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« Open mike 06/10/2021
Have we just thrown the fight, before the war has ended? »

Right now Sonny Fatupaito is an essential worker

Written By: mickysavage - Date published: 8:28 am, October 6th, 2021 - 125 comments
Categories: covid-19, health, Judith Collins, racism, uncategorized

News that the head of Waikato’s Mongrel Mob chapter was given an essential workers exemption to travel to and around Auckland recently has attracted derision from the usual quarters.

Jason Walls reported this in the Herald:

Newstalk ZB can reveal the [essential worker’s] exemption was granted to Sonny Fatupaito – who’s been working with some of the harder to reach communities in the city, such as those with gang affiliations.

In a statement, via a spokesperson, Fatupaito said he has been liaising with health officials and police to assist in reaching people in communities within the gang’s chapters and their whanau in Auckland.

He was asked to travel to Auckland by South Seas Healthcare, who have been co-ordinating much of the response to the South Auckland clusters.

“This required immediate intervention from the senior leadership in the Waikato Kingdom, and this onsite intervention ensured compliance and welfare assistance was provided as needed.”

He confirmed he had been given an exemption to travel across the Auckland boundary and he did so “under strict Covid-19 protocols, enforced by health officials and the police”.

No doubt National will go to town on this.  With barely disguised contempt Judith Collins said this morning that the Government “had been calling Sonny Fatu from the Mongrel Mob a social worker“.

And Simeon Brown has chipped in.

One rule for gangs under this Govt. Another for everyone else. https://t.co/gsMi5laDM0

— Simeon Brown (@SimeonBrownMP) October 5, 2021

The merits of the decision?  There is deep concern that Covid is spreading through gang whanau.  There are at least two public reports that I am aware of where gang members or associates have been infected and the nature of the disease is that it is almost inevitable that it has spread further.  Conventional means of reaching out will not work.  Like it or not the gangs are deeply suspicious of authority.  Why wouldn’t you ask their leadership to help with the response and the vaccine roll out?

Right now Sonny Fatupaito is an essential worker.  We need to do everything, conventional or otherwise, to reach out to all of our communities to make sure they are safe and to increase vaccination rates.

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« Open mike 06/10/2021
Have we just thrown the fight, before the war has ended? »

125 comments on “Right now Sonny Fatupaito is an essential worker”

Comment numbers have changed to permanent references. Older quoted numbers may no longer identify the same comment.

  1. 1
    Robert Guyton
    6 October 2021 at 8:48 am

    Nandor Tanczos say this:

    "This weekend senior Black Power members worked with the DHB and Waiariki Whanau Mentoring to bring real information about Covid and about the vaccine, to the Awatapu community. People talk about the challenges of working in some communities but here in Whakatāne Black Power leaders are showing the way. I know that Waiariki Mentoring is doing the same with Mongrel Mob, Tribesmen and other organisation in other parts of the district. Full respect to them.

    Big mihi to the brother Marley for his work bringing this weekend together. The man is a quiet inspiration. There was no pressure to be vaccinated, just good information for people to digest and take away if they wanted. For those that wanted to, they could get a shot there and then. I did that, and will follow up when they run the next one in 6 weeks time. Had a sore arm the next day, but no other side effects.

    I've been really impressed with the work going on inside Black Power here in the Eastern Bay to transform their community for the better. I make no apologies for supporting them in that work."

  2. 2
    KJT
    6 October 2021 at 9:14 am

    The "criminal" gangs are supporting the community on this occasion, unlike some of our other gangs.

    Good on them.

    1. 2.1
      I Feel Love
      6 October 2021 at 9:20 am

      Absolutely!

    2. 2.2
      Puckish Rogue
      6 October 2021 at 10:50 am

      They are not supporting the community, they are supporting themselves. Have you all lost your collective minds?

      I'm no fan of mega-churches but last time I checked they aren't drug trafficking, weapon trafficking, murdering etc

      The more things like this happen the more emboldened they become, remember this:

      https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/mongrel-mob-man-behind-meth-rehab-programme-jacinda-seems-to-trust-me-why-wouldnt-you/2MLNO4FH7HRKVIDSWEIQOFS37Y/

      The people of NZ have more knowledge of what the mob is about than the government, how does this happen?

      All gangs should be declared illegal, all gang members should have their benefits cut off and all gang members should be imprisoned.

      1. 2.2.1
        Robert Guyton
        6 October 2021 at 10:51 am

        Puckish who?
        Edit: Oh! Punish Rogue!
        That guy.

        1. 2.2.1.1
          Puckish Rogue
          6 October 2021 at 11:19 am

          Punish Rogue sounds like my BDSM name

      2. 2.2.2
        dv
        6 October 2021 at 10:52 am

        Define a gang.

        1. 2.2.2.1
          Puckish Rogue
          6 October 2021 at 10:58 am

          Start here, work your way down:

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

          In 2019 the Police recorded 6,500 patched or prospective gang members in the country, with the ten main gangs being the Head Hunters, Bandidos, Hells Angels, King Cobras, Black Power, Mongrel Mob, Tribesmen, Rebels, Devils Henchmen and Highway 61

          1. 2.2.2.1.1
            Robert Guyton
            6 October 2021 at 11:02 am

            "Define community"

            Do churches "support the community" or do they support their community?

            If the gangs have high membership, member's whanau and associates, their community will be large. If there are as many gangs as you indicate, their community in total will be very large indeed: should that community be dismissed, in the face of a pandemic, Pucky?
            In any case, KJT is likely meaning the gangs, by vaccinating, are supporting the wider community with regard pandemic control, in the same way any individual who gets vaccinated is supporting the wider community, as described by our Prime Minister and her health officials 🙂

            1. 2.2.2.1.1.1
              Ad
              6 October 2021 at 11:14 am

              Go right ahead and compare New Zealand's remaining churches to criminal gangs if you like, but you're wrong.

              1. 2.2.2.1.1.1.1
                Tricledrown
                6 October 2021 at 12:10 pm

                When you look at the victim's of sexual abuse in church's and the membership of gangs there is a strong link.

                Black power's founder a victim of the St John of God order most of the victims of this oder ended up in jail and gangs.

                Dilworth the latest religious school outed.

                The Catholic Church,Exclusive Brethren a funder and supporter of the National Party have very high rates of serial sexual abuse . Many other religious cults are no more than gangs of of mysoginist sexual violent and financial abusers.

                1. 2.2.2.1.1.1.1.1
                  Ad
                  6 October 2021 at 1:39 pm

                  The most useful and positive agents for assistance and welfare outside the state are the churches and their related institutions.

                  If the gangs in New Zealand were held to account in public for their damage like the handful of church leaders have for sex crimes, we would have a royal commission lasting longer than the modern Treaty of Waitangi claims process.

                  1. 2.2.2.1.1.1.1.1.1
                    Tricledrown
                    8 October 2021 at 10:48 am

                    A handful of church leaders while hundreds went unpunished.The Catholic Church,Gloriavale,E,B, JW's, sexual abuse rampant.

                2. 2.2.2.1.1.1.1.2
                  Jenny how to get there
                  7 October 2021 at 3:17 pm

                  Tricledrown

                  6 October 2021 at 12:10 pm

                  When you look at the victim's of sexual abuse in church's and the membership of gangs there is a strong link.

                  Black power's founder a victim of the St John of God order most of the victims of this oder ended up in jail and gangs.

                  Whether in church instutions, or state institutions, wherever young people are abused, they grow up marginalised with a deep distrust of society, or even anyone who works with church or state authorities.

                  If Sonny Fatupaito didn't do this work, who could?

                  We should be thankful.

                  Nobody from society's accepted authorities could do this work,. In doing this work on our behalf, Sonny Fatupaito is taking a big reputational risk with the people he represents by working with the hated authorities to undertake this task.

            2. 2.2.2.1.1.2
              Puckish Rogue
              6 October 2021 at 11:16 am

              They are the same gangs destroying those same communities with drugs, violence, rape etc

              But hey they want to vaccinate so its all good

              1. 2.2.2.1.1.2.1
                mickysavage
                6 October 2021 at 12:50 pm

                You do realise that Covid does not discriminate? All it wants is warm unvaccinated bodies and the fewer of them available the better.

                If your motivation is totally selfish then you should support Sonny having special status.

                1. 2.2.2.1.1.2.1.1
                  Puckish Rogue
                  6 October 2021 at 1:07 pm

                  Take your blinkers off micky, you know exactly what type of person Sonny is.

                2. 2.2.2.1.1.2.1.2
                  Jimmy
                  6 October 2021 at 1:57 pm

                  It worries me that the gang members that did this may not be vaccinated. That is scary as they are out in the community.

                  These are the sort of people you are supporting.

                  https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/otorohanga-homicide-road-rage-was-cause-of-waikato-axe-attack-police-say/NQMYBNI7IA7N53W5MMYLGEWSZQ/

                  1. 2.2.2.1.1.2.1.2.1
                    Descendant Of Smith
                    6 October 2021 at 3:34 pm

                    It is a false equivalence. I have very little time for gang members and the misery they inflict. The violence in particular.

                    However it is definitely in the wider community interest that they get vaccinated and having gang leaders drive that makes sense. They sure as hell ain't gonna listen to me.

                    The rhetoric of let them get it and die is just a wider extension of deserving / not deserving that comes from the religious right and the Randian acolytes and the conservative economic you can be a millionaire if only you work hard enough.

                    It ignores the structural inequalities that have increased in the last 30 years that lead to increased gang membership, increased poverty and so on. It is never all just about choice.

              2. 2.2.2.1.1.2.2
                Jenny how to get there
                7 October 2021 at 9:11 pm

                I think this report provides some balance.

                https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/coronavirus/300423830/covid19-mob-boss-exemption-to-manage-zero-trust-in-health-officials

          2. 2.2.2.1.2
            dv
            6 October 2021 at 11:46 am

            So how much will it cost to imprison an extra 6500 gang members?

            $91000 per person per year

            Total $591m

            Not counting new prisons to be built.

            1. 2.2.2.1.2.1
              Puckish Rogue
              6 October 2021 at 11:48 am

              How much has the lockdown cost.

              How much is the social cost of the gangs.

              How about the victims of the gangs.

            2. 2.2.2.1.2.2
              alwyn
              6 October 2021 at 12:23 pm

              $591m.

              Is that all? A bargain I should think. In 2016 a published study put the social cost to New Zealand of illicit drugs as being $1.8b. That was for the 2014-2015 year. I haven't seen anything later. I doubt if our current Government is doing anything to provide more up to date info.

              https://www.health.govt.nz/publication/research-report-new-zealand-drug-harm-index-2016

              Anyway I would guess it has gone up in the interim. Assuming a one third increase would suggest that locking up all the gangs might cost one quarter of the current figure. Quite a good return on investment.

              It would also represent less that a week of a level 4 lockdown in Auckland. In fact someone like Robertson would no doubt label it as being only a rounding error, of perhaps chump change.

              1. 2.2.2.1.2.2.1
                dv
                6 October 2021 at 12:47 pm

                So increase in Tax then.

                Cool??

                1. 2.2.2.1.2.2.1.1
                  Gypsy
                  6 October 2021 at 4:11 pm

                  Wouldn't need to. The silly bike bridge was going to cost $685m, just divert the funds from there and put them all in 'quarantine' for 12 months.

          3. 2.2.2.1.3
            Foreign Waka
            6 October 2021 at 11:54 am

            PR very many in the community are thinking the same but are scared to say anything. That just tells it all.

            NZ is becoming a lawless place.

            1. 2.2.2.1.3.1
              Puckish Rogue
              6 October 2021 at 11:57 am

              I don't blame them for being scared, everyone should be scared of the gangs but to have the government all but legitimise the Mob is the scariest thing of all.

      3. 2.2.3
        JanM
        6 October 2021 at 11:11 am

        "If you prick us do we not bleed?" If people who know better see the need for support from gang leaders to protect us all why would you complain? Last I heard Covid 19 is unable to distinguish between the worthy (in your estimation) and the rest of us.

        1. 2.2.3.1
          Puckish Rogue
          6 October 2021 at 11:21 am

          If the gang members don't want to be vaccinated then good, count them as part of the 10% unvaccinated and let nature take its course

          1. 2.2.3.1.1
            bwaghorn
            6 October 2021 at 11:42 am

            Whadda bout their missus's and kids ,

            1. 2.2.3.1.1.1
              Puckish Rogue
              6 October 2021 at 11:46 am

              They're adults, let adults make decisions.

              1. 2.2.3.1.1.1.1
                Foreign Waka
                6 October 2021 at 11:54 am

                yes

              2. 2.2.3.1.1.1.2
                weka
                6 October 2021 at 1:22 pm

                what about the other people in the community they infect? In the supermarket or pharmacy or cafe? Who then go on to infect other people?

                Wanting everyone to be protected from covid doesn't mean we like everyone. It means we understand how transmission of viral illnesses happens and isn't an individual problem.

                1. 2.2.3.1.1.1.2.1
                  Puckish Rogue
                  6 October 2021 at 1:28 pm

                  What of it?

                  With a 90% vaccination target that still leaves over 480 thousand people unvaccinated, if most of the gang members in NZ are in that unvaccinated number then thats their decision.

          2. 2.2.3.1.2
            cathy-o
            6 October 2021 at 12:59 pm

            nature taking it's course is just as likely to be you, puckish rogue, catching covid-19 from going shopping in a supermarket where one or more of those unvaccinated gang members has just been.

            1. 2.2.3.1.2.1
              Puckish Rogue
              6 October 2021 at 1:12 pm

              Incorrect.

              I'm in the South Island where its been something like 300 plus days without a case

              Even if I did catch it I'm vaccinated with no under lying health issues so I'm quite confident I'll shrug it off just like the flu, well actually more like a cold as I can't recall the last time I had the flu (I'm assuming I must have at same point)

              1. 2.2.3.1.2.1.1
                Tricledrown
                6 October 2021 at 2:39 pm

                Puckish Rogue you are making shit up again just shrugging it off like the flu.

