Posts Tagged ‘undemocratic’
NRT: Needlessly shitty
Written By: - Date published: 1:18 pm, April 17th, 2014 - 12 comments
No Right Turn points out here about a select committee filtering out submissions because they were not in an official NZ language. This seems needlessly shitty – not to mention undemocratic. Parliament is supposed to represent all New Zealanders, not just those who write their submissions in one of our official languages.
- For a true 'Partnership for the Blue Pacific', we'll need more Pacific partners
The announcement on Monday 27 June that a “Partnership for the Blue Pacific” would be formed is probably good news. This informal grouping, comprising the United States, Australia, Japan, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand, is officially intended to respond to Pacific Ocean challenges like “growing pressure on the rules-based ...8 hours ago - The real cost of cars
At the moment a big chunk of the transport policy that isn't focused on building roads is focused on decarbonising the vehicle fleet, via policies like the clean car standard, feebate system, and scrappage scheme. The underlying justification for this is the need to rapidly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. That's ...13 hours ago - Climate Change: Calling bullshit on He Waka Eke NoaLast month, farmers released their proposal for emissions pricing, which was a scam from start to finish, packed with artificially low prices subsidised by the rest of us, bullshit "offsets" also subsidised by the rest of us, and predatory delay. Today, the Climate Commission released their assessment of the proposal, ...15 hours ago
- Gordon Campbell on finding a model to replace the monarchy
One feels reluctant to pre-empt the verdict of history, but maybe we need to have a Plan B in mind just in case the reign of King Charles III turns out badly. With that possibility in mind, are there any other countries that do a reasonably good job of electing ...19 hours ago - A satisfied customer.
It is in the comments section but I thought that I would highlight this lovely piece of correspondence from an avid reader: NIB supporter1 [email protected] White Power!Thank God our friends in NZ, the National Interest Battalion, have formed such a strong milita to take all you nigger Jews out! He ...21 hours ago - Free speech and division in NZ: an interview with Dr Bryce Edwards
Free Speech Union member Daphna Whitmore speaks with Dr. Bryce Edwards about the causes and manifestations of contemporary political polarisation. Edwards, a well-known political scientist, lecturer in Politics at Victoria University, and long-time supporter of free speech, copped a lot of flak for his coverage of the parliamentary protests which ...1 day ago - Bryce Edwards: Government appointments under scrutiny
Are our ethical standards in politics dropping? Recently there have been several appointments made by Government and related agencies that have raised questions about conflicts of interest or about whether correct procedures have been followed. However, not all scrutiny and criticisms are welcomed or embraced. Sometimes those that raise questions ...2 days ago - Labour on the wrong side of historyLast week, Stuff asked Associate Education Minister Kelvin Davis about compulsory te reo Māori in primary schools. And as usual for Labour, he firmly rejected the idea, citing fears of a public backlash. Today, Stats NZ released data from the 2021 General Social Survey, showing us thatfears of that backlash ...2 days ago
- Willie Jackson's Problem.
On The Horns Of A Dilemma: The essence of Maori Development Minister Willie Jackson’s problem is that he can neither withdraw, nor water-down, the Draft Plan for implementing the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples without exposing the Labour Government to the most withering political fire from Maori. ...2 days ago - Gordon Campbell on whether Spotify can save itself; plus a playlistSpotify has to be one of the most interestingly futile mouse-wheels of 21st century capitalism. Run, run, run goes the Spotify mouse but it never, ever makes a profit. For reasons set out below, it maybe never will. But it won’t be for wont of trying. Reportedly, Spotify’s music library ...3 days ago
- Forwards And Backwards.3 days ago
- Geoffrey Miller: Is Jacinda Ardern rethinking her China strategy?Is New Zealand suddenly softening its more pro-Western foreign policy – and its tougher line on China? After months of inching towards the West, Jacinda Ardern’s set-piece speeches on her Europe trip last week seem to have been crafted to try and keep observers guessing. At the North Atlantic Treaty ...3 days ago
- 2022 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #26
Listing of articles linked to on the Skeptical Science Facebook Page during the past week: Sun, June 26, 2022 through Sat, July 2, 2022. The following articles sparked above average interest during the week (bolded articles are from SkS authors): Greta Thunberg makes surprise appearance at Glastonbury festival, Climate Confusion, ...3 days ago - Militant days at the Ford car plant in the 1970s
Don Franks was interviewed by Dr Toby Boraman in December 2013 about his time working in the militant Ford car plant in the 1970s. In this first installment Don tells of some of the early organising that had been done before it became a site of significant industrial strength. (The ...4 days ago - Not Looking Truth In The Eye.Picturesque Illusion: The early-Sixties’ picture-book tableau of cultural homogeneity wasn’t real. The values cherished by America’s and New Zealand’s fundamentalist Christians only appeared to be widely shared. Beneath the veneer of happy conformity, the trials and tribulations of ordinary men and women went on regardless. Occasionally their troubles were overcome by ...4 days ago
- A Timely Reminder for the Left: Beware the Courts
Natter about the US Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade has reached even these distant shores, with much online ink being spilled about what our National Party Opposition intends to ... 5 days ago - How Rationally do Economic Actors Behave?
Behavioural economics challenges our assumptions about the relevance of rational economic man.Paul Krugman tweeted that ‘behavoural econ[omics] is the best thing to happen to the [economics] field in generations’. For the last 150 years much economic analysis has been based on homo economicus, an ‘economic’ man who is rational and ...5 days ago - Bryce Edwards: Tinkering with donation laws leaves money buying politicsThere’s huge public concern about the potential for the wealthy to translate their economic power into political power. In particular, there’s a strong belief that governments in New Zealand tend to make laws to suit the interests of the rich. Whether it’s concern over Jacinda Ardern’s Government not implementing a ...6 days ago
- Look For The Light.6 days ago
- Labour fucks us on copyright againLast night the government concluded a free trade agreement with the European Union. I'm pretty meh about FTAs, largely because they seem to be a backdoor for pro-corporate irregulation than actual trade now, so I wasn't enthusiastic to begin with (though on the plus side this one does at least ...6 days ago
- 2022 General Reading: June (+ Old Phuul Update)
Completed reads for June: 4.50 from Paddington, by Agatha ChristieNarrations, by CononThe Vampire (poem), by Rudyard KiplingProgress and Poverty, by Henry GeorgeA Modest Proposal, by Jonathan SwiftThe Horla, by Guy de MaupassantSupernatural Horror in Literature, by H.P. LovecraftTowards Zero, by Agatha ChristieHickory Dickory Death, by Agatha ChristieThe Lady of ...6 days ago - Skeptical Science New Research for Week #26 2022Looking into a distant mirror The academic publishing process is notoriously stately. Events in the rest of the world happen at their own swift pace as a given article makes its way through the publication pipeline. In the case of Russian climate scepticism: an understudied case, authors Teresa Ashe & Marianna Poberezhskaya submitted their work ...6 days ago
- DrawnA ballot for one member's bill was held today, and the following bills were drawn: Sale and Supply of Alcohol (Harm Minimisation) Amendment Bill (Chlöe Swarbrick) Swarbrick's bill implements a number of past recommendations from government agencies and advisory bodies which for some reason (cough big booze ...7 days ago
- Let’s Not Make 2023 About Abortion.No Common Ground: The destructive and punitive impulses aroused by the abortion issue make a rational, let alone a civil, debate virtually impossible. Indeed, the very idea that those on both sides of the abortion issue might be decent and caring individuals, whose opposing positions are based on reasonable and ...7 days ago
- See What Happens?What Happened Next? After the Supreme Court of the United States, in 1954, overturned its earlier validation of “separate but equal” schools, hospitals, public washrooms, busses and trains for Blacks and Whites, and told the Topeka Board of Education that segregated education is in breach of the Fourteenth Amendment of ...7 days ago
- How to stay cool in hot weatherThis is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Neha Pathak When spring creeps around the corner, pediatrician Aaron Bernstein starts counseling his Boston-area patients and their families about extreme heat action plans. “The first heat wave of the year is routinely the most harmful,” says Bernstein, who also directs Harvard’s ...7 days ago
- United States moves closer to theocracy – nothing to worry about in Aotearoa?
