Weekend social 20/02/2015
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3:13 pm, February 20th, 2015 - 17 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?
17 comments on “Weekend social 20/02/2015 ”
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Aotearoa New Zealand is sending a medical team and supplies to Niue to help it respond to new cases of COVID-19, following the opening of its border to quarantine-free travel last week. Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta and Defence Minister Peeni Henare have announced a Medical Assistance Team will head to ...14 hours ago - Govt boosts digital skills for over 30,000 small businessesMore than 30,000 small businesses have participated in Government-funded digital training, which supports businesses to take advantage of digital tools and new opportunities through e-commerce, Minister for Small Business Stuart Nash announced today. “Over the last two years, many business owners had no option but to move to digital platforms ...21 hours ago
- Crown accounts reflect Government’s balanced fiscal managementThe latest Crown Accounts show a solid result, despite challenging international conditions – reflecting the Government’s careful management of the books. For the eleven months to the end of May 2022 the Operating Balance before Gains and Losses (OBEGAL) deficit was $7.7 billion, $5.5 billion below that forecast in May’s ...21 hours ago
- Government action to tackle delays in Family CourtNew legislation aimed at tackling delays in the family justice system, will help improve the wellbeing of thousands of children caught up in Family Court disputes every year, Justice Minister Kiri Allan says. The Family Court (Family Court Associate) Legislation Bill will see a number of Family Court Associates employed ...21 hours ago
- Minister to meet all rural and provincial councilsNew Associate Minister of Local Government Kieran McAnulty is today beginning a series of visits to all of the 55 rural and provincial councils across the motu. “Local government plays a crucial role in our democratic system, ensuring people have a voice in the leadership of their community,” Kieran McAnulty ...22 hours ago
- Imports of Russian gold bannedMinister of Foreign Affairs Nanaia Mahuta and Minister for Trade and Export Growth Damien O’Connor have announced that Aotearoa New Zealand will ban the import of Russian gold. “Today’s decision further signals Aotearoa New Zealand’s condemnation of Russia’s flagrant violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty,” Nanaia Mahuta said. “It underscores our intention of ensuring ...2 days ago
- New Public Health services to improve health for all KiwisThe rollout of the new nationwide health system continued today with the launch of the country’s first national public health system to fight disease and promote healthy lives. The Public Health Agency will lead and co-ordinate population and public health policy, strategy and regulation, while the national Public Health ...2 days ago
- Prime Minister to lead trade mission to AustraliaPrime Minister Jacinda Ardern will lead a trade mission including over 30 New Zealand businesses to Melbourne and Sydney this week as part of the Government’s reconnection strategy to support export growth and the return of tourists post COVID-19. While in Sydney, Jacinda Ardern will also give an address to ...2 days ago
- Applications now open for new work visa holders from offshoreFinal stage of Accredited Employer Work Visa goes live today Offshore migrants can apply to work in New Zealand for an accredited employer Partners and dependents of work visa applicants can also apply for visas from today New Zealand has taken another significant step forward in our Reconnecting plan ...2 days ago
- Better and fairer access to legal assistanceRaising eligibility thresholds will provide a helping hand to more than 90,000 New Zealanders currently denied access to legal aid, Justice Minister Kiri Allan says. “The Government is committed to driving through legislative changes to strengthen our legal aid system. “Enshrining changes in legislation and regulations is necessary to give ...2 days ago
- Diplosphere Conference 2022Mihi Manawa maiea te pūtanga o Matariki Manawa maiea te ariki o te rangi Manawa maiea te mātahi o te tau! Thank you for the invitation to join you today. Unfortunately I can’t be there in person but I'm pleased that this is an opportunity for young Māori and ...2 days ago
- Strengthening NZ-UK people, science and trade connectionsPrime Minister Jacinda Ardern met UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson in London overnight, and together took a number of steps to strengthen the already close ties between our two countries, and promote our common interests in the Indo-Pacific and beyond. “The UK is one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s oldest and closest friends and ...4 days ago
- Joint Statement – Prime Ministers Jacinda Ardern and Boris JohnsonBuilding a more secure, sustainable and prosperous future together: Joint Statement – Prime Ministers Jacinda Ardern and Boris Johnson 1. New Zealand and the United Kingdom are old friends and close partners. Our relationship rests on a bedrock of history, shared values, and deep people-to-people links, extending across almost all ...4 days ago
