Posts Tagged ‘policy’
Another policy to be proud of
Written By: - Date published: 7:01 am, February 1st, 2016 - 284 comments
Labour has rolled out another big bold policy that will shape the national discussion for years. Critics, most of whom received a free tertiary education themselves back in the day, want to deny a younger generation the same right (and pocket a tax cut instead). Enter Steven Joyce…
Polity: The big lie
Written By: - Date published: 8:05 am, September 5th, 2014 - 44 comments
Rob Salmond looks at the Big Lie technique coming from the right and being gormlessly swallowed by some pundits. That Labour and the left aren’t talking about policy. They have been brimming over with policy. The right have vague possible ideas. Pundits are too obsessed in dirty politics to look at the detail of actual policies.
Polity: Smoke and mirrors on housing
Written By: - Date published: 12:11 pm, August 25th, 2014 - 14 comments
National’s own fine print takes us from “you can get up to $20,000!” to, at best, “11% of qualifying couples get up to $20,000.” Ouch…. Typical National. Long on glitz. Long on smoke. Long on mirrors. Short on actually helping people.
Labour policy
Written By: - Date published: 11:46 am, August 25th, 2014 - 24 comments
Because of the technical illiteracy of the political committee that appears to have run the development of the Labour website, their extensive list of policies tends to be unreachable. I eventually found the useful page and I’m giving their website a hand using The Standard’s search engine optimization.
Looking at the big policy picture
Written By: - Date published: 6:00 pm, August 22nd, 2014 - 11 comments
Despite John Key’s key message du jour, the parties of the Opposition are talking policy.
Policy Free Zone?
Written By: - Date published: 11:00 am, August 21st, 2014 - 26 comments
Cut Your Hair has some great analysis of who is the “policy free zone” that Key is claiming the left is…
Green’s campaign launch
Written By: - Date published: 12:57 pm, August 17th, 2014 - 4 comments
I’m heading off to get some lunch before going to the Green’s campaign launch. It is (for those like me who forgot) at The details are: When: August 17, 2014 at 2pm – 4pm Where: Sir Paul Reeves Building, 86 Governor Fitzroy Pl in Auckland Make sure you put on your green t-shirts as we want to see a […]
Local Bodies: Politics, Sharks and Voter Apathy
Written By: - Date published: 7:00 am, June 23rd, 2014 - 10 comments
I had a conversation at our farmer’s market this morning about how my election campaign was going and the person I was speaking to had the view that all politicians don’t actually do much, apart from talking. I find that this thinking is actually fairly common, many people talk about the nonsense that goes on in Parliament and how all politicians are as bad as each other, “It doesn’t matter who you vote for, nothing really changes.” I find this view really frustrating, but at the same time I can see why people may feel this way.
Polity: A paucity of vision?
Written By: - Date published: 1:51 pm, June 9th, 2014 - 68 comments
Hey, we won’t get in the way of a good stoush on the net about Labour’s policies, in fact we will encourage it. Here is Rob Salmond’s response to Idiot Savant’s post at No Right Turn. We’d also suggest that people look at Mike Smith’s post from this morning and last night (that probably has the nuttier conspiracy theorists going by now) for a third point of view.
Comments please…
A party finds its voice
Written By: - Date published: 7:01 am, November 23rd, 2012 - 77 comments
After Labour’s Conference a lot of media attention has focused on the constitutional changes relating to leadership. But other changes were even more important. Members will develop policy, and the process has become much more effective and more open. The policy platform will be binding on MPs – and is the package that will be taken to the electorate.
National declines to discuss policy
Written By: - Date published: 6:28 pm, November 17th, 2011 - 16 comments
RNZ has a great Policy Q&A site up. Labour and the Greens have replied to the questions (most parties have or will do so), so you can find out where they stand on the issues. But National’s non-participation shows that they’re too arrogant to even bother engaging on policy.
Labour’s jobs policy
Written By: - Date published: 1:04 pm, November 16th, 2011 - 34 comments
Now that we’re all over Nice Mr Key, maybe we can focus on minor details like the environment, the economy, assets, and jobs…
Labour on the environment
Written By: - Date published: 10:59 am, November 8th, 2011 - 38 comments
I was going to write about the release of Labour’s environmental policy – and the resounding silence from National – but NRT has done a great job aleady.
Economic credibility – mote and beam
Written By: - Date published: 7:11 am, November 8th, 2011 - 20 comments
The focus of attention has moved on to costing the policies, promises and projections of the major parties. The Nats’ are desperate to have the media focus stay on the mote in Labour’s eye, and ignore the beam in their own. In the interests of informed choice, let’s hear both sides of the story…
Campaigning on policy – what a concept!
Written By: - Date published: 9:55 am, October 28th, 2011 - 27 comments
Labour has once again broken the mould and chosen to focus its election campaign on policy. As a country we’ve been saying for a long time that elections should be about policies and not personalities. Now we’ve got a chance to try it. If the media is up to the challenge, of course.
National Policy?
Written By: - Date published: 9:14 am, September 20th, 2011 - 57 comments
John Pagani has an excellent piece on the lack of National substance in the lead-up to this election.
Like last election we’re seeing Labour say what they would do, presenting one alternative, as National fail to present theirs; relying on that nice man John Key’s image over any policy substance.
Labour’s plan for Christchurch
Written By: - Date published: 12:13 pm, September 19th, 2011 - 109 comments
Today Labour released another substantial policy, a plan for recovery in Christchurch. It’s a policy that works for ordinary people, and a much needed helping hand for displaced red-zone residents.
What we owe policy wonks
Written By: - Date published: 1:35 pm, August 26th, 2011 - 21 comments
Yesterday William commented to Cuts and Consequences to the effect that who needs policy analyst and that big private companies don’t bother with them and so neither should government. I’m paraphrasing a little bit but it did strike me that many people (including it seems some very senior ministers in this government – but not – funnily enough […]
Substance vs style
Written By: - Date published: 7:32 am, August 24th, 2011 - 75 comments
A couple of polls have now confirmed that on key issues voters prefer Labour policy over National. When push comes to shove in November, will Kiwis vote for the style that they like, or the substance that they want?
Who has the ideas?
Written By: - Date published: 7:07 am, May 26th, 2011 - 62 comments
Last week we had National’s budget and Labour’s conference. A chance for both parties to set out their ideas for the future. National’s do-nothing budget went down like a lead balloon, while Labour started setting out promising new policy. Looks like the 2011 election campaign will be a contest between ideas and schoolboy mockery.
What is important to voters?
Written By: - Date published: 8:17 am, April 23rd, 2011 - 52 comments
DPF reckons “that issues of policy are less important to voters than issues of competence”. What an impoverished view of democracy! Perhaps he should look a little deeper than last week’s poll…
Choices are becoming clear
Written By: - Date published: 3:00 pm, April 29th, 2010 - 39 comments
The choices between Labour and National are becoming clearer by the day. Next election the public is going to be offered two very different futures for New Zealand. Not between Labour and a dissembling “Labour Lite”, but between Labour and the true National agenda exposed.
What we need in the Budget
Written By: - Date published: 12:00 pm, May 27th, 2009 - 81 comments
We need to keep paying into the Superannuation Fund. Never heard anything so dumb as the idea of stopping making payments right now. Invest now and make a tidy sum to pay for super in the future. If we don’t we’ll have to put up taxes in the future or cut super. I’m looking forward […]
Culture of secrecy
Written By: - Date published: 6:31 pm, July 18th, 2008 - 59 comments
It’s 4.45 on a Friday afternoon and National has just released its Outdoor Recreation policy. It’s another one page wonder, only this time they haven’t even managed to fill the page. But that’s not what interests me. What interests me is the manner in which National has chosen to release it. See, if you’re trying […]
You call that policy? This is policy
Written By: - Date published: 2:45 pm, June 23rd, 2008 - 90 comments
National has released a brochure, laying out all its policies. They take up two A4 pages of double-spaced bullet points. That’s incredibly lightweight. Contrast that with the policy files of another party outside government, the Greens. National has 14 vague policies. The Greens have 51 policy area pages, each containing dozens of actionable policies. There […]
National’s policy vacuum
Written By: - Date published: 5:13 pm, June 9th, 2008 - 52 comments
From the editorial in the ODT today we learn that Bill English is keen to dampen down concern within the party at the lack of policy, telling delegates at their southern conference: “We pick the timing [for policy release] – not Labour, not the media, not the public.” He signaled it may be released very late and […]
Grueling
Written By: - Date published: 12:31 pm, May 27th, 2008 - 6 comments
Nats announce launch release consider rural doctors bonding scheme. Here’s the link, but honestly, don’t bother.
