Weekend social 01/07/2011
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2:00 pm, July 1st, 2011 - 48 comments
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Weekend social is for non political chat. What’s on for the weekend, gigs, film or book reviews, sports, or whatever.
No politics, no aggro, why can’t we all just get along?
48 comments on “Weekend social 01/07/2011 ”
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David Seymour has failed to get the sweeping cuts he wanted to the free and healthy school lunch programme, Labour education spokesperson Jan Tinetti said. ...11 hours ago - Release: Hon Willie Jackson to debate at the Prestigious Oxford UnionHon Willie Jackson has been invited by the Oxford Union to debate the motion âThis House Believes British Museums are not Very Britishâ on May 23rd. ...14 hours ago
- Members Bill will prevent MÄori land confiscationsGreen Party MP HĹŤhana Lyndon says her Public Works (Prohibition of Compulsory Acquisition of MÄori Land) Amendment Bill is an opportunity to right some past wrongs around the alienation of MÄori land. ...1 day ago
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A senior, highly respected Kingâs Counsel with decades of experience in our law courts, Gary Judd KC, has filed a complaint about compulsory tikanga MÄori studies for law students - highlighting the utter depths of absurdity this woke cultural madness has taken our society. The tikanga regulations will compel law ...1 day ago - Release: National wonât commit to full Nelson Hospital upgradeThe Government needs to be clear with the people of the Nelson Marlborough region about the changes it is considering for the Nelson Hospital rebuild, Labour health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall said. ...2 days ago
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- Release: Children fall deeper through the cracks in Govt cutsWith Minister Karen Chhour indicating in the House today that she either doesnât know or care about the frontline cuts sheâs making to Oranga Tamariki, we risk seeing more and more of our children falling through the cracks. ...6 days ago
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- Three strikes has failed before and will fail againResurrecting the archaic three-strikes legislation is an unwelcome return to a failed American-style approach to justice. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Environmental protection vital, not âonerousâThe Governmentâs Fast Track Approvals Bill will give projects such as new coal mines a âget out of jail freeâ card to wreak havoc on the environment, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said today. ...2 weeks ago
- Ferris – Three Strikes targets those âtoo brown to be whiteâThe government's decision to reintroduce Three Strikes is a destructive and ineffective piece of law-making that will only exacerbate an inherently biased and racist criminal justice system, said Te PÄti MÄori Justice Spokesperson, TÄkuta Ferris, today. During the time Three Strikes was in place in Aotearoa, MÄori and Pasifika received ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Govt cuts doctors and nurses in hiring freezeCuts to frontline hospital staff are not only a broken election promise, it shows the reckless tax cuts have well and truly hit the frontline of the health system, says Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall. ...3 weeks ago
- Fast-track submissions period must be extendedThe Green Party has joined the call for public submissions on the fast-track legislation to be extended after the Ombudsman forced the Government to release the list of organisations invited to apply just hours before submissions close. ...3 weeks ago
- Release: Progress on climate will be undone by GovtNew Zealandâs good work at reducing climate emissions for three years in a row will be undone by the National governmentâs lack of ambition and scrapping programmes that were making a difference, Labour Party climate spokesperson Megan Woods said today. ...3 weeks ago
- NZ â European Union ties more critical than ever
Your Excellency Ambassador Meredith, Â Members of the Diplomatic Corps and Ambassadors from European Union Member States, Â Ministerial colleagues, Members of Parliament, and other distinguished guests, Thank you everyone for joining us. Â Ladies and gentlemen -Â Â In diplomacy, we often speak of âcloseâ and âlong-standingâ relations. Â ...5 hours ago - Therapeutic Products Act to be repealedThe Therapeutic Products Act (TPA) will be repealed this year so that a better regime can be put in place to provide New Zealanders safe and timely access to medicines, medical devices and health products, Associate Health Minister Casey Costello announced today. âThe medicines and products we are talking about ...8 hours ago
- Decisions on Wellington City Councilâs District PlanThe Minister Responsible for RMA Reform, Chris Bishop, today released his decision on twenty recommendations referred to him by the Wellington City Council relating to its Intensification Planning Instrument, after the Council rejected those recommendations of the Independent Hearings Panel and made alternative recommendations. âWellington notified its District Plan on ...10 hours ago
- Rape Awareness Week: Government committed to action on sexual violenceRape Awareness Week (6-10 May) is an important opportunity to acknowledge the continued effort required by government and communities to ensure that all New Zealanders can live free from violence, say Ministers Karen Chhour and Louise Upston. âWith 1 in 3 women and 1 in 8 men experiencing sexual violence ...11 hours ago
- Smarter lunch programme feeds more, costs lessAssociate Education Minister David Seymour has today announced that the Government will be delivering a more efficient Healthy School Lunches Programme, saving taxpayers approximately $107 million a year compared to how Labour funded it, by embracing innovation and commercial expertise. âWe are delivering on our commitment to treat taxpayersâ money ...12 hours ago
- Report provides insights into marine recoveryNew research on the impacts of extreme weather on coastal marine habitats in TairÄwhiti and Hawkeâs Bay will help fishery managers plan for and respond to any future events, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. A report released today on research by Niwa on behalf of Fisheries New Zealand ...13 hours ago