- PM’s Chatham HouseDirector Sir Robin Niblett, distinguished guests. What an honour it is to be back in London, and to be here at Chatham house. This visit represents much for me. The reopening of borders and resumption of travel after a difficult few years. The chance to bring life to the UK ...4 days ago
- Otago Foreign Policy School, opening addressManawa maiea te pūtanga o Matariki Manawa maiea te ariki o te rangi Manawa maiea te mātahi o te tau! Introduction I’m pleased to join you for my second address at the 56th Annual Otago Foreign Policy School. The topic for this year is Space. Given that we are in ...5 days ago
- Government launches new Ministry of Disabled PeopleNew Ministry will officially be called Whaikaha - Ministry of Disabled People Public Service Commission have appointed Geraldine Woods as Interim Chief Executive Office for Disability Issues to be folded into the new Ministry In what is a milestone day, the Government has launched Aotearoa New Zealand’s first Whaikaha ...5 days ago
- Further Investment to support rangatahi to overcome barriers to employmentNine new He Poutama Rangatahi programmes have been approved funding. These programmes will provide work-readiness, training and employment initiatives for over 820 rangatahi NEETS (not in education, employment or training), across Aotearoa New Zealand. "He Poutama Rangatahi has proven to be a very successful initiative which supports rangatahi to overcome ...5 days ago
- Crown appointments to Ihumātao Steering CommitteeMinister for Māori Development Willie Jackson today announced the appointment of Crown representatives, Dr Charlotte Severne and Mr Bernie O’Donnell, to the Steering Committee that will determine the future of the Ihumātao land. “I’m pleased to have made the Crown appointments. Both Dr Severne and Mr O’Donnell have extensive ...5 days ago
- Health Minister Andrew Little's address to first joint meeting of the boards of Te Whatu Ora &#...I begin by thanking each of you for accepting appointment to these boards. You’ve each been on the Ministerial committee that established Te Whatu Ora - Health New Zealand and Te Aka Whai Ora - the Māori Health Authority and I express my appreciation for the enormous task you collectively ...5 days ago
- Hong Kong National Security LawAotearoa New Zealand has reiterated its concerns over the continued erosion of rights, freedom and autonomy in Hong Kong. On the second anniversary of the introduction of the Hong Kong National Security Law, the Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta says developments in Hong Kong remain a cause for worry. “Two years ...5 days ago
- Europol Agreement will assist New Zealand law enforcement in tackling serious crimeThe Europol Agreement signed is a significant milestone for New Zealand and the European Union’s relationship, and reflects our shared principles of democracy, the rule of law, and respect for human rights, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said today. The Prime Minister attended a signature ceremony in Brussels, as part of ...5 days ago
- New era for better health in Aotearoa New Zealand· New nationwide public health system · 20 district health boards disestablished and deficits wiped · 82,000 health employees directly employed by Health New Zealand · $24 billion health budget this year – up 43% since Labour took office in 2017 – in addition to separate funding for the new ...5 days ago
- New chairs appointed to the Teaching Council and Te KuraEducation Minister Chris Hipkins has announced appointments to the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand and the Board of Trustees of Te Aho o Te Kura Pounamu (Te Kura). “Robyn Baker ONZM has been appointed as the chair of the Teaching Council. She has considerable governance experience and is a ...5 days ago
- Joint media release on the occasion of the meeting between European Commission President von der Ley...European Commission President von der Leyen and Prime Minister of New Zealand Ardern met in Brussels on 30 June 2022. The encounter provided an opportunity to reaffirm that the European Union and Aotearoa New Zealand are longstanding partners with shared democratic values and interests, aligned positions on key international and ...5 days ago
- New Zealand secures major free trade deal with European UnionExport revenue to the EU to grow by up to $1.8 billion annually on full implementation. Duty-free access on 97% of New Zealand’s current exports to the EU; with over 91% being removed the day the FTA comes into force. NZ exporters set to save approx. $110 million per annum ...5 days ago
- Biggest Year for Clean Cars on Record57,000 EVs and Hybrid registered in first year of clean car scheme, 56% increase on previous year EVs and Non Plug-in Hybrids made up 20% of new passenger car sales in March/April 2022 The Government’s Clean Car Discount Scheme has been a success, with more than 57,000 light-electric and ...6 days ago
