Posts Tagged ‘geeks’
RealMe and online government – good when it works
Written By: - Date published: 2:53 pm, December 27th, 2017 - 24 comments
The only thing worse than standing in queues with lumps of paper is having a website system that isn’t functioning. It is a first world problem I know. But having the government’s systems not be down for maintenance during the holidays is a good idea. There are no queues to form at the passport office because they are on holiday.
- The Cost of “Living With The Virus”
I noted in my previous post that the New Zealand media is eagerly pushing the notion that Elimination Has Failed, and that we need to re-open because the Virus is Inevitable. Luke Malpass – the chappie I criticised there – is actually one of the tamer examples. The likes ...12 hours ago - Bryce Edwards: Political Roundup – Why Australia’s nuclear-sub defence plans are unpopular in NZ
New Zealand was said to have been sidelined when the trilateral security pact between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States was announced a week ago. But very quickly the “Aukus” pact has taken on an unpopularity in this country, with a consensus forming that New Zealand is best ...14 hours ago - Thinking is Power: Don't be fooled… fact check!
This is a re-post from the Thinking is Power website maintained by Melanie Trecek-King where she regularly writes about many aspects of critical thinking in an effort to provide accessible and engaging critical thinking information to the general public. Please see this overview to find links to other reposts from Thinking is Power. Post ...15 hours ago - Bryce Edwards: What happened to the dream of a peaceful nuclear-free Pacific?Plans by Anglophone countries to ramp up militarisation in the Asia Pacific region have been welcomed by New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern. But Bryce Edwards argues that what’s actually needed is strong condemnation of this dangerous drive to war and instability. New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is ...16 hours ago
- Equality under the law?
Twelve days ago New Zealand was shocked to learn that a rich Auckland couple had abused "essential worker" paperwork to break lockdown and fly down to Wanaka for a holiday. But despite multiple criminal offences apparently being committed, they still haven't been charged: At least 20 people have been ...18 hours ago - Member’s DayToday is a Member's Day, and due to the postponement of a lot of business, it consists entirely of first readings. First up is Ricardo Menéndez March's Human Rights (Disability Assist Dogs Non-Discrimination) Amendment Bill, which should easily go to committee. Second is Mark Cameron's Resource Management (Regional Responsibility for ...19 hours ago
- NZ Politics Daily: 22 September 2021Today’s NZPD testimonial from Bernard Hickey, Journalist and commentator “NZ Politics Daily is so useful I think Bryce and his team should charge for it! But it’s great it’s available for all and I hope it gets the financial support it needs. A real-time experiment in whether there is enough of ...23 hours ago
- Outdated Views? Andrea Vance On Sean Plunket.
Re-Platforming: In the eyes of senior Stuff journalist, Andrea Vance, Sean Plunket’s “dalliances with controversy make it easy to paint him as a two-dimensional character: a right-wing, shock-jock with outdated views on privilege and race.” Dear me! The scorn dripping from those words could fill a large spittoon! Regardless, Plunket’s new ...1 day ago - Book Review: Saving Us by Katharine HayhoeIn late 2013, my mother went into a hospice for the final time. Her illness had reached a stage where little more could be done. I had to face the fact that she was going to die, and soon, when for the preceding few years of palliative care, there was ...1 day ago
- Legal Beagle: Not too late to make the Counter Terrorism Legislation Bill clearer
The Counter-Terrorism Legislation Bill was back from Select Committee last week, and got its second reading today.My submission on the original bill is here. As I often am, I was more reticitent in pushing back that other submitters, largely focussed on asking the Justice Committee to assure itself the new ...1 day ago - Don’t plan on orderly transitions
The nature, scale, and pace of change is central to futures work. But usually more attention is given to identifying what’s happening rather than what needs to happen. Are we living in fast times? Many futures studies focus on how fast the world is changing now. Partly that seems ...1 day ago - The Siren Song of Negativity: Luke Malpass on EliminationI must say, I was a bit surprised at the New Zealand Government’s decision to shift Auckland out of Level 4 to Level 3. There are still around 20 daily Delta cases in Auckland (14 today) – a fraction of the earlier peak, but a seriously stubborn tail-end of ...2 days ago
- Let them voteA side effect of the pandemic and resulting closed borders: tens of thousands of overseas kiwis could lose the right to vote: Currently, New Zealanders who are overseas must have visited the country once within the last three years to be allowed to vote - or once in the ...2 days ago
- AUKUS has consequencesLast week Australia announced a new security deal with the UK and US which would see it abandon its plans to buy conventional submarines from France and instead acquire nuclear-powered submarines from one of its new partners. France is pretty pissed about this - they were completely blindsided, and the ...2 days ago
- NZ Politics Daily – 21 September 2021Today’s NZPD testimonial from Ros Rice, Executive Officer Community Networks Aotearoa “Community Networks Aotearoa has been subscribed to NZ Politics Daily for some time now, and it is one of the most regularly read items in the office. It enables us to instantly get feedback on media views on topics of the ...2 days ago
- Can the economy afford NOT to fight climate change?This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections Those opposing a fast transition to renewable energy and other aggressive action to fight catastrophic climate change often argue that the economic costs would be too great. Now, with the proliferation of extreme hurricanes, droughts, floods, wildfires, and other disasters linked to a ...2 days ago
- Rest of New Zealand won’t move to Level 1 until threat of Christmas in the Park has passed
Christmas in the Park is a seasonal affliction, but can be particularly tricky to wipe out due to its unpredictable timing, usually occurring at a completely different time to Christmas. While Auckland prepares to move to Alert Level 3 on Wednesday, New Zealanders in the fun part of the country ...2 days ago - Expropriate the house hoardersNorth & South has an in-depth piece on the origins of the housing crisis, and like so much else wrong with Aotearoa, the blame can be laid firmly at the feet of the NeoLiberal regimes of the 80's and 90's, who sold state houses, slashed benefits while imposing market rents, ...3 days ago
- A Coalition Of The Waning.The Sunset Of Anglo-Saxon Imperialism: To join this “Coalition of the Waning”: this AUKUS pact composed of the three military aggressors of the Iraq War; would not only be folly – it would be criminal folly.THE FORMATION OF AUKUS, the new military pact linking Australia, the United Kingdom and the ...3 days ago
- “No Debate!” Means No Democracy.To The Lamp-Post With Them! Revolutionaries, along with the counter-revolutionaries they inevitably call into existence, are not disposed to engage in rational political discussion with their opponents. Their objective is not to change minds, but to crush bodies. Tragically, those who rule out the possibility of debate, almost always end ...3 days ago
- NZ Politics Daily: 20 September 2021Today’s NZPD testimonial from Hamish Rutherford, Journalist, New Zealand Herald “I find the NZ Daily Politics an important part of my morning, allowing me to scan and access a wide variety of the material published in New Zealand over the previous 24 hours. It often draws my attention to work I would ...3 days ago
- Covax misses its 2021 delivery target – what’s gone wrong in the fight against vaccine nationali...Rory Horner, University of Manchester The latest supply forecast for Covax – the programme for sharing COVID-19 vaccines around the world – suggests that accelerating vaccination in low-income countries looks unlikely. Covax estimates it will have distributed 1.425 billion vaccine doses by the end of 2021, significantly less than ...3 days ago
- Geoffrey Miller: New Zealand could be the big winner of Aukus falloutInternational analyst Geoffrey Miller considers the implications for New Zealand of the new Aukus partnership China’s level of anger at the new Aukus defence pact between Australia, the UK and the US was only to be expected. France’s was not. And Paris’s dramatic recall of its ambassadors to Canberra and ...3 days ago
- 2021 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #38Listing of articles linked to on the Skeptical Science Facebook Page during the past week: Sun, September 12, 2021 through Sat, September 18, 2021 The following articles sparked above average interest during the week: Do high levels of CO2 in the past contradict the warming effect of CO2?, What would it ...3 days ago
- One thousand dead New Zealanders per year?
