Farrar back on the PS payroll?

Written By: all_your_base - Date published: 12:12 pm, December 6th, 2008 - 135 comments
Categories: blogs - Tags: dpf, farrar, ps, slater, whaleoil

A mate just pointed out that the metadata of David Farrar’s election analysis document suggests it was authored on a Parliamentary Service computer. With the document open in Microsoft Word go to the ‘File’ menu then down to ‘Properties’. You’ll see something like the image below:

Of course you’ll notice that the document title looks historical but Word is pretty aggressive when it comes to updating its metadata automatically (particularly when it comes to local user data on the machine in use).

A month or so ago, our own IrishBill pointed out Cameron Slater’s (Whaleoil’s) own admission to The Herald that he was working closely with the National Party research unit raking muck.

Perhaps his mate Davey is back in there too…

135 comments on “Farrar back on the PS payroll? ”

Comments are now closed

higherstandard 1

6 December 2008 at 12:23 pm

So ?

Are you expecting people to be surprised that Farra is partisan – he’s always been pretty open about where he stands and he does actually post under his own name.
John Dalley 2

6 December 2008 at 12:25 pm

Though he will always say otherwis, Davey has always been a paid “Lackey” of the National Party.
Maybe his and his companies should be included in National Electoral Expense Returns,
but as i say, he will always say “Not”
all_your_base 3

6 December 2008 at 12:34 pm

higherstandard – it’s as much about hypocrisy of the National Party digging dirt and running lines through the Whaleoils and the Farrars while their smiling front-man goes on relentlessly about running a “positive campaign”.
Steve Pierson 4

6 December 2008 at 12:39 pm

No-one is acting surprised that Farrar is partisan, HS. The point is this document was written on a Parliamentry Services computer. That means David, like Slater is actually working with the National Party research unit (they’re employed by Parliamentry Services).

What we’re beginning to see is a web of relationships, how the Nats get out spin to the media via supposedly independent sources.

It’s actually a useful docunment, but David, some graphs please, endess tables are very hard to interpret.
lprent 5

6 December 2008 at 12:47 pm

The last page is pretty weird in the comments. Looks like a different election to 2008.

captcha: keep Judging
Thank you machine. I will…
Graeme 6

6 December 2008 at 12:59 pm

I’d say this was fairly simple. The same thing has happened with my CV.

I created my first CV on a Victoria University computer. Every so often, I update it, and although it’s been worked on on half a dozen computers since uni, there’s still VUW meta-data in it – even in the PDF I then turn it into. The last time I updated it, the updating was over quicker than my efforts to clear the remnants of that data.

What has pretty obviously happened here is that DPF created an analysis of the election in 1999, when he worked in Parliament. And he has just been updating that file, instead of starting from scratch (because why would you?).
all_your_base 7

6 December 2008 at 1:24 pm

It may well be that simple Graeme, it’s just that the ‘Author’ data seems usually to be updated quite aggressively by Word.
vto 8

6 December 2008 at 1:36 pm

i don’t see what that has to do with the price of fish
Janet 9

6 December 2008 at 1:53 pm

VTO

Are you happy for your taxes to support Kiwiblog and Whaleoil while they are not admitting that they are part of the National Party parliamentary machine – in fact trying to disguise it? These days conflicts of interest, ethical business and political behaviour are quite a big deal. If they are on the payroll they should just say it and put a conflict of interest statement on their blogs.
NX 10

6 December 2008 at 2:26 pm

Graeme wrote:
I’d say this was fairly simple. The same thing has happened with my CV.

Yeah, I agree with Graeme.

If you recycle Word documents – the author field doesn’t seem to change. Which can be awkward if the document is from a previous employer.
rjs131 11

6 December 2008 at 2:32 pm

I think the National party “running lines” through Salter and Kiwiblog is about as likely as the Labour party “running lines” through this blog – something that has been repeatedly denied.
sux2bu 12

6 December 2008 at 2:40 pm

Feeblest dirt-digging attempt since Mike Williams. Did any of you geniuses look at Documents>Properties>’Last saved by’ ? Guess who last saved it – a user called David Farrar, not Parliamentary Services. Did you geniuses also try modifying the doc and saving it and see what happens ? “Author” is still Parliamentary Services, “last saved by” is now you…
Vonnie Boy 13

6 December 2008 at 2:41 pm

Har har har, metadata is hilarious.
Graeme 14

6 December 2008 at 2:45 pm

it’s just that the â€˜Author’ data seems usually to be updated quite aggressively by Word.

I wish!

My CV was created on a VUW PC on MS Word. The very first time I saved it, I’d typed my middle name incorrectly on the first line, and it borrowed that for the file name first time ’round. Naturally, I’d fixed it at the time in the document, and in the file name, but even now, opening and amending the document in Open Office, and then creating a PDFof that open office document, the author of the PDF (!) is still SCS (the VUW Student Computing Services or something like that) and the embedded title (the bit it shows in task bar) of that PDF still has my middle name spelt incorrectly. It seriously took me an hour to fix it last time – manually changing the properties in the pdf file wasn’t even close to enough.
Tim Ellis 15

6 December 2008 at 2:50 pm

ayb, while you’re going around outing people for working in parliamentary services, have you got any declarations to make of your own?
Madeleine 16

6 December 2008 at 2:51 pm

One might ask how you knew how to spot this.

What’s that saying about protesting too much?
Steve Pierson 17

6 December 2008 at 3:27 pm

Tim. No ayb doesn’t. don’t believe everything you read on whaleoil. what’s he up to now? About 20 names for 6 writers isn’t it?
Robinsod 18

6 December 2008 at 3:35 pm

I think the fact DPF is running his polling services call-outs from National party HQ is probably enough evidence of the fact he’s benefiting from the National party.

What I find more interesting than the no-brainer that Farrar works for National is the fact that there is an increasing amount of evidence that National were actively using Slater’s blog as an outlet for smear campaigns despite his lax security…
Robinsod 19

6 December 2008 at 3:36 pm

Hey Tim – I’ve got an admission to make…

I’m your dad. Say hi to your mum for me.
dave 20

6 December 2008 at 3:37 pm

Go back and have a look at the data creation – last printed in..2002. The document is at least 5 years old. What a weak allegation.

[lprent: I vaguely seem to remember you describing whale’s even more tenuous ‘evidence’ about photoshop jpegs as being good. Not exactly consistent in your opinions are you?]
Rex Widerstrom 21

6 December 2008 at 3:43 pm

Good grief.

I see Lynn’s commented here and I’m surprised he hasn’t weighed in with some technical knowledge (which in most areas is far superior to mine, but I’m not sure about Word, since, to be fair, he obviously doesn’t use much of the Evil Empire’s product).

As Graeme is trying to tell you, Word does not “aggressively” update metadata. It doesn’t even “effectively” update metadata. Especially when you open an older version document in 2007* and especially if you’re using Sharepoint, as I imagine a company like David’s would be doing.

And that’s what’s happened here, judging by the original title referring to 1999 figures but the template on which it’s based being normal.dotm (which is a 2007 extension).

You’re also looking at a document originally created on a Windows platform on a Mac platform. The number of differences (despite what Microsoft claim) between the way similarly named products behave on the two are the subject of many an erudite exposition, as they number in the bazillions.

