same day Rimmer is insulting the public by claiming everyone who disagrees with him is a bot, the Finance and Expenditure Committee is is insulting by voting - on party lines, of course - to refuse to read submissions on the Regulatory Standards Bill. Instead they will be ...2 weeks ago
- You’re a winner! You’re a grinner! You’re a negotiating genius!
People may have seen David Seymour tossing away about his Treaty bullshit and thought to themselves: Well maybe he really cares about it, even if he couldn’t be more wrong.Others may have seen David Seymour tossing away about his Treaty bullshit and thought: Have you ever seen anything more cynical ...2 weeks ago
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- Five years of Keep It Real Online
Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden is celebrating the fifth anniversary of Keep It Real Online, a website that helps New Zealand families navigate the digital world safely. “I know many parents are worried about the type of content their children might come across online and are looking for practical ...6 days ago - Legislation introduced to restrict farm-to-forest conversions
Today Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay introduced long awaited legislation that will put a stop to large-scale farm-to-forestry conversions – delivering on a key election promise to protect the future of New Zealand food production. “For too long, productive sheep and beef farms have been replaced by pine trees ...6 days ago
- Speech to Hospitality NZ Conference
Good morning, Thank you for inviting me to address the Hospitality Conference 2025 right here in Wellington today. I would like to begin by acknowledging: Nick Keene, National President of Hospitality New Zealand, Steve Armitage, Chief Executive of Hospitality New Zealand, members of your Board, and the members of ...7 days ago
- New Zealand Veterinary Association Award Evening
Good evening,It’s a real privilege to be here with you tonight, among people who play such a vital role in the wellbeing of our animals, our communities, and our economy. Veterinarians are essential to New Zealand. Upholding our global reputation for world-leading animal welfare standards, something we are known for ...2 weeks ago
- Huge rise in surgery outsourcing prompts alarm among doctors
The government’s focus on elective surgery wait times has driven thousands of outsourced operations – and fresh warnings about the risks of draining public sector expertise, writes Catherine McGregor in today’s extract from The Bulletin. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign up here. Health targets to be enshrined ...15 hours ago - Parliament Rejects Proposal To Address Critical Workforce Shortages
Despite being presented with an evidence-based solution and widespread public support, the Select Committee concluded: “the issue is complex, and we do not consider there is an immediate solution to it.” ...15 hours ago - How to destroy 500,000 books
The trucks and the industrial strength paper shredders with rows of 330 sharp-toothed knives on spherical roller bearings operated by hydraulic drives are set to roll out this week and destroy 500,000 books from the National Library—an end point in a long, controversial policy which will forever be regarded by ...16 hours ago - Abuse in care: Cabinet considered limiting gang members’ redress
The government ultimately chose to treat gang members the same as any other survivor, but one former gang member was 'stunned' it considered the idea at all. ...17 hours ago - Cabinet considered limiting gang members’ abuse in care redress
The government ultimately chose to treat gang members like other survivors, but a former gang member is 'stunned' it was even considered. ...17 hours ago
- What Chris Bishop’s decision on Plan Change 14 means for Christchurch
Minister of RMA reform Chris Bishop has responded to Christchurch City Council’s alternative proposals around its district plan. His decisions have consequences for transport and house prices as the southern city grows. Where will future housing growth in Christchurch go? Will new houses be built on the outskirts of ...17 hours ago
- A counsellor reviews ChatGPT’s counselling advice
Face-to-face therapy is prohibitively expensive for most New Zealanders. Could ChatGPT fill the void? It’s June. It’s dark, wet and cold. It’s a month of remembering loved ones lost to suicide. I am housebound. My physiotherapist placed a short-term ban on my hiking life while I strengthen my 61-year-old knees. Having ...17 hours ago
- Van Velden steers WorkSafe toward a softer touch
WorkSafe is being urged to soften its tone, sharpen its focus, and become an enabler of safe work, not just an enforcer of compliance, as part of significant changes to New Zealand’s health and safety regime. Under direction from Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden, the regulator is ...17 hours ago
- Mystic connection: Rookie steps up for her injured idol