- NZ to send political delegation to the PacificDeputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Winston Peters will lead a broad political delegation on a five-stop Pacific tour next week to strengthen New Zealandâs engagement with the region.  The delegation will visit Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, New Caledonia, and Tuvalu.  âNew Zealand has deep and ...14 hours ago
- Low gas production threatens energy securityThere has been a material decline in gas production according to figures released today by the Gas Industry Co. Figures released by the Gas Industry Company show that there was a 12.5 per cent reduction in gas production during 2023, and a 27.8 per cent reduction in gas production in the ...18 hours ago
- Defence industry talent, commitment recognisedDefence Minister Judith Collins tonight announced the recipients of the Minister of Defence Awards of Excellence for Industry, saying they all contribute to New Zealandersâ security and wellbeing. âCongratulations to this yearâs recipients, whose innovative products and services play a critical role in the delivery of New Zealandâs defence capabilities, ...1 day ago
- Speech to the Minister of Defence Awards of Excellence for IndustryWelcome to you all - it is a pleasure to be here this evening.I would like to start by thanking Greg Lowe, Chair of the New Zealand Defence Industry Advisory Council, for co-hosting this reception with me. This evening is about recognising businesses from across New Zealand and overseas who in ...1 day ago
- Speech to the Sixth Annual New Zealand Government Data SummitIt is a pleasure to be speaking to you as the Minister for Digitising Government. I would like to thank Akolade for the invitation to address this Summit, and to acknowledge the great effort you are making to grow New Zealandâs digital future. Today, we stand at the cusp of ...1 day ago
- Ceasefire agreement needed now: PetersNew Zealand is urging both Israel and Hamas to agree to an immediate ceasefire to avoid the further humanitarian catastrophe that military action in Rafah would unleash, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. Â âThe immense suffering in Gaza cannot be allowed to worsen further. Both sides have a responsibility to ...1 day ago
- Daily school attendance data now availableA new online data dashboard released today as part of the Governmentâs school attendance action plan makes more timely daily attendance data available to the public and parents, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour. The interactive dashboard will be updated once a week to show a national average of how ...1 day ago
- Ambassador to United States appointedForeign Minister Winston Peters has announced Rosemary Banks will be New Zealandâs next Ambassador to the United States of America.  âOur relationship with the United States is crucial for New Zealand in strategic, security and economic terms,â Mr Peters says.  âNew Zealand and the United States have a ...2 days ago
- New permit proposed for recreational gold miningThe Government is considering creating a new tier of minerals permitting that will make it easier for hobby miners to prospect for gold. âNew Zealand was built on gold, itâs in our DNA. Our gold deposits, particularly in regions such as Otago and the West Coast have always attracted fortune-hunters. ...2 days ago
- NZ and the UAE launch FTA negotiationsMinister for Trade Todd McClay today announced that New Zealand and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will commence negotiations on a free trade agreement (FTA). Minister McClay met with his counterpart UAE Trade Minister Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi in Dubai, where they announced the launch of negotiations on a ...2 days ago
- New Zealand Sign Language Week an opportunity for anyone to signNew Zealand Sign Language Week is an excellent opportunity for all Kiwis to give the language a go, Disabilities Issues Minister Louise Upston says. This week (May 6 to 12) is New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) Week. The theme is âan Aotearoa where anyone can sign anywhereâ and aims to ...2 days ago
- Next stop NASA for New Zealand studentsSix tertiary students have been selected to work on NASA projects in the US through a New Zealand Space Scholarship, Space Minister Judith Collins announced today. âThis is a fantastic opportunity for these talented students. They will undertake internships at NASAâs Ames Research Center or its Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), where ...2 days ago
- $1.9 billion investment to keep NZ safe from crimeNew Zealanders will be safer because of a $1.9 billion investment in more frontline Corrections officers, more support for offenders to turn away from crime, and more prison capacity, Corrections Minister Mark Mitchell says. âOur Government said we would crack down on crime. We promised to restore law and order, ...2 days ago
- OECD reinforces need to control spendingThe OECDâs latest report on New Zealand reinforces the importance of bringing Government spending under control, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The OECD conducts country surveys every two years to review its membersâ economic policies. The 2024 New Zealand survey was presented in Wellington today by OECD Chief Economist Clare Lombardelli.  ...2 days ago
- Agreement delivers Local Water Done Well for AucklandThe Government has delivered on its election promise to provide a financially sustainable model for Auckland under its Local Water Done Well plan. The plan, which has been unanimously endorsed by Auckland Councilâs Governing Body, will see Aucklanders avoid the previously projected 25.8 per cent water rates increases while retaining ...3 days ago
- Gaza and the Pacific on the agenda with GermanyForeign Minister Winston Peters discussed the need for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, and enhanced cooperation in the Pacific with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock during her first official visit to New Zealand today.  "New Zealand and Germany enjoy shared interests and values, including the rule of law, democracy, respect for the international system ...4 days ago
- Decision allows for housing growth in Western Bay of PlentyThe Minister Responsible for RMA Reform, Chris Bishop today released his decision on four recommendations referred to him by the Western Bay of Plenty District Council, opening the door to housing growth in the area. The Councilâs Plan Change 92 allows more homes to be built in existing and new ...5 days ago
