Search Results
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Comment:Open mike 17/08/2022
Date published: 1:33 pm, August 17th, 2022Yep, NAct bark is worse that its bite; voters decide how soon that changes.
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Comment:Daily review 15/08/2022
Date published: 1:36 am, August 17th, 2022A succinct illustration of the problem. Do 'Lords' at the head of the table really believe they need all that food? What selfish gluttons - serfs have to eat too.
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Comment:What to do with Gaurav Sharma
Date published: 7:19 pm, August 16th, 2022"Hated by all sides", and courted by all political parties – the centre will hold a little longer, but not forever, imho.
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Comment:What to do with Gaurav Sharma
Date published: 6:18 pm, August 16th, 2022Glad to see your colours firmly nailed to the mast. Good that you care - as should we all, imho. A "centrist", you say
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Comment:What to do with Gaurav Sharma
Date published: 5:49 pm, August 16th, 2022It's called bringing perspective. From my left perspective/bias, sunshine lifts the lid - don't know about mileage
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Comment:What to do with Gaurav Sharma
Date published: 4:42 pm, August 16th, 2022Thanks Belladonna, just observing that you're (much) more exercised here about the fallout from the Sharma drama than you were about the Uffindell affair. Sorry if that's unwelcome, but I believe it to be fair - how about you?
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Comment:What to do with Gaurav Sharma
Date published: 4:03 pm, August 16th, 2022It will be interesting to see which it turns out to be. Could turn out to be your "exceedingly bad look", or your "Still not highly desirable... Still not good from a PR perspective..." look, or some other 'look'. When this type of 'bruised ego bomb' goes...
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Comment:Open mike 16/08/2022
Date published: 3:37 pm, August 16th, 2022...for the closed minded... Snort - there are (at least) two sides to every 'story'. Some choose to lurch loudly away from consensus expert opinion for their own reasons, but that's not for me. Evaluating potential unintended consequences of COVID-19 ...
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Comment:Open mike 16/08/2022
Date published: 1:00 pm, August 16th, 2022He wants utu. No shortage of NZ pollies wanting utu, but be careful what you wish for Ross response created seed of destruction for Bridges [25 May 2020] He [Jones] says it’s too early to say how new National Party leader Todd Muller will perform...
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Comment:Open mike 16/08/2022
Date published: 11:46 am, August 16th, 2022As soon as the lynching has been organised and the Caucus meets Sharma will "be gone by lunchtime" as somebody once said. Might "somebody" be a former Gnat leader - perhaps one Don Brash? He's all heart. https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/don-brash-gone-at-...
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Comment:Daily review 15/08/2022
Date published: 10:48 pm, August 15th, 2022All futures are assured, but some futures are more assured than others Equality for some: the challenge of poverty in Aotearoa New Zealand - 2018 ........................................'Woke Towers'........................................
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Comment:Open mike 14/08/2022
Date published: 10:03 pm, August 15th, 2022They love this shit. The more punitive, the better. QFT. Here's Slane from 2013 - the 'beating' heart of NAct.
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Comment:Open mike 13/08/2022
Date published: 6:05 pm, August 13th, 2022Labour (Polytechs, DHBs, 3 Waters, RNZ/TVNZ) and NAct (MBIE, Super City, Schools) may be mergaholics, but we are a small country - best to 'think bigger'? NZ has too many Govt agencies - Key
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Comment:The Three Strikes abomination is no more
Date published: 3:56 pm, August 13th, 2022Not sure why you think that. Maybe it's just words, but reckon Labour's heart is in the 'right' place. The location of NAct's 'heart', otoh, has always seemed a bit dodgy, but that's probably just me. Steering Kiwis away from crime [from the link at 3:41 ...
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Comment:The Three Strikes abomination is no more
Date published: 3:41 pm, August 13th, 2022Labour is following neither strategy. Surprising opinion coming from you. The 'red meat' brigade (NAct) clearly have a regressive track record, the Greens are clearly progressive, and Labour is endeavouring to chart a politically pragmatic middle path. ...
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Comment:The Three Strikes abomination is no more
Date published: 3:23 pm, August 13th, 2022So is any NZ political party (apart from the Greens) advocating for the commonsense progressive strategies that you and I strongly support? Any idea what sort of track record the fifth National government (2008 - 2017) had re tackling the root causes of ...
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Comment:The Three Strikes abomination is no more
Date published: 2:57 pm, August 13th, 2022You can argue as much as you please, and I'll support you, for effective intervention at the beginning of the criminal trajectory. Especially for interventions pre-crime – for those kids/young people who everyone can see are hugely at risk. Excellent, ...
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Comment:Open mike 13/08/2022
Date published: 2:37 pm, August 13th, 2022https://theculturetrip.com/pacific/new-zealand/articles/12-moments-that-shaped-new-zealands-history/ The pandemic be up there, but minority 'anti-mandate' protests weren't unique to NZ (497 Deaths/1M pop) - USA (3200), UK (2711), Canada (1123) etc. had ...
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Comment:The Three Strikes abomination is no more
Date published: 1:46 pm, August 13th, 2022‘Blood bath from hell’: Inmates at private prison tell of suicides, allege negligence amid Covid outbreak [9 March 2022] Best to build more (SERCO-run) Corrections facilities then, or will crates do? Three strikes is populist policy (throwing the voters a...
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Comment:Bastards Versus Assholes
Date published: 8:17 pm, August 12th, 2022And I wrote "sitting MP" My comment @2.1.1.1.3 was a reply to your comment @2.1.1.1 (2:17 pm) - not a "sitting MP" in sight. But if you want to play, how about: Kiritapu Allan, Camilla Belich, Rachel Boyack, Rachel Brooking, Liz Craig, Paul Eagle, Barbara...
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Comment:Bastards Versus Assholes
Date published: 3:27 pm, August 12th, 2022There hasn't been any real difference between these parties [ACT (founded in 1993), Labour and National] since the eighties. Amazing - simply breathtaking. They're all arseholes. Bastards, every last single one of them. Reads like a 'river of filth' ...
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Comment:Uffindel's new allegation
Date published: 7:16 pm, August 11th, 2022I long ago gave up supporting the national party Lucky you LB - sadly I've never been in a position to do that. Can still bring myself to 'Electorate vote' for the local Labour candidate, but my Party vote tilted further left at the first opportunity (in ...
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Comment:Uffindel's new allegation
Date published: 6:19 pm, August 11th, 2022LB, can't blame you for having a go at bullies, loose cannons and dense blowhards - almost unbelievable that the Gnats are this awful (still), and yet here we are, full circle, or fool Uffindell if you like. What a piss-poor, albeit wealthy and entitled, ...
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Comment:Uffindel's new allegation
Date published: 5:33 pm, August 11th, 2022Interesting report, well worth a read. Here's one take. Separatist or radically inclusive? What NZ’s He Puapua report really says about the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples [7 July 2021] As I try to show in my book ‘We Are All Here to Stay’:...
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Comment:Daily review 09/08/2022
Date published: 2:09 am, August 11th, 2022But Luxon has shown that he's in charge of the situation now. And good on him. Better late than never? Seems a bit 'ambulance at the bottom of the cliff', and National's fleet of ambulances is stretched pretty thin as it is.
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Comment:Open mike 10/08/2022
Date published: 8:24 pm, August 10th, 2022Dead man elected mayor of US town [16 April 2010] When asked how she felt about losing to a dead man, Brock said "I'll live". Who is our dead man walking?
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Comment:Open mike 10/08/2022
Date published: 8:07 pm, August 10th, 2022I think we used to call it 'buying votes'. The tax cut is an unsubtle vote-buying strategy - consistent Nats "Our vision is to close the gap with Australia by 2025." [PDF] Hon John Key, Prime Minister [November 2009] Asset sales bring in less than cost of...
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Comment:Open mike 10/08/2022
Date published: 6:55 pm, August 10th, 2022Nat MPs and their backers/mates - can't trust 'em. Dirty to their DNA, imho. Dirty Politics: How attack politics is poisoning New Zealand’s political environment On 7 July 2020, Boag admitted leaking sensitive medical information about COVID-19 patients ...
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Comment:Uffindel's new allegation
Date published: 5:51 pm, August 10th, 2022The spectre of George Orwell's '1984', surely, not 'George Orwell' himself. Eric Arthur Blair (aka George Orwell) - from "Tory-anarchist" to "left-wing (though hardly orthodox) Labour-supporting democratic socialist", maybe - never a politician, let alone ...
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Comment:Open mike 10/08/2022
Date published: 5:31 pm, August 10th, 2022Happy to give beneficiaries the benefit of the doubt - what might the bene bashing Nats give 'em?
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Comment:Uffindel's new allegation
Date published: 3:52 pm, August 10th, 2022Yep, many of the Nat's continuing self-inflicted 'troubles' could be seen as Key legacies.