                Peckish even though you are vaccinated have no underlying health conditions you are aware of.

                Your likely hood of getting seriously ill from covid is much higher than seasonal flu's. You can still spread Covid.

                To unvaccinated Children people with compromised immune systems.

                You are spreading misinformation.

                1. 2.2.3.1.2.1.1.1
                  Puckish Rogue
                  6 October 2021 at 2:58 pm

                  Reread what I wrote, especially the part where I say I'M quite confident I'll shrug it off.

                  1. 2.2.3.1.2.1.1.1.1
                    georgecom
                    6 October 2021 at 3:22 pm

                    mate, who bloody cares. If gang members make up the final 10% to get us to 90%, all good and fine. If getting gang leaders to intervene and lift vaccination rates amongst gang members then thats f'in fine by me. Once again Simeon Brown and Collins add fuck all to the debate. This isn't about gangs, it's about controlling Covid and getting us to 90%.

                    Once we get to 90% then any gang member who isn't vaccinated, well best of luck, you will need it. Same goes for Destiny and other christians who think God will protect them. Same goes for the cafe owner in Takaka or vaccine deniers. Same goes for anyone who was to lethargic to get off their arse to be vaccinated.

                    Nit picking about gangs and making political capital from it is pretty immature. The debate should be about the last 10% getting vaccinated.

                    Gang members from the Waikato who try to collect drug debts in Auckland and get caught at the border, fwits and they deserve everything coning to them. Gang members who try to leave Auckland hiding in the back of a truck to collect drug debts down the line, fwit and I hope he gets a spell inside. Gang leaders who talk to their chapters about getting tested, contact tracing and vaccines, good, thank you, please continue.

                    1. 2.2.3.1.2.1.1.1.1.1
                      Puckish Rogue
                      6 October 2021 at 3:25 pm

                      Talk fine, tell them whatever but don't give this guy special dispensation.

                      He can't use a phone? Order them to do it on skype, it has to be in person?

                    2. 2.2.3.1.2.1.1.1.1.2
                      McFlock
                      6 October 2021 at 4:35 pm

                      He can't use a phone? Order them to do it on skype, it has to be in person?

                      Apparently it does.

                    3. 2.2.3.1.2.1.1.1.1.3
                      Puckish Rogue
                      6 October 2021 at 4:40 pm

                      Yes there are plenty of things that can only be done in person, talking isn't one of them

                    4. 2.2.3.1.2.1.1.1.1.4
                      felix
                      6 October 2021 at 4:49 pm

                      Insisting on being at meetings in person was backwards, selfish and ignorant a couple of weeks ago when it was National's position. I wonder what changed.

                    5. 2.2.3.1.2.1.1.1.1.5
                      georgecom
                      6 October 2021 at 6:22 pm

                      if it takes this guy into Auckland to get the message out puckish then that's fine with me. I am in the Waikato and we have the virus going through the gangs atm. Damn any fwit who brought it into the community through ignoring lockdown rules, they can go to hell. Having a community leader within the gang movement being proactive to help control and remove the virus is what we need more of.

              2. 2.2.3.1.2.1.2
                cathyo
                6 October 2021 at 4:15 pm

                i'm all right jack and to hell with you.

                nice

                1. 2.2.3.1.2.1.2.1
                  Puckish Rogue
                  6 October 2021 at 4:31 pm

                  I've been told the information and have made my decision, same as everyone else

              3. 2.2.3.1.2.1.3
                Patricia Bremner
                7 October 2021 at 9:43 am

                When restrictions lift, and it is endemic, you will meet it. Baker says before Christmas.

                The fact the SI is free of covid is thanks to the efforts of the people in the North bearing lock downs and protecting you. Now that includes Sonny.

                1. 2.2.3.1.2.1.3.1
                  georgecom
                  7 October 2021 at 2:02 pm

                  well said. The top half and especially Auckland has done a hell of a lot of heavy lifting for the country.

                  The waikato was quietly ticking along at level 2, albeit a bit grumpily but happy we were not Auckland. Not smugly, we looked at Auckland and thought poor sods going through that. And then bang, some "person" (many here have much stronger names for them, much stronger) decided it was fine for them to breach the rules and we have covid here. the initial 5 days level 3 is now 8 days at least of level 3.

                  So the south island can think all is fine and well for them and think they should be at level 1. And then they wake up one morning and covid is there with them. Nothing should surprise us with this bastard virus.

        2. 2.2.3.2
          alwyn
          6 October 2021 at 12:27 pm

          "If people who know better see the need for support from gang leaders to protect us all".

          These "people who know better" don't have to worry about protection. The PM for example if going around Wellington is always under the protection of about 4 security guards, also known as the DPS.

      4. 2.2.4
        Treetop
        6 October 2021 at 11:51 am

        Covid transmission and vaccination is a separate topic in relation to gangs.

        Edit: I was not going to bother with a reply but I could not contain myself.

      5. 2.2.5
        Tricledrown
        6 October 2021 at 11:54 am

        Same for financial fraudsters like Destiny and Panama /pandoras perpetrators.

      6. 2.2.6
        miravox
        6 October 2021 at 12:33 pm

        "They are not supporting the community, they are supporting themselves. Have you all lost your collective minds?"

        1. Right now there interests and ours coincide. Happy to see they're doing this work.
        2. Banishing people from society is a useless way to stop young people being attracted to gangs.
        3. Your comment about 'letting adults make decisions' doesn't count the context of that decision-making and the choices they have may be many times less than the choices you have.

        This is basic in terms of improving the health and welfare of women and kids.

      7. 2.2.7
        cathy-o
        6 October 2021 at 12:51 pm

        get real puckish rogue. if gang members catch Covid they are going to spread it through the community, that means all those virtuous people like you.

        it's absolutely reasonable to take all measures to prevent that happening, in this case that means bringing someone those gang members will listen to so that they can get the information they need in order to get vaccinated.

        the virus has no prejudices. gang members taste the same to it as all those pillars of society like you.

        1. 2.2.7.1
          Puckish Rogue
          6 October 2021 at 1:05 pm

          First time I've been called a pillar of society.

          As a Corrections Officer that has to deal with gang members face to face I get called far worse.

          1. 2.2.7.1.1
            Tricledrown
            6 October 2021 at 2:58 pm

            Puckish Rogue how long ago did you get vaccinated more than 6 months ago.working with unvaccinated gang members with a 1 in 10 chance the vaccine isn't going to protect you.if you are over weight over 50 your chances are probably 1 in 5 of contracting covid.

            Your a much bigger idiot than I thought.

            1. 2.2.7.1.1.1
              Puckish Rogue
              6 October 2021 at 3:17 pm

              You're*

              You do know that prisoners are quarantined for two weeks when they first arrive in prison?

              That any sign, even the sniffles, is enough to have prisoners again quarantined?

              Last time I checked there had been one prisoner in NZ infected.

              One.

              Out of a total prison population of just over 8500.

              In the North Island

              In an enclosed system with very unhealthy people.

              Prisoners quarantined, staff isolated.

              No spread. No more cases. Caught and dealt with appropriately.

              Yeah I'll take my chances where I am with the processes already in place.

              1. 2.2.7.1.1.1.1
                Tricledrown
                7 October 2021 at 10:01 am

                P R Delta is different much more difficult to contain like whack a mole that original case was the less transmissible variant be careful.How long have you been in the service you most likely worked with my brother . Its a very tough job it takes a special type of person to be able to face up to such people every day.

          2. 2.2.7.1.2
            cathyo
            6 October 2021 at 4:17 pm

            and you don’t recognise someone taking the mickey out of you when you see it, PR

            why am i not surprised

            1. 2.2.7.1.2.1
              Puckish Rogue
              6 October 2021 at 4:32 pm

              Because you lack imagination or understand sarcasm?

          3. 2.2.7.1.3
            Robert Guyton
            6 October 2021 at 6:08 pm

            I think she meant, "pillock" 🙂

            1. 2.2.7.1.3.1
              Puckish Rogue
              6 October 2021 at 6:14 pm

              Could be something to it

              https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/50449/origins-9-great-british-insults#:~:text=Originally%20pillicock%20(a%20Norwegian%20slang,pillock%E2%80%94though%20its%20meaning%20remains.

              'Originally pillicock (a Norwegian slang word for penis), the word has since been condensed to plain old pillock—though its meaning remains.'

      8. 2.2.8
        McFlock
        6 October 2021 at 3:12 pm

        Some churches are as parasitic as gangs. And at least the boss of this organisation is trying to stop his group spreading the disease, rather than encouraging them to do it and being surprised when he gets charged.

        But more to the point, if a dude needs an exemption to go to Auckland and order a bunch of criminals to get their fucking jabs and social distance while doing their illegal work, that person is an essential worker regardless of his own status in those organisations.

        1. 2.2.8.1
          Puckish Rogue
          6 October 2021 at 3:21 pm

          Why does he need to go in person, surely his word is enough alone that he can do it over the phone

          1. 2.2.8.1.1
            McFlock
            6 October 2021 at 3:33 pm

            Fuck if I know, I don't run a gang. Maybe they don't do business over the phone. Maybe he needs to personally emphasise the point about the team of 5 million. (I was going to link De Niro's Untouchables "teamwork" speech there, but the baseball bat might be a bit much for some, lol)

            Also, if Juco needs to travel to lead her group, why don’t other leaders?

            1. 2.2.8.1.1.1
              Puckish Rogue
              6 October 2021 at 4:37 pm

              No I think you do know, probably better than most

              1. 2.2.8.1.1.1.1
                McFlock
                6 October 2021 at 4:45 pm

                Lol there's the knowin', and then there's the bein' of the knowin'.

                Playing arma3 doesn't teach one about war, and watching The Wire doesn't mean one knows how to survive on the street 🙂

                1. 2.2.8.1.1.1.1.1
                  Puckish Rogue
                  6 October 2021 at 4:48 pm

                  Being door security probably gives you more insights than most though or do I have that wrong?

                  1. 2.2.8.1.1.1.1.1.1
                    McFlock
                    6 October 2021 at 5:14 pm

                    No, did that in my time, true. But not the rougher bars in town.

                    Although I did have one colleague who seriously said the line "jeez, you break one guy's fingers and you never hear the end of it" lol. It was a legit accident (got pushed from behind while holding the guy down), but after that whenever someone gave the "nice place, hands off" speech Eyes Were Meaningfully Directed at Him.

                    But mostly for me it was just stopping entitled little lynx-soaked wimps from accidentally harming themselves or someone else, not worrying too much about knives or intentional glassings.

                    1. 2.2.8.1.1.1.1.1.1.1
                      Puckish Rogue
                      6 October 2021 at 5:16 pm

                      Fair enough (Lynx and Cool Charm is a helluva combination)

      9. 2.2.9
        vto
        7 October 2021 at 6:56 am

        ha ha puckish rogue, you sound like Bill English who a few years ago publicly bemoaned the work ethic and general attitude of young people … funny thing was that those young people were all born into and raised through Bill English's governments and policies i.e. he created the very thing he bemoaned.

        just like you

      10. 2.2.10
        Patricia Bremner
        7 October 2021 at 8:50 am

        There is a huge disclosure of a Catholic Church involvement in Paedophilia, both here and in France. This has been a festering sore caused by some "acceptable" members of society hidden and abbetted by some powerful people.

        Your talk of "last time I checked …" is balderdash Puckish Rogue!! The various churches have every type of member who have committed every type of crime. to pretend otherwise is to "other" people because they have affiliations.

        If we ignore covid spread in gangs, then we are acting as judge and jury without trial. Uncomfortable as it might be for you, the Law gives rights to all communities, and you do not suspend rule of Law just when it suits.

        These two men are risking their lives like all our essential workers to help their community. This is to our advantage. To be dismissive because they are "gangs" or "associates" Communication not condemnation.

  3. 3
    Ad
    6 October 2021 at 9:36 am

    If only they knew the trackers they've been injected with.

    1. 3.1
      aom
      6 October 2021 at 10:43 am

      Don't be so pathetic.

    2. 3.2
      Descendant Of Smith
      6 October 2021 at 3:47 pm

      lol

    3. 3.3
      Patricia Bremner
      7 October 2021 at 9:35 am

      lol so who is tracking you Ad?devil

  4. 4
    Treetop
    6 October 2021 at 10:47 am

    It is not about the name of your group or who the leader is, it is about cooperation and communication to reach a common goal which is preventing the transmission of Covid and getting people vaccinated.

  5. 5
    Andre
    6 October 2021 at 12:06 pm

    Given the importance of getting as many people possible vaccinated, I for one applaud Sonny Fatupaito for playing a part in getting more vaccinations happening.

    I also applaud the healthcare and other organisations that made it happen. They surely would have guessed the heat they would catch for it, and they went ahead and did a good thing anyway. Props.

    The harms that gangs do in other ways is a totally separate topic than whether this particular event was a good thing or not.

    1. 5.1
      Puckish Rogue
      6 October 2021 at 12:16 pm

      But its not about getting people vaccinated. Its about Sonny being able to travel, its about Sonny being legitimised by the government.

      Anything about vaccinations is secondary.

      1. 5.1.1
        Andre
        6 October 2021 at 12:29 pm

        Given that Northern Region Health Coordination Centre (NRHCC), Auckland Regional Public Health Service (ARPHS), police, Professor Collin Tukuitonga and Dr. Rawiri Jansen all seem to be involved, I'm satisfied it's much more about vaccination than it is about Sonny joyriding around Auckland then back to Waikato.

        https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/coronavirus/300423830/covid19-mongrel-mob-boss-given-exemption-to-cross-auckland-border

        Of course, if it is more about joyriding, then a reasonably probable outcome is Sonny picking up covid in Auckland then passing it on to his chapter members in Waikato.

