Weekend social 27/05/2011
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2:00 pm, May 27th, 2011 - 30 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?
30 comments on “Weekend social 27/05/2011 ”
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- 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 ...9 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 ...2 days ago
- New intelligence oversight appointments
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has announced four appointments to New Zealand’s intelligence oversight functions. The Honourable Robert Dobson KC has been appointed Chief Commissioner of Intelligence Warrants, and the Honourable Brendan Brown KC has been appointed as a Commissioner of Intelligence Warrants. The appointments of Hon Robert Dobson and Hon ...2 days ago
- 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 ...2 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 ...2 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 ...2 days ago
- Vocational education and training decisions support return to regions
The Government will reshape vocational education and training to return decision making to regions and enable greater industry input into work-based learning Tertiary Education and Skills Minister, Penny Simmonds says. “The redesigned system will better meet the needs of learners, industry, and the economy. It includes re-establishing regional polytechnics that ...2 days ago
- 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 ...2 days ago
- Ngāruawāhia section of Waikato Expressway back to 4 lanes for Christmas
People travelling on State Highway 1 north of Hamilton will be relieved that remedial works and safety improvements on the Ngāruawāhia section of the Waikato Expressway were finished today, with all lanes now open to traffic, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.“I would like to acknowledge the patience of road users ...2 days ago
- 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 ...3 days ago
- Government to celebrate Waitangi Day around NZ
The Government will have senior representatives at Waitangi Day events around the country, including at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, but next year Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has chosen to take part in celebrations elsewhere. “It has always been my intention to celebrate Waitangi Day around the country with different ...3 days ago
- More gangs added to Gangs Act list
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- Judicial appointment announced
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- GDP data highlights importance of growth
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- Strengthening Free Speech in Universities
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- 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 ...3 days ago
- Funding confirmed for second Ashburton Bridge
The Government has welcomed decisions by the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) and Ashburton District Council confirming funding to boost resilience in the Canterbury region, with construction on a second Ashburton Bridge expected to begin in 2026, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Delivering a second Ashburton Bridge to improve resilience and ...3 days ago
- 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
Today the House agreed to Brendan Horsley being appointed Inspector-General of Defence, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says. “Mr Horsley’s experience will be invaluable in overseeing the establishment of the new office and its support networks. “He is currently Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security, having held that role since June 2020. ...4 days ago
- 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 ...4 days ago
- More AML relief on the way for Kiwi businesses
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- Government seeks partnerships to plant trees on Crown-owned-land
The Government today released a request for information (RFI) to seeking interest in partnerships to plant trees on Crown-owned land with low farming and conservation value (excluding National Parks) Forestry Minister Todd McClay announced. “Planting trees on Crown-owned land will drive economic growth by creating more forestry jobs in our regions, providing more wood ...4 days ago
- Wide ranging legislation to make justice system more efficient
Court timeliness, access to justice, and improving the quality of existing regulation are the focus of a series of law changes introduced to Parliament today by Associate Minister of Justice Nicole McKee. The three Bills in the Regulatory Systems (Justice) Amendment Bill package each improve a different part of the ...4 days ago
- Diverse skills in community trust appointments
A total of 41 appointments and reappointments have been made to the 12 community trusts around New Zealand that serve their regions, Associate Finance Minister Shane Jones says. “These trusts, and the communities they serve from the Far North to the deep south, will benefit from the rich experience, knowledge, ...4 days ago
- Torture redress for survivors of the Lake Alice Unit
