Weekend social 22/06/2012
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2:00 pm, June 22nd, 2012 - 26 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?
26 comments on “Weekend social 22/06/2012 ”
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- Landlord govt finds new way to undermine public housing
Proposed cuts to KÄinga Ora reflect a failure to fully commit to fixing the housing crisis. ...2 weeks ago
- Crown should prove their rights to Foreshore & Seabed â Te PÄti MÄori
Te PÄti MÄori spokesperson for Justice, TÄkuta Ferris, has hit out at the Government, demanding the Crown prove its rights to the foreshore, following the Marine and Coastal Area Amendment Bill, passing its first reading. "MÄori rights to the foreshore pre-exist the Declaration of Independence, Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and ...2 weeks ago
- NZ must urgently help whanau in Lebanon
The Government must immediately help evacuate New Zealanders and Lebanese whanau caught up in the current conflict unfolding across south Lebanon. ...2 weeks ago
- Green Government will revoke oil and gas permits
The Green Party vows to reinstate the oil and gas ban and revoke permits when it returns to government following the coalitionâs introduction of legislation to reopen offshore oil and gas exploration this afternoon. ...2 weeks ago
- Minister to co-chair carbon market negotiations at COP29
Climate Change Minister Simon Watts will chair negotiations on carbon markets at this yearâs United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29) alongside Singaporeâs Minister for Sustainability and Environment, Grace Fu. âClimate change is a global challenge, and itâs important for countries to be enabled to work together and support each other ...6 hours ago - Confirmation of Payee service to improve payment security
A new confirmation of payments system in the banking sector will make it safer for Kiwis making bank transactions, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly says. âIn my open letter to the banks in February, I outlined several of my expectations of the sector, including the introduction of a ...8 hours ago
- Medicines access continues to increase
Associate Health Minister with responsibility for Pharmac David Seymour is pleased to see Pharmac continue to increase availability of medicines for Kiwis with the Governmentâs largest ever investment in Pharmac. âPharmac operates independently, but it must work within the budget constraints set by the Government,â says Mr Seymour. âWhen our ...9 hours ago
- Strengthening NZâs emergency management system
The Government has released its long-term vision to strengthen New Zealandâs disaster resilience and emergency management, Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell announced today. âItâs clear from the North Island Severe Weather Events (NISWE) Inquiry, that our emergency management system was not fit-for-purpose,â Mr Mitchell says. âWeâve seen first-hand ...15 hours ago
- Brighter days ahead for Kiwis
Todayâs cut in the Official Cash Rate (OCR) to 4.75 per cent is welcome news for families and businesses, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. âLower interest rates will provide much-needed relief for households and businesses, allowing families to keep more of their hard-earned money and increasing the opportunities for businesses ...1 day ago
- Sport NZ asked to update Transgender Inclusion Guiding Principles
Sport & Recreation Minister Chris Bishop has asked Sport NZ to review and update its Guiding Principles for the Inclusion of Transgender People in Community Sport. âThe Guiding Principles, published in 2022, were intended to be a helpful guide for sporting bodies grappling with a tricky issue. They are intended ...1 day ago
- Freshwater farm plan rollout set to be paused by end of year
The Coalition Government is restoring confidence to the rural sector by pausing the rollout of freshwater farm plans while changes are made to ensure the system is affordable and more practical for farmers and growers, Associate Environment Minister Andrew Hoggard and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced today. âFreshwater farm plans ...1 day ago
- New report shows improvements in air quality
The latest report from the Ministry for the Environment (MfE) and Stats NZ, Our air 2024, reveals that overall air quality in New Zealand is improving, Environment Minister Penny Simmonds and Statistics Minister Andrew Bayly say. âAir pollution levels have decreased in many parts of the country. New Zealand is ...1 day ago
- New Zealand Climate Change Ambassador appointed
Climate Change Minister Simon Watts has announced the appointment of Stuart Horne as New Zealandâs Climate Change Ambassador. âI am pleased to welcome someone of Stuartâs calibre to this important role, given his expertise in foreign policy, trade, and economics, along with strong business connections,â Mr Watts says. âStuartâs understanding ...1 day ago
- Plunket to help increase childhood vaccination rates
