I am a fan of Campbells style: he is not however immune from getting it wrong. A few nights ago he did the gushing act whilst blaming Russia and Putin for the aeroplane disaster. Which would have been fine if he had any solid evidence. He fell into the trap of being judge jury and executioner and failing to ascertain any real evidence of guilt from any party. Even if he is proven correct he got it so wrong, he just sounded like a lapdog puppet of American media opinions. I no longer trust his objectivity.
Given Hoskings clear bias, how can he chair the debates.
He is clearly a tool of right wing and corporate interests.
From the article ….”It includes Hosking dismissing Cunliffe as a “moron” – and his endorsement of Prime Minister John Key before a major political speech last year.”
Jeez, after the witch hunt and banning of party political involvement by staff at TVNZ over the Taurima affair they think tory toady Hosking is acceptable in anyway for this task?
But then unofficially of course National is the preferred party among significant numbers of TVNZ senior presenters and executives and that is ok because it is all tacit and assumed ‘born to rule’ stuff.
The dilemma for Labour–do they want to be put in the ‘invited to appear but declined’ box that National usually occupies over uncomfortable situations.
Actually; Karol has copy/ pasted the relevant section of the Stuff review down at comment 5. Too late to edit though. This from Gruntie’s link at 1 stands out for me (others have already mentioned Hosking’s bias and moron lines:
TVNZ said it was standing by Hosking. Head of news John Gillespie said: “Mike is our man. He’s there every night [on Seven Sharp]. I don’t have an issue with it, I absolutely believe in his journalistic credibility.
However I quite liked Robertson’s line:
“If it’s true, we’d rather have Jeremy Wells as Mike Hosking, than Mike Hosking.”
If you have not heard them, enjoy them all here .
Just change the date numeral at the end of the link to roll on through the collection
enjoy the mirth 🙂
Media non-entity throws toys out of cot expecting people to give a damn in egotistical belief that he is standing up for some higher principle. In other news old man rants at television in retirement home because he doen’t like something someone on it has said.
I often wonder if you right wing nut jobs realise just how flawed your logic is. If Bomber Bradbury is such a “Media non-entity” why was he asked to appear on Seven un-Sharp?
”If Bomber Bradbury is such a “Media non-entity” why was he asked to appear on Seven un-Sharp?”’
According to his piece at TDB, wasn’t it because he kicked up such a fuss about Slater getting on 7Sharp ? I can’t remember exactly now but the details are in a piece he wrote asking people to vote on whether or not he should accept 7Sharp’s invitation to appear
Unfortunately last night I chose to tune into Seven Sharp (TV1, 7pm).
From the start host Mike Hosking was in typical Hosking mood – including some barbs at female drivers which… well, would have been out of date and inappropriate in a 1970s sitcom.
But worse was to come. Much worse. After an emotional story about the burning down of a kindergarten and how it affected the community and kids we were treated to a profile of controversial blogger Cameron ‘Whale Oil’ Slater.
I say ‘controversial blogger’ because that seems to the standard phrase used to describe him rather than the more accurate, in my opinion, ‘odious creep’.
We are told that Slater is a changed man and is even quite likeable. He’s got all the good people on his phone – John Key, Judith Collins, Paul Henry etc so he must be worth listening to. Sheesh.
What followed was a complete whitewash of who Slater is and what he does. It’s funny there was no mention of him thinking parents who allow their child to wear both girls and boys clothes are guilty of child abuse and him thinking the child would be better off dead because then it would be funny.
Or about him branding a victim of a car accident ‘feral’. Or his denial of rape-culture in New Zealand while dreaming up a conspiracy theory in his head because Tania Billingsley chose to speak out rather than remain quiet about an alleged sexual assault by a foreign diplomat. Or the apparent victim blaming that goes along with his theory.
It’s dishonest and morally unacceptable to pretend he’s a good guy and a changed man, while ignoring all the blatantly offensive things he’s still doing.
I’m sorry, but if this is the standard we can expect from Seven Sharp then I’m out. And I won’t waste any more words on a show which subscribes to such a one-sided profile as being somehow appropriate.
So instead I thought I’d take a look at Sunday Theatre’s Nancy Wake: The White Mouse (TV1) instead.
I agree with the conclusion that the Wake programme was poorly done. Hoqwever, it did provide some info on a remarkable woman. And the main take away for me, the statement about the MO of the French Resistance – basically about, even though the Natsies had power and military might on their side, the aim of the Resistance was to disrupt and damage the Natsies operations and despotic, inhumane systems as much as possible.
It is salient though unpleasant, to repeat Martyn Bradbury’s list of some of Slaters offensiveness here;
“Remember when Slater called a person who died in a car accident ‘feral’ for speeding while taking photos of himself speeding?
–Remember when Slater described a Kings student who drank himself to death as “a toffee-nosed school boy, a dead thief and a liar who couldn’t handle his piss. I always said King’s boys were poofs.”?
–Remember when Slater published all the details of businessman Matt Blomfield whose computer he somehow obtained?
–Remember when he was convicted of breaching a variety of name suppression orders?
–Remember when Slater published the personal employment details of a wharf protestor?
–Remember when Slater posted a fake Green Party press release that inspired threats of violence against Russel Norman?
–Remember Slater publishing lewd cruel details of Len Brown’s affair that went well below the belt in a spiteful and dehumanising way?
–Remember when Slater publicized a doctored interview with Jim Anderton edited into Anderton saying an earthquake would need to strike for him to lose the Christchurch mayoralty?
–Remember when Slater was wanting looters in Christchurch to be shot in the stomach so that the death would be slow and painful?
–Remember when he claimed Chris Carter’s mother who was dead for 12 years was still using a taxpayer cell phone?
–And recently Slater was trying to claim that Tania Billingsley is some sort of Green Party honeytrap who put herself up as bait so she could scream ‘rape culture’.”
And I would add the nasty smear campaign Slater initiated against the Greens when an associate did a non destructive ‘Banksy’ (the artist) style stickering campaign of National Party election signage. Linked to this was his junior stasi “Tipline” trying to get activists car regos and identities for online publishing.
Pure filth still, the PMs confidante, and should be treated as such.
James at 4 thinks all that is hilarious. Unbelievable….I’m alright Jack…the cult of the selfish
Symptomatic of too many New Zealanders who have been infected with the poison of neoliberalism.
Gotta be said, the lighting does not look like they were all photographed together.
There are some comments that Rugby News have confirmed it as real, but I cannot find any reference to it on their site at this time. Odd that the magazine would release a cover image to a personal political page before publication.
Does this make the All Blacks third party promoters of the PM?
Wonder if the Electoral commission will be asked for comment on this? The TeamKey hashtag is in the PM’s comment under the photo, thus directly linking the image to the campaign.
John Key
Richie is looking a little bemused, but it’s all in the spirit of backing the boys. Catch Rugby News this week. #teamkey, I wish.
Gower said Rugby News told him that the jersey was sent to key and he posed in his office and it was then photoshopped. (750am TV3)
Given a panelbeater was brow-beaten over his shop name near eden park for insinuated advertising by the NZRU during the World Cup, this seems odd indeed.
Yep definitely photoshopped. Not just the totally different lighting on Key’s face but also the fact that his left elbow seems to have mysteriously disappeared. (see freedom’s links above).
The magazine claims the cover photo with Key photoshopped onto a pic of some ABs and labelled ‘leader of the pack’ – is nothing to do with the election.
I assume the AB’s management approved it, the players featured would have had to approve it – and I assume Key’s advisers would have checked if it breached the electioneering rules given the timing.
John Key, the ‘No 1 AB fan’ who is such a rugby fanatic he cannot remember his position on the Springbok tour.
Buried at the end of the article is a comment suggesting proper consideration on this matter was absent from the All Black’s controllers.
NZ Rugby said it was shown the image the day before Rugby News printed it and had asked the magazine to make it clear that it was photoshopped and had nothing to do with NZ Rugby.
Nothing to do with NZ Rugby? Just the All Blacks and an election year, do they really think only National supporters play Rugby?
To be clear, if the PM had done this during the RWC, no problem. This is weeks from an election.
Bloomberg has done a bit of charting of CEO pay vs. performance, and their results are on the right. Bottom line: there’s essentially no link whatsoever between how well CEOs perform and how well they’re paid:
So, why are we paying so much for these people when it obviously makes no difference?
Of course, we shouldn’t be surprised by this when the evidence is that the more you pay people in administrative roles the less well they do.
It’s a game perpetuated by the in-crowd. They pay each other over inflated wages to justify their own, including Chair fees and board fees.
I learned a long time ago from professional experience that just cos someone has CEO under their name does not mean that they are intelligent or good at their job. Of course there are great CEO’s out there but I wish we would stop assuming overseas is better. That’s BS there are great people being overlooked constantly.
Because when you don’t pay the workers decent wages your firms make more profit.
When your firms make more profit you have to extract it legally in some way to your own pocket and to ensure that you don’t pay appropriate taxes to the very governments that have allowed you to pay your workers a pittance by passing laws to take away workers rights.
You also need to do this so you have enough money to buy over inflated houses to make your non-taxed capital gains and extract some of your workers wages back through rents.
The main way to extract this profit and turn it into your own capital is to pay yourself (and your mates) shitloads of money through salaries and shares.
“Of the 47 participating countries on the council, 29 voted for opening an investigation, 17 abstained, and one voted against.”Source: http://www.nationaljournal.com
There’s a lot of people that need to be charged with war crimes in the world at the moment. I’d say that I’m surprised that we’re ignoring them but it’s par for the course – the powerful don’t get charged.
Here is a summary of what I think are the core points of the argument between ShawnLH and myself. According to ShawnLH:
“Ugly is the resident expert in how to have no argument.”
“No evidence, no credible sources, nothing other than Ugly’s opinions based solely on his interpretation of events to suit his bias against Israel.”
The central point was that a US official admitted that classified evidence existed which linked the Israelis to 9/11.
“Evidence linking these Israelis to 9/11 is classified. I cannot tell you about evidence that has been gathered. It’s classified information.”
US official quoted in Carl Cameron’s Fox News report on the Israeli spy ring.
“US officials admitted to reporters that the entire investigation had become “too hot to handl”, but declined to give further details. However, some FBI officials did confirm at the time that the Israelis were running a major eavesdropping operation that had penetrated into the highest echelons of the US administration.” ~ Jane’s Intelligence Digest 3/15/2002
So why is this important? Like Reid said, 9/11 was one of the biggest, if not the biggest, geopolitical events since WWII. If the Zionists were behind 9/11 then the ramifactions for the current events in Gaza are huge, which brings us the the second point, the difference between Jews and Zionists.
Like mikenmild said, ShawnLH lied when he said that I was anti-Jewish. To illustrate this point, here is a quote from the Jerusalem post:
“After years of research, Misinai says that he can declare with certainty that nearly 90 percent of all Palestinians are descended from the Jews. “And what’s more, about half of them know it,” he says. Not only that, many Palestinians retain Jewish customs, including mourning rituals, lighting Shabbat or memorial candles and even wearing tefillin.”
So when the Zionist state of Israel shells homes and hospitals and murders children on the beach, it becomes an anti-semitic state and any complaints of anti-semitism by Zionist apologists become a monumental form of hypocrisy.
So, if after reading this you don’t detect a certain smell, like something is rootten in the state of Denmark, then I challenge you to say why any New Zealander should not support the call to remove the Israeli embassy from Wellington.
Also on radionz this morning was a rep from a combined religions council. They agree that taking arms and killing is not the way to go and that sitting down and talking conciliation should be the method. How fucking trite.
Anybody who had a modicum of desire for respectful relationships and peaceful and fair negotiations between the clashing parties of Israel and Palestine and surrounding countries could say that. And those talks. How many already and how many booby trapped by some small aggression, serious enough, but not enough to start World War 2 and a half. There is always some bad faith action that jars any eye to eye mutual and positive understandings and that is allowed to indicate an end to the talks and efforts and hard work by those working to get conciliation and honest dialogue and real action to solve the crisis and deal with the ongoing problems as satisfactorily as would be possible for the two parties’ interests and needs.
There must be so much money or land in it or both that keep the Israeli elite in a position of overall power while the populace live with compulsory armed service, uncertainty, instability in a country with a damaged reputation inviting contempt while the Palestinians fall before them managing only to bite them on the ankles, or blow their feet off.
edited
Anyway. I think labour has given key way to much ammunition over the last few months. They might want to stay on message now but banning cosmetics and moas galore will be raised in the debates.
Not to mention apologising for being a man. Pretty sure that will be in there.
Debates should be fun to watch and I predict key will win them clearly. Esp linking labour with Kim dotcon
@James 9.00
Fun to watch eh. Obviously you don’t want a leftish government. To me your scenario about them sounds possible but I would find that excruciating.
Two shocks already and it’s only 9a.m. Turned radio on, to hear that the ‘gnome of Remuera’ is going to be the moderator for tv3 debates, threw up egg, then looked at photo of abs with the little gnome of America, threw up toast. FFS what the Hades is going on.
This is in the Dominion Post this morning (part of the Hosking story). It looks to me like the Nats
are sh- – scared of having ShonKey debate along with David Cunliffe.
“Meanwhile, National’s campaign team is pushing behind the scenes to include the Greens in the pre-election debates, but TVNZ has ruled this out.”
JK+100…everything points towards John Key and Nactional being shit scared of having face to face television debates with David Cunliffe…Why?:
….David Cunliffe is a superb debater with a vast command of the issues facing New Zealand
….David Cunliffe has ethics and compassion ( something John Key lacks)
….David Cunliffe is young and fresh looking
….David Cunliffe is way more handsome than John Key…(bet he looks better in his speedos too!)
Actually Russel Norman is a looker as well….lol….and I bet he looks better in his speedos than John Key…lets face it the Left has a great line up of superbly intelligent and good looking male contestants …and that includes Hone ( great bone structure and tan ) ….and Winnie the suave silver fox in the senior section ( every sophisticated senior woman’s crumpet)
*…and that is just the male line up….the female brains and beauty line up on the Left is even better!…if that is possible!
JK+100…everything points towards John Key and Nactional being shit scared of having face to face television debates with David Cunliffe…Why?:
John Key has defeated Clark, Cullen, Goff, Shearer and Campbell while Cunliffe has defeated no one
….David Cunliffe is way more handsome than John Key…(bet he looks better in his speedos too!)
Actually Russel Norman is a looker as well….lol….and I bet he looks better in his speedos than John Key…lets face it the Left has a great line up of superbly intelligent and good looking male contestants …and that includes Hone ( great bone structure and tan ) ….and Winnie the suave silver fox in the senior section ( every sophisticated senior woman’s crumpet)
*…and that is just the male line up….the female brains and beauty line up on the Left is even better!…if that is possible!
@ Puckish sad one ……Nup!……this is the REALITY of it!….and spoken on a breakfast of two glasses of squeezed lemon juice…dark wholemeal toast, NZ butter, NZ vegemite and NZ peanut butter…. and downed with a very strong cup of expresso coffee
….dont own “cooking sherry” …yuk!… just good Pinot ( a glass of which imbibed last thing after a good meal at night)….but as you know all about the “cooking sherry” dear Pucky….i reckon you and Nactional have been into the cupboard and are already trying to fortify yourselves on secret little binges
…bracing yourselves against the MIGHTY Cunliffe onslaught TV debates
yeah but while it would water down the Key v Cunliffe debate it would be good to have the Greens there-they deserve major party status now they have polled 10-15% for 6 years
@Bearded Git 9.31
+100 It is so FPP. It is simpler to divide and rule that way for the power-players. Their internal monologue. The Greens damn them, just won’t curl up and die, but we aren’t going to give them any oxygen.
