Education
From the Desk of a Male Pale and Stale
The University of Auckland in New Zealand was founded in 1883 as Auckland University College, initially serving as a constituent college of the University of New Zealand. Its humble beginnings were in a disused courthouse and jail, where it started with 95 students and 4 teaching staff. Regretfully amongst these
Auckland University Removes ‘Segregation’ Sign
Chris Lynch chrislynchmedia.com Chris Lynch is a journalist, videographer and content producer, broadcasting from his independent news and production company in Christchurch, New Zealand. If you have a news tip or are interested in video content, email chris@chrislynchmedia.com Auckland University has removed a signboard that had designated
Where Do They Learn to Hate?
Despite Anthony Albanese’s unconvincing pledge not to allow anti-Semitism to “find so much as a foothold” in Australia, it’s horrifyingly obvious that it has not just a foothold, but a stranglehold. Jewish households and businesses are fleeing certain Melbourne suburbs. Mobs chant anti-Semitic, genocidal slogans, with
How Many Rainbow Serpents to the Dreamtime?
“Simpsons did it!” is a South Park joke that just keeps coming true. After all, a topical satire which has run for 35 years, 761 episodes, a feature film, and videogame and comic book adaptations, is inevitably going to cover nearly every topic imaginable. 9/11, the Trump presidency, even
Were School Closures Worth It?
Kelli Ballard libertynation.com It has been four years since the Covid panic that disrupted so many lives. People lost jobs, businesses, and homes. We were not able to see loved ones in the hospital or even attend funerals. Everyone was masked up and told to isolate at home. The
A One Size Fits All Protest
Students will take to the streets on April 5 in Christchurch, Auckland, Dunedin and Hamilton (I’ve spared you the Maori names) aided by free nationwide news coverage provided well in advance. “…biggest protest yet…” is embedded in the headline promising something that hasn’t happened yet and includes video
A New Phase of Dumbing Down
Only a mainstream media journalist could argue that a decline in general intelligence is a good thing. Probably because, if everybody else dumbs down, the numbnuts in the media might finally have something to feel good about themselves. Of course, we, ah, ‘more experienced’ folks always like to think that
The Cost of DEI in Universities
Kelli Ballard libertynation.com Diversity, equity, and inclusion – or DEI – isn’t new to colleges and universities, but in the last few years it has certainly grown in controversy. Some lump it together with critical race theory, but the growing assumption is that it’s a form of indoctrination, teaching
Can We Fight Critical Race Theory?
Hello, it’s John Porter on Bay FM and today I’m talking about Critical Race Theory (CRT). No, not heard of CRT? Well, it’s a significant issue around the world these days and seems to be becoming embedded in the thinking of certain sectors of our society. Critical
Sex Education Belongs in the Home
Alwyn Poole alwynpoole.substack.com Founded and was the head of Mt Hobson Middle School in Auckland for 18 years. MH Academy is now an in person private school for Year 11 – 13. There is now a nationwide online provision called Mt Hobson Academy Connected for Years 1 – 13. Despite
Teens Report Feeling ‘Peaceful’ Without Smartphones
As I’ve written before, social media companies are the Big Tobacco of the 2000s. Their own research shows that they know their products are extremely harmful to (mental) health, especially for impressionable children and teens, especially girls — but they continue to market to them anyway. And if social media
Free to Believe What They Let You
Many years ago, I found myself “between jobs”, as they say. Mrs Brady, diligently scanning the job ads, found a position open in a health food store. “Must have a commitment to sharing organic and vegan lifestyles”, the ad specified. I pointed out that I was, if anything, diametrically opposed
MOE Protect Their Own Instead of Fulfilling Their Function
Alwyn Poole alwynpoole.substack.com Founded and was the head of Mt Hobson Middle School in Auckland for 18 years. MH Academy is now an in person private school for Year 11 – 13. There is now a nationwide online provision called Mt Hobson Academy Connected for Years 1 – 13. It
Why Should We Reward Failure?
Beginning journalism students are warned about the danger of becoming too sympathetic to their sources, thus colouring their objectivity. At worst, journalists are told, they may fall prey to “source capture”: privileging the interests of their sources and pushing a biased narrative. Especially when the source’s interest too-closely
The MoE Protects Their Own
Alwyn Poole Alwyn Poole founded and was the head of Mt Hobson Middle School in Auckland for 18 years. MH Academy is now an in person private school for Years 11–13. There is now a nationwide online provision called Mt Hobson Academy Connected for Years 1–13. alwynpoole.substack.