- Speech to New Zealand China CouncilThank you, John McKinnon and the New Zealand China Council for the invitation to speak to you today.  Thank you too, all members of the China Council. Your effort has played an essential role in helping to build, shape, and grow a balanced and resilient relationship between our two ...6 days ago
- Modern insurance law will protect Kiwi householdsThe Government is modernising insurance law to better protect Kiwis and provide security in the event of a disaster, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly announced today. âThese reforms are long overdue. New Zealandâs insurance law is complicated and dated, some of which is more than 100 years old. ...6 days ago
- Government recommits to equal payThe coalition Government is refreshing its approach to supporting pay equity claims as time-limited funding for the Pay Equity Taskforce comes to an end, Public Service Minister Nicola Willis says. âThree years ago, the then-government introduced changes to the Equal Pay Act to support pay equity bargaining. The changes were ...6 days ago
- Transforming how our children learn to readStructured literacy will change the way New Zealand children learn to read - improving achievement and setting students up for success, Education Minister Erica Stanford says. âBeing able to read and write is a fundamental life skill that too many young people are missing out on. Recent data shows that ...6 days ago
- NZ not backing down in Canada dairy disputeTrade Minister Todd McClay says Canadaâs refusal to comply in full with a CPTPP trade dispute ruling in our favour over dairy trade is cynical and New Zealand has no intention of backing down. Mr McClay said he has asked for urgent legal advice in respect of our ânext moveâ ...6 days ago
- Stronger oversight for our most vulnerable childrenThe rights of our children and young people will be enhanced by changes the coalition Government will make to strengthen oversight of the Oranga Tamariki system, including restoring a single Childrenâs Commissioner. âThe Government is committed to delivering better public services that care for our most at-risk young people and ...7 days ago
- Streamlining Building Consent ChangesThe Government is making it easier for minor changes to be made to a building consent so building a home is easier and more affordable, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says.    âThe coalition Government is focused on making it easier and cheaper to build homes so we can ...7 days ago
- Minister acknowledges passing of Sir Robert Martin (KNZM)New Zealand lost a true legend when internationally renowned disability advocate Sir Robert Martin (KNZM) passed away at his home in Whanganui last night, Disabilities Issues Minister Louise Upston says. âOur Governmentâs thoughts are with his wife Lynda, family and community, those he has worked with, the disability community in ...1 week ago
- Speech to New Zealand Institute of International Affairs, Parliament â Annual Lecture: Challenges ...Good evening â  Before discussing the challenges and opportunities facing New Zealandâs foreign policy, weâd like to first acknowledge the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs. You have contributed to debates about New Zealand foreign policy over a long period of time, and we thank you for hosting us. ...1 week ago
- Accelerating airport security linesFrom today, passengers travelling internationally from Auckland Airport will be able to keep laptops and liquids in their carry-on bags for security screening thanks to new technology, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. âCreating a more efficient and seamless travel experience is important for holidaymakers and businesses, enabling faster movement through ...1 week ago
- Community hui to talk about kina barrensPeople with an interest in the health of Northlandâs marine ecosystems are invited to a public meeting to discuss how to deal with kina barrens, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones will lead the discussion, which will take place on Friday, 10 May, at Awanui Hotel in ...1 week ago
- Kiwi exporters win as NZ-EU FTA enters into forceKiwi exporters are $100 million better off today with the NZ EU FTA entering into force says Trade Minister Todd McClay. âThis is all part of our plan to grow the economy. New Zealand's prosperity depends on international trade, making up 60 per cent of the countryâs total economic activity. ...1 week ago
- Mining resurgence a welcome signThere are heartening signs that the extractive sector is once again becoming an attractive prospect for investors and a source of economic prosperity for New Zealand, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. âThe beginnings of a resurgence in extractive industries are apparent in media reports of the sector in the past ...1 week ago
- Ĺ-RÄkau Remembrance Bill passes first readingThe return of the historic Ĺ-RÄkau battle site to the descendants of those who fought there moved one step closer today with the first reading of Te Pire mĹ Ĺ-RÄkau, Te Pae o Maumahara / The Ĺ-RÄkau Remembrance Bill. The Bill will entrust the 9.7-hectare battle site, five kilometres west ...1 week ago
- Government to boost public EV charging networkEnergy Minister Simeon Brown has announced 25 new high-speed EV charging hubs along key routes between major urban centres and outlined the Governmentâs plan to supercharge New Zealandâs EV infrastructure. The hubs will each have several chargers and be capable of charging at least four â and up to 10 ...1 week ago
- Residential Property Managers Bill to not progressThe coalition Government will not proceed with the previous Governmentâs plans to regulate residential property managers, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. âI have written to the Chairperson of the Social Services and Community Committee to inform him that the Government does not intend to support the Residential Property Managers Bill ...1 week ago
- Independent review into disability support servicesThe Government has announced an independent review into the disability support system funded by the Ministry of Disabled People â Whaikaha. Disability Issues Minister Louise Upston says the review will look at what can be done to strengthen the long-term sustainability of Disability Support Services to provide disabled people and ...1 week ago
