Daily Archives: July 31, 2021

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern addresses supporters at a Labour Party event in Wellington, New Zealand, October 11, 2020. REUTERS/Praveen Menon

WELLINGTON, July 26 (Reuters) - Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said on Monday she has agreed to a request from Turkish authorities to accept the return of a New Zealand citizen accused of having links to the Islamic State, and her two young children.

The three have been in immigration detention in Turkey after they were caught earlier this year trying to enter Turkey from Syria. Turkish authorities requested that New Zealand repatriate the family.

"New Zealand has not taken this step lightly. We have taken into account our international responsibilities as well as the details of this particular case, including the fact that children are involved," Ardern said in a statement after a cabinet meeting in Wellington.

The woman had held New Zealand and Australian citizenships. Her family moved to Australia when she was six and she grew up there before departing for Syria in 2014 on an Australian passport.

But the Australian government revoked her citizenship and refused to reverse the decision despite calls from New Zealand.

Earlier this year, Ardern said Australia's decision was wrong and the country was abdicating its responsibilities by "unilaterally" cancelling the citizenship of the woman. read more

Australia has provided assurances it will consult with New Zealand if similar such case arises in future, Ardern said.

Details about arrangements or timing to bring the family home will not be made public due to security reasons.

Turkish authorities have said that the woman, 26, was a DAESH (Islamic State) terrorist wanted with a 'blue notice'.

An Interpol blue notice is issued to collect additional information about a person's identity, location or activities in relation to a crime.

It has previously been made clear that any New Zealander who might be suspected of association with a terrorist group should expect to be investigated under New Zealand law, but that would be a matter for the Police, Ardern said

Reporting by Praveen Menon; Editing by Lincoln Feast.

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

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New Zealand accepts return of Islamic State-linked citizen - Reuters

The Prime Minister views flood ravaged areas in Mid-Canterbury.

OPINION:

Last year I said you'd be hard pressed to find two issues that will define this generation more than climate change and the enormous effects of a global pandemic.

I'm repeating those words as both remain front of mind as we navigate these challenging times.

In June, the Climate Change Commission report said Government was making good progress but that a step up is required.

Viewed in the context of two of the Government's overarching priorities for this term (accelerating the Covid economic recovery and laying the foundations for a better future) it becomes obvious that our climate change response is central to both.

Climate action is an economic opportunity for New Zealand. Inherent in it are brand benefits for our exporters, reduced costs, higher paying jobs, alongside the obvious environmental benefits.

We need to seize it. We meaning Government and business. Just as our successful Covid response has required a team effort, so too does climate action.

And there is good cause to be optimistic.

The Commission's report sets out that acting now makes more economic sense than waiting, and that we can reduce emissions while continuing to grow the economy.

According to Commission modelling, if we stick with today's policies and settings, they will cost us an estimated 2.3 per cent of GDP by 2050.

29 Jul, 2021 03:02 AMQuick Read

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But if we act now, and invest in a strong, inclusive, climate-friendly economy, the impact on GDP will be almost halved over that period, at around 1.2 per cent.

It is safer, smarter and cheaper to act now.

Climate change represents the greatest economic transformation in our lifetime, because it impacts every single industry sector.

Those businesses that adapt and embrace change will reap the benefits. Those businesses that don't, expose themselves to risk, cost increases, and will see their markets disappear.

We are seeing some incredible innovation in New Zealand, with companies rising to the challenge of climate change with world leading technology and ingenuity.

But we need to take that step up collectively in order to secure our future.

Our upcoming Emissions Reduction Plan will set out some steps the Government will take.

Businesses want certainty we know that that's why we'll set 15 years of final and indicative emissions budgets, following the Commission's advice.

These budgets will set the number of ETS (Emissions Trading Scheme) credits and be the frame by which we set policies to decarbonise.

The ETS cannot do it all on its own. That would require carbon prices that would hurt businesses and is why we need to set complementary policy to help with the transition.

For example, relying on the carbon price alone to drive EV (electric vehicle) uptake would require a carbon price of approximately $575/tonne in 2022 representing an extra $1.30 on petrol prices compared to current levels.

So the Government will ensure policy supports the ETS to minimise the costs to business. And you can expect policies that send clear signals on phasing out carbon-heavy activities.

Climate change will require business to work differently too.

The Government knows this and that's why we recently increased funding for EECA's (Energy Efficiency & Conservation Authority) business support and advisory work; introduced the GIDI (Government Investment in Decardbonising Industry) fund a $70 million fund allowing business and industries to access financial support to switch away from boilers run on coal and gas, to cleaner electricity and biomass options, and quadrupled funding for the Low Emission Vehicles Contestable Fund to help businesses switch to low emissions alternatives.

Of course the Government will continue to work alongside business but there are changes that can also be made immediately.

