Cluster f*&k on cluster bombs
Written By:
Date published: 9:34 am, August 19th, 2016 - 33 comments
Categories: capitalism, International, kiwisaver, national, Politics, same old national, war
Tags: cluster bombs, ethical investment, julie anne genter, paul goldsmith
The Government is refusing to accept there are legal issues with Kiwisaver providers investing in manufacturers of cluster bombs. But it is also not ruling out there may be a problem.
What if there were only 34 more whitebait harvests left?
Written By:
Date published: 8:30 am, August 19th, 2016 - 41 comments
Categories: activism, Conservation, disaster, Environment, farming, Maori Issues, science, sustainability, water
Tags: #KiwiTreason, extinction, mana o te wai, water quality, whitebait
Water is life not merely wadeable.
Daily Review 19/08/2016
Written By:
Date published: 5:36 pm, August 19th, 2016 - No comments
Daily review is also your post. This provides Standardistas the opportunity to review events of the day. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Don’t forget to be kind to each other …
America bails on private prisons
Written By:
Date published: 3:49 pm, August 19th, 2016 - 5 comments
America is bailing on private prisons because they don’t work. What’s the bet that National is ‘too proud and arrogant’ to follow suit.
Between what we want and what we need
Written By:
Date published: 8:00 am, August 19th, 2016 - 101 comments
New Zealand is slowly losing faith with this Government and this is why.
Tents warehouses and driveways
Written By:
Date published: 7:02 am, August 19th, 2016 - 55 comments
Tents and warehouses have been considered as emergency housing. Working people sleeping in cars are looking for driveways to rent. Say – has anyone seen John Key lately?
Open mike 19/08/2016
Written By:
Date published: 6:00 am, August 19th, 2016 - 62 comments
Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Step up to the mike …
Charles Hugh Smith – The Ultimate Long Game: Autarky and Resilience
Written By:
Date published: 6:17 pm, August 18th, 2016 - 28 comments
Today, electronic numbers in electronic bank accounts are the most important things to the people who lead NZ. That’s going to have to seriously change. The country’s capacity and resources in terms of food, energy, water and cultural/social resiliency is what actually counts.
Daily Review 18/08/2016
Written By:
Date published: 5:30 pm, August 18th, 2016 - 43 comments
Daily review is also your post. This provides Standardistas the opportunity to review events of the day. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Don’t forget to be kind to each other …
Check your Kiwisaver
Written By:
Date published: 12:30 pm, August 18th, 2016 - 21 comments
An excellent piece by Matt Nippert, Caleb Tutty, Olivia Carville in The Herald is generating a lot of discussion this morning. Are you unknowingly investing in tobacco and munitions?
Interest free student loans – still safe for now?
Written By:
Date published: 10:05 am, August 18th, 2016 - 54 comments
A right wing “think-tank” wants to load students up with even more debt.
UNICEF call for action on NZ poverty
Written By:
Date published: 7:08 am, August 18th, 2016 - 139 comments
Once again this country under National is rightly shamed in the international media.
Open mike 18/08/2016
Written By:
Date published: 6:00 am, August 18th, 2016 - 80 comments
Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Step up to the mike …
Daily Review 17/08/2016
Written By:
Date published: 5:30 pm, August 17th, 2016 - 27 comments
Daily review is also your post. This provides Standardistas the opportunity to review events of the day. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Don’t forget to be kind to each other …
The Christchurch Commons
Written By:
Date published: 1:50 pm, August 17th, 2016 - 18 comments
Meanwhile, down in Christchurch the plan is to put water back in the centre of our physical, cultural and spiritual lives.
NRT: Against anti-whistleblower laws
Written By:
Date published: 1:48 pm, August 17th, 2016 - 11 comments
I/S at No Right Turn does great analysis of legislation. His coverage of the new spying laws has been excellent. Here he is on National’s clumsy and misguided attempt to re-impose official secrets. Criminalised for reading The Guardian?
Affordable housing fail – we can’t rely on the private sector
Written By:
Date published: 9:20 am, August 17th, 2016 - 55 comments
To the complete surprise of no one, private sector developers have largely waited out the “affordable houses” requirement in the special housing areas. Another National failure.
Grant Robertson on the adjusted unemployment figure
Written By:
Date published: 7:02 am, August 17th, 2016 - 141 comments
“The sad reality is that while the change in measurement might elicit a lower number or percentage it will not mean one fewer person is unemployed.”
Open mike 17/08/2016
Written By:
Date published: 6:00 am, August 17th, 2016 - 19 comments
Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Step up to the mike …
July 2016 was the hottest single month recorded since 1880
Written By:
Date published: 6:32 pm, August 16th, 2016 - 103 comments
July 2016 was the hottest month ever in recorded modernity.
Daily Review 16/08/2016
Written By:
Date published: 5:43 pm, August 16th, 2016 - 19 comments
Daily review is also your post. This provides Standardistas the opportunity to review events of the day. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Don’t forget to be kind to each other …
New Zealand’s most shameful secret: ‘We have normalised child poverty’
Written By:
Date published: 4:01 pm, August 16th, 2016 - 166 comments
Fuck the whole “Brighter Future” New Zealand.
Richard Wagstaff: “Things need to change”
Written By:
Date published: 2:00 pm, August 16th, 2016 - 19 comments
The inaugural CTU organisers’ conference is being held in Auckland this week, bringing together organisers from across the CTU affiliated unions to discuss the future of the movement. CTU President Richard Wagstaff opened the conference this morning. E ngā mana, e ngā reo, e ngā karangatanga maha, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou koutoa. Welcome […]
Spy vs Us
Written By:
Date published: 9:08 am, August 16th, 2016 - 135 comments
Today National introduced a bill that will enable the NZ Government to spy on its citizens.
Another Key lie is why this government can’t be trusted with increased spying powers
Written By:
Date published: 9:07 am, August 16th, 2016 - 32 comments
When caught abusing new powers the response will be the same as when caught out abusing the old – meh, so sue us.
A UK Labour Split
Written By:
Date published: 7:58 am, August 16th, 2016 - 90 comments
The options for UK Labour appear to be limited. Split or die or do both.
Open mike 16/08/2016
Written By:
Date published: 6:00 am, August 16th, 2016 - 51 comments
Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Step up to the mike …
Daily Review 15/08/2016
Written By:
Date published: 5:30 pm, August 15th, 2016 - 28 comments
Daily review is also your post. This provides Standardistas the opportunity to review events of the day. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Don’t forget to be kind to each other …
Shit in the water
Written By:
Date published: 3:15 pm, August 15th, 2016 - 91 comments
The damage so far in the Havelock North “gastro” outbreak is one possible death, two older people in intensive care, 18 hospitalised, 50 making their way to the emergency department, 280 notifications, and hundreds of kids staying away from school.
In praise of David Shearer
Written By:
Date published: 2:31 pm, August 15th, 2016 - 10 comments
David Shearer has criticised the Australian Government as having lost its “moral compass” in relation to the Nauru Asylum Detention Centre.
Spark – kudos
Written By:
Date published: 8:05 am, August 15th, 2016 - 30 comments
Our wages are too low generally, and this is one of the main economic challenges that we face. A few more employers committing to paying a living wage would be a good place to start.