On 7 December 1941, Imperial Japan launched a war on the American people. It would forever become a date of infamy, said then US President, Franklin D. Roosevelt, eightyone years ago.On 24/25 June 2022, conservatives launched their war on 166.24 million American women. That date, also, will forever live on ...7 days ago - The police lied in an OIA responseStuff has a story this morning about the police juking the domestic violence stats, downgrading family violence crimes to "incidents" so they don't have to be investigated (and so Bad Number doesn't Go Up). That's appalling in and of itself, for the human consequences, and for what it says about ...1 week ago
- Bigot schools are acting unlawfullyEarlier in the month we learned about institutionalised transphobia at Bethlehem College. The school is an "integrated school", meaning that it is state-funded while retaining a "special character". Stuff has now taken a look at several other similar schools, and found another three with institutionalised bigotry: Three more state-funded ...1 week ago
- Member’s dayToday is a Member's Day, and it looks like its back to local legislation for a while. First up is the committee stage of the highly controversial Canterbury Regional Council (Ngāi Tahu Representation) Bill, which would allow unelected appointees (and a disproportionate number of them, at that) on ECan. This ...1 week ago
- Gordon Campbell on National’s ongoing problems with abortionDespite Christopher Luxon’s assurances to the contrary, there is no such thing as “settled law” in New Zealand. Apart from the six provisions that are constitutionally entrenched, legislation can always be amended or overturned by a simple majority vote within our single chamber of Parliament. Luxon’s repeated use of the ...1 week ago
- How to inoculate yourself against misinformationThis is a re-post from the Thinking is Power website maintained by Melanie Trecek-King where she regularly writes about many aspects of critical thinking in an effort to provide accessible and engaging critical thinking information to the general public. Please see this overview to find links to other reposts from Thinking is Power. ...1 week ago
- 2023 is closing in faster than we might realise… so can Aotearoa move on progress a bit faster per...
What a week, month even of deplorable headlines and hysterics we’ve had as a country – and given 2023 is closing in on us (a mere 6 months until Parties shift some gears into election mode really, not that some of them haven’t started already of course), we need ...1 week ago - The police still suck at the OIALast year, sparked by the contrast between the official OIA statistics police reported to PSC, and their actual performance experienced and seen over FYI, I asked some questions about their numbers - and discovered that their official statistics were a lie. Once you remove the routine traffic crash reports and ...1 week ago
- Still diggingOver the weekend, the US Supreme Court followed through on its threat, and overturned Roe v. Wade, effectively outlawing abortion in much of the United States. People were outraged, in America and around the world. And in Aotearoa, this meant a lot of sudden questions for the National Party, which ...1 week ago
- A Breadcrumb of Absence: “Nothing is evil in the beginning…”Nothing is evil in the beginning… #TheRingsOfPower pic.twitter.com/XffZtqp8Yw— The Lord of the Rings on Prime (@LOTRonPrime) June 27, 2022 We have ourselves a new breadcrumb (not a leak!) out of The Rings of Power. It is a fifteen second collection of clips from the original teaser-trailer, together ...1 week ago
- A Note of Caution.The repeal of Roe vs Wade by the US Supreme Court is part of a broader “New Conservative” agenda financed by reactionary billionaires like Peter Thiel, Elon Mush, the Kochs and Murdochs (and others), organised by agitators like Steve Bannon and Rodger Stone and legally weaponised by Conservative (often Catholic) ...1 week ago
- An Act Of National Self-Harm.A Dangerous Leap Backwards: A United States forced to live by the beliefs and values of the Eighteenth and Nineteenth Centuries cannot hope to go on leading the “Free World”, or compete economically with nations focused fearlessly on the future. The revocation of Roe v. Wade represents the American republic’s most ...1 week ago
- Gordon Campbell on the Roe v Wade aftermathNow that the right of US women to abortion (formerly protected by Roe v Wade) has been abolished, the important role of medication-induced abortion will come even more to the fore. Already, research by the Guttmacher Institute reproductive rights centre shows that over half of US abortions are obtained ...1 week ago
- Two steps forward, one step backThe government is finally moving to improve transparency over party finances, lowering the donation disclosure threshold to $5,000. This is a good move, though it doesn't go as far as it should. And of course, there's a nasty twist: The rules for larger donations are also changing. Presently parties ...1 week ago
- Why should Ukraine listen to lame duck Boris Johnson?
A rare exposure in Western media of the fact that many residents of the Donbass prefer Russian rule to Ukrainian ultranationalist rule. I don’t know why anyone would take advice from UK’s lame duck Prime Minister and well-known buffoon Boris Johnson seriously, but he ...1 week ago - Geoffrey Miller: Can Jacinda Ardern’s starpower save New Zealand’s free trade deal with the EU?Jacinda Ardern will need to deploy every aspect of her starpower if she is to have any hope of rescuing New Zealand’s faltering free trade negotiations with the European Union (EU). The Prime Minister has branded each of her four foreign trips so far this year as ‘trade missions’ – ...1 week ago
- 2022 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #25Listing of articles linked to on the Skeptical Science Facebook Page during the past week: Sun, June 19, 2022 through Sat, June 24, 2022. The following articles sparked above average interest during the week (bolded articles are from SkS authors): Skeptical Science New Research for Week #25 2022, To stop ...1 week ago
- Roe V Wade ruling shows why abortion is the answer to so many questions about US politics
It was sometime in the late 1990s that I first interviewed Alan Webster about New Zealand’s part in a global Values Study. It’s a fascinating snapshot of values in countries all over the world and I still remember seeing America grouped with many developing countries on a spectrum that had ...2 weeks ago - The First MatarikiToday marks Matariki, the first “new” New Zealand public holiday since Waitangi Day was added in 1974. Officially the start of the Maori New Year, this is one of those moveable beasties – much like Easter, the dates will vary from year to year, anywhere from mid-June to ...2 weeks ago
- SHOCK! HORROR! The New Zealand Economy is in Recession!!!!! Or are we?