Every business can take steps to reduce emissions. Many are, to great effect.

All actions make a difference no matter how small. Consider how your staff travel support the use of bikes and public transport.

Understand how increasing carbon prices may impact your business and seek advice on how to mitigate them.

Returning to the Climate Change Commission report, it was clear that action is required right across the economy.

There is so much to gain new jobs and opportunities for Kiwi businesses, lower household energy bills, a more sustainable agriculture sector, less air pollution, an enviable global brand, warmer, drier homes, exciting new technologies, protection of native species and eco-systems, cost savings for businesses, and overall resilience.

Not changing is not an option.

And I think it's important to remember here that while we like to think we're world leading in many areas, climate change action is not one of them.

New Zealand and that includes NZ businesses risks becoming a laggard and that is not a reputation (or a reality) we can afford to attract.

So let me leave you with this; the government will continue to work hard on this and we need business to do the same.

There will be some challenges, some uncertainty, and some things we don't agree on but no action is simply not an option if we want to leave our children and grandchildren the country they deserve.

That too has not changed from last year.

Published in the Herald's 2021 Sustainable Business report.

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Jacinda Ardern: Not changing is not an option - New Zealand Herald

The duplicity of being physically and verbally abused, myself, at work (often due to influxes of patients and long wait times) while trying to prevent this is incredibly, ironically distressing.

I was not an angel during the constant prioritising of care that we do during a shift. If you had the choice who would you treat first?

1) a patient who is six weeks pregnant with right groin pain, 2) an elderly patient with dementia and a stable neck of femur fracture, 3) a 40 year old patient with lower back pain, 4) a 50 year old with epigastric pain radiating to the back and 5) a 20 year old who is dizzy and hasnt kept any food down in a week.

These are the questions flowing through our minds every minute and the decisions we have to make countless times a shift.

No angel is making these decisions.

We use our critical thinking skills, knowledge of pathophysiology and disease progression and clinical experience to deliver our care, escalate where appropriate, have difficult conversations with patients and prioritise the most sick.

Wouldnt you appreciate if nurses had fewer patients to look after so that you felt safer? And wouldnt you appreciate if nurses were paid more to recognise the important work they do?

Currently we are in a healthcare crisis. Our patients are more comorbid than ever with a surge in numbers in recent years across the country, while nurses are being asked to take on more and more responsibility without any formal recognition of the weight of that responsibility.

Our population has boomed in the Counties Manukau catchment and across the country. The ratio of patients to nurses is desperately unsafe. And unfortunately time and time again, it is our communities most poorly represented in health statistics who are going to fall through the cracks due to the racism that exists in our healthcare system.

The capped ratio in most hospitals is one nurse to four during day shifts in New Zealand, while Middlemore has its nurses looking after anywhere between 5 to 8 patients - and with the compounding of understaffing this can end up looking like a 1-10 ratio.

Would you like to be a patient in a hospital where the nurses had nine other patients to look after?

These situations are ticking time bombs for major patient incidents and I have already seen and heard of deaths occurring in our hospital as a direct result of understaffing. I am very worried about the grossly unsafe conditions nurses have to work in every day.

We cannot retain nurses at the current levels of pay.

Just last week I heard my friends talking of leaving to Australia, even during a global pandemic, due to the much safer working conditions and better pay that values the work they do.

We have already had multiple mass exoduses of staff, including very senior nurses, meaning a largely junior nursing force and new nurses who have to relearn our hospital system. We need to pay our nurses what they deserve to create a culture of retention and appreciation. We dont want to lose our valuable senior nurses with vast clinical knowledge.

I am still flabbergasted at the lack of political will to offer nurses a decent pay rise. The DHBs have just put out a revised offer that struggles to get close to the 17 per cent weve asked for and is clouded by this magical money from the pay equity process. Members dont trust the pay equity money wont be used against them.

Why not leave pay equity out of the equation and offer an increase with no promise to reduce it later? Whatever is offered to us now will ultimately influence the pay equity increase regardless.

I keep hearing about how our economy is doing so much better than planned. If this is the case why arent we seeing the much needed investment into the core part of New Zealands healthcare? Why did the government put in a pay freeze two days before it was announced nurses were striking in June?

Andrew Little said recently that there were plenty of nurses that had practicing certificates but were no longer working when asked about the shortage of working nurses.

There is a clear disconnect in his understanding of the problem. If nurses felt safe and valued at work, there wouldnt be a shortage. You cant expect nurses to suddenly return to the workplace that had them burning out in the first place.

Andrew Little, wake up and realise that its going to take a significant investment in nursing to fix this issue - no small band-aid will do.

Were not asking for the world, were asking for what nurses, and our patients, deserve - a profession that is able to safely look after its community. There is no other profession who does the work we do.

