Posts Tagged ‘powerdown’

Last chance to see or finally acting as if our lives depend on it?

Written By: weka - Date published: 8:49 am, April 6th, 2022 - 55 comments

That IPCC report telling it like it is. Ball is in our court.

Hope Punk 2022

Written By: weka - Date published: 12:35 pm, January 1st, 2022 - 11 comments

Here’s a kind of map to a future where things work out.

The pandemic is resiliency training

Written By: weka - Date published: 12:17 pm, December 24th, 2021 - 12 comments

Fear and loathing on both sides of the fence, or adaptation and resiliency? We do have some choices.

Revisiting Riverton: the Longwood Loop food resiliency project

Written By: weka - Date published: 6:15 am, December 22nd, 2021 - 22 comments

Key here is the resilience politics of greenies, DIYers and anarchists, where we just don’t wait for the government to act, we get on with and build the new ways ourselves.

Hospo resilience: pairing covid response and climate action

Written By: weka - Date published: 6:05 am, September 8th, 2021 - 13 comments

We’re now in the time of synchronous and overlapping crises. With Delta Level Two and ongoing restrictions affecting the hospitality sector, and eighteen months into our covid response, solutions need to be for the long haul. One of the keys to that is positive adaptation.

Ways out of the climate catastrophe

Written By: weka - Date published: 6:05 am, August 10th, 2021 - 130 comments

As the IPCC drops its grim, damning report on humans and climate change, and as we are surrounded by social and mainstream media narratives of disaster, we desperately need cogent and hopeful visions of where we can go next, and stories of futures where things work out.

Articles RSS

Comments
Opinions

Hot air to fill Labour’s sails
by Don Franks Poverty in New Zealand today has new ugly features. Adequate housing is beyond the reach of thousands. More and more people full time workers must beg food parcels from charities. Having no attainable prospects, young people lash out and steal. A response to poverty from The Daily ...
RedlineBy Admin
7 hours ago

Skeptical Science New Research for Week #20 2022
Drought: the past is no longer prologue Drought management in the United States (and elsewhere) is highly informed by events of the past, employing records extending 60 years or longer in order to plan for and cope with newly emerging meterorological water deficits. Water resource managers and agricultural concerns use ...
Skeptical Science
8 hours ago

A wasted opportunity
The government announced its budget today, with Finance Minister Grant Robertson giving the usual long speech about how much money they're spending. The big stuff was climate change and health, with the former being pre-announced, and most of the latter being writing off DHB's entirely fictional "debt" to the the ...
No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
11 hours ago

Bryce Edwards: A Conservative Budget for volatile times
Finance Minister Grant Robertson has delivered a Budget that will many asking “Is that all there is?” There is a myriad of initiatives and there is increased spending, but strangely it doesn’t really add up to much at all for those hoping for a more traditional Labour-style Budget. The headline ...
Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
13 hours ago

Cook Islands PM approves of corruption
Last year, Cook Islands Deputy Prime Minister Robert Tapaitau stood down as a minister after being charged with conspiracy to defraud after an investigation into corruption in Infrastructure Cook Islands and the National Environment Service. He hasn't been tried yet, but this week he has been reinstated: The seven-month ...
No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
13 hours ago

Drawn
A ballot for three member's bills was held today, and the following bills were drawn: Repeal of Good Friday and Easter Sunday as Restricted Trading Days (Shop Trading and Sale of Alcohol) Amendment Bill (Chris Baillie) Electoral (Strengthening Democracy) Amendment Bill (Golriz Ghahraman) Increased Penalties for ...
No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
15 hours ago

Budget Morning.
No Jesus Here.She rises, unrested, and stepsOnto the narrow balconyTo find the day. To greetThe Sunday God she sings to.But this morning His face is clouded.Grey and wet as a corpseWashed by tears.Behind her, in the tangled bedding,the children bicker and whine.Worrying the cheap furnitureLike hungry puppies.They clutch at her ...
Bowalley Road
21 hours ago

EGU22 – Cranky Uncle is going to Vienna!
After two years of Corona-induced online meetings in 2020 and 2021, this year's General Assembly of the European Geosciences Union (EGU) will take place as a hybrid conference in both Vienna and online from May 23 to 27. To take hybrid and necessary hygiene restrictions into account, there (unfortunately) will be no ...
Skeptical Science
1 day ago

Gordon Campbell on the Australian election toss-up
The foibles of the Aussie electoral system are pretty well-known. The Lucky Country doesn’t have proportional representation. Voting for everyone over 18 is compulsory, but within a preferential system. This means that in the relatively few key seats that decide the final result, it can be the voters’ second, third ...
Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
2 days ago

Member’s Day: Finally, some first readings
Today is a Member's Day, and finally we are getting some first readings. First, though, the House has to complete the third reading of Tangi Utikere's Local Government (Pecuniary Interests Register) Amendment Bill. After that, it will finish the first reading debate on Tāmati Coffey's Improving Arrangements for Surrogacy Bill. ...
No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
2 days ago

The kids are not OK
Julia Steinberger is an ecological economist at the University of Lausanne in Switzerland. She first posted this piece at Medium.com, and it was reposted on Yale Climate Connections with her permission. Today I went to give a climate talk at my old high school in Geneva – and was given a ...
Skeptical Science
2 days ago

Government funding of interpreters in Primary Care is needed to ensure quality care
A/Prof Ben Gray* Gray B. Government funding of interpreters in Primary Care is needed to ensure quality care. Public Health Expert Blog.17 May 2022. The pandemic has highlighted many problems in the NZ health system. This blog will address the question of availability of interpreters for people with limited English ...
SciBlogsBy Public Health Expert
2 days ago

Media ramming crime down our throats?
Remember all the endless whinge stories during the last two years, from whining business lobbyists to opportunistic Opposition politicians to tourist town mayors hysterical that our closed borders were hurting tourist profitability? Remember all the demands for "certainty"? To open up before most New Zealanders were vaccinated? To close down ...
Frankly SpeakingBy Frank Macskasy
2 days ago

To Be in Arda Or Not To Be in Arda: Surveying Suicide in Tolkien
I have suggested previously that sometimes Tolkien’s writer-instincts get the better of him. Sometimes he departs from his own cherished metaphysics, in favour of the demands of story – and I dare say, that is a good thing. Laws and Customs of the Eldar might be an interesting insight ...
A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
3 days ago

Climate Change: “Corporate welfare”
One of the key planks of yesterday's Emissions Reduction Plan is a $650 million fund to help decarbonise industry by subsidising replacement of dirty technologies with clean ones. But National leader Chris Luxon derides this as "corporate welfare". Which probably sounds great to the business ideologues in the Koru club. ...
No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
3 days ago

Describing The Katipo.
Poisonous! From a very early age New Zealanders are warned to give small black spiders with a red blotch on their abdomens a wide berth. The Katipo, we are told, is venomous: and while its bite may not kill you, it can make you very unwell. That said, isn’t the ...
Bowalley Road
3 days ago

The Truth Prevails.
“The truth prevails, but it’s a chore.” – Jan Masaryk: The intensification of ideological pressures is bearable for only so-long before ordinary men and women reassert the virtues of tolerance and common sense.ON 10 MARCH 1948, Jan Masaryk, the Foreign Minister of Czechoslovakia, was found dead below his bathroom window. ...
Bowalley Road
3 days ago

Gordon Campbell on the Emissions Reduction Plan non-event
Clearly, the attempt to take the politics out of climate change has itself been a political decision, and one meant to remove much of the heat from the global warming issue before next year’s election. What we got from yesterday’s $2.9 billion Emissions Reduction Plan was a largely aspirational multi-party ...
Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
3 days ago

The woke misrepresentation of Māori culture
Michelle Uriarau (Mana Wāhine Kōrero) talks to Dane Giraud of the Free Speech Union LISTEN HERE Michelle Uriarau is a founding member of Mana Wāhine Kōrero – an advocacy group of and for Māori women who took strong positions against the ‘Self ID’ and ‘Conversion Practises Bills’. One of the ...
RedlineBy Admin
3 days ago

Climate Change: Craven, status quo policy
The government released its Emissions Reduction Plan today. The plan is required under the Zero Carbon Act and must specify how exactly the government plans to meet its carbon budget (which was announced last week). Which means they need to find another 11.5 million tons of reductions by 2025 - ...
No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
3 days ago

Where’s the Self-Respect?
If we needed any confirmation, we have it in spades in today’s edition of the Herald; our supposedly leading daily newspaper is determined to do what it can to decide the outcome of the next election – to act, that is, not as a newspaper but as the mouthpiece for ...
Bryan GouldBy Bryan Gould
4 days ago

2022 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #19
Listing of articles linked to on the Skeptical Science Facebook Page during the past week: Sun, May 8, 2022 through Sat, May 14, 2022. The following articles sparked above average interest during the week (bolded articles are from SkS authors): The secret world beneath our feet is mind-blowing – and ...
Skeptical Science
4 days ago

