Petition Peter Dunne to show some sense and some compassion
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- Date published:
7:30 am, February 16th, 2016 - 30 comments
Categories: death with dignity, drugs, peter dunne -
Tags: helen kelly
Picture courtesy of Foxy.
Helen Kelly is not in great health. I am expecting her a la Matt McCarten to eventually completely vanquish the cancer she is suffering from but so far she is battling. She is still going strong and pumping out social media messages that are full of compassion and justice and biting analysis but she has reached the stage where she believes she needs help to cope with the pain caused by her cancer.
There are two options, submit to opiate derivatives and scatter your brain or try an alternative.
I have seen what opiates do. It is not good. It is basically signing in to accelerate what may be inevitable and to do it with a reduced quality of life and dumbed down brain function. Helen would hate it.
So she wants to try an alternative. Clearly she knows what the effects of cannabis are. She wants to use a commercially provided variant that has a consistent composition.
But Peter Dunne has refused to grant Helen’s application for ministerial approval. His Ministry has put in place an approval system that is incredibly hard to succeed at and has not approved Helen’s application because she needs to show that other drugs have been tried and the symptoms are still poorly controlled.
I don’t know why the Minister and the Ministry are bothering with this opposition. Perhaps they think that there will be a rush of people dying of cancer trying the dreaded weed and that this will present such a terrifying threat to the social order that it needs to be avoided at all costs.
After all according to some the dreaded weed is a gateway drug to heroin and then after that there are all sorts of calamities including an early death to worry about. We should not allow cancer sufferers to use cannabis because it may shorten the length of their natural lives. Yep that is as ridiculous as it reads.
Helen’s request is that she be able to use a drug that is illegal although not as illegal as the drug the health system wants her to use, unless it is prescribed. But somehow the more dangerous drug is easier to prescribe. Opiates yes, cannabinoids not unless you jump through many, many hoops.
Russell Brown has been following the issue and in his typical fashion has presented a devastating critique of the hoops that Helen is being made to jump through. Amongst other things according to the Ministry’s criteria she has to provide “evidence that all reasonably applicable conventional treatments have been trialled and the symptoms are still poorly controlled”. She may not have the time to try all reasonably applicable conventional treatments.
Brown summaries the situation really well:
This issue isn’t going to go away and I think the ministry needs to do a much better job than is suggested by these swiftly-drafted criteria, which look in some respects as if they’re designed to make the problem go away.
In particular, there should be some better thinking around palliative care. It doesn’t make sense to treat every application to improve the quality of life of a dying person the same as a bid to give a sick child an experimental treatment. The criteria are ostensibly specifically dedicated to cannabis products, but they’re actually entirely general. We need this to be done better and more transparently.
As I’ve noted before, the use of cannabis in palliative care represents a particular ethical case. If a patient testifies that the treatment does in fact improve their quality of life and ease suffering in a way that approved pharmaceutical products have not, that should count for a great deal. The case for preventing access becomes much, much harder to make.
So what is the social threat in allowing an intelligent woman to use a drug that is regularly used by many New Zealanders mostly without an adverse response?
There is some politics. National is vehemently anti drug reform. Dunne is a very minority minister whose existence depends of National’s generosity. But in a world where liberalisation of cannabis laws is becoming increasingly common Dunne’s reticence seems anachronistic.
If you feel aggrieved after learning about this, and I certainly do, then you should sign the petition that the talented Foxy is running asking Dunne to grant Helen Kelly permission to use medical cannabis oil.
30 comments on “Petition Peter Dunne to show some sense and some compassion ”
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- ECE extension Green win nearly 10 years in the makingThe Green Party is today celebrating Budget 2023 funding extending free ECE to two year olds. ...2 weeks ago
- Green initiative addresses both climate and inequalityA long standing Green Party policy has been extended yet again in this year’s Budget. This will deliver warmer homes for thousands of people, lower power bills, and cut climate pollution. ...2 weeks ago
- Greens on board with more affordable buses and trainsThe Green Party is fully on board with free bus and train travel for under 12s and half price travel for under 25s - next stop, free travel for all under 18s, students, and apprentices. ...2 weeks ago
- Budget 2023 falls short of what’s neededToday’s Budget makes good progress on climate and inequality, but falls short of what’s needed to fix both. ...2 weeks ago
- Forestry sector must compensate for slash damageThe Green Party welcomes today’s release of the report of the Ministerial Inquiry into slash and sediment, and are clear that the forestry industry must foot more of the bill. ...3 weeks ago
- Winston Peters – why mess with the magic of the monarchy?When Chris Hipkins appeared on the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, he described himself as a “technical republican”. At least it was clearer than when he stumbled over what a woman is. In the blue corner, the other “Chris” said, “New Zealand will become a republic, eventually.” Of course, they both supported ...3 weeks ago
- Govt must break up supermarketsThe Government needs to do much more to address supermarket profiteering, which is driving high food prices. ...3 weeks ago
- Grant Robertson: Pre-Budget speech to BNZ business breakfastThis morning, the Minister of Finance Grant Robertson delivered a pre-Budget speech in Auckland. ...3 weeks ago
- Action to support people to put food on the table more urgent than everYet another increase in food prices shows the urgent need for the Government to tax wealth and use the money to help people put food on the table. ...3 weeks ago