You get upset – and rightly so – at accusations The Standard was “run from the 9th floor”, yet you endeavour to smear David with the same sort of innuendo based on a poor understanding of something as flimsy as Word metadata?

Shame on you, a_y_b – I think you owe David an apology.

* that refers to the date field… I don’t have time to find one specific to name, but it’s basically every field.
sux2bu 22

6 December 2008 at 3:45 pm

Not just an apology is owed, you should also praise his eco friendliness by not printing this doc since 2002 LOL
Rex Widerstrom 23

6 December 2008 at 3:56 pm

Oh, by the way Graeme et al, Microsoft claims it’s possible to easily remove metadata. I can’t vouch for the methods suggested as I’ve never tried any.

But isn’t the introduction hilarious?! They assume – and probably rightly so – that the only people devious enough, and with the sort of lies that need hiding, are lawyers:

Legal professionals are familiar with the concept of “discovery” and the requirements set out by the courts for complying with discovery demands. They also understand that they are only required to provide the documents and data set out in the discovery demand. Unfortunately, if you are providing electronic versions of your documents, you may “discover” that you are inadvertently supplying more information than you realize.

Like, say, in an anti-trust case before the US Supreme Court? Mwahahahaha!!
gingercrush 24

6 December 2008 at 4:05 pm

Hmm I would have thought that the Buy Kiwi campaign which National suspended would be more important than whatever the hell Farrar is up to.
Johnty Rhodes 25

6 December 2008 at 4:23 pm

4 weeks on & you are in denial about ‘who is running the show.’

I downloaded the offending doc and saved it, it still says Parliamentary Services.

GC – buy NZ made means high price for most people, but quality is there mostly. At least we will see the end of Oliver Driver in the TV ads. We do but a lot of NZ made, fruit/veges/meat/dairy etc. Clothes are too expensive if made in NZ.
Whaleoil 26

6 December 2008 at 4:53 pm

[deleted]

[lprent: You’re censored out of this site because you routinely lie about it, you lie about the people posting on it, you are technically incompetent, and essentially I think that you are a moronic troll who never says anything worth reading. I presume that answers your question – don’t come back]

[lprent: I see that you don’t learn. When I say don’t come back, that is exactly what I mean. Added you to the blacklist for the anti-spam engine to deal with]
lprent 27

6 December 2008 at 5:20 pm

Rex: I don’t think that a_y_b owes any apology based on Davids own standards. Rather I think that DPF probably owes an apology to a_y_b.

Think back a couple of months. That technical incompetent Slater at nationals smear unit used a similarity of installer names in the photoshop metadata data in jpegs to assert identities for IrishBill and Tane. It wasn’t even an exact match.

In the case of a_y_b, on basis of no proof at all he asserted that a_y_b was some guy on the 9th floor.

All of which DPF happily accepted as true and ran posts on. That was despite knowing (at least he should have known) that the evidence was technically about as tenuous as a wet paper bag. From my recollection, DPF ran with a post that asserted that all of these things were true, along with a whole pile of other wingnuts. Now that as ‘evidence’ is far more tenuous than what a_y_b put in his post today.

I’m afraid that if that is the standard of proof required for a post, then this one has more legs. In my opinion, DPF has delineated the standard or proof required for this type of dogwhistle post. I’m sure that he’d be happy with a_y_b applying a higher standard of proof, and asking a similar question.

So when I see DPF apologizing for that incident and others in his illustrious dogwhistle career, then I might agree with you. Somehow I doubt it.

BTW: You are correct, I seldom use MS Office these days. I prefer Open Office. But I have used MS Office or MS Word since ~1985.
sux2bu 28

6 December 2008 at 5:47 pm

If being technically incompetent and lying about people is basis for being banned, can we assume you’ve given All Your Base his marching orders for this lying, technically incompetent, post ?

[lprent: I was comparing a_y_b with DPF, who appears to like having a public perception of being better than cam. Cam is banned because he routinely makes crap up about this site that requires me to waste effort – so I’ll let a program deal with the idiot.]
sux2bu 29

6 December 2008 at 6:16 pm

Okayyyy…so you bring Whaleoil into this by casting aspersions on something he said previously, then he pops in for a a right-of-reply and you delete and ban him for it ? In the grand tradition of left wing “debate” down the ages…

[lprent: No I banned him because he persistently lies about this site on his site. I just can’t be bothered tidying up after the idiot, and he usually just comes here to try and stir up a flame session. Offhand I can’t think of an intelligent thing that he has ever said here that has actually invoked discussion about something more enlightening than the size of his ego.

There is no “right-of-reply” – have a look in our policy and try to find one. If he wants to ‘reply’ then he can do it elsewhere where I don’t have to read it in my role as sysop.

In my opinion he is spam – so thats where I’ve put him.]
Lew 30

6 December 2008 at 6:20 pm

C’mon, comparisons to WOBH aren’t merited … if this was his post the title would be `[person] sucking on Nanny State’s teat again.’ No question mark, nothing measured about it. And still no evidence.

L
higherstandard 31

6 December 2008 at 6:26 pm

Lew – isn’t the real point ‘who really gives a damn apart from a few obsessives on opposing blogs’

Clearly a no news day – although I must admit to being impressed by the Herald naming two fine people who are no longer as the NZers of the year.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10546746

Perhaps a post on that rather than ayb’s fixations may have been warranted.

Lynn – as an aside it might be prudent to leave people’s comments there for all to see why they were banned rather than just deleting.

[lprent: Normally I would unless they were too obnoxious. However in this case I can’t be bothered. It wasn’t what he said, it was the fact he was here at all. I have expended far to much time on cam and see no reason for him to have access to this site]
sux2bu 32

6 December 2008 at 6:37 pm

You don’t think that intellectual honesty obliges you to give someone a chance to reply on the same forum you criticise them ? Does that strike you as the sign of a rigorous debate where you have full confidence you can defend your position with your wits rather than your delete key ?
lprent 33

6 December 2008 at 6:42 pm

Don’t you think that intellectual honesty would require that Cam gives himself an immediate lobotomy?

After all this is the guy who said that r0b was running 08wire based on nothing more than a similarity of a first name and a psuedonym. (Rob Salmond was actually running 08wire)
Lew 34

6 December 2008 at 6:47 pm

HS: Fair comment. You have good standing here, maybe you could ask Lynn to put up a guest post rather than complaining about the things others feel like writing about – it’s a market, after all, and you’ve spied an opening. Be entrepreneurial!

L
sux2bu 35

6 December 2008 at 6:53 pm

So your answer to abusing someone without right of reply is more abuse ? Obviously it’s your site and you can run it anyway you like, but do you think you’re impressing anyone who cares about having a fair discussion ? This kind of behaviour means you’ll only attract people who already agree with you and happily turn a blind eye to the editorial Stalinism. If you want to set up an echo chamber where you’re preaching to the choir all the time, that’s your call.
lprent 36

6 December 2008 at 7:17 pm

Lew,hs: Actually you generally don’t ask me. I’m still a bit of an amateur at actually writing posts. Which is why I put my own non-admin posts up on the weekend (also that is when I have time to try them out).

