As on we go, drowning

Written By: - Date published: 7:35 am, January 30th, 2013 - 164 comments
Categories: class war - Tags:

Despair. That’s what I felt, watching Key’s speech yesterday. Others said he was boring. Some complained of his screeching. I just felt despair. This guy is running the country. Our country. And he has nothing. Nothing for us. Nothing for you. Nothing for me. Nothing for the people we care about. Some spoils of conquest for his mates. But nothing for New Zealand.

We have to get rid of him.

We have to.

And the worst thing? They’ll be smirking to read this. Because they know what the game is as well you and I do. They know who they work for and who against. And they know they have at least 2 more years to do it. 5 years, if we’re stupid enough and weak enough to let them.

164 comments on “As on we go, drowning ”

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  1. Jackal 1
    30 January 2013 at 7:59 am

    higherstandard

    …why not just ignore him?

    You can’t ignore a government that’s overseeing the biggest downgrade to our living standards ever seen higherstandard… Not unless you’re truly deluded.

    I think the main thing here is to not let that despair be directed at the wrong people, and also to use that despair as fuel to work against National’s destructive agenda.

    You’re already doing that Zetetic, and as long as people don’t give up, there’s still hope that we can save New Zealand.

    • muzza 1.1
      30 January 2013 at 8:46 am

      You’re already doing that Zetetic, and as long as people don’t give up, there’s still hope that we can save New Zealand.

      Jakal, its an important point you make, as the conclusion one could draw is that the desired outcome, is for people to give up. 800,000 of them already did last election, and how many hundreds of 000’s, have given up and departed NZ!

      The sense of despair and helplessness, is part of the programme, break it, break it all, is the name of the (decades old) game!

      Those who are still here, and paying attention need to understand quickly, that sitting back and hoping is not going to stop whats happening, and what is coming!

    • Gosman 1.2
      30 January 2013 at 9:26 am

      “You can’t ignore a government that’s overseeing the biggest downgrade to our living standards ever seen higherstandard…”

      Really??? This is based on what in the way of evidence?

      • Mr Burns 1.2.1
        30 January 2013 at 9:38 am

        Yes I agree with Gosman. I have checked my own personal circumstances and I can see no evidence whatsoever of a drop in my living standards, in fact they have gone up.

        All hail King John …

        • Lightly 1.2.1.1
          30 January 2013 at 11:11 am

          I’m alright, Jack…

        • North 1.2.1.2
          30 January 2013 at 1:34 pm

          Love your style Mr Burns and seriously believe that you’re mischievously tongue in cheek.

          Cannot say the same about Gosman however. The arrant cheek of it. Imagine the idiocy of assessing the lot of the rest of the world by reference to how he/she personally is doing. Reflected in this imaginary statement – “I’m employed so it’s not at 7.3% and all is hunky dory”.

          Demanding “evidence” quite as Gosman does stamps him/her as a sneering pedant who insists on defying the reality with snotty verbiage. If he/she knows anything he/she knows the evidence demanded IS there, trotted out or not. Rather than accept that he/she chooses to demonstrate his/her gross intellectual dishonesty and a good measure of “I couldn’t give a fuck…..” social twistedness.

          Grow up Grossman/woman. Have a read of Jackal below and come back acknowledging or apologising.

      • Jackal 1.2.2
        30 January 2013 at 9:46 am

        More govt debt under National than all the other previous New Zealand government’s combined, inequality at the highest levels ever, child poverty increasing from 20% to 25% since 2009, unemployment at the highest rate in 13 years and worsening, declining home ownership and more Kiwi’s leaving New Zealand than ever before etc etc.

        • Gosman 1.2.2.1
          30 January 2013 at 10:14 am

          Just a few clarifying facts for you.

          The important part of Government debt is not how high it is but how much it is compared to the GDP in the country. In this regard NZ government debt is far lower than what it reached in 1986 where it hit over 70 percent. It currently stands just under 40 percent.

          As you pointed out, unemployment is the highest in 13 years. Which obviously means 13 years ago it was worse.

          Child poverty rates have also been much higher in the past, (close to 30 percent).

          Declining levels of home ownership is not necessarily a reflection of economic malaise. The Germans have a very low rate of home ownership yet have a strong economy.

          What is more important than the numbers leaving is net migration flows. Once again the numbers here suggest net migration was much more negative in the past than we see now.

          I’m comfortable if you want to continue with the etc etc as it has been pretty easy to debunk all the claims you made so far.

          • mickysavage 1.2.2.1.1
            30 January 2013 at 10:44 am

            Come on Gossie. Government debt in 2008 was zero and is now 40% of GDP. Obviously the work of a financial genius.

            So unemployment was worse in 1999 and we are meant to celebrate this?

            Interestingly it was during the last National Government.

            Child poverty only decreased because of working for families which this Government would cut in an instant if it thought it could get away with it.

            Declining levels of home ownership are a symptom of the flow of wealth from the poor and middle class to the rich.

            And migration is important because Key said it was. How can you say otherwise now?

            Keep digging Gossie …

          • Jackal 1.2.2.1.2
            30 January 2013 at 10:49 am

            Gosman

            The important part of Government debt is not how high it is but how much it is compared to the GDP in the country. In this regard NZ government debt is far lower than what it reached in 1986 where it hit over 70 percent. It currently stands just under 40 percent.

            If you think the only important part to National’s more than 190% increase in government debt is our GDP and the government’s ability to service that debt through higher taxes, while our economy remains stagnant, you’re off your rocker gosman.

            Government debt to GDP fell from 30.7% in March 1993 to as low as 9.1% in March 2007 under a Labour government. We had a Piggy Muldoon’s National government to thank for the previous high rate of govt debt.

            As you pointed out, unemployment is the highest in 13 years. Which obviously means 13 years ago it was worse.

            So you’re OK with unemployment doubling under a John Key National led government?

            Child poverty rates have also been much higher in the past, (close to 30 percent).

            Could you link to this information please?

            Declining levels of home ownership is not necessarily a reflection of economic malaise. The Germans have a very low rate of home ownership yet have a strong economy.

            So people not being able to afford to buy their own homes indicates a strong economy? Riiighhttt!

            What is more important than the numbers leaving is net migration flows. Once again the numbers here suggest net migration was much more negative in the past than we see now.

            Net migration loss has increased under a National government… You’ll have to do better than that Gosman.

            • mickysavage 1.2.2.1.2.1
              30 January 2013 at 10:52 am

              Crown debt was effectively nil if you take into account the Cullen fund and ACC reserves in 2008.

              • Jackal …
                30 January 2013 at 11:02 am

                Yes! I’m quoting what I think is operational debt without taking into account surpluses. I’m also incorrect, it fell to a low of 8.9% in June 2007.

                Can you guess what government managed that Gosman?

            • Gosman 1.2.2.1.2.2
              30 January 2013 at 11:00 am

              You seem to have missed the point which is not that the measures you have identified have got worse but they are the worst that they have ever been in NZ history. This is plainly untrue as you yourself have pointed out.

              • Jackal …
                30 January 2013 at 11:05 am

                The assertion is that the current National government under John Key has overseen the largest downgrade to our living standards that New Zealand has ever experienced. There might be a couple of things where other National governments have done worse, but on the whole you’ve not convincingly shown that there has ever been a worse government.

                • Gosman …
                  30 January 2013 at 11:14 am

                  For a start I showed you that it has been worse in the past. As for biggest fall I would argue that both the Great Depression and the reforms of the mid 1980’s and early 1990’s were accompanied by a bigger fall in standards of living for the average NZer. I can grab data for you if you disagree. Do you disagree?

                  • felixviper …
                    30 January 2013 at 11:21 am

                    Off you fuck then, go get your data.

                    • McFlock …
                      30 January 2013 at 12:54 pm

                      I reckon it’s theoretically possible that gos might be able to demonstrate that this is only the worst government since the Depression, rather than worst. govt. ever.

                      I’m fascinated as to what he thinks counts as evidence, though.

                    • felixviper …
                      30 January 2013 at 1:43 pm

                      Me too McF 😉

                  • North …
                    30 January 2013 at 1:38 pm

                    Give us the data dork !

                  • Draco T Bastard …
                    30 January 2013 at 2:54 pm

                    For a start I showed you that it has been worse in the past.

                    Actually, you’ve made some assertions but have shown absolutely nothing. Typical Tory debating: Make shit up and then say that you’ve proved everything.

      • Draco T Bastard 1.2.3
        30 January 2013 at 2:44 pm

        Really??? This is based on what in the way of evidence?

        Median Household Income Falls

      • Polish Pride 1.2.4
        30 January 2013 at 3:46 pm

        You still working for a living everyday Gos…..?

    • the pink postman 1.3
      30 January 2013 at 2:10 pm

      After listening to the unbievable achoholic fired shrieking of Key it was
      a most pleasent surprise hear the excellent speech by David Shearer . It was not Lange speak but it was bloody good and he will improve quite a bit .
      It certainly made me and my wife feel good. The other feel good aspect was the way Labour and the Greens are working together, This must be scaring the Nats .we must be on our guard to make sure Crosby /Textor do not try to drive a wedge between us. Because believe me this is causing them a guts ache .

  2. lprent 2
    30 January 2013 at 7:59 am

    Unfortunately the idiot is misusing my taxes.

  3. IrishBill 3
    30 January 2013 at 8:02 am

    My apologies HS, I went to reply to your comment and accidentally clicked the moderation button. Unfortunately I’ve no idea where your comment has gone. Lynn – little help?

    [lprent: I have no idea. I replied to that comment as well. I’m rather busy at work right now. But I just looked and can’t see it. ]

  4. karol 4
    30 January 2013 at 8:23 am

    He sounds like someone delivering an after dinner speech, after he (and his cheer-leading supporters) have imbibed a few too many bevvies.

    Does he take the job of running the country seriously?

    • marsman 4.1
      30 January 2013 at 9:28 am

      Heard part of his ‘speech’ on the radio. It was a screeching whine about Labour and the Greens and how they want to spend other peoples’ money. Amazing how arseholes like Key and English can accuse others of actions they themselves perpetrate, like mismanaging the economy, spending billions of dollars on Roads of National Party Significance etc.

  5. The Gormless Fool formerly known as Oleolebiscuitbarrell 5
    30 January 2013 at 8:36 am

    The shorter Zetetic:

    Nothing for me.

    In his world the purpose of government is to give him stuff for nothing.

    • CV - Real Labour 5.1
      30 January 2013 at 8:41 am

      It is the role of the Government to protect and look after the interests of all its citizens, and to protect and look after the interests of the sovereign nation.

      In exchange, citizens are required to obey the nations laws and regulations, to pay taxes, and receive the opportunity to participate in democratic society.

      That shouldn’t be a hard concept for even you to grasp, right?

      • Afewknowthetruth 5.1.1
        30 January 2013 at 9:29 am

        Don’t be so silly. it is the role of government to protect and promote the interests of money-lenders and corporations.

        The New Zealand Company…………

        Enough breadcrumbs have to be allowed to fall off the table to prevent insurrection.