- Grant Robertson: Pre-Budget speech to Wellington Chamber of CommerceThis morning, the Minister of Finance Grant Robertson delivered a pre-Budget speech in Wellington. ...3 weeks ago
- Our preoccupation with Māori theatrics while sacrificing economic realismMay is significant in the New Zealand parliamentary calendar, given the Minister of Finance delivers the Budget - a whopping $128 billion last year, over a third of our GDP. This year Grant Robertson is riding a unicycle on a tightrope. The sugar rush is over but will he still ...3 weeks ago
- Labour left floundering on seabed healthLabour has once again avoided taking decisions to protect ocean health and shown exactly why we need more Green MPs. ...3 weeks ago
- Minister Sepuloni to attend 61st Anniversary of Samoa’s Independence
Deputy Prime Minister and Associate Minister of Foreign Affairs (Pacific Region) Carmel Sepuloni will represent New Zealand at Samoa’s 61st Anniversary of Independence commemorations in Apia. “Aotearoa New Zealand is pleased to share in this significant occasion, alongside other invited Pacific leaders, and congratulates Samoa on the milestone of 61 ...7 hours ago - Govt backs retailers with expansion of fog cannon programmeThe Government is continuing to support retailers with additional funding for the highly popular Fog Cannon Subsidy Scheme, Police and Small Business Minister Ginny Andersen announced today. “The Government is committed to improving retailers’ safety,” Ginny Andersen said. “I’ve seen first-hand the difference fog cannons are making. Not only do ...11 hours ago
- Government will consider recommendations of Intelligence and Security Act reviewThe Government has received the first independent review of the Intelligence and Security Act 2017, Prime Minister Chris Hipkins says. The review, considered by the Parliamentary Intelligence and Security Committee, was presented to the House of Representatives today. “Ensuring the safety and security of New Zealanders is of the utmost ...14 hours ago
- Govt expresses condolences on the passing of HRH Princess Sui’ilikutapuPrime Minister Chris Hipkins has expressed condolences on behalf of New Zealand to the Kingdom of Tonga following the death of Her Royal Highness Princess Mele Siu’ilikutapu Kalaniuvalu Fotofili. “New Zealand sends it’s heartfelt condolences to the people of Tonga, and to His Majesty King Tupou VI at this time ...15 hours ago
- Govt expresses condolences on the passing of HRH Princess Siu’ilikutapuPrime Minister Chris Hipkins has expressed condolences on behalf of New Zealand to the Kingdom of Tonga following the death of Her Royal Highness Princess Mele Siu’ilikutapu Kalaniuvalu Fotofili. “New Zealand sends it’s heartfelt condolences to the people of Tonga, and to His Majesty King Tupou VI at this time ...15 hours ago
- Security support to Solomon Islands extendedDefence Minister Andrew Little and Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta have today announced the extension of the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) deployment to Solomon Islands, as part of the regionally-led Solomon Islands International Assistance Force (SIAF). “Aotearoa New Zealand has a long history of working alongside the Royal Solomon ...17 hours ago
- Minister Mahuta to attend the first Korea-Pacific Leaders’ SummitForeign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta will travel to the Republic of Korea today to attend the Korea–Pacific Leaders’ Summit in Seoul and Busan. “Korea is an important partner for Aotearoa New Zealand and the Pacific region. I am eager for the opportunity to meet and discuss issues that matter to our ...2 days ago
- Agreement between Indo-Pacific partners for supply chain resilienceTrade and Export Growth Minister Damien O’Connor joined ministerial representatives at a meeting in Detroit, USA today to announce substantial conclusion of negotiations of a new regional supply chains agreement among 14 Indo-Pacific countries. The Supply Chains agreement is one of four pillars being negotiated within the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework ...2 days ago
- Celebrating Samoa Language Week 2023Our most spoken Pacific language is taking centre stage this week with Vaiaso o le Gagana Samoa – Samoa Language Week kicking off around the country. “Understanding and using the Samoan language across our nation is vital to its survival,” Barbara Edmonds said. “The Samoan population in New Zealand are ...2 days ago
- Nationwide test of Emergency Mobile Alert systemOver 90 per cent of New Zealanders are expected to receive this year’s nationwide test of the Emergency Mobile Alert system tonight between 6-7pm. “Emergency Mobile Alert is a tool that can alert people when their life, health, or property, is in danger,” Kieran McAnulty said. “The annual nationwide test ...2 days ago
- Whakatōhea and the Crown sign Deed of SettlementENGLISH: Whakatōhea and the Crown sign Deed of Settlement A Deed of Settlement has been signed between Whakatōhea and the Crown, 183 years to the day since Whakatōhea rangatira signed the Treaty of Waitangi, Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Andrew Little has announced. Whakatōhea is an iwi based in ...3 days ago
- New Chair appointed to New Zealand National Commission for UNESCOElizabeth Longworth has been appointed as the Chair of the New Zealand National Commission for UNESCO, Associate Minister of Education Jo Luxton announced today. UNESCO is the United Nations agency responsible for promoting cooperative action among member states in the areas of education, science, culture, social science (including peace and ...3 days ago
- Tourism transformation starts with peopleTourism and hospitality employer accreditation scheme to recognise quality employers Better education and career opportunities in tourism Cultural competency to create more diverse and inclusive workplaces Innovation and technology acceleration to drive satisfying, skilled jobs Strengthening our tourism workers and supporting them into good career pathways, pay and working conditions ...4 days ago
- Tourism transformation starts with peopleTourism and hospitality employer accreditation scheme to recognise quality employers Better education and career opportunities in tourism Cultural competency to create more diverse and inclusive workplaces Innovation and technology acceleration to drive satisfying, skilled jobs Strengthening our tourism workers and supporting them into good career pathways, pay and working conditions ...4 days ago
