Weekend social 07/12/2012
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2:00 pm, December 7th, 2012 - 51 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?
51 comments on “Weekend social 07/12/2012 ”
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- International statement – End-to-end encryption and public safetyWe, the undersigned, support strong encryption, which plays a crucial role in protecting personal data, privacy, intellectual property, trade secrets and cyber security. It also serves a vital purpose in repressive states to protect journalists, human rights defenders and other vulnerable people, as stated in the 2017 resolution of the ...1 week ago
- Ministry of Defence Biodefence Assessment releasedThe Ministry of Defence has today released a Defence Assessment examining Defenceâs role across the spectrum of biological hazards and threats facing New Zealand. Biodefence: Preparing for a New Era of Biological Hazards and Threats looks at how the NZDF supports other agenciesâ biodefence activities, and considers the context of ...1 week ago
- New Approaches to Economic Challenges: Confronting Planetary Emergencies: OECD 9 October 2020New Approaches to Economic Challenges: Confronting Planetary Emergencies: OECD 9 October 2020 Hon David Parkerâs response following Thomas Piketty and Esther Duflo. Good morning, good afternoon, and good evening, wherever in the world you might be. I first acknowledge the excellent thought provoking speeches of Thomas Piketty and Esther ...2 weeks ago
- Kaipara Moana restoration takes next stepA Memorandum of Understanding has been signed today at WaihÄua Marae between the Crown, local iwi and councils to protect, restore and enhance the mauri of Kaipara Moana in Northland. Environment Minister David Parker signed the document on behalf of the Crown along with representatives from NgÄ Maunga WhakahÄ«, NgÄti ...2 weeks ago
- New Zealand and Uruguay unite on reducing livestock production emissionsAgriculture Minister Damien OâConnor and Uruguayan Minister of Livestock, Agriculture and Fisheries Carlos MarĂa Uriarte have welcomed the launch of a three-year project that will underpin sustainable livestock production in Uruguay, Argentina, and Costa Rica. The project called âInnovation for pasture managementâ is led by Uruguayâs National Institute of Agricultural ...2 weeks ago
- 3100 jobs created through marae upgradesHundreds of marae throughout the country will be upgraded through investments from the Provincial Growth Fundâs refocused post COVID-19 funding to create jobs and put money into the pockets of local tradespeople and businesses, Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones and MÄori Development Minister Nanaia Mahuta have announced. âA total ...2 weeks ago
- Health volunteers recognised in annual awardsHealth Minister Chris Hipkins has announced 9 teams and 14 individuals are the recipients of this yearâs Minister of Health Volunteer Awards. âThe health volunteer awards celebrate and recognise the thousands of dedicated health sector volunteers who give many hours of their time to help other New Zealanders,â Mr Hipkins ...2 weeks ago
- Community COVID-19 Fund supports Pacific recoveryThe Minister for Pacific Peoples, Aupito William Sio says a total of 264 groups and individuals have successfully applied for the Pacific Aotearoa Community COVID-19 Recovery Fund, that will support Pacific communities drive their own COVID-19 recovery strategies, initiatives, and actions. âI am keen to see this Fund support Pacific ...2 weeks ago
- Community benefits from MÄori apprenticeshipsUp to 50 MÄori apprentices in Wellington will receive paid training to build houses for their local communities, thanks to a $2.75 million investment from the MÄori Trades and Training Fund, announced Employment Minister Willie Jackson today. âThis funding will enable NgÄti Toa Rangatira Incorporated to provide its NgÄ Kaimahi ...2 weeks ago
- Training fund supports MÄori jobseekersRapidly growing sectors will benefit from a $990,000 MÄori Trades and Training Fund investment which will see Wellington jobseekers supported into work, announced Employment Minister Willie Jackson today. âThis funding will enable Sapphire Consultants Ltd. to help up to 45 MÄori jobseekers into paid training initiatives over two years through ...2 weeks ago
- Ruakura Inland Port development vital infrastructure for WaikatoThe Government is investing $40 million to develop an inland port at Ruakura which will become a freight super-hub and a future business, research and residential development for the Waikato, Urban Development and Transport Minister Phil Twyford, and MÄori Development Minister Nanaia Mahuta announced today. The funding has been has ...2 weeks ago
- Appointments made to Defence Expert Review GroupDefence Minister Ron Mark announced today the establishment of an Expert Review Group to review a number of aspects of the New Zealand Defence Forceâs (NZDF) structure, information management and record-keeping processes. The Expert Review Groupâs work arises out of the first recommendation from the Report of the Governmentâs Inquiry ...2 weeks ago
- No active community cases of COVID-19There are no active community cases of COVID-19 remaining in the country after the last people from the recent outbreak have recovered from the virus, Health Minister Chris Hipkins said today. âThis is a big milestone. New Zealanders have once again through their collective actions squashed the virus. The systems ...2 weeks ago