- Police Wing 355 includes the highest ever proportion of Wāhine MāoriPolice Minister Chris Hipkins congratulates the newest Police wing – wing 355 – which graduated today in Porirua. “These 70 new constables heading for the frontline bring the total number of new officers since Labour took office to 3,303 and is the latest mark of our commitment to the Police ...6 days ago
- New RBNZ board takes up role from 1 JulyMembers with a range of governance, financial and technical skills have been appointed to the Reserve Bank Board as part of the shift to strengthen the Bank’s decision-making and accountability arrangements. The Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 2021 comes into force on 1 July 2022, with the establishment of ...6 days ago
- New measures to help manage COVID-19 as country stays at OrangeNew Zealand to remain at Orange as case numbers start to creep up 50 child-size masks made available to every year 4-7 student in New Zealand 20,000-30,000 masks provided a week to all other students and school staff Extra funding to schools and early childhood services to supports better ...6 days ago
- NZ to join International Court of Justice case against RussiaAotearoa New Zealand will join Ukraine’s case against Russia at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which challenges Russia’s spurious attempt to justify its invasion under international law. Ukraine filed a case at the ICJ in February arguing Russia has falsely claimed genocide had occurred in Luhansk and Donetsk regions, as ...6 days ago
- New advisory group provides enduring Māori expertise for Te Aorerekura deliveryThe Government has taken another step forward in its work to eliminate family violence and sexual violence with the announcement today of a new Tangata Whenua Ministerial Advisory Group. A team of 11 experts in whānau Māori wellbeing will provide the Government independent advice on shaping family violence and sexual ...6 days ago
- Making work better for Kiwi womenTe Mahere Whai Mahi Wāhine: Women’s Employment Action Plan was launched today by Minister for Women Jan Tinetti – with the goal of ensuring New Zealand is a great place for women to work. “This Government is committed to improving women’s working lives. The current reality is that women have ...6 days ago
- Good Employer Awards celebrate food and fibre sectorThe food and fibre sector acknowledged its people and leadership at last night’s 2022 Primary Industries Good Employer Awards, a time to celebrate their passion towards supporting employees by putting their health, welfare and wellbeing first,” Acting Minister of Agriculture Meka Whairiti said. “Award winners were selected from an extraordinary ...6 days ago
- PM's comments to NATO sessionKia ora koutou katoa. It is a rare thing to have New Zealand represented at a NATO Summit. While we have worked together in theatres such as Afghanistan, and have been partners for just on a decade, today represents an important moment for our Pacific nation. New Zealand is ...6 days ago
- Veterans Minister announces new focus on mental health for veterans and their whānauTe Arataki mō te Hauora Ngākau mō ngā Mōrehu a Tū me ō rātou Whānau, The Veteran, Family and Whānau Mental Health and Wellbeing Policy Framework “We ask a lot of those who serve in the military – and we ask a lot of the families and whānau who support ...7 days ago
- Minister to advocate for Small Island StatesAssociate Minister of Foreign Affairs Aupito William Sio has been appointed by the United Nations and Commonwealth as Aotearoa New Zealand’s advocacy champion for Small Island States. “Aotearoa New Zealand as a Pacific country is particularly focused on the interests of Pacific Small Island Developing States in our region. “This is a ...7 days ago
- Increased support for households to pay local council ratesAn estimated 100,000 low income households will be eligible for increased support to pay their council rates, with changes to the rates rebate scheme taking effect from 1 July. Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta has announced increases to both the maximum value of the rates rebate, and the income threshold ...7 days ago
- He Oranga Poutama expanded into four new regionsA long-standing physical activity programme that focuses on outcomes for Maori has been expanded to four new regions with Government investment almost doubled to increase its reach. He Oranga Poutama is managed by a combination of hapū, iwi, hauora and regional providers. An increase in funding from $1.8 million ...7 days ago
- Wellington’s rapid transit option progresses to next stageThe Government is progressing a preferred option for LGWM which will see Wellington’s transport links strengthened with light rail from Wellington Station to Island Bay, a new tunnel through Mt Victoria for public transport, and walking and cycling, and upgrades to improve traffic flow at the Basin Reserve. “Where previous ...7 days ago
- Keynote remarks: Tech 4 Democracy Summit, MadridTo Provost Muniz, to the Organisers at the Instituto de Empresa buenas tardes and as we would say in New Zealand, kia ora kotou katoa. To colleagues from the State Department, from Academia, and Civil Society Groups, to all our distinguished guests - kia ora tatou katoa. It’s a pleasure ...1 week ago
