Journalist Graham Adams challenges claims that the online publication The Spinoff received “one or two million dollars” in taxpayer funding ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏

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Nice work if you can get it: The Spinoff received $10m in taxpayer money since 2016

The Spinoff founder Duncan Greive’s appeal for reader support blamed halted taxpayer grants, which had “stopped dead,” for the site’s financial woes.

In an interview with Sean Plunket, Duncan Greive estimated The Spinoff’s taxpayer funding at “one or two million dollars.” However, journalist Graham Adams disputes this.

Adams cites NZ On Air records that show The Spinoff and its affiliates, Hex Work and Hexwork Productions, have received over $10m since 2016, alongside additional funding from other sources.

03 December 2024

New rules to make it easier to give high-income workers the boot

Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden has announced changes to the Employment Relations Act, introducing greater flexibility in the dismissal process for high-income employees.

Under the new policy, workers earning over $180,000 a year cannot file unjustified dismissal claims unless they and their employers agree to include those protections in their contracts.

03 December 2024

Immigration New Zealand’s ban on Candace Owens faces legal challenge

The Free Speech Union (FSU) is taking New Zealand’s immigration authorities to court over their decision to deny US conservative commentator Candace Owens an Entertainer’s Work Visa.

Owens, known for her outspoken views, was barred entry due to a provision of the Immigration Act applied when someone has been excluded from another country. FSU claims Immigration New Zealand (INZ) misinterpreted the law, insisting the Act doesn’t apply in this case.

03 December 2024

Canadian town fined for rejecting Pride Month celebration

Emo, a small township in the Canadian province of Ontario, has been fined CAD$10,000 (NZD$12,000) and its officials ordered to complete mandatory human rights training after refusing to proclaim June as Pride Month in 2020.

The Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario ruled that the town’s actions violated the Ontario Human Rights Code.

03 December 2024

Arla Foods tests cow feed that stops methane burps to fight climate change

Arla Foods, the UK’s biggest dairy producer, is testing a special cow feed additive called Bovaer. The additive could reduce methane emissions from dairy cows.

Partnering with grocery retailers Morrisons, Aldi, and Tesco, the trial involves 30 Arla farmers and aims to promote sustainable farming practices.

Arla’s UK agricultural director Paul Dover says it’s all part of their plan to slash dairy pollution by 30% before 2030.

03 December 2024

ACT urges councils to abandon “progressive” procurement policies

ACT Local Government spokesman Cameron Luxton is urging councils across New Zealand to prioritise value-for-money in procurement, challenging what he calls “politically correct” policies.

Luxton claims that a focus on “progressive,” “diverse,” or “sustainable” outcomes undermines efficient service delivery and drives up costs for ratepayers.

03 December 2024

Kiwis back banning social media for young kids, poll reveals

Most New Zealanders support banning young children from social media, according to a new poll.

University of Auckland researcher Dr Samantha Marsh said “So many parents have said to me that they would welcome a ban. Kids are more vulnerable to the adverse effects – and they’re more drawn to it.” she said.