The contact-us page has the general e-mail address that the posts for Guest Posts or ideas should be sent to. Which I don’t read…

Generally they advise me that I should try to keep the posts down to about 400 words if possible and to use lots of links for background info. Make your point concisely and make sure that there is a clear opinion. The reason is that this site values opinion and not statements, because that gets the discussion going. They will also not edit particularly because your opinion should be your own. If one of them feels that it is worth putting up then they will do so.

We will usually only put posts up as Guest Post and only identify with a psuedonym if at all. It is the ideas and opinion that are important and we prefer that the opinion is judged on its merits. That is why with the exception of myself and Clinton none of the posters have IRL identities.

It is a lot harder than it looks..
lprent 37

6 December 2008 at 7:34 pm

sux: I’m far more concerned with the smooth running of the site based on the guidelines in policy. I express my opinion of people and their behaviour pretty clearly in moderator/sysop role. Sometimes that consists of what you’d consider as ‘abuse’ because that is what I feel about their behavior.

In case you hadn’t noticed, there are probably as many people who lean right commenting here as who lean left. I seldom bother to intervene on opinion in moderator/sysop roles. Most of the time I’ll write a comment myself if I have time.

Problem is with Cam is that he doesn’t add anything to the discussion and only appears to come here for disruption. He uses other forums to lie about the site and the people on it. So I can’t see any reason to let him disrupt things here because he annoys the hell out of me with his mindless dog whistling. It isn’t like he ever says anything here of any particular value, and he isn’t even amusing.
sux2bu 38

6 December 2008 at 7:37 pm

I tried to read your policy but I couldn’t get past the first line without collapsing into laughter “We encourage robust debate and we’re tolerant of dissenting views”. You should do comedy…
When you want to ban a dissenting view, you declare it ‘spam’ and ban it. That way you kid yourselves that you’re not banning views. Does anyone buy that ?
illuminatedtiger 39

6 December 2008 at 7:42 pm

Good research. Farrar looks extremely dodgy on Farrar’s part.
lprent 40

6 December 2008 at 7:45 pm

sux: Obviously you don’t understand the concept of ‘debate’.

Anyway I have to get back to the code and preventing client side caching of the pages in dumb caching systems. IMO That is far more important to this site than your opinion
sux2bu 41

6 December 2008 at 7:47 pm

Yes i see now that the only opinions important to the site are the admins and those who agree with them .All else is ‘spam’
Janet 42

6 December 2008 at 9:08 pm

GC
Buy NZ made generally means supporting NZ workers so I am very sad but not surprised that the ideologues of the right have cancelled it.

But it will be back when we again have a govt that cares about NZ workers.
Dean 43

6 December 2008 at 9:43 pm

LP:

“So when I see DPF apologizing for that incident and others in his illustrious dogwhistle career, then I might agree with you. Somehow I doubt it.”

So, because he did it, it’s ok that you do it too?

Glad to see you’re not aspiring to be higher on any moral or intellectual ladder than those you choose to oppose.

Tit for tat is so droll. So was AYB’s completely fabricated assertion that Word “agressively” changes the metadata in documents. Honestly, a simple google search would have told him otherwise. But did he choose to do that? No way! There is dirt to be dished, right? I reckon he must have taken lessons from Mr Williams.

“We will usually only put posts up as Guest Post and only identify with a psuedonym if at all. It is the ideas and opinion that are important and we prefer that the opinion is judged on its merits. That is why with the exception of myself and Clinton none of the posters have IRL identities.”

That’d explain batman then.
Rex Widerstrom 44

6 December 2008 at 10:27 pm

I’ve been out all day and have just come back and read Lynn’s response so apologies for the delay. In any case I see Dean has said what I wanted to say. Interestingly enough,it’s exactly the same point as I made in response to infused implying it would be okay for National to ram through policy with minimal consultation because “Labour did exactly that”.

I said to him, as I say to you now – two wrongs don’t make a right. Like a lot of cliches, that one survives because it’s a succinct way of stating an irrefutable truth.

I know most of The Standard’s authors have their own reasons for anonymity, and I respect that. But I also respect David’s courage in posting under his own name. I knew when I started doing so I’d risk attracting the obvious smears… I’m pleased to note that hasn’t happened here but has at Kiwiblog (when DPF leapt on it quickly) and at Tim Blair (where no action was taken, so I never returned).

However, those who post under pseudonyms must expect that the “price” of that is speculation – often public speculation – as to their identities. I’ve seen it about Roar Prawn, about Poneke, about Queen Bee… and about the various contributors to The Standard.

Personally I wish David would sometimes require a higher standard of research goes into the information he chooses to impart – especially when he’s so detailed, and puts so much effort into, posts on statistical topics.

But simply because he chose to report someone else’s posts allegedly “outing” anonymous authors does not justify a_y_b’s implying that he is corrupt, and runs his blog as a front for someone else. Especially not when the “evidence” he offers is as much a piece of wishful thinking as was Slater’s.
lprent 45

6 December 2008 at 11:34 pm

Dean, Rex: We work with existing standards of political blogs, but with our own twist.

I’m afraid that while dog whistle tactics are the norm, then I have no problem with following them. I’d expect that over the next 3 years we will contribute to refining the meme. That is the price of using them in the first place, that they can be used against the perpetrators as well. I don’t particularly like them but that is largely irrelevant. They obviously work. To not use them gives the lowest denominator (ie NACT) an advantage which means that they will continue to be used until the cost of using them rises too much.

Of course they are a lot easier to use in ‘opposition’. I can testify that they are unpleasant to be on the receiving side. Perhaps after also being on the receiving side for 3 years or so, the current dog whistlers will find that out as well.
QoT 46

7 December 2008 at 12:31 am

The definition of comedy is someone whose handle is “sux2bu” arguing about fairness and balanced debate.
Dean 47

7 December 2008 at 1:10 am

LP:

“I’m afraid that while dog whistle tactics are the norm, then I have no problem with following them. I’d expect that over the next 3 years we will contribute to refining the meme. That is the price of using them in the first place, that they can be used against the perpetrators as well. I don’t particularly like them but that is largely irrelevant. They obviously work. To not use them gives the lowest denominator (ie NACT) an advantage which means that they will continue to be used until the cost of using them rises too much.”

That’s fair enough.

But meanwhile AYB is incorrect about Word and it’s suppiosedly agressive updating of metadata. I don’t expect an apology from him towards DPF. But at least he didn’t go off on a half cocked tirade about things he really didn’t know about – like Mr Smith did about OECD company tax rates or the catholic church and it’s involvement in the holocaust.

That really was a lolfest, LP. I understand the writers here have the right to free speech but it’s puzzling that they get so defensive when their assertions are questioned. Irishbill is the worst at this (yes, I still have the screenshots IB).

IrishBill: Get a life Dean.
Logie97 48

7 December 2008 at 2:11 am

I have looked back through this discussion and I cannot see what the sleeze Whaleoil is supposed to have said. From that I guess sux2bu also has no idea what Slater said either, yet appears to know that it was a quality comment. From the many statements that that creep (Slater) has made, and his disgusting photoshop antics, may I add my congratulations on your removing him. (In passing is it possible for Slater to have registered under another name?)
sux2bu 49

7 December 2008 at 8:43 am

Damn what would you guys have to write about if the term “dogwhistle” didn’t exist. Five uses on one page alone. It’s as monotonous as Peters’ “media conspiracy” line.
sux2bu 50

7 December 2008 at 9:00 am

QoT
The definition of comedy is someone whose handle is “sux2bu’ arguing about fairness and balanced debate.