The takeaways from the just released data are:1. Any estimate of GDP is subject to error.2. The 0.2 percent decrease in the March 2022 quarter is not precise and will be revised, with the mild likelihood that it will eventually be higher.3. New Zealand has no ‘official' definition of a ...2 weeks ago - Matariki: Thoughts and Questions.2 weeks ago
- Of Silmarillion Elves, Pavlova, and Motorcycles: Testing an AI
The internet is a wonderful thing sometimes. Yesterday, I ran across an AI program that generates images via prompt: https://huggingface.co/spaces/dalle-mini/dalle-mini So I have been doing the logical thing with it. Getting it to generate Silmarillion characters in bizarre situations. Morgoth playing golf, and so forth. But one thing I ...2 weeks ago - Skeptical Science New Research for Week #25 2022Stashing renewable energy Do a little internet sleuthing on renewable energy via your favorite search engine and you'll find some honest critique and much more dishonest misinformation (aka disinformation) to the effect that photovoltaic and wind generation are fickle energy supplies, over-abundant in some periods and absent in others. There's ...2 weeks ago
- Bryce Edwards: Wealthy can buy access to power – and politicians don’t want this changedThe current New Zealand First Foundation trial in the High Court continues to show why reform is required when it comes to money in politics. The juicy details coming out each day show private wealth being funnelled into some peculiar schemes in an attempt to circumvent the Electoral Act. Yet ...2 weeks ago
- Ideology and Foreign Investment
As in so many other areas of public policy, attitudes towards overseas investment in New Zealand – and anywhere, for that matter – boil down in the end to ideology. For proponents of the “free market”, there is really no issue. The market, in their view, must never be second-guessed; ...2 weeks ago - Media Link: “A View from Afar” on NATO and BRICS Leader’s summits.Selwyn Manning and I discussed the upcoming NATO Leader’s summit (to which NZ Prime Minister Ardern is invited), the rival BRICS Leader’s summit and what they could mean for the Ruso-Ukrainian Wa and beyond. ...2 weeks ago
- From “Friend”, To “Threat” – In Just Five Years.New Zealand’s Most Profitable“Friend” Dangerous “Threat”: This country’s “Five Eyes” partners, heedless of the economic consequences for New Zealand, have cajoled and bullied its political class into becoming Sinophobes. They simply do not care that close to 40 percent of this country’s trade is with China. As far as Washington, London, ...2 weeks ago
- A Tale As Old As Time: Musings on the ‘Corporatisation’ of TolkienI have seen some natter around about how The Rings of Power represents the undue and unholy corporatisation of J.R.R. Tolkien. I won’t point out examples, but anyone who has seen YouTube commentary has a pretty good grasp of what I am talking about – the sentiment that ...2 weeks ago
- Uncomfortable Comparisons: If Labour’s Harking Back To 2017, Then It’s Not Looking For A Win.2017’s Queenmaker: Five years ago, Winston Peters’ choice ran counter to New Zealand’s informal, No. 8 wire, post-MMP constitution, which, up until 2017, had decreed that the party with the most votes got to supply the next prime minister. Had National not been in power for the previous 9 years, it ...2 weeks ago
- Treasury is ignoring long covidI've read some bad stuff about long covid recently, and Marc Daalder's recent Newsroom piece about what endemic covid means for Aotearoa got me wondering about whether the government was thinking about it. Mass-disability due to long covid has obvious implications for health and welfare spending, as well as for ...2 weeks ago
- A perfect exampleLast year, a stranded kiwi criticised the MIQ system. Covid Minister Chris Hipkins responded by doxxing and defaming her. Now, he's been forced to apologise for that: Minister Chris Hipkins has admitted he released incorrect and personal information about journalist Charlotte Bellis, after she criticised the managed isolation system. ...2 weeks ago
- Gil-galad is an Elven Chad: An Ode to the Leaks
Gil-galad is an Elven Chad Gil-galad is an Elven Chad But Celebrimbor makes them mad Digesting leaks from Amazon Of Isildur and Pharazôn. The hair is short? The knives are keen. The beardless face of Dwarven Queen? With meteor and man-not-named The fandom temper is inflamed. Of Annatar ...2 weeks ago - Dear striking British workers: F___ You! Love, the Labour Party
From the desk of Keir "Patriotic Duty" Starmer:“We have robust lines. We do not want to see these strikes to go ahead with the resulting disruption to the public. The government have failed to engage in any negotiations.“However, we also must show leadership and to that end, please be reminded ...2 weeks ago - Why the Ombudsman should not oversee Oranga TamarikiLast week the Social Services and Community Committee reported back on the Oversight of Oranga Tamariki System and Children and Young People's Commission Bill. The bill attracted an unprecedented three minority reports and universal opposition from other parties, but Labour is going to ram it through anyway. Among other things, ...2 weeks ago
- Gordon Campbell on the fate of Julian AssangeHas swapping Scott Morrison for Anthony Albanese made any discernible difference to Australia’s relations with the US, China, the Pacific and New Zealand ? Not so far. For example: Albanese has asked for more time to “consider” his response to New Zealand’s long running complaints about the so called “501” ...2 weeks ago
- What it would take for U.S. to meet its Paris commitmentThis is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections The Biden administration in April 2021 dramatically ratcheted up the country’s greenhouse gas emissions reductions pledge under the Paris target, also known as its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC). The Obama administration in 2014 had announced a commitment to cut U.S. emissions 26-28% below 2005 levels ...2 weeks ago
- One country at a timeSomething I missed: the Central African Republic has abolished the death penalty: The National Assembly of the Central African Republic (CAR) passed a law abolishing the death penalty in the CAR on May 27, 2022. Once CAR President Touadéra promulgates the bill, the CAR will become the 24th abolitionist ...2 weeks ago
- An admission of guiltStuff reports that the National Party opposes greater transparency for political donations because it might have a "chilling effect" on donors: National says officials have underestimated “the aversion of donors to being publicly identified”. The party says only a “small fraction” of donors who currently give between $1,500 and ...2 weeks ago
- Tauranga: A Predictable Result, With A Warning Attached.Walking On Sunshine: National’s Sam Uffindell cantered home in the Tauranga By-Election, but the Outdoors & Freedom Party’s Sue Grey attracted an ominous level of support.THE RIGHT’S gadfly commentator, Matthew Hooton, summed up the Tauranga by-election in his usual pithy fashion. “Tonight’s result is poor for the National Party, catastrophic for ...2 weeks ago
- Nurtured by and dedicated to te reo Māori
Te reo Māori is Dr. Anaha Hiini’s life purpose. Raised by his grandparents, Kepa and Maata Hiini, Anaha of Ngāti Tarāwhai, Tūhourangi, Ngāti Whakaue descent made a promise at the age of six to his late grandmother, Maata Hiini. “I’ve always had a passion for Māori culture. My first inspiration ...2 weeks ago - Striving for recognition of Te Tiriti o Waitangi motivates Dr Carwyn JonesDr Carwyn Jones’ vision is to see Te Tiriti o Waitangi and the law given equal mana. Carwyn who holds a PhD in law and society and currently teaches Ahunga Tikanga (Māori Laws and Philosophy) at Te Wānanga o Raukawa after 15 years at Victoria University of Wellington has devoted ...2 weeks ago
- Geoffrey Miller: Tale of two summits – why Jacinda Ardern said no to the Commonwealth, but yes to ...Jacinda Ardern’s decision to attend the upcoming North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) summit in Spain – but to skip the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Rwanda – symbolises the changes she is making to New Zealand foreign policy. The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) starts today in ...2 weeks ago
- 2022 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #24Listing of articles linked to on the Skeptical Science Facebook Page during the past week: Sun, June 12, 2022 through Sat, June 18, 2022. The following articles sparked above average interest during the week (bolded articles are from SkS authors): White lies: Daily Telegraph’s excitement over bumper snow season skates ...2 weeks ago
- Skeptical Science tackles 'discourses of climate delay' and 'solutions denial'Where we've been Time flies. This coming summer will mark 15 years of Skeptical Science focusing its effort on "traditional" climate science denial. Leaving aside frivolities, we've devoted most of our effort to combatting "serious" denial falling into a handful of broad categories of fairly crisp misconceptions: "radiative physics is wrong," "geophysics is ...3 weeks ago
- What is the Medium-Term Future for the New Zealand Economy?
