Condolences: safety at work

76 comments on “Condolences: safety at work ”

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1. Kiwiri 1

   1 September 2014 at 1:18 pm

   My condolences to those close to the victims of the horrific actions in Ashburton today.

   My condolences to them.
2. Pete 2

   1 September 2014 at 1:25 pm

   My condolences too. It appears the man the police want in relation to the shootings is John Tully. Who was featured on the front of the Ashburton Guardian last month because he is homeless and is looking for a place to live.

   http://issuu.com/ashguardian/docs/ag-09_august__2014/1
   • blue leopard 2.1

     1 September 2014 at 1:45 pm

     There are details of that article here:

     http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11317351

     This is very sad.
     • Colonial Viper 2.1.1

       1 September 2014 at 2:12 pm

       A tragedy for all concerned, and for the nation.
3. vto 3

   1 September 2014 at 1:34 pm

   I wonder if he had been so beaten up by the system and being rejected by society [deleted]

   My 2c says that is the back story.

   [r0b: not appropriate to take this in in a political direction – deleted]
   • Enough is Enough 3.1

     1 September 2014 at 1:37 pm

     Speaking of Whaleoil, he actually has a good wrap of recent media stories on this ‘person of interest’.
   • One Anonymous Bloke 3.2

     1 September 2014 at 1:39 pm

     Thing is vto, Slater didn’t say that: you did.
     • vto 3.2.1

       1 September 2014 at 1:43 pm

       get a grip
   • Dialey 3.3

     1 September 2014 at 1:47 pm

     You surely don’t have to descend to the Whaleoil depths of linguistic deficiency at this tragic time
   • Tracey 3.4

     1 September 2014 at 2:05 pm

     Dont stoop vto. We dont need the profanity
   • vto 3.5

     1 September 2014 at 3:00 pm

     No worries, your blog. But it is political, don’t turn a blind eye to it. Out.
   • Once Was Tim 3.6

     1 September 2014 at 8:25 pm

     It’s not appropriate, however I was on a train this arvo from Paraparaumu to Wellington sitting behind a couple of Nafe Goi he who never inhaled hero worshippers.
     Their comments re this episode were fucking disgusting, and I’m tempted to mention them in a few weeks.
     The lack of humanity just astounded me!
4. blue leopard 4

   1 September 2014 at 1:41 pm

   Yes this is very sad all round. 🙁

   My best wishes goes out to the family and friends of those involved.

   https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BwaNQNBIUAACLXe.jpg
   [pic from Banksy twitter account]
5. Michael 5

   1 September 2014 at 1:45 pm

   This is hardly surprising. WINZ treats people like shit and humiliates them constantly, on government orders. Someone, evidently, had enough this morning. Will the government change the way it deals with its citizens? Probably yes, by becoming even more oppressive and cruel. It will spend $$$ of our money fortifying its staff from the people.
   • Anne 5.1

     1 September 2014 at 2:32 pm

     The surprise is that something like this hasn’t happened sooner. Michael is right.
     • cogito 5.1.1

       1 September 2014 at 4:29 pm

       I agree. Paula Bennett is just a Judith Collins clone.

       Both are total poison.

       Countless ordinary folk have been victimised again and again and treated like absolute crap by their minions. People live in total fear because of WINZ/ACC persecution.
       • thechangeling 5.1.1.1

         1 September 2014 at 10:54 pm

         I’ll second and third what you guys said. A system that bullies people will get bullied itself at some point.
6. Tigger 6

   1 September 2014 at 1:45 pm

   Key will make some comment, of course. Unfortunately, given that his government throws public workers to the dogs (or whales) when it suits them anything he says is tainted.
   • Tracey 6.1

     1 September 2014 at 2:06 pm

     He tweeted his condolences at 12:24

     I imagine the families will be checking john key’s twitter feed.
7. weka 7

   1 September 2014 at 1:45 pm

   This is horrific and very upsetting. Condolences to the families and close ones of the women who were shot, and to all the people who were in the room when this happened. Lots of traumatised people today needing support and care.

   I’m also feeling kind of heartbroken for NZ, this is a watershed moment, and it’s hard to not be thinking that this was only a matter of time. The timing is blowing my mind too.

   As well as thoughts for workers being allowed to be safe at work, my thoughts are also with the beneficiaries who will be understanding completely why this has happened and what it will mean, but many won’t be able to talk about it.
   • blue leopard 7.1

     1 September 2014 at 1:47 pm

     +1 Weka
   • veutoviper 7.2

     1 September 2014 at 1:53 pm

     My condolences to all those affected by this tragedy.