- Clean energy upgrade for more public buildingsMore public buildings will be supported by the Government to upgrade to run on clean energy, the Minister for Climate Change James Shaw announced today. Minister Shaw announced that Lincoln and Auckland universities will receive support through the Clean-Powered Public Service Fund to replace fossil fuel boilers. Southern, Taranaki, and ...2 weeks ago
- Schools back donations scheme for the second yearMore schools have opted in to the donations scheme for 2021, compared to 2020 when the scheme was introduced. âThe families of more than 447,000 students will be better off next year, with 94% of eligible schools and kura opting into the scheme,â Education Minister Chris Hipkins said. âThis is ...2 weeks ago
- Ruapehu cycle trails gets PGF boostThe spectacular Mountains to Sea cycle trail in Ruapehu District will receive $4.6 million in funding from the Provincial Growth Fund for two additional trails, Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones announced today. âThis is an exciting development for the local community, and one that will provide significant economic opportunities ...3 weeks ago
- Update to air border order strengthens crew requirementsAdditional measures coming into effect on Monday will boost our defence against COVID-19 entering New Zealand through the air border, Health Minister Chris Hipkins said today. âAs part of our precautionary approach and strategy of constant review, weâre tightening the requirements around international aircrew,â Chris Hipkins said. The COVID-19 Public ...3 weeks ago
- A true picture of MÄori business activityA better picture of the contribution MÄori businesses make to the economy will be possible with changes to the way information is collected about companies and trading enterprises. MÄori Development Minister Nanaia Mahuta and Small Business Minister Stuart Nash have announced a new option for MÄori enterprises who are part ...3 weeks ago
- PGF funding for Taranaki projectsThe South Taranaki museum, a New Plymouth distillery and a Pasifika building firm will benefit from a Government investment totalling more than $1 million, Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones says. The $1.05m in grants and loans from the Provincial Growth Fund (PGF) will help the recipients expand and create ...3 weeks ago
- Fijian Language Week 2020 inspires courage and strength during COVID-19 pandemicThe Minister for Pacific Peoples, Aupito William Sio says the theme for the 2020 Fijian Language Week reflects the strong belief by Fijians that their language and culture inspires courage and strength that is strongly needed in times of emergencies, or through a significant challenge like the global COVID-19 pandemic ...3 weeks ago
- Trades training builds on iwi aspirationsAn investment of $2.025 million from the MÄori Trades and Training Fund will support MÄori to learn new skills while making a positive difference for their communities, announced Employment Minister Willie Jackson today. âK3 Development Limited Partnership will receive $2,025,000 for its Takitimu Tuanui apprenticeship programme, which will support the ...3 weeks ago
- The Bulletin: Everyoneâs got an opinion for the Greens
Good morning and welcome to The Bulletin. In today’s edition: Questions over how Greens should approach Labour relationship, Auckland pub patrons told to self-isolate, and highly leveraged investors send house prices higher.How lucky is the Green party, to have so many people giving advice and suggestions right now? As talks continue ...38 mins ago - Business & Investing: NZX and European exchange in ETS service
NZX will help develop Emissions Trading Scheme auction platform, plus Kiwis have way less debt on their credit cards ...52 mins ago - Labour's final online ad push: $24 a minute
In the final week of election campaigning the Labour Party was spending $24 every minute on Facebook and Google advertising It was a huge finish. Not only did Labour win by a landslide on election night, it outspent competitors in the last week of campaigning online. In a seven day period the ...1 hour ago - Book of the Week: Jesse Mulligan on Chelsea Winter
Food critic Jesse Mulligan cooks his way through Supergood by Chelsea Winter Dad might have been the only person in Hamilton who truly bought Playboy for the articles. If he knew there were naked ladies in there too well, it never came up, and when he occasionally passed me a ...1 hour ago - Police reviewing mysterious death in Gore
Police are reviewing the case at the centre of a Newsroom video investigation which revealed a substandard inquiry into the death of a three-year-old Southland boy. Melanie Reid and Bonnie Sumner report WATCH: Melanie Reid's video investigation Police have confirmed they are conducting a review into the case relating to ...1 hour ago - 1980 Moscow boycott still hurts Kiwi gymnast
When the 2020 Tokyo Olympics were postponed, those who would have known just how the New Zealand team felt were the athletes selected for the 1980 Moscow Games. Their dreams were shattered 40 years earlier by a boycott - and 34 of those Kiwi athletes never got the chance to compete ...2 hours ago - Who the hell is Gideon Rozner, anyway?
