Wow. Some could begin to arguye that you guys are pathetic.
Is the strength of your argument for another Labour government these piddling little one-ups.
Matthew Pilott – To suggest that John is stupid is non-sensical. Surely someone who has been as success as Mr. Key is not stupid. I mean c’mon! Get real guys.
Should discredit everything else that person says from that point on. They arent an expert, they obviously have political reasons to weigh in on this issue.
All you have done is say, “look, someone else who hates John Key as much as I do, agrees with me!”
“Matthew Pilott – To suggest that John is stupid is non-sensical. Surely someone who has been as success as Mr. Key is not stupid. I mean c’mon!”
So how about Michael Campbell for PM, or Tana Umaga, Marc Ellis or Jason Gunn – they have all been very sucessful in their fields.
Making money by speculating is not the sign of a good elected representative or Prime Minister. I would choose to base it upon his words or actions outside of his previous profession.
Kimble, how do you know that Mr Bhana isn’t a fisherman by trade, and that his expertise is on the letter’s main topic? Why dismiss it out of hand because it says something you don’t agree with?
“Making money by speculating is not the sign of a good elected representative”
I believe John Key was elected with a larger majority in his second MP election than his first. Obviously his consistuents believe he is doing a good job. You are nothing if not amusing Matthew.
lemsip, he had a far higher profile by then, as everyone was waiting for him to bump old donnie BrashCo. I’d be worried if he did not do better.
Do you disagree with the comment that making money by speculating is not the sign of a good elected representative? that is what was meant by his ‘success’, I’d guess…
I like the bit about having ‘worked with and filmed sharks for more than a decade’, quite compelling. You still want to stop crab guy doing his job?
My original point is that JK should not shoot from the hip, its not his strong point, still stands! I think JK is smart and IMO its ok for a politician to say ‘i don’t know until I get the facts’, would make me consider them as a thinker instead of a shoot first type, like Cullen did today. Classic example of it!
You are such an intellectual lightweight Matthew. When you are confronted with inconvenient facts it is okay to admit you may have been mistaken. To do so is a sign of maturity and intellect.
“Do you disagree with the comment that making money by speculating is not the sign of a good elected representative?”
I don’t accept your premise that being good at making money is a sign of a bad elected representative. I think it is neutral. However, what it does show is that John Key CAN be successful. The fact that he increased his winning electorate margin by over 10200 votes also suggests he CAN be successful and importantly, in more than making money. Hell if he wins this year he may increase his winning margin in 2011.
What I do know Matthew is that you could never be as successful as John Key in either making money or being an MP. Nor would you ever be considered to be prime ministerial quality by over half the population in more than one randomly sampled poll. I doubt I could be either.
actually let me rephrase – I don’t think you could lead a party that is judged to be government quality by over half the population in more than one randomly sampled poll. My apologies
“Kimble: where are the WMD’s, cause I am all out.”
The point isnt Iraq and WMDs, it is that within the first sentence he has shown that he is unreliable partisan rather than any sort of objective expert.
If you saw a letter to the editor saying “As a vet I have worked with dogs for 25 years, and Labours policy on chipping them is simply more social engineering and manipulation from nanny-statists and socialist lickspittles.”
Would you accept that their opinion is genuine, or would you suspect that their opinion is coloured just a little by their rabid hatred of the left wing? Mmm?
It is Mike Bhanas obvious hatred of Key that makes me dismiss his opinion out of hand.
“Do you disagree with the comment that making money by speculating is not the sign of a good elected representative?”
Yes, I do. Do you know what his actual job was and what that entailed?
I think it is obvious that what you really wanted to say was,
“Do you disagree that making money is not the sign of a good elected representative?”
Bhana is a well known well traveled and much admired surfer and videographer. His comments about GWB appear to be pretty much tongue in cheek but once again Kimble and his ilk determine that if you’re anti war you must be written off as an anti American BBC watching Key hating Labour supporting collectivist pinko leftard. Never mind that the mans opinions and world view are based on experiences that most can only dream about.
And almost a year out from elections Keys shooting from the lip is a gift to labour thats going to keep on giving.
So the word has gone out to the labour drones to send letters in about anything, just make sure they contain phrases about the War in Iraq and John Key. Desperate and pathetic…
“don’t think its obvious hatred, disdain for blaming the crab guy based on no evidence maybe.”
Riiiight. That last line about Key actually complaining about a poor comrade trying to scratch up a living wage near his pristine, upper class beach is sooooo neutral. It is obvious that his concern is all about the poor crabber and he is just miffed the way Key has destroyed this poor guys life. Whatever.
“And almost a year out from elections Keys shooting from the lip is a gift to labour thats going to keep on giving.”
Yeah, people that would never have voted for National in a million years are confirming they wont vote for them in the next election. What a coup.
“I think it is obvious that what you really wanted to say was,
“Do you disagree that making money is not the sign of a good elected representative?“Â
Kimble, you are completely right there, believe it or not. For example, selling drugs can be quite profitable – do you think that’s the sign of a good MP? Prostitution perhaps? Selling child porn…
Lemsip, I agree he’s doing well as an MP on the face of it. however when people talk about his ‘success’ they are generally referring to his work prior to becoming an MP. If my comment confused you because of that I’m truly sorry.
“,“Do you disagree with the comment that making money by speculating is not the sign of a good elected representative?”Â
I don’t accept your premise that being good at making money is a sign of a bad elected representative. ”
For an initllectual heavyweight such as yourself, I’m surprised you’d make the mistake of falsely inverting a statement, nice false premise you tried to use there though. Did you think it would slip past a lightweight such as myself?
Kimble: You still have not answered my question, based on John Keys Gut instinct about sharks or a guy that obviously doesn’t like john key but knows lots about sharks – ‘would You still want to stop crab guy doing his job?’
Matthew my mistake – sorry – too much caffiene and little sleep. But heres the rub for you – there is evidence that John Key is a successful elected representative i.e. his constituents reelected him with a significantly larger winning margin. That significantly weakens your little argument “I would choose to base it upon his words or actions outside of his previous profession.” His current profession IS being an ELECTED REPRESENTATIVE and judging by the only firm quantitative measure available he’s successful at his job.
‘would You still want to stop crab guy doing his job?’
Based on as little information as we have here? No.
What Key said was that the ministry should be able to issue cease and desist orders if they thought it was in the interest of public saftey. A person in the ministry has confirmed that currently they cant.
Do you know how close the crab pots are to the beach? Do you know how far away from the shore the burley bombs are being dropped? No. You dont know either of those things.
Matthew, do you disagree with the statement that being a woman is not a sign of a good elected representative?
Matthew, do you disagree with the statement that being a maori is not a sign of a good elected representative?
Matthew, do you disagree with the statement that being a homosexual is not a sign of a good elected representative?
Matthew, do you disagree with the statement that being a muslim is not a sign of a good elected representative?
‘would You still want to stop crab guy doing his job?’
Based on as little information as we have here? No.
What Key said was that the ministry should be able to issue cease and desist orders if they thought it was in the interest of public saftey. A person in the ministry has confirmed that currently they cant.
Do you know how close the crab pots are to the beach? Do you know how far away from the shore the burley bombs are being dropped? No. You dont know either of those things.
