Transparency
Written By:
- Date published:
10:16 am, June 3rd, 2009 - 1 comment
Categories: john key, national -
Tags: transparency, worth
Strange isn’t it that Key can support transparency yesterday but not today.
Political expediency at its worst.
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- Boost for Rēkohu/Wharekauri/Chatham Islands Community ConservationCommunity conservation in Rēkohu/Wharekauri/the Chatham Islands is receiving a boost, with grants to support local projects announced today by Minister of Conservation Eugenie Sage. “Rēkohu/Wharekauri/ the Chatham Islands are home to 20 per cent of New Zealand’s threatened bird species and 11 per cent of New Zealand’s threatened plant species. ...3 days ago
- Rātana Pā goes high-tech with UFBIwi, hapu and visitors to Rātana Pā near Whanganui now have access to ultra-fast broadband following its connection, completed in time for annual Rātana celebrations, Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones says. The connection and associated hardware were funded from the Provincial Growth Fund’s $21 million Marae Digital Connectivity programme, ...3 days ago
- Govt’s strong financial management acknowledgedThe Government’s strong financial management and plan to future proof the economy with new infrastructure investment has gained further recognition from an international ratings agency. Credit rating agency Fitch has upgraded one of its main metrics assessing the Government’s books, lifting its foreign currency AA rating outlook to ‘positive’ from ...3 days ago
- Boost in Whānau Ora funding to keep changing livesWhānau throughout New Zealand are set to benefit from an extra three million dollars that will go directly to Whānau Ora Commissioning Agencies, the Minister for Whānau Ora Peeni Henare announced today. Including previous funding boosts, the Agencies will now receive $87 million this year between them. In Budget 2019 ...3 days ago
- More people getting into workThe December quarter benefit numbers released today show the Government’s plan to get people off the benefit and into work is starting to pay off,” Social Development Minister Carmel Sepuloni said. “Nearly 19,000 people cancelled their benefit and went into work in the last few months of the year – ...3 days ago
- Wairoa gets up to $6.1m to rebuild heart of CBDThe Provincial Growth Fund (PGF) is investing up to $6.1 million to revitalise business and tourism opportunities in Wairoa, Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Regional Economic Development Fletcher Tabuteau announced today. The PGF is funding: Up to $4.8 million for the Wairoa Integrated Business and Tourism Facility Up to $960,000 for the ...4 days ago
- Major Events support for creative and cultural eventsCreative and cultural events that highlight New Zealand’s diverse culture and build national pride are set to get a funding boost through the Major Events Fund, Economic Development Minister Phil Twyford said today. The new Creative and Cultural Events Incubator, which is funded through the Major Events Fund, will open ...4 days ago
- Classroom internet in hundreds of schools to get a boostThe Government has begun a massive IT upgrade to provide more seamless internet access to 200 schools around the country. Te Mana Tūhono – Technology in Schools work programme will launch with a pilot of 10 smaller state schools early this year. IT equipment that gives students access to the ...4 days ago
- Construction workforce, apprenticeships hit record highsWorking with industry and committing to rebuild New Zealand’s infrastructure has produced a record high number of Kiwis working in the construction industry and learning trades, says Minister for Building and Construction Jenny Salesa. New figures available today from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment and the Tertiary Education ...4 days ago
- NZ concludes digital economy trade talks with Singapore and ChileA new trade agreement concluded today helps New Zealand exporters and consumers take advantage of opportunities from digital trade. Minister for Trade and Export Growth David Parker together with Chile’s Vice Minister of Trade Rodrigo Yañez and Singapore’s Minister of Trade and Industry Chan Chun Sing, have announced conclusion of ...4 days ago
- Provincial Growth Fund to fund Waipukurau cultural development and tourismThe Ngā Ara Tipuna - Waipukurau Pā Site Interpretation project will receive $2.798 million from the Provincial Growth Fund to create an authentic cultural tourism experience, Under-Secretary for Regional Economic Development Fletcher Tabuteau announced today “The project will inform visitors about the history of six pā sites in Waipukurau with a combination ...5 days ago