At one time there was talk here about the Wiri geology and coastline. Who was it? I have been talking to someone about this area.
And the OCR Official Cash Rate, Overnight Cash Rate? has gone up to 3.5%. Our economy is growing strongly you will be pleased to hear. Which part I don’t know, it wasn’t spelt out. Just as extra size from muscle growth is usually lesser and firmer than excess fat which can help to an early death, I am concerned how healthy this growth is.
The living wage, Miramar Wellington restaurant La Boca Loca is worth supporting for those who can afford to eat out,
ALL the staff at this particular, Mexican themed, restaurant are now to be paid the living wage,
Source: Stuff.co.nz/DominionPost
The CEO of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce, Raewyn Bleakly of course opposes such living wage payments claiming wages ”should be about performance and productivity”,
Is that true, i say that Her statement is patently Bullshit, all the sum parts of an industry are of equal value and productivity,
Simply put, if the chefs in a restaurant had to stop preparing the meals to both deliver the food to the customer and then later collect and wash the dishes and cutlery then such work would be valued at the cost of the chefs employment,
The same could be applied to the office cleaner, what is the value of your work in your office, if that unseen cleaner were to not clean your office that simply would leave two choices, you would have to work amidst the mess, or, clean it yourself,
So, if it takes an hour of your time to clean your office the usual cleaner of your office is as valuable as the hour of your time,
BIG UPS to the latest business noted above for paying ALL their staff the living wage,(what is it with Miramar, an Eastern Suburb here in Wellington, the local bakery also pays its one labourer the living wage)…
Funny how CEOs always manage to find obtuse justifications for their own big pay increases; no justifications provided for the workers who actually add value though.
You just have to watch Hoskings little smug condescending comments about Cunliffe at the end of some of 7sharp shows to see this clown is far from a neutral front man.
Tell me why are they not putting up a political editor or deputy, Dann & Parkinson piss all over Hosking because politics is their bread & butter. You can count on Key-National cheerleader Hosking continuing to bait DC with his little end of show slagging.
Wake the fuck up TVNZ this is a taxpayer funded broadcaster. Someone should link a complaint form to the broadcasting standards commission and or the electoral commission to put some heat on the Nat hand picked mongrel board of TVNZ
Thanks for not being annoyed, I do realise I could have phrased it more politely 🙂
Sometimes hard to get the tone right on topics like that, without getting all verbose.
‘Dear Seven Sharp – after learning Hosking will be the leaders debate moderator – NO I will not give you the pretence of balance & I refuse to appear on your show’
By Martyn Bradbury / July 24, 2014
In light of this decision by TVNZ to give someone as biased as Hosking the moderator role in the all important leaders debates, I have decided that I will decline Seven Sharp’s offer because it will be nothing more than a manufactured pathetic attempt at balance….
I have to be honest, I had made the decision last night to accept Seven Sharp’s hastily offered opportunity to appear on their show after I savagely criticised the bullshit whitewash story they did on John Key’s favourite far right hate speech merchant, Cameron Slater….This morning I wake to the appalling news that Mike Bloody Hosking will be the moderator of the TVNZ leadership debates???
No. Fucking. Way.
Hosking is to the right of Caligula, allowing him to moderate the debate would be like appointing Cameron Slater to sit on the Broadcasting Standards Authority! It’s one hate crime against public broadcasting to allow Hosking to host Seven Sharp in the first place but to allow him to moderate the leaders debate is an outright abomination. Hosking moderating the leaders debates will be as credible as asking him to do a critical story on his corporate benefactor Sky City.
Why is it different to John Campbell moderating the debates on TV3? TV3 is a private company who can do what they like, TVNZ is supposed to be the Public Broadcaster and as such have a demand on balance far higher than TV3. Shane Taurima was rightfully crucified for his bias inside TVNZ (despite the fact that it was Management’s incompetence to bring him back in the first place), but his stupidity has allowed TVNZ to conduct a witch hunt for reds under the bed within the news room while foaming right wing fanatics get to front current affairs programs with no questions asked.
30 years of neoliberalism has pulled the Political centre so far to the right that the shrill beige brigade of Espiner, Hosking, Henry, Garner and Gower are enabled to construct one vast unchallenged narrative arch where the Right are always right and the Left are criminally insane.
In light of this decision by TVNZ to give someone as biased as Hosking the moderator role in the all important leaders debates, I have decided that I will decline Seven Sharp’s offer because it will be nothing more than a manufactured pathetic attempt at balance. I’m a Campbell Live supporter and would hate to do anything that would turn attention away from real current affairs to a sick joke like Seven Sharp.
My opinion, ‘Bomber’ should have accepted the invite, read exactly what you have printed there out on prime time tv and then got up and walked out of the studio,
@ Bad from yesterday. I don’t dispute your figures and I’m in no doubt you can back your numbers, I would expect no less. My point of dispute is that tough as it is for those 20% there are ways to engage.
Lolz @ Alien, stop being sneaky, remember we were discussing a particular piece of Green Party election policy,
While i in no way oppose a policy of providing Kindy hours for two year old’s i think i made the case? that it was/is wrong for the Green Party to tout this policy as ”child poverty busting” which was the intent/wording of the form email sent to my inbox under Metiria’s signature,
Sure Alien ”there are ways to engage” the 20% of those that leave the education system every year barely able to read or write, BUT, that was not the central issue of debate was it, and, more crucially, these ”ways” you allude to, i look around from horizon to horizon, and, see none of these ”ways” as an election policy,(except as my nod indicated yesterday Labour’s slight move of a toe in the general direction with decreased class sizes)…
Matthew Hooton fighting hard to keep his house value high and free of low decile interlopers.
” Parents from two elite Auckland public schools are up in arms after learning of a proposal to put them in an overlapping zone with two lower decile schools.
The Ministry of Education advised One Tree Hill College and Selwyn College to put enrolment schemes in place due to rapid roll growth.
Both schools are consulting with the community before submitting the schemes to the ministry for approval.
The proposed home zones would overlap with Epsom Girls Grammar School and Auckland Grammar School.
Parent Matthew Hooton owns a house in the proposed overlap and says the consultation has been “wholly unsatisfactory”.
The process had been rushed and parents still didn’t know the basis behind the zone overlap, he said.
Many parents were anxious that eventually these houses would be excluded from the Epsom Girls and Grammar zones, he said.
This had spurred a group of parents to inquire about taking legal action, Hooton said.
“You live in this area because you pay $100,000 more for your house so you can access Epsom Girls Grammar and Auckland Grammar School,” he said.
“Any perceived threat to these zones will be met with fierce resistance.”
and then…
he and others engaged Russell McFactory… high end law firm in Auckland and hey presto
”
Auckland Grammar, One Tree Hill College and Epsom Girls’ Grammar. Auckland Grammar, One Tree Hill College and Epsom Girls’ Grammar.
Hostile feedback from residents in some of the country’s most expensive real estate has caused an emerging school to back away from including them in its new zone.
A rapidly rising roll has seen the Ministry of Education to direct One Tree Hill College to draw-up a proposed school zone.
The school, which has seen its roll and local reputation greatly increase, put forward a zone that would overlap with those of seven other schools, including Auckland Grammar School and Epsom Girls Grammar.
Selwyn College has also consulted on a proposed zone that would overlap with EGGS and AGS.
Next trending article: Hospitals struggle with flu surge
Residents in shared zone areas were assured they will be able to choose which school their children attend.
However, some living in the sought-after “double Grammar zone” believed it might be a first step to their eventual exclusion from EGGS and AGS, because of roll pressure on the two schools.
Submissions cited proximity issues and the desire for children to attend a single-sex school, and concern about the value of property was also a factor.
Last year the Herald reported that a Mt Eden home just 750m outside the grammar zones went for $516,000 less than a similar house up the road that was within zone.
Act Party Epsom candidate David Seymour set-up a petition against the One Tree Hill proposal after fielding “a stream of phone calls and emails”.
Lobbyist and local resident and Matthew Hooton also protested against what he said was unsatisfactory consultation, and with other parents briefed law firm Russell McVeagh.
One Tree Hill College has now made the decision to withdraw any proposed overlap of the grammar zones.
The proposed Selwyn College zone will also be amended so it does not overlap with the two neighbouring schools.
One Tree Hill College said it wanted to remain focussed on the education of its students and not be drawn into “political manoeuvring” around enrolment zones in central Auckland.
“This is a success story of another New Zealand school doing extremely well and achieving excellent outcomes for our youth,” principal Nick Coughlan said.
“It is not about what Auckland Grammar School and Epsom Girls Grammar may, or may not do, in terms of changing their zones.
“That is a decision for their respective boards of trustees. One Tree Hill College were simply proposing an enrolment zone to meet Ministry of Education guidelines.”
That included the need to not divide areas and homes around contributing schools.
The college received about 150 submissions, the vast majority of which were from those opposed to the overlap with the grammar zones.
Mr Coughlan said the most who were opposed also recognised the college’s success, and he wanted to acknowledge them. A handful were not so measured, however.
“There were certainly one or two who went full quid, for want of a better term.””
If you are correct tracey that Hooton said this …… “You live in this area because you pay $100,000 more for your house so you can access Epsom Girls Grammar and Auckland Grammar School, he said. Any perceived threat to these zones will be met with fierce resistance”
Then Matthew Hooton is an ignorant arsehole. It is no wonder that people of his ilk are detested outside of Epsom. I spit on them like they spit on us.
When I went to Epsom Grammar, parents didn’t need to own a house, or an expensive hosue for their daughters to attend.
People living in the area now have contributed to house price inflation, and excluded the descendants of working class people who once lived in the school’s catchment area. All for snobbery, status and unequal privilege.
you know the funny thing is that the company of working class people is preferred to that of the snobs and the privileged – they tend to be ignorant which together with the disturbing power that they wield also makes them dangerous. oh and they are on average and in comparison simply very boring.
The Party Party looks like quite a Party – about the worst that Stuff could say was that it took a while for the crowd to arrive and get out on the dance floor; on a Wednesday night in the middle of winter.
The thing that surprised me watching that clip is just how American Dotcom sounds on the mic. I guess it’s long established that many Kiwi rock acts will put on a British or American accent while preforming (probably not even consciously). But I’m so used to Dotcom’s speaking voice having a distinct deutscher tone, that his performance style is quite unexpected (though if you listen to some of the vowels he still has a few lingering umlauts).
I’ve learnt a lot about the longstanding Palestinian/Israeli conflict in the last 2 weeks.
Our allies the US are supplying Israel with political cover, advanced weapons and funding which is then being used to kill hundreds of unarmed civilians: the indigenous natives whose land Israel has illegally and militarily occupied/stolen since 1967.
I don’t feel that NZ’s position anywhere adequately reflects these facts.
so it seems Cunliffee knew he was meeting with a sex offender – and told lies when caught out.
Mr Cunliffe confirmed to the Herald last night that he had arranged for the person – whose case has been the topic of media coverage – to meet a Labour candidate but said he had no idea about the controversial background until yesterday.
“If I had known of the suggestion, no such meeting would have taken place.”
But Newstalk ZB reported:
Mr Cunliffe admits a prominent New Zealander’s possible sexual offending had been raised with him before he met with the man in Queenstown last week.
So what is it? He did know – or didnt – If the admission to Newstalk ZB is true – are people happy with this?
[lprent: So by your logic, I must be a woman because of my first name? After all that is that fuckwit Cameron Slater’s insinuation. But if you aren’t a retarded sociopath, you don’t label or deal with people on the basis of rumour and possibilities. After all there are always uncivilised morans around making up and passing unsustantiated rumours around.
Just to demonstrate I will follow your ‘rule’. Because you appear to have no logic I choose at this point to think you are a silly adolescent dork who is trolling here. After all there have been people saying things similar to that about you.
So in the absence of any proof to the contrary (because it is probably suppressed), you are banned for 2 weeks. ]
Jesus, you Tories have got some gall bringing this subject up. You’re havin’ a laugh, aint ya ? I mean do you not feel just a modicum of embarrassment or shame ?
@ James 12.13
Oh piss off. Take your faux concerns for probity and political analysis and post them to National, along with a big dollop of humbugs, and those long lasting gob stoppers, but do keep a few for yourself..
I have some advice for cunliffe (not that he’d take it)
If you are about to meet with someone and you hears rumours that they may in fact be a sexual predator then you get someone to apoligise on your behalf and do not, I repeat, do not meet that person
If someone tells your wife a rumour they heard that you are a pedophile, then your wife should ask your kids not to talk to you anymore ? No proof needed? Just innuendo and suspicion will do?
Its a pretty simple question. Did he lie about this. Sure looks like it.
No, no it doesn’t. You can’t beat up an unsubstantiated rumour (that might not have even been at all specific) into “knowledge”.
Telling Parliament that the PM’s office got your old school chum’s cellphone number from the phone book when they wanted to offer him a job, on the other hand – that looks like a lie.
Or are you saying that its OK to lie as long as you are leader of Labour.
nope. Lying is bad. Try to stop doing it.
Its OK to Meet and take wine from convicted sex offenders as long as you are leader of labour.
It is if you don’t know they were a convicted sex offender because the courts suppressed their name.
Its OK to joke about killing prostitutes if you are a supporting the left (Kim dotcom).
No. And he’s been called out on that both here and by folk in the Internet Party.
Seems that the rape culture that got so much comments is indeed alive and well – right here in the standard.
Little tory learned a new word, but still doesn’t know how to use it. That’s sweet.
by the by
Went to see what New Zealand’s political sage had to say on the Queenstown matter and was not disappointed. As balanced and objective as ever, with more tumble weed spotting than a coyote conference, all to the accompaniment of the ever growing volumes of whoosh as Cunliffe’s comments to Soper sailed clear over his little pointed head.
He also skirts more closely to openly naming the person than any blog has.
As for that other vehicle of investigative integrity he runs . . nothing since June 11.
A little story about a defunct speculator who lost his collection of valuable cars which apparently went to Dotcom, who then had them confiscated, and now Dave Blackmore is having a fit of schadenfreude and has enough spare time to run around in a vehicle with slogans trying to upset Dotcom’s political advance. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10789678
Here is one reason why the Left is going to win this Election!…the Internet /Mana Party…which is scooping up the youth and multi-cultural vote
‘Internet Party Party review’
By Martyn Bradbury / July 24, 2014
I have been to A LOT of political party functions in my time, and they tend to be dull affairs at the best of times but what is happening with Internet MANA is something quite exciting. I went to last nights ‘Party Party’ because I wanted to see what the turn out would be like and who exactly wants to vote for Internet MANA.
Good stuff from ‘Bomber’, the question also interests me, will be looking when the ‘roadshow’ comes to town to see who other than ‘the usual suspects’ turns out in support…
John Key pretending to be a rugby player?! …it was dreamed up by Crosby Texter probably
…it is an revolting insult to REAL New Zealand All Blacks and REAL rugby players!….. like Winston Peters and Hone Harawira…they should challenge his PR image game of pretence in the House!
