The Long Covid Post

Written By: - Date published: 11:30 am, January 5th, 2022 - 50 comments
Categories: covid-19, long covid - Tags:

This tweet just alerted me to a dynamic I hadn’t quite seen, namely that the public is generally ignorant about long covid, what it is, and why it matters so much.

I get a lot of my initial information about covid from twitter, where there is much discussion about long covid that seems to not be being picked up by mainstream media (and I’ll hazard a guess by alt media too, it’s not like subcultures are immune to ableism).

https://twitter.com/TaylorLorenz/status/1477846395444817921

On twitter there are people with long covid (PWLC), and nurses, doctors, statisticians, public health bods, some of whom also have long covid, all talking about the issues. Here’s  a non-comprehensive list off the top of my head of what matters,

  • long covid is a new, emerging syndrome, poorly understood by the medical profession
  • it affects a wide range of organs and systems in the body
  • research is being done, and this takes time, both to complete studies and to develop the bodies of knowledge that subsequent studies are built upon
  • mainstream medicine and public health are just not very good at responding to chronic health conditions they don’t understand. WINZ aren’t great either.
  • mainstream medicine tends to focus on reductionist views of the body and illness, post-viral syndromes affect multiple systems at once.
  • the alternative health sectors are doing good things for people with such chronic illnesses that mainstream medicine can’t. There’s also a fair amount of bullshit out there. Maintream medicine and research largely ignores the stuff that is working.
  • there’s a fair amount of discussion about the similiarities between Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (M.E.)/Chronic Fatigue Immune Dysfunction Syndrome (CFIDS) (another post-viral syndrome), and long covid, by both people who are unwell and medical people/researchers.
  • many people with chronic health issues watched the original emergence of long covid and we just nodded our heads and went yep. As the tweet says, there is a huge body of experience there and a lot of skills. This includes how to adapt, what systems need to be in place, and what makes the difference between quality of life or not.
  • many people think of disability as something over there, a deviation from normal.  We are generally not very good at seeing disability as a normal part of life and making sure it is attended to.
  • One of the big concerns about long covid is the high rates will make many more of us disabled in some way (10% – 40% of people with covid end up with long term symptoms)
  • while some patterns are emerging, we don’t know yet who gets covid and why. Otherwise healthy people who get mild covid can end up with long covid. Asymptomatic cases likewise. The unknown aspect of this suggests great caution.
  • there is no way to know at this point how long covid will play out over time, including with new covid variants. Only time will tell.
  • the politics of disability, health and wellbeing are going to get a workout. In New Zealand we have treated chronically ill people badly for a very long time, both via WINZ and the MoH, and in parliamentary politics (remember David Shearer’s painter on the roof story?)

It’s understandable that public health, governments and the media have focused initially on acute covid, but we’re two years in now, it’s time to put long covid to the forefront as well.

I’m going to put this post up now and then edit to add content over the day.

50 comments on “The Long Covid Post ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. RedLogix 1
    5 January 2022 at 12:08 pm

    I'm not sure if you've spotted this Radio NZ article on long covid . It seems to treat the topic intelligently and in depth:

    Research in New Zealand into the post-viral condition known as Long Covid is now being carried out.

    It is building on key insights from studies of another disease – Myalgic encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) – once maligned and often still neglected by the medical establishment.

    ME/CFS has striking similarities to Long Covid in terms of symptoms and the demographic it affects.

    Some experts are postulating Long Covid could be a sub-type of ME/CFS.

    Those leading research into Long Covid here are looking to see if this is the case, while probing for a possible intervention to arrest the course of the disease.

    So, could Long Covid be ME/CFS by another name and what could you expect to experience if you developed this type of post-viral disease?

    • weka 1.1
      5 January 2022 at 1:04 pm

      wow, that is really good, thanks!

      A few things stand out,

      The concept of LC and ME being sister illnesses makes a lot of sense (more than LC being a subtype of ME). Big overlaps, but important differences.

      This sounds super interesting,

      Tate realised however, the traditional biomedical way of approaching the subject wouldn't be enough. He took inspiration from Stanford geneticist, Michael Snyder, putting together a methodology that would ultimately lead to him to map molecular changes across a wide range of physiological processes when ME/CFS relapses gripped sufferers' bodies.

      One of the reasons that mainstream medicine has been relatively useless on ME is because it's a syndrome that affects multiple systems rather than being a discrete illness with known boundaries. It defies the reductionist approach. Stepping outside of the usual research frame sounds perfect.

      Haven't read the rest yet, there's a lot there.

  2. Patricia Bremner 2
    5 January 2022 at 1:07 pm

    We know Hepatitis a b c infect the liver and long recuperation requires rest anything up to 12 weeks.

    Epstein-Barr virus (glandular fever) also requires 6 weeks rest to recuperate.

    Poliomyelitis virus causes wide spread system disruption as in long covid, and in my case 10 years of building back weakened muscles during growth. Some muscles did not recover. Enough were retrieved and I had a fairly normal life, hockey swimming two children, but have needed a power nap after teaching, usually 5 till 6pm most days to have reserves for family life. Some had the illness and recovered with little effect.

    Shingles virus also requires rest to recover.. and the reservoir infection from chicken pox can last for years.

    So why are we surprised to find this novel virus at times has such an effect? Perhaps because we have been concentrating on prevention, and now long covid patients are suffering and they have had their symptoms noted and compared by physicians. The conversation begins as they face multi system effects.

  3. Tony Veitch (not etc.) 3
    5 January 2022 at 3:49 pm

    Long term after effects of the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic:

    “We were leaden-footed for weeks, to the point where each step meant a determined effort,” Miss Goring recalled. “It also was very difficult to remember any simple thing, even for five minutes.”

    https://time.com/5915616/long-flu-1918-pandemic/

    We will see the same with long covid I suspect.

    • Tony Veitch (not etc.) 3.1
      5 January 2022 at 4:13 pm

      From the same article:

      Another collection published around the same time by New Zealand historian Geoffrey Rice is also littered with references to long-term symptoms of that flu—from “loss of muscular energy” to “nervous complications.” Some convalescents, recalled a Dr. Jamieson who worked at a hospital in Nelson, on New Zealand’s South Island, “passed through a period of apathy and depression,” or experienced tremor, restlessness, or sleeplessness.

      Sounds a lot like chronic fatigue syndrome to me.

    • RedLogix 4.1
      5 January 2022 at 4:26 pm

      Yes – while it's clear there will not be the same immediate impact as Delta, when I started to look at the peculiar genetics of Omicron and it's opaque origin I reconsidered.

      • weka 4.1.1
        5 January 2022 at 4:52 pm

        how come?

        • RedLogix 4.1.1.1
          5 January 2022 at 4:58 pm

          Too soon – a lot of people still working on this. But the linked paper gives a couple of clues:

          The molecular spectrum of pre-outbreak Omicron mutations is inconsistent with an evolutionary history in humans

          …

          The molecular spectrum of pre-outbreak Omicron mutations is consistent with an evolutionary history in mice

          What conclusions we should draw from this isn't clear yet.

          • weka 4.1.1.1.1
            5 January 2022 at 10:29 pm

            I don't know anything about the evolution of viruses. Is the connection with mice unusual?

            They spent a while trying to pin ME on a mouse virus, but turned out to be a dead end.

            • RedLogix 4.1.1.1.1.1
              5 January 2022 at 10:39 pm

              Humanised mice are frequently used in GoF serial passage experiments. More here.

              One thing is fairly clear, Omicron is almost certainly not a variant that arose within the human population as you might have expected.

