Society & Culture Archive

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  Gifted kids at Parliament - by Catherine Delahunty

  
  
  
  This week is Gifted Awareness Week and a range of organisations who support children to fulfill their potential are promoting their work. As part of this an organisation called Gifted Kids held a conference for about 100 children who are 12 years old and under at Parliament. They were leading sessions on everything from maths [...] read more
  June 19, 2013 11:31 am - 1 Comment
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  Gambling bill disappoints as SkyCity deal’s flaws scrutinised - by Denise Roche

  
  
  
  Maybe it was a coincidence that saw the NZ Herald’s two opinion pieces on the SkyCity convention centre deal yesterday appear the same day that the commerce select committee report back to the house a drastically watered down Gambling (Gambling Harm Reduction) Amendment bill that deals with pokie machines in pubs and clubs. Or maybe [...] read more
  June 18, 2013 2:13 pm - 8 Comments
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  Consequences of Domestic Violence - by Jan Logie

  
  
  
  Last week of Chase Douglas, who has admitted assaulting his girlfriend three times including choking her, sought a discharge without conviction for the assaults; because he claims a criminal record will impede his ability to perform overseas. Douglas’s lawyer said his client accepted his guilt and was remorseful for his actions and offered $500 in [...] read more
  June 12, 2013 7:38 pm - 7 Comments
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  Students struggling to get by - by Holly Walker

  
  
  
  Some pretty interesting research was released today by the Financial Education and Research Centre at Massey University, who surveyed nearly 300 students about their views towards money and their finances. What’s pretty alarming are the numbers that show the burden of debt and the struggle for students to get by day-today:        34.9% said they’ve [...] read more
  June 11, 2013 5:58 pm - 19 Comments
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  It’s time to submit against spying - by Steffan Browning

  
  
  
  John Key may be comfortable with many things but we are not comfortable; we are not comfortable with, among many things, John Key’s pandering to the USA’s spymasters, and the wholesale spying on New Zealanders, either already happening or intended to, and assisted by the law changes in front of Parliament now; the GCSB and Telco Interception Bills. read more
  June 10, 2013 10:18 am - 37 Comments
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  Muldoon and Key - by Russel Norman

  
  
  
  In my speech to our party conference last week, I compared John Key to Robert Muldoon. This has provoked a furious response from the Right who accuse me of being a migrant who has no right to speak about Muldoon. So lets have a look at it a bit more rationally. Obviously Key isn’t exactly [...] read more
  June 8, 2013 11:48 am - 65 Comments
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  Bad news for SkyCity workers health - by Denise Roche

  
  
  
   There was some bad news for hospitality workers and their ability to operate in a smokefree environment at SkyCity casino today.  Two applications have been approved by the Gambling Commission allowing SkyCity to create new smoker-friendly areas. SkyCity is currently being sued by the Cancer Society for its loose interpretation of what counts as an [...] read more
  June 7, 2013 2:14 pm - 9 Comments
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  Pasefika Music Awards – Amazing haul of awards for Porirua artist - by Jan Logie

  
  
  
  I want to pass on my congratulations to all the wonderful Pasifika artists who bring such beautiful sounds and ideas into my world. Last week not only did Aaradhna scoop up six Pasefika Proud Pacific Music Awards she also made history by receiving the most Pasefika Music Awards in one night. This has not been [...] read more
  June 4, 2013 9:15 am - No Comments
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  RIP Margaret Shields - by Jan Logie

  
  
  
  It is with sadness that I note the passing of Margaret Shields. She was an inspirational figure in New Zealand politics. She was the MP for Kapiti for three terms and is still held in high esteem by many in the area. People often reference her to me and I know many in Poirirua and [...] read more
  June 3, 2013 5:34 pm - 1 Comment
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  Skycity gets compensation but we all pay the cost - by Denise Roche

  
  
  
  The agreement between the Government and SkyCity for the build of an international convention centre is a deeply dodgy deal. I’m launching a campaign called Gambling Laws – Not For Sale at which has an online petition and a hard-copy petition asking the Government to oppose any legislation to relax the existing gambling laws and  [...] read more
  May 24, 2013 1:19 pm - 54 Comments
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  How do we create a real golden age in the arts in NZ? - by Holly Walker

