Search Results
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Comment:Open mike 23/05/2023
Date published: 3:22 pm, May 23rd, 2023Quite a good 5 minute video on the raid into Russia here. It looks like the rebel Russian group may have been reinforced by up to 500 more fighters now. And, they are getting support from Ukrainian artillery. So, this could actually become quite a big ...
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Comment:Open mike 23/05/2023
Date published: 3:00 pm, May 23rd, 2023Fransesca, here is a good article for you on neo-nazis in Russia and how Putin has tried to utilise these groups for his own ends. So, Putin seemed quite comfortable with Neo-Nazis at home. So, it is a bit weird that he was so worried about them in Ukraine...
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Comment:Open mike 23/05/2023
Date published: 2:56 pm, May 23rd, 2023It makes sense, especially on such a long border. If they keep doing raids in random places in Russia along that northern border, the Russians are going to be struggling, because, they don't have the resources to defend everywhere.
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Comment:Open mike 23/05/2023
Date published: 12:20 pm, May 23rd, 2023I think the best strategy is for this separtarist group to conduct raids like this every now and then. They shouldn't be trying to set up long-term defensive positions or such because that would just be suicide. But, if there is an ongoing threat of ...
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Comment:Open mike 23/05/2023
Date published: 11:45 am, May 23rd, 2023Yeah. it makes things a bit spicy, doesn't it? Apparently, the seperatists have found weapons biolabs and satan worshipping Nazi death squads lol. Perhaps Ukraine should be sending in a "peace keeping force" to keep civilians safe. Or, perhaps Ukraine ...
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Comment:How come government doesn’t improve our economy?
Date published: 4:06 pm, May 22nd, 2023Sure. I agree with that as well. We had that situation in Christchurch with the Lyttleton tunnel that had tolls charged until it was paid off. Paying the tunnel fee was a no-brainer compared to the drive over the hill.
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Comment:How come government doesn’t improve our economy?
Date published: 8:33 pm, May 21st, 2023When I was doing my Masters years, I was marking papers for first year students. From my experience of that, there are a lot of people who shouldn't be in university. At that time, there was a general push to get people into university, and the trades were...
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Comment:How come government doesn’t improve our economy?
Date published: 2:28 pm, May 21st, 2023I agree with your post Ad. We may disagree with how money should be spent. But that is for another day. I think public-private partnerships for major infrastructure such as roading is essential. This would mean less public money required. And, likely toll ...
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Comment:National thinks tax cut good, reduction in Government charges bad
Date published: 4:10 pm, May 20th, 2023A question I have about the prescription charges is, should the government be subsidising big business? Because, presumably, the Chemist Warehouse and Countdown, that were doing prescriptions for free will now have the government pick up the tab for them.
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Comment:National thinks tax cut good, reduction in Government charges bad
Date published: 11:10 am, May 19th, 2023Yeah. My son has Crohn's and up until recently, the medicine available was over 10 years out of date here in NZ. That has changed slightly, but only a very small percentage are going to get the good stuff atm.
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Comment:National thinks tax cut good, reduction in Government charges bad
Date published: 10:54 am, May 19th, 2023But, there is still more that could be funded, regardless of how much funding has been increased. And, given inflation over recent times, the effective percentage increase would be a lot less than 51%.
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Comment:National thinks tax cut good, reduction in Government charges bad
Date published: 10:52 am, May 19th, 2023Define "properly funded". From what I have seen, there is no shortage of people wanting this or that drug funded. The fact is, that if Pharmac had more money, they could fund more of those drugs.
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Comment:National thinks tax cut good, reduction in Government charges bad
Date published: 9:46 am, May 19th, 2023We have several of those in Christchurch. But, the likely counter argument is that not all areas have the Chemist Warehouse, yet.
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Comment:National thinks tax cut good, reduction in Government charges bad
Date published: 9:14 am, May 19th, 2023For National to go straight out and say they will reverse it they are either very brave or very stupid It depends what they do instead. So, if they ensure that low income people can still get the rebate, and put the money saved into more drugs from ...
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Comment:National thinks tax cut good, reduction in Government charges bad
Date published: 9:00 am, May 19th, 2023I think the removal of perscription charges is debatable. Firstly, it is a blunt instrument, in that a lot of people who can afford the charges will get the benefit. So, it can be argued that a lot of that money is going to people who are not in need. Thus...
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Comment:Open mike 18/05/2023
Date published: 1:56 pm, May 18th, 2023I agree the amount of chlorine in drinking water is much lower than in a swimming pool. But, some people are highly sensitive to even very small amount of irritants. For instance, my wife's sister is a celiac. She gets violently ill with even small traces ...
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Comment:Open mike 18/05/2023
Date published: 1:52 pm, May 18th, 2023That sounds more like a face-saving argument than a public health one.
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Comment:Open mike 18/05/2023
Date published: 1:23 pm, May 18th, 2023Further to the discussion yesterday about drinking water, an important consideration is the effect of chlorinated water on other health conditions. For instance, Chlorinated water is known to aggravate skin allergies and asthma symptoms. This is confimed ...
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Comment:National's Policy Machine is a thing to behold
Date published: 9:35 am, May 18th, 2023As a right winger who posts here fairly regularly, I think you need to up the quality of your posts a lot. If you want wasted government spending highlighted, then you need to do it. Provide evidence to back up the claim. Then be prepared to enter into ...
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Comment:Open mike 17/05/2023
Date published: 10:48 am, May 17th, 2023Fair enough. But it doesn't really prove anything. I probably should have qualified the statement a bit better. After a major earthquake a chlorination plant could be taken out. So, under those extreme circumstances, nothing could really be guaranteed so ...
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Comment:Open mike 17/05/2023
Date published: 10:10 am, May 17th, 2023LOL. Broken sewage pipes after a major earthquake. Who would have thought? Is that the best you can do?
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Comment:Open mike 17/05/2023
Date published: 10:09 am, May 17th, 2023Yes it has, if required. But only as long as necessary. The council has spent a fortune upgrading our infrastructure to meet what they understood to be the standard for an exemption. But, they have now found the goal-posts have moved. People in ...
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Comment:Open mike 17/05/2023
Date published: 9:59 am, May 17th, 2023Our water is constantly monitored. If there is any sign of water quality deteriorating, then the specific areas of concern are chlorinated. I challenge anyone here to produce any documented case of sickness in Christchurch due to water quality. I don't ...
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Comment:Open mike 17/05/2023
Date published: 9:44 am, May 17th, 2023The council has spent millions on upgrading our water supply in order to meet government requirements. But, the goal posts keep shifting. https://www.chrislynchmedia.com/news-items/government-forces-chlorine-in-christchurchs-drinking-water-sparking-outrage...
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Comment:Open mike 17/05/2023
Date published: 8:50 am, May 17th, 2023I think Labour has just lost the Christchurch vote. Christchurch voters will be pissed off with Labour every time they take a drink of disgusting chlorinated water. All National has to do is to promise to restore unchlorinated water to Christchurch and ...
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Comment:National's Policy Machine is a thing to behold
Date published: 10:37 pm, May 16th, 2023And the current finance minister as well I think...
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Comment:Open mike 16/05/2023
Date published: 4:24 pm, May 16th, 2023Everyone is all kissy kissy again at the Gore Council. Nice to see everyone behaving like adults again.
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Comment:National's Policy Machine is a thing to behold
Date published: 2:01 pm, May 16th, 2023Here is my suggestion for eliminating the churn associated with poor spending, and waste that occurs due to policies being canned after changes of government etc: 1. Abandon the adverserial party system. 2. Go to voting for roles instead of parties. ...
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Comment:National's Policy Machine is a thing to behold
Date published: 1:51 pm, May 16th, 2023And I am not blaming Labour. I think it happens which ever government is in power. I have a suggestion to solve it below. Though, I doubt much will come of it.
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Comment:National's Policy Machine is a thing to behold
Date published: 12:15 pm, May 16th, 2023Back to the wasted spending theme I started earlier, another issue is the wasted spending that occurs due to changes of government. For instance, if National gets elected this time around, they are likely going to scrap some of the stuff that Labour has ...
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Comment:National's Policy Machine is a thing to behold
Date published: 10:36 am, May 16th, 2023They want to shift the thinking towards an individuated, transactional mindset of "what am I getting for my money that you forcibly take from me? I don't think that is the right way of looking at it. My way of looking at tax is that it should be spent in ...