..what a phoney pretender Key is… he said he was too busy (playing the money markets?) to have even remembered the Springbok Tour!
So Gerry Brownlee as Minister of Transport decides he cannot bother waiting for a security check at Christchurch Airport and deliberately avoids the check by trying to board plane through the airport exit doors.
Thsi is so serious that it should result in a full police investigation and charge ion the courts, Recently Jono & Ben show were charged for a prank that involved doing something similar and all hell broke loose.
Is the minister going to be charged?
Offering a token ‘I’ll resign my portfolio’ is insufficient. He should be charged and Key should do the same to Gerry as he did to his MP for Kelston. Show Gerry the door.
Not serious? You try dodging security checks Ron. So you will get away with a roguish grin and a friendly pat. Reckon? Try it. At the same level as saying that you have a bomb in your bag. Very funny but watch what happens.
I say charge Jerry Brownlie!
Jono and ben impersonated/provided false information.
Simply bypassing security because you think you’re awesome is one of those things that’s so dickish it doesn’t appear to have been specifically legislated against in the Civil aviation Act, at first glance anyway.
Better late than never i suppose, although as far as the pinheads over at Colon’s Conservatives goes those proposing the opposite to that point in a debate would pretty much carry the moot unchallenged to any great extent,
Laugh out Loud material in among the Thursday drop of junk into the mailbox, along with one of the local freebie newspapers which deserves an ups for its well put together format and news stories topical to the area,
Anyone who gets this one, The Wellingtonian, will know what i am on about, the other freebie, the Cook Strait Times is learning but not ‘quite there’ in my opinion,
i tho digress, only most of the week late my copy of Colon’s plan for a nationwide bowel movement arrived today,
No i haven’t sent it up in flames just yet, on the back page is a gift that will just keep on giving, Lookout NZ Post workers, ‘incoming’ and my apologies beforhand,
There’s a pre-paid postage thingy on the back of a little tear off that has space for the name and address presumably so anyone having gone completely over the edge can have the little tribe of screwballs send even more of this trash,
Perfect, absolutely perfect, i plan on using the address box to send Colon and Co a little message, as its pre-paid postage Colon is picking up the tab and it will keep a postal worker or two in choclate bikkies for a while longer at least,
The message??? i haven’t decided yet, something gutter, to do with sex and travel i should imagine,
Again my apologies to any NZ Post worker who is harmed from having been subjected to such messaging…
Why not just confess to Colin that you are turned on by his countenance and would like to know him better. All those hoardings with his picture on is just driving you crazy
The message??? i haven’t decided yet, something gutter, to do with sex and travel i should imagine,
The Intercept reveals the full details of US terrorist blacklisting/watchlisting criteria. A massive revelation. Including the bizarre fact that dead people can be put on watchlists.
The document’s definition of “terrorist” activity includes actions that fall far short of bombing or hijacking. In addition to expected crimes, such as assassination or hostage-taking, the guidelines also define destruction of government property and damaging computers used by financial institutions as activities meriting placement on a list. They also define as terrorism any act that is “dangerous” to property and intended to influence government policy through intimidation.
This combination—a broad definition of what constitutes terrorism and a low threshold for designating someone a terrorist—opens the way to ensnaring innocent people in secret government dragnets. It can also be counterproductive. When resources are devoted to tracking people who are not genuine risks to national security, the actual threats get fewer resources—and might go unnoticed.
“If reasonable suspicion is the only standard you need to label somebody, then it’s a slippery slope we’re sliding down here, because then you can label anybody anything,” says David Gomez, a former senior FBI special agent with experience running high-profile terrorism investigations. “Because you appear on a telephone list of somebody doesn’t make you a terrorist. That’s the kind of information that gets put in there.”
The fallout is personal too. There are severe consequences for people unfairly labeled a terrorist by the U.S. government, which shares its watchlist data with local law enforcement, foreign governments, and “private entities.” Once the U.S. government secretly labels you a terrorist or terrorist suspect, other institutions tend to treat you as one. It can become difficult to get a job (or simply to stay out of jail). It can become burdensome—or impossible—to travel. And routine encounters with law enforcement can turn into ordeals.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a law requiring internet companies to store all personal data of Russian users at data centres in Russia, a move which could chill criticism on foreign social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter.
These companies, which do not have offices in Russia, have become a vital resource for opposition groups and refuse to hand over user data to governments.
The use of Russian data centres would make them subject to Russian laws on government access to information.
The Kremlin said the law was aimed at “improving the management of personal data of Russian citizens on computer networks” and that companies that did not comply would be blocked.</i>
Roads that are really of national significance and not just nice to haves!
Radionz News
Forestry workers condemn road delays
Work begins to clear a slip on Mangakahia Road in Northland.
Forestry contractors in storm-battered Northland say road closures and detours are causing heavy financial losses and that their plight is being ignored.
Before the rains the inhabitants around were complaining about the choking, thick, obscuring dust clouds setting off asthma attacks, lying on everything, making driving dangerous etc etc Just fill in your own ideas of what would happen if there was a dust storm.
So dry or wet there are problems not being addressed. It all makes for a level playing field though – everyone is upset and struggling. That is how NZ operates isn’t it. Wait till something is falling over, then think about it for a while, put it to a select committee. Find it is being exagerrated. Wait till someone dies and blame it all on the driver. etc etc
After seeing TV news tonight it occurs to me that the elegant solution to the Leaders’ debates dilemma is for TVNZ to host at Key/Norman debate while TV3 hosts Key/Cunliffe. The vile filth that Hoskings has spewed about Cunliffe for the past 3 years certainly disqualifies him from moderating a Key/Cunliffe debate.
Yeah, I don’t get it at all. David Cunliffe is likeable, honest and natural. He is the real Kiwi to John Key’s yanky-doodle-dandy.
You can see it in the footage from his visit to his old mates in a Timaru pub recently. On entry he hugs his old friends, hugs them! Upon sitting down for a chat, one of his childhood friends rips into the local Labour MP/candidate calling him an idiot. Cunliffe didn’t spit the dummy, he went with it and made a joke, even though his old friend had criticised one of the members of his own campaign on TV. David Cunliffe recognises he was on their patch, and that people have different views and he accepts it.
John Key would have got the GCSB onto that guy if it was #TeamKey in the firing line. He thinks anywhere in NZ is his patch.
They would have had to text Key from behind the secure cordon set up by the trained attack dogs of his diplomatic protection squad. Key is about as far from being an average bloke as it’s possible to be.
Latest blow against personal rights and reasoned approach to dying. http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jul/24/euthanasia-campaigner-dr-philip-nitschke-suspended-by-medical-board
In a press conference in Adelaide, Nitschke said: “The board’s decision seems in keeping with the Liberal government’s long-standing policy of censorship of information on death and dying,” he said….
The South Australian Board of the Medical Board of Australia said it made the decision, which will apply nationally, to “keep the public safe”.
The interim suspension, an “immediate action” separate to other inquiries the regulator is conducting into the man dubbed “Doctor Death”, was triggered by an ABC television story in July alleging that Nitschke had counselled an apparently depressed but otherwise healthy Perth man, Nigel Brayley, to take his own life.
Brayley, 45, died in May after taking a euthanasia drug he illegally imported from China.
Mental health groups Beyond Blue and the Black Dog Institute believe Dr Nitschke had an obligation to recommended psychiatric help to Mr Brayley, but Dr Nitschke said it
was not his role to intervene….
Dr Nitschke, who described the suspension as a “politically motivated deregistration”, told AM it was “clearly stupid” to claim he is a risk to public safety.
@ Ron 9.22
You mean Abbott? It seems that the big push is coming from a very conservative
medical board. Although only of one state, but then it seems it will be automatic for the whole of the country.
The South Australian Board of the Medical Board of Australia said it made the decision, which will apply nationally, to “keep the public safe”.
It is amazing how difficult it is for politicians to accept new ideas and it is unsatisfactory that we have to go cap in hand to them, and possibly have, in NZ to wait for a private members Bill to be drawn from a lottery. My scenario for what would produce good social legislation would change that.
We should be able to go to a Tribunal and state that we have a People’s Bill which we wanted put in our own system, parallel with government but doing much of the work ourselves for what we thought would be a good idea. This would then go into the select committee process with submissions heard or received on it, which would be incorporated unless unreasonable. It would however be an opt-in situation for being accepted in its final form, when there was no glaring reason why not.
Then it would have a pilot and be monitored before being introduced nationally and examined after two years for any faults, or extra steps and funding. Sensitive matters like this would be assessed every four years, one year longer than a present parliamentary term, as it seems a good long period in which to assess whether it needed small improvements.
All pollies need to do is to introduce reasonable safeguards, after consultation with long-standing groups, and then enable what people want. Let people decide when they are ready to die, have some counselling sessions first ensuring that depression and stress received help when people are still young,. Even if thinking of going when they are still ‘young’ oldies, which is in their 70’s nowadays, despite many news reports referring to 50 year olds as elderly.
‘It has been said that figures rule the world. Maybe. I am quite sure that it is figures which show us whether it is being ruled well or badly.’ GoetheI was struck at a recent conference on equity for the elderly, how many presenters implicitly relied upon Statistics New Zealand. ...
Buzz from the BeehiveReporting on defence spending late last year, RNZ said the coalition government will have to make some tough calls this term to help the force address staff shortages and ageing infrastructure. “These are huge, huge amounts of government spending. It’s a significant proportion of the government’s ...
Peter Dunne writes – I am always wary when I hear that the Controller and Auditor-General has commented on or made recommendations to the government about an issue of public policy that does not relate strictly to public expenditure. According to the legislation, the role of the Controller ...
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Bryce Edwards writes – Do you believe New Zealand runs its general elections fairly and competently? As a voter, can you be confident that the votes on your ballot will be counted towards the final result?As a political scientist, I’ve been asked these questions many times and ...
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Another week goes by in the Luxon government’s efforts to roll back the past 70 years of social progress. The school lunches programme is to be downgraded by $107 million, and women need bother their heads no longer about pay equity, let alone expect ACC to provide adequate sexual violence ...
Brrr, the first cold snap of the year. Hope you’re rugged up nice and warm. Here are some stories that caught our eye this week… This Week on Greater Auckland On Monday, we had a post from a new contributor, Connor Sharp, who dug into the public feedback ...
Almost all of the Wellington City Council’s recommended zoning changes to allow many more apartments and townhouses in its inner-suburbs have been approved.Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The podcast above of the weekly ‘hoon’ webinar for subscribers features co-hosts and , along with regular guest on geopolitics, ...
Open access notablesA Global Increase in Nearshore Tropical Cyclone Intensification, Balaguru et al., Earth's Future:Tropical Cyclones (TCs) inflict substantial coastal damages, making it pertinent to understand changing storm characteristics in the important nearshore region. Past work examined several aspects of TCs relevant for impacts in coastal regions. However, ...
Do you believe New Zealand runs its general elections fairly and competently? As a voter, can you be confident that the votes on your ballot will be counted towards the final result? As a political scientist, I’ve been asked these questions many times and always answered “yes”, with very few ...
Thus far May has followed on from a quiet April in the blogging department, but in fairness, it has been another case of doing what I am supposed to be doing, namely writing original fiction. Plus reading. So don’t worry – I have been productive. But in order to reassure ...
Buzz from the Beehive A new government agency will open for business on July 1 – the Social Investment Agency. As a new standalone central agency effective from 1 July, it will lead the development of social investment across Government, helping ministers understand who they need to invest in, what ...
Bryce Edwards writes – “Follow the money” is the classic directive to journalists trying to understand where power and influence lie in society. In terms of uncovering who influences various New Zealand political parties and governments, it therefore pays to look at who is funding them. The ...
Alwyn Poole writes – After being elected to Parliament in 2008 the maiden speech of Hipkins was substantially around education policy. He was Labour’s spokesperson for education 2011 – 2017. He was Minister for Education from 2017 until February 2023. This is approximately 88% of the time Labour ...
Eric Crampton writes – A fashion industry group is lobbying for protections. They make the usual arguments and a newer one. None of it makes sense. An industry group says it pumped $7.8 billion into the economy last year – that’s 1.9 percent of New Zealand’s GDP. ...
In December 2006, Fiji's military leader Voreqe Bainimarama overthrew the elected government in a coup. He ruled Fiji for the next 16 years, first as dictator, then as "elected" Prime Minister. But now, he's finally been sent to jail where he belongs. Sadly, this isn't for his real crime of ...
Don't like National's corrupt Muldoonist "fast-track" law? Aotearoa's environmental NGO's - Greenpeace, Forest & Bird, WWF, Coromandel Watchdog, Coal Action Network Aotearoa, Kiwis Against Seabed Mining, and others - have announced a joint march against it in Auckland in June: When: 13:00, 8 June, 2024 Where: Aotea Square, Auckland You ...
Seymour describes sushi as too woke for school meals. There are no fish sushi meals recommended by the School Lunches programme. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / Getty ImagesTL;DR: The Government will swap out hot meals for packaged sandwiches to save $107 million on school lunches for poor kids. MSD has pulled ...
I don't mind stealin' bread from the mouths of decadenceBut I can't feed on the powerless when my cup's already overfilled, yeahBut it's on the table, the fire's cookin'And they're farmin' babies, while slaves are workin'The blood is on the table and the mouths are chokin'But I'm goin' hungry, yeahSome ...
The Ardern Government’s chickens came home to roost yesterday with the news that the country is short of natural gas. In 2018, Labour banned offshore petroleum exploration, and industry executives say that the attendant loss of confidence by the industry impacted overall investment in onshore gas fields. Energy Resources Minister ...
Hi,If you’ve been digging through the newly launched Webworm store (orders are being dispatched worldwide as I type!) you’ll have noticed the best model we had was Calvin.This is Calvin.Calvin.Calvin is 7, and is the son of my producer over on Flightless Bird, Rob — aka “Wobby Wob”. Rob also ...
This video includes conclusions of the creator climate scientist Dr. Adam Levy. It is presented to our readers as an informed perspective. Please see video description for references (if any). Climate change is everywhere. And when something's everywhere it can feel like it's nowhere. So how do we get our heads ...
Its a law like gravity: whenever a right-wing government is elected, they start attacking democracy. And now, after talking to their Republican and Tory and Fidesz chums at the International Democracy Union forum in Wellington, National is doing it here, announcing plans to remove election-day enrolment. Or, to put it ...
Yesterday Winston Peters focussed his attention on the important matter at hand. Tweeting. Like the former, and quite possibly next, orange POTUS, from whom he takes much of his political strategy, Winston is an avid X’er.His message didn’t resemble an historic address this time. In fact it was more reminiscent ...
Buzz from the Beehive A significant decline in natural gas production has given Resources Minister Shane Jones an opportunity to reiterate his enthusiasm for the mining and burning of coal. For good measure, he has praised an announcement from Genesis Energy that it will resume importing coal. He and Energy ...
“Follow the money” is the classic directive to journalists trying to understand where power and influence lie in society. In terms of uncovering who influences various New Zealand political parties and governments, it therefore pays to look at who is funding them. The political parties are legally obliged to make ...
Rob MacCullough writes – Here is my subjective ranking on a “most-left” to “most-right” scale of most of our major NZ Universities, with some anecdotal (and at times amusing) evidence to back up the claim.Extreme Left Auckland University of TechnologyEvidenceThe ...