Who's a snowflake now?
Sean Plunkett, founding editor of the new media outlet, The Platform, was interviewed on RNZ's highly regarded flagship programme "Mediawatch".Mr Plunkett has made much about "cancel culture" and "de-platforming". On his website promoting The Platform, he outlines his mission statement thusly:The Platform is for everyone; we’re not into cancelling or ...
Frankly SpeakingBy Frank Macskasy
4 days ago

History Lessons.
“That’s a C- for History, Kelvin!” While it is certainly understandable that Māori-Crown Relations Minister Kelvin Davis was not anxious to castigate every Pakeha member of the House of Representatives for the crimes committed against his people by their ancestors; crimes from which his Labour colleagues continue to draw enormous benefits; the ...
Bowalley Road
5 days ago

Bryce Edwards: What happened to the big “immigration reset”?
The Government promised a major reform of New Zealand’s immigration system, but when it was announced this week, many asked “is that it?” Over the last two years Covid has turned the immigration tap off, and the Government argued this produced the perfect opportunity to reassess decades of “unbalanced immigration”. ...
Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
5 days ago

New Rules for Government Budget Management
While the new fiscal rules may not be contentious, what they mean for macroeconomic management is not explained.In a pre-budget speech on 3 May 2022, the Minister of Finance, Grant Robertson, made some policy announcements which will frame both this budget and future ones. (The Treasury advice underpinning them is ...
PunditBy Brian Easton
6 days ago

Our unrepresentative parliament
Under MMP, Parliament was meant to look like New Zealand. And, in a lot of ways, it does now, with better representation for Māori, tangata moana, women, and the rainbow community replacing the old dictatorship of dead white males. But there's one area where "our" parliament remains completely unrepresentative: housing: ...
No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
6 days ago

Stats NZ’s contempt for privacy, transparency, democracy, and parliament
The Governance and Administration Committee reported back on the Data and Statistics Bill on Monday. The bill ought to have been boring, but Stats NZ's move to a "collect it all" posture indistinguishable from that of the NSA, combined with enhanced secrecy, caused significant concerns from the Privacy Commissioner, Ombudsman, ...
No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
7 days ago

Struggling Upwards For America’s Soul.
Justice Denied: At the heart of the “Pro-Life” cause was something much darker than conservative religious dogma, or even the oppressive designs of “The Patriarchy”. The enduring motivation – which dares not declare itself openly – is the paranoid conviction of male white supremacists that if “their” women are given ...
Bowalley Road
7 days ago

Skeptical Science New Research for Week #19 2022
In case of emergency break glass— but glass can cut Fire extinguishers, safety belts, first aid kits, insurance policies, geoengineering: we never enjoy using them. But given our demonstrated, deep empirical record of proclivity for creating hazards and risk we'd obviously be foolish not to include emergency responses in our inventory. ...
Skeptical Science
1 week ago

Climate Change: Betting on disaster
Last year, the International Energy Agency warned us that the world needed to cease all new fossil fuel development immediately if we wanted to reach net-zero by 2050. It was a call repeated this year by the UN Secretary General, who called new fossil fuel investment "moral and economic madness". ...
No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
1 week ago

Media Link: “A View from Afar” podcast returns.
After a brief hiatus, the “A View from Afar” podcast is back on air with Selwyn Manning leading the Q&A with me. This week is a grab bag of topics: Russian V-Day celebrations, Asian and European elections, and the impact of the PRC-Solomon Islands on the regional strategic balance. Plus ...
KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
1 week ago

No freedom of speech in Vanuatu
Last year, Vanuatu passed a "cyber-libel" law. And predictably, its first targets are those trying to hold the government to account: A police crackdown in Vanuatu that has seen people arrested for allegedly posting comments on social media speculating politicians were responsible for the country’s current Covid outbreak has ...
No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
1 week ago

Bryce Edwards: How long until National wants Simon Bridges back?
Could it be a case of not appreciating what you’ve got until it’s gone? The National Party lost Simon Bridges last week, which has reinforced the notion that the party still has some serious deficits of talent and diversity. The major factor in Bridges’ decision to leave was his failed ...
Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
1 week ago

Getting On With Co-Governance – Without Debate.
Who’s Missing From This Picture? The re-birth of the co-governance concept cannot be attributed to the institutions of Pakeha rule, at least, not in the sense that the massive constitutional revisions it entails have been presented to and endorsed by the House of Representatives, and then ratified by the citizens of New ...
Bowalley Road
1 week ago

Gordon Campbell on Rabuka’s possible return in Fiji
Fiji signed onto China’s Belt and Road initiative in 2018, along with a separate agreement on economic co-operation and aid. Yet it took the recent security deal between China and the Solomon Islands to get the belated attention of the US and its helpmates in Canberra and Wellington, and the ...
Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
1 week ago

Why a tool for reversing Trump era rules is seldom used
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Lexi Smith and Bud Ward “CRA” It’s one of those acronyms even many-a-veteran environmental policy geek may not recognize. Amidst the scores and scores of acronyms in the field – CERCLA, IPCC, SARA, LUST, NPDES, NDCs, FIFRA, NEPA and scores more – ...
Skeptical Science
1 week ago

Only fools make deals with liars
Northern Ireland went to the polls last week, resulting in Sinn Féin becoming the largest party, the first time an Irish party has done so. Naturally, the unionists are not taking this well, and are threatening to use their minority-veto to prevent any government being formed. They're also demanding the ...
No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
1 week ago

Of Tin and Tintagel: Published
In a nice bit of news in a World Gone Mad, I can report that Of Tin and Tintagel, my 5,800-word story about tin (and political scheming), is now out as part of the Spring 2022 edition of New Maps Magazine (https://www.new-maps.com/). As noted previously, this one owes a ...
A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
1 week ago

Covid-19 Case-Fatality Risk & Infection-Fatality Risk – important measures to help guide the p...
Dr Jennifer Summers, Professor Michael Baker, Professor Nick Wilson* Summers J, Baker M, Wilson N. Covid-19 Case-Fatality Risk & Infection-Fatality Risk: important measures to help guide the pandemic response. Public Health Expert Blog. 11 May 2022. In this blog we explore two useful mortality indicators: Case-Fatality Risk (CFR) and Infection-Fatality ...
SciBlogsBy Public Health Expert
1 week ago

It’s a Friday night in Invercargill for eastern moa during the Ice Age
In the depths of winter, most people from southern New Zealand head to warmer climes for a much-needed dose of Vitamin D. Yet during the height of the last Ice Age, one species of moa did just the opposite. I’m reminded of Bill Bailey’s En Route to Normal tour that visited ...
SciBlogsBy Nic Rawlence
1 week ago

Bryce Edwards: Massive Wage Subsidy and Covid spending is under scrutinised
In the lead-up to the Budget, the Government has been on an offensive to promote the efficiency and quality of its $74 billion Covid Response and Recovery Fund -especially the Wage Subsidy Scheme component. This comes after criticisms and concerns from across the political spectrum over poor-quality spending, and suggestions ...
Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
1 week ago

Bringing the tūī back to town – how native birds are returning to NZ’s restored urban forests
Elizabeth Elliot Noe, Lincoln University, New Zealand; Andrew D. Barnes, University of Waikato; Bruce Clarkson, University of Waikato, and John Innes, Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research Urbanisation, and the destruction of habitat it entails, is a major threat to native bird populations. But as our new research shows, restored ...
SciBlogsBy Guest Author
1 week ago

Nothing to celebrate
The Protected Disclosures (Protection of Whistleblowers) Bill passed its third reading this afternoon. The government and the Ombudsman are both celebrating this "significant improvement" in whistleblower protection, but as I pointed out when the bill was introduced, it is nothing of the sort. The law still sets the bar for ...
No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
1 week ago

Not very proactive
A couple of weeks ago, Stuff broke the news that the government was planning a significant boost to proactive release of official information, with almost all advice to Ministers expected to be proactively released. Which sounds great, but as I pointed out, there's real reason for concern in the way ...
No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
1 week ago

Staying Inside The Lines.
Unfinished: Always, gnawing away at this government’s confidence and empathy, is the dictum that seriously challenging the economic and social status-quo is the surest route to electoral death. Labour’s colouring-in book, and National’s, have to look the same. All that matters is which party is better at staying inside the lines.DOES ...
Bowalley Road
1 week ago

The First Rule Of Radicalism.
Radical As: Māori healers recall a time when “words had power”. The words that give substance to ideas, no matter how radical, still do. If our representatives rediscover the courage to speak them out loud.THERE ARE RULES for radicalism. Or, at least, there are rules for the presentation of radical ...
Bowalley Road
1 week ago

