The quick fixes that could help solve New Zealand’s biggest problem – Alan McDonald
But the lag in New Zealand’s productivity growth, compared to the rest of the OECD, remains. In fact, the only time New Zealand’s productivity reached the heights of the top half-dozen countries in the OECD was for a few years after 1991, following the implementation of the Employment Contracts Act. It worked recently in Australia, where an enhanced depreciation regime encouraged rapid investment in smaller businesses, resulting in a subsequent productivity boost. At the same time, our banking rules for business loans could be adjusted to provide more flexibility around risk weightings for businesses, particularly smaller businesses. It’s pleasing to see the education, immigration and social development ministers all working together to help resolve these long-standing problems.
Source:New Zealand Herald
November 17, 2024 16:20 UTC
Troubling new analysis: Why NZ needs tougher laws for serial speedsters
In their study, Walton and fellow researcher Dr Ross Hendy, of Melbourne’s Monash University, analysed driver data between 2017 and 2019. Researchers argue a policy rethink is needed to get tougher on serial speeders – with an overhauled demerit system being one option. In Switzerland, for instance, fines were scaled to a driver’s wealth, making penalties for speeding far more substantial and, potentially, a greater deterrent. Ultimately, he said the analysis couldn’t conclusively answer whether tougher fines would be enough to deter that hardcore group of speeders. “Or would a new fine system change the total profile of risk, reducing the overall likelihood of being in a crash?
Source:New Zealand Herald
November 17, 2024 16:13 UTC
Māori Lawmakers Disrupt New Zealand Parliament With Haka
Māori Lawmakers Disrupt New Zealand Parliament With Haka Protests erupt against controversial bill aimed at reshaping Treaty of Waitangi interpretationA recent protest at New Zealand's Parliament captured the nation's attention as indigenous Māori lawmakers dramatically disrupted proceedings with the ceremonial dance known as the "haka." This protest was sparked by widespread discontent over proposed legislation aimed at reshaping the interpretation of the Treaty of Waitangi, New Zealand's foundational document. Estimates suggest participation has swelled to around 10,000 people, showcasing the widespread anxiety and dissent among the Māori populace. The atmosphere surrounding the Parliament has shifted dramatically, mirroring not only current dissatisfaction but also historical grievances stemming from colonial practices. With tensions rising and the future of the controversial bill uncertain, the Māori community's fierce advocacy continues to resonate throughout the country.
Source:New Zealand Herald
November 17, 2024 12:33 UTC
Crash at Hampden Beach leaves three injured
Three people are injured, one seriously, after two off-road vehicles crashed on Hampden Beach this afternoon. A Hato Hone St John spokeswoman said they were notified of the incident at about 12.35pm. One patient was in a serious condition and was airlifted to Dunedin Hospital, she said. Another was taken by ambulance in a moderate condition to Dunedin Hospital and one in a minor condition was taken to Oamaru Hospital. A police spokeswoman said two off-road vehicles crashed on the beach and the vehicles had been removed.
Source:Otago Daily Times
November 17, 2024 11:18 UTC
The misinformation apocalypse is now – Sasha Borissenko
Misinformation refers to misleading information that’s distributed without malicious intent, whereas disinformation describes false content that’s designed to confuse or manipulate audiences. Enter the hate speech void“The test for harmful content is not that it is untrue or of doubtful validity but that it is causative of serious emotional distress. The case dates to 2018, when a sermon containing violent and anti-gay hate speech was published in an Auckland newspaper. The court sympathised with Hoban but noted that the scope of hate speech laws was a matter for Parliament. Earlier this year, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith withdrew a Law Commission referral to assess the scope of hate speech laws.
Source:New Zealand Herald
November 17, 2024 11:03 UTC
Air New Zealand flight abandons LAX landing due to smaller aircraft on runway
An Air New Zealand flight was forced to complete a “go-around” at LAX airport in Los Angeles after a private jet took longer to move off the runway than expected. An airline spokesperson said LAX Air Traffic Control requested that flight NZ6 Auckland to Los Angeles complete a standard “go-around” on arrival. “An aircraft took longer to vacate the runway than anticipated. “A go-around is not uncommon and no customers were disrupted because of the request.”
Source:New Zealand Herald
November 17, 2024 08:57 UTC
Police expecting up to 30,000 people on the hīkoi mō te Tiriti when it arrives at Parliament on Tuesday
Victoria University told students and staff more than 30,000 were estimated to be taking part in the protest. The hīkoi arrives along State Highway 5 at Eskdale, Hawke’s Bay. Increased security measures will also be in place at Parliament, and public tours will be cancelled on Monday and Tuesday. The hīkoi arrives in Hastings, Hawke's Bay, for a march on Saturday. Today’s SH1 blockage follows widespread disruption in Auckland last week when thousands of hīkoi protesters marched across Auckland Harbour Bridge.
Source:New Zealand Herald
November 17, 2024 05:31 UTC
New footage of Auckland prison inmate’s popular TikTok videos emerges after account shut down
“We understand that images of prisoners online will cause distress to the victims of their offending,” the spokeswoman said. Its title appears to mock authorities which shut down the previous account: “Always Active, We Ain’t Going Anywhere”. Now the prisoner's phone has been confiscated. Photo / @caposnakeLast week, a Serco spokeswoman confirmed a prisoner used a mobile phone from within a cell to record a staff search. And two years ago, the Herald revealed prisoners at Pāremoremo were filming themselves behind bars and posting the clips to TikTok.