Eric Crampton writes – I hadn’t thought about this one until a helpful email showed up in my inbox.It’s pretty obvious that income tax thresholds should automatically index with inflation – whether to anchor the thresholds in percentiles of the income distribution, or to anchor against a real ...
Jacqui Van Der Kaay writes – Parliament’s speaker had no option but to refer Green MP Julie Anne Genter to the Privileges Committee for her behaviour in the House last Wednesday evening. The incident, in which she crossed the floor to wave a book and yell at National ...
Gary Judd writes – The Dean of the law school at the Auckland University of Technology is someone called Khylee Quince. I have been sent her social media posting in which she has, over the LawNews headline “Senior King’s Counsel files complaint about compulsory tikanga Maori studies for ...
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With hindsight, it was inevitable that (a) Hamas would agree to the ceasefire deal brokered by Egypt and Qatar and that ( b) Israel would then immediately launch attacks on Rafah, regardless. We might have hoped the concessions made by Hamas would cause Israel to desist from slaughtering thousands more ...
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When in government, Labour pushed to extend the Parliamentary term to four years, to reduce accountability and our ability to vote out a bad government. And now, they're trying to do it through the member's ballot, with a Four-Year Parliamentary Term Legislation Bill. The bill at least requires a referendum ...
A ballot for a single Member's Bill was held today, and the following bill was drawn: Public Works (Prohibition of Compulsory Acquisition of Māori Land) Amendment Bill (Hūhana Lyndon) The bill would prevent the government from stealing Māori land in breach of Te Tiriti o Waitangi. It ...
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David Farrar writes – Two articles give a useful contrast in balance. Both seek to be neutral explainer articles. This one in the Herald on Social Investment covers the pros and cons nicely. It links to critical pieces and talks about aspects that failed and aspects that are more ...
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A homicide in Ponsonby, a manhunt with a killer on the run. The nation’s leader stands before a press conference reassuring a frightened nation that he’ll sort it out, he’ll keep them safe, he’ll build some new prison spaces.Sorry what? There’s a scary dude on the run with a gun ...
Hi,I know it’s been awhile since there’s been any Webworm merch — and today that all changes!Over the last four months, I’ve been working with New Zealand artist Jess Johnson to create a series of t-shirts, caps and stickers that are infused with Webworm DNA — and as of right ...
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Lindsay Mitchell writes – The Children’s Minister, Karen Chhour, intends to repeal Section 7AA from the Oranga Tamariki Act 1989 because it creates conflict between claimed Crown Treaty obligations and the child’s best interests. In her words, “Oranga Tamariki’s governing principles and its act should be colour ...
Geoffrey Miller writes – The gloves are off. That might seem to be the undertone of surprisingly tough talk from New Zealand’s foreign and trade ministers. Winston Peters, the foreign minister, may be facing legal action after making allegations about former Australian foreign minister Bob Carr on Radio New Zealand. ...
Brian Easton writes – This is about the time that the Treasury will be locking up its economic forecasts to be published in the 2024 Budget Economic and Fiscal Update (BEFU) on budget day, 30 May. I am not privy to what they will be (I will report on them ...
TL;DR:Winston Peters is reported to have won a budget increase for MFAT. David Seymour wanted his Ministry of Regulation to be three times bigger than the Productivity Commission. Simeon Brown is appointing a Crown Monitor to Watercare to protect the Claytons Crown Guarantee he had to give ratings agencies ...
The gloves are off. That might seem to be the undertone of surprisingly tough talk from New Zealand’s foreign and trade ministers. Winston Peters, the foreign minister, may be facing legal action after making allegations about former Australian foreign minister Bob Carr on Radio New Zealand. Carr had made highly ...
I could be a florist'Round the corner from Rye LaneI'll be giving daisies to craziesBut, baby, I'll wrap you up real safe Oh, I can give you flowers At the end of every dayFor the center of your table, a rainbowIn case you have people 'round to stay Depending on ...
TL;DR: The six key events to watch in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the week to May 12 include:PM Christopher Luxon is scheduled to hold a post-Cabinet news conference at 4 pm today. Finance Minister Nicola Willis will give a pre-budget speech on Thursday.Parliament sits from Question Time at 2pm on ...
The price of the foreign affairs “reset” is now becoming apparent, with Defence set to get a funding boost in the Budget. Finance Minister Nicola Willis has confirmed that it will be one of the few votes, apart from Health and Education and possibly Police, which will get an increase ...
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Yesterday I received come lovely feedback following my Star Wars themed newsletter. A few people mentioned they’d enjoyed reading the personal part at the beginning.I often begin newsletters with some memories, or general thoughts, before commencing the main topic. This hopefully sets the mood and provides some context in which ...
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Rob MacCulloch writes – Can’t remember the last book by a Kiwi author you read? Think the NZ government should spend less on the arts in favor of helping the homeless? If so, as far as Newsroom is concerned, you probably deserve to be called a cultural ignoramus ...
Today New Zealand First will introduce a Member’s Bill that will protect women’s spaces. The ‘Fair Access to Bathrooms Bill’ will require, primarily in the interest and safety of women and girls, that all new non-domestic publicly accessible buildings provide separate, clearly demarcated, unisex and single sex bathrooms. This Bill ...
The Green Party is welcoming Climate Change Minister Simon Watts’ continuation of Hon. James Shaw’s cross-party work on climate adaptation, now in the form of a Finance and Expenditure Committee Inquiry. ...
The National Government plans to cut 390 jobs at ACC, including roles in the areas of prevention of sexual violence, road safety and workplace safety. ...
The Government has been caught in opposition to evidence once again as it looks to usher in tried, tested and failed work seminar obligations for job-seeking beneficiaries. ...
The Green Party is welcoming the announcement by the Minister Responsible for RMA Reform Chris Bishop to approve most of the Wellington City Council’s District Plan recommendations. ...
David Seymour has failed to get the sweeping cuts he wanted to the free and healthy school lunch programme, Labour education spokesperson Jan Tinetti said. ...
Hon Willie Jackson has been invited by the Oxford Union to debate the motion “This House Believes British Museums are not Very British’ on May 23rd. ...
Green Party MP Hūhana Lyndon says her Public Works (Prohibition of Compulsory Acquisition of Māori Land) Amendment Bill is an opportunity to right some past wrongs around the alienation of Māori land. ...
A senior, highly respected King’s Counsel with decades of experience in our law courts, Gary Judd KC, has filed a complaint about compulsory tikanga Māori studies for law students - highlighting the utter depths of absurdity this woke cultural madness has taken our society. The tikanga regulations will compel law ...
The Government needs to be clear with the people of the Nelson Marlborough region about the changes it is considering for the Nelson Hospital rebuild, Labour health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall said. ...
Ministers must front up about which projects it will push through under its Fast Track Approvals legislation, Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said today. ...
The Government is again adding to New Zealand’s growing unemployment, this time cutting jobs at the agencies responsible for urban development and growing much needed housing stock. ...
With Minister Karen Chhour indicating in the House today that she either doesn’t know or care about the frontline cuts she’s making to Oranga Tamariki, we risk seeing more and more of our children falling through the cracks. ...
The Labour Party is saddened to learn of the death of Sir Robert Martin, a globally renowned disability advocate who led the way for disability rights both in New Zealand and internationally. ...
Labour is calling for the Government to urgently rethink its coalition commitment to restart live animal exports, Labour animal welfare spokesperson Rachel Boyack said. ...
Today’s Financial Stability Report has once again highlighted that poverty and deep inequality are political choices - and this Government is choosing to make them worse. ...
The Green Party is calling on the Government to do more for our households in most need as unemployment rises and the cost of living crisis endures. ...
Unemployment is on the rise and it’s only going to get worse under this Government, Labour finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds said. Stats NZ figures show the unemployment rate grew to 4.3 percent in the March quarter from 4 percent in the December quarter. “This is the second rise in unemployment ...
The New Zealand Labour Party welcomes the entering into force of the European Union and New Zealand free trade agreement. This agreement opens the door for a huge increase in trade opportunities with a market of 450 million people who are high value discerning consumers of New Zealand goods and ...
The National-led Government continues its fiscal jiggery pokery with its Pharmac announcement today, Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall says. “The government has increased Pharmac funding but conceded it will only make minimal increases in access to medicine”, said Ayesha Verrall “This is far from the bold promises made to fund ...
This afternoon’s interim Waitangi Tribunal report must be taken seriously as it affects our most vulnerable children, Labour children’s spokesperson Willow-Jean Prime. ...
Te Pāti Māori are demanding the New Zealand Government support an international independent investigation into mass graves that have been uncovered at two hospitals on the Gaza strip, following weeks of assault by Israeli troops. Among the 392 bodies that have been recovered, are children and elderly civilians. Many of ...
Our two-tiered system for veterans’ support is out of step with our closest partners, and all parties in Parliament should work together to fix it, Labour veterans’ affairs spokesperson Greg O’Connor said. ...
Stripping two Ministers of their portfolios just six months into the job shows Christopher Luxon’s management style is lacking, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said. ...
Tonight’s court decision to overturn the summons of the Children’s Minister has enabled the Crown to continue making decisions about Māori without evidence, says Te Pāti Māori spokesperson for Children, Mariameno Kapa-Kingi. “The judicial system has this evening told the nation that this government can do whatever they want when ...
It appears Nicola Willis is about to pull the rug out from under the feet of local communities still dealing with the aftermath of last year’s severe weather, and local councils relying on funding to build back from these disasters. ...
The Government is making short-sighted changes to the Resource Management Act (RMA) that will take away environmental protection in favour of short-term profits, Labour’s environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said today. ...
Labour welcomes the release of the report into the North Island weather events and looks forward to working with the Government to ensure that New Zealand is as prepared as it can be for the next natural disaster. ...
The Labour Party has called for the New Zealand Government to recognise Palestine, as a material step towards progressing the two-State solution needed to achieve a lasting peace in the region. ...
Some of our country’s most important work, stopping the sexual exploitation of children and violent extremism could go along with staff on the frontline at ports and airports. ...
The Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill will give projects such as new coal mines a ‘get out of jail free’ card to wreak havoc on the environment, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said today. ...
Introduction Good morning. It’s a great privilege to be here at the 2024 Infrastructure Symposium. I was extremely happy when the Prime Minister asked me to be his Minister for Infrastructure. It is one of the great barriers holding the New Zealand economy back from achieving its potential. Building high ...
Defence Minister Judith Collins today announced the upcoming Budget will include new funding of $571 million for Defence Force pay and projects. “Our servicemen and women do New Zealand proud throughout the world and this funding will help ensure we retain their services and expertise as we navigate an increasingly ...
New Zealand’s ability to cope with climate change will be strengthened as part of the Government’s focus to build resilience as we rebuild the economy, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. “An enduring and long-term approach is needed to provide New Zealanders and the economy with certainty as the climate ...
Jobseeker beneficiaries who have work obligations must now meet with MSD within two weeks of their benefit starting to determine their next step towards finding a job, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “A key part of the coalition Government’s plan to have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker ...
A new standalone Social Investment Agency will power-up the social investment approach, driving positive change for our most vulnerable New Zealanders, Social Investment Minister Nicola Willis says. “Despite the Government currently investing more than $70 billion every year into social services, we are not seeing the outcomes we want for ...
Check against delivery Good morning. It is a pleasure to be with you to outline the Coalition Government’s approach to our first Budget. Thank you Mark Skelly, President of the Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce, together with your Board and team, for hosting me. I’d like to acknowledge His Worship ...
Your Excellency Ambassador Meredith, Members of the Diplomatic Corps and Ambassadors from European Union Member States, Ministerial colleagues, Members of Parliament, and other distinguished guests, Thank you everyone for joining us. Ladies and gentlemen - In diplomacy, we often speak of ‘close’ and ‘long-standing’ relations. ...
The Therapeutic Products Act (TPA) will be repealed this year so that a better regime can be put in place to provide New Zealanders safe and timely access to medicines, medical devices and health products, Associate Health Minister Casey Costello announced today. “The medicines and products we are talking about ...
The Minister Responsible for RMA Reform, Chris Bishop, today released his decision on twenty recommendations referred to him by the Wellington City Council relating to its Intensification Planning Instrument, after the Council rejected those recommendations of the Independent Hearings Panel and made alternative recommendations. “Wellington notified its District Plan on ...
Rape Awareness Week (6-10 May) is an important opportunity to acknowledge the continued effort required by government and communities to ensure that all New Zealanders can live free from violence, say Ministers Karen Chhour and Louise Upston. “With 1 in 3 women and 1 in 8 men experiencing sexual violence ...
Associate Education Minister David Seymour has today announced that the Government will be delivering a more efficient Healthy School Lunches Programme, saving taxpayers approximately $107 million a year compared to how Labour funded it, by embracing innovation and commercial expertise. “We are delivering on our commitment to treat taxpayers’ money ...
New research on the impacts of extreme weather on coastal marine habitats in Tairāwhiti and Hawke’s Bay will help fishery managers plan for and respond to any future events, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. A report released today on research by Niwa on behalf of Fisheries New Zealand ...
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Winston Peters will lead a broad political delegation on a five-stop Pacific tour next week to strengthen New Zealand’s engagement with the region. The delegation will visit Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, New Caledonia, and Tuvalu. “New Zealand has deep and ...
There has been a material decline in gas production according to figures released today by the Gas Industry Co. Figures released by the Gas Industry Company show that there was a 12.5 per cent reduction in gas production during 2023, and a 27.8 per cent reduction in gas production in the ...
Defence Minister Judith Collins tonight announced the recipients of the Minister of Defence Awards of Excellence for Industry, saying they all contribute to New Zealanders’ security and wellbeing. “Congratulations to this year’s recipients, whose innovative products and services play a critical role in the delivery of New Zealand’s defence capabilities, ...
Welcome to you all - it is a pleasure to be here this evening.I would like to start by thanking Greg Lowe, Chair of the New Zealand Defence Industry Advisory Council, for co-hosting this reception with me. This evening is about recognising businesses from across New Zealand and overseas who in ...
It is a pleasure to be speaking to you as the Minister for Digitising Government. I would like to thank Akolade for the invitation to address this Summit, and to acknowledge the great effort you are making to grow New Zealand’s digital future. Today, we stand at the cusp of ...
New Zealand is urging both Israel and Hamas to agree to an immediate ceasefire to avoid the further humanitarian catastrophe that military action in Rafah would unleash, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. “The immense suffering in Gaza cannot be allowed to worsen further. Both sides have a responsibility to ...
A new online data dashboard released today as part of the Government’s school attendance action plan makes more timely daily attendance data available to the public and parents, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour. The interactive dashboard will be updated once a week to show a national average of how ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced Rosemary Banks will be New Zealand’s next Ambassador to the United States of America. “Our relationship with the United States is crucial for New Zealand in strategic, security and economic terms,” Mr Peters says. “New Zealand and the United States have a ...
The Government is considering creating a new tier of minerals permitting that will make it easier for hobby miners to prospect for gold. “New Zealand was built on gold, it’s in our DNA. Our gold deposits, particularly in regions such as Otago and the West Coast have always attracted fortune-hunters. ...
Minister for Trade Todd McClay today announced that New Zealand and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will commence negotiations on a free trade agreement (FTA). Minister McClay met with his counterpart UAE Trade Minister Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi in Dubai, where they announced the launch of negotiations on a ...