- Maybe I'm amazed and maybe I'm not
A short list of some of the fastest things in the world:Cat versus snakeUsain BoltPeople who claim to support climate action, coming up with their objection to any goddam specific action whatsoeverYesterday was a good day — a very good day — in the short history of decarbonising ourselves.We were told ...1 week ago - The dirty power of culture wars.
A few decades ago I wrote an essay about the impact of state terror on Argentine society. One of my points was that terrorism was used by the military dictatorship known as the “Proceso” not because it was particularly effective … Continue reading ...1 week ago - Megan Woods stays mum about levy-fetching energy bill – but she brings out megaphone for news of m...
Buzz from the Beehive Point of Order looked again on the government’s official website for statements from Energy and Resources Minister Megan Woods about two energy-related bills that were rushed into law last week. We can’t say she has been silent, because she had lots to say in parliament ...1 week ago - Labour chickens out on the voting age again
The Justice Committee has reported back on the declaration of inconsistency on the voting age. Sadly, the recommendations won't surprise anybody: the Labour-majority committee recommended that Parliament immediately lower the voting age for local government, and that it "investigate" lowering it for general elections (while remembering to fix a bunch ...1 week ago - Climate Change: The uncertainty problemWhen the government announced its $140 million carbon-reduction subsidy for NZ Steel yesterday, practically everyone's first thought was "why aren't they paying for it themselves?" The National Party based their entire response on this, denouncing the deal as corporate welfare, and arguing that the ETS should incentivise companies to reduce ...1 week ago
- BRIAN EASTON: Crises!
A conversation between a minister and advisor. Brian Easton writes – Come in, Sit down. Thank you Minister. We have to deal with the current crisis. You know what a crisis is? No, actually I don’t, Minister. I looked it up in a dictionary. None of its ...1 week ago - National Must Learn To Be Kind – Or Remain In Opposition.
1 week ago - Gordon Campbell on the NZ Steel deal
Goodness gracious: The National Party has come out against corporate welfare! Or at least it is dead against the government’s $140 million subsidy deal with New Zealand Steel. The deal will enable the installation of a new electric arc furnace, will reduce the company’s reliance on coal, and will mark ...1 week ago - CMIP6: Not-so-sudden stratospheric cooling
As predicted in 1967 by Manabe and Wetherald, the stratosphere has been cooling. A new paper by Ben Santer and colleagues has appeared in PNAS where they extend their previous work on the detection and attribution of anthropogenic climate change to include the upper stratosphere, using observations from the ...1 week ago - $140m well spent at $16.20/tonne
After the PM donned NZ Steel-branded hi-vis and announced funding towards a new electric arc furnace, National has accused the Government of paying ‘corporate welfare’ to NZ Steel’s ASX-listed Australian owner, BlueScope Steel. But has Luxon just fallen (again) into a trap set by Labour? Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The ...1 week ago - NZ Politics Daily: 22 May 2023
ELECTION Andrea Vance (Stuff): National has got much bigger problems than an unpopular leader Chris Trotter (Interest): National must learn to be kind – or remain in opposition 1New: Q+A: Luxon’s polls ‘abysmal’ but National leadership change unlikely – panel Philip Burdon (Post): The challenges mounting against Luxon and National (pawyalled) ...1 week ago - Budget 2023 Highlights
Last week the government released their latest budget. By in large it seems to have been fairly well received and one thing that strikes me about it is there was not one large headline grabbing initiative but lots of little ones that added up. It’s a shame the government can’t ...1 week ago - Finally, Europe embraces Brexit
They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. So Brexiteers who have been banging on about European over-regulation for years will be delighted at the Damascene call from France’s President Macron for a “European regulatory pause” – particularly it seems for green regulation. Sounding like someone else, he ...1 week ago - The scale of petty reactionism perhaps makes the biggest impression on Budget 2023
The sheer arrogance of the assumptions that went flying out, the insolence of the ignorance of it all, it’s sometimes breathtaking, at other times so sadly, infuriatingly predictable. Like the sun coming up, one can almost set your watch to it. But not only was the reaction from ...1 week ago - 2023 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #20
A chronological listing of news and opinion articles posted on the Skeptical Science Facebook Page during the past week: Sun, May 7, 2023 thru Sat, May 13, 2023. This week, several shared articles did quite well on our Facebook page: 10 year anniversary of 97% consensus study, Solving Climate Change - ...1 week ago - Climate Change: A big dealIf you thought about Aotearoa's non-agricultural emissions a few years ago, four mega-emitters stood out: the Marsden Point oil refinery, the Huntly power station, the Glenbrook steel mill, and the Motunui methanol plant. Marsden Point shut down last year and is being dismantled; Huntly has been scheduled for shutdown for ...1 week ago
- Luxomania!
In a suburban Botany home, a lego McMansion, a bare chested middle aged man stared closely into the mirror. He scowled, clenched his fists in front of his thighs, and tightened his chest muscles.Looking the reflection intently in the eye he growled “what are you going to do when Luxomania ...1 week ago - Dreaming of some shining city
A big chunk of this year’s budget coverage was brought to us by the words crass, gauche and venal. The big questions being put were what's in it for me, what's in it for you, and did you get something, or were you a loser?It fell to the audience to ...1 week ago - I'll Never Know Why Dark Tourist Died
Hi,I have no idea how many people watched Dark Tourist, and when we didn’t get a second season all I could really do was shrug and go “I wonder why that happened.” An exec told me that Netflix wasn’t doing any more travel shows, but then Netflix gave Zac Efron ...1 week ago - GRAHAM ADAMS: Te Pāti Māori – Kingmaker or Labour’s albatross?Graham Adams writes – Chris Hipkins must be fast realising that with friends like Te Pāti Māori he really doesn’t need enemies. In fact, the strong possibility Labour will require its support to form a government is looking like a real threat to its chances of re-election in ...1 week ago
- The number of the world’s farms to halve by 2100New University of Colorado Boulder research shows the number of farms globally will shrink in half as the size of the average existing farms doubles by the end of the 21st century, posing significant risks to the world’s food systems. Published this week in the journal Nature Sustainability, the study ...1 week ago
- Universality vs User Pays.
In the hours after the budget I saw headlines saying National would cancel free prescription fees, making them user pays again. I was really annoyed.It seemed like an obvious joke to make after the budget, an absurd satirical take. Suggesting the National Party would respond to the budget by cancelling ...1 week ago - The Hoon: Budget 2023, the $5 prescription fee, market studies, Luxon’s (un)popularity and two cur...This week was dominated by the release of Grant Robertson’s sixth Budget. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTLDR: The week’s news in Aotearoa’s political economy I covered via The Kākā for paying subscribers included:All the key details from Budget 2023 on Thursday, where I travelled to Wellington for the Budget ...1 week ago
- Fire, rain, and budgets
Welcome to the inaugural Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding. It has two purposes. One is to give subscribers who don’t have time to read every newsletter an omnibus edition to catch up. The second is to give free subscribers a sampler of the past week. Here’s what happened ...1 week ago - Crises!
A discussion between a minister and advisor.Come in, Sit down.Thankyou Minister.We have to deal with the current crisis. You know what a crisis is? No, actually I don’t, Minister. I looked it up in a dictionary. None of its answers matched the way the term is used in public.Exactly. It’s ...1 week ago - Energy levy bills are being rushed into law while NZ focuses on the Budget – “fair” taxing bil...Buzz from the Beehive While journalists have been feverishly informing us about the Budget over the past 24 hours, they have paid scant heed to other matters on the Parliamentary agenda. This includes the Government’s introduction of four bills under urgency. The Order Paper shows a motion to accord urgency ...2 weeks ago
- Hamilton next week under this useless Labour Government
1. Offering her considered opinion on the budget yesterday, Rachel Smalley wrote:Middle class and wealthy New Zealanders don’t need the taxpayer to fund their $5 antibiotics prescription. This is madness. Why is she so wrong?a. Because she has a black belt in simplistic wrongnessb. Because she’s concurring with the National Partyc. ...2 weeks ago - Ask Me Anything about the week to May 19
It’s that time of the week for an ‘Ask Me Anything’ session for paying subscribers about the week that was for an hour from midday (my apologies for the late start today), including:Budget 2023’s inflationary impulse and what that might mean for mortgage rates and the election result;Wayne Brown’s capitulation ...2 weeks ago - Gordon Campbell on the BudgetHeaven help us, but this year’s Budget is what a “targeted” and “no frills” response to the financial hardship facing hundreds of thousands of New Zealanders looks like. Good to know that the government has deliberately avoided grappling with the bigger picture. So to be grateful for small mercies… No ...2 weeks ago
- Budget 2023.