Health Minister Dr Shane Reti and Associate Health Minister Casey Costello have announced a pilot to increase childhood immunisations, by training the WhÄnau Äwhina Plunket workforce as vaccinators in locations where vaccine coverage is particularly low. The Government is investing up to $1 million for Health New Zealand to partner ...1 day ago
- Holding careless builders accountable
The Government is looking at strengthening requirements for building professionals, including penalties, to ensure Kiwis have confidence in their biggest asset, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says âThe Government is taking decisive action to make building easier and more affordable. If we want to tackle our chronic undersupply of houses ...2 days ago
- Further action to tackle driver licence wait times
The Government is taking further action to tackle the unacceptable wait times facing people trying to sit their driver licence test by temporarily extending the amount of time people can drive on overseas licences from 12 months to 18 months, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. âThe previous government removed fees for ...2 days ago
- Strengthened cyber security support for New Zealand businesses
The Government has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring New Zealand is a safe and secure place to do business with the launch of new cyber security resources, Small Business and Manufacturing Minister Andrew Bayly says. âCyber security is crucial for businesses, but itâs often discounted for more immediate business concerns. ...2 days ago
- Apprenticeship Boost targets key occupations
Investment in Apprenticeship Boost will prioritise critical industries and targeted occupations that are essential to addressing New Zealandâs skills shortages and rebuilding the economy, Tertiary Education and Skills Minister Penny Simmonds and Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston say. âBy focusing Apprenticeship Boost on first-year apprentices in targeted occupations, ...2 days ago
- Funding boost to reduce wait times at Palmerston North ED
Health Minister Dr Shane Reti has announced a funding boost for Palmerston North ED to reduce wait times and improve patient safety and care, as well as new national standards for moving acute patients through hospitals. âWait times in emergency departments have deteriorated over the past six years and Palmerston ...2 days ago
- Funding boost to reduce wait times at Palmerston North ED
Health Minister Dr Shane Reti has announced a funding boost for Palmerston North ED to reduce wait times and improve patient safety and care, as well as new national standards for moving acute patients through hospitals. âWait times in emergency departments have deteriorated over the past six years and Palmerston ...2 days ago
- Significant investment for affordable housing with Waikato-Tainui
Mehemea he pai mĆ te tangata, mahia! If itâs good for the people, get on with it! A $35 million Government investment will enable the delivery of 100 affordable rental homes in partnership with Waikato-Tainui, Associate Minister of Housing Tama Potaka says. Investment for the partnership, signed and announced today ...2 days ago
- Unlocking the potential of ethnic businesses
This weekâs inaugural Ethnic Xchange Symposium will explore the role that ethnic communities and businesses can play in rebuilding New Zealandâs economy, Ethnic Communities Minister Melissa Lee says. âOne of my top priorities as Minister is unlocking the economic potential of New Zealandâs ethnic businesses,â says Ms Lee. âEthnic communities ...3 days ago
- New Zealand marks anniversary of 7 October
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Winston Peters are renewing New Zealandâs calls for restraint and de-escalation, on the first anniversary of the 7 October terrorist attacks on Israel. âNew Zealand was horrified by the monstrous actions of Hamas against Israel a year ago today,â Mr Luxon says. ...4 days ago
- Iwi-led and partnered projects among those referred for Fast Track approval
Kia uru kahikatea te tĆ«. Projects referred for Fast-Track approval will help supercharge the MÄori economy and realise the huge potential of Iwi and MÄori assets, MÄori Development Minister Tama Potaka says. Following robust and independent review, the Government has today announced 149 projects that have significant regional or national ...4 days ago
- Fast-track to boost renewable electricity
The Fast-track Approvals Bill will list 22 renewable electricity projects with a combined capacity of 3 Gigawatts, which will help secure a clean, reliable and affordable supply of electricity across New Zealand, Energy Minister Simeon Brown says. âThe Government has a goal of doubling New Zealandâs renewable electricity generation. The 22 ...4 days ago
- Fast-track to drive transport projects forward
The Government has enabled fast-track consenting for 29 critical road, rail, and port projects across New Zealand to deliver these priority projects faster and boost economic growth, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. âNew Zealand has an infrastructure deficit, and our Government is working to fix it. Delivering the transport infrastructure Kiwis ...4 days ago
- Fast-track projects released