India and Pakistan’s brutal heat wave poised to resurge
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Jeff Masters A brutal, record-intensity heat wave that has engulfed much of India and Pakistan since March eased somewhat this week, but is poised to roar back in the coming week with inferno-like temperatures of up to 50 degrees Celsius (122°F). The ...
Skeptical Science
1 week ago

Defending George R.R. Martin: A Reply to Reading Tolkien
The good people at the Reading Tolkien podcast have put out a new piece, which spends some time comparing the underlying moral positions of George R.R. Martin and J.R.R. Tolkien: (The relevant discussion starts about twenty-seven minutes in. It’s a long podcast). In the interests of fairness, ...
A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
2 weeks ago

Bryce Edwards: Politicians talk tough on law and order
Crime is becoming a key debate between Labour and National. This week they are both keen to show that they are tough on law and order. It’s an issue that National has a traditional advantage on, and is one that they’re currently getting good traction from. In response, Labour is ...
Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
2 weeks ago

Climate Change: The new emissions budget
The government today released its first three emissions budgets, covering the periods 2022-25, 2026-30, and 2031-35. The good news? They've reversed their ridiculous proposal to increase the first period budget because we were planting too many trees and soaking up too much carbon (no, it doesn't make sense, and MPI ...
No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
2 weeks ago

Gordon Campbell on the youth crime furore
So far, the excited media response to the spike in “ram-raid” incidents is being countered by evidence that in reality, youth crime is steeply in decline, and has been so for much of the past decade. Who knew? Perhaps that’s the real issue here. Why on earth wasn’t the latest ...
Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
2 weeks ago

2022 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #18
Listing of articles linked to on the Skeptical Science Facebook Page during the past week: Sun, May 1, 2022 through Sat, May 7, 2022. The following articles sparked above average interest during the week (bolded articles are from SkS authors): How a tech billionaire is forcing Australia’s coal die-hards to ...
Skeptical Science
2 weeks ago

Karl du Fresne’s talk at the Free Speech Union meeting at Victoria University.
In the past 10 years or so – and that’s how quickly it has happened – all our comfortable convictions about the unassailability of free speech have been turned on their heads. Suddenly we find ourselves fighting again for rights we assumed were settled. Click here to watch the video ...
RedlineBy Admin
2 weeks ago

The Makers Of Gilead.
Enforced Fertility: The imminent overturning of Roe versus Wade by the US Supreme Court is certain to raise echoes here that are no less evocative of the dystopia envisioned by Margaret Atwood in The Handmaid’s Tale. Gilead can happen here.WITH THE UNITED STATES seemingly on the brink of becoming “Gilead”, ...
Bowalley Road
2 weeks ago

Trespassers?
Not Wanted On Grounds Of Political Rejuvenation: Winston Peters did nothing more than visit the protest encampment erected by anti-vaxxers on the parliamentary lawn. A great many New Zealanders applauded him for meeting with the protesters and wondered why the Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition could not do ...
Bowalley Road
2 weeks ago

Who Will Fight For Democracy?
May The Force Be With Us: With New Zealanders under 40, nostalgia for a time when politics worked gains little purchase. Politics hasn’t swerved to any noticeable degree since the 1980s, becoming in the Twenty-First Century a battle between marketing strategies, not ideologies. Young New Zealanders critique political advertisements in ...
Bowalley Road
2 weeks ago

How my work on free speech brought me back to the left
Dane Giraud reflects on his working class upbringing and how campaigning for free speech radicalised him Evidence to support censorship as a tool for social cohesion is paltry. I Read the NZ Human Rights Commission website, and 99% of their ‘evidence’ is anecdotal. When asked why we need hate speech ...
RedlineBy Admin
2 weeks ago

Poison in the Stock: Comparing the Problematic Elements of Agatha Christie and J.K. Rowling
As you may have noticed, I have been slowly working my way through the works of Agatha Christie. At the time of writing, I have read some thirty-eight of her books – less than half her total output, but arguably enough to get a reasonable handle on it. It ...
A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
2 weeks ago

Do We Have a Population Policy?
Population growth has some effect on economic growth, but it is complicated especially where infrastructure is involved. We need to think more about it. In an opinion piece in the New Zealand Herald, John Gascoigne claimed that New Zealand was a ‘tragic tale of economic decline’. He gave no evidence ...
PunditBy Brian Easton
2 weeks ago

Bryce Edwards: Have the Greens become too woke for their own good?
The Greens have been almost invisible since the 2020 election. Despite massive crises impacting on people’s lives, such as climate change, housing, inequality, and the cost of living, they’ve had very little to say. On this week’s highly contentious issue of politicians being banned from Parliament by Trevor Mallard, the ...
Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
2 weeks ago

Decarbonising the schools
The government has announced it will be replacing all coal boilers in schools by 2025: All remaining coal boilers in New Zealand schools will be replaced with cleaner wood burners or electric heating by 2025, at a cost of $10 million, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has announced. The coal ...
No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
2 weeks ago

Neo-Nazis in Ukraine. Comedians are often more truthful than politicians.
Israeli news media and politicians often complain about the activity of neo-Nazis in Ukraine. “Activists and supporters of Ukrainian nationalist parties hold torches as they take part in a rally to mark the 112th birth anniversary of Stepan Bandera, in Kyiv, Ukraine, January 1, 2021. Credit: Valentyn Ogirenko/Reuters The recent ...
Open ParachuteBy Ken
2 weeks ago

Skeptical Science New Research for Week #18 2022
Another gnawing warming worry Accidental outcomes of our engineering prowess are warming Arctic regions at a rapid pace. Another species of accomplished engineers is rapidly occupying and exploiting new territory we've thereby made more easily available, namely beavers (Castor canadensis). Beaver populations in affected Arctic regions have increased from "none" to "quite a ...
Skeptical Science
2 weeks ago

Pursuit of Indigenous sovereign rights
Dr Simon Lambert’s dream is to see Indigenous nations across the world exercising their sovereign rights by adding their say to disaster risk reduction planning. Simon, of Ngāi Tūhoe and Ngāti Ruapani ki Waikaremoana, specialises in indigenous disaster risk reduction, indigenous health and indigenous development, social science, environmental management, planning ...
SciBlogsBy Rosemary Rangitauira
2 weeks ago

‘My stroke gave me purpose’ – Rukingi Haupapa
Rukingi Haupapa (Ngāti Whakaue, Te Arawa) credits his stroke in 2005 for changing his life: leading him to change his name, get his mataora (facial moko) and set up a trust to help fellow stroke survivors. Oranga (health and wellbeing) is Rukingi’s passion. He holds a Master’s degree in Indigenous ...
SciBlogsBy Rosemary Rangitauira
2 weeks ago

Thoughts on an abusive cop
The Independent Police Conduct authority has today released two reports relating to the same police officer. In the first, they are found to have used excessive and unjustifiable force in the arrest of a child. In the second, they are found to have seriously assaulted a man during an unlawful ...
No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
2 weeks ago

Hosking v. Ardern
Mike Hosking’s all-too familiar diatribe in today’s Herald is so dripping with venom and anti-Jacinda animus that one can’t help but wonder if the content matters less than the spirit and purpose in and with which it was offered. Hosking clearly needs help. He seems to live in a world ...
Bryan GouldBy Bryan Gould
2 weeks ago

Gordon Campbell on abortion rights, and biased Speakers
So a Supreme Court stacked with ideologues selected by Donald Trump is about to make an ideological decision to ban the legal right of American women to an abortion. In their infinite wisdom, the US courts have decided that the government cannot force people to wear a mask during a ...
Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
2 weeks ago

Jack Vowles: Te Tiriti – A Briefing for Chris Luxon
National party leader Chris Luxon has been reported as giving some badly uninformed responses to questions about Te Tiriti o Waitangi. As a potential Prime Minister, he needs to get up to speed. Te Tiriti is the Māori language version of the Treaty of Waitangi – the version that is ...
Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
2 weeks ago

Why and How to Electrify Everything
This is a re-post from the Citizens' Climate Lobby blog Electrification is a hot topic right now, with many countries searching for ways to reduce their dependence on Russian oil and gas as Putin’s war atrocities in Ukraine worsen by the day. Fortunately, many of the solutions to reduce long-term fossil fuel financial ...
Skeptical Science
2 weeks ago

What you need to know about carbon dioxide removal
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections Carbon dioxide removal (CDR) from the atmosphere continues to be a hot topic. In its newest report, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) concluded that the Paris Climate Agreement targets cannot be met without substantial efforts to remove some of the more than three-trillion ...
Skeptical Science
2 weeks ago

Bryce Edwards: Trevor Mallard’s petty fiefdom
Is Parliament just the fiefdom of Trevor Mallard and his colleagues? That’s the impression the public might take from yesterday’s news that the Speaker of Parliament is issuing trespass notices to political opponents who visited the protest in March on the lawns of Parliament. Speaker Mallard has the absolute right ...
Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
2 weeks ago

