Women’s human rights and the vulnerability of pregnant women

Written By: weka - Date published: 12:57 pm, January 31st, 2022 - 211 comments
Categories: feminism, human rights - Tags: Charlotte Bellis, MiQ, pregnancy, women's rights

There’s a lot being said by and about Charlotte Bellis, the pregnant woman stuck in Afghanistan and trying to get back to New Zealand. What I want to talk about here is not Bellis so much as the vulnerability of pregnant women and women’s human rights.

(Bellis’ own account and a statement from the government on the case and MiQ were in the Herald).

Firstly, women do the heavy lifting of keeping the human species going. We provide all the workers for the economy and society in general. We do so at risk to our bodies and health, and the rest of our lives. We also do most of the childrearing and associated activities. Nearly all of that is unpaid.

We don’t yet have universal human rights specific to our bodies, and that is because the default template for humans is still male in most societies. Think abortion, access to contraception, or even things like period products. Tools are often made to fit male bodies, university courses are designed around males needs (where is the free childcare? why isn’t breastfeeding normalised?), as is parliament, and medical research is still biased towards male as the norm.

In the West we are now being told that being female is largely irrelevant and that we have to share our hard won rights with gender dysphoric men, or those that want to use identity to escape the burdens of being male. Men identifying as women can now hold women’s positions in political parties, which puts our ability to further the political needs of women at risk.

The point here is to point to the fragility of women’s human rights. I also mention this aspect because of the similarities in misogyny in both responses to the Bellis case and in gender identity activism: it’s ok to hate women if you feel you have a good reason. In both cases this misogyny is often invisible to liberals. That these two paragraphs make me persona non grata in many liberal spaces is QED.

Meanwhile, in countries like Afghanistan, women have lost rights at an alarming rate in the past year thanks to the Taliban and the uselessness of the rest of the world in taking action.

Here are some statistics.

Maternal mortality rate by country: maternal deaths per 100,000 live births. NZ has nine deaths, and is ranked 36th, a still weirdly high number for a developed nation.

Ironically, Qatar also has nine maternal deaths. Qatar is the country that Bellis was resident and working in when she discovered her pregnancy and is the country she had to leave because it is illegal for women in Qatar to be pregnant and unmarried,

It is very important to be aware that it is illegal for an unmarried woman to be pregnant in Qatar. The consequences of the authorities discovering that a single woman is pregnant include jail and deportation, and even physical punishment (lashings) in some extreme circumstances.

For that reason, women who are not married and find themselves pregnant while living in Qatar should plan to head for home, or to another country. As a marriage certificate is required to have access to maternity care, even getting married after conception will not resolve the situation. Unmarried women who do leave Qatar due to becoming pregnant may also face problems if they return to Qatar after giving birth.

This is the country that some New Zealanders have been saying Bellis should have stayed in rather than throwing a tanty to get back to New Zealand.

Afghanistan, where Bellis currently resides because she had so few options, is ranked 177th and has 638 women dying for very 100,000 babies born. Bellis is a journalist who has been covering the fall of Afghanistan to the Taliban. In her piece in the Herald she said,

I thought about sending them a story I did in October at a maternity hospital in Kabul where they had no power so were delivering by cell phones at night. They couldn’t do caesarean deliveries and the only medicine they had were tabs of paracetamol wrapped in crinkled newspaper. The hospital staff said even those would run out in a month’s time. The UN wrote recently that they expect an extra 50,000 women will die during childbirth in Afghanistan by 2025 because of the state of maternity care. Note “extra” – the total will be closer to 70,000.

Here, getting pregnant can be a death sentence.

The rights that women have are often under pressure of being removed. Obviously with abortion rights in the United States for instance. Less obviously where funding for maternity services is lessened. Or in this case, not adequately protecting pregnant women overseas.

Bellis says her lawyer has represented 30 pregnant women who were refused entry to MiQ in New Zealand. We don’t know the details of most of those, but it’s clear from Bellis’ case that being pregnant is an insufficient reason to be granted emergency repatriation. However being pregnant in a country where there is little developed world maternity care is risky and it’s not hard to see how waiting until an acute emergency arises is a massive fail: you don’t want a woman with pre-eclampsia having to board multiple flights to get from the Middle East to a New Zealand hospital.

Twitter, as usual, succinctly,

Anyone who thinks you can pin down a date for when you will need medical assistance when you are pregnant has never been fucking pregnant

— Nicola (@coffeegirlNZ) January 30, 2022

The New Zealand MiQ system has all sorts of flaws that should have been sorted a long time ago. But this is a particular issue that strikes me as being more deeply embedded in values. Pregnant women should be given priority, and the degree of scorn and hate directed at Bellis in the past few days suggests we don’t actually value pregnant women that much. Bellis is apparently a moaning, over-privileged white woman who just happens to be pregnant, and our condemnation is more important than valuing pregnant women or upholding their rights.

Whereas I see a woman using her privilege to raise an issue that progressives should be yelling at the top of their voices about. Belli’s lawyer, Tudor Clee, at NewstalkZB,

It’s not only the expectant mothers we need to worry about either — it’s the one we’ve let down already.

“A New Zealand woman was told at the High Court she was not allowed to come back and give birth in New Zealand in spite of having an Australian hospital writing a one page letter saying she was suffering from severe anxiety, depression, and that the baby was underweight and it was essential for her to have support when her baby was born.

“Her application was denied… That baby is sitting in a NICU unit in Australia. And for that mother, she has no idea when she can even fly back.

“In the same week that decision was made, eight DJs were given a green light to fly to New Zealand,” he said.

“Women’s health has never been a priority in Aotearoa,” Clee said, “Women’s health has always been debatable.”

“Imagine it was an All Black who’s suffered an injury overseas and had the All Black doctor say they must come back to New Zealand and rehab here with their family. If a person with no medical qualifications reviewed the application and said, ‘no they can wait for an unspecified amount of time in whatever country they’re in’ — there would be immediate outrage.

“And yet with pregnant women, we have unqualified people directly overruling doctors, midwives, specialists, psychiatrists in all of the applications that I’ve dealt with.”

In October last year, Stuff reported there had been 229 MIQ applications involving pregnancy — and just 23 approved.

This is bog standard feminism. Women have human rights specific to their sex. Those rights aren’t yet universal and are often undermined even in places like New Zealand that is relatively advanced around feminism. It’s not been surprising to see left wing and liberal men in particular over the weekend prioritise accusations of privilege over the safety and well being of a pregnant woman and her baby. But it is nevertheless astounding and we should be paying attention to the emerging dynamic that it’s ok to hate women if they are wealthy (or white).

This is lefty/progressive/liberal misogyny. One of the arguments in recent days is what was Bellis’ doing in Afghanistan during the pandemic anyway? Well, until recently she was a senior producer in Afghanistan for Al Jazeera, so I assume she’s been doing her job. Is the point that no New Zealand journalists should be working overseas currently? Because I haven’t seen that said before. Or is it just the female ones. Or the apparently wealthy white female ones. These aren’t left wing or progressive values.

I’ve also seen it argued that MiQ is overrun and people need to wait in line, and for Bellis’ to stop complaining. We have an emergency queue for a reason, and if a woman pregnant in a country with poor maternity care doesn’t quality, then there is a big problem with that system.

All women deserve to be safe when pregnant. This includes having access to good maternity care. Pregnancy and childbirth are normal, healthy events, but if shit goes wrong you want help within easy reach. There’s a clear correlation between experiences of safety and birth outcomes. How a society treats its pregnant women and how advanced it is in terms of women’s rights generally is also an issue. Countries with good midwifery services (i.e. services that center the wellbeing of women) tend to be countries that treat women well in other ways.

There’s also a maxim that follows from that, which is that if you centre women in maternity care you get the best outcomes for women, infants and society at large. This is a challenge to neoliberal ideology that wants to see all humans as the same, and pregnant women are just people who happen to have this other thing going on. But it’s a kind of cultural insanity to believe that pregnant women don’t need specialised care and shouldn’t have rights specific to their bodies.

Charlotte Bellis’ story is here. Response from Covid Response Minister Chris Hipkins and Head of MIQ Chris Bunny is at the bottom of the same link.

Bellis also posted an update on twitter this morning.

Note: if you want to comment on this post, please provide evidence for any claims of fact. This means an explanation of your point, appropriate quotes and links. This is doubly so for anything being said about Charlotte Bellis. You must provide support for your assertions at the time of commenting. Expect to be moderated if you don’t. This isn’t FB, nor a rumour mill, we have a high standard of debate expectation here. Robust debate is welcome. I will also moderate for overt sexism and misogyny.

211 comments on “Women’s human rights and the vulnerability of pregnant women ”

Comments are now closed

Sabine 1

31 January 2022 at 1:34 pm

Thank you for writing this really important post.
- weka 1.1
  
  31 January 2022 at 1:57 pm
  
  💚
Anker 2

31 January 2022 at 1:38 pm

Absolutely wonderful article Weka. You nailed it!
- Tabletennis 2.1
  
  31 January 2022 at 7:25 pm
  
  I second that – thanks Weka, well written and explained
Puckish Rogue 3

31 January 2022 at 1:49 pm

'Pokes head in, looks around, takes into account the temperature of the room'

Good post, our people need to come home and priority should be given for those needing medical help.

Especially pregnant women.

'Closes door on way out'
Belladonna 4

31 January 2022 at 2:00 pm

Absolutely agree that the treatment of pregnant women through the MIQ system has been shameful. Bellis is only the latest example (and one who has the 'privilege' of a media platform).
This first came to my attention in August of last year, with the case of Bergen Graham – who was not only pregnant, but had a high risk pregnancy (diagnosed by obstetricians)

https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/checkpoint/audio/2018809856/pregnant-nz-woman-declined-miq-emergency-spot-six-times

It seems as though MBIE have been using a strategy of magically 'finding' an MIQ space each time a woman in this situation takes a court case, so that they never have a court ruling against their policy, and therefore never have to revise it.

"The case never made it to court. Within a day of filing the claim, Graham’s application – which had been rejected six times – was approved. "

https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/coronavirus/126478846/miqueue-is-it-legal-to-stop-new-zealanders-coming-home

[scroll down to the bottom of the link for the discussion]

The current emergency allocation criteria are overly bureaucratic (59 documents in Bellis' case were not sufficient), and far too narrow (14 days for an application is much too tight a time-frame for people in more difficult-to-reach areas of the world – let along the mental stress caused by lack of certainty).

It seems to me (opinion, so no links) that this is the result of the emergency allocation being run by people coming from the immigration portfolio – where they're looking for a reason to reject an application, not a reason to accept it. This was exemplified by MBIE reportedly reaching out to Bellis, and telling her to apply under a different category. If she was eligible under this category, then they should have just automatically granted the application.
- weka 4.1
  
  31 January 2022 at 2:07 pm
  
  that last paragraph makes so much sense.
  
  One very easy, interim fix is to just create a new category for pregnant women. Someone could write that policy today.
- mpledger 4.2
  
  31 January 2022 at 2:43 pm
  
  But the govt needs evidence to show she could come in under that provision, not just their reckons.
  - Descendant Of Smith 4.2.1
    
    31 January 2022 at 6:45 pm
    
    Nah. We, the public, have been told constantly, and there has been screeds of literature written on this, that part of the point of the reforms of the 80's was to increase accountability and to move us away from the well established, served us well for 50 years bureaucratic public service where consistency and rules were the way the public service operated. It was simple in a simpler world – you had to do X to get something and you either did meet X or you did not. Both public and government understood their were rules to be followed.
    
    Increased accountability and increased discretion were things that were supposed to be delivered with the reforms – as well as non-existent cost savings of 30% to 40% by privatising almost everything.
    
    And yet here we are with what really seems to me an easy decision to make in her circumstances – let her come back into the country to have her baby. This isn't a hard decision.
    
    The trouble is, is the rise of managerialism, the highly centralised control mechanisms, the target driven mentality and the Helen Clark no surprises PR driven bullshit means managers are unable to make decisions. Rather than accountability there is fear so it is easier to say no and blame the rules. The New Zealand Public are part of the problem because they hate public servants exercising discretion cause you know, there must be rules.
    
    It is why some of my family have left the public service to work for NGO's – they often do now what needs to be done not just what they are allowed to do by their manager – though often public sector contracts try and force them to only do what is in the contract.
    
    I've just seen Stuart's post which reinforces what I am saying. The fact that the politicians can't be seen to change the operational decisions is also a problem. Any Minister worth his salt though would say to the public servants – just go let those pregnant women in difficult circumstances back in. Not just this one, all of them.
    
    "MiQ has hastily thrown together an offer of assistance of some kind, and several people have offered to give up their hard won MiQ spots for her, not doable under the rules"
Kat 5

31 January 2022 at 2:07 pm

I agree with the sentiments of this post especially the comment about the cultural insanity of the neoliberal ideology that in my experience took hold when palliative care went out the window with the baby in 1991 as a result of the 'mother of all budgets'. I also believe the Bellis situation it is not a good look politically, for the govt and by association Jacinda Ardern. It needs to be sorted and with haste.
Stuart Munro 6

31 January 2022 at 2:10 pm

Yes, I've been appalled at the lack of sympathy for Bellis on some other forums.

MiQ has hastily thrown together an offer of assistance of some kind, and several people have offered to give up their hard won MiQ spots for her, not doable under the rules, but indicating a fairly solid belief that pregnant women should not be subjected to the whimsical malice of arbitrary institutional protocol.

That said, I'm quite ready to believe she is no better than the run of unprofessional muckrakers that daily disgrace her profession here in NZ – but she and her child should not be hostage to petty bureaucracy whether she is a saint, a sinner, or most likely a human being complete with imperfections.
mpledger 7

31 January 2022 at 2:11 pm

Charlotte Bellis application didn't fit within the time-window for the category she applied under – she could either change her flights or apply within the right time-window. Later she was given advice that she should apply under under another category but she didn't want to. She has plenty of choices here about how to get to NZ (change flights time, apply in the right time window, apply under another category) but doesn't seem to want to take any of them.

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/covid-19-omicron-charlotte-bellis-an-open-letter-on-miq/U4WQGYTJHUP36AGVOBN3F6PJSE/

https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/127641244/journalist-charlotte-bellis-asked-to-apply-for-emergency-miq-under-new-category

This must be the first time that she has come up against government buracracy and that is really lucky for her but there are very many people who don't have the ear of the media and have to jump through these kind of hoops all the time (I know about 7 people who have come in under emergency provisions). However, the hoops have to be there to try and make it as fair as possible for everyone.

Do I think she should be let in under the emergency provision when she applies correctly? Yes, I do.
- weka 7.1
  
  31 January 2022 at 2:14 pm
  
  they should just create a separate category for pregnant women, instead of putting them in with people having a two week emergency.
  - mpledger 7.1.1
    
    31 January 2022 at 2:36 pm
    
    Or she could have bought her flight times forward or applied later. At some point people have to help themselves.
    - weka 7.1.1.1
      
      31 January 2022 at 2:45 pm
      
      and the thirty other pregnant women?
      - mpledger 7.1.1.1.1
        
        31 January 2022 at 2:56 pm
        
        I agree that being in Kabul is a reason to get home while pregnant but being pregnant isn't an emergency in itself. So, if I was the one deciding then I'd want to know the details of the cases. There are dangers to pregnant women in flying long distances as well.
- Blazer 7.2
  
  31 January 2022 at 2:40 pm
  
  You nailed …it.
- DukeEll 7.3
  
  31 January 2022 at 5:28 pm
  
  Fuck I love this comment. Accurately captures what all the critics of MiQ and MBIE running MiQ have been saying for ages.
  
  it’s the individuals fault for not applying for the correct emergency exemption category as they don’t know their form 76a from their form 86a. Couldn’t be the heaving behemoth of fuckwittery that is a government department trying to run what is essentially a hotel room aggregator, could it?
  - DukeEll 7.3.1
    
    31 January 2022 at 5:32 pm
    
    To continue, it’s a national disgrace that only 11% of emergency applications by pregnant women are approved emergency 60% of all emergency applications.
  - mpledger 7.3.2
    
    31 January 2022 at 5:55 pm
    
    She may have got it wrong but she has been told where she went wrong so she could reapply. She has been told of an alternative way to apply. It's not like she is shooting in the dark here.
    - DukeEll 7.3.2.1
      
      31 January 2022 at 6:05 pm
      
      Hey, of all the things someone should worry about when pregnant, I agree filling the right emergency application form in is the most important.
      
      111 for emergencies right? 118 extension 3 if I’m pregnant in a 3rd world country my country of birth is imposing sanctions on, and it’s Tuesday.
      - mpledger 7.3.2.1.1
        
        1 February 2022 at 12:24 pm
        
        Everything here is high stakes which means people have a huge incentive to game the system. I want the people who need help to be identified, not the ones who are gaming the system, and that takes evidence of need.
        
        People would be equally appalled if someone with no emergency need was able to squeak in because the system wasn't robust enough. And that has a cost to others in the queue too.
        
        DukeEll 7.3.2.1.1.1
        
        1 February 2022 at 12:57 pm
        
        It couldn’t be the systems fault that it can’t handle 290 odd citizens of this country about to give birth to new life? No sirree. They should have kept their legs closed according to MBIE and it’s cheerleaders
        
        mpledger …
        
        1 February 2022 at 6:51 pm
        
        That's not only offensive but untrue. You are putting words into people's mouths that have never been expressed and who aren't allowed to defend themselves.
        
        weka 7.3.2.1.1.2
        
        1 February 2022 at 2:28 pm
        
        Everything here is high stakes which means people have a huge incentive to game the system. I want the people who need help to be identified, not the ones who are gaming the system, and that takes evidence of need.
        
        People would be equally appalled if someone with no emergency need was able to squeak in because the system wasn't robust enough. And that has a cost to others in the queue too.
        
        I don't think it matters in terms of her repatriation if Bellis' is gaming the system or not. She's pregnant in a country with poor obstetric care. That's enough to let her come home.
        
        Whatever she's doing or not doing, MiQ can sort it out. But they need to address their system for pregnant women asap.
        
        DukeEll …
        
        1 February 2022 at 2:41 pm
        
        They need to address the emergency system full stop. unbelievable that you have to cause an absolute brouhaha in the press and be smart enough to do it to make the system understand that being pregnant in a 3rd world country under extreme sanctions doesn't qualify.
        
        WTF does?
        
        mjpledger …
        
        1 February 2022 at 4:50 pm
        
        On one hand people want the system to be simpler and on the other hand people want the system to be more complex (by introducing more categories). It's a no-win situation for the ministries,
        
        georgecom …
        
        4 February 2022 at 7:14 pm
        
        broadly, a damned if you do, damned if you don't. so many competing interests on MIQ, someone misses out they feel aggrieved.
Matiri 8

31 January 2022 at 2:41 pm

Charlotte Bellis comments here in October 2021 on the reasons she went back to Afghanistan, and also on the dire conditions there with mention of a major maternity hospital in Kabul.

https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/sunday/audio/2018818511/nz-journalist-charlotte-bellis-returns-to-afghanistan-it-s-just-life-and-death-on-so-many-levels
arkie 9

31 January 2022 at 4:57 pm

The Government can also do more to help those injured while giving birth. The Greens successfully campaigned for ACC coverage to include those injuries but there are still some limitations on some injuries. Now is the time to make submissions to make sure it is more comprehensive and covers all injuries:

Last year, we successfully pushed the Government to change the law so parents with birth injuries can receive ACC support. This was an incredible win for women’s health and it will make a real difference to the lives of many new birth parents as they take on the important task of raising our tamariki.

But there’s a catch.

The law as it is, only allows some birth injuries to be covered by ACC.

We believe all parents deserve support for the pain and suffering that can be caused through childbirth, which is why today, we’re again asking for your help.

Public submissions are now open on this law change, meaning we can all have our say and ask for improvements. Can you take a moment to ask for more comprehensive care for all birth parents?

https://action.greens.org.nz/all_parents_deserve_support
- Sabine 9.1
  
  31 January 2022 at 6:20 pm
  
  Parents with birth injuries, pray tell what birth injuries does the man risk?
  
  This non gendered birthing bullshit is going to get women killed.
  - arkie 9.1.1
    
    31 January 2022 at 6:36 pm
    
    Currently proposed exceptions will be more harmful to women than language use, I would have thought:
    
    Not Covered
    Broken bones and fractures including tailbone, hips, spine, etc
    
    Tears from episiotomy
    
    It is unclear whether other types of prolapse will be covered (bladder, bowel, rectum urethra, or small intestine) resulting from muscle strain are not covered.
    
    Levator avulsion is included, which can be causative of prolapse, but not other muscle or ligament damage which can also be a factor, such as damage to the sacrospinous ligament.
    
    Nerve damage other than that to the pudendal nerve
    
    Fissures
    Without further advocacy from the Greens, and our public submissions these will remain unfunded by ACC. Everyone is welcome to make a submission.
    - Sabine 9.1.1.1
      
      31 January 2022 at 7:00 pm
      
      So we are talking about 'mothers' when we talk about parent?
      
      Women who don't give birth generally don't sustain injuries that are only sustained during child birth. And women can be parents without ever giving birth.
      
      The word you are looking for is "mother" – a women / girl who gives birth.
      
      but it makes for riveting reading and know one really knows who it applies too.
      