Matthew, do you disagree with the statement that being a woman is not a sign of a good elected representative?
Matthew, do you disagree with the statement that being a maori is not a sign of a good elected representative?
Matthew, do you disagree with the statement that being a homosexual is not a sign of a good elected representative?
Matthew, do you disagree with the statement that being a muslim is not a sign of a good elected representative?
Matthew, do you disagree with the statement that being the leader of a group of people, being informed and knowledgeable about the current economic state of multiple inter-related countries, making decisions about the characteristics and performance of employees, being experienced in deciding between often conflicting view points from people who are both experts in their field, being in a position that often requires split-second decision making, being experienced with, and successful in, high pressure situations, being a member of a high level committee with a lot of responsibility, being in a position to make decisions with far-reaching consequences, and to do all this successfully, ARE signs of a good elected representative?
“Matthew, do you disagree with the statement that being the leader of a group of people, being informed and knowledgeable about the current economic state of multiple inter-related countries, making decisions about the characteristics and performance of employees, being experienced in deciding between often conflicting view points from people who are both experts in their field, being in a position that often requires split-second decision making, being experienced with, and successful in, high pressure situations, being a member of a high level committee with a lot of responsibility, being in a position to make decisions with far-reaching consequences, and to do all this successfully, ARE signs of a good elected representative?”
Drug dealers do have a lot on their plates don’t they? So, when is the Medellin cartel coming to town?
No, the problem is the skills you mentioned could apply to the head of a criminal organisation such as the mafia or a drug cartel, equally as much as a currency trader.
Maybe, with that realisation, you’ll start to get my point.
‘Based on as little information as we have here? No.’
thanks for the answer, I am not trying to goad you, just sayin that we can make better decisions when we have the facts, and JK should know better. He has been doing this for a few years now…Oh and cullens little email of venom was just as silly!
‘Do you know how close the crab pots are to the beach? Do you know how far away from the shore the burley bombs are being dropped? No. You dont know either of those things.’
yeah I do cause I was there over new years, and they are quite far away from the one place where you can safely swim at omaha. I have to say most people don’t fish around omaha itself, but further round the point toward leigh…
Anyway its too hot i am off to the beach for a shark free swim. Cheers Kimble. đ
No, I get that. I got it at the start. The traits of good leaders are generally the same no matter whether they run a country, a corporation, or a criminal organisation.
So Keys history of good leadership is relevant to his suitability for the elected role he is running for.
The only way you can discount his suitability as the leader of this country is if you object to the field in which he gained those skills.
Where he gained his skills is relevant, as you point out, we dont want a great leader that has spent his life thus far working outside the law, as a drug lord has.
So what is it about being involved with currency trading that makes you call into question Keys suitability for the role of leader of NZ?
Bear in mind, he didnt actually make his entire wealth sitting in front of a terminal, trading currency. He is likely to have made the lion’s share as salary and bonuses for his work as a leader.
“Anyway its too hot i am off to the beach for a shark free swim.”
You hope it is shark free. Given that the ministry of fisheries cant stop someone laying baited crab pots around beaches where people swim, and that sharks are attracted by the things they use as bait, I guess you just have to hope that no one has decided to increase your risk of shark attack to make a few quid.
“Where he gained his skills is relevant, as you point out, we dont want a great leader that has spent his life thus far working outside the law, as a drug lord has.
So what is it about being involved with currency trading that makes you call into question Keys suitability for the role of leader of NZ?”
Your first statement here sort of answers the second, in that it’s not being sucessful as a currency trader that would make a good leader. A good trader might also be a hard-as-nails obnoxious semi-alcoholic pig. It is other qualities you look for – personal traits if you will. A drug lord probably lacks the latter – they might have the same skills as teh currency trader, but also have the tendency to take out the opposition with automatic gunfire.
So I’m saying, as I have from the start, that being a good currency trader won’t make him a good leader per se – you’ll note I didn’t say it was a bad sign either!
No, being a good trader doesnt mean you will be a good leader. But Key wasnt a trader, he was a leader.
He led a group of people who would have included some currency speculators. He was a successful leader but you are discounting this entirely because he was involved in currency trading. So what is wrong with currency trading (as an industry) that makes his leadership experience in that field invalid?
meh. Sounds like he made an off the cuff remark that was wrong.
So freaking what. What matters are the policy decisions that politicians make, not their slip of the tongue gaffs.
Honestly, if a labour cabinet minister had said the same thing, would the same people who are profess dismay at John Key saying this also be dismayed then? would the same people who think it’s no big deal now also think it’s no big deal then?
I try not to listen to people who I think hold their affiliation to a party over ‘mere facts’
Kimble, I don’t know John Key as well as you seem to be describing him. The anecdotal evidence I have from people I do know who have met him doesn’t quite match the picture you are painting though.
Why is it that some humans think they must dominate every other living thing on the planet to suit themselves? What is wrong with some sharks enjoying a bit of ‘sunbathing’? After all, they DO live in the ocean, unlike ourselves. Maybe the warm summer and calm weather is due to, dare I say it, ‘global warming’, and we’d better get used to it.
Here in Hawke’s Bay we have our own ‘Coruba Shark Hunt’; what an embarrassment and insult to host this despicable event, and it’s not like sharkmeat is on any menu in the Bay, in fact the pitiful sharks caught end up at the local tip.
So, Simon Tremain (Nat. Party, Napier), since you’re into protecting the “environment” http://www.stuff.co.nz/4357598a6479.html) when will you get some balls and speak up about the pointless killing of sharks?
I don’t see many people complaining about the amount of shark bait thrown around the oceans during the Coruba Shark Hunt.
“So what is wrong with currency trading (as an industry) that makes his leadership experience in that field invalid?”
So much buddy, There is a lot of honesty coming out of wall street these days and it really paints the world of traders and brokers as the absurd capital casino it is. The best traders in wall street are known as “big swinging dicks”…..that’s a term of reverse endearment , read macho no neck arseholes.
Hitler was a good leader for a while, the germans loved him in the 1930’s. ….leadership is contextual.
The fear is Key lacks an empathy for outcomes.If that doesn’t bother you I guess you’ll vote for him. A prerequisite for modern government will be an ability to acknowledge the complexities and multiple layers involved in the adminstration of a nations citizenry. You see that coming to play in the U.S as Bush totally shoots up the rightwing playbook with an endless energy of brainless ,hopelessly unstraight shooting.Key seems to be fixated on productivity supplied by pressure. He wont feel the pressure, it’ll be us who get asked to find the x-factor undefineable surge in our all ready too crowded working week.
This link has been posted around this site a few times by various people but I think this calls for another airing to give you an idea of the kind of profession we’re talking about.
Berley bombs you get from fish city weigh about three kilos each. It is possible to buy a big ten or fifteen kilo one, but they hardly ever get used, and if they do it’s mainly on an offshore sort of trip. A three kilo berley bomb lasts ages, and would do you for an afternoon’s fishing.
Each crab pot has around a kilo of bait in it, and with around to seventy or eighty pots in the vicinity of the beach, well, even you idiots can do the math. The pots are re-baited daily. That’s around seventy kilos of berley per day, or the equivalent of at least twenty boats anchoring and berleying up off Omaha beach every day.
