New Zealand Listener Issue 18 2019

When it comes to protecting the planet, science should always trump ideology. When it comes to genetic engineering, however, ideology has a lot of noisy mates. GE opponents cite “Brand New Zealand”, our burgeoning organics industry, consumer resistance and the sheer fear of the unknown to support their argument. All this is arrayed against science, even if it’s science that could materially benefit the environment. Gluckman has urged that we open up to it, saying it’s doubtful sustainable farming can continue without gene editing. New Zealand has developed a potentially world-leading curb on greenhouse-gas emissions: a genetically selected rye grass that drastically reduces stock methane emissions. But our strict controls on GE have meant we’ve had to trial the grass in the US. Because it is gene-edited, a form of selective breeding, rather than…

Yvette Williams, who died a fortnight shy of her 90th birthday, sits in our sporting pantheon as one of six New Zealanders to have won an Olympic gold medal and set a world record in track and field athletics. The company she keeps testifies to her stature. The other members of this exclusive club are Valerie Adams, Murray Halberg, Jack Lovelock, Peter Snell and John Walker. Norm Read is the seventh New Zealander to have won a track and field Olympic gold medal – in the 50km walk at the 1956 Melbourne Games – but he didn’t set a world record. To paraphrase Shakespeare, Williams bestrode the narrow world of New Zealand women’s athletics like a colossus. She was national champion in the shot put from 1947 to 1954, the long jump…

In Politics (April 20), Jane Clifton, in relation to teachers’ pay, writes that “if the Government gives in and increases what is already … a generous set of offers, schools will face further resourcing shortages, including fewer … teachers”. How so? Just as beauty lies in the eye of the beholder, generosity is best judged from the receiver’s perspective. The most important resource in education is the teachers – we deprive them at our collective peril. I am not a teacher, but based on those I know, I do not regard teachers’ pay as “generous” compensation for their many duties. Our society has long traded on implicit rewards, and exploited the dedication of teachers. They deserve more pay to make teaching a financially sustainable career. Brian Furness(Auckland) PORT OF CALL The Editorial about the Ports of…

Margaret Cannon, Palmerston North FINALISTS George Clooney: “For my next political campaign, Amal and I are going to blockade Brunei with all our used Nespresso capsules.” – Claudia Freeman, Gisborne Amal Clooney: “It’s amazing how much pain you can inflict if you hit the pressure point just right.” – Andrea Levarre-Waters, Morningside, Auckland George: “No! Don’t take Gwyneth’s advice and cut down on coffee!” – Kath Jones, Waikanae Caption: Barrister and barista. – Leoni Bucket, Lake Hayes, Queenstown George: “Vote Clooney 2020!” – Leoni Bucket Caption: Ocean’s 28: George leaves the rest home. – Rhonda Ramsay, Thames…

“The reward for conformity is that everyone likes you except yourself.” – novelist Rita Mae Brown, quoted in the Times “Bad weather always looks worse through a window.” – singer Tom Lehrer “There’s many a bestseller that could have been prevented by a good teacher.” – Flannery O’Connor, quoted in the Times “Diversity is being invited to the party; inclusion is being asked to dance.” – author Verna Myers “I’m glad I did it, partly because it was well worth it, and chiefly because I shall never have to do it again.” – Mark Twain “Some problems are so complex that you have to be highly intelligent and well informed just to be undecided about them.” – writer Laurence J Peter “When you have seen the Hitler-Jugend in action, you become wary of team spirit.” –…

She had seen orca before walking around Mauao, but never so close to shore or in such shallow water. “It was very exciting. Especially when we saw the stingray doing a runner.” Bay of Plenty Times, 2/1/19 Do not pee in the bins. They are for rubbish only. Please use the toilets. Baby-changing room sign, Panmure, Auckland She served up the steak, and we all lapped it up. NZ Herald, 19/2/19 [The gulls’] population has been boosted by scavenging on human scraps. Dominion Post, 4/12/18 Effluent and Irrigation Get stuck into the New Year – just do it! Coast and Country News, January 2019 The pair, whose parents met at a racecourse, spent their lives “being trotted along to race meetings up and down the length of the country”. Press, 12/11/18 LIFE IN NEW ZEALAND: Entries must describe New Zealand events. The…