New Zealand Listener - June 25, 2022

96 Pages·2022·51.4 MB·English

CONTENTS
ISSN 2381-9553: Vol 281, No. 4252. June 25-July 1, 2022
Te Kaiwhakarongo Aotearoa
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FEATURES Washington certain she will witness shootings in the US “come out of nowhere”
a historic presidential victory. fails to acknowledge that there are often
COVER STORY
obvious warning signs. by Marc Wilson
16 | Too much of a good thing
LIFE 46 | Technology Our digital edge is
Online services have seduced us with
ebbing away, hurt by two years of Covid
their ease and convenience. But as the
36 | Health We should be talking more
isolation and too little government
cost of living surges, are we headed for
about condoms because they’re our best
investment. by Peter Griffi n
a Great Unsubscribe? by Greg Dixon
tool in the fi ght against sexually transmitted
infections. by Nicky Pellegrino
22 | The crate divide
The latest attempts to improve pig welfare 38 | Nutrition When it comes to promoting BOOKS
could be a watershed moment for farming better health and more youthful-looking
48 | Heart & soul Joy and tragedy in a
in New Zealand. by Andrea Graves skin, cooked tomatoes have the advantage
rural Australian family saga, an exploration
over raw varieties. by Jennifer Bowden
of the perils of social media stardom, and
28 | True course to the past
40 | Food Colourful, fresh and satisfying
an unlikely literary love aff air feature in
Cristina Sanders’ quest for authenticity in
vegetable-based meals from chef and food
the latest romantic fi ction. by Gill South
her historical fi ction has sparked a love of
writer Alice Hart.
tall ships and an obsession with an enduring 50-55 | Books Novels by Jennifer Egan,
42 | Wine The good news for pinot noir
maritime mystery. by Janet Wilson Hayley Scrivenor and Nora Murphy; poetry
lovers is there are plenty of attractive Kiwi
from Diane Brown; a new analysis of The
off erings for $30 or less – often a lot less.
32 | Losing the plot Communist Manifesto; a history of the NZ
by Michael Cooper
In an extract from her memoir, NZ nursing service; and the story of humanity’s
poet and author Kate Camp goes to 45 | Psychology The notion that mass 50,000 years of navigating the planet
COMMENTARY 114 | Politics Jane Clifton ENTERTAINMENT
3 | Upfront 994 | The Good Life 60 | Musical theatre Graham Reid
4 | Letters Plus Caption Competition,  (cid:17)Michele Hewitson 662 | Film reviews Sarah Watt
Quips & Quotes and 10 Quick Questions 664 | Music Graham Reid
DDIVERSIONS
8 | Bulletin Bernard Lagan 65 | TV preview Russell Brown
9 | Diary Russell Brown 556-59 | Diversions 71-91 | TV programmes
11 | Life Bill Ralston && Puzzles 992-93 | Radio programmes
13 | Reality Check Stephen Davis p54 p48 993 | Classical Elizabeth Kerr
Editor KARYN SCHERER Senior Designer RICHARD KINGSFORD Chief Executive Offi cer JANE HUXLEY Classifi ed Sales KIM CHAPMAN
Chief Subeditor FRANCES GRANT Subeditor NICK RUSSELL General Manager STUART DICK classifi [email protected]
Political Columnist JANE CLIFTON Editorial Assistant REBECCA ZHONG Editorial Manager SARAH HENRY Subscriptions Email [email protected],
Books Editor MARK BROATCH Editorial Offi ce 317 New North Rd, Kingsland, Senior Account Manager CHLOE JORDAN magshop.co.nz or phone [phone]
Entertainment & Arts Editor RUSSELL BAILLIE Auckland 1021 [email protected] The NZ Listener is published by Are Media Ltd,
Television Editor FIONA RAE Editorial postal address PO Box 52122, Commercial Brand Manager MAE KELLY Level 1, 317 New North Rd, Kingsland, Auckland 1021.