- 21 new judges boost diversity, improve access to justiceTwenty-one new District Court judges have been appointed in a move that will improve access to justice and boost diversity on the bench. The new judges include replacements for retirements and 10 new positions. Attorney-General David Parker today announced the 14 judges who can immediately be named, with the remainder ...5 days ago
- Puhinui to Auckland Airport in 10 minutesAucklanders are another step closer to getting rapid transit to the airport, with the start of construction to upgrade State Highway 20B to the airport, Transport Minister Phil Twyford announced today. SH20B will be upgraded with additional lanes in each direction, dedicated to bus and high-occupancy vehicles between Pukaki Creek ...5 days ago
- Advancing New Zealand’s trade agenda focus of Europe meetingsWorld Trade Organisation reform, agricultural trade and a free trade agreement with the United Kingdom will be the focus of Minister for Trade and Export Growth David Parker’s visit to Europe this week. David Parker leaves on Tuesday for a series of meetings in the UK and Switzerland that aim ...6 days ago
- Minister of Defence to visit counterparts in US and CanadaThe Minister of Defence, Ron Mark, departed today for the United States and Canada where he will meet with his counterparts. While in Canada Minister Mark will meet with his counterpart, Minister of National Defence Harjit Sajjan. “New Zealand and Canada are close friends, and share an instinctive like-mindedness on ...6 days ago
- Government to deliver family carers $2000 pay rise, expand scheme to spouses this yearThe Coalition Government is delivering this year the changes to Funded Family Care the disability sector has long-asked for, says Associate Minister of Health Jenny Salesa. “Today we are announcing the details of our big changes to Funded Family Care, including an annual average pay boost of $2,246.40 for funded ...7 days ago
- Ko te reo kua mū: Piri SciasciaMinister for Māori Development Nanaia Mahuta joins te ao Māori in their sorrow as they learn of the loss of one of the great orators and spokespersons of a generation – Piri Sciascia. “The son of Pōrangahau was a staunch advocate for Māori development and served his people for over ...1 week ago
- Minister opens new ecosanctuary at Cape FarewellA new ecosanctuary with a predator proof fence on Golden Bay’s Cape Farewell, which will restore a safe home for sea birds, rare native plants, giant snails, and geckos, was officially opened today by the Minister of Conservation Eugenie Sage. “There has been a fantastic community effort supported by the ...1 week ago
- Pacific partners work together to provide additional support to AustraliaThe NZDF continues to support the Australian Defence Force (ADF) as it battles fires in Victoria and New South Wales, including by transporting Republic of Fiji Military engineers from Nadi to Australia, announced Defence Minister Ron Mark. On Saturday morning a NZDF Boeing 757 will depart New Zealand to uplift ...1 week ago
- Kaikōura $10.88 million boost in tourism & businessThe Provincial Growth Fund (PGF) is investing $10.88 million to boost business and tourism opportunities in Kaikōura, Parliamentary Undersecretary for Regional Economic Development, Fletcher Tabuteau announced today. As part of the Kaikōura Marina Development Programme, the following two projects will receive PGF funding: A $9.88 million investment to begin the ...1 week ago
- Govt accounts in surplus, debt remains lowThe Government’s books are in good shape with the accounts in surplus and expenses close to forecast, Finance Minister Grant Robertson says. The Treasury today released the Crown accounts for the five months to November. The operating balance before gains and losses (OBEGAL) was above forecast by $0.7 billion resulting ...1 week ago
- Auckland focus for first Police graduation of 2020The number of Police on the Auckland frontline is increasing with the graduation today of a special locally-trained wing of new constables. Police Minister Stuart Nash says the graduation of eighteen officers from Recruit Wing 333-5 means that more than 1900 new Police have been deployed since the Coalition Government ...1 week ago
- Wairarapa gets $7.11m PGF water boostThe Provincial Growth Fund is putting $7.11 million into creating a sustainable water supply for Wairarapa, Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Regional Economic Development Fletcher Tabuteau announced today. The following two projects will receive Provincial Growth Fund (PGF) funding: A $7 million investment in Wairarapa Water Limited for the pre-construction development of ...2 weeks ago