- NZDF, the OIA, and “national security”
Last month, peace activist Valerie Morse used FYI, the public OIA request system, to ask NZDF for information about the US "RIMPAC" exercise, including the rank of personnel seconded to a US ship for a command exercise. NZDF withheld the information under s6(a) of the Act "in order to avoid ...1 hour ago - Gordon Campbell on why big spenders are not our tourism salvation
Covid and climate change have been changing the face of tourism. That’s why it seemed oddly premature last week for Tourism Minister Stuart to announce that New Zealand isn’t interested in mass tourism any more, or in attracting the sort of budget visitors who “travel around our country on $10 ...6 hours ago - Jane Kelsey, a lifetime of leadership
Here’s a fantastic interview by Moana Maniapoto talking with law professor and courageous public intellectual Jane Kelsey, on her retirement from university life. The whole 17 minutes is really worth watching. It’s good to place Prof Kelsey in context with this brief, accessible retrospective look. She has always struck me ...8 hours ago - The deadly connections between climate change and migration
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Sarah Kennedy Thousands of people have died attempting to enter the U.S. from Mexico. And the crossing is growing even more dangerous as the climate changes. U.S. border security policy in the Southwest is designed to deter unauthorized migration at heavily guarded ...9 hours ago - Addressing the One-Note Whingers: Weighing in on Warrior Galadriel
So we have ourselves yet another promotional clip for The Rings of Power, this time one focusing on the show’s characterisation of Galadriel: Her task has only just begun. Meet Galadriel in #TheRingsOfPower. pic.twitter.com/Ebj9TLph6N— Prime Video (@PrimeVideo) August 16, 2022 The usual suspects have been denigrating this ...20 hours ago - Watch the Stuff Circuit doco ‘Fire and Fury’ on the ghastly, cynical disinformation campaign, ai...What kind of political activists incite fear and alarm, set a goal to make their country “ungovernable”, milk their followers for funds, then encourage them stand for local government posts – but tell them to conceal their affiliations for the sake of attracting votes from the ignorant? The sleazy, in ...20 hours ago
- “Economic stability”Stuff reports that workers have had the biggest pay rise in more than 20 years. This should be great news - ordinary people are better off! But naturally, the Reserve Bank is there to ruin the party, hiking interest rates to throw people out of work. And they're pretty explicit ...1 day ago
- Climate Change: Are the courts worth anything?Activist Mike Smith has been in court for the last few days, as part of a case seeking to hold Fonterra, New Zealand Steel, and other large emitters accountable for the pollution they produce. Along the way, the case has raised serious questions about whether the courts are worth anything ...1 day ago
- Silence of the iambs: Never Mind Teleporno, We’re Missing a “The”!We have ourselves a new thirty-second Rings of Power clip, which is getting some pushback for allegedly hinting at a romance between Galadriel and the invented character of Halbrand: New promo pic.twitter.com/Lgns310jt5— The Mellon Heads – LOTR Podcast (@mellon_heads) August 15, 2022 Oh, the handwringing. Poor Teleporno finding himself ...2 days ago
- “Are you entertained yet?”: Challenges to democracy in a hyper-information age…
There’s been quite the reaction to the Stuff Circuit documentary covering what took place outside Parliament. Among other things, that has prompted further conversations about not only its direct relationship to the shape of the consumption of modern media, but the media machine itself… and of course the social ...2 days ago - IPCC Explainer: The Science of Climate Change – MitigationIf a picture is worth a thousand words, a 750,000 word IPCC report is logically worth 750 pictures. John Lang, Net Zero Tracker lead with the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit and science communicator, is trying out a new way of seeing climate change, one picture at a time. The length of ...2 days ago
- Time to freeze rentsFor the past few years Renters United has been calling for rent controls to stop gouging landlords. Now, that call has been taken up by the Human Rights Commission: The Human Rights Commission/Te Kāhui Tika Tangata is calling for an immediate rent freeze and an increase to the accommodation ...2 days ago
- Stop bullying me
Papakura lawyer Harry Hindenberg knows all about being bullied. ...2 days ago - Facebook is a scourge. Convince me otherwise.Totally worth watching: Robbie Nicol (of White Man Behind A Desk) explains …”After the protests [at Parliament Buildings, Wellington] in February, I tried to write a monologue about Facebook and radicalisation — and it ended up being 17 minutes long lol.” Surely Facebook’s twisted, evil, money-at-all-costs approach – radicalising users ...2 days ago
- Gordon Campbell on the case for nationalising our urban bus servicesWhen it comes to funding and managing public transport, should local government or central government bear most of the responsibility for delivering a quality service? Ratepayers or taxpayers? Those basic questions re-surfaced yesterday, after the government announced its intention to scrap the Public Transport Operating Model (PTOM) imposed by the ...2 days ago
- Geoffrey Miller: Aukus door held ajar for New Zealand
2 days ago - Geothermal heating and cooling: Renewable energy’s hidden gemThis is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Philip Warburg Often described as a giant tower of Jenga blocks, Boston University’s Center for Computing and Data Sciences shows no outward signs of leading the race to sustainable energy design. No rooftop wind turbines grace its heights; no solar panels are ...3 days ago
- Rushdie, J.K Rowling and Death Threats
by Gearóid Ó Loingsigh 13 August 2022 On Friday 12th, an assailant attacked Salman Rushdie on stage in New York, stabbing him some 15 times. The author was whisked away by helicopter to a hospital and at the time of writing the prognosis is that he will survive though with ...3 days ago - Kelvyn Alp – Arsehole of the Week
Even if you only have a cursory interest in politics, it’s likely you’ve heard of an outfit called Counterspin, which is a streaming media outlet that propagates fake news and encourages severe acts of violence. Based along similar lines as Infowars, Counterspin is run by a trumped-up little fascist named ...3 days ago - Too Many Angels And Devils.
3 days ago - Re-nationalising public transportBack in 2013, the then-National government imposed the public transport operating model, requiring local authorities to contract out their bus services to the lowest bidder. Now, its being reversed: The system that bus drivers and their union say has created the “race to the bottom” is on the out, ...3 days ago
- Absurd and offensiveRNZ had a piece this morning about Waka Kotahi's plans for smart speed cameras allowing things like point-to-point average speed tickets and so on. There are obvious privacy issues here, which waka Kotahi seems to have completely ignored, having signed a contract before they were even investigated, let alone addressed. ...3 days ago
- Gordon Campbell on the Sharma chameleonGather round the camp-fire, folks. Let me tell you about the Ice Age era of the fourth Labour government, when mean, sabre-toothed tigers like Richard Prebble ranged at large within the Labour caucus. A being so mean and fierce that – legend has it – he once made Michael Cullen ...3 days ago
- New Zealand, we have a problemDear Aotearoa, we have a major problem that is inhibiting our success, namely racism. Destroying old and young alike, racism in New Zealand is the silent assassin, a killer that permeates through every facet of our society.On Thursday, the NZ Herald reported:Cricket: Black Caps great Ross Taylor's racism claim outlined ...3 days ago
- 2022 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #32Listing of articles linked to on the Skeptical Science Facebook Page during the past week: Sun, August 7, 2022 through Sat, August 13, 2022. The following articles sparked above average interest during the week (bolded articles are from SkS authors): Electrifying transportation reduces emissions AND saves massive amounts of energy, ...4 days ago
- tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3612441315352179822.post-632081873111245712CLIMATE CHANGE UPDATE IN IMAGES 2022I am just wondering how hot is too hot before we commit to real global action to reduce our emissions and save our climate and natural environment. The images below are what has occurred in the northern hemisphere summer and it is likely we will ...5 days ago
- Let’s read some Rushdie today
Salman Rushdie has been stabbed while on stage in New York where he was about to give a talk. He is now undergoing surgery. The British novelist has lived under death threats since the Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Khomeini issued a fatwa against him in 1989 and put a $3 ...5 days ago - How Should We Run the Public Health System?
Two-and-a-half years on, the Government’s merged mega-polytechnic, the New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology – Te Pūkenga, is facing a deficit which is double the planned one. Will Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora (HNZ) be facing similar troubles in December 2024?Why did the Government centralise the 20 ...6 days ago - Asleep at the wheelA couple of months ago, in response to a Newsroom piece about what endemic covid means for Aotearoa, I asked Treasury and the Ministry of Health what advice they'd produced on the impacts of "long covid" on the economy and health system. Treasury responded quickly, admitting that they hadn't been ...6 days ago
- Parting Shots.6 days ago
- The Flashman Factor.The Empire Within Which Bullying Never Ceased: The bitter truth about Great Britain’s “public” schools (and their many imitators in the Empire’s far-flung dominions) is that they were consciously designed to produce a very particular kind of imperial administrator. These men needed to be courageous, but not compassionate; clever, but ...6 days ago
- Hello world!