- Te ao Māori health services cheaper and more accessible for whānauGreater access to primary care, including 193 more front line clinical staff More hauora services and increased mental health support Boost for maternity and early years programmes Funding for cancers, HIV and longer term conditions Greater access to primary care, improved maternity care and mental health support are ...4 days ago
- Te ao Māori health services more accessible for whānauGreater access to primary care, including 193 more front line clinical staff More hauora services and increased mental health support Boost for maternity and early years programmes Funding for cancers, HIV and longer term conditions Greater access to primary care, improved maternity care and mental health support are ...4 days ago
- Government’s work for survivors of abuse in care continuesThe Government continues progress on the survivor-led independent redress system for historic abuse in care, with the announcement of the design and advisory group members today. “The main recommendation of the Royal Commission of Inquiry’s Abuse in Care interim redress report was for a survivor-led independent redress system, and the ...4 days ago
- Humanitarian support for the Horn of AfricaAotearoa New Zealand is providing NZ$7.75 million to respond to urgent humanitarian needs in the Horn of Africa, Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta announced today. The Horn of Africa is experiencing its most severe drought in decades, with five consecutive failed rainy seasons. At least 43.3 million people require lifesaving and ...5 days ago
- Two brand new mental health facilities opened in ChristchurchHealth Minister Ayesha Verrall has opened two new state-of-the-art mental health facilities at the Christchurch Hillmorton Hospital campus, as the Government ramps up its efforts to build a modern fit for purpose mental health system. The buildings, costing $81.8 million, are one of 16 capital projects the Government has funded ...5 days ago
- Government invests more than $24 million in regional projectsThe Government is continuing to invest in our regional economies by announcing another $24 million worth of investment into ten diverse projects, Regional Development Minister Kiri Allan says. “Our regions are the backbone of our economy and today’s announcement continues to build on the Government’s investment to boost regional economic ...5 days ago
- Budget 23 supports the growth of Māori tourismAn $8 million boost to New Zealand Māori Tourism will help operators insulate themselves for the future. Spread over the next four years, the investment acknowledges the on-going challenges faced by the industry and the significant contribution Māori make to tourism in Aotearoa. It builds on the $15 million invested ...5 days ago
- First Bushmasters ready to rollDefence Minister Andrew Little has marked the arrival of the first 18 Bushmaster protected mobility vehicles for the New Zealand Army, alongside personnel at Trentham Military Camp today. “The arrival of the Bushmaster fleet represents a significant uplift in capability and protection for defence force personnel, and a milestone in ...5 days ago
- Humanitarian support for the people of SudanAotearoa New Zealand is providing NZ$3.5 million to help meet urgent humanitarian needs in Sudan, Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta announced today. The severe fighting between the Sudan Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces has had devastating impacts for civilians. At least 705 people have been killed and 5,287 injured. ...6 days ago
- Clean-up at Hawkes Bay facility to help region deal with cyclone wasteRepairing a Hawke’s Bay organic composting facility devastated by Cyclone Gabrielle is among the latest waste reduction projects getting Government backing, Associate Environment Minister Rachel Brooking announced today. “Helping communities get back on their feet after the devastating weather that hit the northern parts of the country this year is ...6 days ago
- 8% pay boosts for GP & community nursesAbout 6,100 more GP, community nurses and kaiāwhina will be eligible for pay rises of 8% on average to reduce pay disparities with nurses in hospitals, Minister of Health Dr Ayesha Verrall announced today. The top up comes from a $200 million fund established to remove pay disparities between nurses ...6 days ago
- Govt turns the sod on new Jobs and Skills Hub for Hawke’s BayNew Jobs and Skills Hub to begin construction in Hawke’s Bay The Hub will support the building of $1.1billion worth of homes in the region and support Cyclone Gabrielle rebuild and recovery. Over 2,200 people have been supported into industry specific employment, apprenticeships and training, by these Hubs across NZ ...6 days ago
- Community Housing Aotearoa Conference SpeechTēnā koutou e nga maata waka. Kia koutou te mana whenua tēnā koutou Ngā mate huhua o te waa, haere, haere, haere atu ra. Hoki mai kia tātou te kanohi ora e tau nei, Tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā tātou katoa. Tēnā koutou i runga i te kaupapa o te ...6 days ago
- New mental health tool launched for small business owner-operatorsThe Government has launched a new tool to help small business owner-operators manage and improve their mental wellbeing, Small Business Minister Ginny Andersen announced today. The Brave in Business e-Learning series is another tool the Government has delivered to support small businesses with their mental health and wellbeing. “A pandemic, ...6 days ago
- TAB partnership helps secure future of racing industryMinister for Racing Kieran McAnulty has announced the approval of a 25-year partnership between TAB NZ and UK betting company Entain that delivers at least $900 million in guaranteed funding for the racing industry over the next five years. Entain, a UK based group that operates multiple sports betting providers ...6 days ago
- Government project delivers more reliable and resilient water source to NorthlandThe Government has delivered the first of three significant water security projects in Northland, boosting regional business and climate resilience, with the opening of Matawii reservoir today, Regional Development Minister Kiri Allan announced. A $68 million Government investment supported the construction of the reservoir, along with two other water storage ...7 days ago
- Trade Minister to US to attend Ministerial meetingsTrade and Export Growth Minister Damien O’Connor will travel to Detroit tomorrow to represent New Zealand at the annual APEC Ministers Responsible for Trade meeting from 24 – 29 May. Whilst in Detroit, Damien O’Connor will also host a meeting of Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) Ministers ...7 days ago