Show us ya policy
Written By: - Date published: 3:57 pm, May 26th, 2008 - 32 comments
Steve posted this morning that even Granny Herald’s patience appears to be wearing thin waiting for National and Key to announce some policy detail: “National must get a move on… we need to hear some serious policy soon”. Turns out they’re not alone. Rod Oram (SST): …for it to be a genuine debate, National needs […]
Even Granny’s patience can wear thin
Written By: - Date published: 9:47 am, May 26th, 2008 - 42 comments
With a loving smack that would have brought a smile to Bob McCoskrie’s face, the Herald‘s editorial today rebukes John Key in the strongest terms it can. Now that the Budget is behind us, the National Party has less excuse for indecision on most of the important economic issues facing the country at the coming […]
Telling porkies
Written By: - Date published: 9:50 am, May 22nd, 2008 - 44 comments
The Herald and National have started attacking every piece of government spending as pork-barrelling. Here’s some of what they’re calling ‘wasteful, needless spending’: $750 million of new health spending ($160 million for elective services) -Pork $700 million for Fast Forward Fund, food and pastoral sector research -Pork $665 million to buy the national rail operations […]
- BARRIE SAUNDERS: Exiting the constitutional rabbit hole
Barrie Saunders writes – Very well-intentioned politicians, judges and others have taken New Zealand down into a Treaty rabbit hole, from which few know how to exit without creating more social divisions. The modern interpretations of the Maori version of Treaty have set aside a common understanding of ...1 week ago - House prices primed to surge 10-20% if National winsIt’s like deja-vu all over again. House prices are primed to surge 10-20% soon after any clear National-ACT win on October 14. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: There are increasing signs in economists’ forecasts, auction clearance rates, migration rates, divergent tax policies and house building rates that a clear ...1 week ago
- NZ Politics Daily: 31 May 2023
BILINGUAL ROAD SIGNS, TE REO MĀORI Jo Moir (Newsroom): National getting sucked into regressive race debate Glenn McConnell (Stuff): Luxon’s familiar issue: Another awkward week struggling with Māori politics Amelia Wade, Jamie Ensor and Jenna Lynch (Newshub): Watch: ‘His view’s different to mine’ – National MPs react to te reo ...1 week ago - Removing the Takanini Level Crossings
Another of the interesting items at the Auckland Transport board meeting yesterday was about the plans for removing the remaining four road level crossings on the Southern Line in Takanini at Spartan Rd, Manuroa Rd, Taka St and Walters Rd. The board were asked to approve a business case for ...1 week ago - Hive Talking.
I did something yesterday that I hadn’t done in ages. Watch Oral Questions in parliament. I’m not sure what happened in all the episodes I missed, but nothing much seemed to have changed.For those unfamiliar, Question Time takes place in parliament at 2pm each Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday of the ...1 week ago - Luxon’s Lack Of Political “Muscle Memory”.
Slow Learner: Effective leaders develop a political “muscle memory” of their own. The National Party should get one.SPEAKING IN PUBLIC tops most people’s list of fearful situations. There are some careers, however, for which public fluency is a non-negotiable pre-requisite. There’s little point in pursuing an acting career, for example, ...1 week ago - Reality shatters Ardern’s dream
Reality appears to be about to shatter Jacinda Ardern’s dream that New Zealand could lead the world in showing how to deal with farm emissions. The Government is facing a breakdown in negotiations over its much-vaunted He Waka Eke Noa deal with farmers to price greenhouse gas emissions and ...1 week ago - ERO Looking Into the “Emotional & Physical Safety of All Students” at Bethlehem Coll...
Hi,Webworm won a Voyager media award over the weekend for “Best Team Investigation”! This would not have been possible without readers. Without you. Thank you.Also, there’s a new Flightless Bird out today, where I look at drug rehab clinics in Florida. I talk to three former addicts, and their stories ...1 week ago - At a glance – How reliable are climate models?
On February 14, 2023 we announced our Rebuttal Update Project. This included an ask for feedback about the added "At a glance" section in the updated basic rebuttal versions. This weekly blog post series highlights this new section of one of the updated basic rebuttal versions and serves as a ...1 week ago - Govt is open about NZ’s science relationship with China – but a ministerial statement on defence...
Buzz from the Beehive The Government is coy about some aspects of its relationship with China – and with the United States. Earlier this month, the PM spent a hectic 23 hours in Port Moresby, the capital of Papua New Guinea, where he responded to the superpower security deal just ...1 week ago - The imaginary world of the 6pm news
What do Game of Thrones, Lord of the Rings and your daily newspaper all have in common? They all tell tales of imaginary worlds.In Game of Thrones the honourable Stark family find themselves in deadly conflict with the ruthless House of Lannister.In the NZ Herald the Rt Hon Chris Hipkins finds himself ...1 week ago - The imaginary world of the 6pm newsWhat do Game of Thrones, Lord of the Rings and your daily newspaper all have in common? They all tell tales of imaginary worlds.In Game of Thrones the honourable Stark family find themselves in deadly conflict with the ruthless House of Lannister.In the NZ Herald the Rt Hon Chris Hipkins finds himself ...1 week ago
- Some sensible suggestions on reining in the spies
In 2022 the government announced a periodic review of the Intelligence and Security Act, the legislation governing New Zealand's spies. Yesterday the review presented its report, Taumaru: Protecting Aotearoa New Zealand as a Free, Open and Democratic Society. Its a chunky read, and I'm not finished yet, but from the ...1 week ago - THOMAS CRANMER: John Tamihere and the Waipareira TrustThe Charities Services decision to require the Waipareira Trust to claw back $385,000 of interest-free loans from John Tamihere brings renewed attention to the links between Whānau Ora and the Trust. Thomas Cranmer writes – Revelations earlier this month in the Herald that the social services charity Waipareira ...1 week ago
- Climate Change: Vapourware is not a policyRNZ reports that the government is throwing more money at researching a methane vaccine to reduce agricultural emissions. That's not a problem, but then there's this: A methane vaccine for livestock could be a breakthrough tool for farmers to reduce agricultural emissions - but it is still at least ...1 week ago
- Gordon Campbell on sending mixed messages out on purposeNational has developed a novel election strategy. It involves being both for and against almost every issue that comes down the pike. The use of te reo on public signage? Recently National Party leader Christopher Luxon came out against the bi-lingual use of te reo in the naming of government ...1 week ago
- NIMBYs push to dump MDRS totally and stop greenfields' houses tooAnti-densification residents’ and ratepayers’ groups are cock-a-hoop over National’s partial backflip on MDRS over the weekend and have ramped up their campaigns to stop densification in their areas. Photo: Lynn Grieveson/Getty ImagesTL;DR: NIMBY groups are cock-a-hoop this morning, calling on councils and the Government to completely abandon the MDRS housing ...1 week ago
- NZ Politics Daily: 30 May 2023ELECTION, PARLIAMENT Chris Trotter (Interest): Luxon’s lack of political ‘muscle memory’ Toby Manhire (Spinoff): Can you stomach five more months of sausage roll politics? Simon Wilson (Herald): National, Act and the battle over race (paywalled) Tim Hurdle (Post): Micro-parties hold the key to unlocking October’s general election (paywalled) Gordon Campbell: On National‘s aversion ...1 week ago
- May-23 AT Board MeetingIt’s been two months but today the Auckland Transport board meet for again. There’s a lot on the agenda so I can’t cover it all in this post but here are some of the highlights from their regular board papers. The open session starts at 9am and can be watched on ...1 week ago
- California bill would hit oil companies with $1 million penalty for health impactsThis story by Aaron Cantú was originally published in Capital & Main and is part of Covering Climate Now, a global journalism collaboration strengthening coverage of the climate story. Monic Uriarte was thrilled to get approved for an affordable apartment in Los Angeles’ University Park, close to USC. But soon after she and her ...1 week ago
- The housing policy that was too good for us
1 week ago - Overseas-focused ministers busy with trade and security issuesBuzz from the Beehive Ministers who took time out from the Labour Party congress to attend to portfolio duties were focused largely on promoting the country’s interests overseas. The statements with the widest implications dealt with: Trade – Damien O’Connor joined ministerial representatives at a meeting in Detroit, USA, ...1 week ago
- Gordon Campbell on National‘s aversion to transparencyIn the last year of a second term in government. the election outcome shouldn’t even be close. All that’s required for a competent Opposition to be streets ahead in the polls, is an ability to look like a credible government-in-waiting. Instead, we’ve got a very tight contest. There’s a reason ...1 week ago
- Erase this odious debt!The Herald reports that WINZ debt has reached the staggering total of $2.4 billion, with the usual racism and sexism in who owes and how much they pay: Anti-poverty groups say the poorest Kiwis are caught in a debt trap as the total amount of money owed to the ...1 week ago
- The Super Issue.