- Open Government: As little as possible
The SSC and Engage2 are currently conducting public consultation on New Zealand's second Open Government partnership national action plan. Engage2 is busy collecting suggestions for commitments through its co-creation site, and running workshops to gather more. But the timeline doesn't ...47 mins ago - Open Government: As little as possibleThe SSC and Engage2 are currently conducting public consultation on New Zealand's second Open Government partnership national action plan. Engage2 is busy collecting suggestions for commitments through its co-creation site, and running workshops to gather more. But the timeline doesn't ...47 mins ago
- Maritime Crimes Bill must find the balance between security and free speech
Parliament is currently considering the Maritime Crimes Amendment Bill, which would bring New Zealand up to date with current international rules about maritime security. The debate around the Bill reflects two valid issues: legitimate counter-terrorism measures and the right to ...1 hour ago - Kiwis just want to know whether their KiwiSaver investments in cluster bombs are doing well
New Zealanders are switching KiwiSaver schemes today following revelations they might get more out of a scheme that invests in cluster bombs. Following media reports yesterday that at least five of nine KiwiSaver providers are investing in companies that make ...2 hours ago - A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds
So it's Friday afternoon, deep into intellectual garbage time, and it's been a wee while since I've taken a gratuitous pot-shot at one of my fellow denizens of the blogosphere. What better reasons do I then need for writing the ...2 hours ago - Russia heads back to the dark ages
A Russian MP wants to "decriminalise" domestic violence. Yes, really:Ultra-conservative Russian MP Yelena Mizulina, best known for successfully introducing for the law banning so-called gay propaganda, introduced a new bill to the State Duma in July proposing the decriminalisation of ...3 hours ago - A blow against the private prison industryThe USA this morning announced that they were ending the use of private prisons in the federal prison system:The US Justice Department will phase out use of privately owned prisons, citing safety concerns. Contracts with 13 private prisons will be ...4 hours ago
- A blow against the private prison industryThe USA this morning announced that they were ending the use of private prisons in the federal prison system:The US Justice Department will phase out use of privately owned prisons, citing safety concerns. Contracts with 13 private prisons will be ...4 hours ago
- Rio Olympics captioning – setting the record straight
In the House on Thursday, my colleague, Labour Party spokesperson on Disability Issues, Poto Williams asked a great question. After which the Minister, Nicky Wagner, stood up and finally publicly acknowledged the National Foundation for the Deaf for funding the ...5 hours ago - Rio Olympics captioning – setting the record straightIn the House on Thursday, my colleague, Labour Party spokesperson on Disability Issues, Poto Williams asked a great question. After which the Minister, Nicky Wagner, stood up and finally publicly acknowledged the National Foundation for the Deaf for funding the ...5 hours ago
- Why do the Greens hate the Squirrels so much?
I get taking a stand on principles but… So the Intelligence and Security Bill has passed its first reading in Parliament with a majority supporting it (106 votes to 15) and now goes back to select committee for further work. ...5 hours ago - We don’t need the GCSBJohn Key's latest spy legislation passed its first reading in the House yesterday, and is off to select committee. They'll no doubt be calling for submissions soon, but I'm not sure whether it is worth wasting time on. The last ...7 hours ago
- We don’t need the GCSBJohn Key's latest spy legislation passed its first reading in the House yesterday, and is off to select committee. They'll no doubt be calling for submissions soon, but I'm not sure whether it is worth wasting time on. The last ...7 hours ago
- Hard News: Friday Music: Sweet Inspiration
The phenomenon of dancefloor-friendly edits that beef up and emphasise the rhythmic qualities of classic older tunes has rarely, if ever, touched on New Zealand's own musical heritage. And that's a shame. But – hey! – maybe it's changing.Last weekend ...8 hours ago - Hard News: Friday Music: Sweet InspirationThe phenomenon of dancefloor-friendly edits that beef up and emphasise the rhythmic qualities of classic older tunes has rarely, if ever, touched on New Zealand's own musical heritage. And that's a shame. But – hey! – maybe it's changing.Last weekend ...8 hours ago
- Is Karl du Fresne happy now?
. . In March 2013, former Dominion editor and right-wing columnist, Karl Du Fresne, spat an almighty dummy when he launched a diatribe of accusations of “bias” against Radio New Zealand; . . I responded shortly thereafter with my own ...10 hours ago - Photos that inspired millions to take action
On World Photography Day, Greenpeace celebrates the power of photography to inspire action and speak truth to power.It’s a tough call to select 10 images from the more than 18,000 that Greenpeace has produced in the last 12 months. But ...10 hours ago - Hot pools to hobbits – Tourism Awards finalists named
Press Release – Tourism Industry Aotearoa From hot pools to hobbits and hotels, the finalists in the 2016 New Zealand Tourism Awards are a shining example of why this industry is enjoying record growth.Hot pools to hobbits – Tourism ...14 hours ago - Questions & Answers – 18 August 2016Press Release – Office of the Clerk 1. ALASTAIR SCOTT (NationalWairarapa) to the Minister of Finance : What international reports has he received on the state of the New Zealand economy?• ORAL QUESTIONS QUESTIONS TO MINISTERS Economy—Reports 1. ALASTAIR ...19 hours ago
- Gordon Campbell on China steel dumping, and the 60s revival
First published on Werewolf Guess who isn’t taking any visible action to ensure New Zealand isn’t damaged by China dumping its state-subsidized steel glut cheaply here? Here’s what the European Union has put in place: The EU on August 4 ...19 hours ago - Seymour calls out Bridges as “weak” on Auckland trafficACT leader David Seymour backed congestion charging in Auckland and called Transport Minister Simon Bridges "weak" for his inaction on Auckland's traffic congestion, at a local government panel discussion tonight.read more ...19 hours ago
- State of the Climate 2015: global warming and El Niño sent records tumbling
This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article. Andrew King, Climate Extremes Research Fellow, University of Melbourne and Sarah Perkins-Kirkpatrick, Research Fellow, UNSW Australia The State of the Climate in 2015 report, led by the US ...1 day ago - TVNZ acknowledges experiment to cryogenically freeze man from 1920s and put him on TV today has fail...
According to TVNZ, Rawdon Christie repeatedly refused to change his name to something someone could plausibly have in the 21st Century. With today’s announcement that Jack Tame and Hilary Barry will take over TV One’s breakfast programme, TVNZ has acknowledged ...1 day ago - Australia tortures more childrenAnother day, more images of Australian prison guards torturing and humiliating children in their care...:Images of alleged mistreatment at Townsville's Cleveland Youth Detention Centre have emerged, prompting calls for the royal commission into Northern Territory juvenile detention to be extended ...1 day ago
- Australia tortures more childrenAnother day, more images of Australian prison guards torturing and humiliating children in their care...:Images of alleged mistreatment at Townsville's Cleveland Youth Detention Centre have emerged, prompting calls for the royal commission into Northern Territory juvenile detention to be extended ...1 day ago
- Hastings gastro outbreak just marketing stunt to promote new documentary about Hastings gastro outbr...
Squiggly blue worms connote disease in the mind of readers. What looked like an increasingly serious outbreak of a gastro illness caused by a contaminated water supply in Hastings’ Havelock North, has turned out to be nothing more than a ...1 day ago - Nothing To Celebrate.
1 day ago - Weekly Reading: Glossier, Gloriavale and M.I.A.