The 149 projects released today for inclusion in the Governmentâs one-stop-shop Fast Track Approvals Bill will help rebuild the economy and fix our housing crisis, improve energy security, and address our infrastructure deficit, Minister for Infrastructure Chris Bishop says. âThe 149 projects selected by the Government have significant regional or ...4 days ago
- RuakÄkÄ recreation centre opened
A new multi-purpose recreation centre will provide a valuable wellbeing hub for residents and visitors to RuakÄkÄ in Northland, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. The RuakÄkÄ Recreation Centre, officially opened today, includes separate areas for a gymnasium, a community health space and meeting rooms made possible with support of ...5 days ago
- Extra Government support for farmers and growers in Southland and parts of Otago
Agriculture Minister Todd McClay, and Rural Communities Minister Mark Patterson announced up to $50,000 in additional Government support for farmers and growers across Southland and parts of Otago as challenging spring weather conditions have been classified a medium-scale adverse event. âThe relentless wet weather has been tough on farmers and ...6 days ago
- Government welcomes move to delay EU Deforestation Regulation
Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay today welcomed a move by the European Commission to delay the implementation of the European Unionâs Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) by 12 months, describing the proposal as a pragmatic step that will provide much-needed certainty for New Zealand exporters and ensure over $200 million in ...6 days ago
- Response to Ministerial Inquiry into School Property
The Government is taking decisive action in response to the Ministerial Inquiry into School Property, which concludes the way school property is delivered is not fit for purpose. âThe school property portfolio is worth $30 billion, and itâs critically important itâs managed properly. This Government is taking a series of immediate actions ...6 days ago
- New Government support for residential construction market announced
The Government has announced a new support programme for the residential construction market while the economy recovers, Housing Minister Chris Bishop and Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk say. âWe know the residential development sector is vulnerable to economic downturns. The lead time for building houses is typically 18 ...6 days ago
- New appointment to the EPA board
Environment Minister Penny Simmonds has confirmed the final appointee to the refreshed Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) board. âI am pleased to welcome Brett OâRiley to the EPA board,â Ms Simmonds says. âBrett is a seasoned business advisor with a long and distinguished career across the technology, tourism, and sustainable business ...6 days ago
- Strengthening resilience with critical road improvement projects
The Government has approved a $226.2 million package of resilience improvement projects for state highways and local roads across the country that will reduce the impact of severe weather events and create a more resilient and efficient road network, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. âOur Government is committed to delivering ...7 days ago
- Doubling road rehabilitation this summer to prevent potholes
Kiwis will see fewer potholes on our roads with road rehabilitation set to more than double through the summer road maintenance programme to ensure that our roads are maintained to a safe and reliable standard, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. âIncreasing productivity to help rebuild our economy is a key ...7 days ago
- Sir Jerry Mateparae appointed in Bougainville post-referendum moderator role
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has welcomed the announcement of Sir Jerry Mateparae as an independent moderator, to work with the Government of Papua New Guinea and the Autonomous Bougainville Government in resolving outstanding issues on Bougainvilleâs future. âNew Zealand is an enduring friend to Papua New Guinea and the ...1 week ago
- Latest census data highlights New Zealandâs growing ethnic diversity
The latest 2023 Census results released today further highlight New Zealandâs growing ethnic and cultural diversity, says Ethnic Communities Minister Melissa Lee. âTodayâs census results are further evidence of the increasingly diverse nature of our population. Itâs something that should be celebrated and also serve as a reminder of the ...1 week ago
- FamilyBoost payments make ECE more affordable
Parents and caregivers are now able to claim for FamilyBoost, which provides low-to-middle-income families with young children payments to help them meet early childhood education (ECE) costs. âFamilyBoost is one of the ways we are supporting families with young children who are struggling with the cost of living, by helping ...1 week ago
- South Pacific defence meeting fosters collaboration
This weekâs South Pacific Defence Ministersâ Meeting (SPDMM) has concluded with a renewed commitment to regional security of all types, Defence Minister Judith Collins says. Defence Ministers and senior civilian and military officials from Australia, Chile, Fiji, France, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and Tonga gathered in Auckland to discuss defence and security cooperation in the ...1 week ago