There was a poll last week which asked if now was the right time for a tax cut. Which is quite an odd thing to ask really, don’t you think?We’ve got to pay back the money used to keep paying people and stop businesses going under during the pandemic. Our ...1 week ago - BRIAN EASTON: The economic runup to the electionThe Treasury released its budget economic forecasts. What do they say about the economy over the next four months? Brian Easton writes – Let me begin me with an irritation. One post-budget headline was ‘Treasury optimistic over recession risk in Budget 2023‘. Treasury being optimistic is almost an ...1 week ago
- What do Māori get from the Budget? Not as much as last year, sorry, but $825m more than the rest o...The question posed in a Te Karere TVNZ headline – Budget 2023: How much was given to Māori? – was partly answered on the same day by a OneNews headline – Budget delivers hundreds of millions for Māori. The New Zealand Herald put a more precise figure on it: Budget 2023 breakdown: ...1 week ago
- Inside National's housing backflip + twists & rollsAs a politician swallowing a rat under a very public spotlight, Chris Bishop gave a spirited and relatively smooth account of himself yesterday. File Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Chris Bishop has detailed National’s new housing policy for Election 2023 that confirms a National Government would not force councils ...1 week ago
- NZ Politics Daily: 29 May 2023LABOUR PARTY CONGRESS Luke Malpass (Stuff): Labour congress lays bare Chris Hipkins’ and Labour’s election strategy Claire Trevett (Herald): Labour Party Congress: Energy for Chris Hipkins in election year but where were the new ideas? (paywalled) Newshub: Labour leader Chris Hipkins challenges National-ACT in speech setting forth plan for future Dan ...1 week ago
- Nationals Housing Policy BacktrackAfter signalling it a week ago, yesterday National launched their new housing policy which abandons their support for the Medium Density Residential Standards (MDRS) that they had worked with the government to deliver back in 2021 and shifts the focus to more sprawl. Overall there are three key areas National ...1 week ago
- Luxon’s audacityThe audacity of National’s “u-turn” over housing intensification is an extraordinary slap in the face for Chris Bishop and Nicola Willis. If it does nothing else, it raises questions about their political judgement, not for the first time.. Some in the Caucus have still not forgiven them for their ...1 week ago
- 2023 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #21A chronological listing of news and opinion articles posted on the Skeptical Science Facebook Page during the past week: Sun, May 21, 2023 thru Sat, May 27, 2023. This week, several shared articles did quite well on our Facebook page: The Upper Atmosphere Is Cooling, Prompting New Climate Concerns, At a ...1 week ago
- A Postscript to the Scribes Bookshop Closure
Back in December 2020, one of Dunedin’s local icons was closing its doors. Scribes Bookshop: https://phuulishfellow.wordpress.com/2020/12/03/dunedin-bookwormery-mourns-the-demise-of-scribes-bookshop/ It’s a strange thing to explain to people outside Dunedin – a secondhand bookshop, of all things, forming a part of North Dunedin cultural identity. But such was Scribes, and such is, ...1 week ago - Essay competition winner might opt for the money and surrender the bag – but that would be to esch...As the general election approaches, the Association of Former Members of the Parliament of New Zealand has organised an essay competition to to foster democracy. Secondary school students are being challenged to identify the important elements of a successful democracy, explain their value and consider whether they can be improved ...1 week ago
- Six things that mattered this week, plus my Sunday reads
Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: For paying subscribers, here's my pick of the week’s top six news developments, quotes and charts of the week with my personal reflections, plus my suggestions for Sunday reading and listening. There’s also one fun thing. In summary this week, my six takeaways were:Christopher ...1 week ago - The Persistence Of Racism: Is the Anti-Racist Cause Winning or Losing?With Open Arms: Is it at all reasonable to suppose that a colonial society in which whites traditionally occupied all the upper rungs of the ethnic hierarchy, and where the colonised were relegated to the bottom of the socio-economic ladder, will respond positively to a concerted indigenous push from below, ...1 week ago
- Webworm Wins “Best Team Investigation” at Voyagers
Hi,Just a quick online-only update that Webworm won “Best Team Investigation” last night at the Voyagers.This means a lot, especially considering we were up against giant newsrooms like Stuff and TVNZ:WINNER: David Farrier and Hayden Donnell | Webworm – The Downward Spiral of Arise ChurchJUDGES: Alan Sunderland and Ali Ikram“This ...1 week ago - The Florida of the South Pacific.
May 28, 2025.Ladies and gentlemen. It’s a beautiful clear morning here in Auckland City. We’re heading for a maximum temperature of 14 degrees, and the local time is now 10:30am. Please remain seated if you’d like to, or get up and walk around the plane if you prefer. New regulations ...1 week ago - Chose doing good things over doing nothing
Somebody has made a new survey and it tells us this little waterlogged nation of ours is rocketing up the misery charts. Maybe they took it before the sun came back out.Or maybe they took it any time in the last two years. Because negativity is quite surely the new ...1 week ago - Thanks for the news about the UNESCO appointment, but has the new chair already taken up her job?The appointment of Elizabeth Longworth as Chair of the New Zealand National Commission for UNESCO was one of just two press statements on the government’s official website today. Perhaps that’s because ministers have been busy preparing speeches for the Labour Party faithful who have gathered in Wellington for the party’s ...2 weeks ago
- THOMAS CRANMER: Department of Conservation hit by funding crisisAlarm bells have been rung by the department after its Deputy Director-General for Operations warns, ‘the initial view shows that we do not have sufficient funding to cover our basic running costs’. Thomas Cranmer writes – Following last week’s budget, alarm bells have been rung by the Department ...2 weeks ago
- The Hoon: Luxon vs density; Budget 2023’s political fallout; the RBNZ’s dovish hike; and Five Ey...Luxon went after the NIMBY vote, declaring National’s 2021 bipartisan deal with Labour to make it much easier to put three townhouses on a regular section ‘wrong’. File Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTLDR: The week’s news in Aotearoa’s political economy I covered via The Kākā for subscribers included:The Labour ...2 weeks ago
- Kiwi Chris the Robot Politician and other misunderstandings
Hello! This is the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on the week.Here’s what you may have missed.Last Sunday’s column was about the budget A big chunk of this year’s budget coverage was brought to us by the words crass, gauche and venal. The big questions ...2 weeks ago - A Weekend of Recommendations, a Surfeit of Skunks, and a Gaggle of Wonderful Worms
Hi,Usually Webworms are quite focussed — this one is the opposite. No rhyme or reason. A bit like my brain: sometimes ultra-focussed, other times utterly unable to settle on a goddamn thing. And as we head into the weekend, there are a bunch of things buzzing around in my head ...2 weeks ago - MICHAEL BASSETT: Mainstream Media and economic commentaryThe Mainstream Media, and especially the New Zealand Herald, regularly carry misinformed columns on the causes of the country’s low-grade economic performance over recent years. One old codger, John Gascoigne, who describes himself as “a Cambridge-based economic commentator” (not the university, alas!) correctly told us early this week that New ...2 weeks ago
- The Economic Runup to the Election.
The Treasury released its budget economic forecasts. What do they say about the economy over the next four months?Let me begin me with an irritation. One post-budget headline was ‘Treasury optimistic over recession risk in Budget 2023'. Treasury being optimistic is almost an oxymoron. They fire down the centre.It is ...2 weeks ago - Jump onto the weekly hoon on YouTube Live at 5pm
2 weeks ago - There are no tires on the current leader of the National Party
1. Who most likely gave LOTO Luxon the idea to pull the rug on the urban density policy?a. A leading thinker on affordable housing b. A leading thinker on 15 minute cities c. A leading thinker on sustainable urban planning d. National-Party-supporting property developers2 . With what was this illustration made?a. Artificial inseminationb. ...2 weeks ago - The latest $314.4m. of spending announcements include goodies to recognise tourist-sector bosses who...Buzz from the Beehive Point of Order tallied $314.4 million of spending in the latest ministerial statements posted on the government’s official website. This includes a lump of money to – yes, really – help identify businesses in tourism and hospitality which treat their staffs well and to fund the ...2 weeks ago
- Ask Me Anything about the week to May 26
It’s that time of the week for an ‘Ask Me Anything’ session for paying subscribers about the week that was for an hour from midday (my apologies for the late start today), including:the Government’s payment of $130 million of Climate Emergency Fund money to NZ Steel to help it cut ...2 weeks ago - NZ Politics Daily: 26 May 20231NEWS KANTAR POLL Jessica Mutch McKay (1News): Poll: ‘If the Greens can’t get it together, the left will be in opposition’ Felix Desmarais (1News): Poll: National, ACT have numbers to govern, Luxon lags in preferred PM Felix Desmarais (1News): ‘Disastrous’: Greens on possible National-ACT coalition Claire Trevett (Herald): Whether the poll ...2 weeks ago
- National Sorry Day.