     Weka, well said.
   • vto 7.3

     1 September 2014 at 1:58 pm

     yes weka, better said than my rough hack above….
   • Olwyn 7.4

     1 September 2014 at 2:02 pm

     +1 Well said Weka – this is such a sad day for the families who have lost their loved ones, and for this country.
   • Colonial Viper 7.5

     1 September 2014 at 2:17 pm

     Thank you weka. And yes, this is a watershed moment for NZ, we are heading down the wrong, tragic path.
   • cogito 7.6

     1 September 2014 at 4:35 pm

     Well said. These sad events reflect [r0b: deleted – I’m taking political stuff out of this thread.]
   • halfcrown 7.7

     1 September 2014 at 6:45 pm

     Well said Weka.
8. McFlock 8

   1 September 2014 at 1:53 pm

   Yes indeed. Very sad day.
9. joe90 9

   1 September 2014 at 1:56 pm

   Will the MSD will continue the trialling of open-plan work places with an eye to extending them nation wide?.
10. disturbed 10

    1 September 2014 at 2:26 pm

    Our family sends our condolences to the families loss by this incident today in Ashburton.

    We need a return to a warm, caring, gentle, society as we had under 1950’s Walter Nash where no one has to suffer this way.

    We are seeing the years of social neglect now manifesting itself in all ways, and when one has nothing we have let our fellow citizen’s down badly here.

    So in memory of those who lost their family members we hope this will teach us all to be more compassionate as we learn from this day and hopefully plan to return to a caring compassionate sharing egalitarian society please as we are all related to each other in our human family.
11. Granted 11

    1 September 2014 at 2:40 pm

    My condolences to the families who have in a split second had their lives changed forever.

    Any type of analysis will obviously cause all sorts of reactions.

    However, we have someone who has on a pre-meditated basis murdered two people. There are absolutely no excuses what so ever for anyone to take another’s life. For me, when I read comments about why it has happened and any “back-story” seems to in a weird way give some sort of justification to what has happened.

    This is murder – nothing more nothing less – and heartbreaking.
    • tinfoilhat 11.1

      1 September 2014 at 2:45 pm

      Well said.
    • weka 11.2

      1 September 2014 at 2:49 pm

      Context isn’t excusing. It’s understanding the tragedy in a more full way. Lots of good reasons to do that, albeit with care.
      • disturbed 11.2.1

        1 September 2014 at 5:14 pm

        Weka

        Those who do not have any interest in fixing our broken society, are complicit and part of the cause, while we are acknowledging how to repair the system so this sadness does not reoccur.

        I dare say they didn’t take the reports recently from various agencies warning more despair and anger between rich and poor will spark more violence, also Salvation Army say this also.

        There are none so deaf as those who fail to listen.
    • Zorr 11.3

      1 September 2014 at 2:57 pm

      It is always important to look at the context because it will inform our future actions so as to prevent further tragedies from occurring.

      No family should have to go through the grief that the families of the dead will have to go through but we also owe it to them to understand why this has happened and act so as to prevent further such tragedy.
    • blue leopard 11.4

      1 September 2014 at 3:00 pm

      @ Granted,

      I considered the matter prior to sharing the herald article about the shooter’s backstory.

      I chose to share it because it shows that this event is even more tragic when the wider picture is known -particularly if Tully was still homeless and in need of help – not in order to justify his actions.

      I am sorry that you took it I was justifying the shooting. I was not.
      • vto 11.4.1

        1 September 2014 at 3:03 pm

        neither

        wouldn’t have thought it needed saying
      • Granted 11.4.2

        1 September 2014 at 4:10 pm

        @ blue leopard,

        I understand where you are coming from, but really in today’s world, we should not have to look at solutions to prevent murder.

        Just the fact that we need to look at a back story should (in my opinion) be removed from the act of murder if you get what I mean?? Its very easy to get misinterpreted our taken out of context in written statements of course.

        Yes there is the link of the back story, but it must never dilute the wrong of that action. Actually the more I write the more I think I am confusing the message!
        • weka 11.4.2.1

          1 September 2014 at 4:43 pm

          Who do you think has diluted the wrongness of murder?
        • blue leopard 11.4.2.2

          1 September 2014 at 5:45 pm

          Sorry, I don’t understand your comment Granted, 🙁

          …and so thought your last sentence was rather apt, lolz .
        • Colonial Viper 11.4.2.3

          1 September 2014 at 6:34 pm

          Yes there is the link of the back story, but it must never dilute the wrong of that action. Actually the more I write the more I think I am confusing the message!

          the national crime is abandoning Kiwis to rot.
    • Tracey 11.5

      1 September 2014 at 3:28 pm

      Accepting that the reasons someone did something is broader than, picked up a gun and shot, is not about excusing their actions or minimising the pain of those suffering loss but about trying to learn from a situation.