- Minister welcomes larger Police recruitment wings
Associate Police Minister Casey Costello has welcomed the Police announcement that recruitment wings at the Police College will be expanded to 100 recruits next year. âThis is good news on two fronts â it reflects the fact that more and more New Zealanders are valuing policing and seeing it as ...1 week ago
- Speech to the Minerals West Coast Forum
Introduction Good morning! What a pleasure to be back in the stunning West Coast at one of my favourite events in the calendar. Every time I come back here, Iâm reminded of the Coastâs natural beauty, valuable resources, and great people. Yet, every time I come back here, Iâm also ...1 week ago
- Positive progress on Government health targets
Health Minister Dr Shane Reti welcomes new data from Health New Zealand, saying it demonstrates encouraging progress against the Governmentâs health targets. Health New Zealandâs quarterly report for the quarter to 30 June will be used as the baseline for reporting against the Governmentâs five health targets, which came into ...1 week ago
- Supporting better access to data for Kiwis
The launch of a new data tool will provide Kiwis with better access to important data, Statistics Minister Andrew Bayly says. âTo grow our economy and improve productivity we must adopt smarter ways of working, which means taking a more data driven approach to decision-making. âAs Statistics Minister one of ...1 week ago
- Progressing remote building inspections
The Government is progressing plans to increase the use of remote inspections to make the building and consenting process more efficient and affordable, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. âWe know that the building and construction sector suffers from a lack of innovation. According to a recent report, productivity ...1 week ago
- Decision to remove Luxon artwork from Trade Me ‘weird’ – artist
The artist behind a painting depicting Christopher Luxon in a fleshy tunnel says he is genuinely surprised by its removal. ...34 mins ago - Collins Targets ‘Armchair Admirals’ Over ‘Misogynistic’ Attacks
Collins said she heard female defence force officials were being "abused in the street" over the Manawanui sinking. The HMNZS Manawanui, aground in Samoa. ...51 mins ago - Australiaâs child support system can put single mothers at risk of poverty and financial abuse
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kay Cook, Professor and Research Director, School of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities, Swinburne University of Technology KieferPix/Shutterstock Australiaâs child support system can not only increase womenâs poverty, but can actually facilitate financial abuse, according to our recent research. Child support ...1 hour ago - Fast Track nod for Northport expansion a breach of Te Tiriti o Waitangi – hapĆ«
Northport's container terminal expansion is one of 149 projects the government has selected for fast tracking. ...2 hours ago
- Space isnât all about the âraceâ â rival superpowers must work together for a better future
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Art Cotterell, Research Associate, School of Regulation and Global Governance, Australian National University Artist’s concept of the docked Apollo and Soyuz in 1975. David Meltzer/NASA In recent years, a new âspace raceâ has intensified between the United States and China. At a ...3 hours ago
- Is TikTok right? Can adding a teaspoon of cinnamon to your coffee help you burn fat?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Evangeline Mantzioris, Program Director of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Accredited Practising Dietitian, University of South Australia Evannovostro/Shutterstock Cinnamon has been long used around the world in both sweet and savoury dishes and drinks. But a new TikTok trend claims adding ...3 hours ago
- International student caps are set to pass parliament, ushering in a new era of bureaucratic control
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Andrew Norton, Professor in the Practice of Higher Education Policy, Australian National University The federal governmentâs controversial plan to limit international student numbers is now almost certain to win parliamentary approval. But it looks like there will be some changes to the ...3 hours ago
- Luxon focused on building a rapport with India’s Modi
The Prime Minister remains confident a free trade agreement with India can still be struck this term. ...3 hours ago
- Peter Weirâs The Cars That Ate Paris â a driving force in Ozploitation filmmaking
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Mark David Ryan, Professor, Film, Screen, Animation, Queensland University of Technology IMDB It has been 50 years since the cinema release of Peter Weirâs iconic, offbeat, cult classic The Cars That Ate Paris. The film seared the image of a silver ...4 hours ago
- How did a chronic shortage of nurses become âtoo manyâ?