- Progress with new Police station in MahiaCommunity safety and crime prevention in the East Coast community of Mahia has moved forward with the opening of a new Police station to serve the growing coastal settlement. Police Minister Stuart Nash has officially opened the new station, which was relocated almost 20 kilometres along the coast from the nearby ...2 weeks ago
- Plans to protect the future of whitebaiting announcedWith several native whitebait species in decline the Minister of Conservation Eugenie Sage has today released proposals to standardise and improve management of whitebait across New Zealand. “The need for action for a healthy whitebait fishery has never been greater,” Eugenie Sage said. “Four of the six whitebait species are ...2 weeks ago
- New resource for schools to increase awareness and understanding of climate changeA new Ministry of Education resource available for schools in 2020 will increase awareness and understanding of climate change, Education Minister Chris Hipkins said today. “The resource, Climate Change – prepare today, live well tomorrow, will help students understand the effects of climate change at a local, national and global ...2 weeks ago
- Getting more out of our most productive firmsFinance Minister Grant Robertson has approved the terms of reference for an Inquiry into the economic contribution of New Zealand's frontier firms. Frontier firms are the most productive firms in the domestic economy within their own industry. “These firms are important as they diffuse new technologies and business practices into ...2 weeks ago
- NZDF sends more support to AustraliaThe New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) is sending an Environmental Health Team, a Primary Health Care Team and a Chaplain to Australia, boosting New Zealand support for the Australian Defence Force (ADF) as it battles bush fires in Victoria and New South Wales, Defence Minister Ron Mark announced today. The ...2 weeks ago
- New Zealand joins partners in calling for full investigation into air crash in IranActing Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Rt Hon Winston Peters says that developments suggesting a surface-to-air missile is responsible for the downing of the Ukrainian International Airlines flight in Iran is disastrous news. “New Zealand offers its deepest sympathies to the families of the 176 victims. It is ...2 weeks ago
- Staying connected to Australian agricultureAgriculture Minister, Damien O’Connor, says the Ministry for Primary Industries is continuing to stay connected to federal authorities in Australia as devastating fires affect the country. “The Ministry is using an existing trans-Tasman forum for discussions on the agricultural impact of the fires and the future recovery phase,” says Damien ...2 weeks ago
- Investment in schools – a commitment to communitiesThousands of school-age children, their teachers and wider communities are benefiting from the Government’s multi-million dollar investment upgrading and renewing schools, Education Minister Chris Hipkins said today. “We want New Zealand to be the best place to be a child and that means learning in warm, comfortable and modern classrooms,” ...3 weeks ago
- Minto calls for ‘mobilisation’ backing peace, justice in Middle East
John Minto praises Iraqi protests against US aggression in the Middle East and calls for NZ troops to be recalled at a rally in Auckland’s Aotea Square today. Video: David Robie/Cafe Pacific Pacific Media Centre Veteran campaigner John Minto, UNITE union national director Mike Treen and other speakers today ...12 hours ago - First Australian coronavirus case confirmed – 41 now dead in ChinaBy RNZ News The first Australian case of Wuhan coronavirus has been confirmed, with a man being held under isolation in a Melbourne hospital. News of the case came after Chinese authorities said they were treating 1287 patients with the virus, while the death toll has risen to 41. ...14 hours ago
- Extinction Rebellion encouraged as police drop charges
Just three days prior to his court hearing, the Police have withdrawn their case against Dylan Parker, the first Extinction Rebellion member to be charged in Aotearoa. ...15 hours ago - Outdoors Party on 5G5G NEWS: REQUEST FOR REGULATIONS REVIEW OF “NESTF” REGULATIONS WHICH EXEMPT CELLTOWERS AND OTHER RFEMR EMISSIONS FROM RMA ...15 hours ago
- Protect Our People From 2019-nCoVThe state-funded RNZ reports that in the coming weeks visitors from Wuhan will begin arriving into New Zealand, while the "Ministry of Health says there are currently no restrictions on travel or border screening in New Zealand and the risk here is ...15 hours ago
- Faster broadband comes to Rātana – and now they are better connected to the world than many peopl...