Welcome to WordPress. This is your first post. Edit or delete it, then start writing! ...7 days ago - Skeptical Science New Research for Week #32 2022A most amazingly air-tight conspiracy Not research, but research-related. Skeptical Science reader John G. writes to point out an omission in our collection of rebuttals: "You are failing to rebut a prevailing narrative which blames a Globalist Elite for promoting CC as part of The Great Reset." Thank you John, ...7 days ago
- Climate Change: Treasury’s sabotage(Cartoon by Jon Kudelka) There's a (paywalled) story on BusinessDesk about today's budget document drop - and in particular the climate change documents - about how Treasury resisted Ministerial demands for more spending on climate change, forcing cuts to a level deemed insufficient to meet the requirements of the ...7 days ago
- National’s Bad News
The travails of National MP Sam Uffindell are bad news for the National party in more ways than one. The obvious question is as to how an applicant with such a disreputable history could have secured the nomination as the National candidate in the Tauranga by-election. National’s vetting procedures seem ...1 week ago - Media Link: “A View from Afar” on China, Taiwan and future implications.
The “A View from Afar” podcast with Selwyn Manning and I resumed after a months hiatus. We discussed the PRC-Taiwan tensions in the wake of Nancy Pelosi’s visit and what pathways, good and bad, may emerge from the escalation of hostilities between the mainland and island. You can find it ...1 week ago - Eugenie Sage’s mining ban billA ballot for one member's bill was held today, and the following bill was drawn: Crown Minerals (Prohibition of Mining) Amendment Bill (Eugenie Sage) The bill is pitched as protecting conservation land, and it does immediately do that. But it also goes further, doing exactly what it ...1 week ago
- Gordon Campbell on how National’s ”new” welfare plan resurrects a past failureSam Uffindell’s defenders keep reminding us that he was only 16 at the time of the King’s College incident, and haven’t we all done things in our teens that, as adults, we look back on with shame and embarrassment? True. Let’s be honest. Haven’t we all at one time or ...1 week ago
- You can’t understand Ukraine without acknowledging its deep divisions
Our media insists on telling us that Ukraine is a unified country suffering aggression from its neighbour the Russian Federation. But it is hardly unified. A violent civil war has raged there since the overthrow of the democratically elected government in February 2014. This civil war arose from deep ...1 week ago - Bryce Edwards: Is Tauranga headed towards yet another by-election?If National causes yet another by-election to be held in Tauranga, not only will it cost the taxpayers another unnecessary $1m for the taxpayers after Simon Bridges called it quits earlier in the year, but National will also pay a big price in terms of its reputation and integrity. A ...1 week ago
- The Way We Used To Want It – And, Maybe, Still Do.Representing Pakeha Racism: The important thing to remember about Rob Muldoon, and the racist policies with which his name is associated, is that he drew his power from the hundreds-of-thousands of anxious, angry, and yes – racist – Pakeha who voted for him, and that his most effective campaign slogan was: “New Zealand the ...1 week ago
- Experts: Senate-passed bill will yield myriad climate benefitsThis is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections The U.S. Senate passed the Inflation Reduction Act by a single vote on Sunday, August 7. The bill, headed to the House of Representatives within days, includes by far the largest and most consequential measures to reduce domestic climate pollution in the nation’s ...1 week ago
- Bullying's long shadow is cast across Sam Uffindell and the National Party
I remember feeling anxious before making the phone call, although not at anxious I might have expected. But what sticks most in my mind is how the phone call ended. It was the late 1990s. I was deputy editor of the NZ Listener and I had to ring a guy ...1 week ago - Another starving watchdogWorkSafe is supposed to make sure that every Kiwi is safe at work. Except they can't any more, because they're not funded to do the job properly: A lack of funding is forcing WorkSafe to reduce its focus on adventure activities, and it is unable to hold some companies ...1 week ago
- Bryce Edwards: The Uffindell scandal raises big questions about integrity in NationalNational is dripping “blue blood” again. The revelations over Sam Uffindell’s violent assault indicate that the National Party under Christopher Luxon hasn’t quite shed the toxicity and internal damage of the last few years. The crises besetting the party have recently been well documented in journalist Andrea Vance’s new book ...1 week ago
- Gordon Campbell on Sam Uffindell’s sorry excuse for an apologyMost of us believe in redemption and atonement… But the timing, the nature and the semantics of Sam Uffindell‘s apology for his role in a gang that beat a younger kid (reportedly) with wooden bed legs, has left much to be desired. The victim seems pretty clear about the motivation ...1 week ago
- Jacqui Van Der Kaay: Personal integrity in politicsYesterday the news broke that newly elected National MP Sam Uffindell was asked to leave private Auckland school King’s College at the end of his fifth form year after being part of a group that viciously beat a younger student one night. There are many elements to this latest political ...1 week ago
- Sam Uffindell must resignYou’ve got to wonder why the National Party knowingly hid information from the public about their newest MP, Sam Uffindell. Surely they must’ve realised that their secret would eventually leak into the public domain. New Zealand is far too small for cover-ups of this kind to be effective.Despite his violent ...1 week ago
- Electrifying transportation reduces emissions AND saves massive amounts of energyThis is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Karin Kirk With high energy prices and increasing urgency to reduce fossil fuel burning, it makes sense to get the most out of every gallon of gasoline or kilowatt-hour of electricity. A previous post showed that charging an EV costs around $1.41 per gallon ...1 week ago
- Bryce Edwards: Luxon’s “New National”Back in the 1990s, Tony Blair rebranded The British Labour Party as “New Labour”, to try and draw a line under past failures. It’s as if Christopher Luxon is attempting to follow suit, and launch “New National” at the moment – a party that’s fresh-looking, has made some big breaks ...1 week ago
- Party of bulliesBack in June Sam Uffindell was elected to parliament in the Tauranga by-election. Turns out he's a bully who beat a kid with a bed-leg at school: The National Party’s newest MP, Sam Uffindell, was asked to leave his exclusive boarding school after viciously beating a younger student late ...1 week ago
- Submit!The Justice Committee has called for submissions on the Electoral Amendment Bill. Submissions are due by Wednesday, 31 August 2022, and can be made at the link above. The bill improves disclosure of party finances, lowering the declaration threshold to $5,000 and requiring parties to disclose their annual financial statements. ...1 week ago
- Government-sponsored debt-slaveryStuff this morning has an appalling story about the exploitation of RSE workers in Blenheim, with workers being overcharged for substandard accommodation, denied sick-leave, and held in what is effectively debt-slavery: Migrant horticulture workers are being housed six men to a room, charged $150 a week to sleep in ...1 week ago
- Work, Work, Work!1 week ago
- Gordon Campbell on National’s plan to privatise welfare deliveryOn the rare occasions when it ever gets asked, the public keeps rejecting tax cuts as such, as a policy priority. It keeps saying it wants tax levels to either stay the same or be increased, so that public services can be maintained, or even (perish the thought) improved. In ...1 week ago
- 2022 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #31Listing of articles linked to on the Skeptical Science Facebook Page during the past week: Sun, July 31, 2022 through Sat, August 6, 2022. The following articles sparked above average interest during the week (bolded articles are from SkS authors): ‘Reality is scary’: climate culture war heats up for UK ...2 weeks ago
- Dunedin Winter Gloom: August 2022
Europe has been baking in a heatwave, of course. Not so much this part of the world, which benefits by still being in Winter (though let’s just say I am not looking forward to January 2023). Not that it’s been a particularly cold Winter – we haven’t had one ...2 weeks ago - Once again, those Russian neo-Nazis – the Wagner groupThe Wagner Group is a private military company – effectively mercenaries. It has been used for the military activity of the Russian Federation in various parts of the world. Currently, it is operating in Ukraine and apparently has a reputation as a very brave and effective force in the ...2 weeks ago
- Considering Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan.I have said this in other forums, but here is the deal: PRC military exercises after Pelosi’s visit are akin to male gorillas who run around thrashing branches and beating their chests when annoyed, disturbed or seeking to show dominance. They are certainly dangerous and not to be ignored, but ...2 weeks ago
- A Cranky Uncle Cartoon a day, keeps misinformation at bay!From July 7 to 26 we tried something new on our Facebook page by sharing one Cranky Uncle cartoon each day for 20 days in a row. There were two reasons for doing this: firstly, we wanted to ensure that at least one post would get published each day while I was ...2 weeks ago
- Fighting Past Inflation Battles
Too many commentators on current price pressures have not understood that this time it is very different from the 1970s. Their prescriptions may accelerate inflation.The New Zealand economy is experiencing an external price shock arising from the Covid pandemic and the Ukrainian invasion compounded by related supply chain difficulties. It ...2 weeks ago - Gordon Campbell on National’s incredible disappearing tax policyDuring the years of the Key government one hardy perennial of political journalism was that whenever the Labour Opposition would suggest a policy alternative to the status quo, the hard bitten response from the Gallery realists would be “But how’re you gonna pay for it?” National in Opposition has been ...2 weeks ago
