RNZ: Covid-19 rules and restrictions on businesses to be lifted under alert level 1

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says there will still be strict controls on the border, but all current rules and restrictions on businesses and services will be "essentially lifted" under alert level 1.
She said the lower alert level would also put an end to restrictions for hospitality businesses, and gatherings - including funerals and tangihanga - of any size could take place..... More>>

ALSO:

• National - It’s Time For A Captain’s Call On Level 1 - Government Must Explain Why We’re Still At Level 2
• Business NZ - Timeline For Moving To Level 1 Needed
• ACT - Today's Protesters Must Play By Level 2 Rules - Peters Can’t Get Level 1 On Cabinet Agenda
• Auckland Business Chamber - Move To Level 1 – With Confidence And Certainty

Gordon Campbell: On The Twitter Wars, And The Muller Muddles

Whatever the failings of our own politicians, spare a kind thought for the majority of Americans who did not vote for Donald Trump. Sure, it was depressing this week to watch Todd Muller clinging for dear life to his talking points on Q, ... More>>

ALSO:

• National - SPEECH: Todd Muller - Families, Communities, Small Business National Backs Businesses With $10k JobStart - Todd Muller Elected Leader Of The New Zealand National Party - SPEECH: Todd Muller’s Maiden Speech As National Party Leader
• ACT - National’s Tack To The Centre Complementary To ACT
• Gordon Campbell - On Why Welfare Reform Has No Champions In Parliament - On Not Buying What Todd Muller Is Selling
• RNZ - New National Party leader Todd Muller: 'I'm not interested in opposition for opposition's sake' - Who is new National Party leader Todd Muller? - Simon Bridges on losing National Party leadership: 'It's been a heck of a ride'
• XE Money Transfer - XE Morning Update - Todd Muller New Leader Of The National Party
• NZ Taxpayers' Union - Taxpayers' Union Congratulates Todd Muller

Green Party: Statement On The Death Of George Floyd

“Today and every day we stand in solidarity with George Floyd’s family, friends and community who feel pain and fear about his untimely death at the hands of Minneapolis police”, said Green Party Co-leader and Māori Development spokesperson Marama ... More>>

ALSO:

• RNZ - Winston Peters Calling For Move To Alert Level 1 After Protests
• Black Lives Matter Solidarity - Black Lives Matter March For Solidarity
• ACT - After Aotea Square, We Must Have Level 1 Tomorrow.

Science Media Centre: Funding For R In New Zealand – Expert Reaction

Research, Science and Innovation Minister Dr Megan Woods has today announced $401.3 million funding for research and development through Budget 2020 and the COVID Response and Recovery Fund. The fund includes $150 million for an R loan scheme, ... More>>

ALSO:

• NZ Govt - Govt Boosts Innovation, R For Economic Rebuild
• GNS Science - Government’s Support For Science Sector Crucial For NZ’s Recovery
• Science NZ - New Funding Supports Critical Science Research For New Zealand

Maritime NZ: NZ Joins Global Initiative Keeping Ports Open And Freight Moving

New Zealand has joined an international port authorities’ global initiative for safe and efficient movement of goods and shipping during the COVID-19 crisis. World-wide, 56 port authorities have agreed how they will work together facilitating maritime ... More>>

ALSO:

• Marlborough Tour Company - Getting New Zealand Open For Business
• Kalkine - What Is Driving NZ Currency And Equity Markets Amid US-China Trade Tension?
• OECD - Covid-19 Hits G20 International Merchandise Trade In First Quarter

National: National Backs Businesses With $10k JobStart

National will provide a $10,000 cash payment to businesses that hire additional staff as part of our commitment to keeping New Zealanders in jobs, National Party Leader Todd Muller and Finance spokesperson Paul Goldsmith have announced. Our JobStart ... More>>

ALSO:

• National - SPEECH: Todd Muller - Families, Communities, Small Business - Davis Delivers More Broken Promises

Eric Zuesse: U.S. Empire: Biden And Kerry Gave Orders To Ukraine’s President

Eric Zuesse, originally posted at Strategic Culture On May 19th, an implicit international political warning was issued, but it wasn’t issued between countries; it was issued between allied versus opposed factions within each of two countries: U.S. and Ukraine. ... More>>

Binoy Kampmark: Budget Cockups In The Time Of Coronavirus: Reporting Errors And Australia’s JobKeeper Scheme

Hell has, in its raging fires, ringside seats for those who like their spreadsheets. The seating, already peopled by those from human resources, white collar criminals and accountants, becomes toastier for those who make errors with those spreadsheets. ... More>>

The Dig - COVID-19: Just Recovery

The COVID-19 crisis is compelling us to kick-start investment in a regenerative and zero-carbon future. We were bold enough to act quickly to stop the virus - can we now chart a course for a just recovery? More>>

Gordon Campbell: On The George Floyd Protests

Poverty, discrimination and repeated acts of police brutality all help to explain the rage being expressed on the streets of American cities right now after the death of George Floyd but there is a more immediate cause as well : Decades of research ... More>>

UN Expert: Make Transformative Changes To Protect Environment Or Endure Incalculable Suffering

The UN Special Rapporteur on human rights and the environment, David Boyd, says transformative actions are urgently required to protect the environment and human rights, and address the drivers of climate disruption, biodiversity loss, toxic pollution ... More>>

NZSP: NZSO To Perform Beethoven’s Famous Fifth Live From Wellington

New Zealanders can enjoy two free live-streamed performances by their national orchestra this month, beginning with Beethoven’s beloved Fifth Symphony . The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra will play the “da-da-da-dah” masterpiece live on stage from ... More>>

Howard Davis: Dazed & Confused by Beats

Beats is both a coming-of-age tale and a romantic movie about endings, set to a nostalgic backdrop of the disappearing tail of the UK's illegal rave scene. More>>

Horowhenua: Matariki Shines Bright At Te Awahou Nieuwe Stroom

Te Awahou Nieuwe Stroom is open again for visitors. And the first thing people will see when they walk into the gallery is a stunning image of the Matariki star cluster – part of a deep space photo exhibition. More>>

Howard Davis: And The Oscar Goes To … Parasite

For its deliciously dark wit and genre-bending ingenuity, Bong Joon-ho's latest movie has just won four out of a potential six Academy Awards, including Best Screenplay and Director. Only ten foreign-language films have previously been nominated for Best Picture and none have won before. More>>