Weekend social 08/03/2013
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2:00 pm, March 8th, 2013 - 34 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?
34 comments on “Weekend social 08/03/2013 ”
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The Government has done the right thing in moving to ban greyhound racing. ...2 weeks ago
- Greyhound racing industry ban marks new era for animal welfare
After years of advocacy, the Green Party is very happy to hear the Government has listened to our collective voices and announced the closure of the greyhound racing industry, by 1 August 2026. ...2 weeks ago
- Rangatahi voices must be centred in Government’s Relationship and Sexuality Education refresh
In response to a new report from ERO, the Government has acknowledged the urgent need for consistency across the curriculum for Relationship and Sexuality Education (RSE) in schools. ...2 weeks ago
- Govt introduces archaic anti-worker legislation
The Green Party is appalled at the Government introducing legislation that will make it easier to penalise workers fighting for better pay and conditions. ...2 weeks ago
- Winston Peters – Kinleith Mill Speech
Thank you for the invitation to speak with you tonight on behalf of the political party I belong to - which is New Zealand First. As we have heard before this evening the Kinleith Mill is proposing to reduce operations by focusing on pulp and discontinuing “lossmaking paper production”. They say that they are currently consulting on the plan to permanently shut ...2 weeks ago - Swarbrick calls on Auckland Mayor to end delay of revival of St James Theatre
Auckland Central MP, Chlöe Swarbrick, has written to Mayor Wayne Brown requesting he stop the unnecessary delays on St James Theatre’s restoration. ...2 weeks ago
- He Ara Anamata: Greens launch Emissions Reduction Plan
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- Internationally-trained doctors jump at chance to boost health workforce
Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says Health New Zealand will move swiftly to support dozens of internationally-trained doctors already in New Zealand on their journey to employment here, after a tripling of sought-after examination places. “The Medical Council has delivered great news for hardworking overseas doctors who want to contribute ...21 hours ago - PM appoints business leader to APEC Business Advisory Council
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has appointed Sarah Ottrey to the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC). “At my first APEC Summit in Lima, I experienced firsthand the role that ABAC plays in guaranteeing political leaders hear the voice of business,” Mr Luxon says. “New Zealand’s ABAC representatives are very well respected and ...3 days ago
- New intelligence oversight appointments
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- New housing developments able to progress more quickly
Improvements in the average time it takes to process survey and title applications means housing developments can progress more quickly, Minister for Land Information Chris Penk says. “The government is resolutely focused on improving the building and construction pipeline,” Mr Penk says. “Applications to issue titles and subdivide land are ...3 days ago
- Actions to speed up air travel delivering results
The Government’s measures to reduce airport wait times, and better transparency around flight disruptions is delivering encouraging early results for passengers ahead of the busy summer period, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Improving the efficiency of air travel is a priority for the Government to give passengers a smoother, more reliable ...3 days ago
- Ending contracted emergency housing in Rotorua
The Government today announced the intended closure of the Apollo Hotel as Contracted Emergency Housing (CEH) in Rotorua, Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka says. This follows a 30 per cent reduction in the number of households in CEH in Rotorua since National came into Government. “Our focus is on ending CEH in the Whakarewarewa area starting ...3 days ago
- Vocational education and training decisions support return to regions
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- Reducing the environmental impact of synthetic refrigerants
The Government is taking action to better manage synthetic refrigerants and reduce emissions caused by greenhouse gases found in heating and cooling products, Environment Minister Penny Simmonds says. “Regulations will be drafted to support a product stewardship scheme for synthetic refrigerants, Ms. Simmonds says. “Synthetic refrigerants are found in a ...3 days ago
- Ngāruawāhia section of Waikato Expressway back to 4 lanes for Christmas
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- Appointments to the ENZ board
Tertiary Education and Skills Minister, Penny Simmonds, has announced a new appointment to the board of Education New Zealand (ENZ). Dr Erik Lithander has been appointed as a new member of the ENZ board for a three-year term until 30 January 2028. “I would like to welcome Dr Erik Lithander to the ...4 days ago
- Government to celebrate Waitangi Day around NZ
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- More gangs added to Gangs Act list
Two more criminal gangs will be subject to the raft of laws passed by the Coalition Government that give Police more powers to disrupt gang activity, and the intimidation they impose in our communities, Police Minister Mark Mitchell says. Following an Order passed by Cabinet, from 3 February 2025 the ...4 days ago
- Judicial appointment announced
Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Justice Christian Whata as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Whata’s appointment as a Judge of the Court of Appeal will take effect on 1 August 2025 and fill a vacancy created by the retirement of Hon Justice David Goddard on ...4 days ago
- GDP data highlights importance of growth
The latest economic figures highlight the importance of the steps the Government has taken to restore respect for taxpayers’ money and drive economic growth, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. Data released today by Stats NZ shows Gross Domestic Product fell 1 per cent in the September quarter. “Treasury and most ...4 days ago
- Strengthening Free Speech in Universities
Tertiary Education and Skills Minister Penny Simmonds and Associate Minister of Education David Seymour today announced legislation changes to strengthen freedom of speech obligations on universities. “Freedom of speech is fundamental to the concept of academic freedom and there is concern that universities seem to be taking a more risk-averse ...4 days ago
- Launch of Emergency Cellular Priority Service
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- Minister reopens Mangamuka Gorge
State Highway 1 through the Mangamuka Gorge has officially reopened today, providing a critical link for Northlanders and offering much-needed relief ahead of the busy summer period, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.“The Mangamuka Gorge is a vital route for Northland, carrying around 1,300 vehicles per day and connecting the Far ...4 days ago
- Funding confirmed for second Ashburton Bridge
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- Government boosts support for avian influenza response
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- Levelling the playing field for media advertising
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- Inspector-General of Defence appointed
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- Fire and Emergency New Zealand final levy rates confirmed
Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says the Government has agreed to the final regulations for the levy on insurance contracts that will fund Fire and Emergency New Zealand from July 2026. “Earlier this year the Government agreed to a 2.2 percent increase to the rate of levy. Fire ...5 days ago
- More AML relief on the way for Kiwi businesses
The Government is delivering regulatory relief for New Zealand businesses through changes to the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Act. “The Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Amendment Bill, which was introduced today, is the second Bill – the other being the Statutes Amendment Bill - that ...5 days ago
- Hawke’s Bay Expressway moving at pace
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- Wide ranging legislation to make justice system more efficient
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- Diverse skills in community trust appointments
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- Torture redress for survivors of the Lake Alice Unit
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- A busy year in the House
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- Consultation opens on working with engineered stone
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- Greater reporting on Treaty settlement commitments
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- New appointments to the Charities Registration Board
Mr Roger Holmes Miller and Ms Tarita Hutchinson have been appointed to the Charities Registration Board, Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Louise Upston says. “I would like to welcome the new members joining the Charities Registration Board. “The appointment of Ms Hutchinson and Mr Miller will strengthen the Board’s capacity ...5 days ago
- Building consent processing times improve
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- Faster access to support through Innovation Fund
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- New Zealand to assist Vanuatu on earthquake response
New Zealand is providing Vanuatu assistance following yesterday's devastating earthquake, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. "Vanuatu is a member of our Pacific family and we are supporting it in this time of acute need," Mr Peters says. "Our thoughts are with the people of Vanuatu, and we will be ...5 days ago
- Government takes steps to reduce card fees for Kiwis
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- Review recommends ECE regulation shakeup
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- Local Government (Water Services) Bill passes first reading
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- Gene Technology Bill passes first reading
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- Māori ‘under siege’ in 2024, must fight back in 2025 – Ngarewa-Packer
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- Daily crossword, Monday 23 December
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Looks like more great weather….. a bit of cricket and a few walks on the beach I think.
Sounding like a party pooper and true trout fisherman…..rain rain rain please, flush the algae out of the river…
Enjoy the cricket and walk.
Cross your fingers… pray to your God if you have one… hope the stars line up in the correct order and maybe – just maybe – Tropical Cyclone Sandra will fill up the rivers, reservoirs and tanks towards the end of next week.
Oh I certainly wouldn’t mind a week or two of light but steady rain to green the garden and country up a bit.
yes needs to be light or it’ll bounce off the hard earth and flood.
