/qnotables22/ - ===Q Notables 2022===

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/16166175 (272156ZAPR22) Notable: New Zealand High Court Finds That PM Jacinda Ardern’s “Quarantine Lottery” Violated Citizens’ Rights

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General Research #20447 >>>/qresearch/16165278

New Zealand High Court Finds That PM Jacinda Ardern’s “Quarantine Lottery” Violated Citizens’ Rights

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s “quarantine lottery” violated citizens’ rights, a high court found on Wednesday.

Far-left PM Jacinda Ardern imposed a dystopian zero-Covid policy that resulted in New Zealanders stuck offshore or stuck in other countries and unable to return home.

New Zealanders desperate to return home were forced to participate in a ‘quarantine lottery’ in order to secure a bed in a military-run ‘quarantine hotel.’

Many New Zealanders were stuck waiting in other countries as their visas expired.

High Court Justice Jillian Mallon on Wednesday ruled this violated New Zealand’s Bill of Rights Act, which guarantees every citizen the right to enter New Zealand.

“New Zealanders’ right to enter their country could be infringed in some instances in a manner that was not demonstrably justified in a free and democratic society,” the judge concluded.

The lawsuit was brought by Grounded Kiwis, a lobbying group that used crowdfunding to bring the case to the high court.

ABC News reported:

During the height of pandemic restrictions, thousands of New Zealanders desperate to return home essentially had to roll the dice month after month as they tried to secure a coveted bed in a quarantine hotel run by the military.

On Wednesday, a New Zealand court ruled that the government had breached the rights of its own citizens by imposing the lottery-style system on them.

A group called Grounded Kiwis had used crowdsourcing to help fund their case against the government.

But while they were celebrating their victory, the case may have little impact going forward as New Zealand has since abandoned its zero-tolerance approach to the virus and largely dismantled its contentious quarantine system.

Central to the case was New Zealand’s Bill of Rights Act, which guarantees every citizen the right to return home.

High Court Justice Jillian Mallon ruled that forcing people to stay in quarantine hotels for two weeks initially, and later for one week, was reasonable given the circumstances of the pandemic.

But she found that operating a lottery-style system for the beds was unreasonable, and did not take into account how long people had been waiting abroad, or whether they had a compelling need to return home.

https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2022/04/new-zealand-high-court-finds-pm-jacinda-arderns-quarantine-lottery-violated-citizens-rights/

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/16265057 (130407ZMAY22) Notable: New Zealand to fully reopen borders, welcome skilled workers

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>>>/qresearch/16265043 (me)

Apologies, I think I have it right this time:

New Zealand to fully reopen borders, welcome skilled workers

By NICK PERRY May 11, 2022

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — New Zealand will reopen its borders to tourists from all countries by July, allow back cruise ships and make it easier for skilled workers to immigrate as it looks outward to the world again following the COVID-19 pandemic, the government said Wednesday.

New Zealand imposed some of the world’s strictest border controls when COVID-19 first hit more than two years ago. That allowed the nation of 5 million to eliminate several virus outbreaks and get vaccination rates up before the omicron variant swept through this year.

New Zealand’s coronavirus death toll has remained far below that of almost every other developed nation. But as the pandemic has dragged on, New Zealand’s border measures have increasingly appeared outdated as other countries have reopened.

New Zealand has been slowly reopening, first to Australians last month and then to tourists from the U.S., Britain and more than 50 other countries earlier this month. Wednesday’s announcement will allow tourists from China, India and other countries to come starting July 31.

The government said it also planned to end the need for people to get predeparture COVID-19 tests by the end of July.

But in a sign that the virus continues to disrupt daily life, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern did not make the announcement in person at a business lunch in Auckland as she had planned, but instead spoke via video link from her residence in Wellington where she is isolating.

COVID-19

Ardern’s fiancé Clarke Gayford tested positive for the virus on Sunday. Ardern has so far tested negative and said she’s been symptom-free. New Zealand health rules require household contacts of infected people to isolate for seven days.

“Today I can announce that New Zealand fully reopens to the world by July 31, completing our reconnecting work two months ahead of schedule,” Ardern said on the video link.

She said new immigration settings would make it easier for skilled workers to enter from July, with a new “green list” of 56 sought-after professions including doctors, nurses, engineers, plumbers, teachers and tech workers.

“This package is designed to address the urgent skills shortages created by COVID while also putting our immigration settings on a better and more sustainable footing,” Ardern said.

Before the pandemic hit, more than 3 million tourists visited each year, accounting for 20% of New Zealand’s foreign income and more than 5% of the overall economy.

Business leaders and tourism representatives welcomed the announcement.

“After two years of hardship, hundreds of Kiwi ship suppliers and tourism operators can start rebuilding their businesses back,” said Debbie Summers, the chairperson of the New Zealand Cruise Association.