Our weekly recap highlighting the best feature stories from around the internet. Photo: Twitter How Glossier Harnessed The Myth Of Cool Girl Makeup – by Haley Mlotek, The Fader “By contrast, Kelli, 30, an editor for a digital women’s ...1 day ago - Women feel less shit about their bodies than they used to
A new study shows women's satisfaction with their bodies has gone up. But is going from shit to less-shit really something to celebrate? Despite the slight drop, two thirds of all women aren’t happy with how their ...1 day ago - When revolution was in the air: Barbara Gregorich and Phil Passen interviewed
Barbara Gregorich and Phil Passen were members of the US Socialist Workers Party from 1965-72, and key figures in the Proletarian Orientation tendency within the SWP and then in the Class Struggle League 1972-74. While maintaining their anti-capitalist views, ...1 day ago - Sedition in IndiaLast weekend Amnesty International held a meeting in the Indian city of Bangalore to discuss human rights abuses by Indian forces in Kashmir. During the meeting, some of the attendees began calling for "Azadi" - freedom. So naturally, they're all ...1 day ago
- Kiwisaver funds which invest in cluster bombs should be prosecutedThis morning, the New Zealand Herald revealed that New Zealand kiwisaver funds are consistently making unethical investments in companies on the New Zealand Superannuation Fund's blacklist. Those companies are involved in the tobacco industry, international human rights violations, and nuclear ...1 day ago
- Climate change: Bad faithThe big news yesterday was the government's announcement that it would ratify the UNFCCC's Paris Agreement by the end of the year. They'll also be seeking cross-party support on how to implement it, having opposed such agreement for years. But ...1 day ago
- Climate change: Bad faithThe big news yesterday was the government's announcement that it would ratify the UNFCCC's Paris Agreement by the end of the year. They'll also be seeking cross-party support on how to implement it, having opposed such agreement for years. But ...1 day ago
- War Dogs isn’t the movie you’ve been sold
War Dogs pitches for Goodfellas-style drama as often as it does stoner comedy. Photo: Roadshow Films The marketing for War Dogs is deceptive. The poster pays homage to Scarface; the coupling of Jonah Hill and Miles Teller suggest a ...1 day ago - Otago’s humanities core to its reputation
Tertiary Update Vol 19 No 29 World class universities like Otago need strong, diverse humanities departments to preserve their reputation, says TEU branch president Tree La Rooy. Humanities staff at the University of Otago plan to hold a rally next ...1 day ago - Victoria University staff want ‘old fashioned’ pay negotiationsKaty Miller says her current pay system at Victoria University is not perfect by any means, “but at least it’s our system”. “We negotiate it… and we have some degree of influence over it.” Miller, a PBRF coordinator in the ...1 day ago
- What’s Sonny Bill Williams gonna do now?
Straight from the Rio Olympics with a ruptured Achilles, Sonny Bill Williams (totally not Lucy Zee in a paper mask), hit the streets of Auckland to ask the public what they think his next career move should be. ...1 day ago - Jacinta Ruru wins highest teaching awardJacinta Ruru, from the University of Otago’s Faculty of Law, received New Zealand’s highest accolade for tertiary teaching at Parliament last night. She joined 11 other recipients of Ako Aotearoa Tertiary Teaching Excellence Awards from around the country. Ruru received ...1 day ago
- Dear Verity
Who cares if you are a slut, not a slut, want to be a slut, or couldn’t give a rats either way. You’re perpetuating the stupid demonising that has sought to control female sexuality for thousands of years by moralising ...1 day ago - Government must do more to get regions workingYesterday’s labour market data shows that unemployment is a growing problem in many of New Zealand’s regions. TEU president Sandra Grey says this is unfair. The Labour Market Statistics from Statistics New Zealand shows that while the national unemployment rate ...1 day ago
- 2016 Rail and Busway Station Boardings
The biggest driver of public transport ridership over the last year has been on the Rapid Transit Network (RTN), which consists of the busway and the rail network. Over the 2015-16 financial year both grew an astonishing 20.6% after each also ...1 day ago - Over-investing in housing
While housing obviously fills a need – people need somewhere to live – it also has an investment aspect. How this investment is treated by the tax system influences the housing market, and the investment available for other purposes, such ...1 day ago - China’s One Belt One Road may offer best avenueArticle – BusinessDesk Aug. 18 (BusinessDesk) – New Zealand is unlikely to gain traction in its bid to upgrade its bilateral free-trade agreement with China while Asias largest economy is focused on developing its broader One Belt One Road initiative, ...2 days ago
- The Singles Life: Video killed the reality TV star
Welcome to weekly series The Singles Life, where known experts Katie Parker and Hussein Moses peruse, ponder and pontificate on the latest and (maybe) greatest in New Zealand music. Remember Naz from The Bachelor NZ? Of course you do. Somehow she ...2 days ago - Retrospective: Lawrence Arabia on The Reduction Agents’ excellent debut album
The Reduction Agents are celebrating the 10th anniversary of their first and only album, The Dance Reduction Agents, by remastering the record and (finally) putting it out on vinyl. With that in mind, we asked Lawrence Arabia aka James Milne to ...2 days ago - Triclosan – nasty chemical will be reassessedLast week my campaign for this chemical to be reassessed by the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) took another step forward. After many months of waiting, the EPA have agreed that triclosan needs to be reassessed. Triclosan is an ingredient in many ...2 days ago
- Piecing together the Arctic’s sea ice history back to 1850
This is a re-post from Carbon Brief by Florence Fetterer, principal investigator at the National Snow and Ice Data Centre (NSIDC) in the US. Sea ice cover in the Arctic has undergone a widely reported decline in recent decades. The decrease has been greatest ...2 days ago - The mother of all conspiracies has been debunked
There are many, many conspiracy theories: the moon landing was a lie, jet fuel can’t melt steel beams, Beyoncé was never actually pregnant. But the mother of all conspiracies has got to be chemtrails. Harmless condensation or CHEMTRAILS? ...2 days ago - A failed policyIn 2013, National rammed through the Housing Accords and Special Housing Areas Act 2013. The law established "special housing areas" in which gaining resource consent to build would be easier, in an effort to relieve Auckland's housing crisis. But it ...2 days ago
- Resurrecting the Official Secrets ActOn Monday the government introduced new spying legislation into Parliament. One of the "features" of the new law is that it would allow employees of intelligence agencies such as the SIS and GCSB to use false identity information and to ...2 days ago
- What it’s like to meet your birth mother for the first time on live TV
Alex Kuch, 21, was invited by a Romanian talk show to discuss his adoption from an orphanage at two years old. To his horror, they then surprised him on live television with his birth mother, who he had never met. ...2 days ago - 26,000 unemployed under NationalThe Labour Market Statistics were released today, showing that unemployment has dropped to 5.1%. Even so, there are still 131,000 unemployed - 26,000 more than when National took office. But while the unemployment rate is dropping, its not expected to ...2 days ago
- 26,000 unemployed under NationalThe Labour Market Statistics were released today, showing that unemployment has dropped to 5.1%. Even so, there are still 131,000 unemployed - 26,000 more than when National took office. But while the unemployment rate is dropping, its not expected to ...2 days ago
- A wheely suitcase in Europe #3: Cassis to Llanca
2 days ago - A wheely suitcase in Europe #4: Llanca to Zaragoza
2 days ago - Three myths the electricity industry want you to believe about solarMYTH 1: Solar is only for the richThe most common argument we hear against solar energy is that encouraging it will somehow widen the gap between rich and poor. The logic goes that because “only rich people can afford solar”, ...2 days ago
- Speaking-Up For Arboreal Exoticism.
2 days ago - The Government Is Trying To Classify Protests At Sea As Terrorism – Submit By Friday
There have been many famous seaborne protests in New Zealand’s history. Some of them – like the Moruroa ship visits – were even organised by the Government of the day. But the current National Government is trying to classify ship-borne protests ...2 days ago - Happy anniversary Murray!
