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Sideswipe: July 26: Not free stuff
"Why is it that the women with the least likelihood of getting pregnant are the ones most worried about having abortions?" Heat pumps also coolThe heatwave has shattered temperature records in the UK. And while Kiwis have embraced heat pumps, in England, not so much. Energy experts point to a couple of reasons heat pumps haven't entered the mainstream. Ninety per cent of Japanese households use heat pumps, contributing to a 40 per cent drop in the country's electricity consumption over the past decade.
Source:Stuff
July 25, 2022 23:06 UTC
Breakfast briefing; Bond markets bet Fed hikes won't stick
The Fed is widely expected to raise rates +75 bps on Thursday, so these signals are confusing as markets struggle to make the transition. There was another US Treasury bond auction overnight, this one for the 2 year maturity and raising US$49 bln. Market attention is squarely on Thursday's US Fed announcements where a +75 bps rate hike is universally expected. The UST 2-10 rate curve is virtually unchanged today, now at -21 bps and their 1-5 curve is slightly less inverted at -15 bps. And the New Zealand Govt ten year will start today lower by -9 bps at 3.63%.
Source:Stuff
July 25, 2022 23:02 UTC
Claims inflation in many nations caused by central bank mistakes
Claims the outbreak of inflation in many economies is due to mistakes made by central banks. It comes in the form of a new paper, co-authored by former governor of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand Graeme Wheeler, and the New Zealand Initiative's Dr. Bryce Wilkinson. They say central banks overall were too confident about their monetary policy framework and thought they could control output and employment. It also points out central banks were distracted by extraneous political objectives, like climate change. Dr. Bryce Wilkinson joined Mike Hosking.
Source:New Zealand Herald
July 25, 2022 22:51 UTC
Covid-19: New data shows 'growing gap' between reported cases and Canterbury wastewater levels
The Canterbury regional health authority fears up to half of Covid-19 cases are going unreported, as new data shows a growing gap between cases and virus fragments in wastewater. ESR science leader Brent Gilpin said one major trend they were noticing was a “growing gap” between reported cases and the amount of Covid-19 virus in wastewater. However, when reported Covid-19 cases and wastewater levels were compared on a national level, the numbers were quite similar. Wastewater levels had peaked around March and Gilpin said that, just like reported case numbers, they had dropped slightly since. Gilpin said the wastewater data could provide confidence that any drop in Covid-19 cases was genuine, rather than just the result of fewer people testing.
Source:Stuff
July 25, 2022 22:37 UTC
Kiwis in tears as New Zealand house prices plunge
New Zealand house prices are tanking. In a similar vein, June’s Trade Me property index posted a “record breaking” monthly fall of 1.9% amid “skyrocketing supply”. The scale of decline has reduced many Kiwi vendors to tears, according to Harcourts real estate consultant Alison Hawkes:Sales are plunging by double digits. All of which means that New Zealand’s housing market will continue to plunge, inflicting more pain on the nation’s army of highly leveraged households. After experiencing the developed world’s biggest boom over the pandemic, New Zealand’s housing market is now facing one of the biggest busts.
Source:New Zealand Herald
July 25, 2022 22:30 UTC
Why Covid windfall taxes make sense
In my view, they should do that by returning the taxpayer cash and capital gains they received as Covid windfall refunds to the Government. They could afford it – households made an overall $621 bln in windfall gains from higher asset values during Covid, including shares and equity in businesses. They have argued the Covid ‘cash handouts’ should stop, but they don't believe the ones they received counted or should be returned. Another argument is that the beneficiaries of unearned Covid-era gains should hand back at least some of their windfall gains to taxpayers at large, to help those hurt most during Covid. The refunds of unearned Covid gains could also be done through a one-off 0.2% tax on the value of all residential-zoned land, which would raise around $20b.
Source:New Zealand Herald
July 25, 2022 22:15 UTC
3x3 basketballers ready to showcase their stuff in Birmingham
Played on half a court with just one hoop for both teams to attack, 3x3 basketball is fast-paced and physical. Joining Kelman-Poto in the men's team for the Commonwealth Games is Richie Rodger, Jayden Bezzant and Tai Wynyard. The 25-year-old can see how the switch to 3x3 for the Games could rile the tradtionalists. The Tall Blacks 3x3 will also play England, Trinidad and Tobago in group play at the Games. Photo: William BoothThe Tall Ferns and Tall Blacks will be showing off their skills from the jump when the 3x3 basketball starts on the opening day of competiton in Birmingham.
Source:Stuff
July 25, 2022 22:15 UTC
Really bad takes on the Green’s leadership issue
And recently there has been some spectacularly bad takes on the Green’s leadership challenge the motivation behind which you have to wonder about. Recent takes on Green party leadership issues are classic examples how commentary can be thinly disguised attacks. David Farrar was formenting mischief when he tweeted this:Has Jacinda doomed James Shaw? Bryce’s hot take or Chloe Swarbrick announcing that she was not going to stand thereby completely repudiating every single paragraph of Bryce’s analysis. Whatever happens I trust the good people of the Green party do not listen to these spectacularly bad and at least in part disingenuous takes.