  
  
  
  Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Christopher Finlayson found himself fighting a losing battle on twitter last night as he tried to defend his hyperbolic claim that New Zealand was currently experiencing a “golden age” in the arts under his watch. So what would create a real golden age for the arts in NZ? read more
  May 18, 2013 11:46 am - 38 Comments
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  Better transport planning needed in Christchurch - by Eugenie Sage

  
  
  
  This week in Christchurch I attended a breakfast lecture by visiting planning consultant Todd Litman from the Victoria Transport Policy Institute, British Colombia.  He was advocating the benefits of “multi-modalism” transport planning – which basically means modern transport planning that spreads the focus over several forms of transport options – cars, public transport, cycleways, and [...] read more
  May 17, 2013 1:44 pm - 15 Comments
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  Kudos to the Warehouse for pay move - by Denise Roche

  
  
  
  It’s great news that the Warehouse is making it a policy to lift wages. This move is partly inspired by the Living Wage campaign. The Green Party has been actively supporting this campaign that would see big employers sign up to pay a living wage.  This is the wage that would allow their employees to [...] read more
  May 8, 2013 3:44 pm - 6 Comments
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  Te Kotahitanga – a successful programme is cut - by Catherine Delahunty

  
  
  
  For more than ten years a programme has been developed, implemented and monitored that has a proven ability to help teachers work effectively with all students. Te Kotahitanga was developed by Russel Bishop, Mere Berryman and a team at Waikato University to help teachers become culturally responsive and inclusive. More than 40 schools have used [...] read more
  April 26, 2013 9:46 am - 2 Comments
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  Pacific Parliamentary Forum - by Jan Logie

  
  
  
  Parliament has been blessed with the presence of political leaders from all around the Pacific for the last few days. We had some great debates and discussions. I just want to gloat about one – the motion to liberalise trade was voted down in favour of an amended motion in support of sustainable development. The [...] read more
  April 22, 2013 12:23 pm - 2 Comments
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  MPs said ‘we do’ to marriage equality - by frog

  
  
  
    We are all celebrating today at Parliament after an amazing night in which love was the winner.   A huge number of people came to watch the marriage equality debate and vote. The queue stretched around the building and people were bubbling with excitement to see such happy history being made. The speeches made [...] read more
  April 18, 2013 11:27 am - 63 Comments
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  Marriage Equality: Difference of world views - by Kevin Hague

  
  
  
  The debate over Louisa Wall’s marriage equality bill has been raging for almost a year now, and I have received thousands of emails and letters, as well as having read many thousands of submissions during the Select Committee process I thought the contrast between those in favour and those opposed was striking, and have blogged [...] read more
  April 12, 2013 12:32 pm - 30 Comments
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  Cackling Paula has no idea how kids will survive her reforms - by Metiria Turei

  
  
  
  You might think that the idea of financial sanctions on the very poorest children in New Zealand because of their parents’ behaviour would be an anathema to anyone who cares about the welfare of children. Its cruel, at best, and downright dangerous at worst. So when the Minister of Social Development decides that the income [...] read more
  April 11, 2013 5:08 pm - 13 Comments
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  Reflections from the ‘False Economy’ tour - by Jan Logie

  
  
  
  Below is a presentation that was part of our ‘False Economy: The high cost of a low wage economy’ meeting in Auckland this week. I was really moved by what Darryl had to say and wanted to make sure that other people had a chance to see what he shared with us. Please have a [...] read more
  April 5, 2013 12:29 pm - 25 Comments
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  Attention young creatives! - by Holly Walker

  
  
  
  A new website was launched today – www.urs.net.nz – aimed at supporting young people in getting creative. Damian Christie, better known as host of Backbenches (which will be back on TV screens next Wednesday, by the way), has today launched his project – ‘URS’. URS is a website where young people, aged between 13-25 years [...] read more
  April 4, 2013 11:40 am - 3 Comments
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  Greens take on MFAT at cricket - by Gareth Hughes