Art Director DEREK WARD Kingsland, Auckland 1352 [email protected] Printed by Webstar, 114 Swanson Rd, Henderson,
Assistant Art Director SHANE KELLY Editorial contact [email protected] Sales Director CLAIRE CHISHOLM Auckland 0610. © 2022. All rights reserved.
2 LISTENER JUNE 25 2022
UPFRONT
Parallel universes
Barbara Fountain says the time is well overdue for Māori
to lead a drive towards equitable health outcomes.
T
he idea that the fledgling Māori Health workforce was demoralised, with little sign that business as usual
Authority is part of some slip-slidey plan would produce anything better.
to create parallel health systems – one The panel took heed of the Wai 2575 findings and recom-
for Māori and one for others – is farcical. mended an independent Māori Health Authority, but without
I find it hard to understand the advice the extent of powers sought by claimants. In an unusual twist,
that might lead opposition leader a dissenting view, signed by most review panel members and
Christopher Luxon to promise to ditch its Māori advisory group, called for an agency with full commis-
the new agency should National win the sioning powers.
next election. In my universe, Health Minister Andrew Little took the
Luxon likes to point to National’s leap and followed the evidence:
record of Treaty of Waitangi claim transformative change was
settlements to support his credentials needed in the system, and a Māori
to comment on Māori development Health Authority with influence
issues. He has committed to memory on policy and commissioning
a tranche of Māori health statistics throughout the sector was born.
to show he knows there is a problem. So, in my universe, far greater
But it all falls to pieces when he minds than mine have investigated
speaks, as he did on Newshub’s The how a health system might better
Hui, like this: “Yes, we have really perform for everyone, not just for
big improvements to get, a bunch the majority. And they have been
of improvement on a range of social doing this for years.
indicators for Māori and outcomes
T
for Māori. But the way to do that is he health reforms, which are
actually to still have a single system due to be implemented from
with innovation and components July 1, are politically charged.
within it that can deliver those And it is not surprising that creating
results.” an authority focused on improving
At this point, I feel like the two Māori health outcomes might be seen
of us are living in parallel universes. as “separatist” – but only by those
In one, there is a health system that who enter this space devoid of the
just needs to try harder, “innovate”, knowledge of what got us here.
do better and life will be sweet. That I am not impressed with how
The health reforms, which are
is where Luxon lives. the reform process has been
due to be implemented from
In my universe, I have watched communicated. But the country
people with the best intentions work July 1, are politically charged. went looking for transformative
their arses off, believing if they just change and people on the ground are
innovate and work harder, they can passionately committed to making
make a difference in the lives of Māori patients, their whānau the Māori Health Authority work.
and Māori colleagues. Sure, there have been pockets of success, In its Wai 2575 findings, the Waitangi Tribunal wrote: “We
many enabled by Māori health providers, but still the stats paint observe that the demand for structures and services that are ‘by
a picture of large sums of money spent to little effect with regard Māori, for Māori’ across all sectors of social service design and
to achieving health equity. delivery is a current and future reality that successive govern-
In my universe, the Waitangi Tribunal heard a far-reaching ments of the day will face. That demand will not diminish; it will
claim – Wai 2575 – into primary care and called on the Crown to only increase in the years to come.”
commit to exploring the concept of a stand-alone Māori primary And that is something Luxon might bear in mind before he com-
health authority. mits to chopping the Māori Health Authority off at its knees. l
G
E
In my universe, a panel led by health economist Heather T
T
Y
Simpson travelled the country reviewing the health and dis- Barbara Fountain is editor of New Zealand Doctor Rata Aotearoa, IM
A
G
ability system and discovered it was not fit for purpose and its where a longer form of this column first appeared. E
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SUBMISSIONS for Upfront should be approximately 600 words long and should be sent to [email protected]. Full contact details must be provided.