- Nation-building or nature-destroying? Why it’s time NZ faced up to the environmental damage of its...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Olli Hellmann, Senior Lecturer in Political Science and International Relations, University of Waikato National Library of New Zealand, CC BY-NC-ND The ways in which New Zealand remembers European colonisation have changed markedly in recent years. Critics have been chipping away ...31 mins ago - PNG Defence Force arrive in New Ireland for election dutiesInside PNG News Forty-Two Papua New Guinea Defence Force staff have arrived in Kavieng for the national general election operations. New Ireland Provincial Police Commander Chief Inspector Felix Nebanat said this brought the total number of joint security forces up to 400 in the province. Papua New Guinea’s general election ...11 hours ago
- New Caledonia’s Backes joins French government in citizenship postRNZ Pacific The president of New Caledonia’s Southern Province Sonia Backès has been given a post in France’s reshuffled and enlarged 42-member government. The prime minister Elisabeth Borne appointed her as the secretary of citizenship within the interior ministry, which has integrated the overseas ministry. The reshuffle means that the ...11 hours ago
- Rates rise to 1.35% – and there’s no stopping now the RBA’s on a mission to whip inflationSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Isaac Gross, Lecturer in Economics, Monash University Shutterstock There was no suprise in the board of the Reserve Bank of Australia lifting interest rates at its July meeting. The only question was by how much. Would it be a “regular” ...12 hours ago
- Word from The Hill: People’s pockets hit again, with rate rise and floods set to boost veggie pric...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra As well as her interviews with politicians and experts, Politics with Michelle Grattan includes “Word from The Hill”, where she discusses the news with members of The Conversation politics team. Michelle and Peter ...12 hours ago
- $100 billion nationalisation but where are the business media on property rights questions?
The state-subsidised mainstream media have been found wanting in their coverage of Three Waters governance arrangements. In this post, reproduced from his blog, BARRIE SAUNDERS exposes failings in the business press’s coverage of the nationalisation and property rights issues and their implications… IF THE GOVERNMENT gets its way, around $100 ...13 hours ago - Minister 'open' to immigration changes for nurses if new system fails
As new visa rules take effect, Minister of Immigration Michael Wood says he will monitor settings for nurses and will remain open to changes. ...14 hours ago - With The Tenant of Wildfell Hall, the Sydney Theatre Company gives us a Brontë adaptation for our m...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Vanessa Smith, Professor of English, University of Sydney Sydney Theatre Company/Prudence Upton Review: The Tenant of Wildfell Hall, directed by Jessica Arthur for the Sydney Theatre Company “You know when it’s the autumn of 1827, and you’re sitting in a ...14 hours ago
- We are on the brink of losing Indigenous languages in Australia – could schools save them?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Lisa Lim, Associate Professor in Linguistics, Curtin University Of the world’s 7,000 languages, it is estimated 50% to 90% will no longer be spoken in the next 50 to 100 years. The majority under threat are languages spoken by Indigenous peoples around ...15 hours ago
- Diphtheria is back in Australia, here’s why – and how vaccines can prevent its spreadSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Frank Beard, Associate professor, University of Sydney Shutterstock An unvaccinated toddler from the far north coast of New South Wales is in intensive care after catching respiratory diphtheria (diphtheria of the throat). A six-year-old close family contact is also infected. ...15 hours ago
- Maoridom went first in shaping a response to the UNDRIP/He Puapua challenge – and now Willie Jack...On his Bowalley Road blog today, Political commentator CHRIS TROTTER says Maori Development Minister Willie Jackson’s problem is that he can neither withdraw, nor water down, the Draft Plan for implementing the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples without exposing the Labour Government to the most withering ...16 hours ago
- ‘Patently ridiculous’: state government failures have exacerbated Sydney’s flood disasterSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jamie Pittock, Professor, Fenner School of Environment & Society, Australian National University For the fourth time in 18 months, floodwaters have inundated homes and businesses in Western Sydney’s Hawkesbury-Nepean Valley. Recent torrential rain is obviously the immediate cause. But poor decisions by ...16 hours ago
- The PM will return to a country where the flagging economy is running out of the resources it needs ...