Cindy Baxter looks into the background and associations of the author of a stark attack on re-elected Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern As I read the outrage at the negative outlier of an article about Jacinda Ardernâs victory in The Australian, I thought it was worth putting this piece into ...2 hours ago - Lion linked to Myanmar human rights abuses
The parent company of NZâs largest beverage provider has been implicated in the funding of genocide. ...2 hours ago - Aussies stand by to fly on over
Australians are queuing up to go on a safe overseas holiday. Ross Stitt argues that New Zealand is missing out on a potential bonanza if it doesn't join the travel bubble. The much-anticipated Trans-Tasman âtravel bubbleâ has finally arrived. Sort of ⊠Travellers from New Zealand are now allowed quarantine-free ...2 hours ago - Why New Plymouth voters went for Labour
After the Government announced a surprise ban on new offshore oil and gas exploration in 2018, the New Plymouth electorate looked like a sure thing for National. What changed? ...2 hours ago - W R Peters loans $60k to NZ First
As New Zealand First tried to fight off electoral oblivion, a W R Peters put his money where Winston's mouth was, Sam Sachdeva reports New Zealand First leader Winston Peters, or someone with the identical initials and home base, appears to have lent the party $60,000 in the dying days of the ...2 hours ago - Be fearless: Sandra Leeâs advice for Chlöe Swarbrick, 27 years after she stormed Auckland CentralThe woman who won Auckland Central for the Alliance in 1993 had some words of wisdom for the Green Party’s Chlöe Swarbrick on Sunday’s post-election episode of Gone By Lunchtime.“I always thought you could do it,” former cabinet minister Sandra Lee told Chlöe Swarbrick the morning after a dramatic election ...3 hours ago
- Siouxsie Wiles & Toby Morris: Covid-19 and the Swiss cheese systemThe effort to defeat the coronavirus relies on many layers of defence. Or, let’s call them, slices of cheese.One thing that has really irked me during Covid-19 has been the labelling of any mistake in our systems or any unexpected transmission of the virus as a failure. Yes, I understand ...3 hours ago
- Auckland's cone zone
Construction of Auckland's City Rail Link is well underway and don't local retailers know it. It's killing the heart of the city, with the sound of construction replacing the ringing of tills. The country's largest infrastructure project, the $4 billion Auckland City Rail Link, is touted as long awaited solution ...3 hours ago - Taskmaster NZ proves we can do panel comedy as well as the BritsNew Zealanders love Taskmaster UK. But will they warm to the homegrown version? Guy Williams is doing his best to amp up the crowd, while Angella Dravid sits quietly alongside with her usual look of both discomfort and amusement. Leigh Hart has that wry smirk on his face that viewers of ...13 hours ago
- At the highwater mark with little wriggle room
This Governmentâs work, its future successes and its failures, will now all sit fairly and squarely on the shoulders of the Labour Party. ...13 hours ago - The US is taking on Google in a huge antitrust case. It could change the face of online search
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Katharine Kemp, Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Law, UNSW, and Academic Lead, UNSW Grand Challenge on Trust, UNSW The US Department of Justice (DoJ) has filed an antitrust lawsuit against Google for unlawful monopolisation. The department says Googleâs conduct harms competition and consumers, ...14 hours ago - WÄhine grab chance to have voice at the council table
Local government in Wairarapa is no longer the "pale, stale male" environment it once was, according to a recent survey. ...14 hours ago - NSW wants to change rules on suspending and expelling students. How does it compare to other states?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Anna Sullivan, Associate Professor of Education, University of South Australia The disability royal commission heard from experts last week on the disproportionate number of students with a disability who have been suspended or expelled from school for âproblem behaviourâ. The commissionâs public ...14 hours ago
- Greater needs, but poorer access to services: why COVID mental health measures must target disadvant...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Graham Meadows, Professor of Adult Psychiatry, Monash University COVID-19 outbreaks and the resulting lockdowns, particularly in Victoria, have adversely affected many peopleâs mental health. Social isolation, financial stress, and anxiety about contracting COVID-19 can all contribute to psychological distress. For some people, ...14 hours ago
- NSW needs to prohibit religious discrimination, but not like thisSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Liam Elphick, Adjunct Research Fellow, Law School, University of Western Australia It has long been a glaring problem that the New South Wales Anti-Discrimination Act (ADA) does not prohibit religious discrimination. One Nationâs Mark Latham recently proposed a new Religious Discrimination Bill. ...16 hours ago
- The redemption of Hine-nui-te-pĆAn extract from Witi Ihimaera’s new book Navigating the Stars: Māori creation myths.This is an abridged passage of a deeply empathetic section analysing the life story of Hine-nui-te-pō, who crushed Māui to death with her vulva. At the end of the book, Ihimaera argues that Hine-nui-te-pō should be instated to ...16 hours ago
- Green Party: 'Fruitful discussions … further discussions to have'The Green Party says there is a negotiation going on with the Labour Party, but there are more discussions to be had. ...16 hours ago
- The online support club that helps the newly redundant through a scary timeCovid-19 has shoved New Zealand’s economy into recession, prompting a whole lot of businesses to downsize and slash their workforce. That’s why a support club has been formed to help the newly unemployed to get back on their feet.Redundancy can hit like a ton of bricks. The shock, uncertainty, the ...16 hours ago
- Police Continue To Ignore Their Own Pursuits Policy
A police crash during a pursuit in Masterton in the early hours of Wednesday morning suggests the police are simply ignoring their own pursuits policy, says the car review website dogandlemon.com . Editor Clive Matthew-Wilson, who is an outspoken road safety ...16 hours ago - Green Party provide update after election resultsThe Green Party is speaking to media amid speculation over possible negotiations about a coalition deal. ...16 hours ago
- Houses (and their prohibitive prices) will be high in Ardernâs considerations as she appoints her ...