. . . . . References RNZ: Covid-19 debate – When should New Zealand open up its borders? Worldometer: Coronavirus Cases – United States RNZ: US hospitals ration care amid shortages and Covid-19 surge Reuters: Some U.S. hospitals forced to ration care amid staffing shortages, COVID-19 surge NPR: A COVID ...4 days ago - 1pm health update for Saturday, September 18 2021The following is a summary of today’s 1pm health update from the Ministry of Health Today there are 20 new cases of Covid-19 to report in the community, and 6 new cases of the Ebola virus. Please do not concern yourself with the Ebola; this will probably be fine. Of ...5 days ago
- Reading the Covid Tea-Leaves: 18th September
This past month’s blogging has really turned into an extended rant on the subject of the Coronavirus (primarily because I still haven’t got my hands on The Nature of Middle-earth, and there’s little update on the Amazon series). Auckland is still on Level 4, of course, and the rest ...5 days ago - Experts warn exclusion from AUSUK pact could see New Zealand miss out on future catastrophic warsPICTURED: US President Joe Biden deep in thought as he searches his brain for any memory of the person on screen. New Zealand’s exclusion from a tripartite security pact between the United States, Australia and the UK may not come as a surprise to many kiwis, but experts warn that ...5 days ago
- Big Challenges for the Government
A short review of the policy issues that Labour is facing and the ministers undertaking them. There is a sense that there are two major issues facing any government. One is policy management and the other is political management – not just of policies. As a result New Zealand’s political ...6 days ago - Seymour and Collins
The Herald continues to hitch its wagon to David Seymour’s coat-tails. They don’t seem to realise that Seymour is almost entirely an (inadvertent) creation of Judith Collins. If it weren’t for the fact that Collins is performing so badly as National leader, Seymour would not be noticed. For those interested ...6 days ago - Keep New Zealand Nuclear-Free – Stay Out of AUKUS!6 days ago
- Making the Most of MasksDr Nitasha Rimar, Dr Lucy Telfar Barnard, Dr Amanda Kvalsvig, Lesley Gray, Prof Michael Baker Masks and vaccination have a central role in minimising the health and economic impact of COVID-19, regardless of the long-term strategy we use against the pandemic. These interventions depend on both good performance and high ...6 days ago
- NZ Politics Daily: 17 September 2021Today’s NZPD testimonial from Simon Bridges, Parliamentarian “NZ Politics Daily is an essential news service for me, enabling me to cut through the constant noise and quickly see what’s going on. Dr Bryce Edwards and NZ politics Daily are a big public good, keeping kiwis, even politicians, better informed.” Anyone can ...6 days ago
- The 'team of five million' isn't all of us. Are we doing enough for the others?
The “team of five million” has become a well-worn but still powerful call to arms in the past 18 months as Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Director-General of Health Ashley Bloomfield have tried to rally a sense of national unity in the fight to save lives in this Covid-19 pandemic. ...6 days ago - Covid outreach disaster as online poll sees vaccination bus named ‘the murder wagon’Ashley Bloomfield says he doesn’t want those hesitant about getting the vaccine to “be distracted” by the fact they come out of the murder wagon. The Government is dealing with a Covid outreach debacle today, after the decision to put the naming of New Zealand’s vaccination bus service to a ...7 days ago
- Skeptical Science New Research for Week #37, 2021Go with real guilt, or imaginatively hide? This week's New Research includes a couple of interesting papers exploring the confused, noisy marketplace of ideas, volitions and impulses we call "the human mind," in connection with thinking about climate change and our responsibility for causing harm and remedy. We're all (surely?) ...7 days ago
- Overlooked and undervalued, New Zealand’s community caregivers have become the ‘invisible’ ess...Katherine Ravenswood, Auckland University of Technology; Amber Nicholson, Auckland University of Technology, and Fiona Hurd, Auckland University of Technology As Auckland enters its fifth week in level 4 lockdown and the rest of New Zealand stays at level 2, spare a thought for the nation’s invisible network of essential ...7 days ago
- Gesta Gertrudis: Volume IV
Time for another Gertrude update. Alas, due to personal issues involving the DM, this will be the last update from this campaign for some time. Until then, Gertrude shall be put on ice. Since Dunedin is no longer in lockdown, both these sessions were in-person. Session Seven/Sixty-Three Technically, ...7 days ago - Samoa’s opposition should be sworn inOn Monday, in response to a refusal by HRPP MPs to accept the proper process for being sworn in, Samoa's speaker banned them from parliament. Because they'd also called for a mob, he took the unprecedented step of banning the public too. These decisions were reasonable at the time. MPs ...7 days ago
- Racist from top to bottomBack in 2019, the government tweaked drug laws to encourage the use of police discretion. So did it work? well, charges are down, but the burden of prosecution is falling even more disproportionately on Māori: A 2019 change to drug laws has led to far fewer people being charged ...7 days ago
- Pattern recognitionGovernment defers introducing tougher winter grazing rules - again, RNZ, 26 August 2021: The government has pushed intensive winter grazing rules back by another six months. Intensive winter grazing is when livestock are feed fodder crops - when done poorly it can create a muddy mess leading to animal ...7 days ago
- Climate Change: An excuse, not a justificationYesterday the government announced plans to delay its key Emissions Reduction Plan - currently due by law by 31 December - until next year. Its "justification"? Shaw said consultations on the plan would begin in early October. "It is only right to make sure everyone has the chance to ...7 days ago
- Bringing woolly mammoths back from extinction might not be such a bad idea — ethicists explainJulian Koplin, The University of Melbourne and Christopher Gyngell, The University of Melbourne US startup Colossal Biosciences has announced plans to bring woolly mammoths, or animals like them, back from extinction and into the frosty landscape of the Siberian tundra. Colossal has received US$15 million in initial funds to ...7 days ago
- Lessons learned from a remote blood pressure lowering trial in AotearoaHelen Eyles, Jacqui Grey, Elaine Umali, Cliona Ni Mhurchu Technologies such as smartphone apps, Wi-Fi-enabled data collection devices, and web-based data management systems offer the opportunity to deliver and assess the impact of clinical trials remotely, something which researchers are becoming increasingly drawn to. However, there are drawbacks, and even ...7 days ago
- NZ Politics Daily: 16 September 2021Today’s NZPD testimonial from Chris Trotter, Political commentator: “NZ Politics Daily has become an invaluable resource for all those who practice, study and/or write about politics in New Zealand. So much so that I can’t remember how I ever did without it.” Anyone can sign up to NZPD for free at: https://democracyproject.nz/nz-politics-daily/ Today’s ...7 days ago
- Josh Van Veen: The Ghost of lockdowns PastJudith Collins may have led the New Zealand National Party to a catastrophic defeat in 2020. But the election result was not of her making. The real turning point for National came twelve weeks before Collins’ elevation to the leadership. In those days the Opposition could still boast of having ...7 days ago
- Why a domestic NZ COVID ‘passport’ raises hard questions about discrimination, inequality and c...Tim Dare, University of Auckland and Justine Kingsbury, University of Waikato With COVID-19 causing extraordinarily intrusive and expensive lockdowns, vaccine “passports” or certificates are increasingly seen as key to getting out of them. Decision-makers and gatekeepers – from border guards to maître d’s – will have a means of ...7 days ago
- The Indiscrete Charmlessness Of Upper-Class Rule-Breakers.Rules Are For Little People: Those who claim that all human-beings are equal have obviously never encountered a man on horseback when they are travelling on foot!THE UPPER-CLASS ABSCONDERS from Auckland’s Level 4 Lockdown have done the rest of New Zealand a favour. They have exposed, in the most dramatic ...1 week ago
- Intensifying Covid-19 Control Measures: 5 Measures for Faster Elimination and 5 Measures to Prevent ...Prof Nick Wilson, Dr Julie Bennett, Dr Leah Grout, Dr Jin Russell, Dr Jennifer Summers, Prof Michael Baker Despite some good progress, the persisting Covid-19 outbreak in Auckland still poses risks to health, social wellbeing and the economy. There is a need for accelerated efforts to ensure more rapid ...1 week ago
- The definition of my sex is not hate speech