        If Waikato were truly covid-free, that would be a disaster, but since it's not …

        1. 5.1.1.1
          Puckish Rogue
          6 October 2021 at 12:33 pm

          I'm not referring to joy riding, I'm referring to him taking care of business, his business.

          Imagine you're a young constable and you stop Sonny, with reasonable cause of course, and he starts spouting off all the people that vouch for him

          From PM down, how would you react (and how would you really react)

          1. 5.1.1.1.1
            Andre
            6 October 2021 at 12:41 pm

            If that's the actual picture, I'm confident we'll find out soon enough.

            Meanwhile, I'm fine with taking media reports on the topic at face value without feeling the need to make nefarious hidden goings-on. Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar.

            1. 5.1.1.1.1.1
              Puckish Rogue
              6 October 2021 at 12:50 pm

              "Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar."

              Good point. Life long Mongrel Mob gang leader. Working for the community or working for himself.

              Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar.

          2. 5.1.1.1.2
            Brigid
            6 October 2021 at 1:19 pm

            "Imagine you're a young constable and you stop Sonny, with reasonable cause of course, and he starts spouting off all the people that vouch for him"

            Is that the first paragraph in your latest work of fiction?

            It will be interesting to see how you develop it

            Or not

          3. 5.1.1.1.3
            KJT
            7 October 2021 at 9:00 am

            Imagine if you are a young constable, and you see Collins at a cafe counter without a mask?

            1. 5.1.1.1.3.1
              Robert Guyton
              7 October 2021 at 9:07 am

              "Imagine if you are a young constable, and you see Collins at a cafe counter "

              Awful enough right there!

              Psychologically scarred for life, poor wretch!

              1. 5.1.1.1.3.1.1
                KJT
                7 October 2021 at 10:18 am

                The reason why I couldn't be a politician.

                My visceral reaction to patched gang members of both the motorcycle and National party variety is to renounce my lifelong commitment to non violence.

                Noting that the best recruiters the gangs, and drug dealers, certainly in Northland, ever had were Roger Douglas followed by Ruth Richardson.

      2. 5.1.2
        Tricledrown
        6 October 2021 at 3:11 pm

        So puckish it's OK if gangs spread covid around the perfect vector their dealerships.

        1. 5.1.2.1
          Puckish Rogue
          6 October 2021 at 3:19 pm

          Well of course not.

          Because they're so community minded they certainly won't be breaking lock down protocols so no need to worry about it.

      3. 5.1.3
        Tricledrown
        6 October 2021 at 4:09 pm

        Puckish Rogue.your legitimising the spread of covid.Robert Muldoon made friends with the black power leader.

        That black power leader was a ward of the state fostered out to the Catholic Church who brutally raped children under its care.All but one of the children under care of this St John of God order ended up in gangs ending up in prison for violent crimes.

        Maybe ask a few of those gang members how there childhood was.

        Most likely nothing like yours.

        1. 5.1.3.1
          Puckish Rogue
          6 October 2021 at 4:30 pm

          Muldoon was very wrong on this, he shouldn't have done what he did or stop up the schemes he did

          I'd wager I know more of their backgrounds than you do but so what, thats a separate issue

          1. 5.1.3.1.1
            Gezza
            6 October 2021 at 4:43 pm

            When all the hullabaloo dies down the thing to actually check is – did this visit measurably & significantly INCREASE gang members’ & associates’ and their whanau’s vax rates.

            It it did, great. If it didn’t – wtf were they thinking. Sonny always knows what he’s thinking. All good PR for the Kingdom.

            1. 5.1.3.1.1.1
              Puckish Rogue
              6 October 2021 at 4:49 pm

              The leadership of the gangs should never be underestimated thats for sure

          2. 5.1.3.1.2
            Tricledrown
            7 October 2021 at 9:38 am

            I doubt that you know more about gang back grounds than me.

            I worked on the front lines of trying to turn around young homeless kids running away from extreme violence for 20 years.

            I know many of the people you know plus a few more.we turned around a good percentage of those but a continuous tidal wave burnt me and many others out.

            The economic reforms of the mid 1980's rogernomics ruthenasia,while making more people wealthier has left a large underbelly worse off.

            Then the war on drugs has under the free market created an embedded way to fund gangs.

            By making laws extremely tough on drug use has had unintended consequences pushing up the prices making it more profitable for dealer's and traffickers.

            Gangs don't think about consequences going to prison is like going to gang headquarters your gang status goes up.

            So our existing ways are just growing the gang problem.

            No statistic to prove otherwise.

            Gangs will continue to grow while we continue a long this get tough on drugs get tough on gangs.This approach has been a complete failure.

  6. 6
    observer
    6 October 2021 at 12:55 pm

    Judith is appalled. But the PM is unconcerned, and has admitted …

    "They won't be the first bunch of gang leaders that have engaged with ministers of all sorts of governments in the past and potentially in the future…

    We now await a strong statement of condemnation from the Minister of Police and Minister of Corrections, a certain Judith Collins …

    https://www.odt.co.nz/news/politics/sharples-gang-meeting-not-issue-pm

  7. 7
    weka
    6 October 2021 at 1:24 pm

    fuck National are tedious. It's just blatant as fuck politicking dog whistles as a set up for the next election.

    1. 7.1
      observer
      6 October 2021 at 1:34 pm

      "Tedious" is exactly the word. It's not just that they are doing it, but that it is entirely predictable and insincere, and anyone who has the slightest awareness knows this. Hell, anyone who's ever read a history book knows this.

      Judith Collins does the role-play today, Clayton Cosgrove did the role-play back when National were in power (as in ODT link), it's what they do, so why can't reporters Google for 5 seconds and then call them on it? It's the pretence that is so annoying … when we all know it's not good faith, why pretend otherwise? (For clicks, I guess).

    2. 7.2
      Treetop
      6 October 2021 at 2:16 pm

      Tediously stale. Collins will not allow an opportunity to attack the PM or a government minister to go by.

      1. 7.2.1
        bwaghorn
        6 October 2021 at 3:25 pm

        It's ok collins is fucking hopeless, she got owned by Ryan Bridges on the am show this morning in one easy move and became a jabbering wreck.

        Fucking gold.

        1. 7.2.1.1
          Gezza
          6 October 2021 at 4:05 pm

          Mustafa Shufti. 🤔

          Hope it’s on their website. 😳

        2. 7.2.1.2
          Treetop
          6 October 2021 at 4:34 pm

          Good future rating for the am show by the sounds of it.

          Hopefully there will be a link.

        3. 7.2.1.3
          Gezza
          6 October 2021 at 4:37 pm

          Yup, interview is in the embedded video.

          https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2021/10/coronavirus-no-jab-no-job-mandate-will-increase-unemployment-judith-collins.html

          Collins already back to being a blithering idiot. All over the place, vague, nothing thought through…

          Blithering seems to be Collins’ default setting.

        4. 7.2.1.4
          Jimmy
          7 October 2021 at 10:44 am

          You must have watched a different interview, I watched the video in Gezzas comment below 7.2.1.3 and I certainly wouldn't call that getting owned. Great come back when she said about asking them to stop selling meth while they are at it.

          1. 7.2.1.4.1
            bwaghorn
            7 October 2021 at 11:30 am

            I saw petulant small minded fool , not an ounce of leadership ability in her

  8. 8
    Stuart Munro
    6 October 2021 at 4:33 pm

    Well I am encouraged by this – the government didn't take the easy but second rate path of ignoring the difficulty of fighting Covid in the demimonde – they grasped the nettle and did their absolute best, recruiting every ally they could get us.

    And props to the gangs fighting for the team of 5 million too. We used to get a few gang folk at sea. They wanted to prove they were staunch – and we had all this work to do – it worked out pretty well. The more the government finds constructive outlets for the energy of gangs, the better I'll like it.

    1. 8.1
      Gezza
      6 October 2021 at 4:45 pm

      That’s food for thought. And very well put.

  9. 9
    rod
    6 October 2021 at 5:09 pm

    I have always thought that gang members were tough, fearless macho guys, but it seems now, that some are frightened of a pin prick in their arms. There you go.indecision

    1. 9.1
      Descendant Of Smith
      6 October 2021 at 5:41 pm

      Many of them go in and out of pyschiatric units as well. Others commit suicide. Others hold down jobs.

      They aren't a homogenous group of people.

      1. 9.1.1
        Gezza
        6 October 2021 at 7:06 pm

        Yup. The ringleader of a small group of ratbag kids who harassed us for several months when my late wife & I moved to our current place in 2005 we learned had a gang dad who’d hanged himself.

        1. 9.1.1.1
          Descendant Of Smith
          7 October 2021 at 7:24 pm

          Many gang members live in a climate of fear – of the law, of prison, of going into the wrong territory, of each other, of their leaders… Living like that all ain't it cracked up to be. They are real fears as well – not like many of the fears middle class people have which are perceived. For most it is a shit life really. It isn't any surprise many end up mentally unwell or suicidal. Fear does shitty things to both your nervous system and your brain.

  10. 10
    tsmithfield
    7 October 2021 at 7:32 am

    I must admit the prospect of gang members being given a free pass doesn't sit well with me, though I understand the argument.

    The bigger issue that will piss a lot of people off is the number of much more deserving cases that can't get across.

    For instance, a guy on the radio last night who owns a building company but has over sixty houses he can't get his staff working on just over the border, even though his staff are all vaccinated and routinely tested.

    1. 10.1
      Patricia Bremner
      7 October 2021 at 9:14 am

      They are not at risk and likely to pass the virus to others.. hard choices have to be made, and rules always create anomalies.

      1. 10.1.1
        tsmithfield
        7 October 2021 at 9:39 am

        This guy said on the radio he had applied to MBIE six times and had been turned down every time.

        I understand that rules create anomalies. That is when real people can step in and over-ride those rules when it makes absolute sense to do so.

  11. 11
    RedLogix
    7 October 2021 at 9:07 am

    Fascinating how a middle class couple who break one COVID rule become Public Enemy No1 and vilified in the media and here for weeks – while a man who leads an organisation that exists solely in defiance of the law has suddenly become a hero.

    Fuck me.

    1. 11.1
      Patricia Bremner
      7 October 2021 at 9:21 am

      Anyone who visits and works with possibly infected people is to be admired.

      That does not mean the other aspects won't matter when we have them vaccinated. I am glad our Health Advisors have common sense and the courage to connect.
      Are you saying these groups do not need the guidance from their trusted leadership in making connections? "They should be left to stew" Examine your rationale. We need more than knee jerk reactions.

      The middle class couple had the money to make other choices, and chose not to.

      1. 11.1.1
        RedLogix
        7 October 2021 at 10:03 am

        @PB

        Well and good. I look forward to you consistently applying this new morality that 'admires' criminals while condemning people because 'they have choices'.

        This should be interesting.

        1. 11.1.1.1
          Jenny how to get there
          7 October 2021 at 3:27 pm

          As Winston Churchill once said,"If Hitler invaded hell, I would put in a good word for the devil in the House of Commons".

          1. 11.1.1.1.1
            RedLogix
            7 October 2021 at 11:38 pm

            That's a cool riposte. yes

    2. 11.2
      Ad
      7 October 2021 at 9:26 am

      There's more rats to swallow coming up.

      1. 11.2.1
        Patricia Bremner
        7 October 2021 at 9:55 am

        Yes I guess so, but this is a learn on the job situation, with a small time window to make critical decisions. We won't like some of them for sure.

    3. 11.3
      Descendant Of Smith
      7 October 2021 at 1:34 pm

      Plonker. Haven't hear anyone but you say he's a hero and most of us aren't vilifying anyone.

      Hyperbole much?

  12. 12
    Tricledrown
    7 October 2021 at 9:11 am

    Tsm covid is not fair gangs exist in all modern societies.

    We have one of the biggest wealth gaps of any developed economy where you have such embedded deprivation you have more gangs.

    I can understand the builders frustrations but it would need a lot of organisation to work with all industries who would be in similar situations.

    Building houses should be seen as an essential service because of the housing shortage is contributing to the tentacles of covid flourishing in overcrowded poor housing conditions.

    1. 12.1
      tsmithfield
      7 October 2021 at 9:42 am

      Exactly. We don't need the housing shortage exacerbated as well as Covid. There needs to be some common sense rather than bloody-minded bureaucracy.

      1. 12.1.1
        Patricia Bremner
        7 October 2021 at 9:57 am

        They tried that in Victoria and NSW and spread was huge. They shut all construction down.

        1. 12.1.1.1
          tsmithfield
          7 October 2021 at 10:29 am

          But where staff are fully vaccinated and routinely tested, and they are going from one level three area to another??

          BTW, construction is one of the industries allowed to operate at level 3.

  13. 13
    Nat
    7 October 2021 at 5:53 pm

    Yes, the Gang members who are getting permission to go into Auckland is weird…Sonny (Waikato – Mongrel Mob) is feuding with the Auckland Chapter of the mob over territory for the last decade…Michael Tam (Dunedin Mongrel Mob) is widely not trusted within the mob due to his money losing ventures…he escaped to the Hawkes Bay.
    I do not believe those two are in Auckland to help with the vaccine roll out within the Auckland underworld. I reckon they are using it as cover.