Today in Australia it is National Sorry Day, where our cousins across the Tasman reflect on how Aborigines have been treated since Europeans arrived.An event held annually in Australia on 26 May, commemorating the Stolen Generations. It is part of the ongoing efforts towards reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.A ...2 weeks ago - Dawn Chorus: National/Act edge aheadNational/ACT would have 62 seats in a 120 seat Parliament if the latest poll results were replicated in the October election, but micro-movements around the median and the size of Te Pāti Māori’s caucus will decide who governs. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: National/ACT could govern alone after October ...2 weeks ago
- Weekly Roundup 26-May-2023Welcome to Friday – again! Hard to believe we’re almost in June. Here’s our latest roundup of stories that caught our eye this week. The Week in Greater Auckland On Monday, Matt covered the transport highlights from this year’s Budget. On Tuesday, Matt asked if the end is ...2 weeks ago
- Reserve Bank governor in good company
What should one make of the Reserve Bank Governor’s extraordinary donation of a hostage to fortune in forecasting an end to interest rate hikes? Conspiracy theorists will be scratching their tinfoil hats and mumbling about positioning for a whacking great payoff on being forced out by a new government. ...2 weeks ago - Our Maori Future.2 weeks ago
- Too close to callNational will be buoyed, and Labour possibly slightly depressed after last night’s One News Kantar poll. National and ACT on 48 per cent with 62 seats between them, enough to form a Government. Meanwhile, Labour was down one per cent to 35, and the Greens dropped four per cent ...2 weeks ago
- Skeptical Science New Research for Week #21 2023105 articles in 60 journals by 644 contributing authors Physical science of climate change, effects A Possible Hysteresis in the Arctic Ocean due to Release of Subsurface Heat during Sea Ice Retreat, Beer et al., Journal of Physical Oceanography 10.1175/jpo-d-22-0131.1 Connections between Upper Tropospheric and Lower Stratospheric Circulation Responses to ...2 weeks ago
- Plenty to ponder on economy: while OCR stance softens, a widening current account deficit threatens ...
It’s been an eventful week for the New Zealand economy. On one side, the Reserve Bank was seen as putting the brakes on the Official Cash Rate, with a 25 basis points increase heralded as good news for mortgage-holders. On another, NZ’s record current account deficit is seen as posing ...2 weeks ago - Luxon kills the hopes of Townhouse NationLuxon told voters in Birkenhead yesterday that the Medium Density Residential Standards (MDRS) that his deputy Nicola Willis shaped with Labour Housing Minister Megan Woods in 2021 were a mistake. File photo: Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: National Leader Christopher Luxon looks set to abandon within weeks the ...2 weeks ago
- We don't need another Zero
I have already found four different reasons today to walk down into the village, enjoy the blue sky and belated Autumn sun and put off writing, again, about the leader of the opposition. But here it comes anyway, because this guy —this policy dimwit on issues ranging from universality to ...2 weeks ago - Labour lectures rather than actsYesterday EECA launched its usual winter energy-saving campaign. Normally this is aimed at reducing energy usage, to reduce the risk of a blackout. If successful, it also reduces spot-market prices, so also reducing whining at the government from big corporate users. But this year, someone had the brilliant idea of ...2 weeks ago
- Media Link: “A View from Afar:” Is Putin a dead man walking?
In the second episode of our podcast this year, Selwyn Manning and I discuss the stability and near-term future prospects for Vladimir Putin’s regime in Russia. All is not well. ...2 weeks ago - THOMAS CRANMER: The state of Stuff – media ownership and transparency under scrutinyYesterday marked the third anniversary of Sinead Boucher’s acquisition of Stuff but questions still remain unanswered about the media group’s governance structure and the identity of its backers. Thomas Cranmer writes – As the general election looms, the media will play an increasingly critical role in presenting ...2 weeks ago
- Past Budget spending shows up as Bushmasters arrive – and govt will hope to make a bang with $8m f...Buzz from the Beehive Budget 2023 continues to provide grist for the mills of ministerial spin doctors charged with drawing favourable attention to the government’s largesse. Goodies generated by Defence appropriations in budgets past are winning headlines today, too. Defence Minister Andrew Little has been enthusing about the arrival of ...2 weeks ago
- Gordon Campbell on America’s plunge into religious extremismYikes. If either Donald Trump or Florida governor Ron De Santis win next year’s presidential contest with Joe Biden, the commander-in-chief of the world’s greatest nuclear arsenal will be beholden to millions of voters who expect Armageddon to occur during their lifetimes. Unfortunately, the Republican Party is being led by ...2 weeks ago
- Hurrell’s message to Fonterra’s shareholders should also be encouraging to those who chart NZ’...It’s been a hard season for New Zealand’s dairy farmers, on which the country’s export economy so heavily depends, but the big co-op Fonterra has delivered a cheering message to the cowsheds this week. The news on the payout for the season just ending may not be so cheerful, ...2 weeks ago
- NZ Politics Daily: 25 May 2023ECONOMY, BUDGET, TAX Thomas Coughlan (Herald): Welcome to the age of the Bleurghget (paywalled) Luke Malpass (Post0: Adrian Orr and his committee give Grant Robertson’s Budget a pass mark (paywalled) Dileepa Fonseka (BusinessDesk): Hipkins crowds Luxon’s post-budget space (paywalled) Richard Harman (Politik): Orr v Willis; a credibility battle (paywalled) Mark Quinlivan and Rachel Sadler ...2 weeks ago
- Spring wildfires in the eastern US got off to a roaring start this yearThis story by Katie Myers was originally published by Grist. Sign up for Grist’s weekly newsletter here. This story is part of Covering Climate Now, a global journalism collaboration strengthening coverage of the climate story. Spring fire season is a regular occurrence in the eastern U.S. It’s not nearly as dramatic as what’s seen ...2 weeks ago
- CRL Delay Implications for Other ProjectsBack in March we learnt about the change in cost and timeline for the City Rail Link. An article in the Herald the other day brought the issue of the timeline back up again Auckland’s $5.5 billion City Rail Link (CRL) will not open until sometime in 2026 or later, ...2 weeks ago
- 'We Will Restore Law & Order'
If I asked you what was likely to be on the news tonight what would you say?Something about the cost of living, could be. Or the war in the Ukraine, probably. A report of terrible weather on the way - yeah, that’s a good bet too. How about one on ...2 weeks ago - Orr v Willis; a credibility battleReserve Bank Governor and the Bank’s Monetary Policy Committee yesterday ended up at odds with National’s Finance spokesperson, Nicola Willis, over whether the Budget was inflationary. Willis said it was. The exchange is looking like a significant test of Willis’s economic credibility. The MPS statement and the Governor’s media ...2 weeks ago
- Go to Galatea, if you want to differ from other schools and be inspired by a celebrated Dutch artistA bit of googling was necessary to find out about Galatea School – Te Kura o Kuhawaea. Its website says it is a small rural school, opened in 1935 and nestled under the Te Urewera Ranges, opened in 1935, among lush green dairy farms and beside various forest plantations. It ...2 weeks ago
- Letter of apology from Zoo Miami
On behalf of everyone at Zoo Miami, please accept our most sincere apology to the New Zealand National Party of New Zealand and the proud people of the LinkedIn tribe. It stunned us all to learn that Kiwi Chris the Robot Politician was in fact an actual person.This was not at ...2 weeks ago - Letter of apology from Zoo MiamiOn behalf of everyone at Zoo Miami, please accept our most sincere apology to the New Zealand National Party of New Zealand and the proud people of the LinkedIn tribe. It stunned us all to learn that Kiwi Chris the Robot Politician was in fact an actual person.This was not at ...2 weeks ago
- Govt expresses condolences on the passing of HRH Princess Sui’ilikutapu
Prime Minister Chris Hipkins has expressed condolences on behalf of New Zealand to the Kingdom of Tonga following the death of Her Royal Highness Princess Mele Siu’ilikutapu Kalaniuvalu Fotofili. “New Zealand sends it’s heartfelt condolences to the people of Tonga, and to His Majesty King Tupou VI at this time ...1 week ago - Govt expresses condolences on the passing of HRH Princess Siu’ilikutapuPrime Minister Chris Hipkins has expressed condolences on behalf of New Zealand to the Kingdom of Tonga following the death of Her Royal Highness Princess Mele Siu’ilikutapu Kalaniuvalu Fotofili. “New Zealand sends it’s heartfelt condolences to the people of Tonga, and to His Majesty King Tupou VI at this time ...1 week ago
- Security support to Solomon Islands extendedDefence Minister Andrew Little and Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta have today announced the extension of the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) deployment to Solomon Islands, as part of the regionally-led Solomon Islands International Assistance Force (SIAF). “Aotearoa New Zealand has a long history of working alongside the Royal Solomon ...1 week ago
- Minister Mahuta to attend the first Korea-Pacific Leaders’ SummitForeign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta will travel to the Republic of Korea today to attend the Korea–Pacific Leaders’ Summit in Seoul and Busan. “Korea is an important partner for Aotearoa New Zealand and the Pacific region. I am eager for the opportunity to meet and discuss issues that matter to our ...1 week ago