So another budget has come and gone. What did you think?Herald writer Patrick Smellie called it a “bland election year budget” saying “it doesn’t give opposition parties all that much to bite on, beyond general arm-waving about how much more the government spends these days than it used to. Even ...2 weeks ago - NZ Politics Daily: 19 May 2023BUDGET ANALYSIS Danyl Mclauchlan (Spinoff): A kludgeocratic budget for the ages Toby Manhire (Spinoff): Bread and Breader: Watching the budget debate Spinoff: Budget 2023: The great Spinoff hot-take roundtable Duncan Greive (Spinoff): A budget budget from Homebrand Hipkins – with a few treats for the kids Chris Trotter: In The ...2 weeks ago
- The power of… nothing. Robertson
As Grant Robertson rose to deliver his sixth budget, New Zealanders were wondering what his biggest, juiciest announcement would be in an election year. Few would have guessed that his big economic and political play was… nothing.In line with the Responsible Robertson role he was taken on in his two ...2 weeks ago - Dawn Chorus: Interest rate warnings after Budget 20232 weeks ago
- Weekly Roundup 19-May-2023Welcome to Friday. Here’s our latest roundup of stories that caught our eye this week. The Week in Greater Auckland On Monday, Matt looked at Christchurch’s proposal for light rail On Tuesday, Matt covered AT’s Hobson St consultation Yesterday, Matt highlighted how we’re taking resilience more seriously but ...2 weeks ago
- In The Lock-Up.Not Enough: Why should the poorest New Zealanders be expected to suffer the heaviest casualty-count in the battle against inflation? Why should a handful of unelected Reserve Bank officials be able to blackmail a democratic government into austerity by threatening to throw the entire economy into recession? The welfare of ...2 weeks ago
- Winston’s Last Shot At Redemption.The Happy Warrior: In the five months remaining before the 2023 General Election, Winston Peters has to amass enough votes to once again seize the hand-brake. Even a quarter of New Zealand’s 980,000 Baby Boomers would be enough.NZ FIRST is currently hovering around 3-4 percent in the opinion polls – ...2 weeks ago
- Robertson dares National to cut deeperWhat is most surprising about yesterday’s Budget is how apparently painless it was to find $4 billion in reprioritisation savings. That begs the question as to whether a tougher approach might have found more. But that might have meant cutting programs which Finance Minister Grant Robertson resolutely refuses to ...2 weeks ago
- Skeptical Science New Research for Week #20 2023Open access notables Visiting online haunts of climate science rejectionsits reveals a nexus of anxieties in some sections of the public: climate change and population migration. Judging from connections formed in headlines and article texts, one could easily think that readers' fears are being exploited; it's not hard to find content ...2 weeks ago
- What happens in a fire at Kia Kaha primary school
Patrick and Zac and Jordan are sitting quietly so they can think about what they have done.There was a fire alarm and everyone at Kia Kaha primary school had to go outside and wait in the rain.But there wasn’t any fire.It was just Patrick and Zac and Jordan playing a ...2 weeks ago - What happens in a fire at Kia Kaha primary schoolPatrick and Zac and Jordan are sitting quietly so they can think about what they have done.There was a fire alarm and everyone at Kia Kaha primary school had to go outside and wait in the rain.But there wasn’t any fire.It was just Patrick and Zac and Jordan playing a ...2 weeks ago
- Budget 2023 – a slew of press statements and an improvement in the Treasury’s fiscal outlookBuzz from the Beehive It’s the no-frills budget (says Labour) or the blowout budget (says National). But let’s bypass much of the slew of information released today and turn to the Treasury’s Budget and Economic Fiscal Update, which says the Government’s fiscal outlook is expected to improve over the forecast ...2 weeks ago
- Kiwis show they can fly as they give effect to their post-pandemic travel plans
Pre-Budget news has been prominent in news bulletins this week, but while cost-of-living issues are of concern to many New Zealanders, thousands of others are more focused on their post-pandemic travel plans. Starved of their jaunts abroad during the pandemic, they are now filling the seats of every available plane ...2 weeks ago - Labour doesn’t deliverGrant Robertson is currently reading his budget speech, to the usual applause from the performing seals on the backbench. More childcare subsidies for multinational childcare providers! Eliminating prescription charges! Subsidies for computer game companies (who already have the subsidy of being exempt from employment law)! Some of this is welcome, ...2 weeks ago
- Budget 2023: Some rabbits, a few more houses and a higher trust tax rateGrant Robertson says he is proud of this year’s Budget. It required him to walk a tightrope in the short-term between extra spending to win re-election, and a need to constrain fiscal stimulus. Photo: Lynn Grieveson/TheKakaTL;DR: The Labour Government has unveiled a couple of middle-class welfare policies in its last ...2 weeks ago
- Govt eases the way through Customs and to buying building materials – but illegal timber imports a...Buzz from the Beehive The Government has made a prohibition pronouncement under a headline that makes a dubious claim about the snuffing of illegality. The headline says Government shuts door on illegally harvested timber. Good-oh. With the door shut, there can be no way of getting our hands on illegally ...2 weeks ago
- Garrick Tremain’s view…
... 2 weeks ago - A Bread and Butter Budget.
I feel sorry for Grant Robertson, his is an impossible position. Fix all the stuff, the broken infrastructure, the roads, the homes and lives damaged by these weather events. The people in limbo unable to live in their homes, maybe even to get to their homes. You have to do ...2 weeks ago - What to look for in Budget 20232 weeks ago
- NZ Politics Daily: 18 May 2023BUDGET Jenna Lynch (Newshub): Newshub-Reid Research poll: Kiwis support the Government introducing wealth tax Gerard Hehir (Stuff): Budget 2023: Workers need more than stop-gap measures Simon Wilson (Herald): Hey Grant Robertson, here’s some rabbits to pull from your Budget 2023 hat (paywalled) Luke Malpass (Post): Grant Robertson readies to hand down ...2 weeks ago
- Taking Resilience More SeriouslyThis year New Zealand has been given the clearest signal yet that we need to do our part to address climate change, both in reducing our emissions – which by most measures we’re not even trying to do – and in improving our resilience. An interesting article yesterday by Radio ...2 weeks ago
- ‘It’s gotten really ugly.’ A community of freedom-lovers squares off against climate change in...This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Osha Davidson When I arrived at Karen Nabity’s place in Arizona’s Rio Verde Foothills on a spring afternoon, she opened the door and flashed a big smile. “Oh good!” she said, laughing as she ushered me inside. “You got here in time ...2 weeks ago
- Join my chat today on Budget 2023 after 2 pm
Today I’m announcing a brand new(ish) addition to my Substack publication. It’s called subscriber Chat. You may have seen it in the navigation bar when reading my articles on Substack itself, rather than in your email.This is a conversation space in the Substack app that I set up exclusively for ...2 weeks ago - Today’s Budget is only Part OneToday’s Budget will be only Part One of Labour’s two-part pitch for re-election. Robertson is calling it a “no frills” Budget with the big vote winners yet to come. Finance Minister Grant Robertson has repeatedly said any changes to taxation will not be in the Budget but in the ...2 weeks ago
- We need changeOver on The Kaka, Bernard Hickey is calling the Loafers Lodge fire a symptom of our bipartisan, low-tax, low-debt, no-housing, fuck-the-poor, asset bubble for the rich political consensus. And he's appropriately cynical about the response: So far, the response in real financial terms by the Government is business as ...2 weeks ago
- Not a coronation, but DeSantis may still deserve the crownIn all the coronation hoo-hah, it was easy to overlook another significant political event: the visit to the UK of Republican presidential hopeful, Ron DeSantis. And what do you know, he’s good. Good enough for a meaningful full length interview. Unlike so many these days. Sitting down with ...2 weeks ago
- Bob Brockie’s view…
... 2 weeks ago - Prices static at latest GDT auction but farmers can still anticipate a sound Fonterra end-of-year ...Prices were relatively static at the latest Global Dairy Trade auction, which may have disappointed those farmers who had been tracking the futures market’s pointer to a rise of 1.9% in the wholemilk powder price. As it happened, the WMP auction price – which has the most impact on ...2 weeks ago
- That's not family, that's me mother-in-law
If you or I were to rent a house from our mother-in-law, and if you or I were also an MP, and even if you or I were wanting to portray our party's pro-landlord policies as sympathetic to the needs of renters,it probably would not occur to us to claim to identify ...2 weeks ago - The fire fueled by our housing and poverty crisesTL;DR: The Loafers Lodge fire has exposed the extent of Aotearoa’s housing and poverty crises, just days before the Labour Government will unveil yet another ‘no-frills’, ‘just the basics’ and ‘bread and butter’ Budget aimed at keeping interest rates low and asset values high, rather than investing heavily to solve ...2 weeks ago
- Secretive Constitutional Reform Is Political Kryptonite.Dangerous Stuff: The moment it becomes clear to non-Māori New Zealanders just how violently Te Pāti Māori’s reforms would re-arrange the country’s constitutional furniture their reaction is likely to sink any chance of a centre-left victory. Unsurprisingly, perhaps, talk of serious constitutional reform has the effect of Kryptonite on most ...2 weeks ago
- A Grim Template.Witnesses To A Massacre? The New Zealand Mounted Field Ambulance served in Sinai and Palestine in the latter years of the First World War. What connection, if any, did it have to the bloody events at Surafend? Major Alexander M. Trotter (the author’s grandfather) is seated on the right in the second row.I DON’T BELIEVE ...2 weeks ago
- Buzz from the Beehive is subdued while lobby groups brace to be delighted – or disappointed – by...Buzz from the Beehive It has been a quiet day in the Beehive, if the flow of press statements serves as a measure. In our daily monitoring, Point of Order found just two fresh announcements. Both involved job appointments. For the rest of it, Ministers and their staffs perhaps are ...2 weeks ago
- Has Te Pati Maori and its demands become the elephant in the room in the coming general election?Te Pāti Māori has almost doubled its support from 1.8 per cent to 3.5 per cent in the latest Newshub-Reid Research poll, pointing to the prospect it could play kingmaker this election. But since National’s Christopher Luxon has ruled out forming a coalition with Te Pati Maori, this underlines if ...2 weeks ago
- An Ordinary Hero.