Apparently Bhana’s either lying or stupid, or quite likely both, much like the authors of this piece of shit blog.
Plus, nobody buys a big flash boat to anchor 200 yards of Omaha beach and fish.
thats people who know sharks…So what evidence do you have that Mr Bhana is wrong on sharks???? Then what would you do restrict the crab guy or tell the swimmers to sunbathe instead. As your an obvious expert on the subject.
“Plus, nobody buys a big flash boat to anchor 200 yards of Omaha beach and fish.”
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Skeptical Science is partnering with Gigafact to produce fact briefs — bite-sized fact checks of trending claims. This fact brief was written by Sue Bin Park in collaboration with members from our Skeptical Science team. You can submit claims you think need checking via the tipline. Is Antarctica gaining land ice? ...
Images of US students (and others) protesting and setting up tent cities on US university campuses have been broadcast world wide and clearly demonstrate the growing rifts in US society caused by US policy toward Israel and Israel’s prosecution of … Continue reading → ...
Barrie Saunders writes – Dear Paul As the new Minister of Media and Communications, you will be inundated with heaps of free advice and special pleading, all in the national interest of course. For what it’s worth here is my assessment: Traditional broadcasting free to air content through ...
Many criticisms are being made of the Governmentâs Fast Track Approvals Bill, including by this writer. But as with everything in politics, every story has two sides, and both deserve attention. Itâs important to understand what the Government is trying to achieve and its arguments for such a bold reform. ...
Peter Dunne writes –Â The great nineteenth British Prime Minister, William Gladstone, once observed that âthe first essential for a Prime Minister is to be a good butcher.â When a later British Prime Minister, Harold Macmillan, sacked a third of his Cabinet in July 1962, in what became ...
Ele Ludemann writes – New Zealanders had the OECDâs second highest tax increase last year: New Zealanders faced the second-biggest tax raises in the developed world last year, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) says. The intergovernmental agency said the average change in personal income tax ...
We all know something’s not right with our elections. The spread of misinformation, people being targeted with soundbites and emotional triggers that ignore the facts, even the truth, and influence their votes.The use of technology to produce deep fakes. How can you tell if something is real or not? Can ...
This video includes conclusions of the creator climate scientist Dr. Simon Clark. It is presented to our readers as an informed perspective. Please see video description for references (if any). This year you will be lied to! Simon Clark helps prebunk some misleading statements you'll hear about climate. The video includes ...
It is all very well cutting the backrooms of public agencies but it may compromise the frontlines. One of the frustrations of the Productivity Commissionâs 2017 review of universities is that while it observed that their non-academic staff were increasing faster than their academic staff, it did not bother to ...
Buzz from the Beehive Two speeches delivered by Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters at Anzac Day ceremonies in Turkey are the only new posts on the governmentâs official website since the PM announced his Cabinet shake-up. In one of the speeches, Peters stated the obvious:Â we live in a troubled ...
1. Which of these would you not expect to read in The Waikato Invader?a. Luxon is here to do business, don’t you worry about thatb. Mr KPI expects results, and you better believe itc. This decisive man of action is getting me all hot and excitedd. Melissa Lee is how ...
…it has a restricted jurisdiction which must not be abused: it is not an inquisition  NOTE – this article was published before the High Court ruled that Karen Chhour does not have to appear before the Waitangi Tribunal Gary Judd writes – The High Court ...
Lindsay Mitchell writes – One of reasons Oranga Tamariki exists is to prevent child neglect. But could the organisation itself be guilty of the same?Oranga Tamarikiâs statistics show a decrease in the number and age of children in care. âThere are less children ...
David Farrar writes: Graeme Edgeler wrote in 2017: In the first five years after three strikes came into effect 5248 offenders received a âfirst strikeâ (that is, a âstage-1 convictionâ under the three strikes sentencing regime), and 68 offenders received a âsecond strikeâ. In the five years prior to ...
Bryce Edwards writes – Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has surprised everyone with his ruthlessness in sacking two of his ministers from their crucial portfolios. Removing ministers for poor performance after only five months in the job just doesnât normally happen in politics. Thatâs refreshing and will be extremely ...
TL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the two days to 6:06am on Thursday, April 25:Politics: PM Christopher Luxon has set up a dual standard for ministerial competence by demoting two National Cabinet ministers while leaving also-struggling ...
Hi,Today I mainly want to share some of your thoughts about the recent piece I wrote about success and failure, and the forces that seemingly guide our lives. But first, a quick bit of housekeeping: I am doing a Webworm popup in Los Angeles on Saturday May 11 at 2pm. ...
It is hard to see what Melissa Lee might have done to âsaveâ the media. National went into the election with no public media policy and appears not to have developed one subsequently. Lee claimed that she had prepared a policy paper before the election but it had been decided ...
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. Â ...
Todayâs 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 itâs 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. âThis 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. âThe government has increased Pharmac funding but conceded it will only make minimal increases in access to medicineâ, said Ayesha Verrall âThis is far from the bold promises made to fund ...
This afternoonâs interim Waitangi Tribunal report must be taken seriously as it affects our most vulnerable children, Labour childrenâs spokesperson Willow-Jean Prime. ...
Te PÄti MÄori 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 veteransâ support is out of step with our closest partners, and all parties in Parliament should work together to fix it, Labour veteransâ affairs spokesperson Greg OâConnor said. ...
Stripping two Ministers of their portfolios just six months into the job shows Christopher Luxonâs management style is lacking, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said. ...
Tonightâs court decision to overturn the summons of the Childrenâs Minister has enabled the Crown to continue making decisions about MÄori without evidence, says Te PÄti MÄori spokesperson for Children, Mariameno Kapa-Kingi. âThe 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 yearâs 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, Labourâs 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 countryâs 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 Governmentâs Fast Track Approvals Bill will give projects such as new coal mines a âget out of jail freeâ card to wreak havoc on the environment, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said today. ...
The government's decision to reintroduce Three Strikes is a destructive and ineffective piece of law-making that will only exacerbate an inherently biased and racist criminal justice system, said Te PÄti MÄori Justice Spokesperson, TÄkuta Ferris, today. During the time Three Strikes was in place in Aotearoa, MÄori and Pasifika received ...
Cuts to frontline hospital staff are not only a broken election promise, it shows the reckless tax cuts have well and truly hit the frontline of the health system, says Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall. ...
The Green Party has joined the call for public submissions on the fast-track legislation to be extended after the Ombudsman forced the Government to release the list of organisations invited to apply just hours before submissions close. ...
New Zealandâs good work at reducing climate emissions for three years in a row will be undone by the National governmentâs lack of ambition and scrapping programmes that were making a difference, Labour Party climate spokesperson Megan Woods said today. ...
More essential jobs could be on the chopping block, this time Ministry of Education staff on the school lunches team are set to find out whether they're in line to lose their jobs. ...
Te PÄti MÄori is disgusted at the confirmation that hundreds are set to lose their jobs at Oranga Tamariki, and the disestablishment of the Treaty Response Unit. âThis act of absolute carelessness and out of touch decision making is committing tamariki to state abuse.â Said Te PÄti MÄori Oranga Tamariki ...
