Search Results
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Comment:Uffindel's new allegation
Date published: 5:50 pm, August 10th, 2022I don’t know what all this carping on about personal responsibility is? Look at poor the-buck-stops-with-me Chrissie Luxon - when he said he was mixing it in Te Puke and he was in fact sunning it in Hawaii, it was clearly a staffer’s fault just as it was ...
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Comment:National's culture problem
Date published: 10:29 am, August 9th, 2022A notable omission from your rogues gallery is the former National Party candidate Jake Bezzant who impersonated his former girlfriend using explicit images of her in order to impersonate her in sexting conversations with other men. https://www.stuff.co.nz...
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Comment:The difference between Labour and National
Date published: 10:06 am, March 17th, 2022We have had a one in 100 years health crisis and Labour has dealt with it exceptionally well, but what I, Verity Johnson and many other supporters are exasperated about is the lack of ambition of this government. Labour when it was elected with an absolute...
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Comment:National's new leader is ...
Date published: 9:49 am, December 1st, 2021I wonder what Nicola Willis' views are on climate change and energy given her father's various roles in the oil industry? NZ Energy Corp Board of Directors James Willis, Chairman James Willis is based in Wellington, New Zealand, and has an extensive ...
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Comment:National's civil war reerrupts
Date published: 8:25 am, November 25th, 2021Surely the Left should throw its support behind Crusher - she is the gift that keeps on giving to Labour. Does the Nat's ad campaign a few elections back of a smooth rowing eight up against a Labour boat with rowers paddling in different directions ring ...
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Comment:Good Again
Date published: 9:27 am, October 29th, 2021It's good to have catalogued the multitude of positives arising from having a Labour government. The one glaring omission of course is tax reform and Ardern's failure to accept the recommendations of the Tax Working Group. Over the years we have scrapped ...
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Comment:Who are these angry Aucklanders?
Date published: 9:32 am, October 4th, 2021Regarding no jab no job, this is a very interesting legal opinion from high profile, well-respected legal firm Minter Ellision that employers can under current legislation mandate, due to health and safety concerns, that workers must get a vaccination. ...
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Comment:Government Control at Air New Zealand
Date published: 11:24 am, April 16th, 2021I don't understand why the government has been so soft on Air NZ's minority shareholders. If the airline needs propping up, and all shareholders are not prepared to come to the party, then the minorities should take was is known in business as a "haircut",...
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Comment:About the latest poll
Date published: 11:06 am, March 18th, 2021I agree. Jacinda Ardern promised transformation on poverty and equality and instead she is leading a Manana Ministry., locked in the Covid headlights leaving all else until the never-never. Housing is fundamental to addressing poverty and equality and the ...
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Comment:The Unbearable Lightness of the Bright-Line Test
Date published: 2:07 pm, March 15th, 2021That is the beauty of the BLT - it takes the mind-reading out of the equation - you are assumed to be selling for capital gains within the time frame. Because house prices are now so high, there is almost no rational explanation for investing in a second+ ...
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Comment:The Unbearable Lightness of the Bright-Line Test
Date published: 11:54 am, March 15th, 2021Incognito has made an assumption about the Bright Line Test that renders his argument incorrect. The BLT is not the introduction of a tax, such as a capital gains tax, but merely a clarification of existing tax law. It simply clarifies that if you sell ...
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Comment:PM Ardern and President Biden as a comparison
Date published: 12:30 pm, January 23rd, 2021Ardern promised transformation, mainly on poverty/ inequality, and climate action but has delivered next to nothing. Sure the Zero Carbon Act has been passed but nothing has changed in terms of our rising emissions. The only thing we will get is a report ...
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Comment:Jacinda or Judith?
Date published: 9:03 am, October 16th, 2020Polls consistently show the Nats are unlikely to get much more that 30% but Judith Collins says she won't step down despite her previous statement saying that any Nat leader who can't get the Nats 0ver 35% should quit. Her excuse? She said she made the ...
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Comment:Latest UMR Poll - National sinking
Date published: 9:05 am, October 14th, 2020Surely it's not too late to replace Crusher with Dr Shane (I'll tell you what - Maoris can go to Harvard you know)?
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Comment:National's many and varied Covid border policies
Date published: 5:20 pm, September 24th, 2020Todd Muller describes the guilt/concern he felt on waking up as National leader, knowing he was leading a party with an over-riding concern for money and power and no moral values: "It started with an intense prickling sensation in my head, followed by ...
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Comment:Colmar Brunton poll: Labour still way ahead
Date published: 9:44 am, September 23rd, 2020Steve Braunias had the best analysis in The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/sep/22/first-tv-debate-jacinda-ardern-judith-collins-avoids-being-horror-show His accurate zinger on Jacinda was that she "was as tranquil as a lake and just as ...
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Comment:How low can National go?
Date published: 9:22 pm, September 22nd, 2020I think you need to update this story. There is a third more significant snafu and unlike the second howler of only $88m, it is almost equal to their first $4b howler. Stuff, whose political reporters give the impression of being paid-up members of the ...
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Comment:Reti's running
Date published: 10:53 am, September 18th, 2020Why not let him take over before the election? Crusher is completely unanimated and looks like she wishes she was somewhere else. I was impressed by Reti on Q&A a while back when he took a far more reasoned approach to dealing with Covid than his party ...
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Comment:Why we need to get on with the election
Date published: 11:32 am, August 17th, 2020Given the extra time until the vote and Miss Collins' abysmal performance to date, I'm opening a book on National having a new leader by then. Any takers?
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Comment:Why we need to get on with the election
Date published: 10:04 am, August 17th, 2020Judith Collins on politics in another time when Nats in control: “It’s not turn-sies time.”
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Comment:New Zealand believes Labour are better economic managers than National
Date published: 10:37 pm, July 28th, 2020According to Pattrick Smellie on BusinessDesk, on the Reid Research poll, not one National MP would get into parliament, including Paola Goldsmith. Can someone explain then why would Goldsmith cede Epsom to ACT, especially given if ACT gets ~3% of the vote...
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Comment:New Zealand believes Labour are better economic managers than National
Date published: 12:32 pm, July 28th, 2020Judith Collins increases the huge trust gap between her and Jacinda as revealed in the Reid Research poll when she was caught out with her porky that no prisoners escaped when she was Corrections Minister: https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/...
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Comment:Strong team?
Date published: 4:39 pm, July 21st, 2020If you had any doubts about how Jacinda would perform against Crusher - or the upcoming election result - take a look at the highly anticipated first clash in Question Time, where Jacinda crushes Collins like a Canterbury prop taking on a half back. https...
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Comment:Muller goes, bring back Simon?
Date published: 9:59 am, July 14th, 2020Keep in mind Bob Hawke's comment, which was reprised when the Andrew Little suddenly stepped down to open the way for Jacinda, that the best time to be appointed leader of a party is six weeks before an election. That's what happened to Hawke when he won ...
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Comment:Clusterfuck
Date published: 11:35 pm, July 7th, 2020This from Pattrick Smellie on Businessdesk: Parliamentary records show Boag and Walker have had dealings in the promotion of legislation on behalf of at least one client of Boag's. In August last year, NZ First MP Tracey Martin accused Walker in Parliament...
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Comment:What does National do in Epsom?
Date published: 12:26 pm, May 19th, 2020Surely Epsom is in the hands of Labour voters. There were 7067 votes for Labour's David Parker in Epsom in 2017. If those 7000 hold their noses and cast their constituency vote for National, then added to the 10,986 National voters who could not stomach ...
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Comment:Why UK Labour lost? Part 3: Its Brexit innit
Date published: 10:16 am, January 13th, 2020Five words in your treatise says it all "Labour appeared incoherent on Brexit".
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Comment:Fonterra, again
Date published: 8:20 pm, September 29th, 2019You state there is national interest associated with Fontera an go on : “But the question of how this national interest should be guided and protected is clearly not being grasped by this government.” That looks to me like pointing the bone at the ...
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Comment:Fonterra, again
Date published: 6:58 pm, September 29th, 2019It is grossly rich to blame the government for Fonterra’s problems when the company has scored own after own goal - Sanlu, Beinggate, the rejection by the farmer owners of a new structure that could have provided necessary capital, Brazil, Venezuela, the ...
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Comment:About the CGT decision
Date published: 9:57 am, April 18th, 2019... question is, what about Winston's weasel words about "irresponsible capitalism" when...
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Comment:Caption contest
Date published: 4:33 pm, September 1st, 2015PM unveils new strategy for achieving that elusive surplus.
- Three Waters: Yet Again a Centralist Solution is Being Imposed Upon Local Communities
The proposal to organise fresh water, storm water and waste water into four entities reflects the contempt that New Zealand’s central government has for local communities. It is not the only example of the centre ignoring the localities. Other recent examples include overriding local preferences in voting arrangements and excluding ...21 hours ago - Labour’s law threatens nurses pay claim
by Don Franks Their special winter bonus ending, overworked New Zealand nurses want an ongoing payment to reflect the pressure on nurses working extra hours. Nurses are set to turn down all extra shifts next week and the new health authority Te Whatu Ora is running to the law. In ...1 day ago - https://www.kiwipolitico.com/?p=17527
...1 day ago - Bryce Edwards: Political Roundup: Te Pāti Māori and vested interests
Controversial Māori politician and president of Te Pāti Māori, John Tamihere, is in hot water over large financial donations relating to his 2019 Auckland Mayoral campaign and Te Pāti Māori’s 2020 election campaign. For him and his supporters, the allegations are “inherently racist”. For others, they illustrate that there are ...1 day ago - Reality Bites.