NZME (publishers of the NZ Herald newspaper, among others) has joined the de-platforming of Speak Up For Women after a few online gender identity activists complained on Twitter about an advertisement in a rival paper the Otago Daily Times. SUFW were to run advertisements in NZME papers too as part of ...1 week ago - Climate Change: Some “emergency”Jacinda Ardern: 'Climate change is my generation's nuclear-free moment', Newshub, 20 August 2017: In her campaign launch speech in Auckland on Sunday, Ms Ardern called climate change "my generation's nuclear free moment". [...] "There will always be those who say it's too difficult. There will be those who say ...1 week ago
- Thinking is Power: How to do your own researchThis is a re-post from the Thinking is Power website maintained by Melanie Trecek-King where she regularly writes about many aspects of critical thinking in an effort to provide accessible and engaging critical thinking information to the general public. Note: This article is the second of a two-part series on “doing your own ...1 week ago
- Climate explained: how much of the world’s energy comes from fossil fuels and could we replace it ...How are fossil fuels formed, why do they release carbon dioxide and how much of the world’s energy do they provide? And what are the renewable energy sources that could replace fossil fuels? Fossil fuels were formed over millions of years from the remains of plants and animals trapped ...1 week ago
- Climate Change: We need more than excuses on methaneMethane is a powerful greenhouse gas. While its lifetime in the atmosphere is limited - its half-life is 9.1 years, so any given amount is almost entirely gone after a hundred years - it is far better at trapping heat. Averaged over a century it has a global warming potential ...1 week ago
- NZ Politics Daily: 15 September 2021Today’s NZPD testimonial from Colin James, political commentator, author “Bryce Edwards’ five-days-a-week digest of links to articles on policy and politics is a valuable resource, both on the day for those who need to know or are just plain interested and as an archive for those who need or want to track ...1 week ago
- Graham Adams: The double-edged sword of the $55m government journalism fund cuts deepTVNZ’s apparent lack of interest in Dr Siouxsie Wiles’ unmasked trip to the beach has raised questions about the media’s impartiality. Graham Adams assesses the fallout. On Sunday morning, National’s Dr Shane Reti asked on Facebook for people’s “thoughts” about TVNZ’s decision not to broadcast the video of Dr ...1 week ago
- One mine at a time…Some good news for the climate today: another coal mine is closing: The Ohai coal mine is closing in two weeks and rehabilitation of the site is expected to begin next month. Ohai and New Vale coal general manager Antony Stodart said “business at the Ohai based coal mine ...1 week ago
- Plotting the Auckland Delta Outbreak
A graph of Auckland Delta cases since lockdown began: As one can see, we’ve been good at getting the adult cases under control – the recent daily spikes being disproportionately children. That suggests infections within families, rather than across families. So far, so good anyway, and sufficient to ...1 week ago - We managed to toilet train cows (and they learned faster than a toddler). It could help combat clima...Douglas Elliffe, University of Auckland and Lindsay Matthews, University of Auckland Can we toilet train cattle? Would we want to? The answer to both of these questions is yes — and doing so could help us address issues of water contamination and climate change. Cattle urine is high in ...1 week ago
- Submission on Births, Deaths, Marriages and Relationships Registration Bill. . . . . Other Blogs Boots Theory: End conversion therapy in Aotearoa Boots Theory: Support accurate birth certificates for trans and non-binary people Previous related blogposts First they came… Apartheid in Aotearoa New Zealand – yes, it does exist Fairfax media and Kiwiblog revise incorrect story denigrating trans-people Anti-trans ...1 week ago
- Talking Up David SeymourThere is no sign in recent issues of the Herald that it has abandoned in any way its underlying strategy and goal of undermining the government in the hope that it can be replaced at the next election by a National government. So why has the Herald continued to blow ...1 week ago
- How big companies are targeting middle income countries to boost ultra-processed food salesEdwin Kwong, The University of Melbourne; Joanna Williams, Swinburne University of Technology; Phillip Baker, Deakin University; Rob Moodie, The University of Melbourne, and Thiago M Santos, Federal University of Pelotas Ultra-processed foods might not be a familiar term to many people. But it is an emerging, and increasingly dominant ...1 week ago
- Ngā āhuatanga ka akona mai ki a tātou e te ao Māori, mō te ao pakihi o āpōpōBen Walker, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington; Erin Roxburgh-Makea, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington; Jesse Pirini, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington, and Stephen Cummings, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington Mai i te ētita: Nā Piripi Walker i whakamāori ...1 week ago
- NZ Politics Daily: 14 September 2021Today’s NZPD testimonial from Claudette Hauiti, Producer/Host at Radio Waatea: “Me tuku mihi ki a koe me tou mahi i te ao pāpaho o Aotearoa. Thank you for your invaluable contribution to critical information sharing. I appreciate the range and depth of articles distributed and especially support your inclusion of Māori ...1 week ago
- The Microbiologist, the Caretaker Leader, and some Nasty Germs. . (* Fiji’s death troll is likely to be under-reported.) . . . References ODT: Collins calls Dr Siouxsie Wiles ‘a big, fat hypocrite’ Stuff media: Covid-19 – Dr Siouxsie Wiles warns of ‘disinformation’ after claims she was caught breaking lockdown rules ODT: Dr Wiles hits back at ...1 week ago
- Free Speech, done Newshub-style. . . . . References Newshub Politics: Twitter – Who can reply? People @NewshubPolitics mentioned can reply – 13.9.21 . . . . = fs = ...1 week ago
- Not Understood: Chris Trotter Replies To Susan St John.Wishful Thinker: While the people from the “leafy suburbs’” salaries, house-prices, social-status and children’s futures depend upon them not understanding either the economic disadvantages of unequal wealth distribution, or the sheer dehumanising agony of grinding poverty, then they will go on not understanding it. Do you not understand, Susan, even ...1 week ago
- Legal Beagle: Everything was Done; or some answers to some of the questions people have been askingOn 3 September, New Zealand Police shot and killed Ahamed Samsudeen, shortly after he commenced a knife attack in an Auckland supermarket. Considering him to be highly dangerous, he was under close surveillance. His death meant, that in the days following, the Government and the Courts were able to release ...1 week ago
- Furedi on corporate backing for Cancel Culture
Professor Frank Furedi, British academic, author, and commentator, discusses the speed with which the corporate world has internalised the customs/practices/language of the university- and what can be done about it. ...1 week ago - The hottest summer most Americans have ever lived throughThis is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Bob Henson An 85-year-old record for summer heat set during the Dust Bowl has met its match. In 2021, the contiguous U.S. had its warmest meteorological summer (June-August) on record, according to NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI). Records going back ...1 week ago
- Childish bullshit continues in SamoaSamoa's parliament will sit tomorrow, for the first time since it was sworn in in May. But that first sitting only included FAST party MPs. As for the HRPP, they will not be allowed to attend tomorrow. The context here is that the HRPP - or at least the tyrant ...1 week ago
- Another one bites the dustAnother offshore energy permit was surrendered on Friday: permit 60094, owned by Todd Energy: The permit covered an area of Māui dolphin habitat, so its surrender is good news on that front too. According to NZPAM's map, there are now only six offshore exploration permits remaining: one owned by ...1 week ago
- Passport To Covid Safety.The Badge Of Good Citizenship: Why are foreign governments insisting that people wishing to enter their country must present proof of vaccination and non-infection? Because they are committed to keeping their people safe. Why will our own government soon be requiring us to present a vaccination passport before entering a ...1 week ago
- Support accurate birth certificate for trans and non-binary people
Content note: suicide, transphobia I’d wanted to get this done a lot earlier, but we bought a house in the middle of lockdown and that has a tendency to throw every other plan out the window. It’s definitely not perfect and I apologise for anything I’ve missed or messed up ...1 week ago - NZ Politics Daily: 13 September 2021NOTE TO SUBSCRIBERS: Today, we’re continuing with the NZ Politics Daily subscriber drive – please see the testimonial below from Andrew Geddis. Unfortunately, just as the subscriber drive kicked off on Friday, our website went down for the first time. So, if anyone tried to subscribe they would have found ...1 week ago