- Agreement between Indo-Pacific partners for supply chain resilienceTrade and Export Growth Minister Damien O’Connor joined ministerial representatives at a meeting in Detroit, USA today to announce substantial conclusion of negotiations of a new regional supply chains agreement among 14 Indo-Pacific countries. The Supply Chains agreement is one of four pillars being negotiated within the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework ...1 week ago
- Celebrating Samoa Language Week 2023Our most spoken Pacific language is taking centre stage this week with Vaiaso o le Gagana Samoa – Samoa Language Week kicking off around the country. “Understanding and using the Samoan language across our nation is vital to its survival,” Barbara Edmonds said. “The Samoan population in New Zealand are ...1 week ago
- Nationwide test of Emergency Mobile Alert systemOver 90 per cent of New Zealanders are expected to receive this year’s nationwide test of the Emergency Mobile Alert system tonight between 6-7pm. “Emergency Mobile Alert is a tool that can alert people when their life, health, or property, is in danger,” Kieran McAnulty said. “The annual nationwide test ...1 week ago
- Whakatōhea and the Crown sign Deed of SettlementENGLISH: Whakatōhea and the Crown sign Deed of Settlement A Deed of Settlement has been signed between Whakatōhea and the Crown, 183 years to the day since Whakatōhea rangatira signed the Treaty of Waitangi, Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Andrew Little has announced. Whakatōhea is an iwi based in ...2 weeks ago
- New Chair appointed to New Zealand National Commission for UNESCOElizabeth Longworth has been appointed as the Chair of the New Zealand National Commission for UNESCO, Associate Minister of Education Jo Luxton announced today. UNESCO is the United Nations agency responsible for promoting cooperative action among member states in the areas of education, science, culture, social science (including peace and ...2 weeks ago
- Tourism transformation starts with peopleTourism and hospitality employer accreditation scheme to recognise quality employers Better education and career opportunities in tourism Cultural competency to create more diverse and inclusive workplaces Innovation and technology acceleration to drive satisfying, skilled jobs Strengthening our tourism workers and supporting them into good career pathways, pay and working conditions ...2 weeks ago
- Tourism transformation starts with peopleTourism and hospitality employer accreditation scheme to recognise quality employers Better education and career opportunities in tourism Cultural competency to create more diverse and inclusive workplaces Innovation and technology acceleration to drive satisfying, skilled jobs Strengthening our tourism workers and supporting them into good career pathways, pay and working conditions ...2 weeks ago
- Te ao Māori health services cheaper and more accessible for whānauGreater access to primary care, including 193 more front line clinical staff More hauora services and increased mental health support Boost for maternity and early years programmes Funding for cancers, HIV and longer term conditions Greater access to primary care, improved maternity care and mental health support are ...2 weeks ago
- Te ao Māori health services more accessible for whānauGreater access to primary care, including 193 more front line clinical staff More hauora services and increased mental health support Boost for maternity and early years programmes Funding for cancers, HIV and longer term conditions Greater access to primary care, improved maternity care and mental health support are ...2 weeks ago
- Government’s work for survivors of abuse in care continuesThe Government continues progress on the survivor-led independent redress system for historic abuse in care, with the announcement of the design and advisory group members today. “The main recommendation of the Royal Commission of Inquiry’s Abuse in Care interim redress report was for a survivor-led independent redress system, and the ...2 weeks ago
- Humanitarian support for the Horn of AfricaAotearoa New Zealand is providing NZ$7.75 million to respond to urgent humanitarian needs in the Horn of Africa, Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta announced today. The Horn of Africa is experiencing its most severe drought in decades, with five consecutive failed rainy seasons. At least 43.3 million people require lifesaving and ...2 weeks ago
- Two brand new mental health facilities opened in ChristchurchHealth Minister Ayesha Verrall has opened two new state-of-the-art mental health facilities at the Christchurch Hillmorton Hospital campus, as the Government ramps up its efforts to build a modern fit for purpose mental health system. The buildings, costing $81.8 million, are one of 16 capital projects the Government has funded ...2 weeks ago
- Government invests more than $24 million in regional projectsThe Government is continuing to invest in our regional economies by announcing another $24 million worth of investment into ten diverse projects, Regional Development Minister Kiri Allan says. “Our regions are the backbone of our economy and today’s announcement continues to build on the Government’s investment to boost regional economic ...2 weeks ago
- Budget 23 supports the growth of Māori tourismAn $8 million boost to New Zealand Māori Tourism will help operators insulate themselves for the future. Spread over the next four years, the investment acknowledges the on-going challenges faced by the industry and the significant contribution Māori make to tourism in Aotearoa. It builds on the $15 million invested ...2 weeks ago
- First Bushmasters ready to rollDefence Minister Andrew Little has marked the arrival of the first 18 Bushmaster protected mobility vehicles for the New Zealand Army, alongside personnel at Trentham Military Camp today. “The arrival of the Bushmaster fleet represents a significant uplift in capability and protection for defence force personnel, and a milestone in ...2 weeks ago
- Humanitarian support for the people of SudanAotearoa New Zealand is providing NZ$3.5 million to help meet urgent humanitarian needs in Sudan, Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta announced today. The severe fighting between the Sudan Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces has had devastating impacts for civilians. At least 705 people have been killed and 5,287 injured. ...2 weeks ago
- Clean-up at Hawkes Bay facility to help region deal with cyclone wasteRepairing a Hawke’s Bay organic composting facility devastated by Cyclone Gabrielle is among the latest waste reduction projects getting Government backing, Associate Environment Minister Rachel Brooking announced today. “Helping communities get back on their feet after the devastating weather that hit the northern parts of the country this year is ...2 weeks ago
- 8% pay boosts for GP & community nursesAbout 6,100 more GP, community nurses and kaiāwhina will be eligible for pay rises of 8% on average to reduce pay disparities with nurses in hospitals, Minister of Health Dr Ayesha Verrall announced today. The top up comes from a $200 million fund established to remove pay disparities between nurses ...2 weeks ago
- Govt turns the sod on new Jobs and Skills Hub for Hawke’s BayNew Jobs and Skills Hub to begin construction in Hawke’s Bay The Hub will support the building of $1.1billion worth of homes in the region and support Cyclone Gabrielle rebuild and recovery. Over 2,200 people have been supported into industry specific employment, apprenticeships and training, by these Hubs across NZ ...2 weeks ago
- Community Housing Aotearoa Conference SpeechTēnā koutou e nga maata waka. Kia koutou te mana whenua tēnā koutou Ngā mate huhua o te waa, haere, haere, haere atu ra. Hoki mai kia tātou te kanohi ora e tau nei, Tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā tātou katoa. Tēnā koutou i runga i te kaupapa o te ...2 weeks ago
- New mental health tool launched for small business owner-operatorsThe Government has launched a new tool to help small business owner-operators manage and improve their mental wellbeing, Small Business Minister Ginny Andersen announced today. The Brave in Business e-Learning series is another tool the Government has delivered to support small businesses with their mental health and wellbeing. “A pandemic, ...2 weeks ago
- TAB partnership helps secure future of racing industryMinister for Racing Kieran McAnulty has announced the approval of a 25-year partnership between TAB NZ and UK betting company Entain that delivers at least $900 million in guaranteed funding for the racing industry over the next five years. Entain, a UK based group that operates multiple sports betting providers ...2 weeks ago
- Government project delivers more reliable and resilient water source to NorthlandThe Government has delivered the first of three significant water security projects in Northland, boosting regional business and climate resilience, with the opening of Matawii reservoir today, Regional Development Minister Kiri Allan announced. A $68 million Government investment supported the construction of the reservoir, along with two other water storage ...2 weeks ago
- Trade Minister to US to attend Ministerial meetingsTrade and Export Growth Minister Damien O’Connor will travel to Detroit tomorrow to represent New Zealand at the annual APEC Ministers Responsible for Trade meeting from 24 – 29 May. Whilst in Detroit, Damien O’Connor will also host a meeting of Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) Ministers ...2 weeks ago
- Murihiku Regeneration energy and innovation wānangaI want to start by thanking Ngāi Tahu and the Murihiku Regeneration Collective for hosting us here today. Back at the Science and Innovation Wananga in 2021, I said that a just transition in New Zealand must ensure Iwi are at the table. This is just as true now as ...2 weeks ago
- New Ambassador to Mongolia announcedForeign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta today announced the appointment of diplomat Dr James Waite as Aotearoa New Zealand’s next Ambassador to Mongolia. He is currently the Deputy Head of Mission at the New Zealand Embassy in Beijing, a role he will continue to hold. “New Zealand and Mongolia share a warm and ...2 weeks ago