New Zealand Sign Language Week is an excellent opportunity for all Kiwis to give the language a go, Disabilities Issues Minister Louise Upston says. This week (May 6 to 12) is New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) Week. The theme is “an Aotearoa where anyone can sign anywhere” and aims to ...
Six tertiary students have been selected to work on NASA projects in the US through a New Zealand Space Scholarship, Space Minister Judith Collins announced today. “This is a fantastic opportunity for these talented students. They will undertake internships at NASA’s Ames Research Center or its Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), where ...
New Zealanders will be safer because of a $1.9 billion investment in more frontline Corrections officers, more support for offenders to turn away from crime, and more prison capacity, Corrections Minister Mark Mitchell says. “Our Government said we would crack down on crime. We promised to restore law and order, ...
The OECD’s latest report on New Zealand reinforces the importance of bringing Government spending under control, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The OECD conducts country surveys every two years to review its members’ economic policies. The 2024 New Zealand survey was presented in Wellington today by OECD Chief Economist Clare Lombardelli. ...
The Government has delivered on its election promise to provide a financially sustainable model for Auckland under its Local Water Done Well plan. The plan, which has been unanimously endorsed by Auckland Council’s Governing Body, will see Aucklanders avoid the previously projected 25.8 per cent water rates increases while retaining ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters discussed the need for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, and enhanced cooperation in the Pacific with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock during her first official visit to New Zealand today. "New Zealand and Germany enjoy shared interests and values, including the rule of law, democracy, respect for the international system ...
The Minister Responsible for RMA Reform, Chris Bishop today released his decision on four recommendations referred to him by the Western Bay of Plenty District Council, opening the door to housing growth in the area. The Council’s Plan Change 92 allows more homes to be built in existing and new ...
Thank you, John McKinnon and the New Zealand China Council for the invitation to speak to you today. Thank you too, all members of the China Council. Your effort has played an essential role in helping to build, shape, and grow a balanced and resilient relationship between our two ...
The Government is modernising insurance law to better protect Kiwis and provide security in the event of a disaster, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly announced today. “These reforms are long overdue. New Zealand’s insurance law is complicated and dated, some of which is more than 100 years old. ...
The coalition Government is refreshing its approach to supporting pay equity claims as time-limited funding for the Pay Equity Taskforce comes to an end, Public Service Minister Nicola Willis says. “Three years ago, the then-government introduced changes to the Equal Pay Act to support pay equity bargaining. The changes were ...
Structured literacy will change the way New Zealand children learn to read - improving achievement and setting students up for success, Education Minister Erica Stanford says. “Being able to read and write is a fundamental life skill that too many young people are missing out on. Recent data shows that ...
Trade Minister Todd McClay says Canada’s refusal to comply in full with a CPTPP trade dispute ruling in our favour over dairy trade is cynical and New Zealand has no intention of backing down. Mr McClay said he has asked for urgent legal advice in respect of our ‘next move’ ...
The rights of our children and young people will be enhanced by changes the coalition Government will make to strengthen oversight of the Oranga Tamariki system, including restoring a single Children’s Commissioner. “The Government is committed to delivering better public services that care for our most at-risk young people and ...
The Government is making it easier for minor changes to be made to a building consent so building a home is easier and more affordable, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “The coalition Government is focused on making it easier and cheaper to build homes so we can ...
New Zealand lost a true legend when internationally renowned disability advocate Sir Robert Martin (KNZM) passed away at his home in Whanganui last night, Disabilities Issues Minister Louise Upston says. “Our Government’s thoughts are with his wife Lynda, family and community, those he has worked with, the disability community in ...
Good evening – Before discussing the challenges and opportunities facing New Zealand’s foreign policy, we’d like to first acknowledge the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs. You have contributed to debates about New Zealand foreign policy over a long period of time, and we thank you for hosting us. ...
From today, passengers travelling internationally from Auckland Airport will be able to keep laptops and liquids in their carry-on bags for security screening thanks to new technology, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Creating a more efficient and seamless travel experience is important for holidaymakers and businesses, enabling faster movement through ...
People with an interest in the health of Northland’s marine ecosystems are invited to a public meeting to discuss how to deal with kina barrens, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones will lead the discussion, which will take place on Friday, 10 May, at Awanui Hotel in ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sara Dehm, Senior lecturer, international migration and refugee law, University of Technology Sydney The High Court unanimously ruled today that the Australian government can keep asylum seekers in immigration detention indefinitely in cases where they do not “voluntarily” cooperate with their own ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kim Munro, Lecturer, Creative Industries and Digital Media, University of South Australia Twenty-four hours after the release of Macklemore’s pro-Palestine protest song Hind’s Hall on social media on May 7, the video had already notched up over 24 million views. In ...
Failing to anticipate the complexity of the consenting system is being cited as the the current builder's shortcomings, an Infrastructure Commission review says. ...
350 Aotearoa is calling the Environment Select Committee’s decision to allow oral submissions from just 40% of individual, unique submitters who asked to speak to the committee ‘a disgraceful blight to democracy’. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By James Helal, Assistant Dean (Sustainability), The University of Melbourne Dubai skylineAleksandarPasaric/Pexels Since ancient times, people have built structures that reach for the skies – from the steep spires of medieval towers to the grand domes of ancient cathedrals and mosques. Today ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Edward Musole, PhD Law Student, University of New England Girts Ragelis/ShutterstockRecent trends show Australians are increasingly buying wearables such as smartwatches and fitness trackers. These electronics track our body movements or vital signs to provide data throughout the day, with ...
Papua New Guinea experienced a significant earthquake on 24 March in East Sepik and there has also been recent flooding there and in surrounding provinces. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Yousuf Mohammed, Dermatology researcher, The University of Queensland Maridav/Shutterstock You wake up, stagger to the bathroom and gaze into the mirror. No, you’re not imagining it. You’ve developed face wrinkles overnight. They’re sleep wrinkles. Sleep wrinkles are temporary. But as your ...
The Environment Select Committee has just announced that 60 percent of individuals who asked to speak at the hearings will not be heard. This equates to almost 700 people who made individual submissions and more than 1000 more who made a form submission. ...
The Royal New Zealand Ballet is performing Swan Lake around the country. What kind of dream does the ballet sell?Before going to see the Royal New Zealand Ballet perform Swan Lake, I had about as much familiarity with the plot of this ballet as could be expected from having ...
A new poem by Auckland poet Eamonn Tee. High Tide at Local Maxima It is only going to get worse. The streams will be narrow and fickle. The week will bend and buckle like a pot-bellied waist. You will make it to the weekend with one ...
The New Zealand entrepreneur behind beauty business Ethique is gearing up to launch a new eco-venture. This is an excerpt from our weekly environmental newsletter Future Proof. Sign up here. Our thirst for a tasty bevvy is insatiable, but it comes with a hefty plastic price for the planet: 580 billion ...
The only published and available best-selling indie book chart in New Zealand is the top 10 sales list recorded every week at Unity Books’ stores in High St, Auckland, and Willis St, Wellington.AUCKLAND1 James by Percival Everett (Mantle, $38) A retelling of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn from ...
By Kamna Kumar in Suva Pacific Islands Forum Secretary-General Henry Puna stressed the importance of media freedom and its link to the climate and environmental crisis at the 2024 World Press Freedom Day event organised by the University of the South Pacific’s journalism programme. Under the theme “A Planet for ...
Tara Ward previews a new local TV series offering alternative visions of motherhood. This is an excerpt from our weekly pop culture newsletter Rec Room. Sign up here. A woman is clambering up the side of her two-story house, clinging desperately to a drainpipe. Nearby, her child is perched on the ...
Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) is supportive of the cross-party approach to climate adaptation announced by the Minister of Climate Change today. ...
The Sustainable Business Council (SBC) and Climate Leaders Coalition (CLC) welcome today’s announcement from Government around a bipartisan inquiry into an enduring climate adaptation framework for New Zealand. ...
The Free Speech Union welcomes the decision by the Department of Internal Affairs, and Minister Brooke Van Velden, to abandon proposals to further regulate online speech. ...
Its new building in Wellington will not be nearly big enough for all its records, and it has also run out of money to build its new storage facility in Levin. ...
BusinessNZ is congratulating the Minister of Climate Change for his work in achieving cross-party consensus for a way forward on climate adaptation. ...
Recent research reveals the repeal of smokefree measures is not only bad for our health, but also the economy. The Government has repealed various smokefree measures to ensure it keeps collecting $1.2 billion a year in tobacco taxes, in order to pay for tax cuts already being delivered to ...
The club’s surprisingly good season is built on the desire to prove a random A-League YouTuber wrong… and a few other factors.“There’s no way that Wellington Phoenix play finals this year. I can’t see it happening at all.” Those are the words of Lachlan Raeside, an Australian football content ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By César Albarrán-Torres, Senior Lecturer, Department of Media and Communication, Swinburne University of Technology Apple TV+ As one of billions of bilingual individuals in the world, it disappoints me when a film or TV show with characters of a non-English-speaking background is ...
The under-utilised course is a waste of space, and with a little political will, it could be turned into something better. For the duration of her stay in Wellington, my long-suffering cousin listened to me rant about golf courses. They’re bad for the environment: water intensive and pesticide heavy. They ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Leah Ruppanner, Professor of Sociology and Founding Director of The Future of Work Lab, Podcast at MissPerceived, The University of Melbourne Shutterstock A recent report from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows US fertility rates dropped 2% in ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Amy Corderoy, Medical doctor and PhD candidate studying involuntary psychiatric treatment, School of Psychiatry, UNSW Sydney shop_py/Shutterstock Picture two people, both suffering from a serious mental illness requiring hospital admission. One was born in Australia, the other in Asia. Hopefully, ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sarah Treby, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, RMIT University P.j.Hickox, Shutterstock Peatlands store more carbon per square metre than any other ecosystem on Earth. These waterlogged, mossy bogs beat even dense rainforests for their ability to act as carbon reservoirs. Under the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Goss, Adjunct Associate Professor, Health Research Institute, University of Canberra Government spending on health has been growing so rapidly that a decade ago the then health minister Peter Dutton called it “unmanageable” and “unsustainable”. Health spending grew in real terms by ...
New Zealand's largest electricity distributor is warning the country to hurry up with controls around charging electric vehicles or face unnecessary bills running into the billions. ...
New Zealanders have been asked to conserve energy this morning to combat a possible electricity shortfall, writes Stewart Sowman-Lund in this extract from The Bulletin. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign up here. A call to conserve power New Zealand is facing a possible electricity shortfall, with people up ...
Writer Rebecca K Reilly breaks down the national book awards. What are the Ockhams?The Ockham New Zealand Book Awards are our annual national awards for books published for adults, and have existed in this form since 2016. There are four categories: Fiction, Poetry, General Non-fiction and Illustrated Non-fiction. There ...
Wellington City Council should keep its 34% ownership share in Wellington International Airport, argue Unions Wellington spokespeople Finn Cordwell and Ashok Jacob. Insanity, as the saying goes, is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. Wellington City Council (WCC) is yet again proposing to dispose ...
New Zealand’s largest book publisher has undergone drastic changes this week, leaving its future role in local publishing uncertain. Two of the most recognisable local publishers in New Zealand are among those restructured out of Penguin Random House, it was announced this week. Head of publishing Claire Murdoch will leave ...
Successive governments have tried, and failed, to count Māori. But with the return of social investment, it’s more important than ever to get good data. The post Government looks for a better way to count Māori appeared first on Newsroom. ...
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In 2021 the Public Interest Journalism Fund launched the Te Rito Journalism project, a $2.4 million initiative to boost diversity in New Zealand’s newsrooms. The initiative was in response to the decades-long shortage of Māori and Pacific journalists in the media industry. It was billed as New Zealand’s ...
The Black Ferns Sevens appeared to be a mile behind Australia at the halfway point of the 2023-24 SVNS international circuit. Winless in three tournaments, a cup quarter-final exit in Perth was one of their worst results. To add insult to injury, talismanic skipper Sarah Hirini had been ruled out ...
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By Lydia Lewis, RNZ Pacific journalist A former Tuvalu prime minister says while the New Zealand government’s oil and gas plans show it is concerned about its economy, he is more concerned about the livelihoods and survival of the Tuvalu people. Enele Sopoaga — who still serves as an MP ...
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Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Catherine Strong, Associate professor, Music Industry, RMIT University This week American rapper Macklemore released a new track, Hind’s Hall, which has gained a lot of attention because of its explicitly political nature. The track is unapologetically pro-Palestine. It declares the artist’s ...
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RNZ Pacific Former Fiji Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama has been sentenced to one year in prison, Fiji media are reporting. Bainimarama, alongside suspended Fiji Police Commissioner Sitiveni Qiliho appeared in the High Court in Suva today for their sentencing hearing for a case involving their roles in blocking a police ...
Acting Chief Human Rights Commissioner Saunoamaali’i Dr Karanina Sumeo says, “Addressing violence and abuse remains New Zealand’s most significant human rights issue affecting women. ...
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One woman’s quest to watch Challengers without ruining her body clock. Every Saturday morning, I wake up with a screaming demon inside my head urging me to “Do. Something. This. Weekend.” I run through the possibilities in my head in a defensive mental crouch, reminiscent of that one time I ...
Difference between Hosking and Campbell
Campbell has ethics, Hoskings – no evidence of any
Campbell is a professional, Hoskings – no evidence
Campbell has intellectual honesty, Hosking – narcissistic personality
Campbell likely to over-correct his politics and be harder on Cunliffe. Hosking likely to under correct be harder on Cunliffe
http://i.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/10303335/Labour-claims-Hoskings-biased
Labour claims everyone is biased. What’s new.
Perhaps. I saw Gower on TV3 at 750am this morning and I would say he did not paint John Key in a very good light at all. So that’s one. 😉
I am a fan of Campbells style: he is not however immune from getting it wrong. A few nights ago he did the gushing act whilst blaming Russia and Putin for the aeroplane disaster. Which would have been fine if he had any solid evidence. He fell into the trap of being judge jury and executioner and failing to ascertain any real evidence of guilt from any party. Even if he is proven correct he got it so wrong, he just sounded like a lapdog puppet of American media opinions. I no longer trust his objectivity.
Ow. I eyerolled too hard and hurt myself.
Not surprising, no brain to cushion the roll!
He plays on emotions. That’s all he does.
Given Hoskings clear bias, how can he chair the debates.
He is clearly a tool of right wing and corporate interests.
From the article ….”It includes Hosking dismissing Cunliffe as a “moron” – and his endorsement of Prime Minister John Key before a major political speech last year.”
And this ….
Seven Sharp – The day public broadcasting died
http://thedailyblog.co.nz/2014/07/22/seven-sharp-the-day-public-broadcasting-died/
Jeez, after the witch hunt and banning of party political involvement by staff at TVNZ over the Taurima affair they think tory toady Hosking is acceptable in anyway for this task?
But then unofficially of course National is the preferred party among significant numbers of TVNZ senior presenters and executives and that is ok because it is all tacit and assumed ‘born to rule’ stuff.
The dilemma for Labour–do they want to be put in the ‘invited to appear but declined’ box that National usually occupies over uncomfortable situations.