  6. RedLogix 6
    5 January 2022 at 7:51 pm

    And a new Australian article:

    Ms Heaney's story is a part of the growing number of experiences associated with long COVID, which is why a new post-COVID care clinic at the University of Canberra hospital is set to open in January.

    Todd Kay is the director of allied health and says preliminary findings indicate a third of COVID patients experience long-term effects which is why this service is a necessity.

    • tc 6.1
      6 January 2022 at 6:28 am

      Oz has long covid in spades now thanks to the 'let it rip' call in NSW mid December from Dom backed by brother Scotty.
      Quite a shitshow unfolding across the ditch.

  7. Patricia Bremner 7
    5 January 2022 at 9:36 pm

    Bill will say we are fear mongering…. but we got lucky, so shut it out if we can.

    • Bill 7.1
      5 January 2022 at 11:42 pm

      Really bad idea that 'taking a swipe at an author' malarkey. 😉

      • left for dead 7.1.1
        6 January 2022 at 8:54 am

        As a friend,I think you should take a few steps back,Billy. This threat of yours"Really bad idea" is not what I expect from a respected author,commentator and moderator.Alex

      • weka 7.1.2
        6 January 2022 at 2:24 pm

        you have said people are fearmongering. Quite a lot. eg

        And the virus, although deserving intelligent caution, wasn't nearly as dangerous as all the fear mongering would have had us believe.

        .https://thestandard.org.nz/new-zealand-2-covid-0-so-far/#comment-1847360

        More here https://thestandard.org.nz/search/bill+fear/?search_comments=true&search_sortby=date

        so I can't see how this is a swipe at you as an author.

        The post is about long covid. No-one, not even you, know how omicron is going to play out in chronic illness. Patricia Bremner's comment seemed reasonable based on what you have said in the past about caution and fear. If you think she is wrong about your views, then please explain how.

        • RedLogix 7.1.2.1
          6 January 2022 at 2:38 pm

          To be fair you and Bill are really talking about different aspects of the pandemic.

          Bill is speaking justifiably to the propensity of the authorities and media to overplay the acute phase of the pandemic with case numbers that have only a weak correlation with risk. A lot of this has looked like unjustified fearmongering and I agree with Bill that this has led globally to a narrow and over-cautious public health response. If Omicron really is essentially a weak-live vaccine program that ends the pandemic globally, then it's reasonable to get on with it albeit managing the rate of spread as best as possible.

          You on the other hand speak to the unknowns surrounding the chronic phase of the pandemic and again I agree caution is justified until we have a better understanding of Omicron in this context. In particular I'd want to see transparency around it's peculiar origin before NZ allows it to enter. We only get one shot at this.

          The third option of keeping NZ isolated from the rest of the world indefinitely into the future is not reasonable either.

          Given these options what path would do you advocate for?

          • weka 7.1.2.1.1
            6 January 2022 at 3:15 pm

            He is saying that about authorities and the media. He's also saying this,

            Micky's piece is marinated in fear.

            .https://thestandard.org.nz/new-zealand-2-covid-0-so-far/#comment-1847253
            In light of that, Patricia's comment seems reasonable. You can use the link above to look for other examples, but I've certainly been under the impression that it's not just media and authorities, but people who hold certain views on the pandemic, that are fear mongering.

            • RedLogix 7.1.2.1.1.1
              6 January 2022 at 3:28 pm

              If we could just stop talking about 'case numbers' and start using 'hospitalisations, ICU’s and deaths' at the primary metric when we're talking about the acute pandemic – that would go a long way to bringing a more realistic perspective.

              • weka …
                6 January 2022 at 3:30 pm

                please explain how. Because in addition to hospitalisations and deaths, there are issues of transmission, short term sickness, long covid, health care systems overrun, and the flow on effects of all of that. If we talk about deaths and hospitalisations alone, we lose all that other perspective.

          • weka 7.1.2.1.2
            6 January 2022 at 3:28 pm

            In terms of acute and chronic, the countries that took short term views now have cluster fucks to deal with. NZ is taking a longer view and it's worked out better. But now, two years in, it's all 'chronic', there is no acute. Even if best case scenario omicron takes over and we never get any other variants and omicron turns out to be incredibly mild, it's still going to be some time before we know that.

            I'm not sure what you mean by fear mongering exactly, but obviously MSM like the Herald do this on basically anything and everything. I'm sure there are lots of other outlets the same globally on covid.

            I don't get the authorities bit. Do you think NZ MoH has engaged in fear mongering?

            Also don't get the "case numbers that have only a weak correlation with risk." argument. Yes, there's difficulty in assessing true numbers of people who have covid, but if risk comes from transmission then understanding case numbers (ie the people who transmit covid) matters. And the situation with omicron has been explained well enough now. Omicron's lesser severity is to some extent at least offset by the increase in numbers catching it (so more sick, disabled, dead people as well as health system and flow on impacts).

            You on the other hand speak to the unknowns surrounding the chronic phase of the pandemic and again I agree caution is justified until we have a better understanding of Omicron in this context. In particular I'd want to see transparency around it's peculiar origin before NZ allows it to enter. We only get one shot at this.

            Thing is, the initial strong reaction by the NZ govt in the 'acute' phase, set us up very well for dealing with covid long term. For those of us used to looking at whole systems, how things have played out isn't surprising. It's always been obvious that the pandemic could go on for a long time, that vaccines weren't going to be a silver bullet, that we were dealing with many unknowns and couldn't predict the next stage. It's all novel. I didn't get to the precautionary principle now, I had it right from the start (in large part because of years of sustainability thinking that includes future proofing and resiliency, and training myself in systems thinking). And thankfully so did Labour.

            The third option of keeping NZ isolated from the rest of the world indefinitely into the future is not reasonable either.

            Given these options what path would do you advocate for?

            Don't know if keeping the borders the way they are now indefinitely is reasonable or not. It's certainly an idea that would freak a lot of people out.

            Thought experiment: if we had a new global pandemic, different virus, say in five years, and NZ was in a similar situation to now (spread quite contained), what's the death rate that would warrant keeping the borders closed indefinitely? 5%? 10%? 50%

            I ask because I think much of the arguments are tied up in how people feel about the borders. I'm ok with the borders being how they are for now, because it's killed mass tourism and there are many benefits to that. I'm also ok with it because it's how we stop the country being overrun with covid and the health care systems. I think the government should fix the MiQ lottery system for NZers as a priority and I don't really understand why they haven't (maybe it's a cost/benefit issue and they keep thinking they will be able to open the borders soon).

            The tourism issue aside, I think having a public debate about borders, immigration, the housing crisis, population, resiliency and regeneration and so on would be awesome while the borders are closed. What works about the restrictions, what doesn't, what can be improved, what can be thrown out, what are our values now, what do we want? Lots of people don't actually want to go back to how things were before.

            In the short term, let's see the full data on omicron at the end of January. Seems reasonable to wait until then and use that time to get other things in order.

            Other than that, my own view is that we should be using the whole situation as an opportunity to transition to climate/ecology mitigation and adaptation rather than trying to go back to normal. There are advantages to the border restrictions, and having a population that knows how to pull together in a crisis and do the right things. If we worked with that instead of against it, we might find there is less need for things like mandates in the future. But no-one I know who takes climate seriously believes that things are going to be easier in the coming decades. Covid is the practice run and I'd prefer we learned from it.

            • RedLogix 7.1.2.1.2.1
              6 January 2022 at 3:49 pm

              Also don't get the "case numbers that have only a weak correlation with risk." argument.

              The two main reasons that stand out for me is the blatant Bayesian problem with false positives when only one test is done, and the other is that the underlying parameters of COVID, infectiousness and morbidity that are necessary to correlate cases with hazard vary immensely by time, season, geography, population, demographics, variants and govt policy – to mention just a few obvious confounding factors. This doesn't mean authorities should ignore positive test numbers, but then headlining them to the public as an indication of risk is not based on good statistics either.