The Jones boy is back in the business of making good-news announcements about the Provincial Growth Fund, rather than being asked to explain his role in one of hundreds of applications made by business people keen to slurp a few million from the $3 billion trough. Today our Regional Development ...17 hours ago - Make it so-so: Star Trek: Picard, reviewed
The Frenchest man to helm a starship is back! The first episode of Star Trek: Picard is out, and José Barbosa and Josie Adams have some thoughts.Warning: contains spoiler (kind of a big one)Josie AdamsCaptain Jean-Luc Picard was a father figure to me for a couple of years, so seeing ...22 hours ago - Short story: Sharks of Porangahau, by Elizabeth Morton
"That summer of shark-attacks, they never found a missing person": a short story by Elizabeth Morton, ...23 hours ago - ‘My life is one big experiment’ Laurie Anderson on the power of art and terriersLaurie Anderson talks with Martin Patrick about the power of art, the complexity of language, transforming the voice, working amid a dire political situation, Buddhism and Burroughs, and their shared love of terriers.A familiar voice is on the line. When we talk, American artist and musician Laurie Anderson is in Massachusetts, ...24 hours ago
- India, Aoteaora, and the road beyond colonisationAnd in the effort to decolonise, each can learn from the other, writes Gaurav Sharma, editor of the Multicultural Times.For nation-states that emerged from centuries of brutal colonial rule, decolonisation is needed, in all its forms. The coloniser left India in 1947, and still the country is struggling. In Aotearoa, ...1 day ago
- How anxiety and illiteracy inspired a young adult fantasy seriesA new fantasy series by Isa Pearl Ritchie focuses on a girl who struggles with anxiety and panic attacks. Here, Ritchie explains how her own childhood sparked Awa and the Dreamrealm. I was confused a lot of the way through my schooling. I would zone out a lot in class and ...1 day ago
- Election 2020 fires up at Rātana Pa
Election politics were in full swing at the first political event of the year. ...1 day ago - Comment from Davos: End the billionaire bonanza
The head of Oxfam in India writes that governments - including ours - are the key to combating inequality. ...1 day ago - ‘Slow-minded and bewildered’: Donald Trump builds barriers to peace and prosperitySource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Hawkins, Assistant Professor, School of Politics, Economics and Society, University of Canberra The US president “had no plan, no scheme, no constructive ideas whatever”, according to one of the world’s most influential economists. He was “in many respects, perhaps inevitably, ill-informed”. ...2 days ago
- Is NZ’s innovation culture snagged on number 8 wire?New research from Redvespa points to a lack of imagination behind New Zealand’s slide down the Global Innovation Index ...2 days ago
- What we learn from a fish that can change sex in just 10 daysSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jenny Graves, Distinguished Professor of Genetics, La Trobe University The bluehead wrasse is a fish that lives in small social groups in coral reefs in the Caribbean. Only the male has a blue head – signalling his social dominance over a harem ...2 days ago
- A Friday Poem by Bob Orr
A little inspiration for those sailing into a long weekend of sunlight and water. ...2 days ago - Federated Farmers backs call to slice agricultural subsidiesCutting agricultural subsidies that distort trade and production is a vital step in tackling world hunger and climate change challenges, Federated Farmers says. ...2 days ago
- Sports A-Gender: Can Barty end Australia’s OZ Open drought?