It’s one year since the Auditor General began investigating Murray McCully’s decision to use taxpayer money to fund an agrihub in a palace in the Arabian desert. Rumour has it the delay releasing the report has been caused by McCully and ...2 days ago - Questions & Answers – 17 August 2016Press Release – Office of the Clerk 1. Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS (LeaderNZ First) to the Prime Minister : Does he stand by all his statements; if so, how?• ORAL QUESTIONS QUESTIONS TO MINISTERS Prime Minister—Statements 1. Rt Hon ...3 days ago
- Gordon Campbell on Havelock North’s water issues
First published on Werewolf Having belatedly advised the people of Havelock North about the pollution of their water supply, the local authorities seem to be prematurely claiming to see light at the end of the tunnel. Reportedly, health authorities are ...3 days ago - I really can’t believe I’m having to say this again …At the risk of appearing to be a slightly unhinged obsessive who is fixated upon the trivial, I cannot help but respond to Tutehounuku (Nuk) Korako's attempted defence in Parliament this afternoon of his frankly abysmal members bill, the Airport Authoritiread more ...3 days ago
- Legal Beagle: The law to make it easier for airports to sell your stuffNational MP Nuk Korako has the luck of the draw earlier this week, when his ‘lost luggage’ member’s bill was drawn from the biscuit tin of democracy that the Office of the Clerk keeps to conduct the member’s bill ballot.Bills, ...3 days ago
- Michael Phelps announces he has collected enough gold medals to activate the doomsday device
Michael Phelps discusses his retirement – and his decision to bring about the deaths of billions – with NBC’s Matt Lauer. Michael Phelps, competitive swimmer and the most decorated Olympian in history, has announced his retirement today after winning a ...3 days ago - Against anti-whistleblower lawsYesterday the government introduced new spying legislation into Parliament. The new law would enable the GCSB to engage in the mass-surveillance of New Zealanders while granting the SIS even more power to lie, cheat, and break into people's houses. But ...3 days ago
- Against anti-whistleblower lawsYesterday the government introduced new spying legislation into Parliament. The new law would enable the GCSB to engage in the mass-surveillance of New Zealanders while granting the SIS even more power to lie, cheat, and break into people's houses. But ...3 days ago
- The Dirty Dozen: Morgan Foundation’s Climate Cheats II – Who’s the Real Cheat Here?
3 days ago - The Dirty Dozen: Morgan Foundation’s Climate Cheats II – Who’s the Real Cheat Here?
3 days ago - What does mental illness mean to you?Wellington theatre group Women Aren’t Wolves last year interviewed more than 30 people about their experiences with mental illness. The result is WELL - a collection of monologues (performed by actors) that explores “what it means to be well, from ...3 days ago
- Open Government: What do people want?The SSC and Engage2 are currently conducting public consultation on New Zealand's second Open Government partnership national action plan. Proposed commitments are flowing into the co-creation site here, and some good ones are emerging (the current winner is signing up ...3 days ago
- Kiwi integrity at it’s finest
”What kind of message would it send to our youth if we decriminalised cannabis?” Image credit, thanks to Rob Treacher @RobTreacher ...3 days ago - Development update: August 2016
If you’re not one of the avid followers of the RCG Development Tracker – “Trackies”, as they like to be known* – you might have missed a few tweaks I made last month. The Tracker does a good job of ...3 days ago - Dangerous Company: Andrew Little Quarantines The Labour Right.
3 days ago - Dangerous Company: Andrew Little Quarantines The Labour Right.3 days ago
- Teachers’ low wages at the centre of shortages
Figures that show teachers’ wages have grown the slowest of all occupations is at the heart of the current teacher shortage, says Labour’s Education Spokesperson Chris Hipkins. In the latest Labour Cost Index, education professionals saw their wages grow ...6 hours ago - Government’s Tax Law undermines common law principlesA tax amendment being snuck in under the radar allows changes to tax issues to be driven through by the Government without Parliamentary scrutiny, says Labour’s Revenue spokesman Stuart Nash. “The amendment allows any part of the Tax Administration Act ...8 hours ago
- Government slippery about caption fundingThe Government has refused to apologise for taking the credit for funding Olympic Games captioning when the National Foundation for the Deaf was responsible, says Labour’s spokesperson on Disability Issues Poto Williams. “This shameful act of grandstanding by Ministers ...1 day ago
- Default KiwiSaver investments should be reviewedThe investments of the default KiwiSaver providers should be reviewed to make sure they are in line with New Zealanders’ values and expectations, says Labour’s Finance spokesperson Grant Robertson. “Most New Zealanders would be appalled that their KiwiSaver funds are ...1 day ago
- New ministry should look after all childrenThe Government has today shunned well founded pleas by experts not to call its new agency the Ministry for Vulnerable Children, Labour’s Spokesperson for Children Jacinda Ardern says. “Well respected organisations and individuals such as Children's Commissioner Judge Andrew Becroft ...1 day ago
- Ratification okay but we need actionToday’s decision to ratify the Paris agreement on Climate Change by the end of the year is all well and good but where is the plan, says Labour’s Climate Change spokesperson Megan Woods. “The Government’s failure to plan is planning ...2 days ago
- Stats changes can’t hide unemployment realityToday’s minor drop in unemployment numbers is nothing to celebrate given the changes made to the official numbers that cut thousands of people looking for work out of the jobless rate, says Labour’s Employment spokesperson Grant Robertson. “Making any comparisons ...2 days ago
- Stats changes can’t hide unemployment realityToday’s minor drop in unemployment numbers is nothing to celebrate given the changes made to the official numbers that cut thousands of people looking for work out of the jobless rate, says Labour’s Employment spokesperson Grant Robertson. “Making any comparisons ...2 days ago
- Auckland’s affordable homes plummet 72% under NationalComprehensive new data from CoreLogic has found the number of homes in Auckland valued at under $600,000 has plummeted by 72 per cent since National took office, Leader of the Opposition Andrew Little says. “This data tracks the changes in ...3 days ago
- Govt should face the facts not skew the factsNational appears to be actively massaging official unemployment statistics by changing the measure for joblessness to exclude those looking online, says Labour’s Employment spokesperson Grant Robertson. “The Household Labour Force Survey, released tomorrow, no longer regards people job hunting on ...3 days ago
- More voices call for review of immigration policyThe Auckland Chamber of Commerce is the latest credible voice to call for a review of immigration and skills policy, leaving John Key increasingly isolated, says Opposition Leader Andrew Little. “The Prime Minister is rapidly becoming a man alone. He ...3 days ago
- Better balance needed in Intelligence BillLabour will support the NZ Intelligence and Security Bill to select committee so the issues can be debated nationwide and important amendments can be made, says Opposition Leader Andrew Little. ...4 days ago
- Serco circus has no place in NZA High Court judgment proves National’s private prison agenda has failed and the Serco circus has no place in New Zealand correctional facilities, Labour’s Corrections spokesperson Kelvin Davis says. ...1 week ago
- State house sell-off a kick in the guts for Tauranga’s homelessThe Government’s sale of 1124 state houses in Tauranga won’t house a single extra homeless person in the city, says Labour’s Housing spokesperson Phil Twyford. “Tauranga, like the rest of New Zealand, has a crisis of housing affordability and homelessness. ...1 week ago
- Axing Auckland’s affordable quota disappointingAuckland Council has given away a useful tool for delivering more affordable housing by voting to accept the Independent Hearing Panel’s recommendation to abolish affordable quotas for new developments, says Labour’s Housing spokesperson Phil Twyford. ...1 week ago
- Ae Marika! Māori Party Oath Bill failsThe Māori Party must reconsider its relationship with National after they failed to support Marama Fox’s Treaty of Waitangi Oath bill, Labour’s Maori Development Spokesperson Kelvin Davis says. ...1 week ago