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern will almost certainly have earned a bounce upwards in her party’s polling after her mission in Europe, where, as a result of her “Captain’s Call”, New Zealand has accepted the terms of the EU free trade deal. The outcome is positive for some sectors, though not ...16 hours ago - Family Court Bill Will Help Tackle Delays
The New Zealand Law Society Te Kāhui Ture o Aotearoa has welcomed a new Bill that will work towards reducing delays in our Family Court system. Delays in Family Court cases are one of the biggest issues for families and children who experience prolonged ...16 hours ago - McAnulty mentions “democracy” as he braces to meet local authority leaders – and maybe he will...
Buzz from the Beehive Amidst a raft of statements that crow about government achievements and/or bray about new initiatives, Point of Order found an oddity: a statement from the newly minted Associate Minister of Local Government who intends to meet local government leaders around the country to talk about this, ...16 hours ago - Watch: Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern speaks in MelbournePrime Minister Jacinda Ardern has spoken to media in Melbourne after meeting with Victoria's Premier, Daniel Andrews. ...17 hours ago
- MindTheGap Applauds Crickets Landmark Pay DecisionThe MindTheGap campaign is applauding New Zealand Cricket for its decision to award equal pay to men and women players. New Zealand Cricket has closed the pay equity gap for women’s cricketers, with both men and women receiving the same pay for ...18 hours ago
- Watch live: Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern speaks in MelbournePrime Minister Jacinda Ardern is speaking to media in Melbourne after meeting with Victoria's Premier, Daniel Andrews. ...18 hours ago
- How the US Supreme Court has become right-wing, and do recent decisions give Democrats hope at the m...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian Beaumont, Election Analyst (Psephologist), The Conversation The US Supreme Court’s annual term usually finishes at the end of June, so late June is when the most important decisions are likely to be announced. On June 23, the Court struck down ...18 hours ago
- Players Of The Day – Candidates Agreed To Review Of Sport Facility CostsThose entering the line-up for 2022 local body elections in the Wellington region must face the issue at the top of mind for sports club members and parents of children playing school sport. Will they allow sport to become more affordable, or will they ...20 hours ago
- Financial Statements Of The Government Of New ZealandFinancial Statements of the Government of New Zealand for the 11 months ending 31 May 2022 Please note the next Financial Statements of the Government of New Zealand to be released will be for the full year ended 30 June 2022. It is anticipated that ...21 hours ago
- Clam Shells And Corals Result In CITES Infringement FinesT wo travellers returning to New Zealand from tropical getaways have been fined for failing to declare protected corals and shells they brought back into the country. C o rals and some shells found in Pacific Island nations are protected by the Convention ...22 hours ago
- The ABS’s notion of the average Australian makes little sense. Here’s whySource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Murray Goot, Emeritus Professor of Politics and International Relations, Macquarie University What does “the average Australian” look like? After every census, this is one of the questions people like to see answered. Average on one measure or on several? If the ...24 hours ago
- Sri Lanka scrambles for aid – but Australia still seems preoccupied by boatsSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Niro Kandasamy, Lecturer in History, University of Sydney When Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe conceded ten days ago that the Sri Lankan economy has “completely collapsed”, his words would have come as no surprise to the island’s 22 million people. ...24 hours ago
- Australia is heading for its third Omicron wave. Here’s what to expect from BA.4 and BA.5Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian Esterman, Professor of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, University of South Australia Shutterstock Australia is heading for its third Omicron wave in the coming weeks, as BA.4 and BA.5 become the dominant COVID strains. BA.4 and BA.5 are more infectious than previous ...24 hours ago
- How Australia’s gig workers may remain contractors under Labor’s reformsSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By David Peetz, Professor Emeritus, Griffith Business School, Griffith University Shutterstock, CC BY-SA Uber Australia’s historic agreement with the Transport Workers’ Union, on the need to regulate the gig economy, is the first step in fundamental reform of gig work. It suggests ...24 hours ago
- ‘Satanic worship, sodomy and even murder’: how Stranger Things revived the American satanic pani...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michael David Barbezat, Research fellow, Australian Catholic University Netflix From Kate Bush to Russian villainy, Season Four of Stranger Things revives many parts of the 1980s relevant to our times. Some of these blasts from the past provide welcome nostalgia. Others ...24 hours ago