- Kiwis overseas must be allowed to vote next year
New Zealanders stranded overseas should be allowed to vote in next year’s local government elections and the 2023 general election, the Green Party said today. ...19 hours ago - Disability-assist dog Bill to have first reading todayAfter being delayed due to lockdown, Ricardo Menéndez March’s Members Bill to ensure that disabled New Zealanders do not face discrimination for having a disability assist dog will have its first reading in Parliament today. ...20 hours ago
- Auckland Central MP calls for Government funding to revive the St James Theatre, launches open lette...Green Party MP for Auckland Central, Chlöe Swarbrick, is launching an open letter to the Associate Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage, Hon Kiritapu Allan, asking for the Government to match the Auckland Council’s contribution of $15 million to revive the St James Theatre. ...2 days ago
- Open letter calling for ACC to cover all birth injuries and trauma reaches 10,000 signaturesIn less than 12 hours, more than 10,000 people have signed on the Green Party’s open letter asking for ACC to cover all birth injuries and trauma. ...7 days ago
- Greens call for all birth injuries to be covered by ACC, launch open letterThe Green Party is launching an open letter to the Minister for ACC asking for all birth injuries and trauma to be covered, and the letter has strong support from the sector. ...1 week ago
- Our mihi to the ways te reo Māori can unite and inspire through COVID
Kia ora e te whānau, and happy Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori! Yes, it’s Māori Language Week. And even though we’ll be celebrating a little differently this year as we work to stamp out mate korona, there are still plenty of opportunities to embrace this taonga and advance our ...1 week ago - Alert Level 2: Everything you need to knowStamping out COVID-19 isn’t easy, but together, we are stronger than the virus. We’ve made good progress, but the job still isn’t done. We need to stay vigilant to stop the spread. Here’s where you can find the essential information you need to stay safe at Alert Level 2. ...2 weeks ago
- Greens call for immediate student support, launches petitionGreen Party Tertiary Education Spokesperson Chlöe Swarbrick has launched a petition calling for immediate, meaningful support for students, saying the Government’s announced boost to the student hardship funds doesn’t go far enough. ...2 weeks ago
- Greens say Govt investment in public transport, walking, cycling is not enoughThe Green Party welcomes the $6 billion being invested in public transport, walking and cycling through the National Land Transport Programme, as announced by the Minister of Transport today, however says it is nowhere near enough. ...2 weeks ago
- Greens’ Te Mātāwaka Caucus responds to ACT leader’s racial sabotageThe Green Party’s Te Mātāwaka is calling out ACT leader David Seymour for apparently targeting Māori vaccination providers for political gain. Mr Seymour publicly shared vaccine booking information which was intended for Māori communities. ...2 weeks ago
- Auckland Central MP welcomes relocated COVID-19 vaccination centre with increased capacityAuckland Central MP Chlöe Swarbrick welcomes the relocation of the City Centre’s dedicated COVID-19 Vaccination Centre from Elliot Street to a larger space on Graham Street, just up from Victoria Park, which will provide close to double the capacity. ...2 weeks ago
- Statement from Green Party Co-leaders on West Auckland supermarket attack“We send our thoughts and aroha to the victims and their whānau as they deal with this shocking terror attack,” Green Party Co-leader Marama Davidson says. ...3 weeks ago
- Auckland Central MP welcomes City Rail Link hardship schemeAuckland Central MP Chlöe Swarbrick is welcoming the hardship scheme for small businesses impacted by the development of the City Rail Link, announced by the Mayor of Auckland and Minister of Transport today. ...3 weeks ago
- Predator Free apprenticeships open up new job opportunities
The expansion of a predator free apprenticeship programme is an opportunity for more people to kick-start a conservation career, Conservation Minister Kiri Allan says. “The Predator Free Apprenticeship Programme is focused on increasing the number of skilled predator control operators in New Zealand through a two-year training programme. “The Trust ...16 hours ago - Further NCEA support confirmed for Auckland studentsThe number of Learning Recognition Credits for senior secondary school students will be increased for Auckland students, Education Minister Chris Hipkins confirmed today. This recognises the extended time these students will spend in Alert Levels 3 and 4. “It means students in Auckland will have a fair opportunity to attain ...19 hours ago
- Long-term pathway next step to better mental wellbeing for New ZealandersThe Government is taking a new approach to support people who experience mental distress, Health Minister Andrew Little says. “Kia Manawanui Aotearoa – Long-term pathway to mental wellbeing (Kia Manawanui) is the first 10-year plan of its kind that targets the cause of mental distress and also sets out how ...21 hours ago
- Keeping our Police safe to keep our communities safeThe Government is committed to keeping our frontline police officers safe, so they in turn can keep New Zealanders safe – with one of the largest investments in frontline safety announced by Police Minister Poto Williams at the Police College today. The $45 million investment includes $15.496 million in ...22 hours ago
- Clean Vehicles Bill passes first checkpointThe Land Transport (Clean Vehicles) Amendment Bill will help New Zealand drive down transport emissions by cleaning up the light vehicle fleet, Transport Minister Michael Wood says. The Bill passed its first reading today and will establish the legislative framework for key parts of the Government’s Clean Car Package, including ...2 days ago
- Funding boost supports ongoing Māori COVID-19 responseThe Government is responding to the need by whānau Māori and Māori Health providers to support their ongoing work responding to COVID-19 and to continue increasing rates of Māori vaccination, Associate Minister for Health (Māori Health), Peeni Henare and Minister for Māori Development Willie Jackson announced today. This increased ...2 days ago
- Significant increase to COVID-19 penaltiesPenalties for breaches of COVID-19 orders are set to significantly increase from early November 2021 to better reflect the seriousness of any behaviour that threatens New Zealand’s response to the virus, COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins said today. “Throughout this Delta outbreak we’ve seen the overwhelming majority of people doing ...2 days ago
- Counter-Terrorism Legislation Bill returns to ParliamentThe Counter-Terrorism Legislation Bill has returned to Parliament for its second reading in an important step towards giving enforcement agencies greater power to protect New Zealanders from terrorist activity. “The Bill addresses longstanding gaps in our counter terrorism legislation that seek to protect New Zealanders and make us safer,” Justice ...2 days ago
- Joint Statement: New Zealand and Australian Trade MinistersHon Damien O'Connor MP, New Zealand Minister for Trade and Export Growth, and Hon Dan Tehan MP, Australian Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment, met virtually on Monday 20 September to advance trans-Tasman cooperation under the Australia-New Zealand Closer Economic Relations Trade Agreement (CER). CER is one of the most ...3 days ago
- Prime Minister’s Post Cabinet Press Conference/COVID-19 Update opening statement***Please check against delivery*** E te tī, e te tā, nau mai rā [To all, I bid you welcome] As you will have seen earlier, today there are 22 new community cases to report; three of which are in Whakatiwai in the Hauraki area, and the remainder in ...3 days ago
- Major milestones for Māori COVID-19 vaccine rollout as new campaign launchesWhānau Ora and Associate Health (Māori Health) Minister Peeni Henare acknowledges two major milestones in the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccination programme for Māori. “I am very pleased to announce more than 50 percent of eligible Māori have received their first dose and 25 per cent are now fully vaccinated,” ...4 days ago
- Government funding to fight infectious diseases$36 million for research into Covid-19 and other infectious diseases The investment will improve our readiness for future pandemics Research will focus on prevention, control, and management of infectious diseases The Government’s investing in a new Infectious Diseases Research Platform to boost Aotearoa New Zealand’s Covid-19 response and preparedness for ...4 days ago