This is a link to a 7blunt review for those who won’t visit TDB:
http://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/blogs/couch-potato/10301046/Wake-up-New-Zealand
For those who will – this has been an interesting discussion over the past day:
http://thedailyblog.co.nz/2014/07/23/dear-seven-sharp-i-have-little-interest-in-appearing-on-your-show-so-that-you-can-pretend-to-have-some-type-of-balance/
Actually; Karol has copy/ pasted the relevant section of the Stuff review down at comment 5. Too late to edit though. This from Gruntie’s link at 1 stands out for me (others have already mentioned Hosking’s bias and moron lines:
However I quite liked Robertson’s line:
“If it’s true, we’d rather have Jeremy Wells as Mike Hosking, than Mike Hosking.”
http://thedailyblog.co.nz/2014/07/21/jeremy-wells-mike-hosking-rant-on-radio-hauraki-today-10/
If you have not heard them, enjoy them all here .
Just change the date numeral at the end of the link to roll on through the collection
enjoy the mirth 🙂
Update – Bradbury declines to appear on 7Blunt due to Hoskings appointment as debate chair:
http://thedailyblog.co.nz/2014/07/24/dear-seven-sharp-after-learning-hosking-will-be-the-leaders-debate-moderator-no-i-will-not-give-you-the-pretence-of-balance-i-refuse-to-appear-on-your-show/#comment-233652
Media non-entity throws toys out of cot expecting people to give a damn in egotistical belief that he is standing up for some higher principle. In other news old man rants at television in retirement home because he doen’t like something someone on it has said.
I often wonder if you right wing nut jobs realise just how flawed your logic is. If Bomber Bradbury is such a “Media non-entity” why was he asked to appear on Seven un-Sharp?
”If Bomber Bradbury is such a “Media non-entity” why was he asked to appear on Seven un-Sharp?”’
According to his piece at TDB, wasn’t it because he kicked up such a fuss about Slater getting on 7Sharp ? I can’t remember exactly now but the details are in a piece he wrote asking people to vote on whether or not he should accept 7Sharp’s invitation to appear
Well spotted Paul.
Had to laugh when reading that Hosking dismisses claims of his bias “because I get accused of bias everyday of my life” ….
helllooooooooo ……….
I think it hilarious. And Paul linking to the daily blog rant and boomer to back up your argument about bias…. That’s priceless.
“Wake up New Zealand!” A TV review in 2 parts on Stuff yesterday:
This on Cam Slat on Seven Sharp:
I agree with the conclusion that the Wake programme was poorly done. Hoqwever, it did provide some info on a remarkable woman. And the main take away for me, the statement about the MO of the French Resistance – basically about, even though the Natsies had power and military might on their side, the aim of the Resistance was to disrupt and damage the Natsies operations and despotic, inhumane systems as much as possible.
It is salient though unpleasant, to repeat Martyn Bradbury’s list of some of Slaters offensiveness here;
“Remember when Slater called a person who died in a car accident ‘feral’ for speeding while taking photos of himself speeding?
–Remember when Slater described a Kings student who drank himself to death as “a toffee-nosed school boy, a dead thief and a liar who couldn’t handle his piss. I always said King’s boys were poofs.”?
–Remember when Slater published all the details of businessman Matt Blomfield whose computer he somehow obtained?
–Remember when he was convicted of breaching a variety of name suppression orders?
–Remember when Slater published the personal employment details of a wharf protestor?
–Remember when Slater posted a fake Green Party press release that inspired threats of violence against Russel Norman?
–Remember Slater publishing lewd cruel details of Len Brown’s affair that went well below the belt in a spiteful and dehumanising way?
–Remember when Slater publicized a doctored interview with Jim Anderton edited into Anderton saying an earthquake would need to strike for him to lose the Christchurch mayoralty?
–Remember when Slater was wanting looters in Christchurch to be shot in the stomach so that the death would be slow and painful?
–Remember when he claimed Chris Carter’s mother who was dead for 12 years was still using a taxpayer cell phone?
–And recently Slater was trying to claim that Tania Billingsley is some sort of Green Party honeytrap who put herself up as bait so she could scream ‘rape culture’.”
And I would add the nasty smear campaign Slater initiated against the Greens when an associate did a non destructive ‘Banksy’ (the artist) style stickering campaign of National Party election signage. Linked to this was his junior stasi “Tipline” trying to get activists car regos and identities for online publishing.
Pure filth still, the PMs confidante, and should be treated as such.
James at 4 thinks all that is hilarious. Unbelievable….I’m alright Jack…the cult of the selfish
Symptomatic of too many New Zealanders who have been infected with the poison of neoliberalism.
Didnt his breach of a name suppression lead to identifying a victim without their consent?
a repost from last night
Meet John Key and his All Blacks. Cover image for this week’s Rugby News apparently.
https://www.facebook.com/pmjohnkey/photos/a.10150162547855429.346317.12635800428/10152606072995429/?type=1&fref=nf
Here is the image alone for those not wanting to read the comments
https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfp1/t31.0-8/p600x600/10541396_10152606072995429_4979096729614657622_o.jpg
Gotta be said, the lighting does not look like they were all photographed together.
There are some comments that Rugby News have confirmed it as real, but I cannot find any reference to it on their site at this time. Odd that the magazine would release a cover image to a personal political page before publication.
Does this make the All Blacks third party promoters of the PM?
Wonder if the Electoral commission will be asked for comment on this? The TeamKey hashtag is in the PM’s comment under the photo, thus directly linking the image to the campaign.
John Key
Richie is looking a little bemused, but it’s all in the spirit of backing the boys. Catch Rugby News this week. #teamkey, I wish.
went to tidy up the quoted line at the bottom, but edit permission was denied 🙁
What a creepy pic! Key as try hard wannabe – a self parody. Meanwhile, there’s a decline in his support among women.
Ugh. Were the players asked?
Hope they lose now.
Wishing bad on others just because they may not agree with you. Yep – you’re a leftie.
The All Blacks vote National do they? Politics shouldn’t come into it. Rugby News has forced it upon us.
Thinking the NZRU and National are automatically representative of each other? Yep, you’re a righty.
Wow, Cameron Slater is a leftie ?
haha – fair cop on that one.
Gower said Rugby News told him that the jersey was sent to key and he posed in his office and it was then photoshopped. (750am TV3)
Given a panelbeater was brow-beaten over his shop name near eden park for insinuated advertising by the NZRU during the World Cup, this seems odd indeed.
Yep definitely photoshopped. Not just the totally different lighting on Key’s face but also the fact that his left elbow seems to have mysteriously disappeared. (see freedom’s links above).
The magazine claims the cover photo with Key photoshopped onto a pic of some ABs and labelled ‘leader of the pack’ – is nothing to do with the election.
I assume the AB’s management approved it, the players featured would have had to approve it – and I assume Key’s advisers would have checked if it breached the electioneering rules given the timing.
John Key, the ‘No 1 AB fan’ who is such a rugby fanatic he cannot remember his position on the Springbok tour.
They announced that Key had been photoshopped in. As far as I’m concerned, he’s insulting the jersey by wearing it.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=11298450
Buried at the end of the article is a comment suggesting proper consideration on this matter was absent from the All Black’s controllers.
Nothing to do with NZ Rugby? Just the All Blacks and an election year, do they really think only National supporters play Rugby?
To be clear, if the PM had done this during the RWC, no problem. This is weeks from an election.
Nobody Knows What Makes a Good CEO
So, why are we paying so much for these people when it obviously makes no difference?
Of course, we shouldn’t be surprised by this when the evidence is that the more you pay people in administrative roles the less well they do.
It’s a game perpetuated by the in-crowd. They pay each other over inflated wages to justify their own, including Chair fees and board fees.
I learned a long time ago from professional experience that just cos someone has CEO under their name does not mean that they are intelligent or good at their job. Of course there are great CEO’s out there but I wish we would stop assuming overseas is better. That’s BS there are great people being overlooked constantly.
Because when you don’t pay the workers decent wages your firms make more profit.
When your firms make more profit you have to extract it legally in some way to your own pocket and to ensure that you don’t pay appropriate taxes to the very governments that have allowed you to pay your workers a pittance by passing laws to take away workers rights.
You also need to do this so you have enough money to buy over inflated houses to make your non-taxed capital gains and extract some of your workers wages back through rents.
The main way to extract this profit and turn it into your own capital is to pay yourself (and your mates) shitloads of money through salaries and shares.
QED really.
The UN have voted on conducting an inquiry whether Israel’s actions in Gaza are war crimes.
“Of the 47 participating countries on the council, 29 voted for opening an investigation, 17 abstained, and one voted against.”Source: http://www.nationaljournal.com
No surprises in who the objection came from.
How many resolutions has Israel ignored over the years?
Also pay attention to the morally gutless abstentions – the entire EU, UK, Japan, S Korea, etc.
There is always the American fear that they too could be charged with War Crimes in Iraq and in Afghanistan. So additional self interest in the NO.
+1
There’s a lot of people that need to be charged with war crimes in the world at the moment. I’d say that I’m surprised that we’re ignoring them but it’s par for the course – the powerful don’t get charged.
Flag burning…..
Here is a summary of what I think are the core points of the argument between ShawnLH and myself. According to ShawnLH:
“Ugly is the resident expert in how to have no argument.”
“No evidence, no credible sources, nothing other than Ugly’s opinions based solely on his interpretation of events to suit his bias against Israel.”
The central point was that a US official admitted that classified evidence existed which linked the Israelis to 9/11.
“Evidence linking these Israelis to 9/11 is classified. I cannot tell you about evidence that has been gathered. It’s classified information.”
US official quoted in Carl Cameron’s Fox News report on the Israeli spy ring.
“US officials admitted to reporters that the entire investigation had become “too hot to handl”, but declined to give further details. However, some FBI officials did confirm at the time that the Israelis were running a major eavesdropping operation that had penetrated into the highest echelons of the US administration.” ~ Jane’s Intelligence Digest 3/15/2002
So why is this important? Like Reid said, 9/11 was one of the biggest, if not the biggest, geopolitical events since WWII. If the Zionists were behind 9/11 then the ramifactions for the current events in Gaza are huge, which brings us the the second point, the difference between Jews and Zionists.
Like mikenmild said, ShawnLH lied when he said that I was anti-Jewish. To illustrate this point, here is a quote from the Jerusalem post:
“After years of research, Misinai says that he can declare with certainty that nearly 90 percent of all Palestinians are descended from the Jews. “And what’s more, about half of them know it,” he says. Not only that, many Palestinians retain Jewish customs, including mourning rituals, lighting Shabbat or memorial candles and even wearing tefillin.”
http://www.jpost.com/Magazine/Features/The-lost-Palestinian-Jews
So when the Zionist state of Israel shells homes and hospitals and murders children on the beach, it becomes an anti-semitic state and any complaints of anti-semitism by Zionist apologists become a monumental form of hypocrisy.
So, if after reading this you don’t detect a certain smell, like something is rootten in the state of Denmark, then I challenge you to say why any New Zealander should not support the call to remove the Israeli embassy from Wellington.
Minto was excellent on the flag burning on MR this morning-worth a listen.
Bearded Git +100…Minto was superb… Espiner was a creep…. and the Jewish spokesperson tried a pathetic smear of Minto…as a promoter of hatred
Jews for Justice for Palestinians:
http://jfjfp.com/
http://www.ifamericansknew.org/history/origin.html
http://www.againstourbetterjudgment.com/
http://www.globalresearch.ca/the-israeli-dream-the-criminal-roadmap-towards-greater-israel/5391839
http://www.globalresearch.ca/
Also on radionz this morning was a rep from a combined religions council. They agree that taking arms and killing is not the way to go and that sitting down and talking conciliation should be the method. How fucking trite.
Anybody who had a modicum of desire for respectful relationships and peaceful and fair negotiations between the clashing parties of Israel and Palestine and surrounding countries could say that. And those talks. How many already and how many booby trapped by some small aggression, serious enough, but not enough to start World War 2 and a half. There is always some bad faith action that jars any eye to eye mutual and positive understandings and that is allowed to indicate an end to the talks and efforts and hard work by those working to get conciliation and honest dialogue and real action to solve the crisis and deal with the ongoing problems as satisfactorily as would be possible for the two parties’ interests and needs.
There must be so much money or land in it or both that keep the Israeli elite in a position of overall power while the populace live with compulsory armed service, uncertainty, instability in a country with a damaged reputation inviting contempt while the Palestinians fall before them managing only to bite them on the ankles, or blow their feet off.
edited
A little humour…
http://s1354.photobucket.com/user/nevil42/media/israelsoldier_zpsa7d00c46.jpg.html
Anyway. I think labour has given key way to much ammunition over the last few months. They might want to stay on message now but banning cosmetics and moas galore will be raised in the debates.
Not to mention apologising for being a man. Pretty sure that will be in there.
Debates should be fun to watch and I predict key will win them clearly. Esp linking labour with Kim dotcon
http://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/auckland/listen-on-demand/audio/114004302-kim-dotcom–early-life
Here is Dotcom explaining some of his background, especially the ‘criminal background’.
It’s a short clip with the relevant section roughly 1/3 way through.
Here is the full interview, well, as full as has been released for on-demand viewing.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/national/news/video.cfm?c_id=1503075&gal_cid=1503075&gallery_id=144347
I endorse that the interview with Kim Dotcom was wellworth the time even for those who are anti-Kim.
@James 9.00
Fun to watch eh. Obviously you don’t want a leftish government. To me your scenario about them sounds possible but I would find that excruciating.
Two shocks already and it’s only 9a.m. Turned radio on, to hear that the ‘gnome of Remuera’ is going to be the moderator for tv3 debates, threw up egg, then looked at photo of abs with the little gnome of America, threw up toast. FFS what the Hades is going on.
Dammit! Tvnz!!!!
This is in the Dominion Post this morning (part of the Hosking story). It looks to me like the Nats
are sh- – scared of having ShonKey debate along with David Cunliffe.
“Meanwhile, National’s campaign team is pushing behind the scenes to include the Greens in the pre-election debates, but TVNZ has ruled this out.”
JK+100…everything points towards John Key and Nactional being shit scared of having face to face television debates with David Cunliffe…Why?:
….David Cunliffe is a superb debater with a vast command of the issues facing New Zealand
….David Cunliffe has ethics and compassion ( something John Key lacks)
….David Cunliffe is young and fresh looking
….David Cunliffe is way more handsome than John Key…(bet he looks better in his speedos too!)
Actually Russel Norman is a looker as well….lol….and I bet he looks better in his speedos than John Key…lets face it the Left has a great line up of superbly intelligent and good looking male contestants …and that includes Hone ( great bone structure and tan ) ….and Winnie the suave silver fox in the senior section ( every sophisticated senior woman’s crumpet)
*…and that is just the male line up….the female brains and beauty line up on the Left is even better!…if that is possible!
JK+100…everything points towards John Key and Nactional being shit scared of having face to face television debates with David Cunliffe…Why?:
….David Cunliffe is way more handsome than John Key…(bet he looks better in his speedos too!)
Actually Russel Norman is a looker as well….lol….and I bet he looks better in his speedos than John Key…lets face it the Left has a great line up of superbly intelligent and good looking male contestants …and that includes Hone ( great bone structure and tan ) ….and Winnie the suave silver fox in the senior section ( every sophisticated senior woman’s crumpet)
*…and that is just the male line up….the female brains and beauty line up on the Left is even better!…if that is possible!