- Murihiku Regeneration energy and innovation wānangaI want to start by thanking Ngāi Tahu and the Murihiku Regeneration Collective for hosting us here today. Back at the Science and Innovation Wananga in 2021, I said that a just transition in New Zealand must ensure Iwi are at the table. This is just as true now as ...7 days ago
- New Ambassador to Mongolia announcedForeign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta today announced the appointment of diplomat Dr James Waite as Aotearoa New Zealand’s next Ambassador to Mongolia. He is currently the Deputy Head of Mission at the New Zealand Embassy in Beijing, a role he will continue to hold. “New Zealand and Mongolia share a warm and ...7 days ago
- Government commitment to Māori Education continuesBiggest-ever investment in property with more money for new sites and modernisation Roll-out of learning support coordination in kaupapa Māori and Māori Medium Schooling Boost in funding for iwi and schools to work together on Local Histories content Substantial support for Māori Education has continued in Budget 2023, including ...7 days ago
- More students to benefit from next round of Creatives in SchoolsApplications for the next round of Creatives in Schools will open on Friday 16 June 2023, Minister of Education Jan Tinetti and Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Carmel Sepuloni announced today during a visit at Te Wharekura o Mauao in Tauranga. “The Creatives in Schools programme funds schools and ...7 days ago
- Speech to WasteMINZ conference, HamiltonTena koutou katoa and thank you all for being here and welcoming me to your annual conference. I want to acknowledge being here in Tainui’s rohe, and the mana of Kingi Tuheitia. I hate waste. So much so that when we built our home in Dunedin, I banned the use ...7 days ago
- Extra boost for Southland’s Just TransitionSouthland’s Just Transition is getting a further boost to help future-proof the region and build its economic resilience, Energy and Resources Minister Megan Woods announced today. “This Government is committed to supporting Southland’s just transition and reducing the region’s reliance on the New Zealand Aluminium Smelter at Tiwai Point,” Megan ...7 days ago
- PM concludes successful Pacific visit, confirms intention to visit IndiaPrime Minister Chris Hipkins has concluded a series of successful international meetings with Pacific region leaders in Papua New Guinea. Prime Minister Hipkins secured constructive bilateral discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India, PNG Prime Minister James Marape, Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown and United States Secretary of ...7 days ago
- Agreed statement from NZEI, PPTA and the Minister of EducationOn Friday 19th May, Minister Tinetti facilitated a meeting between NZEI and PPTA with the Ministry of Education to discuss options for finding a way forward in the current stalled collective bargaining. The meeting was constructive, and the parties shared a willingness to work towards a solution. The following was ...1 week ago
- Five community energy projects kick startEighty-nine households will soon benefit from secure, renewable, and more affordable energy as five community-level energy projects are about to get underway, Energy and Resources Minister Megan Woods announced today. Five solar projects – in Whangārei, Tauranga, Palmerston North and Christchurch – are the first to receive funding from the ...1 week ago
- Background to SCORI – is this a sell-out of Pacific’s ‘Sea of Islands’?
By concerned citizens of the Pacific The signing of the memorandum of understanding between the University of the South Pacific’s vice-chancellor and president, Professor Pal Ahluwalia, and the Indian government’s National Centre for Coastal Research, Ministry of Earth Sciences, in March for the setting up of a Sustainable Coastal and ...2 hours ago - No sedition charges against Kanak pro-independence leader, says prosecutorBy Walter Zweifel, RNZ Pacific reporter The president of New Caledonia’s largest pro-independence party Daniel Goa will not be prosecuted for alleged calls for violence and sedition. Last month, a coalition of anti-independence parties had lodged a formal complaint with the Public Prosecutor over a speech given by Goa at ...2 hours ago
- Kramer still working on ‘unfinished’ exposure of PNG corruptionPNG Post-Courier Dismissed Member of Madang Bryan Kramer says the dismissal notice by Papua New Guinea’s Governor-General Sir Bob Dadae does not affect his appeal. “What I can confirm is that on the morning the notice was issued, I had filed my appeal before the National Court,” he said. “My ...2 hours ago
- PNG lawyer Paraka found guilty of misappropriating K162mBy Todagia Kelola in Port Moresby Papua New Guinea lawyer and businessman Paul Paraka has been found guilty of misappropriating K162 million (NZ$75 million) belonging to the state. Criminal track judge Justice Teresa Berrigan, in a comprehensive and detailed judgment in 114 pages, found him guilty on all five charges ...3 hours ago
- Tokelau covid: Two new cases announced as lockdown endsBy Lydia Lewis, RNZ Pacific journalist Tokelau’s largest atoll, Nukunonu, is now out of lockdown after experiencing its first community cases of covid-19. In a statement, the government said Fakaofo Atoll has had two cases at the border and Nukunonu now has six positive community cases — all within the ...3 hours ago
- Mark McGowan quits in his own time, after dominating Western Australian politicsSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Martin Drum, Lecturer Politics and International Relations, University of Notre Dame Australia One of the most dominant premiers in recent Australian political history, Mark McGowan, has resigned as Western Australian premier and the member for Rockingham. Put simply, McGowan has dominated WA ...7 hours ago
- Can high-stakes debt-ceiling brinkmanship in the US lead to unprecedented political unity?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jared Mondschein, Director of Research, US Studies Centre, University of Sydney Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP/AAP Congress appears to be on the cusp of passing legislation that would not only avoid an unprecedented US government default – and economic catastrophe – but ...8 hours ago
- National's housing backdown: Preserving character or ditching a fit for purpose framework?
