Open Mike 18/09/2026

Written By: notices and features - Date published: - 29 comments
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29 comments on “Open Mike 18/09/2026”

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  1. 1

    So… We know there are nurses that want jobs so it isn't a lack of capacity.

    Is it a private parasite provider looking to get increase the return to its shareholders? Is it Health New Zealand not find ng enough staff?

    Either way, it is in accord with this and previous Health Minister's ideology.

    What is Tony Ryall up to these days? Nest feathering still?

    https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/health/1440150/pahiatua-medical-centre-staff-threaten-resignations-unless-under-resourcing-addressed

    Reply
    1. 1.1


      Anthony Ellison, in the New Zealand Listener, 27 January 2025

      NZ’s CEO apparently believes the 'problem' with the NZ health system was its leadership being laser-focused on health. Get a few CEO-types into the mix and the invisible hand of the market will come to the rescue.

      How the Levy finally broke: ‘The ninth floor went cold on Lester’
      [Newsroom, 24 April 2026]
      The Prime Minister had privately expressed an opinion that the problem with the health system was that it was being led by ‘health’. That was when Dr Karen Poutasi, a former director-general of health and medical doctor, was chair. In other words, she was from ‘health’.

      Simeon Brown accused of political interference over Medical Council chair decision [17 June 2026]
      Senior doctors, opposition MPs and health leaders say the minister undermined an independent regulator by refusing to reappoint Dr Rachelle Love, the first wahine Māori chair of the Medical Council.

      “I think the minister is prioritising a petty fight with Māori over actually doing his job, which is delivering the workforce that New Zealand needs.”
      [- Dr Ayesha Verrall]

      Why is the Free Speech Union suddenly so involved in the Medical Council? [The Spinoff, 29 July 2026]
      The fact that he is one of two FSU-linked figures among just four new appointments to the Medical Council raises an obvious question: why has an organisation supposedly focused on free expression started turning up on the body that regulates doctors?

      New Zealand’s health Minister Simeon Brown has dropped the Medical Council in a right political pickle over his appointment of a doctor who promotes and sells his own supplements.
      https://www.linkedin.com/posts/ian-powell-4949931b3_new-zealands-health-minister-simeon-brown-activity-7496704092409520128-AQz0

      Health minister quietly slashes Māori representation on Nursing Council to one seat [Newsroom, 12 August 2026]
      Cultural safety has underpinned quality healthcare for decades but concerns are mounting it is being undermined by a series of actions taken by the health minister

      Reply
      1. 1.3.1

        Cheers for the clarification.

        I was bringing Ryall up deliberately, as he was inclined to favour private health provision during his time at the helm.

        Reply
  2. 2

    Even notwithstanding the oxymoronic plan to set up, and import, a Fossil Fuel LNG during a clear and present Climate Emergency…..there is a small (Simeon!) matter of the safety of it all.

    Climate advocacy group calls for release of LNG terminal safety information

    Its just how they say….(clue…no it fucking isnt !)

    The Ministry for Business, Innovation and Employment has said LNG is safe, and the terminal would have to comply with WorkSafe processes and safety standards.

    However, it has refused to release two initial safety evaluations completed by its two shortlisted providers, saying the information needed to be withheld for commercial reasons.

    Lawyers for Climate Action ( Thank fark for them and others with the Legalese and Ability to Hard Question !)

    has now laid a complaint with the Ombudsman, asking his office to investigate as soon as possible so any information can be released before the election, and preferably before a contract is signed.

    And yes, re how safe it all is…and how we should trust them!

    A one-page factsheet on MBIE's website said LNG was safe, with many terminals operating in urban areas overseas. The terminal would be subject to "rigorous" health and safety standards.

    However, a similar terminal in Port Kembla, New South Wales – which MBIE and Brown have both referenced – was located two kilometres away from residential areas for safety.

    Taranaki groups said thousands of people lived and went to school within a 2km radius of the proposed location at the main breakwater at Port Taranaki.