@ Puckish sad one ……Nup!……this is the REALITY of it!….and spoken on a breakfast of two glasses of squeezed lemon juice…dark wholemeal toast, NZ butter, NZ vegemite and NZ peanut butter…. and downed with a very strong cup of expresso coffee
….dont own “cooking sherry” …yuk!… just good Pinot ( a glass of which imbibed last thing after a good meal at night)….but as you know all about the “cooking sherry” dear Pucky….i reckon you and Nactional have been into the cupboard and are already trying to fortify yourselves on secret little binges
…bracing yourselves against the MIGHTY Cunliffe onslaught TV debates
…a debacle is looming and you know it !
….you Puckish running scared Rogue you…..
yeah but while it would water down the Key v Cunliffe debate it would be good to have the Greens there-they deserve major party status now they have polled 10-15% for 6 years
@Bearded Git 9.31
+100 It is so FPP. It is simpler to divide and rule that way for the power-players. Their internal monologue. The Greens damn them, just won’t curl up and die, but we aren’t going to give them any oxygen.
At one time there was talk here about the Wiri geology and coastline. Who was it? I have been talking to someone about this area.
And the OCR Official Cash Rate, Overnight Cash Rate? has gone up to 3.5%. Our economy is growing strongly you will be pleased to hear. Which part I don’t know, it wasn’t spelt out. Just as extra size from muscle growth is usually lesser and firmer than excess fat which can help to an early death, I am concerned how healthy this growth is.
The living wage, Miramar Wellington restaurant La Boca Loca is worth supporting for those who can afford to eat out,
ALL the staff at this particular, Mexican themed, restaurant are now to be paid the living wage,
Source: Stuff.co.nz/DominionPost
The CEO of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce, Raewyn Bleakly of course opposes such living wage payments claiming wages ”should be about performance and productivity”,
Is that true, i say that Her statement is patently Bullshit, all the sum parts of an industry are of equal value and productivity,
Simply put, if the chefs in a restaurant had to stop preparing the meals to both deliver the food to the customer and then later collect and wash the dishes and cutlery then such work would be valued at the cost of the chefs employment,
The same could be applied to the office cleaner, what is the value of your work in your office, if that unseen cleaner were to not clean your office that simply would leave two choices, you would have to work amidst the mess, or, clean it yourself,
So, if it takes an hour of your time to clean your office the usual cleaner of your office is as valuable as the hour of your time,
BIG UPS to the latest business noted above for paying ALL their staff the living wage,(what is it with Miramar, an Eastern Suburb here in Wellington, the local bakery also pays its one labourer the living wage)…
Footnote: Delighted with the remuneration you receive for the daily grind in your office???, well lucky you,
How bout you just for once look past the end of your nose, ignore the protection of your own privilege just for an hour,
Promote a staff/stop-work meeting in your office/workplace and demand the living wage for those who clean your workspace…
Funny how CEOs always manage to find obtuse justifications for their own big pay increases; no justifications provided for the workers who actually add value though.
You just have to watch Hoskings little smug condescending comments about Cunliffe at the end of some of 7sharp shows to see this clown is far from a neutral front man.
Tell me why are they not putting up a political editor or deputy, Dann & Parkinson piss all over Hosking because politics is their bread & butter. You can count on Key-National cheerleader Hosking continuing to bait DC with his little end of show slagging.
Wake the fuck up TVNZ this is a taxpayer funded broadcaster. Someone should link a complaint form to the broadcasting standards commission and or the electoral commission to put some heat on the Nat hand picked mongrel board of TVNZ
Hoskings has always reminded me of a picky vege eating lost boy
(didnt Hoskings once do the vege report?…he was very good at it!…maybe he should go back to it)
Skinny, it takes just as long for someone else to do it as it would have taken you to do it.
Almost no time at all. 🙂
http://bsa.govt.nz/complaints/making-a-complaint
Thanks freedom, I was heading out in the country where the coverage is crap at the time 🙂 poor excuse but true ha ha.
Thanks for not being annoyed, I do realise I could have phrased it more politely 🙂
Sometimes hard to get the tone right on topics like that, without getting all verbose.
TVNZ is a disgrace!
‘Dear Seven Sharp – after learning Hosking will be the leaders debate moderator – NO I will not give you the pretence of balance & I refuse to appear on your show’
By Martyn Bradbury / July 24, 2014
In light of this decision by TVNZ to give someone as biased as Hosking the moderator role in the all important leaders debates, I have decided that I will decline Seven Sharp’s offer because it will be nothing more than a manufactured pathetic attempt at balance….
I have to be honest, I had made the decision last night to accept Seven Sharp’s hastily offered opportunity to appear on their show after I savagely criticised the bullshit whitewash story they did on John Key’s favourite far right hate speech merchant, Cameron Slater….This morning I wake to the appalling news that Mike Bloody Hosking will be the moderator of the TVNZ leadership debates???
No. Fucking. Way.
Hosking is to the right of Caligula, allowing him to moderate the debate would be like appointing Cameron Slater to sit on the Broadcasting Standards Authority! It’s one hate crime against public broadcasting to allow Hosking to host Seven Sharp in the first place but to allow him to moderate the leaders debate is an outright abomination. Hosking moderating the leaders debates will be as credible as asking him to do a critical story on his corporate benefactor Sky City.
Why is it different to John Campbell moderating the debates on TV3? TV3 is a private company who can do what they like, TVNZ is supposed to be the Public Broadcaster and as such have a demand on balance far higher than TV3. Shane Taurima was rightfully crucified for his bias inside TVNZ (despite the fact that it was Management’s incompetence to bring him back in the first place), but his stupidity has allowed TVNZ to conduct a witch hunt for reds under the bed within the news room while foaming right wing fanatics get to front current affairs programs with no questions asked.
30 years of neoliberalism has pulled the Political centre so far to the right that the shrill beige brigade of Espiner, Hosking, Henry, Garner and Gower are enabled to construct one vast unchallenged narrative arch where the Right are always right and the Left are criminally insane.
In light of this decision by TVNZ to give someone as biased as Hosking the moderator role in the all important leaders debates, I have decided that I will decline Seven Sharp’s offer because it will be nothing more than a manufactured pathetic attempt at balance. I’m a Campbell Live supporter and would hate to do anything that would turn attention away from real current affairs to a sick joke like Seven Sharp.
Oh, so there is an upside to Hosking moderating the debate
My opinion, ‘Bomber’ should have accepted the invite, read exactly what you have printed there out on prime time tv and then got up and walked out of the studio,
Wasted opportunity…
@ Bad from yesterday. I don’t dispute your figures and I’m in no doubt you can back your numbers, I would expect no less. My point of dispute is that tough as it is for those 20% there are ways to engage.
Lolz @ Alien, stop being sneaky, remember we were discussing a particular piece of Green Party election policy,
While i in no way oppose a policy of providing Kindy hours for two year old’s i think i made the case? that it was/is wrong for the Green Party to tout this policy as ”child poverty busting” which was the intent/wording of the form email sent to my inbox under Metiria’s signature,
Sure Alien ”there are ways to engage” the 20% of those that leave the education system every year barely able to read or write, BUT, that was not the central issue of debate was it, and, more crucially, these ”ways” you allude to, i look around from horizon to horizon, and, see none of these ”ways” as an election policy,(except as my nod indicated yesterday Labour’s slight move of a toe in the general direction with decreased class sizes)…
Matthew Hooton fighting hard to keep his house value high and free of low decile interlopers.
” Parents from two elite Auckland public schools are up in arms after learning of a proposal to put them in an overlapping zone with two lower decile schools.
The Ministry of Education advised One Tree Hill College and Selwyn College to put enrolment schemes in place due to rapid roll growth.
Both schools are consulting with the community before submitting the schemes to the ministry for approval.
The proposed home zones would overlap with Epsom Girls Grammar School and Auckland Grammar School.
Parent Matthew Hooton owns a house in the proposed overlap and says the consultation has been “wholly unsatisfactory”.
The process had been rushed and parents still didn’t know the basis behind the zone overlap, he said.
Many parents were anxious that eventually these houses would be excluded from the Epsom Girls and Grammar zones, he said.
This had spurred a group of parents to inquire about taking legal action, Hooton said.
“You live in this area because you pay $100,000 more for your house so you can access Epsom Girls Grammar and Auckland Grammar School,” he said.
“Any perceived threat to these zones will be met with fierce resistance.”
and then…
he and others engaged Russell McFactory… high end law firm in Auckland and hey presto
”
Auckland Grammar, One Tree Hill College and Epsom Girls’ Grammar. Auckland Grammar, One Tree Hill College and Epsom Girls’ Grammar.
Hostile feedback from residents in some of the country’s most expensive real estate has caused an emerging school to back away from including them in its new zone.
A rapidly rising roll has seen the Ministry of Education to direct One Tree Hill College to draw-up a proposed school zone.
The school, which has seen its roll and local reputation greatly increase, put forward a zone that would overlap with those of seven other schools, including Auckland Grammar School and Epsom Girls Grammar.
Selwyn College has also consulted on a proposed zone that would overlap with EGGS and AGS.
Next trending article: Hospitals struggle with flu surge
Residents in shared zone areas were assured they will be able to choose which school their children attend.
However, some living in the sought-after “double Grammar zone” believed it might be a first step to their eventual exclusion from EGGS and AGS, because of roll pressure on the two schools.
Submissions cited proximity issues and the desire for children to attend a single-sex school, and concern about the value of property was also a factor.
Last year the Herald reported that a Mt Eden home just 750m outside the grammar zones went for $516,000 less than a similar house up the road that was within zone.
Act Party Epsom candidate David Seymour set-up a petition against the One Tree Hill proposal after fielding “a stream of phone calls and emails”.
Lobbyist and local resident and Matthew Hooton also protested against what he said was unsatisfactory consultation, and with other parents briefed law firm Russell McVeagh.
One Tree Hill College has now made the decision to withdraw any proposed overlap of the grammar zones.
The proposed Selwyn College zone will also be amended so it does not overlap with the two neighbouring schools.
One Tree Hill College said it wanted to remain focussed on the education of its students and not be drawn into “political manoeuvring” around enrolment zones in central Auckland.
“This is a success story of another New Zealand school doing extremely well and achieving excellent outcomes for our youth,” principal Nick Coughlan said.
“It is not about what Auckland Grammar School and Epsom Girls Grammar may, or may not do, in terms of changing their zones.
“That is a decision for their respective boards of trustees. One Tree Hill College were simply proposing an enrolment zone to meet Ministry of Education guidelines.”
That included the need to not divide areas and homes around contributing schools.
The college received about 150 submissions, the vast majority of which were from those opposed to the overlap with the grammar zones.
Mr Coughlan said the most who were opposed also recognised the college’s success, and he wanted to acknowledge them. A handful were not so measured, however.
“There were certainly one or two who went full quid, for want of a better term.””
I have to say fair enough Hooton and the others are hostile I would be too. Ya need to pick ya fights a bit better Tracy.
whooooosh
Triple WOOSH….
If you are correct tracey that Hooton said this …… “You live in this area because you pay $100,000 more for your house so you can access Epsom Girls Grammar and Auckland Grammar School, he said. Any perceived threat to these zones will be met with fierce resistance”
Then Matthew Hooton is an ignorant arsehole. It is no wonder that people of his ilk are detested outside of Epsom. I spit on them like they spit on us.
When I went to Epsom Grammar, parents didn’t need to own a house, or an expensive hosue for their daughters to attend.
People living in the area now have contributed to house price inflation, and excluded the descendants of working class people who once lived in the school’s catchment area. All for snobbery, status and unequal privilege.
yes it disgusts me
you know the funny thing is that the company of working class people is preferred to that of the snobs and the privileged – they tend to be ignorant which together with the disturbing power that they wield also makes them dangerous. oh and they are on average and in comparison simply very boring.
boring
boring
boring
The Party Party looks like quite a Party – about the worst that Stuff could say was that it took a while for the crowd to arrive and get out on the dance floor; on a Wednesday night in the middle of winter.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/10304657/Dotcom-kicks-off-Internet-Party-party
The thing that surprised me watching that clip is just how American Dotcom sounds on the mic. I guess it’s long established that many Kiwi rock acts will put on a British or American accent while preforming (probably not even consciously). But I’m so used to Dotcom’s speaking voice having a distinct deutscher tone, that his performance style is quite unexpected (though if you listen to some of the vowels he still has a few lingering umlauts).
wow …looks like FUN!…this is why the Left coalition is going to win…YOUNG PEOPLE VOTING!
Cunliffe rightly backs Government’s stand:
http://www.3news.co.nz/Cunliffe-backs-Govt-on-MH17-Gaza/tabid/1607/articleID/353969/Default.aspx
I’ve learnt a lot about the longstanding Palestinian/Israeli conflict in the last 2 weeks.
Our allies the US are supplying Israel with political cover, advanced weapons and funding which is then being used to kill hundreds of unarmed civilians: the indigenous natives whose land Israel has illegally and militarily occupied/stolen since 1967.
I don’t feel that NZ’s position anywhere adequately reflects these facts.
+100 CV
so it seems Cunliffee knew he was meeting with a sex offender – and told lies when caught out.
Mr Cunliffe confirmed to the Herald last night that he had arranged for the person – whose case has been the topic of media coverage – to meet a Labour candidate but said he had no idea about the controversial background until yesterday.
“If I had known of the suggestion, no such meeting would have taken place.”
But Newstalk ZB reported:
Mr Cunliffe admits a prominent New Zealander’s possible sexual offending had been raised with him before he met with the man in Queenstown last week.
So what is it? He did know – or didnt – If the admission to Newstalk ZB is true – are people happy with this?
[lprent: So by your logic, I must be a woman because of my first name? After all that is that fuckwit Cameron Slater’s insinuation. But if you aren’t a retarded sociopath, you don’t label or deal with people on the basis of rumour and possibilities. After all there are always uncivilised morans around making up and passing unsustantiated rumours around.
Just to demonstrate I will follow your ‘rule’. Because you appear to have no logic I choose at this point to think you are a silly adolescent dork who is trolling here. After all there have been people saying things similar to that about you.
So in the absence of any proof to the contrary (because it is probably suppressed), you are banned for 2 weeks. ]
Jesus, you Tories have got some gall bringing this subject up. You’re havin’ a laugh, aint ya ? I mean do you not feel just a modicum of embarrassment or shame ?
If Labour MPs refused to meet anyone about whom unsubstantiated rumours or lies had been spread, caucus meetings would have to be teleconferences.
Lol. Bye, James.
Not at all.
Its a pretty simple question. Did he lie about this. Sure looks like it.
Or are you saying that its OK to lie as long as you are leader of Labour.
Its OK to Meet and take wine from convicted sex offenders as long as you are leader of labour.
Its OK to joke about killing prostitutes if you are a supporting the left (Kim dotcom).
Seems that the rape culture that got so much comments is indeed alive and well – right here in the standard.
edit- by some people – not a reference to the standard itself or all of its posters.
Just some who are happy to look the other way when its one of their ‘own’
@ James 12.13
Oh piss off. Take your faux concerns for probity and political analysis and post them to National, along with a big dollop of humbugs, and those long lasting gob stoppers, but do keep a few for yourself..