      • The Gormless Fool formerly known as Oleolebiscuitbarrell 5.1.2
        30 January 2013 at 9:32 am

        No. The role of government is to give Zet stuff, apparently.

        • rosy 5.1.2.1
          30 January 2013 at 9:50 am

          Was Zetetic’s sentence too long for you to quote in full, or just too long to read so you skipped a bit here and there?

      • Andre 5.1.3
        30 January 2013 at 9:37 am

        http://t.co/dUPM2Ems This stat is why ShonKey is taking our future .

        • Gosman 5.1.3.1
          30 January 2013 at 9:45 am

          Which stat?

          • Andre 5.1.3.1.1
            30 January 2013 at 9:54 am

            Ok .Graph.

            • Gosman 5.1.3.1.1.1
              30 January 2013 at 10:17 am

              Ok then, what part of that graph do you think suggests John Key is taking your future?

              • North …
                30 January 2013 at 1:40 pm

                You’re shrieking like a drowning man/woman Grossman/woman.

              • Blue …
                30 January 2013 at 4:16 pm

                None of it does Gos. All the graph shows is that less household income is used to service debt since 2008, interest rates are much lower since 2008 and overall household debt is lower since 2008. All are trending downward. Any logical human being would say this is a good thing. If, as Andre asserts, the graph shows where John Key is taking us, long may it continue.

        • The Gormless Fool formerly known as Oleolebiscuitbarrell 5.1.3.2
          30 January 2013 at 9:50 am

          Andre, are you alarmed by the in increase in household debt shown in the graph?

          Do you consider this to be the government’s fault?

          Tell us: what happened in the graph between 1999 and 2008? Then tell us who was in government then. Then tell us what has happened to the graph since, and who has been in government during that period.

          • Andre 5.1.3.2.1
            30 January 2013 at 9:59 am

            The GFC Reset all past economic thinking ,The lesson is to have a sustainable NZ in all respects

            • Gosman 5.1.3.2.1.1
              30 January 2013 at 10:19 am

              Really? How come not many other countries agree with this view and most are following pretty orthodox economic paths?

              I think you are suffering from wishful thinking.

              • Polish Pride …
                30 January 2013 at 3:52 pm

                Because Gos they are in a Capitalist system driven by a profit motive and follow the advice of economists who fail to understand the true problem that needs to be solved within a society by any system.

            • The Gormless Fool formerly known as Oleolebiscuitbarrell 5.1.3.2.1.2
              30 January 2013 at 1:35 pm

              Bit confused, Andre. John Key is taking our future somewhere bad because of something to do with household debt. Except that it has decreased during the term of his government.

          • Poission 5.1.3.2.2
            30 January 2013 at 10:08 am

            Since the GFC ie since 2007 household debts portion of external debt has increased by 28 billion.

            Similarly the farming sector has also increased by around 15b$ mostly due to increased land purchases eg Crafer .

            Unbridled land and property debt inflation is not sustainable.

          • You_Fool 5.1.3.2.3
            30 January 2013 at 9:30 pm

            I am no economist, but the way I read the graph between 1999 & 2008 is that the majority of NZ homeowners felt so secure in the future, both personal and national economic growth, that they felt comfortable taking on extra debt, i.e. they were confident that their jobs would still be there and that the future would mean more money for them. Since 2008 this optimistic outlook has stagnated, or turned to a more pessimistic one, in which people are less confident about the future economic outcomes and thus have paid down, or not taken out any more debt.

            This tells me that the government between 99 & 08 was one that helped the economy and NZ and had good economic sense, whilst the one since 08 has been less so…

            Is that also how you read the graph?

        • Jackal 5.1.3.3
          30 January 2013 at 10:16 am

          The graph you’ve linked to Andre shows a small decline in household debt since National gained power. This is mainly due to the tax cuts for the rich, who have used some of that money to pay down debt mainly on their properties.

          However you need to understand that that money is being borrowed by National, with government debt increasing by more than 190% between Sep. 2008 and Sep, 2012. So a decrease in household debt of around 1% paid for by an increase in government debt of around 190%.

          • Andre 5.1.3.3.1
            30 January 2013 at 10:30 am

            Thanks for your intelligent breakdown of the graph . My Brain hurts .

          • bad12 5.1.3.3.2
            30 January 2013 at 10:55 am

            Aha, what it showed was that while those with the billions dollars of private debt continue to pay this off as mortgage repayments,(where most of the debt is), the slowing of the rise in house prices over an 18 month-2 year period particularly in Auckland that recently ended with recent prices trending upward dramatically allowed for the drop in overall debt,

            A year from now the overall debt figure will have risen again and remain on an increasing track upward while house prices continue to rise,

            In other words a blip while the housing market took a breath of air…

    • onsos 5.2
      30 January 2013 at 9:58 am

      What do you base that insult on?

    • bad12 5.3
      30 January 2013 at 10:00 am

      Don’t be pathetic you gormless-dickhead, Something for Me from this Failure of a Slippery lead National Government could be the start of a food in schools program for decile 1-3 kids,

      I would not have any personal gain from that now or into the future, but, such a program would definitely be considered something for me…

  6. ad 6
    30 January 2013 at 8:51 am

    Crikey Zetetic. Turn off National Radio and the TV and the internet for a while and get an icecream.

    Best cure for the political blues is to join some local activist group and focus on improving a community. Habitat for Humanity. Salvation Army. A community garden.

    There’s still 19 months before anything is even possible; November 2014. Just displace hope from your mind. It’s not useful. Get to work on something concrete.

    The progressives will coalesce. They are already working together on some things. Entropy will shortly slow down.

    • Afewknowthetruth 6.1
      30 January 2013 at 9:23 am

      Definitely turn off National Radio and television -they are just propaganda outlets. But spend more time on the Internet. And look in the right places.

      • The Gormless Fool formerly known as Oleolebiscuitbarrell 6.1.1
        30 January 2013 at 9:55 am

        But spend more time on the Internet. And look in the right places.

        If ever there was an advertisement for spending less time on the internet, you are it, Afewknowthetruth.

        • Gosman 6.1.1.1
          30 January 2013 at 10:45 am

          But how else will you find out about the Evil Elvis impersonating Jewish Bankster Reptillian Aliens who are slowly taking over the world while at the same time controlling everything already?

          • Polish Pride 6.1.1.1.1
            30 January 2013 at 3:57 pm

            Or it may just open your mind to possibilities that don’t include perpetuating a system designed (evolved) by man that sees man then working for the majority of his life, rather than doing the things that he’d really like to be doing…. but some people aren’t quite ready for anything that requires thinking outside the bounds of the current system.

            • The Gormless Fool formerly known as Oleolebiscuitbarrell 6.1.1.1.1.1
              30 January 2013 at 5:11 pm

              You don’t want to go around perpetuating the stereotype that left wingers are lazy, Polish Pride.

              • Polish Pride …
                30 January 2013 at 9:29 pm

                Your right, I don’t, I want people to take a good hard look at the system and start asking some serious questions about it.
                The resources exist
                Peoples needs are predominantly the same and as everyone has them why is the system not designed to provide those needs for everyone. They are ‘needs’ after all.
                I always think it is best to look at those needs from the point of an innocent child.
                Love
                food
                a home
                clothing
                an education
                should a child be denied any of that anywhere in the world? If the answer to this is no, then should anyone be denied these things?

                I want people to think about the fact that in the current system everything you want is pretty much available. We have the ability to make just about anything. If you want it chances are you can have it…….provided you have the money
                In fact I want people to understand that not everyone has these needs and the barrier to them having them is money. The barrier to almost anything that we want to do is money.
                I want people to see that we have the technology to automate a significant percentage of jobs so that people no longer need to work or can work significantly less in society instead of ‘having’ to work n order to earn money to survive.
                I want people to imagine removing money from the world then for simplicities sake imagine doing everything they do today but without needing money.
                You need food? You go to the supermarket and get food, you still put it through a checkout but only for stock taking purposes to replenish supply. You need a car you get a car.
                Almost everyone dreams of winning lotto and not having to work anymore and being able to do the things they want to do. The thing is people can have that, we just need to start moving the system in a new direction.
                I want people to understand that the most basic problem the system should solve is how to supply peoples needs and wants. Thats it!
                Its not about the economy, Its not about affordable housing, Its not about jobs. The only reason people need jobs is to make money so they can buy the things they need and want so someone else can make a profit so that they can buy the things that they inturn need and want and so on.
                Just give people what they need and want – sound stupid? The stupid thing is when you realize that we are already making the things that everyone needs and wants anyway.
                We are already using the resources. In fact we use far more than we need to, because we have to KEEP producing stuff in order to continuosly sell it to make money just to survive.
                Its not about being lazy Its about seeing the stupidity of the system and how it can be changed for everyone.
                Consider this… Man has built things throughout history to make his life easier to work for him, The wheel, the screw driver, the power drill ‘The System’ is the only thing ever that man has built that he has to work for. .. and he has to do it in order to survive.
                It is time to change the system to work for and provide the needs and wants of Man …and woman and child. For everyone.

                • The Gormless Fool formerly known as Oleolebiscuitbarrell …
                  31 January 2013 at 8:29 am

                  Free food, love and cars for everyone. Sounds like a modest goal.

    • Colonial Weka 6.2
      30 January 2013 at 1:46 pm

      Ad, while I agree that having a break from the news is a good idea, I also think that honest expressions of despair are healthy.

      While community gardens and such are vital too, I think we have much political work to do now, not just in 18 months time. The Greens are going from strength to strength, not sitting waiting for the next election. Mana are focussed too. As well as despair at the damage Key is doing, there are practical political actions that can be taken now.

  7. Chris 7
    30 January 2013 at 9:09 am

    This guy is RUINING the country.He never talks people,just money.You could just about feel sorry for him, someone with nothing to offer but grip n grin photo ops, a bad hairpiece, ill fitting suits and a hollow emptiness.He’s tried everything except actually running the country for the people and not for his own personal gain and gain for all those he is desperate to impress and be like.A sorry little man.

    • Gosman 7.1
      30 January 2013 at 9:29 am

      And yet he is by far the most popular politician in the country. That must rip your undies.

      • geoff 7.1.1
        30 January 2013 at 9:34 am

        So you don’t disagree that is ruining the country and, judging by the ripped undie insult, you still support him? You’re quite the misanthrope, I’ll give you that.

      • bad12 7.1.2
        30 January 2013 at 10:05 am

        Ha ha ha soon to be dealt to in November 2014 by one of the most unpopular Labour leaders ever, betcha that like Slippery the Prime Minister makes you leave stains in your nappies…

        • infused 7.1.2.1
          30 January 2013 at 10:18 am

          Mr S won’t make it to 2014.

          • bad12 7.1.2.1.1
            30 January 2013 at 10:45 am

            Who cares, i f**king don’t, it’s what a Government will shape this country into that matters to me not some political pretty boy contest where the Prime Minister feels the need to debase the office by behaving like a fool because he thinks people like Him for it…

          • King Kong 7.1.2.1.2
            30 January 2013 at 10:49 am

            Exactly. Why don’t you chaps stop wasting your time and energy ripping on Key.