- In A Wizard's Garden.In The Wizard’s Garden: George Dunlop Leslie, 1904IT ALL SEEMS so long ago now, and, to be fair, in human terms, 48 years is a long time. New Zealand was a different country in 1974. Someone unafraid of courting controversy might say it had achieved “Peak Pakeha”. Although the Labour Government of ...2 weeks ago
- Seating ArrangementsProximate Cause: Tellingly, it was Helen Clark who was seated close by when, earlier this week, Jacinda Ardern delivered a speech carefully crafted to keep New Zealand’s dairy exports heading China’s way. Photo by PolitikPURISTS WOULD ARGUE that New Zealand’s foreign policy should not be determined by who its Prime Minister ...2 weeks ago
- Iambic Galadriel, Trochaic Gigwit, and Metrical DialogueWe have a new clip out of The Rings of Power. It sees Galadriel and the affectionately nicknamed Gigwit* venturing into dark places in search of evil. At fifty-odd seconds, it also constitutes the longest single piece of show dialogue we have seen thus far. *An acronym. “Galadriel Is ...2 weeks ago
- Crossing the Line: What Lies Behind the Surge To Te Pāti Māori?2 weeks ago
- Skeptical Science New Research for Week #31 2022"CAGW." A thing? With its provocative title and remarks grounded in respected published research, the perspective Climate Endgame: Exploring catastrophic climate change scenarios just published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences has caused a few ripples reaching into popular media. "Endgame" and "catastrophic" lean hard in the direction of "pay ...2 weeks ago
- Nothing to hide, nothing to fear?In the past there's been a few interesting data points about the New Zealand Intelligence Community's desire to covertly manipulate public opinion through media and academic mouthpieces. In 2015 the Council for Civil Liberties revealed the existence of an NZIC "Strategic Communications Group" tasked with persuading the public that spying ...2 weeks ago
- Windfall tax now!Inflation is through the roof, and "coincidentally" so is oil company profiteering. UN Secretary-General António Guterres calls it what it is: grotesque: The UN secretary general, António Guterres, has described the record profits of oil and gas companies as immoral and urged governments to introduce a windfall tax, using ...2 weeks ago
- Undoing Muldoon’s crimeA little over 40 years ago, Falema'i Lesa won her appeal before the Privy Council, which ruled that she - and every other Samoan born under New Zealand colonial rule - was a New Zealand citizen. Then-Prime Minister Rob Muldoon didn't like that, so he had an urgent law passed ...2 weeks ago
- The opposition is in disarrayWhat on earth is going on with the main opposition parties at the moment? Both National and ACT have been making numerous flip-flops and miscommunications, clearly indicating that they aren’t a viable alternative to the current Labour led Government.Of particular note is the duplicitous reasoning given for why they support ...2 weeks ago
- DrawnA ballot for two member's bills was held today, and the following bills were drawn: Housing Infrastructure (GST-sharing) Bill (Brooke van Velden) Prohibition on Seabed Mining Legislation Amendment Bill (Debbie Ngarewa-Packer) Ngarewa-Packer's bill looks likely to start a shitfight with Labour, and not just because the ...2 weeks ago
- How not to solve the climate change problemKevin Trenberth, Distinguished Scholar, NCAR; Affiliated Faculty, University of Auckland. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. When politicians talk about reaching “net zero” emissions, they’re often counting on trees or technology that can pull carbon dioxide out of the air. What ...2 weeks ago
- Misery and Fear of Misery: Musings on Malthus and Henry George
As you might have noticed, I have an on-going interest in working my way through old and intellectually influential reading material. Occasionally I even share my thoughts on it, which allows me to take a break from my generally-dominant Tolkien analysis. Well, today I thought I would take a ...2 weeks ago - Blowback on abortionAt the end of June, the US Supreme Court overturned Roe v Wade, putting abortion rights in America under threat. The move was unpopular - abortion rights have had clear majority support for decades and only a tiny minority of religious bigots think it should be illegal in all circumstances ...2 weeks ago
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- Green Party welcomes complaints service for survivors of conversion practices
The Green Party is celebrating a new complaints service for survivors of conversion practices launched today by the Human Rights Commission, and repeats the call for a Ministry for Rainbow Communities. ...4 hours ago - Greens welcome review of RSE, but urge Govt to start right nowThe Green Party says the Government is right to carry out a full review of the Recognised Seasonal Employers (RSE) scheme - but says the review should start right now. ...9 hours ago
- At-risk Afghans evacuated to Aotearoa must be reunited with familyOne year on from the fall of Kabul to the Taliban, the Green Party is calling on the Government to do more to support our most at-risk evacuees. ...1 day ago
- Six ways we’re supporting children and families
Our Government wants New Zealand to be the best place in the world to be a child, and we have a plan to make sure that’s a reality. We’ve put the wellbeing of children and families at the heart of our work since taking office in 2017 – from putting ...1 day ago - Pay parity for early childhood teachers, nowA recent decision by the Minister of Education to hold back pay parity for ECE teachers needs changing urgently, the Green Party says. ...2 days ago
- Green Party legislation to protect migrant victims of family violenceA Green Party member’s bill would provide stronger protections for people in migrant communities who experience family violence. ...2 days ago
- Greens back HRC call for immediate rent freezeThe Green Party backs the Human Rights Commission’s call for an immediate rent freeze followed by reform of the rental system to guarantee that everyone has a warm, dry, affordable place to live. ...2 days ago
- New public transport model must be backed with investmentThe Green Party has once again shown that bringing people together to demand change works, with the announcement today that the Government will give communities a greater say over how their local transport services are run. ...3 days ago
- Exclusive view of the very real threat of losing St James Theatre, AucklandGreen Party MP for Auckland Central, Chlöe Swarbrick has released an exclusive video showing for the first time the extent of the damage done to St. James Theatre during a recent break-in. ...4 days ago
- Food prices demand urgent actionThe Green Party is calling on the Government to ensure that as a nation which produces enough food to feed 40 million people, everyone in New Zealand can put an abundance of nourishing, nutritious kai on the table. ...6 days ago
- Monkeypox elimination plan is essentialThe Green Party is calling on the Government to listen to public health experts and commit to an elimination strategy for monkeypox. ...1 week ago
- Bill to ban mining on conservation land pulled from biscuit tinFollowing months of work by the Green Party and community and environmental organisations, Parliament will have the opportunity to pass legislation to protect public conservation land and waters from mining. ...1 week ago
- Grassroots sports no longer excuse for alcohol harm inactionNew evidence released today by Alcohol Healthwatch shows there’s never been a better time for Parliament to pass Green Party MP Chlöe Swarbrick’s Alcohol Harm Minimisation Bill. ...1 week ago
- Supporting more Kiwis into jobsWe’re helping more Kiwis into work, to help support whānau, grow our skilled workforce and secure our economy for future generations. During our time in Government, we’ve delivered record low unemployment rates, as well as a steady fall in the number of New Zealanders receiving a main benefit, and we’re ...1 week ago
- Bottom trawling on all seamounts must stopThe Green Party once again calls on the Government to ban bottom trawling on all seamounts following the release of an industry white paper on so-called ‘sustainable’ trawling. ...1 week ago
- Time to transform care and support for disabled peopleUrgent reform is essential to ensure disabled people have equal access to the care and support they need, the Green Party says in response to a new report that challenges politicians to fix the current system. ...1 week ago
- Green Candidates confirmed for Palmerston North City Council 2022Emerging from an energetic selection meeting, we’re pleased to announce that Kaydee Zabelin and Brent Barrett are your Green Party candidates for Palmerston North City Council. ...1 week ago
- Kaydee Zabelin selected as Green candidate for Palmerston North City CouncilKaydee Zabelin has today been selected as a Green Party candidate for Palmerston North City Council in the 2022 election. ...1 week ago
- Three strikes law gone but not forgotten for manyThe repeal of the archaic three strikes law is welcome but it doesn’t go far enough, the Green Party says. ...1 week ago
- Better long-term planning needed for COVIDCOVID-19 is here to stay and so the Government needs to put in place long-term protection measures, including mandatory ventilation standards, the Green Party says. ...1 week ago
- Abuse revelations leave no choice but to overhaul RSE schemeThe Green Party is calling on the Government to overhaul the Recognised Seasonal Employers scheme in the wake of revelations of shocking human rights violations. ...1 week ago
- Decent work, not sanctionsThe Green Party is calling for a cross-party commitment to guaranteeing at least a living wage and safe working conditions to people seeking employment, instead of continuing benefit sanctions. ...1 week ago
- Member’s bill adds to growing demands on Govt to stop deep sea miningThe Green Party is once again calling on the Government to announce its support for a moratorium on deep sea mining, and to support a member’s bill going to select committee. ...2 weeks ago