The Government has confirmed how it will provide redress to survivors who were tortured at the Lake Alice Psychiatric Hospital Child and Adolescent Unit (the Lake Alice Unit). “The Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care found that many of the 362 children who went through the Lake Alice Unit between 1972 and ...4 days ago
- A busy year in the House
It has been a busy, productive year in the House as the coalition Government works hard to get New Zealand back on track, Leader of the House Chris Bishop says. “This Government promised to rebuild the economy, restore law and order and reduce the cost of living. Our record this ...4 days ago
- Consultation opens on working with engineered stone
“Accelerated silicosis is an emerging occupational disease caused by unsafe work such as engineered stone benchtops. I am running a standalone consultation on engineered stone to understand what the industry is currently doing to manage the risks, and whether further regulatory intervention is needed,” says Workplace Relations and Safety Minister ...4 days ago
- Greater reporting on Treaty settlement commitments
Mehemea he pai mō te tangata, mahia – if it’s good for the people, get on with it. Enhanced reporting on the public sector’s delivery of Treaty settlement commitments will help improve outcomes for Māori and all New Zealanders, Māori Crown Relations Minister Tama Potaka says. Compiled together for the ...4 days ago
- 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 ...4 days ago
- Building consent processing times improve
More building consent and code compliance applications are being processed within the statutory timeframe since the Government required councils to submit quarterly data, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “In the midst of a housing shortage we need to look at every step of the build process for efficiencies ...4 days ago
- Faster access to support through Innovation Fund
Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey is proud to announce the first three recipients of the Government’s $10 million Mental Health and Addiction Community Sector Innovation Fund which will enable more Kiwis faster access to mental health and addiction support. “This fund is part of the Government’s commitment to investing in ...4 days ago
- 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 ...4 days ago
- Government takes steps to reduce card fees for Kiwis
The Government welcomes the Commerce Commission’s plan to reduce card fees for Kiwis by an estimated $260 million a year, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly says.“The Government is relentlessly focused on reducing the cost of living, so Kiwis can keep more of their hard-earned income and live a ...4 days ago
- Review recommends ECE regulation shakeup
Regulation Minister David Seymour has welcomed the Early Childhood Education (ECE) regulatory review report, the first major report from the Ministry for Regulation. The report makes 15 recommendations to modernise and simplify regulations across ECE so services can get on with what they do best – providing safe, high-quality care ...5 days ago
- Offshore Renewable Energy Bill passes first reading
The Government‘s Offshore Renewable Energy Bill to create a new regulatory regime that will enable firms to construct offshore wind generation has passed its first reading in Parliament, Energy Minister Simeon Brown says.“New Zealand currently does not have a regulatory regime for offshore renewable energy as the previous government failed ...5 days ago
- Local Government (Water Services) Bill passes first reading
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- Gene Technology Bill passes first reading
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I would say go the warriors but they have a bye.
Awesome! The rain has finally stopped. Weather has been mental as of late.
Yeah, been a bit weird. The weather in CHCH, up until the last 2 days, had been great – very sunny and not much wind, although a bit cold particularly at night.
Tomorrow will probably be at least a little wet again, but Sunday and Monday are looking sunny and warm.
You are lucky Todd it is pissing down here in Cambridge ,However it is warm .
Yeah same in Levin pissed down last night, but looks angry outside so I expect more precipitation.
Last week saw the Pirates with Johny Depp.A great way to forget this troubled world. Next Wednesday a treat for opera lovers.The Great Met HD, at local cinemas .Strauss’s Capriccio starring the exquisite singing from Ren’ee Fleming a treat in store.
Crusaders playing Reds this Sunday should be a good game. Sonny Bill back too
Yeah, looking forward to this game as well. I understand it’s nearly a sellout. Go the Crusaders!
todd – I moved a comment to Open mike.
I made a new years resolution today!
Don’t keep us all in suspense….
I hope it was that you will vote Labour in November
Isn’t Skype great? My wife is working in the UAE and they are 8 hours behind NZ. Today is Friday their day of rest on a Fri-Sat weekend. At 6:45 it is a cool 25degrees there but will hot up to 45+ degrees today.
So we can chat for an hour or so this evening, and swap info about upcoming plans for Turkey. A bit of a worry though.
Why did Microsoft buy Skype?
Apparently, so they could screw everyone else over.
Thanks Draco but what effect does the canning of Asterix mean to a Mac user? There are millions on Skype at any moment. They have a lot to lose.