              By contrast if a hospital admits 100 people with COVID symptoms then three weeks later you have a decently reliable number – the ratio of 'recovered' to 'deaths', with very few possible confounding factors other than quality of treatment.

              The problem is of course that positive cases is the leading indicator and it's necessary to drive public health measures like masking rules and lockdowns in a timely fashion – so people will tend to obsess over them. But the true hazard is only knowable from the hospital data weeks later.

              Your sentiments on isolating NZ from the wider world indefinitely are another theme altogether – and all I can say is you’re entitled to your view.

              • weka …
                6 January 2022 at 4:02 pm

                Your sentiments on isolating NZ from the wider world indefinitely are another theme altogether – and all I can say is you’re entitled to your view.

                I am interested in what the death rate is that would justify keeping the borders semi closed indefinitely. Presumably there is a situation where this would be reasonable. If people want to argue for opening the borders during the covid pandemic, I'd like to know where the boundaries lie. Because as I said, our views on freedom of movement is part of how all of us respond to the situation.

              • weka …
                6 January 2022 at 8:29 pm

                The problem is of course that positive cases is the leading indicator and it's necessary to drive public health measures like masking rules and lockdowns in a timely fashion – so people will tend to obsess over them. But the true hazard is only knowable from the hospital data weeks later.

                Are you suggesting the spread of covid isn't a hazard itself?

                • RedLogix …
                  6 January 2022 at 9:58 pm

                  Are you suggesting the spread of covid isn't a hazard itself?

                  In a nutshell – yes. It's not the virus that is of direct concern, it's the illness that it causes. And the relationship between the two changes for many reasons I outlined above.

                  • weka …
                    6 January 2022 at 10:46 pm

                    I'm still not getting it. Presumably the MoH should be counting, but the just not releasing the numbers?

                    • RedLogix …
                      6 January 2022 at 10:56 pm

                      It's fair enough that MOH reports all the data it has, but almost everyone informing the public is leading with the least meaningful, most sensational figures.

                      I saw on ABC News tonight even ScoMo said that case numbers were no longer a useful measure. Everyone knows it's out there and now it's case of managing our way through this.

                      Wish us all good luck – there are no guarantees in life.

  8. GreenBus 8
    5 January 2022 at 10:44 pm

    Good on you Weka bringing this up again. A point I keep seeing is that ME/CFS is brought on or starts from a previous Virus/Disease. GP's certainly like to think this way.

    Didn't happen to me that way. My ME symptoms started with the brain fog/bed spins straight out of the blue, and they were pretty extreme. Lasted 2 hours then went away.

    I was 23, super fit and hadn't been sick for years. I suppose everyone is different. I'm

    now 61 and still get brain fog most days. Not extreme but a bit like being stunned.

    Hard to think and hard concentration required. People give me wierd looks as I must sound disjointed.

  9. Dennis Frank 9
    6 January 2022 at 6:19 am

    This expert illuminates the situation:

    Since early 2020, we and other researchers have pointed out that acute Covid-19 is not only a lung disease, but actually significantly affects the vascular (blood flow) and coagulation (blood clotting) systems.

    A recent study in my lab revealed that there is significant microclot formation in the blood of both acute Covid-19 and long Covid patients. With healthy physiology, clots may form (for instance, when you cut yourself). However, the body breaks down the clots efficiently by a process called fibrinolysis.

    In blood from patients with long Covid, persistent microclots are resistant to the body’s own fibrinolytic processes. We found high levels of various inflammatory molecules trapped in the persistent microclots, including clotting proteins like plasminogen, fibrinogen and Von Willebrand factor (VWF), and also Alpha-2 antiplasmin (a molecule that prevents the breakdown of microclots).

    The presence of persistent microclots and hyperactivated platelets (also involved in clotting) perpetuates coagulation and vascular pathology, resulting in cells not getting enough oxygen in the tissues to sustain bodily functions (known as cellular hypoxia). Widespread hypoxia may be central to the numerous reported debilitating symptoms.

    https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/jan/05/long-covid-research-microclots

    • Resia Pretorius is the head of department and a distinguished research professor in the physiological sciences department, faculty of science, Stellenbosch University, South Africa

    Solution: a dissolving agent to separate the blood molecules in those clots.

    • weka 9.1
      6 January 2022 at 2:30 pm

      here's my prediction. That the mainstream (medicine, media, public) will spend a lot of time in the next few years focused on single explanations for covid. It's endothelium damage, it's molecules in the blood clots. Medical research will focus on isolated causes or explanations, because that's what the reductionist model does. It will generate some useful information, but will fail to adequately respond to people with LC because it can't see the wood for the trees.

      This is exactly what has happened with M.E. Medical research has focused primarily on chasing single causes instead of looking at the whole systems. This happens with other chronic illnesses too, and might be the dividing line between those that get good support and those that don't (illnesses with easy, reductionist explanations, illnesses that defy reductionism).

      • Dennis Frank 9.1.1
        6 January 2022 at 3:02 pm

        I agree. Reductionism has inertial effect on thinking due to being so long institutionalised. Healers focus on the whole person, thus are holists. This reflects the common linguistic origin of heal/health/whole (https://www.etymonline.com/word/heal).

        Holism gets leverage via a focus on patterns. Seeing the wood from the trees is holist right-brain perception, in which a characteristic pattern informs us of the whole thing to consider.

        From a public policy perspective, it's analytical input plus integral input. You'll get scientists analysing relations between causes & effects, doctors learning from patients who get well. Both streams of input to be integrated into policy…

        • weka 9.1.1.1
          6 January 2022 at 3:43 pm

          true, but the kind of policy you get in the end will be limited if everyone is using reductionist approaches. Let the reductionist scientists do their thing and generate data/information, but we need better ways of taking that and addressing the social and medical sides.

          I bet the Chinese have figured out some things, because they have both western medicine and traditional Chinese medicine paradigms to work with.

          • RedLogix 9.1.1.1.1
            6 January 2022 at 4:50 pm

            You do realise these vaccines are the products of an entirely 'reductionist' pharmaceutical industry?

    • RedLogix 9.2
      6 January 2022 at 3:08 pm

      Solution: a dissolving agent to separate the blood molecules in those clots.

      Eliquis.

      This medicine is used to:

      • prevent blood clots in your veins after a hip or knee replacement surgery.
        After an operation you are at an increased risk of getting blood clots.
      • treat blood clots occurring in deep veins (Deep Vein Thrombosis [DVT]) and clots in your lungs (Pulmonary Embolism [PE]) and also to prevent these from recurring.
      • prevent stroke and blood clots in a condition called atrial fibrillation, which is a type of abnormal heart rhythm.
        With atrial fibrillation, part of the heart does not beat the way it should. This can lead to blood clots forming and increase your risk of having a stroke.
  10. Gezza 10
    6 January 2022 at 6:58 am

    From the post:

    *(10% – 40% of people with covid end up with long term symptoms)*

    That's a pretty big uncertainty in the estimated % of covid infected people who end up with long covid. Hopefully more data & ongoing analysis will soon narrow that estimate – and/or segment it further if it varies eg by age or ethnic or country cohorts ?

    • weka 10.1
      6 January 2022 at 2:33 pm

      part of the problem is that afaik there's no single diagnostic criteria as of yet. Which means that people studying LC are using different criteria. Is permanent loss of smell being counted alongside someone who is bed ridden? Additional problem there is that as a syndrome it probably needs a fuzzy edge definition, and that's going to make studying it hard.