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JUNE 25 2022 LISTENER
LETTERS
Frittering away
resources
Of course it is very laudable Many do not have good of transport that is only ever (“Talking the Talk”, June 11)
to encourage people to reduce enough health to cycle that far. going to be a good option for was timely. The role of hosts,
or eliminate car journeys Many prefer to stay dry and perhaps 20% of people. and their biases, requires
through providing incentives comfortable on their commute, Messing about with some transparency. Newstalk ZB
and infrastructure for cycling and arrive at work ready to go planters and coloured lanes on hosts, led by Mike Hosking,
and e-cycling (“On your bike”, instead of needing to shower, roads is not a solution. We’ve Kate Hawkesby and Heather
June 18). However, in our and so on. needed solid, meaningful du Plessis-Allan, show their
biggest city, cycling, whether The answer is not the investment in public trans- conservative bias while
power-assisted or not, will car, nor e-bikes: it is fast, port for the past 50 years, not patronisingly oft en trying to
never be a viable solution for effi cient public transport a sacrifi ce that you make to camoufl age this approach.
the majority of commuters. – a network that covers lower your carbon footprint Tova O’Brien is trying to
Most Aucklanders live all Auckland suburbs and or because you have no other bring a more diverse approach
in suburbs that are at least provides connections to choice. into the framework but it is too
15-20km from the CBD. Some the CBD and local shopping Kate Hanna early to assess. Morning Report
are much further away. Many centres and hospitals. I worry (Pakuranga Heights, Auckland) adopts a more neutral style.
cannot live closer because that this focus on cycling “Fairness” is a subjective
of the expense and diffi culty infrastructure is frittering TALKING THE TALK word. Perhaps “objective” and
fi nding family-size homes. away resources for a mode Your analysis of talk radio “evidence-based” might be
Nah, yeah,
WINNING CAPTION
nah. It
Trish Bishop, Hamilton wouldn’t
be cricket,
FINALISTS
would it?
Brendon McCullum: “Drop the skin on the popping crease
as Colin comes in to bowl.” – Philip Lynch, Upper Hutt
McCullum: “My mates back home will crack up when they
see me trying to sing ‘God Save the Queen’.” – Bill Grant, Napier
McCullum: “And New Zealand Cricket’s off er wouldn’t
cover the cost of two bananas!” – Dave Anderson, Invercargill
McCullum: “The English dressing room is that way, right?”
– John Edgar, Christchurch
McCullum: “It’s a long way for a whitebait fritter.”
Caption
S – Ann Love, Nelson
E
G competition
A
M
Y I McCullum: “Banana balls are sitters for getting slip
T
ET catches!” – Alan Belcher, Christchurch THIS WEEK’S PICTURE
G
Caption Competition
{[email protected]}
TO ENTER Send your captions for the photo at right
to [email protected], with “Caption
Competition No 466” in the subject line. Alternatively,
entries can be posted to “Caption Competition No 466”,
NZ Listener, PO Box 52122, Kingsland, Auckland 1352.
Entries must be received by noon, Tuesday, June 28.
THE PRIZE Kingsley Smith’s history of navigation focuses
on two Pacifi c explorers who employed very diff erent Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and her Australian counterpart Anthony
technologies. Albanese hold a joint press conference in Sydney on June 10.
4
LISTENER JUNE 25 2022
better terms. All talk radio
hosts should state whether
they are liberal or conserva-
tive, how they voted at the last
three elections, their cultural
identity, religious viewpoint
and income band.
This information would
assist listener awareness
of the likely balance and
political leaning of the host.
Forewarned is forearmed.
Alec Waugh
(Richmond, Tasman)
For years I’ve been con-
cerned about the increasing
dissemination of vitriol by
“shock jocks” on the airwaves,
specifi cally Mike Hosking
and Sean Plunket and, in the
interests of gender balance,
“I was talking to a guy at the bar and he said you might know
other hosts such as Heather
someone who can score me some, you know, Gib board.”
du Plessis-Allan.
