New Zealand Listener Issue 18 2018

Just transition or heart over head? In grabbing back the political agenda after a messy March, the Government has made a string of brave calls, all intended to prove that it will walk the talk on a “transformative” agenda. Some were well-signalled. For example, shifting transport funding from highway construction in favour of urban public transport, rail and road safety should have come as no surprise. The same goes for the demise of Government backing for large-scale irrigation schemes, part of a wider agenda still being developed that aims to make intensive agriculture pay its way environmentally, as well as in export dollars. However, the decision to stop issuing offshore oil and gas exploration permits was not pre-election policy. Although Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern was musing privately months ago about…

Just transition or heart over head? In grabbing back the political agenda after a messy March, the Government has made a string of brave calls, all intended to prove that it will walk the talk on a “transformative” agenda. Some were well-signalled. For example, shifting transport funding from highway construction in favour of urban public transport, rail and road safety should have come as no surprise. The same goes for the demise of Government backing for large-scale irrigation schemes, part of a wider agenda still being developed that aims to make intensive agriculture pay its way environmentally, as well as in export dollars. However, the decision to stop issuing offshore oil and gas exploration permits was not pre-election policy. Although Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern was musing privately months ago about the politics…

“After the fall” (April 21) was fascinating and enlightening. I now understand why sport has become such a huge part of people’s lives. The camaraderie of sports fans is a welcome relief from the powerlessness many people feel in the face of the scary state of “the real world”. Sport is viewed as a healthy activity, and a better escape than addictions like alcohol and drugs. Pity the poor players, who may be financially rich but have become the playthings of the public, robbed of privacy and derided. I wonder, though, what the world would be like if some of the energy, enthusiasm and money spent on sport was redirected to solving some of the planet’s problems. Clare Dudley (Tuateawa) CURBING ROAD DEATHS May I suggest that we need to…

“After the fall” (April 21) was fascinating and enlightening. I now understand why sport has become such a huge part of people’s lives. The camaraderie of sports fans is a welcome relief from the powerlessness many people feel in the face of the scary state of “the real world”. Sport is viewed as a healthy activity, and a better escape than addictions like alcohol and drugs. Pity the poor players, who may be financially rich but have become the playthings of the public, robbed of privacy and derided. I wonder, though, what the world would be like if some of the energy, enthusiasm and money spent on sport was redirected to solving some of the planet’s problems. Clare Dudley (Tuateawa) CURBING ROAD DEATHS May I suggest that we need to take a deep breath on the…

You’re kidding me – no pre-nup needs to be that big. WINNING CAPTION Steve Godsiff, Timaru FINALISTS Prince Harry: “If you can feel the pea under a mattress this thick, you’re in.” – Rowan Attwood, Auckland Harry: “I just came this close to calling you Chelsea.” – Steve Cox, St Albans, Christchurch Meghan Markle: “Darling, slow clapping is rude.” – Rex McGregor, Auckland Harry: “Step on a corgi and you’re in it this deep!” – Ann Love, Nelson Meghan: “You mean yours or your horse’s?” – John Barnes, Waikanae Harry: “Granny’s got a pile of rocks this high.” – Colin Carrol, Redwood, Christchurch Harry: “How much do I love you? This much.” – Ngarene Grant, Upper Hutt Meghan: “Honey, I didn’t ever wear bridal heels that low.” – A Neale,…

“A neurosis is a secret you don’t know you’re keeping.” – Kenneth Tynan, quoted in the Observer “We keep a special place in our hearts for people who refuse to be impressed by us.” – French philosopher Jean de La Bruyère, quoted on the Browser “Capitalism without bankruptcy is like Christianity without hell.” – astronaut and businessman Frank Borman, quoted in Forbes “The role of mythology is to shield us from history.” – Sylvie Laurent in Le Monde Diplomatique “A vacuum is a hell of a lot better than some of the stuff nature replaces it with.” – Tennessee Williams “No matter how cynical you become, it’s never enough to keep up.” – Lily Tomlin, quoted in the Washington Post “Our chief want in life is somebody who shall make…