- Government commitment to Māori Education continuesBiggest-ever investment in property with more money for new sites and modernisation Roll-out of learning support coordination in kaupapa Māori and Māori Medium Schooling Boost in funding for iwi and schools to work together on Local Histories content Substantial support for Māori Education has continued in Budget 2023, including ...2 weeks ago
- More students to benefit from next round of Creatives in SchoolsApplications for the next round of Creatives in Schools will open on Friday 16 June 2023, Minister of Education Jan Tinetti and Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Carmel Sepuloni announced today during a visit at Te Wharekura o Mauao in Tauranga. “The Creatives in Schools programme funds schools and ...2 weeks ago
- Speech to WasteMINZ conference, HamiltonTena koutou katoa and thank you all for being here and welcoming me to your annual conference. I want to acknowledge being here in Tainui’s rohe, and the mana of Kingi Tuheitia. I hate waste. So much so that when we built our home in Dunedin, I banned the use ...2 weeks ago
- Extra boost for Southland’s Just TransitionSouthland’s Just Transition is getting a further boost to help future-proof the region and build its economic resilience, Energy and Resources Minister Megan Woods announced today. “This Government is committed to supporting Southland’s just transition and reducing the region’s reliance on the New Zealand Aluminium Smelter at Tiwai Point,” Megan ...2 weeks ago
- PM concludes successful Pacific visit, confirms intention to visit IndiaPrime Minister Chris Hipkins has concluded a series of successful international meetings with Pacific region leaders in Papua New Guinea. Prime Minister Hipkins secured constructive bilateral discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India, PNG Prime Minister James Marape, Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown and United States Secretary of ...2 weeks ago
- Agreed statement from NZEI, PPTA and the Minister of EducationOn Friday 19th May, Minister Tinetti facilitated a meeting between NZEI and PPTA with the Ministry of Education to discuss options for finding a way forward in the current stalled collective bargaining. The meeting was constructive, and the parties shared a willingness to work towards a solution. The following was ...2 weeks ago
- Five community energy projects kick startEighty-nine households will soon benefit from secure, renewable, and more affordable energy as five community-level energy projects are about to get underway, Energy and Resources Minister Megan Woods announced today. Five solar projects – in Whangārei, Tauranga, Palmerston North and Christchurch – are the first to receive funding from the ...2 weeks ago
- New Zealand confirms recovery support for Cook IslandsPrime Minister Chris Hipkins has confirmed New Zealand will provide NZ$15 million in emergency budget support for Cook Islands in its ongoing recovery from the impacts of COVID-19. New Zealand’s support was confirmed during a meeting with the Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown in Papua New Guinea today. “New ...2 weeks ago
- Budget 2023 provides significant investment in kapa hakaThe Government’s continued recognition of and support for the important place Kapa Haka has in Aotearoa was evident today at a celebration at Te Wharekura o Kirikiriroa Associate Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Willow-Jean Prime said. “Our investment of $34 million over two years ensures that this kaupapa is ...2 weeks ago
- NZ’s biggest ever emissions reduction project unveiledThe Government is partnering with New Zealand Steel to deliver New Zealand’s largest emissions reduction project to date, with half of the coal being used at Glenbrook steel to be replaced with electricity to recycle scrap steel. Prime Minister Chris Hipkins made the announcement alongside Energy and Resources Minister Megan ...2 weeks ago
- Transport Minister Michael Wood stood down after airport shares controversy
Michael Wood has been stood down as Transport Minister while any remaining issues around his conflicts are resolved. ...1 day ago - PM to update on transport minister’s airport shares controversy this afternoon
Chris Hipkins had yet to decide on the future of transport minister Michael Wood at this morning’s caucus run, after it was revealed Wood had failed to properly disclose shares he owned in Auckland Airport. At the Beehive, the prime minister told media he still hadn’t had a chance to ...1 day ago - Housing and heritage aren’t mutually exclusive – a few basic rules can help get the balance righ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alexander Gillespie, Professor of Law, University of Waikato Getty Images Anyone trying to follow the latest political debate over housing, urban intensification and development can be forgiven for feeling confused. The National Party’s newly announced housing policy would allow local ...1 day ago - Kathleen Folbigg is free. But people pardoned and exonerated of crimes face unique challenges when r...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Hayley Cullen, Associate lecturer, University of Newcastle In 2003, Kathleen Folbigg was convicted of killing her four children. She has now been released from prison, 20 years later, after being pardoned by the Attorney General of New South Wales. While Folbigg ...1 day ago
- DIA Warns Scammers Over ‘toll’ Scam
Stop what you’re doing and hand yourself in, is the message to scammers responsible for the ‘toll’ scam, from Te Tari Taiwhenua, Department of Internal Affairs (DIA). The ‘NZTA toll’ phishing scam has been circulating Aotearoa New Zealand since ...1 day ago - Wellington wins global prize and funding for cycleways Wellington has won $650,000 to put towards its rapid bike lane rollout, securing a spot alongside nine other cities on the Bloomberg Initiative for Cycling Infrastructure. Announced late last week, the prize recognises the capital’s Paneke Pōneke bike network plan, which is in the process of increasing 23km of cycleways ...1 day ago
- Climate-related disasters leave behind trauma and worse mental health. Housing uncertainty is a majo...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ang Li, Research Fellow, NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence in Healthy Housing, Centre for Health Policy, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne Australia, the world’s driest inhabited continent, is particularly vulnerable to climate-related disasters such as droughts, ...1 day ago
- The graphs that show why Police Ten 7 had to goTVNZ says Police Ten 7 was ‘reflective of the reality of patterns of crime and offending in Aotearoa’. This analysis found otherwise. When TVNZ cancelled reality TV show Police Ten 7 earlier this year, it certainly rattled some law-and-order cages. The show’s former host Graham Bell, who described suspects variously ...1 day ago
- Alternative Budget Group Publishes Two Budgets That Avoid Wayne Brown’s ‘Slash And Burn’ Propo...The group A Better Budget for Auckland, which published an alternative budget for Auckland Council in March, has released two new alternative budgets for councillors that it says will not “slash and burn” services and assets. A Better Budget for ...1 day ago
- Party Urges Voters To Put Candidates On The Spot On Women’s RightsIt is Election season and candidates are out on the hustings seeking votes. The Women’s Rights Party is urging voters to turn up to their local election campaign meetings and ask candidates where they stand on issues that affect women’s rights. ...1 day ago
- Expert Independent Electoral Law Review Joins Chorus Of Calls Saying The Voting Age Must Be Lowered ...Today (Tuesday 6 June 2023) the Independent Electoral Law Review, made up of independent experts in New Zealand’s election system, recommended in its interim report that the voting age be lowered to 16. This comes just two weeks after Parliament’s Justice ...1 day ago
- Rt Hon Winston Peters – Latest Electoral Review: More Dangerous Woke NonsenseThe Independent Electoral Review out today has included a recommendation to ‘affect the Treaty of Waitangi and its Principles’ and make it one of the Act’s ‘explicit objectives’. What ‘principles’ are they talking about ...1 day ago
- The Opportunities Party Calls For A Referendum To Lower The MMP ThresholdToday, the Independent Electoral Review released its interim report which proposes several key updates to the Electoral Act, with a strong focus on enhancing fairness in the electoral system. The Opportunities Party (TOP) is happy to see that many ...1 day ago
- Greens urge tenants to share stories to bolster tenancy reformThe Green Party hopes its campaign targeted at renters who have endured substandard accommodation will open the eyes of some MPs. ...1 day ago
- The race to stop the spread of myrtle rust and save some of our most iconic plantsThis invasive fungal pathogen is decimating forests – but research and field trials offer hope. This is an excerpt from our weekly environmental newsletter Future Proof brought to you by Electric Kiwi – sign up here. It’s been six years since myrtle rust was first detected in mainland New Zealand, after ...1 day ago
- The cost of Auckland growing upAucklanders have been paying the costs of a city sprawl built for cars for too long. The council’s new Future Development Strategy proposes that the city slows its spread and focuses on growing in existing urban areas. There’s one tall building that defines Auckland. It looks like a needle, and ...1 day ago
- Government ministry blocks AI technology from staff useThe Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment has banned staff from using artificial intelligence technology such as ChatGPT - citing data and privacy risks. ...1 day ago