- Let’s build better, warmer, and climate-friendlyThe Government must take steps to ensure that the way we build our homes is helping to meet New Zealand’s climate change targets, the Green Party said. ...2 weeks ago
- Mana in Mahi must guarantee liveable incomesThe Government’s employment initiatives led by the Ministry of Social Development must guarantee liveable incomes and fair working conditions, the Green Party says. ...2 weeks ago
- Time to strike anti-Pacific racism from New Zealand lawA Green Party member’s bill launched today would strike an anti-Pacific racist law from the country’s books and help heal the wrongs of the past. ...2 weeks ago
- More nurses, doctors and health workersNew Zealanders deserve a health system that works for everyone, no matter who you are or where you live. Our Government has a plan to make this a reality, and we’re taking the next steps. We now have thousands more health professionals, such as doctors and nurses, working in New ...2 weeks ago
- Green Party welcomes new report critiquing OT Oversight billThe Green Party once again calls on the Government to withdraw its Oversight of Oranga Tamariki Bill. ...2 weeks ago
- 15 times Jacinda Ardern has shown she’s a true leaderDuring her time as Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern has navigated New Zealand through unprecedented times. Through it all, she’s become known as someone who leads with kindness, compassion and strength, while keeping the wellbeing of Kiwis at the heart of her approach. To celebrate five years of Jacinda leading the ...2 weeks ago
- Govt must wipe debt to MSD as part of ‘cost of living’ responseThe Government needs to clear the debt that MSD has forced hundreds of thousands of low income people to take on, says the Green Party. ...2 weeks ago
- Easing the pressure on New ZealandersSince taking office in 2017, our Government has worked hard to lift wages and make life more affordable for New Zealanders, as we move forward with our plan to grow a secure economy for all. ...3 weeks ago
- Government provides support to flooded Nelson Tasman communities
The Government is making an initial contribution of $200,000 to the Mayoral Relief Fund to help communities in Nelson/Tasman and Marlborough following prolonged heavy rain, flooding and high winds this week, Minister for Emergency Management Kieran McAnulty announced. “My thoughts are with everyone who has been impacted by severe weather ...52 mins ago - Working together on resilience and climate action in NiueForeign Minister Nanaia Mahuta has wrapped up her first official visit to Niue, reaffirming Aotearoa New Zealand’s commitment to work together to strengthen resilience in the region and support climate action. During the visit, Nanaia Mahuta met Niue Premier Dalton Tagelagi and Cabinet, and was the first outside speaker to ...3 hours ago
- Government ensures artists get resale royaltiesIn line with Aotearoa New Zealand’s Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the UK and the EU, the Government is establishing an Artist Resale Royalty Scheme to ensure the creators of visual arts are recognised and rewarded when their work is resold on the secondary art market. “This is about fairness. ...3 hours ago
- Pacific regional businesses thrive with enterprise fundA total of 29 Pacific businesses located across regional New Zealand have received up to a $100,000 each from the Pacific Aotearoa Regional Enterprise Fund, said Minister for Pacific Peoples Aupito William Sio. The Ministry for Business, Innovation and Employment’s Kānoa - Regional Economic Development and Investment Unit, transferred $2 ...4 hours ago
- Government responds to PM’s Chief Science Advisor’s report on commercial fishingOceans and Fisheries Minister David Parker today released the Government’s response to the Future of Commercial Fishing in Aotearoa New Zealand report. “The report has already been influential in shaping this Government’s approach to oceans and fisheries management,” David Parker said. The report calls for immediate evidence-based action and identified ...5 hours ago
- Kiwi technology safeguarding fish stocks offers global opportunityA Kiwi trawling innovation that enables most undersized fish to escape unharmed is going global with the help of government funding. “We’re supporting the further improvement of a fishing system that enables fish to swim freely and thereby allowing juveniles and non-targeted species to escape,” Oceans and Fisheries Minister David ...5 hours ago
- Investing in Māori success in the research, science and innovation systemThe Government is providing $6.5 million to a programme that will grow and retain the numbers of Māori in the research, science and innovation workforce. “Growing a research workforce where the perspectives and expertise of Māori are well represented is a key part of ensuring we have a thriving and ...6 hours ago
- Govt’s mental health roll-out gains momentum – more funds and internships for clinical psycholog...The Government is increasing the number of funded clinical psychology internships and the payment interns receive on placement to support more students to choose clinical psychology as a career and address mental health workforce demand. By 2024 we will have increased the number of interns to 40 every year, along ...7 hours ago
- How the future RM Reform system will better protect the environmentEnvironment Minister David Parker’s address on how the future resource management system will protect the environment Chateau on the Park, Christchurch 17 August 2022 Tēnā koutou katoa Thank you for coming here today to discuss the reform of the resource management system and in particular how the future system will ...24 hours ago
- Wage growth best on recordWorkers’ have experienced their biggest pay hike on record, outstripping inflation. Stats NZ figures show median weekly earnings from wages and salaries jumped by 8.8 percent in the June year, the largest annual increase since records began in 1998 and well ahead of inflation at 7.3 percent. “This is an ...24 hours ago
- Health Fund for Pacific communities now openPacific community organisations are strongly urged to apply for the Pacific Community Health Fund, now open for applications. “Pacific communities know what works for our communities, and what will create positive changes to lift Pacific wellbeing for families,” said the Associate Minister of Health Aupito William Sio. “We only have ...1 day ago
- Government now serving up 1 million free lunches in schools a weekSavings for a family with two children at school of up to $62 a week, over $2000 a year Lunches now reaching 220,000 kids at 950 schools every school day A million lunches delivered a week, over 63 million in total to date 2,361 jobs created or retained The Government’s ...1 day ago
- Seaweed innovator wins Government supportThe Government is continuing to make regional economies stronger and more resilient with investment in a project that will likely create the world’s first commercial seaweed-based nanocellulose manufacturing plant. The innovative $1.5 million project in Paeroa in the Waikato is being supported with a $750,000 loan from the Government’s Regional ...1 day ago
- First community-led Oranga Tamariki partnership announcedA new partnership strategy aimed at putting the decision-making and support for children in need in the hands of the community has been officially launched in Kaitaia by Minister for Children Kelvin Davis. TE ATATŪ, formed in partnership with Te Kahu Oranga Whānau and Oranga Tamariki, is the first such ...1 day ago
- Government partners with Germany to invest in green hydrogen research$6million investment in research into three green hydrogen projects New Zealand research teams now able to access European green hydrogen research facilities and expertise A green hydrogen research programme has been established with Germany will support Aotearoa New Zealand’s move towards a more sustainable, low-emissions economy, Research, Science and Innovation ...2 days ago
- $14.9m allocated to Māori boarding school upgradesMinister for Māori Development Willie Jackson today announced the allocation of the remaining $14.9 million of the $20 million Budget 2021 investment into the Māori Boarding Schools initiative. The four Māori boarding schools play a significant role in the development of future Māori leaders. They have been long-standing, staunch advocates ...2 days ago
- New High Commissioner to Kiribati appointedForeign Minister Nanaia Mahuta today announced the appointment of Andre Van Der Walt as New Zealand’s next High Commissioner to Kiribati. “As a Pacific nation we value our strong and enduring relationships throughout the region, especially with Kiribati,” Nanaia Mahuta said. “Our two nations share a strong partnership based on ...2 days ago
- 85,000 new Kiwis provide certainty for New Zealand businessesMore than a third of eligible migrants are now New Zealand residents thanks to the Government’s one-off, simplified path to residence, providing a way forward for migrant families and certainty for New Zealand businesses, Minister of Immigration Michael Wood has announced. “This is great news for our migrant families and ...2 days ago
- NZ sends further significant deployment to support UkraineNew Zealand is making a further significant deployment of 120 New Zealand Defence Force personnel to the United Kingdom to help train Ukraine soldiers, as part of an international effort to help Ukraine continue to defend itself against Russia’s illegal war. It follows a completed deployment of 30 NZDF personnel ...3 days ago
- Foreign Minister visit to Niue and TongaForeign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta will visit Niue and Tonga this week to engage kanohi ki te kanohi with counterparts, and progress work on Aotearoa New Zealand’s Pacific Resilience and climate action priorities. “After the disruption caused by COVID-19 border closures, this is another opportunity to connect in-person with our ...3 days ago