- Politics with Michelle Grattan: James Paterson on prospects for passage of the governmentâs deport...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Next week the government will again next try to get its legislation through to deal with non-citizens who wonât cooperate with efforts to deport them. The bill, which the opposition and crossbench refused to rush ...3 hours ago - NZCTU Launch Project To Set Out Alternative Vision For Aotearoa
A long-term project that will set out an alternative vision for Aotearoa that looks beyond the narrow confines of the policy straight jacket adopted by successive governments. ...5 hours ago - Yes, Australiaâs big supermarkets have been price gouging. But fixing the problem wonât be easySource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Bree Hurst, Associate Professor, Faculty of Business and Law, QUT, Queensland University of Technology TK Kurikawa/Shutterstock A much-awaited report into Coles and Woolworths has found what many customers have long believed â Australiaâs big supermarkets engage in price gouging. What started ...5 hours ago
- The government wanted to avoid an inquiry into its deportation bill. Given the findings, itâs easy...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Daniel Ghezelbash, Associate Professor and Deputy Director, Kaldor Centre for International Refugee Law, UNSW Law & Justice, UNSW Sydney The Albanese government wanted to avoid an inquiry into its migration amendment bill. The report, handed down yesterday by a senate committee that ...5 hours ago
- Senate report on lobbying passes the buck on improving transparency or legislationSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Joo-Cheong Tham, Professor, Melbourne Law School, The University of Melbourne Lobbying is at the heart of government. Who has access to and influence over key government officials shapes the decisions governments make â and how they make them. The ability to influence ...5 hours ago
- NgÄti Toa rallies against Fast Track Approvals Bill
Iwi would not allow the government to degrade its whenua, moana or awa for the purpose of urban development, ministers were told. ...6 hours ago - Free school lunches: Labour MP apologises over 'offensive' Hamas tweet to SeymourDuncan Webb had queried if the ACT leader did not like hummus because it is too close to Hamas. ...6 hours ago
- Australiaâs Eurovision entry this year is the first to sing in First Nations language: meet Electr...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Myfany Turpin, Associate Professor, Ethnomusicology, Linguistics and Ethnobiology, University of Sydney The act representing Australia at this yearâs Eurovision contest has sadly not qualified for the grand final. Yet for Zaachariaha Fielding and Michael Ross, the duo that makes up Electric Fields, ...7 hours ago
- Labour claims win as govt commits to new free school lunches modelThe Labour Party is claiming a win for its campaign that the government commit to keeping and funding free school lunches. ...7 hours ago
- A definitive list of woke and non-woke foods
In announcing changes to the school lunches programme, David Seymour said kids would no longer be served âwokeâ foods. To clear up any confusion, The Spinoff has compiled a guide to the wokeness levels of some common food items. Apple = NOT WOKE Avocado = WOKE Avocado, smashed = EVEN ...8 hours ago - Future of the planet more important than the Greens survival, former co-leader James Shaw saysFormer Green Party co-leader James Shaw calls out tribalism and hyper-partisanship - including in his own party. ...8 hours ago
- Fourth urgent inquiry by the Waitangi Tribunal, this time on MÄori wardsThe Tribunal is conducting another urgent inquiry into plans to require councils to hold a binding referendum on MÄori wards. ...9 hours ago
- NCSC Briefs IPAC Representatives On Response To Malicious Cyber ActivityThe Minister Responsible for GCSB and the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security have been notified of this review, and have been provided a finalised Terms of Reference. ...9 hours ago
- How is China being taught at Australian universities? And why does this matter? Hereâs what our re...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Minglu Chen, Senior Lecturer, Government and International Relations, University of Sydney Robert Way/Shutterstock As the past few years have illustrated so clearly, the Australia-China relationship is complicated. As such, it is crucial for Australians to develop a more nuanced understanding of ...9 hours ago
- Saving the Mary River turtle: how the people of Tiaro rallied behind an iconic speciesSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Mariana Campbell, Research Lecturer, Conservation, Charles Darwin University Marilyn Connell Australian freshwater turtles are facing an alarming trend. Almost half of these species are listed as vulnerable, endangered or critically endangered. The Mary River turtle (Elusor macrurus) is one of Australiaâs ...9 hours ago
- Why are algorithms called algorithms? A brief history of the Persian polymath youâve likely never ...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Debbie Passey, Digital Health Research Fellow, The University of Melbourne Algorithms have become integral to our lives. From social media apps to Netflix, algorithms learn your preferences and prioritise the content you are shown. Google Maps and artificial intelligence are nothing without ...9 hours ago
- Neuroaffirming care values the strengths and differences of autistic people, those with ADHD or othe...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Josephine Barbaro, Associate Professor, Principal Research Fellow, Psychologist, La Trobe University Unsplash Weâve come a long way in terms of understanding that everyone thinks, interacts and experiences the world differently. In the past, autistic people, people with attention deficit hyperactive disorder ...9 hours ago
- âRecklessâ kina devaluation spells disaster for PNG, says NomanePNG Post-Courier Papua New Guineaâs deputy opposition leader James Nomane has accused the government of âreckless economic managementâ that has forced devaluation to manage loan repayments in foreign currency and placate the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Prime Minister James Marape âmust stop lying to the people of Papua New Guineaâ, ...9 hours ago
- Modernising Census â Stats NZFrom today, members of the public can have their say on what Aotearoa New Zealandâs census could look like in the future. ...9 hours ago