      Really even 'birthing person' would have been clearer. But hey, one is either woke, or precise, both however will never go hand in hand.
      - arkie 9.1.1.1.1
        
        31 January 2022 at 7:06 pm
        
        I guess we are all allowed to pick the particular battles we choose to fight. I would encourage you to forgo the provided submission template and make your own submission without the language you find incomprehensible:
        
        https://www.parliament.nz/en/ECommitteeSubmission/53SCEW_SCF_BILL_118133/CreateSubmission
        
        Sabine 9.1.1.1.1.1
        
        31 January 2022 at 7:19 pm
        
        I have done my submission a while ago, . then i got to watch teh spectacle that was the Green and the Labour Party doodahs be disrespectful, rude and downright unpleasant on Youtube videos. I will no longer waste my time so that these people can make a mockery of democracy and its people.
        
        So no, i don't have to participate in the mockery that is the erasure of female centric language, and to make that mockery palatable and appear legit. I find it interesting though that they don't use 'birthing people/persons' but i guess they were trying really hard to be 'inclusive' of 'women. Hence why a very woke, and very well educated person from the Green Party came up with some really shoddy english to talk about “Parents” (plural even) in regards to some very specific injuries that only happen to one 'sex' but not to all of those sex into injuries sustained by parents. Bad english. Maybe someone should tell them? Maybe a green party member, are you allowed to discuss that now?
        
        Example:
        
        The surrogate mother/s who birthed both of Tamati Coffeys (Labour) children is a mother by the act of giving birth to the children. They are however not a parent. And despite that / these women not being the parent they might have sustained injuries. Does this thing from the Greens apply to them?
  - Descendant Of Smith 9.1.2
    
    31 January 2022 at 6:51 pm
    
    Parents with birth injuries, pray tell what birth injuries does the man risk?
    
    The cursing headlock my wife put me in while giving birth was quite painful. I didn't quite get so close to her for the next one.
    - Sabine 9.1.2.1
      
      31 January 2022 at 6:57 pm
      
      So you mean the Mother, right?
      
      Because you know, one can be a parent and never encounter any birth injuries. But Mothers often suffer for long terms of the injuries sustained whilst giving birht.
      - Descendant Of Smith 9.1.2.1.1
        
        31 January 2022 at 7:13 pm
        
        No I meant my wife put me in a headlock and it did actually hurt and took a couple of weeks to come right. I was humourously replying to the question of what injuries a man may suffer during birth – as opposed to giving birth which is an entirely different matter.
        
        Unsure why mother is capitalised but I'm well aware of the injuries mothers can have during childbirth and always been perplexed why ACC does not cover them?
        
        Sabine 9.1.2.1.1.1
        
        31 January 2022 at 7:23 pm
        
        Mind you could claim that as a sports injury or gasp domestic violence. You might actually have more luck with ACC on either one of these claims.
        
        But yeah, ouch.
Dennis Frank 10

31 January 2022 at 5:13 pm

Yesterday I commented on MIQ for the first time because it became obvious that bureaucrats (probably male) were using it to discriminate against pregnant women. I've just noticed that her lawyer is making the same point:

Bellis' lawyer Tudor Clee told First Up New Zealand women had been enduring traumatic births overseas because they could not return. He said pregnancy was a medical condition but Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) staff with no medical qualifications were overruling the advice of doctors and midwives. Clee has asked Crown Law to review the legality of MBIE's decision in Bellis' case but said he would go to court if it was not resolved this week.

https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/460580/pregnant-nz-journalist-charlotte-bellis-asked-to-reapply-for-miq-under-different-category

There has obviously been insufficient focus on govt sexism. Watching leftists defend it onsite here because they're dead keen to let anonymous little hitlers off the moral hook has been quite entertaining. Some of these people appear to be females supporting sexism on the basis of one rule for all. Surrealism rules, apparently! Clee also noted that

we have had The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, Plunket, the College of Midwives, the College of New Zealand Psychiatrists, Sir Peter Gluckman, all state that it is medically unethical to force New Zealand women to give birth overseas or to give birth alone in New Zealand without their partners. And it actually risks the health of the mother and the potential long-term health of the unborn baby."

I suppose the leftists defending the bureaucrats doing the unethical discrimination would complain that it ain't fair to criticise either group since noticing unethical behaviour is too hard for them.

Clee was unsure if the different category Bellis had been invited to apply under applied to her. He said Bellis did not have a visa to stay in her partner's country, Belgium.

Which brings us to the moral corruption in our bureaucracy. They seem to be inviting the journalist to lie about her situation.

"On Sunday 30 January 2022 we took the extra step of writing to Charlotte to explain that there is another emergency allocation category (1a(iii)) that she may wish to apply under, and we outlined the criteria that must be met." The category is for New Zealanders in a location or situation where there is a serious risk to their safety and their only option is to return to New Zealand.

Pregnancy in and of itself is not considered an emergency under the emergency allocation criteria but certain conditions during pregnancy may mean that the high bar for an emergency was met, the statement said.

In a review in late October 2021 MIQ made no changes to existing categories, but agreed assessors would include consideration of the unborn child when making decisions where pregnancy is part of the emergency application.

How can she tell our govt she's unsafe when the Taliban have assured her she is safe??

Having been declined an emergency spot MIQ Bellis was assured by senior Taliban officials she would be safe in Afghanistan, where she and her partner have visas.

Bellis and her photographer partner Jim Huylebroek submitted 59 documents in their application to gain an emergency MIQ spot, she said.

Let's assume parity, and half the number for each person. Why would bureaucrats believe 29.5 hoops is a satisfactory number for a citizen to be forced to jump through in order to access a human right they are entitled to in law? I'm referring to the right to return home.

Seems they believe bureaucrats are a privileged caste, unaccountable to the public. Arbitrarily inflicting trauma on kiwi citizens overseas seems to be their prerogative.
- joe90 10.1
  
  31 January 2022 at 5:55 pm
  
  Bellis' lawyer Tudor Clee
  
  The king of legal aid who guest posted on the sewer on how to jump the MIQ queue.
  
  Nice.
  
  /
Gosman 11

31 January 2022 at 5:19 pm

"Meanwhile, in countries like Afghanistan, women have lost rights at an alarming rate in the past year thanks to the Taliban and the uselessness of the rest of the world in taking action."

Ummm…. I thought that was the what the foreign military intervention from 2002 through to last year was meant to be doing (among other things).
- weka 11.1
  
  31 January 2022 at 7:19 pm
  
  The military intervention had nothing to do with the wellbeing of Afghan women, and since their withdrawal it's obvious that the powers in the world basically don't give a fuck.
  - Sabine 11.1.1
    
    31 January 2022 at 7:25 pm
    
    They did spend a lot of time selling the invasion of Afghanistan as for the good of women at the time. Laura Bush was even wheeled out to shore up the masses.
    
    https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/nation/specials/attacked/transcripts/laurabushtext_111701.html
    
    But it is quite clear the the world over very few actually give a fuck about womens well being, safety and rights. It just all comes in different levels of 'no fucks to give' and punishment meeted out to women who don't submit fully to the rules of men.
    - weka 11.1.1.1
      
      31 January 2022 at 7:31 pm
      
      They did spend a lot of time selling the invasion of Afghanistan as for the good of women at the time. Laura Bush was even wheeled out to shore up the masses.
      
      Yep, I remember it at the time. Even then it sounded hypocritical PR bullshit. And now they’ve just proved it.
    - weka 11.1.1.2
      
      31 January 2022 at 7:32 pm
      
      But it is quite clear the the world over very few actually give a fuck about womens well being, safety and rights. It just all comes in different levels of 'no fucks to give' and punishment meeted out to women who don't submit fully to the rules of men.
      
      Responses to Bellis in the past few days just confirmed it, eh.
  - Gosman 11.1.2
    
    1 February 2022 at 8:10 am
    
    I'm not sure what your alternative is to a military option. Do you think the Taliban just need a stern talking to?
    - felix 11.1.2.1
      
      2 February 2022 at 8:31 pm
      
      They’re very naughty boys. They should sit in the corner of the cave and think about what they’ve done to humanity.
Ad 12

31 January 2022 at 5:28 pm

Minister Hipkins has defended the border policy.

"I want to be clear, there is a place in MIQ for people with special circumstances like Ms Bellis. No one's saying there is not," he said in his written statement.

"I understand she wanted to return on a specific date and that officials reached out to her for more information shortly after looking at her application. The emergency allocation criteria includes a requirement to travel to New Zealand within the next 14 days.

"Ms Bellis indicated she did not intend to travel until the end of February and has been encouraged by MIQ to consider moving her plans forward.

"I understand officials have also since invited her to apply for another emergency category. I encourage her to take these offers seriously.

"I also understand she was offered New Zealand consular assistance twice since she returned to Afghanistan in early December but has not responded. Again, I encourage her to take up any offers of assistance."

Chris Bunny, the head of MIQ, said Bellis had been invited to apply for another emergency allocation category (1a(iii)) for "New Zealand citizens and residents who are in a location or situation where there is a serious risk to their safety and their only option is to return to New Zealand".

COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins defends MIQ amid backlash over pregnant journo Charlotte Bellis' refused entry to New Zealand | Newshub

Bellis's manipulative bullshit is held up to the light. One person doesn't trump the rights of the population for massive spread of Omicron.

Ardern is sticking to her statement that from the end of February, vaccinated Kiwis arriving from Australia will be able to self-isolate at home.

Thank God this government knows how to stick to its policy, state a horizon to it, and execute it despite all the manipulative nonsense this professional reporter can generate.
- Anne 12.1
  
  31 January 2022 at 6:03 pm
  
  ….she wanted to return on a specific date and that officials reached out to her for more information shortly after looking at her application. The emergency allocation criteria includes a requirement to travel to New Zealand within the next 14 days.
  
  "Ms Bellis indicated she did not intend to travel until the end of February and has been encouraged by MIQ to consider moving her plans forward.
  
  "I understand officials have also since invited her to apply for another emergency category. I encourage her to take these offers seriously.
  
  "I also understand she was offered New Zealand consular assistance twice since she returned to Afghanistan in early December but has not responded. Again, I encourage her to take up any offers of assistance."
  
  Thanks for that information Ad. I knew there was more to the story.
  
  Most of us who have commented negatively have every sympathy for pregnant women wanting to return to NZ to have their babies. God, I know how distressed I would feel in such a situation and unable to return.
  
  My quarrel is the way she has gone about it. Trying to jump the queue using questionable methods and using her media expertise/contacts to manipulate the system for her own ends.
  
  You allow one person to get away with this behaviour then you're opening the floodgates for everyone to "game" the system where-ever way they can.
  - Ad 12.1.1
    
    31 January 2022 at 6:07 pm
    
    This person is a professional publicist trying to play the system like a black grand piano.
    
    After her flights to Belgium and Qatar, she didn't book her flight to New Zealand until after the news that we were opening up out of the MIQ system.
    - Anne 12.1.1.1
      
      31 January 2022 at 6:44 pm
      
      What I think she is also doing:
      
      She is playing a political game in an attempt to discredit the government's pandemic response. Why else would she ignore the advice/services offered her by NZ officials.
      
      Contrary to the impression she is creating, they appear to me to have genuinely tried to assist her and she chose to ignore them.
      - Kat 12.1.1.1.1
        
        31 January 2022 at 8:40 pm
        
        All part of the black ops plan, DP is back and with a more sophisticated smooth headed operator. Welcome to elections 2023.
  - Descendant Of Smith 12.1.2
    
    31 January 2022 at 7:00 pm
    
    "Ms Bellis indicated she did not intend to travel until the end of February and has been encouraged by MIQ to consider moving her plans forward."
    
    So surely we could have said – providing we are still open then you can have an MIQ spot. Go ahead book your tickets. It isn't like there are 200,000 pregnant women wanting to come back and have their babies.
    
    Oh that's right people will just start getting pregnant just to get a spot! Thin end of the wedge and all that.
    - Anne 12.1.2.1
      
      31 January 2022 at 8:34 pm
      
      If you are inferring my comment is some way-out conspiracy theory then you're way off beam.
      
      She has influential contacts in the National Party. She did not told the full story. Instead she launched into an attack on the government and its pandemic response and is aided an abetted by her Nat. contacts. She may not have started out with such intentions but it ended up that way and she's in boots n' all.
      
      By the way, if she had been black or very dark brown do you think the hysteria would have occurred? The answer is NO. It might have been given a tiny airing in a provincial paper but that probably would have been it.
      - weka 12.1.2.1.1
        
        31 January 2022 at 8:36 pm
        
        She has influential contacts in the National Party… Instead she launched into an attack on the government and its pandemic response and is aided an abetted by her Nat. contacts.
        
        Where are you getting that from?
      - Anne 12.1.2.1.2
        
        31 January 2022 at 9:05 pm
        
        Typo: She did not tell the full story.
        
        See Ad @ 12.
      - Descendant Of Smith 12.1.2.1.3
        
        1 February 2022 at 7:34 am
        
        "If you are inferring my comment is some way-out conspiracy theory then you're way off beam."
        
        Confused about how you would get that from my comment. All I'm saying is that the governments response to her should have just been to let her come when she wanted – just like any other pregnant women in difficult circumstances.
        
        For me it is not about her – it's about the lack of common sense and the ability of people to make sensible decisions. That she uses her influence to get the story across and makes political capital out of it is so blatantly obvious it wasn't worth commenting on. That is a side issue – an issue yes – but one I'm not that interested in.
        
        If you were referring to this
        
        "Oh that's right people will just start getting pregnant just to get a spot! Thin end of the wedge and all that."
        
        There will be some people thinking this – alongside "getting pregnant to get a benefit".
  - DukeEll 12.1.3
    
    1 February 2022 at 7:33 am
    
    Once again, Anne waits with baited breath for some information that casts doubt over the claims of a young women who is critical of the government.
    
    What Ms Bellis has done seems to be the only way for MBIE and MiQedia to take notice. What Hipkins didn’t address was the 11% acceptance rate for exceptions for pregnant women. Which is a national disgrace and we should all hang our heads in shame for, rather than telling an expectant mother to STFU and be grateful the taliban accepted her.
  - Belladonna 12.1.4
    
    1 February 2022 at 9:09 am
    
    Consular assistance. Gosh that's a joke.
    Real life experience from 3 friends/family members in 3 different countries. The 'assistance' consists of an email telling them how to apply for an MIQ place. And even that takes some time. Almost impossible to actually speak to (let alone meet with) one of the officials – unless, of course, you have 'pull' in some way.
- Ross 12.2
  
  31 January 2022 at 10:08 pm
  
  Bellis's manipulative bullshit is held up to the light. One person doesn't trump the rights of the population for massive spread of Omicron.
  
  I must say it’s great to see Scomo commenting at The Standard.
barry 13

31 January 2022 at 5:32 pm

To say that Bellis had few options is disingenuous. She was in Belgium with the father of the child who is a Belgian citizen. She could likely have gone to any of a number of other countries. Yes, if she chooses to come to NZ that should not be denied either, but does she deserver a higher place in the queue than others.

Nevertheless the question of emergency MIQ allocations to pregnant women is important. There are a lot of vulnerable people that have been denied emergency allocations. MIQ spaces are in short supply and the government has abdicated its responsibility to make sure that a larger portion are available to those in genuine need.

It is a shame that having a good lawyer, and access to sympathetic journalists get action, when others who are less well connected, miss out.

[citation needed for these two claims: “She was in Belgium with the father of the child who is a Belgian citizen. She could likely have gone to any of a number of other countries.”

I said very clearly at the end of the post that claims of fact had to be supported with evidence at the time of post. Please provide that now or I will moderate. Read the note on the post to see what evidence is needed – weka]
- Sabine 13.1
  
  31 January 2022 at 6:06 pm
  
  Why should she go elsewhere rather then come home? She is not an immigrant, she is a New Zealand Citizen and Passport holder. She has a country to go too, it is the government that refuses to give her entry.
  
  Why do we expect a New Zealand citizen to go to other countries to ask for a residence visa or refuge or asylum when she has a perfectly good country to go back to?
  
  Never mind that any other country has the right to totally refuse her a visa. Just saying. Or are we saying now that other countries are responsible for NZ Citizens that we can't be bothered letting in, and with responsibility i mean, housing, feeding, and medically look after these people.
  
  Is it really now that we are so entrenched that we can't actually look over the person who raises the issue and look at the mess in the middle of the living room, namely that MIQ does not work – and over the last two years that was shown again and again. Why is it that some seem to get in so easily, even manage to holiday overseas, yet other have to apply for an emergency 'allotment' for an MIQ space in order to travel home for an emergency?
  
  What is the difference between some stars – tv, music, sport, that seem to flit in and out of NZ at their leisure, and yet others get to watch their loved die over zoom or get offered Asylum by the Taliban because they don't win the MIQ lottery, or are refused and emergency ticket.
  
  And as Wekas post has shown quite clearly is that this has been an ongoing issue, and women suffer for it, and other countries have to pick up the slack of NZ in looking after these women and their children.
  
  And lastly i would like to point out that we as a country had no issues kicking out all he foreigners that got stuck here after Covid arrived as soon as we could. Could you imagine if say India would have said to NZ, tough luck, our borders are closed and these Indians are now your responsibility? The howls of outrage would have crumbled mountains.
  - Ad 13.1.1
    
    31 January 2022 at 6:11 pm
    
    "Why do we expect a New Zealand citizen to go to other countries to ask for a residence visa or refuge or asylum when she has a perfectly good country to go back to?"
    
    Because we are implementing one of the world's most successful responses to a global pandemic.
    
    The Prime Minister has repeated that citizens will be able to isolate here at home from some time in February. And it was only once she heard that, that Bellis booked her flights here.
    - Sabine 13.1.1.1
      
      31 January 2022 at 6:31 pm
      
      No other country is obliged to house New Zealanders that could go home to the country with the best covid strategy (TM), unless part of that strategy is to pawn off stranded kiwis onto other countries who btw, have their own to look after and may or may not be keen on more 'refugees and asylum seeker'.
      
      As for the PM and her crew, they say many things during the day, and i believe them when it happens. Specifically with regards to isolation and MIQ.
      
      Fact is that she is a NZ Citizen and NO country is under any obligation to play host to people that have a safe country to go too.
      
      But i guess sacrifices need to be made, and best it be made by people other then you and many other of the very very kind lefties and laborites on this page.
      Sacrifice for us, cause we won’t. Vote Labour 2023.
      - Ad 13.1.1.1.1
        
        31 January 2022 at 6:44 pm
        
        Yes sacrifices have to be made, and it's about time these uber-entitled rich who fly everywhere at will and are employed by global elites, finally start to see what sacrifices they ought to have been making all along.
        
        Bellis makes the entire story about her rather than covering the outrageous state of Afghani women and their access to healthcare.
        
        Other than complaining, there is very little anyone could gauge about what you stand for. You can vote of course on that basis.
        
        Vote Labour in 2023.
        
        Sabine 13.1.1.1.1.1
        
        31 January 2022 at 7:02 pm
        
        She is an uber entitled rich? Like Lorde? >Like that Taika Waititi?
        
        really,
        
        Good grief, this is just one more reason where the lack of kindness form the Labour Party and the Labourites is so unbridled, that good grief, not even with a barge pole would i press that button for Labour.
        
        You are funny sometimes Ad.
        
        Ad …
        
        31 January 2022 at 7:15 pm
        
        She is. Global career, multiple flights, options, contacts and supporters around the world, and the power to command front-page op-eds at will.
        
        The trouble with kindness when you're trying to protect a nation of 5 million is pretty well expressed by Plato:
        
        "Good people do not need laws to act responsibly,
        
        while bad people will find a way around the laws."
        
        Sabine …
        
        31 January 2022 at 7:32 pm
        
        She is a journalist. Get a grip.
        
        She is a citizens, and she is entitled to return to her home country. You have no more a right to safety then she does, and she should not be made repsonsible for your safety.
        
        Seriously, get a grip.
        
        And btw Ad, every time a shit story like this about women being denied entrance to their homecoming to have their children there Labour loses anotehr point or two and there is no kindness that you or Jacinda for that matter could conjure up that would take away the bad press of a Kiwi getting Asylum offered by the Taliban.
        
        You know what i find equally surprising and amusing is that among these highly paid government officials, all of them with fancy university degrees in english, arts and gender studies, not one had enough living brain cells together to tell someone who needed to hear it that not letting women back home to give birth is really really just a fucking bad look and will back fire.
        
        Labour, we decide who is a Citizen and when. 2023 – but not you who is stuck overseas, your right to vote just expired.
        
        Ad …
        
        31 January 2022 at 7:42 pm
        
        Actually she was until very recently a senior producer at Al Jazeera. Senor producers at tinpot TVNZ get over $120k. Bellis is resolutely not without options.
        
        Her partner Jim Huylebroek is a senior photographer for the New York Times. Flown everywhere, and not paid peanuts either.
        
        Her human right to repatriate to her country of citizenship is being enabled multiple times and with multiple options. And her human rights are simply not as important as every other more desperate case.
        
        By and large bureaucrats enforcing rules no not give a monkey's about any "bad look". Otherwise MSD would throw money out of a helicopter.
        
        And Hipkins has the political courage to face down someone who is using every trick in the book to get her place at the expense of someone else. It won't get them any votes with the tiresome fools like you who will find every exception for every bleeding heart sonata that plucks their strings.
        
        But then, that's why the voters put Labour in power with an overwhelming majority and not the Greens.
      - georgecom 13.1.1.1.2
        
        4 February 2022 at 7:23 pm
        
        indeed, no country is required to house NZ citizens that could go home. There are avenues for Kiwis to get home, for the next 2-3 weeks it is still via MIQ. If kiwis do not want to spend time in other countries then they need to apply for an MIQ spot. If unable to secure one then they find themselves in the situation of needing to remain overseas until they do. Where will they go, what will they do, I cannot answer that.
        
