New Zealand prime minister John Key and his National Party are cruising towards an easy victory in tomorrow’s poll. But those who are interested in the prospects for democracy will be interested.
New Zealand
Political snippets: Nationals look set for a Kiwi win
If the Crikey NZ Election Indicator is any guide it will take something more miraculous that a foot of snow to see the National government lose this weekend.
Media briefs: NZ’s storm in a tea cup … Levison latest … Milly Dowler’s parents to testify
In today’s Media Briefs: TVNZ issued search warrant for ‘cup of tea’ … News Magazines rebrands …. Gold Coast mayor unhappy with 60 Minutes, The Department of Corrections and more …
Media briefs: NYT lost in translation … Bolt’s ex exists … Sunrise not broken …
Nice to see Andrew Bolt’s one-time fiancée Sue Walshe coming out in Saturday’s Age following Crikey’s revelations last Tuesday that she actually existed and that the duo were definitely engaged. Plus other media news.
Media briefs: Oz’s weather double … Aussie film fraud … Indy’s new masthead …
The Oz: weather one day, same the next … Aussie film’s embarrassing aboutface … The Independent changes its masthead and more …
Political snippets: Little joy on the housing front
A big increase in sales of new houses in Queensland in August was not enough to bring much joy to the market overall.
A hitchhiker’s guide to the New Zealand galaxy
Australians don’t deal well with hitchhikers. It’s generally accepted wisdom that hitchhiking is for people who are either a) missing a few screws or b) keen to wind up in someone else’s car boot. Luckily New Zealand doesn’t agree, writes Tom Cowie.
Video Make sure charity ain’t beached az, bro!
Kudos to The Handsomity Institute (creators of Beached Az) for producing this video intended to inspire people to donate to the Red Cross to assist those in New Zealand, writes Dan Barrett.
The Christchurch earthquake: a horror in daylight
Back in September a common response to the earthquake in Christchurch was “imagine what this would be like if it happened in the daytime.” Now, sadly, Christchurch doesn’t have to imagine.
travel Hobbit-hunting in New Zealand, stalking Tolkien in Oxford: tales of a Fangirl
Sure, Frodo and Sam may have trekked all the way from The Shire to Mount Doom, but as far as epic journeys go, Alexandra Patrikios can go one better. She made the journey from Melbourne to Oxford, by way of Wellington, all to catch a glimpse of a real-life hobbit and to sip beer amongst fellow nerds.
Wankley Awards: And the Wankley goes to … ‘tosspot’ Aussie journos
It’s an interesting relationship, the bond between Australia and New Zealand. Some say it’s never really recovered from the infamous 1981 underarm cricket incident. So what happens when Australian journalists flock to NZ for an international breaking news event? Well, relations can get a little strained, if you take the behavior of some Aussie hacks as an example.
Count Carl Gustav Wachmeister wants to cut your lunch
Australia faces a growing “food security” problem, we’re told by politicians and industry. Except, we’re not - it’s just old-fashioned protectionism on the march.
NZ to build the largest wind farm in the southern hemisphere
Two New Zealand energy companies have signed an agreement to construct a wind farm intended to power more than 220,000 homes and generate the equivalent of removing more than 400,000 cars off the road. And the bill? A measly $1 billion.
NZ getting tough on knives, but Kiwis still heart guns
The New Zealand government recently announced strict penalties for knife crimes. That’s all well and good, but the government also needs to tackle the curly question of gun control, writes Tim Watkin.
New Zealand no longer the land of the long black cloud?
Don’t look now, but it seems our cousins from across the ditch have shown us up once again. The country’s conservative government has brought in an ETS.
Iceland’s volcano sends a red-hot river of cash into New Zealand’s economy
Volcanic ash has ruined Europe’s salmon and fresh flower trade, so fish and flora fans around the world are turning to New Zealand to get their fix.
Video of the Day: NZ is 100% cheesy
Years before Lord of the Rings and the 100% pure campaign made New Zealand the globe’s hottest holiday destination, New Zealand tourism marketed itself as a hotbed of sexy dancers in gold sequins, huge mullets, eyebrow-raising while drinking cocktails and exotic cuisine.
A flotilla of icebergs descending on New Zealand
Yet another flotilla of icebergs is making good speed toward the south-eastern tip of New Zealand’s South Island. It may make for an incredible spectacle, but it also poses a significant hazard to shipping in the area.
Australia vs. New Zealand: sibling rivalry or something more sinister?
Is the “open-door” policy between Australia and New Zealand really working successfully for both countries? MP Kelvin Thomson’s recent call to shut out NZ migrants could be a sign that friendly relations are starting to fray.
Kiwis voting system to go to referendum
Malcolm MacKerras has been trying to persuade New Zealand’s politicians to replace their Mixed Member Proportional electoral system with a better one.
Why New Zealand should become our seventh state
MP Kelvin Thomson’s call for Australia to shut the door shut on New Zealand migrants is way off the mark, says Bernard Lagan: we’ve done enormously well by plundering their best and brightest. Let them join the Federation, and everyone wins.
Colebatch: Don’t let the mining boom blow up in our face
Asia’s growth is ensuring the continuation of the Australian mineral boom, but we need to train more workers — since immigration is not popular — and also protect our other industries, argues Tim Colebatch.
50 years of TIME in Australia (and a few less-important islands, too)
TIME magazine is celebrating 50 years of publication in Australia (well, the “South Pacific”, but it pretty much ignores everyone else), including a tribute to its pick of most influential Aussies of the last five decades: Robert Menzies, Germaine Greer, Victor Chang, Eddie Mabo, and Tim Flannery.
Crikey Clarifier: Why do all these celebrities keep ‘dying’ in New Zealand?
Zach Braff is not the only celebrity to have been the subject of death rumours in recent times. He is also not the only one who has supposedly fallen to their death from the Kauri Cliffs. So what’s going on here? Elly Keating investigates.
Political snippets: Footy fever spreads
It’s not surprising that football is front page news today, since it’s that week in September. But, it is surprising that they feature in the editorials in both the Hun and the Tele.