Jacinda Ardern and Andrew Little, if youre going to continue making decisions that affect us then take the time to understand the situation. Come to our workplaces, talk to our nurses, charge nurses, healthcare assistants and midwives.

These are the people who have first-hand experience of what our patients are going through and what it feels like to be working under conditions that, countless nurses have expressed, have never been this dire.

Graphs can only tell you so much. What a sigh of relief it would be to have MPs finally care about the work we do past an add slogan. We are sick, tired and terrified of the conditions and lack of investment into nurses who without, the healthcare system would crumble.

The time for action was yesterday.

The author is a nurse at Middlemore Hospital

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Jacinda Ardern and Andrew Little need to wake up and talk to nurses before they make decisions on healthcare - Newshub

At the end of each week, Mike Hosking takes you through the big-ticket items and lets you know what he makes of it all.

Britain: 8/10

"Freedom Day looks like it might be leading to something significant.

The jury is still out but the Armageddon predicted by the doom merchants is nothing like what's actually happened these past 8 days.

Fortune favours the brave."

The Olympics: 7/10

"Same sort of story of boldness.

Japan is still a mess vaccine wise, but the Games are not going to be the super-spreader event the doom merchants predicted, or indeed anywhere close."

SMEs: 9/10

"Xero's numbers shows June was a boomer.

The tills are ringing."

But Job Numbers: 2/10

"The Auckland Chambers survey is frightening. We've never had such a shortage of labour.

And still they dont let the skills in across the border, how can you function, far less grow, if you can't get hands on deck?"

Far North District Council: 8/10

"My heroes of the week for parking the SNA scandal

They're realising that piling onto private land to suit your own agenda is seriously dangerous behaviour and most of us dont like it."

The Suhayra Aden Decision: 3/10

"We are here because Scott Morrison is smarter than Jacinda Ardern.

He changed his law, and we were asleep."

Coal Imports: 3/10

"Record levels of imports in a country that declared a climate emergency.

Thats Labour, isn't it? All announcement, no follow through."

Banks Credit Ratings: 7/10

"They've been put up.

Why? Because they're solid, profitable, and know what they're doing.

So why was it Adrian Orr wanted them to hold extra credit?

#nervousnelly"

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck: 8/10

"Didn't stay long enough.

But only because he's chasing a dream, so who can blame him?

What a treat he has been for the Warriors."

The Grand Tour Presents: Lochdown: 9/10

"Out on Amazon Prime Video today. I've seen it.

Richard Hammond, Jeremy Clarkson, and James May are a reminder that that sort of comradery and talent are in rare supply."

LISTEN ABOVE FOR MIKE HOSKING'S FULL WEEK IN REVIEW

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Mark the Week: We are here because Scott Morrison is smarter than Jacinda Ardern - Newstalk ZB

The government is expecting about 1.5 million doses of the Covid-19 vaccine to arrive next month as the vaccination rollout scales up.

New Zealand received 1 million doses of Pfizer's Covid-19 vaccine in July. (File image) Photo: Supplied

Bookings to get a vaccine will become available to those in group 4 aged between 60 and 65 from 28 July, but RNZ analysis of vaccination data showed more than 2 million doses still needed to be given to those in group 3.

Group 3 related to anyone who was over 65 or living with a disability or underlying health conditions - in essence the most at-risk of serious symptoms or death as a result of Covid-19 infection.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern defended the speed at which the rollout was going, saying the proportion of those in group 3 vaccinated varied between district health boards, and that the group vaccinations could be done concurrently.

"[Group 3] have had a period where they have been able to exclusively book, we now want to start booking in those for the next tranche," Ardern told Morning Report.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone

"We'll be broadening the number of [vaccination] sites we have," she said.

"But no-one is going to miss out."

She said this was not about saving face because the government had already committed to this date.

"We've had a 41 percent increase in vaccines over the last week, relative to the week prior, so we are seeing considerable growth.

"This is always the point at which we said our programme would be ramping up.

"We had a million doses delivered in July, the next month [it will be] 1.5 million. We need to continue to book people through the system so we can keep scaling up our programme which is why we continue to roll through those groups."

The latter part of July is when the balance tips, she said, with supply now being less of an issue that it has been.

"Prior to the weekend, we saw from memory about four consecutive days with vaccination numbers over 30,000.

"What we'll start doing next month is start releasing data daily so people can see and track the growth of the vaccine programme."

Last week, a dedicated 0800 number opened up for people in group 3 who qualify for a Covid-19 vaccination but still had not received an invitation.

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Covid-19 vaccine: 1.5 million doses due to arrive in August - RNZ

An 18-year-old Tik Tok star from Jersey has been getting letters from world leaders, including New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, with tips on how to be an adult.

Leo Olsson decided to write to 200 world leaders asking for their advice after he hit that significant age milestone in January.

He shared his quest for answers with his 300,000 plus Tik Tok fans.