I see you seem to be using the standard left-wing definintion of “fair and balanced”, meaning “everyone who agrees with me is o.k.”. I think it’s a totally appropriate handle. Labour ran the dirtiest, most negative campaign in living memory, tried to dredge up ridiculous smears that didn’t exist, even ( quelle horreur ! ) resorted to tax cuts, and still lost.
It does, indeed, …[dramatic pause]…suck to be you !

[lprent: I’ve just had a look through your comment history. You always act like you want to start flamewars rather than engage in debate. That isn’t acceptable here – read the policy. I’d suggest that you lift your standards to something other than flame provocation level. If you don’t then I will apply the Policy.

So far it is difficult to see that you contribute to debate – probably why you don’t understand what the term means. However at least you write your own lines so you aren’t a troll.

BTW: Note that this is a warning, and not an invitation for a debate. Read the section in the policy about the futility of arguing with a sysop.]
Chris G 51

7 December 2008 at 10:31 am

sux: “Yes i see now that the only opinions important to the site are the admins and those who agree with them .All else is ‘spam'”

Thats bullshit and you know it. There are regular comments from right leaning people on here who can comment with about being dumbasses. See: gingercrush, higherstandard et al.

I can read their points of view, naturally disagree, but we can all continue debating in a relatively civil manner… and there you have found it, the keyword is Civil. That is something I definately dont see on certain other blogs, because of that I dont comment there!

From what I’ve seen the stuff thats been censored has been the repeated lies, slander and general crap that comes out of some peoples – overwhelmingly large (perhaps the size of that very adverb?) – brains.
lprent 52

7 December 2008 at 10:45 am

Chris: That is pretty much the standard. The opinions don’t matter to the moderators unless they get too damn gross. We’re mainly looking to see if people get in the way of debate. We’re really not into wasting too much time either. Stick around the net for long enough, then you’ve seen all of the different types of personality and tactics. It is mainly a matter of seeing if they have potential to grow and contribute to the debate. sux appears to have the ability to debate and discuss. But sux also appears to lack the intent or willingness to engage as anything apart from as a firestarter.

Dean: Irish has been known to be a bit abrupt. But that is Irish’s style. It also shows in the style of posts. It is just one of those things that people around here have to get used to. It is like putting up with me talking about things that happened on the net before some commentators here were born.
sux2bu 53

7 December 2008 at 10:54 am

Chris G – “Civil” ? The comedy never ends on here. “you routinely lie”, “moronic troll”, “you are technically incompetent”, “idiot”, “persistently lies”, “far more important to this site than your opinion”, “you don’t understand what the term means”
Comments by the admins, just on this page alone. And you reckon you’ve got the moral high ground over other blogs ?
ianmac 54

7 December 2008 at 11:12 am

It always seemed possible to me that the promises that Key and others made and the responses geared to suit the audiences would come back to haunt him/them. “I expect a high standard from any one in my team.” Did the Auckland candidate who was accused of Immigration fraud become an MP? (Think Phillip Field.)
Think of “Nanny State” if the anti-smoking in cars takes off. ( A good call by the way but…”) Think of the calls that Farrar has made and how these should be used used to “haunt them.”
Gustavo Trellis 55

7 December 2008 at 11:15 am

I’ve never had any problems with TheStandard at all, I don’t particularly think anything I say on here would be agreeable and the admins and bloggers debate what you say, but I’ve never had an outright ban and I put that down to not being a troll.
Chris G 56

7 December 2008 at 11:31 am

and just my speculation, DPF gets some dough from the Nats one way or another.

The political propaganda machine is alive and has some serious $$$ in it… refer: Crosby/textor
sux2bu 57

7 December 2008 at 11:35 am

Iprent – “So far it is difficult to see that you contribute to debate”. Well, I was the one who asked if anyone had tried modifying and saving the doc to see if the ‘author’ field changes ? It doesn’t, only the ‘last saved by’ field is updated. This is exactly the state of the DPF doc – created by Parliamentary Services, last saved by David Farrar. My contribution kills ayb’s entire story stone dead. Does proving The Standard wrong not count ?
Chris G 58

7 December 2008 at 11:36 am

Im not going to respond to sux again (this doesnt count) because Gustavos comment above shows what I was getting at. Clearly sux doesnt understand.
sux2bu 59

7 December 2008 at 12:05 pm

After a few days being on here, I understand this blog completely now. I’m the one who made the most rational suggestion on testing ayb’s technical claims, and yet the admins don’t see how I contribute to the debate.
He calls me a firestarter. Ayb started the fire with his nonsensical made-up claims. I put the fire out with a simple logical test.
People talk about being civil, but the admin comments on this page contain as much abuse as the worst commentor on any other blog.
Admins and commenters used the term “dogwhistle” five times directed towards DPF, and yet this whole post is intended to whistle up commenters’ conspiracy theories about DPF and Parliamentary Services.
“Technically incompetent” and “lies” and “smear” are the admin’s favourite description for Whaleoil, and yet ayb’s entire post is a technically incompetent lie and smear. Any action taken or apology given ?

And after all this, they assert that this blog has a high standard of behaviour and encourages debate and dissenting view.
Horseshit. I’ve never seen a worse example of hipocrisy on a blog. I think I’ve seen enough of The Standard.

[lprent: Rational is in your mind I suspect. If you don’t come back then it would probably increase the level of debate]
vto 60

7 December 2008 at 12:48 pm

The problem with debating on The Standard is that too few people agree with me.
ianmac 61

7 December 2008 at 12:57 pm

Vto: Hard to debate with too few. A bit sad really. Reminds me of the man who stands on the footpath up town and invokes the bible in a loud monotone.
George Darroch 62

7 December 2008 at 1:00 pm

An anonymous poster here alleges that David Farrar is lying about working for Parliamentary Service. Lynn Prentice steps in and backs this person up. When alternative, simpler explanations are presented by Rex and Graeme (neither of whom are National Party hacks), they are dismissed, seemingly out of hand.

Given that Wellington is a small place, Parliament even smaller, and David a relatively open and public figure, if he was lying about his employment, I think we’d find out from a person (not MS Word) pretty quickly. A quick use of occam’s razor gives the answer with the least assumptions as DPF telling the truth.

Given that similar baseless allegations have been made against The Standard (all the posters), I’m disappointed to see them being repeated by people who are so outraged when they’re accused of the same things.
TimeWarp 63

7 December 2008 at 1:14 pm

You can win a battle but lose the war. Not sure of the point of this thread. It’s a non-story.

Using WOBH as a reference point for standards is akin to not having any. “The Standard” should surely be just that, in multiple dimensions of the term?
QoT 64

7 December 2008 at 1:50 pm

Wow, sux2bu, you got that whole psychological analysis of me out of a single off-the-cuff comment? Which made no mention of either supporting or opposing the decision to ban Whaleoil? You should be on Sensing Murder, mate.

Assuming I’m a Labour supporter – because we all know only two parties contested the last election, amirite? – is further evidence of your brilliance.