      The justice system will deal with him, if he hasnt taken his own lifeby the time he is found, the justice system wont look at the backstory to see if any socital change is required.

      It is actually better for society to look at the backstory, in case we can do something to lessen the chance of a repeat.

      “This is murder – nothing more nothing less”

      Actually, it is a lot more.
      • weka 11.5.1

        1 September 2014 at 4:44 pm

        Good point Tracey, it is a lot more.
        • dave 11.5.1.1

          2 September 2014 at 1:59 am

          desperate people will do desperate things which can result in a tragedy
      • Maz 11.5.2

        1 September 2014 at 5:49 pm

        I would like to extend my condolences to those who have lost their loved ones today. Also to all the staff members who are threatened verbally and physically as they undertake their roles as public servants. I don’t think that today’s events happened in isolation to anything else that was happening in the suspect’s life….was it a random act? I don’t think so. So I’m with you Tracey. We need to look back in order to move forward.
    • Colonial Viper 11.6

      1 September 2014 at 3:30 pm

      For me, when I read comments about why it has happened and any “back-story” seems to in a weird way give some sort of justification to what has happened.

      preventing crime and future victims means that we cannot choose the path of easy ignorance or retribution.
12. Tracey 12

    1 September 2014 at 3:31 pm

    Social Development Minister Paula Bennett would travel to Ashburton as soon as it was safe to do so.
    • sabine 12.1

      1 September 2014 at 3:39 pm

      I am sure that her presence will make everyone better.

      The sadness and the desperation, it is everywhere.
      • Anne 12.1.1

        1 September 2014 at 6:47 pm

        Since her “lets pull up the ladder behind us ” mentality is a huge part of the reason why this sort of thing is likely to happen, then I doubt her presence will make anyone feel better – to the contrary.
13. TheContrarian 13

    1 September 2014 at 4:22 pm

    It sounds from the news that he was having a very rough time of life in recent months, I feel sorry for his circumstances.

    In saying that – there is absolutely no excuse for this type of violence, so I feel very sorry for the victims and their families
14. Sanctuary 14

    1 September 2014 at 4:25 pm

    I have studied National’s election TV ad, and I can confirm there was no room in their rowing eight for people like John Henry Tully.
15. sockpuppet 15

    1 September 2014 at 5:14 pm

    Some of you need to take a very long look in the mirror.
    • One Anonymous Bloke 15.1

      1 September 2014 at 5:22 pm

      How about we take a very long look at the rules around emergency assistance and mental health services while we’re at it? WINZ staff are literally in the firing line.
    • karol 15.2

      1 September 2014 at 5:28 pm

      At this time, that is no a very helpful comment, sockpuppet.

      You are spraying blanketed blame at individuals here – any more comments along these lines will get deleted.
      • sockpuppet 15.2.1

        1 September 2014 at 7:02 pm

        Karol some of the comments on this thread are a disgrace.
        • Colonial Viper 15.2.1.1

          1 September 2014 at 7:04 pm

          don’t read’m then.
        • karol 15.2.1.2

          1 September 2014 at 7:21 pm

          Some people are concerned about the kind of society we are living in and the social context of the shootings.

          Someone did step over the mark and those comments were deleted. Are you disputing the way this site is moderated?

          The shootings are a National trauma.

          You don’t seem to be very concerned about the victims, their families, friends and colleagues?
          • dave 15.2.1.2.1

            2 September 2014 at 2:09 am

            the winz workers are victims only doing what there told
            the real cul prates are those at the top, yes paula its you !
    • McFlock 15.3

      1 September 2014 at 5:34 pm

      Shouldn’t we all take a look in the mirror when we see what society has become?
16. JanM 16

    1 September 2014 at 5:38 pm

    This is an appalling tragedy for everyone involved; for the innocent victims of the shootings and the families who have lost their loved ones.
    I can also hardly bear to think of the desperation and the depth of misery that drove anyone to commit such a dreadful act.
    • grumpystilskin 16.1

      1 September 2014 at 5:52 pm

      “I can also hardly bear to think of the desperation and the depth of misery that drove anyone to commit such a dreadful act.”
      Really?
      Had any dealings with WINZ?
      • JanM 16.1.1

        1 September 2014 at 6:19 pm

        yes, but I am a middle-class pakeha woman who speaks posher than them in most cases 🙂
        However, in no way can you imply that the people who were killed were at any way responsible for what happened. We don’t really know the trigger and they are as essentially innocent as any other employee carrying out employer policy. I have worked in the public service and there but for the grace of god go I or anyone else in that situation
        • cogito 16.1.1.1