- Police Minister all platitudes no detailThe Police Minister must explain where the budget for new police officers is coming from after continuously obfuscating, Labour’s Police spokesperson Stuart Nash says. ...1 week ago
- Lost luggage law shows National’s lost the plotThe Government has proven it can’t address the big issues facing the tourism industry by allowing a Members Bill on lost luggage to be a priority, Labour’s Tourism spokesman Kris Faafoi said. “Nuk Korako’s Bill drawn from the Members’ Ballot ...1 week ago
- Hiding behind the law – but can’t say which lawNational is refusing to come clean on what caused the potential trade dispute with China by hiding behind laws and trade rules they can’t even name, says Labour’s Trade and Export Growth spokesperson David Clark. “National admitted today that an ...1 week ago
- Work visas issued for jobs workless Kiwis wantThousands of work visas for low-skilled jobs were issued by the Government in the past year despite tens of thousands of unemployed Kiwis looking for work in those exact occupations, Labour’s Immigration spokesperson Iain Lees-Galloway says. “A comparison of the ...1 week ago
- Kiwis nationwide now paying for housing crisisThe Government’s failure to tackle the housing crisis is now affecting the entire country with nationwide house price inflation in the past year hitting 26 per cent, Labour’s Housing spokesperson Phil Twyford says. “None of National’s tinkering or half-baked, piecemeal ...1 week ago
- OCR cut piles pressure on GovernmentToday’s OCR cut must be backed by Government action on housing and economic growth, says Labour’s Finance spokesperson Grant Robertson. “Reserve Bank Governor Graeme Wheeler’s monetary policy statement underlines the limits of Bill English’s economic management. He says growth is ...1 week ago
- Government must explain the McClay delayTodd McClay must explain why it took two months for him to properly inform the Prime Minister about China’s potential trade retaliation, says Labour’s Trade and Export Growth spokesperson David Clark. “This may be one of the most serious trade ...1 week ago
- OCR cut would be vote of no confidence in economyIf Reserve Bank Governor Graeme Wheeler cuts the OCR tomorrow it would show that, despite his loudly-voiced concerns about fuelling the housing market, the stuttering economy is now a bigger concern, says Labour’s Finance spokesperson Grant Robertson. “Bill English and ...1 week ago
- Leading medical experts back Healthy Homes BillLeading medical experts have today thrown their weight behind my Healthy Homes Guarantee Bill, saying it will improve the health of Kiwi kids, Leader of the Opposition Andrew Little says. “The Bill sets minimum standards for heating, insulation and ventilation ...1 week ago
- Minister, it’s time to listen to the Auditor GeneralMinister of Health Jonathan Coleman needs to listen to the independent advice of the Auditor General and review the capital charge system imposed on District Health Boards, says Labour’ Health Spokesperson Annette King. “The capital charge on DHBs has been ...1 week ago
- Peas explain, MinisterThe Minister of Primary Industries needs to explain how the failure of its biosecurity systems led to the Pea Weevil incursion in the Wairarapa, Labour’s Primary Industries spokesperson Damien O’Connor says “The decision to ban the growing of peas in ...1 week ago
- PM’s police numbers wrongThe Prime Minister has said that police numbers will increase in-line with population growth, however, the Police’s own four year strategy clearly states there are no plans to increase police numbers for the next four years, Labour’s Police spokesperson Stuart ...1 week ago
- Ministerial double speak on GP FeesThe Associate Health Minister Sam Lotu-Iiga was simply making it up when he claimed today that General Practitioners had been given money in the Budget to lower fees, says Labour’s Health spokesperson Annette King. “In a reply to a ...1 week ago
- Government must close loophole in LVR rulesThe Government must urgently close a loophole in loan to value ratio mortgage restrictions which are stopping homeowners from buying new houses before they sell their old one, Labour’s Housing spokesperson Phil Twyford says. “The Reserve Bank was forced to ...1 week ago
- Bulk funding means bigger classesNational’s plan to bulk fund schools can only result in bigger class sizes and a reduced range of subject choices, Labour’s Education spokesperson Chris Hipkins says. ...1 week ago
- Time for John Key to sack his Housing MinisterIt is time for the Prime Minister to take serious and meaningful steps to address the housing crisis – and start by sacking Nick Smith as Housing Minister, Leader of the Opposition Andrew Little says. “Clearly whatever it is National ...1 week ago
- Coleman puts skids under cheaper GP visitsHundreds of thousands of New Zealanders with high health needs are missing out on cheaper GP fees as the cost of going to the doctor hits $70, Labour’s Health spokesperson Annette King says. “The number of practices subsidised to ...2 weeks ago
- Police indifference over dine-and-dash appallingThe fact that the police couldn’t be bothered investigating a dine–and-dash in Auckland is appalling and shows an indifference that is unacceptable, says Labour’s Police spokesperson Stuart Nash. “The way it stands these men have got away scot free ...2 weeks ago
- Covenant promises new deal for our childrenA covenant drawn up by Judge Carolyn Henwood promises an important new deal for New Zealand’s children, says Labour’s spokesperson for Children Jacinda Ardern. “It’s important that this covenant is a pledge to all children in this country. ...2 weeks ago
- Flagship fund more housing policy on the flyThe Government’s flagship $1 billion Housing Infrastructure Fund was so rushed it wasn’t considered until after the Budget and announced just a month later, Leader of the Opposition Andrew Little says. “Documents obtained by Labour through Written Parliamentary Questions show ...2 weeks ago
- EDS welcomes Productivity Commission’s analysis
Media Release: EDS welcomes the Productivity Commission's thoughtful analysis of the thorny issue of urban planning ...31 mins ago - Same Circumstances, Same Support: Asylum Seeker equalityChangeMakers Refugee Forum in collaboration with Wellington Community Justice Project – Human Rights Team launch a campaign calling for equal support for convention refugees in Aotearoa New Zealand ...34 mins ago
- What it looks like when you write-off a youth’s potentialWith the Government's decision on whether or not to raise the age of youth justice expected by the end of August, one organisation that works with the young people who will be affected is speaking out about what this means ...2 hours ago
- Planning report supports LGNZ’s thinkingThe Productivity Commission’s new report on urban planning contains many good suggestions for improving the ways New Zealand cities are planned, Local Government New Zealand says. Better urban planning, released today, is a review of New Zealand’s ...3 hours ago
- Former All Blacks call to vote against Easter trading reformFormer All Blacks Savae Michael Jones and Aiolupotea Tonu’u are calling on the country’s Pacific MPs to listen to their communities and vote against the Government’s Easter trading reforms after the Bill reached committee stage in Parliament Wednesday ...5 hours ago
- Govt Ignores Science in Rush to Ratify Paris Climate AccordGovt Ignores Science in Rush to Ratify Paris Climate Accord New Zealand's rush to sign the Paris Climate Change Accord ignores science and will damage the economy, according to the chairman of the New Zealand Climate Science Coalition, Hon Barry ...5 hours ago
- Steel mesh testing to be strengthenedConsultation on proposed changes to the Building Code to strengthen steel reinforcing mesh testing requirements has opened today, Building and Housing Minister Dr Nick Smith says. “The Government is tightening the requirements for verifying that steel ...5 hours ago
- Action needed to save critically endangered NZ sea lionsA proposed threat management plan aimed at saving our critically endangered New Zealand sea lions fails to tackle the harm to the main breeding population caused by commercial squid fishing, Forest & Bird said today. ...6 hours ago
- Applications open for VUWSA’s executive electionsVUWSA is calling for aspiring leaders and those passionate about student life at Victoria to run in the upcoming executive elections. ...6 hours ago