Te Whatu Ora/Health NZ has blamed a forecast $1.7bn deficit on âover-recruitingâ of nursing staff. But the nursing union says thereâs still an âacute needâ for more. Whatâs going on? After months of escalating concern over âsignificant overspendingâ, on Tuesday Te Whatu Ora released hundreds of pages of internal documents ...5 hours ago - Huge waves in the atmosphere dump extreme rain on northern Australia
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Fadhlil Rizki Muhammad, Graduate Researcher, The University of Melbourne Bureau of Meteorology via AAP In 2023, almost a yearâs worth of rain fell over ten days in parts of northwestern Australia, leading to catastrophic flooding in the town of Fitzroy Crossing ...5 hours ago
- These 5 âpost-truthâ claims are fuelling the water wars in Australia
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Quentin Grafton, Australian Laureate Professor of Economics, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University Mr Privacy/Shutterstock The contest between truth and post-truth matters when trying to solve big public policy questions. One of these questions is how to sustainably manage ...5 hours ago
- Israel has banned the UN secretary-general. Is this legal â or right?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Samuel Berhanu Woldemariam, Lecturer in law, University of Newcastle In early October, Israelâs foreign minister, Israel Katz, announced on X he had declared the United Nations secretary-general, AntĂłnio Guterres, persona non grata. In other words, he had banned Guterres from setting foot ...5 hours ago
- Watch: Judith Collins faces questions amid conflicting reports about Manawanui leak
Collins said she heard female defence force officials were being "abused in the street" over the Manawanui sinking. ...6 hours ago
- Navy Ship Disaster Threatens Samoan Marine Life; AJP Calls For Urgent Action
Salmon farming in the midst of a safe haven for critically endangered yellow-eyed penguins, seabed mining in whale and dolphin habitats, or open-cast mines in areas where kiwi and other rare wildlife live all have great potential for harm. ...6 hours ago
- Animal Justice Party Calls For Urgent Action On KÄkÄ Welfare Concerns
There appears to be a clear conflict between Charlie Girl's individual welfare and DOC's breeding program objectives. The Animal Welfare Act prioritises the wellbeing of individual animals, which should take precedence over general conservation goals. ...6 hours ago
- A night at the Silver Scrolls â a beacon through uncertain terrain
Henessey Griffiths heads to the Silver Scrolls to find a much-needed respite from the reality of being a musician â and to learn just what was in that Little Black Box Stan Walker sang about. The narrative of being a musician has pretty much always been that of the struggling ...7 hours ago
- What has The Warehouse done to my favourite song?Â
Alex Casey watches on in horror as the red shed makes a mockery of a beloved 1999 classic. For many months in 1999, Iâd bring my tape recorder right up to the TV during Coca Colaâs RTR Countdown. Iâd sit through âGenie in a Bottleâ, âMan I Feel Like a ...7 hours ago
- Being on TikTok is a modern political necessity. Look no further than Peter Dutton
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Susan Grantham, Lecturer in Communication, Griffith University TikTok Opposition Leader Peter Duttonâs recent decision to join TikTok marks a big shift in his approach to political campaigning. He previously criticised the platform over security concerns, but now he is embracing it. ...7 hours ago
- ‘Not in great shape’ – New figures reveal Budget deficit growing
The government's finances are worse than expected amid a slowing economy and growing expenses. ...7 hours ago
- Clues left by the Alpine Faultâs last big quake reveal its direction â this will help NZ prepare...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jesse Kearse, Postdoctoral Researcher in Seismology, Kyoto University Kate Clark, CC BY-SA One of the worldâs most anticipated earthquakes is the next major surface rupture of the Alpine Fault in the South Island of New Zealand. With a 75% chance of ...7 hours ago
- No savings? No plans? No Great Australian Dream. How housing is reshaping young peopleâs lives
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Wendy Stone, Professor of Housing & Social Policy, Centre for Urban Transitions, Swinburne University of Technology Roman Samborskyi/Shutterstock Australiaâs housing crisis is dramatically reshaping the lives and hopes of young people, highlighted in a new report launched today in Canberra as ...8 hours ago
- Yes, nature is complex. But saving our precious environment means finding ways to measure it
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Brendan Wintle, Professor in Conservation Science, School of Ecosystem and Forest Science, The University of Melbourne Shutterstock Nature loss directly threatens half the global economy. The rapid destruction of biodiversity should alarm the many Australian businesses dependent on nature, such as ...8 hours ago
- Insider Insider: inside the NZ Heraldâs insider empireÂ
Our new columnist, the Insider Insider, takes a peek inside the insiderest media operation of all time. The proliferation of insiderness at the New Zealand Herald appears unstoppable, with the unveiling this morning of Society Insider, by Ricardo Simich. It joins a bustling neighbourhood of insiders at the nationâs biggest ...8 hours ago