        Sabine 13.1.1.1.2.1
        
        4 February 2022 at 7:47 pm
        
        and you should not need to answer that, as it is their right to come home. Or maybe they can go to a NZ consulate and stay there? Until they can win a lottery ticket for one of the 1200 lucky duckies that could get a voucher for MIQ out of 30.000.
        
        Again, your right to safety does not negate the right of Kiwis stranded overseas to come home.
        
        Maybe it is time for us now to sacrifice a bit, rather then just be smug and tell these guys to go find a ditch in which to disappear cause everything else is too hard, and btw, can anyone of the safe kiwis be bothered. Selfish is as selfish does, and selfishness seems to be as rampant as Covid.
        
        georgecom …
        
        5 February 2022 at 9:50 pm
        
        yes they have a right to come home. the system NZ set up to allow that to happen was MIQ. it had it's limitations. it was was it was. And yes it is time now to give a bit. the restrictions relating to MIQ are giving.
    - weka 13.1.1.2
      
      31 January 2022 at 7:12 pm
      
      Because we are implementing one of the world's most successful responses to a global pandemic.
      
      Yes, incredibly successful. MiQ is crucial. The question is why would you let in DJs etc and not a pregnant NZ woman in Afghanistan with few other options. I'm not criticising the decisions, I'm asking why the settings are the way they are in the first place.
      
      The Prime Minister has repeated that citizens will be able to isolate here at home from some time in February. And it was only once she heard that, that Bellis booked her flights here.
      
      She was trying to get back via the lottery before that. Once the Feb opening was announced, she made plans. Then omicron forced the government to change its plans. The February opening was delayed and the lottery closed.
      
      The government had previously announced plans to begin a staggered reopening of the border for vaccinated travellers in mid-February. With the emergence of Omicron, however, that plan has been pushed out, and no alternative date announced for when border restrictions may ease.
      
      https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jan/19/new-zealand-closes-borders-to-new-arrivals-over-unprecedented-omicron-risk
      
      Afaik, unless you already have a lottery booking there is no way to currently get into NZ if you are a NZ citizen, and no date when that will change.
      - Ad 13.1.1.2.1
        
        31 January 2022 at 7:24 pm
        
        Bellis admits she had made multiple plans. In multiple countries. And had the money to fly to them, which she did. She is just another entitled elite complaining.
        
        You can't apply for an emergency MIQ space without proof you've booked to fly already, so Bellis would have needed to provide that.
        
        https://www.miq.govt.nz/about/news/emergency-allocation-criteria-changes-3/
        
        The delay to the at-home isolation for citizens has only been pushed back a few weeks to the end of February, as per the advice from the official website below. Which makes a whole lot of sense when we are about to go to 500+ COVID cases per day.
        
        https://www.miq.govt.nz/travel-to-new-zealand/entering-new-zealand-in-2022/
        
        [“Bellis admits she had made multiple plans. In multiple countries” explanation, quote and link to support this please – weka]
        
        weka 13.1.1.2.1.1
        
        31 January 2022 at 7:41 pm
        
        Mod note. Don't know what your point is, but will wait for the citation on Bellis having lots of plans.
        
        weka 13.1.1.2.1.2
        
        31 January 2022 at 7:43 pm
        
        The delay to the at-home isolation for citizens has only been pushed back a few weeks to the end of February, as per the advice from the official website below. Which makes a whole lot of sense when we are about to go to 500+ COVID cases per day.
        
        Are you saying the Guardian reporting on the 19th Jan is wrong?
        
        Ad …
        
        31 January 2022 at 7:52 pm
        
        I'd recommend you stick to the official website advice and not take your dates from The Guardian.
        
        Ad 13.1.1.2.1.3
        
        31 January 2022 at 7:50 pm
        
        When she discovered she was pregnant she was in Qatar.
        
        She then flew to Belgium with her partner when she found she was pregnant, to live with his parents.
        
        She then contacted the Taliban to see if she could go back there, and they agreed.
        
        https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/covid-19-omicron-charlotte-bellis-an-open-letter-on-miq/U4WQGYTJHUP36AGVOBN3F6PJSE/
        
        She is considering an option to go to another country who has offered to take her:
        
        https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/pregnant-kiwi-journalist-charlotte-bellis-offered-asylum-by-second-country/YEVJP4HSSPEYPZ7IA4AUUJ7TPQ/
        
        But her publicist and friend Gemma Ross (co founder of Hustle and Bustle Agency) friend doesn't want to name that country.
        
        weka …
        
        31 January 2022 at 8:06 pm
        
        thanks.
        
        She had to leave Qatar. because it was illegal to be pregnant and unmarried.
        
        She decided to not stay in Belgium because her visa only allows 3 months out of every 6 and she'd already used half of that. They wanted to reserve that for an emergency.
        
        So she flew to Afghanistan to apply for an MiQ place.
        
        All of that is in her original piece in the Herald.
        
        Obviously there is privilege in all that, compared to say a Qatari or Afghan woman. But I'm not seeing where she has a lot of good choices here other than coming back to NZ. Or being granted asylum, which would make NZ a laughing stock.
        
        I'm unclear if she could get entry into the UK, some have said yest but no-one has clarified if there are restrictions on that as well.
        
        Sabine …
        
        4 February 2022 at 7:57 pm
        
        She had to leave Qatar. because it was illegal to be pregnant and unmarried.
        
        they don't care.
        
        She decided to not stay in Belgium because her visa only allows 3 months out of every 6 and she'd already use
        
        they don't care.
        
        So she flew to Afghanistan to apply for an MiQ place.
        
        they don't care.
        
        Obviously there is privilege in all that, compared to say a Qatari or Afghan woman. But I'm not seeing where she has a lot of good choices here other than coming back to NZ. Or being granted asylum, which would make NZ a laughing stock.
        
        I'm unclear if she could get entry into the UK, some have said yest but no-one has clarified if there are restrictions on that as we
        
        they don't care about that either.
        
        What they do care about is that a really dumb person in a government agency who hands out emergency vouchers denied a voucher to a person who is as educated as can be, who is not afraid of government, who knows her rights, and who insisted in her rights being respected as a NZ citizens. And they care deeply that that women had the audacity to insist in her rights, and even used the Media to raise a ruckus. Does she not know her place?
        
        What they do really care about is that the Labour Government has egg on their face, and has changed course from locked hermit 'kingdom' (can anyone tell me who is our king here is, Grant Robertson? Or does Jacinda Ardern identifies as 'king'?) to open country again, at later this year. And yes, i have mixed feelings about that, but MIQ as it is run now is inhumane and really more of a hunger games contest then a government run quarantine resource to bring people safely into the country.
        
        As someone said, this women should give birth in a cave in Afghanistan, cause Weka, understand that our sexist little lefties really don't care about women, pregnant women and their children, born or unborn. Unless they need the 'protect women', empower women slogans to a. gather votes, or b. invade a country. Then they know what women are and then they even pretend to care about the wellbeing of the ones like us.
        
        RedLogix …
        
        4 February 2022 at 10:17 pm
    - Ross 13.1.1.3
      
      31 January 2022 at 10:24 pm
      
      Because we are implementing one of the world's most successful responses to a global pandemic.
      
      Yeah nah borrowing a small fortune to keep healthy people at home, a debt which future generations will have to deal with, is the antithesis of successful. But even if you were correct, allowing Charlotte Bellis into the country isn’t going to turn New Zealand into a zombie apocalypse. She is entitled to return.
      
      But this issue isn’t new. Back in October it was reported that many pregnant women had been denied entry into NZ. One couple took legal action and, before the case was about to be heard, they were accepted into MIQ.
      - Ross 13.1.1.3.1
        
        31 January 2022 at 10:35 pm
        
        The College of Midwives criticised the treatment of pregnant women in October. The ODT reported that Julie Anne Genter had written to Chris Hipkins asking him to consider a special allocation for pregnant couples. Did he respond?
        
        https://www.odt.co.nz/star-news/star-lifestyle/college-midwives-calling-pregnant-women-be-allocated-miq-spots
        
        Sabine 13.1.1.3.1.1
        
        4 February 2022 at 7:59 pm
        
        They considered and then went, Yeah, nah nah.
        
        https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/127642726/mbie-considered-new-pregnancy-emergency-miq-allocation-criteria-decided-against-making-changes
- weka 13.2
  
  31 January 2022 at 7:15 pm
  
  mod note. You're in premod until I see the citation or you withdraw your claims. This means none of your comments will appear on the front end until this is resolved.
- barry 13.3
  
  31 January 2022 at 7:33 pm
  
  https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/pregnant-kiwi-journalist-charlotte-bellis-offered-asylum-by-second-country/YEVJP4HSSPEYPZ7IA4AUUJ7TPQ/
  
  The article says that she was in Belgium with her partner (who she expects to accompany her to NZ). I also object to the statement "offered asylum in another country" – it is demeaning to all those who are stateless or have to move on fear of death. Her situation is not at all comparable.
  
  With Qatar threatening to imprison her, and Belgium kicking her out, how come it is NZ that is the bad guy?
  - weka 13.3.1
    
    31 January 2022 at 7:38 pm
    
    read my note at the bottom of the post. You have to provide: explanation, quote and link. I’m not reading article to try and parse your argument. The onus is on you to do the work. Still in premod.
    
    You also need to provide evidence that she could have gone to any number of other countries.
    - barry 13.3.1.1
      
      31 January 2022 at 7:50 pm
      
      It said "offered asylum in another country".
      
      [two day ban site wide. I explained clearly, twice, what was needed. I’m not wasting my time on this anymore. – weka]
      - Anne 13.3.1.1.1
        
        31 January 2022 at 9:14 pm
        
        I thought your comment @ 13 reasonable barry and after prompting you provided a link which seemed to me to confirm what you said.
        
        Don't let it put you off coming here.
  - Sabine 13.3.2
    
    31 January 2022 at 7:54 pm
    
    Because NZ is her home country, she is a citizen, she holds a passport and the country is refusing her her right of return.
    
    non of the other countries are in the least obliged to look after a stranded kiwi, no more then we were obliged to look after stranded overseas tourists/students/visa holders whom we all send home btw.
    
    But the reason this shit has now hit properly the fan is that NZ is not letting people come back home and making them other countries problems, NZ has not been helpfull to pregnant women overseas or to people with various other medical needs, and this women has run out of fucks to give. She just wants to come home and have her baby. As is her right.
miravox 14

31 January 2022 at 5:56 pm

In another example of the vulnerability during pregnancy, I'd love to know why two midwives refused to provide effective pain relief to a labouring woman. One was upfront about it, but the second one lied.

The woman, whose name is suppressed, engaged Bakker in 2018. It was agreed that gas and pethidine would be used if pain relief was needed. The woman had chosen Bakker because she had agreed to pethidine being used during labour. During her first labour the woman had been refused pain relief by her former midwife.

Is this a case of ideology coming before the person you're assisting and guiding through birthing?
- Puckish Rogue 14.1
  
  31 January 2022 at 6:58 pm
  
  Yeah I saw and thought it was strange, hopefully someone on here can provide an explanation
  - joe90 14.1.1
    
    31 January 2022 at 7:11 pm
    
    Nothing says junkie quite like repeated requests for a specific opioid.
    - arkie 14.1.1.1
      
      31 January 2022 at 7:19 pm
      
      That’s a pretty long bow to draw, also concerning that someone’s addictions mean they are deserving of suffering.
      
      The midwife acknowledged the harm caused:
      
      The midwife, who was not named, told the HDC she “felt it was in the best interests of the baby not to give pethidine” given the woman’s stage of labour.
      
      She said she gave Ms B saline “leading her to believe” it was pethidine to give her “a sense of support and help in a difficult time”.
      
      “I knew it would do no harm, and that pethidine could still be administered at any stage going forward, if required,” the decision stated.
      
      The midwife, who has been registered for 23 years, accepted she “messed up” and was “deeply regretful” of the situation.
      
      https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/113368510/midwife-ignores-pregnant-womans-request-for-pain-relief-in-labour
      - Sabine 14.1.1.1.1
        
        31 January 2022 at 7:41 pm
        
        I knew it would do no harm.
        
        Never mind the mother, never mind that person. She don't count. Really, any harm done to her is 'not harm'. Can women even feel pain? Are they even human.
        
        miravox 14.1.1.1.1.1
        
        31 January 2022 at 8:33 pm
        
        Exactly.
        
        For every issue around pregnancy on this post choose one of the following sincerely-held opinions about women:
        
        1. Pregnant women are just the same as non-pregnant women and don't require any special consideration regarding their needs and preferences.
        
        2. Pregnant women are incapable of making good decisions for themselves.
        
        3. We know it's in their best interests if we make all the decisions for pregnant women rather than mentoring, caring for their health and supporting them.
        
        4. If we can't understand what a pregnant woman is experiencing then it must be all in her mind, rather than due to our own lack of imagination / empathy / compassion – really, "it's not that bad"
        
        Swap pregnant in the above sentences for any other reproductive vulnerability / health issue a woman may have (from birth, postnatal period, sexual rights, abortion, menopause, female specific diseases etc.) and you'll probably find a bunch of people who have opinions about it that reflect the above sentences too.
        
        [Note: I haven't included pregnant children here because we all know they have no rights at all].
        
        weka …
        
        31 January 2022 at 8:35 pm
        
        🙏 Superb explanation.
      - joe90 14.1.1.1.2
        
        31 January 2022 at 7:41 pm
        
        The first midwife recognised her drug seeking behaviour and the second, who for whatever reason foolishly decided to indulge her, should have reported her concerns the moment she realised that she'd made a mistake.
        
        And I say that as someone who's had first hand experience of the drug seeking antics of junkie scum and, as the second midwife found out, it's as destructive AF on anyone who comes into contact with them.
        
        arkie 14.1.1.1.2.1
        
        31 January 2022 at 8:00 pm
        
        I feel that your first hand experience may be colouring your interpretation of the events described. The woman had given birth without pain relief before and wanted pain relief with the next pregnancy. The treatment the midwife chose to simulate was ultimately administered at the instruction an obstetrician.
        
        Personally I wouldn't describe seeking pain relief during labour as drug seeking antics nor would I call people struggling with addiction scum but we are all different.
        
        Apropos of nothing:
        
        Womens' pain not taken as seriously as mens' pain
        
        A new study suggests that when men and women express the same amount of pain, women's pain is considered less intense based on gender stereotypes.
        
        https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/04/210406164124.htm
        
        joe90 …
        
        31 January 2022 at 8:14 pm
        
        No one's saying she shouldn't have pain relief. But you get what you're given and her requesting a specific drug certainly rang the bell with the first midwife.
        
        Brigid …
        
        31 January 2022 at 9:57 pm
        
        I expect she requested pethidine because it is the most commonly used drug for pain relief during childbirth, along with nitrous oxide.
        
        When I was having my kids, 1973 -1981 I along with all my contemporaries were offered either or both. When my grand kids were being born, their mother was offered pethidine as a matter of course.
        
        By the 90s, epidurals (f bupivacaine 0.0625% and fentanyl 2 microgram/ml.) were offered or a caesarian. That is, you could choose to have a caesarian as your preferred method of delivery.
        
        Crazy I know.
        
        https://www.nationalwomenshealth.adhb.govt.nz/assets/Womens-health/Documents/Policies-and-guidelines/Epidural-Analgesia-in-Labour-Management-and-Care.pdf
        
        weka …
        
        31 January 2022 at 11:13 pm
        
        But you get what you're given and her requesting a specific drug certainly rang the bell with the first midwife.
        
        It's pretty normal to have a birth plan these days and to discuss what kind of pain relief the birthing mother is ok with and not ok with. Mostly in NZ we're past the days of nursey knows best and telling women how to give birth. Midwives use a partnership model.
        
        weka …
        
        31 January 2022 at 11:14 pm
        
        I'm curious what the problem would be with giving the woman pethedine if she were an opiate user. Is it an overdose issue?
        
        Belladonna …
        
        1 February 2022 at 9:24 am
        
        If that were the case, then the midwife had a professional duty to raise the issue with the medical team (i.e. the obstetrician who became involved in what was clearly a difficult delivery; and the nursing staff who would need to be aware of any possible withdrawal symptoms in the baby, if the mother had been using during her pregnancy).
        
        Fetal addiction is a well-known medical issue – and there are effective medical protocols in place to deal with it.
        
        Since the midwife did neither, it seems much more likely that she was a natural birthing advocate who believed that painkillers interfere with natural child delivery. And her personal beliefs over-rode her professional duty.
        
        Given that she has been censured by the Health and Disability Commissioner – and not raised any of the speculative issues you've suggested, during the review; it seems much more likely that you have misread the situation.
        
        Sabine 14.1.1.1.2.2
        
        31 January 2022 at 8:00 pm
        
        Drug seeking behaviour.
        
        Yea because giving birth to a child, is like such a good chance to score some mighty fine drugs. I wonder how much she thought that midwife would give her, like maybe a weeks supply in little vials that she can take home?
        
        weka 14.1.1.1.2.3
        
        31 January 2022 at 8:09 pm
        
        why are you thinking its a junkie seeking opiates rather than a woman needing pain relief during childbirth? And even is she was an addict, why would that matter?
        
        Sabine …
        
        31 January 2022 at 8:17 pm
        
        there is no mention of drug addiction in this article here that refers to this particular case
        
        https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/113368510/midwife-ignores-pregnant-womans-request-for-pain-relief-in-labour
        
        and neither is in this one.
        
        https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/127643743/midwife-ignored-womans-request-for-pain-relief-giving-her-placebo-instead
        
        Joe90 should provide a link to his claims. All i read in these articles is that the women had a painfull delivery, and was lied to by the midwife and the midwifes student during that delivery. Nothing at all about prior drug use or the suspected misuse of drugs by a 'drug scum' person trying to get high while giving birth.
        
        weka …
        
        31 January 2022 at 8:34 pm
        
        Think he thinks he's reading between the lines. Health practitioners do this, and gate keep medicine on the basis of a philosophy that addicts shouldn't have access to pain relief.
        
        Even if one agrees with this, I doubt it's relevant because the midwife or doctor controls the meds and the dose. It's not like she's given a prescription to take away and use however she wants.
        
        miravox 14.1.1.1.2.4
        
        31 January 2022 at 8:49 pm
        
        Two requests, for two childbirths of a standard pain relief option when gas doesn't work and/or causes nausea doesn't scream junkie to me. It suggests a difficult labour.
        
        The obstetrician who eventually attended her did recognise her need and gave her pethidine – not at all unusual pain relief in labour.
        
        Until there is evidence otherwise, I'm leaning towards an ideological-driven approach to childbirth that precludes drugs as a pain relief option for reasons other than the woman's need for effective pain relief.
        
        francesca 14.1.1.1.2.5
        
        1 February 2022 at 9:06 am
        
        "junkie scum"
        
        hang your head in shame Joe
    - weka 14.1.1.2
      
      31 January 2022 at 7:24 pm
      
      are you being sarcastic?
      - joe90 14.1.1.2.1
        
        31 January 2022 at 7:44 pm
        
        Nope.
    - Sabine 14.1.1.3
      
      31 January 2022 at 7:40 pm
      
      are you speaking from experience?
      
      During her pregnancy in 2017, the woman and the midwife discussed pain relief and agreed Mrs B would receive gas (nitrous oxide and oxygen) and pethidine in labour if required.
      
      But during labour, Mrs B became "distressed" and was suffering back pain thought to be caused by the baby's skull pressing on her pelvis. She then asked for pethidine as the gas was making her feel sick.
      
      Ms B was given four 10ml syringes of saline – three in half doses – over 2.5 hours, at 12.55pm and was told it was pethidine.
      
      But, when an obstetrician later confirmed the baby's skull was indeed pressing on the woman's pelvis, Ms B was eventually given a real dose of pethidine at 1.15pm.
      
      The woman gave birth to a baby boy with the assistance of ventouse (vacuum) delivery.
      
      After Ms B left the hospital, the midwife told her she had not given her pethidine to ensure "the safety of the baby".
      - joe90 14.1.1.3.1
        
        31 January 2022 at 8:56 pm
        
        are you speaking from experience?
        
        Yup. A once wonderful woman who spent most of her life on methadone and in terribly poor health with a liver ravaged by hepatitis C.
        
        Her addiction ended her life and fucking near ruined mine, too.
        
        Sabine 14.1.1.3.1.1
        
        31 January 2022 at 9:06 pm
        
        so because you knew someone it must apply to this women too?
        
        I read the articles above, not a single word is used to call the women a drug user, a pusher, or someone who may want to score drugs.
        
        My uncle was a drug pusher, several of them actually in the 70's – heroin was plenty and everyone was a hero for a day, but you know what, i would not consider all men who want a specific pain killer 'drug scum' or what ever terms you used.
        
        I suggest taht you retract your words, or you put up a link about the supposed drug use of that women who was harmed by her midwife and the student. Other wise you are just slandering a women who was already lied to by a medical professional, had some injections that she did not need, just to get the requested pain medication when a doctor arrived and confirmed that her child birth was actually as painful as she said.
        
        Seriously, put up link or ask Mod to delete your comments and those of us that responded to you.
    - felix 14.1.1.4
      
      2 February 2022 at 8:56 pm
      
      What bullshit joe90. Every pregnant woman knows about pethidine.
    - Delia 14.1.1.5
      
      6 February 2022 at 8:21 pm
      
      Have you give birth? If you are male as I suspect what the hell do you know about it?
      