Having read Canadian
Lieutenant-General Roméo
Dallaire’s memoir of the Rwan- The role of music on radio of literacy I have read. It stories. Being able to decode
dan genocide, Shake Hands has greatly diminished and, in powerfully points out the huge a word using phonics is only
with the Devil, I believe we need general, leadership has been importance of oracy as a plat- helpful if the word is already
to be reminded that the civil abdicated, with the exception form for eff ective language to part of the child’s vocabulary.
war was fuelled by talk radio. of the RNZ Concert channel. develop “confi dent and compe- Likewise, writing becomes
Please exercise restraint. Finally to the abrasive tent communicators”. limited and expression of
We are living in a period of morning news programmes, The point that good literacy thoughts and imaginative
increasing intolerance. hijacked by self-proclaimed is launched on a “sea of con- ideas constrained.
It’s a relief that, according to personalities who make the fi dent talk” is a startlingly Talk, listen, explain,
Hamish Denton, cited in Paul fundamental error of believ- accurate statement that must introduce, compare, make up
Little’s article, young people ing their own publicity. They be embraced by educational- rhymes and jokes. I know it
are not so engaged with this most certainly don’t put the ists wanting to make a real can feel tedious responding
medium, which must be in audience fi rst. diff erence in their literacy to a toddler’s unrelenting
confl ict with the anti-bullying, Christopher Bourn programmes. questions, but consider it
empathetic message taught (Richmond, Nelson) Name and address withheld an investment in their later
in schools and expected in formal education.
the workplace. LITERACY Thank you, Karena Shan- Sue Harlow
Susan Connolly I have had a lifetime of non, for pointing out the (Karitane, Dunedin)
(Te Horo, Kāpiti Coast) educational work: 37 years importance of early language
in leadership of schools and learning and its relevance in TE REO FUNDING
Radio is primarily company, various educational projects learning to read and write. No I do have to wonder about
especially when the produc- including adult learning and method of teaching reading Renee Alleyne’s Upfront article
tion knows its audience and Māori education. Recent years is going to succeed easily (“Sharing the dream”, June 18),
you have gems like Jim Mora’s have focused on address- when the learner has a limited which notes the investment of
Sunday Morning, the irrever- ing the many challenging vocabulary and narrow expe- “millions of dollars” into the Te
ent, brilliant Matinee Idle and, issues facing education, with rience of conversations and Ahu o te reo Māori language
from commercial radio, The evidence of rapidly eroding
Country with Jamie Mackay. standards, particularly in
Letters to the editor {[email protected]}
Talkback radio, designed to literacy.
The Editor, NZ Listener, PO Box 52122, Kingsland, Auckland 1352
keep the commercials apart, is The continuing failure in
● Letters must be under A phone number can be helpful. 
just chewing gum for the ears. Māori achievement in this area
300 words. Preference is ● Pen names or letters submitted
However, it does know its audi- is daunting and depressing. given to shorter letters.  elsewhere are not acceptable.  P
A
ence – namely, bigotry – and The opinion piece by Karena ● A writer’s full residential ● We reserve the right RR
Y
listeners who get a thrill hear- Shannon (Upfront, June 11) was address is required on all to edit or decline letters JO
letters, including emails. without explanation. N
ing themselves on the radio. the most meaningful analysis E
S
5
JUNE 25 2022 LISTENER
LETTERS
10
Quips&
Quick
Questions
Quotes
by GABE ATKINSON
1. Which brand’s old TV ads Eurovision Song Content? apprentice shoemaker in Italy?
❑ ❑
suggested that consumers SOS Daniel Day-Lewis
❑ ❑
should “soldier on” instead Dancing Queen Jack Nicholson
“Life appears to me
❑ ❑
of taking a sick day? Waterloo Marlon Brando
too short to be spent
❑ ❑ ❑
Lemsip Mamma Mia Dustin Hoff man
in nursing animosity
❑
or registering wrongs.” Benadryl
❑
– Charlotte Brontë Strepsils 5. What is the only country 8. In architecture, which of
❑
Codral in the African region these best describes a loggia?