Repeat After Me: Te Ao Maori is a metaphor, not a place. Te Tiriti o Waitangi is not a bridge, it is a highly contentious political document. Human-beings inhabit one world, not many.KELVIN DAVIS believes that Karen Chhour is looking at the world through a “vanilla lens”. Racially-charged sentiments of this sort used ...1 day ago - They Call It “Democracy” – But They’re Lying.What’s in the envelope? Why, Democracy – of course!ON THE EVIDENCE to date, the turnout for this year’s local government elections will plumb new depths. Some will blame indifference, others apathy, and a courageous few will interpret the record low turnout as proof that democracy itself is failing.The case that democracy is failing ...1 day ago
- Worse Crimes.Retailers’ Worst Nightmare: Bowing to hardliners’ demands that young offenders be incarcerated might produce a short-term fix. It might also satisfy at least some of the public’s thirst for vengeance. But, the introduction of a policy that even its advocates realise is bound to make matters worse, is like sowing dragons’ ...1 day ago
- Kalevala Comments: Tolkien Influences and the Translations
For the first time in nearly twenty years, I’ve been reading through Kalevala, or at least an English translation thereof. Back then it was the old Kirby translation (1907), having swapped over from Crawford (1888). Now I’ve finished reading Bosley (1989). I have some thoughts to offer about these ...2 days ago - Skeptical Science New Research for Week #39 2022
Pantone Chart of moral staining In the daily grind of cranking out PR engineered to soothe consumers and keep them cemented into undesirable behaviors, it's probably an unconscious matter to become distant from disturbing thoughts such as "1/3rd of a country of 220 million went underwater last month and I likely ...2 days ago - (Some) justice for “three strikes”
Last year, the Supreme Court ruled on National's (now-repealed) unjust "three strikes" law, and ruled that the sentences it required were so disproportionate as to "shock the conscience" and violate the Bill of Rights Act ban on disproportionately severe treatment or punishment. Today, they've the High Court has ruled that ...2 days ago - Bryce Edwards: Public sector bosses must be held accountable for undermining transparencyPublic service bosses earn mega-salaries, yet oversee bureaucracies that frequently undermine transparency and frustrate public and media scrutiny. The obvious answer is to start docking the pay of chief executives for the failures of their agencies. This is the upshot of an investigation by the Chief Ombudsman’s Office into the ...2 days ago
- More Labour secrecyToday the government introduced its Worker Protection (Migrant and Other Employees) Bill to the House. And as has become sadly common for this government, it includes another secrecy clause. To help Immigration do their job and ensure migrant workers ar ebeing paid, there's a power enabling them to obtain employment ...2 days ago
- Graeme Edgeler: The Periodic Review of the Intelligence and Security Act 2017When the Intelligence and Security Act was passed in 2017, it required that every five to seven years, that the Intelligence Agencies and the Act itself be reviewed. Following from the Report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the terrorist attack on Christchurch masjidain, the review was moved up. ...2 days ago
- Gordon Campbell on why nothing succeeds like failure
As predicted in this column on Tuesday, the Bank of England has finally intervened to bail Britain out of its self-inflicted economic crisis. The Bank has introduced emergency measures to halt the headlong fall in the British currency triggered by the tax cut package that the Truss government unveiled last ...2 days ago - “Fighting for Inches” in the Southeast’s Struggle With SaltThis is a re-post from Circle of Blue by Hannah Richter Saltwater intrusion threatens coastal agriculture on the Delmarva Peninsula and in the Carolinas. Thousands of acres are already unable to be farmed. Conservation easements can facilitate a transition of cropland to salt marsh, providing numerous ...2 days ago
- If we can’t trust the Ombudsman, who can we trust?Today the Ombudsman released Ready or Not, a followup to their 2015 report Not a Game of Hide and Seek. And the first revelation in it? That the Ombudsman lied to me. Last year, I'd grown curious about what problems had been identified in Not a Game of Hide and ...3 days ago
- Studying hurricanes at sea to save lives on shoreThis is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Kristen Pope NOAA oceanographer Greg Foltz knew it was going to be a long night last fall when he saw Hurricane Sam‘s trajectory. Glued to the National Hurricane Center data, Foltz, who works in NOAA’s Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory in Miami, examined ...3 days ago
- The SFO and the right to silenceNewsroom today has an article asking Is the SFO too powerful for its own good?. The article is about the NZ First Foundation fraud trial, and much of it is about the allegation that Labour politicians were charged and questioned solely to protect the SFO from expected government moves to ...4 days ago
- The police are out of controlOn Friday, RNZ carried a story about the police use of Auror, a private surveillance network. Police use it to track people and vehicles using ANPR, washing their hands of any legal restrictions or privacy obligations because the actual surveillance is being done by a private company. That's bad enough, ...4 days ago
- Gordon Campbell on what Britain’s tax cutting spree means for usWell, that didn’t take long. Briefly, the pageantry of the royal funeral had made Britain look like a world power again. But last Friday’s package of tax cuts and borrowing announced by the UK’s new Chancellor, Kwasi Karteng, has spooked investors, caused markets to tumble, and sent the pound crashing ...4 days ago
- Geoffrey Miller: Jacinda Ardern’s tilt towards the West continues at the UNJacinda Ardern intends to continue a more pro-Western foreign policy strategy, if her agenda from a hectic week of diplomacy is anything to go by. New Zealand’s Prime Minister met with four G7 leaders – Liz Truss, Joe Biden, Justin Trudeau and Emmanuel Macron – in various settings while she ...4 days ago
- Warming climate makes extreme hurricane rains more likely for Puerto RicoThis is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Jeff Masters and Bob Henson On September 20, 2017, Hurricane Maria hit the southeast coast of Puerto Rico as a category 4 hurricane with 155 mph winds, making it the strongest hurricane to make landfall on the island since 1928. Maria dumped ...4 days ago
- Old Prejudices In New Packages.Charisma. Style. Fascism? The rest of Europe is looking on aghast at Italy’s electoral behaviour. Giorgia Meloni’s Fratelli d’Italia (Brothers of Italy) party traces its ideological lineage all the way back to Mussolini’s fascists. Indeed, she has been known to proclaim the original fascists’ slogan: “God, Country, Family”; at her party’s ...5 days ago
- Crackpot Theory: The Real Sauron in The Rings of Power
The Rings of Power has yet to unveil Annatar. Or, as you might also know him, Sauron. As it currently stands, the invented Adar is the major on-screen villain, while the show has been gleefully dangling potential Annatar candidates in front of the viewer, to the point where “Everyone ...6 days ago - 2022 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #38A chronological listing of news articles posted on the Skeptical Science Facebook Page during the past week: Sun, Sep 18, 2022 thu Sat, Sep 24, 2022. Story of the Week Tipping points: How could they shape the world’s response to climate change? The Larsen Ice Shelf is situated along the ...7 days ago
- The power and privilege of the professional managerial classBryce Edwards examines how politics got captured by the middle class, and why it’s a problem (Reprinted from the Democracy Project, 8 September 2022) One of the world’s leading progressive political thinkers and journalists died last week. Barbara Ehrenreich was 81 years old, had written more than 20 books and ...7 days ago
- A Crystal Mith Problem: A Review and Analysis of The Rings of Power, Episode 5
Well. That was something else. Hot on the heels of The Rings of Power’s first unapologetically good episode, we now encounter its first unapologetically bad one. As you might have noticed, I have been generally positive – or at least charitable – about the show, but I cannot in ...7 days ago - Business as usual then? “Goodbye” Covid, Seymour rants, Uffindell is “cleared”… and Big Bu...
A pandemic is declared “over” by the US President (but let’s not fool ourselves because it’s not really), world leaders gather at the UN in person after zooming in over the last few years even as tensions escalate in Ukraine, extremism continues to rise worldwide and also locally, all ...7 days ago - Real royalty dying off
Jean Luc Godard and Hilary Mantel within a few days of each other?FFS, 2022. Juck fuck off already. ...7 days ago - Should We Be Relying On Storing Waste Carbon in Trees?