The Government is trying to bring in a law that will allow Ministers to cut corners and kill off native species, Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said. ...
Cancelling urgently needed new Cook Strait ferries and hiking the cost of public transport for many Kiwis so that National can announce the prospect of another tunnel for Wellington is not making good choices, Labour Transport Spokesperson Tangi Utikere said. ...
A laundry list of additional costs for TÄmaki Makarau Auckland shows the Minister for the city is not delivering for the people who live there, says Labour Auckland Issues spokesperson Shanan Halbert. ...
Te PÄti MÄori co-leader Rawiri Waititi, and Mema Paremata mĆ TÄmaki-Makaurau, Takutai Tarsh Kemp, will travel to the Gold Coast to strengthen ties with MÄori in Australia next week (15-21 April). The visit, in the lead-up to the 9th Australian National Kapa haka Festival, will be an opportunity for both ...
The Green Party has today launched a step-by-step guide to help New Zealanders make their voice heard on the Governmentâs democracy dodging and anti-environment fast track legislation. ...
Trade Minister Todd McClay says Canadaâs 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 ânext moveâ ...
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 Childrenâs Commissioner. âThe 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.    âThe 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. âOur Governmentâs thoughts are with his wife Lynda, family and community, those he has worked with, the disability community in ...
Good evening â  Before discussing the challenges and opportunities facing New Zealandâs foreign policy, weâd 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. âCreating 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 Northlandâs 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 ...
Kiwi exporters are $100 million better off today with the NZ EU FTA entering into force says Trade Minister Todd McClay. âThis is all part of our plan to grow the economy. New Zealand's prosperity depends on international trade, making up 60 per cent of the countryâs total economic activity. ...
There are heartening signs that the extractive sector is once again becoming an attractive prospect for investors and a source of economic prosperity for New Zealand, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. âThe beginnings of a resurgence in extractive industries are apparent in media reports of the sector in the past ...
The return of the historic Ć-RÄkau battle site to the descendants of those who fought there moved one step closer today with the first reading of Te Pire mĆ Ć-RÄkau, Te Pae o Maumahara / The Ć-RÄkau Remembrance Bill. The Bill will entrust the 9.7-hectare battle site, five kilometres west ...
Energy Minister Simeon Brown has announced 25 new high-speed EV charging hubs along key routes between major urban centres and outlined the Governmentâs plan to supercharge New Zealandâs EV infrastructure. The hubs will each have several chargers and be capable of charging at least four â and up to 10 ...
The coalition Government will not proceed with the previous Governmentâs plans to regulate residential property managers, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. âI have written to the Chairperson of the Social Services and Community Committee to inform him that the Government does not intend to support the Residential Property Managers Bill ...
The Government has announced an independent review into the disability support system funded by the Ministry of Disabled People â Whaikaha. Disability Issues Minister Louise Upston says the review will look at what can be done to strengthen the long-term sustainability of Disability Support Services to provide disabled people and ...
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith has attended the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva and outlined the Governmentâs plan to restore law and order. âSpeaking to the United Nations Human Rights Council provided us with an opportunity to present New Zealandâs human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while responding to issues and ...
The Government and Rotorua Lakes Council are committed to working closely together to end the use of contracted emergency housing motels in Rotorua. Associate Minister of Housing (Social Housing) Tama Potaka says the Government remains committed to ending the long-term use of contracted emergency housing motels in Rotorua by the ...
Trade Minister Todd McClay heads overseas today for high-level trade talks in the Gulf region, and a key OECD meeting in Paris. Mr McClay will travel to Riyadh to meet with counterparts from Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). âNew Zealandâs goods and services exports to the Gulf region ...
Education Minister Erica Stanford has outlined six education priorities to deliver a world-leading education system that sets Kiwi kids up for future success. âIâm putting ambition, achievement and outcomes at the heart of our education system. I want every child to be inspired and engaged in their learning so they ...
The new NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) App is a secure âone stop shopâ to provide the services drivers need, Transport Minister Simeon Brown and Digitising Government Minister Judith Collins say. âThe NZTA App will enable an easier way for Kiwis to pay for Vehicle Registration and Road User Charges (RUC). ...
WhÄnau with tamariki growing up in emergency housing motels will be prioritised for social housing starting this week, says Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka. âGiving these whÄnau a better opportunity to build healthy stable lives for themselves and future generations is an essential part of the Governmentâs goal of reducing ...
Racing Minister Winston Peters has paid tribute to an icon of the industry with the recent passing of Dave OâSullivan (OBE). âOur sympathies are with the OâSullivan family with the sad news of Dave OâSullivanâs recent passing,â Mr Peters says. âHis contribution to racing, initially as a jockey and then ...
Assalaamu alaikum, greetings to you all. Eid Mubarak, everyone! I want to extend my warmest wishes to you and everyone celebrating this joyous occasion. It is a pleasure to be here. I have enjoyed Eid celebrations at Parliament before, but this is my first time joining you as the Minister ...
Associate Health Minister David Seymour has announced Pharmacâs largest ever budget of $6.294 billion over four years, fixing a $1.774 billion fiscal cliff.  âAccess to medicines is a crucial part of many Kiwisâ lives. Weâve committed to a budget allocation of $1.774 billion over four years so Kiwis are ...
Hon Paula Bennett has been appointed as member and chair of the Pharmac board, Associate Health Minister David Seymour announced today. "Pharmac is a critical part of New Zealand's health system and plays a significant role in ensuring that Kiwis have the best possible access to medicines,â says Mr Seymour. ...
Hundreds of New Zealand families affected by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) will benefit from a new Government focus on prevention and treatment, says Health Minister Dr Shane Reti. âWe know FASD is a leading cause of preventable intellectual and neurodevelopmental disability in New Zealand,â Dr Reti says. âEvery day, ...
Regional Development Minister Shane Jones today attended the official opening of Kaikoheâs new $14.7 million sports complex. âThe completion of the Kaikohe Multi Sports Complex is a fantastic achievement for the Far North,â Mr Jones says. âThis facility not only fulfils a long-held dream for local athletes, but also creates ...
Foreign Minister Winston Petersâ engagements in TĂŒrkiye this week underlined the importance of diplomacy to meet growing global challenges.  âReturning to the Gallipoli Peninsula to represent New Zealand at Anzac commemorations was a sombre reminder of the critical importance of diplomacy for de-escalating conflicts and easing tensions,â Mr Peters ...
Ambassador Millar, Burgemeester, Vandepitte, Excellencies, military representatives, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen â good morning and welcome to this sacred Anzac Day dawn service. It is an honour to be here on behalf of the Government and people of New Zealand at Buttes New British Cemetery, Polygon Wood â a deeply ...
Distinguished guests - Â It is an honour to return once again to this site which, as the resting place for so many of our war-dead, has become a sacred place for generations of New Zealanders. Â Our presence here and at the other special spaces of Gallipoli is made ...
Mai ia tawhiti pamamao, te moana nui a Kiwa, kua tae whakaiti mai matou, ki to koutou papa whenua. No koutou te tapuwae, no matou te tapuwae, kua honoa pumautia. Â Ko nga toa kua hinga nei, o te Waipounamu, o te Ika a Maui, he okioki tahi me o ...