Which storyline will play out in the women's draw of the Australian Open? Can Serena Williams equal the record for the most Grand Slam victories? Will Naomi Osaka be able to repeat last year's feats? Or, will the home favourite Ashleigh Barty end Australia's 42-year title drought at Melbourne Park? ...2 days ago - How The Dead Lands hopes to change New Zealand televisionThe first two episodes of TVNZ’s new action series The Dead Lands were released to a worldwide audience of millions last night. Alice Webb-Liddall spoke to some of the cast and crew about the epic genre-bending show, and what it means for New Zealand television.When The Dead Lands was released ...2 days ago
- Oceania Healthcare half-year profit rises
A lift in sales and higher income from aged care services have lifted the half-year profit of the country's third largest rest home operator. ...2 days ago - Rising rents help drive up inflation in past three months
Rising rents, other household costs and airfares have driven consumer inflation in the past three months, dampening prospects of an interest rate cut any time soon. ...2 days ago - The Real Pod: New year, new decade, same old podThe Real Pod reassembles to dissect the summer in reality television and real life, with special thanks to Nando’s.We’re ba-ack! After a long cruel summer full of Jay Jay and Minou heartbreak, The Bachelorette NZ reveals and a mild case of ring worm, there is much to discuss. Why has ...2 days ago
- White, male and straight – how 30 years of Australia Day speeches leave most Australians outSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nicholas Bromfield, Lecturer, University of Sydney Last year on Australia Day, Prime Minister Scott Morrison used Facebook to describe Australia as a place “made up of so many peoples”. But he also stressed the importance of January 26 as the day Australia ...2 days ago
- Family Values review: David Williamson’s new uncomfortable, confronting playSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ian Maxwell, Associate Professor in Performance Studies, University of Sydney Review: Family Values, directed by Lee Lewis, Griffin Theatre Company Sophie Fletcher’s set for David Williamson’s new state-of-the-nation play comprises two major elements shoehorned into the intimate, asymmetrical diamond of the Stables ...2 days ago
- Is this … Snakeflu?! What we know about the source of the Wuhan coronavirusThe world is on edge over a coronavirus outbreak that started in early December in Wuhan City, China. The virus is thought to have first infected people working at a seafood and live animal market. So what could the original source have been? Siouxsie explains.There’s no official word yet, but ...2 days ago
- Out of control, contained, safe? Here’s what each bushfire status actually meansSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Thomas Duff, Postdoctoral Fellow, Forest and Ecosystem Science, University of Melbourne In this record-breaking bushfire season, notifications from emergency managers have become a familiar feature of Australian life. Terms like “out of control” and “contained” are regularly heard as descriptions of the ...2 days ago
- Climate change challenge for the Nats is to take scientists’ advice on GE and gazump the Greens
Prince Charles has called for a new economic model in order to save the planet. Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, he pleaded with world leaders and businesses to revolutionise the interaction between nature and global financial markets,saving the planet from “approaching catastrophe”. In an unprecedented royal intrusion ...2 days ago - What’s on RNZ News at midday – Jan 24
National Party Leader Simon Bridges says the Government has not delivered for Māori as promised ...2 days ago - Tanks, torpedoes and tasers: Why weapons are a conundrum for KiwiSaversYou don’t want your retirement savings invested in nuclear bombs, sure. But what about conventional defence equipment that’s also used for essential civilian purposes?This month’s assassination of Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani and the Australian navy’s evacuation of people escaping bushfires are two very different events, but they highlight the dilemma ...2 days ago
- Yesterdaze: Announcing the hand-me-down honours
Does New Zealand have any candidates worthy of the all-important HRH prefix Harry and Meghan have left behind? ...2 days ago - Unity Books bestseller chart for the week ending January 24The only published and available best-selling indie book chart in New Zealand is the top 10 sales list recorded every week at Unity Books’ stores in High St, Auckland, and Willis St, Wellington. AUCKLAND 1 This Is Going to Hurt: Secret Diaries of a Junior Doctor by Adam Kay (Picador, $23) ...2 days ago
- You’re never too young or old to upskill on road safetyAs people are coming back from holidays and returning to work, and parents are preparing their children to start or go back to school, Police wants to encourage parents to talk to their children about being safe around roads, as well as to be safe themselves. ...2 days ago