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  • Day 1 of voter suppression: why is National preventing people from enrolling to vote?
    by weka
  • Open Mike 26/10/2026
    by notices and features
  • Open Mike 25/10/2026
    by notices and features
  • Let’s talk about the Opportunity Party in New Zealand
    by Mountain Tui
  • “Government does things not for profit but to build a country”
    by weka
  • Open Mike 24/10/2026
    by notices and features
  • Daily review 23/10/2026
    by notices and features
  • Gangs are bad. Crime is not?
    by Mountain Tui
  • Open Mike 23/10/2026
    by notices and features
  • Daily review 22/10/2026
    by notices and features
  • Luxon lies about 54 nurses
    by Mountain Tui
  • Open Mike 22/10/2026
    by notices and features
  • Daily review 21/10/2026
    by notices and features
  • Open Mike 21/10/2026
    by notices and features
  • Daily review 20/10/2026
    by notices and features
  • Twopenneth on MMP and Class
    by Nigel Haworth
  • Let’s talk gangs
    by Mountain Tui
  • If you want to change the Government …
    by mickysavage
  • Open Mike 20/10/2026
    by notices and features
  • Daily review 19/10/2026
    by notices and features
  • A Faulty Handbrake Analogy
    by Incognito
  • National wants to supress voter turnout
    by mickysavage
  • Open Mike 19/10/2026
    by notices and features
  • The Health Crisis and the Election
    by mickysavage
  • Open Mike 18/10/2026
    by notices and features
  • Feeds are back
    by lprent
  • Open Mike 17/10/2026
    by notices and features
  • Daily review 16/10/2026
    by notices and features
  • How To Celebrate Getting Really Rich
    by advantage
  • Open Mike 16/10/2026
    by notices and features
  • Daily review 15/10/2026
    by notices and features
  • Voting for Opportunity could cement the right wing for another 3 years
    by Mountain Tui
  • The Opportunity National Courtship
    by mickysavage
  • Enrolment levels
    by lprent
  • Open Mike 15/10/2026
    by notices and features
  • Daily review 14/10/2026
    by notices and features
  • Open Mike 14/10/2026
    by notices and features
  • Daily review 13/10/2026
    by notices and features
  • Open Mike 13/10/2026
    by notices and features
  • Daily review 12/10/2026
    by notices and features
  • Lies Damned Lies and National Party Employment statistics
    by mickysavage
  • Open Mike 12/10/2026
    by notices and features
  • Why is everybody talking about tax and fiscal holes?
    by Incognito
  • Open Mike 11/10/2026
    by notices and features
  • Open Mike 10/10/2026
    by notices and features
  • Daily review 09/10/2026
    by notices and features
  • Coalition’s problem: bullshit doesn’t conceal poor performance
    by lprent
  • Open Mike 09/10/2026
    by notices and features
  • Chris Hipkins Is Right
    by advantage
  • Daily review 08/10/2026
    by notices and features
  • Calculated cruelty
    by mickysavage
  • The Leader’s debate
    by mickysavage
  • Open Mike 08/10/2026
    by notices and features
  • Daily review 07/10/2026
    by notices and features
  • National plans to slash overseas aid
    by mickysavage
  • Who buys the election – follow the money
    by lprent
  • Open Mike 07/10/2026
    by notices and features
  • Daily review 06/10/2026
    by notices and features
  • The Diesel Powered Election
    by advantage
  • RNZ-Reid poll happy dance
    by weka
  • What have we learnt from Election ’26?
    What have we learnt from Election ’26? How might we understand the outcome and where we go from here? For Auckland Fabians we have two critical perspectives to assess the election as both a reflection on the voter mood and party strategy and assess the new political ecology in which we need to respond. It was an election supposedly about the economy but so much more clouded into the narratives and then core issues seemed to become forgotten – Ti Tiriti, climate and any significant response to poverty. We no
    Fabian Events · 6:00 pm
  • What has the election brought us?
    What has the election actually delivered? – this post-election session considers the immediate results and the wider issues. Eleven days after the election, there may still be critical special votes to count and of course a jostling of parties in negotiations to form a new coalition. So the post-election panel will discuss the results with chair Max Rashbrooke and also move to wider issues. The panel: Kassie Hartendorp (director of ActionStation), Rob Campbell (chancellor of AUT and former chair of Te Whatu
    Fabian Events · 5:30 pm
  • Voices from Cuba
    Hear Bob Schwarz, director of Global Health Partners, speak about the campaign to support Cuba’s maternal and neonatal healthcare. The meeting will also include a farewell for Cuban Ambassador Luis Ernesto Morejón Rodríguez and discussion of Cuba’s struggle against Washington’s oil blockade and economic sanctions. This year’s US blockade on oil supplies to Cuba is having a devastating impact on working people there. With electricity plants starved of fuel, extensive power cuts are now a regular fact of life
    Fabian Events · 4:00 pm
  • AI may help, but it’s no substitute for sturdy cyber defence
    Sprinkling AI pixie dust around the place doesn’t automatically provide cyber defence. In its Annual Cyber Threat Report 2025–26, the Australian Signal Directorate urges organisations to embrace AI for cyber defence, but asking how much ...
    The Strategist by Rajiv Shah · 5:30 pm
  • FNC - Let's vote babe!
    No really, let's vote right now
    Emily Writes by Emily Writes · 5:00 pm
  • ‘Uncontrolled warrior culture’: Australia’s special forces under fire in new inquiry
    An inquiry into the culture and command of Australian special forces in Afghanistan could be a moment of reckoning for the country’s military leadership.
    The Conversation by Paul Taucher, Lecturer in History, Fellow Indo-Pacific Research Centre, Murdoch University · 2:24 pm
  • Mushroom murderer Erin Patterson has lost her appeal and received a harsher sentence. Legal experts explain why
    The ‘mushroom murderer’ will spend the rest of her life behind bars after losing her appeal.
    The Conversation by Natalia Antolak-Saper, Associate professor, Monash University · 2:00 pm
  • How the Quad can work with Southeast Asia
    The Quad has more policy space to undertake maritime security activities than its members’ policymakers have assumed. Our recent study, published on 13 October by the Hoover Institution at Stanford University, shows that Quad partners ...
    The Strategist by Arzan Tarapore, Le Hong Hiep, Waffaa Kharisma and Sarah Teo · 1:28 pm
  • A Nightmare Poll for National
    It’s not over until the slim lady screams.
    Nick's Kōrero by Nick Rockel · 12:57 pm
  • Buried cats, exorcisms and a sunken Colonel Sanders – the strange world of sporting curses
    Why would fans of a Japanese baseball team throw a statue of Colonel Sanders into a local canal? Welcome to the world of sporting curses.
    The Conversation by Vaughan Cruickshank, Senior Lecturer in Health and Physical Education, University of Tasmania · 12:29 pm
  • 30 October 2026
    Today’s Union News includes more coverage of strike action at TVNZ, Farmers, and hospitals. There’s also more on the dispute over whether Health NZ will hand over pay equity information. Union coverage Employment The post 30 October 2026 appeared first on NZCTU.
    NZCTU by Aaron · 11:43 am
  • Lower-income households continue to bear the brunt of the cost-of-living crisis under Luxon’s Government
    “Data released today by Stats NZ shows that low-income, beneficiary, and superannuitant households are bearing the brunt of ongoing price rises and the failure of Luxon’s Government to address the cost of living”, says Sandra Grey, New Zealand Council of Trade Unions Te Kauae Kaimahi President. Annual household living-costs inflation for the ‘all households’ category… Read More »Lower-income households continue to bear the brunt of the cost-of-living crisis under Luxon’s Government The post Lower-income hou
    NZCTU by Aaron · 11:31 am
  • National disenfranchised more than 44,000 voters
    Last year the regime attempted to rig the election, overturning 77 years of settled law to cut off enrolment two weeks before the vote. At the time they were warned that this could stop up to 100,000 people from voting - but that was the point. Those late enrolments were seen as mostly young, and mostly opposition-supporting - voters National did not want to have their say. National's artificial enrolment deadline has now closed. And it has had the expected result: overall enrolment is down 1.1%: The Electo
    No Right Turn by Idiot/Savant · 11:20 am
  • Early Bird: Richest families pay tax rate of 8.1%
    New report updates IRD work, finding richest 311 families paid effective tax rate of 8.1% from 2021 to 2024, vs effective rate paid by median-wealth adult of 17.4%; Mortgage debt now over $400b
    The Kaka by Bernard Hickey · 9:06 am
  • Zuru’s Nightmare Nappies
    Alleged rashes, redness, swelling, blisters, peeling & “bleeding”.
    David Farrier by David Farrier · 8:35 am
  • Mines, drones, supplies: Australia lets adversaries know what Ghost Shark can do
    Australia’s disclosure last week of capabilities of the Ghost Shark uncrewed submarine sent a warning to potential adversaries about the country’s wartime options. The announcement also exhibited technological progress to AUKUS partners and let allies ...
    The Strategist by Tom Saxton and Morgan Saletta · 8:21 am
  • Labor came to power promising a big care agenda. Four years on, how has it fared?
    The Albanese government has modelled a more caring and inclusive form of leadership, but it’s being reminded that vibes are easier to change than policy regimes.
    The Conversation by Joshua Black, Lecturer in Australian Political Studies, Vice-Chancellor's Centre of Public Ideas, University of Canberra · 8:10 am
  • Weekly Roundup 30-October-2026
    Kia ora and welcome to our regular roundup of stories that caught our eye this week. Today’s header image (via Auckland Council news stories) shows a proposed ferris wheel, potentially coming soon to the waterfront. This Week in Greater Auckland A short week after a long weekend: On Wednesday, Patrick refreshed and re-upped a plan for the future of Auckland to Hamilton rail, in response to this week’s Waikato Regional Council report on same – building on posts from 2017 and 2024.… The post Weekly Roundup 30
    Greater Auckland by Greater Auckland · 8:00 am
  • The Weekly Hoon: Eastern European history & NZ; Election 2026; the RBNZ’s surprise hold & limited fiscal choices
    Bernard Hickey & Peter Bale discuss the week in geopolitics and NZ’s political economy, and then talk fiscal, monetary and KiwiSaver policy with special guest Shamubeel Eaqub
    The Kaka by Bernard Hickey · 7:02 am
  • The Road to a United States of Europe Is Paved with Protests
    Deepening EU integration protects the euro but disempowers national states, sparking protests from citizens seeking a lost status quo.
    Naked Capitalism by Curro Jimenez · 7:00 am
  • So Untalented, He Was Accused of Being AI
    A man so terrible at drawing, millions have accused him of being ChatGPT.
    David Farrier by David Farrier · 6:32 am
  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #44 2026
    Open access notables Are Modern Droughts Unprecedented?, Helpap et al., AGU Advances Global drought variability of past centuries remains poorly understood due to sparse instrumental records and limited paleoclimate reconstructions. Yet, quantifying long-term forced and unforced variability is key for assessing the extremeness of modern (2000–2024) drought events. Here, we combine 20 ensemble members from a 600-year climate simulation (ModE-Sim, 1420–2009) and modern reanalysis data (ERA5-Land, 1950–2024) t
    Skeptical Science · 5:28 am
  • How the Law Protecting Americans from Surprise Medical Bills Is Driving Up Healthcare Costs
    Provider chicanery is producing the perverse outcome that curbing surprise billing is blowing out healthcare charges elsewhere.
    Naked Capitalism by Yves Smith · 3:57 am
  • Usque ad ultimum terrae: Fun With Antipodes
    On the off-chance that someone, somewhere, has mused about the Antipodes for given locations, I thought to satisfy anyone’s curiosity about the furthest point from my home-town of Dunedin, New Zealand. This is 45°52’26.4″N, 9°29’45.6″W. Somewhere in the North Atlantic, to the West of the Bay of Biscay. The closest city would be Cariño, Spain, […]
    A Phuulish Fellow by strda221 · 12:57 am
  • Links 10/29/2026
    Image article
    Naked Capitalism by Yves Smith · Yesterday
  • Former CalPERS CFO Charles Asubonten Continues His Over Three-Year, Failed Legal Campaign to Silence Naked Capitalism Reporting With New Federal Suit in the Northern District of Alabama
    Former CalPERS CFO Charles Asubonten doubles down on a losing legal campaign intended to silence Naked Capitalism.
    Naked Capitalism by Yves Smith · Yesterday
  • Charles Asubonten v. Aurora Advisors Incorporated: Filed in Maryland February 2024, Dismissed April 2025, Appeal Dismissed July 2026, Motion to Reconsider Denied August 2026
    The second unsuccessful case by Charles Asubonten seeking to silence Naked Capitalism's reporting.
    Naked Capitalism by Yves Smith · Yesterday
  • Charles Asubonten v. Susan Webber: Filed in Maryland in July 2023, Dismissed February 2024
    The first in a pair of Charles Asubonten's groundless and unsuccessful cases against Naked Capitalism's reporting.
    Naked Capitalism by Yves Smith · Yesterday
  • Mirable Dictu! AI Is Set to Destroy Major Software Quasi Monopolies
    Will AI software clones wreck the predatory business models of giants like Adobe and Microsoft? One can hope.
    Naked Capitalism by Yves Smith · Yesterday
  • Satyajit Das: On Cinema – The Wages of War
    Another Satyajit Das thematic sampling from cinema and discussion, here on war.
    Naked Capitalism by Yves Smith · Yesterday
  • Grattan on Friday: an embattled government tells Australians the pain they feel won’t end any time soon
    Chalmers and Labor face some hard choices to try to curb inflation while the electorate’s mood worsens.
    The Conversation by Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra · Yesterday
  • Opportunity flirt with ruling NZ First out - but then change their mind
    Plus: National Party panics as they record the worst result since 2020. And Labour talk cost of living
    Mountain Tui by Mountain Tūī · Yesterday
  • KiwiStack Live with Bernard Hickey and Chloe Swarbrick on the Green fiscal plan
    In which the Greens’ co-leader challenges the fiscal orthodoxy of forever trying to reduce Government debt & deficits in a mechanistic way, which has worsened poverty, living costs & the environment
    The Kaka by Bernard Hickey · Yesterday
  • KiwiStack Live with Bernard Hickey and Ganesh Nana on fiscal plans in Election 2026
    A recording from Bernard Hickey's live video
    The Kaka by Bernard Hickey · Yesterday
  • CCP enforces its law on Mbappe and football: if you profit in China, you will obey
    And so we see China imposing its censorship on the world. An attack on Mao Zedong and, by extension, the Chinese Communist Party itself has come through an unexpected avenue – an ephemeral media comment ...
    The Strategist by Geoff Wade and Justin Bassi · Yesterday
  • Israel election by the numbers: who might form the next government?
    A who’s who of Israeli politicians who could feature in the next government.