Splendid Ianmac, comms that dont cost the Earth. TNZ miss out and you can get to talk to you good lady gratis…excellent. Skype is going ubiquitous.
There’s no interconnection from Skype to other VoIP applications and it looks like MS are going to restrict that even more.
At this moment there are 21,128,726 skypes active. How about a dollar from each of those? Whew.
“Isn’t Skype great?” a resounding yes for expats. Apart from anything else when we use it to speak to the kiddies they can show us things that are important to them, rather than just describing.
Vienna this weekend – 25+, sunny and the Vienna festival is on (aka bierfest – with the ompah bands too!)
You still love Austria Rosy. Have a bierfest on us. Cheers.
Ianmac @ 3.57. Isn’t it ever! My old friend of 55 years standing lives in the UAE, too, and I enjoy skyping with him on a Friday evening.
Upcoming plans for Turkey sounds great. We were there four years ago. I loved Turkey. We took a two week tour and saw a lot of old ruins. Sang in the Roman theatres in Ephesus and Aspendos- a highlight of my life. And took a balloon ride in Cappadocia.
Great memories. Have a great trip, Ianmac!
We have just been booking a flight with Butterfly Balloons Cappadocia Mac1. Sounds great. I used to fly model hot air balloons made of tissue paper and heated with meths. Now for real!
“How nice to be a cloud, floating in the blue….”
A short film review of “Sarah’s Key” which I have just seen tonight. In French with subtitles and partly also in English, it is very much worth seeing. It is a serious treatment of the deporting of Jews from France in WW2, and involves four generations of people with flashbacks to 1942.
Well-made, well-acted and good enough to stir the soul at a deep level.
Another deep moment this week was to hear “The Dimming of the Day” on Youtube sung by Richard and Linda Thompson. Even better was to have it recommended by my daughter who in turn got it from her friends. Some of the great music has become inter-generational, as it should.
Sanity check. When asked the recluse replied that he could not know whether he was hearing voices, since there was no one around to hear, and so confirm they weren’t just in his head.
Lawns mowed, dishes done, tea prepared.
Now I can sit down and watch the first series of The Virginian which arrived from the states yesterday – in colour too – only having had black and white when it was shown here.
I’ve always thought this was the best of the Western series though always enjoyed them all from Bonanza, to Wagon Train, to Zorro, to Dr Quinn Medicine Woman, to the sillier stuff like Bearcats!.
I’ll always have a soft spot for Westerns whether film, TV or reading.
As someone who obviously watches westerns, have you seen the movie True Grit and if so is it worth a watch? And is Jeff Bridges performance superior to the Dukes Oscar?
I thought High Chaparral was better than most
It’s a well done remake and both actors do a good job in the role.
I try not to compare with remakes but let each stand on it’s own merits.
I was happy with it.
Both are good Heodous ,but I would not like to compare both are very good. If you are able to get Central TV every Saturday they play some really old westerns . Roy Rogers and Ken Maynard , Hells bells back to my childhood .and didn’t we love them all .
Can buy the original at a red place for $9.99 and the new version is out 7th June. I wonder if Jeff Bridges will follow up with Rooster Cogburn? Perhaps save up the piggy bank with my tax cuts and make a dvd purchases, I see also that the Dirty Harry collection is also available,( I always thought that The Gaunlet was one of this collection – another case of being wrong). I will look out for the Sat Westerns what chanel is that thanks for the tip ?
Out super city may not be working too well ( I see the JLR was replaced by a similar thinking man !!), but in Jafaland the weather has been good for sport, Sat morning are so magic on a bright Sat morning. Feel sorry for those who had their sport cancelled over the glorious weekend.
Also is anyone else finding the weeks are rolling over at an ever decreasing amount of time? I remember that a week use to take 7 days I am sure they are not taking 6 !!!!
The musical students at the Waikato University will be having a concert tonight 7pm. at the Academy should be well worth going out for.