- Swimming in Circles: the new Mac Miller album is a fitting codaTwo years after the release of Mac Miller’s Swimming, his family has released its companion piece, Circles. We explain what it is, how it came together, and why you need to listen to it.What is Circles?Miller’s sixth studio album, and his first album release since his death in 2018. It ...2 days ago
- Jack McDonald: Why I’m endorsing a Māori Party candidate this electionWe need Māori voices in parliament who aren’t beholden to the major parties, writes former Green Party policy co-convenor and candidate Jack McDonald (Taranaki, Ngāti Haupoto).I was one of those kids that was always interested in politics. I have early blurry memories of excitedly watched election night results. In our ...2 days ago
- Global media decry Indonesia’s arrest of environmental journalistA Mongabay video message to supporters of the US journalist Philip Jacobson arrested in Indonesia. By Michael Andrew in Jakarta International journalists and agencies have condemned the arrest of American environmental journalist Philip Jacobson, who has been detained in Palangkaraya, Central Kalimantan, for allegedly misusing his residency permit. The ...2 days ago
- The Friday Poem: Howl by Katrina UppertonA new poem by Palmerston North poet Katrina Upperton. Howl IBuy the biggest jacket you can findand let your synapses back up till the machine fails, pick at your sparking fingers.Check out that Robocop radiator:the wiring is something you would not believe.C’mon, man, think:you’ll never get the depressive comedian’s face right,never get to ...2 days ago
- If they haven’t signed up to the Facebook transparency tool, don’t vote for themSome New Zealand parties have signed up. Others are still deciding. But if they don’t, should you trust them at all, asks Cate Owen.You shouldn’t just care that political parties are buying digital ads, you should treat any party that won’t sign up to Facebook’s political ad transparency measures with ...2 days ago
- Your hate only makes Gwyneth Paltrow strongerShe’s an Oscar-winning actress, a widely hated celebrity and founder of one of the most successful wellness brands in the world. And all your jade egg jokes make no difference at all, writes Sam Brooks.A few weeks ago, the trailer for new Netflix show The GOOP Lab was released, along ...2 days ago
- After the flight: The spirit of the Rohingya people perseveres in BangladeshOne million people from Myanmar live in 34 camps in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh. They are considered some of the largest and most densely populated camps in the world. New Zealand Red Cross’ international delegate Elodie Berthe shares some of their stories.After what seemed like an never-ending car journey on windy ...2 days ago
- Focus on employment over increasing benefit levels – government, National Party
The skyrocketing demand for hardship grants means Work and Income case managers haven't been able to spend as much time getting people into jobs. ...2 days ago - Power outage: ‘Businesses will have lost thousands”
Aucklanders still don't know what caused yesterday's intermittent power cuts that has left businesses in the CBD out of pocket. ...2 days ago - Corruption Perceptions Index ‘biased’ and ‘flawed’A University of Waikato researcher has called Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index, released this week, a biased survey based on flawed methodology that reinforces global stereotypes. ...2 days ago
- What’s on RNZ News at 8am – Jan 24
The pressure is on for the Government to prove it is delivering for Māori as MP’S make their annual pilgrimage to Rātana Pā today. ...2 days ago - What’s in the newspapers – Jan 24
The Consumer Affairs Minister is concerned the customers of a bust travel agency might have been victims of fraud. ...2 days ago - Beehive artwork: Taxpayers’ Union submits design proposalThe New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union has formally submitted its design proposal for a 3.5-metre artwork in the Beehive entrance, pictured below. ...2 days ago
- NZ to Kick Off the “Global Day of Protest Against 5G”Communities all around New Zealand are preparing for the Global Day of Protest Against 5G on Saturday 25 January 2020. From a lively educational market stall in Kaitaia to a solid protest in Invercargill, people all over the country will be mobilising ...2 days ago
- Family Day? Protesters say NO to normalising animal abuseThis Saturday, Family Day Races at the Wellington Racing Club will see anti-horse racing protesters demonstrating outside. ...2 days ago
- ‘Culture of silence’ regarding accidents and foreign driversAn outspoken road safety campaigner has blasted the government’s ‘culture of silence’ regarding accidents involving foreign drivers. ...2 days ago
- OK computer: to prevent students cheating with AI text-generators, we should bring them into the cla...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Grant Jun Otsuki, Lecturer in Cultural Anthropology, Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington Artificial intelligence-based (AI) programs are quickly improving at writing convincingly on many topics, for virtually no cost. It’s likely in a few years they’ll be churning out C-grade worthy ...2 days ago