      Additionally, there will be a large number of people with LC who never got tested. How to count them and separate them out from non-covid illness will be a challenge with a fuzzy definition.

  11. tsmithfield 11
    6 January 2022 at 6:59 am

    I am taking the stance below to provide a counterpoint to give some hope that things are likely to improve, rather than take a contrarian stance just for the sake of it.

    I think long covid was a thing, and a terrible disease. I am not so sure it is going to be a major issue going forward.

    Firstly Omicron tends to multiply in the upper respiratory track and much less in the lungs. While this makes it more transmissible, it also means it tends not to be so damaging to organs etc. So, if Omicron becomes the dominant strain of Covid in the world, then long covid is likely to become much less frequent in occurrence.

    https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jan/02/new-studies-reinforce-belief-that-omicron-is-less-likely-to-damage-lungs

    Secondly, there are rapid advances in treatments for Covid 19.

    https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9184653/Covid-treatable-disease-six-months-NHS-chief-says.html

    Those factors, along with mass vaccination efforts, should hopefully combine to reduce the incidence of long covid quite dramatically in the near future.

  12. tsmithfield 12
    6 January 2022 at 10:15 am

    Here is an interesting pod-cast.

    One (yet to be peer-reviewed) study suggests that having at least one vaccination reduces the likelihood of long Covid by 7-10 times. And even being vaccinated up to 4 weeks after contracting Covid reduces the likelihood of long Covid by 4-6 times.

    https://www.abc.net.au/radio/programs/coronacast/do-vaccinated-people-get-long-covid/13584082

    So vaccination is highly recommended.

  13. Dennis Frank 13
    6 January 2022 at 3:09 pm

    Anyone who has a problem with brain fog, consider this from Google:

    Rosemary is a rich source of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds, which are thought to help boost the immune system and improve blood circulation.

    Rosemary is considered a cognitive stimulant and can help improve memory performance and quality. It is also known to boost alertness, intelligence, and focus.

    Ten or so years ago I noticed I was struggling with mental focus for a couple of hours after waking. Did online research into herbal teas that I'd never needed before, discovered the word on rosemary & included it as essential ingredient. Problem went away almost immediately & never came back! yes

  14. pukahu road 14
    6 January 2022 at 9:42 pm

    Long covid appears to be multifactorial in nature which means that only an integrated public health system can respond to the needs of that long covid patient.

    If a clinician ever writes a report on a patient's condition and uses words like idiopathic, multifactorial, complex and polyneuropathy to name a few then they probably will not be able to help that person except perhaps to write a prescription for medication that rarely helps and in many cases can cause troubling side effects.

    The NZ public health system and the specialist departmental clinicians generally do not collaborate and that will make the treatment of long covid extremely difficult.

    As you have stated Weka there will need to be swift changes in attitude from multiple sectors and it may have an overall long term effect on how those of us with "complex" needs are treated in the future.

    As usual Weka you have instigated an interesting and much needed discussion.

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    TL;DR: The global economy will be one fifth smaller than it would have otherwise been in 2050 as a result of climate damage, according to a new study by the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) and published in the journal Nature. (See more detail and analysis below, and ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 hours ago

  • Weekly Roundup 19-April-2024
    It’s Friday again. Here’s some of the things that caught our attention this week. This Week on Greater Auckland On Tuesday Matt covered at the government looking into a long tunnel for Wellington. On Wednesday we ran a post from Oscar Simms on some lessons from Texas. AT’s ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    6 hours ago

  • Jack Vowles: Stop the panic – we’ve been here before
    New Zealand is said to be suffering from ‘serious populist discontent’. An IPSOS MORI survey has reported that we have an increasing preference for strong leaders, think that the economy is rigged toward the rich and powerful, and political elites are ignoring ‘hard-working people’.  The data is from February this ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    8 hours ago

  • Clearing up confusion (or trying to)
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters is understood to be planning a major speech within the next fortnight to clear up the confusion over whether or not New Zealand might join the AUKUS submarine project. So far, there have been conflicting signals from the Government. RNZ reported the Prime Minister yesterday in ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    9 hours ago

  • How to Retrieve Deleted Call Log iPhone Without Computer
    How to Retrieve Deleted Call Log on iPhone Without a Computer: A Step–by–Step Guide Losing your iPhone call history can be frustrating, especially when you need to find a specific number or recall an important conversation. But before you panic, know that there are ways to retrieve deleted call logs on your iPhone, even without a computer. This guide will explore various methods, ranging from simple checks to utilizing iCloud backups and third–party applications. So, let‘s dive in and recover those lost calls! 1. Check Recently Deleted Folder: Apple understands that accidental deletions happen. That‘s why they introduced the “Recently Deleted“ folder for various apps, including the Phone app. This folder acts as a safety net, storing deleted call logs for up to 30 days before permanently erasing them. Here‘s how to check it: Open the Phone app on your iPhone. Tap on the “Recents“ tab at the bottom. Scroll to the top and tap on “Edit“. Select “Show Recently Deleted“. Browse the list to find the call logs you want to recover. Tap on the desired call log and choose “Recover“ to restore it to your call history. 2. Restore from iCloud Backup: If you regularly back up your iPhone to iCloud, you might be able to retrieve your deleted call log from a previous backup. However, keep in mind that this process will restore your entire phone to the state it was in at the time of the backup, potentially erasing any data added since then. Here‘s how to restore from an iCloud backup: Go to Settings > General > Reset. Choose “Erase All Content and Settings“. Follow the on–screen instructions. Your iPhone will restart and show the initial setup screen. Choose “Restore from iCloud Backup“ during the setup process. Select the relevant backup that contains your deleted call log. Wait for the restoration process to complete. 3. Explore Third–Party Apps (with Caution): ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    11 hours ago

  • How to Factory Reset iPhone without Computer: A Comprehensive Guide to Restoring your Device
    Life throws curveballs, and sometimes, those curveballs necessitate wiping your iPhone clean and starting anew. Whether you’re facing persistent software glitches, preparing to sell your device, or simply wanting a fresh start, knowing how to factory reset iPhone without a computer is a valuable skill. While using a computer with ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    18 hours ago

  • How to Call Someone on a Computer: A Guide to Voice and Video Communication in the Digital Age
    Gone are the days when communication was limited to landline phones and physical proximity. Today, computers have become powerful tools for connecting with people across the globe through voice and video calls. But with a plethora of applications and methods available, how to call someone on a computer might seem ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    19 hours ago

  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #16 2024
    Open access notables Glacial isostatic adjustment reduces past and future Arctic subsea permafrost, Creel et al., Nature Communications: Sea-level rise submerges terrestrial permafrost in the Arctic, turning it into subsea permafrost. Subsea permafrost underlies ~ 1.8 million km2 of Arctic continental shelf, with thicknesses in places exceeding 700 m. Sea-level variations over glacial-interglacial cycles control ...
    Skeptical Science
    19 hours ago

  • Where on a Computer is the Operating System Generally Stored? Delving into the Digital Home of your ...
    The operating system (OS) is the heart and soul of a computer, orchestrating every action and interaction between hardware and software. But have you ever wondered where on a computer is the operating system generally stored? The answer lies in the intricate dance between hardware and software components, particularly within ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    19 hours ago

  • How Many Watts Does a Laptop Use? Understanding Power Consumption and Efficiency
    Laptops have become essential tools for work, entertainment, and communication, offering portability and functionality. However, with rising energy costs and growing environmental concerns, understanding a laptop’s power consumption is more important than ever. So, how many watts does a laptop use? The answer, unfortunately, isn’t straightforward. It depends on several ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    19 hours ago