I read the list of MP’s gifts and property interests this morning. It can be good for a laugh at some of the odder items. Or playing connect-the-dots between the gifts and what the giver might want in return. It began with a list of things given to Jacinda Ardern. ...2 weeks ago - NZ Politics Daily: 17 May 2023BUDGET Grant Duncan (The Conversation): Wellbeing is so last year – Labour’s ‘no frills’ budget points to an uninspiring NZ election Kate Prickett (The Conversation): NZ is finally making progress on child poverty – but a ‘no frills’ budget puts that at risk Tom Pullar-Strecker (Post): Less is more for ...2 weeks ago
- Mister Organ Coming to US Cinemas
Hi,I’m really excited to announce that Mister Organ will be released in US cinemas later this year.It’s been ages since Tickled played in the US — and I fondly remember how weird that shit got:As reported in Variety today:Drafthouse Films has acquired three films that it will release theatrically in ...2 weeks ago - At a glance – The 97% consensus on global warmingOn February 14, 2023 we announced our Rebuttal Update Project. This included an ask for feedback about the added "At a glance" section in the updated basic rebuttal versions. This weekly blog post series highlights this new section of one of the updated basic rebuttal versions and serves as a ...2 weeks ago
- ROGER PARTRIDGE: More planning madness from Auckland CouncilRoger Partridge writes – Anyone hoping for an end to the country’s housing affordability crisis should despair. Or at least they should if they live in New Zealand’s largest city. The villain in this instance is not the Resource Management Act. Nor is it Environment Minister David Parker’s ...2 weeks ago
- Utterly tone-deafThis morning a hostel burned down in Wellington, killing ten people. Aotearoa is a small country, and a disaster of this scale is unusual, so every political party leader was asked to comment. What did National Party leader Christopher Luxon have to say? An American-style "thoughts and prayers": National's ...2 weeks ago
- Please Mr Luxon they've tied my money to the railroad tracks and a train is coming!
Continuing this week's theme of giving credit where it's due, step forward C Luxon to receive a five foot four trophy in fake gold leaf. You win it in perpetuity for reading out three of the most breathtaking sentences of cynical bullshit I have ever heard.Sentence 1 Unless you've worked in ...2 weeks ago - Please Mr Luxon they've tied my money to the railroad tracks and a train is coming!Continuing this week's theme of giving credit where it's due, step forward C Luxon to receive a five foot four trophy in fake gold leaf. You win it in perpetuity for reading out three of the most breathtaking sentences of cynical bullshit I have ever heard.Sentence 1 Unless you've worked in ...2 weeks ago
- The art of bragging about govt money being well spent while requiring us to turn elsewhere for the d...Buzz from the Beehive The benefits that have flowed from pouring public funds into the arts is the subject of one of two new statements posted on the government’s official website in the past 24 hours or so. This statement has been released by Deputy Prime Minister Carmel Sepuloni, the ...2 weeks ago
- Plans, Pies, and Bottom Lines.
Thursday is budget day. The day when Finance Ministers traditionally eat a pie and then deliver their budget to parliament.Within moments of the speech starting articles will appear online, telling you all you need to about what it means for you. The journalists will have been in lockdown with advance ...2 weeks ago - Gordon Campbell on trying to pass National on the rightIt may be naïve to expect any politician to be consistent, but Christopher Luxon really is in a class of his own. One day, he’s out there decrying the state bureaucracy and promising to channel the money wasted on pen-pushers and bean counters back into frontline staff. Next day – ...2 weeks ago
- Dawn Chorus: Migration surge seen adding to inflation and interest rate pressureWestpac has revised up its rent and house price forecasts (and its peak OCR forecast), citing population growth as a factor. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: While some have argued the Government’s fiscal policy is one factor pushing up interest rates, a bigger Government-driven boost to short-run inflation this ...2 weeks ago
- New Zealand confirms recovery support for Cook Islands
Prime Minister Chris Hipkins has confirmed New Zealand will provide NZ$15 million in emergency budget support for Cook Islands in its ongoing recovery from the impacts of COVID-19. New Zealand’s support was confirmed during a meeting with the Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown in Papua New Guinea today. “New ...1 week ago - Budget 2023 provides significant investment in kapa hakaThe Government’s continued recognition of and support for the important place Kapa Haka has in Aotearoa was evident today at a celebration at Te Wharekura o Kirikiriroa Associate Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Willow-Jean Prime said. “Our investment of $34 million over two years ensures that this kaupapa is ...1 week ago
- NZ’s biggest ever emissions reduction project unveiledThe Government is partnering with New Zealand Steel to deliver New Zealand’s largest emissions reduction project to date, with half of the coal being used at Glenbrook steel to be replaced with electricity to recycle scrap steel. Prime Minister Chris Hipkins made the announcement alongside Energy and Resources Minister Megan ...1 week ago
- New Zealand Century Farms and Station Awards DinnerKia ora koutou. Thank you for your warm welcome. It’s my pleasure to be here in Lawrence to present tonight’s New Zealand Century Farm and Station Awards. I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the efforts of the awards committee. The committee has put in a lot of ...1 week ago
- Government welcome Waitangi Tribunal Wai 2750 report into homelessnessThe Government has welcomed the Stage One Waitangi Tribunal Wai 2750 – Housing and Housing Services Kaupapa Inquiry report into homelessness released today. Minister of Housing Hon Megan Woods and Associate Minister of Housing (Māori) Hon Willie Jackson as Co-Leads for the government, with Associate Minister of Housing (homelessness) Hon ...2 weeks ago
- PM confirms details of Papua New Guinea visitPrime Minister Chris Hipkins has confirmed his upcoming visit to Papua New Guinea. The Prime Minister travels to Port Moresby on Sunday May 21, and will meet with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, PNG Prime Minister James Marape and Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown. He has also been invited ...2 weeks ago
- Bill ensures ongoing reporting on tax system fairnessA Bill requiring facts about the fairness and efficiency of New Zealand’s tax system to be reported and published annually has been tabled in Parliament today. Revenue Minister David Parker said the Taxation Principles Reporting Bill would ensure that tax information is reported against a set of fundamental tax principles. ...2 weeks ago
- Tax bill improves fairness at home and abroadNZ joins global effort to ensure multinationals pay a minimum rate of tax Tax on ACC, MSD lump sum payments changed to reduce amounts owing for some KiwiSaver topups for child carers taking paid parental leave Implementing changes to trustee tax and tax relief for flood-hit businesses Several measures ...2 weeks ago
- New approach on law and order deliversSuccessful ‘circuit breaker’ pilot targeting repeat child offenders to be expanded to Hamilton, Christchurch and Auckland City Funding to maintain Police to population ratio achieved after 1800 extra Police officers added Creation of NZ’s first comprehensive digital Firearms Registry Modernising frontline police processes to free up time for officers Budget ...2 weeks ago
- Government increases support to disabled peopleBudget 2023 increases support for disabled people to access disability services and continues our crucial transformation of disability support services. “Budget 2023 will provide $863.6 million to help ease cost pressures on Government disability support services,” Priyanca Radhakrishnan said. “This support will ensure we can meet price increases due to ...2 weeks ago
- Budget delivers support for tertiary education and trainingExtending the Apprenticeship Boost initiative Biggest boost to tertiary subsidies in 20 years Additional funds to support forecast enrolments Supporting Te Pūkenga’s IT integration Budget 2023 ensures New Zealand’s tertiary education and training institutions are in the best possible position to prepare Kiwis for the future. Extending the Apprenticeship Boost ...2 weeks ago
- Rural communities to benefit from education and transport funding in Budget 2023Top up funding for emergency repairs and renewals to the transport network resulting from increasingly severe and frequent weather events Up to 1000 new EV chargers in smaller rural communities An additional 175 rural schools to get special funding for property improvements A top up of funding for emergency ...2 weeks ago