- âI do love a good funnysad novelâ: Jane Arthur on her favourite booksWelcome to The Spinoff Bookseller Confessional, in which we get to know Aotearoaâs booksellers. This week: Jane Arthur, author of Brown Bird, and former bookseller at Good Books. The book I wish Iâd written I have been working on not comparing myself to others. On accepting that what I can ...9 hours ago
- RMA Minister rejects Wellington council's bid to remove heritage protections from buildingsCouncil did not provide sufficient evidence to support its reasons for removing the 10 buildings from the Heritage schedule, Chris Bishop says. ...10 hours ago
- War for Wellington: Minister approves sweeping upzoning, rejects heritage changesThe final decision on the Wellington District Plan makes it official: High-density housing is legal across most of Wellington. Housing minister Chris Bishop has announced his decision on the Wellington District Plan, approving a series of amendments to radically upzone most of Wellington, allowing tens of thousands of new townhouses ...10 hours ago
- Bryce Edwards Analysis â Following the political moneyAnalysis by Dr Bryce Edwards – Democracy Project (https://democracyproject.nz) Political scientist, Dr Bryce Edwards. âFollow the moneyâ is the classic directive to journalists trying to understand where power and influence lie in society. In terms of uncovering who influences various New Zealand political parties and governments, it therefore pays to ...11 hours ago
- Free school lunches: Year 7 students and above to shift to alternative modelA new interim delivery model will kick in next year to allow time for a full redesign of the scheme before any more money is dedicated. ...11 hours ago
- Rafah âlast place of safetyâ in Gaza, UN aid boss warnsRNZ News As Israel presses ahead with strikes in Rafah and seizing the Rafah crossing from Egypt, aid agencies are sounding the alarm of a âcatastrophic humanitarian situationâ. Rafah was âsignificantâ because it was the only part in Gaza that had not been terribly damaged by the conflict, United Nations ...11 hours ago
- Foreign Affairs minister to lead Pacific delegationThe Foreign Affairs minister is heading on a five-stop Pacific tour, which he says will strengthen New Zealand's engagement in the region. ...11 hours ago
- Why weâre fighting to save Te Huia, the Hamilton-Auckland trainWith funding set to be scrapped for the Hamilton-Auckland commuter train, Te Huia enthusiast Georgie Dansey argues for it to be thrown a lifeline. Itâs 5.45am and the chain of my crappy old bike falls off slugging up the one hill in Hamilton. I contemplate yeeting the bike into the ...11 hours ago
- Greens Call On Government To Keep Same-day Election Enrolment And VotingOn Radio New Zealand this morning, the Justice Minister stated the Government was considering ending election day enrolments. ...11 hours ago
- Many people are feeling ecological grief. How can we help those whose work puts them at risk?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Anna Cooke, Honorary Fellow, School of the Environment, The University of Queensland We feel ecological grief when we lose places, species or ecosystems we value and love. These losses are a growing threat to mental health and wellbeing globally. We all see ...12 hours ago
- Revitalizing Torontoâs downtown core after COVID-19 greatly benefits the city and the regionSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Shauna Brail, Associate Professor, Institute for Management & Innovation, University of Toronto A shift to hybrid and remote work continues to affect worker presence in Toronto’s downtown. (Shutterstock) Downtown Toronto, the core of Canadaâs largest city, continues to reel from the lingering ...12 hours ago
- Government quiet on costs, building plan for Waikato prison expansionThe extra beds would take longer than the four-years covered in this week's budget announcement to deliver, the Corrections Minister told RNZ. ...12 hours ago
- Chief Electoral Officer Needs To Fall On His SwordResponding to an Auditor-General's report slamming failures in the administration of the 2023 General Election, Taxpayersâ Union Policy and Public Affairs Manager, James Ross, said: ...13 hours ago
- How many productivity apps do I have to use to become more productive?Productivity apps now make up a big chunk of the software market. But do they work? And why do they all have AI integrations? Despite being firmly on the record as a physical planner fan, I sometimes dream of something better than my pretty diary and its scrawled, ugly, interior ...13 hours ago
- Government considers removing election day voter enrolmentJustice Minister Paul Goldsmith says very few countries allow it, and New Zealand should consider changing the rules. ...13 hours ago
- Beehive Need To Lead By ExampleThe Taxpayersâ Union says the Beehive need to lead by example, following reports of more than $50,000 spent upgrading video conferencing equipment and furniture in the Prime Ministerâs office. Taxpayersâ Union Campaign Manager, Connor Molloy, ...14 hours ago
- The Spinoff Power List: 50 New Zealanders you need to knowAn objective list of the 50 most powerful people in New Zealand, as judged by the Spinoff Editorial Board. Itâs power list season, baby, and we want in on the action. Sure, thereâs the rich list and the powerful âc-suiteâ list and the young people with power (hmmm) but here, ...14 hours ago
- First Nations imprisonment is already at a record high. Unless government policy changes, it will on...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Thalia Anthony, Professor of Law, University of Technology Sydney Shutterstock This article contains information on deaths in custody and the names of deceased people, and describes ongoing colonial violence towards Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. First Nations people in Australia ...15 hours ago
- Martha isnât Baby Reindeerâs biggest villain. So why is she painted as such?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alex Simpson, Senior Lecturer in Criminology, Macquarie University Netflix Baby Reindeerâs phenomenal success has much to do with its writer and lead, Richard Gadd, who plays Donny in a tender semi-autobiographical account of sexual abuse, harassment and stalking. Gaddâs story has ...15 hours ago