- Papua New Guinea voters head to the polls to choose from 3600 candidatesRNZ Pacific Voting in the Papua New Guinea general election begins today. Voters will elect 118 members of Parliament, including governors of the 22 provinces, from the 3600-plus candidates nominated. There are 6000 polling teams in the 22 provinces. There have also been reports that polling in the capital, Port ...1 day ago
- PNG security detain man with K1.56m in suitcase as elections beginBy Miriam Zarriga in Port Moresby A man was held by Papua New Guinean security personnel in Hela Province on Saturday after he was found to have in his possession K1.56 million (about NZ$715,000) in cash carried in a suitcase. The man, who police identified as a local, allegedly told ...1 day ago
- OPM day – celebrating the 1971 Papuan ‘independence proklamasi’COMMENTARY: By Benny Wenda We celebrated the 51st anniversary of the independence declaration of the Free Papua Movement (OPM) at Markas Victoria on July 1, 1971. The declaration, signed by Seth Rumkoren and Jacob Prai — who sadly passed away last month — was a direct rejection of Indonesian colonialism. ...1 day ago
- Is Jacinda Ardern rethinking her China strategy?Analysis - Geoffrey Miller poses the question: Is New Zealand suddenly softening its more pro-Western foreign policy - and its tougher line on China? ...1 day ago
- National's Dr Shane Reti: Health reforms won't workThe SOS cries of under-pressure GPs hit close to home for the country's only MP and practicing doctor, Shane Reti, who suggests three vital steps to help. ...1 day ago
- No more excuses: restoring nature is not a silver bullet for global warming, we must cut emissions o...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kate Dooley, Research Fellow, Climate & Energy College, The University of Melbourne Nico Smit/Unsplash, CC BY Restoring degraded environments, such as by planting trees, is often touted as a solution to the climate crisis. But our new research shows this, ...2 days ago
- New Zealand to ban Russia gold importsNew Zealand is banning all imports of Russian gold, after similar bans by G7 countries and Australia. ...2 days ago
- Jacinda Ardern plays down prospect of quick 501s solutionPrime Minister Jacinda Ardern does not expect a resolution on 501 deportations from her trip to Australia this week, saying it will take time to work through. ...2 days ago
- Thousands of giant crabs amass off Australia’s coast. Scientists need your help to understand the ...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Elodie Camprasse, Research fellow in spider crab ecology, Deakin University Julian Finn/Museums Victoria Am I not pretty enough? This article is part of The Conversation’s series introducing you to little-known Australian animals that need our help. Every winter in ...2 days ago
- Free period care products in Queensland schools is just a first step. Remote communities need access...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nina Lansbury, Senior Lecturer, School of Public Health, The University of Queensland In Australia, most states have introduced initiatives to provide people who menstruate with free period care products in public schools. The Queensland government’s recent announcement of free period care ...2 days ago
- The lessons NZ can learn from Australia to guide energy policy and keep prices downAs consumers receive their winter power bills, many are puzzled and some are incensed that they are so high. There is a simple answer: wholesale prices are elevated (they have been very high for some time and reached $215 a megawatt/hour last week). And there’s a not-so-simple answer: The latter ...2 days ago
- MBIE Advises Seismically Vulnerable Buildings Can Remain OccupiedNew guidance published by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) today advises most seismically vulnerable buildings are not imminently dangerous and can remain occupied while seismic remediation work is planned, funded and undertaken. ...2 days ago
- Mahuta addresses Diplosphere: ours is a liberal democracy, she says, and other nations can learn fro...Buzz from the Beehive Measures to raise eligibility thresholds to help more than 90,000 New Zealanders that currently are denied access to legal aid were announced today Changes to the Legal Services Regulations 2011 and the Legal Services Act 2011 will give effect to $148.7 million of funding in Budget 2022. The ...2 days ago
- Why we talk about computers having brains (and why the metaphor is all wrong)Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tomas Fitzgerald, Lecturer in Law, Curtin University A brainy machine? Shakey, the world’s first AI-based robot. SRI International It is a truth, universally acknowledged, that the machines are taking over. What is less clear is whether the machines know that. Recent claims ...2 days ago
- To stop risky developments in floodplains, we have to tackle the profit motive – and our false sen...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Brian Robert Cook, Associate professor, The University of Melbourne In the aftermath of destructive floods, we often seek out someone to blame. Common targets are the “negligent local council”, the “greedy developer”, “the builder cutting corners”, and the “foolish home owner.” Unfortunately, ...2 days ago