❑
“A mass shooting where Hinduism is the Secret chamber
❑
happened and then 2. Which city is next to most practised religion? Home offi ce
❑ ❑
politicians did something Caroline Bay beach, a Morocco Open-sided gallery
… I didn’t even know it popular recreation area? ❑ Ghana ❑ Formal parlour
was possible. It’s like I ❑ Timaru ❑ Kenya
showed up to McDonald’s ❑ Nelson ❑ Mauritius 9. What is the title of the fi rst
and the McFlurry machine ❑
Wellington feature-length movie to be
is working.” – Trevor Noah ❑
Napier 6. Which of these is a name entirely computer-animated?
on New York Governor Kathy ❑
for a small, lockable stand A Bug’s Life
Hochul signing into law gun ❑
3. Who was the Chief of containing several spirit Shrek
control reforms ❑
State for Vichy France decanters? The Lion King
❑ ❑
during its existence? Tantalus Toy Story
“When humour works,
❑ ❑
Francisco Franco Obelus
it works because it’s
❑ ❑
Philippe Pétain Tumulus 10. Which of these beverages was
clarifying what people
❑ ❑
Charles de Gaulle Oculus named after an order of monks?
already feel. It has to come
❑ ❑
Georges Pompidou Cappuccino
from someplace real.”
❑
7. Which Oscar-winning Hot toddy
– Tina Fey
4. Which song was performed actor took a hiatus for ❑ Latte Answers on
❑ page 58.
“Any kid will run any by ABBA to win the 1974 several years to work as an Espresso
errand for you, if you ask
at bedtime.” – Red Skelton
programme, with the aim of port location issues but site for another 20-30 years
“Nobody has ever been having one million people overlooked other important before it reaches capacity, and
more surprised than a speaking te reo by 2040. ones. She recognised that that even then it would not be
husband hearing about
Tragically, about 50% of Auckland’s site has not led necessary to move the entire
his wife’s plans for the
school leavers currently have to any lack of demand for it operation. If we succeed in
second time.” – Seen on
a defi ciency in written and and pinpointed that cargoes moving people out of cars we
Twitter
spoken English, the offi cial recently diverted to North- could well see a reduction in
international language and a land added nearly two weeks those imports.
“Music is something that
necessity for any meaningful to their average delivery time. Grinlinton also discussed
surpasses trends, fashion:
music is something much dialogue both in New Zealand However, she made no men- the option of upgrading
deeper.” – Kate Bush and in international commu- tion of the carbon footprints Onehunga, not to replace
nication. Without adequate involved in this. University Auckland but to supplement
“Science and technology English, the ability to hold of Auckland professor David it as it did for many years
revolutionise our lives, but
down most basic jobs or pro- Grinlinton’s April 2021 arti- despite the Manukau Bar. This
memory, tradition and
gress to better times is simply cle, “Why moving Auckland’s would mostly be coastal ship-
myth frame our response.”
an unacceptable barrier. port would be an environ- ping, which has much lower
– Arthur M. Schlesinger
To have a government spend mental disaster”, details this, carbon footprints than road
countless millions of taxpayer including estimates of a 700- or rail freight.
“We possess only the
money on such an unjustifi ed 800% increase in greenhouse David Holm
happiness we are able to
understand.” – Maurice investment when half our gas emissions from a move to (Mt Roskill, Auckland)
Maeterlinck emerging population has inad- Whangārei.
equate basic skills in English The valuations on con- CRAVING COMPANY
“Genius might be the seems an unacceptable folly. tainer terminal land by those Nicky Pellegrino (Health, June
ability to say a profound
Dr Hylton Le Grice CNZM, OBE advocating to move the port 18) says that in New Zealand
thing in a simple way.” (Remuera, Auckland) are almost certainly not based it is adults under 30 who are
– Charles Bukowski
on its use by the public, but as experiencing the highest levels
NO SAFE HARBOUR luxury apartments. of loneliness. This is very sad.