            Shearer is the real enemy and if you keep stamping your feet like petulant children then I am sure you will be able to topple him.

            Here, I will help you get back on the right track – “Shearer doesn’t speak very well”, discuss.

            • bad12 7.1.2.1.2.1
              30 January 2013 at 10:57 am

              F**k off you pathetic piece of s**t…

              • Tim …
                30 January 2013 at 3:22 pm

                After my question to KK yesterday, there goes a guy that simply delights in goading for the sake of it in order to exercise an ego. Uphill. Shit.Push

              • Polish Pride …
                30 January 2013 at 4:01 pm

                You gave him exactly the response he was looking for. He is now laughing at you.

  8. Afewknowthetruth 8
    30 January 2013 at 9:18 am

    After spending more than a decade trying to wake people up to the reality of energy depletion, environmental collapse, and control of society by sociopaths I gave up last year.

    Most people are:

    ignorant

    stupid

    stubborn.

    And they don’t want to know.

    So, yes, another few years of looting and polluting, with the general populace being misled and lied to constantly by our so-called leaders as they are driven off the cliff edge is more or less certain. Indeed, further steps along the road to overt fascism are more or less certain: more drones, more surveillance, more rules and regulations, more transfer of the commons into the hands of the few.

    Oil has broken through the 110 to 112 range it has been manipulated in for the past several months, and the bond market is close to capitulation, with Britain recording negative GDP growth and France being declared bankrupt.

    So, we might have to wait till 2014 for ‘the recovery’.

    Back to my garden projects. Gardening is one of the few things that makes any sense these days.

    By the way, I NEVER listen to anything Key says. It’s all drivel and a complete waste of my time. Much the same for any other politician.

    • King Kong 8.1
      30 January 2013 at 9:38 am

      Or most people are;

      Discerning

      Educated

      Realists

      Polite

      And you are a fucking nutter.

      • Jackal 8.1.1
        30 January 2013 at 10:06 am

        Or Afewknowthetruth is just highlighting the fact that there are a lot of ignorant and stubborn New Zealanders around.

        Let’s put it this way, In 2006 there was approximately 73% of the population earning between $30,000 and $120,000 (adjusted for inflation) per year making them middle class. In 2012, that percentage fell to around 40%, with no gain to the amount of people in the upper class and a huge increase in the lower class ie those earning under $30,000 per year. Despite this, 55% of the population still believes they are middle class.

        Prior to this, median annual personal income from all sources increased 56% between 1996 to 2006.

        • King Kong 8.1.1.1
          30 January 2013 at 10:10 am

          And let me guess, these ignorant and stubborn Kiwi’s are all voting the wrong way.

          • Jackal 8.1.1.1.1
            30 January 2013 at 10:19 am

            I’m not sure there’s any data on that, but it would seem that anybody who votes National would have to be a bit ignorant about what’s going on.

            • Andre 8.1.1.1.1.1
              30 January 2013 at 10:40 am

              So NZ being bashed with the thought of us being like Greece on Tv .Keeps us thinking were well off and Nats saved us….

      • Polish Pride 8.1.2
        30 January 2013 at 4:25 pm

        Still working everyday for a living KIng Kong? Never stopped to think why the system is the way it is…? Unfortunately Afewknowthetruth is right – most people are asleep or are so busy working for the system, trying to provide for a family or simply just trying to survive they simply just do not have the time to think why? Why is the system this way? How would I want it to be? Then if most people would want the same, to spend less time working, more time with family and friends, No war, No poeverty, more time, less suffering. If most people want those things, what stops us from having them or at least being on a path to obtaining them.
        War is a trillion dollar industry…. you really think your going to see less of it under a Capitalist profit driven system? You think its just dumb luck that we have an obesity problem in the West while people starve in African nations.. I could go on and on but you are probably not ready to wake up or perhaps are pretty happy with your lot and quite simply don’t want to. After all this is your experience.

        • King Kong 8.1.2.1
          30 January 2013 at 4:30 pm

          What are the chances of having two people who can see the truth when the rest of the world can’t, commenting on the same site?

          It’s like if spiderman and superman went to the same school.

    • Gosman 8.2
      30 January 2013 at 9:38 am

      Yes why can’t people see the light and just hand total power to someone who knows all the answers? Someone like you for example.

      • Polish Pride 8.2.1
        30 January 2013 at 4:27 pm

        It is not about handing the power to anyone. It is about putting it back where it should be. With everyone.

    • Gosman 8.3
      30 January 2013 at 9:39 am

      Who declared France bankrupt?

  9. King Kong 9
    30 January 2013 at 9:25 am

    Most popular Prime Minister ever. He must be doing something right.

    You can almost audibly hear the spirit breaking and sobs of anguish in this post. It made me feel a bit creepy how much I enjoyed it.

    • Afewknowthetruth 9.1
      30 January 2013 at 9:32 am

      Lies come easily to you, King Kong.

      Michael Joseph Savage.

      • Gosman 9.1.1
        30 January 2013 at 9:36 am

        Is that a quote from Micky Savage? What did he have against King Kong?

        • King Kong 9.1.1.1
          30 January 2013 at 10:14 am

          I promised him a trip up the Empire State building when he was in New York but when he called I was playing a game of hide the banana with Mrs Kong so had to blow him out.

          Made him incredibly cross.

    • Gosman 9.2
      30 January 2013 at 9:33 am

      Totally agree. The more the left focus on John Key the less they spend on developing effective campaigns to take back the government benches.

      • bad12 9.2.1
        30 January 2013 at 10:12 am

        What do you think got the Slippery little Shyster suddenly dropping His prepared speech to screech like a demented banshee at the opposition Party’s,

        Could it be that He knows the political rug has been ripped out from under His feet by the announcement of Labour/Green housing policies,

        Or was the emitting of a tantrum worthy of a 4 year old simply because He didn’t get it all His way as the combined opposition Labour/Green/NZFirst (who incidently would thrash National if an election were held tomorrow), will not blindly bow down to His choice of Parliament’s Speaker…

        • infused 9.2.1.1
          30 January 2013 at 10:20 am

          As if. One policy? Not even a good one. Get a grip.

        • Gosman 9.2.1.2
          30 January 2013 at 10:28 am

          How many mainstream commentators are taking the view that John Key “screech[ed] like a demented banshee at the opposition Party’s”?

          I personally think this is just you and some of of your hard core lefty comrades.

      • bad12 9.2.2
        30 January 2013 at 10:40 am

        Can you raise your side of the debate above the level of pathetic please, us lot have plenty of energy left over after tearing strips of the Slippery little Shyster we have as Prime Minister to put forward our views on policy,

        Obviously Slippery had nothing new to announce yesterday as His supporters, you among them spend all their spare time being wankers on other peoples web-sites…

    • bad12 9.3
      30 January 2013 at 10:16 am

      The only thing i hear is the flatulence as you break wind to spread your bull-s**t on this web-page…

  10. VivaciousViper 10
    30 January 2013 at 9:29 am

    Like i said on another post NZ just can’t have another 2yrs of this nact govt, labour
    have not shifted since the last election in the polls, the writing was on the wall when
    Goff was the leader,i for one crosssed my toes and fingers hoping against hope that
    we could just sneak in, roll on to now and we have the same problem with Shearer,
    do we just sit on our hands and wait for some sensible decisions from the mp’s
    inside caucus to allow a wider vote on leadership, this is the only way that will
    end the negative opinion of Shearer’s leadership, the time is now, in order to unify
    the base and supporters/members and then we can concentrate on the real problems
    ahead for NZ and its people and also to be ready for a snap election, which i see as a real possibilty.

    • Gosman 10.1
      30 January 2013 at 9:35 am

      “Like i said on another post NZ just can’t have another 2yrs of this nact govt”

      Ummmm… yes, yes it can. You might not like it but suck it up. It is called democracy. The party in government doesn’t always do what you think it should.

      • muzza 10.1.1
        30 January 2013 at 10:06 am

        What do you think it should do Gosman, or are you comfortable with the current heading?

        • Gosman 10.1.1.1
          30 January 2013 at 10:32 am

          I personally would like to see changes to working for families, Interest free student loans, National Superannuation entitlements and more reforms of the core public service plus an increased focus on early childhood education. However I acknowledge that it is unlikely to happen in the current political climate. I certainly don’t think the country is going to hell anytime soon like the Cassandra’s that populate this blog.

          • muzza 10.1.1.1.1
            30 January 2013 at 10:48 am

            Nothing from you which would lead anywhere useful then Gosman!

            Its already turned to custard mate, some are more insulated, and ignorant than others, so the timeline becomes elongated, but the outcomes are currently priced in!

      • scotty 10.1.2
        30 January 2013 at 10:35 am

        Democracy, Suck it up, Just like National did with Ecan.
        What heroes.

      • Polish Pride 10.1.3
        30 January 2013 at 4:30 pm

        If you think that this is democracy then you simply do not understand the meaning of the word.

  11. Bill 11
    30 January 2013 at 9:35 am

    So – on the one hand what we have is these ‘hands off’ hands pushing our heads under water. And on the other hand we have those ‘hands on’ hands clasped steadfastly around the oars and rowing with the current and prevailing wind while mumbling vaguely about doing things differently?

    I reckon that, that – oh joy – about sums up our current position.

    (sigh)

    Any prospect of getting some air would be nice…

  12. blue leopard 12
    30 January 2013 at 9:41 am

    I haven’t read the comments above yet, I thought Key looked scared and that heartened me. It made me feel that despite all the concern expressed on this site, it may be that Labour and the Greens are doing something that Key knows threatens his popularity; if he is looking rattled, this seems likely. My guess what is rattling him/Nats is the way Labour&Greens appear to be working in tandem to pick up as much of the range of left-wing votes as they can. Good one Labour and Greens.

    I will, however, feel exactly as Zetetic writes, if the next set of polls indicate no loss of confidence in the Nats, whose only real offer in Key’s speech appeared to be building prisons, which, I must say, Key looked well excited with. Horrible.

    • bad12 12.1
      30 January 2013 at 10:24 am

      +1, Yes indeed, you can tell when Slippery is in His element or not, compare the recent sacking of Cabinet Ministers Heatley and Wilkinson with His comments to the gathered media after yesterdays little tantrum and the difference is stark,

      When He is caught out, ill at ease, or scared our Prime Minister develops a certain lisp in His voice that doesn’t quite reach lisp and the inflection suddenly takes on undertones of a small child who is unhappy having had the ice-cream snatched from His hand…

    • Polish Pride 12.2
      30 January 2013 at 4:35 pm

      Don’t – even if the polls indicate no drop in popularity, remember they are probably using landlines and will not be tapping into the growing level of unhappiness of younger voters for who are experiencing the greatest levels of unemployment and have the kiwi dream of owning a home getting further and further away.. I suspect the polls may not show this all that well

  13. Bearded Git 13
    30 January 2013 at 10:08 am

    The big worry is that over those next 2 years Key and cronies will gut the RMA. Sustainable Management will become Sustainable Development in Section 5 of the Act and the landscape protections under Section 6 will be watered down to become meaningless. The good thing is that this should be so controversial that it will see National voted out. Labour should pledge to reverse these changes if they get in.