      I agree with Weka's every point, but I will go further and say that this govt places a low priority on women and tries to pretend we are a subset of New Zealand men.
- mpledger 14.2
  
  1 February 2022 at 1:03 pm
  
  I'm not a midwife but from what I understand giving pethidine quite close to delivery means the baby can get a dose and can come out sleepy and floppy – the baby finds it difficult to process the dose without the mother's help. I guess that means it's hard to tell if there are any other underlying conditions with the same symptoms.
  
  Although this doesn't seem like the case here.
  - miravox 14.2.1
    
    2 February 2022 at 6:22 pm
    
    Yes, I'm aware of the advice around pethidine and you're right – it seems like that wasn't the case here. The woman had hours to go before the birth, with an obstetrician finally providing her with the pain relief required.
    
    As a person who was there to provide care and support for a labouring woman, this attitude seems quite … distasteful
    
    https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/460578/midwife-fined-after-giving-placebo-during-birth
    
    "… [she] told the student midwife that the relationship between midwife and woman is like parent and child, with the midwife as the parent and the woman as the child.
    
    Bakker "advised that the woman looks up to the midwife and listens to what she tells them, so that if the midwife tells the woman she is receiving pethidine, the woman believes her."
    
    After a number of hours the woman finally did get the painkiller after a hospital obstetrician become involved.
Maggy Wassilieff 15

31 January 2022 at 6:12 pm

Congratulations for writing this post.

In the last 8 months 219 women have applied for an emergency pregnancy allocation.

Only 29 were accepted on first application.

About 60+ were rejected.

(TV One News _6pm)

Does anyone get the feeling that the folks processing these applications have bugger-all knowledge of pregnancy?
- Maggy Wassilieff 15.1
  
  31 January 2022 at 6:27 pm
  
  Slightly different figures here on "Stuff"
  
  Between October 30, 2020 and October 5, 2021, MIQ received 229 applications involving pregnancy. Of those, just 23 were approved; 70 were declined; and 136 were in progress, cancelled or incomplete.
  
  https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/127642726/mbie-considered-new-pregnancy-emergency-miq-allocation-criteria-decided-against-making-changes
  - Ad 15.1.1
    
    31 January 2022 at 7:27 pm
    
    Why don't you run the same numbers for cancer?
    
    What about coming back for a funeral? What's the stats on that?
    
    What about weddings? Do we have the statistical breakdown for that?
    
    Why is a non-emergency like pregnancy more important than a wedding?
    - Sabine 15.1.1.1
      
      31 January 2022 at 7:46 pm
      
      Is there a difference between a wedding and a women being pregnant?
      
      No they are totally the same. Hundreds of people will show up, dress up prettily and get drunk. Totally the same as growing a human in ones tummy. Specifically the dressing up prettily and getting drunk…..oh yeah, nah, not really.
    - Maggy Wassilieff 15.1.1.2
      
      31 January 2022 at 7:51 pm
      
      I've no argument about any of those.
      
      All NZers should be able to return to NZ and self-quarantine.
      
      But you've got to wonder how it is that only 13% of Emergency allocations for pregnant mums have been accepted by MIQ, but 61% of other emergency allocations have been approved.
      
      Bunny adds that from October 30, 2020, to January 23, 2022, MIQ processed 8863 completed applications and approved 5396 applications for emergency allocations.
      
      https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2022/01/national-accuses-chris-hipkins-of-doing-nothing-for-months-over-allocating-emergency-miq-rooms-to-pregnant-kiwis-overseas.html
      
      Something stinks to high heaven over this issue.
      - Ad 15.1.1.2.1
        
        31 January 2022 at 7:53 pm
        
        There's a pretty simple answer:
        
        The great majority of pregnancies aren't emergencies.
        
        And according to Bellis in her RNZ interview yesterday, her one isn’t.
        
        Maggy Wassilieff 15.1.1.2.1.1
        
        31 January 2022 at 8:56 pm
        
        Well, why has the NZ Government requested that she reapply under a different Emergency category?
        
        https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-zealand/2022/01/kiwi-journalist-charlotte-bellis-rejects-mbie-s-offer-to-reapply-under-different-emergency-miq-category.html
        
        It seems Hipkins realises she needs to get here to NZ and is scurrying around looking for a face-saving way out of this omnishambles.
        
        Muttonbird …
        
        31 January 2022 at 9:09 pm
        
        In one of her articles, Charlotte Bellis wrote that she did not want to be in Afghanistan after 30 weeks because premature care there is non-existent and they can't do cesarians at all in an emergency. Her safety is clearly at risk.
        
        This is the category Hipkins is encouraging Bellis to apply under; "someone whose safety is seriously at risk" instead of someone requiring access to time-critical medical treatment.
        
        Many people might see this as maddening bureaucracy but it is there for a reason and that is to ensure the set of rules is fair to everyone.
        
        The article you have linked to suggests she has rejected this advice. Whatever for? Does she want to get her and her baby and her partner to NZ, or does she want to risk all three in order to stand on principle?
        
        Maggy Wassilieff …
        
        31 January 2022 at 9:25 pm
        
        If we are to believe "The Guardian", Bellis tells us she was originally told to apply under the medical pathway…
        
        Speaking to RNZ on Monday morning, Bellis said she signed up for an MIQ spot via the medical treatment pathway because it was how pregnant women were told to apply. She was then asked to reapply under a category designed for New Zealanders in a location or a situation where there was a serious risk to their safety, she said.
        
        “What does that say to women, does that mean there is no pathway for pregnant women? We signed up to the right one, the medical treatment is the correct one.”
        
        https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jan/31/charlotte-bellis-new-zealand-defends-miq-strict-quarantine-pregnant-journalist-help-taliban
        
        Really, I can't be bothered arguing the toss about our bureaucratic rules for MIQ.
        
        Get NZers home when they need to be here.
        
        They're all vaxxed, we're all vaxxed… the omicron virus is on the loose.
        
        Game over.
        
        Muttonbird …
        
        31 January 2022 at 9:37 pm
        
        I don't get it. She seems to have been offered a lot of advice and support but has always refused that advice and support, and is now doubling down.
        
        Also can't get my head around the EU rules which refuses her status as the pregnant partner of an EU citizen.
        
        Sabine …
        
        31 January 2022 at 9:51 pm
        
        She is not married, thus has no right to a visa, no more then the girl friend on a holiday visa would have a right to a residence permit here in NZ. simple as that. There is not one country on this planet that is under any obligation to look after Kiwis that NZ refuses to let come home. The only thing she could have done is maybe leave Belgium for a few days and come back in. But she would not have any rights to medical care, housing etc. I can't quite understand how people here seem to find it hard to believe that other countries have their own imigration rules, and that they even apply them. But then maybe they think Kiwis are different then say someone from a third world country.
        
        As for the advise, she was refused under the correct category – medical needs – and is now asked to apply for a different category so that they can let her in. And she is correct in asking why. It seems that .govt wants to rectify their error and please apply under this category here so we can approve you. Lol.
        
        The whole of the MIQ system needs to be looked at and refreshed. She is just one of many that has been let down by faceless burocrats and a system that works well for the connected classes and bugger all for the rest.
        
        Last, she is a Citizen, a NZ Passport holder and as such she is legally allowed to return to her country. And the government really needs to find a way to let people back in or they need to stop people in NZ from leaving – and that includes the connected rich listers and Labour MPs btw that want a nice little holiday during the times of the plague- as that would free up much needed spaces for those stuck overseas and who would like to come home.
        
        Muttonbird …
        
        31 January 2022 at 10:08 pm
        
        As for the advise, she was refused under the correct category – medical needs
        
        My understanding is she was refused because she didn't want to travel within the 14 days required for an emergency spot under the medical needs category.
        
        I'm worried that she and her advisors didn't get their application right (an admittedly complicated process) and are still refusing official advice in order to highlight…something?
        
        Hipkins says, "Bellis had been offered New Zealand consular assistance twice since she returned to Afghanistan in early December but (she) didn’t respond."
        
        In the same article, this from Head of MIQ, Chris Bunny;
        
        “It was decided to not make any changes to existing categories in relation to pregnancy (in October 2021), instead it was agreed assessors and decision-makers would include consideration of the unborn child when assessing and making decisions where pregnancy is part of the emergency application,” he said.
        
        “Pregnancy in and of itself is not considered an emergency under the emergency allocation criteria, but certain conditions during pregnancy may mean that the high bar for an emergency is met.”
        
        Bunny said MIQ is “sympathetic to the difficult circumstances many New Zealanders are experiencing due to the global pandemic”.
        
        “We work hard to ensure everyone is treated fairly,” he said.
        
        miravox 15.1.1.2.1.2
        
        31 January 2022 at 9:17 pm
        
        The great majority of pregnancies aren't emergencies.
        
        And according to Bellis in her RNZ interview yesterday, her one isn’t.
        
        What you're talking about is a pregnancy complication that requires planned intervention.
        
        Most people wouldn't know if their pregnancy is an emergency until it is. That's almost the definition of an emergency, right?
        
        Like the one I had where my child was born 5 weeks early on the very day my pregnancy became an emergency that could have killed us both.
        
        And with a pregnancy that suddenly becomes an emergency, once you do know, a spot in MIQ will be far too late to fix it.
        
        Returning to a country where there are no issues around receiving healthcare seems a very good risk minimisation strategy for a pregnant woman in a country where it seems pretty risky to give birth, and for a govt who claims their MIQ is in everyone's best interests.
    - weka 15.1.1.3
      
      31 January 2022 at 7:56 pm
      
      Why is a non-emergency like pregnancy more important than a wedding?
      
      That was explained in the post. Maybe you didn't read it. Maybe you really don't care if a NZ woman has pregnancy complications in a country with third world obstetric care when she could have been allowed home instead. Or that she has to have her child on her own away from her partner and/or other support.
      
      I've attended two livestreamed funerals of close relatives since the pandemic started. I would in no way compare that to a woman having to give birth in another country under difficult and possibly dangerous conditions.
      
      But those aren't the right comparisons. We want the stats on DJs and other people the government considered essential and more important than pregnant women.
      - Ad 15.1.1.3.1
        
        31 January 2022 at 8:00 pm
        
        Bellis is very clear that hers is a pregnancy without complications, as per her interview yesterday on RNZ:
        
        'Bellis's pregnancy was going well. "I can feel her kicking, so that's exciting," she told RNZ. "And we haven't really had any major issues along the way."
        
        NZherald.co.nz/nz/pregnant-kiwi-journalist-charlotte-bellis-offered-asylum-by-second-country/YEVJP4HSSPEYPZ7IA4AUUJ7TPQ/
        
        Whatever category she applied for wasn't the right one.
        
        You are being played by a journalist and a publicist working as a team.
        
        Sabine 15.1.1.3.1.1
        
        31 January 2022 at 8:08 pm
        
        No we are not b eing played, certainly Weka is not, and she has wrote a good post about it, something that you do your best to ingnore.
        
        What annoys you is that we talk about the dysfunctional MIQ allocations again, and that this time rather then just go away you have an issue where a kiwi is stateless and stranded, and the Taliban offered her Asylum. And you know what, that is on the NZ government, and the governmental services that handle emergency applications. And with the lotteries closed until they are open again – when ever that is, this is the only way to come in.
        
        You are only pissed off at that particular women because she has clout, is educated knows how the media works and is using it as an amplifier of a system that was only ever inhumane.
        
        And as i said, that here is a vote losing activity by the labour party and the labour supporters. And oh, any pregnancy can change from healthy normal to danger to the life of the women or child literally from one ultra sound to the next and kill one or both. Unlike weddings were the worst that generally happens is a bit of a hang over and a surplus in unwearable brides maid dresses.
        
        weka 15.1.1.3.1.2
        
        31 January 2022 at 8:13 pm
        
        You are being played by a journalist and a publicist working as a team.
        
        It doesn't actually matter if that is true or not. Because there are many pregnant women being denied entry, and normal pregnancies can get complications quickly and then there is an emergency where the women shouldn't be flying and the airline probably won't want to fly her. This is really not a difficult thing to understand and it's why the MiQ process is just plain wrong. They should have a separate set of criteria for pregnancies.
        
        Sabine …
        
        31 January 2022 at 8:22 pm
        
        But MIQ should have always been an 'emergency' service if you so like.
        
        Kiwis who have valid visas and are legally allowed to life and work overseas chances are will not try to come back. I know a few of those actually. All happy were they are.
        
        So really MIQ space should always have been primarily to let people come back home, rather then make it that thing that it is today. And i don't think that Kiwis that are here should be travelling overseas, unless again its an emergency, or they have a good business case.
        
        The question really is how much of that MIQ space is held apart for people like Lorde, and DJ's of national importance, and how much is used up for people from NZ that want to go on a wee holiday, and how much is left over for people to actually return. MIQ space should be allocated on need.
        
        weka …
        
        31 January 2022 at 8:29 pm
        
        I agree, but I still think there needs to be a system of giving some people priority. I'd put pregnant women near the top of that list, people that need medical treatment, people with family or close friends here dying and so on. Then people trying to get home as in shifting back from overseas (esp those that have given up jobs and homes and are in limbo). People coming back from holiday should be low on the list.
        
        The problem I see is that the emergency categories can't manage a situation like a pregnancy which isn't an emergency but if it did become one it might be too late to travel. This is something fairly unique to pregnancy and we shouldn't have to even think about this if women's human rights were being upheld. It's just discriminatory to design a policy that treats people fairly (emergency applications) if they're not pregnant.
        
        I actually find this quite a hard concept to explain to people that don't already get it, because we're used to rights being prohibitions against discrimination but when the whole system treats the norm as a male body it's really hard to point to discrimination that's not direct.
        
        Sabine …
        
        31 January 2022 at 8:59 pm
        
        Well, men were always the default, for a while we thought we were humans with equal rights, but essentially we are defective men and they really can't be bothered pretending that we are not. But ideally we are quiet, seen but not heard, and if we dont' survive childbirth, could we please die silently and without making too much of a mess. And no painkillers for that little hussy too lest she just wants to get high. We can't have that.
        
        I am really of the opinion that should she stay in Afghanistan and have her child there – the Medicins sans Frontiers are still there, she could do tremendous good in pointing out in images the shit show that is life as a woman in Afghanistan – oppressed on accounts of sex. And i believe that the Taliban would not let her be harmed in any ways, she would be good PR for them and their humanity and kindness towards unmarried pregnant women.
        
        But i understand why she would rather come home. I totally do, and fwiw, it takes guts to do what she did, as she would have known that there will be many who are more interested in blaming and vilifying her for her predicament rather then the system that put her in that predicament.
        
        Last, it would be interesting to see what are the grounds of approval / rejection for emergency allocation of that sacred and scarce MIQ space.
        
        mpledger …
        
        31 January 2022 at 9:07 pm
        
        You're swaying me. But, if a pregnant women comes back to NZ under emergency criteria, is she allowed to leave NZ before she gives birth?
        
        Sabine …
        
        31 January 2022 at 9:35 pm
        
        are you implying that she would do that and on what grounds are you believing it?
        
        mpledger …
        
        31 January 2022 at 10:37 pm
        
        No, it's a general question. Not about a particular person.
        
        weka …
        
        31 January 2022 at 11:03 pm
        
        But, if a pregnant women comes back to NZ under emergency criteria, is she allowed to leave NZ before she gives birth?
        
        Yes. We can't lock pregnant women in the country while we let non-pregnant women and men leave.
        
        We certainly can't do that when people are leaving for things like holidays.
        
        weka …
        
        31 January 2022 at 11:08 pm
        
        I'm tempted to day that I can't imagine a woman doing that all things considered but then there's always someone doing something stupid to prove you wrong.
        
        I do think pregnant women are among the more trusted people to do the right thing generally, self preservation and very long evolutionary pressure to protect the unborn child.
        
        mpledger …
        
        1 February 2022 at 9:52 am
        
        If a business has a pregnant woman then they can send her back and forth to Australia to work and she'll always be guaranteed a spot as an emergency case under your scenario. If the options are getting fired or traveling then she may feel she has too.
        
        If a 50 year old man with kidney disease and 25 year old pregnant women have the same probability of death in the next 6 months, which one should be given an emergency MIQ spot?
        
        Belladonna …
        
        1 February 2022 at 12:48 pm
        
        Both should have priority over an MP taking a holiday to see family overseas.
        
        mpledger …
        
        1 February 2022 at 1:08 pm
        
        Well, I agree with that. But the biggest risk for all three is probably the flight.
        
        weka …
        
        1 February 2022 at 2:31 pm
        
        that's a good point. Don't know how that would work with in real life.
        
        MiQ isn't so short of places that they have to choose between pregnant women and people needing medical treatment. Take some places away from the DJs etc.
        
        weka …
        
        1 February 2022 at 2:33 pm
        
        But the biggest risk for all three is probably the flight.
        
        Unless there is a serious pregnancy complication and then it's too late.
        
        They should have a system that lets pregnant women come home as soon as possible.
        
        mpledger …
        
        1 February 2022 at 2:39 pm
        
        The problem is that the two groups of people don't apply at the same time. When non-emergency cases apply it can be entirely different conditions then when emergency cases apply. What seems reasonable at one point, may not seem reasonable at the second.
        
        mpledger …
        
        1 February 2022 at 2:40 pm
        
        Unless the man has kidney complications and then it's too late.
        
        mpledger …
        
        1 February 2022 at 2:33 pm
        
        The point about the comparison between two people is that it is a really hard question to answer and people obviously don't want to answer. But we have made the ministries make those tough decisions while trying to balance cost, safety for everyone and fairness.
        
        weka …
        
        1 February 2022 at 3:17 pm
        
        If there were only two places and it was a choice between the kidney disease person and the pregnant woman, I'd say look at individual circumstances. But I'd also say look at how many emergency spots there are. And pregnant women should have their own criteria.
Dennis Frank 16

31 January 2022 at 6:48 pm

Luxon said the situation was a "no-brainer". "How you can not have a pregnant New Zealander, unmarried, living in Afghanistan, not coming home is a big challenge and that should be expedited as quickly as possible.

https://www.1news.co.nz/2022/01/31/hipkins-responds-to-plight-of-kiwi-journalist-in-afghanistan/

Yeah, obviously! That'll be the response of ordinary kiwis everywhere. Hipkins trying to weasel out of it is an own-goal for Labour.

That said, it's possible that Labour have decided to give Luxon the best possible start to the year for tactical reasons. They have a track record of masking left/right collusion with an unconvincing semblance of political competition.

Note how Luxon didn't point to the sexism proven by the stats (10% of pregnant applicants being authorised to return) since he must defend the patriarchy in solidarity with Labour. Instead, he pushed the common sense button by using everyday emotional intelligence that both men & women can readily agree with. First sign of competent framing from the guy…
- joe90 16.1
  
  31 January 2022 at 7:06 pm
  
  Hipkins trying to weasel out of it is an own-goal for Labour.
  
  Noting that Bellis doesn't get to call the fucking tune isn't an own-goal for Labour.
  - Sabine 16.1.1
    
    31 January 2022 at 7:43 pm
    
    What about all the other women, they don't count? they too are just there making the government look bad with their need and their idiotic idea of citizenship rights of return to their home country to either give birth here, or for them wanting their overseas stuck partners to come home.
    - Descendant Of Smith 16.1.1.1
      
      31 January 2022 at 7:56 pm
      
      Yeah I don't see this issue at all about Bellis. Sure she has the ability to influence and get in the media and everything else but sometimes that is what it takes to get change.
      - Ad 16.1.1.1.1
        
        31 January 2022 at 8:03 pm
        
        This policy won't change until Omicron's wave has passed.
        
        And there's a pretty high likelihood I'd suggest that the date for the manage-at-home option will be pushed out if we go to several hundred cases a day.
        
        Sabine 16.1.1.1.1.1
        
        31 January 2022 at 8:23 pm
        
        which we will reach in a few days.
Ross 17

1 February 2022 at 7:46 am

Human rights lawyer Frances Joychild QC said the Government was breaching Bellis’ human rights by not allowing her back home.

Joychild previously represented pregnant woman Bergen Graham, who was stuck in El Salvador while pregnant and denied an MIQ spot six times.

Joychild filed a judicial review claim on behalf of Graham, and shortly after her allocation was granted.

Six times rejected but upon filing a judicial review application, she was allowed back home. How cruel and depressing that a person – a pregnant woman no less – has to take legal action just so they can return home.

https://i.stuff.co.nz/national/health/coronavirus/127648054/charlotte-bellis-covid19-ministers-statement-on-miq-incredibly-disrespectful
Adrian 18

1 February 2022 at 8:53 am

Maybe a lot of the non-approvals are because the woman who is pregnant has a settled life in the country they reside in , i.e house, job, other children but wish to fly into NZ to have the birth, free I might add, and fly back again.
What part of it being a global pandemic don’t they some people get, one could not get this kind of personalised service in a global war.

The problematical questions with Charlotte Bellis that I have trouble with is that she and her dodgy lawyer ( see above, on how to game the MIQ system ) are trying to manipulate the system to suit her whims. More little bits of info come out daily, now not previously mentioned , apparently she flew into Afghanistan with her partner who is working there. Is she insisting on trying to get a Belgian National into NZ as well? And why a demanded time frame, is that when his contract possibly expires ? My bet is that MOBIE officials know a lot more than they are allowed to let on.
- Belladonna 18.1
  
  1 February 2022 at 9:39 am
  
  And maybe they're not.
  
