Aftershocks will continue for months, and there is still a high probability of another big one. Road and rail transport in the upper South Island is massively disrupted for months - at least. And a storm is battering the worst affected regions. It's times like…
In case you missed this last week amongst the US presidential election aftermath, via Stuff: Investigative journalist Nicky Hager has been awarded interim legal costs towards $475,082 spent suing police. The author of Dirty Politics won the first part of his case against police for the way a warrant was obtained…
One of the Pike River family members who were blockading the road to the mine was on the front page of the NZ Herald yesterday. It's calm here at the gates. Through the day we sit and talk with the media, with people on facebook…
Democracy allows dumb people to vote, so dumb things happen. They stay dumb even though average education and qualification rates climb. Left or right, or whatever side you're on, the results can look like dummies did it. Can we remedy that fault in democracy with…
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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 …
On Saturday the NZ Herald website published a piece by Asra Q. Nomani who is a former Wall Street Journal reporter, veteran journalist and a co-founder of the pro-peace Muslim Reform Movement. Note, Nomani is not reluctant in her support of Trump, despite openly disagreeing…
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[As of 7:50am standing down from "live" updates - plenty of coverage in the media now (RNZ was brilliant right from the start), over and out] Felt all over the country. Hope everyone is OK - especially Christchurch. Now turning in to a system of…
When I read the post I've reproduced below, I was reminded of the Johnathan Pie clip that (just now) has had nearly 60 million views on facebook and the following quote from the leader of Plaid Cymru Leanne Wood There is now a clear trend in…
A bit of agitation and fear has accompanied the assumption that Donald trump will pull the US out of the Paris agreement. Can we all be clear about something? The Paris agreement only spans 10 years and if all commitments are made good in full,…
In light of current events, it pays to re-read this excerpt from Rebecca Macfie's book on the Pike River disaster, originally published in the Christchurch Press. Every day through the long hours of testimony, the same worn faces would be seen in the public gallery,…
According to this article that appeared in the Herald this week Labour may as well give up now and not even bother contesting the 2017 election. National has won and John Key will be Prime Minister again so we have to suck it up and bear it. The…
It strikes me that this is a very interesting time to be a Republican. It's clear that Trump wants to be a figurehead, holding big rallies for kicks (mmmm), but uninterested in the hard yards: Donald Trump Prepares for White House Move, but His Tower…
The following is a Guest Post from Robert Guyton and is part of a series appearing over 12 Sundays. Other parts can be seen here. Robert is a sustainability pioneer who along with his family grows the oldest food forest in NZ. A long time organic gardener, permaculturist and heritage orchardist,…
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Info received by me today: Remedy for Global Instability: Public Lecture by Nobel Peace Prize Nominee Dr Helen Caldicott Visiting international peace activist, author and physician Dr. Helen Caldicott says the election of Donald Trump means New Zealand’s role as a non-nuclear state is of vital importance.…
What is it about National? In a general election at a National level their propaganda is superb but give them a by election and rely on one of their minions and their PR sucks. Just think of all the by elections over the past 8…
Following the news that Solid Energy intends to close up the entrance to Pike River Mine, sealing up the evidence of what happened and the bodies of the 29 men who died there forever, the Pike River families have decided to take a stand and…
Labour's Mt Roskill byelection candidate Michael Wood has been in the news recently over these allegations - Mt Roskill byelection heats up with claims of 'manhandling' and threats Labour's Mt Roskill byelection candidate Michael Wood has been accused of swearing at and "manhandling" the husband…
There are increasing signs of local people standing up against state law and corporate power when the things they value are threatened - everything from Standing Rock to councils in NZ voting to oppose deep sea drilling. We can take heart from this - remember…
We are already seeing early signs that rapprochement between the United States and Russia may be possible under a Trump Administration. Diplomatic and military de-escalation between these two great nuclear powers was one of my top three reasons for supporting Donald Trump ahead of the…
A crop of worthy petitions for you consideration: Labour's petition to "Fund our health system properly so New Zealanders can get the treatment they need". An ActionStation campaign to "fix our public broadcasting" (fund RNZ!). A community campaign to save the Waitaha - Morgan Gorge…
The press release from Greenpeace, Auckland Council passes historic vote to oppose deep sea oil drilling Press release - November 10, 2016 Auckland Council has just voted to oppose the Government’s offshore oil agenda in New Zealand, for the first time ever. The vote this…
What can we learn from the election of Donald J Drumpf? Not a huge amount. And would the lessons be completely different with just a small adjustment in a few states? I guess one thing is: Don't neglect your base. That's where your vote is coming from,…
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Nearly six years ago to the day, 29 men were killed in Pike River Mine. Their bodies have never been recovered despite promises made by our Prime Minister. And now, the mine is being threatened with being sealed forever. Anna Osborne, whose husband Milton was…