The outlook does not look that promising. Forecasting an economy is a mug’s game. The database on which the forecasts are founded is incomplete, out-of-date, and subject to errors, some of which will be revised after the forecasts are published. (No wonder weather-forecasting is easier.) One often has to adopt ...3 weeks ago - Ram raids then and nowby Don Franks It seems that almost each day now another ram raid shatters someone’s shop front and loots the premises. Prestigious Queen street is not immune, while attacks on small dairies have long stopped being headline news. Those of us not directly affected are becoming numbed to this form ...3 weeks ago
- Labour: $1 million a year is “too much” for transparencyBack in 2018 the government proposed an OIA review. After a ludicrious attempt to do it in secret, they finally held a public consultation, which made a clear case for reform. They then sat on it for a year, before announcing out of the blue that they planned to rewrite ...3 weeks ago
- Sciblogs gave scientists a platform before social media took overIt’s hard to believe that when we created Sciblogs in 2009, the iPhone was only two years old, being a ‘Youtuber’ wasn’t really a thing and Instagram, Snapchat and TikTok didn’t exist. But Science blogging was a big thing, particularly in the United States, where a number of scientists had ...3 weeks ago
- Bidding farewell to SciblogsFor 13 years, Sciblogs has been a staple in New Zealand’s science-writing landscape. Our bloggers have written about a vast variety of topics from climate change to covid, and from nanotechnology to household gadgets. But sadly, it’s time to close shop. Sciblogs will be shutting down on 30 June. When ...3 weeks ago
- Protecting our environment and marine life from plastics
Our Government is taking further action on plastics to turn around New Zealand’s rubbish record on waste, and to restore our environment for future generations. It’s now been more than three years since our Government banned single-use plastic bags, to help clean up our environment and protect marine life. Before ...14 hours ago - Pricing must cut agriculture emissions
Cutting climate pollution must be the number one priority for Cabinet when considering how it intends to price agricultural emissions, the Green Party says. ...18 hours ago - Green Party calls for safer staffing levels in aged careThe Green Party is calling for urgent government action to ensure safe staffing levels in aged residential care facilities, as a new report today shows a strained workforce is under increasing pressure. ...2 days ago
- Greens back calls for mandatory pay gap reportingThe Green Party backs the unions and community groups and Human Rights Commission calling for an urgent change in legislation to make pay gap reporting mandatory. ...3 days ago
- Building a better Aotearoa for disabled peopleWe’re incredibly proud to be celebrating the launch of Whaikaha – Ministry of Disabled People. Whaikaha – Ministry of Disabled People will put disabled people, their whānau, carers, and supporters first, removing barriers that existed when there was no single agency. The Ministry will also be the first in Aotearoa to ...3 days ago
- Discrimination against disabled migrants must endThe Green Party is calling on the Government to scrap the Acceptable Standards of Health policy that discriminates against disabled migrants after former Minister for Disability Issues Carmel Sepuloni acknowledged the policy “disadvantages” disabled migrants on TVNZ’s Q&A this morning. ...4 days ago
- Historic free trade agreement with the European UnionWe’ve secured a major free trade agreement (FTA) with the European Union (EU) – a move that’s set to boost exports by $1.8 billion per annum, enhance our economic security, and enable New Zealand businesses to grow, by unlocking one of the world’s biggest and high value markets. The new ...6 days ago
- A better health system for allOur Government is committed to making sure that our health system works for all New Zealanders, no matter who you are or where you live. Transformation of our health system will take time, and the step we’re taking today – establishing Health New Zealand and the Māori Health Authority – ...6 days ago
- Māori voter choice a significant Green winA strong Green Party voice in Parliament is helping deliver more choice and flexibility for Māori voters. ...7 days ago
- Moratorium on deep sea mining needed right nowThe Green Party is calling on the Government to announce its support urgently for a moratorium on deep sea mining under the high seas, after Pacific nations joined forces this week to demand change. ...7 days ago
- How we’re delivering a better future for women and girlsWe’re committed to ensuring that there is every opportunity for women and girls to succeed in Aotearoa New Zealand, with fewer barriers. Since coming into Government, we’ve worked hard to support women and girls, by improving services like healthcare and tackling issues like the gender pay gap. Here are just ...7 days ago
- Green Party secures free masks in schoolsPolitical pressure from the Green Party has pushed the Government to supply free masks to kids and teachers in schools across Aotearoa New Zealand. ...7 days ago
- Alcohol harm minimisation bill pulled from biscuit tinAfter years of research and advocacy, Parliament will finally consider legislation to take meaningful action on alcohol harm, says the Greens. ...7 days ago
- Joint Statement: NZ and EU free trade agreement opportunity to support climate friendly and equitabl...The Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand and the European Greens have published a joint statement calling for the NZ-EU Free Trade Agreement to support climate action, phase out fossil fuel subsidies, cut agriculture emissions, protect human rights, and uphold Te Tiriti o Waitangi. ...7 days ago
- Get moving with Wellington light rail nowThe Green Party is calling on the Government to guarantee that it will complete light rail and improve walking, cycling, and bus journeys across Wellington before digging new high-carbon tunnels. ...1 week ago
- NZ not making waves at oceans conferenceThe Green Party is urging Oceans and Fisheries Minister David Parker to commit to stronger ocean protection around Aotearoa and on the high seas while at the United Nations Oceans Conference in Portugal this week. ...1 week ago
- Democracy reforms are a Green win but we still need to cap donationsA strong Green voice in Parliament has helped reduce the influence large secret money will have in future elections and finally ensured overseas New Zealanders will retain the right to vote even while stranded by the Pandemic. But, the Government needs to go further to ensure our democracy works for ...1 week ago
- Bin the Misuse of Drugs Act, most New Zealanders agreeA new poll shows that the majority of people back the Greens’ call on the Government to overhaul the country’s criminally punitive, anti-evidence drug law. ...2 weeks ago
- US abortion decision reinforces need to protect rights in AotearoaThe US Supreme Court’s decision on abortion is a reminder that we must take nothing for granted in Aotearoa, the Green Party says. “Aotearoa should be a place where everyone, no matter where they are from, or who they love, can choose what is right for their body and their ...2 weeks ago
- Migrant healthcare workers need fair pay as well as residencyMigrant nurses, aged-care and support workers need fair pay as well as equitable pathways to residency, not half-baked measures from National. ...2 weeks ago
- Support workers deserve better payCare and support workers deserve much better than the pay rates Labour is pushing through Parliament today. ...2 weeks ago
- Pay equity for kaiārahi i te reo celebratedRecognising te reo and tikanga Māori in schools starts with pay equity, says the Green Party. ...2 weeks ago
- Nurses could face pay cut under NationalA National Government would leave nurses behind, the Green Party says. ...2 weeks ago
- Celebrating our first Matariki public holidayWe’re proud to have delivered on our election commitment to establish a public holiday to celebrate Matariki. For the first time this year, New Zealanders will have the chance to enjoy a mid-winter holiday that is uniquely our own. ...2 weeks ago
- Stronger action needed to stop illegal loggingProposed new legislation to reduce the risk that timber imported into Aotearoa New Zealand is sourced from illegal logging is a positive first step but it should go further, the Green Party says. ...2 weeks ago
- Oranga Tamariki oversight bill must be withdrawnThe Government must withdraw the proposed Oranga Tamariki oversight legislation in the face of overwhelming opposition, the Green Party says. ...2 weeks ago
- Maximum limit needed for political donationsThe Green Party is calling on the new justice Minister, Kiritapu Allan to introduce a $35,000 annual limit on political donations. ...2 weeks ago
- Greens call on new Minister to make up for the refugee support not provided during pandemicOn World Refugee Day, the Green Party is calling on the new Minister for Immigration, Michael Wood to make up for the support that was not provided to people forced to leave their home countries during the COVID-19 pandemic. ...2 weeks ago
- Govt must expand meth rehabilitation programme nationwide...3 weeks ago
- Major milestone in our school upgrade programmeThis week, we’ve marked a major milestone in our school upgrade programme. We've supported 4,500 projects across the country for schools to upgrade classrooms, sports facilities, playgrounds and more, so Kiwi kids have the best possible environments to learn in. ...3 weeks ago
- How much do you know about Matariki?We’ve delivered on our election commitment to make Matariki a public holiday. For the first time this year, all New Zealanders will have the chance to enjoy a mid-winter holiday that is uniquely our own with family and friends. Try our quiz below, then challenge your whānau! To celebrate, we’ve ...3 weeks ago
- New Ambassador to United States appointed
Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta today announced the appointment of Bede Corry as New Zealand’s next Ambassador to the United States. “Mr Corry is one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s most senior diplomats. His appointment reflects the importance New Zealand places on our engagement with the United States,” Nanaia Mahuta said. ...14 hours ago - New supermarket watchdog latest action to give Kiwis fairer dealNew Grocery Commissioner to be appointed to hold industry to account Draft Code of conduct released for consultation which will ensure suppliers get a fair deal Follows recent ban on supermarkets blocking competitors’ access to land to set up new stores 12 of Commission’s recommendations to increase competition now ...15 hours ago
- Success for Ministry at one year milestoneThe Ministry for Ethnic Communities marked its first anniversary on 1 July 2022 and celebrated a successful 12 months of influencing government policy and lifting wellbeing outcomes for ethnic communities. “The creation of the Ministry means ethnic communities finally have a Chief Executive whose sole focus is representing their concerns ...15 hours ago