- Budget 2023 invests in Pacific wellbeing and prosperityBudget 2023 delivers new targeted initiatives so more Pacific communities are supported to succeed in education, jobs, business, language skills, and culture. “The package of initiatives is focused on getting the basics right, with a particular focus on youth, skills and learning, and promoting cultural connections,” Minister for Pacific Peoples Barbara ...2 weeks ago
- Whānau Ora system strengthened in Budget 2023Budget 2023 reflects the critical importance of Whānau Ora. “More and more whānau are using Whānau Ora services in the wake of Cyclone devastation and increases to the cost of living. In the first half of this financial year, 30,000 whānau had already used Whānau Ora services,” Peeni Henare ...2 weeks ago
- Māori Budget continues investment in whānau, whare and whakapapaExtra funding to build and repair more homes Boost for Te Matatini and ensuring Matariki is funded into the future More funding for Whānau Ora to provide more services Increased funding for hauora providers, Iwi-Māori Partnerships Boards, rongoā practitioners, and more prevention funding More support in Māori education for kura, ...2 weeks ago
- Budget 2023 delivers 3000 additional public homesAn extra 3,000 public homes by June 2025, on top of 14,050 funded to June 2024 Support for Māori housing – 322 more homes for Māori and 400 relocatable cabins to assist people and whānau displaced by extreme weather events across the North Island through ‘by-Māori, for Māori’ programmes Bolstering ...2 weeks ago
- Government tackles winter, waitlists and workforceMore than $1 billion allocated to increase health workforce pay rates and boost staff numbers Investment to allow for 500 new nurses Major investment to reduce waiting lists $20 million to lift immunisation and screening coverage for Māori and Pacific peoples The Chris Hipkins Government is tackling pay and workforce pressures ...2 weeks ago
- Tackling the cost of living and climate change togetherFree public transport for children Half price fares for people under 25 Major expansion of nationwide EV charging network Accelerating the uptake low-emission heavy vehicles like trucks and buses Reducing energy bills with 100,000 more insulation and heating retrofits Renewable energy system for Chatham Island to halve household electricity bills ...2 weeks ago
- Reducing power bills: 100,000 more insulation and heating retrofits100,000 additional heating & insulation retrofits that reduce electricity use by 16 percent on average Five million LED lights to help reduce energy costs Halving power bills on Chatham Island with a renewable energy system Kick-starting hydrogen use for just transition to displace fossil fuels Budget 2023 will help reduce power ...2 weeks ago
- New National Resilience Plan to rebuild better$6 billion initial funding for a National Resilience Plan to focus on building back better from recent weather events $100 million for the new infrastructure delivery agency - Rau Paenga Ensuring New Zealand’s infrastructure is resilient and safe Government’s Infrastructure Action Plan released The Government is setting aside $6 billion ...2 weeks ago
- Investing in science to boost our economic advantageThree new multi-institution hubs to increase collaboration in research and science Major investment in science and scientists Fellowships and funding to develop more than 260 future science leaders Budget 2023 positions the New Zealand economy for a low-emissions, high-wage future with a major investment into our science, digital and horticultural ...2 weeks ago
- Tech investment lays foundations for future economyNew 20 percent rebate for game development studios Apprenticeship-like models of training to get more people into tech careers Boosting innovation and growth in our industries Budget 2023 lays the foundations for a low-emissions, high-wage economy with a major investment into our digital and technology sectors. “The Chris Hipkins Government ...2 weeks ago
- Trustee tax change to improve fairnessThe trustee tax rate will be aligned with the top personal tax rate of 39 percent from April 2024, improving the fairness of the tax system and reducing opportunities for high-income taxpayers to circumvent the top personal tax rate. “When the Government put in place the 39 percent top personal income ...2 weeks ago
- A more resilient climate-friendly transport networkMajor expansion of nationwide EV charging network to deliver 23 charging hubs with the private sector Investment in public charging at community facilities for all towns with 2,000 or more people Investment package to build resilience in the roading network with significant upgrades for slip prevention, flood mitigation, and managing ...2 weeks ago
- Targeting transport costs: Free public transport for childrenFree fares for kids under 13 Half price fares for people under 25 Cheaper public transport for 1.6 million New Zealanders Better wages and working conditions for bus drivers Funding to help restore public transport service levels The Chris Hipkins Government is helping ease cost of living pressure on families ...2 weeks ago
- Helping with health costs: Prescription charge scrapped, providing cheaper medicineThe Chris Hipkins Government is reducing the cost of health care for New Zealand households by removing the $5 co-payment for prescription medicines from July this year. “An estimated three million people will no longer have to worry about the cost of collecting their medication,” Ayesha Verrall said. “Removing the ...2 weeks ago
- Cheaper Childcare: 20 hours free ECE extended to two-year-oldsExtending 20 hours free Early Childhood Education to two-year-olds Saving of up to $133.20 a week for parents Continuing pay parity for ECE teachers; up to 18.6 percent pay increase 5.3 percent increase in funding for ECE centres in recognition of rising cost pressures Extra support for Playcentre Aotearoa Free ...2 weeks ago
- Strong economy forecast to weather the stormInflation forecast to fall to the 1-3 percent target range by next year Economy to grow by 3.2 percent this financial year Unemployment rate projected to peak at 5.3 percent next year Wages to grow 5.2 percent a year over the forecast period Net debt forecast to peak at 22 ...2 weeks ago
- Budget 2023: Support for Today, Building for TomorrowBudget 2023 strikes a careful balance between supporting New Zealanders with the cost of living, delivering core public services well, improving the resilience of the country’s critical infrastructure and economy and returning to a more sustainable fiscal position. The volatile global economic backdrop, including high levels of inflation and domestic ...2 weeks ago
- Budget helps ease cost of living pressuresCheaper Childcare: 20 hours free ECE expanded to include two-year-olds Helping with Health Costs: $5 prescription co-payment scrapped Targeting Transport: Free public transport for under-13s, half priced for under-25s Reducing Power Bills: 100,000 more insulation and heating retrofits Budget 2023 contains a package of cost of living measures targeted at ...2 weeks ago
- Three new Crown members appointed to Waikato River AuthorityStuart Muir, Susan O’Regan and Shadrach Rolleston have been appointed as new Crown members of the Waikato River Authority, Environment Minister David Parker announced today. “The Authority is a key contributor to the sustainable management and protection of the Waikato River, New Zealand’s longest. The Authority’s projects include planting 120,000 ...2 weeks ago
- A safe, simple, more modern New Zealand border on its wayLegislation supporting safer, smarter and more streamlined border management, including the transition to an online digital traveller declaration, has passed its third reading in Parliament. The changes in the Customs and Excise (Arrival Information) Amendment Bill make the obligations concerning arrival information clearer, improve the enforcement of arrival information obligations, ...2 weeks ago
- Government shuts door on illegally harvested timberThe Government has sent a clear message to illegally harvested timber traders that they will not be tolerated in New Zealand. A new Act will stop the import of illegally harvested timber and also provides the international market with confidence in New Zealand’s timber and timber products by introducing a ...2 weeks ago
- Government taking action to improve building supply competitionThe Government will build on its measures to improve competition and transparency around building materials, with its response to the Commerce Commission’s market study into Residential Building Supplies published today. The Minister for Building and Construction Dr Megan Woods and Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Dr Duncan Webb say ...2 weeks ago
- New Consul-General to Hong Kong announcedForeign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta today announced the appointment of diplomat Peter Lund as Aotearoa New Zealand’s next Consul-General to Hong Kong. “Aotearoa New Zealand's connections with Hong Kong are both historical and contemporary. We have long-established expatriate communities, and a dynamic trade and economic relationship,” Nanaia Mahuta said. “As Aotearoa New Zealand’s ...2 weeks ago
- D Company representative appointed to Ngārimu VC BoardThe Associate Minister of Education Kelvin Davis today announced the appointment of David Stone as D Company Representative for the Ngarimu VC and 28th Māori Battalion Memorial Scholarship Fund Board. David Stone of Ngāi Tāmanuhiri, Te Aitanga-a-Māhaki, Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Toa Rangatira and Ngai Tahu is a Barrister ...2 weeks ago