“Reality leaves a lot to the
Jane Clift on’s column (Politics, Grinlinton pointed out that However, you don’t have
imagination.” – John Lennon
June 4) off ered some useful the Auckland port can con- to be young to feel lonely. I
insights into New Zealand’s tinue operating at its present am 75 and a widower since
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LISTENER JUNE 25 2022
my loved wife of 35 years died in 2017. 1961 they sought to reinstate compulsory
The loneliness I have felt since then military training. They were unable to
is more than I have felt in the rest of my do so; the infrastructure was no longer
life; it almost entirely consumes me. I do there.
not eat properly, nor do I sleep well. I no Instead, they introduced national
longer have visitors, except for a passing service for a reduced number of 20-year-
cousin on holiday in my area. old males selected by ballot based on
The thing I miss most is touch. My wife randomly selected birthdates, and for
and I had a very touching (pun intended) a shorter period of training. For those
relationship, which I miss almost more selected, this was indeed compulsory,
than I can cope with. but it was never called that.
I know I am not alone in this, so spare a My guess is that Taylor did his
thought for those of us who are older and national service training in 1970 or 1971.
desperately lonely and afraid. Shortly aft er, when the government
John LR Allum changed again, national service was
(Thames) also abolished.
Brian Gore
SHORT MEMORIES (Waikanae)
Now that the Queen’s Birthday Honours
round has passed, it leaves me thinking. ABUSE IN CARE
Sir Tipene O’Regan was a director of Which estimate is worse: up to 265,000
Hanover companies (along with Mark children who may have been abused
Hotchin, Eric Watson, Greg Muir, Bruce in state care in New Zealand (“Waiting
Gordon and Dennis Broit) and oversaw for the night train”, June 18) or 330,000
the downfall of New Zealand’s biggest children sexually abused in France
fi nance company in 2008. What short since 1950 by 3000 abusers, two-thirds
memories we have. of them Catholic priests?
Their $18 million settlement of a civil Aft er decades of it happening, a music
case brought by the Financial Markets teacher at Dilworth College was fi nally
Authority was paid by their profes- taken to court and convicted of numer-
sional indemnity insurers. Investors ous sex abuse crimes aft er he gave his
had $545 million tied up and lost most students alcohol to enable him to take
of it. The FMA got a voluntary agree- advantage of them over and over again.
ment that four of them wouldn’t run a Why are Catholic priests so rarely
fi nance business for a period of three charged with the same crimes? The
years, with the other two saying they Catholic Church in New Zealand says
didn’t intend to. They’re now free to 1680 reports of abuse were made
operate again. to it between 1950 and 2021 by 1122
One of the investors in Hanover individuals against clergy, brothers,
Finance was my 97-year-old mum, who nuns, sisters and lay people.
knew Steve (as he was then known) from It says 592 alleged abusers were
past Māori cultural group connections. named and almost half of the reported
She put her trust in someone she knew. abuse was sexual. Three-quarters of the
Where was the Fourth Estate’s voice abuse occurred before 1990, with the
when his latest honour was announced? majority in the 1960s and 70s.
Max Tie Why does the whole world not punish
(Christchurch) these criminal priests, as happens with
LETTER OF THE WEEK teachers? It is so very unfair to those
kids whose lives are ruined by supposed
‘COMPULSORY’ SERVICE Christian priests.
Your correspondent, ex-gunner Murray Hunter
Lawrence Woods (Letters, June 11), (Titirangi, Auckland)
asserts that Sir Ian Taylor could not have
done compulsory military training. Letter of the
He is quite right. Compulsory military
week prize
training was for every able-bodied
18-year-old male. It was abolished by the
Photographer/writer
incoming Labour government in 1958. Sophie Merkens meets
Sir Ian was eight years old at that time; inspiring women
who fi nd meaning
he could not have participated.
and connection
When National returned to offi ce in through food.
