New Zealand Listener Issue 24 2019

Schoolchildren have every right and incentive to march for urgent action on climate change. We should applaud their advocacy. It may indeed give adults an extra prod of guilt to back meaningful change. Yet the students’ demands for immediate action would mean a very bleak future if suddenly implemented. They’re right that it has taken far too long to address the planet’s catastrophic climate trajectory. However, there’s a reason climate action needs careful consideration: governments must work out how to save the planet without destroying the fabric of people’s lives, creating poverty and perhaps even endangering civilisation as we know it. Advocates such as Sweden’s Extinction Rebellion heroine Greta Thunberg need to understand where black-and-white advocacy could lead. Many of the things young people enjoy as their entitlements would be heavily proscribed,…

It was heartening to note the focus on suicide (“Hope after grief”, May 25). This is as much a health issue as any other covered by the Listener. Katie Bradford’s story, in particular, resonated with me. Her brother Danny, 19, was supposedly on suicide watch in Whangārei Hospital, yet made his way to Auckland to take his life. This was in 1993. Fourteen years earlier, my 21-year-old sister was supposedly on suicide watch in Wellington Hospital, yet managed to end her life in the hospital grounds. Family are left not only with the grief and guilt that comes with the territory but also with the knowledge that the mental-health system has badly let them down. I applaud the bravery of Jane Stevens, mother of Nicky, another young person who outwitted trained staff, this time…

Paul Kelly, Palmerston North FINALISTS Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall: “Are we shrinking or are the pints getting bigger?” – Phoebe Wray, Christchurch Camilla: “When you said, ‘How about a quick one in the King’s arms?’, I didn’t think you meant the pub!” – Colin Kemplen, Matamata Prince Charles: “Like Brexit, it’s flat, bitter and no one can get to the bottom of it.” – Warren Shaw, Marton Charles: “Sure I can drive home. Dad always did.” – Graeme Bulling Charles: “I warned you, for bitter or worse.” – Nozz Fletcher, Picton Charles: “Talk about a frothy reception.” – Rhonda Ramsay, Thames Charles: “Where’s Nigel Farage? Milkshakes are for amateurs!” – Martin Pracy, Cambridge…

“I’m using my outside voice!” – seen on a protesting teacher’s picket sign“You can’t deny that, per capita, New Zealand has the best per capita stats in the world.” – Three Lamps Films managing director Rory O’Sullivan“Hannah Tamaki will lead the party, Brian Tamaki will be deputy, and Israel Folau will be head of social media.” – 7 Days’ Jeremy Corbett on the Destiny Church’s political party“I’m very blessed and possibly just the right height.” – Kiwi Daniel Gillies on his acting success“A website is offering therapy for people upset about the ending of Game of Thrones. If you’re that upset about a TV show, your life is too good. You don’t need a therapist, you need some credit-card debt and an STD.” – The Daily Show’s Trevor Noah“Everybody wants…

She said the installation of the temporary toilets had not eased the flow of people using her cafe toilets. Bay Harbour News, 10/4/19 I guarantee that, in a month’s time, a year’s time, anyone wanting to secure a semi-automatic forearm will be able to do so. Bay of Plenty Times, 25/3/19 Still, it’s an ill wind that has no silver lining. Dominion Post, 8/4/19 The project, led by the board, was designed to recognise Taieri people who have achieved excellence in their field and brought credit to the area. The seven nominations include a sports person, a scientist and a horse … odt.co.nz, 17/2/19 … take two separate forms of waterproof communication, check the weather forecast, avoid alcohol and skipper responsibility. Gulf News, 4/1/19…

1. What is the name of the pet cat at 10 Downing St? ❑ Larry ❑ Gladstone ❑ Paddington ❑ Palmerston 2. The wire cage over a champagne cork is known as a what? ❑ Jabot ❑ Dongle ❑ Aglet ❑ Muselet 3. In Māori mythology, what is Ranginui the god of? ❑ Sky ❑ Sea ❑ War ❑ Forest 4. Which was invented first, the flute or the wheel? ❑ Flute ❑ Wheel 5. Whose last words were, “I’m bored with it all”? ❑ Kurt Cobain ❑ Winston Churchill ❑ Ray Charles ❑ George HW Bush 6. In 2004, which country issued a set of guitar-shaped coins? ❑ US ❑ Portugal ❑ Albania ❑ Somalia 7. Gravity travels at the speed of what? ❑ Light ❑ Sound ❑ Electricity 8. What was the first sport to have a world championship? ❑ Football❑Javelin❑Wrestling❑Billiards 9. What is…