- Foreign Ministers meet at Pacific Islands ForumThe Associate Foreign Minister Aupito William Sio will travel to Fiji this week to represent Aotearoa New Zealand at the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Suva. Aupito William Sio is attending at the request of Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta, who is unable to travel to the meeting ...16 hours ago
- New air pollution report shows importance of action on emissionsA new report released today on the health effects of air pollution shows the Government’s focus on reducing emissions will save lives. The latest Health and Air Pollution in New Zealand 2016 study shows air pollution contributes to the premature deaths of more than 3,300 New Zealanders every year, and ...17 hours ago
- Government welcomes Climate Change Commission advice on agricultural pricing systemThe Government has welcomed advice from the Climate Change Commission assessing readiness in the agricultural sector for an emissions pricing system. This is the second piece of advice from the Climate Change Commission on agricultural emissions pricing, following its report in May on potential assistance to farmers and growers participating ...20 hours ago
- National bowel screening campaign a lifesaverAssociate Ministers of Health Peeni Henare and Aupito William Sio have today launched a national multimedia campaign encouraging people to take part in the Government’s lifesaving bowel screening programme. “Our Government is committed to ensuring that every New Zealander gets the best possible healthcare no matter where they live or ...20 hours ago
- Alastair Carruthers appointed as Chair of the New Zealand Film CommissionAlastair Carruthers has been appointed as Chair of the New Zealand Film Commission (NZFC) with his term starting 1 October 2022, Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Carmel Sepuloni announced today. “Alastair brings significant leadership experience, a wealth of film and screen sector knowledge, and a necessary understanding of the ...21 hours ago
- Aotearoa NZ responds to COVID-19 in NiueAotearoa New Zealand is sending a medical team and supplies to Niue to help it respond to new cases of COVID-19, following the opening of its border to quarantine-free travel last week. Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta and Defence Minister Peeni Henare have announced a Medical Assistance Team will head to ...2 days ago
- Govt boosts digital skills for over 30,000 small businessesMore than 30,000 small businesses have participated in Government-funded digital training, which supports businesses to take advantage of digital tools and new opportunities through e-commerce, Minister for Small Business Stuart Nash announced today. “Over the last two years, many business owners had no option but to move to digital platforms ...2 days ago
- Crown accounts reflect Government’s balanced fiscal managementThe latest Crown Accounts show a solid result, despite challenging international conditions – reflecting the Government’s careful management of the books. For the eleven months to the end of May 2022 the Operating Balance before Gains and Losses (OBEGAL) deficit was $7.7 billion, $5.5 billion below that forecast in May’s ...2 days ago
- Government action to tackle delays in Family CourtNew legislation aimed at tackling delays in the family justice system, will help improve the wellbeing of thousands of children caught up in Family Court disputes every year, Justice Minister Kiri Allan says. The Family Court (Family Court Associate) Legislation Bill will see a number of Family Court Associates employed ...2 days ago
- Minister to meet all rural and provincial councilsNew Associate Minister of Local Government Kieran McAnulty is today beginning a series of visits to all of the 55 rural and provincial councils across the motu. “Local government plays a crucial role in our democratic system, ensuring people have a voice in the leadership of their community,” Kieran McAnulty ...2 days ago
- Imports of Russian gold bannedMinister of Foreign Affairs Nanaia Mahuta and Minister for Trade and Export Growth Damien O’Connor have announced that Aotearoa New Zealand will ban the import of Russian gold. “Today’s decision further signals Aotearoa New Zealand’s condemnation of Russia’s flagrant violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty,” Nanaia Mahuta said. “It underscores our intention of ensuring ...3 days ago
- New Public Health services to improve health for all KiwisThe rollout of the new nationwide health system continued today with the launch of the country’s first national public health system to fight disease and promote healthy lives. The Public Health Agency will lead and co-ordinate population and public health policy, strategy and regulation, while the national Public Health ...3 days ago
- Prime Minister to lead trade mission to AustraliaPrime Minister Jacinda Ardern will lead a trade mission including over 30 New Zealand businesses to Melbourne and Sydney this week as part of the Government’s reconnection strategy to support export growth and the return of tourists post COVID-19. While in Sydney, Jacinda Ardern will also give an address to ...3 days ago
- Applications now open for new work visa holders from offshoreFinal stage of Accredited Employer Work Visa goes live today Offshore migrants can apply to work in New Zealand for an accredited employer Partners and dependents of work visa applicants can also apply for visas from today New Zealand has taken another significant step forward in our Reconnecting plan ...3 days ago
- Better and fairer access to legal assistanceRaising eligibility thresholds will provide a helping hand to more than 90,000 New Zealanders currently denied access to legal aid, Justice Minister Kiri Allan says. “The Government is committed to driving through legislative changes to strengthen our legal aid system. “Enshrining changes in legislation and regulations is necessary to give ...3 days ago
- Diplosphere Conference 2022Mihi Manawa maiea te pūtanga o Matariki Manawa maiea te ariki o te rangi Manawa maiea te mātahi o te tau! Thank you for the invitation to join you today. Unfortunately I can’t be there in person but I'm pleased that this is an opportunity for young Māori and ...3 days ago
- Strengthening NZ-UK people, science and trade connectionsPrime Minister Jacinda Ardern met UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson in London overnight, and together took a number of steps to strengthen the already close ties between our two countries, and promote our common interests in the Indo-Pacific and beyond. “The UK is one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s oldest and closest friends and ...5 days ago
- Joint Statement – Prime Ministers Jacinda Ardern and Boris JohnsonBuilding a more secure, sustainable and prosperous future together: Joint Statement – Prime Ministers Jacinda Ardern and Boris Johnson 1. New Zealand and the United Kingdom are old friends and close partners. Our relationship rests on a bedrock of history, shared values, and deep people-to-people links, extending across almost all ...5 days ago
- PM’s Chatham HouseDirector Sir Robin Niblett, distinguished guests. What an honour it is to be back in London, and to be here at Chatham house. This visit represents much for me. The reopening of borders and resumption of travel after a difficult few years. The chance to bring life to the UK ...5 days ago
- Otago Foreign Policy School, opening addressManawa maiea te pūtanga o Matariki Manawa maiea te ariki o te rangi Manawa maiea te mātahi o te tau! Introduction I’m pleased to join you for my second address at the 56th Annual Otago Foreign Policy School. The topic for this year is Space. Given that we are in ...6 days ago
- Government launches new Ministry of Disabled PeopleNew Ministry will officially be called Whaikaha - Ministry of Disabled People Public Service Commission have appointed Geraldine Woods as Interim Chief Executive Office for Disability Issues to be folded into the new Ministry In what is a milestone day, the Government has launched Aotearoa New Zealand’s first Whaikaha ...6 days ago
- Further Investment to support rangatahi to overcome barriers to employmentNine new He Poutama Rangatahi programmes have been approved funding. These programmes will provide work-readiness, training and employment initiatives for over 820 rangatahi NEETS (not in education, employment or training), across Aotearoa New Zealand. "He Poutama Rangatahi has proven to be a very successful initiative which supports rangatahi to overcome ...6 days ago
- Crown appointments to Ihumātao Steering CommitteeMinister for Māori Development Willie Jackson today announced the appointment of Crown representatives, Dr Charlotte Severne and Mr Bernie O’Donnell, to the Steering Committee that will determine the future of the Ihumātao land. “I’m pleased to have made the Crown appointments. Both Dr Severne and Mr O’Donnell have extensive ...6 days ago
- Health Minister Andrew Little's address to first joint meeting of the boards of Te Whatu Ora &#...I begin by thanking each of you for accepting appointment to these boards. You’ve each been on the Ministerial committee that established Te Whatu Ora - Health New Zealand and Te Aka Whai Ora - the Māori Health Authority and I express my appreciation for the enormous task you collectively ...6 days ago
- Hong Kong National Security LawAotearoa New Zealand has reiterated its concerns over the continued erosion of rights, freedom and autonomy in Hong Kong. On the second anniversary of the introduction of the Hong Kong National Security Law, the Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta says developments in Hong Kong remain a cause for worry. “Two years ...6 days ago
- Europol Agreement will assist New Zealand law enforcement in tackling serious crimeThe Europol Agreement signed is a significant milestone for New Zealand and the European Union’s relationship, and reflects our shared principles of democracy, the rule of law, and respect for human rights, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said today. The Prime Minister attended a signature ceremony in Brussels, as part of ...6 days ago
- New era for better health in Aotearoa New Zealand· New nationwide public health system · 20 district health boards disestablished and deficits wiped · 82,000 health employees directly employed by Health New Zealand · $24 billion health budget this year – up 43% since Labour took office in 2017 – in addition to separate funding for the new ...6 days ago
- New chairs appointed to the Teaching Council and Te KuraEducation Minister Chris Hipkins has announced appointments to the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand and the Board of Trustees of Te Aho o Te Kura Pounamu (Te Kura). “Robyn Baker ONZM has been appointed as the chair of the Teaching Council. She has considerable governance experience and is a ...6 days ago
- Joint media release on the occasion of the meeting between European Commission President von der Ley...European Commission President von der Leyen and Prime Minister of New Zealand Ardern met in Brussels on 30 June 2022. The encounter provided an opportunity to reaffirm that the European Union and Aotearoa New Zealand are longstanding partners with shared democratic values and interests, aligned positions on key international and ...6 days ago
