Stuff continues true crime spree with podcast for subscribers
Stuff Group is launching its first paid subscriber podcast series, building on its true crime reputation which began with Black Hands. The Lost Boy is a six-part series about the mysterious disappearance of Invercargill schoolboy Mike Zhao-Beckenridge, who was abducted by his stepfather nine years ago. Created in partnership with The Press by journalists Mike Wright – host of the acclaimed The Trial podcast series – and Shannon Redstall, it will be free for Press subscribers with a subscription model for all other listeners. Stuff Group CEO Laura Maxwell says paid audio subscriptions have proven successful with local and international audiences, delivering diversified revenue streams alongside advertising and sponsorships. Episodes three to six can be unlocked through a subscription to The Press or by going to listen.stuff.co.nz/thelostboy.
Source:Stuff
May 21, 2024 23:05 UTC
Liz Gunn guilty of assault after Auckland Airport incident
By Caroline Williams ofPhoto: Stuff / Lawrence SmithAnti-vaccine activist Liz Gunn has been found guilty of assault following an incident at Auckland Airport in 2023. The pair denied charges of assault and resisting police, while Gunn also rejected a charge of assault. Gunn, visibly upset by the guilty verdict, refused to speak with media outside court. CCTV of the incident showed Gunn explaining this to airport security worker Anna Kolodeznaya, who did not respond to Gunn's questions regarding what law they were breaking. Within about 18 seconds of the officers greeting Gunn and Clark, they were arrested, both falling to the floor.
Source:Stuff
May 21, 2024 17:52 UTC
National MP David MacLeod’s donations paperwork stuff-up will hurt but not end his ministerial hopes
OPINIONNational MP David MacLeod has become the latest MP to be hoist by his own paperwork, after the spectacular dismount last year of former Labour MP Michael Wood for the debacle around his shares. MacLeod’s stuff-up was his failure to disclose about $180,000 in 19 donations he got towards his campaign for the New Plymouth seat. Now MacLeod suffers the consequences of this inattention, having been stripped by Prime Minister Christopher Luxon of his select committee roles as chair of the Environment Select Committee and a member on the Finance and Expenditure Select Committee. Doing a good job on a select committee is one of the few ways to catch your leader’s eye and prove you’re up to the job of a minister. Being stripped of select committee roles is something an MP can bounce back from.
Source:Stuff
May 21, 2024 14:34 UTC
Scott Morrison explains why evangelical Christians love Trump
Washington: He’s been found liable for sexual abuse, bragged about grabbing women by the genitals and is on trial for allegedly falsifying documents to cover up an affair with a porn star. But Donald Trump’s status as a political outsider amid “deep disenfranchisement” with government institutions is what makes him so appealing to evangelical Christians, according to his ally Scott Morrison, Australia’s first Pentecostal prime minister. Then-prime minister Scott Morrison met with then-US president Donald Trump in 2019. Credit: Alex EllinghausenCriss-crossing America to promote his new book about faith, Morrison shared his insights of the former US president, who heads towards the November election against President Joe Biden, with more support from evangelical Christians than ever before. Campaign rallies often begin with prayer sessions for the 77-year-old Republican; merchandise worn and sold at his events feature slogans such as “Jesus is my saviour, Trump is my president”; and Trump himself recently launched a new Bible for $US60 ($90) as part of his fundraising efforts, spruiking the need to “Make America Pray Again”.
Source:Stuff
May 21, 2024 14:33 UTC
Te wiki o te tāke: Paying a fair share
One of the interesting comments I've heard about the Australian budget, is that the Australian Treasury forecasts, are frequently incorrect sometimes resulting in unexpected surpluses. Apparently, the Australian Treasury consistently under-estimates forecast inflation and the iron ore price, which since Australia is such a huge minerals exporter, is quite critical. Generally, the Australian economy tends to perform better than Australian Treasury predictions. The ATO has currently got three such programmes on the go, covering personal income tax, the shadow economy and tax avoidance (Tax Avoidance Taskforce). The official income reported for the year was $9.1 million and the profit before tax was $4.4 million, resulting in income tax of $1.3 million.
Source:Stuff
May 21, 2024 11:57 UTC
Will the true debt figure please stand up.
The June 2023 Treasury summary of the actual net debt measure defines net debt to be Gross debt less core Crown financial assets. “Net debt ended the year at 18.0 per cent of GDP, in line with the Budget 2023 forecast. Thus while Gross debt was $135.8 billion for June year 2023 net debt was just $71.4 Billion or 18% of GDP. But inexplicitly, the National government has decided to report net debt without taking account the assets in the NZ Super Fund. Focussing on reducing government gross debt might cause untold unnecessary damage to an economy already in recession.
Source:New Zealand Herald
May 21, 2024 06:48 UTC
Job ad numbers down 30% in April, applications soar
Jobs portal Seek says the number of jobs advertised during April fell by 4% from February, while job ad numbers are down 30% year-on-year. On a month-on-month basis, job ads fell 4% overall, with West Coast job ad numbers down the most, falling 36%. Other regions hit hard were Marlborough job ads, which fell 23%, while job ads in Gisborne decreased by 21%. “Applications per job ad jumped 5% in March, driving competition among candidates to even greater peaks. Seek’s report showed the job application increases hadn’t been experienced in every industry as the hospitality & tourism and retail & consumer product job ad categories saw job application numbers slump 14% and 2% respectively.
