Posts Tagged ‘crime rate’
Falling crime
Written By: - Date published: 11:35 am, April 3rd, 2013 - 24 comments
Falling crime is good news – but the reasons are probably not the ones that occupy most of the politicians and the commentary.
Juking the stats?
Written By: - Date published: 11:50 am, April 3rd, 2012 - 18 comments
The recorded crime rate has been dropping for two decades now mostly due to changing demographics. More good news this year with a 4.8% drop, mostly attributable to a 21% fall in Canterbury. But something’s a little off in these numbers. The number of offences recorded has fallen, yet the percentage solved has fallen even more. Shouldn’t less crime mean more resources to solve the ones that do happen?
- National believes tax cuts to the rich will save us? The man who helped create this myth says such p...
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- 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 ...2 days 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 ...2 days 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 ...2 days 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 ...2 days 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,” ...2 days 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) ...2 days 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 ...3 days 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, ...3 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 ...3 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 ...4 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 ...4 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 ...4 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 ...4 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 ...5 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, ...5 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 ...5 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 ...5 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 ...5 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 ...5 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, ...5 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 ...5 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 ...5 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 ...5 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 ...5 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 ...1 week 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 ...1 week 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
- The woman behind 'Refreshing Local Democracy'
In this year's local elections six candidates are carrying the affiliation of Refreshing Local Democracy. But who and what is Refreshing Local Democracy, and what do the candidates stand for? Tim Brown reports. ...3 hours ago - Optus under fire from government over delaying information handover
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Bianca De Marchi/AAP The government has stepped up pressure on Optus to immediately hand over the information it has on people whose data was breached by the hacking of the telecommunications giant. ...3 hours ago - Thomas Cranmer: Three Waters, co-governance and the lessons from Tuhoe
We have been assured that co-governance has been operating successfully in New Zealand for some time. But is this the case? And what does co-governance look like in the context of Three Waters? This article is the third in a series by THOMAS CRANMER, the pseudonym adopted ...10 hours ago - Greenpeace Renews Call On Ardern To Freeze Russian Oligarch Alexander Abramov’s Assets
In response to the latest moves by Russia to annex areas of Ukraine, the New Zealand Government has signalled that it will impose more sanctions on Russians who support the invasion. Greenpeace Aotearoa is welcoming the move, but spokesperson Amanda ...11 hours ago - Brotherhood of Europe but Sisterhood of Italy
All European elections are about Europe. That’s one conclusion which might be drawn from the decimation (a fine Latin term that) of Italy’s governing class – and also the election of a centre-right coalition government – last Sunday. To understand more, recall the previous election in 2018. That also ...1 day ago - Candidate meetings take a 'sinister turn' with anti-Three Waters hecklersHecklers are going from meeting to meeting in Wellington and abusing candidates for their positions on Three Waters reform. ...1 day ago
- Auckland mayoralty: Brown's off-camera jibe deemed 'undignified' by rivalAuckland mayoral candidate Wayne Brown has described a prominent journalist as "a prick" and said if elected he would stick pictures of him in urinals. ...1 day ago
- Bryce Edwards’ Political Roundup: Te Pāti Māori and vested interestsAnalysis by Dr Bryce Edwards. Political Roundup: Te Pāti Māori and vested interests Political scientist, Dr Bryce Edwards. 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. ...1 day ago
- Global Freedom Rally For IranOn 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 ...1 day 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 – ...1 day 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. ...1 day 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. ...1 day 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. ...2 days 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 ...2 days 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 ...2 days 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 ...2 days 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, ...2 days 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 ...2 days 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 ...2 days 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 ...2 days 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 ...2 days 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. ...2 days 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 ...2 days 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. ...2 days 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 ...2 days 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 ...2 days 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 ...2 days 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. ...2 days 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 ...2 days 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 ...2 days 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, ...2 days 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 ...2 days 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 ...3 days 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 ...3 days 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 ...3 days 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. ...3 days 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 ...3 days 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 ...3 days 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 ...3 days 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 – ...3 days 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. ...3 days 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 ...3 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, ...3 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 ...3 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. ...3 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 ...3 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. ...3 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 ...3 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 ...3 days ago
- Have Your Say On The Charities Amendment Bill...3 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 ...3 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 ...3 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 ...3 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 ...3 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: ...3 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 ...3 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 ...3 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 ...3 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. ...3 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 ...3 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 ...3 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. ...3 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 ...3 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 ...4 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. ...4 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 ...4 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, ...4 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 ...4 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 ...4 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 ...4 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 ...4 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 ...4 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 ...4 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 ...4 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, ...4 days ago
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