One of the  strange outcomes   of the  Covid-19 pandemic  has been the surge  in house prices, not just in Auckland  but through the rest of the country.   Itâs a  phenomenon that runs  contrary  to past experience when the  economy  has slipped into recession. Many authorities say booming house prices are ...17 hours ago - Calls for Labour to fast-track child poverty mandateAnti-poverty campaigners are urging Labour to move fast and use its massive electoral support to forcefully tackle inequality. ...17 hours ago
- Indigenous leadership presents a new way of looking at the changed worldDon Rowe meets the post-graduate students putting tikanga and kaupapa Māori at the centre of learning how to lead. The planet is in trouble. Since the time of the industrial revolution, the Western world has become increasingly enthralled and enchanted by the pursuit of economic and individualistic success. Power, prestige, and ...17 hours ago
- The tale of âhabitual criminalâ William King: a Black life in Victoriaâs white justice systemSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alana Piper, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, University of Technology Sydney The Black Lives Matters movement in the United States and Australia has drawn welcome attention to Black deaths in the criminal justice system. Such fatalities are extreme manifestations of a long history of ...17 hours ago
- Review: The Vow takes a deep dive into the cesspit of the NXIVM cultJust a few years ago, few people had heard of the self-help group/cult of personality known as NXIVM. Now the dark story has gone global, thanks to an eight-part docuseries that debuts on Neon today. This review contains mild spoilers for The Vow.What is it that white people love so ...18 hours ago
- Video: Death of a toddler – Mel Reid investigates
How did 3-year-old Lachie Jones really meet his death? Mysterious circumstances, improbable theories and a once-over-lightly police investigation spark calls for a new inquiry into how little Lachie Jones died in Gore last year. Melanie Reid and Bonnie Sumner report. *Watch the full story in the video player below* ...18 hours ago - WhakatĆhea Settlement Another Step CloserThe Waitangi Tribunal decision to decline an urgent hearing into the Crown's decision to continue treaty negotiations with the WhakatĆhea Pre Settlement Claims Trust is another step forward for the WhakatĆhea Settlement. "We are pleased with ...18 hours ago
- Calls for an ABC-run social network to replace Facebook and Google are misguided. With what money?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Fiona R Martin, Associate Professor in Convergent and Online Media, University of Sydney If Facebook prevented Australian news from being shared on its platform, could the ABC start its own social media service to compensate? While this proposal from the Australia Institute ...18 hours ago
- A loss of âFijianâ identity â or no identity at all â in AotearoaBy Sri Krishnamurthi âNo matter how we come to be in Fiji, or how long we have been here âŠwe all part of the land. It is the land of our birth or land of our adoption, the land to which we belongâ â The late archbishop Petero Mataca. When ...18 hours ago
- Decisive Victory of MAS in Bolivia: A Blow to Anti-Indigenous and Anti-Socialist Coups in the Americ...Source: Council on Hemispheric Affairs – Analysis-Reportage By William CamacaroFrom Caracas The decisive electoral victory of the Movement Towards Socialism (MAS) in Bolivia may be a point of inflection on the continent that advances the construction of a new South American socialist bloc. After having been removed from ...20 hours ago
- Podcast documents first-hand witness of the Senkata Massacre in BoliviaSource: Council on Hemispheric Affairs – Analysis-Reportage Francesca Emanuele is a Peruvian journalist and a Ph.D. student of Anthropology at American University in Washington, DC. She interviewed a first-hand witness of the Senkata Massacre, that took place on November 19th, 2020, days after the overthrow of Evo Morales, ...20 hours ago
- With a mandate to govern NZ alone, Labour must now decide what it really stands forANALYSIS: By David Hall, Auckland University of Technology A pandemic can change the foundations of a society. But if this happens in New Zealand over the next three years, it will be for reasons beyond the control of the sixth Labour government. When it comes to the fundamental structure of ...20 hours ago
- Jornal Independente wins annual âbest mediaâ award in Timor-LesteBy Jose Sarito Amaral in Balibo The Jornal Independente newspaper has been awarded Timor-Lesteâs mediaoutlet of the year prize in the National Press Councilâs 2019 awards. Rigoberto Monteiro, executive director of Timor-Lesteâs Press Council, said the Independente took out the award because of the quality of its stories and âstrict ...20 hours ago
- Sediment, jobs and mauri â Minister responds to questions about measuring progress on Kaipara clea...