- Is it okay for children to suffer in poverty?“I find many people are shocked by the poverty of others, but still blame the poor themselves!” says Rebecca Occleston of Beneficiary Advisory Service, Christchurch. “Why don’t they feed their children better? Why should we have to? (and other ...6 hours ago
- Paedophiles must be housed behind the wire – McVicar“The only question the Government must answer is are they prepared to put kids first or paedophiles first.” McVicar ...6 hours ago
- Employment Court vindicates NZEIThe Employment Court has upheld the Employment Relations Authority’s ruling that the Ministry of Education was incorrect in its decision to cut the fortnightly pay of around 6000 school support staff this year. ...7 hours ago
- Kiwis, Australians Mark 50th Anniversary Of Vietnam WarKiwis, Australians Mark 50th Anniversary Of Vietnam War A New Zealand Vietnam veterans delegation has joined forces with some of their former Australian colleagues in Canberra to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War. The veterans attended an ...7 hours ago
- Human Rights Commission welcomes Canterbury Rugby’s positionThe Human Rights Commission has welcomed Canterbury’s Rugby’s call for people to continue to report incidents of racial abuse. “It’s not easy to be the one to stand up to racial abuse but we make it easier for them when ...7 hours ago
- LGC welcomes appointment of Geoff DangerfieldThe Local Government Commission has welcomed the appointment of Geoff Dangerfield as a temporary member of the Commission by Minister of Local Government Hon Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga. ...8 hours ago
- Productivity Commission Urban Planning ReportMedia Statement re Productivity Commission Better Urban Planning Report: Embargoed 5:00am August 19 2016 ...8 hours ago
- Urban planning: What’s broken and how to fix itThe Productivity Commission is seeking feedback on its proposal for a future urban planning system in New Zealand. ...8 hours ago
- Unemployment count changes to meet international standardsChanges to how the unemployed are counted when they look for work online were made to meet international standards, Statistics NZ said today. This week there has been some misunderstanding of the changes, which were first announced on 29 June ...1 day ago
- Law allows information sharing about vulnerable children nowPrivacy Commissioner John Edwards says he supports the Government’s message that any information about a current or future danger to a child needs to be shared between the appropriate agencies. ...1 day ago
- Hunter Education continues to be the focus for The BlokeHunter Education continues to be the focus for The Bloke. Auckland, New Zealand - Monday, 15th August 2016 It's easy to talk about it, even easier to complain there isn't enough of it, but one group is working to provide ...1 day ago
- Parole Board Decisions Leave Corrections in No Win Situation“Any violent offender or sexual offender who is considered high risk, whether or not subject to a Public Protection Order or Extended Supervision Order, has no place in our community. If the Parole Board decide that they should be released ...1 day ago
- Committee Urged To Scrap TPPAThe Government should scrap the TPPA legislation and withdraw from the agreement, Democrats for Social Credit Deputy Leader and Finance Spokesperson, Chris Leitch told the select committee hearing submissions on the TPPA Amendment bill. ...1 day ago
- The Howard League Prison Performance TableThe Howard League Wellington has released its inaugural prison performance table. The results are compiled from questionnaires sent to our members in prison, the users of the prison service. ...1 day ago
- Dreams of a Guilt Free Retirement Go Up In Smoke18 August 2016 Hāpai Te Hauora are stunned by the latest news that community members have been unwittingly investing their KiwiSaver into companies that deal in death and destruction. “We run the National Tobacco Control Advocacy service and our ...1 day ago
- Law Commission begins review of 1995 ActThe Minister of Justice has requested that the Law Commission conduct a comprehensive review of the Criminal Investigations (Bodily Samples) Act 1995 (the Act) and report back with recommendations. ...1 day ago
- Closure of Manus Island detention only first stepAustralia/PNG: Closure of Manus Island detention only first step to ending offshore nightmare for refugees ...1 day ago
- Challenges for new Ministry for Vulnerable ChildrenSocial Service Providers Aotearoa welcomes the certainty provided by the Minister’s announcement today of the role of the new Ministry for Vulnerable Children and the timeline to establish it. ...1 day ago
- New Ministry focuses on problems, not potentialThe government’s choice of name for the new Ministry of Vulnerable Children is short-sighted and may further disadvantage the families it aims to help, the Public Service Association says. ...1 day ago
- Ministry for Vulnerable Children Chief Executive appointedState Services Commissioner Peter Hughes has today announced the appointment of Gráinne Moss as establishment Chief Executive of the new Ministry for Vulnerable Children, Oranga Tamariki. ...1 day ago
- NZ needs Zero Carbon Act to honour Paris AgreementYouth organisation Generation Zero has welcomed today’s announcement by the Government to ratify the Paris Agreement by the end of the year, but reiterated that New Zealand needs a Zero Carbon Act to live up to the agreement. ...2 days ago
- Law Commission Begins Review of Declaratory JudgmentsThe Minister of Justice has requested that the Law Commission commence a review of declaratory judgments. ...2 days ago
- Ratification Can’t Replace Real Action on Climate ChangeThree-Fifty Aotearoa is sceptical that New Zealand’s ratification of the Paris Agreement by the end of the year will create any positive change for the climate. ...2 days ago
- EPA Report ignores Harmful Effects From Herbicide IngredientThe Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released its re-analysis of the risks from glyphosate — a main ingredient in the commonly used herbicide Roundup. [1] ...2 days ago
- 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War eventsThe 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War will be marked with two services in Wellington on 18 August. A wreathlaying ceremony attended by His Excellency The Governor-General Lieutenant General Sir Jerry Mateparae, Prime Minister Rt Hon John Key and the ...2 days ago
- “Cclimate denialist” policies will undermine Paris AgreementWednesday 17 August - New Zealand’s ratification of the Paris Agreement won’t be worth the paper it’s written on unless the Government abandons its “climate denialist” policies, says Greenpeace. ...2 days ago
- Spies Given More Powers In Spite Of Their FailuresThe Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB) and the Security Intelligence Service (SIS) are being handed more powers by the Government, and given legal backing for spying on New Zealanders, in spite of yet another example of their wrongdoings ...2 days ago
- Setting the Record Straight…Last week, Ministers’ Amy Adams (Broadcasting) and Nicky Wagner (Disability Issues) put out a joint press release about how Parliament captioning increases accessibility, which is true. ...2 days ago
- Community calls on Government for a Hindi Language WeekAdding to the diversity in New Zealand and recognition for one of the most spoken languages in the country, the Indian Community has urged the Government to declare one week in a year as “Hindi Language Week” in New Zealand. ...2 days ago
- Oxfam Welcomes Pollution-Busting AgreementResponding to news today that the Government plans to ratify the celebrated Paris Agreement on climate change by the end of the year, Rachael Le Mesurier, executive director of Oxfam New Zealand said: ...2 days ago
- Walter Nash Labour Party Centennial SpeechOne of the quotations from Sir Walter that I most admire is: ‘I don’t want to get rid of poverty just to ensure that prosperity is maintained. I want to get rid of poverty because it is bad , it ...2 days ago
- Actors Team up to Fight Human TraffickingSome of New Zealand’s best known television characters are joining forces to stand up against human trafficking. ...2 days ago
- Save the Children urges Government to help children on NauruSave the Children is calling on the New Zealand government to redouble its efforts to offer refuge to children and families living in detention centres in Nauru, following fresh evidence of abuse. ...3 days ago
- Taiwanese man jailed for ‘P’-lined suitcasesTaiwanese man jailed for ‘P’-lined suitcases A 21-year-old Taiwanese drug courier has been sentenced to 11 years 6 months’ imprisonment for his role in attempting to smuggle methamphetamine or ‘P’ with a street value of approximately $9.5 million ...3 days ago