Paul Goldsmith will take on responsibility for the Media and Communications portfolio, while Louise Upston will pick up the Disability Issues portfolio, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced today. âOur Government is relentlessly focused on getting New Zealand back on track. As issues change in prominence, I plan to adjust Ministerial ...
Recreational catch limits will be reduced in areas of Fiordland and the Chatham Islands to help keep those fisheries healthy and sustainable, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The lower recreational daily catch limits for a range of finfish and shellfish species caught in the Fiordland Marine Area and ...
Energy Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed an important milestone in New Zealandâs hydrogen future, with the opening of the countryâs first network of hydrogen refuelling stations in Wiri. âI want to congratulate the team at Hiringa Energy and its partners K one W one (K1W1), Mitsui & Co New Zealand ...
The coalition Government is delivering on its commitment to improve resource management laws and give greater certainty to consent applicants, with a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) expected to be introduced to Parliament next month. RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop has today outlined the first RMA Amendment ...
Overseas models for regulating the oil and gas sector, including their decommissioning regimes, are being carefully scrutinised as a potential template for New Zealandâs own sector, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. The Coalition Government is focused on rebuilding investor confidence in New Zealandâs energy sector as it looks to strengthen ...
Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell has today released the Report of the Government Inquiry into the response to the North Island Severe Weather Events. âThe report shows that New Zealandâs emergency management system is not fit-for-purpose and there are some significant gaps we need to address,â Mr Mitchell ...
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith is today travelling to Europe where heâll update the United Nations Human Rights Council on the Governmentâs work to restore law and order. âAttending the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva provides us with an opportunity to present New Zealandâs human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while ...
Associate Agriculture Minister, Mark Patterson, formally reopened the worldâs largest wool processing facility today in Awatoto, Napier, following a $50 million rebuild and refurbishment project. âThe reopening of this facility will significantly lift the economic opportunities available to New Zealandâs wool sector, which already accounts for 20 per cent of ...
Hon Andrew Bayly, Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing At the Southland Otago Regional Engineering Collective (SOREC) Summit, 18 April, Dunedin  NgÄ mihi nui, Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Ko Whanganui aho  Good Afternoon and thank you for inviting me to open your summit today.  I am delighted ...
The Government is delivering on its commitment to bring back the Three Strikes legislation, Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee announced today. âOur Government is committed to restoring law and order and enforcing appropriate consequences on criminals. We are making it clear that repeat serious violent or sexual offending is not ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has today announced four new diplomatic appointments for New Zealandâs overseas missions.  âOur diplomats have a vital role in maintaining and protecting New Zealandâs interests around the world,â Mr Peters says.  âI am pleased to announce the appointment of these senior diplomats from the ...
Workers at a major ASB contact centre in Auckland have voted to take strike action and withdraw their labour following disappointing pay negotiations with the employer and an "offer" to workers that would leave them worse off than the previous year. ...
The Labour Party is demanding Peters be stood down, saying "he's embarrassed the country" with a "totally unacceptable" attack on a prominent AUKUS critic. ...
The Inter-Parliamentary Alliance, whose members were victims of a China-backed cyber attack, is discussing forming a standing committee to deal with foreign influence. ...
The PSA is concerned that the voluntary redundancies being offered to staff by Stats NZ will impact on the agencyâs ability to deliver on its core functions. ...
Results ranged from surprisingly yum to soul-destroying. I love cooking. The kitchen is a hearth of culinary creation, of sensory delights, of gastronomic poetry. I also canât afford anything nice. Why does a pack of instant noodles and some milk cost ten bucks? I love you, Aotearoa, but I miss ...
By Koroi Hawkins, RNZ Pacific editor Police in Solomon Islands are on high alert ahead of the election of the prime minister today. The two candidates for the top job are former foreign affairs minister Jeremiah Manele at the head of the Coalition for National Unity and Transformation, which is ...
Heâs fine but it feels like Iâm losing a friend and itâs making me bitter. How do I say âenough is enoughâ? Want Heraâs help? Email your problem to helpme@thespinoff.co.nzHey Hera,Iâve recently moved in with a girlfriend, her partner Steve, and his friend. We all live in a lovely little house. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nick Chartres, Senior Research Fellow, Faculty of Medicine & Health, University of Sydney shutterstockAhmet Misirligul/Shutterstock You go to the gym, eat healthy and walk as much as possible. You wash your hands and get vaccinated. You control your health. This is ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jacqueline Hendriks, Research Fellow and Lecturer, Curtin University Children and young people may be seeing news headlines about men murdering women or footage of people rallying to call for action. Perhaps they or their friends have even gone to the protests. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jessica Balanzategui, Senior Lecturer in Media, RMIT University ABC âBluey maniaâ shows no sign of abating. Blueyâs season finale, The Sign, was the most viewed ABC program of all time on iView. A âhiddenâ follow-up episode, aptly named The Surprise, created ...
Labour market figures came in softer than the Reserve Bank had forecast, but they wonât be enough to move the needle on interest rates, writes Catherine McGregor in this excerpt from The Bulletin, The Spinoffâs morning news round-up. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign up here. Unemployment ...
The campaign will engage the community and encourage submissions on the bill to the New Zealand government by the closing submission deadline of Friday 31st of May 2024 4pm. ...
The paper raises concerns about declining trust in New Zealand's political institutions and democratic processes, and the role that the overuse of Parliamentary urgency plays in that. ...
The Urban Habitat Collective was an attempt to built an innovative new form of apartment building in Wellington. Hereâs why it failed, and why the idea could still work, writes co-founder Bronwen Newton. When we started the Urban Habitat Collective in November 2018, we thought we were starting a revolution, ...
Two decades ago this week, a controversial law that attempted to define ownership of the foreshore and seabed prompted a formidable display of outrage and kĆtahitanga as 15,000 marched to parliament. Jamie Tahana looks back.âHÄ«koi, hÄ«koi,â they chanted by the thousands as the biggest MÄori march in a generation ...
On an unusually hot night in January 2019, a little boyâs lifeless body was found face up in a small townâs sewage oxidation pond. To the police, it was an open and shut case: three-year-old Lachlan Jones had run away from his home in the Southland town of Gore, climbed ...
A Labour Party Member’s Bill aims to plug a culpability gap between manslaughter and health and safety breaches The post New push for corporate killing laws appeared first on Newsroom. ...
Terence OâBrien had the rare and no doubt undesired distinction of rising to one of the most exalted positions in New Zealand diplomacy, then being unceremoniously recalled to Wellington without explanation just when his career was at its zenith. What is perhaps more surprising is that he appears to have ...
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Why has New Zealand slipped from third to 12th on Quality of Death Indexes over the past decade or so? Hospice New Zealand Chief Executive Wayne Naylor has a list of reasons. “We don’t have a current national strategy â the Government hasn’t renewed our 2001 strategy, so we don’t ...
While women’s sport is exploding in Aotearoa and around the world, you still don’t hear a lot of talk about athletes and their periods, RED-S, breastfeeding and visible panty-lines. SASS (Suze and Sez Sports)Talk isnât afraid to have that kĆrero.LockerRoom founder Suzanne McFadden and Olympian broadcaster Sarah ...