29,000 employed under Labour
The quarterly labour market statistics were released this morning, showing unemployment holding at a record low of 3.2%. There are now 94,000 unemployed - 29,000 fewer than when Labour took office. Average wages are also up, and looking back, they've increased from $30.45 / hour in 2017 to $36.18 today. ...
No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
2 weeks ago

Member’s Day
Today is a Member's Day, and one likely to be entirely full of third readings. First up is Ricardo Menéndez March's Human Rights (Disability Assist Dogs Non-Discrimination) Amendment Bill, followed by Nicola Willis' Unit Titles (Strengthening Body Corporate Governance and Other Matters) Amendment Bill and Tangi Utikere's Local Government (Pecuniary ...
No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
2 weeks ago

Budget 2020: James Shaw Budget Speech
CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY Mr Speaker, It has taken four-and-a-half years to even start to turn the legacy of inaction and neglect from the last time they were in Government together. And we have a long journey in front of us! ...
Greens
12 hours ago

Greens MP Dr Elizabeth Kerekere says wins for health not enough for Māori or Rainbow
Today Greens Te Mātāwaka Chair and Health Spokesperson, Dr Elizabeth Kerekere, said “The Greens have long campaigned for an independent Māori Health Authority and pathways for Takatāpui and Rainbow healthcare. “We welcome the substantial funding going into the new health system, Pae Ora, particularly for the Māori Health Authority, Iwi-Partnership ...
Greens
12 hours ago

Budget 2022: Greens call for urgency with nature-first climate investments
Budget 2022 shows progress on conservation commitments in the Green Party’s cooperation agreement Green Party achievements in the last Government continue to drive investment in nature protection Urgent action needed on nature-based solutions to climate change Future budget decisions must reflect the role nature plays in helping reduce emissions ...
Greens
13 hours ago

Budget 2022: Greens celebrate landmark investment in climate action
Landmark week for climate action concludes with climate budget Largest ever investment in climate action one of many Green Party wins throughout Budget 2022 Budget 2022 delivers progress on every part of the cooperation agreement with Labour Budget 2022 is a climate budget that caps a landmark week ...
Greens
13 hours ago

Budget 2022: Govt must build on half price fare extension and make public transport free
Green Party welcomes extension to half price fares Permanent half price fares for Community Services Card holders includes many students, which helps implement a Green Party policy Work to reduce public transport fares for Community Services Card holders started by Greens in the last Government Budget 2022 should be ...
Greens
13 hours ago

Budget 2022: Greens welcome winter energy support and funding for community energy
New cost of living payment closely aligned to Green Party policy to expand the Winter Energy Payment Extension and improvement of Warmer Kiwi Homes builds on Green Party progress in Government Community energy fund welcomed The Green Party welcomes the investment in Budget 2022 to expand Warmer Kiwi ...
Greens
13 hours ago

Budget 2022: Greens welcome support to address youth homelessness
Budget 2022 support to reduce homelessness delivers on the Green Party’s cooperation agreement Bespoke support for rangatahi with higher, more complex needs The Green Party welcomes the additional investment in Budget 2022 for kaupapa Māori support services, homelessness outreach services, the expansion of transitional housing, and a new ...
Greens
13 hours ago

Green Party PR – Budget 2022: Greens call for greater ambition to address inequality crisis
Green Party reaffirms call for liveable incomes and wealth tax Calls on Government to cancel debt owed to MSD for hardship assistance such as benefit advances, and for over-payments The Green Party welcomes the support for people on low incomes Budget 2022 but says more must be done ...
Greens
13 hours ago

Extra support with the cost of living
At the heart of this year’s Budget is our cost of living package, designed to ease the pressure on New Zealanders in the face of global inflation. ...
Labour Blog
13 hours ago

13 highlights of Budget 2022
Our Government has just released this year’s Budget, which sets out the next steps in our plan to build a high wage, low carbon economy that gives economic security in good times and in bad. It’s full of initiatives that speed up our economic recovery and ease cost pressures for ...
Labour Blog
13 hours ago

Strengthening Democracy Bill pulled from biscuit tin
A stronger democracy is on the horizon, as Golriz Ghahraman’s Electoral (Strengthening Democracy) Amendment Bill was pulled from the biscuit tin today. ...
Greens
14 hours ago

What to expect in Budget 2022
Tomorrow, the Government will release this year’s Budget, setting out the next steps in our plan to build a high wage, low carbon economy that gives economic security in good times and in bad. While the full details will be kept under wraps until Thursday afternoon, we’ve announced a few ...
Labour Blog
2 days ago

Next steps in our plan to address climate change
As a Government, we made it clear to New Zealanders that we’d take meaningful action on climate change, and that’s exactly what we’ve done. Earlier today, we released our next steps with our Emissions Reduction Plan – which will meet the Climate Commission’s independent science-based emissions reduction targets, and new ...
Labour Blog
4 days ago

Landmark climate plan secures path to net zero
Emissions Reduction Plan prepares New Zealand for the future, ensuring country is on track to meet first emissions budget, securing jobs, and unlocking new investment ...
Greens
4 days ago

Supercharging decarbonisation & transforming the energy system
...
Greens
4 days ago

Pasifika communities must be part of immigration rebalance
The Greens are calling for the Government to reconsider the immigration reset so that it better reflects our relationship with our Pacific neighbours. ...
Greens
6 days ago

More support for Alcohol Harm Minimisation Bill
Hamilton City Council and Whanganui District Council have both joined a growing list of Local Authorities to pass a motion in support of Green Party Drug Reform Spokesperson Chlöe Swarbrick’s Members’ bill to minimise alcohol harm. ...
Greens
1 week ago

The next steps in our plan to speed up New Zealand’s economic growth
Today, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced a major package of reforms to address the immediate skill shortages in New Zealand and speed up our economic growth. These include an early reopening to the world, a major milestone for international education, and a simplification of immigration settings to ensure New Zealand ...
Labour Blog
1 week ago

Immigration reset entrenches discrimination towards low-waged migrants
Proposed immigration changes by the Government fail to guarantee pathways to residency to workers in the types of jobs deemed essential throughout the pandemic, by prioritising high income earners - instead of focusing on the wellbeing of workers and enabling migrants to put down roots. ...
Greens
1 week ago

Green Party supports nurses’ ERA decision
The Green Party supports nurses’ continued push for pay equity and calls on the Government to deliver the back pay they had expected. ...
Greens
1 week ago

Budget 2022 Speech: Investing to eliminate violence in our homes and communities
Ehara taku toa i te toa takatahi, engari taku toa he toa takimano – my strength is not mine alone but the strength of many (working together to ensure safe, caring respectful responses). We are striving for change. We want all people in Aotearoa New Zealand thriving; their wellbeing enhanced ...
Greens
1 week ago

Allied health workers deserve better conditions
The Green Party is throwing its support behind the 10,000 allied health workers taking work-to-rule industrial action today because of unfair pay and working conditions. ...
Greens
2 weeks ago

SPEECH: Building a low-carbon future
Tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou katoa. Ngā mihi o te ata. Good morning ...
Greens
2 weeks ago

Celebrating Gasav Ne Fäeag Rotuạm Ta – Rotuman Language Week
Today marks the first celebration for Pacific Language Weeks 2022 with Gasav Ne Fäeag Rotuạm Ta – Rotuman Language Week. ...
Greens
2 weeks ago

Six ways we’re reducing cost pressures for New Zealanders
Since the day we came into Government, we’ve worked hard to lift wages and reduce cost pressures facing New Zealanders. But we know the rising cost of living, driven by worldwide inflation and the war in Ukraine, is making things particularly tough right now. That’s why we’ve stepped up our ...
Labour Blog
2 weeks ago

Disability assist dogs now protected in law
The Green Party has changed the law to ensure people do not face discrimination for having a disability assist dog. ...
Greens
2 weeks ago

Greens call for government to implement all recommendations of Casey report into detention of asylum...
An independent review of New Zealand’s detention regime for asylum seekers has found arbitrary and abusive practices in Aotearoa’s immigration law, policy, and practice. ...
Greens
2 weeks ago

Govt helps supermarket shoppers get a fair deal
Urgent Budget night legislation to stop major supermarkets blocking competitors from accessing land for new stores has been introduced today, Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Dr David Clark said. The Commerce (Grocery Sector Covenants) Amendment Bill amends the Commerce Act 1986, banning restrictive covenants on land, and exclusive covenants ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
10 hours ago

Prime Minister: Wellbeing Budget 2022 speech
It is a pleasure to speak to this Budget. The 5th we have had the privilege of delivering, and in no less extraordinary circumstances. Mr Speaker, the business and cycle of Government is, in some ways, no different to life itself. Navigating difficult times, while also making necessary progress. Dealing ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
12 hours ago