  Maybe the MBIE bureaucrats are just a hide-bound and misogynistic as they're appearing in the media.
  
  We can all do the 'reckons'
  
  10% of approvals is a pretty low total. And whether or not you approve of Bellis – it's only her media profile which is getting this discussed at all. 'Ordinary' pregnant women just get slammed by the system and have no voice.
  
  And, yes, when you are desperate, you have a huge incentive to 'game the system'. You might want to think about that word: desperate.
  
  Maybe Labour MPs shouldn't be taking a nice holiday to visit family overseas – and leave the MIQ spaces for those who really need them.
- Anne 18.2
  
  1 February 2022 at 10:31 am
  
  "My bet is that MOBIE officials know a lot more than they are allowed to let on."
  
  I bet they do. But it will come out eventually and all the nay-sayers will shut up.
  
  There's a handful of commenters who are determined to view our criticism of one woman's mode of conduct as a "pox on all pregnant women who want to come home." Funnily enough we – and others – are effectively arguing the case for them.
  
  It is my view that this entitled woman – despite her protests to the contrary – has not done them a favour.
  - weka 18.2.1
    
    1 February 2022 at 2:34 pm
    
    do you think Bellis should be given a place in MiQ as a priority?
higherstandard 19

1 February 2022 at 9:14 am

I find it depressing that this even needs to be discussed.

Any and all pregnant citizens or residents of NZ should have the right to return to NZ at any and all times.
- mpledger 19.1
  
  1 February 2022 at 9:44 am
  
  But you have to balance that against the safety of society in NZ. If we let 500,000 people into NZ all at once, 10% of them with an infectious disease then society would collapse under the weight of illness.
  - Belladonna 19.1.1
    
    1 February 2022 at 10:20 am
    
    Seriously doubt that there are 500,000 pregnant Kiwis overseas desperate to return.
    
    If you are arguing that people with medical conditions should be prioritized for limited MIQ spaces over entertainers and MPs going on a nice family holiday – then we are on the same page….
    - mpledger 19.1.1.1
      
      1 February 2022 at 1:13 pm
      
      Mis-read it as any residents of NZ should have the right to come back. 500,000 is overstating but I would be surprised that if MIQ were turned off that there would be well over 50,000 wanting to come back.
Adrian 20

1 February 2022 at 9:24 am

Of course they should HS, but not to demand a bespoke service especially catered for personal whims. That’s the very definition of entitledness.
- Belladonna 20.1
  
  1 February 2022 at 9:43 am
  
  So sorry. Not seeing the demand for a 'bespoke service' catering for 'personal whims'.
  
  Bellis applied under the emergency medical criteria (as she was told to do) – where is the bespoke element here?
  
  All pregnant women who are not entitled to medical care in the country they happen to be residing in, should be able to schedule a safe return to NZ. Full stop.
  - Anne 20.1.1
    
    1 February 2022 at 10:45 am
    1. If you can't see her 'demand for a bespoke service" then you need your eyes tested.
    1. She applied for an emergency placing and by the sounds of it made a complete hash of it.
    2. She chose to return to a country without medical back-up services of her own free will and knowing she was pregnant.
    Finally, all this argy-bargy might be null and void because I heard on RNZ this morning that the government and health officials have been working on a new system since late last year and are expecting to make it public in a few days.
    - Sabine 20.1.1.1
      
      1 February 2022 at 11:14 am
      
      the Government is gonna change something in a few days after someone raised a ruckus? lol. Lol
      
      and yeah, Anne she did apply for a bespoke service. The bespoke service that comes with being a Citizen of NZ and with that comes the right to return. And fwiw, she choose to return to a country with no maternity care what so ever, because she had no Visa to stay anywhere else, and NZ did let her come back home. So what is she to do Anne? She is essentially now a stateless person, and thus she can take up any country that offers her Asylum. Think of that Anne, that a women might get so desperate for a Visa that she took up the Taliban on their offer. lol………..Can't wait to see that movie.
    - Belladonna 20.1.1.2
      
      1 February 2022 at 1:00 pm
      
      Maybe it's you that need your eyes tested. Bellis isn't demanding services only for her. She's drawing attention to the fact that she, and all other pregnant women, have been systemically failed by the current MBIE emergency allocation.
      
      This case has highlighted that the current MIQ emergency allocation criteria are not fit for purpose when it comes to pregnant women.
      In almost every case, by the time you have a medical emergency, it is too late to fly at all – and certainly too late to fly safely. Until you have the medical emergency, you have a 'perfectly normal healthy pregnancy' – and therefore, according to commenters above – no need to come back to NZ urgently. Which is, no doubt, why MBIE routinely deny emergency places (note that there is no other emergency criteria they can apply under)
      Talk about a Catch-22.
      
      If a well-educated, highly-motivated woman 'makes a hash' of her application – don't you think that that's an indication that the bureaucracy may just be a little too arcane. You shouldn't need to hire an immigration lawyer to make sure you tick all of their little boxes.
      
      The only criteria that her application failed on (or at least the only one publicised) was the flight within 14 days. Which is the most bureaucratically nitpicky thing to fail anyone over.
      
      And, if the government and health officials are working on a new system, and are expecting to make it public imminently – it seems as though they (even if not you) recognize that there are serious flaws in the current regime.
      - Ross 20.1.1.2.1
        
        1 February 2022 at 1:17 pm
        
        I have to agree, Bella.
        
        Bellis reportedly sent 59 documents with her application. If 59 were insufficient, how many should she have sent to get across the line?
        
        In early Sept 2021, it was reported that Bergen Graham, assessed as high risk, had been denied access to MIQ on six occasions. She subsequently took legal action and secured a MIQ spot “within 24 hours” of launching such action. It’s curious that that ruckus didn’t lead to urgent action to improve accessibility to MIQ.
        
        https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-zealand/2021/09/high-risk-pregnant-kiwi-woman-trapped-in-us-given-miq-spot-after-launching-legal-action-against-mbie.html
        
        mpledger 20.1.1.2.1.1
        
        1 February 2022 at 2:22 pm
        
        It didn't matter how many she sent because she didn't get rejected on her documentation.
        
        Muttonbird 20.1.1.2.1.2
        
        2 February 2022 at 11:28 pm
        
        The number of documents sent is no guarantee the application is sound. Fact is there was a requirement for travel within 14 days for the application. Bellis ignored that.
        
        Her movement since has been to push for pregnant Kiwis overseas to be able to travel to NZ when they like, in an active pandemic.
      - mpledger 20.1.1.2.2
        
        1 February 2022 at 2:21 pm
        
        The problem is that if you allow people to apply at any time then the volume of applications goes way up which increases the cost and the strain on resources. Also, the type of emergency can change radically in three or four weeks and so more people will pull-out leaving empty rooms – they can try and refill them but people can't get things organised with three or four days notice.
      - Anne 20.1.1.2.3
        
        2 February 2022 at 7:34 pm
        
        Maybe it's you that need your eyes tested. Bellis isn't demanding services only for her. She's drawing attention to the fact that she, and all other pregnant women, have been systemically failed by the current MBIE emergency allocation.
        
        Yep. I was expecting someone to come up with that one.
        
        She is an entitled woman who was trying to manipulate the system to suit herself… to the point of [deleted]The plight of other pregnant women was a walking stick she grabbed when her story went viral. “In for a penny in for a pound” as the old saying goes.
        
        Her latest weapon is to [deleted] That is a bald faced lie. I read his press statement which was released a couple of days ago and had been his only comment up until the question asked today. It was mild and reasonable. [deleted]
        
        The statement was online 2 days ago but seems to have disappeared – [deleted] . It won’t happen because he never smeared her [deleted] She either dreamt it or is playing DP games. I suspect the latter and so do a lot of other people.
        
        [next time post the links as required and I won’t have to hack out the rumours being presented as facts. Maybe next time I just delete the whole comment instead of wasting my time. You cannot say you weren’t warned. – weka]
        
        weka 20.1.1.2.3.1
        
        2 February 2022 at 8:00 pm
        
        Mod note
        
        Anne …
        
        2 February 2022 at 10:30 pm
        
        Except they're not 'rumours". I don't deal in "rumours" They've been reported online, in newspapers and on TV and radio. Shouldn't need to link every mortal thing when they have been widely reported. Moderators would be criticising us for overdoing it.
        
        https://thespinoff.co.nz/live-updates/02-02-2022/hipkins-denies-that-he-smeared-charlotte-bellis-over-miq-dispute
        
        Anne …
        
        2 February 2022 at 10:45 pm
        
        Timed out. I managed to locate the above quickly. Still think they're just rumours?
        
        Oh and btw, she was offered an MIQ place which had to be taken up in 14 days. She is said to have turned it down because she didn’t want to return before the end of February. The reason was not stated. I’m not hunting for the link.
        
        weka …
        
        2 February 2022 at 11:25 pm
        
        The only reason I'm not deleting that as well is because it's the perfect example of rumour.
        
        "She is said…"
        
        There is no way to know if your claim is true, inaccurate because of memory or intepretation, or just plain wrong. When people make statements like that in fast moving or intense debates, the conversations go round in circles or get derailed and by the time something gets corrected it's too late.
        
        This is what happens on social media and in a more extreme form is part of why we have so much disinformation.
        
        Muttonbird …
        
        2 February 2022 at 11:39 pm
        
        With respect weka. There is a major moderation inconsistency here. You have piled on Anne immediately, but issued very gentle advice to Blade for, in my opinion, far worse infractions of stated policy breach.
        
        weka …
        
        2 February 2022 at 11:43 pm
        
        You want to talk about something and you’re not even linking to it, when I’ve just talked about why linking matters? What are you referring to?
        
        If you look back at Anne's commenting under this post, you will see it hasn't been immediately. Look at how I moderated other people under this post for the same issue.
        
        weka …
        
        2 February 2022 at 11:20 pm
        
        Here's what I said in the post,
        
        Note: if you want to comment on this post, please provide evidence for any claims of fact. This means an explanation of your point, appropriate quotes and links. This is doubly so for anything being said about Charlotte Bellis. You must provide support for your assertions at the time of commenting. Expect to be moderated if you don’t. This isn’t FB, nor a rumour mill, we have a high standard of debate expectation here. Robust debate is welcome. I will also moderate for overt sexism and misogyny.
        
        What didn't you understand about that?
        
        It's rumour until you can back it up (or, I have no way of knowing if it's rumour or not, and neither does anyone else). I'm done with asking for this repeatedly. When people come into a controversial debate and make claims and reckons and don't back them up we spend way too much time trying to get to the bottom of stuff people say. This is even worse for moderators.
        
        I spent two days of the original debate chasing up what people were saying and what had happened, and a lot of people were just saying random stuff that was wrong. I'm not going to watch a video or read an article to see if a commenter is accurate or not, it's on the commenter to back up their claim of fact. This means if you post a video, you have to put your explanation, the link and a time stamp. Yes, it takes work. It took me a morning to write the post. This is how we get robust debate.
        
        The Policy says,
        
        This includes making assertions that you are unable to substantiate with some proof (and that doesn’t mean endless links to unsubstantial authorities) or even argue when requested to do so. Such comments may be deleted without warning or one of the alternatives below may be employed. The action taken is completely up to the moderator who takes it.
        
        weka …
        
        2 February 2022 at 11:21 pm
        
        no idea what that video is supposed to be backing up, because you haven't said.
        
        Anne …
        
        3 February 2022 at 12:58 am
        
        That video confirms she had accused Hipkins of smearing her in his press statement which you deleted. That video confirms she had threatened legal action over that statement which you also deleted. I was planning to provide a link to that statement but it had disappeared – presumably because it would be a principle piece of evidence if there was a court case. I referenced as much in the last paragraph. I think I used the word "probably". Is that a reason for deletion?
        
        Yes. I have used strong language and I make no apology for them. Some commenters have been grossly unfair in their criticisms of Ardern and Hipkins in particular over this issue on your post and OM, and cannot back up their hypothesis but apparently that is okay.
        
        Belladonna said in a response to me:
        
        And, if the government and health officials are working on a new system, and are expecting to make it public imminently – it seems as though they (even if not you) recognize that there are serious flaws in the current regime.
        
        Since I'm on record on TS as being fully supportive of pregnant women being being able to return and have noted how distressed I would be in the same situation… that comment was uncalled for.
        
        It seems some people can't conceive of the difference between commenting on the general issue of pregnant women wanting to come home and a specific case where the person used questionable tactics and then tried to blame others for her own actions.
        
        And btw I have not made a single claim that has not been backed up here on TS and elsewhere.
        
        [I’ve responded below, but if you waste any more of my time on this issue about backing up, I will ban you – weka]
        
        Belladonna …
        
        3 February 2022 at 8:43 am
        
        And this was in response to your comment, Anne:
        
        "Finally, all this argy-bargy might be null and void because I heard on RNZ this morning that the government and health officials have been working on a new system since late last year and are expecting to make it public in a few days."
        
        If you have, indeed, been supportive of pregnant women being able to return to NZ, on TS – then it would be good to link to this.
        
        Because every comment you've made under this post has been relentlessly negative. And Weka's post was specifically about pregnant women's treament in MBIE emergency allocation of MIQ spaces in general (with Bellis as a trigger for discussion)
        
        And you have failed, completely, to address why (if the MIQ allocation criteria are fit for purpose for pregnant women), there have only been 11% of successful applications under the emergency criteria – which is way below the average.
        
        Even if you believe Bellis is [insert slur of your choosing] – this doesn't negate the issue that she's raised for *all other* pregnant women. It is perfectly possible to dislike/disbelieve Bellis, but acknowledge that her claims have highlighted serious inequity in MIQ emergency allocation.
        
        Evidence of this is the number of pregnant Kiwis denied entry to NZ now emerging in the media – like it or not, a high-profile case is likely to attract media attention, and gives the opportunity to highlight a more general need.
        
        https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/covid-19/460598/miq-for-pregnancy-growing-calls-to-prioritise-rooms-for-expectant-mums
        
        And, please note, that there have been multiple links to earlier cases (nothing to do with Bellis) under this post – which have *not* resulted in MIQ policy being changed. This is not a new situation. And the government have had well over 6 months to address it – if they believed it was a priority. In fact, they did consider it, and rejected it.
        
        https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/127642726/mbie-considered-new-pregnancy-emergency-miq-allocation-criteria-decided-against-making-changes
        
        weka …
        
        3 February 2022 at 8:51 am
        
        That video confirms she had accused Hipkins of smearing her in his press statement which you deleted. That video confirms she had threatened legal action over that statement which you also deleted.
        
        Good. Next time provide all this in one comment: your point, a link to back it up (and timestamp if it's a video), and any quotes if it's an article. Your comments were deleted because you didn't do that.
        
        I was planning to provide a link to that statement but it had disappeared – presumably because it would be a principle piece of evidence if there was a court case. I referenced as much in the last paragraph. I think I used the word "probably". Is that a reason for deletion?
        
        I deleted assertions of fact without evidence as per the mod note on the post.
        
        Yes. I have used strong language and I make no apology for them.
        
        I don't give a flying fuck about your strong language or your political views. I care about you a) ignoring moderation b) thinking you are somehow special and don't need follow the rules and c) wasting my goddamn time. Next time I do another round of this with you I will just ban you so I don't have to keep saying the same shit again and again.
        
        Some commenters have been grossly unfair in their criticisms of Ardern and Hipkins in particular over this issue on your post and OM, and cannot back up their hypothesis but apparently that is okay.
        
        I can't moderate every time someone does this, and indeed it's not an absolute rule. You will notice that you made claims in this post that I didn't call you out on, or that I asked for references and you ignored. So maybe focus on your own behaviour first.
        
        Belladonna said in a response to me:
        
        And, if the government and health officials are working on a new system, and are expecting to make it public imminently – it seems as though they (even if not you) recognize that there are serious flaws in the current regime.
        
        That's her opinion. Maybe you don't understand the difference.
        
        Since I'm on record on TS as being fully supportive of pregnant women being being able to return and have noted how distressed I would be in the same situation… that comment was uncalled for.
        
        I don't care (and honestly, without a link, I don't even know what you are talking about). All sorts of stuff on TS gets said all the time that upsets people.
        
        It seems some people can't conceive of the difference between commenting on the general issue of pregnant women wanting to come home and a specific case where the person used questionable tactics and then tried to blame others for her own actions.
        
        Again, that's the politics, I don't care. I'm talking about TS rules which you seem to think don't apply to you.
        
        And btw I have not made a single claim that has not been backed up here on TS and elsewhere.
        
        Anne, no-one else can see what you wrote or what you remember from another time. In this thread I asked for people to provide evidence as they go. I've already explained why.
        
        weka …
        
        3 February 2022 at 8:52 am
        
        mod note.
        
        DukeEll …
        
        3 February 2022 at 9:46 am
        
        Why do you get so vicious and feral, attacking any young women who may be critical of the Labour Party? You’ve really dived deep in this
        
        Anne …
        
        3 February 2022 at 10:39 am
        
        Belladonna @ 8:43am 3 Feb.
        
        If you have, indeed, been supportive of pregnant women being able to return to NZ, on TS – then it would be good to link to this.
        
        Have a look at 12.1 on this post. I'll save you the bother:
        
        Most of us who have commented negatively have every sympathy for pregnant women wanting to return to NZ to have their babies. God, I know how distressed I would feel in such a situation and unable to return.
        
        My quarrel is the way she has gone about it…..
        
        I did not join in this conversation until I read Ad's comment @ 12 where he provided the official evidence and mused on them. I repeated them albeit in my own words. Perhaps some need to go back and read Ad again.
- Delia 20.2
  
  6 February 2022 at 8:26 pm
  
  You think us pakeha women are just entitled little princess's don't you. I have no idea why New Zealand women have children anymore, the govt cannot even give them the privacy of female loos anymore and that is just for starters.
Adrian 21

1 February 2022 at 1:41 pm

A brilliant piece of journalism/commentary on Stuff today, by Muzhgan Samargandi an Afghani journalist now in Nz ( sorry my appalling 24/7 internet ,works for 7 minutes every 24 doesn’t seem to let me link ) is very disappointed in Charlotte Bellis and anyone defending her should read it and feel humbled.
- weka 21.1
  
  1 February 2022 at 2:20 pm
  
  https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/300507802/how-charlotte-bellis-story-risks-trivialising-the-taliban
  - Belladonna 21.1.1
    
    1 February 2022 at 3:40 pm
    
    " I presume her Belgian partner will not be accompanying her when she does return. Speaking from experience I wouldn't be happy with that situation."
    
    If the choice is between giving birth in a first world country without your partner, or a third world country, possibly with your partner present (but actually, almost certainly not, as men are routinely excluded from childbirth in Afghanistan) – I know which one I would choose.
    
    Healthy baby/healthy mama is the number one priority for virtually all pregnant women and their partners.
- Jilly Bee 21.2
  
  1 February 2022 at 2:37 pm
  
  Thank you Adrian, I have been wracking my brains to try and answer some of the more vitriolic comments I have read on this thread, but I'm bailing out because I do feel that Charlotte Bellis is displaying a severe case of entitlelitis but as has been mentioned previously, just because her pregnancy is trouble free now, anything could go awry at any time and it would be advantageous for her to get back to NZ before air travel is out of the question. I presume her Belgian partner will not be accompanying her when she does return. Speaking from experience I wouldn't be happy with that situation. My first son was born in a country maternity hospital in early 1969 and husbands were a no no. However my second son was born at another country maternity hospital in the same area in 1970 and my husband was able to be with me which I appreciated immensly (and no, he didn't faint when birth was imminent as I thought he might!) https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/300507802/how-charlotte-bellis-story-risks-trivialising-the-taliban
  - Belladonna 21.2.1
    
    1 February 2022 at 3:41 pm
    
    " I presume her Belgian partner will not be accompanying her when she does return. Speaking from experience I wouldn't be happy with that situation."
    
    If the choice is between giving birth in a first world country without your partner, or a third world country, possibly with your partner present (but actually, almost certainly not, as men are routinely excluded from childbirth in Afghanistan) – I know which one I would choose.
    
    Healthy baby/healthy mama is the number one priority for virtually all pregnant women and their partners.
    - Sabine 21.2.1.1
      
      1 February 2022 at 3:43 pm
      
      And for what its worth, her Belgian partner would not be accepted into NZ without a valid visa. Just like Charlotte Bellis is not allowed in Belgium without that valid visa/residence permit.
- Dennis Frank 21.3
  
  1 February 2022 at 2:51 pm
  
  Beats me why you believe projecting your feelings onto others is appropriate! I had a look and was struck by the woman's lack of empathy – although she made a point of conceding common ground in a few places.
  
  Charlotte says the Taliban have given her a safe haven when she is not welcome in her own country. This is obviously a good headline and a good way to make a point. But it is an inaccurate and unhelpful representation of the situation.
  
  Only inaccurate if the assurance of safety Charlotte was given by the liaison person in the Taliban leadership was false. We have no evidence of that. She may be naive to trust it, but it's just as likely she currently has no other workable option.
  - weka 21.3.1
    
    1 February 2022 at 3:27 pm
    
    I think the point implied is that the Taliban gave her some assurances of safety because she's not a very critical journalist when it comes to the Taliban (in the opinion of the Afghan woman).
    
    It's not true that she's not welcome in NZ.
    - Sabine 21.3.1.1
      
      1 February 2022 at 3:49 pm
      
      Well she might be welcome by her family and friends, but the government agency that dispenses emergency vouchers for MIQ did not welcome her back to NZ.
      