Rongotai MP Julie Anne Genter has apologised in Parliament after National accused her of intimidating and attacking one of its ministers in the House. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra The Prime Minister and state and territory leaders met on Wednesday as the national cabinet to discuss a crisis gripping Australia â the horrific number of women murdered this year. The killings have shocked ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Radhika Raghav, Teaching Fellow, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Otago Netflix Indian director Sanjay Leela Bhansali is known for his big-budget Bollywood production, featuring grand sets, star casts, meticulously choreographed dance sequences and lavish costumes, jewellery and furnishings. ...
Sir Robert devoted his life to disability rights after living in institutions in his younger years, says KaihautĆ« Tika HauÄtanga | Disability Rights Commissioner Prudence Walker. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Anastasia Powell, Professor, Family and Sexual Violence, RMIT University Violence against women is not a womenâs problem to solve, it is a whole of society problem to solve; and men in particular have to take responsibility. Those were the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jessica Allen, Senior Lecturer in Chemical and Renewable Energy Engineering, University of Newcastle Snapshot freddy/ShutterstockPlans to revive an old coal-fired power station using bioenergy are being considered in the Hunter region of New South Wales. Similar plans for the station ...
Responding to the long-awaited release of judgesâ special allowances, including free air travel and hotels for spouses, generous sabbaticals, and access to limousines, Taxpayersâ Union spokesman Alex Murphy said: âIn what world does your employer ...
Analysis - The United States has unveiled plans to boost the weapons trade with Australia and the UK, on the same day that Winston Peters is expected to sketch NZ's position on AUKUS. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Andrea Carson, Professor of Political Communication, Department of Politics, Media and Philosophy, La Trobe University Since Australiaâs First Nations Voice to Parliament referendum in October 2023, diverse commentaries have sought to explain why it failed. But what does an analysis of media ...
Lawyers representing two iwi as well as the MÄori Women’s Welfare League on Wednesday asked the Court of Appeal to overturn last week’s High Court decision on the Waitangi Tribunal’s decision to summons Children’s Minister Karen Chhour. The Tribunal is currently investigating the Governmentâs decision to repeal section 7AA of ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra The Albanese government will introduce legislation to ban deepfake pornography and provide more funding for the eSafety Commission to pilot age-assurance technologies. The contribution of internet sites to gender-based violence was one major issue ...
Average ordinary time hourly earnings, as measured by the Quarterly Employment Survey (QES), increased 5.2 percent in the year to the March 2024 quarter, according to figures released by Stats NZ today. Annual wage cost inflation, as measured by the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Dimitrios Salampasis, FinTech Capability Lead | Senior Lecturer, Emerging Technologies and FinTech, Swinburne University of Technology Clem Onojeghuo/Unsplash In the digital era, the job market is increasingly becoming a minefield â demanding and difficult to navigate. According to the Australian Bureau ...
As of the March 2024 quarter, we can now look back on 20 years of data related to youth not in employment, education, or training (NEET), as collected by the Household Labour Force Survey (HLFS), according to figures released by Stats NZ today. "The ...
Thousands of workers attended public events in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch today to celebrate International Workersâ Day (May Day), but union representatives are urging caution and vigilance over the Governmentâs blatantly "anti-worker" ...
The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.3 percent in the March 2024 quarter, compared with 4.0 percent in the previous quarter, according to figures released by Stats NZ today. ...
The PSA is warning the Government that the sensitive information of New Zealanders held by various agencies will fall into the wrong hands if the latest round of proposed cuts goes ahead. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Talitha Best, Professor of Psychology, CQUniversity Australia Victoria Rodriguez/Unsplash How do sugar rushes work? â W.H, age nine, from Canberra What a terrific question W.H! Letâs explore this, starting with some of the basics. What is sugar? ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Karinna Saxby, Research Fellow, Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research, The University of Melbourne MART PRODUCTION/Pexels Increasing income support could help keep women and children safe according to new work demonstrating strong links between financial insecurity and domestic violence. ...
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C’mon JK – just stick to the script that your minders give you!! You know you can’t open your mouth without saying something stupid.
How the hell will he win the election trying to think for himself!? đ
Wow. Some could begin to arguye that you guys are pathetic.
Is the strength of your argument for another Labour government these piddling little one-ups.
Matthew Pilott – To suggest that John is stupid is non-sensical. Surely someone who has been as success as Mr. Key is not stupid. I mean c’mon! Get real guys.
It shows a lack of judgment on John Key’s part, EWS. Nothing more, nothing less.
farcical reasonfor invading Iraq?
Should discredit everything else that person says from that point on. They arent an expert, they obviously have political reasons to weigh in on this issue.
All you have done is say, “look, someone else who hates John Key as much as I do, agrees with me!”
Eh? So the guy says something you don’t like about an unrelated matter so he can’t be an expert in something that he’s worked on for a decade?
“Matthew Pilott – To suggest that John is stupid is non-sensical. Surely someone who has been as success as Mr. Key is not stupid. I mean c’mon!”
So how about Michael Campbell for PM, or Tana Umaga, Marc Ellis or Jason Gunn – they have all been very sucessful in their fields.
Making money by speculating is not the sign of a good elected representative or Prime Minister. I would choose to base it upon his words or actions outside of his previous profession.
Kimble, how do you know that Mr Bhana isn’t a fisherman by trade, and that his expertise is on the letter’s main topic? Why dismiss it out of hand because it says something you don’t agree with?
“Making money by speculating is not the sign of a good elected representative”
I believe John Key was elected with a larger majority in his second MP election than his first. Obviously his consistuents believe he is doing a good job. You are nothing if not amusing Matthew.
lemsip, he had a far higher profile by then, as everyone was waiting for him to bump old donnie BrashCo. I’d be worried if he did not do better.
Do you disagree with the comment that making money by speculating is not the sign of a good elected representative? that is what was meant by his ‘success’, I’d guess…
Kimble: where are the WMD’s, cause I am all out.
I like the bit about having ‘worked with and filmed sharks for more than a decade’, quite compelling. You still want to stop crab guy doing his job?
My original point is that JK should not shoot from the hip, its not his strong point, still stands! I think JK is smart and IMO its ok for a politician to say ‘i don’t know until I get the facts’, would make me consider them as a thinker instead of a shoot first type, like Cullen did today. Classic example of it!
You are such an intellectual lightweight Matthew. When you are confronted with inconvenient facts it is okay to admit you may have been mistaken. To do so is a sign of maturity and intellect.
“Do you disagree with the comment that making money by speculating is not the sign of a good elected representative?”
I don’t accept your premise that being good at making money is a sign of a bad elected representative. I think it is neutral. However, what it does show is that John Key CAN be successful. The fact that he increased his winning electorate margin by over 10200 votes also suggests he CAN be successful and importantly, in more than making money. Hell if he wins this year he may increase his winning margin in 2011.
What I do know Matthew is that you could never be as successful as John Key in either making money or being an MP. Nor would you ever be considered to be prime ministerial quality by over half the population in more than one randomly sampled poll. I doubt I could be either.
actually let me rephrase – I don’t think you could lead a party that is judged to be government quality by over half the population in more than one randomly sampled poll. My apologies
speaking of the odd use of “experts”, check this out
http://thesproutandthebean.wordpress.com/2008/01/17/disgraceful-bias-by-the-herald-again/
someone really should tell the Herald staff about google.