There is plenty of back-and-forth on The Standard. Fuck, I’ve disagreed with various posters here from time to time. The idea that “Just allowing civilized debate on the merits of political ideas” doesn’t count as “disagreement” unless you also let through the all-caps rants of people who think “Liarbour” is a cutting and witty neologism is just baffling.
sweeetdisorder 65

7 December 2008 at 1:52 pm

Hmmm, I think you owe Farrar a big apology AYB.
David Farrar 66

7 December 2008 at 1:55 pm

Thanks for this most amusing thread.

A few people brought up the allegations made about whether certain parliamentary staffers blogged at The Standard. I don’t want to provoke anything here as as far as I am concerned it is old news, but I do want to point out a key difference – I have always denied being a parliamentary staff member since I left,

I have always said that if the 9th floor staffer I named states in writing he has nothing to do with TS, does not blog there and/or does not produce material for others to blog there I would 100% take him at his word, and publish a retraction. That offer still stands. But note I would want a written statement.

As far as I know there has never been any written statement made that people on the parliamentary payroll don’t blog at TS or produce material for others to blog. There have been very careful statements that no one does it as part of their job duties, but that is not the same thing.

Again I don’t want to stir up a hornets nest here, but just did want to point out that as I said, I will accept someone’s word if they say I got it wrong about them, unless there is proof to the contrary.

[lprent: DPF, so what you’re saying is that someone should respond to your slander with a written statement. Well aren’t you a pompous git? A touch of hubris? Why exactly should someone respond to your claims – there isn’t a shred of evidence to back them up – they are just meaningless speculation.

Also parliamentary services wouldn’t be able to make that statement – they don’t know. I run this site and I don’t know. That is the design of the site – it is for pseudonymous posts. The mere fact you prefer to boost your name for media reasons doesn’t mean that others have to follow the same level of vanity. Not everyone has quite the same level of bloated ego that you do.]
George Darroch 67

7 December 2008 at 1:59 pm

I should also add, this ridiculous business of trying to smear political figures on the basis of their supposed shady dealings and dishonesty didn’t work very well for Labour and The Standard (The Standard did post the “batman” allegations) during the election campaign, and helped contribute to National’s highest vote in decades. I was embarrassed about them then as I am now, and see no lessons have been learned.

The great majority of the right are nice and upstanding people. They might have nasty policies and not reveal them for fear of “scaring the horses”, but you counter this by talking about the policies, not the people.

I’ve said it many times, this nasty smearing devalues the content on here. It’s your blog, so you can write what you want on it. But because The Standard is seen by journalists and others as representative of the left (and that is one of your stated ambitions), this type of attack blogging hurts the left’s credibility and ability to get through to the people.

And finally, by devaluing your credibility like this, the chances of The Standard actually being taken seriously when something does come up is lesser.
illuminatedtiger 68

7 December 2008 at 3:49 pm

David:

This sheds no light on the allegations being made in this post. Care to elaborate on why PS meta data was found in your Word document?
Daveski 69

7 December 2008 at 3:59 pm

IT – check KB.

Given how touchy the Standard has been about allegations of 9th floor involvement, this post reeks of desperation. I agree with George that it risks the credibility of the Standard.

I’m not questioning the right to challenge DPF – this is always a possibility – but I do question the level of evidence to used to justify the post.

When in doubt, I tend to check the views of people like Rex who are more impartial and more experienced than most here. Rex has IMO summed this up perfectly.
ianmac 70

7 December 2008 at 4:02 pm

David Farrar:
Are you given lines of information by Parliamentary Services?
Are you employed or financed in any way by them?
Are you employed or financed in any way by the National Party?
I ask because you seem to be shown on radio and TV as an independent commentator.
Nomestradamus 71

7 December 2008 at 4:08 pm

Illuminatedtiger:

You described this thread above as “good research”.

Didn’t it occur to you that “good research” might include checking over at Kiwiblog? There, in a thread amusingly titled Inspector Clouseau strikes again, DPF rebuts this non-story:

As I landed back in Auckland from Great Barrier Island, my e-mails started to hit the Blackberry. And one of them was from a National Researcher saying they are looking forward to me turning up to work at 8 am Monday.

I was initially bemused until I followed a link to discover an Inspector Clouseau has got excited at The Standard as the metadata in the election analysis I did has the document author as “Parliamentary Service’.

So am I a secret staffer for the National Parliamentary Research Unit? Did I somehow forget to disclose on my disclosure statement that I had been hired?

Alas no. As many commenters pointed out, the obvious answer is the correct one. I first did an election analysis for National in 1999 and every three years have saved a copy and used that as the template for the new analysis. This means the document still lists the original author and company. Some of my docs still show the author as Ministerial Services and that was a decade ago!

Good research indeed!
vto 72

7 December 2008 at 4:13 pm

egg on face it seems.

a recently common trait of many things left.
illuminatedtiger 73

7 December 2008 at 4:48 pm

Why is David Farrar asking for written statements from those at The Standard when there has been >= accusations about himself being an insider?

As for the Word template from 1999, forgive me, but I don’t completely buy that. I’ve got Word documents here from 1999 (most saved to 3.4 inch floppy disks) that I’ve had major issues with getting to run on the latest copy of Word (2007). Even if it loads I wouldn’t do any substantial work on it, I would start afresh.
Nomestradamus 74

7 December 2008 at 5:14 pm

Illuminatedtiger:

Why is David Farrar asking for written statements from those at The Standard when there has been >= accusations about himself being an insider?

I’m not DPF’s spokesperson, but I’d say he has one of the most – if not the most – extensive disclosure page in New Zealand’s political blogosphere. Now what do you mean by “insider” exactly? And what accusations (and, more to the point, what evidence) do you have to suggest he is an “insider”?

As to this latest “accusation” (you seem to regard All Your Base’s post as a heroic accusation), DPF has stated as clearly as one possibly can that he’s not on the PS payroll.

Even if it loads I wouldn’t do any substantial work on it, I would start afresh.

And that’s your basis for saying that DPF is telling porkies? That you would do something differently?

All Your Base:

Any chance of you retracting (or qualifying) this clanger:

Of course you’ll notice that the document title looks historical but Word is pretty aggressive when it comes to updating its metadata automatically (particularly when it comes to local user data on the machine in use).

It seems that a few commenters here (notably Graeme and Rex) strongly disagree. And I have to say, it hasn’t been my experience either.
sweeetdisorder 75

7 December 2008 at 5:26 pm

Illuminatedtiger

“As for the Word template from 1999, forgive me, but I don’t completely buy that. I’ve got Word documents here from 1999 (most saved to 3.4 inch floppy disks) that I’ve had major issues with getting to run on the latest copy of Word (2007). ”

After much investigation into your problem, it seems you are the only person on planet earth running a 3.4″ floppy disk. I can understand why you are having so many issues trying to get it to work. Suggest you upgrade to a 3.5″ floppy disk, you might find that a bit more compatible with most systems.
burt 76

7 December 2008 at 5:51 pm

Daveski

The rumors of Labour party involvement and the standard really started with this post also from all_your_base.

Happy New Year

Cyber-Santa came a little late to The Standard this year but we’re certainly not complaining – evidently we’ve got a New Year’s present instead.

He and the techno-elves have moved us to a brand spanking new server cluster that should give us plenty of breathing room and make those pesky traffic congestion problems we were having a thing of the past.