JUNE 25 2022 LISTENER
BULLETIN FROM SYDNEY
BERNARD
LAGAN
Follow the leader
I
t was the pugilist in a This is the eloquent plea to Representation Act 1867, which advances and both will owe
double-breasted suit, Australia, issued by a summit established Māori electorates, at least some allegiance to
the former Labor of Aboriginal people who and the creation in 1962 of a Aotearoa’s experience.
prime minister Paul met beneath Uluru in the red Māori Council, to be a statu-
A
Keating, who told centre in 2017, which calls for tory representative body on lbanese’s swift
Australians that when the constitutional recognition and behalf of Māori. advancement of Aus-
government changes, so does action to address the mass of Similarly, the Uluru State- tralia’s path towards
their country, past injustices. It is a remedy ment’s case for a Makarrata a republic, by including an
Keating’s words, delivered assistant minister for the
towards the end of his tenure republic in his new ministry,
in 1996, were less a prophecy is, however, an entirely Aus-
than a lament; he could see tralian project and one that
his slayer, the centre-right New Zealand is very much an
soon-to-be prime minister observer of. Perhaps, in later
John Howard, coming. Howard years, it will be a follower.
would deliver “just a straight Just by adding the word
appalling loss for Australia”, “republic” to his ministry,
Keating warned. Albanese has returned to the
He was mostly wrong. national agenda the vexed
Under Howard’s more than issue of breaking consti-
10 years in offi ce, the aver- tutional ties with England
age wage increased by more and replacing the Queen’s
than 50% and unemployment representative in Canberra,
plummeted to 30-year lows. the governor-general, with
Serious gun-control laws an Australian as president.
ended mass shootings. A now Both Aboriginal consti-
widely accepted consumption tutional recognition and
tax arrived. But the nation also Engineer of the becoming a republic will
national project:
joined America’s endless wars, require a majority of Austral-
Anthony Albanese.
brutalised asylum seekers and ians to vote in two separate
stalled reconciliation with its referendums to change their
Aboriginal people. The Uluru Statement from the constitution. History is not
Again, we feel the quivers on Albanese’s side: there have
Heart is a remedy that partly draws
of impending great change. been 44 constitutional refer-
Anthony Albanese, who led the on New Zealand’s experience. endums since 1901 and only
Labor Party back into offi ce on eight have succeeded.
May 21 aft er close to a decade in The Uluru referendum will
opposition, shows intentions to that partly draws on New Commission, to supervise a come in Albanese’s fi rst term
be the engineer of the national Zealand’s experience. process of truth-telling about and the republic vote in his
project, not to be the tweaker Rejected by then-prime Aboriginal history under second, should he win one.
and tinkerer that contented his minister Malcolm Turnbull – white rule and potentially By moving to elevate its fi rst
predecessor, Scott Morrison. surprisingly re-emphasised facilitate reconciliation and occupiers and to expel the last
The fi rst signal came on elec- at a press conference he hosted compensation, is likened by of the colonisers, Albanese has
tion night, 25 words into his beside Jacinda Ardern – the supporters to New Zealand’s changed Australia already.
victory speech to boisterous plea has withered since. 47-year-old Waitangi Tribu- Whether he can convince
supporters in his inner-west The Uluru Statement’s nal. Albanese has agreed to Australians it’s permanent is
Sydney electorate, when he core is a First Nations Voice it, although the commission’s far from certain. l
pledged: “And on behalf of to Parliament enshrined in power has yet to be decided.
S
E
AG the Australian Labor Party, I the Australian Constitution. Achieving both the Voice to New Zealander Bernard Lagan
M
Y I commit to the Uluru Statement Impetus for the idea may Parliament and a truth-telling is the Australian correspondent
T
T
E from the Heart in full.” be seen within the Māori commission will be historic for the Times, London.