The carbon, energy and dollar cycles do not integrate well. The strategy of mitigating global warming by sequesting carbon in trees involves three separate cycles: a carbon cycle, an energy cycle and a dollar cycle. I am not sure they are well integrated. Our oil-based carbon cycle involves extracting underground ...1 week ago - Who to vote for in Palmerston North (2022)My local body voting papers arrived earlier in the week, so its time for the usual post in which I try and work out who I'm voting for. Essential tools for this have been Vote Climate, which looks at climate and public transport policy; Policy.nz, which gives a more general ...1 week ago
- Still striking for a futureIn 2017, Labour leader Jacinda Ardern said that climate change was "my generation's nuclear-free moment" and promised action. In 2019 and 2021 school students walked out of classrooms to demand she deliver. And today, they walked out again, because she still hasn't. The strikes are smaller today, because the movement ...1 week ago
- Fuck the economyStuff reports that bank economists are saying that 50,000 people need to be thrown out of work to control inflation: The current labour market was “very, very tight”, [ANZ chief economist Sharon Zollner] said, and bringing down inflation required “some spare capacity” in the labour market. It was a ...1 week ago
- Bryce Edwards: The Political mood of the business eliteThe New Zealand Herald has released the results of its annual “Mood of the Boardroom” survey today. Should we care what businesses think of politics, the economy and society? There’s a good argument that we should be more concerned with the “Mood of the Foodbank” or “Mood of the workers”. ...1 week ago
- Labour: From disappointment to deceitIn the 1980's and 1990's, Aotearoa faced a succession of governments who brazenly lied to the public, promising one thing to get elected, then doing something completely different in office. As revenge, we inflicted MMP on politicians, to saddle them with coalition partners and deprive them of the absolute majorities ...1 week ago
- The Magic Of Monarchy1 week ago
- An American Colony?
The end of the Queen’s reign has provided us here in New Zealand with a powerful and prolonged reminder of the extent to which our heritage is bound up with that of the United Kingdom. It may, therefore, be an odd moment to register what is becoming a significant change ...1 week ago - Skeptical Science New Research for Week #38 2022"Was it something I did?" Not so long ago Skeptical Science received email from a reader, subject: "Myth: increased deaths, harm to health and and destruction of property cannot be attributed to global warming." As a matter of intuition and the evidence in front of us, this certainly seems ...1 week ago
- Owlbears in Valinor: D&D Silliness with The Silmarillion
Some weeks ago, I finished DMing a three-session D&D outing with my usual circle of acquaintances. I had never actually DMed before, so it was a fun learning experience. Overall, I think I’m pretty decent at serving up a vaguely engaging story… my biggest weakness being combats. I am ...1 week ago - Gordon Campbell on ram-raids as a policy outcome, not a causeNew British PM Liz Truss is giving us a useful foretaste of what a change of government here next year would deliver: tax cuts, welfare reductions, law and order crackdowns, and further handouts to banks. On Friday, the new British Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng is expected to unveil a major “’fiscal ...1 week ago
- Hoist by his own petardIn 2017, in response to being criticised by anonymous bloggers, then-Samoan Prime Minister Tuila'epa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi restored the archaic colonial offence of criminal libel to Samoa's statute book, ramming it through parliament in under an hour. Now, he's being prosecuted under his own law [paywalled]: Police have perused a ...1 week ago
- DrawnA ballot for three member's bills was held today, and the following bills were drawn: Oranga Tamariki (Repeal of Section 7AA) Amendment Bill (Karen Chhour) Employment Relations (Restraint of Trade) Amendment Bill (Helen White) Sale and Supply of Alcohol (Cellar Door Tasting) Amendment Bill (Stuart Smith) ...1 week ago
- Bryce Edwards: Labour has given up on the poorWhat will it take for this Labour Government to start paying attention to the worsening state of economic inequality in New Zealand? The evidence is mounting that, under Labour’s watch, the problem of wealth and income inequality is spiralling. But the signs are that Labour ministers have put this crisis ...1 week ago
- Patterns in the Sand: Guessing References in The Rings of Power Opening Sequence
It is now generally accepted that the peculiar opening sequence of The Rings of Power is an extended reference to the Ainulindalë, the Music of the Ainur, the Creation Myth of J.R.R. Tolkien’s legendarium. Recall that this myth – the first chapter of the published Silmarillion – consists of ...1 week ago - Two Kings, One Country.A Meeting Of Minds On The Treaty: The ultimate irony of a radical Māori nationalist push for a republic would be an answering surge towards monarchical institutions. A Māori-Pakeha alliance forged between members of the Professional-Managerial Class in pursuit of a radically identarian republic may yet find itself opposed by ...1 week ago
- One country at a timeEquatorial Guinea has abolished the death penalty: Equatorial Guinea has abolished the death penalty, according to a new criminal code signed by veteran President Teodoro Obiang, adding to a growing list of African countries seeking to extinguish a vestige of colonial rule. The West African oil-producing country of 1.4 ...1 week ago
- Bryce Edwards: Time for the Auditor General to investigate Mahuta contractsPressure is increasing on the Auditor General to undertake an inquiry into numerous contracts, appointments and grants awarded to members of Cabinet Minister Nanaia Mahuta’s family by various government departments she has had official responsibility for. Allegations and revelations are mounting up, meaning this issue can no longer be ignored. ...1 week ago
- Gordon Campbell on Air New Zealand’s bumpy path to Covid recoveryAir New Zealand’s new non-stop service to JFK international airport in New York recently received a ton of free publicity, even though the airline’s mishandling of passenger baggage on the first New York to Auckland run was also an epic embarrassment. Since it was ordinary taxpayers who bailed out the ...1 week ago
- Member’s DayToday is a Member's Day. First up are two committee stages: Rachel Boyack's Plain Language Bill and Steph Lewis' Biosecurity (Information for Incoming Passengers) Amendment Bill. Once they're out of the way, the House will move on to the first readings of Damien Smith's Overseas Investment (Exempt Investment from OECD ...1 week ago
- This seems like a process we can have confidence inYesterday, National leader Christopher Luxon announced that the National caucus had voted to readmit MP Sam Uffindell - who had got together with his mates to beat a fellow student with bed-legs in the middle of the night in a cruel and pre-meditated attack while at school - after an ...2 weeks ago
- Climate Change: James Shaw pretends to be helplessRNZ this morning reports that Climate Change Minister James Shaw is open to another look at climate change rules to ensure that the Zero Carbon Act and its statutory target can actually be legally enforced: "If the temperature threshold is the point of the entire legislation, then surely it ...2 weeks ago
- Bryce Edwards: National’s unsatisfactory exoneration of Sam UffindellIt’s hard to have confidence in the National Party’s supposed exoneration of MP Sam Uffindell over allegations of ethical violations as an adult. The party’s processes have been far too opaque, which means there will always be a cloud over the integrity and character of their new MP for Tauranga. ...2 weeks ago
- A Song Of Iron And Blood.2 weeks ago
- 2022’s supercharged summer of climate extremes: How global warming and La Niña fueled disasters o...This article by Kevin Trenberth, Distinguished Scholar, NCAR; Affiliated Faculty, University of Auckland, is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. There’s an old joke about the fellow who has his left foot in a bucket of ice water and the right in a bucket ...2 weeks ago
- Who decides what we are allowed to say?