Seriously though, it wasn’t really Santa. Just like James Bond apparently we have our very own M and it’s him we have to thank instead.

We’re still secretly hoping for the pimped out Austin Aston Martin but this should tide us over in the meantime. Thanks M!

[lprent: Noone ever denied that some people on this blog are involved with the NZLP. I’m a member for instance (and that was made clear early on). What we denied was that we were setup by the NZLP (I set it up), that we received money or services from the NZLP (I’m the only person that has paid anything), or that we were paid by parliamentary services. We were on servers for 3 weeks that had been a donation to the NZLP (ie that the NZLP didn’t pay for), and that the NZLP had given control to a left-wing activist who I’d hit up for some server space.

Whale lied about all of those things and others. Face it the guy lies chronically, it is a lot harder to find him telling the truth. DPF then chose to dog-whistle on the whales lies despite their source in what is now a familiar pattern. Frankly I personally find it difficult to distinguish between them – they do the same thing at two levels, and it looks to me like they do it for the nats.]
Chris Auld 77

7 December 2008 at 5:55 pm

As for the Word template from 1999, forgive me, but I don’t completely buy that. I’ve got Word documents here from 1999 (most saved to 3.4 inch floppy disks) that I’ve had major issues with getting to run on the latest copy of Word (2007). Even if it loads I wouldn’t do any substantial work on it, I would start afresh

I’m someone intimately acquainted with both the Office legacy file format, as well as the new ECMA 376 OOXML file format, the final ISO 29500 file format as and the various versions of Microsoft office from 6.0 (1994 ish) through to Office 2007.

I can say with some authority that the document migration between version 6.0 and version 2007 is pretty good.

I would also note that it’s likely that PS would have been using Office 97 when DPF worked there in 1999. The office binary file format has remained consistent between version 1997 and version 2007. 2007 does support the ECMA 376 OOXML file format but it does not appear that DPF is using this- rather he is using the legacy Office 97-Occife 2007 binary file format.

It seems pretty obvious to me that the file down loadable from DPF’s blog is the same Office 97-07 binary file format that would have originally been used to save the file back in 1999.

If you would like some help getting your 1999 era word documents working in 2007 then please do feel free to drop me an email (I’m sure you can contact the mods to get my email address). If you want a more detailed forensic analysis of the file format then I’m happy to sort that out as well.

I don’t do Photoshop or other file formats, just Microsoft stuff.
Kimble 78

7 December 2008 at 6:14 pm

hahahaha. you guys are so pathetic!

The Standard gets self-pwned again!

Time to wind things up lads, there are only so many times you can jump the shark.
Rex Widerstrom 79

7 December 2008 at 6:14 pm

lprent

Dean, Rex: We work with existing standards of political blogs, but with our own twist.

I?m afraid that while dog whistle tactics are the norm, then I have no problem with following them.

Well call me naive then, but I thought you (the collective “you”, not just Lynn) were better than that. I don’t want to sound holier than thou – though I’m afraid I’m going to – but being half-assed “outed” as nothing more scandalous than a contributor to a blog isn’t even close to the filth I’ve had thrown at me, including in Parliament, under cover of privilege, by Ron Mark.

I could have chosen to have dived into the excrement and rolled around with him, but I didn’t. Partly because (I hope) I’m better than that, but also because, tactically, it would have been a stupid mistake.

When politics becomes personal, people lose their objectivity. Now I know you’re just itching to tell me this isn’t an objective blog… I understand that. I’m not talking political objectivity, however. I’m talking about being able to stand back and make a rational assessment of your own behaviour.

But thanks for clarifying the Standard’s standards, which seem to amount to “Where Whaleoil goes, we go”.
4884 80

7 December 2008 at 6:26 pm

I see you Standard wanks… [deleted]

[lprent: If you want to be an idiot, do it elsewhere. Setting it so you get moderated]
Kimble 81

7 December 2008 at 6:32 pm

4884 has never commented at kiwiblog

pwned again

PS, I see you changed your response so it doesnt tell 4884 to go back to Kiwiblog

are you going to apologise for saying it in the first place?

[lprent: I didn’t say that. It isn’t one of my standard phrases (could have been another moderator – we do overlap from time to time). Besides this idiot was worse than the KB sewer level, more like Whale or Heine. ]
lprent 82

7 December 2008 at 6:42 pm

Rex: “Well call me naive then, but I thought you (the collective “you’, not just Lynn) were better than that”

The others may be (they do their own thing), but I certainly am not. I’m of the general opinion that if you don’t stop bad behavior then it will increase. That is of course the underlying basis of the entire judicial system.

In the case of the blogs and their use in politics, it is quite clear that turning the other check just encourages people to attack you more. If you want an example, just look at the standard of the comments section back in November prior to moderation (or the KB comments sewer at almost anytime)

However there are two points to remember. It is unlikely to be in the same style.

After all Cam isn’t exactly that good at it – the ‘sod (whoever he is) is probably better. Certainly more humorous.

It is unlikely to be as stupid. A lot of the wingnuts I see that come here like 4884 seem to have a real inability to use their brains.
Kimble 83

7 December 2008 at 7:08 pm

A lot of the posters I see here like AYB seem to have a real inability to use their brains.

Seriously, the OP was a joke. No one but the most partisan DPF-hater would buy it for a second.

Then again, that WAS the intended audience, wasnt it?
Kimble 84

7 December 2008 at 7:14 pm

You need to redo the title:

“Farrar back on the PS payroll? No. No he isn’t, sorry.”
Kimble 85

7 December 2008 at 7:21 pm

You keep going on about the sewer in the comments section at Kiwiblog, and how moderation has improved the standard at The Standard.

But The Standards big problem has always been the sewerage in its posts, not the comments.
lprent 86

7 December 2008 at 7:23 pm

Daveski :

I agree with George that it risks the credibility of the Standard.

I’m not questioning the right to challenge DPF – this is always a possibility – but I do question the level of evidence to used to justify the post.

I think that the point of the post was to draw a comparison to the standard of evidence that DPF uses when writing smears.

For instance about this site DPF has written – this, this, this, and probably others that I didn’t google.

I don’t think that there is probably a fact in those posts that could be proved apart from the IP in the first link. Which had a simple explanation as I’ve explained many times.

For instance DPF says in the last link:

UPDATE: Rob Salmond has posted a comment admitting he worked last year for the PMs Office and is behind 08wire and that he does not produce all the material himself but receives it from others. He of course refutes some of my assertions – specifically any involvement setting up The Standard, and I have responded to his comments. What is not denied is that material for all three anonymous sites is produced by parliamentary staffers.

Now notice this. What he said was that someone who denies being involved in the standard couldn’t say that that a site with posts from psuedonymous authors, who the authors were. Basically that is lying without quite saying it (unlike Whale who just flat out lies).

The second link has

What is interesting is that on five occasions the Prime Minister’s chief press secretary has been asked by media to deny that Beehive staff blog at The Standard, and on every occasion they have chosen not to comment rather than deny it. I guess there is a reason they passed up the opportunity to say “Farrar fucked up and has it all wrong, none of our staff are involved’.