Future resource management system implementation funding
Budget 2022 provides funding to implement the new resource management system, building on progress made since the reform was announced just over a year ago. The inadequate funding for the implementation of the Resource Management Act in 1992 almost guaranteed its failure. There was a lack of national direction about ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
12 hours ago

Funding certainty for quality public media
The Government is substantially increasing the amount of funding for public media to ensure New Zealanders can continue to access quality local content and trusted news. “Our decision to create a new independent and future-focused public media entity is about achieving this objective, and we will support it with a ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
12 hours ago

Funding boost secures Defence capabilities
$662.5 million to maintain existing defence capabilities NZDF lower-paid staff will receive a salary increase to help meet cost-of living pressures. Budget 2022 sees significant resources made available for the Defence Force to maintain existing defence capabilities as it looks to the future delivery of these new investments. “Since ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
12 hours ago

Budget 2022 supports resilient and sustainable cultural sector
More than $185 million to help build a resilient cultural sector as it continues to adapt to the challenges coming out of COVID-19. Support cultural sector agencies to continue to offer their important services to New Zealanders. Strengthen support for Māori arts, culture and heritage. The Government is investing in a ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
12 hours ago

Minister of Finance: Wellbeing Budget 2022 Speech
It is my great pleasure to present New Zealand’s fourth Wellbeing Budget. In each of this Government’s three previous Wellbeing Budgets we have not only considered the performance of our economy and finances, but also the wellbeing of our people, the health of our environment and the strength of our communities. In Budget ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
12 hours ago

Wellbeing Budget 2022 Speech
It is my great pleasure to present New Zealand’s fourth Wellbeing Budget. In each of this Government’s three previous Wellbeing Budgets we have not only considered the performance of our economy and finances, but also the wellbeing of our people, the health of our environment and the strength of our communities. In Budget ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
12 hours ago

Coronial delays addressed by Budget 2022
Four new permanent Coroners to be appointed Seven Coronial Registrar roles and four Clinical Advisor roles are planned to ease workload pressures Budget 2022 delivers a package of investment to improve the coronial system and reduce delays for grieving families and whānau. “Operating funding of $28.5 million over four ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
12 hours ago

Paving the way for better outcomes for disabled people
Establishment of Ministry for Disabled People Progressing the rollout of the Enabling Good Lives approach to Disability Support Services to provide self-determination for disabled people Extra funding for disability support services “Budget 2022 demonstrates the Government’s commitment to deliver change for the disability community with the establishment of a ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
13 hours ago

Investing in education so all Kiwis can succeed
Fairer Equity Funding system to replace school deciles The largest step yet towards Pay Parity in early learning Local support for schools to improve teaching and learning A unified funding system to underpin the Reform of Vocational Education Boost for schools and early learning centres to help with cost ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
13 hours ago

Primary sector backed to grow and innovate
$118.4 million for advisory services to support farmers, foresters, growers and whenua Māori owners to accelerate sustainable land use changes and lift productivity $40 million to help transformation in the forestry, wood processing, food and beverage and fisheries sectors $31.6 million to help maintain and lift animal welfare practices across Aotearoa New Zealand A total food and ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
13 hours ago

More support for first home buyers and renters
House price caps for First Home Grants increased in many parts of the country House price caps for First Home Loans removed entirely Kāinga Whenua Loan cap will also be increased from $200,000 to $500,000 The Affordable Housing Fund to initially provide support for not-for-profit rental providers Significant additional ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
13 hours ago

Budget lifts up to 14,000 children out of poverty
Child Support rules to be reformed lifting an estimated 6,000 to 14,000 children out of poverty Support for immediate and essential dental care lifted from $300 to $1,000 per year Increased income levels for hardship assistance to extend eligibility Budget 2022 takes further action to reduce child poverty and ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
13 hours ago

A booster for RNA research and development
More support for RNA research through to pilot manufacturing RNA technology platform to be created to facilitate engagement between research and industry partners Researchers and businesses working in the rapidly developing field of RNA technology will benefit from a new research and development platform, funded in Budget 2022. “RNA ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
13 hours ago

Unleashing business potential across NZ
A new Business Growth Fund to support small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) to grow Fully funding the Regional Strategic Partnership Fund to unleash regional economic development opportunities Tourism Innovation Programme to promote sustainable recovery Eight Industry Transformation Plans progressed to work with industries, workers and iwi to transition ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
13 hours ago

Securing the wellbeing of Pacific communities
Budget 2022 further strengthens the economic foundations and wellbeing outcomes for Pacific peoples in Aotearoa, as the recovery from COVID-19 continues. “The priorities we set for Budget 2022 will support the continued delivery of our commitments for Pacific peoples through the Pacific Wellbeing Strategy, a 2020 manifesto commitment for Pacific ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
13 hours ago

Government delivers timely support for whānau
Boost for Māori economic and employment initiatives. More funding for Māori health and wellbeing initiatives Further support towards growing language, culture and identity initiatives to deliver on our commitment to Te Reo Māori in Education Funding for natural environment and climate change initiatives to help farmers, growers and whenua ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
13 hours ago

Government delivers critical infrastructure
New hospital funding for Whangārei, Nelson and Hillmorton 280 more classrooms over 40 schools, and money for new kura $349 million for more rolling stock and rail network investment The completion of feasibility studies for a Northland dry dock and a new port in the Manukau Harbour Increased infrastructure ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
13 hours ago

A health system that takes care of Māori
$168 million to the Māori Health Authority for direct commissioning of services $20.1 million to support Iwi-Māori Partnership Boards $30 million to support Māori primary and community care providers $39 million for Māori health workforce development Budget 2022 invests in resetting our health system and gives economic security in ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
13 hours ago

Investing in better health services
Biggest-ever increase to Pharmac’s medicines budget Provision for 61 new emergency vehicles including 48 ambulances, along with 248 more paramedics and other frontline staff New emergency helicopter and crew, and replacement of some older choppers $100 million investment in specialist mental health and addiction services 195,000 primary and intermediate aged ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
13 hours ago

A Secure Future for New Zealanders’ health
Landmark reform: new multi-year budgets for better planning and more consistent health services Record ongoing annual funding boost for Health NZ to meet cost pressures and start with a clean slate as it replaces fragmented DHB system ($1.8 billion year one, as well as additional $1.3 billion in year ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
13 hours ago

Cost of living package eases impact on households – 2.1 million Kiwis to get new targeted payment
Fuel Excise Duty and Road User Charges cut to be extended for two months Half price public transport extended for a further two months New temporary cost of living payment for people earning up to $70,000 who are not eligible to receive the Winter Energy Payment Estimated 2.1 million New ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
13 hours ago

Budget highlights underlying strength of economy in face of global headwinds
A return to surplus in 2024/2025 Unemployment rate projected to remain at record lows Net debt forecast to peak at 19.9 percent of GDP in 2024, lower than Australia, US, UK and Canada Economic growth to hit 4.2 percent in 2023 and average 2.1 percent over the forecast period A ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
13 hours ago

Budget 2022: A secure future in difficult times
Cost of living payment to cushion impact of inflation for 2.1 million Kiwis Record health investment including biggest ever increase to Pharmac’s medicines budget First allocations from Climate Emergency Response Fund contribute to achieving the goals in the first Emissions Reduction Plan Government actions deliver one of the strongest ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
13 hours ago

Budget 2022: A secure future
Budget 2022 will help build a high wage, low emissions economy that provides greater economic security, while providing support to households affected by cost of living pressures. Our economy has come through the COVID-19 shock better than almost anywhere else in the world, but other challenges, both long-term and more ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
13 hours ago

Health Minister to attend World Health Assembly in Geneva
Health Minister Andrew Little will represent New Zealand at the first in-person World Health Assembly since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, to be held in Geneva, Switzerland, from Sunday 22 – Wednesday 25 May (New Zealand time). “COVID-19 has affected people all around the world, and health continues to ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 day ago

New efforts to counter illegal timber trade
New Zealand is committing to trade only in legally harvested timber with the Forests (Legal Harvest Assurance) Amendment Bill introduced to Parliament today. Under the Bill, timber harvested in New Zealand and overseas, and used in products made here or imported, will have to be verified as being legally harvested. ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
2 days ago

Deaths in New Zealand lower than expected so far during the pandemic
The Government has welcomed the release today of StatsNZ data showing the rate at which New Zealanders died from all causes during the COVID-19 pandemic has been lower than expected. The new StatsNZ figures provide a measure of the overall rate of deaths in New Zealand during the pandemic compared ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
2 days ago

New law helps secure New Zealand’s maritime domain
Legislation that will help prevent serious criminal offending at sea, including trafficking of humans, drugs, wildlife and arms, has passed its third reading in Parliament today, Foreign Affairs Nanaia Mahuta announced. “Today is a milestone in allowing us to respond to the increasingly dynamic and complex maritime security environment facing ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
2 days ago

