The Spinoff Essay: Little bud

Heavy rain in the Marlborough region prompted precautionary evacuations in Spring Creek last year, with the Marlborough District Council now expecting more rain but not at a level requiring evacuations. MetService issued orange heavy rain warnings for several districts as a low pressure system moves in, with a precautionary evacuation trigger level of 4000 cumecs for Spring Creek due to compromised stopbanks along the Wairau River. Despite the forecasted rain, current models suggest no major...

As night owls, individuals like Gabi Lardies, Bec Murphy, and Tina Tiller find joy in staying up late to engage in activities such as late-night admin, midnight baking, or indulging in personal hobbies. By taking advantage of off-peak hours for chores and activities, they can save money, be more sustainable, and enjoy a sense of freedom from societal rules and expectations. Despite the benefits of late-night productivity, the drawback of feeling irritable the next day...

Roger Gray, CEO of the Port of Auckland, is promoting gender and ethnic diversity in his company to improve decision-making and customer service. He believes in fair outcomes for all employees and has launched a campaign to recruit women as stevedores. Gray emphasizes the importance of inclusivity in the workplace, linking it to increased profitability. The Government's proposed changes to public service recruitment, focusing on merit-based appointments over diversity and equity, have sparked debate in...

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...

A second person has been poisoned by toxic algae in Lake Hood near Ashburton, as a health warning was issued due to cyanobacteria. The Ashburton District Council has been working to prevent algae blooms and improve water quality, with Environment Canterbury monitoring water quality and issuing health warnings. People are advised to avoid contact with the water and keep animals away until the health warning is lifted. Full Article

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...