Ardern has also been signaling the country’s reopening plans with trips abroad, including a recent trip to Singapore and Japan and an upcoming trip to the U.S.

https://apnews.com/article/covid-health-travel-new-zealand-8400c415255abcb6996818caa61746ac

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/16268710 (132013ZMAY22) Notable: New Zealand Launches Trade Dispute Against Canada

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Canada #31 >>>/qresearch/16267561

New Zealand Launches Trade Dispute Against Canada

New Zealand has filed a trade dispute against Canada’s implementation of dairy tariff rate quotas, that sets how much dairy products are able to cross the border tariff-free.

The proceedings are being filed under the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), the first of its kind.

Trade Minister Damien O’Connor said on May 12 that New Zealand believes Canada’s quota to be inconsistent with its commitments outlined in the CPTPP.

“Our priority is to ensure that New Zealand exporters have meaningful access to the benefits negotiated under CPTPP, and that all parties fulfil the commitments they have made to each other under the agreement,” O’Connor said.

New Zealand exporters are estimated to lose an estimated $68 million (US$43 million) under the Canadian quotas over the first two years before increasing year-on-year.

Continued at source:

https://www.theepochtimes.com/new-zealand-launches-trade-dispute-against-canada_4464368.html

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/16330709 (240415ZMAY22) Notable: New Zealand to train Ukrainian troops

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General Research #20659 >>54839

New Zealand to train Ukrainian troops

Announcement confirmed rumors that UK will send light howitzers to Kiev

New Zealand has announced on Monday that a small number of its soldiers will be flying to the UK to train Ukrainian artillery crews, thereby confirming the rumor that London is preparing to send Kiev L119 light howitzers.

Some 30 New Zealand Army personnel will stay in the UK through the end of July for the training mission, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said on Monday. Wellington has already spent about 15.7 million NZ dollars (approximately $10.12 million US) on aiding Kiev, including donations of military equipment and intelligence support using commercial satellite assets.

A total of 230 Ukrainian troops are scheduled to take the training course, with each session expected to take about a week, said Air Marshal Kevin Short, chief of the New Zealand Defence Force.

While the authorities in Wellington did not say where the L119s will be coming from, Ukrainian media reported that the UK will be providing the 105-millimeter towed artillery pieces. The light howitzer can be towed or carried in slings by helicopters.

There has been no official word on the number of the guns either, but the number of soldiers trained by the New Zealand instructors would be enough for almost 40 crews. It is also possible the Ukrainians flown to the UK for instruction will be expected to train others at home, the way the US has done with the training program for its M777 howitzers.

Ukraine’s ambassador in Wellington has been demanding that New Zealand do more to assist his government – as has former defense minister Ron Mark, who recently visited Ukraine. Ardern, however, said that howitzer training was more useful than having politicians visit “in the middle of a war,” the New Zealand Herald reported.

Russia attacked the neighboring state in late February, following Ukraine’s failure to implement the terms of the Minsk agreements, first signed in 2014, and Moscow’s eventual recognition of the Donbass republics of Donetsk and Lugansk. The German- and French-brokered protocols were designed to give the breakaway regions special status within the Ukrainian state.

The Kremlin has since demanded that Ukraine officially declare itself a neutral country that will never join the US-led NATO military bloc. Kiev insists the Russian offensive was completely unprovoked and has denied claims it was planning to retake the two republics by force.

https://www.rt.com/news/555985-new-zealand-train-ukrainian-troops/

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/16353156 (272318ZMAY22) Notable: California and New Zealand Partner to Advance Global Climate Leadership (video)

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General Research #20687 >>56156

California and New Zealand Partner to Advance Global Climate Leadership

Published: May 27, 2022

Governor Newsom and New Zealand Prime Minister Ardern establish new international climate partnership

Memorandum of Cooperation aims to reduce pollution, bolster clean economy, accelerate the transition to clean energy and zero-emission vehicles, promote nature-based solutions, and more

Memorandum also establishes stronger framework for economic cooperation and trade

SAN FRANCISCO – Expanding California’s global climate leadership, Governor Gavin Newsom today established a new international climate partnership with New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern. California and New Zealand signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) to tackle the climate crisis, reduce pollution, and bolster the clean economy, while emphasizing community resilience and partnership with indigenous leaders.

In the New Zealand Garden at the San Francisco Botanical Garden in Golden Gate Park, California and New Zealand outlined common objectives to achieve carbon-neutrality by mid-century, as well as their shared world-leading policies for zero-emission transportation, climate innovation, clean power generation, nature-based solutions, and zero waste initiatives.

The MOC furthers these common objectives through sharing information and best practices. A copy of the MOC signed today can be found here.

“Later is too late to address climate change, and California is taking aggressive steps to bolster the clean economy while reducing pollution in our communities – but we can’t do it alone,” said Governor Newsom. “This partnership with New Zealand, another global climate leader, will strengthen ties between our two governments to deploy critical solutions that are essential to addressing this existential crisis.”

“No country is immune from the impacts of climate changes, so it’s just common sense to collaborate with likeminded partners to meet our mutual goals,” said Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern. “We both aim to achieve net zero carbon emissions by the middle of the century. This agreement means we’ll work together to share expertise and experience and collaborate on projects that help meet each other’s targets.”