- Quarantine-free travel with Australia to remain suspended for a further 8 weeksSuspension to be reviewed again mid to late November Decision brought forward to enable access from Australia to first tranche of around 3000 rooms in MIQ Air New Zealand working at pace to put on more flights from Australia from October The suspension of quarantine-free travel (QFT) with Australia has ...6 days ago
- Extra support for Ethnic Communities to share vaccination informationExtra support is being made available to Ethnic Communities to help them share COVID-19 vaccination information within their communities, Minister for Diversity, Inclusion and Ethnic Communities Priyanca Radhakrishnan said. “We know we need to get every eligible person in New Zealand vaccinated. A fund being launched today will allow for ...6 days ago
- School holidays remain unchanged for Auckland regionSchool holidays in Auckland will continue to be held at the same time as the rest of the country, starting from Saturday, 2 October, Education Minister Chris Hipkins said today. “I’ve carefully considered advice on the implications of shifting the dates and concluded that on balance, maintaining the status quo ...6 days ago
- Government continues crackdown on gangs and organised crimeOperation Tauwhiro extended until March 2022 Since it was launched in February, Operation Tauwhiro has resulted in: 987 firearms seized $4.99 million in cash seized 865 people charged with a firearms-related offence Gangs and organised crime groups will continue to be relentlessly targeted with the extension of Police’s successful ...6 days ago
- Speech to Body Positive 'HIV Treatments Update Seminar 2021'E ngā mana E ngā reo E ngā iwi Tēnā koutou katoa Ka huri ki ngā mana whenua o te rohe nei. Tēnā koutou. He mihi hoki ki a tatou kua tau mai nei I raro I te kaupapa o te rā. Nō reira tēnā koutou katoa Acknowledgements It’s a ...6 days ago
- Power bill changes bring fairness to chargesA key recommendation of an independent panel to make electricity charges fairer across all households will be put in place, the Energy and Resources Minister Megan Woods has announced. “Phasing out the regulations on ‘low-use’ electricity plans will create a fairer playing field for all New Zealanders and encourage a ...6 days ago
- NZ economy’s strong momentum will support rebound from Delta outbreak; COVID fund replenishedThe economy showed strong momentum in the period leading up to the recent Delta COVID-19 outbreak, which bodes well for a solid economic rebound, Grant Robertson said. GDP rose 2.8 percent in the June quarter, following on from a 1.4 percent increase in the previous March quarter. This was a ...7 days ago
- Projects create benefits into the futureMaking a well-known lake swimmable and helping to halt the decline of the endangered hoiho/yellow-eyed penguins are among a suite of new projects being supported by the Government’s Jobs for Nature programme across the southern South Island, Conservation Minister Kiri Allan says. “It’s no secret that many of our most ...7 days ago
- Opening statement for Whāriki Indigenous Small Business RoundtableKei ngā tōpito e wha o te āo e rere ana te mihi maioha ki a koutou nō tawhiti, nō tata mai e tāpiri ana ki tēnei taumata kōrero mo te ao hokohoko arā mā ngā pākihi mo ngā iwi taketake Tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou katoa – Pai Mārire. ...1 week ago
- New members appointed to KāpuiaThe Government is adding four additional members to Kāpuia, the Ministerial Advisory Group on the Government’s Response to the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the terrorist attack on Christchurch mosques. “I’m looking forward to having Pamela MacNeill, Huia Bramley, Melani Anae and Katherine Dedo join Kāpuia and contribute to this group’s ...1 week ago
- Timeline confirmed for Emissions Reductions PlanCabinet has agreed to begin consulting on the Emissions Reduction Plan in early October and require that the final plan be released by the end of May next year in line with the 2022 Budget, the Minister of Climate Change, James Shaw confirmed today. “Cabinet’s decision allows organisations and communities ...1 week ago
- Pay parity pathway for early learning teachers confirmedPay parity conditions and higher funding rates for education and care services will come into force on 1 January, 2022, Minister of Education Chris Hipkins confirmed today. The Government signalled this work in Budget 2021. “From 1 January, 2022, centres opting into the scheme will receive government funding and be ...1 week ago
- Speech to the New Zealand Nurses Organisation Conference 2021Kia Ora tatau katoa. Ka tuku mihi ki nga nēhi, He pou Hauora o Aotearoa, E ora ai tatou. Whakatau mai I runga i te kaupapa o te ra Te NZNO conference. Tena koutou tena koutou Tena tatou katoa Good morning, and thank you inviting me ...1 week ago
- Government investment in farmer-led catchment groups sweeps past 150 mark171 catchment groups have now been invested in by the Government 31 catchment groups in the Lower North Island are receiving new support More than 5,000 farmers are focussed on restoring freshwater within a generation through involvement in catchment groups Government investment in on-the-ground efforts by farmers to improve land ...1 week ago
- Fight to protect kauri on trackThe Government is pitching in to help vital work to protect nationally significant kauri forests in Auckland, Minister of Conservation Kiri Allan says. “Ensuring the survival of these iconic trees for future generations means doing everything we can to prevent the potential spread of kauri dieback disease,” Kiri Allan said. ...1 week ago
- Joint statement of Mr Bernard Monk; Hon Andrew Little, Minister Responsible for Pike River Re-entry,...[Note: The Parties have agreed on terms to fully and finally settle the proceeding and will jointly issue the below statement.] At the heart of this litigation are the lives of the 29 men tragically lost at the Pike River mine on 19 November 2010 and to whom we pay ...1 week ago
- More financial support for businessesToday’s decision to keep Auckland in a higher COVID Alert Level triggers a third round of the Wage Subsidy Scheme which will open for applications at 9am this Friday. “The revenue test period for this payment will be the 14th to the 27th of September. A reminder that this is ...1 week ago
- Aotearoa New Zealand provides further humanitarian support for AfghanistanAotearoa New Zealand is providing a further $3 million in humanitarian assistance in Afghanistan, Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta announced today. “There is significant humanitarian need in Afghanistan, with the crisis disproportionately affecting women and girls,” said Nanaia Mahuta. The UN has estimated that 80% of the quarter of a million ...1 week ago
- Innovative te reo prediction tool announced in Te Wiki o Te Reo MāoriA new Māori language prediction tool will play a key role in tracking our te reo Māori revitalisation efforts, Minister for Māori Development Willie Jackson announced today. He Ara Poutama mō te reo Māori (He Ara Poutama) can forecast the number of conversational and fluent speakers of te reo Māori ...1 week ago
- Further Government support for people to access food and essential itemsThe Government is responding to need for support in Auckland and has committed a further $10 million to help people access ongoing food and other essential items, Minister for Social Development Carmel Sepuloni announced today. This latest tranche is targeted at the Auckland region, helping providers and organisations to distribute ...1 week ago
- Half a million Pfizer vaccines from DenmarkThe Government has secured an extra half a million doses of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines from Denmark that will start arriving in New Zealand within days, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced today. “This is the second and larger agreement the Government has entered into to purchase additional vaccines to meet the ...2 weeks ago
- Inland Revenue providing essential COVID support for businessesInland Revenue is seeing increased demand for Resurgence Support Payments and other assistance schemes that it administers, but is processing applications quickly, Revenue Minister David Parker said today. David Parker said the Resurgence Support Payment, the Small Business Cashflow (loan) Scheme and the Wage Subsidy are available at the same ...2 weeks ago
- New Zealand marks 20th anniversary of 9/11 attacksNew Zealand is expressing unity with all victims, families and loved ones affected by the September 11 2001 terrorist attacks, and all terrorist attacks around the world since, including in New Zealand. “Saturday marks twenty years since the 9/11 terrorist attacks in the United States, which killed nearly 3,000 people ...2 weeks ago
- Speech to SPREP Environment MinistersTalofa Honourable Ulu of Tokelau Faipule Kelihiano Kalolo Tēnā koutou katoa and warm Pacific greetings from Aotearoa to your excellencies, ladies and gentlemen. The new science released by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change on 8 August paints an alarming picture of the projected impacts of climate change on the ...2 weeks ago
