Monthly Archives: January 2022

New Zealands third female PM, and at 37 our youngest leader since Edward Stafford in 1856, Jacinda Ardern had the most meteoric rise to power of any New Zealand PM three months prior to being sworn in, she was not even leader of her party.

Like one of her political mentors, Helen Clark, Ardern grew up in rural Waikato, hardly a traditional Labour stronghold. She was raised as a Mormon, but left the church in 2005. After graduating from the University of Waikato, she worked in the offices of Phil Goff and Clark, and in Britains Cabinet and Home offices, and served as president of the International Union of Socialist Youth. After returning to New Zealand the 28-year-old entered Parliament on Labours list at the 2008 election.

Although she had long been identified as a rising star in New Zealand politics, Ardern began 2017 as a list MP in an opposition party that was languishing in the polls. In February she won a by-election in the electorate seat of Mt Albert Helen Clarks former stomping ground and in March she became Labours deputy leader. Then on 1 August, less than eight weeks before election day, she succeeded Andrew Little as leader.

Ardern campaigned impressively against the vastly more experienced Bill English, and lifted Labour to a creditable 36.9% of the vote. After weeks of tense negotiations, on 19 October MMP King-maker Winston Peters announced that his New Zealand First Party would form a coalition with Labour, which could also count on the support of the Green Party. With 63 seats between them, this was enough to install Ardern as our 40th PM.

On 21 June 2018 Ardern became only the second elected leader in the world (after Pakistan's Benazir Bhutto) to give birth while in office. She subsequently earned international acclaim for her response to the 15 March 2019 terrorist attacks and her government's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In October 2020 Ardern led the Labour Party to a comprehensive election victory, gaining 50% of the vote the first time any party had achieved this milestone since 1951 and 65 out of 120 seats in the House of Representatives. Although able to govern alone, Labour negotiated a co-operation agreement with the Green Party, which held 10 seats.

By Neill Atkinson

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Jacinda Ardern | NZHistory, New Zealand history online

Stuff has talked to MPs from across Parliament about what they're looking forward to over the summer break. Today, Prime Minister and Labour MP for Mt Albert Jacinda Ardern tells Luke Malpass what shes up to over the holidays.

ROBERT KITCHIN/Stuff

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern sits down in her office with Stuff Political Editor Luke Malpass for an end-of-year interview.

What shes up to during the break

After several months of living in Wellington (the prime minister is usually based in Auckland with her family) she says she plans on doing absolutely nothing but with sun.

The favourite thing to do with her family is simple: Beach time. I expect to be buried by sand.

READ MORE:* Summer off politics: Chris Hipkins on keeping up with Covid through the holidays and making 'not very good' furniture* Summer off politics: What Maureen Pugh is doing, reading and watching over the summer break * Summer off politics: What Marama Davidson is doing, reading, and watching for her break

What shell be reading and watching

My goal is to get through one book! I try to catch up on the writing of some of our New Zealand authors over the past 12 months. The pile Ive accumulated is quite large.

For Netflix or streaming shows, she nominates The Power of the Dog, a movie about a charismatic rancher, directed by New Zealand filmmaker Jane Campion.

Favourite podcast

I havent listened to a podcast for a while, but if I did, Id return to Criminal, she says. Criminal is a podcast that its makers say is stories of people who've done wrong, been wronged, or gotten caught somewhere in the middle.

Any neglected hobbies you only find the time for over summer?

Simple really: All of them.

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Summer off politics: What Jacinda Ardern is doing, reading, and watching for her break - Stuff.co.nz

At one level, the Greens are clearly in Government.

Their leaders, Marama Davidson and James Shaw, are both ministers of the Crown. They vote for the Budget and support Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern continuing in her role.

At another, they are basically in opposition railing against Cabinets decisions on Covid-19, or campaigning to obliterate benefit sanction and impose rent controls two ideas way outside the ballpark Labour is playing in.

Stuff spoke to the two co-leaders after a year where the party basically stood still in the polls.

READ MORE:* The Green Party one year into its co-operation agreement: stable and enjoying the friction* Green Party policy launch urges voters to 'think ahead' as it outlines negotiating platform for deal with Labour

Shaw said he didnt quite feel that the Greens were in opposition, despite campaigning against the Government at times.