Gosh there are some sick fooks around here… haven’t been here before… is this sponsored by the Labour party? Sure looks like something of that kind.
“Kimble: where are the WMD’s, cause I am all out.”
The point isnt Iraq and WMDs, it is that within the first sentence he has shown that he is unreliable partisan rather than any sort of objective expert.
If you saw a letter to the editor saying “As a vet I have worked with dogs for 25 years, and Labours policy on chipping them is simply more social engineering and manipulation from nanny-statists and socialist lickspittles.”
Would you accept that their opinion is genuine, or would you suspect that their opinion is coloured just a little by their rabid hatred of the left wing? Mmm?
It is Mike Bhanas obvious hatred of Key that makes me dismiss his opinion out of hand.
“Do you disagree with the comment that making money by speculating is not the sign of a good elected representative?”
Yes, I do. Do you know what his actual job was and what that entailed?
I think it is obvious that what you really wanted to say was,
“Do you disagree that making money is not the sign of a good elected representative?”
Kimble: Well i suspect the Iraq and JK comments were to ensure the letter got in the paper, but don’t throw the baby out with the bath water.
my question remains unanswered:
‘You still want to stop crab guy doing his job?’
based on a guy that has worked with sharks for over a decade!
‘It is Mike Bhanas obvious hatred of Key that makes me dismiss his opinion out of hand.’
don’t think its obvious hatred, disdain for blaming the crab guy based on no evidence maybe.
Bhana is a well known well traveled and much admired surfer and videographer. His comments about GWB appear to be pretty much tongue in cheek but once again Kimble and his ilk determine that if you’re anti war you must be written off as an anti American BBC watching Key hating Labour supporting collectivist pinko leftard. Never mind that the mans opinions and world view are based on experiences that most can only dream about.
And almost a year out from elections Keys shooting from the lip is a gift to labour thats going to keep on giving.
So the word has gone out to the labour drones to send letters in about anything, just make sure they contain phrases about the War in Iraq and John Key. Desperate and pathetic…
“don’t think its obvious hatred, disdain for blaming the crab guy based on no evidence maybe.”
Riiiight. That last line about Key actually complaining about a poor comrade trying to scratch up a living wage near his pristine, upper class beach is sooooo neutral. It is obvious that his concern is all about the poor crabber and he is just miffed the way Key has destroyed this poor guys life. Whatever.
“And almost a year out from elections Keys shooting from the lip is a gift to labour thats going to keep on giving.”
Yeah, people that would never have voted for National in a million years are confirming they wont vote for them in the next election. What a coup.
“I think it is obvious that what you really wanted to say was,
“Do you disagree that making money is not the sign of a good elected representative?“Â
Kimble, you are completely right there, believe it or not. For example, selling drugs can be quite profitable – do you think that’s the sign of a good MP? Prostitution perhaps? Selling child porn…
Lemsip, I agree he’s doing well as an MP on the face of it. however when people talk about his ‘success’ they are generally referring to his work prior to becoming an MP. If my comment confused you because of that I’m truly sorry.
“,“Do you disagree with the comment that making money by speculating is not the sign of a good elected representative?”Â
I don’t accept your premise that being good at making money is a sign of a bad elected representative. ”
For an initllectual heavyweight such as yourself, I’m surprised you’d make the mistake of falsely inverting a statement, nice false premise you tried to use there though. Did you think it would slip past a lightweight such as myself?
Kimble: You still have not answered my question, based on John Keys Gut instinct about sharks or a guy that obviously doesn’t like john key but knows lots about sharks – ‘would You still want to stop crab guy doing his job?’
Matthew my mistake – sorry – too much caffiene and little sleep. But heres the rub for you – there is evidence that John Key is a successful elected representative i.e. his constituents reelected him with a significantly larger winning margin. That significantly weakens your little argument “I would choose to base it upon his words or actions outside of his previous profession.” His current profession IS being an ELECTED REPRESENTATIVE and judging by the only firm quantitative measure available he’s successful at his job.
lemsip – I won’t disagree with that, as an MP he is doing very well, based upon his polling. This will be the year to tell, won’t it?
I guess now when people say he’s successful they aren’t just talking about his old job either, as may have been the case when he started out…
‘would You still want to stop crab guy doing his job?’
Based on as little information as we have here? No.
What Key said was that the ministry should be able to issue cease and desist orders if they thought it was in the interest of public saftey. A person in the ministry has confirmed that currently they cant.
Do you know how close the crab pots are to the beach? Do you know how far away from the shore the burley bombs are being dropped? No. You dont know either of those things.
Matthew, do you disagree with the statement that being a woman is not a sign of a good elected representative?
Matthew, do you disagree with the statement that being a maori is not a sign of a good elected representative?
Matthew, do you disagree with the statement that being a homosexual is not a sign of a good elected representative?
Matthew, do you disagree with the statement that being a muslim is not a sign of a good elected representative?
‘would You still want to stop crab guy doing his job?’
Based on as little information as we have here? No.
What Key said was that the ministry should be able to issue cease and desist orders if they thought it was in the interest of public saftey. A person in the ministry has confirmed that currently they cant.
Do you know how close the crab pots are to the beach? Do you know how far away from the shore the burley bombs are being dropped? No. You dont know either of those things.
Matthew, do you disagree with the statement that being a woman is not a sign of a good elected representative?
Matthew, do you disagree with the statement that being a maori is not a sign of a good elected representative?
Matthew, do you disagree with the statement that being a homosexual is not a sign of a good elected representative?
Matthew, do you disagree with the statement that being a muslim is not a sign of a good elected representative?
Matthew, do you disagree with the statement that being the leader of a group of people, being informed and knowledgeable about the current economic state of multiple inter-related countries, making decisions about the characteristics and performance of employees, being experienced in deciding between often conflicting view points from people who are both experts in their field, being in a position that often requires split-second decision making, being experienced with, and successful in, high pressure situations, being a member of a high level committee with a lot of responsibility, being in a position to make decisions with far-reaching consequences, and to do all this successfully, ARE signs of a good elected representative?
Maybe this will make the decision easier for you. Imagine instead of actually DOING all that stuff, John Key was just teaching it.
“Matthew, do you disagree with the statement that being the leader of a group of people, being informed and knowledgeable about the current economic state of multiple inter-related countries, making decisions about the characteristics and performance of employees, being experienced in deciding between often conflicting view points from people who are both experts in their field, being in a position that often requires split-second decision making, being experienced with, and successful in, high pressure situations, being a member of a high level committee with a lot of responsibility, being in a position to make decisions with far-reaching consequences, and to do all this successfully, ARE signs of a good elected representative?”
Drug dealers do have a lot on their plates don’t they? So, when is the Medellin cartel coming to town?
I think we have isolated the problem. You think that currency trading is the equivalent of drug dealing.
No, the problem is the skills you mentioned could apply to the head of a criminal organisation such as the mafia or a drug cartel, equally as much as a currency trader.
Maybe, with that realisation, you’ll start to get my point.