    Lawyers for Climate Action said there was a "significant absence" of publicly available safety information about the proposal.

    https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/environment/1446376/climate-advocacy-group-calls-for-release-of-lng-terminal-safety-information

    Commercial Sensitivity? And trust that mini wrecking machine Simeon?. Fuck off

    Reply
    1. 2.1

      "The government has not signed a contract yet, nor introduced the enabling legislation…"

      So is this legislation is to be slammed through in the next few days? Parliament ends on October 1. They are cutting it fine, to say the least.

      I have argued before on TS that a new Labour-led government could cancel the LNG import terminal on the basis that it was not consistent with NZ's Paris agreement commitments. This is a binding treaty.

      Importing LNG produces more CO2 than coal when the whole supply chain is taken into account. Grid-scale solar is a viable alternative.

      Reply
      1. 2.1.1

        Apart from your "So is this legislation is to be slammed through in the next few days?"

        Hmm, would they? Could they? But, well, yes to all of the rest of your comment.

        You might have seen whereby the Ombudsman,John Allen, commented on The Document (yet another secret one..). And another great RNZ article !

        LNG document should not have been hidden, ombudsman says

        Because as WE (ie those aware) already know

        LNG will not help with electricity prices most years – document

        And again those Climate Advocate Lawyers..

        Lawyers for Climate Action spokesperson Laura MacKay, whose organisation complained to the ombudsman, said a promised reduction in electricity prices had been "a key justification" for LNG.

        The new information undermined that argument, she said.

        "The absolute key point for me is why have these particular conclusions been withheld?

        "It's confusing, and I do honestly find the lack of transparency really concerning."

        https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/politics/999625/lng-document-should-not-have-been-hidden-ombudsman-says

        Our best hope for Future NZ is absolutely Left Labour and Green !

        Reply
          1. 2.1.2.2.1

            Energy Minister Simeon Brown has revealed Cabinet may push forward with signing a contract for its planned LNG terminal even after the House has risen for the election campaign, a decision the opposition is labelling “reckless”.

            Sounds like it's still possible

            Reply
  3. 3

    Cities won't survive on the moon as there isn't enough water, scientists say

    Meh, Mars, its Moon.However Elon the racist/fantasist might have a certain…criteria.

    If, like Elon Musk, you have been dreaming of a future in which large populations of humans can live on the moon, you're likely to be disappointed.

    Musk announced in February that his aerospace company, SpaceX, had shifted its focus from developing a settlement on Mars to "building a self-growing city on the Moon," because it would be quicker to achieve, potentially "in less than 10 years".

    https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/science-and-technology/1447826/cities-won-t-survive-on-the-moon-as-there-isn-t-enough-water-scientists-say

    The Dark side of the moon…

    Iron Sky

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iron_Sky

    Did Elon think it was a Doco? Or a just a great idea.

    Reply
    1. 3.1

      Robert A Heinlein said it first in "The Moon is a harsh mistress" – where a revolution is triggered by the understanding that resources are limited in a closed ecosystem.

      It also has some interesting implications of self-aware AI (referencingvthe earlier concersation).. Fine if it's on your side, but terrifying if it's not.

      Reply
      1. 3.1.1

        Our Moon has of course always been thought provoking/inspiring (IMO since sentient life on our own Planet incl wolves howling at same : ). I never really got into Heinlein (but do agree a thought provoking Author)

        Predating Heinlein's story was one I read as a teen (and have reread ) by Phillip K Dick (personally i rate him highly, but tastes etc)…very dystopian….and short, but still a place in my mind.Covers the Moon,robots et al…

        Second Variety

        https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Variety

        Reply
        1. 3.1.1.1

          Yes, I've also read this – but nothing to do with water resource limitation on the Moon.

          Heinlein is rather hit and miss as an author. His latter stuff is unreadably bad (IMO). But earlier books do explore society in interesting ways (which is what SF should do).