This is a classic dogwhistle. This is a site that guards the identity of its posters. So DPF is saying that the CPS was unable to confirm or deny because he didn’t know and was unable to find out. I don’t know and I run the site – all I can say is that posts weren’t written using parliamentary IP’s

Do you see a pattern here? In my opinion, the only difference between DPF and Cam is that DPF lies by implication and with more subtlety than Cam does. Apart from that it is hard to distinguish between them. Sure there is going to be speculation about the identity of posters on this site – but both Cam and DPF just make crap up and idiots swallow it whole. Of course that is just my opinion…

Perhaps you should look at the level of evidence used to justify DPF’s attacks on me that is implicit in all of those posts? Then look at his credibility and veracity?
burt 87

7 December 2008 at 7:46 pm

Chris Auld

DPF said he had re-used the same document as a template after each election. There is no retrieving from a floppy disk under an old version of word issues about this. 1999 – email was well in use so was burning CD’s?

Sure you can ignore what DPF said about how the document still exists and make a great story about the issues associated with retrieving a file in 2008 that was stored on a floppy since 1999 but that’s all you have done – told a story.
lprent 88

7 December 2008 at 8:05 pm

Burt: DPF’s explanation is probably correct – see my comment earlier. However since DPF has never appeared to accept my explanations in the past (or almost anyone else associated with blog sites from the left), I see no reason to accept his.

After all the only purpose of blogs is to do ‘mischief’. It is going to be interesting.
burt 89

7 December 2008 at 8:09 pm

lprent

If the purpose is to do ‘mischief’….

If I recall correctly you once admitted that the standard was running “for a short period” on a Labour party funded server, is that correct?

edit: I see you mention it above as well.
lprent 90

7 December 2008 at 8:23 pm

burt: No

We were running for 3 weeks on servers owned by an ISP and operated by that ISP. That service was donated for use by the Labour party. The labour party passed to an activist to run multiple left sites. We were one of them because we’d run out of capacity on my systems.

So you are wholly incorrect. We never ran on a “Labour party funded server”. That was just the smear that DPF and Whale put on it. Essentially a lie, which has been repeated frequently.

This was explained at the time, but wingnuts appear to prefer to believe lies rather than explanations.
Daveski 91

7 December 2008 at 8:31 pm

LP – acknowledging your point.

While I still believe in this case it was a long bow to draw, I will accept that there is mischief in blogland as you put it.

Perhaps my point should have been that the Standard does have an opportunity to redefine the blogging landscape while retaining its healthy partisan perspective.
lprent 92

7 December 2008 at 8:47 pm

Daveski: I was referring to the statement on the KB banner
“DPF’s Kiwiblog – Fomenting Happy Mischief since 2003”

Sure we could try to set a new standard. The question is more why should we? As far as I can see, that would simply open us up to more malicious mischief of the type that we’ve seen this year from DPF (and Cam).

I think that a deterrence strategy is far more responsible despite its known problems. The only thing that I’d look for is that that mischief from this site has at least the same level of ‘evidence‘ as has been used to support posts at KB in the past. So there will be a place for dog-whistle posts on this site. David could probably be called responsible for this strategy, after all he pioneered the meme in NZ blogging.

It is of course a standard method used by people like Crosby Textor, and will probably be used again over the next 3 years. For instance look at the history of the dog whistle used in the Tampa Bay incident in the election in aussie some years ago.
burt 93

7 December 2008 at 9:01 pm

lprent

Are you saying that this post by all_your_base is a classic Crosby Textor style dog-whistle?

Given you comments in the past and even in this thread about how much you disapprove of the Crosby Textor style I’m surprised you are defending all_your_base.
Liar 94

7 December 2008 at 9:30 pm

[deleted]

[lprent: probably dad again who is banned. I must finish that banning plugin]
justthefacts 95

7 December 2008 at 9:32 pm

So let me get this right, those who you accuse of being at “sewer level” are guilty of nothing more than being anti Labour?

This could be a really good site if you just let people make valid points about the shoddy (and some might say corrupt) Labour party, the problem you have is that you ban anybody who dares speak out against Labour and against socialism.

No wonder people are on the opinion that the left want to control free speech.
lprent 96

7 December 2008 at 10:10 pm

burt: So you want to avoid the topic of the
“…the standard was running “for a short period’ on a Labour party funded server”

Does it raise too many questions about the type of campaign that NACT have been running for the past few years?
RedLogix 97

7 December 2008 at 10:16 pm

Attention rightie dolts.

YOUR beloved Party is now in power.

It is OUR turn to make up shit…. and your turn to eat it.

Anybody tell the truth on this blog?

All lefties are liars.
lprent 98

7 December 2008 at 10:16 pm

jtf:

you ban anybody who dares speak out against Labour and against socialism

Making comments that have a point and an argument is fine – there are a lot of anti-labour people who do exactly that on this site every day.

Repeating hackneyed lines repeatably (that are usually incorrect) isn’t – that is known as trolling and isn’t tolerated here. Since that is the bulk of what I usually see when I go into KB’s comments section, I describe it as the sewer. It is a site that appears to me to cater to close to the lowest common denominator in its comment section, and is usually pointless to read.

DPF, in my opinion, facilitates it by writing dog-whistle posts designed to elicite exactly that response.

In short, you have to engage your brain here, while I view it as being discouraged at KB.
sweeetdisorder 99

7 December 2008 at 10:16 pm

Oh, and another thing AYB, who the feck are you; just some anon blogger.

Farrar is known, has a face, a name and is sought after for his opinion on radio, tv and print. And you are again, mister anon.

You have some gall to call out Farrar when you stand behind your shield.

It might pay to remember about those in glass houses…………
lprent 100

7 December 2008 at 10:22 pm

Ah sd, if all else fails and you have nothing worth saying, then there are always the ultimate shields of the wingnut. Righteous indignation, implied threats, and meaningless phrases.

One of the main reasons to be pseudonymous here is to avoid being stalked by the media for quotes (as well as Cam’s crowd). From what I understand when the main posters decided that we had to have someone for the media to talk to, SP/Clinton lost. Not everyone has the ego problem that makes DPF want to do those things on the media.

BTW: for some reason it was considered that I wasn’t politically cautious enough – ie too blunt
burt 101

7 December 2008 at 10:27 pm

lprent

burt: So you want to avoid the topic of the
” the standard was running “for a short period’ on a Labour party funded server’

No not at all. I’m happy to discuss it further but you are splitting hairs and I’ve been over it in detail and been banned before for pursuing answers.

So I’ll ask another question and run the gauntlet again. Did Labour declare the donation and the gift to the activist? Is so then when? If not, why not?

Without a clean paper trail showing the monies received/gifted being openly accounted for all we can really say is the server resources were being paid for via a donation made to Labour.
burt 102

7 December 2008 at 10:35 pm

all_your_base/lprent

I also agree with George that this sort of post undermines the credibility of the standard.

With all due respect, there is always going to be more negative than positive consequences for the standard every time the “on the PS payroll” angle is trotted out.

Or have I misunderstood some grand trading places where DPF moves into the inner sanctum and denies it and you guys are now on the outside so you are going to take over DPF & Whaeloil’s position and sink to the level you describe as disgusting?
lprent 103

7 December 2008 at 10:38 pm

burt: I’d guess that it is/will be in Labours declaration, and probably the ISP’s accounts. Why are you asking me?

It isn’t a server that I have any control over. Therefore there is no paper trail. There isn’t even a e-mail trail because it was organized verbally when I was moaning about the server loads.