We found nothing new, in our daily check of the Beehive website. But we can report the reply to questions that were raised in an announcement from Environment Minister David Parker (which we noted at the time) earlier this month. The announcement was headed Kaipara Moana restoration takes next step. ...20 hours ago - New Zealandâs gluten-free bread, reviewed and rankedA definitive answer to a burning question: what is the best gluten-free bread of them all?Outside of coeliac circles, not many people know that gluten-free bread is actually better than regular bread. It’s true.* After years of fastidious experimentation and perfecting, gluten-free bakers have now produced a product vastly superior ...21 hours ago
- Voting patterns are more volatile than ever and will bring a stark test for LabourWhat is vote volatility and how will it affect the Labour Party over the next three years? Jack Vowles, professor of political science, explains.As the dust begins to settle after the 2020 election, a new electoral landscape becomes visible. It is remarkably different from the one before. One way to ...21 hours ago
- Agreement Better Than DivisionA prominent Northland principal is raising concerns with the New Zealand Principalsâ Federation (NZPF), suggesting its proposal to establish a breakaway principalsâ union is misleading, divisive and would likely worsen outcomes for principals. Pat ...21 hours ago
- Meet the duo behind some of The Bethsâ coolest music videosAfter a lockdown spent creating stop motion in their laundry, Sports Team is now nominated for an Aotearoa Music Artisan award. The duo talk to The Spinoff about making music videos.The first music video Annabel Kean and Callum Devlin made was accidental. It happened on a date, wandering around Auckland ...21 hours ago
- Newsletter: New Zealand Politics Daily â October 21 2020Editor’s Note: Here below is a list of the main issues currently under discussion in New Zealand and links to media coverage. Today’s content Election Jack Vowles (The Conversation):Â The 2020 NZ election saw record vote volatility â what does that mean for the next Labour government? Jason Walls and Chris ...22 hours ago
- Bicultural, bilingual, bijural: A plan for a new model of legal education in AotearoaOPINION: It is time to integrate tikanga Māori into law schools to create a truly bicultural legal system, writes University of Otago law professor Jacinta Ruru. I see, hear, feel racism. Every day. Each morning, I begin my trek from carpark to office, walking across the campus lawns, alongside the Ōwheo ...23 hours ago
- Greens better off independent – Former Green MP Catherine DelahuntyCatherine Delahunty says the party does not have the leverage to form a government with Labour and is better off pushing for change from opposition. ...23 hours ago
- Winning election a 'big ask' – National leader Judith CollinsJudith Collins is looking to the future where she envisions herself as leader, and the party as the best opposition ever. ...23 hours ago
- Trump has changed America by making everything about politics, and politics all about himselfSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By David Smith, Senior Lecturer in American Politics and Foreign Policy, US Studies Centre, University of Sydney On October 14, Donald Trump held a rally attended by several thousand in Iowa, despite White House guidelines that gatherings in the state should be limited ...23 hours ago
- Despite more than 30 major inquiries, governments still havenât fixed aged care. Why are they gett...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Eileen Webb, Professor of Law and Ageing, UniSA: Justice and Society, University of South Australia This article is part of our series on aged care. You can read the other articles in the series here. Australiaâs aged care sector has been ...23 hours ago
- Why more housing stimulus will be needed to sustain recoverySource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Steven Rowley, Professor; School of Economics, Finance and Property, and Director, Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute, Curtin Research Centre, Curtin University In response to the COVID-19 recession, federal, state and territory governments quickly provided support to the housing industry for two ...23 hours ago
- Mathias Cormann wants to lead the OECD. The choice it makes will be pivotalSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian Blundell-Wignall, Adjunct Professor, School of Economics, University of Sydney My old OECD boss Secretary General (SG) Angel Gurriaâs third term is coming to an end and the race is on to replace him. Australiaâs departing finance minister Mathias Cormann will face ...23 hours ago
- We vibrated earthworms to learn about safely connecting human brains to computersSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ivan Maksymov, Australian Research Council Future Fellow (Senior Lecturer), Swinburne University of Technology This year, my colleague Andrey Pototsky and I were awarded the Ig Nobel Prize in Physics for our experimental work involving vibrating living earthworms. The Ig Nobel Prizes are ...24 hours ago
- When too much news is bad news: is the way we consume news detrimental to our health?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Evita March, Senior Lecturer in Psychology, Federation University Australia Humans are curious and social creatures by nature. The news helps us make sense of the world around us and connects us with our local, national and international community. So itâs no wonder ...24 hours ago
- Food, tools and medicine: 5 native plants that illuminate deep Aboriginal knowledgeSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Zena Cumpston, Research Fellow, University of Melbourne Over countless millennia, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have harnessed the tremendous potential of plants, ingeniously using them for medicines, nutrition, to express our culture and to develop innovative technologies. But as I learn ...24 hours ago
- Guide to the classics: Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier â gender, gothic haunting and gaslightingSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jessica Gildersleeve, Associate Professor of English Literature, University of Southern Queensland A small group of novels are famous for their first lines: Jane Austenâs Pride and Prejudice (1813), Herman Melvilleâs Moby Dick (1851) and Leo Tolstoyâs Anna Karenina (1877). Rebecca by Daphne ...24 hours ago
- Live updates, October 21: Labour-Green coalition off the table â reportWelcome to The Spinoff’s live updates for October 21. All the latest New Zealand news, updated throughout the day. Reach me on stewart@thespinoff.co.nz7.45am: Labour-Green coalition off the table – reportA Newshub report last night suggests that the chances of a formal coalition deal between Labour and the Greens are slipping ...24 hours ago
- Forget Ardern v Collins, it's Trump v Biden that matters