- Why we need strong ethical standards for ministers – and better ways of enforcing themSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Howard Whitton, Visiting Fellow, University of Canberra Prime Minister Scott Morrison has asked the head of his department to investigate whether Bridget McKenzie violated ministerial standards when she dispensed sports grants to clubs in marginal seats and those being targeted by the ...2 days ago
- The link between antibiotics and obesity in children doesn’t mean you need to avoid antibioticsSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Penelope Bryant, Consultant in Paediatric Infectious Diseases and General Paediatrics, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute Australian children have one of the highest rates of antibiotic use in the world. More than half have received at least one course by their first birthday. While ...2 days ago
- How to help your kids with homework (without doing it for them)Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Melissa Barnes, Lecturer in the Faculty of Education, Monash University Parents are a child’s first and most important teachers. Parent involvement in their child’s learning can help improve how well they do in school. However, when it comes to helping kids with ...2 days ago
- ‘I need nature, I need space’: high-rise families rely on child-friendly neighbourhoodsSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Elyse Warner, Lecturer in Health and Social Sciences, Deakin University Children’s living environments in Australian capital cities have changed significantly in the past ten years. This is particularly the case for the growing numbers of families raising children in private, inner-city, high-rise ...2 days ago
- Vital Signs: climate-linked financial crises loom, but the fix isn’t up to central banksSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Richard Holden, Professor of Economics, UNSW The Bank for International Settlements – the “central bank” for central banks – made headlines this week with a report outlining how the next major financial crisis may come from unexpected climate risks. The book calls ...2 days ago
- Friday essay: this grandmother tree connects me to Country. I cried when I saw her burnedSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Vanessa Cavanagh, Associate Lecturer, School of Geography and Sustainable Communities, University of Wollongong Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised this article contains images and names of deceased people. I remember brushing my teeth over the green enamel sink. I would ...2 days ago
- Simon Bridges defends Philippines trip: ‘There is a lot of common ground’The National leader has defended his meetings with controversial conservative figures during his trip to the Philippines. ...2 days ago
- The Bulletin: Response to Wuhan coronavirus ramps upGood morning and welcome to The Bulletin. In today’s edition: Response to coronavirus ramps up, PM and Māori leaders agree to meet, and Labour launches their political year at retreat.A pandemic response plan has been triggered by the government around the Wuhan coronavirus. The NZ Herald reports an incident management team has been ...2 days ago
- Z Energy counting the cost of ‘Gull effect’
Z Energy has been forced into rising levels of price discounting thanks to competition from 'robo' petrol stations ...2 days ago - This week’s best-seller list of NZ books
This week's biggest-selling New Zealand books, as recorded by the Nielsen BookScan New Zealand bestseller list and described by Steve Braunias. ...2 days ago - Obstacles remain to a free trade deal with the EU
Political positivity didn't lead to FTA agreement in 2019 - and 2020 may be the same. ...2 days ago - Has the world economy reached peak growth?
The 2010s could have been the strongest decade of the first half of this century. But it didn’t turn out that way, writes the chair of the Chatham House institute for international affairs Jim O'Neill. ...2 days ago - Beyond RNZ Concert: Myele Manzanza on musicians’ struggle to make a living in NZWith moves underway around RNZ Concert and a new state-funded music station, how will experimental and less commercially-focused musicians be affected? The Spinoff spoke to New Zealand-born and London based jazz musician Myele Manzanza about the cultural and financial landscape for non-mainstream artists in Aotearoa. The future of publicly funded music ...2 days ago
- Grattan on Friday: Bridget McKenzie has made herself a sitting duckSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Bridget McKenzie’s future is looking bleak, her position having worsened significantly this week. At its heart, the McKenzie affair is simple. Before last year’s election, the then-sports minister allocated grants to sporting organisations on an ...2 days ago
- UPJ Media Release on Temple SinaiJust when world leaders gather in Jerusalem to remember the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau and to reaffirm a commitment to fight Antisemitism cowards defaced the exterior of Temple Sinai in Wellington, New Zealand with swastikas. ...2 days ago
- When will the business elite walk the talk?