- Additional Resurgence Support Payments to support businessBusinesses affected by higher Alert Levels will be able to apply for further Resurgence Support Payments (RSP). “The Government’s RSP was initially intended as a one-off payment to help businesses with their fixed costs, such as rent. Ministers have agreed to provide additional payments to recognise the effects of an ...2 weeks ago
- More Dawn Raids scholarships announcedDetails of the ‘Manaaki New Zealand Short Term Training Scholarships’, a goodwill gesture that follows the Government’s apology for the Dawn Raids of the 1970s, were released today by Pacific Peoples Minister Aupito William Sio. “These scholarships that are targeted to the Pacific will support the kaupapa of the Dawn Raids’ ...2 weeks ago
- One-way quarantine-free travel for RSE workers starting in OctoberOne-way quarantine-free travel for Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) workers from Samoa, Tonga and Vanuatu starts in October New requirement for RSE workers to have received their first vaccination pre-departure, undertake Day 0 and Day 5 tests, and complete a self-isolation period of seven days, pending a negative Day 5 ...2 weeks ago
- Govt boosts Pacific suicide prevention supportApplications have opened for the Pacific Suicide Prevention Community Fund as the Government acts to boost support amid the COVID delta outbreak. “We know strong and connected families and communities are the most important protective factor against suicide and this $900,000 fund will help to support this work,” Health Minister ...2 weeks ago
- New Zealand PM “Pleased To See” AUKUS Military Pact
By Tom Peters, Socialist Equality Group 22 September 2021, original url: https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2021/09/22/nzau-s22.html The Labour Party-Greens coalition government in New Zealand has cautiously welcomed the AUKUS military pact announced on September 16 by US President Joe Biden and the ...55 mins ago - Labour MPs reject Paul Goldsmith's request for briefing on Covid-19 impact by education officia...
Goldsmith says Labour voted down his request to be briefed on actions being taken by schools and the impact Covid-19 is having on exams and those with additional learning needs. ...1 hour ago - Social housing stigma unnerves upmarket hotel developers
Uncertainty clouds a Nelson hotel development because of plans for a big community housing development nearby ...2 hours ago - A second death for autonomous sanctions – but hints of another life
The Government again kills off a bill to take action on international violators. ...2 hours ago - Newsroom daily crossword, Thursday 23 September2 hours ago
- Newsroom daily quiz, Thursday 23 September2 hours ago
- The costs of nimbyism
When we let housing prices drive people out of cities, it has a ripple effect on all parts of our social and economic fabric, writes economist Rosie Collins.Many well-meaning people stand in the way of more houses for the young, poor, or future generations. That’s not how they would put ...3 hours ago - Overdue to be ‘pwned’? Here’s how to keep hackers out of your online accountsNew data shows hundreds of New Zealanders have been victims of recent cyber attacks. In the latest instalment of IRL, Dylan Reeve explores how you can avoid becoming one of them. After a balmy day lounging with her husband on a secluded Portuguese beach during a three week holiday in 2019, ...3 hours ago
- Book of the Week: The terrifying Mr Pomare
In praise of our best crime writer and his new creepy home-invasion novel It takes a cold eye, steady hand and a healthy dose of bare-faced cheek for any crime writer to open a thriller with an epigram from Hitchcock’s peeping Tom classic Rear Window. JP Pomare’s fourth novel, The ...3 hours ago - Ex-king of villas’ castle crumbles
Newsroom special investigation: Once dubbed one of NZ’s most ambitious developers, Neville Mahon now lives in his partner’s rented property. David Williams reports He was a high-flyer, described as one of the “golden boys” of property development. With real estate projects apparently worth $600 million in Fiji, in 2007 the ...3 hours ago - Immigration froze residency applications processing in Auckland's lockdown
Tens of thousands of permanent resident applications have been frozen during lockdown. ...3 hours ago - Where is she now? Anne Audain
Never afraid to speak out, our most successful road runner Anne Audain has a cautionary tale she wants Kiwis to learn from. During the golden era of running, Anne Audain became one of New Zealand’s most recognisable athletes. Among her many achievements, she ran a world record 5000m time in ...3 hours ago - Covid, by any other name
Annemarie Jutel considers the implications of how we name Covid and its variants, arguing diagnoses are more than just labels for scientific facts Is it time to see 'Delta' as a new disease? The University of Auckland’s Professor Rod Jackson thinks so. “[We] probably shouldn't call it Covid-19 anymore. It's so ...3 hours ago - For doctors, it's the perfect storm
Between the powerful foe of Covid and the equally evasive phenomenon of misinformation are doctors like Elspeth Frascatore. Here she shares a physician's perspective. It’s not an easy time to be a patient. Indeed, it’s a time unprecedented in modern day history – with a global pandemic that to date ...3 hours ago - Peter Dunne: Government is always about politics
Labour has largely kept silent on its own views on when and how to move New Zealand to a new phase in dealing with Covid-19, relying expressly on 'officials' and 'the science'. But it can't continue to conceal its hand for long. ...3 hours ago - Why it's not awkward to be left out of AUKUS
Being invited in to the new Australia, UK and US security pact would have caused a domestic crisis, says one international relations expert. AUKUS. It’s a bit of an awkward acronym. But make no mistake, the decision of Australia, the USA, and the UK to tighten their security alliance - and provide ...3 hours ago - NZ exports to China hit new record amidst diversification talk
The eggs in the China basket are piling up, despite the Foreign Minister's warnings. ...3 hours ago - New Zealand’s absence from AUKUS is very much part of the debate
The immediate reaction in the UK to the AUKUS announcement was focused less on the UK’s new commitment and more on the lamentations of French politicians at the loss of a $90 billion Australian submarine deal. It was left to former PM Theresa May to probe unsuccessfully the extent ...9 hours ago - Dreams, dollars and destruction of a rainforest
Newsroom Special Investigation: An Auckland property developer is being linked to a company carrying out deforestation in Indonesia, where virgin rainforest is being bulldozed to grow palm oil plantations. From above, the satellite image shows two insignificant dark-coloured shapes, like a couple of missing puzzle pieces in a flat sea of ...9 hours ago - Politics with Michelle Grattan: British High Commissioner Vicki Treadell on AUKUS and climate change
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra The New AUKUS security agreement has bound Australia even more tightly to the United States and Britain. But it has brought blowback against all three countries from France – which was blindsided by the cancellation ...11 hours ago - Celebrity Treasure Island power rankings: Nothing breaks like an ArtIt’s a shocking week in paradise, as our favourite celebrities continue to battle it out to raise money for charity. Tara Ward power ranks. Get in here you lot, because week three of Celebrity Treasure Island was an absolute pearler. The tides of change washed ashore and three teams merged into ...11 hours ago
- Bryce Edwards’ Political Roundup: Why Australia’s nuclear-sub defence plans are unpopular in NZAnalysis by Bryce Edwards. Political scientist, Dr Bryce Edwards. New Zealand was said to have been sidelined when the trilateral security pact between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States was announced a week ago. But very quickly the “Aukus” pact has taken on an unpopularity in this country, ...12 hours ago
- LIVE Thurs @ Midday: Buchanan + Manning Deep-Dive into AUKUS AllianceA View from Afar – LIVE @ MIDDAY Thursday: In this week’s podcast, Paul G. Buchanan and Selwyn Manning will analyse the AUKUS Alliance and will deep-dive into: What is the AUKUS Alliance’s strategic Anglophone intentions? What does China do now? How will Australia assert itself as the ...14 hours ago
- Earthquakes don’t kill people; buildings do. And those lovely decorative bits are the first to fal...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ann L Brower, Associate Professor of Environmental Science, University of Canterbury James Ross/AAP News of Melbourne’s earthquake today made my left leg hurt. That’s the leg I nearly lost. On February 22 2011, there were nine of us on a ...14 hours ago
- Holding the govt to account takes a curious toll – Nats sink in the polls and Collins rethinks her...