- Flee Police, lose your ride: new law to crack down on fleeing driversAllow Police to seize and impound a vehicle for a period of six months if it fails to stop Allow Police to seize and impound a vehicle if the registered owner fails to provide information about a fleeing driver and impounding the vehicle is necessary to prevent a threat to ...2 weeks ago
- Govt investment in arts delivers strong economic resultscultural sector employment grew by 4.2% in the 12 months to March 2022 cultural sector businesses nationally grew by 8.2% to March 2022 strong cultural sector GDP contribution of $12.9 billion in the 12 months to March 2022, a growth of 10.6% compared to 5.3% for the total economy High ...2 weeks ago
- New schools and hundreds more classrooms in Budget 2023300 new classrooms to be built across New Zealand Up to four new schools and school expansions to be built 6600 new student spaces established Budget 2023 builds on the Government’s record of investing in our schools and improving the lives of young people right across New Zealand, Prime Minister ...2 weeks ago
- Funding to clean up slash and debris in Tairāwhiti and Hawke’s BayThe Government is supporting the clean up of slash and debris in Tairāwhiti and Hawke’s Bay and aims to remove up to 70,000 tonnes of woody debris from river and catchment systems, Forestry Minister Peeni Henare said. “Debris from forestry in these regions has had a devastating impact ...2 weeks ago
- New Zealand First Announces Kaikoura Candidate
New Zealand First is pleased to announce Jamie Arbuckle, Marlborough District Councillor, to stand as a candidate for the Kaikoura electorate at this year’s General Election. Jamie Arbuckle is an outstanding contributor to New Zealand First and his local community. ...2 days ago - Indo-Pacific Economic Framework finish negotiations on improving supply chain resilience
Fourteen Indo-Pacific countries have finished negotiations about improving supply chain resilience as part of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework. ...2 days ago - Indo-Pacific Economic Framework finish negotiations on improving supply chain resilienceFourteen Indo-Pacific countries have finished negotiations about improving supply chain resilience as part of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework. ...2 days ago
- Are these the best buns in Christchurch?
His cafe Tom’s is one of the small gems of Ōtautahi’s breakfast scene. Now owner-operator Tom Worthington has a second cafe – just a few doors down from the first. He talks to Charlotte Muru-Lanning about opening Estelle, and the overwhelming importance of a good bun. This is an excerpt ...2 days ago - Disability access 'a work in progress' for ParliamentEfforts are underway to make Parliament more accessible for people who live with disability. ...2 days ago
- Disability access 'a work in progress' for ParliamentEfforts are underway to make Parliament more accessible for people who live with disability. ...2 days ago
- What’s your favourite New Zealand music collaboration? As New Zealand Music months comes to an end, we look back at some of the most memorable collaborations between (or involving) local artists. Aotearoa has a long and proud tradition of mucking in, lending a hand and sharing the bloody load. Given that the theme for NZ Music Month ...2 days ago
- Now's not the time for budget cuts on climate
Auckland Council's proposed budget cuts might look okay on paper, but when the weeds start taking over and the council fails to meet its own emissions targets, we’ll be left with an even bigger – and costlier – mess to clean up. Carl Morgan explains why the council and volunteers need to ...2 days ago - Between ‘Birdspeak’ and ‘The Artist’: Arihia Latham and Ruby Solly in conversationPoets Ruby Solly (Kāi Tahu, Waitaha, Kāti Māmoe) and Arihia Latham (Kāi Tahu, Waitaha, Kāti Māmoe) talk about their new collections of poetry, and the many resonances between them. ‘Hineahuone’ from Birdspeak by Arihia Latham My legs are swamp maire sodden weights hip sockets wide like the pae maunga on ...2 days ago
- The Sunday Essay: The original Christchurch bus exchangeTeenage memories so often populate one place. For Sharon Lam, it was the original bus exchange on the corner of Colombo and Lichfield Street. The Sunday Essay is made possible thanks to the support of Creative New Zealand. Original illustrations by MK Templer. Once upon a time, before earthquakes and ...2 days ago
- OPM call for PNG’s James Marape as negotiator for NZ pilot’s safe passage
Asia Pacific Report Free Papua Organisation (OPM) leader Jeffrey Bomanak has appealed for Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape to become a “neutral intermediary” to negotiate between the Indonesian government and the West Papuan rebels holding a New Zealand pilot hostage for his release. He has called in a ...2 days ago - Newsroom wins three national media awards
The annual awards for news journalism see Newsroom win three titles and the NZ Herald win website of the year for the fourth time in a row Newsroom has won another three national media awards at the annual Voyager dinner in Auckland – including best crime and justice reporting for ...2 days ago - NZ’s opposition ‘need to go back to school’ over bilingual sign attackBy Rayssa Almeida, RNZ News reporter New Zealand’s Māori Party co-leader says the opposition National Party should go back to school if it thinks including te reo Māori on road signs is confusing. In a transport meeting yesterday in Bay of Plenty, National’s spokesperson Simeon Brown said introducing the language ...2 days ago
- Author-poet condemns rebel threat to shoot NZ hostage pilot if denied talksAsia Pacific Report An Australian author-poet and advocate for West Papuan independence has condemned a reported threat against the life of a New Zealand hostage pilot, Philip Mehrtens, held by Papuan liberation fighters and appealed to them to “keep Philip safe”. Jim Aubrey, a human rights activist who has campaigned ...2 days ago
- Nats need to 'go back to school' over bilingual sign criticism – Māori PartyThe Māori Party co-leader says the National Party should go back to school if it thinks including te reo Māori on road signs is confusing. ...2 days ago
- No Consent From Whakatohea Hapu For Treaty Of Waitangi Settlement Deed To Be Signed By 'Iwi...Hapu of Te Whakatohea opposed to the New Zealand government's Treaty of Waitangi settlement deal for their Raupatu - invasion and land confiscation - claims and the cutting off of their historic Treaty of Waitangi claims in the Waitangi Tribunal ...3 days ago
- Labour goes negative on National-ACT 'cuts'
Labour kept up its attacks on the Opposition's proposed tax cuts but fumbled its own number-crunching at a party congress, Marc Daalder reports Analysis: Going on the attack is a new strategy for a Labour Party with fresh leadership. Jacinda Ardern promised "relentless positivity" after her election victory in 2020 and ...3 days ago - Labour Congress 2023 Speech: Grant RobertsonWelcome to sunny and calm Wellington, which I know those of you who are visiting would of course expect to be the case. It’s been a busy week since we put forward the 2023 Budget. Labour MPs have been out across the motu giving the good oil on ...3 days ago
- SPEECH: Labour Congress 2023 Speech: Carmel SepuloniIntroduction Kia orana, Talofa lava, Mālo e lelei, Taloha ni, Fakaalofa lahi atu, Noa’ia e mauri, Ni sa bula vinaka, Kia ora, Tena Koutou Katoa. Labour Party President Jill Day, Prime Minister Hipkins, Party faithful, delegates and comrades, whānau ...3 days ago
- SPEECH: Labour Congress 2023 Speech: Kelvin DavisOne of my kaumātua up North stood before the Waitangi Tribunal and said: ‘He aha kē ahau, te tangata kore hara i mua i te Atua, e tu nei kia whakawaatia e koe, te tangata tāhae, te tangata hara, te tangata kore tikanga? Ko koe kē te tika, ...3 days ago
- Labour promises not to change superannuation age if re-electedDeputy Prime Minister Carmel Sepuloni says a re-elected Labour government led by Chris Hipkins would not raise the pension age from 65. ...3 days ago
- Focus on Politics: Hipkins juggles competing ideologies over PNG-US dealPrime Minister Chris Hipkins' visit to Papua New Guinea sends a clear message: superpowers may come and go, but New Zealand is here to stay. ...3 days ago
- Cheesecakes, brownies and cookies – she did it all for the mochiCathy Fan started baking to heal herself. Now, her designer cheesecakes and cookies are in demand all over Auckland – and beyond. On a recent Wednesday, Cathy Fan caused a bit of a scene. The part-time baker was setting up her stall at Britomart’s regular food truck lunch event when ...3 days ago
- Cheesecakes, brownies and cookies – she did it all for the mochiCathy Fan started baking to heal herself. Now, her designer cheesecakes and cookies are in demand all over Auckland – and beyond. On a recent Wednesday, Cathy Fan caused a bit of a scene. The part-time baker was setting up her stall at Britomart’s regular food truck lunch event when ...3 days ago