  • How to Screen Record on a Dell Laptop A Guide to Capturing Your Screen with Ease
    Screen recording has become an essential tool for various purposes, such as creating tutorials, capturing gameplay footage, recording online meetings, or sharing information with others. Fortunately, Dell laptops offer several built-in and external options for screen recording, catering to different needs and preferences. This guide will explore various methods on ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    19 hours ago

  • How Much Does it Cost to Fix a Laptop Screen? Navigating Repair Options and Costs
    A cracked or damaged laptop screen can be a frustrating experience, impacting productivity and enjoyment. Fortunately, laptop screen repair is a common service offered by various repair shops and technicians. However, the cost of fixing a laptop screen can vary significantly depending on several factors. This article delves into the ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    19 hours ago

  • How Long Do Gaming Laptops Last? Demystifying Lifespan and Maximizing Longevity
    Gaming laptops represent a significant investment for passionate gamers, offering portability and powerful performance for immersive gaming experiences. However, a common concern among potential buyers is their lifespan. Unlike desktop PCs, which allow for easier component upgrades, gaming laptops have inherent limitations due to their compact and integrated design. This ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    19 hours ago

  • Climate Change: Turning the tide
    The annual inventory report of New Zealand's greenhouse gas emissions has been released, showing that gross emissions have dropped for the third year in a row, to 78.4 million tons: All-told gross emissions have decreased by over 6 million tons since the Zero Carbon Act was passed in 2019. ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    20 hours ago

  • How to Unlock Your Computer A Comprehensive Guide to Regaining Access
    Experiencing a locked computer can be frustrating, especially when you need access to your files and applications urgently. The methods to unlock your computer will vary depending on the specific situation and the type of lock you encounter. This guide will explore various scenarios and provide step-by-step instructions on how ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    21 hours ago

  • Faxing from Your Computer A Modern Guide to Sending Documents Digitally
    While the world has largely transitioned to digital communication, faxing still holds relevance in certain industries and situations. Fortunately, gone are the days of bulky fax machines and dedicated phone lines. Today, you can easily send and receive faxes directly from your computer, offering a convenient and efficient way to ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    22 hours ago

  • Protecting Your Home Computer A Guide to Cyber Awareness
    In our increasingly digital world, home computers have become essential tools for work, communication, entertainment, and more. However, this increased reliance on technology also exposes us to various cyber threats. Understanding these threats and taking proactive steps to protect your home computer is crucial for safeguarding your personal information, finances, ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    22 hours ago

  • Server-Based Computing Powering the Modern Digital Landscape
    In the ever-evolving world of technology, server-based computing has emerged as a cornerstone of modern digital infrastructure. This article delves into the concept of server-based computing, exploring its various forms, benefits, challenges, and its impact on the way we work and interact with technology. Understanding Server-Based Computing: At its core, ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    22 hours ago

  • Vroom vroom go the big red trucks
    The absolute brass neck of this guy.We want more medical doctors, not more spin doctors, Luxon was saying a couple of weeks ago, and now we’re told the guy has seven salaried adults on TikTok duty. Sorry, doing social media. The absolute brass neck of it. The irony that the ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    22 hours ago

  • Jones finds $410,000 to help the government muscle in on a spat project
    Buzz from the Beehive Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones relishes spatting and eagerly takes issue with environmentalists who criticise his enthusiasm for resource development. He relishes helping the fishing industry too. And so today, while the media are making much of the latest culling in the public service to ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    23 hours ago

  • Again, hate crimes are not necessarily terrorism.
    Having written, taught and worked for the US government on issues involving unconventional warfare and terrorism for 30-odd years, two things irritate me the most when the subject is discussed in public. The first is the Johnny-come-lately academics-turned-media commentators who … Continue reading → ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    1 day ago

  • Despair – construction consenting edition
    Eric Crampton writes – Kainga Ora is the government’s house building agency. It’s been building a lot of social housing. Kainga Ora has its own (but independent) consenting authority, Consentium. It’s a neat idea. Rather than have to deal with building consents across each different territorial authority, Kainga Ora ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    1 day ago

  • Coalition promises – will the Govt keep the commitment to keep Kiwis equal before the law?
    Muriel Newman writes – The Coalition Government says it is moving with speed to deliver campaign promises and reverse the damage done by Labour. One of their key commitments is to “defend the principle that New Zealanders are equal before the law.” To achieve this, they have pledged they “will not advance ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    1 day ago

  • An impermanent public service is a guarantee of very little else but failure
    Chris Trotter writes –  The absence of anything resembling a fightback from the public servants currently losing their jobs is interesting. State-sector workers’ collective fatalism in the face of Coalition cutbacks indicates a surprisingly broad acceptance of impermanence in the workplace. Fifty years ago, lay-offs in the thousands ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    1 day ago

  • What happens after the war – Mariupol
    Mariupol, on the Azov Sea coast, was one of the first cities to suffer almost complete destruction after the start of the Ukraine War started in late February 2022. We remember the scenes of absolute destruction of the houses and city structures. The deaths of innocent civilians – many of ...
    Open ParachuteBy Ken
    1 day ago

  • Babies and benefits – no good news
    Lindsay Mitchell writes – Ten years ago, I wrote the following in a Listener column: Every year around one in five new-born babies will be reliant on their caregivers benefit by Christmas. This pattern has persisted from at least 1993. For Maori the number jumps to over one in three.  ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    1 day ago

  • Should the RBNZ be looking through climate inflation?
    Climate change is expected to generate more and more extreme events, delivering a sort of structural shock to inflation that central banks will have to react to as if they were short-term cyclical issues. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāMy pick of the six newsey things to know from Aotearoa’s ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago

  • Bernard's pick 'n' mix of the news links
    The top six news links I’ve seen elsewhere in the last 24 hours, as of 9:16 am on Thursday, April 18 are:Housing: Tauranga residents living in boats, vans RNZ Checkpoint Louise TernouthHousing: Waikato councillor says wastewater plant issues could hold up Sleepyhead building a massive company town Waikato Times Stephen ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago

  • Gordon Campbell on the public sector carnage, and misogyny as terrorism
    It’s a simple deal. We pay taxes in order to finance the social services we want and need. The carnage now occurring across the public sector though, is breaking that contract. Over 3,000 jobs have been lost so far. Many are in crucial areas like Education where the impact of ...
    Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
    1 day ago

  • Meeting the Master Baiters
    Hi,A friend had their 40th over the weekend and decided to theme it after Curb Your Enthusiasm fashion icon Susie Greene. Captured in my tiny kitchen before I left the house, I ending up evoking a mix of old lesbian and Hillary Clinton — both unintentional.Me vs Hillary ClintonIf you’re ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    1 day ago

  • How extreme was the Earth's temperature in 2023
    This is a re-post from Andrew Dessler at the Climate Brink blog In 2023, the Earth reached temperature levels unprecedented in modern times. Given that, it’s reasonable to ask: What’s going on? There’s been lots of discussions by scientists about whether this is just the normal progression of global warming or if something ...
    Skeptical Science
    1 day ago

  • Backbone, revisited
    The schools are on holiday and the sun is shining in the seaside village and all day long I have been seeing bunches of bikes; Mums, Dads, teens and toddlers chattering, laughing, happy, having a bloody great time together. Cheers, AT, for the bits of lane you’ve added lately around the ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago

  • Ministers are not above the law
    Today in our National-led authoritarian nightmare: Shane Jones thinks Ministers should be above the law: New Zealand First MP Shane Jones is accusing the Waitangi Tribunal of over-stepping its mandate by subpoenaing a minister for its urgent hearing on the Oranga Tamariki claim. The tribunal is looking into the ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    2 days ago