- An ever innovative director, Peter Brook reminded us how high the stakes of theatre can beSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Paul Rae, Associate Professor, English and Theatre Studies, The University of Melbourne Julio Donoso/Sygma via Getty Images I can take any empty space and call it a bare stage. A man walks across this empty space whilst someone else ...2 days ago
- Crombie Lockwood Announces New Partnership With Trees For SurvivalCrombie Lockwood today announced a new partnership with Trees for Survival. Trees for Survival is a charitable trust which works with over 150 schools and local communities across New Zealand to grow and plant native trees along waterways and on erosion ...2 days ago
- PM's Australian trade mission to focus on business reconnection, climate change progressLabour shortages, supply chain disruption and climate change are expected to be among the topics of discussion on the Prime Minister's Australian trade mission. ...2 days ago
- NZCTU Joins Pay Equity Campaign For #NotAnotherWinterThe New Zealand Council of Trade Unions is pleased to support the #NotAnotherWinter campaign, which calls on the Government to take urgent action on pay transparency. The campaign, which was launched by Mind the Gap this week, calls on the Government ...2 days ago
- The Job Check Process – Is It Really A Trojan Horse?Aaron Martin, Principal immigration lawyer, New Zealand Immigration Law The Job Check has been introduced to ensure that there are no suitable New Zealanders who can do a job before it is offered to a migrant worker. But it comes with a requirement ...2 days ago
- Make Up Your Minds So NZ Competes For Workers Or Lose Out“New Zealand needs to make up its mind if it is open for business and remove any barriers to make it easy for people with the skills we need to come here to keep our schools, hospitals, hospitality and tourism ventures running,” says a frustrated ...2 days ago
- Responsible Campers To Seek Law ChangeResponsible Campers Association has today announced they will seek a change to the law that allows defecation in public if a person believes they would not be observed doing so. Spokesman for the group, Bob Osborne explains; “At the moment section ...2 days ago
- Not if, but when: unless Papua New Guinea prepares now, the next big earthquake could wreak havoc in...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Phil R. Cummins, Professor, Geoscience Australia Brendan Esposito/AAP Earthquakes can be especially devastating for developing countries, where competing priorities can stymie resource allocation towards earthquake resilience. Even in tectonically active areas, where tectonic plates meet and scrape against one another, ...2 days ago
- Are we learning the wrong lessons from history?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Frank Bongiorno, Professor of History, ANU College of Arts and Social Sciences, Australian National University ‘Peace for our time’: British prime minister Neville Chamberlain displaying the Anglo-German declaration, known as the Munich Agreement, in September 1938. Wikimedia, CC BY-SA Can historians influence ...2 days ago
- Flu may be back, but COVID is far from over. How do they compare?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Paul Glasziou, Professor of Medicine, Bond University Engin Akyurt/Unsplash Since Australia’s first Omicron wave after borders opened late last year, the pandemic has largely faded from the news and public perception. Gone are the daily briefings with updates on the ...2 days ago
- Research reveals fire is pushing 88% of Australia’s threatened land mammals closer to extinctionSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Julianna Santos, PhD candidate, The University of Melbourne David Mariuz/AAP About 100 of Australia’s unique land mammals face extinction. Of the many threats contributing to the crisis, certain fire regimes are among the most pervasive. In a new paper, we ...2 days ago
- Recognising Indigenous knowledges is not just culturally sound, it’s good scienceSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Maryanne Macdonald, Lecturer, Indigenous Education, Edith Cowan University Floods, fires and droughts in Australia devastate lives, destroy wildlife and damage property. These disasters also cost billions of dollars through loss of agricultural and economic productivity, environmental vitality and costs to mental health. ...2 days ago
- If unis stick with online assessment after COVID, they’ll have do more to stop cheatingSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Meena Jha, Course Coordinator, Information Communications Technology (ICT), CQUniversity Australia Shutterstock While face-to-face classes are back after the COVID disruptions of the past two years, our research suggests at least some Australian universities intend to continue with fully online assessment. ...2 days ago
- Cryptocurrencies are great for gambling – but lousy at liberating our money from big central banksSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Hawkins, Senior Lecturer, Canberra School of Politics, Economics and Society, University of Canberra Shutterstock The dream that decentralised finance – or “DeFi” – can free the monetary system from the clutches of governments and banks has helped launch 20,000 ...2 days ago
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Who will rid me of this turbulent cricket?