- Yes, adults can develop food allergies. Here are 4 types you need to know aboutSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Clare Collins, Laureate Professor in Nutrition and Dietetics, University of Newcastle KarolinaGrabowska/Pexels If you didnât have food allergies as a child, is it possible to develop them as an adult? The short answer is yes. But the reasons why are much ...15 hours ago
- An outsider on the inside: how Ans Westra created New Zealandâs ânational photo albumâSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Paul Moon, Professor of History, Auckland University of Technology Ans Westra, self-portrait, c. 1963. National Library ref AWM-0705-F They try but invariably fail â those writers who believe they are capable of encapsulating in prose or verse the essence of ...16 hours ago
- How the lessons from Covid-19 could help us prepare for bird fluStewart Sowman-Lund looks at the growing concern around the world in this extract from The Bulletin. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign up here. Whatâs all this? When Covid-19 arrived on our shores in early 2020, some argued we were too slow, or crucially, ill-prepared for a pandemic. So ...16 hours ago
- As climate change amplifies urban flooding, hereâs how communities can become âsponge citiesâSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Franco Montalto, Professor of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering and Director, Sustainable Water Resource Engineering Laboratory, Drexel University Water runs into a storm drain in a Los Angeles alley on Aug. 19, 2023, during Tropical Storm Hilary. Citizen of the Planet/Universal Images ...17 hours ago
- Genesis Energy to fire up coal imports, citing increased demand, dwindling gas supplyGenesis Energy is to resume importing coal, as reduced gas supplies and increased demand add to the problems of keeping the lights on. ...17 hours ago
- The Boy in the Water: âSomeone was struggling at a fenceâ
The inquest into the death of Gore toddler Lachlan Jones has turned up a new witness who says he saw two teenagers and a small child in a high vis vest in the area where the boyâs body was found the day he died. Lachieâs body was discovered face up ...17 hours ago - Te PÄti MÄori comments: 'That kind of language isn't helpful'Political parties have roundly criticised Te PÄti MÄori for using words like 'extermination' and 'white supremacy' in the House. ...18 hours ago
- Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey sought advice on âsocial impact bondsâ to fund servicesMinisters have sought advice on 'social impact bonds', which offer a potential return on private investment in public services. ...18 hours ago
- Managed retreat: How do we get out of the way of climate change?"Ad hoc" house buyouts after major disasters cannot continue, the Climate Change Minister says. ...18 hours ago
- Rules for property managers are scrapped. But whatâs the worst that could happen?Stories from the tenancy trenches, featuring spider infestations, cupboard rats and same-sex discrimination. Lucyâs brother was living in a damp 1930s building in Mt Eden where âhe had to tie the cupboard doors closed so the rats didnât get inâ. Although he shared custody of his six-year-old son, his property ...18 hours ago
- Explainer: Whatâs the deal with Aucklandâs new water deal?Simeon Brown, Chris Luxon, and Wayne Brown climbed into a hole and announced a plan to solve Aucklandâs water woes. This is how itâll work. New Zealandâs pipes are munted. Theyâre cracked and leaking, and struggling to handle all the extra poos excreted by our rising population. Itâs a big, ...18 hours ago
- Meet the man behind the Governmentâs education policyThe parallels between the Governmentâs education policy and those put forward by researcher Michael Johnston, is raising questions The post Meet the man behind the Governmentâs education policy appeared first on Newsroom. ...18 hours ago
- âWe didnât behave very well in NZâ, says Wakefield heirI knew Taika Waititi quite well when he was a kid. His mother lived in a tall narrow house in Aro St, and my youngest sister had a similar house two doors along. They were both single mums, they each had a son aged seven. Taika and my nephew Stepan ...18 hours ago
- Govt risks another Havelock North by undoing water protectionsOpinion: âAs time passes, knowledge of the circumstances of the August 2016 outbreak will fade and its immediate impact will be lost.â This statement is from the 2017 report of the Official Inquiry into the Havelock North campylobacteriosis outbreak. The then National-led government established the inquiry after the outbreak left ...18 hours ago
- Where to next for the Aukus ruckus?Opinion: Nicholas Khoo looks at two key points in the high-stakes foreign policy pact debate â and asks if NZ can engage with as little drama as possible. The post Where to next for the Aukus ruckus? appeared first on Newsroom. ...18 hours ago
- Newsroom daily quiz, Wednesday 8 MayLoading…(function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){var ql=document.querySelectorAll('A,DIV,A[data-quiz],DIV[data-quiz]'); if(ql){if(ql.length){for(var k=0;k<ql.length;k++){ql[k].id='quiz-embed-'+k;ql[k].href="javascript:var i=document.getElementById('quiz-embed-"+k+"');try{qz.startQuiz(i)}catch(e){i.start=1;i.style.cursor='wait';i.style.opacity='0.5'};void(0);"}}};i['QP']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){(i[r].q=i[r].q||[]).push(arguments)},i[r].l=1*new Date();a=s.createElement(o),m=s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];a.async=1;a.src=g;m.parentNode.insertBefore(a,m)})(window,document,'script','https://take.quiz-maker.com/3012/CDN/quiz-embed-v1.js','qp'); Got a good quiz question? Send Newsroom your questions. The post Newsroom daily quiz, Wednesday 8 May appeared first on Newsroom. ...18 hours ago
- âThink fast and act slowlyâ is failing big projectsOpinion: ‘Reference-class forecasting’ is at the heart of improving pricing a project and identifying the expected timeframe but it doesn’t appear to be in use here The post ‘Think fast and act slowly’ is failing big projects appeared first on Newsroom. ...18 hours ago
- A controversial driving exam â put to the testWhat do a sombrero in Argentina and cognitive driving tests have in common? Don’t worry, we’re not setting up a bad joke. Hinengaro Clinic dementia clinician Gregory Winkelman has the answer on today’s episode of The Detail. “We ask a patient’s spouse or son or daughter: If you went to ...18 hours ago
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Great weekend weather wise – Best way to put smiles on everyone- clear blue skies and for those a cold snap for snow !!!