Interestingly, the one thing I learnt is that it's probably quite hard to give unique advice ... but then when you looked into the personal backgrounds of these people, you learnt that it was really stemming from what their experience was.

In his online videos, Leo tells his followers it took a "long time" to find addresses for world leaders but once he did, he sent copies of his message around the world.

To his surprise, he got some replies - including advice from the Prime Minister of New Zealand, and the Presidents of Switzerland, New Zealand and Romania.

Ardern told him you have to learn to ignore the voice in your head that says you are not good enough or you cannot achieve something.

The President of Switzerland Guy Parmelin said that Leo "should be open to new things" and have openness to the world, attentiveness and respect.

Read the rest here:

Jersey TikTok teen gets letters from world leaders on how to be an adult - ITV News

OPINION: The Christchurch terrorist atrocity of March 15, 2019, highlighted some important lessons for New Zealand.

For one thing, it revealed that even a geographically isolated state like New Zealand is not immune to an evolving and increasingly complex threat of violent extremism in a globalising world.

In addition, it underlined the need to strengthen the bonds of community and democracy in New Zealand to boost resilience to the narratives of hate and division, which fuel the threat of terrorism within and outside our country.

Carl Court/Getty Images

Armed police outside the Al Noor mosque in Christchurch after the terror attacks of March 15, 2019.

In the post-Christchurch era, it is clear New Zealand faces continuing political and military challenges in countering the terrorist threat.

READ MORE:* Police intervened in two potential mass shootings within weeks of March 15, counter-terrorism hui hears* Anti-terrorism hui with high profile speakers coming to Christchurch next week * PM Jacinda Ardern: United States an 'important partner' as it joins the Christchurch Call taking on terrorists and violent extremists

As US academic Martha Crenshaw has indicated, terrorism is the deliberate and systematic use of the threat of violence to coerce changes in political behaviour.

Acts of terrorism can sometimes be state-sponsored, as with the French bombing of the Rainbow Warrior in Waitemat Harbour in 1985.

Acts of terrorism may be state-sponsored, such as the blowing up of the Rainbow Warrior in 1985 by French intelligence agents, or initiated by non-state actors such as the white supremacist who carried out the appalling attacks on two Christchurch mosques, which killed 51 people.

At the risk of some over-simplification, many of the US-led efforts intended to counter terrorism in the post-9/11 era have been concerned with military efforts to address its violent symptoms, rather than focusing on its political causes.

New Zealand must avoid going down that narrow path, particularly as the threat of transnational terrorism has been transformed by the advent of the online era in the 21st century.

AP

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern embracing a member of the Muslim community after the national remembrance service for the victims of the March 15 terrorist attacks.

During the last decade and a half, digital networks and social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter have provided an opportunity for extremist organisations to propagate their ideas to wider audiences, and thus radicalise and recruit lone actors to carry out violent acts of terrorism.

It was this environment that helped to generate the terror attacks at Christchurch in 2019, conducted by an attacker equipped with GoPro technology to record and share the images of his atrocity online with other white supremacists.

While the Christchurch attacks served to unify rather than divide New Zealand, it is clear in the long term that enhancing social inclusion is a vital barrier to the hate-filled and racist ideologies of violent extremism.

Mustafa Yalcin/Getty Images

Jacinda Ardern and French President Emmanuel Macron launched the Christchurch Call to curb online extremism in the wake of the mosque shootings.

Building greater community resilience in New Zealand involves an ever-increasing recognition of the special constitutional and cultural position of Mori, addressing past injustices associated with the European settlement of the country, and deepening links with the Pacific and Indo-Pacific region.

But the process of tackling injustice is not a purely national concern.

After the Christchurch attacks, New Zealand cannot remain silent when authoritarian states, as well as some traditional allies, engage in actions that erode the international rules-based order and contribute to a climate in which the ideas of extremism gain traction.

Mark Schiefelbein/AP

A massive detention centre in the mainly Muslim region of Xinjiang, western China. New Zealand has joined other liberal democracies in raising concerns about Chinas human rights policies in the region.

New Zealand was surely right to recently join with a major grouping of liberal democracies to publicly condemn Chinas alleged cyber intrusions, and express its concerns about Beijings repressive human rights policies in Xinjiang and Hong Kong.

But Jacinda Arderns Government was relatively tongue-tied when it came to commenting on the insurrection by President Trumps supporters on Capitol Hill on January 6 this year, the Biden administrations unreserved support for Israels right to defend itself against stateless Palestinians in May, and the British governments apparent willingness to undermine the Good Friday Accord to accommodate Brexit.

At the same time, the Ardern Governments record in dealing with apprehended New Zealand citizens with links to violent extremist organisations has been patchy.

Supplied

New Zealand has been markedly reluctant to bring home Kiwi Jihadi Mark Taylor, who served with Islamic State.