- Genesis Energy’s link to organised crime “highly disturbing”Tuesday, August 16: Genesis Energy has been named as one of a dozen New Zealand companies that bought large numbers of fraudulent carbon credits from Russia and the Ukraine, it has been revealed. ...3 days ago
- Whānau Tahi strengthens with SimplHealth acquisitionWhānau Tahi Limited, the Waipareira Trust subsidiary with growing interests in IT, health and well-being, today announced the acquisition of SimplHealth, the well-known health IT specialist behind the technology powering New Zealand’s ePrescription ...3 days ago
- Wellington mayoral candidates support the Living WageThree Wellington mayoral hopefuls say they will ensure Wellington City Council fully adopts the Living Wage at the first candidates’ forum of this election campaign. ...3 days ago
- Climate Cheats II: The Dozen Dirty BusinessesOur first report Climate Cheats showed that NZ was the biggest user of fraudulent carbon credits from Ukraine and Russia ...3 days ago
- Arbitraged carbon credits are not money in the bankLargely as a result of three years of arbitrage between foreign and domestic units as New Zealand de-linked its Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) from international carbon markets, the New Zealand government was liable for 140 million banked carbon credits ...3 days ago
- Price effect of breaking from Kyoto – Expert reactionA new report says the Government would have got better bang for its buck if it had de-linked the emissions trading scheme promptly after announcing it would not sign up to the second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol. ...3 days ago
- Young Women Challenge Government on Equal PayOver a working lifetime, the average woman will earn around half a million dollars less than the average man – and veteran campaigners will meet high school student leaders today to discuss the equal pay campaign. ...3 days ago
- Street Nutters Will Always Be With Us
CAPTION: Verity Johnson is talented, I quite like Verity Johnson as a writer and as a social media “guru” on… The post Street Nutters Will Always Be With Us appeared first on ZagZigger. ...1 hour ago - Help on the way for Havelock North businesses
Businesses in Havelock North affected by the town's campylobacter outbreak are to be given financial help from the council, with central government also considering tax relief. ...3 hours ago - ‘Society doesn’t let women live past 40’ – An interview with Debbie Stoller of BUST magazine
Alex Casey talks to Debbie Stoller, editor-in-chief of feminist magazine BUST, on the power of nail polish, reclaiming knitting and what pop culture can tell us about society. I remember the first time that I saw a copy of BUST ...3 hours ago - Security or privacy- what matters most?Power Play - While new powers to spy on New Zealanders have received attention, the new intelligence legislation addresses an issue that has flown under the radar for years. ...5 hours ago
- ‘It makes me a better feminist’: in defence of crafts
While sewing and knitting might have once symbolised a second-class life for women, crafts are now a vehicle for empowerment, argues Louise Hutt. This post first appeared on Louise Hutt’s blog Say Cheese Louise. Being into crafts generally gets me ...5 hours ago - The weekly Unity Books best-seller list – August 19
THE BEST–SELLER CHART AT UNITY BOOKS FOR THE WEEK JUST ENDED: AUGUST 19 WELLINGTON STORE 1 Can You Tolerate This? (Victoria University Press, $30) by Ashleigh Young Essays of genius and insight by the finest writer of prose in New ...6 hours ago - The doctor won’t see you now: on NZ’s shameful mental health wait times
In the midst of a suicide crisis, why are people waiting so long for mental healthcare? Jack Close attempts to find out. Two months ago I stood up to walk to the bathroom and felt nagging pain in my right ...7 hours ago - The Friday poem: ‘Time’, by Jenny BornholdtNew verse by Wellington writer Jenny Bornholdt Time We woke to spring nuzzling at the window. Winter’s passed, like last night’s hail in the gin. Frozen puddle in the freezer a reminder; like our son’s placenta, still there after ...7 hours ago
- Hides landowners sign MOU with PNG government to end blockade
Article by AsiaPacificReport.nz By Peter S. Kinjap in Port Moresby Papua New Guinea’s Hides gas landowners from PDL 1 and 7 have signed a memorandum of understanding with the Papua New Guinea government team, paving the way for a return ...8 hours ago - The real war for Auckland: billboard supremacy
Which of the mayoral candidates have the most effective hoardings, and what hidden meanings do they reveal? The Spinoff’s chief billboard semiotics correspondent, Toby Manhire, reports. It’s just like Christmas but without anything remotely joyful. All across the country, the ...8 hours ago - Gavin Ellis on the slow deterioration of New Zealand’s freedom of speech
This excerpt from former editor-in-chief of New Zealand Herald Gavin Ellis’s new BWB Text, Complacent Nation, has been modified for exclusive republication with The Spinoff. In November 2015 an acknowledged academic authority on gang culture revealed – with the backing of ...8 hours ago - Privileges complaint laid against Nick SmithLabour has laid a privileges complaint against Minister Nick Smith, claiming he misled Parliament about whether he knew about an official report. ...9 hours ago
- Govt rejects call for water emergency declarationThe government is rejecting demands to declare a drinking water emergency after thousands of people contracted gastric illness in Havelock North. ...9 hours ago
- Nigel Latta opens a critical national conversation in The Hard Stuff
Duncan Greive watches The Hard Stuff with Nigel Latta, TVNZ’s new series that boldly explores some of the most complex issues facing New Zealanders today. Content warning: this article contains discussion of mental health and suicide Nigel Latta is ...9 hours ago - Hello Caller: My friends want me to join their threesome. How do I tell them I’m not interested?This week, psychotherapist Ms X advises a single woman who finds herself suddenly “sexual catnip” to her coupled friends. Dear Ms X, I’m a happily single woman in my early 30s. I have no boyfriend or girlfriend, no kids, no ...11 hours ago
- ‘A broken plate can’t be unbroken’: An abuse survivor visits Pātaka’s domestic violence exh...
‘Joining the Pieces’ at Poirirua’s Pātaka Museum is a celebration of resilience, told through artworks created by the women and children survivors of domestic violence. For Matthew Codd, the show inspired memories of his own abuse, and reflections on how ...13 hours ago - TPP clause ‘not making copyright easy to understand’The music industry wants to dump the new copyright provisions in the TPP, saying New Zealand is the only country to sign up to such cumbersome and costly rules. ...22 hours ago
- The Real Podcast of Housewives – Episode 1A new weekly podcast about what looks to be a tentpole reality TV series, The Real Housewives of Auckland. Your old idiot mates are back to talk about what is already indisputably the greatest reality show in New Zealand’s history. The ...1 day ago
- PM dismisses KiwiSaver weapon investment concernsThe government is dismissing concerns about KiwiSaver members unknowingly investing in companies making bombs and mines. ...1 day ago
- The music of No Man’s Sky: talking politics while making loads of noise
Comprised of over 18 quintillion (yes, that’s a number) planets, No Man’s Sky is a seemingly infinite game. Sarah Illingsworth spoke to Paul Wolinski from 65daysofstatic, the Sheffield band behind its soundtrack – also the band’s new album – to find ...1 day ago - Terrible news: We found out what the K in K Bar stands for and it’s not good
CONTENT WARNING: The following post contains information that may ruin your life. Are you standing? I’m going to need you to sit down. Set aside any hot liquids. Swallow any large morsels of food. Make sure there are no sharp ...1 day ago - Tony Alexander’s New Zealand Economic Overview 18 August 2016
1 day ago - Podcast: Business Is Boring #16 – Sarah Hopkinson on how to sell art
‘Business is Boring’ is a weekly podcast series presented by The Spinoff in association with Callaghan Innovation. Host Simon Pound speaks with innovators and commentators focused on the future of New Zealand, with the interview available as both audio and ...1 day ago - Govt confirms new Ministry for Vulnerable ChildrenA new Ministry for Vulnerable Children will be set up from April next year, the government has confirmed. ...1 day ago
- Book of the Week: Was 1971 the greatest year in the history of New Zealand music?