- Independent Electoral Review Releases Interim Report To Make Our Electoral System Fairer, Clearer, A...The Independent Electoral Review Panel has published its draft recommendations focused on ensuring our electoral system is fairer, clearer, and more accessible so that as many people as possible can take part. The draft recommendations address important ...1 day ago
- Te Tai Tokerau Political Candidacy...1 day ago
- Geoffrey Miller’s Political Roundup: How fake AI images could stoke tensions in the Indo-PacificAnalysis by Geoffrey Miller. Seeing is no longer believing. Image via Wikimedia, by David S. Soriano. Surprisingly realistic – yet fake – images created by Artificial Intelligence (AI) are here. To date, most have seemed more like curiosities than genuine deception attempts. Last month, it was revealed that New Zealand’s ...1 day ago
- Further conversation to be had with transport minister about airport shares, PM saysPrime Minister Chris Hipkins says he is yet to have the chance to get any detail on the controversy surrounding Michael Wood's shares in Auckland Airport. ...1 day ago
- Newsletter: June 06 2023 – Items of interest and importance todayNew Zealand Politics Daily is a collation of the most prominent issues being discussed in New Zealand. It is edited by Dr Bryce Edwards of The Democracy Project. Today’s content ELECTION, PARLIAMENT Matthew Hooton (Patreon): Labour will regret hatchet job on contraception Tracy Watkins (Stuff): How low will this election campaign go? Fran ...1 day ago
- The Bulletin: Fijian PM visiting New Zealand, Hipkins offered chance to meet ZelenskyFiji’s new prime minister Sitiveni Rabuka has arrived in the country and will spend Wednesday in Wellington where he’ll meet with prime minister Chris Hipkins, foreign affairs minister Nanaia Mahuta and minister for climate change James Shaw. Rabuka became prime minister last year after a tumultuous election, where his party People’s Alliance ...1 day ago
- The cost of being: A solo mother in small-town TaranakiAs part of our series exploring how New Zealanders live and our relationship with money, a photographer tells us how she supports herself and three children on a freelance income. Want to contribute? Send us an email briefly describing your situation at [email protected] Gender: Female Age: 42 Ethnicity: NZ Pākehā ...1 day ago
- Make it 16 group calls for support over voting age changeThe Make it 16 group has welcomed a review of our electoral laws that suggested lowering the voting age. It was part of a swathe of initial recommendations made by the panel, ahead of further public consultation. Read all the top lines from the review here. In a statement, Make ...1 day ago
- The world’s first flowers were pollinated by insectsSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ruby E. Stephens, PhD Candidate, School of Natural Sciences, Macquarie University Ruby E Stephens, Author provided Plants existed on Earth for hundreds of millions of years before the first flowers bloomed. But when flowering plants did evolve, more than 140 ...1 day ago
- ‘Too small and carefree’: endangered animals released into the wild may lack the match-fitness t...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Natasha Harrison, PhD Candidate, The University of Western Australia Breeding threatened mammals in fenced, predator-free areas is a common conservation strategy in Australia. The method is designed to protect vulnerable species and breed animals for release into the wild. But our research ...1 day ago
- Hidden carbon: Fungi and their ‘necromass’ absorb one-third of the carbon emitted by burning fos...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adam Frew, Lecturer and ARC DECRA Fellow, Western Sydney University Mycorrhizal fungi growing with a plant root Dr Yoshihiro Kobae, Author provided Beneath our feet, remarkable networks of fungal filaments stretch out in all directions. These mycorrhizal fungi live in partnership ...1 day ago
- Australian students in rural areas are not ‘behind’ their city peers because of socioeconomic st...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Philip Roberts, Associate professor (Curriculum Inquiry / Rural Education), University of Canberra Shutterstock Major international and national tests show rural students, on average, do not do as well at school as their city peers. This includes lower scores on ...1 day ago
- Labor plans to stamp out the exploitation of migrant workers, but it won’t succeed until we treat ...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Brendan Coates, Program Director, Economic Policy, Grattan Institute Shutterstock The exploitation of migrants is widespread in Australia. Our recent report for the Grattan Institute, Short-changed, found that as many as one in six migrant workers are paid less than the ...1 day ago
- From being mildly late to sucking on people’s tears – what is a ‘beige flag’ on TikTok?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Lisa Portolan, PhD student, Institute for Culture and Society, Western Sydney University TikTok TikTok is one of the most prevalent social media platforms for trend-setting and trend-spotting – particularly within the relationship space. From trends and concepts like #DatingStoryTime to ...1 day ago
- ‘I don’t have all the facts’: PM not ready to make call on Michael Wood over airport sharesWe’re back after a long weekend and what a morning of news we have today. Another senior MP could end up before the privileges committee and a major review of our electoral laws has recommended changes, including the lowering of the voting age. We’ll start with the former. The Herald ...1 day ago
- Major changes proposed for our electionsThe voting age should be 16, we should have a referendum on extending the parliamentary term and donations to parties should be capped, says the interim report from the Independent Electoral Review, writes Anna Rawhiti-Connell in this excerpt from The Bulletin, The Spinoff’s morning news round-up. To receive The Bulletin ...1 day ago
- ACT preens as party in waiting ahead of Election 2023Power Play - ACT Party leader David Seymour will be patting himself on the back after a sell-out annual conference in central Auckland this weekend. ...1 day ago
- ACT preens as party in waiting ahead of Election 2023Power Play - ACT Party leader David Seymour will be patting himself on the back after a sell-out annual conference in central Auckland this weekend. ...1 day ago
- Electoral system review recommends voting age lowered to 16, party threshold to 3.5%The independent panel of legal experts which considered public submissions on electoral law also recommended a referendum on a longer Parliamentary term. ...1 day ago
- Make it 16, and make it 3.5% – the big calls from the electoral reviewFrom voting age to thresholds, from term lengths to coat-tails, the Independent Electoral Review has come in hot in its interim report. Just over a year ago, an independent panel of experts was tasked with a wide-ranging review of New Zealand electoral law – nothing less than a “once-in-a generation ...1 day ago
- The case for privatising sperm donationOverly tight regulation is hurting hundreds of New Zealanders who want a baby but can’t have one the old-fashioned way, argues Amber Older. Deafening silence. Awfully good. Bittersweet. Who doesn’t love an oxymoron? Here’s another one: sperm shortage. Come again? Come again, indeed. And again, and again, while you’re at ...1 day ago
- Ruapehu hapū warn Govt against selling ski fields without asking Māori
Descendants of war chief Te Peehi Tūroa vow to fight a sell-off to corporate raiders ...1 day ago - US debt decision lifts markets, but job numbers remain key
Wage growth and tight labour markets in the US are making it increasingly likely the Federal Reserve will raise interest rates in June ...1 day ago - For small Māori business, together is stronger
Developing a supplier relationship with a $3.7 billion NZX-listed company like Spark as a small Māori business owner can be daunting, but with te ao Māori values at the heart of the relationship, Thomas Netana Wright tells Newsroom how he did it | Content Partnership When indigenous chocolatier Thomas ...1 day ago - Counting the benefits of big events
Promises of a huge global television audience, a boost for the profile of women's football, and big spending by fans descending on New Zealand – but do forecasts about the economic benefits of big events actually add up? The FIFA Women's World Cup kicks off here and in Australia from ...1 day ago - Electoral review recommends 3.5% threshold, voting age of 16
An independent review of New Zealand's electoral system has concluded a major shake-up of MMP is needed to ensure a fairer and more accessible democracy, Marc Daalder reports In a new draft report, the Independent Electoral Review has recommended wide-ranging changes to the electoral system. If all of the recommendations were ...1 day ago - It's crunch time: we need an Auckland digital twin
A full, live, digital replica of the city’s infrastructure is essential for future decision-making and public engagement, says a coalition of Auckland experts. ...1 day ago - Alpine Fault quake is coming, ready or not
Inhabitants of the shakiest part of Aotearoa’s shaky isles are readier than ever for the overdue big one West Coasters turned out in their hundreds this week to hear scientists remind them they face disaster when the Alpine Fault decides to rearrange the scenery. The AF8 roadshow has just completed ...1 day ago - On the housing crisis Labour and National need to grow up (and grow out)
If housing is ever to be affordable, Labour and Nats must allow cities to grow up, and grow out ...1 day ago - Environment Minister wades into river battle
David Parker intervenes in a court case over a water conservation order ...1 day ago - Edwards back following that black line in the pool
Swimmer Chelsey Edwards nearly gave the sport away twice, but with help from a pyschologist and a new training environment she's back competing for NZ Just weeks after moving cities for a new training environment, Aquablack Chelsey Edwards is off to her third World Aquatics swimming championships, in Japan, after being ...1 day ago - Self-portrait: Hira Nathan, gratefully