In this thoughtful piece Mark White from the left free speech site Plebity examines how we can reclaim the public square as a real Commons. Before we can have an honest debate over what speech should be allowed and what speech should be forbidden, we need to confront a more ...2 weeks ago - Elegy For A Queen.Elegy For A QueenThe media beast that must be fedOn human fodder hour-by-hour,Just for one second, checks its power.Elizabeth, the Queen, is dead.That this is news no one can doubt.The airwaves hum, the presses roll.And cellphones buzz from pole to poleTo get the information out.We see, we hear, the words ...2 weeks ago
- The Languages Of Sovereignty And Democracy.Leviathan: Reaching all the way back to the writings of the Sixteenth Century jurist and political philosopher, Jean Bodin, constitutional transformer Moana Jackson argues that the European concept of sovereignty is one of “the most high and perpetual power over citizens”. He would have done better to study Hobbes and Locke ...2 weeks ago
- Bryce Edwards: The Uninspiring Wellington mayoral electionWellingtonians are desperately unhappy with the politicians running their city, and a new poll out yesterday shows they’re not very impressed with their mayoral options either. The Wellington City Council’s own annual Residents Monitoring Survey shows plummeting levels of confidence in the politicians and the state of the city. When ...2 weeks ago
- Of Guilty Guilds: Addressing Anti-Immigration Populism in The Rings of Power, Episode 4
As per my Episode 4 review of The Rings of Power, I noted that the Men of Númenor objecting to Elves on a “they’ll steal our jobs!” basis feels a tad weird. Of all the things these people have to throw at their pointy-eared brethren, the show settles upon ...2 weeks ago - An Idle Ode to Adar the Elda: A Review and Analysis of The Rings of Power, Episode 4
Half-way through the first season of The Rings of Power, we have run into our first unapologetically good episode. Not merely one to feel positive about, whilst grumbling about perceived flaws real or imagined. No, I think the fourth episode is sufficiently good that hunting around for flaws to ...2 weeks ago - Gorbachev’s Legacy
The aim of a decent liberal Russia is still there; its achievement is likely to be a long way off. I was optimistic about the prospects for Russia when the Soviet Union – or, as I think of it, the Russian Empire – collapsed in the early 1990s. I never ...2 weeks ago - Hungary is no longer a democracySince his election in 2010, Viktor Orbán has shifted Hungary sharply away from democracy and the rule of law, changing the constitution to stack the electoral system and the courts against his opponents, while dismantling the independent media. And now, the European Parliament has recognised the truth: that one of ...2 weeks ago
- Bryce Edwards: Labour’s fraught battle to retain the Māori voteLabour’s poll results are trending down. Yesterday’s Curia poll put the party down two points to just 33 per cent, while National is up three points to 37 per cent. When it comes to next year’s election, a key constituency for Labour will be Māori voters, especially in the Māori ...2 weeks ago
- A King’s Grasp.Worst Case Scenario? Mike Bartlett’s teleplay, King Charles III, teases out the consequences of a constitutional monarch who makes the mistake of attempting to defend the rights of his subjects.WHILE MANY OF US pretended that Queen Elizabeth II would, somehow, live forever, others among us knew better. One of those ...2 weeks ago
- Gordon Campbell on the regal mourning marathonThe media coverage of the mourning process for Elizabeth II seems to be as endless as the lines of people waiting patiently to pay their respects. (The British are very good at standing in queues.) New Zealand’s official ten day mourning period ends on Monday, after the state funeral in ...2 weeks ago
- Skeptical Science New Research for Week #37 2022Mutual assured stupefaction A plethora of investigations have found that come the clutch, ideology often wins over facts when it comes to uncomfortable truths. If the outcomes of facts disagree with ideological objectives, facts frequently lose. Why? If we look at the sharpest divergences of facts from wishful ideology, we find ...2 weeks ago
- Shouldn’t we make them pay for it?Yesterday a new report from Environment Southland found widespread environmental contamination at the Tiwai Point aluminium smelter. Both the soil and groundwater has been contaminated with fluoride and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and the stormwater drains are full of heavy metals. Worse, this is just what we know - the data ...2 weeks ago
- Democratic compromise as the mutual second-best.For the first ten years of my former academic career I wrote a considerable amount about post-authoritarian democratisation thanks to the mentors that introduced me to the subject and my personal interest in Argentina and the Southern Cone. I alternated this interest with writing about various security related topics like ...2 weeks ago
- Bryce Edwards: Fighting for cleaner and fairer electionsFrom this week the public can provide input into the Government’s review of electoral laws – a process which is supposed to make elections cleaner and fairer. Hopefully, public submissions and pressure applied to both the electoral review experts and the Government will force the consideration and implementation of progressive ...2 weeks ago
- Sweden falls to the NazisSwedes went to the polls over the weekend, and after a tight count, appear to have elected a Nazi-coalition government. The right-bloc has a three-seat majority, and the neo-Nazi Sweden Democrats are the largest party within that bloc. And to gain power of course the "moderate" centre-right parties are willing ...2 weeks ago
- Ag’s challenging future in a changing climateThis is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Jeff Masters Increased drought and extreme heat adversely affecting agriculture likely pose the highest threat to civilization over the next 40 years. The greatest danger: extreme droughts supercharged by climate change, affecting multiple grain-growing areas simultaneously, causing “food shock” events that could ...2 weeks ago
- Questions for Richard Wagstaffby Don Franks A tough strike and lockout struggle against their employer won Kawerau pulp and paper workers an increase to the company’s initial offer. In a welcome resurgence of working class solidarity, embattled Kawerau unionists were assisted by financial support from other workers. Instead of building on this positive ...2 weeks ago
- We need tougher penalties for electoral donation fraudWriting in Stuff, Max Rashbrooke Lisa Marriott examine the dismal history of election donation fraud in Aotearoa, and conclude that there are no real consequences for it. Prosecutions are rare, and the penalties derisory: It looks awfully like one law for the rich and one for the poor. At ...2 weeks ago
- Wellington’s user-pays “democracy”In the face of a rising tide of climate protest, governments are cracking down. In the UK, the only-partly-elected government has effectivley banned protests, just like they did in the eighteenth century. In Wellington, they're more subtle, simply imposing unaffordable costs for "traffic management fees": Wellington City Council left ...2 weeks ago
- Bryce Edwards: Why New Zealand’s shift to a republic will be thwartedThe death of Queen Elizabeth and the ascension to the throne of King Charles has reignited the debate on whether New Zealand should become a republic. But despite strong arguments in favour of shifting to a republic, such a move is unlikely to occur anytime soon. What will stop the ...2 weeks ago
- Half a million mental health sessions
This week, we’ve marked a major milestone in our work on mental health – more than 500,000 sessions delivered through our Access and Choice programme. This programme, which enables Kiwis to get free mental support at their doctor or health centre, is just one of the ways we’re rebuilding New ...1 day ago - Time for the Electoral Commission to run local elections
Recent media coverage of the challenges facing local body elections, including people not receiving their voting papers and being told incorrectly that they are not eligible to vote, make it abundantly clear that the job of running our democracy should be given to the Electoral Commission. ...1 day ago - Greens welcome step forward for Waimana whānauThe Government has finally agreed to meet with the whānau of Te Waimana Kaaku, a step the Green Party says must lead to warm, dry, secure homes being provided on their whenua and papakāinga. ...2 days ago
- Govt’s migrant worker plan an ambulance at the bottom of the cliffOnce again the Government has stopped short of making necessary changes that will end the exploitation of people who travel to Aotearoa to work. ...2 days ago
- Green Party launch child poverty campaignThe Green Party has published an open letter to the Prime Minister calling on the Government to make some small changes to Working for Families so it better meets the needs of low-income families. ...2 days ago
- More medicines for New ZealandersThousands more New Zealanders will soon have access to life-changing medicines, thanks to our Government’s record investments in Pharmac’s medicines budget. ...3 days ago
- Indigenous self-determination key to unlocking better futureData released today by the Human Rights Measurement Initiative shows why land must be returned to tangata whenua, the Green Party says. ...3 days ago
- Birth injuries bill celebrated – next step, full coverParents who are injured while giving birth will be better supported by ACC, thanks to months of pressure from the Green Party, parents, community advocacy groups, academics, and medical experts. ...4 days ago
- RSE expansion stops short of what’s neededToday’s expansion of the Recognised Seasonal Employer Scheme (RSE) fails to guarantee Pacific people traveling to Aotearoa for work a warm place to live, safe working conditions, and good pay. ...4 days ago
- Crown closes the door for Waimana Housing programmeThe Green Party is calling out the Government for its role in Te Waimana Kaaku whānau losing their deposits and the homes they were promised. ...4 days ago
- Swimmable rivers and healthy lakes could soon be out of reachThe Green Party is calling on the Government to tighten the rules on synthetic fertiliser use and intensive land use, including intensive winter grazing, after new monitoring data revealed almost two-thirds of monitored rivers and streams are in poor health. ...6 days ago
- Green Party backs School Strike demandsThe Green Party backs the demands of the School Strike for Climate. ...1 week ago
- Report shows urgent need to fix wealth inequalityA new report out today provides all evidence the Government needs to start addressing runaway inequality and rebalance Aotearoa to work for everyone. ...1 week ago
- No excuses, Minister: we need mandatory pay gap reporting right nowThe message is loud and clear: the Government must introduce mandatory pay gap reporting ...1 week ago
- Greens will keep fighting to strengthen democracyThe Green Party once again put electoral reform on the political agenda with the first reading of Golriz Ghahraman’s Strengthening Democracy member’s bill - only for it to be voted down by Labour. ...1 week ago