  • What’s the outfit you can hear going down the gurgler? Probably it’s David Parker’s Oceans Sec...
    Buzz from the Beehive Point  of Order first heard of the Oceans Secretariat in June 2021, when David Parker (remember him?) announced a multi-agency approach to protecting New Zealand’s marine ecosystems and fisheries. Parker (holding the Environment, and Oceans and Fisheries portfolios) broke the news at the annual Forest & ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    2 days ago

  • Will politicians let democracy die in the darkness?
    Bryce Edwards writes  – Politicians across the political spectrum are implicated in the New Zealand media’s failing health. Either through neglect or incompetent interventions, successive governments have failed to regulate, foster, and allow a healthy Fourth Estate that can adequately hold politicians and the powerful to account. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago

  • Matt Doocey doubles down on trans “healthcare”
    Citizen Science writes –  Last week saw two significant developments in the debate over the treatment of trans-identifying children and young people – the release in Britain of the final report of Dr Hilary Cass’s review into gender healthcare, and here in New Zealand, the news that the ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago

  • A TikTok Prime Minister.
    One night while sleeping in my bed I had a beautiful dreamThat all the people of the world got together on the same wavelengthAnd began helping one anotherNow in this dream, universal love was the theme of the dayPeace and understanding and it happened this wayAfter such an eventful day ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    2 days ago

  • Texas Lessons
    This is a guest post by Oscar Simms who is a housing activist, volunteer for the Coalition for More Homes, and was the Labour Party candidate for Auckland Central at the last election. ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    2 days ago

  • Bernard's pick 'n' mix of the news links at 6:06 am
    The top six news links I’ve seen elsewhere in the last 24 hours as of 6:06 am on Wednesday, April 17 are:Must read: Secrecy shrouds which projects might be fast-tracked RNZ Farah HancockScoop: Revealed: Luxon has seven staffers working on social media content - partly paid for by taxpayer Newshub ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago

  • Fighting poverty on the holiday highway
    Turning what Labour called the “holiday highway” into a four-lane expressway from Auckland to Whangarei could bring at least an economic benefit of nearly two billion a year for Northland each year. And it could help bring an end to poverty in one of New Zealand’s most deprived regions. The ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    2 days ago

  • Bernard's six-stack of substacks at 6:26 pm
    Tonight’s six-stack includes: launching his substack with a bunch of his previous documentaries, including this 1992 interview with Dame Whina Cooper. and here crew give climate activists plenty to do, including this call to submit against the Fast Track Approvals bill. writes brilliantly here on his substack ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago

  • At a glance – Is the science settled?
    On February 14, 2023 we announced our Rebuttal Update Project. This included an ask for feedback about the added "At a glance" section in the updated basic rebuttal versions. This weekly blog post series highlights this new section of one of the updated basic rebuttal versions and serves as a ...
    Skeptical Science
    3 days ago

  • Apposite Quotations.
    How Long Is Long Enough? Gaza under Israeli bombardment, July 2014. This posting is exclusive to Bowalley Road. ...
    Bowalley Road
    3 days ago

  • What’s a life worth now?
    You're in the mall when you hear it: some kind of popping sound in the distance, kids with fireworks, maybe. But then a moment of eerie stillness is followed by more of the fireworks sound and there’s also screaming and shrieking and now here come people running for their lives.Does ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago

  • Howling at the Moon
    Karl du Fresne writes –  There’s a crisis in the news media and the media are blaming it on everyone except themselves. Culpability is being deflected elsewhere – mainly to the hapless Minister of Communications, Melissa Lee, and the big social media platforms that are accused of hoovering ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago

  • Newshub is Dead.
    I don’t normally send out two newsletters in a day but I figured I’d say something about… the news. If two newsletters is a bit much then maybe just skip one, I don’t want to overload people. Alternatively if you’d be interested in sometimes receiving multiple, smaller updates from me, ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago

  • Seymour is chuffed about cutting early-learning red tape – but we hear, too, that Jones has loose...
    Buzz from the Beehive David Seymour and Winston Peters today signalled that at least two ministers of the Crown might be in Wellington today. Seymour (as Associate Minister of Education) announced the removal of more red tape, this time to make it easier for new early learning services to be ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    3 days ago

  • Bryce Edwards: Will politicians let democracy die in the darkness?
    Politicians across the political spectrum are implicated in the New Zealand media’s failing health. Either through neglect or incompetent interventions, successive governments have failed to regulate, foster, and allow a healthy Fourth Estate that can adequately hold politicians and the powerful to account. Our political system is suffering from the ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    3 days ago

  • Was Hawkesby entirely wrong?
    David Farrar  writes –  The Broadcasting Standards Authority ruled: Comments by radio host Kate Hawkesby suggesting Māori and Pacific patients were being prioritised for surgery due to their ethnicity were misleading and discriminatory, the Broadcasting Standards Authority has found. It is a fact such patients are prioritised. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago

  • PRC shadow looms as the Solomons head for election
    PRC and its proxies in Solomons have been preparing for these elections for a long time. A lot of money, effort and intelligence have gone into ensuring an outcome that won’t compromise Beijing’s plans. Cleo Paskall writes – On April 17th the Solomon Islands, a country of ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago

  • Climate Change: Criminal ecocide
    We are in the middle of a climate crisis. Last year was (again) the hottest year on record. NOAA has just announced another global coral bleaching event. Floods are threatening UK food security. So naturally, Shane Jones wants to make it easier to mine coal: Resources Minister Shane Jones ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    3 days ago

  • Is saving one minute of a politician's time worth nearly $1 billion?
    Is speeding up the trip to and from Wellington airport by 12 minutes worth spending up more than $10 billion? Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The six news items that stood out to me in the last day to 8:26 am today are:The Lead: Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago

  • Long Tunnel or Long Con?
    Yesterday it was revealed that Transport Minister had asked Waka Kotahi to look at the options for a long tunnel through Wellington. State Highway 1 (SH1) through Wellington City is heavily congested at peak times and while planning continues on the duplicate Mt Victoria Tunnel and Basin Reserve project, the ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    3 days ago

  • Smoke And Mirrors.
    You're a fraud, and you know itBut it's too good to throw it all awayAnyone would do the sameYou've got 'em goingAnd you're careful not to show itSometimes you even fool yourself a bitIt's like magicBut it's always been a smoke and mirrors gameAnyone would do the sameForty six billion ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago

  • What is Mexico doing about climate change?
    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections The June general election in Mexico could mark a turning point in ensuring that the country’s climate policies better reflect the desire of its citizens to address the climate crisis, with both leading presidential candidates expressing support for renewable energy. Mexico is the ...
    Skeptical Science
    3 days ago

  • State of humanity, 2024
    2024, it feels, keeps presenting us with ever more challenges, ever more dismay.Do you give up yet? It seems to ask.No? How about this? Or this?How about this?When I say 2024 I really mean the state of humanity in 2024.Saturday night, we watched Civil War because that is one terrifying cliff we've ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 days ago

  • Govt’s Wellington tunnel vision aims to ease the way to the airport (but zealous promoters of cycl...
    Buzz from the Beehive A pet project and governmental tunnel vision jump out from the latest batch of ministerial announcements. The government is keen to assure us of its concern for the wellbeing of our pets. It will be introducing pet bonds in a change to the Residential Tenancies Act ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago

  • The case for cultural connectedness
    A recent report generated from a Growing Up in New Zealand (GUiNZ) survey of 1,224 rangatahi Māori aged 11-12 found: Cultural connectedness was associated with fewer depression symptoms, anxiety symptoms and better quality of life. That sounds cut and dry. But further into the report the following appears: Cultural connectedness is ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • Useful context on public sector job cuts
    David Farrar writes –    The Herald reports: From the gory details of job-cuts news, you’d think the public service was being eviscerated.   While the media’s view of the cuts is incomplete, it’s also true that departments have been leaking the particulars faster than a Wellington ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • Gordon Campbell On When Racism Comes Disguised As Anti-racism
    Remember the good old days, back when New Zealand had a PM who could think and speak calmly and intelligently in whole sentences without blustering? Even while Iran’s drones and missiles were still being launched, Helen Clark was live on TVNZ expertly summing up the latest crisis in the Middle ...
    Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
    4 days ago

  • Govt ignored economic analysis of smokefree reversal
    Costello did not pass on analysis of the benefits of the smokefree reforms to Cabinet, emphasising instead the extra tax revenues of repealing them. Photo: Hagen Hopkins, Getty Images TL;DR: The six news items that stood out to me at 7:26 am today are:The Lead: Casey Costello never passed on ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago

  • True Blue.
    True loveYou're the one I'm dreaming ofYour heart fits me like a gloveAnd I'm gonna be true blueBaby, I love youI’ve written about the job cuts in our news media last week. The impact on individuals, and the loss to Aotearoa of voices covering our news from different angles.That by ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago

  • Who is running New Zealand’s foreign policy?
    While commentators, including former Prime Minister Helen Clark, are noting a subtle shift in New Zealand’s foreign policy, which now places more emphasis on the United States, many have missed a key element of the shift. What National said before the election is not what the government is doing now. ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    4 days ago

  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #15
    A listing of 31 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, April 7, 2024 thru Sat, April 13, 2024. Story of the week Our story of the week is about adults in the room setting terms and conditions of ...
    Skeptical Science
    5 days ago

  • Feline Friends and Fragile Fauna The Complexities of Cats in New Zealand’s Conservation Efforts

    Cats, with their independent spirit and beguiling purrs, have captured the hearts of humans for millennia. In New Zealand, felines are no exception, boasting the highest national cat ownership rate globally [definition cat nz cat foundation]. An estimated 1.134 million pet cats grace Kiwi households, compared to 683,000 dogs ...

    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    5 days ago

  • Or is that just they want us to think?
    Nice guy, that Peter Williams. Amiable, a calm air of no-nonsense capability, a winning smile. Everything you look for in a TV presenter and newsreader.I used to see him sometimes when I went to TVNZ to be a talking head or a panellist and we would yarn. Nice guy, that ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    5 days ago

  • Fact Brief – Did global warming stop in 1998?
    Skeptical Science is partnering with Gigafact to produce fact briefs — bite-sized fact checks of trending claims. This fact brief was written by Sue Bin Park in collaboration with members from our Skeptical Science team. You can submit claims you think need checking via the tipline. Did global warming stop in ...
    Skeptical Science
    6 days ago

  • Arguing over a moot point.
    I have been following recent debates in the corporate and social media about whether it is a good idea for NZ to join what is known as “AUKUS Pillar Two.” AUKUS is the Australian-UK-US nuclear submarine building agreement in which … Continue reading → ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    6 days ago

  • No Longer Trusted: Ageing Boomers, Laurie & Les, Talk Politics.
    Turning Point: “What has turned me away from the mainstream news media is the very strong message that its been sending out for the last few years.” “And what message might that be?” “That the people who own it, the people who run it, and the people who provide its content, really don’t ...
    Bowalley Road
    6 days ago

  • Mortgage rates at 10% anyone?
    No – nothing about that in PM Luxon’s nine-point plan to improve the lives of New Zealanders. But beyond our shores Jamie Dimon, the long-serving head of global bank J.P. Morgan Chase, reckons that the chances of a goldilocks soft landing for the economy are “a lot lower” than the ...
    Point of OrderBy xtrdnry
    6 days ago

  • Education Minister heads to major teaching summit in Singapore
    Education Minister Erica Stanford will lead the New Zealand delegation at the 2024 International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP) held in Singapore. The delegation includes representatives from the Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) Te Wehengarua and the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) Te Riu Roa.  The summit is co-hosted ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 hours ago

  • Value of stopbank project proven during cyclone
    A stopbank upgrade project in Tairawhiti partly funded by the Government has increased flood resilience for around 7000ha of residential and horticultural land so far, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones today attended a dawn service in Gisborne to mark the end of the first stage of the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 hours ago

  • Anzac commemorations, Türkiye relationship focus of visit
    Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters will represent the Government at Anzac Day commemorations on the Gallipoli Peninsula next week and engage with senior representatives of the Turkish government in Istanbul.    “The Gallipoli campaign is a defining event in our history. It will be a privilege to share the occasion ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 hours ago

  • Minister to Europe for OECD meeting, Anzac Day
    Science, Innovation and Technology and Defence Minister Judith Collins will next week attend the OECD Science and Technology Ministerial conference in Paris and Anzac Day commemorations in Belgium. “Science, innovation and technology have a major role to play in rebuilding our economy and achieving better health, environmental and social outcomes ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 hours ago

  • Comprehensive Partnership the goal for NZ and the Philippines
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr.  The Prime Minister was accompanied by MP Paulo Garcia, the first Filipino to be elected to a legislature outside the Philippines. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon and President Marcos Jr discussed opportunities to ...
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    16 hours ago

  • Government commits $20m to Westport flood protection
    The Government has announced that $20 million in funding will be made available to Westport to fund much needed flood protection around the town. This measure will significantly improve the resilience of the community, says Local Government Minister Simeon Brown. “The Westport community has already been allocated almost $3 million ...
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    22 hours ago

  • Taupō takes pole position
    The Government is proud to support the first ever Repco Supercars Championship event in Taupō as up to 70,000 motorsport fans attend the Taupō International Motorsport Park this weekend, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. “Anticipation for the ITM Taupō Super400 is huge, with tickets and accommodation selling out weeks ...
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    23 hours ago

  • Cost of living support for low-income homeowners
    Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced an increase to the Rates Rebate Scheme, putting money back into the pockets of low-income homeowners.  “The coalition Government is committed to bringing down the cost of living for New Zealanders. That includes targeted support for those Kiwis who are doing things tough, such ...
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    1 day ago

  • Government backing mussel spat project
    The Coalition Government is investing in a project to boost survival rates of New Zealand mussels and grow the industry, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has announced. “This project seeks to increase the resilience of our mussels and significantly boost the sector’s productivity,” Mr Jones says. “The project - ...
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  • Government focused on getting people into work
    Benefit figures released today underscore the importance of the Government’s plan to rebuild the economy and have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “Benefit numbers are still significantly higher than when National was last in government, when there was about 70,000 fewer ...
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    1 day ago

  • Clean energy key driver to reducing emissions
    The Government’s commitment to doubling New Zealand’s renewable energy capacity is backed by new data showing that clean energy has helped the country reach its lowest annual gross emissions since 1999, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealand’s latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory (1990-2022) published today, shows gross emissions fell ...
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  • Earthquake-prone buildings review brought forward
    The Government is bringing the earthquake-prone building review forward, with work to start immediately, and extending the deadline for remediations by four years, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “Our Government is focused on rebuilding the economy. A key part of our plan is to cut red tape that ...
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  • Thailand and NZ to agree to Strategic Partnership
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his Thai counterpart, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, have today agreed that New Zealand and the Kingdom of Thailand will upgrade the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership by 2026. “New Zealand and Thailand have a lot to offer each other. We have a strong mutual desire to build ...
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    2 days ago

  • Government consults on extending coastal permits for ports
    RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Transport Minister Simeon Brown have today announced the Coalition Government’s intention to extend port coastal permits for a further 20 years, providing port operators with certainty to continue their operations. “The introduction of the Resource Management Act in 1991 required ports to obtain coastal ...
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    2 days ago