    The Conversation by Digital Storytelling Team, The Conversation · Yesterday
  • Join us at 5pm for this week's Hoon
    Join Peter Bale & Bernard Hickey for the weekly 'Hoon' around news in geopolitics, climate, politics & more with Robert Patman & Shamubeel Eaqub
    The Kaka by Bernard Hickey · Yesterday
  • 29 October 2026
    Today’s Union News includes coverage of strike action across many sectors including food production, retail, health, and insurance. Public service chiefs have also been instructed to plan for 9,000 job cuts during the election campaign. Union coverage Employment The post 29 October 2026 appeared first on NZCTU.
    NZCTU by Aaron · Yesterday
  • It’s time to treat state-sponsored cyber intrusions as attacks
    Democracies made a big cybersecurity mistake in the 1990s when they insisted that cyber intrusions were not acts of war. That insistence meant managing a constant barrage of attacks rather than preventing them, teaching Russia, ...
    The Strategist by Fitriani, Gatra Priyandita and Justin Bassi · Yesterday
  • Victorian state election: what’s at stake for treaty and Indigenous self-determination?
    Victoria has made significant progress in advancing Indigenous rights. However, those achievements sit precariously as the state heads to an election on November 28.
    The Conversation by Bartholomew Stanford, Senior Lecturer of Indigenous Studies, Indigenous Education and Research Centre, James Cook University · Yesterday
  • Can a new government solve NZ’s local council crisis? Why a royal commission could help
    Local government has experienced massive upheaval over the past years, but the big financial and infrastructural challenges remain. A new blueprint is needed.
    The Conversation by Guy C. Charlton, Associate Professor, School of Law, University of New England · Yesterday
  • How can a local cycleway take longer than the CRL?
    In early 2016, Auckland Transport kicked off consultation for a network of connected bike routes linking the Inner West neighbourhoods to each other and to the wider network. By August 2016, they had settled on this plan for the local network: The routes in pink had funding available for construction by the end of 2018, thanks to the Urban Cycleways Programme, kicked off under John Key’s National Government and then-Minister of Transport Simon Bridges.… The post How can a local cycleway take longer than the
    Greater Auckland by Connor Sharp · Yesterday
  • The Māori Leaders Debate.
    Marama Davidson shines while Shane Jones blows a gale.
    Nick's Kōrero by Nick Rockel · Yesterday
  • Climate change plus a super El Niño could add up to a record-wet winter for California
    After the state endured its hottest year-to-date period on record and a multi-million-dollar battering by Hurricane Marie in September and Hurricane Rachel in October, much greater destruction could be on the way this winter. El Niño is continuing to warm coastal waters, and because water expands as it heats, sea levels could rise to unprecedented heights during the coming king tides at Thanksgiving, Christmas, and late January. In concert with the rising seas will likely come a battering by record-wet atmo
    Skeptical Science · Yesterday
  • Early Bird: Nearly half of 18-24s want to leave NZ
    Poll finds almost half of 18-24 year-olds seriously considered moving away from NZ in the last year, with 10% actively trying to leave; 45% of Māori & Pacifica want to go; National under 25%-RNZ/Reid
    The Kaka by Bernard Hickey · Yesterday
  • You’re supposed to turn Bluetooth off when you don’t need it – how risky is it really?
    You don’t need to stop using Bluetooth completely but a few simple habits can reduce unnecessary risks.
    The Conversation by Meena Jha, Associate Professor, College of Information & Communication Technology, School of Engineering and Technology, CQUniversity Australia · Yesterday
  • Fault Lines – Taiwan drones, Timorese deals and New Caledonian diplomacy
    Welcome to the latest edition of ASPI’s Fault Lines. Every fortnight, ASPI’s Defence Strategy Program monitors the actions and developments shaping the regional order and Australia’s security. This edition covers the period from 16 October to 29 October ...
    The Strategist by ASPI Defence Strategy Staff · Yesterday
  • Coffee Break: Elon Musk Has a Hand in Everything from Anthropic to Skydance to Texas Politics
    Elon Musk is playing an outsize role in media, politics and tech in his dealings with Skydance, Anthropic, and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott.
    Naked Capitalism by Nat Wilson Turner · Yesterday
  • Gordon Campbell On How Trump, Peter Thiel And ICE May Gain Access To Your Most Personal Bio-Data
    Already, there are several good reasons for avoiding the United States as a holiday destination, but here’s another one. Under a “partnership” deal that New [...]
    Werewolf by lyndon · Yesterday
  • Americans Hit Hardest by War-Driven Oil Price Surge
    Despite Trump's claims otherwise, American consumers and businesses are the lead victims of Gulf-War-induced oil price increases.
    Naked Capitalism by Yves Smith · Yesterday
  • Links 10/28/2026
    Image article
    Naked Capitalism by Conor Gallagher · Wednesday
  • Election thoughts, including a decision on my Two Votes
    On Special Votes, Voter Suppression, and Opportunity Looms Large…
    Frankly Speaking by Frank Macskasy · Wednesday
  • The Coming Global Spring
    Expect regime change operations to shift into overdrive as destabilizing economic damage from war-induced food and energy crises mounts.
    Naked Capitalism by Conor Gallagher · Wednesday
  • China Continues to Struggle With Overcapacity in Electric Cars, Other Sectors
    While the West has less than stellar economic prospects, persistent overcapacity in China threatens destructive deflation.
    Naked Capitalism by Yves Smith · Wednesday
  • RFK Jr. Condemned Over Baseless and ‘Nakedly Racist’ Anti-Arab Rant at Rogers Event in Michigan
    RFK Jr.'s anti-Arab diatribe confirms the charge that all Trump ultimately has to offer is white supremacy.
    Naked Capitalism by Yves Smith · Wednesday
  • KiwiStack Live with Bernard Hickey and Elliot Crossan on fiscal plans for Election 2026
    A recording from Bernard Hickey's live video
    The Kaka by Bernard Hickey · Wednesday
  • Parents have one of Australia’s most important jobs, so why don’t we have policy for them?
    Australia invests billions in children annually, but we still struggle to keep them safe, happy and healthy. It’s time to include the missing puzzle piece: parents.
    The Conversation by Daryl Higgins, Professor & Director, Institute of Child Protection Studies, Australian Catholic University · Wednesday
  • Australia’s uranium policy undercuts its energy diplomacy
    Treasurer Jim Chalmers told the Australia–Japan Joint Business Conference this month that ‘Japan has no energy provider more loyal than Australia’. He promised to keep working with Tokyo as Australia’s Domestic Gas Reservation Scheme took ...
    The Strategist by Ian Satchwell · Wednesday
  • 'I feel safer in Australia than Aotearoa'
    CW: Transphobia and homophobia. Sully never expected he’d have to leave his home. He loves Aotearoa. He loves the beaches, the forests, and his community. His family - chosen and blood - lives here and he’s close with them. His siblings are here… Still, there was no
    Emily Writes by Emily Writes · Wednesday
  • Israel has voted – but the results will be messy. Here’s how its next government will be formed
    With neither major bloc looking like it will form a majority, the negotiations will begin. And it will take some time before there is a winner.
    The Conversation by Ran Porat, Affiliate Researcher, The Australian Centre for Jewish Civilisation, Monash University · Wednesday
  • 28 October 2026
    Today’s Union News includes an extensive piece from The Post’s Andrea Vance o Health NZ being accused of blocking pay equity claims. Plus, watch Sandra Grey on The Bradbury Group (via Waatea News) discussing the latest election news and our Kaitohutohu Māori, Scotty Giles, pens a piece to mark the anniversary of He Whakaputanga o… Read More »28 October 2026 The post 28 October 2026 appeared first on NZCTU.
    NZCTU by Aaron · Wednesday
  • Where Bluebottles’ long watch pays off
    The long endurance and low speed of Ocius Bluebottle uncrewed surveillance boats make them suitable for sustained observation that requires no rapid repositioning. They have already been used on missions just like that – to ...
    The Strategist by Ha Phuong Vu · Wednesday
  • A tide of change?
    There's been a bunch of elections in the last week, and - so far - they all seem to be going the same way. In Serbia Vučić is out, losing to the leftist, anti-corruption Student List. In Brazil, Lula has been re-elected, and Bolsonaro Jnr has fled the country to avoid prosecution for corruption. And in Israel, it looks like Netanyahu is out, though its not clear if anyone else is in to replace him (because Israeli parties are racist and refuse to work with Arab-Israeli representatives). There's a common the
    No Right Turn by Idiot/Savant · Wednesday
  • Real wages and the cost of living, 2023–26
    This report examines the National-led Government’s record on the cost of living and real wage growth across a number of different metrics. It is a complement to the Three Years of Pain report on the state of the labour market, and the What Are We Giving Up? report, which detailed the findings of NZCTU’s survey… Read More »Real wages and the cost of living, 2023–26 The post Real wages and the cost of living, 2023–26 appeared first on NZCTU.
    NZCTU by Jeremiah Boniface · Wednesday
  • Labour will use sale of state homes to build more houses
    The Ardern Government built 15,000 homes, Luxon’s Government just sold under 10,000. to mostly private developers in a fire sale of state assets
    Mountain Tui by Mountain Tūī · Wednesday
  • Better Way
    Voting for your healthcare.
    Nick's Kōrero by Nick Rockel · Wednesday
  • Most New Zealanders worry about AI’s risks, even as many expect to use it – new survey
    As experts propose a new public institute to guide AI policy, national survey findings show high concern among Māori and Asian people about how their data is used.
    The Conversation by Karaitiana Taiuru, Māori AI and digital governance expert, Indigenous Knowledge · Wednesday
  • 1 in 4 Australians physically abused by parents: study
    Physical abuse can include an adult hitting, pushing, kicking, beating, punching, choking or burning a child.
    The Conversation by Divna Haslam, Associate Professor & Clinical Psychologist, The University of Queensland · Wednesday
  • Why Republicans are on the back foot ahead of US midterm elections
    Sitting presidents are almost always punished in the midterm elections – and 2026 is looking like it will be no exception.
    The Conversation by Ava Kalinauskas, Senior Research Associate, United States Studies Centre, University of Sydney · Wednesday
  • Japan, Australia, US should build a second-island-chain air bridge
    Japan and Australia, with the United States and other partners, should build an air bridge between them in peacetime. This would be a set of regular air corridors with settled overflight and landing rights, refuelling ...
    The Strategist by Shigehiro Noshita · Wednesday
  • We-told-you-so Wednesday: Auckland to Hamilton rail
    Yesterday came news via RNZ and the Waikato Times, of a report from the Waikato Regional Council on securing the future of Te Huia, the intercity rail service that runs between Auckland and Hamilton. Among the recommendations in the report: a new station for central-city Hamilton, hourly services between the two main cities, more stops in between, and electrified trains: The preferred plan boasts a new above-ground terminus in central Hamilton, new stations at Ngāruawāhia, Te Kauwhata, Pōkeno, and Tūākau, n
    Greater Auckland by Patrick Reynolds · Wednesday
  • Early Bird: Rate hike coming back to bite Luxon
    Markets see 96% chance RBNZ will hike OCR by 25 bps to 3.0% at 2 pm; Luxon claimed credit for lower rates in 2025 & early 2026, which The Post-$ describes as ‘ridiculous & dangerous crankery’
    The Kaka by Bernard Hickey · Wednesday
  • Coffee Break: Armed Madhouse – Tactical Nuclear Weapons: A Deadly Temptation
    Originally developed as battlefield weapons, tactical nuclear arms have acquired a new rationale as instruments of incremental deterrence and escalation control. The revival of low-yield nuclear weapons illustrates a dangerous contradiction: efforts to strengthen deterrence may instead increase the risk of catastrophic escalation.
    Naked Capitalism by Haig Hovaness · Wednesday
  • Come Party With Webworm!
    On December 12, Webworm is putting on a show in Auckland, New Zealand.
    David Farrier by David Farrier · Wednesday
  • Anatomy of a Scoop
    Sometimes the biggest stories come from a single email.
    David Farrier by David Farrier · Wednesday
  • Te Pāti Māori launches Mana Takatāpui Policy
    Te Pāti Māori has today launched its Mana Takatāpui Policy, committing $200 million over three years and establishing an independent, Takatāpui governed Commission with real authority over Takatāpui specific funding. Te Pāti Māori Co Leader Rawiri Waititi says the policy is built on a simple principle: Nothing about Takatāpui without Takatāpui. “For too long, decisions have been made about Takatāpui without Takatāpui. Our policy changes who holds the power,” Waititi said.
    Te Pāti Māori by Te Pāti Māori · 23 September 2026
  • We Want Cheaper Power And We Want Our People To Own It.
    Te Pāti Māori has today announced its Energy Sovereignty policy, a plan to cut power costs, build Aotearoa’s energy future and shift ownership into the hands of whānau, hapū, iwi and communities. “Every party is talking about generating more electricity. We’re asking the question they keep avoiding: who will own it?” said Te Pāti Co-Leader Rawiri Waititi “If we replace fossil fuels with renewables but leave ownership and profits concentrated in the same hands, we haven’t transformed the system. We’ve just c
    Te Pāti Māori by Te Pāti Māori · 16 September 2026
  • GOVERNMENT'S LAST ACT IS ANOTHER ATTACK ON TE TIRITI
    In its final days, this Government is trying to strip Te Tiriti from our laws. Three Treaty-related Bills before Parliament would weaken Te Tiriti protections and reduce Crown accountability. Te Pāti Māori opposes every one of them. Instead, Te Pāti Māori are calling for Te Tiriti to be protected through enforceable Crown obligations that no Government can simply discard.
    Te Pāti Māori by Te Pāti Māori · 15 September 2026
  • TE PĀTI MĀORI LAUNCHES TE TIRITI ENTRENCHMENT POLICY
    Te Pāti Māori has today launched its Te Tiriti Entrenchment Policy, a major constitutional reform package that will make Crown obligations arising from Te Tiriti legally enforceable and resource the next stage of Māori-led constitutional transformation. “Te Tiriti is the constitutional foundation of Aotearoa. Its mana does not rise and fall depending on who forms the Government,” Te Pāti Māori Co-Leader Rawiri Waititi said. “Our policy is about certainty, accountability and making sure the Crown keeps its p
    Te Pāti Māori by Te Pāti Māori · 1 September 2026
  • MP for Hauraki-Waikato Hana-Rawhiti Calls on Govt to Honour its Commitments to Waikato and Waipaa Awa
