The Second Worst Polls Since MMP
Someone needs to do something big and bold and they need to do it right now, because current polling suggests that, if they don’t, they will be New Zealand’s first one-term government in 51 years.
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The School Lunch Issue Is Not the Fault of Our Politicians
It stems from the NZ Treasury’s wrong economic advice.
News Briefing: 21 March 2025
Republished with Permission Author: Bryce Edwards HEALTH Glenn McConnell (Stuff): ‘It’s censorship’: Public health leaders slam ‘Trumpian’ edict Matthew Littlewood (ODT): ‘Farcical’: Quarter of hospital budget already spent (paywalled) Natalie Akoorie (RNZ): Some patients waiting for heart scan given death sentence due to delays, cardiologists say Paul Penfold (Stuff)
Get Back In Your Box
Public health commentators are all upset at being told to get back in their box by new Health Minister Simeon Brown.
Good Oil General Debate
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Face of the Day
“I’ve definitely enjoyed this one the most, with all the people here supporting me” – Ruthe
The Good Oil Word of the Day
The word for today is… esoteric (adjective): 1a: designed for or understood by the specially initiated alone b: requiring or exhibiting knowledge that is restricted to a small group 2a: limited to a small circle b: private, confidential 3: of special, rare, or unusual interest Source : Merriam -Webster Etymology : The
The Good Oil Daily Proverb
12 The Righteous One knows what is going on in the homes of the wicked; he will bring disaster on them.
NZ economy exits recession, but real recovery remains uncertain
“The first green shoots of an economic recovery."
Trafficking probes skyrocket, but prosecutions not so much
People trafficking investigations in New Zealand have surged nearly 4000%, yet no prosecutions in five years.
‘Total surprise’: Principals push back as Government moves to standardised school tests
A vital “lever” to improve student achievement and close the equity gap.
RFK Jr. challenges bird flu response with bold immunity-first strategy
“Let it run through the flock.”
Were household appliances really better back in the day, or is it just nostalgia?
“They don’t make them like they used to."
The school lunch fiasco: Treasury’s fault, not politicians’
“My view is that it was a mistake for the NZ Treasury to pretend it had worked out the effect of quality school lunches on children's educational & health outcomes when no one else in the world has done so."