While it should be applauded for accepting the legal responsibility for bringing Islamic State terror suspect Suhayra Aden and her two young children to New Zealand after Canberra revoked her Australian citizenship, it has shown much less willingness to bring another IS terror suspect, Mark Taylor, back from the Middle East to face justice in this country.

Nevertheless, the Government is still in an exceptionally strong position to bolster the international co-operation that is so essential for countering terrorism.

Arderns compassionate but decisive leadership after the Christchurch terror attacks (and her Governments widely admired response to Covid-19) has significantly boosted the international standing of New Zealand.

Supplied

University of Otago Professor Robert Patman says New Zealand has more opportunities to shape the international agenda in dealing with violent extremism.

Furthermore, the Christchurch Call initiative launched by Ardern and French President Emmanuel Macron to curb online extremism has won the support of more than 55 states, including Joe Bidens US administration.

The precedent of collaboration between a small state and a middle power is an important one, given the current void in great-power leadership, and points to more opportunities for New Zealand to shape the international agenda in dealing with violent extremism a problem that knows no borders.

Much needs to be done. Constraining or abolishing the veto of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, and reforming the global economic system, are among the reforms urgently needed to create a fairer world and one that is more resilient to the appeal of violent extremism.

Robert G. Patman is a Sesquicentennial Distinguished Chair and a specialist in International Relations at the University of Otago. He spoke at the Hui on Countering Terrorism and Violent Extremism in Christchurch in June.

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NZ still has important role in the global challenge of violent extremism - Stuff.co.nz

Source: Roy Morgan New Zealand Single Source. January 2020 July 2021.Base: New Zealand electors aged 18+. Average interviews per month = 928.

The governing parties are now just 5% points ahead of the Parliamentary opposition National/Act NZ/ Maori Party on 44.5%, up 1% point since June. This is the highest level of support for the Parliamentary Opposition since October 2019 and the closest theyve been to the Government since Jacinda Ardern became Prime Minister in October 2017 nearly four years ago.

Support for National was virtually unchanged at 29%, down 0.5% points, while the big mover was Act NZ which increased its support by 1.5% points to a record high 13%. This is the first time since 2002 that Act NZ has gained a higher level of support than the Greens. Support for the Maori Party was unchanged at 2.5%.

A small minority of 6% of electors support other minor parties outside Parliament with support for The Opportunities Party up 1% point to a record high 3%, support for NZ First up 0.5% points to 2% in July.

This latest New Zealand Roy Morgan Poll on voting intention was conducted by telephone both landline and mobile with a New Zealand-wide cross-section of 945 electors during July. Electors were asked: If a New Zealand Election were held today which party would receive your party vote? Of all electors surveyed an unchanged 4.5% didnt name a party.

New Zealand Government Confidence Rating drops 3pts to pandemic low of 121 in July

The Roy Morgan Government Confidence Rating dropped by 3pts in July to 121 the lowest it has been since Jacinda Ardern became Prime Minister in October 2017 nearly four years ago.

In July a reduced majority of 55.5% (down 1.5% points) of New Zealand electors said New Zealand was heading in the right direction compared to over a third, 34.5% (up 1.5% points) who said New Zealand was heading in the wrong direction the highest figure for this indicator since Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern came to power in October 2017.

The latest monthly ANZ-Roy Morgan Consumer Confidence Rating was down slightly by 1pt to 113.1 in July but is still well above the corresponding Consumer Confidence figure in Australia of 100.7 on July 24/25, 2021 as that country battles a renewed outbreak of COVID-19 in Sydney.

Massive Gender gap as Women favour Labour-Greens and men favour National-Act NZ

Analysing voting intentions by gender reveals where Prime Minister Jacinda Arderns strength lies.

A clear majority of 58.5% of Women support either Labour (46.5%) or the Greens (12%) compared to only 40.5% of men supporting either Labour (32.5%) or the Greens (8%) a massive gender gap of 18% points in favour of Arderns Labour Party among Women.

In fact a majority of men support the Parliamentary opposition with 52.5% supporting either National (32.5%), Act NZ (17.5%) or the Maori Party (2.5%) compared to only 36.5% of Women supporting either National (25.5%), Act NZ (8.5%) or the Maori Party (2.5%).

Roy Morgan Government Confidence Rating is 130 for Women compared to 112 for men

The trends are confirmed by the latest Roy Morgan Government Confidence figures which show 59% of Women say New Zealand is heading in the right direction compared to 52% of men and only 29% of Women say New Zealand is heading in the wrong direction compared to 40% of men.

Overall, this produces a Roy Morgan Government Confidence Rating of 130 for Women compared to only 112 for men a gap of 18 points.