I hope everyone out there has the opportunity to take benefit from this clear patch. The kiddies will be happy sport !! And a visit to see walking with dinosaurs. And a kiwi is involved. Like the Mad butcher sometimes we should forget all the daily crap and celebrate the good things and the great people that do make a difference đ . Ther eis plenty of good out there- unfortunately it seems to take longer to find it !!!
I plan to nail Stand by Me on the ukulele. I find those misses quite tricky.
Seriously? Â I was getting in to the Uke about a year ago, but I’ve lapsed. Â Should try again. Â Trouble is I’ve trashed my hands with too many years of keyboarding…
I am a musical retard. But I am desperate to learn. Investing heavily in lessons.
Good luck with it. Music is a wonderful thing. I was bordering on the adequate once on the violin, before my hands crapped out completely.
Sorry to hear about your hands r0b. I used to make film music with both acoustic and digital instruments that would perhaps be a way to go for you.
Hi Ev. I’ve looked at a few possibilities. I’m not done with music, might have another go when I retire and I’m not keyboarding all day.
You can get the most amazing hard disk recording programs for absolutely next to nothing these days and they often come with all kinds of digital instruments and samplers and I hope I will be able to set up my little studio again since I brought all my gear with me in the container. It’s so much fun to play around with this stuff also Google band-in-a-box great for quick composing stuff in all kinds of styles using your on board midi and synth . (It’s relatively easy to find a “free” version online too. LOL)
Sounds like you’re right in to it!
Used to be but It will take some effort to get back into it again I’m afraid. I had the chance to study at the royal academy of music for two and a half years ages ago. Electronic composition and classical composition technique. Awesome.
Wow!
Doesn’t mean I’m any good r0b, In fact I was rather shite at it to be honest. Felix is the real deal. But I like to potter with my little outfit and maybe one day I’ll set it up again.
Get a theramin. You just wave your hands around it like a conductor, shouldn’t hurt them too much!
Edit: Doh, ninja’d an hour beforehand by felix. That’s what I get for replying before reading the whole thread.
r0b if you’re a violinist with troubled hands perhaps you should have a go at playing the Theremin.
Srsly. No impact.
Wow, looked it up on Wiki. There is a sound file to listen to. awesome.
Being a big fan of Bill Bailey I’m familiar with the theramin. Wonderfully bizarre, and it would be fun to fiddle with, but I don’t see myself doing it seriously.
No the main instrument that I like, and think I could play with bad hands, is the harmonica. Â One day!
I’m reading Keith Richards auto biography Life at the moment. Wonderful book, great read and as I was living in Europe when all this mayhem took place it brings back some awesome memories of those wild and wonderful years. My husband must love me as he bought it for me as a birthday present.
Barring weather woes, it’s all kids sport, all weekend. Rugby, football, netball.
It’s ballet and pink tutus first thing Saturday morning for me – well, you know, I mean for my six year old daughter …
I miss those days. Â Enjoy.
I think I know what you mean. Sometimes when I’m watching her I already feel nostalgic.
No films no music this weekend .so we will visit youngest son and his 3 sons on Sunday. A bit of gardening and hopefully read again the Hollow Man. Bought for me by my LP branch for my recent birthday.
last week as reported we saw 3 films in one week but thats unusual.
Hollow men, Great read, should pick it up again too. It’s been a while and you always pick up different things when you read it a second time. If you like these sort of books there is also a great book on Blackwater mercenaries by Jeremy Scahill and here is a link to a free e-book called the unauthorised biography of G Bush by Webster Tarpley. Great read. Vile family. LOL.
Thanks travellerev .Have noted At the moment still have a ton books to get through ,trouble is these days eyes get tired. However the last couple of weeks I did finish two of Tom Sharpe’s wonderfull comedies,Porter House Blues. and Blot on the Landscape. The second time for both and they still double me up with laughter.My wife stopped me reading them in bed at night because I laughed out loud .
w00t!