If there’s one player in world netball right now who Sophia Lafaiali’i looks up to, it’s Australian Diamond Donnell Wallam. Up until now, she’s always admired the strong, agile, sharp shooter from afar. “I love watching her play – she’s a beast, she’s so strong. I’d watch her in the ...17 hours ago
- Trump’s southern neighbour on how to weather his worst
New Zealand may be thousands of kilometres away from the United States, but at times that distance feels like precious little insulation from Donald Trump. Spare a thought, then, for the United States’ southern neighbour as it is buffeted by Trump’s every decree. “Whether it is economics, trade, border, migration, ...17 hours ago
- PM fears ‘miscalculation’ could lead to tension in NZ’s backyard
Christopher Luxon will make his first official trip to China this week, amid rising geopolitical tensions that place the superpower right at the centre The post PM fears ‘miscalculation’ could lead to tension in NZ’s backyard appeared first on Newsroom. ...17 hours ago
- NZ’s carbon forestry offsets on trial in High Court case
A world-first legal challenge targets the decades-long reliance of successive NZ governments on planting trees to offset emissions from burning fossil fuels The post NZ’s carbon forestry offsets on trial in High Court case appeared first on Newsroom. ...17 hours ago
- Nurses set to test equal pay system as others lose trust
One union is set to test viability of new pay equity rules – but another has no confidence in the system The post Nurses set to test equal pay system as others lose trust appeared first on Newsroom. ...17 hours ago
- What New Zealand can learn from Spain’s war on Airbnb
NZ’s local and central governments pass the buck between them as each say the other is better-placed to regulate the likes of Airbnb The post What New Zealand can learn from Spain’s war on Airbnb appeared first on Newsroom. ...17 hours ago
- Mini crossword, Monday 16 June
The post Mini crossword, Monday 16 June appeared first on Newsroom. ...17 hours ago
- Daily crossword, Monday 16 June
The post Daily crossword, Monday 16 June appeared first on Newsroom. ...17 hours ago
- Newsroom daily quiz, Monday 16 June
Loading…(function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){var ql=document.querySelectorAll('A[data-quiz],DIV[data-quiz]'); if(ql){if(ql.length){for(var k=0;k<ql.length;k++){ql[k].id='quiz-embed-'+k;ql[k].href="javascript:var i=document.getElementById('quiz-embed-"+k+"');try{qz.startQuiz(i)}catch(e){i.start=1;i.style.cursor='wait';i.style.opacity='0.5'};void(0);"}}};i['QP']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){(i[r].q=i[r].q||[]).push(arguments)},i[r].l=1*new Date();a=s.createElement(o),m=s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];a.async=1;a.src=g;m.parentNode.insertBefore(a,m)})(window,document,'script','https://take.quiz-maker.com/3012/CDN/quiz-embed-v1.js','qp'); Got a good quiz question? Send Newsroom your questions. The post Newsroom daily quiz, Monday 16 June appeared first on Newsroom. ...17 hours ago
- Why Israel’s shock and awe has proven its power but lost the war
COMMENTARY: By Antony Loewenstein War is good for business and geopolitical posturing. Before Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived in Washington in early February for his first visit to the US following President Donald Trump’s inauguration, he issued a bold statement on the strategic position of Israel. “The decisions we ...1 day ago - Netanyahu has two war aims: destroying Iran’s nuclear program and regime change. Are either achiev...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ian Parmeter, Research Scholar, Middle East Studies, Australian National University Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said Israel’s attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities could last for at least two weeks. His timing seems precise for a reason. The Israel Defence Forces and ...1 day ago
- Israel’s attacks on Iran are already hurting global oil prices, and the impact is set to worsen
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Joaquin Vespignani, Associate Professor of Economics and Finance, University of Tasmania The weekend attacks on Iran’s oil facilities – widely seen as part of escalating hostilities between Israel and Iran – represent a dangerous moment for global energy security. While the physical ...1 day ago
- Vehicle issued to Fiji assistant minister involved in fatal accident – driver’s son implicated
By Anish Chand in Suva The son of a Fiji assistant minister is under investigation for allegedly driving a government vehicle without authority and causing an accident that killed two men. The accident took place along Bau Road, Nausori, last night. The vehicle involved in the accident was the official ...1 day ago
- Vale Maurice Gee, 1931 – 2025
The great Aotearoa writer Maurice Gee has died. Books editor Claire Mabey pays tribute. Maurice Gee has died at the age of 93. In a statement sent to media, Gee’s children Nigel, Emily and Abigail Gee confirmed that their father died peacefully in his longtime home in Nelson, the inspiration ...1 day ago
- Government considers Crown contributions to partnership projects