Why the US election is more critical for our financial markets than our own one. ...24 hours ago - The Bulletin: Climate change already happening, says new reportGood morning and welcome to The Bulletin. In today’s edition: New report shows climate change already affecting New Zealand, new crop of managed isolation Covid cases, and National leader and ousted electorate MPs all staying on.As promised, today’s Bulletin will cover the government’s new climate change report, called Our Atmosphere ...1 day ago
- Govt seeks to buy up motels for Christmas
With the election over, there's a renewed drive to lease or purchase hotels for transitional housing â but industry leaders warn it is simply subsidising the tourism industry without fixing the crisis in homelessness. ...1 day ago - Business & Investing: RBNZ's shot across the property market
The Reserve Bank warns that it could act if house prices are driven by high leverage loans or investors rather than households, plus business sentiment improves ...1 day ago - Why standing apart is good for the Greens
Labour not seeking a formal coalition with the Greens might actually be good for the minor party. David Williams reports The Green Party has overcome several fears in recent months, chief among them a potential blowback from the Green School debacle, and not making the five percent MMP threshold. Its ...1 day ago - Labour's red wave hits Parliament as National soul searching begins
The first caucus meetings since Labour's thumping election win brought boundless joy for Jacinda Ardern and her team, but the beginnings of soul searching for National and Judith Collins Analysis: The newly enlarged Labour caucus streamed into their meeting room on Tuesday morning - or perhaps flooded was the more ...1 day ago - A 'girl and her wolf' attack the Coastal Classic
She brought back a once-mighty trimaran from the dead, and now 'still green' sailor Liz Alonzi is about to race Timberwolf in one of the world's iconic coastal yacht races. Liz Alonzi lovingly calls her âWolfy⊠with a Yâ â the unmistakable bright green trimaran with a snarling wolf on her bow, sitting ...1 day ago - Not in the cloud yet? Here are 5 reasons why you should be
The potential for disaster - fire, earthquakes and the Covid-19 pandemic â are all reasons for organisations to think about moving operations into the cloud. Many companies had to do it because of the Christchurch earthquakes and the recent lockdowns. But there are other advantages too. Vodafone NZâs Glenn Johnstone ...1 day ago - Emma Espiner on MÄori women owning the written word
Newsroom columnist Emma Espiner delivered the following speech at Waitohu: Women Reclaiming The Ink, a celebration of mana wÄhine hosted by the National Library He kÄrakia tÄnei nÄ Stacey Morrison Karanga karanga te rangi e tĆ« nei Karanga karanga te papa e takoto nei RÄrangahia mai te ira ...1 day ago - How did 3-year-old Lachie really meet his death?
WATCH: the Melanie Reid investigation here: Mysterious circumstances, improbable theories and a once-over-lightly police investigation spark calls for a new inquiry into how little Lachie Jones died in Gore last year. Melanie Reid and Bonnie Sumner report. Death by drowning. Case closed, according to the police. But the discovery of a ...1 day ago - How did 3 year-old Lachie really meet his death?WATCH: the Melanie Reid investigation here: Mysterious circumstances, improbable theories and a once-over-lightly police investigation spark calls for a new inquiry into how little Lachie Jones died in Gore last year. Melanie Reid and Bonnie Sumner report. Death by drowning. Case closed, according to the police. But the discovery of a ...1 day ago
- Solved: The mystery of Nick Smithâs âjam and sconesâ election billboardIt was the campaign we could have all got behind: strong tea, more jam, better scones. How the heck did that sign end up on Nick Smith’s wall? When One News interviewed National Party candidate Nick Smith at his Nelson party headquarters during Saturday night’s election coverage, it seemed like just ...1 day ago
- The only two words at parliament this week: no commentThe election is over and three of parliament’s parties have retreated behind closed doors, reports Justin Giovannetti.Parliament has entered, on the surface at least, a post-election hibernation. The government is in caretaker mode, barred from making major decisions, while party leaders eager for attention just days ago now have nothing ...1 day ago
- Wringing the truth from those who sheltered abusers
The Royal Commission of Inquiry into abuse in state care has been hearing some harrowing evidence - but an investigation by journalist Aaron Smale published in Newsroom recently has revealed just how difficult it's been to lever the truth out of the institutions that sheltered abusers. There are some harrowing and ...1 day ago - Building up, squashing in
A growing population, cities straining at the edges, and everyone wants a back yard for the kids. Or do they? We may have reached the stage where a change of mindset is helping to house people. RNZ's MÄori Strategy manager Shannon Haunui-Thompson recently bought her first ever home - and ...1 day ago - Wildlife rules for private land queried by owners and businesses
A policy aimed to protect indigenous wildlife is on its final dash to the finish line. Public support is strong, but landowners and industry still have concerns. ...1 day ago - Covid-19 outbreak among Russian fishers at NZ isolation facilitySealord responds to international fishers covid-19 outbreak at Christchurch MIQ. Video: RNZBy RNZ News Some 11 cases of covid-19 have been confirmed at a New Zealand managed isolation facility (MIQ) in Christchurch, with another 14 possible cases being investigated. The Ministry of Health said last night it was investigating after ...1 day ago
- The 2020 NZ election saw record vote volatility â what does that mean for the next Labour governme...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jack Vowles, Professor of Political Science, Te Herenga Waka â Victoria University of Wellington As the dust begins to settle after the 2020 election, a new electoral landscape becomes visible. It is remarkably different from the one before. One way to put ...1 day ago
Early morning flight to Auckland for the weekend.
Going to see this:
http://www.stardome.org.nz/the-war-of-the-worlds/
I thought you were a young chap not an old git like me ?
In my early 30’s but having grown up in a household with this album (as I am sure every NZer did. As well as with copies of Brothers in Arms, Bat out of Hell, Dark Side of the Moon and Jethro Tulls’ Aqualung) I couldn’t miss the opportunity to see it on stage.
Ah… fair enough.
I still have the original war of the Worlds vinyl at home – in perfect condition with the booklet.
I had that as well up until 2 years ago. Like the books 16 weeks ago the boxes of vinyl didn’t survive the thought of trying to transport and find room for them.