    Hauraki-Waikato MP Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke says the Government’s decision to delay key provisions of Plan Change 1, which sets rules to protect and restore the health of the Waikato and Waipaa awa, puts 3-yearly electoral interests ahead of its obligations to iwi and the environment. “This is bigger than a plan or a process. It is about whether the Crown will keep its word to Waikato-Tainui and honour the commitments it made – and written into legislation” says Maipi-Clarke. “The power of Te Ture Whaimana
    Te Pāti Māori by Te Pāti Māori · 24 August 2026
  • Luxon chose culture wars while basic services failed
    Christopher Luxon has spent too much of his term legislating culture wars while the basic services New Zealanders rely on have been allowed to deteriorate, Te Pāti Māori co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer says. “The Prime Minister had a finite term to govern. He chose to spend an extraordinary amount of it undoing Māori rights and weakening Crown obligations while the services New Zealanders depend on were deteriorating,” Ngarewa-Packer said. “He found the time to mobilise 13 government agencies to trawl throu
    Te Pāti Māori by Te Pāti Māori · 18 August 2026
  • Luxon survives today, but he will not survive November 7
    Today’s National Party caucus meeting may have saved Christopher Luxon’s job, but it has not solved National’s deeper problem. This government is consumed by its own survival while whānau are left to carry the cost. For days, New Zealanders have watched a governing party turn inward while families face rising costs, job losses and an economy going backwards. “Luxon may have kept the job, but National has lost the country’s confidence,” said Te Pāti Māori Co-Leader, Rawiri Waititi.
    Te Pāti Māori by Te Pāti Māori · 12 August 2026
  • Oriini Kaipara MP extends aroha following fatal workplace incident in Ōtāhuhu
    Oriini Kaipara, MP for Tāmaki Makaurau, extends her deepest condolences to the whānau, friends and work colleagues of the worker who tragically lost their life at the Auckland Meat Processors facility on Portage Road, Ōtāhuhu. "Our thoughts are first and foremost with the whānau who are now navigating an unimaginable loss. No one should leave for work and not return home to their loved ones." Following notification of the incident, Oriini's office has been actively seeking information to better understand t
    Te Pāti Māori by Te Pāti Māori · 7 August 2026
  • Te Pati Maori will make the Waitangi Tribunal recommendations binding
    Te Pāti Māori Co-Leader Rawiri Waititi says New Zealand First's call to review the Waitangi Tribunal proves the coalition has learnt nothing from the Tribunal's latest report. "The Waitangi Tribunal has found that the Government's Treaty clause review is a major breach of Te Tiriti. Instead of fixing the breach, Shane Jones wants to investigate the institution that exposed it." Waititi says this is about far more than constitutional law.
    Te Pāti Māori by Te Pāti Māori · 6 August 2026
  • Government’s patriarchal noise cannot hide cervical-screening failure
    While this Government and its allies manufacture patriarchal noise and drag public debate into personal attacks, a serious health-system failure involving nearly one million cervical screening notifications demands urgent answers. Health New Zealand says there is “no indication of harm”, but the Government has produced no evidence that proves nobody missed screening, follow-up care or an earlier diagnosis.
    Te Pāti Māori by Te Pāti Māori · 5 August 2026
  • Government rips up another promise of partnership with Māori
    Te Pāti Māori Co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer says the Government’s reported decision to scrap existing Mana Whakahono ā Rohe agreements is not planning reform it’s another deliberate step in dismantling the Crown’s relationship with tangata whenua. “This Government isn’t just rewriting planning law. It is rewriting the place of Māori in Aotearoa.” “One law at a time, one institution at a time, one agreement at a time, they are removing the practical ways Te Tiriti is honoured.”
    Te Pāti Māori by Te Pāti Māori · 21 July 2026
  • MFAT Must Act Urgently to Free Everlee Wihongi After Another Delayed Hearing
    Everlee Wihongi was set to appear in court today to be freed from ICE detention. Unfortunately, approximately 80 minutes before it was scheduled to begin, the Immigration Court decided to postpone the hearing until June 30, 2026. ICE has no reason to continue to detain Everlee after the conviction that formed the basis of the immigration case was successfully overturned. Everlee has now been detained for over two months, and this is just the latest in a long line of unnecessary delays. “Our aroha goes out t
    Te Pāti Māori by Te Pāti Māori · 18 June 2026
  • Te Pāti Māori Announces Lisa Marie Murch as Te Tai Tonga Candidate for 2026
    Te Pāti Māori is proud to announce Lisa Marie Murch as its candidate for Te Tai Tonga in the 2026 General Election. Born and raised in Murihiku, Lisa brings lived experience, education, service, and a deep commitment to whānau Māori across Te Waipounamu. A young Māori mother at sixteen, Lisa knows firsthand the realities many whānau face. Her journey from cleaning and baking, to becoming a head baker, bilingual primary teacher, kaupapa Māori educator, and specialist across Murihiku and Ōtepoti schools, is g
    Te Pāti Māori by Te Pāti Māori · 15 June 2026
  • Government Hid Its Own Evidence on LNG
    Te Pāti Māori is calling on the Government to release all remaining redacted advice on the proposed Taranaki LNG import terminal and halt the contract process until full public disclosure has occurred. This week RNZ revealed that officials redacted modelling commissioned by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment showing low need for LNG imports. In some scenarios, no need at all. That information was only made public after RNZ lodged a complaint with the Ombudsman. Parts of the document remain
    Te Pāti Māori by Te Pāti Māori · 11 June 2026
  • Seymour Admits He Never Checked Impact on Māori with Diabetes
    David Seymour Associate Minister of Health confirmed in answers to Written Parliamentary Questions that he supported removing Māori and Pacific priority access to Type 2 diabetes medicines, without any equity analysis, without modelling of Māori complications, and holds no data on how many Māori currently rely on the pathway they're removing. Te Pāti Māori Co-Leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer said the admissions were negligible. "They don't know who they're harming. They don't know how many Māori with diabetes r
    Te Pāti Māori by Te Pāti Māori · 10 June 2026
  • If The Government Really Wants To Lower Power Bills, This Is The Way
    Te Pāti Māori Co-Leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer says the government’s LNG announcement today exposes a fundamental failure of energy policy leadership. “Simeon Brown says he has an answer to our energy security problem. A billion-dollar contract to import liquefied natural gas. From the Middle East. With no plan to pay for it. That’s not energy security, that’s energy dependency,” says Ngarewa-Packer. “Initially the government planned a levy on power bills to fund this facility. Now they want the same gentail
    Te Pāti Māori by Te Pāti Māori · 9 June 2026
  • Govt will Erase Iwi Representation Across Aotearoa
    Today the government announced that they will be removing the voting rights of iwi representatives from all councils across the country. They will be amending the Local Government (System Improvements) Bill after it has already gone through select committee, meaning that there will be no public submission process. “This is another gut punch, and our people are fed up” said Te Pāti Māori Co-Leader, Rawiri Waititi. “Every time we think this government couldn’t possibly harm te iwi Māori any more, they always
    Te Pāti Māori by Te Pāti Māori · 2 June 2026
  • TPM to Entrench Te Tiriti: Government’s Tiriti Purge is Constitutional Vandalism
    Te Pāti Māori is condemning today’s announcement by Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith to strip or weaken Te Tiriti o Waitangi references across 19 pieces of legislation. “This is not policy reform. It is constitutional vandalism.” After failing to redefine Te Tiriti through the Treaty Principles Bill, the Government is now dismantling it clause by clause through legislative review instead. Different vehicle. Same destination.
    Te Pāti Māori by Te Pāti Māori · 15 May 2026
  • Te Pāti Māori responds to announcement of new political party
    Te Pāti Māori acknowledges Mariameno Kapa-Kingi’s announcement that she intends to contest the 2026 General Election under the newly announced Te Tai Tokerau Party. We wish Mariameno well. Te ao Māori has always carried many voices, many rohe, many whakapapa, and many expressions of mana motuhake. We respect the right of whānau, hapū, iwi, rohe and candidates to determine their own political pathway.
    Te Pāti Māori by Te Pāti Māori · 11 May 2026
  • MP Govt Floats Nuclear Jones Must Front Up
    Te Pāti Māori is demanding answers after Shane Jones casually floated nuclear fission in the House today. Co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer said, “Aotearoa is not neutral on nuclear. We are proudly anti-nuclear. That position was fought for, defended, and embedded in who we are as a nation.” “Is this Government marching us away from our nuclear-free legacy? Because Aotearoa deserves to know,” said Debbie Ngarewa-Packer.
    Te Pāti Māori by Te Pāti Māori · 29 April 2026
  • KiwiRail to fund additional ferries works in Picton
    KiwiRail will directly fund up to $37.5 million for Picton rail yard upgrades and adding auto-mooring technology to the new wharf as part of the New Ferries project, Rail Minister Winston Peters announced today. “Selecting KiwiRail as the long-term operator of the Interislander has given the company confidence to invest its own funds in commercial assets, meaning the taxpayer is not paying a cent more than our $1.7 billion allocation but still achieves the benefit as the ultimate owner of KiwiRail,” Mr Pete
    Beehive by beehive.govt.nz · 16 October 2026
  • Resilience work underway for key South Island route
    Work to bolster the resilience of a key South Island route vital to New Zealand tourism will soon begin, South Island and Associate Transport Minister James Meager says. “The Government allocated around $40 million in Budget 2026 to fund resilience upgrades to State Highway 94 (SH94) between Te Anau and Milford, as part of a wider $150 million-plus package to strengthen five of the mainland’s most vulnerable state highways,” Mr Meager says. “There will soon be spades in the ground at key sites on SH94 in Fi
    Beehive by beehive.govt.nz · 16 October 2026
  • King’s Counsel appointments 2026
    Attorney-General Chris Bishop today announced the appointments of 12 King’s Counsel. The rank of King’s Counsel is primarily awarded to barristers sole who have met the overarching criteria of excellence in their careers. The 12 new King’s Counsel appointed, from over 100 applications, are Matanuku Mahuika, Karen Radich, Janette Campbell, Matthew Harris, Kirsten Gray, Tim Smith, Polly Pope, Kerry Cook, Sam Lowery, Rob Kirkness, Isaac Hikaka, and Annabel Maxwell-Scott. “The appointment of King’s Counsel reco
    Beehive by beehive.govt.nz · 16 October 2026
  • Levy reduction for cruise industry
    Cruise ship passengers will pay significantly lower Border Processing Levy rates from 1 July 2027, Customs Minister Casey Costello said today. From 1 July 2027, cruise passengers will see a net reduction of NZ$19.91 per person through the combined arrival and departure levy rate changes. The Border Processing Levy for arriving cruise passengers will lower from NZ$27.14 to NZ$7.20, while the levy for outgoing passengers will increase by three cents per person. “The levy system is working as intended. Where f
    Beehive by beehive.govt.nz · 16 October 2026
  • New construction ACOP to bring health and safety clarity
    Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden today launched a new Approved Code of Practice (ACOP) that outlines practical steps businesses and workers can take to meet their health and safety responsibilities on residential construction sites. “This ACOP will provide practical, sector-specific information to help clients, principal contractors, contractors, subcontractors and workers prepare for upcoming changes to health and safety law, and support better outcomes across New Zealand's residen
    Beehive by beehive.govt.nz · 16 October 2026
  • West Coast infrastructure upgrades on course
    Investment from the Regional Infrastructure Fund is delivering progress on key projects on the West Coast, Associate Regional Development Minister Mark Patterson says. "Improvements to key shipping ports and the upgrade of Hokitika Airport are part of the government’s support for the West Coast’s economic growth and resilience,” Mr Patterson says. Mr Patterson joined local leaders and iwi today at the blessing of Greymouth Port's new port sounding vessel, which will be used to monitor and manage the port’s
    Beehive by beehive.govt.nz · 16 October 2026
  • Hunua Quarry development fast-tracked
    A third substantial Auckland quarry project has gained Fast-track approval to expand operations, Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop and Resources Minister Shane Jones say. This is the 37th project approved through the Fast-track process. Winstone Aggregates lodged its application in March 2026, with approval taking around four months from the appointment of an independent expert panel. The redevelopment of Hunua Quarry will expand existing quarrying activities to allow Winstone Aggregates to deepen the ex
    Beehive by beehive.govt.nz · 15 October 2026
  • SH54 resilience improvements on the way
    A crash-prone bridge in Manawatū currently down to one lane is set to be replaced with funding from the Regional Infrastructure Fund, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones and Transport Minister Chris Bishop say. The project to replace Haynes Bridge on State Highway 54 will receive funding of $6.5 million from the Regional Infrastructure Fund. Mr Jones says the investment in the new bridge on a key Manawatū-Whanganui route will deliver benefits for communities and businesses throughout the region. "Safe
    Beehive by beehive.govt.nz · 15 October 2026
  • New term, same story; attendance up again
    Provisional school attendance data for Term 3 2026 shows despite a tough flu season in person attendance rates were the highest of any Term 3 since 2022, Associate Education Minister David Seymour says. In Term 3 2026, 52.2% of students met the criteria for regular attendance, representing a 1.7 percentage point increase from 50.5% in Term 3 2025. A student attends school ‘regularly’ when they are in class for more than 90 per cent of the term. “This data shows attendance rates continue to rise under this G
    Beehive by beehive.govt.nz · 15 October 2026
  • International tourism nears full recovery
    International visitor numbers are now within a whisker of pre-pandemic levels, with four months left to go in the year and the summer season yet to hit, Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston says. Stats NZ data out today shows the total number of overseas visitor arrivals in August 2026 was 99 per cent of the 251,100 in August 2019. “In 2025 I set the ambitious goal to increase the number of international visitors to New Zealand to at least 2019 levels by 2026. “This monthly data shows we are well