- New Zealand secures major free trade deal with European UnionExport revenue to the EU to grow by up to $1.8 billion annually on full implementation. Duty-free access on 97% of New Zealand’s current exports to the EU; with over 91% being removed the day the FTA comes into force. NZ exporters set to save approx. $110 million per annum ...6 days ago
- Biggest Year for Clean Cars on Record57,000 EVs and Hybrid registered in first year of clean car scheme, 56% increase on previous year EVs and Non Plug-in Hybrids made up 20% of new passenger car sales in March/April 2022 The Government’s Clean Car Discount Scheme has been a success, with more than 57,000 light-electric and ...7 days ago
- Police Wing 355 includes the highest ever proportion of Wāhine MāoriPolice Minister Chris Hipkins congratulates the newest Police wing – wing 355 – which graduated today in Porirua. “These 70 new constables heading for the frontline bring the total number of new officers since Labour took office to 3,303 and is the latest mark of our commitment to the Police ...7 days ago
- New RBNZ board takes up role from 1 JulyMembers with a range of governance, financial and technical skills have been appointed to the Reserve Bank Board as part of the shift to strengthen the Bank’s decision-making and accountability arrangements. The Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 2021 comes into force on 1 July 2022, with the establishment of ...7 days ago
- New measures to help manage COVID-19 as country stays at OrangeNew Zealand to remain at Orange as case numbers start to creep up 50 child-size masks made available to every year 4-7 student in New Zealand 20,000-30,000 masks provided a week to all other students and school staff Extra funding to schools and early childhood services to supports better ...7 days ago
- NZ to join International Court of Justice case against RussiaAotearoa New Zealand will join Ukraine’s case against Russia at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which challenges Russia’s spurious attempt to justify its invasion under international law. Ukraine filed a case at the ICJ in February arguing Russia has falsely claimed genocide had occurred in Luhansk and Donetsk regions, as ...7 days ago
- New advisory group provides enduring Māori expertise for Te Aorerekura deliveryThe Government has taken another step forward in its work to eliminate family violence and sexual violence with the announcement today of a new Tangata Whenua Ministerial Advisory Group. A team of 11 experts in whānau Māori wellbeing will provide the Government independent advice on shaping family violence and sexual ...7 days ago
- Making work better for Kiwi womenTe Mahere Whai Mahi Wāhine: Women’s Employment Action Plan was launched today by Minister for Women Jan Tinetti – with the goal of ensuring New Zealand is a great place for women to work. “This Government is committed to improving women’s working lives. The current reality is that women have ...7 days ago
- Six charged with money laundering over K1.3 million in suitcase as PNG votes
By Marjorie Finkeo and Miriam Zarriga in Port Moresby Six suspects, including a woman, have been charged in connection with more than K1 million in cash seized at Komo airport in Papua New Guinea’s Hela province last weekend. The six were charged on Monday with two counts each of money ...7 hours ago - Jason Clare promises ‘reset’ of government’s relations with universitiesSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Federal Education Minister Jason Clare has committed to a “reset” of relations between government and universities, and promised more effort to boost the proportion of students from disadvantaged backgrounds, in a major speech on higher ...8 hours ago
- Politics with Michelle Grattan: Jason Clare on Australia’s education challengesSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra New Education Minister Jason Clare is travelling the country taking soundings in the education sector. This, he says, is “the best way to get across this big, vast portfolio that stretches from the education ...8 hours ago
- PNG leader Marape confirms son arrested over money in suitcaseRNZ Pacific Papua New Guinea’s Prime Minister James Marape has confirmed reports his eldest son is one of two men arrested in relation to a suitcase found with US$440,000 at a domestic airport in the Highlands province of Hela last weekend. The arrests occurred after police became suspicious of the ...11 hours ago
- Tahitian pro-independence MP slams ‘bad signal’ for French PacificRNZ Pacific France’s abolition of the status of an overseas minister has received mixed reactions in both France and its overseas territories, with a pro-independence Tahitian member of the National Assembly condemning the “bad signal”. The position was abolished in yesterday’s government reshuffle and replaced with a minister delegate, a ...11 hours ago
- Papua New Guinea goes to the polls amid controversy over missing namesBy Frank Rai in Port Moresby Papua New Guinea went to the polls yesterday to begin electing the 11th national Parliament only to find out that there were names missing on the common roll while some polling stations were short of ballot papers around the country. The distribution of ballot ...11 hours ago
- Migration offers an urgent fix for the skills we need right now, but education and training will set...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Pi-Shen Seet, Professor of Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Edith Cowan University Shutterstock Australia is facing serious labour and skills shortages both now and in the longer term. The immediate priority is to help employers fill current vacancies. In the longer term, ...12 hours ago
- ACC manager's promotion after bullying case 'appalling'
A former ACC employee who won a compensation case for being bullied on the job is appalled the manager responsible appears to have been promoted. ...14 hours ago - Greenpeace Supports Climate Commission Call For Action On Synthetic Nitrogen Fertiliser
6 July: Greenpeace Aotearoa is commending the Climate Change Commission for acknowledging that synthetic nitrogen fertiliser, which produces twice the emissions of domestic aviation , should be priced at the manufacturer and producer level.Greenpeace lead ...14 hours ago - Sio to attend Pacific Islands Forum in Mahuta's steadPacific Peoples Minister Aupito William Sio will attend the meeting in Fiji, as Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta recovers from Covid-19. ...14 hours ago
- Photos from the field: diving with Tasmania’s rare and elusive red handfish, your new favourite an...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Turnbull, Postdoctoral Research Associate, UNSW Sydney John Turnbull, Author provided 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 the field. On the ...15 hours ago
- Australia flood relief for New Zealanders a 'significant shift' – Prime Minister Jac...A move to include flood-affected New Zealanders in New South Wales flood relief is a fairer approach than that of previous administrations, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says. ...15 hours ago
- Is netball actually bad for knees and ankles? What does the research say?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sallie Cowan, Senior Research Fellow and Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist, La Trobe University Netball is one of the biggest team sports in Australia with more than 1.2 million men, women and children playing each week, underpinned by a nationwide footprint of more than 4,000 ...15 hours ago
- Australians lost $2b to fraud in 2021. This figure should sound alarm bells for the futureSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Cassandra Cross, Associate Dean (Learning & Teaching) Faculty of Creative Industries, Education and Social Justice, Queensland University of Technology Shutterstock Australian consumers and businesses lost more than A$2 billion to scams in 2021, according to the Australian Competition and Consumer ...15 hours ago
- Thousands Support Call For Government Right To Repair PoliciesVolunteers from the community group Repair Café Aotearoa NZ will deliver a petition to Minister for the Environment David Parker on Thursday 7 July, calling on the Government to set regulations for a ‘right to repair’. The petition has been signed by over ...15 hours ago
- PKE Audit Shows Strict FMD Requirements Being MetAn on-the-ground audit of Indonesia’s palm kernel supply chain shows it is meeting New Zealand’s strict biosecurity requirements for foot-and-mouth disease, says Biosecurity New Zealand Deputy Director-General Stuart Anderson. “We sent our experts ...15 hours ago
- Watch: Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern speaks to media in SydneyPrime Minister Jacinda Ardern is speaking to reporters in Sydney after giving opening remarks at a tourism event there. ...16 hours ago
- Shopless Says 3.2% Unemployment Isn’t The Whole Story For The NZ Job MarketAs government statistics show the unemployment rate remains around 3.2%, employers are in the media saying they can’t find employees, while employees take to social media to decry the lack of jobs or conflicts caused by mandates. Yet, Shopless is ...16 hours ago
- What it means to identify as Indigenous in Australia, and how this might have contributed to the inc...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Julie Andrews, Professor Indigenous Research & Convenor of Aboriginal Studies, La Trobe University There are now almost one million Indigenous people in Australia, according to the 2021 Census. The estimated Indigenous population of 983,300 people in August 2021 has increased from ...16 hours ago
- Pressure is on other processors to match Fonterra and Synlait on milk price forecasts
Competition for raw milk supplies has sharpened as Synlait Milk has joined Fonterra with a milk price forecast for the new dairy season at $9.50kg/MS. Earlier the company had announced a milk price for the 2022-23 season at $9kg/MS, but the outlook has got even better since then, with foreign ...16 hours ago - Can a new department head get the politics out of infrastructure? (And is that a good idea anyway?)Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By James C. Murphy, Lecturer & Tutor (Teaching Intensive) in Politics and Public Policy, The University of Melbourne Federal infrastructure policy has been rife with controversy for years: from the sports rorts scandal and dubious commuter car parks to overpriced land for the ...16 hours ago
- More rented, more mortgaged, less owned: what the census tells us about housingSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Rachel Ong ViforJ, ARC Future Fellow & Professor of Economics, Curtin University On the surface, the latest census tells us home ownership has changed little over the past five years. Between the 2016 census and this census in 2021, the share of ...17 hours ago
- Film Commission’s leading lady becomes a leading bloke – but questions remain about some others ...