The position weve taken is consistent how we actually worked while in opposition, because weve already tried to be constructive in that position of testing the Government in areas where we felt there could be an improvement. But we are doing it on the back of a really solid relationship we have with the Labour ministers.

When you compare us to the actual opposition parties some of what they do is constructive, but a lot of it is just trying to trash the Government so that they can have a go, and thats not our objective.

Davidson said she saw the Green Partys role as pushing for Labour to do better, go faster, and go further something that could be done from both within Arderns ministry and from campaigning outside.

ROBERT KITCHIN/Stuff

Green Party co-leaders James Shaw and Marama Davidson.

There is one party in the Opposition she could see sharing a Cabinet table with, however the Mori Party.

We have a lot in common on a number of issues. Of course, especially with Te Tiriti [The Treaty of Waitangi] based government as a vision.

As he always is, Shaw is frustrated by the idea of flirting with the National Party to try to get more leverage with Labour.

You're talking about a scenario in which we're in a position to choose between working with Labour or working with National. And the question would be given the work that we've been doing with Labour and the affinity in a policy sense that we have with Labour, why would we choose National? They would. They would have to move in ways that I don't think that they would find comfortable.

One of the areas the party differs from Labour on is housing Ardern is still wary of ever saying that she wants house prices to actually drop, while Shaw is happy to say they should.

If house prices fell theyre unlikely to fall anything like to the extent to which theyve rocketed up, he said.

Those of us who are lucky enough to own houses wouldnt see any kind of material reduction because their house would still be valued at considerably more than it would at the point they bought it. There is a small group of the most recent buyers who have bought at the height of the market but that comes down to whether they can maintain their mortgage, and thats income.

Shaw said he was wary of putting forward some kind of support package for those homeowners as it could create a moral hazard.

As climate change minister it was extremely frustrating that his Emissions Reduction Plan had to be pushed off into 2022.

It was ultimately a function of Covid, which caused chaos across Government. But it was something I really wanted to do.

He was also frustrated by the attacks on his trip to the Glasgow climate summit.

The attacks by certain media outlets and certain National MPs were hypocritical, because it was only directed at one minister, not the three that have been making trips. It was personal, not principle.

I was attacked for taking up a spot in MIQ and then for not taking up a spot in MIQ by the same people.

Shaw and Davidson both said they did understand the strength of feeling against MIQ, however, even as they have been more enamoured of the Covid-19 elimination strategy than Labour.

Its a terrible experience for people who are separated from their families. Beyond just the inconvenience there are people with sick parents, missing weddings, pregnancies, special times. All to be stuck in a system that is random, Shaw said.

Original post:

Green co-leaders reflect on a year of being between Opposition and Government - Stuff.co.nz

ANDY MACDONALD / STUFF/Nelson Mail

Ailys Tewnion with her crochet creations, including Siouxsie Wiles, Michael Baker, Chris Hipkins and Jacinda Ardern

Nelsons Ailys Tewnion loves the sounds of laughter and chatter from strangers at her front fence.

Her latest crocheted creations of New Zealands Covid-19 response figures trigger just that, as people passing her Tosswill Rd home stop to admire her new Covid Choristers, which include Prime Minister Jacinda Adern, director-general of health Dr Ashley Bloomfield, microbiologist Dr Siouxsie Wiles, and epidemiologist Dr Michael Baker, all singing from the same song sheet.

And then theres Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins in the group, standing there with his legs spread after his famous 2020 slip of the tongue.

Tewnions creations have attracted plenty of attention since she made her first bear during the 2020 Covid-19 lockdown and put it on her front fence. It received such a positive response she made more dolls and figures to display at the front of her property.

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The feedback is incredible, really its amazing, Tewnion said.

People, appreciative of her joyful creations, have left notes and letters for her in her letterbox and even gifted boxes of chocolates.

On one day alone she was left five blocks of chocolate during the 2021 national lockdown when her mask-wearing crocheted bears on skateboards were displayed.

Some peoples notes during the first lockdown were quite heartfelt, she said.

They felt really nervous and worried about what would happen.