    Beehive by beehive.govt.nz · 14 October 2026
  • Open ocean opportunities for iwi aquaculture
    The Government has set aside areas suitable for aquaculture to ensure Marlborough iwi have the opportunity to contribute to the region’s open ocean aquaculture boom, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. “The two Aquaculture Settlement Areas (ASAs) ensure suitable space in the region remains available while the Crown and Te Tau Ihu iwi negotiate a settlement under the Māori Commercial Aquaculture Claims Settlement Act,” Mr Jones says. “With the launch earlier this year of New Zealand’s first open
    Beehive by beehive.govt.nz · 14 October 2026
  • Diesel reserve extended to maintain fuel security
    The Government has extended an agreement for a 550,000-barrel strategic diesel reserve until August 2027 to maintain New Zealand’s fuel resilience, Finance Minister Nicola Willis and Associate Energy Minister Shane Jones say. “Maintaining our national fuel security, particularly through a period of global uncertainty, remains a top priority for the Government. That’s why we’re pleased to announce this extension to our existing deal with Z Energy for the diesel reserve at Marsden Point,” Nicola Willis says.
    Beehive by beehive.govt.nz · 14 October 2026
  • Survivor Support and Recognition Fund to open next year
    The Government has approved a third and final round of the Survivor Support and Recognition Fund (SSRF). The fund supports community-led services and initiatives for survivors of abuse and neglect in care This $820,000 contestable fund will be available to non-government organisations and community groups that directly support survivors of abuse in care,” says Lead Coordination Minister Erica Stanford. Applications are expected to open in February 2027. The Department of Internal Affairs' Community Operatio
    Beehive by beehive.govt.nz · 14 October 2026
  • Long overdue replacement for critical bridge
    Another bridge on South Canterbury’s State Highway 82 will be replaced, through funding from the Regional Infrastructure Fund, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones and Transport Minister Chris Bishop say. The Deep Creek Bridge on SH82 will be replaced at a cost of $7.5 million. Elephant Hill Stream Bridge has already been replaced, and Waihao North Bridge is in the process of being replaced Deep Creek Bridge carries about 1850 vehicles each day and supports local journeys, agricultural activity and fre
    Beehive by beehive.govt.nz · 14 October 2026
  • It's all adding up: More maths gains for Kiwi kids
    New independent assessment results show primary and intermediate students made the equivalent of four months' additional progress in mathematics between 2024 and 2026, signalling a turnaround in achievement, Education Minister Erica Stanford says. The latest Progressive Achievement Test (PAT) data, released today by the New Zealand Council for Educational Research (NZCER), show statistically significant improvements in mathematics and reading comprehension and vocabulary. “Our number one priority in educati
    Beehive by beehive.govt.nz · 14 October 2026
  • Auckland gets another Crisis Recovery Café
    People in Auckland in need of mental health or addiction support will have another place to turn for faster access to support, with a new peer-led Crisis Recovery Café officially opening in Mt Eden, Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey says. “Emergency departments aren’t always the best environment for someone experiencing mental distress. They can be busy, brightly lit and feel far too clinical, when often what someone needs is a calm place to sit down and talk to someone who understands. “That’s why we are
    Beehive by beehive.govt.nz · 13 October 2026
  • Damning report shows Teaching Council failed to protect children
    A damning new independent review has revealed how repeated failures by the Teaching Council allowed a teacher with a known history of offending to remain in the profession before he went on to commit indecent acts against children, Minister of Education Erica Stanford says. The independent regulatory review undertaken by Katherine Anderson KC follows the equally damning 2025 Debbie Francis review, which exposed a deeply concerning culture within the Teaching Council. “First and foremost, my thoughts are wit
    Beehive by beehive.govt.nz · 13 October 2026
  • New ward boosts capacity at Hawke’s Bay Hospital
    Hawke’s Bay patients will benefit from faster access to surgical care with the opening of a new 28-bed ward at Hawke’s Bay Hospital, Health Minister Simeon Brown says. “This new ward is a practical solution to meet growing demand, delivering the extra capacity Hawke’s Bay Hospital needs right now and making a real difference for both patients and staff,” Mr Brown says. “It gives surgical patients dedicated space before and after their procedures, along with space for surgical assessment and planning. That m
    Beehive by beehive.govt.nz · 12 October 2026
  • First state school converts to a charter school
    Associate Education Minister David Seymour has today announced that Pakaraka School in Northland has become the first state school to convert to a charter school. “Charter schools give educators more freedom to provide students with an education that suits their needs,” Mr Seymour says. “The Pakaraka community has chosen a new path for its school. They want to be able to build on what is already working for its students, and the charter school model enables them to do that. “In 2024 the school partnered wit
    Beehive by beehive.govt.nz · 12 October 2026
  • Government ambitious for every child’s education
    Thank you, Prime Minister. Over the past three years, we have been focused on one overriding objective: lifting educational achievement for every young New Zealander. And a huge part of that has been closing the equity gap, ensuring that your means do not determine your destiny by providing a world-leading education for every young person in our schools. Because we are ambitious for every child in this country. A world-leading education system starts with ensuring every child learns to read, write and do ma
    Beehive by beehive.govt.nz · 12 October 2026
  • Additional domestic student places for veterinary science at Massey University
    “An increase in the number of funded domestic places in Massey University’s Bachelor of Veterinary Science programme from 125 to 140 per year from 2027 onwards will help address demand for veterinarians in the future,” says Minister for Tertiary Education Penny Simmonds. Minister Simmonds made the announcement during her visit to the university’s Palmerston North campus on Friday, 9 October. “The veterinary workforce plays a key role in our biosecurity, animal welfare, food safety, and export industry. Incr
    Beehive by beehive.govt.nz · 9 October 2026
  • District Court Judges Appointed
    Attorney-General Hon Chris Bishop has announced the appointment of Leighvi Maynard of Gisborne and Nicola Graham of Napier as District Court Judges. Mr Maynard began his legal career at Simpson Grierson in Auckland, where he was a member of the firm’s Environment, Planning and Resource Management team. In 2006 he moved to Gisborne and entered general practice, working across civil, employment, Māori land, family and criminal law jurisdictions before joining the Office of the Crown Solicitor for Rotorua, Tau
    Beehive by beehive.govt.nz · 9 October 2026
  • Simpler food safety, stronger focus on risk
    The Government is proposing changes to make it easier for food businesses to meet their food safety obligations, with less paperwork and a sharper focus on the risks that matter, Food Safety Minister Andrew Hoggard says. Consultation opened today on an updated Simply Safe & Suitable food control plan template. This is New Zealand's main food control template: a pre-approved, plain-language checklist that tells businesses what steps to follow and what records to keep so their food stays safe. "Businesses hav
    Beehive by beehive.govt.nz · 9 October 2026
  • Food and fibre exports hit record $65.2 billion
    Food and fibre exports reached a record $65.2 billion in the year to 30 June 2026, up $4.8 billion on the year before, Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay says. "Kiwi farmers and growers keep delivering for the New Zealand economy," Mr McClay says. "This year was already on track to be a record. Their hard work has delivered a result that beats expectations." Exports are up 8 per cent on the previous year and ahead of the Ministry for Primary Industries' June forecast of $64.3 billion. "It's a gre
    Beehive by beehive.govt.nz · 9 October 2026
  • Investigation into Apollo Stadium site planning rules
    An investigation has been launched into whether Christchurch planning rules are getting in the way of new housing, economic growth and the future redevelopment of the former Apollo Projects Stadium site, RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop says. The investigation follows a request from Christchurch City Council Mayor Phil Mauger to consider changes to the Christchurch District Plan for the 4.93-hectare site at 95 Jack Hinton Drive in Addington. “The temporary Apollo Stadium has served Christchurch well. Now th
    Beehive by beehive.govt.nz · 9 October 2026
  • Four more school redevelopments get the green light
    The Government is investing a further $37 million to redevelop four schools, taking investment in school redevelopment projects approved this year to more than $200 million, Education Minister Erica Stanford says. “When we came into Government, school property was a mess. Around 350 projects could not be delivered within the funding available, schools had been waiting years for certainty, and classrooms were costing around $1.2 million each. “We said we would fix it, and that is exactly what we have been do
    Beehive by beehive.govt.nz · 8 October 2026
  • Next steps in fight against organised crime
    The new Transnational, Serious and Organised Crime (TSOC) Chief Executive Board has met for the first time today, Associate Police Minister Casey Costello has announced. “We need better organised government to fight organised crime, and the Board will help deliver that,” Ms Costello says. “The Government has made a series of decisions to improve our response to TSOC, including appointing a Ministerial Advisory Group (MAG), and putting in place a new TSOC strategy and Action Plan. A key recommendation of the
    Beehive by beehive.govt.nz · 8 October 2026
  • More Kiwis choosing teaching
    More New Zealanders are choosing to become teachers, with initial teacher education enrolments up 40 per cent since 2023. Education Minister Erica Stanford says the increase shows more Kiwis want to be part of New Zealand’s teaching workforce. “We’ve had a real focus on getting more New Zealanders into teaching so we can grow our own workforce and reduce our reliance on recruiting teachers from overseas. “Overseas-trained teachers make an important contribution to our schools, and we will continue to need t
    Beehive by beehive.govt.nz · 8 October 2026
  • RMA national direction reforms complete
    The Government has completed the biggest overhaul of national direction in the history of the Resource Management Act – with the final changes making it faster, easier and more affordable to build and upgrade New Zealand’s electricity and telecommunications networks, RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop says. “Over the past two years the Government has developed or amended 16 national direction instruments to remove unnecessary barriers to housing, infrastructure, energy and the primary sector,” Mr Bishop says.
    Beehive by beehive.govt.nz · 8 October 2026
  • Government cracks down on rockpool vandals
    Major fishing rule changes will come into force this summer to stop people from stripping rockpools of marine life on the Auckland and Coromandel coastlines, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones and Under-Secretary Jenny Marcroft say. “Fossicking in a rockpool is a Kiwi tradition. It’s a pastime that’s been enjoyed by generations of New Zealanders. However, it’s being exploited by a selfish few who are taking far too much kaimoana. This behaviour is endangering these fragile ecosystems and putting at r
    Beehive by beehive.govt.nz · 8 October 2026
  • The Big Climate Change Re-Brand - And Whether It Matters
    Reframing climate change action as something - anything - else is not unique to just one party, or even the election campaign.
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  • 'Pretty Strong Correlation' Between Enrolment Changes And Lower Enrolment Rate - Electoral Law Expert
    The government changed the law so that people could not enrol to vote on election day or during the advanced voting period, instead putting a deadline of midnight, 25 October.
    Scoop politics · 6:25 pm
  • ER Report: A Roundup of Significant Articles on EveningReport.nz for October 30, 2026
    ER Report: Here is a summary of significant articles published on EveningReport.nz on October 30, 2026.
    Evening Report by Evening Report · 6:20 pm
  • Enrolments Of Up To 6800 People With Residence Class Visas Could Be Affected - Electoral Commission
    Some people with residence class visas who have applied to enrol have been asked to provide information on their immigration status when they didn't need to, said Karl Le Quesne, Chief Electoral Officer.
    Scoop politics · 6:20 pm
  • Looking for bats after dark can help science – and change how we see them
    A new study into microbats used so-called bat detectors to help track them down.
    Evening Report by The Conversation · 6:15 pm
  • Election '26: Party Policies Show Passenger Rail On A Roll
    Passenger rail is firmly on the agenda for this election, with several parties making public commitments to new rail initiatives, says rail advocacy group The Future Is Rail.
    Scoop politics · 6:15 pm
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    Check costumes for trip hazards, or masks that obscure vision. And keep little kids within reach.
    Evening Report by The Conversation · 3:50 pm
  • ‘What we leave behind is not as important as how we’ve lived’: remembering actor Patrick Stewart
    Passing away this week at 86, Stewart will be remembered as actor, dramaturge, Shakespearean exemplar, mutant professor, and distinguished Starfleet captain.
    Evening Report by The Conversation · 3:10 pm
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    The ‘mushroom murderer’ will spend the rest of her life behind bars after losing her appeal.
    Evening Report by The Conversation · 2:55 pm
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    An inquiry into the culture and command of Australian special forces in Afghanistan could be a moment of reckoning for the country’s military leadership.
    Evening Report by The Conversation · 2:55 pm
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    The crash has killed 69 people, and injured scores more.
    Evening Report by The Conversation · 2:20 pm
  • First-home buyers claim record share of NZ property market
    Lower mortgage rates and less competition are helping first-home buyers secure standalone houses, despite affordability challenges The post First-home buyers claim record share of NZ property market appeared first on Newsroom.
    Newsroom by Susan Edmunds · 2:08 pm