Latest from the Beehive There is news for the farm sector, which is anxious to be spared from full exposure to the country’s emissions trading scheme, and the film industry, which is anxious to hold on to its heavy state subsidies and tax breaks, on the Beehive website today. The ...17 hours ago - Watch: David Clark announces supermarket sector watchdog – the Grocery CommissionerThe government will set up a Grocery Commissioner as a watchdog for the supermarket industry, and is releasing a draft mandatory code of conduct. ...17 hours ago
- Laurence Kubiak Appointed To Chair The Taxpayers’ UnionLaurence Kubiak has been appointed to Chair the New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union . Mr Kubiak is a high tech entrepreneur (CEO and shareholder at Nautech Electronics), Chair of Trustees Executors Ltd, a Director of Northpower, and recent Chair of the ...18 hours ago
- Watch live: David Clark gives an update on the next steps on supermarket actionCommerce and Consumer Affairs Minister David Clark is giving an update on progress made in the supermarket sector after a major clampdown was announced in May. ...18 hours ago
- Pōneke Collective For Public Transport Equity Calls On Wellingtonians To Submit To Fare ReviewThe Pōneke Collective for Public Transport Equity is calling for Wellingtonians to submit to the Greater Wellington Regional Council Future Fares Review. We have a great opportunity to push the Free Fares campaign, and for a broader goal of more ...18 hours ago
- He Waka Eke Noa needs 'critical' changes, but government cannot delay – Climate Chan...Farm-level emissions pricing must happen without delay, but the He Waka Eke Noa plan needs some critical tweaks to work, the Climate Change Commission says. ...18 hours ago
- ProCare Joins Growing List Of Organisations Calling For Nurses To Be Fast-tracked For ResidencyThe largest primary health organisation in the country, ProCare, has today joined the growing list of organisations calling for nurses to be added to immigration’s priority residency green list. Also echoing this call is Aged Care Association, Family ...20 hours ago
- Farmers Could Be Ready For ‘basic’ Emissions Pricing By 1 January 2025Agricultural emissions should be priced at the farm-level outside the New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme, He Pou a Rangi Climate Change Commission Chair Dr Rod Carr says. Minister of Climate Change James Shaw today released advice from the Commission ...20 hours ago
- Farmers Could Be Ready For ‘Basic’ Emissions Pricing By 1 January 2025Agricultural emissions should be priced at the farm-level outside the New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme, He Pou a Rangi Climate Change Commission Chair Dr Rod Carr says. Minister of Climate Change James Shaw today released advice from the Commission ...20 hours ago
- Collins Won't Rule Out Defunding RoadsThe Auckland Ratepayers’ Alliance is troubled by inconsistencies and lack of detail in mayoral candidate Efeso Collins’ new transport policy. Councillor Collins announced his five-point plan at a meeting in Te Atatu last night but failed to explain how ...21 hours ago
- Concerns over TikTok feeding user data to Beijing are back – and there’s good evidence to suppor...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By David Tuffley, Senior Lecturer in Applied Ethics & CyberSecurity, Griffith University amrothman from Pixabay, CC BY-SA When English statesman Sir Francis Bacon famously said “knowledge is power”, he could hardly have foreseen the rise of ubiquitous social media some 500 ...23 hours ago
- ‘Quite irreparable damage’: child family violence survivors on how court silenced and retraumati...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Camilla Nelson, EG Whitlam Research Fellow, Whitlam Institute within Western Sydney University, and Associate Professor, University of Notre Dame Australia Shutterstock Nobody spoke to Donna* or her sister in the lead up to the family court decision that ordered the ...23 hours ago
- Incarcerated people with disability don’t get the support they need – that makes them more likel...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sophie Yates, Research Fellow, UNSW Sydney People with disability are over-represented in prison and some are criminalised because of behaviours related to their disability. But they are unlikely to have their disability recognised or adjusted for, and the connection between the National ...23 hours ago
- ‘We are not in this alone’: stressed teachers find hope in peer-support model used by frontline ...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Anne Southall, Lecturer in Inclusive Education and Trauma, La Trobe University Shutterstock Teachers are burning out and leaving the profession in unprecedented numbers. Classrooms and workloads are challenging, made worse by staff shortages, and teachers are stressed. Student welfare needs ...23 hours ago
- How Solntsepyok, a brutal 2021 propaganda film, primed Russians for war with UkraineSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Greg Dolgopolov, Senior Lecturer in Film, UNSW Sydney Screenshot/YouTube The war in Ukraine is as much a bloody conflict as it is a propaganda war. The doublespeak in Russian media is that there is no war, that the Bucha ...23 hours ago
- Bryce Edwards’ Political Roundup: Government appointments under scrutinyAnalysis by Dr Bryce Edwards. Political Roundup: Government appointments under scrutiny Political scientist, Dr Bryce Edwards. Are our ethical standards in politics dropping? Recently there have been several appointments made by Government and related agencies that have raised questions about conflicts of interest or about whether correct procedures have been followed. ...23 hours ago
- Nation-building or nature-destroying? Why it’s time NZ faced up to the environmental damage of its...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Olli Hellmann, Senior Lecturer in Political Science and International Relations, University of Waikato National Library of New Zealand, CC BY-NC-ND The ways in which New Zealand remembers European colonisation have changed markedly in recent years. Critics have been chipping away ...24 hours ago
- PNG Defence Force arrive in New Ireland for election dutiesInside PNG News Forty-Two Papua New Guinea Defence Force staff have arrived in Kavieng for the national general election operations. New Ireland Provincial Police Commander Chief Inspector Felix Nebanat said this brought the total number of joint security forces up to 400 in the province. Papua New Guinea’s general election ...1 day ago
- New Caledonia’s Backes joins French government in citizenship postRNZ Pacific The president of New Caledonia’s Southern Province Sonia Backès has been given a post in France’s reshuffled and enlarged 42-member government. The prime minister Elisabeth Borne appointed her as the secretary of citizenship within the interior ministry, which has integrated the overseas ministry. The reshuffle means that the ...1 day ago
- Rates rise to 1.35% – and there’s no stopping now the RBA’s on a mission to whip inflationSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Isaac Gross, Lecturer in Economics, Monash University Shutterstock There was no suprise in the board of the Reserve Bank of Australia lifting interest rates at its July meeting. The only question was by how much. Would it be a “regular” ...1 day ago
- Word from The Hill: People’s pockets hit again, with rate rise and floods set to boost veggie pric...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra As well as her interviews with politicians and experts, Politics with Michelle Grattan includes “Word from The Hill”, where she discusses the news with members of The Conversation politics team. Michelle and Peter ...1 day ago
- $100 billion nationalisation but where are the business media on property rights questions?