California’s world-leading climate policies have led the state to exceed its 2020 climate target four years ahead of schedule, and created partnerships across the U.S. and around the world. Governor Newsom has committed $47.1 billion to tackle pollution, build climate-resilient water supplies, reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires, ensure grid reliability and accelerate clean energy solutions, and protect communities from extreme heat.

California’s ZEV market is leading the nation in every category and the state is ending the sale of new gas cars by 2035, reducing demand for oil and spurring partnerships across the nation and around the world. Responding to the Governor’s nature-based solutions executive order, which identified California’s lands as a critical yet underutilized sector in the fight against climate change, California last month released the Pathways to 30×30: Accelerating Conservation of California’s Nature strategy and Natural and Working Lands Climate Smart Strategy.

Earlier this year, California signed a Memorandum of Cooperation with Japan to advance cooperation on climate and clean energy priorities, and strengthen trade relations. Governor Newsom also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with China to accelerate ongoing initiatives to protect the environment, reduce carbon and air pollution, and promote clean technology development.

Last year, Governor Newsom and 24 governors from the bipartisan U.S. Climate Alliance committed to collectively achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions no later than 2050. Governor Newsom and other Under2 Coalition partners announced the transition to become a net zero coalition, raising ambition for member states and regions. California also joined the Beyond Oil & Gas Alliance, which brings together national and subnational governments committed to advancing a just transition away from oil and gas production.

https://www.gov.ca.gov/2022/05/27/california-and-new-zealand-partner-to-advance-global-climate-leadership/

Vid:

https://youtu.be/o0xKbvTSclU

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/16380824 (011729ZJUN22) Notable: World Health Organization elects China to Executive Board with zero objections from developed countries

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Canada #32 >>>/qresearch/16380141

World Health Organization elects China to Executive Board with zero objections from developed countries

'This is the regime that crushed those in Wuhan like Dr. Li Wenliang who courageously tried to warn the world about the coronavirus,' Neuer wrote on Twitter.

The World Health Organization’s Executive Board has elected China with zero objections from any developed nations, despite the role it played in obfuscating investigations into the origins of the COVID-19 coronavirus.

Reporting for watchdog organization UN Watch, Hillel Neuer reported that the “regime that crushed” warnings from whistleblowers who warned of the COVID-19 pandemic ahead of its global outbreak in late 2019 and early 2020 was elected without any objections to the WHO’s Executive Board late last week.

“This is the regime that crushed those in Wuhan like Dr. Li Wenliang who courageously tried to warn the world about the coronavirus,” Neuer wrote on Twitter.

He noted that “not a single democracy spoke out to object.”

Newsmax reports that Dr. Li Wenliang was a Wuhan-based doctor who was squelched by the Chinese Communist Party after he tried to warn the world of the initial reports of a SARS-like virus later identified as COVID-19. The 34-year-old doctor died of the disease in February 2020.

https://twitter.com/HillelNeuer/status/1530206001688870921

https://twitter.com/HillelNeuer/status/1530215669324730368

As detailed by Rebel News in 2020, former president Donald Trump pulled the United States out of the WHO, then-severing the country’s longstanding ties to the United Nations organization.

The move was made, at the time, due to the WHO’s questionable handling of the coronavirus pandemic and its collusion with the Chinese Communist Party. Trump announced, at the time, that the United States would be rescinding its annual $450 million funding of the group, to be redirected to other organizations that can better address global health needs.

However, the move was retracted following the election of Joe Biden, who renewed America’s support for the WHO in January 2021.

Continued at source:

https://www.rebelnews.com/world_health_organization_elects_china_to_executive_board_with_zero_objections_from_developed_countries

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/16438739 (130357ZJUN22) Notable: Wellington: Violent threats aimed at New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern requiring police involvement have almost tripled since 2019

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General Research #20796 >>60926

Wellington: Violent threats aimed at New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern requiring police involvement have almost tripled since 2019

An official information request, reported by Newshub, has revealed police dealt with 50 threats targeting Ardern in 2021, up from 18 in 2019.

The data showed anti-COVID-19 vaccine or anti-mandate sentiment was behind many of the threats.

Gun law reform in the wake of the 2019 Christchurch Mosques terror attack was another driver.

“My job is to make tough calls that not everyone likes,” Ardern told the television show AM.

“Now that - never ever - is a reason for anyone in any leadership position to face threats and I don’t want to trivialise it by saying it comes with the job. But unfortunately, in recent times, that’s increasingly been the case.

“Does it change what I do or how I do it? No.”

New Zealand media outlets have reported an increase in protection afforded to the prime minister and her office to deal with the increase in threats.

In February, anti-vaccine protesters staged a three-week occupation of the lawns and streets outside parliament house in Wellington, with Ardern as a unifying hate figure.

Protesters carried signs comparing her to Adolf Hitler, called on government leaders and journalists to be tried and hung, and at one point attempted to surge and enter parliament.

Police tolerated the protest for 24 days until clearing the scene in an ugly and violent end to the occupation, with protesters setting fire to tents and structures as they were moved on.

https://www.smh.com.au/world/oceania/violent-threats-against-jacinda-ardern-surge-20220613-p5at94.html