New Zealand Listener Issue 42 2019

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has heard straight from the horses’ mouths that there is a limit to the responsibility global companies will take for the impact they have, even for practices that do not particularly affect their bottom lines. Her convening of a top-level turnout of the tech giants in the US last week was marred by Facebook chief operating officer Sheryl Sandberg’s subtle but unmistakable refusal to apologise for her platform’s dissemination of the Christchurch massacre footage. Sandberg was “regretful” but, perhaps conditioned by her country’s propensity for liability litigation, shied away from accepting culpability. The powerful multinationals of social media are still trying to lowball the issues, just as many of their counterparts in fast fashion and other consumer industries do. Having found success and sometimes staggering profits in their…

It is the height of hypocrisy for city dwellers, some of whom drive Sherman tank-size SUVs, to point the finger at farmers as being responsible for most of our climate and environmental ills (Editorial, October 5). We need to work with farmers to improve our water and environment, not attack and insult them. Instead of looking for someone else to blame, we all have to own this problem because we all contribute to it. John Watkins (Remuera, Auckland) I have been a farmer for 45 years and the Editorial resonated strongly with me. Now that the scale of climate change and the consequences for humankind and our planet are becoming recognised and mainstream, it is incumbent on us all to address this challenge. Accusations flung between the rural and urban communities are harmful…

David Hay, Queenstown FINALISTS Prince Harry: “These hair-loss companies are certainly persistent!” – Peter Carey, Christchurch Prince Harry: “Had I three ears, I’d hear thee.” – Alwyn O’Connor Prince Harry: “No, no and no – I don’t know where Andy is!” – Kath Jones, Waikanae Prince Harry: “According to Granny, I’ve been crossing lines all my life.” – Kath Jones, Waikanae Prince Harry: “I’ll never get the hang of this post-Brexit technology.” – John Stribling, Wellington Caption: New recruit joins Spark Sport help desk – Graeme Bulling, Auckland Prince Harry: “A thousand Invictus Games tickets, Mr Trump? Sure! How many for you, Mr Putin?” – Richard McKernan, Auckland. Prince Harry: “If that’s Trump, tell him I want to buy Hawaii.” – Robert Johnson, Christchurch…

“I say it’s ‘Yes, your honour’ at the front and a party out the back.”– Upper Hutt local Panapa Poutawa explaining his mullet, seen on Stuff“You might be wondering: ‘If this phone call is so damning, why did Trump even release the transcript? Only an idiot would do that.’ Exactly.”– The Daily Show’s Trevor Noah on Trump’s phone call with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky“Life is a long queue – and anything you have to queue that long for has to be worth the wait.”– The Who’s Roger Daltrey“The people who got mad at or threatened by Greta Thunberg’s anger and emotionalism and called it childish and immature are the same people who applauded Brett Kavanaugh’s anger and emotionalism and called it righteous indignation.” – US writer Ed Solomon“If you could…

“… make sure you cross your t’s and dot your i’s, meaning if you’re going to have events just keep your powder dry and don’t muddy the water prior to applying for consent.” Waikato Times, 11/7/19 Cinema audiences around the world will have the chance to be a fly on the wall while Buzz Aldrin, Neil Armstrong and Johnny Carson prepare themselves for the flight of a lifetime. Gulf News, 12/9/19 While many got it right – Carter played 12 tests for the All Blacks between 2003 and 2015 – many came up with more creative answers. Stuff, 23/9/19 After the treatment, [he] noted tooth wear, gum recession, increased overbite and rotated and maligned teeth. NZ Herald, 26/8/19 “I was born with my cat, he is just one year older than me.” Independent Herald, 15/8/19 LIFE IN NEW ZEALAND: Entries…

1. Which of these films does not feature Kiwi actor Cliff Curtis? ❑ The Dark Horse❑ Once Were Warriors ❑ Hunt for the Wilderpeople❑ Whale Rider 2. The expression “full tilt” originates from what? ❑ Jousting❑ Pinball❑ Motorcycle racing ❑ Poker 3. True or false? Lobsters cannot die of old age. ❑ True❑ False 4. Daniel K Inouye International Airport is in which city? ❑ Perth❑ Apia❑ Nadi❑ Honolulu 5. The ancient region of Asia Minor is today contained within which country? ❑ India❑ Afghanistan❑ Iran❑ Turkey 6. Which TV series included the minor characters Estelle Leonard, Gunther and Janice Hosenstein? ❑ Seinfeld ❑ That ’70s Show❑ Cheers❑ Friends 7. Which band released a 1992 single titled ‘Runaway Train’, with a music video that helped to locate 26 missing children? ❑ Counting Crows❑ 3 Doors Down❑ Soul Asylum❑ Third Eye Blind 8. The French…