          Reply
  4. 4

    Recently my mother had a fall through the night and I found her after 11 am. She has bounced back reasonably well.

    She had she had a carer due earlier in the day to help with showering. The kira couldn't get access but unfortunately failed to raise an alarm.

    The provider is doing an investigation the results of which are due early next week. Yesterday I received a text inviting my mother and/or ourselves to participate in a feedback survey.

    The cynic in me thinks this is perhaps related to the investigation.

    Has anyone else who receives in home care or their whanau done one of these surveys?

    Reply
    1. 4.1

      Suddenly, more than twenty years ago, I was it. The old man arrived on the bus in quite the state and subsequently he was diagnosed by a wonderful aged care team as being four or five years down the frontotemporal dementia track.

      A fucking nightmare, iykyk, and over the years we had a succession of respite carers through the place. Most were great, a couple were terrible, one in particular deserved beatification, and every carer was audited via surveys.

      ( and just one piece of advice, folk at the coal face are wonderful, management and bean counters are not, so be careful about what you volunteer yourself for)

      Reply
  5. 5

    Rob Campbell on [this] election.

    Which is why, without dismissing the desirability of an election outcome which stops the ongoing run down of public services, environment and equity, the process does not help democracy. It perverts it with pretence.

    https://newsroom.co.nz/2026/09/14/this-election-is-not-about-democracy/

    The general election is a large-scale delusion “about participation and the equitable exercise of power” and the alleged pulse (aka heartbeat) of a ‘strong’ democracy.

    My advice: read the expiration date on the promises, pledges, and policies made by aspiring real-estate agents politicians during the election campaign. Some have expired already and should never have been put on sale in the first place. Buyer-voter beware!

    Reply
  6. 6

    A bill to control the effects on energy prices of Data Centres has been shot down by Democrat Senator Martin Heinrich in the Senate because it is toothless.

    "Heinrich argued that the Ratepayer Protection Act did not go far enough to force data centers to foot the bill for their energy costs. He offered his own bill — the GRID Savings Act — as an alternative….. "Rather than voluntary pledges, or suggestions to states, Congress needs to pass real legislation with real teeth,” Heinrich said."

    Hipkins take note. Toothless waffle doesn't cut the mustard. NZ needs the Green Party moratorium on DC's.

    Reply
    1. 6.1

      IMO (and I'm sure you) Its essential to have the Greens in at the operational edge of our new Govt. Combined Labour AND Green for a Future NZ worth fighting for. : )

      Reply
  8. 8

    I hope the DCC doesn't remove this nod to the Palestinian tapestry.

    'A welcome addition’: Dunedin's Ed Sheeran mural artist backs 'Free Palestine' tag

    Reply
  9. 9

    June quarter GDP edges up 0.2%, but economy remains smaller, per person, than in 2023 [The Post (paywalled), 17 Sept 2026]
    The country’s GDP inched up 0.2% during the three months to the end of June, Stats NZ reported.

    But the figure means that ‒ when adjusted for inflation, population growth and seasonality ‒ economic activity has shrunk by 0.8% since the December 2023 quarter, when the last election was held, Stats NZ general manager Jason Attewell confirmed.

    https://www.reddit.com/r/nzpolitics/comments/1wia6zt/cry_me_a_river_starring_christopher_luxon/

    A(t)las, just one more case of a senior CoC pollie accidentally saying what they think.

    Helping Nicola Willis: How to tell a social housing tenant apart from a Lotto winner [The Spinoff, 22 May 2026]
    It’s a great situation for those who can smuggle themselves in on a party list. Parliamentarians like Willis are showered with government support that the beleaguered, butter-starved general public could only dream of. If a social housing tenant got those same benefits, they’d probably feel like they’d won the Lotto.

    [comment]
    I’m afraid Ms Willis was so impatient to explain what a good idea the changes were, she accidentally said what she thinks. I appreciate an honesty that is so rare from her party, but despise a sentiment that is so common.

    Reply

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