MARTIN DE RUYTER/STUFF

Tewnions Covid Choristers feature Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern in front, followed by Dr Ashley Bloomfield and Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins with his legs spread, and Dr Siouxsie Wiles and Dr Michael Baker at the back.

Her latest display of the Covid Choristers and other Christmas characters were to be followed on New Year's Day with a group of hippos, wishing everyone a happy-potomus New Year.

Tewnion says its lovely to hear people chatting and laughing about her creations, and she always meets people when shes putting them out in the morning and taking them in at night, which triggers conversations.

ANDY MACDONALD / STUFF/Nelson Mail

With its legs out and striking a pose, who else could it be but Chris Hipkins, standing in front of epidemiologist Dr Michael Baker.

Its a nice feeling in times when people are a bit worried about things, and uncertain about things, its good to hear people having a giggle.

Tewnion has crocheted most of her life, but her real enjoyment of the craft came when she moved on from the likes of blankets and rugs and started making her characters during the pandemic.

Each larger character took about five hours to make, but Tewnion enjoyed the challenge. They also have wiring in them to shape them into positions.

MARTIN DE RUYTER/STUFF

Christmas and Kiwi summer-themed creations are also displayed at the front of Ailys Tewnion's Tosswill Rd home in Nelson.

Two of Tewnions original creations from the 2020 lockdown, depicting Jacinda Adern and Ashley Bloomfield at daily Covid-19 briefings, are now in the Nelson Provincial Museums permanent collection. Tewnion donated them to the museum after being approached by a curator, she said.

She said she had also been interviewed by New Zealand historian Jock Phillips for a book he was working on.

She never imagined that her crocheted creations would attract so much interest.

Who knew?

View post:

A giggle and a yarn from crochet creations - Stuff.co.nz

Auckland welcomes in the new year with a light show.Video / Auckland Unlimited / Vector

A light show extravaganza that will bring some of Auckland's iconic landmarks to life will brighten up the sky tonight for those wanting to ring in the new year in colour.

Auckland Harbour Bridge, the Sky Tower, Auckland War Memorial Museum and Te Ara I Whiti The Light Path will be lit up from 9pm tonight before the main show on the stroke of midnight.

The capital city is also electing to put on a light show rather than the traditional fireworks display over the Whairepo Lagoon, a decision the Wellington City Council made today in light of the Omicron threat. Wellingtonians are being told to look to the sky around midnight to welcome in the new year.

With major festivals postponed because of the uncertainty of Covid restrictions, Rhythm and Alps in Wanaka is one of the few events where people have gathered to party their way into 2022.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern posted a photo taken on nationwide vaccine drive day, Super Saturday, to pay tribute to the people who had worked hard to get New Zealand through a difficult year - while wishing everyone in New Zealand a happy New Year.

"This year was hard, but it was a lot of other things too," Ardern wrote.

"This photo taken on Super Saturday reminded me that in amongst the difficult moments, have been some pretty special ones as well, full of people who have worked so hard to help get us through.

"To them, all of them, I say thank you - you're the reason that no matter what comes our way, we will get through."

I spent a bit of time tonight scrolling through images from the last year, trying to find a way to sum it up. I got to...

The theme for tonight's City's of Sails' spectacle is Auckland is Calling. The creative idea for the campaign was drawn from the concept of Tomokanga, created by Katz Maihi, of Ngti Whtua.

The Vector Lights show on the Auckland Harbour Bridge begins with a white spiral that starts small and gradually gets larger. In total, there will be 19 spirals to represent the 19 Tmaki Makaurau iwi.

31 Dec, 2021 04:00 PMQuick Read

31 Dec, 2021 04:00 PMQuick Read

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A test run of tonight's spectacular light show got the attention of some in the early hours, including Northcote Point resident Christine Smith who was woken with blue light through her window.

"I wondered what on earth it was in my befuddled state because it was just static, it looked like searchlights.

"But then it started to play and it was just gorgeous. We have seen a lot of light shows because we face the city but this was something else."

The light show comes as Auckland woke this morning to life under the orange traffic light setting after more than 130 days under level 4 and 3 lockdowns, and most recently the red traffic light system setting.