Source:New Zealand Herald
July 25, 2022 21:58 UTC
Easing in labour market conditions 'a critical precondition for RBNZ to stop raising rates'
An easing in the very tight conditions in New Zealand's labour market is a "critical precondition" for the Reserve Bank (RBNZ) to stop raising interest rates, BNZ economists say. Before that happens, Statistics New Zealand will be releasing the full suite of labour market data for the June quarter on Wednesday, August 3. Toplis says ongoing labour market tightness is "our greatest fear" in terms of the upward pressure on interest rates. "Hiring intentions have been continuously stronger than would be consistent with an increase in the unemployment rate. "A further reduction in hiring intentions would be one more step closer to indicating a genuine softening in the labour market."
Source:Stuff
July 25, 2022 21:47 UTC
Former ABs doctor on head injury legal action against World Rugby
Follow the podcast onThe lawsuit against World Rugby over brain injuries has been launched today. More than 100 former players are taking legal action, including all black Carl Hayman who revealed he has early on-set dementia last year. The players allege there was a failure to protect them. Former All Blacks doctor Dr. John Mayhew joined Heather du Plessis-Allan. LISTEN ABOVE
Source:New Zealand Herald
July 25, 2022 18:30 UTC
What’s the bigger outrage – $20,000 for a documentary or $1 trillion in windfall gains?
One side believes the Covid “cash handouts” should stop, but doesn’t believe the ones they received counted or should be returned. The other side is increasingly calling for the beneficiaries of unearned Covid-era gains to hand back at least some of their windfall gains to taxpayers at large, to help those hurt most during Covid. That is also before the second round of wage subsidies in the second half of calendar 2021 in response to the delta lockdowns from August onwards. Banks did not take the wage subsidies, but did benefit from cheap Reserve Bank loans and the removal of LVR restriction in 2020. The refunds of unearned Covid gains could also be done through a one-off 0.2% tax on the value of all residential-zoned land, which would raise around $20bn.
Source:New Zealand Herald
July 25, 2022 17:28 UTC
Sam Cane 'not good enough for Italy': English rugby writer slams ABs - again
English rugby writer Stuart Barnes has again criticised Sam Cane, claiming that the All Blacks captain would not be good enough to make it into the Italian starting XV. "Ian Foster remains in charge off the field, Sam Cane on it." He opined that Irish No 7 Josh van der Flier had "eclipsed" the All Blacks captain. Barnes said New Zealand rugby had failed to bring about enough change following the series defeat to Ireland. Barnes also listed other top rugby nations, claiming Cane wouldn't be selected ahead of Michael Hooper (Australia), Tommy Reffell (Wales), Hamish Watson (Scotland), Tom Curry and Sam Underhill (England), and Anthony Jelonch (France).
Source:New Zealand Herald
July 25, 2022 11:11 UTC
More heavy rain expected in Dunedin, North Otago
Dunedin and North Otago residents are being urged to watch for rapidly rising streams and rivers, surface flooding and slips after MetService issued a heavy rain warning for the areas tomorrow. A MetService spokesman said a front was forecast to move slowly southwards over northern and central New Zealand today, bringing a broad band of rain with some heavy falls, and east to northeast gales. An associated low to the west of the upper North Island would also move slowly southwards, then weaken and cross the South Island on Wednesday. He said North Otago could expect up to 130mm of rain to accumulate between 6am tomorrow and 8am on Wednesday, especially inland, with peak rates of up to 15mm per hour. Dunedin residents could expect up to 90mm of rain between 7am tomorrow and 9am on Wednesday — again, with peak rates of up to 15mm per hour.
Source:Otago Daily Times
July 25, 2022 11:00 UTC
SA ‘A’ team to face All Blacks XV in November in Europe — report
Jacques van der WesthuyzenIf reports out of New Zealand are to be believed, a South Africa ‘A’ team will face an All Blacks XV during the Springboks’ November tour of Europe. Now, according to stuff.co.za, the ‘A’ team could also face a select All Blacks XV, in Montpellier on a date yet to be confirmed, but likely before the Test against France, and following the tour opener against Ireland. The All Blacks XV are also scheduled to face Canada and a Barbarians team on their tour of Europe, with a fourth opponent still set to be announced. Also, a tour to South Africa by a New Zealand Under-19 team for three or four matches against their South African counterparts in October is also on the cards. Confirmed Springbok year-end tour fixturesSaturday, 5 November – South Africa vs Ireland (Dublin – Aviva Stadium)Saturday, 12 November – South Africa v France (Marseille – Stade Vélodrome)Thursday, 17 November – SA Select XV v Bristol Bears (Bristol – Ashton Gate)Saturday, 19 November – South Africa v Italy (venue TBC)Saturday, 26 November – South Africa v England (London – Twickenham)FULL STORY
Source:Stuff
July 25, 2022 08:38 UTC
Four of the world's most epic cycling adventures
On two wheels, you can go at your own pace, savouring the sights, sounds and smells of the landscapes that unfurl before you. Here are four of the most epic adventures you can take with your trusty metallic or carbon fibre steed. Route des Vins d'Alsace, FranceEat, drink, cycle is the mantra to adopt as you make your way along France’s oldest wine route. Munda Biddi Trail, Western AustraliaNigel Francis The Munda Biddi Trail can be tackled in sections if you’re not up for a 1000km ride. Shimanami Kaido, JapanSupplied Cyclist-friendly guest houses and eateries line the Shimanami Kaido cycling route.
Source:Stuff
July 25, 2022 07:30 UTC