- Moratorium on deep sea mining a step closerFollowing months of pressure from the Green Party and environmental NGO and the public, the Minister for Foreign Affairs today confirmed that she is taking advice on whether the Government should support a moratorium on deep sea mining in international waters. ...1 week ago
- Green Party welcomes landmark commitments from health sector for ADHD progressGreen Party spokesperson for Mental Health, Chlöe Swarbrick, welcomes commitments from the Minister of Health to six key areas of progress for the ADHD community, which would together represent one of the largest changes for the ADHD community in a generation. ...2 weeks ago
- Govt must reunite Afghan refugees with their familiesThe Green Party is once again calling on the Government to support victims of war, oppression, and violence to reunite with their families and put down roots in Aotearoa New Zealand. ...2 weeks ago
- New Zealand’s economy and the case for optimismIf you missed Grant Robertson’s recent speech on New Zealand’s economy, don’t worry – we’ve got you covered. Here’s a super quick overview of what the Minister of Finance said about the Government’s economic plan, as well as the latest figures that show how New Zealand’s economy is tracking. ...2 weeks ago
- Government handing Fonterra a free passMinister O’Connor should immediately pause the Government’s proposed Fonterra Bill and review its potential impact on the climate, the Green Party says. ...2 weeks ago
- Time to support te reo Māori as a core subject and as a medium of instructionOn the 50th anniversary of the Māori language petition, the Green Party is calling on the Government to make te reo Māori a core curriculum subject in mainstream schools and to support Kaupapa Māori education groups. ...2 weeks ago
- Celebrating Te Wiki o Te Reo MāoriKia ora e te whānau! It’s Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori once again – an opportunity for all of us, no matter where we are on our te reo journey, to give te reo Māori a go. This year, as we celebrate Māori Language Week, we are also marking ...3 weeks ago
- Urgent need for more food supportThe Green Party is calling on the Government to urgently increase the support available for people who are struggling to afford to put food on the table. ...3 weeks ago
- Serious questions for Govt to answer following decision to allow deep-sea miningThe Government has questions to answer following a recent decision by international regulators to give the green-light to a potentially destructive deep-sea mining project in the Pacific. ...3 weeks ago
- Vital public health measures still missing from COVID responseStrong public health measures are more vital than ever, the Green Party says as the Government removes many longstanding COVID-19 restrictions. ...3 weeks ago
- New Zealand condemns Russia’s annexation attempts
New Zealand condemns unequivocally Russia’s attempts to illegally annex Russia-occupied regions of Ukraine, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says. “We do not recognise these illegal attempts to change Ukraine’s borders or territorial sovereignty,” Jacinda Ardern said. “Russia’s sham referenda in Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia are illegitimate, and have no legal ...3 hours ago - Government provides confidence to those seeking an adventureWith our borders opened and tourists returning, those seeking out adventurous activities can do so more safely due to the steps we’ve taken to improve the health and safety regulatory regime for adventure activities, Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Michael Wood has announced. “We are seeing international visitor numbers begin ...6 hours ago
- More single-use plastics banned from tomorrowSingle-use plastic cotton buds, drink stirrers and most plastic meat trays are among single use plastics banned from sale or manufacture from tomorrow. “This is the first group of the most problematic plastic products to be banned in a progressive phase out over the next three years,” Environment Minister David ...21 hours ago
- Speech to NZDF Command and Staff CollegeIt’s a pleasure to join you today – and I extend a particular welcome to Marty Donoghue (a member of the Public Advisory Committee on Disarmament and Arms Control) and Athena Li-Watts (interning with me this week) who are also joining me today. On the face of it, some ...1 day ago
- Milestone of half a million mental health sessions deliveredThe Government’s flagship primary mental health and addiction programme Access and Choice has hit the milestone of delivering more than 500,000 sessions to New Zealanders needing mental health support. Health Minister Andrew Little made the announcement at ADL – Thrive Pae Ora in Cromwell which provides mental wellbeing support services ...1 day ago
- Government continues to future-proof arts, culture and heritage sectorThe Government has announced further support for the recovery and resilience of the arts, culture and heritage sector as part of its COVID Recovery Programme’s Innovation Fund. “We’re continuing to secure the recovery of our arts, culture and heritage in Aotearoa New Zealand by supporting transformational initiatives across the motu,” ...1 day ago
- Government steps up kauri protectionThe Government is delivering on an election commitment to protect kauri in our northern forests through the new National Pest Management Plan (NPMP) for the forest giant and the allocation of $32 million of funding to back the coordinated effort, Biosecurity Minister Damien O'Connor and Associate Environment Minister (Biodiversity) ...1 day ago
- Russia’s Ukraine referenda a shamAotearoa New Zealand does not recognise the results of the sham referenda in Russia-occupied regions of Ukraine, Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta says. “These so-called referenda were not free or fair, and they very clearly were not held in accordance with democratic principles,” Nanaia Mahuta said. “Instead, they were hastily organised ...1 day ago
- Govt invests in New Zealand’s wine futurePrime Minister Jacinda Ardern has officially opened New Zealand Wine Centre–Te Pokapū Wāina o Aotearoa in Blenheim today, saying that investments like these give us cause for optimism for the future. Funding of $3.79 million for the Marlborough Research Centre to build a national wine centre was announced in 2020, ...2 days ago
- Appointment of Judges of the Court Martial Appeal CourtAttorney-General David Parker today announced the appointment of Colonel Craig Ruane, Commander Robyn Loversidge, and James Wilding KC as Judges of the Court Martial Appeal Court. The Court Martial Appeal Court is a senior court of record established under the Court Martial Appeals Act 1953. It is summoned by the ...2 days ago
- Government strengthens measures to combat migrant worker exploitationOffence and penalty regime significantly strengthened New infringement offences for non-compliance Public register of individuals and businesses that are found guilty of migrant exploitation New community-led pilot to educate migrants workers and employers of employment rights Implemented reporting tools successfully brings exploitation out of the shadows Take-up of protective visa ...2 days ago
- Livestock exports by sea to ceaseThe passing of a Bill today to end the export of livestock by sea will protect New Zealand’s reputation for world-leading animal welfare standards, Minister of Agriculture Damien O’Connor said. “The Animal Welfare Amendment Bill future-proofs our economic security amid increasing consumer scrutiny across the board on production practices," Damien ...3 days ago
- Extra measures to increase census turnout in 20233500 census workers on the ground, twice as many as last census More forms to be delivered – 44% compared to 3% in 2018 Prioritisation of Māori and other groups and regions with lower response rates in 2018 Major work to ensure the delivery of a successful census in 2023 ...3 days ago
- Shining the light on screen workersImproved working conditions for workers in the screen industry is now a reality with the Screen Industry Workers Bill passing its third reading today, announced Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Michael Wood. “It’s fantastic to see the Screen Industry Workers Bill progress through Parliament. The new Act will strengthen protections ...3 days ago
- Mental health resources for young people and schools launchedAssociate Minister of Education (School Operations) Jan Tinetti and Associate Minister of Education (Māori Education) Kelvin Davis have today launched two new resources to support wellbeing, and the teaching and learning of mental health education in schools and kura. “Students who are happy and healthy learn better. These resources ...3 days ago
- Progress continues on future-proofing Auckland’s transport infrastructureTransport Minister Michael Wood has welcomed the latest progress on Auckland’s two most transformational transport projects in a generation – Auckland Light Rail and the Additional Waitematā Harbour Connections. Auckland Light Rail and Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency have named preferred bidders to move each project to their next phase, ...3 days ago
- Government supports local innovation in homelessness preventionTen successful applicants in round two of the Local Innovation and Partnership Fund (LIPF) Close to $6 million allocated as part of the Homelessness Action Plan (HAP) Māori, Pasefika and rangatahi a strong focus Round three opening later this year with up to $6.8 million available. Government is stepping up ...3 days ago
- More medicines for New Zealanders, thanks to Govt’s Budget boostHealth Minister Andrew Little is welcoming news that two more important medicines are set to be funded, thanks to the Government’s big boost to the country’s medicines budget. “Since coming into Government in 2017, the Labour Government has increased Pharmac’s funding by 43 per cent, including a $71 million boost ...3 days ago
- Government delivers ACC change to support 28,000 parentsThe Maternal Birth Injury and Other Matters Bill passes Third Reading – the first amendment to ACC legislation of its kind From 1 October 2022, new ACC cover to benefit approximately 28,000 birthing parents Additional maternal birth injuries added alongside new review provision to ensure cover remains comprehensive Greater clarity ...4 days ago
- Further cuts for East Coast tarakihi limits to rebuild numbers fasterCommercial catch limits for East Coast tarakihi will be reduced further to help the stock rebuild faster. “Tarakihi is a popular fish, and this has led to declining levels over time. Many adjustments have been made and the stock is recovering. I have decided on further commercial catch reductions of ...4 days ago
- New Ambassador to Colombia announcedForeign Minister Nanaia Mahuta today announced the appointment of diplomat Nicci Stilwell as the next Ambassador to Colombia. “Aotearoa New Zealand’s relationship with Colombia is fast growing with strong links across education, climate change and indigenous co-operation,” Nanaia Mahuta said. “Trade is a key part of our relationship with Colombia, ...4 days ago