Source:Stuff
May 21, 2024 00:10 UTC
Open mike 21/05/2024
Quality teachers back on the front line can only be a good thing. One of the difficult things we teach in senior English classes at secondary school is the development of an idea. This involves deepening your argument, without instead “going sideways” and merely adding examples while repeating the same ...
Source:Stuff
May 21, 2024 00:04 UTC
Moko Tepania: The young, charismatic mayor shaping NZ’s future
And as the first Māori and youngest ever Mayor of the Far North, Tepania, 33, is well on the way. Historically, when councils have introduced Māori wards, they have been overturned by ratepayer-led referendums (see “Barrier returns”, page 26). It’s not only because we have Moko as mayor, it’s because we have our four Māori ward councillors as well. With the passing of Labour’s Local Electoral (Māori Wards and Māori Constituencies) Amendment Act, 38 district and regional councils established Māori wards for the 2022 election. In a survey by stuff.co.nz, councils with Māori wards overwhelmingly thought they had been a positive addition to their organisation.
Source:Stuff
May 20, 2024 22:55 UTC
Breakfast briefing: Huge Chinese property sector support may not be enough
The Chinese central bank left both its 1- and 5-year rates unchanged in their monthly review today, still at 3.45% and 3.95% respectively. These 'holds' come amid a flurry of other loosening activity last week, targeted at reviving their property markets and saving the remaining large property developers. Analysts are forming the view that the actions China has taken to reinvigorate its property sector won't be enough to achieve that. The number of new shipbuilding orders in China rose almost +60% in Q1-2024 from the same period a year ago. That all means our TWI-5 starts today just on 70.2, and down -20 bps from yesterday.
Source:Stuff
May 20, 2024 22:50 UTC
Media Insider: 6pm news F-bombs as tempers fray at highest levels of Stuff over new bulletin
At that time, the Herald on Sunday was in a separate building from the daily NZ Herald, with completely different editorial teams. Publishing firm The Health Media has been sold by Anna Mickell and Barbara Fountain to Australasian health data infrastructure company Group Healthcare Ltd.New Zealand Doctor editor and The Health Media director Barbara Fountain. In a statement, The Health Media said the deal ensured a future for its news, education and data products. The Health Media employs a team of 20 regular fulltime and part-time staff and it is anticipated most will be retained under the new deal. He has held executive and senior editorial roles at NZME including Managing Editor, NZ Herald Editor and Herald on Sunday Editor and has a small shareholding in NZME.
Source:Stuff
May 20, 2024 19:38 UTC
Madonna expands gym empire Down Under
Wellington, Sep. 9 (ANI): Singer Madonna has decided to share her love of sweat with Sydney, by expanding her luxury gym empire, Hard Candy Fitness. The Druitt Street (Sydney) Energy Emporium opened its doors this week and introduced the Harbour City to the pop queen's "harder is better" motto. She is personally involved, she knows what she wants, she knows the experience that she wants people to have, and for them to be really motivated," Stuff.co.nz quoted Hard Candy Fitness Sydney CEO Selena Short as telling Fairfax. "She has an incredible work ethic, and I think that's what she wants this gym to stand for. Somewhere, where you are motivated to work hard and enjoy the benefits of working as hard as she does, because it's the only way she lives her life.
Source:Stuff
May 20, 2024 16:35 UTC
Dismay no-one held to account for fiance's death
Ashleigh Wilson is still angry after her fiance, Rory Nairn, died from complications after receiving the Covid-19 vaccine. PHOTO: SUPPLIEDThe fiancee of a Dunedin man who died from complications associated with the Covid-19 vaccine is disappointed no-one will be held to account for his "needless death". The coroner found that Mr Nairn’s death could have been prevented had he received information about the risk of myocarditis. However, it is disappointing that no-one will be held accountable for such a needless death and Rory will be missed every day for the rest of our lives." Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora (HNZ) Southern had known since June 2021 myocarditis was a potential reaction to the vaccine.
Source:Otago Daily Times
May 20, 2024 16:34 UTC
Tesla's falling share price hits KiwiSaver accounts
He said the clean energy fund was at the other end of the table because of sector challenges. Greg Bunkall, data director at Morningstar, said the past year had been "brutal" for renewable energy stocks. Additionally, the global push for cleaner energy continues to drive investment towards renewable energy solutions. "In essence, while the short-term outlook might be bumpy due to funding constraints, the long-term prospects for renewable energy remain strong." He said the Koura clean energy fund's performance had been weak through the start of the year, and April also presented difficulties.
Source:Stuff
May 20, 2024 15:06 UTC
Lack of info given to Dunedin man who died after Covid vaccine
Photo: SuppliedThe death of a Dunedin man may have been prevented if he had been given more information before consenting to the Covid vaccination that later claimed his life. Nairn’s parents and partner argued that he did not give informed consent due to the lack of information about the risks, such as myocarditis. The commission said Rory Nairn's right to information on the risks of the vaccine was not upheld. During Nairn’s vaccination, the guidance stated that post-vaccination advice must include telling people to seek medical advice if they experience chest pain. The HDC found at the time of Nairn’s vaccination it was intended by official agencies that consumers should be given safety-netting advice about myocarditis symptoms after receiving the vaccine.
Source:Otago Daily Times
May 20, 2024 14:56 UTC