Trade and Export Growth Minister to travel to Bangkok for APEC
Trade and Export Growth Minister Damien O’Connor is set to travel to Thailand this week to represent New Zealand at the annual APEC Ministers Responsible for Trade (MRT) meeting in Bangkok. “I’m very much looking forward to meeting my trade counterparts at APEC 2022 and building on the achievements we ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
2 days ago

Government welcomes historic pay-equity deal
Settlement of the first pay-equity agreement in the health sector is hugely significant, delivering pay rises of thousands of dollars for many hospital administration and clerical workers, Health Minister Andrew Little says. “There is no place in 21st century Aotearoa New Zealand for 1950s attitudes to work predominantly carried out ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
3 days ago

Government delivers new ICU space at Christchurch Hospital
Health Minister Andrew Little opened a new intensive care space for up to 12 ICU-capable beds at Christchurch Hospital today, funded from the Government’s Rapid Hospital Improvement Programme. “I’m pleased to help mark this milestone. This new space will provide additional critical care support for the people of Canterbury and ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
3 days ago

Next steps for specialist mental health and addiction services
Budget 2022 will continue to deliver on Labour’s commitment to better services and support for mental wellbeing. The upcoming Budget will include a $100-million investment over four years for a specialist mental health and addiction package, including: $27m for community-based crisis services that will deliver a variety of intensive supports ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
3 days ago

195,000 children set to benefit from more mental health support
Budget 2022 will continue to deliver on Labour’s commitment to better mental wellbeing services and support, with 195,000 primary and intermediate aged children set to benefit from the continuation and expansion of Mana Ake services. “In Budget 2022 Labour will deliver on its manifesto commitment to expand Mana Ake, with ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
3 days ago

Belarusian leaders and defence entities targeted under latest round of sanctions
Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta has today announced sanctions on Belarusian leaders and defence entities supporting Russia’s actions in Ukraine, as part of the Government’s ongoing response to the war. “The Belarusian government military is enabling the illegal and unacceptable assault on Ukraine’s sovereignty,” Nanaia Mahuta said. “Under the leadership of ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
3 days ago

Queen's Platinum Jubilee Tree planting event at Government House
Just after World War 2, there were incentives to clear forest and bring land into agricultural production. In places, the land had been stripped bare as forests were felled for sheep grazing. Today, you only have to look at the hills around Taihape and see the stumps of a once ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
3 days ago

Supercharging decarbonisation & transforming the energy system
The drive to decarbonise industry and further accelerate preparations for a sustainable, more resilient future will get a boost from the Climate Emergency Response Fund in Budget 2022 by supercharging efforts to encourage the switch to cleaner energy options and transform the energy system. “Today is a momentous day ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
4 days ago

Climate investments provide path to economic security
The Government is investing in New Zealand’s economic security by ensuring climate change funding moves away from short-term piecemeal responses and towards smart, long-term investment. Climate Emergency Response Fund (CERF) established with $4.5 billion from Emissions Trading Scheme revenue Initial allocation of $2.9 billion over four years invested in emissions ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
4 days ago

Transport to drive down emissions
Rolling out the Clean Car Upgrade programme, supporting lower- and middle- income families transition to low-emission alternatives through a new scrap-and-replace trial Helping low-income households lease low emission vehicles Supporting the rapid development of urban cycleway networks, walkable neighbourhoods, healthier school travel, and increased accessibility and reliability of public ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
4 days ago

Grattan on Friday: Numbers fly as unedifying campaign draws towards its close
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra The text arrived on Thursday morning, from a woman who helps me with my horses. “And now I have to do that voting thing. Recommendations please? Who is best?” Well Margaret, after an unedifying ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
3 hours ago

Reducing COVID transmission by 20% could save 2,000 Australian lives this year
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Margaret Hellard, Deputy Director (Programs), Burnet Institute Australia’s COVID death toll is rising, yet public health measures to reduce transmission such as mask mandates are largely a thing of the past. It’s time for governments and the community to consider what ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
6 hours ago

Treasury investigates Wall Street Journal's early release of Budget details
An investigation is underway into the early release of details from the Budget by the Wall Street Journal. ...
Radio NZ – political
7 hours ago

At 3.9%, Australia’s unemployment rate now officially begins with ‘3’. What’s next?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Hawkins, Senior Lecturer, Canberra School of Politics, Economics and Society and NATSEM, University of Canberra Shutterstock Early in the election campaign, on April 14, we learned that Australia’s unemployment rate had slipped below 4% in March, to 3.95% – ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
7 hours ago

Budget 2022: $11.1b allocated to overhauling the health system
The sum includes about $1.8 billion to wipe out DHB deficits, while Pharmac will receive $191m over two years to fund new drugs - with a particular focus on cancer care. ...
Radio NZ – political
8 hours ago

Budget Brings Positive Relief Measures And The Promise Of Long-term Progress
E tū welcomes Budget 2022, which includes a range of measures that will help E tū members and their communities during a time of increased hardship coming out of the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic. E tū Assistant National Secretary Annie Newman ...
Scoop politics
8 hours ago

Budget 2022 Is All About Health, Climate And The Cost-of-living. But Can It Deliver Without Fueling ...
The 2022 Budget was delivered against a gloomier backdrop. The latest forecasts suggest more subdued growth, more persistent inflation, and further tightening in the labour market. The headline numbers provided little surprise. The Government ...
Scoop politics
8 hours ago

Budget 2022: Expectations vs Reality
There was a lot riding on the year's Budget: Cost-of-living challenges, health, climate, education - so did the spending match sectors' hopes? ...
Radio NZ – political
9 hours ago

Recap: Budget 2022 – find out where the money is going
Inequality campaigners say the government's cost of living payment is a slap in the face to some of the country's most vulnerable. ...
Radio NZ – political
9 hours ago

This election, many adults with disabilities won’t be allowed to vote. That should change
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Wendy Bonython, Associate Professor of Law, Bond University Shutterstock This Saturday, most Australians over 18 will vote in the federal election. The right to participate in elections is enshrined in international and domestic human rights law. Under Australia’s Commonwealth ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
10 hours ago

Here’s how we track down and very carefully photograph Australia’s elusive snakes
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Chris Hay, Honorary Fellow, The University of Queensland A mulga snake Christina N. Zdenek, CC BY-NC-ND Environmental scientists see flora, fauna and phenomena the rest of us rarely do. In this series, we’ve invited them to share their unique photos from ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
10 hours ago

A budget for the ‘squeezed middle’ – but will it be the political circuit-breaker Labour wants...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Richard Shaw, Professor of Politics, Massey University Getty Images One way to make sense of Finance Minister Grant Robertson’s fifth budget speech was to see it as a political performance working on different levels. First, Labour needs this budget ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
10 hours ago

Greater Wellington Welcomes Cheaper Fares For Community Services Card Holders
Greater Wellington welcomed news today that the Government will permanently fund cheaper public transport fares for community services card hold holders. Chair of Greater Wellington Daran Ponter said there had been strong support for this type ...
Scoop politics
11 hours ago

Raiding super early has already left women worse off. Let’s not repeat the mistake for home deposi...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alison Preston, Professor of Economics, The University of Western Australia Shutterstock In 2020 the Morrison government allowed Australians to raid their superannuation to get through during the pandemic. This week Scott Morrison proposed letting people raid their super for a ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
11 hours ago

Arts and culture have been all but overlooked this election – but the Greens have a big-picture pl...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ben Eltham, Lecturer, School of Media, Film and Journalism, Monash University Shutterstock The past term of government has been tough for arts and culture in Australia. Culture was among the worst affected by the pandemic of any aspect of society: ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
11 hours ago

Watch: Political parties respond to Budget 2022
National, ACT, Te Pāti Māori and the Green Party have given their responses to the government's Budget 2022. ...
Radio NZ – political
11 hours ago

Winston Peters – Budget 2022
It's a 'cost of living crisis' not a 'spending on living crisis'. Throwing more and more money at a black-hole for kiwis to spend is akin to the famous saying: "...it's like standing in a bucket and trying to pull yourself up by the handle." ...
Scoop politics
11 hours ago

Tertiary Education Out In The Cold Once Again
Te Hautū Kahurangi | Tertiary Education Union and the New Zealand Union of Students’ Associations are disappointed to see the tertiary education sector largely ignored once again in the Labour government’s fifth Budget since taking office in 2017. ...
Scoop politics
11 hours ago

'Lacklustre Budget' Lacks Long Term Thinking
The biggest Budget spend up in New Zealand’s history has delivered some, but not a lot, of initiatives that will support businesses in the Canterbury region. "Some of the initiatives announced in Budget 2022 will go some way towards helping business, ...
Scoop politics
11 hours ago