I could never ditch my vinyl and books. I am a book fiend in particular.
What I didn’t note about this particular weekend is that I have a date with my wife tonight, in my study with a bottle of wine where we are going to, without bad feeling or rancor, go through my large volume of books with a view to discard some of them.
This is not going to end well…if she goes over my old Detroit techno 12” records and rare white-labels there’ll be trouble…
Somewhere I have Yellow Brick Road on clear see through blue vinyl…the oldest one I have still since childhood is a battered copy of Let It Bleed (Stones) and an equally rat eared copy of Space Oddity (Bowie)…..sad really, dont even have the kit to play them on anymore.
I have two copies of Yellow Brick Road for some reason. Became parted with my Shine on you Crazy Diamond somehow – which I am still pissy about.
I have an early pressing of Sgt Peppers though. I think it is worth something these days though haven’t checked it out yet.
At half your age I saw Jethro Tull play a small venue, brilliant. Enjoy Saturdays gig, even if it is packed with oldies trying to groove!
Enjoy yourself mate. I still have my double album c/w book. In very good condition and gets played a lot.
Hey Contrarian, I have an idea for an alternate weekend plan if yours fall through. Take every record mentioned in this thread except DSOTM and Let It Bleed, and put them in a pile on the lawn and set fire to them, and dancing on the ashes as you meditate on what you’re going to do with the rest of your life.
There is of course a serious answer to the problem of storage of vinyl records. When I had a lot of spare time after an operation before returning to work, the application Audacity recorded all my vinyl and cassettes to hard drive and MP3. I can now play them whilst working. Noisy vinyl could be cleaned up too, if important enough.
I’m deadly serious about my solution to the storage problem of War Of The Worlds, Yellow Brick Road, Aqualung, Bat Out of Hell, Brothers In Arms, Sgt Pepper’s, and all of TC’s Detroit techno. I think storing them in a pile of molten plastic in the bin is ideal.
Well, I did say that noisy vinyl could be cleaned up, Felix………… đ
Well if you got to spend 50 bucks thats a bloody excellent way of spending it.
Another ‘old’ git lolz
Well the show sucked so bad. So fucking bad.
And there is no way I am destroying my techno, Felix. That shit is gold.
You seem surprised. Had you not listened to the record?
Is it weekend social time of the week already?
faaaarrk
The xmas party season is about to start with the work do. So does the annual question. Drive, designated driver, take taxi, or get Lyn to pick me up.
The latter is impossible as she is is in the Himalaya’s watching the bold mice in her accommodation (while worrying about the shoot).
Taxi I think…. What are other people doing?
Anything but drive Lynn, those xmas parties can quickly turn into a 21st re-run in my experience.
I don’t know. Â But I was out earlier around midday getting some groceries. Â There seems to be extra cars everywhere. Â And its still weeks away from Xmas.
Public transport. And snow boots – because it’s looking like a very cold and white Christmas here.
We had a hell of a weather week in Wellington, it ripped the hell out of the garden, freak wind, so there is a bit of fixing to do. Chickens will be in attendance proffering advice and demands for beet.
Wondering how Annes budgie chicks are getting on?
The budgie chicks’ arrival was delayed one week due to neighbour being called away on family business. In the meantime, have purchased some budgie toys like ‘ropes’ and ‘ladders’ which have been hung from the roof and, hopefully, will keep them occupied and out of the oldies’ feathers.
Time to Plant Up! Heavy and deep
Seriously though, we are involved in a local volunteer planters group charged with the mission of jazzing up the dreariness and encouraging biodiversity and will be out in force tomorrow morning.
And yep, E In R, looks like we’ve got a southerly coming in, down our way tomorrow. Might be a nice change from a boistorous northerly eh? My tenacious tomatoes are hanging on which is a miracle given the week we have had.
Our ducklings have grown and left the nursery that we provided. It was a joy watching them learn to fly.
Oh and it’s delicious Indian feast night! Yay!
The northerly knocked over some broad beans but the most annoying bit is the way it stunts growth. My toms are rubbish except those in the hot tunnel (tres bon, looking fabulous). What kind of ducks?
Testing. Site thinks I’m spam………..
Happens sometimes. Usually when you get an dynamic IP that has been previously delivering spam. If it persists try turning off your modem/adsl router and starting it again.
Thanks for the tricks Lprent:-)
No go Ennui. 2 trys and both replies to you vanished in the mist.
Ducks are mallards. Very short answer.
On another note: Strength to those of you who are spending your Friday and your weekend cleaning up in West Ak after your tornado. I hope you get the help and support you need.
I’ve jumped in and bought some Dave Brubeck – now that the old guy is dead. I liked his popular stuff and now have those plus some less well known. Did you know that he wrote a piece called Maori Blues or such when he was visiting here at one time?
Just finished season 2 of Boss, now to catch up on American Horror Story. I live such an action-packed life.
Heading back South from Chch again Saturday – Mai Thai restaurant in Timaru – yum.
Listening to Bowie live in New York on vinyl courtesy of the nice people at Vinyl Countdown in New Plymouth. Any posters above who want to recycle their rekkids rather than melt them down are welcome to send them my way. But definitely no Eagles, ta. Ditto Queeen, AC/DC and the various MOR dinosaurs who blighted the seventies and eighties. We didn’t fight the punk wars for nothing, people.