- 3000 more RSE workers to ease workforce pressuresThe Government continues to respond to global workforce shortages by announcing the largest increase in over a decade to the Recognised Seasonal Employer Scheme (RSE), providing 3000 additional places, Immigration Minister Michael Wood and Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor have announced. The new RSE cap will allow access to 19,000 workers ...4 days ago
- Sanctions on more of the Russian political eliteFurther sanctions are being imposed on members of President Putin’s inner circle and other representatives of the Russian political elite, as part of the Governments ongoing response to the war in Ukraine, says Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta. “Ukraine has been clear that the most important action we can take to ...4 days ago
- New Principal Youth Court Judge appointedJudge Ida Malosi, District Court Judge of Wellington, has been appointed as the new Principal Youth Court Judge, Attorney-General David Parker announced today. Born and raised in Southland, Judge Malosi graduated from Victoria University of Wellington and spent her legal career in South Auckland. She was a founding partner of ...4 days ago
- Visitor arrivals highest since pandemic beganOverseas visitor arrivals exceeded 100,000 in July, for the first time since the borders closed in March 2020 Strong ski season lifts arrivals to Queenstown to at least 90% of the same period in 2019 Australia holiday recovery has continued to trend upwards New Zealand’s tourism recovery is on its ...4 days ago
- Language provides hope for TuvaluClimate change continues to present a major risk for the island nation of Tuvalu, which means sustaining te gana Tuvalu, both on home soil and in New Zealand Aotearoa, has never been more important, Minister for Pacific Peoples Aupito William Sio said. The Tuvalu Auckland Community Trust and wider Tuvalu ...6 days ago
- Minister Sio to attend Asian Development Bank meeting in ManilaAssociate Foreign Affairs Minister Aupito William Sio travels to the Philippines this weekend to represent Aotearoa New Zealand at the 55th Annual Meeting of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) Board of Governors in Manila. “The ADB Annual Meeting provides an opportunity to engage with other ADB member countries, including those ...7 days ago
- United Nations General Assembly National StatementE ngā Mana, e ngā Reo, Rau Rangatira mā kua huihui mai nei i tēnei Whare Nui o te Ao Ngā mihi maioha ki a koutou katoa, mai i tōku Whenua o Aotearoa Tuia ki runga, Tuia ki raro, ka Rongo to pō ka rongo te ao Nō reira, tēnā ...1 week ago
- New strategy unifies all-of-Government approach to help Pacific languages thriveA united approach across all-of-Government underpins the new Pacific Language Strategy, announced by the Minister for Pacific Peoples Aupito William Sio at Parliament today. “The cornerstone of our Pacific cultures, identities and place in Aotearoa, New Zealand are our Pacific languages. They are at the heart of our wellbeing,” Aupito ...1 week ago
- Upgrades for sporting facilities ahead of FIFA Women’s World CupCommunities across the country will benefit from newly upgraded sporting facilities as a result of New Zealand co-hosting the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023. The Government is investing around $19 million to support upgrades at 30 of the 32 potential sporting facilities earmarked for the tournament, including pitch, lighting and ...1 week ago
- Partnership supports climate action in Latin America and CaribbeanAotearoa New Zealand is extending the reach of its support for climate action to a new agriculture initiative with partners in Latin America and the Caribbean. Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta and Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor announced a NZ$10 million contribution to build resilience, enhance food security and address the ...1 week ago
- Landmark agreement for Māori fisheries celebrates 30th yearThe 30th anniversary of the Fisheries Deed of Settlement is a time to celebrate a truly historic partnership that has helped transform communities, says Parliamentary Under-Secretary to the Minister for Oceans and Fisheries Rino Tirikatene. “The agreement between the Crown and Māori righted past wrongs, delivered on the Crown’s treaty ...1 week ago
- Government backs initiatives to cut environmental impact of plastic wasteThe Government has today announced funding for projects that will cut plastic waste and reduce its impact on the environment. “Today I am announcing the first four investments to be made from the $50 million Plastics Innovation Fund, which was set last year and implemented a 2020 election promise,” Environment ...1 week ago
- Call for expressions of interest in appointment to the High Court BenchAttorney-General David Parker today called for nominations and expressions of interest in appointment to the High Court Bench. This is a process conducted at least every three years and ensures the Attorney-General has up to date information from which to make High Court appointments. “It is important that when appointments ...1 week ago
- Depositor compensation scheme protects Kiwis’ moneyNew Zealanders will have up to $100,000 of their deposits in any eligible institution guaranteed in the event that institution fails, under legislation introduced in Parliament today. The Deposit Takers Bill is the third piece of legislation in a comprehensive review of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act and ...1 week ago
- New fund to help more Pacific aiga into their own homesThe Government has launched a new housing fund that will help more Pacific aiga achieve the dream of home ownership. “The Pacific Building Affordable Homes Fund will help organisations, private developers, Māori/iwi, and NGOs build affordable housing for Pacific families and establish better pathways to home ownership within Pacific communities. ...1 week ago
- More than 100,000 new Kiwis as halfway point reachedOver 100,000 new Kiwis can now call New Zealand ‘home’ after the 2021 Resident Visa reached the halfway point of approvals, Minister of Immigration Michael Wood announced today. “This is another important milestone, highlighting the positive impact our responsive and streamlined immigration system is having by providing comfort to migrant ...1 week ago
- Maniapoto Claims Settlement Bill passes third reading – He mea pāhi te Maniapoto Claims Settl...Nā te Minita mō ngā Take Tiriti o Waitangi, nā Andrew Little, te iwi o Maniapoto i rāhiri i tēnei rā ki te mātakitaki i te pānuitanga tuatoru o te Maniapoto Claims Settlement Bill - te pikinga whakamutunga o tā rātou whakataunga Tiriti o Waitangi o mua. "Me mihi ka ...1 week ago
- 50,000 more kids to benefit from equity-based programmes next yearAnother 47,000 students will be able to access additional support through the school donations scheme, and a further 3,000 kids will be able to get free and healthy school lunches as a result of the Equity Index. That’s on top of nearly 90% of schools that will also see a ...1 week ago
- Healthy Active Learning now in 40 percent of schools across New ZealandA total of 800 schools and kura nationwide are now benefitting from a physical activity and nutrition initiative aimed at improving the wellbeing of children and young people. Healthy Active Learning was funded for the first time in the inaugural Wellbeing Budget and was launched in 2020. It gets regional ...1 week ago
- Global Freedom Rally For Iran
On Saturday 1st of October 2022, we, the members of the Iranian community of Aotearoa New Zealand, will gather in Wellington, Auckland, Christchurch, and Dunedin to join the Global Freedom Rally for Iran. This event is organised in more than 130 cities ...2 hours ago - Our sanctions rule out Putin and his cronies, but the rest of the world is being assured about safet...
Buzz from the Beehive We are surely blessed to have a government which – with an ever-widening slew of policies and programmes expertly designed to improve our wellbeing – has thrust itself and its magic into the confidence-building business. This was proudly proclaimed – it seemed at first blush – ...2 hours ago - NZ govt condemns Russia annexation: 'We do not recognise these illegal attempts to change Ukrai...
The New Zealand government has "unequivocally" condemned Russia's attempts to illegally annex the regions in Ukraine it currently occupies. ...2 hours ago - Single-use plastics ban extended to cotton buds, meat trays, stirrersPolystyrene takeaway containers, plastic cotton buds and drink-stirrers are among single-use plastics banned from sale or manufacture from today. ...3 hours ago
- Focus on Politics: Labour, National cross swords over tax, social insuranceHeading towards a tight election next year, Labour and National are facing economic turbulence from their own policies, and global events, RNZ Political Editor Jane Patterson finds. ...5 hours ago
- If you think scrapping COVID isolation periods will get us back to work and past the pandemic, think...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By C Raina MacIntyre, Professor of Global Biosecurity, NHMRC Principal Research Fellow, Head, Biosecurity Program, Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney Shutterstock COVID is an exceptional disease and was at its deadliest this year, causing more deaths in Australia between June and August ...17 hours ago - Eight Sisters will be chuffed after landing a chunk of the lolly as Govt finds innovative and arty w...Buzz from the Beehive The applicants who applied for public funds under the name Eight Sisters have done nicely, thank you, from a trough called the Innovation Fund. They will receive $659,520 to develop a project called Wharenui Harikoa, described as “a large scale crocheted Wharenui to transform intergenerational trauma ...21 hours ago
- So long, Loy Yang: shutting Australia’s dirtiest coal plant a decade early won’t jeopardise our ...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tim Nelson, Associate Professor of Economics, Griffith University Shutterstock AGL Energy – Australia’s largest emitter of greenhouse gases – announced this week it will shut the Loy Yang A power station in Victoria’s LaTrobe Valley in 2035, a decade earlier ...21 hours ago
- A sham sentence after a secret trial for Aung San Suu Kyi’s Australian economic adviserSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tim Harcourt, Industry Professor and Chief Economist, University of Technology Sydney The Irawaddy, CC BY-SA Australian Sean Turnell, economic adviser to Myanmar’s democratically elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi, has been in prison since the military coup of February 2021, ...21 hours ago
- US Democrats’ gains stall six weeks before midterm elections; UK Labour seizes huge lead after bud...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian Beaumont, Election Analyst (Psephologist) at The Conversation; and Honorary Associate, School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne The United States midterm elections will be held in six weeks, on November 8. All 435 House of Representatives seats are up ...21 hours ago
- View from The Hill: national cabinet drops mandatory isolation, dumping ‘COVID exceptionalism’Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra National cabinet has agreed to lift the five day mandatory isolation period for people contracting COVID, with the Commonwealth’s chief medical officer declaring “it is time to move away from COVID exceptionalism”. In a ...21 hours ago