I say Sir. Anyone for tennis?
Indeed. May I suggest pruning the TV aerial out by its roots.
It has those spiky leaves like those other weeds that the police helicopters find in the Coromandel. Give it the same fate.
Besides; neither addiction is taxed enough.
(I wonder how long it is before philu finds this)
Noticed this nearly naughty stuff earlier in the week. Very funny and not what it seems:
From 50 Sheds of Grey:
“At the touch of her lips, it grew long and swollen. I sighed as she squeezed and pulled expertly. It was the best balloon giraffe I’d seen.”
or “Staring at her naked body, I asked what she wanted. She told me to go for something between a smack and a stroke. So I went for a smoke.”
http://valentines.tickld.com/x/50-shades-by-man
Lols. I got zapped by an electric fence once. It felt like someone had plunged a dagger into my arm.
Don’t ask me what I was doing in the middle of nowhere with an electric fence and a convenient haystack nearby.
One of the local farmers had a bull that had entangled his nose ring in the electric fence. When found the old chap was on his knees and quivering with umm -shock.
Oh dear… the poor wee chap. lols again.
50 sheds of grey! I like that agricultural flavour to these tales.
Seth Lakeman, ‘Poor Man’s Heaven’ at the Minack: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cd1B-98jBrM
Some of his mates lost jobs and more in the wake of the GFC; Seth Lakeman wrote this, ‘Hearts and Minds’: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=utmdNTGoENU
Lakeman, Jenna Witts and Steve Knightley, ‘Surfer Storm’ from the dazzling Western Approaches album: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9UAOmFuEbXM
The wonderful Alex Cornish with a wonderful version of Dire Straits’ ‘Brothers in Arms’: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SrJM8AKnCtQ
Review of Seth Lakeman, whom I had the good fortunate to see live in a theatre and on a beach, two nights running in the West Country, one of my favourite places in the world: https://rdln.wordpress.com/2014/12/30/seth-lakemans-workers-lives-review-of-tales-from-the-barrelhouse-and-word-of-mouth/
Phil
Tim Southee eh!
One of my favourite English musicians of the early 1980s, possibly even my very actual favourite, was Dave Wakeling. Wakeling was the key figure in the Two-Tone band The Beat. They had a string of hits and three albums, disbanding coz, as Wakeling put it, “every great band only has three really good albums”.
Wakeling then, with Ranking Roger, formed the excellent General Public whose single – I had the 12″ – ‘General Public’ was, to my mind, one of the great records of the 80s.
He’s lived in the USA for quite a while – GP just did three albums too – and there’s a great 2012 quote from him from an interview in the New York Music News: “I have a nose tuned to the smell of the death of an empire, and I smell it now.”
The extended version of the single ‘General Public’ is here (play it *loud*): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMCphVBT2qQ
Phil
One of my favourite English musicians of the early 1980s, possibly even my very actual favourite, was Dave Wakeling. Wakeling was the key figure in the Two-Tone band The Beat. They had a string of hits and three albums, disbanding coz, as Wakeling put it, “every great band only has three really good albums”.
Wakeling then, with Ranking Roger, formed the excellent General Public whose single – I had the 12″ – ‘General Public’ was one of the great records of the 80s.
He’s lived in the USA for quite a while – GP just did three albums too – and there’s a great 2012 quote from him from an interview in the New York Music News: “I have a nose tuned to the smell of the death of an empire, and I smell it now.”
The extended version of the single ‘General Public’ is here (play it *loud*): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMCphVBT2qQ
Phil
All 3 of their albums have been remastered with bonus demos etc and bonus dvds
so you get 6 cds and 3 dvds.. well worth it..
Fantastic, where are they available? Mirror in the bathroom echos through the deacdes
baby now 9 days old – his mum and him good – I’m loving the experience and everything – even the poo, even the lack of sleep and trying to look after an energetic 7 year old as well – love you love.
Congratulations. How wonderful! Best of times…
I remember ours and from your words marty it reminds me just how fleeting those moments are. Enjoy.