- Crunchy, spicy and delicious: Seven Indian snacks you need to tryBeyond that bland bag of supermarket bhuja, an exciting new snacking world awaits. In 2002 when we moved to Auckland, my mum’s favourite shop was the lonely old Moshim’s Indian store near Pakuranga Plaza out east. It was the only place that sold the spices and ingredients she needed to ...3 days ago
- Labour faithful gather for election-year conference – what might they have in store?The Labour Party faithful are gathering in Wellington this weekend for the party's annual congress. ...3 days ago
- Black Ferns' fitness weapon – the 'bomb squad'
He helped get them fit enough to be world champions, now Craig Twentyman is relishing the next phase for rugby's Black Ferns The Black Ferns World Cup win last year was as much a rugby miracle as it was a fitness miracle. Meet Craig Twentyman - the Kiwi strength and ...3 days ago - A short history of the kitchen
The kitchen has become associated with routine and ritual, of domestic practices and gendered activities, but it is also the site of a gradual shift toward the ‘democratisation’ of domesticity Opinion: Looking back over the past few years, the pandemic called into question many things about the way we live. ...3 days ago - The Week in Detail: India, mānuka and 'greedflation'
Every weekday, The Detail makes sense of the big news stories. This week, we looked at why we've never nailed down a free trade agreement with India, the looming threat of another "twindemic" of winter illness, what "greedflation" is and whether it can be blamed for the soaring cost of living, the ...3 days ago - Wayne to Busan: lessons for Auckland from Korea’s second city
Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown is rubbing shoulders this weekend with mayors from cities like New Orleans, Santiago and Mombasa at the World Climate Industry Expo in Busan Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown has touched down in Busan, South Korea on an independently-funded trip to participate in the World Climate Industry Expo. ...3 days ago - Depth of focus
Today we start the Pinnacle Series. A weekly showcase of future leaders and inspirational young New Zealanders from the Hyundai Pinnacle Programme who are forging ahead in their chosen fields. First up, Kirsten Fisher-Marsters has her sights set on championing the next generation of promising young athletes. July 23, 2021, is ...3 days ago - The Grammy-partying, Spotify-crushing NZ rappers you’ve probably never heard ofSXMPRA and Lilbubblegum aren’t household names yet – but their streaming numbers prove they’re already in the big leagues. Kalem Tarrant is feeling a little dusty. He’s sitting outside a Symonds Street burger joint at a Monday lunchtime with Luke Winther, whose dark sunglasses indicate he’s feeling the same way. ...3 days ago
- Ranked: the grotesque images and bleak prompts behind National’s AI adsThe first AI-generated political attack ads arrived this week. Duncan Greive assesses the disturbing contents. The first political scandal of the generative AI era in New Zealand politics could not have fit our country’s bumpkin brand better. 1News’ Justin Hu had the terrific scoop earlier this week, heading to the ...3 days ago
- Long Read: Talofa and Ni Hao
This is The Detail's Long Read - one in-depth story read by us every weekend. This week, it's Talofa and Ni Hao by Ollie Neas, published in North & South's February issue. You can read the full article, with accompanying photos, here. In Samoa, there are mixed feelings about Chinese influence and the nation’s ...3 days ago - Short story: Perhaps it was like this, by Michael Morrissey
A scorched Earth, and an Ivan Rogers photo essay The sand, the colour of a sun tan, caused a cancer called thirst. Curable by water – if you could lay hands and mouths on the wet stuff over which the human race was to enter a ferocious war in ...3 days ago - Cost Of Living Budget Delivers For MangereCheaper Childcare: 20 hours free ECE expanded to include two-year-olds Helping with Health Costs : $5 prescription co-payment scrapped Targeting Transport: Free public transport for under-13s, half priced for under-25s Reducing Power Bills: 100,000 ...3 days ago
- 'They should be in English': National to ditch te reo Māori traffic signsNational does not support bilingual traffic signs in te reo and English, transport spokesperson Simeon Brown says. ...3 days ago
- Picture this: green hydrogen plants next to green steelworks to boost efficiency and kickstart both ...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Changlong Wang, Research fellow, Monash University Shutterstock The race to net zero is accelerating. Just last week, United States President Joe Biden and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese unveiled a climate pact to boost cooperation. The move signifies Australia is ...3 days ago
- Surry Hills was once the centre of New South Wales’ ‘rag trade’: a short history of fashion ma...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Peter McNeil, Distinguished Professor of Design History, UTS, University of Technology Sydney Top Dog factory for men’s hats, Surry Hills, 1941 State Library of New South Wales Sydney has awoken to the smouldering ruins of its largest city fire in 55 years. ...3 days ago
- The highly secretive Five Eyes alliance has disrupted a China-backed hacker group – in an unusuall...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Dennis B. Desmond, Lecturer, Cyberintelligence and Cybercrime Investigations, University of the Sunshine Coast Dennis Desmond, Author provided This week the Five Eyes alliance – an intelligence alliance between Australia, the United Kingdom, Canada, New Zealand and the United States – ...3 days ago
- ‘WA’s Christmas tree’: what mungee, the world’s largest mistletoe, can teach us about treadi...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alison Lullfitz, Research Associate, The University of Western Australia Alison Lullfitz, Author provided Noongar Country of southwestern Australia is home to the world’s largest parasitic plant, a mighty mistletoe that blooms every December. That’s why it’s commonly known as WA’s ...3 days ago
- The Week in Politics: Reserve Bank raises OCR, Budget reaction continuesAnalysis - The Reserve Bank's surprisingly benign response to the Budget robs National of a strong attack line and the NZ Steel deal is hailed as a win for the climate, but opposition parties say its "corporate welfare". ...3 days ago
- It’s Friday so… have some Barbie in your lifeI’m gradually becoming more and more convinced this year’s Barbie film from Greta Gerwig is going to be the best movie of 2023. Or the worst, but in a way that it is still great. For now, you should absolutely watch this new trailer which also serves as a promo ...3 days ago
- Democracy In New Zealand – Could It Be Better?As the general election approaches, secondary school students are being challenged to the ‘run the ruler’ over New Zealand’s democracy. An essay competition launched today calls on secondary school students to identify the important elements of a ...3 days ago
- ‘Living museum’ will help bring Fiji’s Girmit experience by storytellingBy Rachael Nath, RNZ Pacific journalist In a significant step toward preserving and commemorating Fiji’s rich history, efforts are underway to establish the country’s first living museum. This unique institution will focus on capturing the era of the British colonial government’s indentured system in Fiji, shedding light on the arrival ...4 days ago
- Everyone we saw at the NZ International Comedy Festival 2023, part twoGuy Montgomery, Maria Williams, Guy Williams and more shows from the second half of the festival, reviewed. Abby Howells: La Soupco Oh the joy of seeing someone as weird as you just be happily weird in public. Off the top: I loved La Soupco. Having known little about Howells beyond ...4 days ago
- Everyone we saw at the NZ International Comedy Festival 2023, part twoGuy Montgomery, Maria Williams, Guy Williams and more shows from the second half of the festival, reviewed. Abby Howells: La Soupco Oh the joy of seeing someone as weird as you just be happily weird in public. Off the top: I loved La Soupco. Having known little about Howells beyond ...4 days ago
- The country’s ‘highest bar’ is about to openAuckland’s Sky Tower will soon have a new bar – situated on the 50th floor. That’s just below the observation deck and the Orbit restaurant. A press release revealed the new Skybar, which will be the country’s “highest bar”, will be launching on June 23, in partnership with champagne producers Moët ...4 days ago
- The country’s ‘highest bar’ is about to openAuckland’s Sky Tower will soon have a new bar – situated on the 50th floor. That’s just below the observation deck and the Orbit restaurant. A press release revealed the new Skybar will be launching on June 23, in partnership with champagne producers Moët and Chandon. “We’ve been looking for the ...4 days ago
- A Gore-y assignment for Linda Clark