Kimble said:
‘Based on as little information as we have here? No.’
thanks for the answer, I am not trying to goad you, just sayin that we can make better decisions when we have the facts, and JK should know better. He has been doing this for a few years now…Oh and cullens little email of venom was just as silly!
‘Do you know how close the crab pots are to the beach? Do you know how far away from the shore the burley bombs are being dropped? No. You dont know either of those things.’
yeah I do cause I was there over new years, and they are quite far away from the one place where you can safely swim at omaha. I have to say most people don’t fish around omaha itself, but further round the point toward leigh…
Anyway its too hot i am off to the beach for a shark free swim. Cheers Kimble. đ
No, I get that. I got it at the start. The traits of good leaders are generally the same no matter whether they run a country, a corporation, or a criminal organisation.
So Keys history of good leadership is relevant to his suitability for the elected role he is running for.
The only way you can discount his suitability as the leader of this country is if you object to the field in which he gained those skills.
Where he gained his skills is relevant, as you point out, we dont want a great leader that has spent his life thus far working outside the law, as a drug lord has.
So what is it about being involved with currency trading that makes you call into question Keys suitability for the role of leader of NZ?
Bear in mind, he didnt actually make his entire wealth sitting in front of a terminal, trading currency. He is likely to have made the lion’s share as salary and bonuses for his work as a leader.
“Anyway its too hot i am off to the beach for a shark free swim.”
You hope it is shark free. Given that the ministry of fisheries cant stop someone laying baited crab pots around beaches where people swim, and that sharks are attracted by the things they use as bait, I guess you just have to hope that no one has decided to increase your risk of shark attack to make a few quid.
“Where he gained his skills is relevant, as you point out, we dont want a great leader that has spent his life thus far working outside the law, as a drug lord has.
So what is it about being involved with currency trading that makes you call into question Keys suitability for the role of leader of NZ?”
Your first statement here sort of answers the second, in that it’s not being sucessful as a currency trader that would make a good leader. A good trader might also be a hard-as-nails obnoxious semi-alcoholic pig. It is other qualities you look for – personal traits if you will. A drug lord probably lacks the latter – they might have the same skills as teh currency trader, but also have the tendency to take out the opposition with automatic gunfire.
So I’m saying, as I have from the start, that being a good currency trader won’t make him a good leader per se – you’ll note I didn’t say it was a bad sign either!
No, being a good trader doesnt mean you will be a good leader. But Key wasnt a trader, he was a leader.
He led a group of people who would have included some currency speculators. He was a successful leader but you are discounting this entirely because he was involved in currency trading. So what is wrong with currency trading (as an industry) that makes his leadership experience in that field invalid?
meh. Sounds like he made an off the cuff remark that was wrong.
So freaking what. What matters are the policy decisions that politicians make, not their slip of the tongue gaffs.
Honestly, if a labour cabinet minister had said the same thing, would the same people who are profess dismay at John Key saying this also be dismayed then? would the same people who think it’s no big deal now also think it’s no big deal then?
I try not to listen to people who I think hold their affiliation to a party over ‘mere facts’
Kimble, I don’t know John Key as well as you seem to be describing him. The anecdotal evidence I have from people I do know who have met him doesn’t quite match the picture you are painting though.
“making money by speculating isn’t the sign of a good leader”
“He was a successful leader but you are discounting this entirely because he was involved in currency trading. ”
“as I have from the start, that being a good currency trader won’t make him a good leader ”
Shall we quit this stupid topic, you’re trying to trap me with something I never said.
Matthew you just dont seem to be getting it. His job was in the Global Head of Foreign Exchange, he wasnt a trader.
So you cant just say that being a good trader doesnt mean he would be a good leader, because he wasn’t a trader, he was a good leader!
Are you trying to say that being a good leader doesnt have anything to do with be a good leader?
You said, “I would choose to base it upon his words or actions outside of his previous profession.”
Oh really? I am sure if he had awful in his previous profession you wouldn’t give him a free pass.
Why is it that some humans think they must dominate every other living thing on the planet to suit themselves? What is wrong with some sharks enjoying a bit of ‘sunbathing’? After all, they DO live in the ocean, unlike ourselves. Maybe the warm summer and calm weather is due to, dare I say it, ‘global warming’, and we’d better get used to it.
Here in Hawke’s Bay we have our own ‘Coruba Shark Hunt’; what an embarrassment and insult to host this despicable event, and it’s not like sharkmeat is on any menu in the Bay, in fact the pitiful sharks caught end up at the local tip.
So, Simon Tremain (Nat. Party, Napier), since you’re into protecting the “environment” http://www.stuff.co.nz/4357598a6479.html) when will you get some balls and speak up about the pointless killing of sharks?
I don’t see many people complaining about the amount of shark bait thrown around the oceans during the Coruba Shark Hunt.
aladin
“So what is wrong with currency trading (as an industry) that makes his leadership experience in that field invalid?”
So much buddy, There is a lot of honesty coming out of wall street these days and it really paints the world of traders and brokers as the absurd capital casino it is. The best traders in wall street are known as “big swinging dicks”…..that’s a term of reverse endearment , read macho no neck arseholes.
Hitler was a good leader for a while, the germans loved him in the 1930’s. ….leadership is contextual.
The fear is Key lacks an empathy for outcomes.If that doesn’t bother you I guess you’ll vote for him. A prerequisite for modern government will be an ability to acknowledge the complexities and multiple layers involved in the adminstration of a nations citizenry. You see that coming to play in the U.S as Bush totally shoots up the rightwing playbook with an endless energy of brainless ,hopelessly unstraight shooting.Key seems to be fixated on productivity supplied by pressure. He wont feel the pressure, it’ll be us who get asked to find the x-factor undefineable surge in our all ready too crowded working week.
This link has been posted around this site a few times by various people but I think this calls for another airing to give you an idea of the kind of profession we’re talking about.
John is a twit for getting involved in this but;
Bhana’s a fucking idiot.
Berley bombs you get from fish city weigh about three kilos each. It is possible to buy a big ten or fifteen kilo one, but they hardly ever get used, and if they do it’s mainly on an offshore sort of trip. A three kilo berley bomb lasts ages, and would do you for an afternoon’s fishing.
Each crab pot has around a kilo of bait in it, and with around to seventy or eighty pots in the vicinity of the beach, well, even you idiots can do the math. The pots are re-baited daily. That’s around seventy kilos of berley per day, or the equivalent of at least twenty boats anchoring and berleying up off Omaha beach every day.
Apparently Bhana’s either lying or stupid, or quite likely both, much like the authors of this piece of shit blog.
Plus, nobody buys a big flash boat to anchor 200 yards of Omaha beach and fish.
steveB said: “Apparently Bhana’s either lying or stupid, or quite likely both, much like the authors of this piece of shit blog.”
very substantive argument, also very grown up. I appluad you sir! But befor you give us your amazing insights please read this:
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/1/story.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10487650
thats people who know sharks…So what evidence do you have that Mr Bhana is wrong on sharks???? Then what would you do restrict the crab guy or tell the swimmers to sunbathe instead. As your an obvious expert on the subject.
“Plus, nobody buys a big flash boat to anchor 200 yards of Omaha beach and fish.”
that is a fair statement.