- The queen’s death certificate says she died of ‘old age’. But what does that really mean?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Marc Trabsky, Senior research fellow, La Trobe University Queen Elizabeth’s newly released death certificate contains just two curious words under her cause of death – old age. We might talk about people dying of old age in everyday speech. But who actually ...22 hours ago
- Optus says it needed to keep identity data for six years. But did it really?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Brendan Walker-Munro, Senior Research Fellow, The University of Queensland Among the many questions raised by the Optus data leak – cybersecurity experts are confident it wasn’t a hack, but that may have to be decided by a court – is why the company ...22 hours ago
- Amazon Web Services had direct contact with Jacinda Ardern, OIA showsA giant US tech firm that is among a slew of companies building data centres here, corresponded directly with Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern. ...22 hours ago
- Not just a joke: we scoured TikTok for anti-Asian humour during the pandemic, and found too many dis...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ariadna Matamoros-Fernández, Senior Lecturer in Digital Media at the School of Communication, Queensland University of Technology Viviana Rishe/Unsplash We live in deeply unequal societies where certain groups, such as racial and sexual minorities, continue to experience structural oppression. Humour targeted ...22 hours ago
- More than 500,000 mental health sessions delivered by government programmeMore than half a million mental health sessions have been delivered to New Zealanders under the government's Access and Choice programme despite delays to the roll-out. ...24 hours ago
- ‘A long way to go’: Catholic women call for wide-ranging church reforms in new international sur...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kathleen McPhillips, Senior Lecturer, School of Humanities and Social Science, University of Newcastle Catholic women across the world are calling for a wide range of reforms to the church, according to the results of our survey of more than 17,000 Catholic women ...24 hours ago
- Greyhound Trainer Attempts To Thwart Drug TestAnother greyhound has tested positive for methamphetamine in the racing industry. The drug was detected in June 2022 in Palmerston North only after the trainer used a string of excuses to delay the urine swab by two hours. SAFE Campaigns Manager ...24 hours ago
- Made in 1972, the documentary Ningla-A’Na is a powerful look at establishment of the Aboriginal Te...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Bronwyn Carlson, Professor, Indigenous Studies and Director of The Centre for Global Indigenous Futures, Macquarie University Moratorium for Black rights Sydney from the film NINGLA ANA This year, we acknowledge the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the Aboriginal Tent ...1 day ago
- Week in Politics: Another poll points to a 'drag race' electionAnalysis - Another opinion poll points to a close election, as National launches a tax attack on the government but has to answer questions about its own policy, writes Peter Wilson. ...1 day ago
- World Vegetarian Month 2022October is World Vegetarian Month, starting with World Vegetarian Day on 1st October, encompassing World Animal Day on October 4th and ending with World Vegan Day on 1st November. “ This month is a good opportunity to promote healthy living, sustainability ...1 day ago
- Media focus on Davis’ advice against looking through a “vanilla lens” while Chhour’s questio...It is tempting to liken the political hacks of the mainstream news media to piranha, rather than ever-vigilant watchdogs of the Fourth Estate. With the exception of the NZ Herald, they have lamentably ill-served the voting public by failing to muster a whimper, let alone a snarl or a warning ...1 day ago
- Viral infections including COVID are among the important causes of dementia – one more reason to c...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Donne Potter, Professor, Research Centre for Hauora and Health, Massey University Sven Hoppe/picture alliance via Getty Images With more of us living into old age than at any other time, dementia is increasing steadily worldwide, with major individual, family, ...1 day ago
- Justice For Pike River One Step CloserThe decision by the New Zealand Police to look further into the Pike River mine workings has been welcomed by Pike River family members. Ten new boreholes will be drilled into the mine to allow police to gather more evidence by remote video. For ...1 day ago
- Racism Disproportionally Affects Visibly Indigenous And Ethnic Minority YouthMāori and ethnic minority youth who are not perceived as European/Pākehā or ‘white’ are more likely to experience racial discrimination Lancet study shows Young people who are not perceived as European/Pākehā or ‘white’ are more likely to experience ...1 day ago
- Analytical Note Takes A Broader View Of New Zealand’s Productivity PerformanceThe Treasury has published a new Analytical Note, New Zealand's Productivity Performance: Taking a Broader View , written by John Janssen, Margaret Galt and Giles Bollinger. This Analytical Note expands on themes covered in the Secretary to the Treasury’s ...1 day ago
- Shortage Of Accessible Homes A Human Rights DeficitHuman rights data on housing released today by Te Kāhui Tika Tangata, the Human Rights Commission, estimates more than 100,000 people face severe housing deprivation, while 17 percent of people with a physical impairment have unmet housing modification ...1 day ago
- Political panel: Poll position, media merger, and an apologyMorning Report - RNZ and TVNZ's political editors Jane Patterson and Jessica Mutch-McKay assess some clashes between opposition MPs and the government - and the implications in the latest poll. ...1 day ago
- Eliud Kipchoge broke the men’s marathon record by 30 seconds. How close is the official sub-2 hour...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Simon D Angus, Associate Professor, Department of Economics, Monash University Eliud Kipchoge crosses the line to win the Berlin Marathon on September 25, 2022. Christoph Soeder/AP Sixty-nine seconds. In that time, you could reheat a cuppa in the microwave or get halfway ...1 day ago
- Why has my cold dragged on so long? And how do I know when it’s morphed into something more seriou...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By David King, Senior Lecturer in General Practice, The University of Queensland Photo by Andrea Piacquadio/Pexels, CC BY Common colds are caused by viruses. There are no effective cures, and antibiotics do not work on viruses, so treatment is targeted at ...1 day ago
- Shifting ocean currents are pushing more and more heat into the Southern Hemisphere’s cooler water...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Moninya Roughan, Professor in Oceanography, UNSW Sydney Shutterstock The oceans absorb more than 90% of all extra heat trapped by the emissions we’ve produced by burning fossil fuels. This heat is enormous. It’s as if we exploded an atom bomb ...1 day ago
- Let’s show a bit of love for the lillipilly. This humble plant forms the world’s largest genus o...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Darren Crayn, Professor and Director, Australian Tropical Herbarium, James Cook University Shutterstock You’re probably familiar with the sight of a lillipilly bush. This hardy Australian staple – a glossy evergreen bearing powder-puff flowers and clusters of bright berries – ...1 day ago
- Local body elections: Undelivered voting papers will deter some – officialDozens of people are complaining daily they haven't got their voting papers for the local elections, an electoral official says. ...1 day ago
- Grattan on Friday: National Anti-Corruption Commission set for easy birth thanks to Albanese-Dutton ...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Though they’d be the last to admit it, Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton have more in common than you might expect. They’re both unapologetic pragmatists. Albanese, a left fighter in the distant past, is ...2 days ago
- I’ve given out my Medicare number. How worried should I be about the latest Optus data breach?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Bruce Baer Arnold, Associate Professor, School of Law, University of Canberra Medicare card numbers are the latest personal details to be exposed as part of the Optus data breach. Optus has confirmed this affects 14,900 valid Medicare numbers that have not expired, ...2 days ago
- Should ADHD be in the NDIS? Yes, but eligibility for disability supports should depend on the person...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Andrew Whitehouse, Bennett Chair of Autism, Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Western Australia Shutterstock Eligibility for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) came under scrutiny this week, after NDIS minister Bill Shorten said he was considering whether a diagnosis ...2 days ago
- Government introduces Worker Protection (Migrant and Other Employees) BillA crackdown on migrant exploitation could see guilty employers face harsher penalties - be publicly named and shamed - and banned from managing a company. ...2 days ago
- How did Victoria cut emissions by almost 30% – while still running mostly on coal?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tony Wood, Program Director, Energy, Grattan Institute In the 15 years to 2020, Victoria’s emissions fell by almost 30%, according to a new government report. You might wonder how is this possible, given most of the state’s brown coal stations are still ...2 days ago
- Broadcasting minister clears up comments on no trust in NZ television and radioBroadcasting Minister Willie Jackson has clarified comments he made about the media, saying he did not mean to imply the public did not trust RNZ and TVNZ. ...2 days ago
- Bryce Edwards’ Political Roundup: Public sector bosses must be held accountable for undermining t...Analysis by Dr Bryce Edwards. Political Roundup: Public sector bosses must be held accountable for undermining transparency Political scientist, Dr Bryce Edwards. Public service bosses earn mega-salaries, yet oversee bureaucracies that frequently undermine transparency and frustrate public and media scrutiny. The obvious answer is to start docking the pay of chief ...2 days ago
- These 12 things can reduce your dementia risk – but many Australians don’t know them allSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Joyce Siette, Research Theme Fellow, Western Sydney University Shutterstock Dementia is a leading cause of death in Australia. Although dementia mainly affects older people, it is an avoidable part of ageing. In fact, we all have the power to reduce ...2 days ago
- Have Your Say On The Charities Amendment Bill...2 days ago
- Politics with Michelle Grattan: Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus on the National Anti-Corruption Commis...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra The government has introduced its legislation for the National Anti-Corruption Commission, which has received the endorsement of opposition leader Peter Dutton and so is assured of passage through parliament. But critics are unhappy that ...2 days ago