While some say the move will help preserve culture and heritage, others are concerned about what it could mean for the future of New Zealand's cities. ...8 hours ago - National's housing backdown: Preserving character or ditching a fit for purpose framework?While some say the move will help preserve culture and heritage, others are concerned about what it could mean for the future of New Zealand's cities. ...8 hours ago
- Hipkins accuses National of dog-whistling over bilingual roadsignsThe prime minister says bilingual signs are nothing new to countries around the world, and do not create public safety concerns. ...9 hours ago
- Stuart Nash donor communications review delayedPrime Minister Chris Hipkins says he has deliberately kept out of the investigation into the former minister, but the reviewer has asked for a couple more weeks. ...10 hours ago
- WA Premier Mark McGowan quits in shock announcement, declaring he is ‘exhausted’Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Aaron Bunch/AAP Western Australian Premier Mark McGowan has announced he is quitting as premier and leaving parliament. In a shock announcement, McGowan told a news conference in Perth on Monday he had ...10 hours ago
- Keith Rankin Chart Analysis – Visualising Countries’ Deficits and Debts, Surpluses and Credits, ...Analysis by Keith Rankin. The topic of financial debt is one of the hardest for humans to get their heads around. The normal understanding of a debt is a sacrifice made by one party (the owner of the debt) in favour of another party (the ower) which will be remedied ...10 hours ago
- A warning to NZ Succession fans: Avoid social media
The final ever episode of Succession will be hitting Neon at 7pm tonight, just a few hours after it’s finished airing in the US. Right now, Twitter is a Succession spoiler minefield. My feed is currently made up of news, clips of the Taylor Swift Eras Tour… and Succession spoilers. ...11 hours ago - Watch: PM Chris Hipkins speaks after Cabinet meetingPrime Minister Chris Hipkins is speaking to media after this week's Cabinet meeting. Watch live. ...12 hours ago
- Extra $11m for expansion of fog cannon subsidyThe government’s announced an additional $11 million to extend the fog cannon subsidy scheme, which the police minister said has given shop workers peace of mind during a spate of retail crime. So far there have been 582 installations completed, said Ginny Andersen, with 1,664 applications approved. “The scheme has ...12 hours ago
- Green MP says ‘fake meth’ at WINZ adds to argument for inquiry into agencyReports a Work and Income staffer brought “fake meth” to a “cultural diversity” morning tea add to the argument for an inquiry into the agency, said a Green Party MP. The Spinoff first reported today that a worker at the Hornby branch of Work and Income had taken bags labelled ...12 hours ago
- Melbourne earthquake 2023: are they becoming more common? A seismology expert explainsSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Dee Ninis, Earthquake Geologist, Monash University Report locations from people who felt the Sunbury earthquake on May 28. Geoscience Australia Last night at 11:41pm local time, the greater Melbourne region was shaken by a magnitude 4.0 earthquake – as calculated by the ...13 hours ago
- Ten tips for your first noho maraeThe prospect of your first marae stay can be daunting, but go in armed with Airena Ngarewa’s top tips and you’ll come out feeling like a pro. Noho marae are a fundamental part of many Māori haerenga, whether you are preparing for the stage, learning the reo or simply trying ...13 hours ago
- Is it true the faster you lose weight the quicker it comes back? Here’s what we know about slow an...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nick Fuller, Charles Perkins Centre Research Program Leader, University of Sydney Pexels/Andres Ayrton, CC BY When people decide it’s time to lose weight, they’re usually keen to see quick results. Maybe they have an event coming up or want relief ...13 hours ago
- Milton Moon: the Australian artist who brought a Zen Buddhist, modernist and painterly sensibility t...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Catherine Speck, Emerita Professor, Art History and Curatorship, University of Adelaide Milton Moon in his studio in Tarragindi, Queensland, 1966, photo: John McKay, Milton Moon archive Milton Moon (1926-2019) was not your regular potter. He was deeply imbued with Zen Buddhism ...14 hours ago
- Beer Tax Hits During Cost-of-living Crisis
Joint media release from the Brewers Association of NZ and Brewers Guild of NZ The Government has just announced it will implement the second largest beer tax increase in 30 years. The annually adjusted alcohol excise rate has been confirmed to increase ...14 hours ago - New to streaming: What to watch on Netflix NZ, Neon and more this weekWhat are you going to be watching this week? We round up everything coming to streaming services this week, including Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+, Apple TV+, Neon and TVNZ+. The biggies I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson (season three streaming on Netflix from May 30) When the ...14 hours ago
- Slow down Simeon Brown – bilingual traffic signs aren’t an accident waiting to happenSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Richard Shaw, Professor of Politics, Massey University Getty Images When the National Party’s transport spokesperson, Simeon Brown, questioned the logic of bilingual traffic signs, he seemed to echo his leader Christopher Luxon’s earlier misgivings about the now prevalent use of ...14 hours ago
- Act owns ‘coalition of cuts’ line: ‘The next government will need to make cutbacks’If you’ve been paying even a loose attention to politics over the past few weeks, you’ll almost certainly have come across two competing attack lines. One, the “coalition of chaos”. That’s the line National’s been rolling out to reference a prospective Labour, Green and Te Pāti Māori coalition. Then there’s ...14 hours ago