The move is designed to encourage more public private partnerships for infrastructure builds. ...1 day ago
- Caitlin Johnstone: We are, of course, being lied to about Iran
Report by Dr David Robie – Café Pacific. – COMMENTARY: By Caitlin Johnstone Iran and Israel are at war, with the US already intimately involved and likely to become more so. Which of course means we’ll be spending the foreseeable future getting bashed in the face with lies from ...1 day ago
- Government Must Ensure Safety Of Its Citizens In The Global March To Gaza
The government of NewZealand bears full responsibility for their safety and well-being. ...1 day ago
- ER Report: A Roundup of Significant Articles on EveningReport.nz for June 15, 2025
ER Report: Here is a summary of significant articles published on EveningReport.nz on June 15, 2025. NZ’s Islamic Council calls on Luxon to condemn Israel over ‘unprovoked’ military strikesAsia Pacific Report The Islamic Council of New Zealand (ICONZ) has protested over Israel’s “unprovoked military strikes” against Iran, killing at least ...1 day ago
- TOP Will Convene Citizens’ Assemblies To End Political Gridlock
The Opportunities Party launches The Citizens’ Voice policy. ...1 day ago
- Government Undermines Regional Powers To Protect Coastal Biodiversity
“This is a direct attack on the ability of local communities to safeguard their coastal environments,” said EDS Chief Operating Officer Shay Schlaepfer. ...1 day ago
- NZ’s Islamic Council calls on Luxon to condemn Israel over ‘unprovoked’ military strikes
Asia Pacific Report The Islamic Council of New Zealand (ICONZ) has protested over Israel’s “unprovoked military strikes” against Iran, killing at least 80 people — 20 of them children, and called on the NZ government to publicly condemn Israeli’s actions. An open letter to Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, read out ...1 day ago
- The House: Morning Tea with Matt Doocey
For electorate MPs, weekends are generally spent in the community meeting constituents. Louis Collins popped into a morning tea Q&A hosted by Matt Doocey. ...2 days ago
- Political blame game over slipping standards among police recruits
The Government has promised to recruit 500 more police by early next year. ...2 days ago
- An Ode to .. David Seymour
Joker is King Jester Seymour and King Lux stroll on the railway platform. “You’ll look after the place when I’m away,?” Asks King Lux anxiously. “Of course,” replies the stable, reliable and sensible Jester. King Lux chuffs away on his train to Erewhon. Jester Seymour walks up to Lord Winston, ...2 days ago
- A video like no other – why the Israeli military revealed its own failure
By Ramzy Baroud and Romana Rubeo Unlike the Palestinian message, the Israeli message is not global, but very much a localised cry for help — get us out of Gaza. This is not your typical video. The event itself might be similar to numerous other events in Gaza — a ...2 days ago
- Regulatory Standards Bill will stop lawmakers considering broader public health, warns cancer specia...
Public submissions on the Regulatory Standards Bill close at on 23 June. ...2 days ago
- Deep dive into New Zealand’s growing meth crisis
Wastewater testing showed a 96 percent increase in consumption of methamphetamine in 2024, compared to 2023. ...2 days ago
- Twyford condemns weak action by NZ over Israel’s ‘ruthless’ apartheid
Asia Pacific Report Labour MP for Te Atatu Phil Twyford criticsed the New Zealand government today for failing to take stronger action against Israel over its genocide and starvation strategy in Gaza, saying that at the very least the ambassador should be expelled. Speaking at a rally in Henderson organised ...2 days ago
- As war breaks out with Israel, Iran has run out of good options
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ali Mamouri, Research Fellow, Middle East Studies, Deakin University The scale of Israel’s strikes on multiple, sensitive Iranian military and nuclear sites on Friday was unprecedented. It was the biggest attack on Iran since the Iran–Iraq War in the 1980s. As ...2 days ago
- ER Report: A Roundup of Significant Articles on EveningReport.nz for June 14, 2025
ER Report: Here is a summary of significant articles published on EveningReport.nz on June 14, 2025. Fijian in Abu Dhabi worried about Pacific communities in Middle EastBy Susana Suisuiki, Presenter/producer of RNZ Pacific Waves Fiji’s Embassy in Abu Dhabi says it is closely monitoring the situation in Iran and Israel ...2 days ago
- Legal action over changes to resource teaching roles ‘possible’ – union
The education minister said the the current system is inequitable, and 349 structured literacy roles had been funded as part of Budget 2025. ...2 days ago
- Cabinet approves ‘suite of amendments’ to Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) Act
Health Minister Simeon Brown says he wants the health system "focused on delivering faster care, shorter wait times, higher immunisation rates, and real results". ...2 days ago
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