- Creating sustainable public transport for allOur new approach to public transport will: Support ‘on-demand’ public transport services Allow councils to own and operate services in house Improve pay and working conditions Deliver routes and services that reflect community needs Incentivise the decarbonisation of the fleet Workers and public transport users are at the heart of ...3 days ago
- Welcome for Afghan human rights defenders, Government House AucklandAs-salamu alaykum, Tena tatou katoa, Thank you all for being here today. To the Afghan human rights defenders and your family members, welcome to Aotearoa. And thank you Your Excellency for hosting us all here at Government House. We have with us today from Afghanistan, human rights advocates, journalists, judges, ...6 days ago
- Speech on tax changes for Build-to-Rent sectorIt’s my great pleasure to be able to speak with you about a really positive move for the Build-to-Rent sector. As you know, we announced changes last year to help steer property investors way from the existing pool of housing and toward solving New Zealand’s grave housing shortage - by ...6 days ago
- Tax incentives to boost long-term rental supply· Tax changes aimed at growing quality, secure rental supply · New and existing build-to-rent developments exempt from interest limitation rules in perpetuity, when offering ten-year tenancies · Exemption to apply from 1 October 2021. The Government is encouraging more long-term rental options by giving developers tax incentives for as ...6 days ago
- Govt marks 350th tower in push for improved rural connectivityThe Government has marked another milestone in its push for better rural connectivity, welcoming the delivery of Rural Connectivity Group’s (RCG) 350th tower. Waikato’s Te Ākau, which sits roughly 50 kilometres out of Hamilton is home to the new tower. “The COVID 19 pandemic has highlighted the ever-increasing importance of ...6 days ago
- Joint Press Release: Trans-Tasman agriculture ministers discuss biosecurity co-operationBiosecurity co-operation topped the agenda when Australia and New Zealand’s agriculture ministers met yesterday. Australia’s Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Senator Murray Watt met with his New Zealand counterpart, Damien O’Connor, Minister of Agriculture, Biosecurity, and Rural Communities in a conference call, which had particular focus on foot and ...6 days ago
- Remote monitoring could give patients better care at homePeople could spend less time in hospital, thanks to a smart new remote device that lets patients be monitored at home, Health Minister Andrew Little says. “Technology has the potential to really change the way we do things – to do things that are better for patients and at the ...6 days ago
- Government supporting kids’ learning successConcrete steps to clarify inclusive, evidence-informed teaching practices Strengthen capability supports along the professional pathway Enhance partnerships between the education system and whānau, iwi, communities Embed equitable additional learning supports and assessment tools that help teachers effectively notice and respond to the needs of students Improved student achievement is a ...6 days ago
- Supporting prevention, preparedness and response to global pandemicsAotearoa New Zealand has committed to strengthen global prevention, preparedness and responses to future pandemics with seed funding for a new World Bank initiative, Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta announced today. “We cannot afford to wait until the next pandemic. We must all play our part to support developing countries ...7 days ago
- Overseas investors converting farms to forests must show benefit to New ZealandA law change to ensure that forestry conversions by overseas investors benefit New Zealand has passed its final reading in Parliament. Previously, overseas investors wishing to convert land, such as farm land, into forestry only needed to meet the “special forestry test”. This is a streamlined test, designed to encourage ...7 days ago
- International visitors boosting economic recoveryInternational tourism recovery well underway with higher level of overseas visitor arrivals than previously expected UK and US card spend already back at pre-COVID levels Visitors staying in New Zealand longer and spending more compared to 2019 Govt support throughout pandemic helped tourism sector prepare for return of international ...1 week ago
- Ministry’s inaugural Strategy paves way for ethnic communitiesThe Ministry for Ethnic Communities has released its first strategy, setting out the actions it will take over the next few years to achieve better wellbeing outcomes for ethnic communities Minister for Diversity, Inclusion and Ethnic Communities Priyanca Radhakrishnan announced today. “The Strategy that has been released today sets out ...1 week ago
- World class aquatic centre opened in Hawke’s BayThe Prime Minister has officially opened the Hawke’s Bay Regional Aquatic Centre today saying it is a huge asset to the region and to the country. “This is a world class facility which will be able to host national and international events including the world championships. With a 10-lane Olympic ...1 week ago
- Tulī Takes Flight winners take to the wingThe Associate Minister of Education, Aupito William Sio, has today announced the recipients of the Tulī Takes Flight scholarships which were a key part of last year’s Dawn Raids apology. The scholarships are a part of the goodwill gesture of reconciliation to mark the apology by the New Zealand Government ...1 week ago
- Govt supports free period products in over 2000 schools within one year96% of estimated menstruating students receive free period products 2085 schools involved 1200 dispensers installed Supports cost of living, combats child poverty, helps increase attendance Associate Minister of Education Jan Tinetti today hailed the free period products in schools, Ikura | Manaakitia te whare tangata, a huge success, acknowledging ...1 week ago
- Govt boosts tourism transformation to strengthen workforce and improve outcomesThe Tourism Industry Transformation Plan outlines key actions to improve the sector This includes a Tourism and Hospitality Accord to set employment standards Developing cultural competency within the workforce Improving the education and training system for tourism Equipping business owners and operators with better tools and enabling better work ...1 week ago
- NZ earns another major digital investmentMinister for the Digital Economy and Communications Dr David Clark welcomes Google Cloud’s decision to make New Zealand a cloud region. “This is another major vote of confidence for New Zealand’s growing digital sector, and our economic recovery from COVID 19,” David Clark said. “Becoming a cloud region will mean ...1 week ago
- Changes to NCEA & University Entrance in response to COVID-19 disruptionsA package of changes to NCEA and University Entrance announced today recognise the impact COVID-19 has had on senior secondary students’ assessment towards NCEA in 2022, says Associate Minister of Education Jan Tinetti. “We have heard from schools how significant absences of students and teachers, as a result of COVID-19, ...1 week ago
- 60th Anniversary of the Treaty of Friendship between Aotearoa New Zealand and Samoa- “Lifelong Fri...Te Reo Māori tauparapara… Tapatapa tū ki te Rangi! Ki te Whei-ao! Ki te Ao-mārama Tihei mauri ora! Stand at the edge of the universe! of the spiritual world! of the physical world! It is the breath of creation Formal acknowledgments… [Your Highness Afioga Tuimalealiifano Vaaletoa Sualauvi II and Masiofo] ...1 week ago
- New law passed to reduce gun harmThe Government’s commitment to combatting firearms violence has reached another significant milestone today with the passage of the Firearms Prohibition Order Legislation Bill, Police Minister Chris Hipkins says. The new law helps to reduce firearm-related crime by targeting possession, use, or carriage of firearms by people whose actions and behaviours ...1 week ago
- Fire Crews Will Continue To Respond During One-hour Career Firefighters’ Strike On Friday
Deputy National Commander Brendan Nally says all 111 for fire calls will be answered and Fire and Emergency NZ will continue to respond to fire emergencies during the New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union strike between 11am and 12 noon this ...1 hour ago - Response To The Auditor-General's Recommendations About Processes To Protect Marine Environment...In 2019, our report Using different processes to protect marine environments examined how effective two processes were in developing marine reserve proposals in New Zealand, with a specific focus on the processes’ implementation guidelines, inclusiveness, ...2 hours ago
- PODCAST: Buchanan + Manning: What’s Next Regarding the Ongoing War in Ukraine?
A View from Afar – In this podcast, political scientist Paul Buchanan and Selwyn Manning analyse the ongoing war in Ukraine. Specifically, they examine how the invading forces of Russia are struggling against a determined and well-equipped Ukraine defence. What can we expect next from Russia? How can western ...2 hours ago - No, Prime Minister – those lunches are not free and they draw attention to shortcomings in the war...
Buzz from the Beehive It’s not the sort of accomplishment – some of us might think – that a Prime Minister would be proud to bray about. The Government’s healthy lunches in school programme has ramped up to deliver a million free lunches to school kids every week. The PM ...2 hours ago - Joint Report Casts New Light On Housing PricesToday Te Tai Ōhanga, Te Tūāpapa Kura Kāinga and Te Pūtea Matua are publishing a joint paper that provides an assessment of the key drivers of the housing market over the last 20 years. The joint paper was authored by the Housing Technical Working ...3 hours ago
- Visual artists to get resale royalties by 2025 – Ministers
Painters and other visual artists whose work is resold will get 5 percent in royalties under a new scheme set up as part of the EU and UK trade agreements, the government has announced. ...4 hours ago - Visual artists to get resale royalties by 2024 – MinistersPainters and other visual artists whose work is resold will get 5 percent in royalties under a new scheme set up as part of the EU and UK trade agreements, the government has announced. ...4 hours ago
- Suspended Sharma sparks more suspense – will he quit as an MP and pave the path for National to re...
