Letters: The ABC of boys' education needs a reintroduction; should we add Joe Schmidt to the NZ Rugby board?
(b) They have a clear focus and structure and know the limits and consequences.
(c) There's a real challenge to action of some sort. At the time, we summed up these findings under three headings: Affirmation, Boundaries and Challenge.
In short, an ABC of boys' learning.
After staff feedback, each of these three vital elements was broken down into practical suggestions for teacher action that would maximise boys' enthusiasm for, and confidence in, classroom (and school-wide) learning. These ideas seem similar to what is being arrived at again in 2025, but it was useful to have them reduced to a clear, simple package that teachers could use on a daily basis. Maybe the ABC needs a reintroduction.
Alister Williams, Waikanae.
Ferry fiasco
Nicola Willis demands accountability from everyone except herself. The cancellation of the Irex ferries project was done with little thought as to how it would affect the country as a whole. First, the Government waits nearly a year after the cancellation to appoint a Railways Minister who occasionally makes an announcement that there will be another announcement in the future.
Meanwhile, our ferries, which are the lifeline between islands, either break down or get consigned to the scrap heap. Under Irex, we would have had the new ferries next year, but it is suggested it would be a risk to your life if you held your breath for the now-promised date of 2029. The cost of cancelling the Irex ferries is still a secret and we don't know the cost of the promised new ones. Unfortunately, we got a Toyota instead of a Ferrari when the PM appointed the Minister of Finance.
Reg Dempster, Albany.
Strategic infrastructure
It's easy for people to be critical of the current Government over its decisions on the contract for new ferries. But the real issue goes beyond that instance. Major strategic infrastructure projects have been politicised for more than half a century.
Our politicians play their ongoing games of one-upmanship and there are no winners, only losers - the people of New Zealand. The ferries and rail connections between the North and South Islands have been an integral part of the national transport system for how long, 70 years? Maybe more. No surprises, then, that it's a piece of strategic infrastructure that deserves better than the petty childish games our politicians play.
It doesn't matter which party they are from, they are all the same. So, people of New Zealand, try not to cherry-pick your political targets when it comes to infrastructure projects. Instead, demand a better deal from all our politicians with respect to major/strategic projects. It's not difficult to identify them, is it?
Phil Chitty, Albany.
Tagging on and off
I fail to understand why AT would charge senior citizens for forgetting to tag off. AT's website says that, if you fail to tag off, you will be charged the full cost of the journey to the end of the route. If you travel after 9am on a SuperGold Card, there is no cost for any part of the journey. So how can charging for a non-concession fare be reasonable?
Kathy Simpson, Freeman's Bay.
Troubled times for NZ Rugby
Gregor Paul's 'Rugby Revolution' (June 8) is an excellent review of the troubled times at NZ Rugby with All Blacks coach Scott Robertson's appointment, the captaincy, selection and game plan questions. Not the hoped-for transition, and we are expecting better this year. A new CEO will help.
The great loss to NZ Rugby was that Robertson could not find room for the very talented Joe Schmidt in his coaching team when asked to by NZR. It has not gone unnoticed how successful Schmidt has been with the Wallabies, a tenure ending when he hands over to Les Kiss at the end of the year.
Perhaps NZ Rugby could offer Schmidt a seat on the NZR board on his return to New Zealand. It would be a shame to lose this level of rugby intelligence twice.
Gary Carter, Gulf Harbour.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
RNZ News
7 hours ago
- RNZ News
Climate Minister says gas shortage will lower greenhouse emissions
Kapuni gas plant. Photo: RNZ / Robin Martin Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says the gas shortage will lower greenhouse gas emissions, but at a cost for businesses that can't switch to electricity. Supply from existing gas fields has plunged since the government published its Emissions Reduction Plan in December 2024. Watts was asked in a scrutiny hearing in front of the environment committee of MPs why the government's climate plan had put such heavy emphasis on capturing and storing carbon dioxide underground at Kapuni gas field, when the project was untested and its prospects were now looking dubious. Watts blamed the gas shortage - but said the shortage itself would lower carbon dioxide emissions. He said, compared with when the plan was written, "New Zealand has less gas than it thought". "Less gas that's available by virtue is less emissions, so in some ways there is an acceleration of the emissions reduction because we simply don't have that gas available," he said. "We are at critical levels in the context of low levels of gas. Some may say with a purely climate hat on, well that's good, there are no emissions and therefore they can't use it (gas)," Watts said. "But the reality is, in a manufacturing and industrial sense there are a number of businesses who either have an inability to transition to other sources ... or doing so is a significant fiscal cost and/or time horizon." Watts said the government was looking at ways to help those companies. "The good thing is, in the current environment there is an economic [and] commercial case to transition off gas because electricity is cheaper, and therefore the commercial imperative is driving that transition." "I'll take market intervention over government regulation any day." Watts said the government's assumptions regarding future gas use and the prospects of carbon capture at Kapuni would need to be reassessed and the results would published later this year. Carbon capture and storage (CCS) condenses carbon dioxide and stores it underground in reservoirs. Overseas, some high profile projects have been controversial because taxpayer funds for climate action were being paid to some of the planet's biggest emitters, fossil fuel companies, to capture and store just a tiny fraction of their pollution underground. Fully a third of the carbon savings needed to meet the government's legal obligations to cut emissions from 2025-2030 was supposed to come from carbon dioxide being stashed permanently underground at Taranaki's Kapuni gas field. But in May, Kapuni's owner Todd Energy told RNZ the project wasn't viable unless it received some kind of extra incentive or subsidy from the government. The scheme would earn carbon credits for every tonne of emissions stored, but Todd said the market price of carbon was too low to justify the investment. Simon Watts. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone At the scrutiny hearing, Watts was grilled by opposition MPs on whether Todd Energy had asked for direct subsidies from the government. Watts said he hadn't seen such a request, but Labour MP Deborah Russell presented him with an answer to a written question in Parliament, confirming Todd had asked for subsidies. Watts didn't directly answer Russell when she asked what the government's reply had been. He said in regards to support for industries "there's a number of aspects that remain under active consideration". Watts said the government was still committed to passing regulations allowing carbon capture and storage as "one tool in the toolbox" for lowering emissions. RNZ asked Todd to clarify what it had asked for. It said it had not asked the government for a direct subsidy for carbon capture and storage at Kapuni. But the company confirmed it wanted either co-investment, government underwriting or shared liability with the taxpayer for any future carbon leaks from the project. Todd has previously argued the government should treat carbon capture and storage facilities as infrastructure. "In our 2024 submission to MBIE (Ministry for Business Innovation and Employment) on the CCUS consultation, we did signal that government support - particularly in the form of risk-sharing or enabling mechanisms - would be essential for CCS to proceed in New Zealand," it said. "Particularly, we noted that New Zealand's declining gas reserves make the economics of CCS challenging and that 'for CCS to be effective, the government should consider sharing project risks and responsibilities. "It could be liability for leakage, particularly if the intent is to store third party CO2 in time. Due to challenging economics there is also financing risk that co-investment or a government underwrite could help to de-risk," said the company. Todd Energy had previously estimated the Kapuni field would have room for storing carbon dioxide produced by other companies, as well as its own. Earlier in the hearing, Watts was asked by National MP Grant McCallum about the risk of "emissions leakage" if New Zealand started lowering its methane emissions from farming. Emissions leakage refers to the risk of production moving overseas to get away from emissions pricing in its country of origin. Watts defended the necessity of meeting New Zealand's climate targets and international obligations. "You hear some on some corners saying, we're very small and insignificant," he said. "Every country, big or small, has a role to play in terms of reducing emissions and New Zealand is part of the Paris Agreement for that purpose. "In terms of adding up all the small and insignificant countries, it adds up to 40 per cent of global emissions," Watts said. "If we pull out, what signal does that send? There are three countries that are not part of the Paris Agreement, the USA and a number of other countries that most people probably have probably never heard of." [Those countries are Iran, Libya and Yemen . "Russia, China, India, they're all part of the Paris Agreement, and all the other countries we would look to - the only one is the US. "In regards to the implications on international trade, ... New Zealand has a reputation as a primary sector exporter of red meat, dairy and other products," he said. "Why would we put that at risk?"
Scoop
12 hours ago
- Scoop
Flood Of Interest To Invest In New Zealand
Minister for Economic Growth Hon Erica Stanford Minister of Immigration The Government is attracting new migrants to bring their capital, experience and skills to New Zealand with a flood of formal interest in the new 'golden' visa. Since only April – less than three months – Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has received 189 applications for the Active Investor Plus visa, significantly more than the 116 applications received over more than two-and-a-half years under previous settings, Economic Growth Minister Nicola Willis says. 'New applications under the scheme represent a potential $845 million of new investment in New Zealand business.' "Attracting investment to New Zealand is crucial to the country's economic growth. It means Kiwi businesses can expand, hire and grow – and that means more opportunities for New Zealanders. 'Investor migrants are clearly attracted to New Zealand's growing reputation as a safe, pro-business, high-potential economy. In a world where countries compete for dollars and talent, it's great to see New Zealand's growth prospects being recognised.' 'New investors don't just bring their dollars to our shores, they also bring skills, knowledge and experience that will drive future economic development. It's a win-win.' Immigration Minister Erica Stanford says the interest shows investors hear the call loud and clear: New Zealand is open for business. 'We welcome your capital, your knowledge, and your contribution to New Zealand's economic growth,' Ms Stanford says. 'We're seeing strong momentum from global investors, particularly across Asia and North America. This reflects our growing reputation as a stable, forward-looking destination for investment and innovation. 'These are smart, flexible and nuanced immigration solutions to help stimulate economic growth.' On April 1 the Government changed the Active Investor Plus visa to a simple two-pronged system: the Growth category and the Balanced category. Other changes included expanding the scope of acceptable investments and removing potential barriers to investment, such as the English language requirement. As at 23 June, 100 applications had been approved in principle, and of those, seven had transferred and invested their funds in New Zealand and had been granted a resident visa. Five of those were invested in the Growth category and two under the Balanced category, totalling a total minimum investment of $45 million. The Growth category for this Visa focuses on higher-risk investments, including managed funds and direct investments in New Zealand businesses. It will require a minimum investment of NZD $5 million for a minimum period of 3 years. The Balance category focuses on mixed investments, with the ability to choose ones that are lower risk. There will be a minimum investment of NZD $10 million over 5 years.