The traditional midnight fireworks display from the Sky Tower was unable to go ahead this year because of Covid-19 and was cancelled as a way to discourage crowds from gathering at the base of the landmark.

There were 49 new cases of Covid-19 in the community today - 22 in Auckland, three in Waikato, 19 in Bay of Plenty, four in the Lakes district and one in Hawke's Bay.

The Ministry of Health's guidance over summer includes to wear a mask when out and about, scan in everywhere you go and have your My Vaccine Pass ready for where it is required.

Meanwhile, others across Tmaki Makaurau have opted for festivals, gatherings at home or a day at the beach in the sun.

Various festivals are taking place across Tmaki Makaurau tonight and into the new year.

The three-day AUM Festival in South Head and the Highlife Festival at Ascension Winery in Matakana have both kicked off.

The road leading into Matakana, and the main street of the village, was busy with cars and full of activity this afternoon, while the nearby Omaha beach was crowded with people soaking up the sun on the last day of the year.

For anyone heading north of Warkworth, Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency has warned of delays on State Highway 1 to Wellsford as those heading away on holiday take to the roads.

Meanwhile, police in Whangamat are taking a "no tolerance" approach to poor behaviour tonight after officers had bottles thrown at them while undertaking patrols in Williamson Park last night.

One person was arrested for disorder in relation to the bottle throwing and has been summonsed to appear in Waihi District Court in the new year.

Police in Whangamat and around the Coromandel Peninsula were concerned a small group of people were not getting the message about celebrating the holidays safely.

Acting senior sergeant Terri Wilson said the majority of the people causing trouble and breaking the law were visitors to the area.

"It is disappointing that they would have so little regard for the local community.

"For anyone looking to celebrate New Year's Eve tonight and create trouble, be aware that police will be taking a no-tolerance approach to poor behaviour. Celebrate safely tonight otherwise you might find yourself welcoming in 2022 in a police cell."

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Live: Sun sets on 2021 as revellers prepare to bring in the New Year - New Zealand Herald

A Ahmedabad: One of two Indian Premier League expansion franchises this year, and, after its Six Nations, LaLiga, and FIVB investments, an intriguing first move into team ownership for CVC Capital Partners, as it continues to build its formidable sports portfolio.

B Birmingham: Set to host the Commonwealth Games in July. Could be the last Games of its kind, as the Commonwealth Games Federation seeks new relevance. No host yet pinned down for 2026 and some radical, flexible format/sports programming plans in the works under the stewardship of new CEO Katie Sadleir.

C Creators: Watch for more sports making footage available for anyone to edit, share, and create memes. Models to follow: MLB Film Room and Twitch/FIBA. Navigating and negotiating official rights in this blurry new era is the challenge of the next decade, never mind the next year.

D Donata Hopfen: The Bundesligas new CEO takes up her post in January. Shell need all her media and digital nous as she joins the top table of European football, but in the aftermath of the Super League debacle, her political astuteness will likely be every bit as vital.

E eSkootr Championship: One among many start-up leagues/tournaments launching this year new assets, new franchises, more competition for eyeballs/sponsors/investors, more disruption. See also the likes of: World12s, USFL, UAE T20, and Premier Golf League.

F Femmes (Tour de France): At long last, a potentially game-changing moment looms for womens cycling, as ASO holds an eight-stage race following the mens version this July. Long overdue and should help spur greater interest and investment in riders and teams.

G Greg Norman: With Saudi backing, golfs great disruptor is launching Premier Golf League with the aim of shaking up the establishment. An initial Asian Tour tie-up may only be the start. The cards of new strategic partners, the PGA Tour and DP World Tour, have been marked.

H Hygiene partners: A sponsorship category growing fast in a sanitised world. Other categories to keep tabs on: crypto (inevitably), betting (be wary), online delivery, cyber security, streaming services (as sponsors rather than media rights buyers), and music artists/festivals.

I International Home Markets: The next step in the NFLs carefully honed global plan comes to life, with territory marketing rights handed to certain teams (creating plenty of new work for agencies too). Competition in Mexico (9 teams), UK (6), and Germany (4) will be intense.