Defiantly don’t want a cyclone, it would stay fairly intense with the warm sea. Its now so dry there are large cracks in the costal cliffs around Auckland the motorway plantings also have large splits anything prolonged and heavy would be disastrous. Need at least 2 weeks of light rain to let the ground recover…
Four weeks of persistant precipitation to return agricultural soil to “normative levels”.
Speaking of cricket – how about Hamish Rutherford.
legend
Three quarters through my Census Collection Contract. Very pleasant walking the streets. Nearly every person met has been very helpful and courteous. The people in low socio-economic area seem very positive in spite of having so little materially. More kids playing around outside, but kids are rare outside in wealthier areas???
Clearly just a brief snapshot but reassuring.
Ian, did you come across any ACT zealots who refused to fill out their census forms?
Morrisey: Very few refusals. One wild disturbed fellar. A woman who was unable/unwilling. Two who will not answer the door. Not bad for the 251 houses in my patch.
Most are pretty keen to do their bit.
Sounds like a good area. Obviously it’s not Epsom.
In my experience of census collection it’s just as likely to be greeny-leftie types who object to taking part.
The common factor is a distrust of government rather than any political affiliation.
[deleted]
[lprent: ummm.. ]
[mod attractors deleted] Can a mod please delete the last two paragraphs above? Just realised what thread we’re in, sorry.
Is there a telecommunications company in NZ that is less incompetent than vodafone?
It would be very interesting to hear from an insider on what the heck has been going on…
an inside leg
What’s been going on? I thought it was just me.
I’ve been noticing more drop outs on calls and dropped calls than usual lately. Could be just me.
Me too, and I’ve noticed alot of people commenting on this. My beef is also how their people and communication systems are so poor.
Massive underinvestment CV and its showing in a network that’s way behind the 8 ball, same in Oz where they’re a joke.
Capitalist owners extracting every last bit out of their infrastructure without putting anything more in…
Hi CW. I use 2 degree’s for the cell phone. Cheap as chips and really reliable. Have never had a problem in the time I’ve been with them, which is since they first opened for business. Slingshot we use for internet and land line. Also low cost but quite a nightmare to deal with. Many problems, especially to start with and difficult to resolve.
Neil deGrasse Tyson on The Daily Show. Awesome – my inner geek is bursting at the seams.
http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/wed-march-6-2013/exclusive—neil-degrasse-tyson-extended-interview-pt–1
Got a whole lotta Daily Show to catch up on tonight……………When does New Zuland get to have a politically asute lolmaster such as Stewart on telly? (Don’t answer that – it’s not going to happen).
Syphilis is back – fuelled by smart phones
Hmmmmm what not to contract with your weekend.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/8402842/Syphilis-back-with-a-vengeance
remember that Guardian article that summarised the “risks” for 2013? Plague was one of them.
“the machine”; good on ya Fuckerberg et al;
Time for another safe-sex ad spree I think, or get the app devs to include safe-sex reminders into teh apps.
Ugh, jogged about 500m yesterday and still paying for it. Planning to still bike 10k’s out to the Port Hills, walk up to Sugar Loaf and then bike home tomorrow though :3
My legs are going to be so totes fucked.
we got a “Sugar Loaf” here
Me too stuffed, meh, bike ride is on the cards then.
And enjoying the newish Yo La Tengo Album – Fade /happymonkey
I had a most excellent day yesterday. I didn’t get out of bed for more than an hour. Nice after the general madness of last weekend’s wedding that was punctuated by Lyn becoming an auntie again. I staggered back to work for a rest.
However this weekend has been perfect. Lyn, with her sometimes irritating assumption that weekends are about anything apart from slothing around recovering from work, is in Dunedin until Monday evening. I took Monday and Tuesday off. I had a day of sloth yesterday. Socialised with family this morning. Played with new toys in the afternoon installing Ubuntu Touch on my new Nexus7 (don’t do it – way off useable), and started doing some site work while waiting through the boring bits. Watched a movie and now I feel like doing some work on the site…..
Time management – it is all about the productive use of laziness.
Last line; Agree!
I jogged 1/2 hour today and that’s the first time for about 3 years I’ve been able to make it that far. By now I must be the queen of restarting exercise after being unwell. Now to see how long that lasts…