- Free but unfair election: how Erdogan held onto power in Turkey, and what this means for the country...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Mehmet Ozalp, Associate Professor in Islamic Studies, Director of The Centre for Islamic Studies and Civilisation and Executive Member of Public and Contextual Theology, Charles Sturt University Ali Unal/AP Recep Tayyib Erdogan will remain president of Turkey for another five ...15 hours ago
- More Police Pursuits Will Mean More Deaths And InjuriesAn increase in the number of police pursuits will inevitably mean an increase in the number of serious injuries and deaths, says the car review website dogandlemon.com . Dogandlemon.com editor Clive Matthew-Wilson, who is an outspoken road safety campaigner, ...15 hours ago
- Why are cafes still charging extra for coffees made with non-dairy milk?There are myriad reasons why an increasing number of us are opting for dairy alternatives in our coffee orders – and that comes with a hefty fee. It’s such standard practice that most of us, in our daily caffeine-hungry haze, probably take it for granted. If you’re lactose intolerant, trying ...16 hours ago
- Australian shelters and pounds kill 50,000 mostly healthy cats and kittens in a year. There’s a wa...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jacquie Rand, Emeritus Professor of Companion Animal Health, The University of Queensland Shutterstock Stray cats are a longstanding problem in Australian towns and cities. Common complaints about roaming cats include nuisance (fighting and urinating), disease risks to humans and other ...16 hours ago
- Get ready for Taskmaster NZ season fourBig news for Taskheads dropped over the weekend as TVNZ unveiled the cast for the upcoming fourth season of Taskmaster NZ. Dai Henwood, Karen O’Leary, Melanie Bracewell, Ray O’Leary and Bubbah are the lucky five who will be tackling whatever is thrown at them by Jeremy Wells and Paul Williams. ...16 hours ago
- Newsletter: May 29 2023 – Items of interest and importance todayNew Zealand Politics Daily is a collation of the most prominent issues being discussed in New Zealand. It is edited by Dr Bryce Edwards of The Democracy Project. Today’s content LABOUR PARTY CONGRESS Luke Malpass (Stuff): Labour congress lays bare Chris Hipkins’ and Labour’s election strategy Claire Trevett (Herald): Labour Party Congress: Energy ...16 hours ago
- 114,000 Not-for-profits In Aotearoa Make A Difference To People And Planet!Community Governance Aotearoa is set to launch our first ‘I Love Community Governance’ Nationwide Online Event on Friday 16 June, 2023. This free online event is designed to be interactive, engaging, and connect attendees to the many organisations and ...17 hours ago
- Government Clings To Ambulance At The Bottom Of The Cliff Approach To HealthThe New Zealand Chiropractors’ Association is warning that the Government’s winter preparedness plan is a continuation of its ambulance at the bottom of the cliff approach to healthcare Chiropractor and NZCA spokesperson Dr Jenna Duehr says: ...17 hours ago
- National's backdown on bipartisan housing accord 'a massive flip-flop' – Sepulo...The National Party is denying stepping back from a bipartisan housing policy, which it helped to draft, is a backdown. ...17 hours ago
- Business as Unusual: A new series with the University of Auckland Business SchoolIn an exciting new regular series, we’re going to look deeper at the local research innovations bringing us closer to the big, weird and buzzy future of business. Are widely accessible large language models going to cause a collective atrophy in the broader population’s writing ability, or serve as an ...17 hours ago
- Business as Unusual: A new series with the University of Auckland Business SchoolIn an exciting new regular series, we’re going to look deeper at the local research innovations bringing us closer to the big, weird and buzzy future of business. Are widely accessible large language models going to cause a collective atrophy in the broader population’s writing ability, or serve as an ...17 hours ago
- A hopeless quest to find something half-decent to watch on linear TVWatching whatever was on TV used to be fun. Why is it so bad now? According to the great Aotearoa oracles, Flight of the Conchords, Wednesday night is the night to make love. By their own teachings: Wednesday night is the night that we make love. Cos everything is just ...17 hours ago
- A hopeless quest to find something half-decent to watch on linear TVWatching whatever was on TV used to be fun. Why is it so bad now? According to the great Aotearoa oracles, Flight of the Conchords, Wednesday night is the night to make love. By their own teachings: Wednesday night is the night that we make love. Cos everything is just ...17 hours ago
- National's housing plans need more infrastructure investment – construction expertNational says its new policy would require councils to zone enough new land for 30 years of demand, but an AUT professor says a stronger commitment to improve infrastructure is needed first. ...18 hours ago
- Mike Puru’s new live shopping show is absolutely hecticNZME’s wild live shopping show is the perfect vehicle for New Zealand’s chattiest man, writes Alex Casey. Mike Puru is proudly presenting a royal blue jug emblazoned with lemons and peaches. “Keri Blue: it is pre-loved but I think it is straight out of the box, in all honesty,” he ...19 hours ago
- The Bulletin: Bouquets and brickbats for Wellington mayor Tory WhanauAndrea Vance had an in-depth profile of Wellington mayor Tory Whanau on the paywalled Post (and a write-off on the free-to-read Stuff) that looks at her rise to the top job, and how she’s doing six months in. “She has delivered on a promise to unite council – public spats are largely a ...19 hours ago
