BBC: New Zealand lifts all Covid restrictions, declaring the nation virus-free. “At midnight local time (12:00 GMT), all of New Zealand moved to level one, the lowest of a four-tier alert system. Under new rules, social distancing is not required and there are no limits on public gatherings, but borders remain closed to foreigners.”
New Zealand
Scoop New Zealand: Canterbury Earthquake Resources Find A Permanent Home
Scoop New Zealand: Canterbury Earthquake Resources Find A Permanent Home. “Lessons learned from the Canterbury earthquakes will be shared widely and preserved for the future when a collection of reports and information moves to a new digital home. The Government’s Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Learning and Legacy Programme – which collected over 200 online items – is being transferred to the University of Canterbury’s CEISMIC – Canterbury Earthquakes Digital Archive.”
New Zealand Herald: Covid-19 scientist Siouxsie Wiles reveals appalling social media abuse
New Zealand Herald: Covid-19 scientist Siouxsie Wiles reveals appalling social media abuse. “Infectious diseases expert Siouxsie Wiles has spoken out about the appalling online abuse she has suffered in her work. The prominent science communicator, who answered the nation’s Covid-19 questions during lockdown, has revealed dozens of ugly insults and threats she has received on social media aimed at her bright pink hair and her weight.”
The Spinoff: Facebook to ban foreign political ads in run-up to New Zealand election
The Spinoff: Facebook to ban foreign political ads in run-up to New Zealand election. “As of next month only New Zealanders who have provided Facebook with a form of government-issued identification will be able to post ads that make references to political figures, parties, social issues or the country’s election.”
The Conversation: Google and Facebook pay way less tax in New Zealand than in Australia – and we’re paying the price (New Zealand Herald)
New Zealand Herald: The Conversation: Google and Facebook pay way less tax in New Zealand than in Australia – and we’re paying the price. “While the internet has created new opportunities for media and audiences alike, those opportunities have come at a price. Traditional media organisations now compete with giant digital platforms, not only for the attention of readers, but also for the advertising revenue that was once their lifeblood. Adding insult to injury, the digital platforms compete for audiences’ attention partly by distributing the news content that was first created and published by those now-struggling media organisations. This not only damages the media and public discourse, it is harmful to taxpayers.”
Reuters: Ardern dances for joy after New Zealand eliminates coronavirus
Reuters: Ardern dances for joy after New Zealand eliminates coronavirus. “New Zealand lifted all social and economic restrictions except border controls after declaring on Monday it was free of the coronavirus, one of the first countries in the world to return to pre-pandemic normality.”
Canterbury Museum: Twentieth Century Fashion Goes Online
Canterbury Museum: Twentieth Century Fashion Goes Online. “From fabulous frocks to everyday garments, Invercargill-born Mollie Rodie Mackenzie amassed one of New Zealand’s most comprehensive collections of twentieth century fashion. Almost half of the 2,000 collection items can now be seen online, as a tribute to Mollie who died last month in Queensland aged 100. The collection includes nearly 800 accessories such as hats, shoes, handbags, gloves, necklaces, scarves, belts and neckties that complement the hundreds of dresses, jackets and shirts – women’s, men’s and children’s – that Mollie collected in her lifetime.
New York Times: Jacinda Ardern Sold a Drastic Lockdown With Straight Talk and Mom Jokes
New York Times: Jacinda Ardern Sold a Drastic Lockdown With Straight Talk and Mom Jokes. “Halfway into a Facebook Live video last week, updating the world on New Zealand’s plan to reopen restaurants, schools and even movie theaters, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern noticed a concern cropping up among the commenters: They thought she looked tired. She had plenty of reason to be exhausted, managing a pandemic as well as a daughter in diapers. But instead, she blamed the unflattering beige curtains behind her, then spun her phone around to show off the vintage cane furniture with green frond upholstery in her favorite room at the prime minister’s residence.”
Coronavirus: Government releases COVID-19 ‘digital diary’ app early (Newshub New Zealand)
Newshub New Zealand: Coronavirus: Government releases COVID-19 ‘digital diary’ app early. “The Government has launched its COVID-19 ‘digital diary’ app a day early and it is now available on the Google Play and Apple stores. The app is designed to help Kiwis keep track of where they’ve been and assist with contact tracing if needed.”
National Library of New Zealand: Six million pages and counting
National Library of New Zealand: Six million pages and counting. “As of today, Papers Past now holds more than 6 million pages of newspapers! We’ve reached this important milestone thanks to the addition of four completely new titles and some additional, early issues of the Wanganui Chronicle (its coverage now extends all the way back to 1860). The other four titles are the Gisborne Times (1901-1937), Hokitika Guardian (1917-1940), Opotiki News (1938-1950) and the Saturday Advertiser (July 1875-1878).”
Coronavirus: ‘Travel bubble’ plan to help kick-start flights (BBC)
BBC: Coronavirus: ‘Travel bubble’ plan to help kick-start flights. “Australia and New Zealand are planning a “travel bubble”, or corridor, that will allow the quarantine-free flow of people between the two neighbours. Both countries have severely restricted international travel to prevent the spread of coronavirus. However, if successful, the ‘bubble’ could grow to include more countries that have a low number of cases.”
Covid 19 coronavirus: Government to provide $100,000 interest-free loans to businesses (New Zealand Herald)
New Zealand Herald: Covid 19 coronavirus: Government to provide $100,000 interest-free loans to businesses. “The Government will provide interest-free loans of up to $100,000 to small businesses grappling with the impacts of Covid-19, after banks failed to meet the Government’s expectations. The loans are available for a year and will be offered to businesses with 50 or fewer full-time equivalent staff. But the loans are only available to businesses which have had their revenue hit by more than 30 per cent due to Covid-19.”
Coronavirus: New Zealand claims no community cases as lockdown eases (BBC)
BBC: Coronavirus: New Zealand claims no community cases as lockdown eases. “New Zealand says it has stopped community transmission of Covid-19, effectively eliminating the virus. With new cases in single figures for several days – one on Sunday – Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said the virus was ‘currently’ eliminated. But officials have warned against complacency, saying it does not mean a total end to new coronavirus cases.”
Scoop Culture (New Zealand): Virtual Doors Open A World Of Culture For The Capital
Scoop Culture (New Zealand): Virtual Doors Open A World Of Culture For The Capital. “Arts and events have been severely affected by the Covid-19 Alert Level 4 lockdown, but many have adapted by virtually opening doors to old audiences – and new. With venues, galleries, and museums closed during the lockdown, a whole new world has opened up for people to enjoy from their living room – and artists, performers and event organisers have found a captive audience with innovative, interesting and entertaining ways.” New Zealand focused.
The Atlantic: New Zealand’s Prime Minister May Be the Most Effective Leader on the Planet
The Atlantic: New Zealand’s Prime Minister May Be the Most Effective Leader on the Planet. “German Chancellor Angela Merkel embraces science. Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro rejects it. U.S. President Donald Trump’s daily briefings are a circuslike spectacle, while Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi holds no regular briefings at all, even as he locks down 1.3 billion people. Jacinda Ardern, the 39-year-old prime minister of New Zealand, is forging a path of her own. Her leadership style is one of empathy in a crisis that tempts people to fend for themselves. Her messages are clear, consistent, and somehow simultaneously sobering and soothing. And her approach isn’t just resonating with her people on an emotional level. It is also working remarkably well.”