J Jacinda Ardern: It wont be her primary concern, but decisions made by New Zealands PM will directly impact two major rescheduled womens World Cups. Cricket in March and rugby union in October. Big moments for the International Cricket Council and World Rugby; more disruption would be a nightmare.

K Kosmos: Gerard Piques firm has been around for a while but aside from tinkering with the Davis Cup, its proving a real innovator: the Balloon World Cup is a start-up for a new age, and its tie-up with Spanish streamer Ibai Llanos is smart. What next?

L Leadership: Running a global sports organisation now requires a deep understanding of geopolitics, societal change, and the value of diversity. You need to be a digital transformer and a top communicator. Its about much more than sport now, as the WTAs Steve Simon will confirm.

M Metaverse & Web 3.0 : Youll hear plenty about them in 2022, although theyll still be a novelty in 12 months. Were all learning together as we decentralise. But how does a more open online world chime with the sports industrys still-rigid, traditional rights structures?

N Nasser Al-Khelaifi: Chair of BeIN Sports as it leads the way in the battle against piracy and now, at the European Club Association, a true power player as the future of football is debated. In a year when all eyes are on Doha, hes probably the most influential person in global sport just now.

O Overtime (& Buzzer, Aura and Recast): the new wave of sports media platforms are here to change the game. And keep an eye on the role sports rights play in emerging content strategies at the likes of Salesforce, Fanatics, Zoom, Peleton, US betting firms, and Roblox.

P Public Investment Fund: In the UK, Saudi Arabias sports(washing) strategy is likely to be viewed through the prism of Newcastle Uniteds league position and transfer spend. But also watch wider investments in entertainment, plus projects like NEOM and its F1, boxing, and golf plays.

Q Qatar: The biggest of years for the smallest nation to ever host the World Cup. The tournament will be unique compact on the ground and a handy timezone for much of the world. But even after 11 years of prep, the spotlight on Qatar will reach a new level as kick-off looms.

R Regulation: in a more complex world, expect more onus on the letter of the laws and new laws entirely. Government intervention, independent regulators, rulings on transgender athletes, equipment (shoes, prosthetics), and modernisation of rulebooks. It wont be straightforward.

S Scale: In their different ways, Disney, Warner Bros Discovery, Comcast, and Amazon are showing that size matters in the modern media world the great bundling is on and its always wise to remember that as important as sport is, its only a slither of a much larger media pie.

T Tokens: Legitimate way for fans to get more involved or a vehicle for speculators and traders to make a quick buck? Teams are diving in with the likes of Socios, but this ultimate monetisation of fan engagement feels troubling, especially in an unregulated crypto world.

U USA: Cricket, rugby, athletics, and F1 all looking to America as a land of hope and dreams (and fans/cash). F1 gets a second annual race, on Miamis streets in May, Eugene hosts the World Athletics Championships in July, while the US is poised to stage 2031 Rugby World Cup.

V Variants and vaccines: Theres no escaping the impact of Covid. League stances on vaccines and testing, the attitudes of high-profile athletes, access to jabs around the world and national policies/exemptions will dominate headlines. The only certainty: some events wont make it.

W Wembley: Hosting another final this year as England stages the Uefa Womens Euros. A record crowd expected, a new crop of brands including Lego and Pandora, and another sizeable opportunity to build interest and engagement in womens football. World Cup 2023 in Australia and New Zealand looming too.

X Xiaohaituo Mountain: One of the venue clusters somewhere near Beijing for what seems set to be a pretty sterile, broadcast-first Winter Olympics. Protocols and politics to dominate. As for the IOC, "quiet diplomacy" may not be enough when the athletes get noisy.

Y Yiannis Exarchos: Again, the onus will be on the terrific OBS team to bring the world the sights and sounds from Beijings winter Games. A second Olympics in six months is a tough ask but expect further broadcast innovation listen out in particular for enhanced audio.

Z Zhou (Guanyu): China at last has its first F1 race driver in 2022, but will the commercial impact be as significant as expected? In a big year for the sport a major new rules package and a shuffling of the pack, Zhous Alfa Romeo debut wont be the biggest story.

The author is a writer and commentator on the global business of sport.

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A to Z of sport's movers and shakers to watch out for in 2022 - Irish Examiner