The Davos forum had a wholesome slogan, but we need structural reform not fine words ...2 days ago - New Zealand tops the 2019 Corruption Perceptions IndexThe New Zealand public sector and judiciary has again been ranked the least corrupt in the world. The Corruption Perceptions Index released today by Transparency International (a global anti-corruption organisation), ranks New Zealand first equal with Denmark, ...2 days ago
- Māori leaders agree to meet Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern over Whānau Ora fundingThe leaders seeking an urgent Waitangi Tribunal hearing over the handling of Whānau Ora money have agreed to meet with the prime minister to discuss solutions. ...2 days ago
- An ode to Food Alley, 1992-2020A downtown Auckland institution, the 28-year-old foodcourt Food Alley is soon to be demolished. Alice Neville and other Spinoff staff visited at lunchtime the day after the news broke to see how diners and stallholders were feeling.My earliest memories of Auckland life revolve around Food Alley. ‘Twas the summer of ...2 days ago
- Time for a total revision of Te Tiriti O WaitangiWe about to commemorate 180 years of Te Tiriti o Waitangi (the Treaty of Waitangi), yet grievances are still smouldering on. We must consider a better path forward for both Māori and our other Treaty partner, Pākehā! ...3 days ago
- Space satire Avenue 5 is brilliant, even as it meanders off courseAvenue 5, the new show from The Thick of It and Veep genius Armando Iannucci, veers off-course after an ambitious launch, writes Sam BrooksArmando Iannucci has proven himself as one of the great satirists of our age. First making his name with Alan Partridge and then The Thick Of It ...3 days ago
- The Visitors review: a witty imagining of what went before that fateful encounterSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Bronwyn Carlson, Professor, Indigenous Studies, Macquarie University Review: The Visitors, directed by Frederick Copperwaite for Sydney Festival Sydney Festival has really outdone themselves this season with a spectacular line-up of Indigenous shows to choose from including The Visitors. A warm greeting from ...3 days ago
- Welfare figures show urgent need for benefit level increaseThe latest figures by the Ministry on Social Development show that benefit sanctions are increasing and a record number of families are requiring hardship grants to cover basic expenses such as rent and food, due to low benefit levels that are below the ...3 days ago
- Convicted coal mining company should be blacklistedForest & Bird says it is a national disgrace that authorities continue green-lighting Bathurst Resources' coal mining activities, despite the company being a repeat environmental offender. The mining company has been fined $18,000 after pleading guilty to polluting ...3 days ago
- Labour puts its chips on ‘positive politics’ in election year
Will the PM's pledge for "relentless positivity" hold up against criticism of the Government's record? ...3 days ago
well done that blogger – I’d been hoping one of the week’s lead stories so far might surface here..
from your link:—
To some extent the “british scandal” is media mojoed (Daily Telegraph not least, aka advantaging tories, of which in enzed NACT would hold sympathies etc and so perhaps hope for political advantage in like disclosures)..
Tis, however, the “pressure from voters around the world” to which this comment is addressed..
Received this day a full-on coverage of which the following clip illustrates..(my emphasis)
To which I’d ask that insofar transparent ‘expenses’ declarations and disclosures by politicians be made known to the Parliament and voting public of New Zealand, do not settle for less than detail of who sees whom and wherever in the manner of their likely business and expenses.
Oh yes, I heard (RNZ) a minister in the government this morning say that one-to-one contact/communication would be going too far in disclosure terms. Which, given the nature of this business, amounts to a singular admission.
But should it, why can’t others – whether minister, committeed, appointee, or not – be enabled make their own case as opposed one presumed rule for all.
Affiliations, too. As the above story makes patently clear lobbyists can hold multi-positions and interests. As can MPs.
And looking at the NZH’s list of expenes a bunch of loopholes look possible..