Community Housing Aotearoa Welcomes The Announcement Of $350m Affordable Housing Fund
Community Housing Aotearoa, a peak body for the community housing sector, welcomes the announcement in today’s Budget to create a $350M Affordable Housing Fund. This investment is a good use of the unallocated Residential Response Fund and a sign ...
Scoop politics
11 hours ago

Better Access To SME Finance One Piece Of Good News
The Government’s fourth wellbeing budget fittingly delivered a raft of initiatives to support people, communities and the environment, but when it came to business support it was much as expected. The good news is $100m has been allocated for a ...
Scoop politics
12 hours ago

Pluses But No Explicit Budget Funding For Preventing Violence And Abuse Against Disabled People Conc...
Budget 2022 has pluses and minuses for the disabled community, says Disability Rights Commissioner Paula Tesoriero. On the plus side there was considerable investment in the new Ministry for Disabled People and other funding which has the potential ...
Scoop politics
12 hours ago

VUWSA Statement On Budget 2022
...
Scoop politics
12 hours ago

ProCare Disappointed Nurses Left Out In The Cold In Budget 22
Leading healthcare provider, ProCare is disappointed that primary care nurses have been left out of today’s Budget announcement. Gabrielle Lord, Nursing Director and General Manager Practice Services, at ProCare says: “Nurses have been the backbone ...
Scoop politics
12 hours ago

Budget 2022: Good Start, But More Infrastructure Investment Needed
New Zealand’s national association for civil contractors has welcomed the $230 million investment in trades training programmes, increased funding for rail and rural broadband infrastructure, and support for Construction Sector Accord Transformation ...
Scoop politics
12 hours ago

Health Budget Fails To Address Key Determinant Of Health Which Is Incomes
The Health and Climate Budget, being touted as Securing our Future fails to address a key determinant of health, which is low incomes. “There was talk in lockdown about keeping (the governments) eye on the ball, and I kept thinking, are they aware ...
Scoop politics
12 hours ago

ProCare Welcomes Budget Funding For Warm, Dry Homes To Reduce Respiratory Issues
Leading healthcare provider ProCare has today welcomed funding in today’s Budget to ensure Kiwis can live in warmer, dryer homes. This is one of the biggest determinants of health and is one of the key measures we can take to prevent hospitilisations ...
Scoop politics
12 hours ago

People On Income Support Excluded From Cost Of Living Budget Measures – Anti-Poverty Groups
A coalition of anti-poverty groups has challenged the Government for excluding people receiving income support from today’s cost of living ‘helicopter payments’, saying they have chosen to leave families living in the harshest poverty further ...
Scoop politics
12 hours ago

Voluntary assisted dying will soon be legal in all states. Here’s what’s just happened in NSW an...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ben White, Professor of End-of-Life Law and Regulation, Australian Centre for Health Law Research, Queensland University of Technology Shutterstock The last state in Australia, New South Wales, has today passed its voluntary assisted dying bill. This means the vast majority ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
12 hours ago

Budget 2022 Plugs Health System Holes But More Needed
Wellington, 19 May 2022 – There is no doubt the New Zealand health system requires reform and today’s Budget clearly set out the way forward, with funding prioritised against the most pressing issues on the Government’s agenda, says Deloitte Partner ...
Scoop politics
12 hours ago

Labor’s proposed Pacific labour scheme reforms might be good soft diplomacy but will it address wo...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Emily Foley, PhD Candidate, La Trobe University, La Trobe University National security has been a feature of this election campaign, but there’s been little substantive difference on key issues of foreign policy. Last week’s foreign policy debate between Foreign Minister Senator Marise ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
12 hours ago

Budget 2022 A Combination Of Giant Leaps And Small Steps, All In The Right Direction, Says PSA
PSA national secretary, Kerry Davies: As promised by the Minister of Finance, this was a Budget of health and climate, both areas our members have a strong interest in. The bold step of clearing DHB deficits and the small, iterative steps to improve ...
Scoop politics
12 hours ago

Budget 2022 Lets Down The Women Of NZ – Breast Cancer Foundation
...
Scoop politics
12 hours ago

Budget 2022 Delivers Hype And Hot Air In The Climate And Biodiversity Crises
18 May: Greenpeace is responding to Budget 2022 by saying the Government is generating hype and hot air while failing the environment. "There has never been more hype, while the need for real action to address the climate and biodiversity crises has ...
Scoop politics
12 hours ago

How do the major parties rate on the First Nations Voice to Parliament? We asked 5 experts
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Dani Larkin, Lecturer/Deputy Director of the Indigenous Law Centre, UNSW Sydney AAP Image/Lukas Coch and Mick Tsikas, Shutterstock One of the recommendations from the 2017 Uluru Statement from the Heart calls for the establishment of a First Nations Voice to ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
12 hours ago

Watch live: Political parties respond to Budget 2022
National, ACT, Te Pāti Māori and the Green Party react to the government's Budget 2022 announcements: Watch live. ...
Radio NZ – political
12 hours ago

Tax Remains A No Show In Budget 2022
Wellington, 19 May 2022 – The lack of any tax announcements in today’s Budget announcement was not surprising but it’s lack of presence did not go unnoticed says Deloitte Partner Robyn Walker. “While tax has barely been out of the headlines ...
Scoop politics
12 hours ago

Longer Term Commitment To Cheaper Public Transport Fares Needed – LGNZ
An extension of half price public transport fares over the winter months is a promising start, says LGNZ Chief Executive Susan Freeman-Greene. “Cheaper public transport fares must be seen as much more than a way to help ease the burden of the rising ...
Scoop politics
12 hours ago

NZDA Budget Day Reaction
The New Zealand Dental Association (NZDA) has welcomed the Government’s Budget Day dental commitments. The Government will increase grants from $300 to $1000 to improve dental access for the lowest income New Zealanders. NZDA says that their ...
Scoop politics
12 hours ago

Indigenous Rights Commissioner Denied In Budget 2022
The Human Rights Commission, Te Kāhui Tika Tangata, is welcoming an increase in its baseline funding for the next four years but is calling on the Government to stand by its promises to tangata whenua. It comes after the Government rejected a ...
Scoop politics
12 hours ago

Budget 2022 Does Not Go Far Enough To Address Transport Inequity
Budget 2022 was heralded as the “Climate and Wellbeing Budget”, but has missed the mark when it comes to enabling a just transition into a sustainable future. This budget needed to include free public transport for tertiary students, under 25s, ...
Scoop politics
12 hours ago

Bryce Edwards’ Political Roundup: A Conservative Budget for volatile times
Analysis by Dr Bryce Edwards. Political scientist, Dr Bryce Edwards. Finance Minister Grant Robertson has delivered a Budget that will many asking “Is that all there is?” There is a myriad of initiatives and there is increased spending, but strangely it doesn’t really add up to much at all for ...
Evening ReportBy Bryce Edwards
13 hours ago

What NZ can learn (is Greenpeace listening?) from Sri Lanka’s blundering to combat climate change ...
Sri Lanka is in the grip of its worst economic crisis in decades, facing depleted petrol reserves, food shortages and a chronic lack of medical supplies. More than a month of mainly peaceful protests against the government’s handling of the economy turned deadly last week when supporters of the former prime minister ...
Point of OrderBy tutere44
13 hours ago

PODCAST – Buchanan + Manning: NATO Expansion + CSTO Summit + Regional Security
A View from Afar – In this podcast, political scientist Paul Buchanan and Selwyn Manning examine the Implications of the Russia-Ukrainian conflict and how it impacts on regional security architecture. In particular, we assess Finland and Sweden’s move to become NATO members and whether Turkey will prevent this from ...
Evening ReportBy Selwyn Manning
13 hours ago

Legal Aid Funding Boost Welcome Relief For All New Zealanders
New Zealanders from all walks of life will benefit from increased access to justice thanks to funding for our legal aid system in Budget 2022, the New Zealand Law Society I Te Kāhui Ture o Aotearoa says. Today’s budget sees an extra $190m over four ...
Scoop politics
13 hours ago

Budget Absence Of New Trains Surprises And Disappoints Regional Councils
The Budget’s failure to contribute funding for a fleet of hybrid electric trains in the lower North Island has surprised and disappointed Greater Wellington and Horizons regional councils. The trains, which are battery powered on non-electric track, were ...
Scoop politics
13 hours ago

Indigenous votes matter — and not just in remote Australia
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Bhiamie Williamson, Research Associate & PhD Candidate, Australian National University It is often lamented that Indigenous peoples’ electoral power is insignificant in Australia, except perhaps in the remote Northern Territory seat of Lingiari. But our new analysis of Indigenous populations in ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
13 hours ago

Budget 2022 Continues Rail Rebuild
Budget 2022 keeps the rebuild of our national railway on track with $661.5 million allocated for rail, KiwiRail Acting Chief Executive David Gordon says. The investment includes: $312.3 million to continue the Government’s commitment to raising the ...
Scoop politics
13 hours ago