- Our cemeteries face a housing crisis too. 4 changes can make burial sustainableSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kate Falconer, Lecturer, T.C. Beirne School of Law, The University of Queensland Australia’s housing crisis is no secret. What many people don’t realise is that there’s another, less visible housing crisis. Australia’s urban cemeteries are running out of space to house the ...20 hours ago
- Over half of eligible aged care residents are yet to receive their COVID booster. And winter is comi...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Hassan Vally, Associate Professor, Epidemiology, Deakin University Shutterstock As Australia heads towards the fourth winter of the pandemic, we have once again started seeing an increase in the level of COVID circulating. With this comes an increased risk of infection ...20 hours ago
- 3 little-known reasons why plastic recycling could actually make things worseSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Pascal Scherrer, Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Business, Law and Art, Southern Cross University Chanchai Phetdikhai, Shutterstock This week in Paris, negotiators from around the world are convening for a United Nations meeting. They will tackle a thorny problem: finding a ...20 hours ago
- DIY degree? Why universities should make online educational materials free for allSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Richard F. Heller, Emeritus Professor, University of Newcastle Sam Lion/Pexels This article is part of our series on big ideas for the Universities Accord. The federal government is calling for ideas to “reshape and reimagine higher education, and set it ...20 hours ago
- Why taxing the world’s biggest companies at 15% won’t fix the gaping hole in global tax rulesSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kerrie Sadiq, Professor of Taxation, QUT Business School, and ARC Future Fellow, Queensland University of Technology Shutterstock Australia’s federal government has a plan to discourage companies from shifting profits to tax havens. The idea is to impose a “global minimum ...20 hours ago
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I can’t believe we have to petition parliament in order to plead for common sense and compassion from those who represent us all.
we have to petition peter fucking dunne to show some compassion and human decency.
While all of our political parties have neither got the guts nor the fucking testicular fortitude to simply just introduce legislation to make marijuana legal. How shameful. How incredibly shameful.
We’d rather spend money on prisons and on drugs that diminish the quality of life of our loved ones for not other reason then some trumped up ‘facts about the evil weed’ dating back to the 20’s of the last century, and won’t nobody think of ze children.
Fuck we are a pathetic specimen.
Dunne will never allow Helen permission to use cannabis for pain relief from her cancer, because Dunne, Key, the national party & their supporters want to see & make Helen suffer in pain right till her last breath.
Really? Really?
What a totally fucked up view you have there.
It’s sad, isn’t it.
Personally I believe all drug use should be decriminalised but at the very least medical cannabis oil should be in use right now and I’m pretty sure I’m not the only centre-right voter that thinks like that
Neil you have the wrong slant. Helen is one of the people, one who identifies herself as an ordinary citizen doing good moral work. The politicians don’t care about ordinary citizens wants and needs. They have to slide the proposal for action before a voteometer which registers with a yes or no whether the action will be useful in gaining voting advantage in their target group. They know that the soporific mass of NZs can’t stir their brains enough to nut out the advantage of this medication, from personal, from effective, from scientific, from medical considerations.
So no need to be precipitate in making a decision. She isn’t the relation of anybody important to the Gnats. So no need to hurry.or worry. There is no vindictive emotion here, just no emotion at all.
Well summed up. Thanks greywarshark.
+1
This issue shows up the fact that our elected ‘representatives’ are not working in our best interests as sharply as any.
Even though recent polls consistently support cannabis law reform by clear margins, politicians have their own electoral ‘brand’ to think of. Suffering of human beings in pain, dying, or in jail, not so much.
” Dunne, Key, the national party & their supporters want to see & make Helen suffer in pain right till her last breath.”
You really are one sick puppy. There is a bed waiting for you in the psych ward.
If any of the highly paid public representatives read this thread, get to work.
NZ First, Labour Party NZ, The Greens go to work, and get that women the medication that works for her.
Just for once all of you sanctimonious pricks in Parliament work for the people that fucking pay your wages.
Signed.
Ditto
They haven’t figured out how they can totally control it and thus make huge profits from it. What they have is potentially massive competition and little to no profit.
F*#k the law, someone provide this woman with the medicine she needs !!
its not like this country isnt up to it eyeballs in ganja allready
some of the highest rates of cannabis use IN THE WORLD with 1 in 3 ( !!!!) admitting regular use (more than 100 times a year )
We puff more than the Jamaicans….
that might be true,
but it would also be true that Helen Kelly, her grower, and her supplier would all be breaking the law.
And i can see some Law and Order fuckwit get a hard on just by the thought of getting to arrest that Union Chick and her suppliers just for the fucking sake of it.