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LISTENER JUNE 25 2022
DIARY
RUSSELL
BROWN
Where the wheels fall off
I
T
t’s about six months BicycleDutch YouTube channel he path itself is on a long cargo bike manages
since I started coming is literally just videos of people wonderful and will to get to the middle of the road,
home from the pub riding bikes in the Netherlands. change the neighbour- there’s no room for them on
and watching urban- There’s not even any commen- hoods it connects. Except, that the tiny pedestrian island.
ist videos. It didn’t tary, just video after video of is, for almost everywhere Each of the eight places
take YouTube’s algorithm Dutch folk going about their it crosses a road. At St Jude where walkers and riders
long to notice. Oh, it said, business on bikes, interacting St in Avondale, the students meet cars, trucks and utes is
you’ve just watched all 40 quietly and consistently with Auckland Transport had hired different. One is signalised,
minutes of someone biking cars and trams in a minimally
around Amsterdam praising signalled environment where
If everyone’s going to gad about
the intersections and talking everyone seems to understand
on micromobile electric machines,
about mixed-use development their obligations. It’s highly
– here’s some more of that for addictive viewing. we’ll need to do better than this.
you. It occurred to me I was Real life in the Antipodes
being radicalised. isn’t quite like that. Last
The same mathematics that year, in this column, I looked as stewards found themselves another is a clearly marked
show people more and more forward to the opening of the stepping nervously out in bike priority crossing, the rest
videos full of stupid vaccine long-delayed Avondale-to-New front of oncoming cars in are various degrees of mystify-
conspiracy theories and revolt- Lynn shared path, which was their pink vests, just so people ing. Drivers, who generally are
ing far-right polemics had already a year late but was could cross. not monsters and would prefer
come into play. poised to usher in a summer Veronica St in New Lynn not to smash into vulnerable
Soon, it wasn’t just the that was “a little better to ride was worse: a fatal accident road users, are given no clear
Not Just Bikes channel, it was than the last”. waiting to happen, where warning to exercise care. No
City Beautiful and Strong Summer was gone by the city-bound riders are invited one’s obligations are obvious.
Towns. I came to believe that time it was finally ready, but to push off and gamble on what This, apparently, is because the
single-family zoning had the weather was fine for the might be coming around the crossings were “out of scope”
ruined American cities and recent grand opening and blind bend 20 metres away. If a for the project: the department
that “stroads” were the Devil’s Aucklanders flocked there. family group or even someone making the path is not the
doing. (Wikipedia department that does
characterises “stroad” as the road.
“a pejorative portman- If we really are looking
teau of street and road”, at a post-carbon future
coined by American where cities are more
urban planner Charles compact and everyone’s
Marohn to describe going to gad about on
an unhappy confusion micromobile electric
of function between machines, we’ll need
streets, a “complex to do better than this.
environment where Perhaps rather than
life in the city happens”, departments designing
and roads, a “high-speed for walkers and riders
connection between and cars, there should be
two places”.) a department designing
But, to be honest, it’s for people. It doesn’t
the bicycle-camera con- seem such a radical idea.
tent I crave. You’ll find But, then, I watch a lot of
soothing bike-ride videos YouTube videos. l
“It’s me. You know how you’ve always said,
from many world cities P
‘Dance like no one is watching.’ Well, someone A
R
on YouTube, but the best, Russell Brown is a R
Y
purest stuff comes from was. I’m down at the police station.” freelance journalist based JO
N
the Netherlands. The in Auckland. E
S
9
JUNE 25 2022 LISTENER
An Auckland based organisation that supports, advocates
for, and empowers pregnant teens, teen parents
and their children.
E Tipu E Rea, meaning “to grow and to thrive”
E Tipu e Rea Whānau Services provides tautoko (support) to mātua taiohi
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pēpi (baby) / tamariki (children).
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Over 8,000 rangatahi (young people) and their
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Rangatahi like Tianna …
Tianna
When 19-year-old Tianna became pregnant, she knew
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Growing up in Auckland was tough for Tianna,
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With no home, no family support and facing
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willing to take that step to make that change.”
Please make a tax-deductible donation today so we can continue to support
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givealittle.co.nz/org/thrive
www.etipuereaws.org.nz
Charity Number - CC45477