The troubled Gore council looks to call in a legal-political-media troubleshooter to restore order, Vaneesa Bellew reports Lawyer and former political journalist Linda Clark is expected to head an independent review tasked with restoring confidence in Gore District Council. Councillors at an extraordinary council meeting on Tuesday will consider several recommendations ...4 days ago - PNG’s Governor-General signs off on dismissal of Bryan Kramer as MPBy Todagia Kelola in Port Moresby Papua New Guinea’s Governor-General, Sir Bob Dadae, has formally dismissed former cabinet minister Brian Kramer as a Member of Parliament representing the people of Madang. On Wednesday, the Governor-General, who was out on duty travel when the Leadership Tribunal made its recommendation of dismissal ...4 days ago
- Ingredient of the week: MisoThere’s remarkable variety and depth to be found in a spoonful of fermented bean paste. Oh, miso paste! Salty, sweet, mellow, earthy, fruity, deeply umami and wonderfully aromatic. A tub of miso paste is a flavour essential, always stashed in my fridge, ready to be dug into with a spoon ...4 days ago
- Ingredient of the week: MisoThere’s remarkable variety and depth to be found in a spoonful of fermented bean paste. Oh, miso paste! Salty, sweet, mellow, earthy, fruity, deeply umami and wonderfully aromatic. A tub of miso paste is a flavour essential, always stashed in my fridge, ready to be dug into with a spoon ...4 days ago
- The Friday Poem: ‘Schoolboy Reunion’ by Danny BultitudeA new poem by Wellington poet Danny Bultitude. Schoolboy Reunion Saw him at Wellington Train Station after I Saw him on the Police Ten-7 Facebook page Last summer, obsidian, he worked in this gym Underpaid, mistreated, he set the place aflame Never realised that was how you spelt his name ...4 days ago
- The Friday Poem: ‘Schoolboy Reunion’ by Danny BultitudeA new poem by Wellington poet Danny Bultitude. Schoolboy Reunion Saw him at Wellington Train Station after I Saw him on the Police Ten-7 Facebook page Last summer, obsidian, he worked in this gym Underpaid, mistreated, he set the place aflame Never realised that was how you spelt his name ...4 days ago
- The Unity Books bestseller chart for the week ending May 26The only published and available best-selling indie book chart in New Zealand is the top 10 sales list recorded every week at Unity Books’ stores in High St, Auckland, and Willis St, Wellington. AUCKLAND 1 The Axeman’s Carnival by Catherine Chidgey (Te Herenga Waka University Press, $35) The winner of ...4 days ago
- The Unity Books bestseller chart for the week ending May 26The only published and available best-selling indie book chart in New Zealand is the top 10 sales list recorded every week at Unity Books’ stores in High St, Auckland, and Willis St, Wellington. AUCKLAND 1 The Axeman’s Carnival by Catherine Chidgey (Te Herenga Waka University Press, $35) The winner of ...4 days ago
- Regional communities were central to Uluru Statement, and they must also be for the Voice to Parliam...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By James Blackwell, Research Fellow (Indigenous Diplomacy), Australian National University Today marks the sixth anniversary of the Uluru Statement From the Heart, and National Sorry Day. The statement is a powerful document that speaks of the opportunity for true and meaningful change ...4 days ago
- Regional communities were central to Uluru Statement, and they must also be for the Voice to Parliam...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By James Blackwell, Research Fellow (Indigenous Diplomacy), Australian National University Today marks the sixth anniversary of the Uluru Statement From the Heart, and National Sorry Day. The statement is a powerful document that speaks of the opportunity for true and meaningful change ...4 days ago
- Curious Kids: how does your brain know how to move your body?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Arjun Burlakoti, Senior Lecturer in Anatomy and Neuroanatomy, University of South Australia Shutterstock How does your brain know how to move your body? – Ivy, age 8, Victoria Hi Ivy, thanks for asking such an interesting question! To answer ...4 days ago
- Curious Kids: how does your brain know how to move your body?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Arjun Burlakoti, Senior Lecturer in Anatomy and Neuroanatomy, University of South Australia Shutterstock How does your brain know how to move your body? – Ivy, age 8, Victoria Hi Ivy, thanks for asking such an interesting question! To answer ...4 days ago
- Your weekend TV guide: Platonic, The Clearing, Fubar and The Little MermaidPlatonic is the week’s biggest new release, a rom-com series starring Seth Rogen and Rose Byrne that critics say is “one of the strongest new shows of the year,” (Collider), and, “strikes a nice balance between lighthearted and serious storylines” (Decider). “It’s fun simply to spend time in the company ...4 days ago
- Your weekend TV guide: Platonic, The Clearing, Fubar and The Little MermaidPlatonic is the week’s biggest new release, a rom-com series starring Seth Rogen and Rose Byrne that critics say is “one of the strongest new shows of the year,” (Collider), and, “strikes a nice balance between lighthearted and serious storylines” (Decider). “It’s fun simply to spend time in the company ...4 days ago
- Researchers built an analogue computer that uses water waves to forecast the chaotic futureSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ivan Maksymov, Principal Research Fellow, Charles Sturt University Shutterstock Can a computer learn from the past and anticipate what will happen next, like a human? You might not be surprised to hear that some cutting-edge AI models could achieve this ...4 days ago
- Researchers built an analogue computer that uses water waves to forecast the chaotic futureSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ivan Maksymov, Principal Research Fellow, Charles Sturt University Shutterstock Can a computer learn from the past and anticipate what will happen next, like a human? You might not be surprised to hear that some cutting-edge AI models could achieve this ...4 days ago
- A British gambling giant just took over the TAB. Here’s why that’s bad newsThe government insists it just saved the TAB by handing over operations to an overseas gambling company. But the deal is shortsighted and potentially dangerous, writes Terry Leisman. So what just happened? Racing minister Kieran McAnulty has just approved a 25-year deal transferring our own TAB NZ betting operations to ...4 days ago
- The Opportunities Party Announces ‘Climate Opportunities’ Policy To Build ResilienceToday, The Opportunities Party (TOP) announces its 2023 climate policy ‘Climate Opportunities’. The policy suite includes three ‘system-level’ policies for emissions reduction and several areas of focus for climate adaptation. The policy ...4 days ago
- Mama Hooch Rapists’ WhatsApp Group Members Called OutA group calling for action to stop sexual violence against women and children has welcomed the lifting of name suppression for the predatory Christchurch-based brothers, Daniel Jaz (40) and Roberto Jaz (38). However, it says a spotlight also needs to ...4 days ago
- Stadium Southland board chair resigns after Skelt harassment investigationThis is a story from a little earlier in the week that I missed, but given The Spinoff’s ongoing reporting on the wider goings on at Stadium Southland in Invercargill I thought it was worth flagging for you all. The Southland Tribune has reported that long-serving Stadium Southland board member, ...4 days ago
- AI in politics: Law expert urges transparency from political parties, more regulationThe use of artificial intelligence in political campaigning needs stronger regulation to help prevent voter manipulation, an Auckland law lecturer is warning. ...4 days ago
- Greens say benefit sanctions on people with children mainly used on women and MāoriThe Green Party is concerned a policy that imposes sanctions on beneficiaries with outstanding arrest warrants is further widening the inequality gap. ...4 days ago
- ‘Whose side are you on mate?’ How no one is free from bias – including refereesSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tim Dare, Professor of Philosophy, University of Auckland Getty Images When Jason Paris, head of the company that sponsors the New Zealand Warriors NRL team, complained recently about Australian referee bias, more than a few heads will have nodded in ...4 days ago
- Listen: How the budget is costing us dearlyAotearoa has been penny-wise and pound-foolish with its investments in maintaining and building public infrastructure and services. This week Bernard Hickey talks with wellbeing economist Katherine Trebeck about how the machinery of government, politicians and voters can think and plan differently to avoid that same pound-foolishness again. Listen below or ...4 days ago
- Five very similar polls, three very different resultsIt could hardly be closer with 20 weeks to go. Last night’s 1News/Kantar poll delivered a result that, were it to be translated into the ballot box, would see National and Act able to form a government. But not by much. We’re getting used to it. While psephologists rightly warn ...4 days ago
- Taxpayers’ Union Executive Director To Lead World Taxpayers AssociationsThe New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union extends its congratulations to its Co-founder and Executive Director, Jordan Williams, who was elected Chair and President of World Taxpayers Associations (WTA) at this week's WTA General Meeting in Prague, Czech ...4 days ago
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