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    The Greens say the system is rigged against regular people, and this report highlights the need for a wealth tax The post Middle NZ wage-earners now paying twice the tax rate of wealthiest NZers – report appeared first on Newsroom.
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    Despite polling woes and a concerted split voting campaign, the National Party reported $499,000 in big donations this week The post Latest Election 2026 charts: National brings in $499k in big donations amid polling woes appeared first on Newsroom.
    Newsroom by Marc Daalder · 1:30 pm
  • “We Want To Come Home”: Why Young New Zealanders Are Enrolled To Vote This Election
    By the deadline for enrolment on 25 October, provisional numbers released show 93.6% voters have enrolled. That is 1% below levels of people enrolled on Election Day 2023.
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    Why would fans of a Japanese baseball team throw a statue of Colonel Sanders into a local canal? Welcome to the world of sporting curses.
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  • CPAG Welcomes Labour’s Benefit Indexation Policy
    Labour was among the parties who engaged with CPAG’s manifesto, through its Child Poverty Reduction spokesperson Jan Tinetti, and Social Development spokesperson Willow-Jean Prime.
    Scoop politics · 12:12 pm
  • Former Kiribati president says Pacific Islands Forum-Israel partnership not ‘morally defensible’
    By Johnny Blades of RNZ Pacific The chair of the Pacific Elders’ Voice (PEV) says the argument that religious affinity justifies the Pacific Islands Forum’s (PIF) partnership with Israel does not stack up. The Forum’s recent decision to make Israel a sectoral partner has drawn widespread criticism by civil society in the region, and is
    Evening Report by Asia Pacific Report · 12:00 pm
  • Parents Need Clarity On Labour’s Education Policies
    Labour's manifesto proposes requiring school boards to give effect to the Treaty of Waitangi, said Executive Director Anya Zohrab.
    Scoop politics · 10:01 am
  • Parents’ Alliance Seeks Answers From National On Education Funding
    Parents, teachers and school leaders deserve certainty about the future of education funding, said Parents' Alliance Chair Cameron Bagrie.
    Scoop politics · 9:59 am
  • Halloween is typically a massive lolly fest for kids – but it doesn’t have to be
    Leave the pillowcase at home. Parents can try giving children a smaller bucket or bag to take trick-or-treating.
    Evening Report by The Conversation · 8:55 am
  • Labor came to power promising a big care agenda. Four years on, how has it fared?
    The Albanese government has modelled a more caring and inclusive form of leadership, but it’s being reminded that vibes are easier to change than policy regimes.
    Evening Report by The Conversation · 8:35 am
  • Using ChatGPT before a medical appointment? How to get the best support for your health questions
    Chatbot advice is readily available, is personalised and can be prompted for greater clarity. But it can also lead to serious patient harm.
    Evening Report by The Conversation · 8:15 am
  • Flying-foxes are turning up starving. Why are we still responding one crisis at a time?
    Wildlife carers have been deluged with distressed flying-foxes. It’s yet another crisis for these vital animals. Is it time to do better?
    Evening Report by The Conversation · 8:15 am
  • A wise woman who turned fish eggs into beasts: meet an ancient witch from Mesopotamia
    Ancient evidence tells us that belief in witchcraft – and feat of witches – is more than 4,000 years old.
    Evening Report by The Conversation · 8:15 am
  • NZ’s Controversial Methane Targets Could Spark Global Race To The Bottom, Says International Report
    According to modeling in the report produced by the think-tank Cerulogy, GWP- allows countries to present negligible cuts in emissions as significant climate victories.
    Scoop politics · 8:06 am
  • #BHN Paul Barlow on how the media covered the last-minute rush to enroll
    Article
    Big Hairy Network by Big Hairy Network · 7:30 am
  • The Black designers redefining British fashion by drawing on their own heritage, culture and history
    The work of these designers offers a vivid picture of modern Britain, shaped by overlapping cultures, communities and histories.
    Evening Report by The Conversation · 7:10 am
  • After three years of relentless reform, what lies beyond the election for education?
    Sweeping changes to the curriculum, NCEA and school governance have divided the education sector, all while major challenges remain overlooked.
    Evening Report by The Conversation · 7:05 am
  • #BHN Julie Ann Genter on the ferry replacement project already hitting government's $1.7b ceiling
    Article
    Big Hairy Network by Big Hairy Network · 7:00 am
  • #BHN Christopher Luxon is very worried about the RNZ poll
    Article
    Big Hairy Network by Big Hairy Network · 6:30 am
  • How porn became so extreme – and how it’s shaping the sex lives of young people
    Extreme pornography has become readily available on mainstream porn sites. Listen to expert Clare McGlynn on The Conversation Weekly on what this is doing to the sex lives of young people.
    Evening Report by The Conversation · 5:20 am
  • What if we paid for electricity through taxes, not bills?
    Taxation is broadly progressive, while levies on energy bills hit poorest households hardest.
    Evening Report by The Conversation · 5:00 am
  • Daily crossword, Friday 30 October
    Test your smarts with Newsroom's daily crossword. The post Daily crossword, Friday 30 October appeared first on Newsroom.
    Newsroom by Newsroom Puzzles · 5:00 am
  • Mini crossword, Friday 30 October
    A mini crossword you can solve in a few minutes. The post Mini crossword, Friday 30 October appeared first on Newsroom.
    Newsroom by Newsroom Puzzles · 5:00 am
  • Newsroom daily quiz, Friday 30 October
    'I'm gonna make him an offer he can't refuse' is an iconic line from which film? The post Newsroom daily quiz, Friday 30 October appeared first on Newsroom.
    Newsroom by Newsroom Puzzles · 5:00 am
  • Hipkins: ‘Our challenge is to be inspiring, but also realistic’
    From The Detail: The Leader of the Opposition says he's dropped the sweeping rhetoric for promises he can keep. How's that going for him? The post Hipkins: ‘Our challenge is to be inspiring, but also realistic’ appeared first on Newsroom.
    Newsroom by Amanda Gillies · 5:00 am
  • NZ’s ‘staggering’ climate rollbacks lambasted on eve of election
    Only the US and Canada have gone further than New Zealand in stripping back climate protections, an international group finds The post NZ’s ‘staggering’ climate rollbacks lambasted on eve of election appeared first on Newsroom.
    Newsroom by Marc Daalder · 5:00 am
  • Wake up NZ, south Asia is quarter of the world’s population – and it’s not just India
    Countries can recover from severe economic crises. NZ must think creatively about how it can connect to these often overlooked small and middle powers. The post Wake up NZ, south Asia is quarter of the world’s population – and it’s not just India appeared first on Newsroom.
    Newsroom by Suzannah Jessep · 5:00 am
  • This week’s bestselling books – October 30
    The latest NielsenIQ BookScan chart of NZ books, plus win a strong contender to win next year's $65,000 fiction prize The post This week’s bestselling books – October 30 appeared first on Newsroom.
    Newsroom by Steve Braunias · 5:00 am
  • After ‘ugly start’, Wellington North campaign wraps in harmony
    Labour's Ayesha Verrall and Green Party MP Tamatha Paul agreed they'd each vote for the other – were they themselves not in the running The post After ‘ugly start’, Wellington North campaign wraps in harmony appeared first on Newsroom.
    Newsroom by Marc Daalder · 5:00 am
  • France’s broken schools spark revolt against inequality
    Comment: The French protests are about inequality, democracy, and attempts to reshape society along neoliberal lines The post France’s broken schools spark revolt against inequality appeared first on Newsroom.
    Newsroom by Dr John Morgan · 5:00 am
  • Treaty, health funding and te reo spark fiery clashes at Kaupapa Māori debate
    With the election campaign dominated by the cost of living, Thursday’s debate laid bare the still deep ideological divides between the parties The post Treaty, health funding and te reo spark fiery clashes at Kaupapa Māori debate appeared first on Newsroom.
    Newsroom by Michael Neilson · 5:00 am
  • Jones opted for smaller-than-advised set net ban to protect hoiho
    Newly released document reveals Fisheries Minister Shane Jones didn’t take official advice to extend the Otago set net ban northwards The post Jones opted for smaller-than-advised set net ban to protect hoiho appeared first on Newsroom.
    Newsroom by Andrew Bevin · 5:00 am
  • A century of sporting ties: India and NZ face off in the globe’s great codes
    In the final of our series on India vs New Zealand at sport Stephen Hewson goes beyond hockey and cricket to the Games and kabaddi The post A century of sporting ties: India and NZ face off in the globe’s great codes appeared first on Newsroom.
    Newsroom by Stephen Hewson · 5:00 am
  • 5 Ontario education unions hold strike votes as cuts squeeze classrooms
    The current stall in negotiations follows the government’s indication that it wants greater control over negotiating issues such as staffing redundancies.
    Evening Report by The Conversation · 4:00 am
  • Is sexual objectification hard-wired? Our study used electrical brain stimulation to find out
    Flipping photos upside down usually exposes a bias in how we see women’s bodies. A weak current to the forehead made it disappear.
    Evening Report by The Conversation · 3:40 am
  • Corruption in South Africa’s police force is rife: why protecting whistleblowers is vital
    When the South African Police Service tolerates retaliation against ethical officers, it weakens the institutional integrity required to confront corruption.
    Evening Report by The Conversation · 3:40 am
  • What animal bones in Malawi teach us about the social lives of people long ago
    The bones of animals at an archaeological site in Malawi show that food was scarce over the last 21,000 years, but people didn’t cooperate far and wide to get it.
    Evening Report by The Conversation · 3:40 am
  • How the quantum vacuum perturbs atoms, shrinks black holes and formed our galaxies
    From the microscopic structure of particles and atoms, to the fate of black holes and the large-scale structure of the universe, the quantum ‘vacuum’ plays a role.
    Evening Report by The Conversation · 3:40 am
  • Deadlock ahead for Israel as election fails to deliver an alternative to Netanyahu coalition
    Stalemate in the Israeli Knesset means Netanyahu is likely to continue as caretaker prime minister.
    Evening Report by The Conversation · 3:01 am
  • Why Donald Trump’s foreign policy could cost Republicans in the midterm elections
    Voters say they care about the economy, but many blame Trump’s wars and tariffs for their bills.
    Evening Report by The Conversation · 3:00 am
  • 70 years ago the Suez crisis exposed British relative decline. Today, the Iran conflict could be doing the same for the US
    Suez showed that Britain had lost the leeway to behave like a superpower.
    Evening Report by The Conversation · 3:00 am
  • Horace Walpole’s The Castle of Otranto turned architecture into horror’s greatest weapon
    Threateningly ill-defined buildings, enough for our imagination to fill in the gaps, seem to be the ideal catalyst to spark terror.
    Evening Report by The Conversation · 3:00 am
  • How London’s 1838 ‘great stink’ created the modern vampire
    Before germ theory, the Victorians had another name for contagion: Dracula.
    Evening Report by The Conversation · 3:00 am
  • When things go bump in the night: how our brains trick us into hearing things that aren’t there
    The boundaries between sleep and wakefulness can become blurred.
    Evening Report by The Conversation · 3:00 am
  • How the law protecting Americans from surprise medical bills is driving up healthcare costs
    A handful of providers are hijacking the arbitration process – and consumers are likely to foot the bill.
    Evening Report by The Conversation · 2:20 am
  • Faculty and students show how reporting is done when a university partners with local news
    Some universities are developing innovative arrangements with universities where students help report and faculty provide guidance.
    Evening Report by The Conversation · 2:20 am
  • Driverless 18-wheelers are on a few highways, but widespread use is a long way down the road
    Chaotic roads are still too difficult for automated trucks to navigate.
    Evening Report by The Conversation · 2:20 am
  • We discovered an organism that lives at blistering temperatures – but what allows it to take the heat?
    This amoeba lives at hotter temperatures than any other eukaryote previously discovered.
    Evening Report by The Conversation · 2:20 am
  • What is Sharia law, and why is it so controversial in the United States?
    Ordinary Muslim religious practices can often be treated as political threats, writes a law professor.
    Evening Report by The Conversation · 2:20 am
  • Federal policy helped widen rural America’s fresh food gap, but a 90-year-old law could help close it
    A food systems researcher shows how trucking deregulation and lax antitrust enforcement let big grocery chains grow as rural distribution thinned.
    Evening Report by The Conversation · 2:05 am
  • Democrats are the unwitting beneficiaries of Trump’s immigration policies
    A quiet US-Mexico border, and the reduced urgency of undocumented immigration, has deprived Republicans of an issue that previously energized voters and offered conservatives an advantage.
    Evening Report by The Conversation · 2:05 am
  • Political information increasingly comes from pop culture, outside of partisan silos but where male creators – and sometimes misogyny – dominate
    Younger Americans’ pop culture favorites have multipartisan appeal, but male creators dominate the list of top influencers, podcasters and comedians.
    Evening Report by The Conversation · 2:05 am
  • Before bans for under-16s, we need to ask: what counts as social media?
    People do not consistently agree on what counts as social media
    Evening Report by The Conversation · 1:46 am
  • The UK wants ‘AI sovereignty’ to cut its reliance on foreign tech – here’s how that can be achieved
    Recent reports have highlighted the risks of relying on foreign suppliers.
    Evening Report by The Conversation · 1:45 am
  • Pan’s Labyrinth at 20: how Guillermo del Toro created his timeless dark fairy tale
    Del Toro’s imagery remains as powerful and arresting as it was 20 years ago.
    Evening Report by The Conversation · 1:45 am
  • Pan’s Labyrinth at 20: a powerful, symbolic tribute to Spanish resilience in the face of fascism
    Censorship, and the rebellious ways art can respond to it through potent symbolism, are central to the film.
    Evening Report by The Conversation · 1:45 am
  • England needs 120% of normal rainfall to come out of drought this winter – storms won’t fix that yet
    A dry winter could have a huge impact on England’s ability to recover from drought.
    Evening Report by The Conversation · 1:45 am

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