We saw Bowie live in the pouring rain at Wellington stadium a few years ago. One of the most sincere artists I have every had the privilege to see. I was amazed to realise I remembered all the words from way back when, even though I hadn’t played the songs for years. My favourite
Lucky to have seen him twice Rosy, once at the Welly show you were at and also at Western Springs in ’78. The latter is still the best stadium gig I have ever been to, brutally loud, harshly lit and cathartic from start to finish. Just a monster of a show.
Â
The NYC LP is the recording of his 50th birthday party, lots of mates guesting, including Robert Smith, Sonic Youth and his American equivalent Lou Reed, who is also in fine, fine form. Could have stolen the recording from the net, but you never love what you get for free. And the vinyl just sounds better, anyway.
  Â
Envious, I am. I’ll look up that LP.
Here’s a taster: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tbxp1hC8vts
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I’m told the song is about Lou, but I’d suspect its more likely to be about another of Warhol’s special friends, perhaps Holly Woodlawn (who Lou also namechecks in song – Holly comes from Miami, F.L.A. etc).
Ta. Heâs just âŠ. awesome, isnât he? And Lou Reed is not so bad either. Interesting about Holly Woodlawn. Definitely on the to buy list – might try for the dvd.
Te Reo and Rosy: David Bowie is a God. Thank You for bringing him into the craic.
It’s good folks are getting into vinyl again/never left it behind. We’ve got a couple of decades worth here, over 1000 at last count but also gazillions of cd’s. When we bought our first house a few months ago we planned to set up an epic music room/book library but there has been too much other stuff to do. All the gear is sitting there in waiting to be set up and for now we just use some good computer speakers. Transferred 750 music files, with 30 of them having sub directories on to the hard drive last weekend and just play everything from there for now.
There continues to be good new music being produced. Its a great time to be keeping your ears out and its good to have access to free downloads, which more bands seem to be doing these days.
Rosy: Hope you’re having a wonderful time in your winter wonderland:-)
To be honest we’re hibernating today – brunch in our thermally efficient, double-glazed home ;-). Although we might venture out to the markets a bit later, seeing as the temp has gone above the expected max of -3 (it’s -2 right now). Punsch is looking like a good option. Actually I do miss Wellington at this time of year – Enjoy it for us…
And yes, Bowie is right up there. A music room is such a good idea – we’re not settled enough for that, surviving on downloads and I miss the touch and sight of all the paraphernalia that comes with records & CDs.
As for new music, I’ve been intrigued by this young man – Jake Bugg recently. He seems to be a very musically mature 18 y.o.
That sounds like a life affirming sort of a chill! Would love to experience a northern Europeon winter one day:-)
Hey, that Jake Bugg is indeed on to it for his young years. That was a good sound early this Sunday morning. Its interesting how the country sound has become respectable and acknowledged over the last decade or so. Ditching the rhinestones and bouffy hair, tweaking the sounds and finding a new audience seems to have worked for that genre. And rag time is making a comeback! One band I’m going to look into is the Roseneath Centennial Ragtime Band, just to check it out. Sounds fun.
Right now though it the roots and culture show on good ol radio active.
Have fun:-)
Very cool! If they’re around in Feb, I think I might too… you’ll need to update me if you manage to go see them.
Watching the 6 star wars dvds with family in the order they were released – may take 2 weekends to complete. How do you tell kids that we start at episode 4 then progress to 6 then go to one. đ
Pt 4 still holds up after all these years !!! And the special effects are still great.
Regarding records – where do you find stylists ?
To build a large society a book of common
understandings were required, some say this
book cannot change. Once first written, as
it had no errors, enlightenment never need
happen since. There are others that believe
a hair ape, pushed out by climate change
onto the savanna, learnt to standup, and
adapt to eating bone marrow. Eventually the
plains filled up with hairy apes, and some
shifted to the sea shore, where they were
nolonger dependant on kills from other beasts,
as they found sea food. There they became
the naked humans of today, unable to use
body gestures, or hand gestures, in the sea
they resorted to speach gestures. They of
course did this to reach the apex of their
existence writing a holy book that never could
be questioned again. The Pope has no problem
with evolution, my pinky fat near hairless behind.
This Sunday morning spent on the Labour Party stall in he Lion’s Market Cambridge. Received a positive response from people /For Tory Cambridge that’s a good sign. This Wednesday off to the Met Opera iat the Lido Hamilton ,Verdi’s Otello . The next best thing to being at the real Met .
Up early with baby, then more baby stuff, walk with baby, baby slept, changed baby, wife feed baby after coming home from farmers market, more baby stuff, another walk in sun, changed nappies and feed baby, visitors yeh, coffee beer and then played with baby in garden in the sun, baby eat a leak and choked, wife beside herself, more visitors and more visitors….baby asleep yeh, rest make tea for wife and myself thennnnn rinse and repeat.
Life of a new dad…all good and rewarding
Nice. I miss those days!
Well Friday I haddd to work from 9am till 11pm basically no breaks so glad for the weekend and Xmas coming up.
Ah the joys of parenthood ah.