- What I learned (and didnât learn) from four years of home education
For four years, Shanti Mathias learned at home, with her siblings as her only classmates. She reflects on the experience. Every now and then, when I go to my parentsâ house, I find a relic of my years of homeschooling in the back of a drawer. For the four years ...9 hours ago
- Eight years of road cones on one short stretch of highway
Documents show how masses of road cones inhabited part of a highway for most of the past decade. ...9 hours ago
- The Auckland election on right now that almost nobody can be arsed with
In theory, itâs power broking made democratic. But last time, not even 10% returned a ballot. Across much of New Zealandâs biggest city, billboards have popped up in recent weeks, ahead of a local â a hyper-local, even â election. It might also be called hyper-boring, if recent turnouts are ...10 hours ago
- Art, time and money: The true cost of creativityÂ
Sam Brooks reflects on lessons learned from the latest series of Art Work, a collection of interviews with prominent artists about their creative processes and working lives. For this second series of Art Work, we interviewed 11 artists across the motu. They included the Golden Lion winners at this ...10 hours ago
- Do recent class actions against âflex commissionâ car loans mean consumer voices are getting str...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jeannie Marie Paterson, Professor of Law, The University of Melbourne Gatot Adri/Shutterstock Itâs been more than five years since the banking royal commission, but its findings continue to have an impact on the financial services sector. Law firm Maurice Blackburn ...11 hours ago
- In Vogue: the 90s was a boom time for Australian fashion and faces. What happened?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sasha Sarago, First Nations Cultural Innovation Lead – Beauty and Technology, Charles Sturt University The In Vogue: The 90s series transports audiences back to the glamour and grandeur of a transformative decade for fashion. Set against the backdrop of New York, London ...11 hours ago
- Help me Hera: Iâm so apologetic Iâm annoying everyone around me
Being too apologetic might make me sound insincere, but I genuinely am sorry about everything. Help! Want Heraâs help? Email your problem to helpme@thespinoff.co.nz Dear Hera, Inspired by Chatty Cathyâs recent letter to you, I suddenly realised that âoh, maybe I can ask for Heraâs advice, instead of just wishing an angel could ...12 hours ago
- 300 Kiwis claim to work 168 hours a week
But who are the 300 people who say they work all the time? ...12 hours ago
- Government to overhaul emergency management system
It will act on all 14 recommendations made in a damning Inquiry into last year's devastating and deadly weather events. ...12 hours ago
- Is the Manawanui leaking? Conflicting reports from NZ and Samoa
New Zealand's navy says there are no fuel leaks, Samoan officials says there is. ...12 hours ago
- The dangers of voice cloning and how to combat it
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Leo S.F. Lin, Senior Lecturer in Policing Studies, Charles Sturt University David Herraez Calzada/Shutterstock The rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI) has brought both benefits and risk. One concerning trend is the misuse of voice cloning. In seconds, scammers can ...12 hours ago
- New Zealandâs BMI threshold for publicly funded fertility treatment is outdated and unethical. Her...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Carina Truyts, Associate Research Fellow (Deakin) and Research Officer, Monash University Getty Images Women seeking publicly funded fertility treatment in New Zealand must have a body mass index (BMI) under 32, according to clinical priority assessment criteria for access to assisted ...12 hours ago
- Our new study shows life expectancy is stagnating for Australians under 50
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sergey Timonin, Research Fellow in Demography, School of Demography, Australian National University Global life expectancy has increased dramatically over the past century, with Australia among the best performing countries. But during the last two decades, some high-income countries have reported stagnation ...12 hours ago
- Rebates for buying e-bikes and e-scooters are good but unlikely to greatly boost sustainable transpo...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Abraham Leung, Senior Research Fellow, Cities Research Institute, Griffith University BikePortland/Flickr, CC BY Queensland has joined Tasmania as the second Australian state or territory to offer a A$500 rebate for buyers of new eâbikes. The pre-election announcement includes a smaller $200 ...12 hours ago
- How can you help your child learn to self-regulate?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Natalie Day, Postdoctoral research fellow, Early Start, University of Wollongong Allan Mas/ Pexels , CC BY Throughout our lives, we need to be able to manage our thoughts and behaviour. We need to do this to reach various goals and to ...12 hours ago
- Health NZ deficit: Government signs off on pay equity funds
The government says it has given Health New Zealand the funding for pay equity that it has been waiting for. ...13 hours ago
Has anybody out there seen Corialanus at the movies? Its on my agenda.