Party vote analysis by Gender

Total

Men

Women

%

%

%

Labour

39.5

32.5

46.5

Greens

10

8

12

Labour/Greens

49.5

40.5

58.5

National

29

32.5

25.5

Act NZ

13

17.5

8.5

Maori Party

2.5

2.5

2.5

National/Act NZ/ Maori Party

44.5

52.5

36.5

Others

6

7

5

Total

100

100

100

Roy Morgan Government Confidence Rating*

Right Direction

55.5

52

59

Wrong Direction

34.5

40

29

Roy Morgan Government Confidence Rating*

121

112

130

Cant say

10

8

12

Total

100

100

100

Michele Levine, CEO Roy Morgan, says a huge gender gap has opened up in NZ politics with Prime Minister Jacinda Arderns Labour-Greens Government enjoying the support of 58.5% of Women but a majority of 52.5% of men supporting the Parliamentary Opposition:

Todays Roy Morgan New Zealand Poll shows the Labour-led Government has the support of 49.5% of New Zealand electors with support for the Labour Party at 39.5% and a further 10% supporting the Greens.

Support for the Government is down 1.5% points on June and is the lowest support for the Labour-led Government since coming to power in October 2017. The Parliamentary Opposition is now supported by 44.5% of electors with support split between National (29%), Act NZ (13%) and the Maori Party (2.5%).

However, the top-line results dont tell the full story and there is a large difference between who Women and men support. Womens support for Prime Minister Arderns Government (58.5%) remains strong with high support for Labour (46.5%) and the Greens (12%).

In contrast, a majority of men support the Parliamentary Opposition (52.5%) with nearly a third supporting National (32.5%) and one-in-five supporting either Act NZ (17.5%) or the Maori Party (2.5%).

Overall, the gender gaps are significant with 58.5% of Women supporting Labour-Greens compared to only 40.5% of men a gender gap of 18.5% points. This gap is slightly larger than the advantage men give to the grouping of National-Act NZ-Maori Party which is supported by 52.5% of men and 36.5% of Women a gender gap of 16.5% points.

The gender split is currently working in favour of the Government with support from Women for Prime Minister Arderns Government holding up and support on the centre-right being increasingly split between National and the libertarian-minded Act NZ which has now reached a record high result of 13% in July.

The slow pace of New Zealands vaccine rollout isnt helping with only 13% of the population fully vaccinated and just over 1.8 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines so far administered and New Zealands international borders set to remain closed until at least early 2022.

This is a stark contrast to the scenes from the UK over the last few weeks as the country celebrated its so-called Freedom Day with nearly 90% of British adults receiving at least one vaccine dose and around 70% of adults now fully vaccinated.

The slow rate of the vaccine rollout is also a significant factor in the Governments decision to suspend the travel bubble with Australia for the next two months following a large outbreak of COVID-19 in Sydney. Although the decision is necessary given the risks of the highly contagious Delta variant entering the country it will nevertheless disrupt the travel plans of tens of thousands of New Zealanders hoping to hop across the ditch.

New Zealand Party Vote: 2020-21

Source: Roy Morgan New Zealand Single Source. January 2020 July 2021. Base: New Zealand electors aged 18+. Average interviews per month = 928.

New Zealand Party Vote: NZ Govt. v Parliamentary Opposition

Source: Roy Morgan New Zealand Single Source. January 2020 July 2021. Base: New Zealand electors aged 18+. Average interviews per month = 928.

Roy Morgan NZ Government Confidence Rating vs. ANZ-Roy Morgan NZ Consumer Confidence

Source: Roy Morgan New Zealand Single Source. January 2020 July 2021. Base: New Zealand electors aged 18+. Average interviews per month = 928.

Voting Intention Summary

The following table compares the latest New Zealand Roy Morgan Polls on Voting Intention with the result from the September 23, 2017 General Election:

PARTY VOTE

Labour

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Opposition parties National and Act NZ close the gap on Labour-Greens as support for Act NZ hits a record high - Roy Morgan Research

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has made addressing child poverty a cornerstone of her leadership. Photo / Mark Mitchell, File

Poverty lineHow they loved to berate National but now we hear, despite Labour's claim that Jacinda Ardern will fix it, child poverty continues to increase (NZ Herald, July 27). Whilst the Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) and the Government continue to make the absurd claim that poverty is visited on everyone, and their children, with household income less than "50 per cent of the median income before housing costs", no one can ever solve the problem.

Given that median income is defined as "the income amount that divides a population into two equal groups, half having an income above that amount, and half having an income below that amount" then, even if the earnings of everyone in NZ was immediately increased by a million dollars a year, half of us would be below the 50 per cent median and thus continue to be poverty-stricken using this measure.Rather than trying to make political capital off the back of such nonsensical measurements, perhaps CPAG and the government should put some effort into giving us some actual figures which we might then be persuaded to believe and act upon.John Denton, Napier.