Newsroom
12 hours ago
- Newsroom
Middle East military action ‘extremely worrying', but no call yet on bombing
This story first appeared on RNZ and is republished with permission The foreign affairs minister says the Government will gather facts before taking a position on the United States' airstrikes on Iran. The US attacked three Iranian nuclear sites over the weekend, with President Donald Trump saying the country's key nuclear enrichment facilities have been 'completely and totally obliterated.' Trump said Iran 'must now make peace' or there would be further attacks. In response, Iran has accused the US of launching 'a dangerous war,' and of violating the United Nations Charter and international law. But on Sunday afternoon, shortly after the attack was launched, Foreign Affairs Ministers Winston Peters said the New Zealand government was waiting for the facts. 'Look, this has just happened. These are circumstances in which we will first of all gather the facts, and the circumstances, before we give our opinion.' Peters said the crisis was 'extremely worrying' and New Zealand would continue to call for diplomacy and dialogue. 'Ongoing military action in the Middle East is extremely worrying, and it's critical further escalation is avoided. We strongly support efforts towards diplomacy and urge all parties to return to talks,' he said. 'Iran's nuclear activities have long worried New Zealand. We want Iran to comply with its international obligations. Our concern is that further military action is not going to deliver a sustainable solution to this problem. 'We're a long way from the region, but New Zealand will continue to convey these measures in favour of diplomacy and dialogue directly to Iran, Israel, and the other parties involved in possible talks.' Labour's defence spokesperson Peeni Henare backed Peters' calls for a return to talks, but said the government should acknowledge the US breached international law and be 'perhaps a bit stronger' in the first instance. Henare said Trump's statements had made it 'quite clear' what had happened. 'Countries can't call for peace and de-escalation, only to take the action that's been taken.' Waikato University law professor Alexander Gillespie said the airstrikes were 'clearly' illegal in terms of international law. 'There's nowhere in the UN charter that says you can bomb someone who won't negotiate with you. But whether you get to a point where that is actually condemned is going to be very different,' he said. 'There's the theory of international law, with the UN Charter, and then there's the reality of international politics at the moment, which means that America will not be condemned internationally by the Security Council or even through the International Court of Justice.' The Prime Minister is heading to NATO this week. New Zealand is not a member, but in recent years has been invited as a partner along with fellow Indo-Pacific Four nations Australia, Japan and South Korea. While Christopher Luxon would be 'on the margins,' Gillespie expected he would be watching closely to see what like-minded partners were saying. 'This is an act which is not self-defence, and even if you argued it was pre-emptive self-defence, it wasn't necessary because there were other options of diplomacy still open. It will create difficulties if we speak out and say that, I don't think we're in a position to do that right now, for fear of the reaction that you get from America.' Australia's government has already issued a statement on the airstrikes. 'We have been clear that Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile program has been a threat to international peace and security,' the statement said. 'We note the US president's statement that now is the time for peace. The security situation in the region is highly volatile. We continue to call for de-escalation, dialogue, and diplomacy.' Defence Force plane leaves today The Government is sending a C-130J Hercules plane to the Middle East, with Defence Force and Foreign Affairs personnel, to assist New Zealanders stranded in Iran and Israel. Defence minister Judith Collins said the plane was a contingency, and would not be able to aid in evacuation flights until airspace restrictions in the region eased. In the meantime, those who were able to leave via a safe route were urged to do so. Peters said the flights would get people to a safe place. 'We're not bringing them home. We're getting them to where they can make arrangements to get home.' The Government has been warning New Zealanders in the region to leave for a long time, Peters said. The number of New Zealanders registered as being in Iran or Israel had increased in recent days. The decision to send the Hercules was made even before knowledge of the airstrikes had come through. 'Our anxiety was enunciated and formulated into policy, warnings, and collections of views months ago. We've been saying it, and it's a sad circumstance here, but we said 'look this is very dangerous, get out,'' Peters said. Citing security reasons, Collins would not say where the plane and personnel would be based. Both Henare and Gillespie supported the move. 'I think if we're ready and on standby, at the very least, to make sure we can respond to our citizens and their needs, and also those of our diplomatic staff, I think that's a really smart move,' Henare said. Gillespie said sending a plane was prudent in case the situation worsened quickly, and the damage became more indiscriminate.
