The Friday Poem: ‘Not Waving But Dying’ by Kim Cope Tait

The Electoral Commission is reminding Kiwis to ensure they are enrolled to vote in this year's local elections, with enrolment packs being sent out to 3.6 million people to update their details by July 10. Māori voters can choose between the Māori roll and general roll, with voting papers being sent out in September and voting closing on October 11. It is crucial for people to be enrolled and ready to have their say on...

The draft Year 7-13 English curriculum proposes compulsory Shakespeare for senior secondary school students and spelling and keyboard lessons for children at intermediate schools, with a list of suggested texts including works by Winston Churchill and Percy Shelley. Controversial due to its lack of reference to Te Mātaiaho and concerns over its Eurocentric focus, the draft emphasizes foundational skills and exposure to diverse texts at different year levels, but has faced criticism for its exclusion...

Researchers and artists are exploring the transformative power of dance in fostering collaboration and social inclusion, as seen through Nicholas Rowe's global efforts to teach dance to marginalized communities worldwide. Dance neuroscience reveals that dancing together activates multiple brain regions, promoting intra-brain synchrony and enhancing communication. With the establishment of the world's first UNESCO Chair of Dance and Social Inclusion at the University of Auckland, initiatives like Rowe's Intracomp project are paving the way for...

Phill Hooper, a first-term councillor on the Ashburton District Council, is considering running for re-election but does not feel prepared to take on the role of Mayor following incumbent Neil Brown's decision not to seek another term. Despite feeling more confident in his understanding of local politics, Hooper believes a councillor with only one term of experience may not excel as Mayor. Several candidates, including Deputy Mayor Liz McMillan and first-term councillor Rob Mackle, have...

The deputy prime minister made unfounded attacks on Green MP Benjamin Doyle, accusing them of promoting paedophilia based on Instagram posts. The Green Party should have done more to educate Doyle on potential interpretations of their online presence before becoming an MP. Despite the harm caused by the accusations, legal action may be taken against Peters, while the Greens' lack of guidance for candidates on online behavior is also a concerning issue. Full Article

Rural Women New Zealand (RWNZ) welcomes Pharmac's consultation on funding estradiol patches for women in perimenopause and menopause, which includes options for Estradot and Estradiol TDP Mylan. This decision follows concerns raised last year over limiting funding to one brand, with ongoing supply issues for Estradot. RWNZ president Sandra Matthews applauds Pharmac for listening to women's concerns and improving access to essential menopause treatments, urging members to participate in the public consultation closing on April...