Objective science The current era of widespread misinformation has reinforced the primacy of dispassionate reason and evidence. It was therefore disappointing to see that in response to her colleagues' letter in the NZ Listener about what constitutes scientific knowledge, Auckland University Vice-Chancellor Dawn Freshwater issued an email (NZ Herald, July 29) that failed to address the specific content of the letter, and relied instead on a claim to grievance (the notion that indigenous knowledge is not science generated "hurt and dismay"). Her hypothesis that "Mori and Western empirical sciencehave much to learn from each other" misses the basic concept in the Listener letter that objective science is not essentially Western, or in fact coupled to any culture or ethnicity. But that issue aside, the applicability of Mori knowledge to our modern understanding of reality and its teaching should not be affected by hurt feelings. Ben Sanders, Hauraki.

Difficult pricksIt is no surprise that the few people have booked for the mass vaccination event in South Auckland (NZ Herald, July 28). The process involves each person getting an invitation; struggling with a horrible booking system; then travelling to a distant venue and wasting half a day. We want the jabs, it is all too hard.If anyone in the Ministry of Health or District Health Board is listening, what I want is to go to my GP or local medical centre with the whole family, see medical staff we knowand trust, and get it done quickly. I suspect that most New Zealanders of all social groups feel the same.What is so difficult about that, and why can't the administrators understand it?Alan McArdle, Glen Eden.

Border shamblesThe present Minister of Immigration, Kris Faafoi, is the embodiment of the Peter Principle which states that a person will rise through the ranks of an organisation until they reach their level of incompetency.We now have a situation where his department will not let in skilled workers, but because they are also faffing around in issuing visas to skilled people already here, those workers are leaving the country.There are also the heart-wrenching stories of immigrants who came here in good faith expecting that their families could follow,but the Muppets-In-Charge now won't allow that, so yet again, we are losing the very people we most need.Then there's the MIQ shambles. New Zealanders overseas wanting to come home later in the year face the all-but-impossible task of matching an MIQ space with an airline ticket.It simply isn't credible that a privately run MIQ facility couldn't meet security standards. Such a facility could then team up with airlines so that a complete package deal could be offered.All it needs is for the bumblers in Wellington to get out of the way and let competent people do the job.David Morris, Hillsborough.

Korean dialogueProfessor Hoadley's (NZ Herald, July 27) opinion on Korea is not backed by independent research.North Korea has limited resources and outdated weaponry. South Korea has a land force larger than the US, is the 10th largest military spender in the world and hosts the formidable nuclear-armed US military.He has forgotten the utter destruction of North Korea by the US war machine with the boast of its generals that nothing would stay standing - and it did not.Massacres were carried out by the US-installed dictator Syngman Rhee (and his successors) as they smashed and murdered the members of popular committees for land, social and political reform.We cannot have an independent foreign policy if those who are to implement it only read MFAT briefing papers sourced from such "authorities" as Professor Hoadley. I can attest to that as a former Minister.Labour once had a principled policy of dialogue with North Korea - not the brutal and inhumane sanctions policy demanded by the US, which harm only the people. It has conveniently shelved its former policy.A truly independent foreign policy is disappearing as our defence policy embeds containment and, indeed, war provocation strategies against North Korea and China.Matt Robson, Ellerslie.

Changing channelI find the TVNZ coverage of the Olympics most odd. The presenters say live coverage is available on Sky. Hmm. I'm guessing, people who are watching TVNZ do so as they don't have Sky. Those who have Sky, aren't watching TVNZ.Do the presenters not understand this?N H Arnold, Mt Roskill.

Stock standardIs it too much to hope that we will soon reach peak "weren't our protesting farmers wonderful"?The novelty in the latest farmer fan column (NZ Herald, July 27) by Jamie Mackay (who he?) was a good dose of condescending misogyny. The PM was referred to by her Christian name throughout and even Rachel Hunter's hair made an appearance.The only reason I read the column was in the hope that some mention might be made of Mycoplasma bovis. All most people know is that bizarre farming practices brought the disease here and for too long some farmers tried a neo-liberal, "leave it to us, we know best" approach.Anybody defending that methodology now?David Kisler, Ponsonby.

In-tractor bullIt would appear that Jamie Mackay (NZ Herald, July 27) and the farmers driving to towns with their tractor tantrum, are upset that we finally have a Government prepared to take some action about the environmental issues facing our country. Firstly our Prime Minister is not "accidental". Jacinda Ardern and the Labour Party were elected with the support of the majority of New Zealanders. A clear and decisive victory, not accidental. Something the National Party has never achieved under MMP. Between 1990 and 2019, dairy cattle numbers increased by 82 per cent nationally from 3.4 million to 6.3 million. Canterbury dairy cattle increased tenfold (973 per cent) from 113,000 to 1.2 million. The last National Government encouraged this with financial support for more irrigation schemes to assist farmers to increase stock numbers. Little wonder the nitrogen levels and quality of the water in our rivers, streams and lakes has reached a crisis point. Farmers have had 30 years to read the science reports and get the "vibe". Unfortunately many have moved in the wrong direction. When we learn something new, we modify our thinking, but first we must be prepared to learn and not just throw a tantrum.Peter Jamieson, Titirangi.