The man behind the number one bestselling gratitude journal tells his story The practice of gratitude didn’t enter my life like a white feather floating peacefully to earth to spread joy and happiness. It was more like a bull forcing the matador to respect it. I was born in ...1 day ago - Newsroom daily quiz, Tuesday 6 June
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...1 day ago - French minister says FLNKS ‘willing to discuss’ election roll changesBy Walter Zweifel, RNZ Pacific reporter New Caledonia’s pro-independence parties are prepared to negotiate changes to the provincial electoral rolls, according to French Overseas Minister Gerald Darmanin. On his second visit to Noumea in less than four months, the minister announced the apparent change in the stance of the pro-independence ...2 days ago
- Don’t blame Australia’s lowest-paid workers if interest rates rise againSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By David Peetz, Laurie Carmichael Distinguished Research Fellow at the Centre for Future Work, and Professor Emeritus, Griffith Business School, Griffith University Shutterstock The odds have been shortening on the Reserve Bank of Australia lifting interest again, and Australia’s workers are ...2 days ago
- View from The Hill: Dutton would get a lashing if Voice lost, but the implications would be more ser...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra It would be foolish to over-read the latest Newspoll. It doesn’t point to doom for the Voice, but it does suggest the referendum is in a fight of its life. And it underscores how ...2 days ago
- Sir John Key says honours is rite of passage for former prime ministersThe Queen, a rugby coach and the former prime minister all received honours today, but only one of those received criticism that extended well past the job they are known for. ...2 days ago
- There’s more than reputation at stake: PwC faces penalties, including possible jail timeSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michael Adams, Professor of Corporate Law & Head UNE Law School, University of New England Shutterstock What penalties does the consulting giant PricewaterhouseCoopers face for sharing confidential government tax policy information and (in its words) betraying the public’s trust? At ...2 days ago
- Kathleen Folbigg pardon shows Australia needs a dedicated body to investigate wrongful convictionsSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By David Hamer, Professor of Evidence Law, University of Sydney The New South Wales Attorney-General Michael Daley today announced Kathleen Folbigg has been pardoned after having served 20 years for the murder of three of her infant children and the manslaughter of a ...2 days ago
- What should the Australian War Memorial do with its heroic portraits of Ben Roberts-Smith?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kit Messham-Muir, Professor in Art, Curtin University On Friday, the Federal Court dismissed Ben Roberts-Smith’s defamation case against The Age, The Sydney Morning Herald and The Canberra Times. Justice Anthony Besanko ruled the newspapers had established, by the “balance of probabilities” ...2 days ago
- Former TVNZ Breakfast host Kamahl Santamaria breaks year-long silence in The Balance podcastBy Lincoln Tan of The New Zealand Herald Former TVNZ Breakfast host Kamahl Santamaria, who quit following complaints about inappropriate workplace behaviour, has broken his silence and started a podcast he says would “set some records straight”. The Emmy-nominated broadcaster lasted just 32 days at TVNZ after working at Al ...2 days ago
- How we can avoid political misinformation in the lead-up to the Voice referendumSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Christopher Arnott, PhD Candidate, Griffith University The Australian Electoral Commission has launched a website aimed at rebutting disinformation. This is a timely change, as we are seeing an increase of both disinformation and misinformation being spread about the First Nations Voice to ...2 days ago
- Fifteen Pasifika people on NZ King’s Birthday Honours ListRNZ Pacific Paediatrician Dr Teuila Percival heads the list of Pacific recipients in the New Zealand King’s Birthday Honours List for 2023. Dr Percival is one of at least 15 Pasifika people in New Zealand who are on the list. She is to be a Dame Companion of the New ...2 days ago
- King’s Birthday Honours: Former NZ leader Jacinda Ardern receives high accoladeBy Katie Scotcher, RNZ News political reporter Former New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern has received one of the top accolades in today’s King’s Birthday Honours. Ardern, who was prime minister from September 2017 until January this year, has been appointed a Dame Grand Companion of the New Zealand Order ...2 days ago
- South Australia adopts draconian new law curbing peaceful climate protestSouth Australia now joins New South Wales, Tasmania, Victoria and Queensland, states which have already passed anti-protest laws imposing severe penalties on people who engage in peaceful civil disobedience. However, South Australia’s new law carries the harshest financial penalties in Australia. Thirteen Upper House Labor and Liberal MPs voted for ...2 days ago
- Wenda calls on Papuan rebels to free NZ pilot ‘unconditionally’Asia Pacific Report The president of a West Papuan advocacy group has appealed to the militants holding New Zealand pilot Philip Mehrtens hostage to free him unconditionally and unharmed, describing him as an “innocent pawn”. United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) president Benny Wenda said he held “deepest concern” ...2 days ago
- Hot flushes, night sweats, brain fog? Here’s what we know about phytoestrogens for menopausal symp...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Caroline Gurvich, Associate Professor and Clinical Neuropsychologist, Monash University Shutterstock While some women glide through menopause, more than 85% experience one or more unpleasant symptoms, which can impact their physical and mental health, daily activities and quality of life. ...2 days ago
- Treated wastewater in Victoria is still contaminated, study finds. So are we and the environment saf...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Mark Patrick Taylor, Victoria’s Chief Environmental Scientist, EPA Victoria; Honorary Professor, School of Natural Sciences, Macquarie University Shutterstock Wastewater is a by-product of humanity produced all day, every day. At home, wastewater is the used water that disappears when you ...2 days ago
- Study finds treated wastewater in Victoria is still contaminated. So are we and the environment safe...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Mark Patrick Taylor, Victoria’s Chief Environmental Scientist, EPA Victoria; Honorary Professor, School of Natural Sciences, Macquarie University Shutterstock Wastewater is a by-product of humanity produced all day, every day. At home, wastewater is the used water that disappears when you ...2 days ago
- 5 incredible craters that will make you fall in love with the grandeur of our Solar SystemSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Helen Brand, Senior Beamline Scientist – Powder Diffraction, Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation Occator crater, Ceres. NASA/JPL-Caltech/UCLA/MPS/DLR/IDA Impact cratering happens on every solid body in the Solar System. In fact, it is the dominant process affecting the surfaces on most extraterrestrial ...2 days ago
- Ōamaru pilgrims bring off-season economy boost
Ōamaru's growing steampunk festival isn't just a unique identity for the town – it's a welcome shot in the arm for local accommodation and hospitality providers Hundreds of steampunks filled Ōamaru during King’s Birthday weekend making what’s become an annual pilgrimage to the North Otago town that calls itself steampunk HQ. The ...2 days ago - Whale of a tale? The stories about whales helping tackle climate change are overblownSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Olaf Meynecke, Research Fellow in Marine Science, Griffith University Shutterstock Whales have long fascinated us with their size and beauty. Once we stopped whaling, their populations have begun to recover, in a major win for conservation. Research has suggested ...2 days ago
- Labor maintains large Newspoll lead, but support for Voice slumpsSource: 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 Lukas Coch/AAP A federal Newspoll, conducted May 31 to June 3 from a sample of 1,549, gave Labor a 55-45 ...2 days ago
- New to streaming: What to watch on Netflix NZ, Neon and more this weekWhat are you going to be watching this week? We round up everything coming to streaming services this week, including Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+, Apple TV+, Neon and TVNZ+. The biggies The Idol (weekly on Neon from June 5) If you’ve heard about The Idol, the new series from ...2 days ago
- All the big King’s Birthday gongs, in 10 deep breathsA great day for honours winners and people who love seeing honours listed and also for the King, who has a birthday but stays the same age. Gong! It’s the King’s Birthday – not to be confused with the King’s birthday, which is on November 14 – and that means ...2 days ago
- No, Tina from Turners didn’t dieLast month a large portion of New Zealanders thought she’d departed for the great car yard in the sky. Thankfully, Tina from Turners is stronger than ever, writes Tara Ward. When Tina Turner died in Switzerland last month, her passing sent ripples across an unexpected pond. Far away in New ...2 days ago
- Social media snaps map the sweep of Japan’s cherry blossom season in unprecedented detailSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian Dyer, Associate Professor, Monash University Kazuo Ota / Unsplash Social media contains enormous amounts of data about people, our everyday lives, and our interactions with our surroundings. As a byproduct, it also contains a vast trove of information about ...2 days ago
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