  14. AmaKiwi 14
    30 January 2013 at 10:12 am

    Despair. That’s what I feel comparing Winston’s attack on Key to Shearer’s.

    Captain Mumblefuck ain’t got it. Never will.

    Goff, King, Mallard, Parker, Robertson really fucked up the Labour Party.

    • bad12 14.1
      30 January 2013 at 10:28 am

      Glee tho is ‘knowing’ that should an election be held tomorrow this FAILURE of a Slippery lead National Government would end up as a floor rag used by the combined opposition of Labour/Green/NZFirst/Mana to mop up after National dispatch the Shyster back from whence He came…

    • tc 14.2
      30 January 2013 at 10:58 am

      Goff, King, Mallard, Parker, Robertson and their willing flunkies (Curran, Hipkins etc) continue to really FUBAR the Labour Party. But hey it’s all about them isn’t it.

      RIP major party status under DS unless he gets a personality transplant. The disaffected 1/3 will not show up without a reason to, move along people nothing to see here. Hoots is doing a fine job.

      • bad12 14.2.1
        30 January 2013 at 12:06 pm

        The current level of Labour Party support is fine with me and it leads directly to the Slippery lead National Government’s defeat in 2014 by the Opposition and your idol Slippery getting one in the back from His own Party whereupon He will tuck tail and scuttle off like a cockroach seeking shelter from bug-spray,

        What will you call for then, the return of Doctor Dullard Don Brash as leader, or ha ha ha perhaps you can envisage an ACT take-over of National where the all but brain dead John Banks is the leader,(if he aint languishing in a jail cell that is)…

  15. Olwyn 15
    30 January 2013 at 10:19 am

    Nothing for the country but instead “some spoils of conquest for his mates.”

    If we look at just about all the recent posts and comments, including the endless debate about Shearer, they can all be understood in terms of the conditions affecting a conquered people. The “feral rich,” the loss of manufacturing, the decisions that lead to an ongoing loss of jobs, the housing bubble, the benefit cuts, the slave labour prisons, etc, etc etc.

    When this economic experiment was unleashed the claims were that business freed from restraint would thrive and create jobs, that businessmen have a direct interest in their affairs, hence state-run institutions would function better as businesses. Then, in the third way years, the idea was that the market economy would mature, and ultimately deliver a level of social justice. This has all proved false. The wealthy, free to do what they like with their own money, use the attendant power to gain even more wealth and more power, and to hell with the rest of us.

    In a way you cannot entirely blame governments for their capitulation. If you are Lichtenstein and the Germans are advancing, you save more lives by a quick surrender than by attempting to defeat a much larger enemy. At the same time, thinking of what is happening in terms of conquest gives us a measure as to how much use governments and aspiring governments are willing to make of what leeway they have on behalf of their people.

    Middle class right wingers with a string of rentals may scoff at what I am saying, since they have not been hard hit. But middle class people too are dependent on an ever-dwindling tax take to prop up such things as the value of their houses. Aspiring apparatchiks with degrees in politics and policy analysis are similarly dependent. And if you cannot afford to take a year off without going on the dole then you are not really among the elite, whatever airs you want to give yourself.

  16. felixviper 16
    30 January 2013 at 11:06 am

    It’s good to see Gosman and King Kong so hard at work today.

    Someone must’ve criticised their god.

    • Gosman 16.1
      30 January 2013 at 11:10 am

      Just rarking up the natives on their favourite topic – How much they dislike the fact that John Key is PM and there is nothing they can do about it.

      It is similar to poking a stick in to a hornet nest but without the potential for personal harm occuring (other than certain lefties having a stroke).

      • felixviper 16.1.1
        30 January 2013 at 11:13 am

        Miserable fail in that case. No-one takes any of your frantic attempts at distraction as anything but.

      • bad12 16.1.2
        30 January 2013 at 12:01 pm

        Just naively scoring the own goals with every comment that takes you a step closer to the point which will see you given the kick back to the Blubber-boy sewer where you belong so that you can whine endlessly about how unfair your treatment here has been when by your own admission you come here just for shits and giggles with your stirring…

      • framu 16.1.3
        30 January 2013 at 12:36 pm

        well at least youve finally admitted that your not here to engage in good faith.

        weve always known you for a foolish time waster – its good youve seen the light on this at long last

    • Andre 16.2
      30 January 2013 at 11:18 am

      The neanderthal,s are biting back.

    • King Kong 16.3
      30 January 2013 at 11:19 am

      For me it is more along the lines of celebrating the fact that my “God” appears to have smited you.

      Even Zet, after attempting a rally from the depths of despair with this piece immediately turns the guns back on Shearer in his next. Utter fucking dissaray.

      • felixviper 16.3.1
        30 January 2013 at 11:22 am

        Yawn. You guys need some new schtick.

        • King Kong 16.3.1.1
          30 January 2013 at 11:27 am

          Coming from the home of endless;

          “beneficiaries deserve lots more money”

          and

          “gays are people too”

          I will politely decline your advice.

          • felixviper 16.3.1.1.1
            30 January 2013 at 11:32 am

            Think I’ll just leave that to stand on it’s own.

            • framu 16.3.1.1.1.1
              30 January 2013 at 12:33 pm

              can we get that one on record?

              “King Kong – considers gay people to be subhuman”

              coming from a monkey thats pretty priceless

      • Tim 16.3.2
        30 January 2013 at 3:46 pm

        Can I ask you another question KK? I’m not anxious to get into any debate with you (because I don’t see much point in pushing shit uphill) but I’m just wondering if you ever attended “Backbenchers” when it was going. ???
        There used to be this guy that regularly attended that obviously adhered to the idea that God made man in His own image – except that John Key was the God.

        • King Kong 16.3.2.1
          30 January 2013 at 4:49 pm

          Went once or twice certainly not regularly. You probably would have noticed me, tall, classically handsome and immaculately dressed.

          • fenderviper 16.3.2.1.1
            30 January 2013 at 9:46 pm

            Yeah I remember now, you were the guy with hands in pockets touching yourself all the while, much the same as you do here.

  17. Scintilla 17
    30 January 2013 at 11:29 am

    At least we can rely on Winston to give JK a lashing!

    “The best part of the Prime Minister’s speech today was when he sat down. That was the very best part of that speech. The rest of it consisted of the same old, same old neo-liberal, free-market pixie dust. It sounded like he wrote it in the shower or in Antarctica or somewhere like that. The philosophy behind it goes something like this: first, flog off the country to overseas investors; second, create a currency speculator’s paradise; third, change the labour laws again to kick the workers in the guts; fourth, cut Government services; fifth, starve the regions; sixth, subsidise overseas businesses, like Warner Bros and ignore chances to keep New Zealand enterprises going back home; and, seventh, when in doubt build another motorway. New Zealanders’ great leaders were once people of vision. They did not spend their livings gazing into a computer screen. They did not spend their young lives betting against their country’s currency so they themselves could become wealthy. They surrounded themselves with like-minded individuals. They wanted to make life better for their people. Their vision was of an independent nation making its own way in the world, using its own New Zealand resources, with educated and skilled New Zealanders who could expect some sort of fulfilment and satisfaction, and they went on to create the greatest country on earth—all in the lifetime of some of us. ” http://tinyurl.com/a82ynn8

    • Andre 17.1
      30 January 2013 at 11:46 am

      Might find intresting…. Order paper 30th . DEBATE ON PRIME MINISTER’S STATEMENT
      Interrupted debate on the question, That this House express its confidence
      in the National-led Government and commend its programme for 2013 as
      set out in the Prime Minister’s Statement to Parliament (Rt Hon John
      Key) and the amendment proposed thereto.
      (Debate interrupted 29 January 2013)
      Amendment reads as follows:
      To delete all words after “Government” and to substitute “providing that
      Government delivers an unequivocal commitment to New Zealand
      children and to ensuring they can grow up to be great New Zealanders,
      and requires the John Key-led administration to present such a
      commitment to the House.” (Brendan Horan) ….

    • Colonial Weka 17.2
      30 January 2013 at 12:34 pm

      Winston Peters can go fuck himself. He has a major responsibility for the centre in NZ having shifted so far to the right, so he can’t complain now about the right fucking us all over. He may have a silver tongue but he is still a dumb, selfish, egotistical fuck.

      • kiwi_prometheus 17.2.1
        30 January 2013 at 8:57 pm

        I like him, he’s as scheming and cynical as any other polly but at least he lands some punches on some of those other jerks.

        Also he isn’t afraid to oppose the immigration flood – he might get my vote next time.

        • Scintilla 17.2.1.1
          30 January 2013 at 10:08 pm

          Winston also slipped in a little smear for Joyce over his mates-rates deal for media frequencies back when he became an Airwaves Overlord. Never lets a chance go by. Shearer could take a few lessons from the Old Dog.

  18. Skinny 18
    30 January 2013 at 12:30 pm

    There is only one way to make a change and that’s to get involved. I’ve had a few years away from Labour ( since Goff took the leadership). So I guess it’s time too join the local area ( i moved city ) LEC and start organizing for the Election defeat of National. The party is much much more than the leader, and leaders come & go with the adequate membership numbers & desire to roll a leader. Until then I will focus on the party brand.

    I suggest some of you other consider doing the same, a bit of talk and do!

    • Afewknowthetruth 18.1
      30 January 2013 at 6:23 pm

      If voting made any difference the global elites would ban it.

      You get a pro-money-lender, pro-corporation government whichever [mainstream ] party you vote for.

      Yes, a few more breadcrumbs might fall off the elites table under Labour. Or not.

      • kiwi_prometheus 18.1.1
        30 January 2013 at 8:59 pm

        So you are anti democratic then? – probably fantasize about the “dictatorship of the proletariat’, right?

        • CV - Real Labour 18.1.1.1
          30 January 2013 at 9:30 pm

          I’m sorry, which part of the system was the democratic part again? Sometimes its mighty hard to recognise.

        • Afewknowthetruth 18.1.1.2
          30 January 2013 at 9:47 pm

          That is a ridiculous comment.

          Anyone with e brain knows I am pro-democracy: I am just against the faux democracy we have at the moment -a faux democracy in which bought-and-paid-for liars acquire positions in parliament via the corrupt media and advertising companies, with taxpayers money being spent on billboards that tell lies.

          • Robert Atack 18.1.1.2.1
            30 January 2013 at 10:24 pm

            Democracy might work if the brain dead masses actually voted with their grand children’s future in mind, instead of all the bullshit that is this suicidal system.
            But as we keep pointing out it is all academic deck chair shuffling.
            We’ve shot our load in an orgy of selfish consumption and idiotic growth, now we are just drowning in the wet patch.