          1 September 2014 at 9:24 pm

          I have also worked for years in the public service, but when I had the misfortune of having to deal with ACC over a motor vehicle accident sustained by my wife…. believe me, I could not believe the depths of evil and dishonesty that ACC stooped to. They drove my wife to make an attempt on her life – an event that was described by a Senior ACC Manager as a “stunt”, no acknowledgment at all of their own infamous actions. There are people in government agencies – [r0b: deleted – I’m taking political stuff out of this thread.] and who stir up levels of real hatred in otherwise gentle and peace loving people.
          • Michael 16.1.1.1.1

            1 September 2014 at 9:59 pm

            You are correct, Cogito: ACC treats people in ways that creates stress, or aggravates that which already exists in people coping with the effects of personal injury. ACC calls this approach “tough love” and gets psychologists to teach staff how to provide it (see the “Riley report” tabled in Parliament bu Kevin Hague during the Bronwyn Pullar scandal). What has this got to do with WINZ and today’s horrific events in Ashburton? The Welfare Working Group, most of whose members now sit on taxpayer-funded seats around the board tables at both ACC and WINZ, recommended that the latter implemented the former’s methods of “encouraging” people to become independent, as the current Government directed it to. Naturally, none of the august board members will ever come anywhere the results of their policy pronouncements. However today at least four people did: the alleged gunman and his three victims, with terrible consequences for each of them, their families and the community in which they lived. Evil flourished in Ashburton today but it did not materialise unannounced: the seeds of this tragedy were sown, by others, some time ago and some distance away from their terrible flowering.
      • tricledrown 16.1.2

        1 September 2014 at 11:26 pm

        Ashburton has a major methamphetamine problem a recent round of drug busts just recently!
        Ashburton has a dark underbelly the Mayor is in Denial!
        The News Media goes on about a quiet little town this is not true!
17. phillip ure 17

    1 September 2014 at 6:55 pm

    if we don’t fix this shit..this gross/accelerating poverty/inequality..

    [r0b: deleted – I’m taking political stuff out of this thread.]

    ..and hopefully we can move past the grieving period..

    ..and that we will take better care of people like this sad/mad gunman..

    ..who just ‘lost it’..in such a terrible way..
    • Kiwiri 17.1

      1 September 2014 at 7:36 pm

      One of the last things I want to do these days is turn up at some speaking engagement where Parker is on, and hear him TELLING and lecturing to the audience about what he thinks (not quite on the mark on many issues). And some in Labour are wondering why they continue to rate so low despite National’s mess.
      • Michael 17.1.1

        1 September 2014 at 10:02 pm

        Why David Parker in particular? He is one of the most thoughtful and sensitive people in Parliament, quite apart from whichever party he belongs to. I can think of far, far worse creatures than him.
      • Kiwiri 17.1.2

        2 September 2014 at 9:29 am

        Hi r0b or moderators
        My comment at 17.1 was in response to what has now been deleted and, as I see today, has been raised at 6 on Open Mike (2 September 2014). For consistency, please delete 17.1.
        I will consider later today whether or not to reproduce my comment there.
    • phillip ure 17.2

      2 September 2014 at 5:46 am

      @ deleting rob..

      why not move it/them to om then..?

      ..instead of just trashing it/them..?

      ..i put a lot of thought into that..

      ..and i feel it was totally relevant..

      ..and not in any way ‘offensive’..(?)
18. TA 18

    1 September 2014 at 9:48 pm

    Truly hopeless situation of public servants being forced to enforce inhumane legislation on an increasingly hopeless pool of beneficiaries.

    When people have no hope left they will act out in desperate ways and public servants will get caught in the crossfire.

    Mr Tully had reached that point and two people have paid the ultimate price.

    I hope John Key remembers how hard public servants work and will not continue to denigrate them given the daily threats many of them face.

    My condolences to the sorrowing families.
    • blue leopard 18.1

      1 September 2014 at 10:07 pm

      Nicely put, TA
19. Brian 19

    1 September 2014 at 10:53 pm

    Condolences to all affected by this terrible event.
20. meconism 20

    1 September 2014 at 11:09 pm

    Even in our sleep, pain which cannot forget falls drop by drop upon the heart, until, in our own despair, against our will, comes wisdom through the awful grace of God.

    Aeschylus
21. Awww 21

    2 September 2014 at 7:18 am

    My thoughts are also with all the Case Managers going back to work today and perhaps feeling a little more vulnerable.
22. cogito 22

    2 September 2014 at 9:39 am

    The best way to feel less vulnerable is to focus on helping those in need rather than ticking Basher Bennett’s boxes.

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