Otherwise its some cheerful drinks with friends plus relaxing with the chickens (also friends).
Chickens make lousy friends – they’re always in a fowl mood.
I haven’t seen it, but I have heard that it’s very good…
It’s very well done. Bloody grim in places. I can see why it isn’t WS’s best known play, and I could have done without the very last shot in the movie, but apart from that, good stuff.
We are having the fibre optic cable put in our street. We will not be able to afford it but nice to know it is coming. They did put their nifty horizontal auger under the footpath and then pulled the piping along in stages. Unfortunately it hit our stormwater piping which caused a great block of uplifted footpath. Then this morning they ripped out the underground telephone cabling. They fixed it again within hours.
Our whole town is being done. Anyone else?
Annual social midwinter cricket game if the weather is kind.
Sounds like fun.
Only if you’re into old gits behaving making fools of themselves.
Making a fool of thyself is the very definition of fun. Doesn’t matter how old you are.
heeeeey, Draco and I agree on something!
Yes, but are you batting in bare feet?.
A weekend cycling in the Wachau valley and a cruise along the Danube to see the summer solstice celebrations. And as expected, after +30 degrees heat all this week, a cold front is moving in.
I’m not jealous. Much.
It’s a hard life… đ
Rosy. My wife and I and family are going to Vienna for Christmas. Later in the year might I contact you for local on the spot winter advice. Salzburg, Vienna, Budapest.
I’ll look forward to hearing from you Ianmac. We had a great weekend – good weather, good friends, amazing solstice celebrations – fireworks and beacons for about 20kms along the river.
First advice – if you only have an NZ-warm coat, you’ll need a warmer one (same for boots). You need to prepare for outdoors at night. It’s a great spectacle.
Family goodness to warm the cockles of our bellies …
First it was body painted flight attendants, next it was All Blacks, and then it was Richard Simmonds… Air New Zealand’s got another one! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WmcFKtzcKbQ
and then there is just more of the same
I’m going to read the book Oracles by Don Thompson. A book on Prediction Markets. Link to interview with Harvard Business Review on my post. Interesting aspect is the way in which they might be used to give workers ownership in a business:
http://nowoccupy.blogspot.com/2012/06/oracles-by-economist-don-thompson.html
Picked up a reissue of Ogden’s Nut Gone Flake on vinyl and will now listen to the cd while playing mine craft.
My original record is scratched to hell and I’ll give the new vinyl at least one play to listen to it in all it’s glory.
I suspect it will be one of those albums that will sound noticeably better on vinyl. Some like Days In Europa I can tell the difference others like Pyramid I can’t so I’m not sure what ends up making it so.
Decided not appropriate and wouldn’t let me delete.
Dunno what you said but I wouldn’t have been offended I have a quite eclectic taste in music from punk to 70’s sit around a beer crate and sing on a guitar song to Frank Zappa to country to instrumental to Peer Gynt to Sinead to War of the worlds to almost anything.
While 70s punk will always be my favorite music like art is always in the eye of the beholder.
I’m probably the only person I know that still listens to the Beegees Frampton Sgt Peppers.
It was a picture and I’m sure that most people wouldn’t have been offended but it did include nudity.
This is why South Islanders don’t like Aucklanders attitude. The ditzy Auckland promotions bimbo who has signed Hayden Paddon ( good Geraldine boy ) as an international “Auckland” ambassador spent an RallyNZ interview effusing how proud they were to have signed someone from ” Southland”.
Yeah, there really isn’t anything south of the Bombay Hills, eh.
Let me assure you Adrian as a born (well almost) and bred Aucklander, most of us don’t like the attitude of the ditzy Auckland promotions bimbo types. These Jafas are usually young, desperate for attention and they have a lot to learn. They give the rest of us a bad name.