  19. xtasy 19
    30 January 2013 at 9:08 pm

    The biggest obstacle to getting rid of Key is:

    1. A biased, brainwashing, dumbing down mainstream – and in part even government run – media;
    2. a lack of awareness of the real challenges and problems ahead for the whole world, naturally also affecting little, “isolated” New Zealand, by the bulk of the brainwashed and not well informed populace;
    3. the fact that NZ is NOT UNITED, it is very divided, and a certain sector of the population does not give a damn about anyone and anything else, as long as they get what they think they must, above all else;
    4. a deficit or lack of awareness of the environmental catastrophy the whole human species and misdirected “civilisation” is heading to, simply, because little, still comparably “green”, quiet, and less populated NZ does not appear to show any signs of stress, pollution and other problems to most people. So the wrong perception is, we live on little, faraway, isolated islands, and what will affect the rest of the world will not hit us;
    5. an obsession by a large chunk of the middle class to try and copy an US dictated, outdated lifestyle of consumption and waste, that will never be sustainable for much longer;
    6. a total lack of skills and knowledge of the average NZer, who is mostly urbanised, motorised and artificially “pampered” from natural exposure, good or bad, to cope with any natural catastrophy that may hit.

    NZ and NZers are “drowning”, because of the above, AND because too many think, they need a John Key, to keep the ship afloat, to keep them going to have all the above lifestyle, and to allow them to ignore above and other challenges.

    The main problem is the mentality and ignorance of the bulk of NZ society, which only represents itself in having a Key run a rotten government, and a hopeless Shearer promise things he does not know how to deliver and does not even ensure, he can deliver.

    The main problem is in the BLOODY HEAD OF TOO MANY PEOPLE IN THIS COUNTRY, SADLY THE MAJORITY!

    • xtasy 19.1
      30 January 2013 at 9:23 pm

      Further to my comment:

      How do YOU change this?

      If you write a comment here, you may make a start.

      If you post something on a Facebook page, you may spread and share some messages amongst a selected few.

      If you write a comment on another blog a few hundred may read it.

      What difference does that make? Not much.

      The internet is valuable, but also limited. It leads to isolation amongst groups, individual bloggers and certain fad adherents.

      There is potential to share, but get real, it is not as large and huge as many like to claim. Most use the internet, but the internet and forums have become just another expression and representation of division and isolationism, yes also individualism, only limited “sharing”.

      So one must think and move further, contacts must be followed up with physical face to face contacts, with social organisation and meetings, with activities, with road and street actions, whatever kind.

      The main problem is we all sit at home after work, study or whatever, and share a few lines and comments here and there, but we do not make enough difference.

      There must be a rediscovery of social interaction in a physical, real world, there must be ORGANISATION, of people, real people, with body, face, sweat and no sweat, whatever, that is what is needed, and what is also lacking.

      So with all this talk about blogs, internet revolution and the likes, you are losing the way most of you behave. You make NO DIFFERENCE, as you are invisible, not organised, no solid united force, you just write many lines and bits of lines, abuse at times, recommendations and compliments at times, but hey, where does this take you. I see NO MOVEMENT of substance in NZ, just much pseudo talk and organisation and expression. The MSM do not even know how to behave and express themselves anymore, so they hide behind vague, non important, silly stories, that are low risk.

      Take action, confront, occupy, occupy, meet, debate, do overcome your isolation and over-individual approach, go to town, the city, meet in places, squares, pubs, clubs, whatever, but MEET and TAKE ACTION, as that only will change anything at all.

      • Polish Pride 19.1.1
        30 January 2013 at 9:39 pm

        I’d say have you stopped to consider that the system is designed the way it is for a reason – to keep people busy, tot give them the time to think., and if they find the time to think then certainly not enough time to action change and mobilize the apathetic masses.

        • xtasy 19.1.1.1
          30 January 2013 at 11:12 pm

          Polish Pride: STOP blaming the f**ing system!

          You apparently know what is rotten, so that knowledge holds you responsible and accountable also, to spread the truth, to wake the idiots up, and to take action.

          To simply blame the system is a cop-out, cowardly and useless talk.

          Take bloody action, no matter what, and how small, start the bloody revolution that is needed. It all starts in people’s heads, with ideas and action after that.

          No reason to blame anything and anyone, but all of you yourselves!!!

          • Polish Pride 19.1.1.1.1
            31 January 2013 at 7:13 am

            Unless you are educating people on the true problem ie. the system….. and the true problem that any system needs to solve meeting peoples needs and wants then you will unfortunately NEVER fix the problem.
            And don’t worry I am taking action and am trying to wake people up. I am not just bleating from the sidelines. I have actually sat down and figured out why things aren’t getting fixed regardless of whose in power. I have determined that the wrong problem is being focussed on and this is largely the reason why after many decades the big problems still exist and are getting worse in some cases.
            I have also figured out what the system should be doing and what actions are required to transition to a system that will work for everyone, where everyone will have more not less and we will be able to consume less scarce resources in doing so.
            I keep asking the question – do you really honestly believe that the left can will fix the problems once the get in. But know one is bold enough to answer. I am guessing that in all honesty they know that even if they get into power the problems will still exist.
            The reason is unfortunately like it or not because of the way the system is structured and the way people behave i response.
            Example at a very very simple level – when was the last time that a govt of any persuasion was in power for more than 3 terms. The fact is that you continue to have a swing to the left on policy and then a swing to the right.
            Can I make a suggestion – Forget the system for a moment. Forget politics. Just sit down and think about people. Think about the two things we ALL have in common – needs and wants. Now design a system that delivers these things.
            Q: did you come up with the system we have today?
            Did you even need money in your system? If yes, I’d be interested to know why..
            I have analysed this in depth. It is after all what I do for a living. I determine the true nature of any problem and help people develop solutions that solve those problems.
            Unless you truely understand the actual problem, you just aren’t ever going to solve anything. I’m sorry but you’re just not. You are simply looking in the wrong place.

            I am not simply blaming the system and I certainly do not see it as a cop out. To make real change happen people need to see why things are failing.It is not simply because National is in power as much as many would dearly love to believe this. I am trying to get people to understand why the system is failing us. It is only once more and more people wake up to this, that we will then be able to head towards a much better world.

    • Afewknowthetruth 19.2
      30 January 2013 at 10:00 pm

      Agreed on most of that except the spelling of catastrophe.

      NZers live in a slave camp -actually very close to a concentration camp- in which they are told what to think by the corporate-controlled and state-controlled media.

      I remember vividly the NZ Herald publishing a piece of tosh written by the then US Ambassador saying that climate change was a myth; when I wrote an article presenting the real science and the truth about climate change the NZ Herald refused to publish it.

      When Direct Democracy was launched TVNZ sent a camera man. TVNZ decided not to broadcast because it was DD was not a party of bought-and-paid-for liars and [posed a threat to the various rorts TVNZ is involved in. so it goes on. I could give hundreds of examples of how the media manipulate the populace but there just isn’t time.

      If people have not worked out by now that they are constantly lied to there really is no hope for them.

      As I have said before, I now understand how 6 million Jews ended up in gas chambers.

      • Andre 19.2.1
        30 January 2013 at 11:03 pm

        Xtasy ,,,Perfect…

      • xtasy 19.2.2
        30 January 2013 at 11:22 pm

        You KNOW better, so your posts here are welcome by me, even if some have little patience with you.

        At least, although I do not fully share your very catastrophic views, you are aware of what is going on. It takes bloody action, a bloody wake up call, a rattle and shake, and more, to wake people up.

        Otherwise only the end catastrophy will wake them up.

        You are at times a bit of a doomsday prophet, but to me you do at least in part share what is at issue and a major concern.

        Sadly too many cling to emotional daydreams, hopes and vague whatever agendas, but do not quite realise how bloody serious our situation here is.

        I disagree with you, insofar, that I believe that there could be an answer and solution, but it will never be easy, comfy and sweet, like some think.

        At least I grew up on a humble farm, I know the very basics of life, life and death, of humans and animals, the need to grow, to look after crops and animals, naturally also humans, to nurture, to be one with nature, to respect nature, to learn the seasons, the crop circulation, the cycles of the moon, and much more. But sadly most live in cities, in apartments or climatised homes, thinking, it is all for the taking, and the supermarket shelf is the real life.

        Get a fucking real life, maybe go fruit picking or digging earth on a farm for a change, it would do a lot of city dwellers some real good. My belief is if there ever will be some socialist society, all must learn the basics, to learn how to do the most menial task, before they can judge on others, and become better ones, skilled higher.

        That is lost, and that is partly also, where society has failed. Never forget, you are all mortal, and you need food, water and air to survive, day in and out. Nothing more basic teaches you what life is about. And sharing is important, but it is not easy to force it, better force people to learn, to learn to fish, rather than to just feed them through. Despite of that line, I absolutely expect a fair and decent welfare state, which I fear, not even Labour would ensure now.

  20. vto 20
    30 January 2013 at 11:14 pm

    It might be easier if we just slowed down, like tortoises and turtles.

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    Abstract: Soccer, the global phenomenon captivating millions worldwide, has a rich history that spans centuries. Its origins trace back to ancient civilizations, but the modern version we know and love emerged through a complex interplay of cultural influences and innovations. This article delves into the fascinating journey of soccer’s evolution, ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    1 hour ago

  • How Much to Tint Car Windows A Comprehensive Guide
    Tinting car windows offers numerous benefits, including enhanced privacy, reduced glare, UV protection, and a more stylish look for your vehicle. However, the cost of window tinting can vary significantly depending on several factors. This article provides a comprehensive guide to help you understand how much you can expect to ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    1 hour ago

  • Why Does My Car Smell Like Gas? A Comprehensive Guide to Diagnosing and Fixing the Issue
    The pungent smell of gasoline in your car can be an alarming and potentially dangerous problem. Not only is the odor unpleasant, but it can also indicate a serious issue with your vehicle’s fuel system. In this article, we will explore the various reasons why your car may smell like ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    1 hour ago

  • How to Remove Tree Sap from Car A Comprehensive Guide
    Tree sap can be a sticky, unsightly mess on your car’s exterior. It can be difficult to remove, but with the right techniques and products, you can restore your car to its former glory. Understanding Tree Sap Tree sap is a thick, viscous liquid produced by trees to seal wounds ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    1 hour ago

  • How Much Paint Do You Need to Paint a Car?
    The amount of paint needed to paint a car depends on a number of factors, including the size of the car, the number of coats you plan to apply, and the type of paint you are using. In general, you will need between 1 and 2 gallons of paint for ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    2 hours ago

  • Can You Jump a Car in the Rain? Safety Precautions and Essential Steps
    Jump-starting a car is a common task that can be performed even in adverse weather conditions like rain. However, safety precautions and proper techniques are crucial to avoid potential hazards. This comprehensive guide will provide detailed instructions on how to safely jump a car in the rain, ensuring both your ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    2 hours ago

  • Can taxpayers be confident PIJF cash was spent wisely?
    Graham Adams writes about the $55m media fund — When Patrick Gower was asked by Mike Hosking last week what he would say to the many Newstalk ZB callers who allege the Labour government bribed media with $55 million of taxpayers’ money via the Public Interest Journalism Fund — and ...
    Point of OrderBy gadams1000
    8 hours ago