Steve Braunias leads a special Spinoff investigation into fresh claims that 1971 was the greatest year in music ever. David Hepworth makes the fairly audacious but sustained and kind of also really persuasive argument in his new book 1971: Never ...1 day ago - Confirm a ‘timeframe’ for Manus Island detention centre closure, demand NGOArticle by AsiaPacificReport.nz Young children are among the hundreds that are kept on the islands detention centre where there are reported instances of physical and sexual abuse. Video: Al Jazeera Australia and Papua New Guinea have confirmed the Manus Island detention centre will ...1 day ago
- Throwback Thursday: A brief history of awkward Shortland Street cast photos
With an exciting new cast photo coming out of Ferndale this week, Tara Ward digs through some of the finest offerings from Shortland Street‘s archives. Forget the Olympics, ignore the housing crisis, pay no heed to Justin Bieber deleting his Instagram. ...1 day ago - Fiji flag to remain unchanged for foreseeable future, says PMArticle by AsiaPacificReport.nz The Fiji government has announced that it will retain its current flag, after more than year of debating that its colonial symbols were no longer relevant to the country. Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama said the decision is influenced ...1 day ago
- Across the Ditch: NZ Govt Set To Increase Spy Powers + Olympics Roundup and Happy KiwisAcross the Ditch: Australian radio FiveAA.com.au’s Peter Godfrey and EveningReport.nz’s Selwyn Manning deliver their weekly bulletin Across the Ditch – This week: NZ Government introduces to Parliament intelligence law reform that will make it legal for the spy agencies to ...1 day ago
- Labour’s loan write-off: a solution in search of a problem
There is good reason for reforming the student loan system, but the proposal to wipe debt for those who work in the regions doesn’t hold water, argues Eric Crampton. It’s hard to think of any problem solved by Labour’s proposed ...1 day ago - ‘I was the first blood relative my mother ever laid eyes on’
Our appalling adoption laws meant 100,000 New Zealanders were forcibly removed from their mothers. Now another law means their descendants have no way of tracking their parents down, writes Bonnie Sumner. When my mother gave birth to me and held me in her arms, ...1 day ago - Murray Horton: Spies given more powers in spite of their failuresArticle by AsiaPacificReport.nz OPINION: By Murray Horton The Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB) and the Security Intelligence Service (SIS) are being handed more powers by the New Zealand government, and given legal backing for spying on New Zealanders — in ...2 days ago
- ‘High time’ for female head of UN – Ban Ki-MoonThe Secretary-General of the United Nations says it is "high time" for a female head, after more than 70 years of the UN and eight male leaders. ...2 days ago
- NZ to ratify Paris Agreement by end of yearNew Zealand will ratify the Paris Agreement on climate change by the end of the year, the government says. ...2 days ago
- PNG govt delegation satisfied with Hides landowner discussionsArticle by AsiaPacificReport.nz By Peter S. Kinjap in Port Moresby Papua New Guinea government representatives have met with landowner leaders of PLD1 and PLD7 in the Hides province this week where discussions between the two groups were said to be satisfying. ...2 days ago
- Jailed Vanuatu MPs could face extended sentences after new conspiracy findingsArticle by AsiaPacificReport.nz Eleven former Vanuatu MPs and one lawyer have been found guilty of new conspiracy revelations in a bribery case which sentenced them to prison in 2015. The accused MPs, have already served 10 months of their three to ...2 days ago
- Students’ lawyer served with contempt charges over UPNG campus unrestArticle by AsiaPacificReport.nz By Peter Kinjap in Port Moresby The University of Papua New Guinea has served a contempt charge against the Students Representative Council lawyer Laken Lepatu Aigilo over the recent two months of protests demanding the resignation of ...2 days ago
- Would Jack Donaghy and Donald Trump be best friends? A Spinoff Investigation
Pete Douglas looks at two of the great capitalists of our times, Donald Trump and 30 Rock‘s Jack Donaghy, and wonders if they really would get along like a house on fire IRL. One of the best plot ...2 days ago - Do you want to talk about it?: An appointment with traumatised charactersSaradha Koirala reviews two teen novels which both deal with girls who have “survived something horrific at the hands of a male classmate”. I will talk literature with anyone who’ll listen. Most recently the ones listening have been clinical psychologists. ...2 days ago
- The Kuggelijn case and the simple concepts we still don’t understand about consent
The Scott Kuggeleijn case is but the latest example in a long history of damaging misconceptions about consent in this country. Lawyer Madeleine Holden says we need to improve that conversation, and fast. Content warning: This essay concerns the topic of sexual assault ...2 days ago - Statistician denies political interference over job seeker figuresThe Government Statistician has been forced to defend her independence after claims there was political interfenece with the labour figures. ...2 days ago
- Visa holders cheating refugee policy – PetersNearly 1600 people have claimed asylum in New Zealand after arriving on work and student visas, the NZ First leader says. ...2 days ago
- My plea to the government: Don’t let politics prevent dignity for the dying
Senior ministers just want the assisted dying issue to go away. But for people like Rachel Rypma, legislation could not be more important, writes David Seymour. David Seymour will be talking assisted dying as part of the next Spinoff-Ika Table ...2 days ago - Spy committee a cosy club – GreensThe Intelligence and Security Committee is being likened to a cosy club between National and Labour, with calls for broader political representation. ...3 days ago
- MP defends lost luggage bill in ParliamentBackbench National MP Nuk Korako has defended his lost luggage bill in Parliament after a barrage of questions from Labour MPs. ...3 days ago
- Defence Force’s $1.5b building upgrade approvedThe Defence Force has received government approval for a $1.5 billion upgrade of its buildings and facilities. ...3 days ago
- Defence Force’s $1.5bn building upgrade approvedThe Defence Force has received government approval for a $1.5 billion upgrade of its buildings and facilities. ...3 days ago
- Emergency housing fund for abusive family membersShort-term emergency housing for abusive family members, designed to get them away from their victims, will be funded by the government. ...3 days ago
- ‘Strap them on and get a bit braver’ – Penny Hulse’s advice to would-be Mayor Phil Goff
Deputy mayor and Unitary Plan hero Penny Hulse has told the Spinoff she is ‘vaguely uninspired’ by the candidates for the Auckland mayoralty, saying she’s waiting to hear some ‘genuine vision’. It is an irrefutable fact that the most exciting ...3 days ago - Govt could face legal fight over Tauranga state housesA social housing advocacy group intends to seek a judicial review of the government's plan to sell more than 1000 state houses in Tauranga. ...3 days ago
Recent Comments