Source:New Zealand Herald
November 17, 2024 03:04 UTC
Business.Scoop » Fare-Dodging Leads To Violence
They are threatening, stealing from, and assaulting bus drivers and passengers,” says Auckland-based ACT MP Dr Parmjeet Parmar. “In September, I met with a bus driver seriously assaulted by fare dodgers and relayed his concerns to AT. This results in disputes with bus drivers, and it means that unstable or intoxicated individuals use the bus as a free ride or shelter. “We shouldn’t expect bus drivers to be responsible for dealing with fare dodgers. First, AT needs to publicly change its free ride policy.
Source:New Zealand Herald
November 17, 2024 02:04 UTC
Police cordons erected around Napier Museum after discovery of strange bird-like ‘package’
Cordons were in place around Napier's MTG Hawke's Bay museum this morning while police tried to identify a strange package discovered outside. Cordons were in place around Napier's MTG Hawke's Bay museum this morning while police tried to identify a strange package discovered outside. Cordons were erected this morning around Napier’s MTG Hawke’s Bay museum after the discovery of a strange bird-like package which was left outside the building’s front entrance. In a statement this morning, police said they were working to identify the package after being alerted about it at 9.30am. “The museum has closed as a precaution and cordons have been set up in the immediate vicinity.
Source:New Zealand Herald
November 17, 2024 02:00 UTC
All Blacks v France: How world media reacted to one-point loss in Paris
The second half belonged to France, however, and not even a late flurry of All Blacks attacks could dampen the Parisian party. The one-point defeat ended the All Blacks’ five-match winning streak and put an end to their momentum-building second half of the test season that had started on shaky ground. As an embarrassing beating seemed on the cards, Les Bleus slowed the pace down, defended thoroughly and once again became the clinical side who started last year’s World Cup as favourites, showing brilliance and composure when it mattered. The respective kickers did trade efforts off the tee in the latter stages, but France managed to maintain that one-point gap. Having laid the platform for another memorable victory discipline, handling issues and the gradual deterioration of ruck presentation from the All Blacks handed France the chance to recover.
Source:New Zealand Herald
November 17, 2024 00:51 UTC
Open mike 17/11/2024
an excerpt from a much more detailedreport that I published over at Carbon Brief today. See that for more details on climate model/observation comparisons, sea ice extent, and other climate variables. In myThis is a re-post from The Climate Brink , and...
Source:New Zealand Herald
November 16, 2024 23:18 UTC
Celebs to get drenched at fete
Oamaru Whitestone Civic Trust vice-chairman Graeme Clark sits under the trust’s ‘‘Dunk a Celebrity’’ machine which will dunk allcomers at the Network Waitaki Victorian Fete on Sunday. For the second straight year the Oamaru Whitestone Civic Trust will run "Dunk a Celebrity" at the Victorian Fete on Sunday in the hope people will stump up to be drenched for a good cause. The machine is set up for the celebrity to sit in a chair positioned under a tray filled with water. Trust vice-chairman Graeme Clark was tight-lipped this week when asked what local "celebrities" were lined up. Mr Clark said "Dunk a Celebrity" would act as a fundraiser for the trust, to maintain the heritage precinct buildings.
Source:Otago Daily Times
November 16, 2024 21:02 UTC
Kai Trump: the convenient influencer changing the MAGA brand
Donald Trump’s granddaughter Kai enlisted a media brand agency to produce a slick behind-the-scenes video of the election night at Mar-a-Lago, leading experts to suggest she is being cultivated as a new Maga star. The 17-year-old budding golf influencer appears to be expanding her social media operation into politics, following a speech she gave to the Republican National Convention in July. She joined with the AKA Collective media agency and changed her handle on X from KaiTrumpGolf to just KaiTrump and has gained thousands of followers away from her previous niche golfing audience. Experts say her lean towards Trump world and her behind-the-curtain look at election night is likely to benefit the president-elect, who is perceived to have a problem with attracting support from young women. “This carefully curated public image points to a likely intentional effort to use her influence to bolster Trump’s brand,” said Krysten Stein, assistant professor of communication at the University of Cincinnati.
Source:Stuff
November 16, 2024 20:01 UTC
Destiny Church highway convoy: Police furious at Brian Tamaki-organised group’s ‘reckless, unlawful, irresponsible’ conduct
Protesters in a convoy organised by Destiny Church leader Brian Tamaki gesture at people waving Palestine and Tino Rangatiratanga flags from the Market Rd overbridge in Auckland this morning. The Tamaki-organised "Make New Zealand Great Again" convoy from Mercer to Auckland Domain is calling for only the New Zealand flag to be flown in this country. Photo / Sylvie WhinraySpeaking before Tamaki, City Impact Church co-founder Peter Mortlock told the crowd New Zealand had “gone down the wrong path”. A flag-waving protester pictured in the "Make New Zealand Great Again" convoy from Mercer to Auckland this morning. The convoy was organised by Destiny Church leader Brian Tamaki and calls for only the New Zealand flag to be flown in this country.
Source:New Zealand Herald
November 16, 2024 15:24 UTC