  
  
  
  The test match between New Zealand and England currently drawing to a close is proving an absolute rip snorter as cricketing purists would say. Another game of cricket occurred on the weekend. A game only slightly less passionately fought out. The annual Parliament 11 vs MFAT cricket match. This year I joined a team that [...] read more
  March 26, 2013 4:12 pm - 1 Comment
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  Maori TV exposes shameful treatment of Guarani Kaiowa people - by Catherine Delahunty

  
  
  
  Last night on “Native Affairs” there was a compelling story about the Guarani Kaiowa people of Brazil who have been violently displaced by the ethanol and soy bean farmers growing crops for biofuels on indigenous land. Maori Television sent their own film crew to Brazil to tell the story of these abused people some of [...] read more
  March 26, 2013 9:49 am - 7 Comments
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  Govt outsourcing arts funding - by Holly Walker

  
  
  
  Pledgeme, a very cool crowdfunding platform for creative projects in New Zealand, is about to reach a pretty great milestone – raising a total of $1million for creative projects in New Zealand in just over a year. Crowdfunding is a collaborative way to fund something, and Pledgeme have set up a really successful website where [...] read more
  March 21, 2013 6:20 pm - 6 Comments
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  “Not a very complicated job” – the new Race Relations Commissioner - by Catherine Delahunty

  
  
  
  OK so it is day one for Susan Devoy but what about the Government? Why did they appoint a person to the role with no background in Te Tiriti issues or diversity politics? Why did they choose someone who is on the public record doubting the relevance and value of Waitangi to New Zealanders? What [...] read more
  March 21, 2013 10:23 am - 71 Comments
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  DeafView3, WFD and Deaf rights - by Mojo Mathers

  
  
  
  Over the weekend I attended the DeafView3 conference in Wellington. This proved to be both interesting and challenging with a wide range of topics covered, ranging from the changing nature of Deaf culture  though to  Māori deaf and  indigenous Deaf  issues. There were a number of speakers from overseas, including an excellent keynote speech by [...] read more
  March 13, 2013 7:12 pm - No Comments
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  Trading New Zealand’s credibility in Colombia - by Jan Logie

  
  
  
  Last week John Key announced his plan to sell Light Armoured Vehicles (LAV’s) to Colombia. In an effort to build trade and sell off redundant military equipment, John Key seems to have chosen to make New Zealand complicit in the further arming of a potentially illegal military force who has been responsible for very significant human [...] read more
  March 12, 2013 8:28 am - 6 Comments
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  The Marriage Equality Bill and religion - by Kevin Hague

  
  
  
  One of the themes winding its way through the debate over marriage equality is the relationship between the church and the state. New Zealand has no official religion and great effort has been expended to keep the church out of law-making and the State out of religious matters. So marriage presents an interesting set of [...] read more
  March 11, 2013 1:09 pm - 8 Comments
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  International Women’s Day - by Jan Logie

  
  
  
  Today while I was sad to see fewer women in well-paid jobs I was very lucky to be able to celebrate, in brilliant sunshine, International Women’s Day with a wonderful and diverse group of women on the walk for peace. “This Peace Walk for Women was organised to raise awareness of our interconnectedness and interdependence in [...] read more
  March 8, 2013 4:51 pm - 17 Comments
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  Family First, own goals and desperate measures - by Kevin Hague

  
  
  
  I guess Family First is in a hard position. They really don’t want Louisa Wall’s marriage equality bill to succeed but they’re faced with a situation where most New Zealanders support it, where it passed its First Reading with an emphatic majority, and where the Select Committee that heard submissions has given the Bill a [...] read more
  March 5, 2013 5:15 pm - 12 Comments
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  Who counts on Census day? - by Jan Logie

  
  
  
  Having worked in a university I know quite directly how vital census information is. This information is the lifeblood of research and planning. Like the TV advertisement says – we use it to design our cities, plan our services, develop business plans, and even decide what language books to have in our libraries. When filling [...] read more
  March 5, 2013 1:51 pm - 23 Comments
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  From 100% to 5% - by Russel Norman

