Is the Ardern style of politics what this world needs right now? In a recent interview with BBC star journalist Christian Amanpour, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern was framed as a progressive, intelligent, capable leader with no hint of the febrile populist nationalism that has beset…
I am not breaking any secrets by saying that Auckland's environment is going backwards at an alarming rate, and that we are facing a crisis. The subject was discussed at a recent Waitakere Ranges Local Board meeting. From the Wester Leader report on the meeting:…
While I wouldn't go so far as suggesting gunboat diplomacy as a first resort, we have to do something about the situation on Manus Island. Australia has illegally kept these refugees in Papua New Guinea to avoid processing them, the local government is trying to…
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 …
I met with one of the women who initially put out a call for a Picnic on Poverty at the Dunedin Public Gardens. I asked her about some of the ideas behind POP! (Yes, apparently there's an exclamation mark!) She said the idea wasn't so…
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 …
One of the silliest pieces of legislation passed by the last Government was the three strikes law. It started off as a private member's bill by ACT MP David Garrett who subsequently resigned in disgrace after it was discovered that he had previously stolen the…
This has been Labour policy for a while, and now that Labour is in power they are getting on with the job of preventing foreigners from buying residential property. From Radio New Zealand: The new government says the plan to ban foreigners from being able…
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 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 indictments are flying around and you get the impression that this is just the start. Former Trump campaign head Paul Manafort and his business partner Rick Gates have handed themselves into the FBI, appeared in Court and pleaded not guilty to charges including conspiracy against…
They’ve made it into government, and now they need to urgently get to work on climate! Next week the United Nations climate talks begin in Bonn, Germany. For the first time, a Pacific Island nation is the President of the talks: Fiji. The Pacific Island…
Idiot/Savant at No Right Turn writes: _____________________________________________________________________ The police have "re-investigated" former National MP's alleged unlawful recording of his staff members, and confirmed their decision not to lay charges. So far, so unsurprising. But this bit is surprising: While we recognise the strong interest in…
This Guest Post is by John Hodgson, a long time angler, and active member of the NZ Salmon Anglers Association. ___________________________________________________________ The following is a simple demonstration to help people understand “Natures processes” for water renewal of the Canterbury Plains. Put water in the sink to…
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 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 …
Back in January 2016, the NZ Labour Party had this to say about its position on the TPP- In Government, we’ll go back to the TPPA partners and renegotiate the deal to make sure New Zealand’s sovereignty is protected. As I argued at the time,…
The changes being made to Government policy are being rolled out. One that will have teachers dancing in the streets is the abolition of National Standards. From Simon Collins at the Herald: Primary school league tables will be axed, and high-school exams are in for…
The recent Edgecumbe floods sent raw sewage floating through the streets, with some 500 houses still unliveable six months later. With an asset value of over $20 billion, New Zealand's stormwater and wastewater systems were often not designed for the challenges climate change will bring,…
With the ongoing revelations, stories and court cases showing the terrible state of welfare services in NZ, Barrister and journalist Catriona MacLennan has written a list of what needs to change. Her previous post Loans to feed kids are income and disqualify benefit, says MSD is essential reading. Cross-posted…
The next day or so could be the harbinger of major news in the US of A. It is claimed that the first charges will be laid by special prosecutor Robert Mueller in the near future. A Grand Jury has already approved the charges. The…
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 …
It has been announced that the Labour-New Zealand First-Green government is going to, as a matter of urgency, repeal the Hobbit law, urgent legislation enacted by National in 2010 in a clumsy attempt to stop workers on film sites from acting collectively. I hope they…
There's been a fair amount of talk about why James Shaw took the Statistics portfolio in negotiations with the government. While some people don't understand, I actually think it's an excellent fit, and will explain why, without resorting to parroting anyone's dad jokes about numbers…
I keep hearing people slamming the Greens for their allegedly evil stance on 1080, so why don't we look at what their actual policy says. This was updated in June 2017, so is very recent. I suggest for people who are really interested to read…
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 …
I wholeheartedly support the right of the people living in Catalonia to determine their own modes of governance. That shouldn't come as any surprise to anyone who's been a reader of the standard for any length of time. Neither should it come as any surprise…
I am a New Zealander living in Norway lecturing at NTNU, Norway’s largest University. For the last few months I have been thinking about the challenges of providing free post-secondary education. Norway offers free education for all students including international students. Norway’s pays for this…
Professor Jane Kelsey was interviewed about the TPPA on bFM last week, giving an update on where NZ is at with the agreement. Kelsey said that when Trump withdrew the US [Jan 2017] the remaining 11 countries, including NZ, then started to look at how…
For those that missed the detail last week, here are the new government positions for the Green Party. From the Greens' website: ________________________________________________________________________________________ Green Party ministerial and undersecretary portfolios James Shaw MP on Wednesday, October 25, 2017 - 12:59 The Green Party is today…