IF our opposition parties had some guts and fortitude they would make this case with the help of Helen Kelly a case for medicinal marijuana and a case for decriminalization of the use of marijuana.
But sadly, it seems that they are all to afraid to do what is right, so busy appealing to the boozer crowd and the prescription drug crowd.
Last but least, if we have private for profit prisons we need to fill those beds, cause profit. So no nothing is gonna happen in Aotearoa the country where everyone has lost courage and human decency.
“but it would also be true that Helen Kelly, her grower, and her supplier would all be breaking the law.”
i would be willing to take that risk if i was in position to do so TBH
Id feel morally obliged to provide relief for someone who is suffering, BS laws are supposed to be broken/resisted IMO , but im a “direct action” kinda guy and i appreciate not every one is
and to be fair , anybody growing or suppling or even consuming is breaking the law already
You might be willing the risk, but would Helen Kelly be willing to risk you running the risk.
But then i understand that she already has help in that regards, but would rather do it legitimately so as to prevent people from coming into trouble with the law.
When my time comes (cancer is predicted to reach 1 in 2 in the next 50 years)
I know I won’t bother to petition Mr Dunne , I’ll be growing and making my own RSO.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zD2U4eDBu8A
What would you rather, die or break a stupid outdated law ?
Helen Kelly has stated she wants to live, doesn’t want to die (Checkpoint with John Campbell) and is already breaking a stupid outdated law to help herself.
It’s our government that needs to change to accommodate the needs of people with terminal illness, patients shouldn’t be left unsupported and left to their own devices.
I don’t think it will be easy to sway Dunne but signing a petition is also an act of solidarity. He also can’t be left unchallenged. That would be wrong.
Dunn needs to grow a brain and get rid of the copious paperwork. The woman is dying.
Give her the pain meds now, she wants!!!
It sounds like the terminally ill cancer sufferers on benefits who have to keep applying. Yes still dying. Yes more paperwork for doctors and everyone else. Yes more stress for victim…
(In) Efficiency government style.
“When my time comes ”
why wait ? , i started medicating 25 years ago 🙂
I have singed the petition BUT I have little faith that such a public plea will sway Dunne. He has a very singular way of looking at things and which issues to get behind – I honestly believe that he feels little compassion for those who are suffering unless they fit his definition of the “deserving” who he can help and get some political leverage out of at the same time.
During PPO’s anti Dunne campaign in 2014 we heard back from constituents who had been really let down by him, when they went to him, as their local MP for advocacy,not just let down, but insulted as well. (I’m not going to go into individual examples out of respect for those that spoke to us in what they probably assumed would be confidence).
In the meantime keep your head up high Helen. Your strength and tenacity continues to be an inspiration. I really hope you get through to the end of the hoops despite the clumsy and unnecessary obstacles in your way.
Kia Kaha.
It is about time that we had the law changes needed for medical cannabis and legalisation, the boom for tourism would make our heads spin and allow us to clean up our waterways and provide Green jobs. Time for the Nats to be sacked!
How can we petition a man such as Mr. 0.22% ?
This guy does not have a mandate to be in Parliament.
It comes about because of the National Party desire to stay in power by any means.
How is this democratic ?
Please don’t give Dunne any more sense of importance.
He is useless dildo dunne
I don’t know if someone has already said this but I think that picture image of Helen Kelly is really terrific. Thanks Foxy for your great art contribution to the post.
“I don’t know why the Minister and the Ministry are bothering with this opposition.”
There are a number of interesting theories around about that. Peter Dunne is well known to cannabis law reformers for his regular anti-pot outbursts. Here’s last weeks: Here’s how deluded you become when you live by the weed. Crazy, crazy people indeed!!! This in response to the Cannabis Party calling for an investigation of dodgy use of taxpayer money. When many on twitter pointed out that whatever the merits of he Cannabis Party’s claims, Dunne’s response amounts to nothing more than a good ol’ reefer madness ad hom, he predictably had no rational reply other than a ‘can’t be bothered figure it out yourself’ line.
The maker of ‘Druglawed’, a film I believe every New Zealander should watch, (9.8 rating on imdb), has promised to answer this very question regarding Dunne in the currently under production sequel.
In ‘On Drugs’ David Lenson argues that the cannabis high itself is antithetical to the consumerist/capitalist culture. The high concentrates our attention on the present moment, the present focus of our attention – thoughts of a future task, goal, or desire cease. Also, it reverses the fundamental nature of a transaction. Instead of advertising and marketing creating a state of mind in the consumer, (the desire to buy), to be converted into a desired commodity to be owned, the consumer converts a commodity into a desired state of mind and the commodity itself is burned to ash. In these ways cannabis is subversive to the dominant culture. Speculative theorizing of course, but interesting.
The consumer converts a commodity into a desired state of mind of their own choosing.
I think it is time that New Zealand had a sensible discussion around cannabis. It is a natural occurring plant (in some parts of the world), where other drugs are man made and we have no idea what is put into them.
I don’t understand why something that has minimal effects is illegal, where the legal alternative has all sorts of side effects.
Not withstanding the above, sometimes to change a silly law like this, is to have the law in forced. If a large enough group of users were to stage a protest in parliament grounds, by smoking up, there is no way the police could arrest everybody, or the courts could process them all. Some times civil disobedience is a good thin