The state-subsidised mainstream media have been found wanting in their coverage of Three Waters governance arrangements. In this post, reproduced from his blog, BARRIE SAUNDERS exposes failings in the business press’s coverage of the nationalisation and property rights issues and their implications… IF THE GOVERNMENT gets its way, around $100 ...1 day ago - Minister 'open' to immigration changes for nurses if new system failsAs new visa rules take effect, Minister of Immigration Michael Wood says he will monitor settings for nurses and will remain open to changes. ...2 days ago
- With The Tenant of Wildfell Hall, the Sydney Theatre Company gives us a Brontë adaptation for our m...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Vanessa Smith, Professor of English, University of Sydney Sydney Theatre Company/Prudence Upton Review: The Tenant of Wildfell Hall, directed by Jessica Arthur for the Sydney Theatre Company “You know when it’s the autumn of 1827, and you’re sitting in a ...2 days ago
- We are on the brink of losing Indigenous languages in Australia – could schools save them?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Lisa Lim, Associate Professor in Linguistics, Curtin University Of the world’s 7,000 languages, it is estimated 50% to 90% will no longer be spoken in the next 50 to 100 years. The majority under threat are languages spoken by Indigenous peoples around ...2 days ago
- Diphtheria is back in Australia, here’s why – and how vaccines can prevent its spreadSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Frank Beard, Associate professor, University of Sydney Shutterstock An unvaccinated toddler from the far north coast of New South Wales is in intensive care after catching respiratory diphtheria (diphtheria of the throat). A six-year-old close family contact is also infected. ...2 days ago
- Maoridom went first in shaping a response to the UNDRIP/He Puapua challenge – and now Willie Jack...On his Bowalley Road blog today, Political commentator CHRIS TROTTER says Maori Development Minister Willie Jackson’s problem is that he can neither withdraw, nor water down, the Draft Plan for implementing the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples without exposing the Labour Government to the most withering ...2 days ago
- ‘Patently ridiculous’: state government failures have exacerbated Sydney’s flood disasterSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jamie Pittock, Professor, Fenner School of Environment & Society, Australian National University For the fourth time in 18 months, floodwaters have inundated homes and businesses in Western Sydney’s Hawkesbury-Nepean Valley. Recent torrential rain is obviously the immediate cause. But poor decisions by ...2 days ago
- The PM will return to a country where the flagging economy is running out of the resources it needs ...Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern will almost certainly have earned a bounce upwards in her party’s polling after her mission in Europe, where, as a result of her “Captain’s Call”, New Zealand has accepted the terms of the EU free trade deal. The outcome is positive for some sectors, though not ...2 days ago
- Family Court Bill Will Help Tackle DelaysThe New Zealand Law Society Te Kāhui Ture o Aotearoa has welcomed a new Bill that will work towards reducing delays in our Family Court system. Delays in Family Court cases are one of the biggest issues for families and children who experience prolonged ...2 days ago
- McAnulty mentions “democracy” as he braces to meet local authority leaders – and maybe he will...Buzz from the Beehive Amidst a raft of statements that crow about government achievements and/or bray about new initiatives, Point of Order found an oddity: a statement from the newly minted Associate Minister of Local Government who intends to meet local government leaders around the country to talk about this, ...2 days ago
- Watch: Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern speaks in MelbournePrime Minister Jacinda Ardern has spoken to media in Melbourne after meeting with Victoria's Premier, Daniel Andrews. ...2 days ago
- MindTheGap Applauds Crickets Landmark Pay DecisionThe MindTheGap campaign is applauding New Zealand Cricket for its decision to award equal pay to men and women players. New Zealand Cricket has closed the pay equity gap for women’s cricketers, with both men and women receiving the same pay for ...2 days ago
- Watch live: Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern speaks in MelbournePrime Minister Jacinda Ardern is speaking to media in Melbourne after meeting with Victoria's Premier, Daniel Andrews. ...2 days ago
- How the US Supreme Court has become right-wing, and do recent decisions give Democrats hope at the m...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian Beaumont, Election Analyst (Psephologist), The Conversation The US Supreme Court’s annual term usually finishes at the end of June, so late June is when the most important decisions are likely to be announced. On June 23, the Court struck down ...2 days ago
- Players Of The Day – Candidates Agreed To Review Of Sport Facility CostsThose entering the line-up for 2022 local body elections in the Wellington region must face the issue at the top of mind for sports club members and parents of children playing school sport. Will they allow sport to become more affordable, or will they ...2 days ago
- Financial Statements Of The Government Of New ZealandFinancial Statements of the Government of New Zealand for the 11 months ending 31 May 2022 Please note the next Financial Statements of the Government of New Zealand to be released will be for the full year ended 30 June 2022. It is anticipated that ...2 days ago
- Clam Shells And Corals Result In CITES Infringement FinesT wo travellers returning to New Zealand from tropical getaways have been fined for failing to declare protected corals and shells they brought back into the country. C o rals and some shells found in Pacific Island nations are protected by the Convention ...2 days ago
- The ABS’s notion of the average Australian makes little sense. Here’s whySource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Murray Goot, Emeritus Professor of Politics and International Relations, Macquarie University What does “the average Australian” look like? After every census, this is one of the questions people like to see answered. Average on one measure or on several? If the ...2 days ago
- Sri Lanka scrambles for aid – but Australia still seems preoccupied by boatsSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Niro Kandasamy, Lecturer in History, University of Sydney When Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe conceded ten days ago that the Sri Lankan economy has “completely collapsed”, his words would have come as no surprise to the island’s 22 million people. ...2 days ago
- Australia is heading for its third Omicron wave. Here’s what to expect from BA.4 and BA.5Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian Esterman, Professor of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, University of South Australia Shutterstock Australia is heading for its third Omicron wave in the coming weeks, as BA.4 and BA.5 become the dominant COVID strains. BA.4 and BA.5 are more infectious than previous ...2 days ago
- How Australia’s gig workers may remain contractors under Labor’s reformsSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By David Peetz, Professor Emeritus, Griffith Business School, Griffith University Shutterstock, CC BY-SA Uber Australia’s historic agreement with the Transport Workers’ Union, on the need to regulate the gig economy, is the first step in fundamental reform of gig work. It suggests ...2 days ago
- ‘Satanic worship, sodomy and even murder’: how Stranger Things revived the American satanic pani...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michael David Barbezat, Research fellow, Australian Catholic University Netflix From Kate Bush to Russian villainy, Season Four of Stranger Things revives many parts of the 1980s relevant to our times. Some of these blasts from the past provide welcome nostalgia. Others ...2 days ago
- Papua New Guinea voters head to the polls to choose from 3600 candidatesRNZ Pacific Voting in the Papua New Guinea general election begins today. Voters will elect 118 members of Parliament, including governors of the 22 provinces, from the 3600-plus candidates nominated. There are 6000 polling teams in the 22 provinces. There have also been reports that polling in the capital, Port ...2 days ago
- PNG security detain man with K1.56m in suitcase as elections beginBy Miriam Zarriga in Port Moresby A man was held by Papua New Guinean security personnel in Hela Province on Saturday after he was found to have in his possession K1.56 million (about NZ$715,000) in cash carried in a suitcase. The man, who police identified as a local, allegedly told ...2 days ago
- OPM day – celebrating the 1971 Papuan ‘independence proklamasi’COMMENTARY: By Benny Wenda We celebrated the 51st anniversary of the independence declaration of the Free Papua Movement (OPM) at Markas Victoria on July 1, 1971. The declaration, signed by Seth Rumkoren and Jacob Prai — who sadly passed away last month — was a direct rejection of Indonesian colonialism. ...2 days ago
- Is Jacinda Ardern rethinking her China strategy?Analysis - Geoffrey Miller poses the question: Is New Zealand suddenly softening its more pro-Western foreign policy - and its tougher line on China? ...2 days ago
- National's Dr Shane Reti: Health reforms won't workThe SOS cries of under-pressure GPs hit close to home for the country's only MP and practicing doctor, Shane Reti, who suggests three vital steps to help. ...2 days ago
- No more excuses: restoring nature is not a silver bullet for global warming, we must cut emissions o...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kate Dooley, Research Fellow, Climate & Energy College, The University of Melbourne Nico Smit/Unsplash, CC BY Restoring degraded environments, such as by planting trees, is often touted as a solution to the climate crisis. But our new research shows this, ...3 days ago
- New Zealand to ban Russia gold importsNew Zealand is banning all imports of Russian gold, after similar bans by G7 countries and Australia. ...3 days ago
- Jacinda Ardern plays down prospect of quick 501s solutionPrime Minister Jacinda Ardern does not expect a resolution on 501 deportations from her trip to Australia this week, saying it will take time to work through. ...3 days ago
- Thousands of giant crabs amass off Australia’s coast. Scientists need your help to understand the ...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Elodie Camprasse, Research fellow in spider crab ecology, Deakin University Julian Finn/Museums Victoria Am I not pretty enough? This article is part of The Conversation’s series introducing you to little-known Australian animals that need our help. Every winter in ...3 days ago
- Free period care products in Queensland schools is just a first step. Remote communities need access...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nina Lansbury, Senior Lecturer, School of Public Health, The University of Queensland In Australia, most states have introduced initiatives to provide people who menstruate with free period care products in public schools. The Queensland government’s recent announcement of free period care ...3 days ago
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