Issue Issue 32 2021 - New Zealand Listener (2024)

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COMMENTARYFrench lessonsOur new pandemic threat is from a most unexpected new variant: vaccine complacency. The shockingly sluggish response to the launch of the long-awaited mass-vaccination push at the weekend suggests this country is a candidate for some Gallic-style tough love. French President Emmanuel Macron has just grounded his population of vaccine resisters indefinitely, saying they will face heavy restrictions until they are fully inoculated. Here, the Government is still trying to jolly people into vaccination, and it’s not working. Just days before its weekend launch, only 3000 of an anticipated 15,000-plus eligible Aucklanders had registered for the three-day jab-athon at the Vodafone Events Centre in Manukau. Poor communications and timing may have been a factor, but the event designed to be a rousing curtain-raiser for mass vaccination has instead highlighted an…3 min

COMMENTARYFrench lessonsOur new pandemic threat is from a most unexpected new variant: vaccine complacency.The shockingly sluggish response to the launch of the long-awaited mass-vaccination push at the weekend suggests this country is a candidate for some Gallic-style tough love.French President Emmanuel Macron has just grounded his population of vaccine resisters indefinitely, saying they will face heavy restrictions until they are fully inoculated.Here, the Government is still trying to jolly people into vaccination, and it’s not working. Just days before its weekend launch, only 3000 of an anticipated 15,000-plus eligible Aucklanders had registered for the three-day jab-athon at the Vodafone Events Centre in Manukau. Poor communications and timing may have been a factor, but the event designed to be a rousing curtain-raiser for mass vaccination has instead highlighted an outbreak of apparent…3 min

COMMENTARYKnowledge and scienceThe authors of the “In defence of science” letter (July 31) use their privilege to perpetuate a cherry-picked history of science, advancing an argument that suppresses rather than promotes science education. Invoking the lineage of science from Mesopotamia to Europe is a retroactive continuity created by Europeans; many of the discoveries from this lineage were replicated elsewhere in time and place. Aztecs, Inca, Iroquois, Bantu and Māori (to name a few out of thousands) all developed advanced knowledge and culture independent of this lineage, but were never invited to contribute to the Western institution of science at their zenith. Western science classified these cultures as indigenous, trivialising their knowledge and enabling their peoples, lands and waters to be consumed by colonisation. Their taonga were stolen to be stored and displayed…10 min

COMMENTARYFINALISTSCaption: “Virgin Galactic crew after locating new tax exile.”– Anita Arlov, Auckland Caption: “Space cadets incarnate.”– John Smythe, Wellington Caption: “Crew get high on rocket fuel.”– Marie Curran, Dunedin Caption: “Sir Richard Branson celebrates moving all of his finances to an off - planet trust.”– David Beck, Christchurch Beth Moses: “We have given him an enema of bubbles. He should launch any second now!”– Andrew Gordon, Waipukurau Sir Richard Branson: “You’ll never believe what we saw on Earth– heaps of tractors driving along.”– Hans Zindel, Palmerston North Beth Moses: “The heights that some people will go to to get a drink!”– Mike Lynch, Upper Hutt Branson: “That’s one small hoist for a man, one giant hernia for Branson-kind!”– Simone Stansfield, Wellington Sirisha Bandla: “Great flight, shame that Virgin sent my…1 min

COMMENTARYKnowledge and scienceThe authors of the “In defence of science” letter (July 31) use their privilege to perpetuate a cherry-picked history of science, advancing an argument that suppresses rather than promotes science education.Invoking the lineage of science from Mesopotamia to Europe is a retroactive continuity created by Europeans; many of the discoveries from this lineage were replicated elsewhere in time and place. Aztecs, Inca, Iroquois, Bantu and Māori (to name a few out of thousands) all developed advanced knowledge and culture independent of this lineage, but were never invited to contribute to the Western institution of science at their zenith. Western science classified these cultures as indigenous, trivialising their knowledge and enabling their peoples, lands and waters to be consumed by colonisation. Their taonga were stolen to be stored and displayed in…11 min

COMMENTARYFINALISTSCaption: “Virgin Galactic crew after locating new tax exile.”– Anita Arlov, AucklandCaption: “Space cadets incarnate.”– John Smythe, WellingtonCaption: “Crew get high on rocket fuel.”– Marie Curran, DunedinCaption: “Sir Richard Branson celebrates moving all of his finances to an off - planet trust.”– David Beck, ChristchurchBeth Moses: “We have given him an enema of bubbles. He should launch any second now!”– Andrew Gordon, WaipukurauSir Richard Branson: “You’ll never believe what we saw on Earth– heaps of tractors driving along.”– Hans Zindel, Palmerston NorthBeth Moses: “The heights that some people will go to to get a drink!”– Mike Lynch, Upper HuttBranson: “That’s one small hoist for a man, one giant hernia for Branson-kind!”– Simone Stansfield, WellingtonSirisha Bandla: “Great flight, shame that Virgin sent my luggage to Sydney.”– Paul Kelly, Palmerston North…1 min

Issue Issue 32 2021 - New Zealand Listener (2024)

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