  
  
  
  The Government has suggested that up to 90% of shares will be owned by New Zealanders, and Treasury’s figures show that around 5% of all New Zealanders will be able to afford to buy shares. Without even thinking of the Australian share float, which will dilute Kiwi ownership, the asset sales program is about a [...] read more
  March 5, 2013 11:13 am - 385 Comments
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  Give postgrads a chance - by Holly Walker

  
  
  
  Cutting student allowances to all postgraduates is short-sighted policy that pulls the rug out from under thousands of students. Many cannot work part-time due to course requirements to fill the deficit, meaning they will have to walk out of their courses. It will also add millions to student debt as students who relied on allowances [...] read more
  March 1, 2013 1:45 pm - 7 Comments
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  John Banks: learn a little history? - by Metiria Turei

  
  
  
  Charter schools are no joke. What’s funny, however, is John Banks’ referring to the opponents of charter schools as “Cassandras”, seemingly unaware that back in the day, poor old Cassandra was famous for her prophetic insight and the fact that her accurate warnings were ignored. John Banks probably didn’t intend to suggest the Green Party [...] read more
  February 26, 2013 4:13 pm - 18 Comments
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  Ralph Hotere, making small holes in the silence - by Holly Walker

  
  
  
  Although I didn’t study law, I spent a bit of time in the law building at Otago University during my five years there, either for LAWS 101 lectures and tutorials in my first year, debates and fixtures for the Otago University Debating Society, or visiting lawyer friends in their offices there later on. Every time [...] read more
  February 25, 2013 10:22 am - No Comments
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  Removing discrimination: one small step at a time - by Mojo Mathers

  
  
  
  One of the biggest challenges that many disabled people face is negative attitudes towards them, and assumptions made by others that their lives are not worth living, which can lead to systematic discrimination. Antenatal screening programmes, such as the national screening programme for Down syndrome are controversial, because if they are not carried out appropriately, [...] read more
  February 21, 2013 7:00 pm - 5 Comments
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  Christchurch schools – proposals or promises? - by Catherine Delahunty

  
  
  
  At the schools rally in Christchurch on Tuesday, Board Members and parents were talking about the promise broken by the Minister of Education. A number of schools such as Central New Brighton and Branston Intermediate had been clearly told they would have until the end of 2014 to prepare for merger or closure. The announcement [...] read more
  February 21, 2013 12:12 pm - 16 Comments
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  First blind Scottish MP visits NZ - by Mojo Mathers

  
  
  
  I had the privilege of meeting with Dennis Robertson,  a Member of the Scottish Parliament who  made waves by being the first blind person elected to that office. In common with myself and other elected representatives around the world with a significant sensory impairment, he needs appropriate support to be able to carry out his [...] read more
  February 20, 2013 4:18 pm - 1 Comment
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  The heart has been ripped out of Christchurch school communities - by Metiria Turei

  
  
  
  Schools can be the heart of their communities. In the aftermath of the Canterbury earthquakes, schools played a stabilising role not just for students, but for parents and staff as well. Now though, the Government has ripped the hearts out of some of the hardest hit communities. read more
  February 19, 2013 3:18 pm - 58 Comments
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  Aggressive lotto marketing harms gamblers - by Denise Roche

  
  
  
  The numbers of people presenting to problem gambling services who cite Lotto as the gambling method that causes harm is no surprise given the changes the Lotteries Commission has brought in over the last few years. Marketing for Lotto has become more aggressive – it’s everywhere – the jackpots are higher and Lotteries Commission gambling [...] read more
  February 18, 2013 10:36 am - 6 Comments
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  Workers moving back to 19th Century - by Denise Roche

  
  
  
  Low wages weaken local economies and communities; as the adults in a family struggle working horrendously long hours and sometimes several jobs to make ends meet, our communities become poorer because those adults do not have any free time to volunteer. read more
  February 15, 2013 3:14 pm - 159 Comments