I have some advice for cunliffe (not that he’d take it)
If you are about to meet with someone and you hears rumours that they may in fact be a sexual predator then you get someone to apoligise on your behalf and do not, I repeat, do not meet that person
Its not that difficult
If someone tells your wife a rumour they heard that you are a pedophile, then your wife should ask your kids not to talk to you anymore ? No proof needed? Just innuendo and suspicion will do?
The question Cunliffe has to ask himself is how will it play out in public especially in light of his popularity and polling
A tough, knotty, barbed sort of question, until you consider the offender’s strong links to the National Party.
Careful now, don’t want to get the standard in trouble…
On that thought though I agree that they should be named and shamed, this is more important then whatever percieved damage may occur
[lprent: Indeed. If people want to have a name and shame then they need to get a judge to agree with them.
I currently have a tendency to simply ban suppression order offenders either permanently or until after the election.
But OAK hasn’t got close to that. There are a lot of strongly offensive National supporters. ]
I think it’s you who should be careful what you wish for, trash.
Your gutter threats at 21.2.1.1 (yes they are, lowlife) expose your gutter character. Get off my shoe.
Really?
With so many lies told by tories, how is anyone supposed to realistically regard any particular rumour as being true?
I actually agree.
There must be some political radar going haywire because they should have run for the hills once they heard those rumours…
No, no it doesn’t. You can’t beat up an unsubstantiated rumour (that might not have even been at all specific) into “knowledge”.
Telling Parliament that the PM’s office got your old school chum’s cellphone number from the phone book when they wanted to offer him a job, on the other hand – that looks like a lie.
nope. Lying is bad. Try to stop doing it.
It is if you don’t know they were a convicted sex offender because the courts suppressed their name.
No. And he’s been called out on that both here and by folk in the Internet Party.
Little tory learned a new word, but still doesn’t know how to use it. That’s sweet.
So you want our politicians and their staff to openly and actively break name suppression orders?
perhaps you care to answer these questions then
by the by
Went to see what New Zealand’s political sage had to say on the Queenstown matter and was not disappointed. As balanced and objective as ever, with more tumble weed spotting than a coyote conference, all to the accompaniment of the ever growing volumes of whoosh as Cunliffe’s comments to Soper sailed clear over his little pointed head.
He also skirts more closely to openly naming the person than any blog has.
As for that other vehicle of investigative integrity he runs . . nothing since June 11.
A little story about a defunct speculator who lost his collection of valuable cars which apparently went to Dotcom, who then had them confiscated, and now Dave Blackmore is having a fit of schadenfreude and has enough spare time to run around in a vehicle with slogans trying to upset Dotcom’s political advance.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10789678
There is a piece on Blackmore and his propaganda vehicle on… greasy.
http://www.whaleoil.co.nz/tag/david-blackmore/
Here is one reason why the Left is going to win this Election!…the Internet /Mana Party…which is scooping up the youth and multi-cultural vote
‘Internet Party Party review’
By Martyn Bradbury / July 24, 2014
I have been to A LOT of political party functions in my time, and they tend to be dull affairs at the best of times but what is happening with Internet MANA is something quite exciting. I went to last nights ‘Party Party’ because I wanted to see what the turn out would be like and who exactly wants to vote for Internet MANA.
Good stuff from ‘Bomber’, the question also interests me, will be looking when the ‘roadshow’ comes to town to see who other than ‘the usual suspects’ turns out in support…
the rugby magazine cover is real, i just saw it at the supermarket.
I wonder how much the nats paid for the ad? And does it have a disclosure statement? (yeah, right)
I cc’d the Electoral Commission in my complaint.
Get typing, people.
John Key pretending to be a rugby player?! …it was dreamed up by Crosby Texter probably
…it is an revolting insult to REAL New Zealand All Blacks and REAL rugby players!….. like Winston Peters and Hone Harawira…they should challenge his PR image game of pretence in the House!
..what a phoney pretender Key is… he said he was too busy (playing the money markets?) to have even remembered the Springbok Tour!
John Key rugby player…! my arse
Commented above 6.5
24 July 2014 at 9:09 pm
Editor of mag says he’s fed up with being ‘castigated’ by people over the cover – seems he’s getting a fair bit of flak.
John Key, ‘No 1 All Black fan’ on a magazine cover in an AB shirt with four ABs with caption ‘leader of the pack’ – two months before the election.
Just a coincidence – yeah right.
Tory Entitlement update No94: Gerry Brownlee.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/10306149/Gerry-Brownlee-offers-resignation-over-airport-drama
Nothing to see here though, Key relaxed: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11298499
Born to rule example No7686: the 5th National government.
He should have been fired over that. Another example of this National government being corrupt.
So Gerry Brownlee offers his resignation as Minister of Transport!
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1407/S00481/statement-from-hon-gerry-brownlee.htm
More like a publicity stunt – Is this all the Nats have to offer?
Abuse of power and privilege and theft as a servant?
I wonder if after this “sob” story Uncle John will say – “Never Mind Gerry – your doing such a fine job of fucking up NZ Transport you keep your job!”
Meh.
Gerry and John’s “lolz I’ll resign, lolz nah you’re sweet” bit is just fud to cloud Claudette’s disgrace.
So Gerry Brownlee as Minister of Transport decides he cannot bother waiting for a security check at Christchurch Airport and deliberately avoids the check by trying to board plane through the airport exit doors.
Thsi is so serious that it should result in a full police investigation and charge ion the courts, Recently Jono & Ben show were charged for a prank that involved doing something similar and all hell broke loose.
Is the minister going to be charged?
Offering a token ‘I’ll resign my portfolio’ is insufficient. He should be charged and Key should do the same to Gerry as he did to his MP for Kelston. Show Gerry the door.
Not serious? You try dodging security checks Ron. So you will get away with a roguish grin and a friendly pat. Reckon? Try it. At the same level as saying that you have a bomb in your bag. Very funny but watch what happens.
I say charge Jerry Brownlie!
Jono and ben impersonated/provided false information.
Simply bypassing security because you think you’re awesome is one of those things that’s so dickish it doesn’t appear to have been specifically legislated against in the Civil aviation Act, at first glance anyway.
Here is some good news from a Stuff poll
http://i.imgur.com/BdBS8Ba.png?1
I’m surprised this doesn’t get a thread of its own and proof that the Left will win the next election 🙂
Wonderful banter, Pucks. You read a lot of Oscar Wilde, do you ?
Naah but I watched the movie and Stephen Fry did a brilliant job playing him, even looked like him too…kinda
lol
credit where it’s due, that one was pretty funny
i am surprised that a little puppy like you Puckish isn’t covered in tire treads from having chased one too many vehicle exhausts…
lol
that is bad news for the vote them out party
Better late than never i suppose, although as far as the pinheads over at Colon’s Conservatives goes those proposing the opposite to that point in a debate would pretty much carry the moot unchallenged to any great extent,
Laugh out Loud material in among the Thursday drop of junk into the mailbox, along with one of the local freebie newspapers which deserves an ups for its well put together format and news stories topical to the area,
Anyone who gets this one, The Wellingtonian, will know what i am on about, the other freebie, the Cook Strait Times is learning but not ‘quite there’ in my opinion,
i tho digress, only most of the week late my copy of Colon’s plan for a nationwide bowel movement arrived today,
No i haven’t sent it up in flames just yet, on the back page is a gift that will just keep on giving, Lookout NZ Post workers, ‘incoming’ and my apologies beforhand,
There’s a pre-paid postage thingy on the back of a little tear off that has space for the name and address presumably so anyone having gone completely over the edge can have the little tribe of screwballs send even more of this trash,
Perfect, absolutely perfect, i plan on using the address box to send Colon and Co a little message, as its pre-paid postage Colon is picking up the tab and it will keep a postal worker or two in choclate bikkies for a while longer at least,
The message??? i haven’t decided yet, something gutter, to do with sex and travel i should imagine,
Again my apologies to any NZ Post worker who is harmed from having been subjected to such messaging…
Why not just confess to Colin that you are turned on by his countenance and would like to know him better. All those hoardings with his picture on is just driving you crazy
Why not Ron take your lurid homosexual fantasies off to some place where their telling would really be appreciated,
Try Garrett Street if you are in Wellington, don’t forget your lippy will you…
The Intercept reveals the full details of US terrorist blacklisting/watchlisting criteria. A massive revelation. Including the bizarre fact that dead people can be put on watchlists.
https://firstlook.org/theintercept/article/2014/07/23/blacklisted/
We are so on the slippery slope towards some form of police state in the west – it is bloody scary.
” They also define as terrorism any act that is “dangerous” to property and intended to influence government policy through intimidation.”
well that describes the US government – ha ha ha ha ha ha ha the US government has just defined itself as a terrorist organisation
……. screaming to the hellhole at the bottom we go ……… wheeeeeeee ……..
The interest of international labour, have been failed again. OECD slack on tax fraud, here a good read – http://www.icij.org/blog/2014/07/oecds-plan-end-bank-secrecy-blasted-activists?utm_source=email&utm_campaign=newsletter&utm_medium=icij-email
Once a Chekist…
/
Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a law requiring internet companies to store all personal data of Russian users at data centres in Russia, a move which could chill criticism on foreign social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter.
These companies, which do not have offices in Russia, have become a vital resource for opposition groups and refuse to hand over user data to governments.
The use of Russian data centres would make them subject to Russian laws on government access to information.
The Kremlin said the law was aimed at “improving the management of personal data of Russian citizens on computer networks” and that companies that did not comply would be blocked.</i>
http://www.zdnet.com/putin-signs-data-retention-law-7000031897/
ha ha I like their justification – seems they are learning from the americans
Tomorrow the Israeli government is going to kill 7 children
http://www.stuff.co.nz/world/middle-east/10306469/Gaza-war-in-saddest-photo-from-space
Tomorrow the Israeli government is going to kill 7 children
They are very lucky that the Palestinians are not very good at firing rockets. Maybe someone upstairs likes the Israelis
Roads that are really of national significance and not just nice to haves!
Radionz News
Forestry workers condemn road delays
Work begins to clear a slip on Mangakahia Road in Northland.
Forestry contractors in storm-battered Northland say road closures and detours are causing heavy financial losses and that their plight is being ignored.
Before the rains the inhabitants around were complaining about the choking, thick, obscuring dust clouds setting off asthma attacks, lying on everything, making driving dangerous etc etc Just fill in your own ideas of what would happen if there was a dust storm.
So dry or wet there are problems not being addressed. It all makes for a level playing field though – everyone is upset and struggling. That is how NZ operates isn’t it. Wait till something is falling over, then think about it for a while, put it to a select committee. Find it is being exagerrated. Wait till someone dies and blame it all on the driver. etc etc
After seeing TV news tonight it occurs to me that the elegant solution to the Leaders’ debates dilemma is for TVNZ to host at Key/Norman debate while TV3 hosts Key/Cunliffe. The vile filth that Hoskings has spewed about Cunliffe for the past 3 years certainly disqualifies him from moderating a Key/Cunliffe debate.
Yeah, I don’t get it at all. David Cunliffe is likeable, honest and natural. He is the real Kiwi to John Key’s yanky-doodle-dandy.
You can see it in the footage from his visit to his old mates in a Timaru pub recently. On entry he hugs his old friends, hugs them! Upon sitting down for a chat, one of his childhood friends rips into the local Labour MP/candidate calling him an idiot. Cunliffe didn’t spit the dummy, he went with it and made a joke, even though his old friend had criticised one of the members of his own campaign on TV. David Cunliffe recognises he was on their patch, and that people have different views and he accepts it.
John Key would have got the GCSB onto that guy if it was #TeamKey in the firing line. He thinks anywhere in NZ is his patch.
John Key. Does. Not. Accept. Criticism.
They would have had to text Key from behind the secure cordon set up by the trained attack dogs of his diplomatic protection squad. Key is about as far from being an average bloke as it’s possible to be.
” … Key/Norman debate”.
What have got against Metiria Turei, Benghazi?
http://www.change.org/en-CA/petitions/television-new-zealand-calling-to-have-mike-hosking-dropped-from-moderatingthe-political-debates#share
For those of you who haven’t seen this on the post on Hoskings as moderator, please sign!
Done Anker. 1,678 have signed. Amazing for less than a day.
Latest blow against personal rights and reasoned approach to dying.
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jul/24/euthanasia-campaigner-dr-philip-nitschke-suspended-by-medical-board
In a press conference in Adelaide, Nitschke said: “The board’s decision seems in keeping with the Liberal government’s long-standing policy of censorship of information on death and dying,” he said….
The South Australian Board of the Medical Board of Australia said it made the decision, which will apply nationally, to “keep the public safe”.
The interim suspension, an “immediate action” separate to other inquiries the regulator is conducting into the man dubbed “Doctor Death”, was triggered by an ABC television story in July alleging that Nitschke had counselled an apparently depressed but otherwise healthy Perth man, Nigel Brayley, to take his own life.
Brayley, 45, died in May after taking a euthanasia drug he illegally imported from China.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-07-24/euthanasia-advocate-philip-nitschke-suspended-by-medical-board/5615268
Euthanasia advocate Philip Nitschke has been suspended by the Medical Board of Australia, which says he “presents a serious risk to public health and safety”.
Mental health groups Beyond Blue and the Black Dog Institute believe Dr Nitschke had an obligation to recommended psychiatric help to Mr Brayley, but Dr Nitschke said it
was not his role to intervene….
Dr Nitschke, who described the suspension as a “politically motivated deregistration”, told AM it was “clearly stupid” to claim he is a risk to public safety.
What would you expect form an almost Jesuit prime minister
@ Ron 9.22
You mean Abbott? It seems that the big push is coming from a very conservative
medical board. Although only of one state, but then it seems it will be automatic for the whole of the country.
The South Australian Board of the Medical Board of Australia said it made the decision, which will apply nationally, to “keep the public safe”.
It is amazing how difficult it is for politicians to accept new ideas and it is unsatisfactory that we have to go cap in hand to them, and possibly have, in NZ to wait for a private members Bill to be drawn from a lottery. My scenario for what would produce good social legislation would change that.
We should be able to go to a Tribunal and state that we have a People’s Bill which we wanted put in our own system, parallel with government but doing much of the work ourselves for what we thought would be a good idea. This would then go into the select committee process with submissions heard or received on it, which would be incorporated unless unreasonable. It would however be an opt-in situation for being accepted in its final form, when there was no glaring reason why not.
Then it would have a pilot and be monitored before being introduced nationally and examined after two years for any faults, or extra steps and funding. Sensitive matters like this would be assessed every four years, one year longer than a present parliamentary term, as it seems a good long period in which to assess whether it needed small improvements.
All pollies need to do is to introduce reasonable safeguards, after consultation with long-standing groups, and then enable what people want. Let people decide when they are ready to die, have some counselling sessions first ensuring that depression and stress received help when people are still young,. Even if thinking of going when they are still ‘young’ oldies, which is in their 70’s nowadays, despite many news reports referring to 50 year olds as elderly.
Looks like National Standards is working real well…not!
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11298477
http://i.imgur.com/4xDdxZO.png
Nothing against her at all Te Reo Putake and point taken. It was Norman that was doing the sound bites this evening which was why I thought of him.
Benjamin Netanyahu you are a war criminal, bombing a designated UN safe haven full of families is a crime against humanity; off to the Hague with you!