The hounds of the parliamentary press gallery are smelling Nat blood. More particularly, they are smelling the blood of National Party leader Judith Collins, who is reported to be shrugging off talk of ... 14 hours ago - Melbourne earthquake: what exactly happened, and what’s the best way to stay safe from aftershocks...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Mark Quigley, Associate Professor of Earthquake Science, The University of Melbourne James Ross/AAP A magnitude 5.8 earthquake has struck about 115 kilometres east of Melbourne in Victoria, causing damage to buildings and forcing residents to evacuate across the city. The ...15 hours ago
- PAPA Statement On Tactical Response ModelPeople Against Prisons Aotearoa (PAPA) is concerned about the Police’s announcement of its new Tactical Response Model (TRM). The TRM would see 200 more officers with Armed Offender Squad training. According to Police Commissioner Andrew Coster, these ...15 hours ago
- If The Man from Snowy River is Indigenous, what does that mean for our national myth-making?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Simon Ryan, Associate Professor (Literature), Australian Catholic University Tom Roberts, A break away! (1891) Art Gallery South Australia Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are advised this story contains images of people who have died. Review: The Brumby Wars ...15 hours ago
- We need lithium for clean energy, but Rio Tinto’s planned Serbian mine reminds us it shouldn’t c...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ana Estefanía Carballo, Research Fellow in Mining and Society, School of Geography, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, The University of Melbourne Thousands of demonstrators rallied across the Serbian capital Belgrade this month, protesting the US$2.4 billion (A$3.3 billion) Jadar lithium mine proposed by ...16 hours ago
- Ten-year Mental Health Plan Could Prove A Long WaitThe Association of Salaried Medical Specialists Toi Mata Hauora is greeting a new plan to improve mental health with cautious optimism but warns ten years could prove a very long wait. The Government has announced a ten-year strategy – Kia Manawanui ...16 hours ago
- The earthquake that rattled Melbourne was among Australia’s biggest in half a century, but rock re...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Mark Quigley, Associate Professor of Earthquake Science, The University of Melbourne An earthquake that struck near Melbourne today is one of the largest in Australia since instrumental seismic records began. However, the geological record of ground-breaking fault ruptures tells us much larger ...17 hours ago
- Yes, the govt will invest in Police response teams but the emphasis will be on tactics (and dogs) ra...Police Minister Poto Williams – explaining her opposition to Armed Response Teams a few weeks back – said she would not be backing down on her strong stance not to support the general arming of police because the Māori and Pacific Island communities she represents do not want it. But ...17 hours ago
- ‘Hey cuz, come on down’: Manurewa marae’s vaccination bus is already a hitWith the pressure on to increase Auckland’s vaccination rates, Justin Latif checked out a new bus service taking the jab to the people.As a karakia was being uttered to mark the unveiling of the Shot Cuz vaccination bus, Takutai Moana Natasha Kemp says tears began welling up in her eyes. “This ...17 hours ago
- Nation Called Together As Government Launch National Mental Health Approach...18 hours ago
- Soon you’ll need to be vaccinated to enjoy shops, cafes and events — but what about the staff th...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Holly Seale, Associate professor, UNSW The New South Wales and Victorian governments have released detailed roadmaps outlining how they’ll ease restrictions across Sydney and Melbourne. A feature of both roadmaps will be the requirement to be fully vaccinated to do certain things ...18 hours ago
- After midnight: waiting for hot chips at Tipene’s TakeawaysA late night excursion for fried food in level three.The neighbours have been warned. On a quiet residential strip between Morningside and St Lukes, with only one food vendor, nights are supposed to be silent and dark. But at 11:50pm, cars line the street waiting for Tipene’s Takeaways to begin ...19 hours ago
- Document Dump Reveals DOC Put Politics Ahead Of Toa The Orca’s WelfareThe Department of Conservation spent $129,000 and 12 days prolonging the pain of a baby orca for the sake of politics, says the New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union . That’s the takeaway from today’s massive document dump, which includes an incident management ...19 hours ago
- Siouxsie Wiles: Why we need to stay the course on eliminationThere’s some confusion around what ‘elimination’ means in tackling an outbreak. But to abandon the approach while so many remain unvaccinated would be to put vulnerable people at unconscionable risk, write Siouxsie Wiles. Illustrations and animations by Toby Morris.The Spinoff’s ongoing Covid coverage depends on support from members. Learn more here.So ...19 hours ago
- PNG doctor from Daru Hospital dies from covid-19Asia Pacific Report newsdesk A Papua New Guinean doctor evacuated from Daru in Western Province to Port Moresby last Tuesday has died – the latest medical person to succumb to the covid-19 pandemic in the country, reports The National. The doctor was flown to Port Moresby after she suffered severe ...20 hours ago
- Melodownz pays tribute to his ‘old as’ first carTāmaki Makaurau rapper Melodownz tells us about his first gig, first car, a short-lived pet goldfish and more in this week’s episode of FIRST. Melodownz is an acclaimed Avondale artist / MC / poet who you might have seen interviewing the likes of John Campbell and Paddy Gower over a bowl ...20 hours ago
- How Cuban medical training has helped Pacific nations face the pandemic challengeSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sharon McLennan, Senior Lecturer in Development Studies, Massey University Kiribati President Taneti Maamau (rear middle) watches the country’s vaccination campaign roll out in early September. GettyImages With the COVID-19 pandemic stretching health systems worldwide, Pacific countries have capitalised on their relative isolation ...20 hours ago
- Mental health 10-year plan to guide government decisions – Minister LittleThe government has announced a 10-year plan for improving mental health outcomes, and set up an external oversight group. ...20 hours ago
- Police Safety ‘Investment’: ‘Half-pie Do Nothing Announcement’“The announcement today by the Minister of Police Poto Williams and Police Commissioner Andrew Coster, shows the pressure they have been under to deal with the rise and rise of gun violence – but have failed to deliver anything of any real substance,” ...21 hours ago
- Newsletter: New Zealand Politics Daily – September 22 2021Editor’s Note: Here below is a list of the main issues currently under discussion in New Zealand and links to media coverage. You can sign up to NZ Politics Daily as well as New Zealand Political Roundup columns for free here. Today’s content Govt Covid strategy Charlotte Cook (RNZ): Delta outbreak ...21 hours ago
- Improving The Safety And Capability Of Frontline PolicePolice Commissioner Andrew Coster has today unveiled details of a new Tactical Response Model, following the Government’s funding commitment to improve the safety and capability of frontline staff. “Our frontline officers operate in a dynamic and ...21 hours ago
- Balance Of Payments And International Investment Position: Year Ended 31 March 2021Key facts As at 31 March 2021: Of New Zealand’s $316.3 billion total investment abroad: 66.7 percent was in the United States of America, Australia, and the United Kingdom 9.3 percent was direct investment 65.5 percent was portfolio investment ...21 hours ago
- Increasing Dangers Of Current Policing Recognised – Police AssociationThe New Zealand Police Association says today’s announcement of a new police tactical response model acknowledges that the proliferation and use of illegal firearms has changed this country’s policing environment, and officers and communities need ...21 hours ago
- Dear Hilary: thank you for the readingThis lockdown, Hilary Barry spent half an hour every afternoon on Facebook, reading Pride and Prejudice to the nation. Adoring listener Pam Jones responds. Dear Hilary,Firstly, a weird disclaimer from one about to wax excitedly about your readings to the plebs: I didn’t listen to you all of the time. In ...21 hours ago