The signals were clear enough before the on-line Labour caucus meeting this week and – sure enough – Hamilton West Dr Guarav Sharma was suspended. No surprises, then – except did it also mark the formal burial of the Prime Minister’s “be kind” policy? Sharma had been labelled a “rogue” ...4 hours ago - Injury Statistics – Work-related Claims: 2021Injury statistics for work-related claims give information about claims accepted by ACC for work-related injuries. Key facts A total of 223,300 work-related claims were made in 2021 (up 4,800 from 2020). In 2021, the incidence rate of all ...5 hours ago
- Employment Indicators: Weekly As At 15 August 2022The experimental weekly series provides an early indicator of employment and labour market changes in a more timely manner than the monthly employment indicators series. Key facts The 6-day series includes jobs with a pay period equal to or less than ...5 hours ago
- Government was warned against further fuel tax cut extensionsTreasury advisors warned the government against extending Fuel Excise Tax and Road User Charge reductions beyond August, saying it would lead to an expectation they would continue. ...5 hours ago
- Free Fares A Clear Step In The Pathway To Lower Transport Emissions In AucklandAuckland Council and Auckland Transport released their Transport Emissions Reduction Pathway (TERP) this week, calling for a significant increase in public transport use. The Free Fares campaign supports this call, urging the Government to implement ...5 hours ago
- Government confirms mental health workforce expansionMental health internships will rise to 40 a year by 2024, with increased remuneration, the government says. ...5 hours ago
- Sensible Solutions To Flood Risk Must Be SupportedLocal Government NZ (LGNZ) is backing IAG’s pragmatic and sensible solutions to help reduce flood risk in the country. “Tens of thousands of New Zealanders live in houses that are prone to flooding,” says LGNZ’s Chief Executive Susan Freeman-Greene. ...6 hours ago
- [email protected] Thurs Buchanan + Manning: What’s Next Regarding the Ongoing War in Ukraine?A View from Afar – In this podcast, political scientist Paul Buchanan and Selwyn Manning will analyse the ongoing war in Ukraine. Specifically, we will examine how the invading forces of Russia are struggling against a determined and well-equipped Ukraine defence. What can we expect next from Russia? How ...7 hours ago
- Māori Party Secures First Ever Seat At Local Government TableThe Māori Party’s push to have representation in Local Government has had a successful start with incumbent Bay of Plenty Regional Councillor, Toi Kai Rakau Iti, being re-elected unopposed. Iti is taking his re-election as a vote of confidence and not ...9 hours ago
- Govt orders review of RSE scheme after investigation details 'exploitation'Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Michael Wood has confirmed the government will do a full review of the Recognised Seasonal Employer scheme early next year. ...20 hours ago
- Northland iwi collective regains decision-making powers over Māori children's careThe children's minister has launched a kaupapa in Kaitāia today - handing decision-making powers back to iwi. ...21 hours ago
- No female candidate for New Plymouth mayoral electionsIt is the first time since 2013 that no woman has put themselves forward for the New Plymouth mayoral role. ...21 hours ago
- National Party calls for ministerial oversight after 'shocking' WorkSafe reviewA report which found the country's health and safety regulator lacks a clear strategy and cannot say if it is effective is "shocking", the National Party says. ...23 hours ago
- Rates Rise Shows How Cost Of Living Affects EducationThe latest rise in the official cash rate by the Reserve Bank on Wednesday has only cemented the need for Government to respond positively to unions calling for a unified pay increase to recognise people working across the education, health and wider public ...24 hours ago
- Stephen Town Finds The Time To Resign – But Where Is The Explanation?Having found time in his busy schedule, missing civil servant Stephen Town has hung up his boots and resigned from his $13,000-a-week garden leave ‘job’ - which is cushy even for Wellington. “We are delighted that our efforts to find Stephen ...1 day ago
- POLL: Kiwis Support Spending CutsThe Taxpayers’ Union says that cuts to Government spending are a far better way to deal with the inflation crisis than the Reserve Bank of New Zealand hiking the Official Cash Rate – and the public agree. Kiwi voters understand the drivers behind ...1 day ago
- Ongoing Monetary TighteningThe Monetary Policy Committee today increased the Official Cash Rate (OCR) to 3 percent from 2.5 percent. The Committee agreed it remains appropriate to continue to tighten monetary conditions at pace to maintain price stability and contribute ...1 day ago
- MPI allays foot-and-mouth rumours while prices fall again at dairy auctionIt’s a tense time in New Zealand’s farming industries. Already the Ministry for Primary Industries has had to shoot down an overseas news report that China had shut its borders to NZ and Australian products due to concerns about foot-and-mouth. NZ exports to China are continuing as normal, a Ministry ...1 day ago
- Govt chips in for boarding schools and a seaweed venture – and there’s some left over for hydrog...Buzz from the Beehive Promoting the wellbeing of Māori is the common factor in three of the latest four Beehive announcements. The government is providing $14.9 million (from of the $20 million Budget 2021 investment into the Māori Boarding Schools initiative) to four Māori boarding schools; and ...1 day ago
- Little To Celebrate In Data Showing Miserable Progress In Closing The Gender Pay Gap – CTUThere has been little progress in closing the gender pay gap despite record low unemployment, the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions said today following the release of labour market data by Statistics NZ. The overall gender pay gap has stubbornly ...1 day ago
- Dairies Also Operating As Vape Shops Need Addressing“There are far too many dairies now also operating as licenced ‘Specialist Vape Retailers’. It makes a mockery of our vaping laws and so we’re pleased the Government is going to tidy up this unintended consequence,” says Nancy Loucas, co-founder ...1 day ago
- Weekly Earnings Rise As More In Full-time Employmentstatistics newMedian weekly earnings from wages and salaries rose by 8.8 percent to $1,189 in the year to the June 2022 quarter, Stats NZ said today. The 8.8 percent annual increase in median weekly earnings from wages and salaries was the largest annual increase ...1 day ago
- Parliamentary Services confirms staffing for suspended Labour MP SharmaHamilton West MP Gaurav Sharma's office has one staff member and no further decisions have been made on his staffing since he publicly accused Labour colleagues of bullying. ...1 day ago
- Auckland Council Rejects Three Waters Governance ModelAuckland Mayor Phil Goff, Deputy Mayor Bill Cashmore and Regulatory Committee Chair Linda Cooper will today present Auckland Council’s submission [speaking notes attached] to the government’s Finance Expenditure Committee hearing on the proposed Water ...1 day ago
- Luxon maintains opposition to waka-jumping law amid Uffindell inquiryThe National leader is standing by his party's opposition to the so-called waka-jumping legislation. ...1 day ago
- Labour MP Gaurav Sharma remains under threat of expulsionThe MP's suspension from Labour's caucus will be reviewed in December but caucus could agree to expel him sooner if he breaches party rules again, the Prime Minister says. ...1 day ago
- Watch: Labour's caucus unanimously agrees to suspend MP Gaurav Sharma – PM Jacinda ArdernLabour's caucus has unanimously decided to suspend Hamilton West MP Gaurav Sharma effective immediately, says Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern. ...2 days ago
- Ousted Waikato Regional Council chairperson withdraws legal actionThe former chairperson of Waikato Regional Council, who was ousted after being accused of making racist comments, has withdrawn legal action. ...2 days ago
- Watch live: Labour's caucus unanimously agrees to suspend MP Gaurav Sharma – PM Jacinda A...Labour's caucus has unanimously decided to suspend Hamilton West MP Gaurav Sharma effective immediately, says Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern. ...2 days ago
- Increasing Accessibility For Disabled People—tāngata WhaikahaThe Accessibility for New Zealanders Bill is aimed at addressing the accessibility barriers faced by disabled people, tāngata whaikaha, and others, so they can live independently and participate fully in all areas of life. The bill also aims to ensure ...2 days ago
- Labour caucus is not alone in asking for an explanation from the MP for Hamilton WestLabour MPs may well be determining the fate of Hamilton West MP Gaurav Sharma at a special caucus meeting, as this post is being written. According to Stuff, the party’s MPs will enter a virtual meeting at 2.30pm on Tuesday and Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern was expected to speak to ...2 days ago
- RBNZ governor must curb inflationary pressures while keeping an eye on employment trendsReserve Bank governor Adrian Orr has a lot on his plate at present. He is battling to hose down prices which have been rising faster than they have done for 30 years, while at the same time “maximising” sustainable employment. It’s a task none of his predecessors had to undertake. ...2 days ago
- Business backs ACT's plan for instant penalties for young offendersACT's new crime policy, which would issue burglars with swift penalties, is being welcomed by Auckland business groups. ...2 days ago
- Chinese Poll Tax Heritage Trust Funding Round Now OpenTe Tari Taiwhenua is inviting members of the public to apply to the current funding round of the Chinese Poll Tax Heritage Trust. The Trust chairman, Mr Paul Chin, encourages people to make applications for proposals that support the aims of the Trust. The ...2 days ago
- Lack Of Cross-government Ownership A Major Barrier, Warns Disability Rights ReportThe Independent Monitoring Mechanism (IMM) says that disabled people’s human rights will not be fully realised in Aotearoa unless there is a jointly owned and implemented cross government agency approach. The IMM today released its third general update ...2 days ago
- NZ deploys troops to the UK and despatches Mahuta to the Pacific (but non-Maori speakers may be puzz...Buzz from the Beehive Comings and goings were the common factor in the latest Beehive announcements. Immigration Minister Michael Wood handled the “inward” movements by regurgitating migrant statistics he presumably wanted to crow about. The “outward” movements are recorded in three statements – a further deployment of 120 New Zealand ...2 days ago
- Back Strongest Global Ocean Treaty: Greenpeace Urges NZ GovernmentGreenpeace Aotearoa is urging the New Zealand government to back the strongest possible Global Oceans Treaty as the latest round of negotiations for the long-awaited treaty kick off in New York. UN member states are meeting this week to hammer out the details ...2 days ago