  • EGU2024 – An intense week of joining sessions virtually
    Note: this blog post has been put together over the course of the week I followed the happenings at the conference virtually. Should recordings of the Great Debates and possibly Union Symposia mentioned below, be released sometime after the conference ends, I'll include links to the ones I participated in. ...
    Skeptical Science
    10 hours ago

  • Submission on “Fast Track Approvals Bill”
    The following was my submission made on the “Fast Track Approvals Bill”. This potential law will give three Ministers unchecked powers, un-paralled since the days of Robert Muldoon’s “Think Big” projects.The submission is written a bit tongue-in-cheek. But it’s irreverent because the FTAB is in itself not worthy of respect. ...
    Frankly SpeakingBy Frank Macskasy
    11 hours ago

  • The Case for a Universal Family Benefit
    One Could Reduce Child Poverty At No Fiscal CostFollowing the Richardson/Shipley 1990 ‘redesign of the welfare state’ – which eliminated the universal Family Benefit and doubled the rate of child poverty – various income supplements for families have been added, the best known being ‘Working for Families’, introduced in 2005. ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    12 hours ago

  • A who’s who of New Zealand’s dodgiest companies
    Submissions on National's corrupt Muldoonist fast-track law are due today (have you submitted?), and just hours before they close, Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop has been forced to release the list of companies he invited to apply. I've spent the last hour going through it in an epic thread of bleats, ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    13 hours ago

  • On Lee’s watch, Economic Development seems to be stuck on scoring points from promoting sporting e...
    Buzz from the Beehive A few days ago, Point of Order suggested the media must be musing “on why Melissa is mute”. Our article reported that people working in the beleaguered media industry have cause to yearn for a minister as busy as Melissa Lee’s ministerial colleagues and we drew ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    14 hours ago

  • New Zealand has never been closed for business
    1. What was The Curse of Jim Bolger?a. Winston Peters b. Soon after shaking his hand, world leaders would mysteriously lose office or shuffle off this mortal coilc. Could never shake off the Mother of All Budgetsd. Dandruff2. True or false? The Chairman of a Kiwi export business has asked the ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    15 hours ago

  • Stop the panic – we’ve been here before
    Jack Vowles writes – New Zealand is said to be suffering from ‘serious populist discontent’. An IPSOS MORI survey has reported that we have an increasing preference for strong leaders, think that the economy is rigged toward the rich and powerful, and political elites are ignoring ‘hard-working people’.  ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    18 hours ago

  • Melissa Lee and the media: ending the quest
    Chris Trotter writes –  MELISSA LEE should be deprived of her ministerial warrant. Her handling – or non-handling – of the crisis engulfing the New Zealand news media has been woeful. The fate of New Zealand’s two linear television networks, a question which the Minister of Broadcasting, Communications ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    19 hours ago

  • The Hoon around the week to April 19
    TL;DR: The podcast above features co-hosts and , along with regular guests Robert Patman on Gaza and AUKUS II, and on climate change.The six things that mattered in Aotearoa’s political economy that we wrote and spoke about via The Kākā and elsewhere for paying subscribers in the ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    19 hours ago

  • The ‘Humpty Dumpty’ end result of dismantling our environmental protections
    Policymakers rarely wish to make plain or visible their desire to dismantle environmental policy, least of all to the young. Photo: Lynn GrievesonTL;DR: Here’s the top five news items of note in climate news for Aotearoa-NZ this week, and a discussion above between Bernard Hickey and The Kākā’s climate correspondent ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    20 hours ago

  • Nicola's Salad Days.
    I like to keep an eye on what’s happening in places like the UK, the US, and over the ditch with our good mates the Aussies. Let’s call them AUKUS, for want of a better collective term. More on that in a bit.It used to be, not long ago, that ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    21 hours ago

  • Study sees climate change baking in 19% lower global income by 2050
    TL;DR: The global economy will be one fifth smaller than it would have otherwise been in 2050 as a result of climate damage, according to a new study by the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) and published in the journal Nature. (See more detail and analysis below, and ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    21 hours ago

  • Weekly Roundup 19-April-2024
    It’s Friday again. Here’s some of the things that caught our attention this week. This Week on Greater Auckland On Tuesday Matt covered at the government looking into a long tunnel for Wellington. On Wednesday we ran a post from Oscar Simms on some lessons from Texas. AT’s ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    22 hours ago

  • Jack Vowles: Stop the panic – we’ve been here before
    New Zealand is said to be suffering from ‘serious populist discontent’. An IPSOS MORI survey has reported that we have an increasing preference for strong leaders, think that the economy is rigged toward the rich and powerful, and political elites are ignoring ‘hard-working people’.  The data is from February this ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    24 hours ago

  • Clearing up confusion (or trying to)
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters is understood to be planning a major speech within the next fortnight to clear up the confusion over whether or not New Zealand might join the AUKUS submarine project. So far, there have been conflicting signals from the Government. RNZ reported the Prime Minister yesterday in ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    1 day ago

  • How to Retrieve Deleted Call Log iPhone Without Computer
    How to Retrieve Deleted Call Log on iPhone Without a Computer: A Step–by–Step Guide Losing your iPhone call history can be frustrating, especially when you need to find a specific number or recall an important conversation. But before you panic, know that there are ways to retrieve deleted call logs on your iPhone, even without a computer. This guide will explore various methods, ranging from simple checks to utilizing iCloud backups and third–party applications. So, let‘s dive in and recover those lost calls! 1. Check Recently Deleted Folder: Apple understands that accidental deletions happen. That‘s why they introduced the “Recently Deleted“ folder for various apps, including the Phone app. This folder acts as a safety net, storing deleted call logs for up to 30 days before permanently erasing them. Here‘s how to check it: Open the Phone app on your iPhone. Tap on the “Recents“ tab at the bottom. Scroll to the top and tap on “Edit“. Select “Show Recently Deleted“. Browse the list to find the call logs you want to recover. Tap on the desired call log and choose “Recover“ to restore it to your call history. 2. Restore from iCloud Backup: If you regularly back up your iPhone to iCloud, you might be able to retrieve your deleted call log from a previous backup. However, keep in mind that this process will restore your entire phone to the state it was in at the time of the backup, potentially erasing any data added since then. Here‘s how to restore from an iCloud backup: Go to Settings > General > Reset. Choose “Erase All Content and Settings“. Follow the on–screen instructions. Your iPhone will restart and show the initial setup screen. Choose “Restore from iCloud Backup“ during the setup process. Select the relevant backup that contains your deleted call log. Wait for the restoration process to complete. 3. Explore Third–Party Apps (with Caution): ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    1 day ago

  • How to Factory Reset iPhone without Computer: A Comprehensive Guide to Restoring your Device
    Life throws curveballs, and sometimes, those curveballs necessitate wiping your iPhone clean and starting anew. Whether you’re facing persistent software glitches, preparing to sell your device, or simply wanting a fresh start, knowing how to factory reset iPhone without a computer is a valuable skill. While using a computer with ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    1 day ago

  • How to Call Someone on a Computer: A Guide to Voice and Video Communication in the Digital Age
    Gone are the days when communication was limited to landline phones and physical proximity. Today, computers have become powerful tools for connecting with people across the globe through voice and video calls. But with a plethora of applications and methods available, how to call someone on a computer might seem ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    1 day ago

  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #16 2024
    Open access notables Glacial isostatic adjustment reduces past and future Arctic subsea permafrost, Creel et al., Nature Communications: Sea-level rise submerges terrestrial permafrost in the Arctic, turning it into subsea permafrost. Subsea permafrost underlies ~ 1.8 million km2 of Arctic continental shelf, with thicknesses in places exceeding 700 m. Sea-level variations over glacial-interglacial cycles control ...
    Skeptical Science
    1 day ago

  • Where on a Computer is the Operating System Generally Stored? Delving into the Digital Home of your ...
    The operating system (OS) is the heart and soul of a computer, orchestrating every action and interaction between hardware and software. But have you ever wondered where on a computer is the operating system generally stored? The answer lies in the intricate dance between hardware and software components, particularly within ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    1 day ago

  • How Many Watts Does a Laptop Use? Understanding Power Consumption and Efficiency
    Laptops have become essential tools for work, entertainment, and communication, offering portability and functionality. However, with rising energy costs and growing environmental concerns, understanding a laptop’s power consumption is more important than ever. So, how many watts does a laptop use? The answer, unfortunately, isn’t straightforward. It depends on several ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    1 day ago

  • How to Screen Record on a Dell Laptop A Guide to Capturing Your Screen with Ease
    Screen recording has become an essential tool for various purposes, such as creating tutorials, capturing gameplay footage, recording online meetings, or sharing information with others. Fortunately, Dell laptops offer several built-in and external options for screen recording, catering to different needs and preferences. This guide will explore various methods on ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    1 day ago

  • How Much Does it Cost to Fix a Laptop Screen? Navigating Repair Options and Costs
    A cracked or damaged laptop screen can be a frustrating experience, impacting productivity and enjoyment. Fortunately, laptop screen repair is a common service offered by various repair shops and technicians. However, the cost of fixing a laptop screen can vary significantly depending on several factors. This article delves into the ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    1 day ago

  • How Long Do Gaming Laptops Last? Demystifying Lifespan and Maximizing Longevity
    Gaming laptops represent a significant investment for passionate gamers, offering portability and powerful performance for immersive gaming experiences. However, a common concern among potential buyers is their lifespan. Unlike desktop PCs, which allow for easier component upgrades, gaming laptops have inherent limitations due to their compact and integrated design. This ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    1 day ago

  • Climate Change: Turning the tide
    The annual inventory report of New Zealand's greenhouse gas emissions has been released, showing that gross emissions have dropped for the third year in a row, to 78.4 million tons: All-told gross emissions have decreased by over 6 million tons since the Zero Carbon Act was passed in 2019. ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    2 days ago

  • How to Unlock Your Computer A Comprehensive Guide to Regaining Access
    Experiencing a locked computer can be frustrating, especially when you need access to your files and applications urgently. The methods to unlock your computer will vary depending on the specific situation and the type of lock you encounter. This guide will explore various scenarios and provide step-by-step instructions on how ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    2 days ago

  • Faxing from Your Computer A Modern Guide to Sending Documents Digitally
    While the world has largely transitioned to digital communication, faxing still holds relevance in certain industries and situations. Fortunately, gone are the days of bulky fax machines and dedicated phone lines. Today, you can easily send and receive faxes directly from your computer, offering a convenient and efficient way to ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    2 days ago

  • Protecting Your Home Computer A Guide to Cyber Awareness
    In our increasingly digital world, home computers have become essential tools for work, communication, entertainment, and more. However, this increased reliance on technology also exposes us to various cyber threats. Understanding these threats and taking proactive steps to protect your home computer is crucial for safeguarding your personal information, finances, ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    2 days ago

  • Server-Based Computing Powering the Modern Digital Landscape
    In the ever-evolving world of technology, server-based computing has emerged as a cornerstone of modern digital infrastructure. This article delves into the concept of server-based computing, exploring its various forms, benefits, challenges, and its impact on the way we work and interact with technology. Understanding Server-Based Computing: At its core, ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    2 days ago