      So while it might be a bit emotional it is also not uncorrect, and it is up to her to describe her feelings in the words that she sees fit. It is however quite inconvenient for a government that prides itself on a non male leader who even gave birth during her first term and that likes to preach a lot about kindness. And that is the only issue really, innit, the fact that this pesky women makes this government look bad, hard and cold. And that goes against the official narrative of kind and nice.
Adrian 22

1 February 2022 at 3:29 pm

Dennis, you obviously can’t read, no surprises there.
- Dennis Frank 22.1
  
  1 February 2022 at 3:50 pm
  
  You thick or something? Expecting others to read text same as you is irrational. We all interpret in accord with what we already know & believe, and we are all unique. Try to focus on common ground, huh? 🙄
Sabine 23

1 February 2022 at 3:42 pm

And for what its worth, her Belgian partner would not be accepted into NZ without a valid visa. Just like Charlotte Bellis is not allowed in Belgium without that valid visa/residence permit.
weka 24

1 February 2022 at 3:48 pm

https://twitter.com/wekatweets/status/1488341044240732160
- Dennis Frank 24.1
  
  1 February 2022 at 3:56 pm
  
  I'm wondering about this apparent lack of liaison. I get the arrogance of the bureaucrats since my way or the highway is addictive for them. Takes two to tango & we lack sufficient info to decide which of the two is not wanting to tango and it could be both.
  
  Perhaps her lawyer is keen to fight it to the Supreme Court. Dunno how it would decide if sovereignty were to be put against international law. Civil rights, or obedience to the state? Would be a terrific legal fight.
weka 25

1 February 2022 at 8:24 pm

https://twitter.com/CharlotteBellis/status/1488373035568619522
georgecom 26

4 February 2022 at 7:10 pm

a few comments myself.

First MIQ has fairly much reached its use by date. It has done reasonably well and more or less served the purpose it had. Never perfect of course, but on balance quite successful for what it was set to do.

There have been casualties of the MIQ system and it has caused anguish and hurt for many people overseas wanting to get home. That is part of the big covid system. Covid and how we have been forced to react as a country and as a global population has caused anguish and hurt and dislocation the world over. Everyone has a covid story. Charlotte Bellis is far from unique.

MIQ has always been about balancing up competing demands. A pregnant woman getting a spot might mean a kiwi stuck in Aussie for 5 months misses out, or someone coming home to see their dying parent. That person may mean a foreign nurse who is badly needed in a hospital misses out, and if they get a spot a worker desperately needed in agriculture may miss out. That agriculture worker may have taken up a room which a kiwi family with covid could have isolated in. It's a rationed system. I can understand why people may be frustrated and vent. As I said above, everyone has a covid story. It can be tough, and for some people I have no idea how tough it might have been, but that is the situation people are in or find themselves in.

Being pregnant is not in itself a reason for automatic qualification to MIQ. Sure, for many parents having their kids born in NZ is a blessing, but it may not happen. If MIQ didn't allow for it to happen, it didn't allow for it to happen. If someone is in a precarious situation and falls pregnant in the likes of Syria or Afghanistan then that maybe brings other factors in to play.

Likewise however there have been stories of kiwis getting sick overseas and unable to travel home due to MIQ. I would imagine pensioners stuck in Aussie and at risk to having the pension cut off are not fine and dandy either, or kiwis who have been stranded and living off the charity of family or facing big big debts, separated from family (spouse and kids especially). It has been shit luck for many.

Comments are now closed

Articles RSS

CommentsOpinions

FeedsPartyGovtMedia

Rwanda’s Kagame: from Saviour to Tyrant?

Is Rwanda turning into a country that seeks regional dominance and exterminates its rivals? This is a contention examined by Dr Michela Wrong, and Dr Maria Armoudian. Dr Wrong is a journalist who has written best-selling books on Africa. Her latest, Do Not Disturb. The story of a political murder ...

Fabians

17 mins ago
Stephen Rainbow is ACT’s crony

Back in August, National sabotaged human rights by appointing terf and genocide supporter Stephen Rainbow as Chief Human Rights Commissioner. The Spinoff has been digging into this, and they've uncovered new information: Rainbow didn't actually get the job - until suddenly he did: “I didn’t get the HRC role ...

No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant

37 mins ago
Government science cuts take New Zealand even further backward

NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi President Richard Wagstaff is deeply concerned about the future of investment in science, following the latest announcement of another 60 jobs cuts at Environmental Science and Research (ESR). The Government has now axed more than 500 jobs in the public science sector. “The Government doesn’t seem ...

NZCTUBy Jeremiah Boniface

2 hours ago
National risks being eaten alive by NZ First & ACT

Kia ora. Long stories short, here’s my top six things to note in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, climate and poverty on Tuesday, November 5: Strangely for a party that prides itself on being a mainstream bastion of ‘small c’ conservatism, National under PM Christopher Luxon is increasingly at risk ...

The KakaBy Bernard Hickey

2 hours ago
Time Cut

2024, directed by Hannah MacPherson This is going to be a wild tonal shift in the middle of a bunch of posts about horror movies, probably, because I have a Rotten Tomatoes list of the best horror films directed by women that I want to see more of, whereas Time ...

The little pakehaBy chrismiller

3 hours ago
Summer in the City

Go out and find a girlCome on, come on, and dance all nightDespite the heat it'll be alrightAnd babe, don't you know it's a pityThat the days can't be like the nightsIn the summer, in the citySong: John Sebastian, Mark Sebastian, Steve BooneThank YouTo begin today, a thank you. Yesterday, ...

Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel

4 hours ago
The Bewildering World of Chris Luxon – Playing Politics in Glass Houses

..Thanks for reading Frankly Speaking ! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.By now we’re all aware of Mike King’s comments regarding use of alcohol to self-medicate mental health problems. On NewstalkZB, King stated:“Alcohol is not a problem for people with mental health issues. It’s actually the ...

Frankly SpeakingBy Frank Macskasy

5 hours ago
Seymour’s Shaky Response To Earthquake Claims

Audio interview from RNZ with Community Board member Ali Jones. If you don’t live in Christchurch, and haven’t for the past fifteen years, you probably have a different understanding of the words “EQC” to what we do. For most people, EQC is the scheme they don’t think about that much, ...

Sapphi’s SubstackBy Sapphi

5 hours ago
Dealing to the climate crisis

Fire and flood, heat-waves and rivers of rain. Climate change is impacting us powerfully. Major floods in Auckland, Hawkes Bay, Germany, India, the US…Huge forest fires in Australia, Canada, Greece, California….Intense heat waves in Spain, Italy, Greece, India, the US…. And we haven’t spoken of melting glaciers and ice-caps, rising ...

Fabians

5 hours ago
Don’t Move

2024, directed by Adam Schindler & Brian Netto The title of Don’t Move is somewhat evocative of Don’t Breathe, another fairly successful horror movie. I haven’t actually seen Don’t Breathe but have it on my “someday if there’s nothing more interesting available” list, and the premise of Don’t Move is ...

The little pakehaBy chrismiller

6 hours ago
Auckland’s 2025 PT Fare Increases

Public transport fares are about to increase again, by an average of 5.2%, according to a paper to Auckland Council’s Transport, Resilience and Infrastructure Committee on Thursday by Auckland Transport. In addition, AT are going to be removing off-peak discounts and implementing some other structural changes to the fare system. ...

Greater AucklandBy Matt L

7 hours ago
Health Officials say Casey Costello’s Advice is “Crap” & Luxon Refuses To Prot...

Ngā mihi maioha. A tremendous thank you to all who commented, supported and read my recent post. In appreciation.First, an update on the Prime Minister’s press conference yesterday with Stanford - rounding up the 3 key messages you may have missed.1. ERICA STANFORD FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF NZ SPREADS MISINFORMATIONEducation ...

Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui

9 hours ago
Gordon Campbell On US Voter Suppression, Plus The Races To Watch

On Wednesday evening, as our television relays images of long lines of people queuing to vote, keep this in mind: since 2012, America has closed 20% of its polling places. Crucial swing states like Wisconsin, Ohio and Georgia have collectively lost 400 Election Day polling places since 2010. Five of ...

WerewolfBy ScoopEditor

15 hours ago
Hell no

When do you know that a big international news story might be looking like An Historic Moment? When it gets a bunch of utterly superfluous New Zealand reporters inserted into it.I've been sympathetic to our media fretting about hanging on by a thread, but each time they despatch their microphone-holders ...

More Than A FeildingBy David Slack

23 hours ago
Sabotaging justice

One of the achievements of the Labour-led government was the establishment of the Criminal Cases Review Commission in 2019. After decades of high-profile miscarriages of justice, and judges looking the other way on state conspiracies of silence and each other's fuckups, we finally got an outside body to cast an ...

No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant

24 hours ago
Mike King and the Free Market

I was two sentences in (and stuck on) a defence of Mike King, where I was going to highlight that he was merely the well-carved figurehead of a neoliberal-shaped problem that neither begins nor ends with him, when I stumbled across a most interesting article about corporate propaganda being disseminated ...

Sapphi’s SubstackBy Sapphi

24 hours ago
Volunteer activity: Evaluate automated climate misinformation debunkings

A new challenge and a new opportunity for research AI-generated disinformation threatens to make debunking climate misinformation even more challenging, swamping already scanty capacity. We are exploring ways to counter this burgeoning flood of harm by employing the same tools now employed by malefactors as a force for good. We've already published research ...

Skeptical Science

1 day ago
Don’t Lux-Speak

Don't speak, I know just what you're sayin'So please stop explainin'Don't tell me 'cause it hurtsDon't speak, I know what you're thinkin'I don't need your reasonsDon't tell me 'cause it hurtsSongwriters: Eric Stefani / Gwen StefaniDo you remember the first time you encountered Corporate Speak? Important-sounding buzzwords used to camouflage ...

Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel

1 day ago
Budget cuts penny wise & pound foolish

Kia ora. Long stories short, here’s my top six things to note in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, climate and poverty on Monday, November 4: Budget cuts are storing up costs for future taxpayers and Governments. Scoop of the day: The Government is set to deliver another budget-cutting blow for ...

The KakaBy Bernard Hickey

1 day ago
A Fresh Horizon for Greater Auckland

A few months ago we asked for your help, and you answered. Thanks to the generous support we received, you may have noticed a more consistent and diverse stream of content over the last few months – which is in large part due to us being able to pay for ...

Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland

1 day ago
2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #44

A listing of 35 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Mon, October 28, 2024 thru Sun, November 3, 2024. Topics covered this week Here are the main topics and the media outlets where they appeared in: Climate Change Impacts ...

Skeptical Science

1 day ago
Hey, I Need Your Help

For those of you who are new here, I’m Mountain Tui.National Geographic imageI’m the one that first started badgering NZ about Atlas Network - and it went mainstream easily from that: from Mihirangi Forbes asking David Seymour about it, to David Seymour and Chris Bishop lying, to the evidence easily ...

Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui

2 days ago
Official Flightless Bird T-Shirts!

Hi,It’s a big election in three days. Like me, you’re probably sick of hearing about it, but like it or not — what America does tends to trickle down everywhere else. America farts and we’re all under the sheet being hotboxed against our will.I’ll do a fresh Webworm on election ...

David FarrierBy David Farrier

2 days ago
All I Ever Am

I lose all my life like thisReflecting time and memoriesAnd all for fear of what I'll findIf I just stop and empty out my mindOf all the ghosts and all the dreamsAll I hold to in beliefThat all I ever amIs somehow never quite all I am nowLyrics Robert Smith.Today’s ...

Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel

2 days ago
The Book of Evidence-based-evidence

Now, in the land of leaky buildings and the Warehouse-where-everyone-gets-a-bargain, there came an electionAnd this was the one known as the show-bloody-Labour-the-bloody-door electionAnd there came into this election the one known as ChrisAnd of fresh thought or original idea, Chris was full emptyBut this was all good broFor Chris was ...

More Than A FeildingBy David Slack

2 days ago
Fact brief – Are most glaciers growing?

Skeptical Science is partnering with Gigafact to produce fact briefs — bite-sized fact checks of trending claims. This fact brief was written by Sue Bin Park from the Gigafact team in collaboration with members from our team. You can submit claims you think need checking via the tipline. Are most glaciers ...

Skeptical Science

3 days ago
It’s not (just) about the economy, stupid.

In 1992 James Carville, Bill Clinton’s lead strategist, hung a sign on the wall of the Democratic candidate’s campaign office in Little Rock, Arkansas. It had three lines on it to focus the team on the key vote-swinging issues and one of those lines would become so famous it’s turned ...

PunditBy Tim Watkin

3 days ago
Let’s Make Things Better

If you're down and out and you feel really hurtCome on over to the place where I workAnd all your loneliness, I'll try to sootheI'll play the blues for youLyrics: Albert King.Often, in these newsletters, I tell you about what is wrong. You know the sort of thing - oh ...

Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel

3 days ago
Floating a few ideas

Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on anything you may have missed.Share Read more ...

More Than A FeildingBy David Slack

3 days ago
Our Thousand-Year Struggle Over Technology and Prosperity

A new book challenges how we need to think about technological innovation.Last week’s column mentioned the three 2024 Nobel laureates in economics. The column focused only on the 2012 book Why Nations Fail by Daron Acemoglu and James Robinson with little reference to Simon Johnson, although the three have worked ...

PunditBy Brian Easton

3 days ago
Rebutting 33 False Claims About Solar, Wind, and Electric Vehicles thanks to the Sabin Center for Cl...

Earlier this year our volunteer editor Marc Kodack spotted an impressive answer to climate change solutions denial, "Rebutting 33 False Claims About Solar, Wind, and Electric Vehicles," which he included in our weekly climate research survey. Written by Matthew Eisenson, Jacob Elkin, Andy Fitch, Matthew Ard, Kaya Sittinger & Samuel ...

Skeptical Science

4 days ago
An expert walks into a bar

Quiz1. On what study was Mike King basing his assertion that Alcohol is not a problem for people with mental issues. It’s actually the solution ?a. Klein, Sawyer, Chomsky et al; Harvard, 2002b. Black Brown and Bleu; Yale, 1999c. Bloomfield, Verall, Ardern et al, Otago 2022d. Homer, Lenny, Carl and ...

More Than A FeildingBy David Slack

4 days ago
The High Court says “Land Back”

Way back in 1839, the New Zealand Company bought the area that is now Nelson from local iwi and hapu. As part of the deal, they promised that Māori would retain their homes, fields, and burial grounds, and that in addition, 10% of the land in the planned township and ...

No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant

4 days ago
US military-industrial-sports complex.

A US friend of mine wrote on social media about attending a Homecoming football game at her niece’s Red State university. Although the referees stunk and her team lost, my friend said that she enjoyed her visit, especially the halftime … Continue reading → ...

KiwipoliticoBy Pablo

4 days ago
The Hoon around the week to November 1

The podcast above of the weekly ‘Hoon’ webinar for paying subscribers on Thursday night features co-hosts & talking about the week’s news with:The Kākā’s climate correspondent on the latest climate news, including research showing the lethality of gas hobs and research on the health effects of climate ...

The KakaBy Bernard Hickey

4 days ago
‘Get ready for more landlord buying’

The RBNZ sees the potential for a spike in demand from landlords. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāKia ora. Long stories short, here’s my top six things to note in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, climate and poverty on Friday, November 1: The RBNZ has warned the Government’s tax changes ...

The KakaBy Bernard Hickey

4 days ago
Alcohol and Mental Health

Are you so lonely?You don't even know meBut you'd like to stone meMr Writer, why don't you tell it like it is?Why don't you tell it like it really isWhy don't you tell it how it really isBefore you go on home?Writers: Stuart Cable, Richard Mark Jones, Kelly Jones, Marshall ...

Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel

4 days ago
Weekly Roundup 1-November-2024

Wow, we’re in November already and it’s a Friday so welcome to another round-up of interesting stories about what’s happening in Auckland and other cities. Feel free to add your links in the comments! This post, like all our work, is brought to you by a largely volunteer crew and ...

Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland

4 days ago
A Mysterious Sound

Hi,Thanks for all your feedback to Hayden Donnell’s fantasy of communal living. “Camping in summer is really the only time I get to experience village life and I love it so much,” said Michelle. “You’ve infuriated me by writing the article that’s been in my head only much better than ...

David FarrierBy David Farrier

4 days ago
Toxic positivity and toxicity in the kitchen

Long stories short, here’s the top six news items of note in climate news for Aotearoa this week, and a discussion above between Bernard Hickey and The Kākā’s climate correspondent Cathrine Dyer:A study looking at psychological distress associated with climate change has stimulated discussion about the insistent demands for ‘hope’ ...

The KakaBy Bernard Hickey

4 days ago
Geoffrey Miller: New Zealand’s breakthrough free trade deal with the Gulf

New Zealand’s new free trade agreement with the Gulf Cooperation Council is a major win for both sides. Todd McClay, New Zealand’s trade minister, announced the long-awaited deal on Thursday with his counterparts in Doha, Qatar. It is a remarkable, yet also surprising sudden success: the genesis of the agreement ...

Democracy ProjectBy Geoffrey Miller

4 days ago
Todd McClay wins breakthrough for women in Saudi Arabia

In a major international breakthrough, New Zealand has negotiated a free trade agreement with Saudi Arabia and other Arabian Peninsula countries, which includes a provision requiring them to uphold the UN Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women. Trade Minister Todd McClay signed the agreement in Doha overnight. The ...

PolitikBy Richard Harman

4 days ago
Gordon Campbell on America’s fear of foreigners

Mike King’s latest comments about the relationship between alcohol and mental health – according to King, alcohol does more good than harm – raises red flags once again about this organisation, and the quality of the “counselling” it provides. Here’s what the scientific research says. The latest example of King’s ...

WerewolfBy ScoopEditor

5 days ago
Skeptical Science New Research for Week #44 2024

Open access notables Communicating the most accurate and reliable science on climate change to society: A survey of editors from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Molina & Abadal Abadal, Geoscience Communication: This study focuses on the perspectives of scientists involved in the IPCC AR5 and AR6 synthesis reports, examining ...

Skeptical Science

5 days ago
Gumboot Friday’s Founder Says Drugs and Alcohol Is A “Solution”

This afternoon, I turned to the fellow sitting near me and called out:“Guess what? A guy who runs a charity for mental health just said alcohol is a solution!”And his eyes popped out…his mouth opened ajar.That gave me some satisfaction - only because this person has zero care when it ...

Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui

5 days ago
What can you do about bad journalism?

Day after day of David Seymour being accorded media time and attention like he’s doing this stuff in good faith and advancing these ideas in earnest. Come on. He’s a cosplaying libertarian who is really just a glove puppet for anti-democratic capitalist pigs. Read more ...

More Than A FeildingBy David Slack

5 days ago
A collapse in police legitimacy

Last week, the government had a big wank about police raids in Ōpōtiki, crowing about "gangs" and "drugs" and "law and order". Unfortunately the police did exactly the same shit they did in the Urewera terror raids 17 years ago, dragging people off in front of their kids and terrorising ...

No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant

5 days ago
2024 Reading Summary: October (+ Writing Update)

No, I haven’t vanished from the Internet. Or died. Completed reads for October: The Castle of Otranto, by Horace Walpole The Sidereal Messenger of Galileo Galilei, by Galileo Galilei and Johannes Kepler Jurgen, by James Branch Cabell A very quiet reading month, and a very quiet writing month ...

A Phuulish FellowBy strda221

5 days ago
Suicide Rates Continue To Climb (Because We Are Not Treating Suicidal Patients)

Our suicide rates are skyrocketing again, and I’m going to spare you the faux-shock I could put on here, given that it would be frankly more surprising to me if our death toll had gone in the other direction. Preliminary data from 2023-24 shows that our annual suicide deaths have ...

Sapphi’s SubstackBy Sapphi

5 days ago
Are We The Baddies?

Difficult Questions: Does denying human equality and rejecting the principles of colour-blind citizenship place you among the baddies? Yes, I’m afraid it does.THE DEMON OF UNREST documents the descent of the United States into civil war. The primary focus of its author, Erik Larson, is the period of roughly five months ...

Bowalley Road

5 days ago
Thursday 31 October 2024

Health and safety campaigner Sonya Rockhouse has come out in support of the joint open letter from the NZCTU, Business NZ and others. A new Xero Small Business Insights report shows that small businesses are cutting staff and keeping wages low, while the Salvation Army’s State of the Pacific Peoples ...

NZCTUBy Jeremiah Boniface

5 days ago
Today’s Political Roundup – From Health to Self-Certification Risks

The focus on budgets is "going to cripple the health system".1. Cardiac specialist quits, saying Dr Lester Levy, the Part Time Health Commissioner, is "living in La La Land" and has no idea what's happening on the groundDr Dean BoddingtonDr Boddington, an electrical cardiologist, was the only person who did ...

Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui

5 days ago
A deliberate and unnecessary crash landing

Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāKia ora. Long stories short, here’s my top six things to note in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, climate and poverty on Thursday, October 31: US and European GDP growth figures overnight show the world’s largest economies, along with that of our nearest neighbour Australia, ...

The KakaBy Bernard Hickey

5 days ago
Seymour: Swastikas OK

Race hatred cannot stop usThis one thing we knowYour poll tax and Donald TrumpGreed has got to go!You’re bound to loseYou fascists bound to lose.Original Lyrics: Woody GuthrieThere are a lot of things this government doesn’t like. Te Reo - got to go, they said, it’s too confusing for our ...

Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel

5 days ago
Sumbission: Have Your Say on Work Health and Safety

Health and safety is core union mahi. Unions recognise that health and safety is a fundamental aspect of good work, and that every worker has the right to work that is safe and healthy, and to have a voice on the operation of their work. In this submission on MBIE’s ...

NZCTUBy Jeremiah Boniface

5 days ago
The hidden health toll of hurricanes

This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Neha Pathak Disasters can disrupt medical care both during and long after the event. (Photo credit: U.S. Air National Guard / Sgt. Jorge Intriago) Weeks after Hurricanes Milton and Helene tore paths of destruction across the Southeast, pictures of communities ...

Skeptical Science

5 days ago
First section of Te Ha Noa Opens

Something definitely worth celebrating is the opening of the first section of Te Hā Noa, the Victoria St Linear Park. As we highlighted eight years ago, this project is vital for helping move the thousands of people that will pour out of the Te Waihorotiu station once the CRL opens. ...

Greater AucklandBy Matt L

5 days ago
Boldness be my friend

When Nicola Willis gave the annual Finance Minister’s speech to the country’s top public servants last week, what she said must have landed like a bomb. “Now is the time for your best and boldest ideas,” she said at the Institute of Public Administration (IPANZ) event. Coming from a minister ...

PolitikBy Richard Harman

5 days ago
Wednesday 30 October 2024

The NZCTU has joined with Business NZ and health and safety groups to call on the Government to drop its plans to reform health and safety law. The Postal Workers Union is opposing a plan to reduce rural postal deliveries from five to three days a week. The Government has ...

NZCTUBy Jeremiah Boniface

6 days ago
Yer doin it all wrong mate

Reader Jeff Howell is the best kind of social media friend to have. When there's outrage and denunciation needed he’s in there dishing it with verve; and when those storms pass you get happy Jeff, sharing his projects. His projects are awesome.Until a week or so ago it was a ...

More Than A FeildingBy David Slack

6 days ago
Out Of Sympathy.

Unsympathetic Characters: Christopher Luxon should be grateful that his principal opponent, Chris Hipkins, is as out of sympathy with the temper of the times as he is.CHRIS HIPKINS had both a good week and a bad week. He and his team were able to press home Labour’s attack on the ...

Bowalley Road

6 days ago
Two States – But No Solutions.

My Enemy’s Enemy Is My Friend: Mohammad Amin al-Husseini, the former Grand Mufti of Jerusalem, at the opening of the Islamic Central Institute in Berlin, December 19, 1942. The elimination of the Jewish state has been the unwavering ambition of successive generations of Palestinian leaders.AMIDST ALL THE HORROR of the Israel-Hamas War, ...

Bowalley Road

6 days ago
NZ For Sale: Chris Luxon Is Concierge To The Wealthy

Watching a Christopher Luxon press conference is a masterclass in gaslighting. You just know what he’s saying is disingenuous - if not outright deceptive and lies - but out he comes - with confidence and vigour - telling me black is white, and white is red.According to the Prime Minister, ...

Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui

6 days ago
Will banks & insurers back self-consented homes?

Kia ora. Long stories short, here’s my top six things to note in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, climate and poverty on Wednesday, October 30: The Government’s move to allow qualified builders, plumbers and drainlayers to self-consent their work faces potential hurdles from reluctant insurers and bankers wanting protection against ...

The KakaBy Bernard Hickey

6 days ago
Ātahu from Moana Maniapoto

We are blessed in Aotearoa with certain people that you might call National Treasures—those with great talents and a strong affinity for this place they are the custodians of. It’s not an official list; the people you think of might differ from those I think of.What are the attributes of ...

Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel

6 days ago
Henderson Station Upgrade but will it Improve Customer Experience

Over the long weekend rail shutdown a new project got underway, an upgrade to Henderson station but the plans highlight that improving the customer experience by making it easier to use public transport is not a part of Auckland Transport’s agenda. ...

Greater AucklandBy Matt L

6 days ago
Climate Adam: Is climate change fuelling mega hurricanes?

This video includes conclusions of the creator climate scientist Dr. Adam Levy. It is presented to our readers as an informed perspective. Please see video description for references (if any). From hurricanes like Helene and Milton, to typhoons like Gaemi, vast storms are causing devastation: destroying cities and tearing up lives. ...

Skeptical Science

6 days ago
Get in the sea, old mate

For the State Highway One traveller, some sights remain dramatic no matter how many times you see them: Wellington harbour opening out at the bottom of Ngauranga Gorge; the first glimpse of Ruapehu; three quarters of the South Island. Also: the moment when you reach the top of the Brynderwyns and ...

More Than A FeildingBy David Slack

7 days ago
Taking the piss again

Remember Casey Costello? The government's most ignorant Minister? First she was referred to the Chief Archivist after claiming that key advice on her cancer promotion policy had simply magically appeared on her desk one day, and that she had no idea where it came from. Then, when the Ministry of ...

No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant

7 days ago
Monthly Employment Data shows weakness in economy

Monthly employment data released today by Statistics New Zealand showed our continuing labour market weakness, and particularly challenging conditions for young working people, said NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi Economist Craig Renney. “There are 21,000 fewer filled jobs than this time last year, and the fall has been led by those ...

NZCTUBy Jeremiah Boniface

1 week ago
Copy of Rwanda’s Kagame: from Saviour to Tyrant?

Is Rwanda turning into a country that seeks regional dominance and exterminates its rivals? This is a contention examined by Dr Michela Wrong, and Dr Maria Armoudian Dr Wrong is a journalist who has written best-selling books on Africa. Her latest, Do Not Disturb. The story of a political murder ...

Fabians

1 week ago
We’ve got issues

'Cause I got issues, but you got 'em tooSo give 'em all to me, and I'll give mine to youBask in the glory of all our problems'Cause we got the kind of love it takes to solve 'emYeah, I got issuesAnd one of them is how bad I need yaSongwriters: ...

Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel

1 week ago
‘Happy to watch your grandkids grow up in Australia via WhatsApp?’

Globally, NZ has the second-highest share of its population living overseas permanently, many of them now permanently in Australia. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāKia ora. Long stories short, here’s my top six things to note in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, climate and poverty on Tuesday, October 29: A ...

The KakaBy Bernard Hickey

1 week ago
October-24 AT Board Meeting

Today the Auckland Transport board meet again as a whole for the first time in two months. AT note: Members of the public are welcome to join the meeting via Teams. Please note, due to technical difficulties, the video feed will be unavailable. However, attendees will still be able to view ...

Greater AucklandBy Matt L

1 week ago
The fourth article of the Treaty

While Parliament struggles with David Seymour’s Treaty Principles Bill, a Christian scholar and some heavyweight mainstream church leaders have developed a different perspective on the Treaty of Waitangi. Theologian Alistair Reese presented a petition to Parliament’s Petitions Committee on Thursday asking Parliament to legislate to recognise the oral agreement “4th ...

PolitikBy Richard Harman

1 week ago

Release: Government’s disgrace for Christchurch homeowners

The Government is backtracking on existing commitments to do the right thing by homeowners let down by EQC (now the Natural Hazards Commission). ...

Labour Blog

1 day ago
Release: National’s FamilyBoost a colossal flop

Nicola Willis continues to over promise and under deliver, with most families receiving only $30 a week from National’s flagship FamilyBoost flop. ...

Labour Blog

1 day ago
Ngarewa-Packer Demands Support for Palestine Ceasefire from New Plymouth Mayor

Te Pāti Māori Co-Leader and MP for Te Tai Hauāuru, Debbie Ngarewa-Packer is calling on the Mayor for New Plymouth, Neil Holdom, to do the right thing. “I am shocked at his decision to disregard the petition presented by Palestine Solidarity Taranaki calling for an immediate and permanent ceasefire”, said ...

Māori Party

1 day ago
Release: Trade deal with Gulf states welcomed

Labour welcomes the conclusion of a trade deal with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) that was restarted under a Labour government after languishing for many years. ...

Labour Blog

1 day ago
Release: Labour welcomes OAG fast track inquiry

The Government should consider the outcome of an Auditor-General report into conflicts of interest before progressing the Fast track Approvals Bill through Parliament. ...

Labour Blog

1 day ago
Greens reignite call for free dental

A new report detailing the enormous social and economic costs of our dental system has reignited the Greens' call for free dental care. ...

Greens

1 day ago
Greens call for bottom trawling ban and call out Minister for lacklustre response

The Green Party is urgently calling on the Government to ban bottom trawling, following news a New Zealand bottom trawler caught 37kg of coral in international waters, prompting the suspension of all fishing in the area until 2026. ...

Greens

4 days ago
Mark Patterson: Farmers understand we have their backs

Spring is here which means the start of the A&P show season. Those treasured community days where town meets country. There's no rural-urban divide here, just a chance to meet up with family and old friends and celebrate all things that make rural New Zealand so special. I'm embarking on ...

NZ First Press Release

5 days ago
Release: Funding for Gumboot Friday should pause

The National Government should review its support for Gumboot Friday after unacceptable comments by its leader and champion Mike King. ...

Labour Blog

5 days ago
Louise Upston cherry-picks data to punch down on the poor

The Government has very conveniently cherry-picked data from the latest MSD projections to justify its cruel agenda and punch-down policy when it comes to people living in poverty. ...

Greens

5 days ago
Luxon needs to address the cow in the room

The Green Party was appalled to hear Prime Minister Christopher Luxon claim we are “doing everything we can” on climate change, while his government does nothing to address emissions in our most polluting sector. ...

Greens

1 week ago
Govt Must Clean Up ‘Its Shit’ From Sunken HMNZS Manawanui

Te Pāti Māori is calling out the Government and New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) for their inaction and disgraceful downplaying of the impact caused by the sunken HMNZS Manawanui in Samoa. “We demand the Government move without further delay to clean up its shit from the sunken HMNZS Manawanui in Samoa,” said co-leader Debbie ...

Māori Party

1 week ago
Jamie Arbuckle: Inquiry into Banking Competition

This week was the start of the bank inquiry hearings into banking competition. The inquiry was confirmed in the NZ First/National Coalition agreement. 140 submissions were received on the inquiry, and we will hear from over 60 submitters including all the major banks. ANZ, New Zealand's largest bank, was first ...

NZ First Press Release

1 week ago
Tanya Unkovich: It’s time to start the debate on palliative care as a ‘right’

There is one topic that is the great human leveller, and that is of death and dying. One day, we will all have to face it, and I am of the belief that being able to pass away with grace and dignity is a vital, basic, human right. How we ...

NZ First Press Release

2 weeks ago
Release: Labour backs Christchurch City Council sanctions on Israel

Labour is backing Christchurch City Council’s decision not to do business with firms involved in Israel’s illegal settlements in the Occupied Territories. ...

Labour Blog

2 weeks ago
Release: Government driving away offshore wind industry

The Government has created a hostile environment for companies seeking to build offshore wind farms. ...

Labour Blog

2 weeks ago
Another step towards Pasifika justice

The Green Party acknowledges the historical importance of MP Teanau Tuiono’s Member’s Bill, Restoring Citizenship Removed By Citizenship (Western Samoa) Act 1982 Bill, passing its second reading in Parliament today. ...

Greens

2 weeks ago
Sanctions Soar, Jobs Vanish – National’s Cruelty Exposed

Te Pāti Māori is enraged at the National government’s ruthless punishment of beneficiaries, all while jobs are disappearing. MSD data shows a 133% increase in sanctions over the past year, with over 14,000 sanctions in just three months. The kicker? The jobs this government insists people should find are nowhere ...

Māori Party

2 weeks ago
Police Perpetuate Siege on Ōpōtiki

Te Pāti Māori MP for Waiariki, Rawiri Waititi, says today’s police-sponsored terrorism in Ōpōtiki is a continuation of the State’s predatory behaviour towards the iwi of Te Whakatōhea. "Ōpōtiki is once again being intentionally targeted and is the direct byproduct of this Government’s 'tough on crime' legislative changes,” said MP ...

Māori Party

2 weeks ago
Release: Govt cuts school lunches even further

The Government has gone back on its word and cut the full school lunch programme in primary schools after saying it wouldn’t. ...

Labour Blog

2 weeks ago
Time to shut down failed Youth Justice Residences

The Green Party is calling for Youth Justice Residences to close, following a protest in which a group of young people spent the night on the roof of an Oranga Tamariki justice facility. ...

Greens

2 weeks ago
Tell Luxon to Kill the Treaty Principles Bill

Te Tiriti o Waitangi is our country’s founding document. It forms the basis of the relationship between Māori and the Crown – and the Aotearoa New Zealand we live in today. ...

Labour Blog

2 weeks ago
Release: Appalling process on three strikes law

The Government is subverting parliamentary process on laws the evidence already shows don’t work. ...

Labour Blog

2 weeks ago
Release: Labour calls for investigation into tobacco tax cut

The Government’s decision to award a $216 million tax break for Philip Morris’ heated tobacco products reeks of tobacco industry interference and needs to be thoroughly investigated. ...

Labour Blog

2 weeks ago
Release: Delay to retirement village review won’t help residents

The National Government is treading water on a much-needed review of the Retirement Villages Act, kicking any amendments down the road till the next parliamentary term in 2027. ...

Labour Blog

2 weeks ago
Release: Serious concerns ignored in Govt’s fast track bill

National’s fast track bill enables the most radical and unbalanced consenting regime in living memory. ...

Labour Blog

3 weeks ago
Fast-Track, off the rails: Submitters show strong opposition to Bill

Despite resounding public opposition, the fast-track legislation is being pushed through Parliament with provisions that could have real consequences for people and planet. ...

Greens

3 weeks ago
Release: Labour supports continuing fight for dairy access

Labour welcomes the National Government’s decision to further pursue our access to the Canadian dairy market under the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) ...

Labour Blog

3 weeks ago
Release: Job losses devastating for Timaru

Confirmed news that the Smithfield meatworks will close is devastating for the hundreds of people who work there, Timaru and the wider region. ...

Labour Blog

3 weeks ago
New Zealand First Member’s Bill to Improve Access to Palliative Care

New Zealand First has introduced a Member’s Bill which aims to improve access to palliative care for all New Zealanders, ensuring kiwis have better access to the compassionate palliative support they may need. The ‘Improving Access to Palliative Care Bill’ seeks to guarantee that every New Zealander has the right ...

NZ First Press Release

3 weeks ago
Release: Further uncertainty for Kiwirail as jobs set to go

KiwiRail offering voluntary redundancy to all its staff is hugely concerning given the future of New Zealand’s rail system is under threat. ...

Labour Blog

3 weeks ago
ASA Declares Hobson’s Pledge Advertising Misleading and Socially Irresponsible

Te Pāti Māori Co-leaders Rawiri Waititi and Debbie Ngarewa-Packer welcome today’s ruling from the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA), which found that a Hobson's Pledge advertisement regarding customary marine titles was misleading and socially irresponsible. The two-page wraparound ad, published in The New Zealand Herald, suggested that nearly the entire coastline ...

Māori Party

3 weeks ago
Release: Benefit numbers continue to soar under National

National’s all pain approach to beneficiaries has yielded no gain as benefit numbers continue to surge past projected figures. ...

Labour Blog

3 weeks ago
Casey Costello: What Once Was…

Entering politics is a privilege afforded to very few and, as the saying goes, with great power comes great responsibility. Being an MP is a call to service. Whatever your politics you have a duty to show up. Whatever your party's policy, you have made a promise to those who ...

NZ First Press Release

3 weeks ago
Soaring benefit sanctions push more into poverty

Sanctions on beneficiaries have sky-rocketed since the Coalition Government came to power, pushing more families into poverty. ...

Greens

3 weeks ago
International Energy Agency issues wake-up call on climate action

Today’s report from the International Energy Agency highlights how far this Government’s actions are dragging us backwards in the fight against climate change. ...

Greens

3 weeks ago
Release: Lack of funding puts pressure on frontline Police

News that 173 roles are being cut at Police will only put more pressure on the frontline. ...

Labour Blog

3 weeks ago
Release: Bipartisan agreement on outdated marriage law

Changes to outdated relationships legislation has passed its third reading giving family violence survivors the power to quickly dissolve abusive marriages. ...

Labour Blog

3 weeks ago

Appointments strengthen Conservation Boards

The latest Conservation Board appointments will help to strengthen environmental efforts across Aotearoa New Zealand, Conservation Minister Tama Potaka says. Mr Potaka today announced 64 appointments to the country’s 14 Conservation Boards. “Conservation Boards play a vital role as liaison between DOC with their regions, making their community’s voice heard ...

BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz

3 hours ago
First steps towards National Infrastructure Plan

Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop has welcomed the first steps from the Infrastructure Commission in developing New Zealand’s 30-year National Infrastructure Plan. The Commission today released a discussion document which outlines the Commission’s thinking in developing the 30-year plan, including looking at what’s needed over the next 30 years, what our ...

BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz

4 hours ago
Stats show Medsafe accelerates approval assessments

Associate Health Minister David Seymour says that Medsafe’s annual performance statistics released today show that Medsafe are accelerating their approval process. “The data produced in Medsafe’s annual statistics show that in 2023/2024 Medsafe expedited their assessment process for almost every category of medicine,” says Mr Seymour. For innovative new medicines ...

BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz

5 hours ago
New rules mean faster payment times for small businesses

New requirements for government agencies to pay their invoices faster and adopt labour-saving technology are an important part of our plan to rebuild the economy and support small businesses, Small Business and Manufacturing Minister Andrew Bayly and Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee say. “The Government is ambitious about lifting New ...

BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz

5 hours ago
Speech – Diwali 2024

Namaste. Namaskar. Namaskaram. Vanakkam. Sat Sri Akal. Kem chho. Greetings to you all. It is my great privilege, as Minister for Ethnic Communities, to host this year’s Diwali Celebration at Parliament. I am truly excited to be with you all for Diwali as your Minister, and I warmly welcome each ...

BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz

22 hours ago
Accelerating maths achievement for Kiwi kids

The Government is continuing to transform maths education, by trialling a targeted maths acceleration programme to give more Kiwi kids confidence in mathematics. “After discovering just 22 per cent of Year 8 students are at the expected standard for maths, we launched our Make it Count Action Plan to give our ...

BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz

22 hours ago
Government’s creative sector strategy released

The Government’s creative sector strategy is designed to increase Kiwis’ engagement with culture and creativity and to boost its economic contribution, Arts Minister Paul Goldsmith says. “Amplify has been released for public consultation and I encourage people to read the strategy and to share their feedback. “There’s an opportunity to ...

BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz

1 day ago
On-sold programme changes bring resolution to homeowners and taxpayers

Associate Finance Minister David Seymour has asked the Natural Hazards Commission (NHC) to make changes to how it delivers the On-sold support package to prevent a cost blowout while helping eligible homeowners repair their homes in a timely manner. The On-sold programme was set up by the Government in 2019 ...

BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz

1 day ago
Todd McClay to lead large trade mission to China

Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay will lead a large trade delegation to the 7th annual China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai next week, followed by a visit to Guangzhou. This year, almost 70 New Zealand companies will participate in CIIE, to interact with over 3,400 exhibitors and 410,000 visitors. “This ...

BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz

2 days ago
New Charter to guarantee better access for hunting and fishing

Minister for Hunting and Fishing Todd McClay has today launched an Access Charter (the Charter) to ensure better access for recreational hunting and fishing on public conservation land (PCL) across New Zealand. “This Charter establishes guiding principles for the Department of Conservation (DOC) to provide clear and transparent decisions on ...

BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz

3 days ago
Pou Whenua blessing honours Tongariro

A beautiful new Pou Whenua at the beginning of the Tongariro Alpine Crossing will introduce visitors to the sacred landscape they are entering, says Conservation Minister Tama Potaka. Mr Potaka attended a blessing for the specially carved Pou Whenua at Mangatepopo, at the start of the track on 1 November. ...

BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz

4 days ago
New members appointed to the NZTA Board

Transport Minister Simeon Brown has today announced two new appointments to the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) Board. Mary-Anne Macleod and Mike Rudge have both been appointed as members for three-year terms commencing 1 November 2024 and ending 31 October 2027. “Transport is a critical part of our Government’s plan ...

BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz

4 days ago
Welcome relief from new oestradiol gel funding

Associate Health Minister David Seymour is welcoming Pharmac’s funding of oestradiol gel, following global shortages of oestradiol patches earlier this year. “I’m well aware of the stress caused by the global shortage earlier this year. At the time I said I was confident Pharmac was working hard to find a ...

BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz

4 days ago
Deputy Prime Minister visit to Australia

Foreign Minister and Racing Minister Winston Peters will visit Australia next week. “Australia is New Zealand’s closest partner, and we are pleased to make this second official visit there for 2024 following the first ever Foreign and Defence Ministers 2+2 Meeting between our two countries in Melbourne in January,” ...

BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz

4 days ago
Applications now open for new training pathway

Applications have now opened for tertiary education organisations to seek Government funding to develop New Zealand’s first postgraduate diploma programme for associate psychologists, Minister for Mental Health Matt Doocey announced today. “Investment in this new training pathway supports the Government’s target to grow our mental health and addiction workforce and ...

BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz

4 days ago
Increased medicines access continues following budget boost

Associate Health Minister with responsibility for Pharmac David Seymour is pleased to see further increased availability of medicines for Kiwis following the Government’s increased investment in Pharmac. “Pharmac operates independently, but it must work within the budget constraints set by the Government,” says Mr Seymour. “When this Government assumed office, ...

BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz

4 days ago
New Zealand concludes high quality trade deal with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)

New Zealand and the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have concluded negotiations on a trade agreement that will open up significant opportunities for New Zealand exporters in the Gulf region, Minister for Trade and Agriculture Todd McClay announced from Doha today. Today’s announcement follows significant reengagement with the GCC following meetings ...

BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz

5 days ago
Government seeks views on remote court attendance

The Government is exploring how to modernise the law around people attending court remotely, to support access to justice and enhance court performance. Courts Minister Nicole McKee says the current law has not kept up with evolving court practices and public attitudes to the use of remote technology, nor been ...

BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz

5 days ago
Breast screening age extension begins in Nelson Marlborough

Free breast screening has been extended for 70 to 74-year-old women living in the Nelson Marlborough district, ahead of a national roll-out late next year, Health Minister Dr Shane Reti announced today. “Breast cancer is the most common cancer in New Zealand with about 3,400 women diagnosed with the disease ...

BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz

5 days ago
Te Māori Manaaki Taonga Trust Board strengthened

He toi whakairo, he mana tangata. The reappointment of one trustee and the appointment of four new trustees to the Te Māori Manaaki Taonga Trust Board will enable the legacy of Te Māori to be carried forward into the future, Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka and Arts Minister Paul Goldsmith ...

BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz

5 days ago
Affordable housing project supporting home ownership

Up to 300 affordable, healthy, community-tailored homes helping to support home ownership are set to be built in eastern Porirua, supported by Government funding for Our Whare Our Fale through the Building Homes for Pacific in Porirua initiative, Minister for Pacific Peoples Dr Shane Reti and Associate Housing Minister Tama ...

BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz

5 days ago
Dire benefit forecasts show the need for Welfare that Works

A new report that forecasts young people on benefits will spend an average of 20 more years relying on welfare underscores the need for the Government’s reforms, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. MSD’s latest Benefit System Insights report, released today, which estimates how many future years different ...

BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz

5 days ago
Trade Minister travels to Doha for GCC trade discussions

Trade Minister Todd McClay will hold trade discussions with Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) trade ministers in Doha this week. Minister McClay will meet with all six GCC Trade Ministers, as well as the GCC Secretary General. “This will be my seventh visit to the region this year including two Ministerial ...

BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz

6 days ago
Podiatry prescribers will boost patient care

Health Minister Dr Shane Reti and Associate Minister David Seymour say it’s great news that podiatrists will soon be able to prescribe medicines, meaning patients with painful foot and leg conditions don’t have to make a separate trip to the doctor. “This simple step means a big change for people ...

BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz

6 days ago
Historic redress inequities finally resolved for Lake Alice Unit survivors

The Government is addressing historic redress inequities for some survivors abused at the Lake Alice Child and Adolescent Unit. In 2001, the Crown reached a $6.5 million group settlement with 95 survivors subjected to abuse at the Lake Alice Unit. Law firm Grant Cameron & Associates (now GCA Lawyers) represented ...

BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz

6 days ago
ERO report shows Government’s truancy emphasis is vital

Associate Education Minister David Seymour says that the Education Review Office’s (ERO) timely report on chronic school absence released today is further evidence of a truancy crisis. “Chronic absence has doubled since 2015. This report reinforces that action is needed to ensure this generation reaches its full potential,” says Associate ...

BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz

6 days ago
Minister welcomes business view on AML

Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee welcomes BusinessNZ’s report which addresses reducing the compliance burden on small businesses. “The challenges outlined in the report released today echo many of the concerns I have heard from businesses, which have informed my Anti Money Laundering/Countering Financing Terrorism (AML/CFT) priorities,” she says. “I have ...

BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz

7 days ago
Mangamuka Gorge opening in time for Christmas

State Highway 1 through the Mangamuka Gorge will be open for Christmas, with critical work currently underway to clear the large slips and dropouts that have caused significant disruption for Northlanders trying to get where they want to go quickly and safely, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “The Mangamuka Gorge ...

BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz

7 days ago
Trusted building professionals able to self-certify

The Government is proposing further significant action to reform the building and construction sector to support more affordable homes and a stronger economy, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “If we want to grow the economy, lift incomes, create jobs and build more affordable, quality homes we need a ...

BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz

7 days ago
New appointments to the TEC board

Dr Alan Bollard CNZM and Mr Bharat Guha have been appointed to the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) board, Tertiary Education and Skills Minister Penny Simmonds says. “I would like to welcome the two new members joining the TEC board,” Ms Simmonds says. “Dr Alan Bollard CNZM is an experienced public ...

BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz

1 week ago
Move to fast-track overseas doctors welcomed

Fast tracking applications for registration by eligible specialist doctors wanting to practice in New Zealand is in line with the Government’s push to improve the health outcomes for New Zealanders, Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says. This fast-track pathway applies to specialists trained in anaesthesia, dermatology, emergency medicine, general practice, ...

BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz

1 week ago
Address to Western Sydney University: Constitutional and Rule of Law challenges in current global en...

Tēnā koutou Nau mai haere mai ki tenei hui Thank you to Vice Chancellor Williams, and the University of Western Sydney, for inviting me to speak today. I speak to you today in my capacity as Attorney-General – the New Zealand Crown’s Senior Law Officer. In this capacity, I serve ...

BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz

1 week ago
Security advice for start-ups welcomed

Minister responsible for the security and intelligence agencies Judith Collins has welcomed new guidance that aims to protect New Zealand’s start-up and emerging technology sector from the threat of economic espionage. “We are a nation well-known for our ingenuity, and our willingness to openly collaborate in the spirit of enterprise ...

BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz

1 week ago
Funding support to strengthen frontline volunteer service organisations

The Government has approved $23.1 million for four critical frontline volunteer service organisations to replace storm-damaged assets and provide training and equipment to improve New Zealand’s response to future emergency events, Transport Minister Simeon Brown and Associate Transport Minister Matt Doocey says. $14.6 million for Surf Life Saving New ...

BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz

1 week ago
Jones heads to international mining conference

Resources Minister Shane Jones will speak at Australia's largest annual mining event in Sydney this week to mark New Zealand’s return to the international industry stage. Mr Jones will attend the International Mining and Resources Conference (IMARC) where he will update the sector’s most influential players on the work the ...

BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz

1 week ago
NZ investing in Pacific disaster preparedness & climate resilience

New Zealand will contribute $20 million to the Pacific Resilience Facility, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters have announced. “The Pacific Islands region faces severe challenges from natural disasters and climate change impacts and New Zealand is committed to doing its part to help meet them,” ...

BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz

1 week ago
Police to increase presence on Auckland public transport

Aucklanders will see a greater Police presence on public transport services to boost safety and reassure public transport workers and passengers, Police Minister Mark Mitchell and Transport and Auckland Minister Simeon Brown say. “Minister Brown and I are working together, alongside Police and Auckland Transport in response to the horrific ...

BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz

1 week ago
Government funds helicopter replacements

The Government is investing in eight new emergency helicopters to replace some of New Zealand’s ageing air ambulance fleet, Associate Health Minister Casey Costello and ACC Minister Matt Doocey announced today. “Our air ambulance helicopters play a vital role in saving lives around New Zealand,” Casey Costello says. “This is ...

BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz

2 weeks ago
China and New Zealand strengthen organic trade

An uplift to New Zealand’s organic product trade is expected through a new upgraded arrangement with China, Food Safety Minister Andrew Hoggard says.“The upgraded Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) for organic products will deliver opportunities for our organic export sector.”The upgraded MRA was signed in Central Otago today by Andrew Hoggard ...

BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz

2 weeks ago
Judicial appointments announced

Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced two Court of Appeal and two High Court appointments. The four appointments will take effect on 21 November 2024 and are: Justice Christine French Justice French, who has been appointed President of the Court of Appeal, graduated with an LLB (Honours) from the University of Otago ...

BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz

2 weeks ago

What Kamala Harris’ Converse All-Stars tell us about how shoes shape our identity

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alexandra Sherlock, Lecturer, School of Fashion and Textiles, RMIT University Like most public figures, Kamala Harris adapts her footwear to different occasions. While her wardrobe includes traditional choices such as formal black heels, it was her appearance in Converse Chuck Taylor All-Stars ...

Evening ReportBy The Conversation

1 hour ago
‘I can make a band play like a singer sings’: Quincy Jones shaped our listening for seven decade...

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Leigh Carriage, Senior Lecturer in Music, Southern Cross University The legendary composer, musical arranger and producer Quincy Jones has died at 91. Over his long career, Jones arranged and produced for a broad range of genres. His work blended the traditions of ...

Evening ReportBy The Conversation

1 hour ago
Govt Science Cuts Take NZ Even Further Backward

The Government talks about the need to tackle our poor productivity performance, and the need for a longer-term plan to arrest our decline, but their actions continue to take us in the opposite direction ...

Scoop politics

1 hour ago
Costello’s accusation has had ‘chilling effect’ on democracy, public servants say

The complaint comes after the Associate Health Minister accused health officials of undermining her efforts. ...

Radio NZ – political

2 hours ago
‘I didn’t get the HRC job’: Stephen Rainbow’s human rights commission appointment just got w...

New messages released under the OIA show Rainbow acknowledged he ‘didn’t get the HRC job’ – then suddenly he did. Madeleine Chapman reports. “I didn’t get the HRC role but still very keen to help out,” wrote Stephen Rainbow to Act Party chief of staff Andrew Ketels in a text ...

The SpinoffBy Madeleine Chapman

2 hours ago
West Papuan outcry over Prabowo’s plan to revive transmigration

By Victor Mambor in Jayapura Just one day after President Prabowo Subianto’s inauguration, a minister announced plans to resume the transmigration programme in eastern Indonesia, particularly in Papua, saying it was needed for enhancing unity and providing locals with welfare. Transmigration is the process of moving people from densely populated ...

Evening ReportBy Asia Pacific Report

3 hours ago
Police minister denies claims children left on their own following police raids in Ōpōtiki

Police Minister Mark Mitchell says those claiming children were left on their own following police raids on homes in Ōpōtiki are "wrong". ...

Radio NZ – political

3 hours ago
Home Education: On the road with the Rasmussens

Home Education follows the everyday lives of six families in Aotearoa educating their children at home. Today, education in a house bus with the Rasmussens. The new docuseries Home Education is filmed across Aotearoa, in and around the homes of six families who have taken schooling outside the ...

The SpinoffBy The Spinoff

3 hours ago
Nobody panic, but we’re in the midst of a global chocolate crisis

Price hikes, disappearing products and sourcing struggles – could this be the new normal for the chocolate industry? Last week, Whittaker’s announced its chocolate was changing. Its cacao will no longer be sourced exclusively from Ghana, with the global cocoa shortage forcing the company to get the key ingredient from “several” ...

The SpinoffBy Gabi Lardies

3 hours ago
On the road with the Rasmussens | Home Education | The Spinoff

“We thrive on proving people wrong.” | Watch the full series: http://thespinoff.co.nz/videos/home-education 🚌 The Rasmussens have travelled the country in a house bus for over a decade. Bridie is the ‘road-schooling’ mum to seven kids, all at different stages. She says the family runs into judgement all the time, but ...

The SpinoffBy The Spinoff

3 hours ago
NZ hopes for Harris, prepares for Trump

Comment: The American presidential election on Wednesday (NZ time) looks like it is going down to the wire. Polls put Vice President Kamala Harris and former president Donald Trump within the margin of error, both nationally and in key battleground states. As the votes are counted, governments across Asia and ...

NewsroomBy David Capie

4 hours ago
Appalling Attack On Public Service Official By Minister Crosses The Line

"Publicly attacking a public servant for giving advice that you disagree with is unacceptable within our democratic system," said Kerry Davies, National Secretary for the Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi. ...

Scoop politics

5 hours ago
Every travel disaster I can think of – and how travel insurance would help

While you might be reluctant to buy travel insurance, you’ll be glad to have it when things go wrong. As a natural catastrophiser, I spend a lot of time thinking about things that could go wrong – even on holiday. Perhaps I’ll be caught up in a life-threatening multi-car pileup ...

The SpinoffBy Tara Ward

5 hours ago
My Greatest Trip: Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos

A white woman’s account of backpacking through southeast Asia? Groundbreaking. In a post-social media world, I find it impossible to regale you with my trip through Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos without first doing some throat-clearing. “Doing” southeast Asia “on a shoestring” has become such a traveller’s cliche – so ...

The SpinoffBy Madeleine Holden

5 hours ago
Zero-risk policy part of ‘widespread erosion’ of access to recreational areas

Twelve associations are calling for recreational activities to be formally excluded from the Health and Safety Act 2015. ...

Radio NZ – political

6 hours ago
The cost of being: A uni tutor who spends on vapes, samosas and the odd night out

As part of our series exploring how New Zealanders live and our relationship with money, a 21-year-old flatting in Wellington explains how she gets by. Want to be part of The Cost of Being? Fill out the questionnaire here. Gender: Wahine. Age: 21. Ethnicity: Māori. Role: Tutor at Victoria University. Salary/income/assets: ...

The SpinoffBy The Cost of Being

6 hours ago
Yes, burning gas is bad for the climate. But keeping it in Australia’s energy mix is sensible

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Roger Dargaville, Director Monash Energy Institute, Monash University Shutterstock Both major parties in Australia see a significant role for gas as the world shifts to clean energy in a bid to avert dangerous climate change. The Albanese government says new sources ...

Evening ReportBy The Conversation

7 hours ago
Live: Luxon ‘frustrated’ with officials but ‘confident’ in Cabinet conflict ...

The Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says he's confident about Cabinet's own conflict of interest processes ...

Radio NZ – political

7 hours ago
Bird flu has been detected in a pig in the US. Why does that matter?

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By C Raina MacIntyre, Professor of Global Biosecurity, NHMRC L3 Research Fellow, Head, Biosecurity Program, Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney David MG/Shutterstock The United States Department of Agriculture last week reported that a pig on a backyard farm in Oregon was infected with ...

Evening ReportBy The Conversation

7 hours ago
What happens if you have a HELP debt and kids? The missed opportunity in Labor’s plan to fix stude...

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Mark Warburton, Honorary Senior Fellow, Centre for the Study of Higher Education, The University of Melbourne Rogut/Pexels , CC BY The Albanese government has announced several significant changes to student loans to start in mid-2025. These include wiping 20% off debts, ...

Evening ReportBy The Conversation

7 hours ago
Memes, photojournalism and television debates: 3 images that defined the 2024 US election

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kylie Message, Professor of Public Humanities and Director of the ANU Humanities Research Centre, Australian National University Visual images often last in historical and popular memory. This is especially the case in presidential campaigns in the United States, which offer a vast ...

Evening ReportBy The Conversation

7 hours ago
Todd McClay, trade, and the spectre of Trump

The PM says he’ll work with whoever wins the White House, but the trade minister has previously expressed concern over higher tariffs, writes Stewart Sowman-Lund for The Bulletin. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign up here. ...

The SpinoffBy Stewart Sowman-Lund

8 hours ago
America heads to the polls, and into a great unknown

Opinion: Wednesday November 6, NZ time, sees the majority of voting in the 2024 US presidential election. While it is unlikely we will have a confirmed result until later (Thursday is best case, but the result could take weeks, depending on how close it is), the next week promises to ...

NewsroomBy Hayden Thorne

8 hours ago
Live: Minister accuses health officials of undermining smoking reforms

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon will talk to Morning Report live. ...

Radio NZ – political

8 hours ago
The longest commute, day two: Joel says a sad goodbye to Invercargill

Joel MacManus attempts to travel from the bottom to the top of the country without a car or plane. Today: Invercargill to Dunedin and beyond. The mission: Get from Stewart Island to Cape Reinga as fast as possible using only public transport. Wherever I can, I’ll travel by train. In ...

The SpinoffBy Joel MacManus

8 hours ago
Scientists concerned about delays to critical report

Scientists are becoming increasingly worried about delays to a critical report that could see an overhaul of the country's science infrastructure and funding. ...

Radio NZ – political

9 hours ago
Blood cancer patients call on National to honour commitment

Patients want National to take note of a report on blood cancer medicines and remember its pre-election promise that they would not be forgotten. ...

Radio NZ – political

9 hours ago
When will we know the US presidential election results in New Zealand?

And everything else you need to know about timings, where and what to watch in our user’s guide to the Trump v Harris big day(s). One ancient candidate ejected after a catastrophic debate performance, another shot in the head in a horrific, failed assassination attempt. Racism, misogyny, plausible claims of ...

The SpinoffBy Toby Manhire

10 hours ago
Is it possible to travel without damaging the climate? Yes

Trains, bikes and sailboats already exist, and choosing to travel more slowly can be a pleasure, too. “I’ve seen more on my bike that I would have seen in my whole lifetime, if I’d been flying,” says Robbie Webb. He’s calling me from Ghent, where he’s staying with friends, nearly ...

The SpinoffBy Shanti Mathias

10 hours ago
Taxing people unfairly just isn’t cricket

Opinion: Importance of combining a flat GST with a progressive income tax The post Taxing people unfairly just isn’t cricket appeared first on Newsroom. ...

NewsroomBy Dr Eric Crampton

10 hours ago
Concerns over new, streamlined building consent process

The building consent regime is about to be streamlined by the government, with self-certifications replacing some council inspections.It means councils will be partly removed from the building consent process, allowing qualified tradespeople – including plumbers and builders – to forego inspections for low-risk builds.Self-certifications will be open to those with ...

NewsroomBy Amanda Gillies

10 hours ago
Auckland’s risk of becoming becalmed

Opinion: New Zealand had the fastest boat on the water at the recent America’s Cup. But the country’s largest city Auckland does not have such comparable speed in the international cities’ race.The World Economic Forum says cities are critical for developing competitive, innovation-driven economies, particularly those with strong infrastructure, vibrant ...

NewsroomBy Mark Thomas

10 hours ago
Newsroom daily quiz, Tuesday 5 November

Loading…(function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){var ql=document.querySelectorAll('A,DIV,A[data-quiz],DIV[data-quiz]'); if(ql){if(ql.length){for(var k=0;k<ql.length;k++){ql[k].id='quiz-embed-'+k;ql[k].href="javascript:var i=document.getElementById('quiz-embed-"+k+"');try{qz.startQuiz(i)}catch(e){i.start=1;i.style.cursor='wait';i.style.opacity='0.5'};void(0);"}}};i['QP']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){(i[r].q=i[r].q||[]).push(arguments)},i[r].l=1*new Date();a=s.createElement(o),m=s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];a.async=1;a.src=g;m.parentNode.insertBefore(a,m)})(window,document,'script','https://take.quiz-maker.com/3012/CDN/quiz-embed-v1.js','qp');Got a good quiz question? Send Newsroom your questions.The post Newsroom daily quiz, Tuesday 5 November appeared first on Newsroom. ...

NewsroomBy Newsroom Puzzles

10 hours ago
Daily crossword, Tuesday 5 November

The post Daily crossword, Tuesday 5 November appeared first on Newsroom. ...

NewsroomBy Newsroom Puzzles

10 hours ago
Paul Goldsmith buys a book in Queenstown

Two days at a literary festival in Queenstown followed by two days at a literary festival in Akaroa – literature in two kinds of South Island paradise, one surrounded by snow and wealth, built on schist and the memory of gold, the other a pretty little harbour village with two ...

NewsroomBy Steve Braunias

10 hours ago
Corporates regain appetite for growth following OCR cuts

A change in direction from the central bank has corporates coming out of hibernation and gaining confidence to shift gears into expansion mode.With inflation inside its target band, earlier this month the Reserve Bank cut the official cash rate by 50 basis points to 4.75 percent.This larger than usual interest ...

NewsroomBy Andrew Bevin

10 hours ago
US election: Women will pick the winner

“They’re both wrong,” the 80-year-old Arizonan says.But Kamala Harris will probably win because she’s been strong on a woman’s right to access abortions, she says.The mother, who doesn’t want to be identified “because I’ll probably be too honest”, believes Harris is bad for the economy, for job creation, for businesses, ...

NewsroomBy Laura Walters

10 hours ago
Oil supply crisis could trigger a sovereignty crisis for NZ

If Middle East oil flows were seriously disrupted, it would hit NZ harder than most other OECD countries The post Oil supply crisis could trigger a sovereignty crisis for NZ appeared first on Newsroom. ...

NewsroomBy Simon Terry

10 hours ago
‘Hold us to account’: Iwi defends its own fast-track project

Ngāti Manuhiri hopes to fast-track over 400 homes and an on-shore aquaculture facility, but is committed to meeting the ‘gold standard’ no matter what the fast-track allows The post ‘Hold us to account’: Iwi defends its own fast-track project appeared first on Newsroom. ...

NewsroomBy Fox Meyer

10 hours ago
Tax competitiveness just isn’t cricket (Estonia win again)

Opinion: Importance of combining a flat GST with a progressive income tax The post Tax competitiveness just isn’t cricket (Estonia win again) appeared first on Newsroom. ...

NewsroomBy Dr Eric Crampton

10 hours ago

The server will be getting hardware changes this evening starting at 10pm NZDT.
The site will be off line for some hours.

Women’s human rights and the vulnerability of pregnant women

Related Posts

211 comments on “Women’s human rights and the vulnerability of pregnant women ”

Recent Comments

Recent Posts

Related Posts

Related Posts

Related Posts

Related Posts

Women’s human rights and the vulnerability of pregnant women

Share this:

Related Posts

211 comments on “Women’s human rights and the vulnerability of pregnant women ”

Recent Comments

Recent Posts

Share this:

Related Posts

Share this:

Related Posts

Share this:

Related Posts

Share this:

Related Posts