Plane clothesCongratulations to the Air New Zealand staff who politely asked an international passenger travelling back to New Zealand from a holiday in Rarotonga to cover up. The clothing was completely inappropriate for a domestic flight, let alone an international flight. Sadly over the years, I have noticed that Kiwi passengers have embraced the dressing casual approach and have sunk to an all-time low. Had she worn suitable clothing, she would not have been asked to conform to the appropriate dress code. Do people really need to have this explained? I have travelled internationally on many occasions and have to say I feel a sense of embarrassment at the sloppy attire of New Zealanders. Clothing fit only for the recycle bin. Holes in T-shirts, paint stains on shorts. One man looked as though the only thing missing from his luggage was the lawnmower. Thankfully Air New Zealand strives to retain high standards. I am a passenger who appreciates the dress/behaviour code.Gail FitzGerald, Penrose.

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27 Jul, 2021 05:00 PMQuick Read

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Caring armsI recently fell on pavement in Takapuna (uneven pavers) and sustained a very nasty injury to my face including a broken nose and deep cut to the forehead. I was so impressed at the kindness and professionalism extended to me on that afternoon. The wonderful Nash at Stallion Barbers picked me up off the footpath and called the ambulance and the kind St John's staff drove me to North Shore Hospital. Everybody I encountered at the hospital was so kind and caring, in particular Dr Kirkpatrick who literally stitched me up. A big thank you to you all.Julie Aldridge, Narrowneck.

On energyWe could reduce reliance on imported coal, along with the environmental damage, by permitting exploration of gas within New Zealand. But then, that would take this government to back down on no further gas or oil exploration. Mike Baker, Tauranga.

It is a sad indictment that listed NZX company NZ Oil and Gas has elected to invest in an Australian gasfield while the neglected offshore Canterbury prospect is deemed "extremely gaseous". P. J. Edmondson, Tauranga.

Eco-friendly Teslas and Nissan Leafs in New Zealand are actually, in reality, coal-fired. Bruce Rogan, Mangawhai Heads.

On AdenCalm down Gerry Brownlee. I'm sure the one ex-Islamic State lady and her two children, willl assimilate quite nicely into a team of 5 million locals. Be kind, son. Glenn Forsyth, Taup.

On GamesThe men's equivalent of the skimpy uniform women are required to wear in beach volleyball would be a pair of tight-fitting tiny Speedos and nothing else. Imagine that. Fiona McAllister, Mt Maunganui.

On policeOur top cop says no to guns. Our cops look like Boy Scouts compared to the Aussie cops. Get real, top cop, or cop out. Gary Stewart, Foxton Beach.

On WallabiesMuch as I love the sport, the decision by the Government to grant the Wallaby team an exemption from all quarantine and MIQ requirements just smacks of unfairness. Paul Beck, West Harbour.

DHB vaccinations

I got my first Covid jab on the weekend, quite unplanned, as I was accompanying my wife who had the appointment, as she was eligible given she volunteers with the elderly. We were both laughing at how bureaucratic it was. We were asked our name and phone numbers at least three times by the three different people you have to queue to speak to. The jab part took 30 seconds, the rest of it about 40 minutes. Ray S.

They just need to open vaccinations to people who want it now. I'm tired of reading about how much money we are spending trying to convince those that won't that they should. Being an asthmatic Mori over 50 with underlying health issues I have been denied each time I have asked if I can be vaccinated. Robert M.

It's one thing to allay fears and make the process user-friendly and as minimally intimidating as possible. That's great and I think has been reasonably well done. But at the end of the day, grow up, take some personal responsibility and get vaccinated. You can't reasonably be expected to put on a carnival with tea and cakes to "attract" people. Ali J.

How about focusing on vaccinating those people who are desperate to be vaccinated first before those who need to be convinced. And whatever happened to personal responsibility? Darren B.

As a proactive Group 4 recipient, I booked my Covid-19 vaccine this morning at the earliest available opportunity and my second jab is not until October. There is no way even half the population will be vaccinated this year. Graeme T.

I live in Taranaki and had my first shot yesterday. The vaccination centre, which is one of many in the area, that I visited is processing between 450 and 500 people per day. It was extremely well run with all team members greeting me with a smile and some kind words. I was very impressed with the efficiency of the centre and above all the team of people who were absolutely wonderful. Richard O.

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Letters: Poverty measure, Mori science and the Korean war - New Zealand Herald