Finally escaping Christchurch on a mission for the Canty uni tramping club’s hut…
May my body not crap out, nor my old boots.
Blah, I hurt my back moving a chair – forgot it was a heavy one *sigh*. The silver lining is spending the weekend doing a bit of R&R.
Play with my new Son (that’s him in the Gravatar), and I have just been given all 10 seasons of Stargate SG1. I got some catching up to do, this will take me longer than the BAB5 seasons and assorted movies/spinoffs to get through.
Love the pose of baby sleeping đ
Thank you , and he is so good as well, only cries when he wants something, food, nappy change, cuddles, and playtime. at 6 weeks he is just finding his voice so lots of interesting noises can emanate from Alex. And yes we can put him into his cot, and he just lies there and listens to either tv, music or his little lullaby machine. Makes for slow typing one handed and the wrong one`as well, as he is asleep in my arms now. But at my age I am lucky to have him, and i would not change anything, even if I could. Apart from bloody govt.
SG1! The original is the best!
BSG still rocks out though đ
Watch the local high school Football “Soccer” Team take on Ham Boys High , should be a goody ….Talent vs Talent … catch up with the other keen supporters/parents then off for a fish , bring on that Sunshine…
We both know that what I say is truth, stop kidding yourself that you are âworthyâ- you have to prove your worthy to be worthy. Face facts you are not worthy.
I think you have a lot of self-analysis to do, to where you want to be â in 100 years in the history books- a fucking dickhead long forgotten or a major journalist with merit and conviction.
What do you want, do you want something you have never had before OR do you want the same-old-same-old boring life you already have- no challenges, no courage, no direction, no depth and no love.
If you truly are an idiot (to which I believe is just a façade because you are a stubborn fool) then you will always be â like everyone else! â How exciting for you!
But if you are truly exceptional than you will never let that one chance of âownershipâ escape you.
[Take that nonsense somewhere else dad. r0b]
Once again, I have my son’s cat to baby-sit for a week, as I did back in January. (He and his wife are going on holiday to celebrate their 10th anniversary.) I love the cat, as if she were my grand-daughter, but unlike a 10 year old grand-daughter, she snores! :O
hehe – you’d be surprised then at the way my 10 year-old grand-daughter can snore
My sons snored even as children, but somewhat naively, I never thought of a girl as a snorer… Yes, I know, silly of me. đ
Alex, at 6weeks don’t do too bad either lol.ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
Do I snore all the time? Well I suppose you have seen me in all my fine glory and if you still like me, than you must truly like me.
Do I snore all the time? You have to understand I have pressure like no other, I can’t imagine I have snored all my life.
I have sore glands, a runny nose, tired, exhausted and completely exhausted. I feel I have no one on my side, I feel alone, and angry no one is heartfelt enough to give me a hug.
I am a little unhappy. maybe I am ungrateful.
Just recieved a friends’ mini-ramps on a long term loan so its a big weekend of skateboarding for me.
Any standarnistas out there skate?
The mini-ramp skating has been a revalation after a good decade of skating like a nube. I still cant kickflip or street skate to any great extent but I could rip the hell out of ramps after only a month or two. I highly reccomend any skater (or parent of a skater) with a garage to splash $150 on some ply, you will never look back.*
*Make sure to invest in a helmet as well
I like snowboarding, and I have dabbled a little bit in the off season with a skateboard, never got up the balls to drop in to a proper halfpipe. Very very very very very noob, pretty much only did it for a few months. Still struggle with ollies or whatever their called. Would like to revisit it solid at some stage, my deck still looks very new and mostly ungrinded đ
Street skating is honestly a million times harder than mini-ramp skating (dam you Rodney Mullen!). I still have fond memories of the day when me and the boys figured out how easy it was. All you need to learn to get started is how to drop in, rock to fakie, then go back to tail stall… once you can do that everything else just comes naturally. For the first 6 months you will easily pick up a trick-a-day. Im about a year into it and im doing pop-shuvits, crooked nosegrinds, and just about getting propper air.
I used to rate snowboarding as the best adrenalin buz out but mini-ramp skaiting is well up there, ultra satisfying.
Great advice, I’ll bear that in mind. I’ve tried street skating, and had a lot of bails where I was surprised I didn’t break my wrists or other bones etc lol. When you’re going from A->B and you are noob, well those cracks on the pavement can be nasty!!!
I can see why a lot of skaters cruise down on the road cause it’s smoother, seems a lot safer even with the cars imo.
Why are girls not human, I’m quite positive females snore, fart, poo, urinate and all the rest. But I have never thought that it is all too bad, especially for a girl who is being watched 24/7.
Human females are not dolls.
I refuse to change just because I am being watched.
I will be watching series 1 of Game Of Thrones- my cousin in New York records all my tv programs for me- and will watch Series 4 Episode 1 of true blood which I acquired last night thru msn messnger hahahahhaha
Off to Rugby Park to see Canterbury v North Otago in a Ranfurly Shield match. Coolio, as Rugby Park is only a ten minute stroll from my place. Afternoon rugby on a crisp sunny winter’s day. Yeah buddy…
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I’m watching TV at the moment!
A great mashup, in chronological order, of stop motion creatures and special effects created by Ray Harryhausen.