  • Inflation coming down, but more work to do
    Today’s announcement that inflation is down to 4 per cent is encouraging news for Kiwis, but there is more work to be done - underlining the importance of the Government’s plan to get the economy back on track, acting Finance Minister Chris Bishop says. “Inflation is now at 4 per ...
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    2 days ago

  • School attendance restored as a priority in health advice
    Refreshed health guidance released today will help parents and schools make informed decisions about whether their child needs to be in school, addressing one of the key issues affecting school attendance, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour. In recent years, consistently across all school terms, short-term illness or medical reasons ...
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    2 days ago

  • Unnecessary bureaucracy cut in oceans sector
    Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is streamlining high-level oceans management while maintaining a focus on supporting the sector’s role in the export-led recovery of the economy. “I am working to realise the untapped potential of our fishing and aquaculture sector. To achieve that we need to be smarter with ...
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    2 days ago

  • Patterson promoting NZ’s wool sector at International Congress
    Associate Agriculture Minister Mark Patterson is speaking at the International Wool Textile Organisation Congress in Adelaide, promoting New Zealand wool, and outlining the coalition Government’s support for the revitalisation the sector.    "New Zealand’s wool exports reached $400 million in the year to 30 June 2023, and the coalition Government ...
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    3 days ago

  • Removing red tape to help early learners thrive
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    3 days ago

  • RMA changes to cut coal mining consent red tape
    Changes to the Resource Management Act will align consenting for coal mining to other forms of mining to reduce barriers that are holding back economic development, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The inconsistent treatment of coal mining compared with other extractive activities is burdensome red tape that fails to acknowledge ...
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    3 days ago

  • McClay reaffirms strong NZ-China trade relationship
    Trade, Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay has concluded productive discussions with ministerial counterparts in Beijing today, in support of the New Zealand-China trade and economic relationship. “My meeting with Commerce Minister Wang Wentao reaffirmed the complementary nature of the bilateral trade relationship, with our Free Trade Agreement at its ...
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    3 days ago

  • Prime Minister Luxon acknowledges legacy of Singapore Prime Minister Lee
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon today paid tribute to Singapore’s outgoing Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.   Meeting in Singapore today immediately before Prime Minister Lee announced he was stepping down, Prime Minister Luxon warmly acknowledged his counterpart’s almost twenty years as leader, and the enduring legacy he has left for Singapore and South East ...
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  • PMs Luxon and Lee deepen Singapore-NZ ties
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. While in Singapore as part of his visit to South East Asia this week, Prime Minister Luxon also met with Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and will meet with Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.  During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon ...
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  • Antarctica New Zealand Board appointments
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has made further appointments to the Board of Antarctica New Zealand as part of a continued effort to ensure the Scott Base Redevelopment project is delivered in a cost-effective and efficient manner.  The Minister has appointed Neville Harris as a new member of the Board. Mr ...
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    4 days ago

  • Finance Minister travels to Washington DC
    Finance Minister Nicola Willis will travel to the United States on Tuesday to attend a meeting of the Five Finance Ministers group, with counterparts from Australia, the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.  “I am looking forward to meeting with our Five Finance partners on how we can work ...
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    4 days ago

  • Pet bonds a win/win for renters and landlords
    The coalition Government has today announced purrfect and pawsitive changes to the Residential Tenancies Act to give tenants with pets greater choice when looking for a rental property, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “Pets are important members of many Kiwi families. It’s estimated that around 64 per cent of New ...
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    4 days ago

  • Long Tunnel for SH1 Wellington being considered
    State Highway 1 (SH1) through Wellington City is heavily congested at peak times and while planning continues on the duplicate Mt Victoria Tunnel and Basin Reserve project, the Government has also asked NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) to consider and provide advice on a Long Tunnel option, Transport Minister Simeon Brown ...
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    4 days ago

  • New Zealand condemns Iranian strikes
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Foreign Minister Winston Peters have condemned Iran’s shocking and illegal strikes against Israel.    “These attacks are a major challenge to peace and stability in a region already under enormous pressure," Mr Luxon says.    "We are deeply concerned that miscalculation on any side could ...
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    5 days ago

  • Huge interest in Government’s infrastructure plans
    Hundreds of people in little over a week have turned out in Northland to hear Regional Development Minister Shane Jones speak about plans for boosting the regional economy through infrastructure. About 200 people from the infrastructure and associated sectors attended an event headlined by Mr Jones in Whangarei today. Last ...
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    7 days ago

  • Health Minister thanks outgoing Health New Zealand Chair
    Health Minister Dr Shane Reti has today thanked outgoing Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora Chair Dame Karen Poutasi for her service on the Board.   “Dame Karen tendered her resignation as Chair and as a member of the Board today,” says Dr Reti.  “I have asked her to ...
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    7 days ago

  • Roads of National Significance planning underway
    The NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) has signalled their proposed delivery approach for the Government’s 15 Roads of National Significance (RoNS), with the release of the State Highway Investment Proposal (SHIP) today, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.  “Boosting economic growth and productivity is a key part of the Government’s plan to ...
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    1 week ago

  • Navigating an unstable global environment
    New Zealand is renewing its connections with a world facing urgent challenges by pursuing an active, energetic foreign policy, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.   “Our country faces the most unstable global environment in decades,” Mr Peters says at the conclusion of two weeks of engagements in Egypt, Europe and the United States.    “We cannot afford to sit back in splendid ...
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  • NZ welcomes Australian Governor-General
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has announced the Australian Governor-General, His Excellency General The Honourable David Hurley and his wife Her Excellency Mrs Linda Hurley, will make a State visit to New Zealand from Tuesday 16 April to Thursday 18 April. The visit reciprocates the State visit of former Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy ...
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    1 week ago

  • Pseudoephedrine back on shelves for Winter
    Associate Health Minister David Seymour has announced that Medsafe has approved 11 cold and flu medicines containing pseudoephedrine. Pharmaceutical suppliers have indicated they may be able to supply the first products in June. “This is much earlier than the original expectation of medicines being available by 2025. The Government recognised ...
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    1 week ago

  • NZ and the US: an ever closer partnership
    New Zealand and the United States have recommitted to their strategic partnership in Washington DC today, pledging to work ever more closely together in support of shared values and interests, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.    “The strategic environment that New Zealand and the United States face is considerably more ...
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    1 week ago

  • Joint US and NZ declaration
    April 11, 2024 Joint Declaration by United States Secretary of State the Honorable Antony J. Blinken and New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs the Right Honourable Winston Peters We met today in Washington, D.C. to recommit to the historic partnership between our two countries and the principles that underpin it—rule ...
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    1 week ago

  • NZ and US to undertake further practical Pacific cooperation
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced further New Zealand cooperation with the United States in the Pacific Islands region through $16.4 million in funding for initiatives in digital connectivity and oceans and fisheries research.   “New Zealand can achieve more in the Pacific if we work together more urgently and ...
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    1 week ago

  • Government redress for Te Korowai o Wainuiārua
    The Government is continuing the bipartisan effort to restore its relationship with iwi as the Te Korowai o Wainuiārua Claims Settlement Bill passed its first reading in Parliament today, says Treaty Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith. “Historical grievances of Te Korowai o Wainuiārua relate to 19th century warfare, land purchased or taken ...
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    1 week ago

  • Focus on outstanding minerals permit applications
    New Zealand Petroleum and Minerals is working to resolve almost 150 outstanding minerals permit applications by the end of the financial year, enabling valuable mining activity and signalling to the sector that New Zealand is open for business, Resources Minister Shane Jones says.  “While there are no set timeframes for ...
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    1 week ago

  • Applications open for NZ-Ireland Research Call
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    1 week ago

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