  • Vroom vroom go the big red trucks
    The absolute brass neck of this guy.We want more medical doctors, not more spin doctors, Luxon was saying a couple of weeks ago, and now we’re told the guy has seven salaried adults on TikTok duty. Sorry, doing social media. The absolute brass neck of it. The irony that the ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago

  • Jones finds $410,000 to help the government muscle in on a spat project
    Buzz from the Beehive Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones relishes spatting and eagerly takes issue with environmentalists who criticise his enthusiasm for resource development. He relishes helping the fishing industry too. And so today, while the media are making much of the latest culling in the public service to ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    2 days ago

  • Again, hate crimes are not necessarily terrorism.
    Having written, taught and worked for the US government on issues involving unconventional warfare and terrorism for 30-odd years, two things irritate me the most when the subject is discussed in public. The first is the Johnny-come-lately academics-turned-media commentators who … Continue reading → ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    2 days ago

  • Despair – construction consenting edition
    Eric Crampton writes – Kainga Ora is the government’s house building agency. It’s been building a lot of social housing. Kainga Ora has its own (but independent) consenting authority, Consentium. It’s a neat idea. Rather than have to deal with building consents across each different territorial authority, Kainga Ora ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago

  • Coalition promises – will the Govt keep the commitment to keep Kiwis equal before the law?
    Muriel Newman writes – The Coalition Government says it is moving with speed to deliver campaign promises and reverse the damage done by Labour. One of their key commitments is to “defend the principle that New Zealanders are equal before the law.” To achieve this, they have pledged they “will not advance ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago

  • An impermanent public service is a guarantee of very little else but failure
    Chris Trotter writes –  The absence of anything resembling a fightback from the public servants currently losing their jobs is interesting. State-sector workers’ collective fatalism in the face of Coalition cutbacks indicates a surprisingly broad acceptance of impermanence in the workplace. Fifty years ago, lay-offs in the thousands ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago

  • What happens after the war – Mariupol
    Mariupol, on the Azov Sea coast, was one of the first cities to suffer almost complete destruction after the start of the Ukraine War started in late February 2022. We remember the scenes of absolute destruction of the houses and city structures. The deaths of innocent civilians – many of ...
    Open ParachuteBy Ken
    2 days ago

  • Babies and benefits – no good news
    Lindsay Mitchell writes – Ten years ago, I wrote the following in a Listener column: Every year around one in five new-born babies will be reliant on their caregivers benefit by Christmas. This pattern has persisted from at least 1993. For Maori the number jumps to over one in three.  ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago

  • Should the RBNZ be looking through climate inflation?
    Climate change is expected to generate more and more extreme events, delivering a sort of structural shock to inflation that central banks will have to react to as if they were short-term cyclical issues. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāMy pick of the six newsey things to know from Aotearoa’s ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago

  • Bernard's pick 'n' mix of the news links
    The top six news links I’ve seen elsewhere in the last 24 hours, as of 9:16 am on Thursday, April 18 are:Housing: Tauranga residents living in boats, vans RNZ Checkpoint Louise TernouthHousing: Waikato councillor says wastewater plant issues could hold up Sleepyhead building a massive company town Waikato Times Stephen ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago

  • Gordon Campbell on the public sector carnage, and misogyny as terrorism
    It’s a simple deal. We pay taxes in order to finance the social services we want and need. The carnage now occurring across the public sector though, is breaking that contract. Over 3,000 jobs have been lost so far. Many are in crucial areas like Education where the impact of ...
    Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
    2 days ago

  • Meeting the Master Baiters
    Hi,A friend had their 40th over the weekend and decided to theme it after Curb Your Enthusiasm fashion icon Susie Greene. Captured in my tiny kitchen before I left the house, I ending up evoking a mix of old lesbian and Hillary Clinton — both unintentional.Me vs Hillary ClintonIf you’re ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    2 days ago

  • How extreme was the Earth's temperature in 2023
    This is a re-post from Andrew Dessler at the Climate Brink blog In 2023, the Earth reached temperature levels unprecedented in modern times. Given that, it’s reasonable to ask: What’s going on? There’s been lots of discussions by scientists about whether this is just the normal progression of global warming or if something ...
    Skeptical Science
    2 days ago

  • Backbone, revisited
    The schools are on holiday and the sun is shining in the seaside village and all day long I have been seeing bunches of bikes; Mums, Dads, teens and toddlers chattering, laughing, happy, having a bloody great time together. Cheers, AT, for the bits of lane you’ve added lately around the ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago

  • Ministers are not above the law
    Today in our National-led authoritarian nightmare: Shane Jones thinks Ministers should be above the law: New Zealand First MP Shane Jones is accusing the Waitangi Tribunal of over-stepping its mandate by subpoenaing a minister for its urgent hearing on the Oranga Tamariki claim. The tribunal is looking into the ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    3 days ago

  • What’s the outfit you can hear going down the gurgler? Probably it’s David Parker’s Oceans Sec...
    Buzz from the Beehive Point  of Order first heard of the Oceans Secretariat in June 2021, when David Parker (remember him?) announced a multi-agency approach to protecting New Zealand’s marine ecosystems and fisheries. Parker (holding the Environment, and Oceans and Fisheries portfolios) broke the news at the annual Forest & ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    3 days ago

  • Will politicians let democracy die in the darkness?
    Bryce Edwards writes  – Politicians across the political spectrum are implicated in the New Zealand media’s failing health. Either through neglect or incompetent interventions, successive governments have failed to regulate, foster, and allow a healthy Fourth Estate that can adequately hold politicians and the powerful to account. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago

  • Matt Doocey doubles down on trans “healthcare”
    Citizen Science writes –  Last week saw two significant developments in the debate over the treatment of trans-identifying children and young people – the release in Britain of the final report of Dr Hilary Cass’s review into gender healthcare, and here in New Zealand, the news that the ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago

  • A TikTok Prime Minister.
    One night while sleeping in my bed I had a beautiful dreamThat all the people of the world got together on the same wavelengthAnd began helping one anotherNow in this dream, universal love was the theme of the dayPeace and understanding and it happened this wayAfter such an eventful day ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago

  • Texas Lessons
    This is a guest post by Oscar Simms who is a housing activist, volunteer for the Coalition for More Homes, and was the Labour Party candidate for Auckland Central at the last election. ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    3 days ago

  • Bernard's pick 'n' mix of the news links at 6:06 am
    The top six news links I’ve seen elsewhere in the last 24 hours as of 6:06 am on Wednesday, April 17 are:Must read: Secrecy shrouds which projects might be fast-tracked RNZ Farah HancockScoop: Revealed: Luxon has seven staffers working on social media content - partly paid for by taxpayer Newshub ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago

  • Fighting poverty on the holiday highway
    Turning what Labour called the “holiday highway” into a four-lane expressway from Auckland to Whangarei could bring at least an economic benefit of nearly two billion a year for Northland each year. And it could help bring an end to poverty in one of New Zealand’s most deprived regions. The ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    3 days ago

  • Bernard's six-stack of substacks at 6:26 pm
    Tonight’s six-stack includes: launching his substack with a bunch of his previous documentaries, including this 1992 interview with Dame Whina Cooper. and here crew give climate activists plenty to do, including this call to submit against the Fast Track Approvals bill. writes brilliantly here on his substack ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago

  • At a glance – Is the science settled?
    On February 14, 2023 we announced our Rebuttal Update Project. This included an ask for feedback about the added "At a glance" section in the updated basic rebuttal versions. This weekly blog post series highlights this new section of one of the updated basic rebuttal versions and serves as a ...
    Skeptical Science
    3 days ago

  • Apposite Quotations.
    How Long Is Long Enough? Gaza under Israeli bombardment, July 2014. This posting is exclusive to Bowalley Road. ...
    Bowalley Road
    4 days ago

  • What’s a life worth now?
    You're in the mall when you hear it: some kind of popping sound in the distance, kids with fireworks, maybe. But then a moment of eerie stillness is followed by more of the fireworks sound and there’s also screaming and shrieking and now here come people running for their lives.Does ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 days ago

  • Howling at the Moon
    Karl du Fresne writes –  There’s a crisis in the news media and the media are blaming it on everyone except themselves. Culpability is being deflected elsewhere – mainly to the hapless Minister of Communications, Melissa Lee, and the big social media platforms that are accused of hoovering ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • Newshub is Dead.
    I don’t normally send out two newsletters in a day but I figured I’d say something about… the news. If two newsletters is a bit much then maybe just skip one, I don’t want to overload people. Alternatively if you’d be interested in sometimes receiving multiple, smaller updates from me, ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago

  • Seymour is chuffed about cutting early-learning red tape – but we hear, too, that Jones has loose...
    Buzz from the Beehive David Seymour and Winston Peters today signalled that at least two ministers of the Crown might be in Wellington today. Seymour (as Associate Minister of Education) announced the removal of more red tape, this time to make it easier for new early learning services to be ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago

  • Bryce Edwards: Will politicians let democracy die in the darkness?
    Politicians across the political spectrum are implicated in the New Zealand media’s failing health. Either through neglect or incompetent interventions, successive governments have failed to regulate, foster, and allow a healthy Fourth Estate that can adequately hold politicians and the powerful to account. Our political system is suffering from the ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    4 days ago

  • Was Hawkesby entirely wrong?
    David Farrar  writes –  The Broadcasting Standards Authority ruled: Comments by radio host Kate Hawkesby suggesting Māori and Pacific patients were being prioritised for surgery due to their ethnicity were misleading and discriminatory, the Broadcasting Standards Authority has found. It is a fact such patients are prioritised. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • PRC shadow looms as the Solomons head for election
    PRC and its proxies in Solomons have been preparing for these elections for a long time. A lot of money, effort and intelligence have gone into ensuring an outcome that won’t compromise Beijing’s plans. Cleo Paskall writes – On April 17th the Solomon Islands, a country of ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • Climate Change: Criminal ecocide
    We are in the middle of a climate crisis. Last year was (again) the hottest year on record. NOAA has just announced another global coral bleaching event. Floods are threatening UK food security. So naturally, Shane Jones wants to make it easier to mine coal: Resources Minister Shane Jones ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago

  • Is saving one minute of a politician's time worth nearly $1 billion?
    Is speeding up the trip to and from Wellington airport by 12 minutes worth spending up more than $10 billion? Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The six news items that stood out to me in the last day to 8:26 am today are:The Lead: Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago

  • Long Tunnel or Long Con?
    Yesterday it was revealed that Transport Minister had asked Waka Kotahi to look at the options for a long tunnel through Wellington. State Highway 1 (SH1) through Wellington City is heavily congested at peak times and while planning continues on the duplicate Mt Victoria Tunnel and Basin Reserve project, the ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    4 days ago

  • Smoke And Mirrors.
    You're a fraud, and you know itBut it's too good to throw it all awayAnyone would do the sameYou've got 'em goingAnd you're careful not to show itSometimes you even fool yourself a bitIt's like magicBut it's always been a smoke and mirrors gameAnyone would do the sameForty six billion ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago

  • $41m to support clean energy in South East Asia
    New Zealand is demonstrating its commitment to reducing global greenhouse emissions, and supporting clean energy transition in South East Asia, through a contribution of NZ$41 million (US$25 million) in climate finance to the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-led Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM). Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    14 hours ago

  • Minister releases Fast-track stakeholder list
    The Government is today releasing a list of organisations who received letters about the Fast-track applications process, says RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop. “Recently Ministers and agencies have received a series of OIA requests for a list of organisations to whom I wrote with information on applying to have a ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    16 hours ago

  • Judicial appointments announced
    Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister David Jonathan Boldt as a Judge of the High Court, and the Honourable Justice Matthew Palmer as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Boldt graduated with an LLB from Victoria University of Wellington in 1990, and also holds ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    17 hours ago

  • Education Minister heads to major teaching summit in Singapore
    Education Minister Erica Stanford will lead the New Zealand delegation at the 2024 International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP) held in Singapore. The delegation includes representatives from the Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) Te Wehengarua and the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) Te Riu Roa.  The summit is co-hosted ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    17 hours ago

  • Value of stopbank project proven during cyclone
    A stopbank upgrade project in Tairawhiti partly funded by the Government has increased flood resilience for around 7000ha of residential and horticultural land so far, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones today attended a dawn service in Gisborne to mark the end of the first stage of the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    18 hours ago

  • Anzac commemorations, Türkiye relationship focus of visit
    Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters will represent the Government at Anzac Day commemorations on the Gallipoli Peninsula next week and engage with senior representatives of the Turkish government in Istanbul.    “The Gallipoli campaign is a defining event in our history. It will be a privilege to share the occasion ...
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    18 hours ago

  • Minister to Europe for OECD meeting, Anzac Day
    Science, Innovation and Technology and Defence Minister Judith Collins will next week attend the OECD Science and Technology Ministerial conference in Paris and Anzac Day commemorations in Belgium. “Science, innovation and technology have a major role to play in rebuilding our economy and achieving better health, environmental and social outcomes ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    20 hours ago

  • Comprehensive Partnership the goal for NZ and the Philippines
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr.  The Prime Minister was accompanied by MP Paulo Garcia, the first Filipino to be elected to a legislature outside the Philippines. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon and President Marcos Jr discussed opportunities to ...
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    1 day ago

  • Government commits $20m to Westport flood protection
    The Government has announced that $20 million in funding will be made available to Westport to fund much needed flood protection around the town. This measure will significantly improve the resilience of the community, says Local Government Minister Simeon Brown. “The Westport community has already been allocated almost $3 million ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Taupō takes pole position
    The Government is proud to support the first ever Repco Supercars Championship event in Taupō as up to 70,000 motorsport fans attend the Taupō International Motorsport Park this weekend, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. “Anticipation for the ITM Taupō Super400 is huge, with tickets and accommodation selling out weeks ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Cost of living support for low-income homeowners
    Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced an increase to the Rates Rebate Scheme, putting money back into the pockets of low-income homeowners.  “The coalition Government is committed to bringing down the cost of living for New Zealanders. That includes targeted support for those Kiwis who are doing things tough, such ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Government backing mussel spat project
    The Coalition Government is investing in a project to boost survival rates of New Zealand mussels and grow the industry, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has announced. “This project seeks to increase the resilience of our mussels and significantly boost the sector’s productivity,” Mr Jones says. “The project - ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Government focused on getting people into work
    Benefit figures released today underscore the importance of the Government’s plan to rebuild the economy and have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “Benefit numbers are still significantly higher than when National was last in government, when there was about 70,000 fewer ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Clean energy key driver to reducing emissions
    The Government’s commitment to doubling New Zealand’s renewable energy capacity is backed by new data showing that clean energy has helped the country reach its lowest annual gross emissions since 1999, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealand’s latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory (1990-2022) published today, shows gross emissions fell ...
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    2 days ago

  • Earthquake-prone buildings review brought forward
    The Government is bringing the earthquake-prone building review forward, with work to start immediately, and extending the deadline for remediations by four years, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “Our Government is focused on rebuilding the economy. A key part of our plan is to cut red tape that ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Thailand and NZ to agree to Strategic Partnership
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his Thai counterpart, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, have today agreed that New Zealand and the Kingdom of Thailand will upgrade the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership by 2026. “New Zealand and Thailand have a lot to offer each other. We have a strong mutual desire to build ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Government consults on extending coastal permits for ports
    RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Transport Minister Simeon Brown have today announced the Coalition Government’s intention to extend port coastal permits for a further 20 years, providing port operators with certainty to continue their operations. “The introduction of the Resource Management Act in 1991 required ports to obtain coastal ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Inflation coming down, but more work to do
    Today’s announcement that inflation is down to 4 per cent is encouraging news for Kiwis, but there is more work to be done - underlining the importance of the Government’s plan to get the economy back on track, acting Finance Minister Chris Bishop says. “Inflation is now at 4 per ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • School attendance restored as a priority in health advice
    Refreshed health guidance released today will help parents and schools make informed decisions about whether their child needs to be in school, addressing one of the key issues affecting school attendance, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour. In recent years, consistently across all school terms, short-term illness or medical reasons ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Unnecessary bureaucracy cut in oceans sector
    Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is streamlining high-level oceans management while maintaining a focus on supporting the sector’s role in the export-led recovery of the economy. “I am working to realise the untapped potential of our fishing and aquaculture sector. To achieve that we need to be smarter with ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Patterson promoting NZ’s wool sector at International Congress
    Associate Agriculture Minister Mark Patterson is speaking at the International Wool Textile Organisation Congress in Adelaide, promoting New Zealand wool, and outlining the coalition Government’s support for the revitalisation the sector.    "New Zealand’s wool exports reached $400 million in the year to 30 June 2023, and the coalition Government ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Removing red tape to help early learners thrive
    The Government is making legislative changes to make it easier for new early learning services to be established, and for existing services to operate, Associate Education Minister David Seymour says. The changes involve repealing the network approval provisions that apply when someone wants to establish a new early learning service, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • RMA changes to cut coal mining consent red tape
    Changes to the Resource Management Act will align consenting for coal mining to other forms of mining to reduce barriers that are holding back economic development, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The inconsistent treatment of coal mining compared with other extractive activities is burdensome red tape that fails to acknowledge ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • McClay reaffirms strong NZ-China trade relationship
    Trade, Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay has concluded productive discussions with ministerial counterparts in Beijing today, in support of the New Zealand-China trade and economic relationship. “My meeting with Commerce Minister Wang Wentao reaffirmed the complementary nature of the bilateral trade relationship, with our Free Trade Agreement at its ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Prime Minister Luxon acknowledges legacy of Singapore Prime Minister Lee
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon today paid tribute to Singapore’s outgoing Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.   Meeting in Singapore today immediately before Prime Minister Lee announced he was stepping down, Prime Minister Luxon warmly acknowledged his counterpart’s almost twenty years as leader, and the enduring legacy he has left for Singapore and South East ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • PMs Luxon and Lee deepen Singapore-NZ ties
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. While in Singapore as part of his visit to South East Asia this week, Prime Minister Luxon also met with Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and will meet with Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.  During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Antarctica New Zealand Board appointments
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has made further appointments to the Board of Antarctica New Zealand as part of a continued effort to ensure the Scott Base Redevelopment project is delivered in a cost-effective and efficient manner.  The Minister has appointed Neville Harris as a new member of the Board. Mr ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Finance Minister travels to Washington DC
    Finance Minister Nicola Willis will travel to the United States on Tuesday to attend a meeting of the Five Finance Ministers group, with counterparts from Australia, the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.  “I am looking forward to meeting with our Five Finance partners on how we can work ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Pet bonds a win/win for renters and landlords
    The coalition Government has today announced purrfect and pawsitive changes to the Residential Tenancies Act to give tenants with pets greater choice when looking for a rental property, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “Pets are important members of many Kiwi families. It’s estimated that around 64 per cent of New ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Long Tunnel for SH1 Wellington being considered
    State Highway 1 (SH1) through Wellington City is heavily congested at peak times and while planning continues on the duplicate Mt Victoria Tunnel and Basin Reserve project, the Government has also asked NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) to consider and provide advice on a Long Tunnel option, Transport Minister Simeon Brown ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • New Zealand condemns Iranian strikes
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Foreign Minister Winston Peters have condemned Iran’s shocking and illegal strikes against Israel.    “These attacks are a major challenge to peace and stability in a region already under enormous pressure," Mr Luxon says.    "We are deeply concerned that miscalculation on any side could ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Huge interest in Government’s infrastructure plans
    Hundreds of people in little over a week have turned out in Northland to hear Regional Development Minister Shane Jones speak about plans for boosting the regional economy through infrastructure. About 200 people from the infrastructure and associated sectors attended an event headlined by Mr Jones in Whangarei today. Last ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Health Minister thanks outgoing Health New Zealand Chair
    Health Minister Dr Shane Reti has today thanked outgoing Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora Chair Dame Karen Poutasi for her service on the Board.   “Dame Karen tendered her resignation as Chair and as a member of the Board today,” says Dr Reti.  “I have asked her to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Roads of National Significance planning underway
    The NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) has signalled their proposed delivery approach for the Government’s 15 Roads of National Significance (RoNS), with the release of the State Highway Investment Proposal (SHIP) today, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.  “Boosting economic growth and productivity is a key part of the Government’s plan to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Navigating an unstable global environment
    New Zealand is renewing its connections with a world facing urgent challenges by pursuing an active, energetic foreign policy, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.   “Our country faces the most unstable global environment in decades,” Mr Peters says at the conclusion of two weeks of engagements in Egypt, Europe and the United States.    “We cannot afford to sit back in splendid ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • NZ welcomes Australian Governor-General
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has announced the Australian Governor-General, His Excellency General The Honourable David Hurley and his wife Her Excellency Mrs Linda Hurley, will make a State visit to New Zealand from Tuesday 16 April to Thursday 18 April. The visit reciprocates the State visit of former Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Pseudoephedrine back on shelves for Winter
    Associate Health Minister David Seymour has announced that Medsafe has approved 11 cold and flu medicines containing pseudoephedrine. Pharmaceutical suppliers have indicated they may be able to supply the first products in June. “This is much earlier than the original expectation of medicines being available by 2025. The Government recognised ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • NZ and the US: an ever closer partnership
    New Zealand and the United States have recommitted to their strategic partnership in Washington DC today, pledging to work ever more closely together in support of shared values and interests, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.    “The strategic environment that New Zealand and the United States face is considerably more ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Joint US and NZ declaration
    April 11, 2024 Joint Declaration by United States Secretary of State the Honorable Antony J. Blinken and New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs the Right Honourable Winston Peters We met today in Washington, D.C. to recommit to the historic partnership between our two countries and the principles that underpin it—rule ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • NZ and US to undertake further practical Pacific cooperation
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced further New Zealand cooperation with the United States in the Pacific Islands region through $16.4 million in funding for initiatives in digital connectivity and oceans and fisheries research.   “New Zealand can achieve more in the Pacific if we work together more urgently and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

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