Pharmac Will Use Biggest Budget Increase Ever To Fund More Medicines For More New Zealanders
Pharmac welcomes the $191 million increase to its pharmaceutical budget over the next two years. It is already working its way through the medicines options for investment (OFI) list, looking at what agreements it can now make with pharmaceutical suppliers. ...
Scoop politics
13 hours ago

Budget’s Warm Homes Plan ‘literally The Least The Government Could Do’ | Green Building Counci...
The one year extension to the Warmer Kiwi Homes programme announced in today’s Budget has been called ‘literally the least the government could do’ by the Green Building Council. Today’s Budget only extended the home insulation and heating ...
Scoop politics
13 hours ago

Budget Welcomed, Execution Will Be Key
BusinessNZ welcomes investment in education and small business as part of the Government's Budget announcement. Chief Executive Kirk Hope says investment in health and climate action will also be appreciated but businesses are looking for ways to shore up skill ...
Scoop politics
13 hours ago

$100m Budget Spend A Good Start For Embattled Small Business
Small businesses across the country will breathe a collective sigh of relief after the 2022 Budget earmarked $100 million of capital funding for a Business Growth Fund. Buy NZ Made executive director Dane Ambler says many small businesses are "teetering ...
Scoop politics
13 hours ago

Budget 2022: How Are We Still Responding To COVID With Arts Grants?
The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union is almost – but not quite – lost for words over Budget 2022’s announcement of another $185 million in arts and heritage grants. Union spokesman Louis Houlbrooke says, “We were amazed when the Government decided ...
Scoop politics
13 hours ago

Fuel Tax Relief Extension: A Small Victory For Taxpayers
Responding to Budget 2022’s two-month extension of fuel tax and road user charge relief, New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union spokesman Louis Houlbrooke says: “This is a small but significant victory for taxpayers and will save the average household ...
Scoop politics
13 hours ago

WTF? Stu Nash Starts A Bank?
The Taxpayers’ Union representatives choked on Treasury’s budget lock up sausage rolls when they discovered Stuart Nash’s announcement that he’s launching an investment bank for business rejected by the banking sector and to appoint government ...
Scoop politics
13 hours ago

Budget 2022: The Worst Budget Since Muldoon
Grant Robertson is the first Minister of Finance since Muldoon to fail to deliver a budget suplus during a time of economic boom, says the Taxpayers’ Union, commenting from today’s Budget 2022 Beehive lockup. “With Government revenues booming, it ...
Scoop politics
13 hours ago

Cost Of Living At Core Of 22 Budget Response
Finance Minister Grant Robertson today outlined the 2002 Budget, which places a cost of living and public investment package at its centre, said CTU Economist Craig Renney. The CTU welcomes the Budget package that will provide both relief for cost-of-living ...
Scoop politics
13 hours ago

Budget 2022 at a glance: What you need to know
There's a lot of spending flying around in Budget 2022 - here's the main expenses in an easy-to-read list. ...
Radio NZ – political
13 hours ago

Budget 2022: Cost-of-living payment hands $350 to lower-income families
More than two million New Zealanders will get a one-off $350 sweetener as part of the Budget's centrepiece $1 billion cost-of-living relief package. ...
Radio NZ – political
13 hours ago

We Need Gang Control NOT Gun Control
...
Scoop politics
15 hours ago

Buzz from the Beehive: Little is bound for Geneva while Nash is gunning for illegal timber traders
It wasn’t exactly the calm we expected before the tsunami of Budget initiatives that will be posted this afternoon along with documents that will record fiscal and economic forecasts and detailed estimates of appropriations. Three announcements were made ahead of the Budget speech. Partly there was an echo of yesterday’s ...
Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
15 hours ago

Billion Dollar Water Bill For Reform
The Government has already spent $34 million designing a reform so badly received they plan to bill water users more than a billion dollars to bring stakeholders on board. Figures released by the Department of Internal Affairs shows that the Government ...
Scoop politics
15 hours ago

Fix Right To Silence Law Which Hides Child Abusers
Family First NZ is repeating its call for a review of ‘right to silence’ laws which is effectively hindering investigations into child abuse. Family First has previously made this plea as a result of the Coroner’s report into the death of ...
Scoop politics
15 hours ago

Live updates: Budget 2022 – find out where the money is going
Join RNZ for live coverage as Finance Minister Grant Robertson prepares to deliver the government's Wellbeing Budget 2022. ...
Radio NZ – political
15 hours ago

Climate change is killing trees in Queensland’s tropical rainforests
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Lucas Cernusak, Associate professor, James Cook University Alexander Schenkin, Author provided In recent years, the Great Barrier Reef off Australia’s northeast coast has seen multiple events of mass coral bleaching as human-caused global warming has driven sustained high temperatures in ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
17 hours ago

Statement From Matthew Tukaki
I would like to clarify a statement made by an officer purporting to represent the New Zealand Maori Council. Firstly there is an ongoing Inquiry into the 2021 Triennial Elections of the New Zealand Maori Council this is because a number of Districts ...
Scoop politics
18 hours ago

Statement From Matthew Tukaki, Chair Of The Auckland Central Maori Committee
I would like to clarify a statement made by an officer purporting to represent the New Zealand Maori Council. Firstly there is an ongoing Inquiry into the 2021 Triennial Elections of the New Zealand Maori Council this is because a number of Districts ...
Scoop politics
18 hours ago

Morrison is hoping for an election surprise but ‘uncommitted’ voters rarely turn things around i...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Murray Goot, Emeritus Professor of Politics and International Relations, Macquarie University The number of voters the Coalition is attempting to sway in the final days of the campaign varies widely, depending on how the targeted voters are defined. But the historical precedent ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
18 hours ago

The media has reached ‘peak passivity’ in the lead up to the 2022 election
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Rodney Tiffen, Emeritus Professor, Department of Government and International Relations, University of Sydney Mick Tsikas/AAP With severe staffing cuts, pressures for instant productivity and a priority on producing clickbait, few would think we are in a golden age for journalism. Few, ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
18 hours ago

COVID has killed 5,600 Australians this year and the pandemic isn’t over. Ethics can shape our res...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Hugh Breakey, Deputy Director, Institute for Ethics, Governance & Law. President, Australian Association for Professional & Applied Ethics., Griffith University Luis Ascui/AAP It’s difficult to ask, but how many fatalities should Australia accept from COVID in 2022? The World Health Organization ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
18 hours ago

LGBTIQ+ and unsure how to vote? Here are what the major parties are promising on health
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ruby Grant, Senior Lecturer in Sociology, University of Tasmania Shutterstock About one in three LGBTIQ+ voters are not sure who to vote for, or are considering changing who they vote for, this federal election, according to a survey by Equality Australia. ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
18 hours ago

‘A new climate politics’: the 47th parliament must be a contest of ideas for a hotter, low-carbo...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Frank Jotzo, Professor, Crawford School of Public Policy and Head of Energy, Institute for Climate Energy and Disaster Solutions, Australian National University Climate change and reducing emissions has figured little in the 2022 federal election campaign. But after many years of inadequate ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
18 hours ago

Middle income families hoping for help in Budget as rising costs sting
The pressure is on for the government to ease the 'cost of living crisis' for struggling New Zealanders in today's Budget. ...
Radio NZ – political
20 hours ago

Budget 2022: Pressure on Roberston amid skyrocketing prices and spending commitments
Power Play - This Budget is one of the hardest Finance Minister Grant Robertson has had to put together, Political Editor Jane Patterson writes. ...
Radio NZ – political
22 hours ago

Memo MFAT, media and Mayor Foster, time to outgrow your Jewish stereotypes
COMMENTARY: Sh’ma Koleinu – Alternative Jewish Voices When Marilyn Garson’s memoir of working in Gaza was published, Radio NZ scheduled an interview. On the day of the interview, RNZ first promoted and then cancelled it. In response to her OIA request, RNZ disclosed this internal email: The RNZ quote about ...
Evening ReportBy Asia Pacific Report
1 day ago

Posts Tagged ‘powerdown’

Last chance to see or finally acting as if our lives depend on it?

Hope Punk 2022

The pandemic is resiliency training

Revisiting Riverton: the Longwood Loop food resiliency project

Hospo resilience: pairing covid response and climate action

Ways out of the climate catastrophe

What if saving the world meant life was tasty, beautiful and just long enough?

Climate transition transport and the rural road tumbleweeds

Will Technology Solve Climate Change?

Climate news and personal actions

Being real about the climate emergency

Powerdown part two

Power, the Acceleration of Cultural Evolution, and Our Best Hope for Survival

Climate action: everything we do matters

Climate Change actions for the middle classes

Powerdown

Recent Comments

Recent Posts