- PNG elections show that there is still a long way to go to stamp out violence and ensure proper repr...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ron May, Emertius Fellow, attached to the State, Society and Governance in Melanesia Program, Australian National University Paramilitary police and soldiers patrol ballot boxes at Tari airport, Southern Highlands, PNG AAP Image Despite Australia “stepping up” its relations with the Pacific since ...2 days ago
- Broadcasting Minister open to discussing independence of new public media entityWith less than a year until its launch, Broadcasting Minister Willie Jackson says he is willing to address opposition concerns over the independence of the new government funded public media entity. ...2 days ago
- Births And Deaths: Year Ended June 2022Births and deaths releases provide statistics on the number of births and deaths of people resident in New Zealand that are registered during a given period, along with selected fertility and mortality rates. They may differ from statistics presented ...2 days ago
- Population Growth Lowest Since 1986New Zealand's resident population provisionally grew by 12,700 or 0.2 percent over the year, to reach 5.12 million at 30 June 2022, Stats NZ said today. This is the lowest annual growth rate since June 1986 when the population barely changed (0.0 ...2 days ago
- Retail NZ Welcomes Practical Policies For Retail CrimeRetail NZ welcomes two policy initiatives from the ACT Party Law and Order policy document to combat retail crime – infringement notices and three strikes for burglary. “The announcement today from the ACT Party of two specific policies that will help ...2 days ago
- Human Rights Commission Sacrifice Renters In Favour Of IdeologyThe departure of the Human Right’s Commission from its core role to defend classical human rights into left wing ideological advocacy would be comical if the policies it is pushing weren’t so dangerous, says the Taxpayers’ Union. “This was always ...2 days ago
- Labour caucus to meet this afternoon over Sharma allegationsLabour's MPs will meet in an urgent full caucus meeting via teleconferencing early this afternoon. ...2 days ago
- Efeso Collins Pledges To Form Coalition Of Mayors For Climate ActionGiven climate change not only poses a serious challenge to Auckland but New Zealand as a whole, mayoral candidate Efeso Collins is pledging to form a Coalition of Mayors For Climate Action. Collins says it’s vital local councils work closely together ...2 days ago
- Power Play: Rogue MP Gaurav Sharma's social media missile propels Labour into damage controlPower Play - Labour MPs will be meeting for an urgent caucus early this afternoon, as the party tries to manage the snowballing damage from the serious allegations being made by one of its own, Gaurav Sharma. ...2 days ago
- Even a ‘limited’ nuclear war would starve millions of people, new study revealsSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ryan Heneghan, Lecturer in Mathematical Ecology, Queensland University of Technology US Department of Energy Even a relatively small nuclear war would create a worldwide food crisis lasting at least a decade in which hundreds of millions would starve, according to ...2 days ago
- Is fake meat healthy? And what’s actually in it?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Katherine Livingstone, NHMRC Emerging Leadership Fellow and Senior Research Fellow at the Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition, Deakin University Shutterstock The popularity of plant-based proteins, or “fake meat”, has increased in recent years as consumers look to eat fewer ...2 days ago
- One Health: why we need to combine disease surveillance and climate modelling to preempt future pand...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Arindam Basu, Associate Professor, Epidemiology and Environmental Health, University of Canterbury Yang Jianzheng/VCG via Getty Images Within less than three years, the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared two public health emergencies of international concern: COVID-19 in February 2020 and ...2 days ago
- In a year of sporting mega-events, the Brisbane Olympics can learn a lot from the ones that fail the...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Anthony Halog, Lecturer/Research Group Leader in Industrial Ecology and Circular Economy, The University of Queensland The Brisbane 2032 Olympic organising committee board Darren England/AAP In a year of major sporting events – the Commonwealth Games, the FIFA World Cup, cricket’s T20 World ...2 days ago
- How to help your child write a speech (without doing it for them)Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Joanne O’Mara, Associate Professor in Education, Deakin University Shutterstock It’s hard for parents to help kids with homework without doing it for them. It can be especially difficult to work out where to start when your child is preparing a ...2 days ago
- Costs of Sydney’s driverless train conversion outweigh the benefitsSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Christopher Day, PhD Student, Economic and Industrial Policy, Institute of Transport and Logistics Studies, University of Sydney Shutterstock The NSW government’s industrial dispute with rail unions over the new intercity trains is tipped to add hundreds of millions of dollars ...2 days ago
- Better Call Saul’s final episode is the end of the golden age of TV as we know itSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Siobhan Lyons, Scholar in Media and Cultural Studies, Macquarie University IMDB When it was announced that the creators of Breaking Bad would be filming a prequel spin-off to their iconic series, few could have imagined the critical acclaim it would ...2 days ago
- Auckland mayoralty race becoming 'a cult of personality', minor candidates sayAuckland's minor mayoralty candidates are arguing they are not being given a fair shake in comparison to their high profile counterparts. ...2 days ago
- Party presidents: The power behind the politicsThe Detail - Political party presidents tend to stay out of the spotlight, so just how influential is their role? ...2 days ago
- View from The Hill: Morrison’s passion for control trashed conventions and accountabilitySource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra The only credible explanation for Scott Morrison personally installing himself, as an undisclosed ministerial partner, in several portfolios is the former prime minister’s passion for control. The fact he didn’t tell senior colleagues, let ...3 days ago
- For 110 years, climate change has been in the news. Are we finally ready to listen?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Linden Ashcroft, Lecturer in climate science and science communication, The University of Melbourne Mike Marrah/Unsplash, CC BY-SA On August 14 1912, a small New Zealand newspaper published a short article announcing global coal usage was affecting our planet’s temperature. ...3 days ago
- Yes, there is good news for a Covid-weary NZ – and it has started to flow from our energy companie...In the wake of the emotionally draining sagas that have dominated the mainstream media for the past week or so — -first the allegations of bullying within Parliament and by parliamentarians, and then the All Blacks’ triumph and turmoil over the coach’s future employment — can any relief be found? ...3 days ago
- Auckland mayoralty race: Viv Beck should stand down to increase Wayne Brown's chances – J...Auckland mayoral hopeful Viv Beck should throw in the towel to give rival and former Far North mayor Wayne Brown a better go, says former Auckland mayor and National MP John Banks. ...3 days ago
- Govt cut pay parity funding for ECE teachers to balance books, documents revealThe government reduced pay parity funding for early childhood teachers in its May Budget to keep its education spending within agreed limits, briefing documents show. ...3 days ago
- Explainer: Scott Morrison was sworn in to several portfolios other than prime minister during the pa...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Anne Twomey, Professor of Constitutional Law, University of Sydney Lukas Coch/AAP It has been reported that, during the pandemic, the then prime minister, Scott Morrison, swore himself in as a minister to several portfolios, including health, finance and resources. ...3 days ago
- Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says Labour caucus to meet over Gaurav Sharma situationPrime Minister Jacinda Ardern says the Labour caucus will meet this week to deal with the Gaurav Sharma situation. ...3 days ago
- Southern polytech gears up for tutoring more students by translating automotive engineering material...The polytechnic sector has been getting a bad press in recent times. Former Otago Polytechnic chief executive Phil Ker has demanded an apology from Education Minister Chris Hipkins for turning the country’s polytechnic education system into “a national disgrace”. The Otago Daily Times has described the centralising of New Zealand’s ...3 days ago
- Instagram and Facebook are stalking you on websites accessed through their apps. What can you do abo...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By David Tuffley, Senior Lecturer in Applied Ethics & CyberSecurity, Griffith University Glen Carrie/Unsplash Social media platforms have had some bad press in recent times, largely prompted by the vast extent of their data collection. Now Meta, the parent company of ...3 days ago
- Why do my kids keep getting worms? And is that what is making them so cranky?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Mark Sandeman, Honorary Professor, Federation University Australia Shutterstock As a parent, it might feel like you are constantly giving your children worm treatments – usually in the form of chocolate or sweetened chewable tablets. In fact, most kids in ...3 days ago
- Ukraine training programme: New Zealand to send another 120 Defence staffNew Zealand will send another 120 Defence staff to the UK to help train Ukraine soldiers to defend against Russia after the completion of the previous 30-strong deployment. ...3 days ago
- It’s time to give the ACT and NT stronger voices in parliamentSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kim Rubenstein, Professor, Academic Director, 50/50 by 2030 Foundation, University of Canberra With more independents, women, Indigenous Australians and MPs from a multicultural background than ever before, federal parliament seems ready to deal with issues that have been lying dormant for years. ...3 days ago
- Local Councils Welcome New Public Transport ModelLGNZ welcomes the Government’s move to allow councils to own bus services. The Public Transport Operating Model (PTOM) has been replaced with the new Sustainable Public Transport Framework. The new framework gives councils the ability to own and ...3 days ago
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