- Another record payout for Tatua’s 101 farmer-shareholders
It is only a star on the horizon for the bulk of dairy farmers — but this is what they may aspire to. How about a payout of $11.30kg/MS? That’s what the 101 farmer-shareholders in the Waikato specialist-product-co-op Tatua will receive — a record — for the 2021-22 year. Tatua ...2 days ago - Govt (through the PGF) poured $3.79m into a wine research centre but it has torpodoed the businesses...Buzz from the Beehive While the PM was pumping up the prospects of wine producers – and, presumably, their potential for export growth – Trade Minister Damien O’Connor was scuttling shipments of livestock by sea. Jacinda Ardern has officially opened the New Zealand Wine Centre in Blenheim, saying investments like ...2 days ago
- Heavy mercury contamination at Maya sites reveals a deep historic legacySource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Duncan Cook, Associate professor, Australian Catholic University Shutterstock Mercury is a toxic heavy metal. When leached into the natural environment, it accumulates and builds up through food chains, ultimately threatening human health and ecosystems. In the last century, human ...2 days ago
- 80kp/h Speed Limit Unlikely To Significantly Reduce Serious AccidentsA proposal to dramatically lower the speed limit on most of the nation's highways is unlikely to significantly lower the road toll, says the car review website dogandlemon.com . Editor Clive Matthew-Wilson, who is an outspoken road safety campaigner. says: ...2 days ago
- 30 Year Journey To SettlementTe Whakatōhea, will soon be voting on whether to receive a $100m+ settlement package 26 years after receiving their first settlement offer from the Crown. Whakatōhea Pre Settlement Claims Trust Chair, Graeme Riesterer says that the time is now for ...2 days ago
- Ports Of Auckland Must Not Be PrivatizedThe Maritime Union of New Zealand says the Ports of Auckland must remain in the full ownership of Auckland Council. Maritime Union of New Zealand National Secretary Craig Harrison says recent debates in the Auckland Mayoralty election campaign had ...2 days ago
- NZ King Salmon Mortality Rates Are Ethically And Legally ContentiousNew Zealand King Salmon (NZKS) has reported a $24.5 million loss for its half-year earnings, of which it says a major contributor was a January mortality event. A 25% mortality rate for NZKS farms is considered standard for the company, and NZKS is ...2 days ago
- Minister Davis apologises over comments to ACT's Karen ChhourMinister for Children Kelvin Davis has phoned ACT MP Karen Chhour directly to apologise over comments made in Parliament yesterday. ...2 days ago
- Why keeping tabs on Tata suggests O’Connor should be quickening the pace in push for an FTA with I...Among the many issues related to the performance of the export sector and how the Government might further help it is the case for negotiating a trade deal with India. Australia has secured a free trade deal with what is the planet’s fifth-biggest economy. In contrast, Agriculture and Trade Minister ...2 days ago
- Pay Equity Claims Formally DeliveredTe Hautū Kahurangi | Tertiary Education Union members have formally delivered gender pay equity claims to university employers across Aotearoa today. The multi-union and multi-employer claims are being jointly raised by TEU, PSA and TIASA and target ...2 days ago
- Chloe Swarbrick confident alcohol harm reduction bill will find first-reading supportGreen MP Chlöe Swarbrick will need most of Labour's MP to swing behind her bill if it is to pass its first hurdle in Parliament. ...2 days ago
- Change To Fisheries Amendment Bill A Win For The EnvironmentThe Government’s decision to drop controversial changes to fisheries legislation is welcome news to fishing and environmental groups concerned about threats to fish sustainability. Oceans and Fisheries Minister David Parker has announced he will ...2 days ago
- Thomas Cranmer: Three Waters, Taumata Arowai and the scantly diluted powers of Minister Mahuta’s ...
New Zealand’s new water services regulator is Taumata Arowai. Its website says this name was “gifted” to it (or bestowed on it?) by Nanaia Mahuta, Minister of Local Government. Taumata Arowai was formed with local government support but its role in the Three Waters reforms is more controversial. Moreover, it ...2 days ago - Broadcasting Minister Willie Jackson cites 'no trust' in defence of public media entityBroadcasting Minister Willie Jackson is defending the mega public media merger between RNZ and TVNZ, saying it is needed because the public does not trust the media. ...2 days ago
- Force Justified To Prevent Man’s Escape In InglewoodThe Independent Police Conduct Authority has found that Police were justified in using a range of tactics, including Tasers, to arrest a man who was trying to escape in Inglewood on 21 May 2020. The man complained to the Authority about the level ...2 days ago
- Te Pāti Māori Urging Whānau To Get Out And Vote, As List Of Endorsed Candidates ConfirmedTe Pāti Māori is today urging that whānau across Aotearoa get out and vote in this year’s local elections as it confirms it’s list of endorsed candidates. “With just over a week to go before the ballot boxes close for local elections, ...2 days ago
- Smartphone Addiction Debated Live Before Phone Free DayIn the lead-up to Phone Free Day 2022 (6 October) we’re discussing what is healthy use of your smartphone in our complex, busy lives. Will our young people have shorter attention spans? Is driver distraction from cellphones causing accidents? Is social ...2 days ago
- Greenwashed Dairy Cows On Parliament Lawn Highlight Government Inaction On Climate29 Sept: Greenpeace Aotearoa has brought a mock dairy herd to Parliament’s lawn to highlight the government’s use of greenwashing instead of real action on New Zealand’s biggest climate polluter: intensive dairy. Actors representing Prime ...2 days ago
- Dunne Speaks: Youth Crisis LoomingNow that New Zealand has started to move on from the unrelenting emphasis of the last two and a half years on dealing with the pandemic, focus is beginning to return to other important aspects of national life. We are all familiar with the mounting ...2 days ago
- Passing Of Live Export Bill A Historic MomentThe Animal Welfare Amendment Bill passed its third reading last night, which will give effect to a ban on live export. All exports of cattle, deer, goats, and sheep by sea will stop on 30 April 2022 SAFE Chief Executive Debra Ashton said it’s a ...2 days ago
- Tragedies And Funerals Like A Honeypot To ScammersCriminals and scammers are ambushing well-meaning people during times of tragedy, so it is important to be on the lookout, a cybersecurity expert warns. Author of the book 'She'll Be Right (Not!) – a cybersecurity guide for Kiwi business owners ...2 days ago
- From fertiliser to phantom: DNA cracks a century-old mystery about New Zealand’s only extinct fres...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Lachie Scarsbrook, DPhil Student, University of Oxford The upokororo, or New Zealand grayling (_Prototroctes oxyrhynchus_) Te Papa CC BYNC-ND 4.0, Author provided In 1923, Te Rangi Hīroa (Sir Peter Buck) documented the last confirmed capture of a special fish – the upokororo ...2 days ago
- Have Your Say On The Fire And Emergency New Zealand (Levy) Amendment BillThis bill would make changes to the Fire and Emergency New Zealand Act 2017. It aims to simplify the implementation of the insurance-based levy framework for Fire and Emergency New Zealand. The levy is insurance based, which means that insurance ...2 days ago
- Glass beads in lunar soil reveal ancient asteroid bombardments on the Moon and EarthSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alexander Nemchin, Professor, Applied Geology, Curtin University NASA / JSC In 2020, China’s Chang’e 5 mission sampled more than a kilogram of Moon rock and soil and brought it back to Earth. The samples contain countless tiny beads of glass, ...2 days ago
- A kung-fu kick led researchers to the world’s oldest complete fish fossils – here’s what they ...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Long, Strategic Professor in Palaeontology, Flinders University Heming Zhang, Author provided Some of the world’s most significant fossil discoveries have come from China. These include amazing feathered dinosaurs, the earliest modern mammals, and some of the oldest-known animals on ...2 days ago
- The TGA is considering paracetamol restrictions due to poisonings – but what does that mean for co...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Natasa Gisev, Clinical pharmacist and Scientia Senior Lecturer at the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW Sydney Shutterstock Paracetamol is Australia’s most widely used pain medicine, with 65 million packs sold across the country in 2021. It is available ...2 days ago
- How we can use gaming to support positive ageing (and support our relationships with our pets, too)Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Larissa Hjorth, Professor of Mobile Media and Games., RMIT University Cherished Pet Foundation, Author provided Margaret, 63, loves playing online Scrabble everyday with her sister who lives interstate. The online game allows a playful way to keep in constant contact when ...2 days ago
- Make It 16 Petition To Lower Voting Age Given To MPsThis Thursday at 5pm, Make It 16 will hand over a petition to Parliament, asking for a law change to allow 16 and 17 year-olds to vote. The petition has over 7,000 signatures. “This petition shows that thousands of New Zealanders are supporters ...2 days ago
- Lucky Liz? Wait a few years to find out
Britain’s new PM, Liz Truss, might have caught a break last night. The International Monetary Fund, after a longish period of complaisance in regard to fiscal stimulus, abruptly decided that the Truss economic plan was a good point to draw a line, in part because giving people their money ...3 days ago - How does the government’s long-awaited anti-corruption bill rate? An integrity expert breaks it do...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By A J Brown, Professor of Public Policy & Law, Centre for Governance & Public Policy, Griffith University The prospects of Australia securing a strong federal anti-corruption agency have taken a huge leap forward, with introduction of the Albanese government’s much awaited National ...3 days ago
- Political Roundup: Items of interest and importance today 28 September 2022Political Roundup by Dr Bryce Edwards. Items of interest and importance today 1NEWS-KANTAR OPINION POLL 1News: Poll: Labour halts decline, but National still in position to govern Thomas Coughlan (Herald): Sniff the air – election 2023 smells like a drag race (paywalled) Mike Hosking (Newstalk): Poll still shows change is coming Toby Manhire ...3 days ago
- Te Pāti Māori president claims party 'demonised' by political donations investigationTe Pāti Māori president John Tamihere is calling an investigation into his charities political donations racist. ...3 days ago
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