- Stranded Orca Calf Documents ReleasedFollowing strong public interest, the Department of Conservation (DOC) has today published a series of documents outlining its response to the orca calf stranding near Plimmerton, north of Wellington, in July this year. The young, unweaned orca ...22 hours ago
- Petition Launched To ‘Get 2 Vets’ Into NZ Per WeekAs New Zealand’s dire shortage of veterinarians continues to negatively impact both human and animal welfare, a petition has been launched urging the Government to allocate just two MIQ spaces per week so we can Get 2 Vets into NZ per week . ...22 hours ago
- Classification Office To Collaborate With Project ArachnidThe New Zealand Classification Office has started a one year pilot collaboration with Project Arachnid, a global tool to decrease the availability of child sex abuse material on the internet. Chief Censor David Shanks said the worldwide scope of the ...22 hours ago
- Government fails to front for Afghan interpreters who made trip to ParliamentA group of interpreters stood outside Parliament for hours on Monday, hoping to meet with the minister of immigration. No-one from the government showed. ...22 hours ago
- Some Thoughts On Our Democratic InfrastructureDemocratic infrastructure We hear a lot about infrastructure, and the backlog of maintenance of roads and drains, the poor state of many of our older, and not so old, buildings. Millions, if not billions, of dollars are rightly allocated towards ...22 hours ago
- Water reforms: Beleaguered Govt offers olive branch to mayors
Exclusive: New working group set up to find compromise on big new water authorities. ...23 hours ago - Stopping Violence Needs MenA lack of male counsellors and social workers in the family violence sector is hindering efforts to effect change. National Network of Family Violence Services Kaiarahi/CEO Merran Lawler believes male practitioners are essential. She is concerned about ongoing ...23 hours ago
- Executive Director Appointed For Abuse In Care Royal CommissionThe Department of Internal Affairs has appointed Helen Potiki to the role of Executive Director at the Abuse in Care Royal Commission for the remaining duration of the Inquiry. Ms Potiki has been acting in the role since July this year. She replaces ...23 hours ago
- When takeaways mean so much moreThe return of takeaways has become a national shorthand for the shift from level four to level three, taking on a symbolism that goes beyond the food in the box, writes Charlotte Muru-Lanning.Apart from my habitual weekend flat white at my favourite cafe on Auckland’s Dominion Road, buying coffee made ...23 hours ago
- NZ Primary Industry About To Lose BigA new visa scheme offering 3 years in Australia to agricultural workers threatens to crush NZ’s primary sector. Opinion piece: Immigration Lawyer Aaron Martin from NZIL Australians must be laughing at our immigration woes. The Australian government ...23 hours ago
- Licensing Changes Not Enough To Get Kiwis MovingProposed changes to extend the renewal period of drivers licenses will do little to support Kiwis to become fully licensed, says Driving Change Network national coordinator Wendy Robertson. “Urgent action is needed to help the estimated 70,000 to 90,000 ...23 hours ago
- Being bombarded with delivery and post office text scams? Here’s why — and what can be doneSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ismini Vasileiou, Associate Professor in Information Systems, De Montfort University ScamWatch For most people, the ping of an incoming SMS will induce some level of excitement — or mild intrigue at least. But with SMS scams on the rise, many may ...24 hours ago
- How COVID has shone a light on the ugly face of Australian antisemitismSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Naama Carlin, Lecturer, UNSW The increased prominence of antisemitic incidents during the COVID pandemic may leave you wondering: has antisemitism always been part of the Australian social fabric, or are we facing a new, sinister trend? Members of Melbourne’s Jewish community have ...24 hours ago
- Here’s what happens when you’re hospitalised with COVIDSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Julian Elliott, Executive Director, National COVID-19 Clinical Evidence Taskforce, and Professor, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University The number of people infected with COVID-19 and requiring treatment in hospital is rapidly increasing. Vaccination provides very effective protection against ...24 hours ago
- Curious kids: why do sloths go slow?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Shelby A. Ryan, PhD Candidate | School of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Newcastle Shutterstock Why do sloths go slow? Nina, Sydney, aged 5 You’re right, sloths do move very slowly! Sloths live in tropical ...24 hours ago
- Early childhood educators are slaves to the demands of box-ticking regulationsSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Marg Rogers, Lecturer, Early Childhood Education, University of New England Shutterstock More than two-thirds of Australian early childhood educators reported working many extra hours to satisfy regulatory requirements in our 2021 survey. Half did unpaid work during accreditation — the ...24 hours ago
- What are the protests against Victoria’s construction union all about? An expert explainsSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Giuseppe Carabetta, Senior Lecturer, Sydney University Business School, University of Sydney After violence on Monday outside the Melbourne offices of the Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy union, the Victorian government ordered a snap two-week shutdown of the construction industry. Yesterday these ...24 hours ago
- What this collaboration between artists and health-care leaders teaches us about living through COVI...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Barbara Doran, Lecturer in Creativity and Innovation, Transdisciplinary School, UTS, University of Technology Sydney Topsy Turvy, Author provided A new project that spotlights the strain from COVID-19 on our health systems and the people who work in them has invited health-care ...24 hours ago
- Comic of the Month: Levelling Out, By Zoë CollingThis month on Comic of the Month we take a look at a story of everyday lockdown emotions with Zoë Colling.Honest, real, funny and perfectly observed are all ways you could describe the work of Zoë Colling. Her full comics can be hard to find online (though there are a ...24 hours ago
- Live updates, September 22: Elimination does not mean zero cases, says BloomfieldWelcome to The Spinoff’s live updates for September 22, by Stewart Sowman-Lund. Say hello at stewart@thespinoff.co.nz.8.10am: Newshub shake-up will see AM Show line-up changeMorning TV will look a little different in 2022, with Newshub announcing Amanda Gillies and Mark Richardson will leave The AM Show at the end of the ...24 hours ago
- A stronger anti-terror law is coming fastLabour and National are united to pass a counter-terrorism bill by next week, despite opposition in parliament and from legal experts who want to take more time, Justin Giovannetti writes in The Bulletin.A new anti-terror law is speeding through parliament. After the terror attack in New Lynn on September 3, the ...1 day ago
- Clean Vehicles Bill passes first reading in ParliamentThe government's plan to reward those who buy EVs and low-emission vehicles and charge those importing gas guzzlers is now a step closer to becoming law. ...1 day ago
- Newsroom daily quiz, Wednesday 22 September1 day ago
- Newsroom daily crossword, Wednesday 22 September1 day ago
- How to talk to loved ones who are vaccine hesitantApproach the conversation not with anger and frustration, but with patience, respect and aroha, advises Kate Hannah.The team of 1.7 million – that’s the good people of Tāmaki Makaurau – and our wider teammates across Aotearoa need to get vaccinated, if they can. We need to do this so we ...1 day ago
- Cleaner, greener cars are finally on their way to our roads. But at what price?Emissions from imported vehicles may plummet as the government introduces new vehicle emissions standards. Some have called the policy the most significant step to reducing the country’s greenhouse emissions yet, while others claim it’s another tax that will do little for the environment. Who is right?Two months after the government ...1 day ago
- Sorry, Mother!
A personal essay which asks: why does everyone always blame the mother? "Everyone blames the mother," Mum once said. It was an open address. But in my case it was true. For decades of my adult life, I blamed my mother. For what? Loving too much. That was Mum’s crime. ...1 day ago
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