There is a link to an invoice for the server we’re currently on in the About. I put it up last month after ginger asked about the sites cost. Incidentally that was also the first time any person from the right had asked politely about this sites finances.

Usually it has just been accusations from the wingnuts – which is what you got banned for. If you’d asked politely then I would have provided. It is not as if I have a duty to disclose the finances of a privately held blog. For all of DPF’s ponticating in his comment above, he never bothered to simply ask – it would have probably interfered with his smear.

BTW: It isn’t hair-splitting – there was no transaction, and we were on a shared server for 3 weeks. Approximate costs – peanuts
sweeetdisorder 104

7 December 2008 at 10:38 pm

Lprent

“One of the main reasons to be pseudonymous here is to avoid being stalked by the media for quotes”

Weak, but never the less a plausible answer. You might want to ask other bloggers and see how much stalking they get. May be time to review that policy.

But you see that without real names to identities then you (not you personally) have created the question who are these guys and who they do work for. Until you (again, not you) name names, this question will always be present. Once you throw in alleged stories of 9th floor involvement then it becomes more and more difficult to show independence from any direct labour party associations.
lprent 105

7 December 2008 at 10:54 pm

sd: The point I’m making is all of those stories about 9th floor are alleged. There is and has been no proof.

The opinions of the posters here are what they write, done in their free time, and not on their employers behalf.

Of course there is always the edifying example of that obnoxious clown Cameron Slater with my previous employers to discourage anyone from considering doing the same. No doubt some similar stalking of employers would then ensue in exactly the way that arsehole did with me – see link, link and link

Tell me, would you feel comfortable with that happening to you? Of course the fuckwit was as usual wrong at almost every level and lying to boot. Oh and DPF as usual was along for the ride.
sweeetdisorder 106

7 December 2008 at 11:04 pm

Lprent

Well, that is the perception. Its up to the standard team if they want to change it, otherwise nothing else is going to change.
lprent 107

7 December 2008 at 11:08 pm

sd: Incidentally, that behavior by Cam with my previous employers are why I’d be extremely unhappy if anyone else here does want go public.

There would be virtually no remedy against the type of stalking behavior that Cam followed without going through a very long (and expensive) defamation court case. It would be a hell of an effort to probably get nothing more than an enforced apology. Which is of caurse why the pathetic idiot does it.

Hopefully that defamation case that he got caught in earlier this year will provide some case law.

I would even prefer the comments on here to be psuedonymous as a matter of policy. Stuff put on the net is liable to be around for a very long time. Which of course is why most people commenting here (and everywhere else), and most posters prefer to remain psuedonymous.

Besides in the end knowing who you are doesn’t really help much in evaluating the veracity of opinions.
Robinsod 108

7 December 2008 at 11:08 pm

I wouldn’t worry Lynn – the problem the right have is they think they own the internet. It was ticking along so nicely for so long with Farrar doing his wee thing and the various actoid losers abusing anyone posting from the left (or even the centre) into submission…

Problem is they don’t own the internet and the Standard drives them crazy by reminding them of this. Every. Single. Day. That’s why they have to pretend to themselves that the Standard is professionally run – because that’s the only way they can rationalise the fact that their nasty little blog-world could be taken off them…

They are essentially petty little bullies. I wouldn’t indulge them if I were you Lynn. In fact all of the ones I have identified – thanks to Cameron’s security breach – have been little nobodies…

There are two or three that work as National party staffers and there may be an interesting story behind how their salaries and/or living costs were funded – I’m still looking into that – but for the most part they are impotent punters as is demonstrated by how upsetting they find the Standard.

Oh and righties? I know a couple of the Standard guys and they ain’t on the payroll – they’re just smarter and better company than you bunch of festering sores and it shows in their posts…
Tim Ellis 109

7 December 2008 at 11:10 pm

Goodness me. What a slow news day it must have been. Storm in a teacup, and frankly I can see that people on both sides need to lighten up a bit. I understand that some of the Standard’s posters are sensitive about revealing their identities for whatever reason so it was a bit hypocritical for AYB to try and smear DPF in this way. From what I can gather DPF took the smear in good humour and AYB appears to have a bit of egg on his face. Trying to justify it based on “oh but he did it first” just looks lame.

Right, are we past the petty infighting from both sides now? Have we all got it off our chests?

Oh Robinsod, I suspect I’m a little old for you to be my father and my mother died many years ago, but that was an amusing response!

For those of you on the right who think that differing opinions aren’t accepted here, I manage to comment quite freely here by not being too obnoxious. Remember who owns this site. It’s their home. They seem to welcome genuine debate but really you wouldn’t go into somebody else’s home and start abusing them and expect them still to serve you a cup of tea.
illuminatedtiger 110

7 December 2008 at 11:18 pm

For what it’s worth Bomber’s NZ Blogosphere rankings hasn’t been kind to either of them. While Farrar may still have the top spot Whaleoil has slipped a number of points.
sweeetdisorder 111

7 December 2008 at 11:24 pm

Lprent

there are lots of left wing bloggers who use their real identities..Trotter, Jordon Carter, Tony Milne. Everyone knows who they are and what they are. They seem to live a normal life free of stalking. Same on the right side.

It seems to be only the standard gets this kind of attention.

“I would even prefer the comments on here to be psuedonymous as a matter of policy. Stuff put on the net is liable to be around for a very long time. Which of course is why most people commenting here (and everywhere else), and most posters prefer to remain psuedonymous.”

Yet, loads of other bloggers seem to be okay at having their identities out there. Granted, there are cases where people feel they have to vent, but are in a position that if their identity was known it may have consequences. This sort sort of answer leads us back, with regards to a left wing blog, to the bloggers at the standard, and alleged conenctions to the labour party.
lprent 112

7 December 2008 at 11:28 pm

TE: The short answer is no.

I realize that DPF would probably like to put this smear technique behind him. But personally it will take quite a while before I work the accumulated irritation about his appalling behavior out of my system.

In the spirit of mutual deterrence, I rather like the idea of turning the dog whistle tactic back on him. In the long run, it is only by having the tactic equally accessible to all sides that it will start being regarded as being unusable. I have to thank a_y_b for highlighting it again.

I doubt that it will ever be much of a site focus, if only because DPF has been around the nets almost as long as I have, but when the opportunity arises….

Cam of course is another matter. I consider that his particular brand of bile is something that should not be tolerated. I’ve seen that kind of crap help destroy usenet.
Robinsod 113

7 December 2008 at 11:33 pm

sweeetd – that’s ‘cos it’s only the standard that lays down the hits on the National party and its bloggers and ‘cos it’s only the standard that has gone to second biggest blog in its first year and a half. who are you?

But while we’re on the subject of identities – how about you tell me who you are? I mean it seems a bit rich to have you bleating on about everyone else when you’re also anonymous… So why not like – just tell us… After all there are plenty of other commenters who use their real names so why not you?
lprent 114

7 December 2008 at 11:35 pm

sd: The difference is that all of the people you’ve referenced have public profiles that they’re trying to enhance (as is DPF, Hooten, and maybe Clint Heine?).

The bloggers here are not trying to do so. This is something that we do in our spare time and is meant to be separate from RL. I’d have to ask the motivations about why people want to know the identities. It has bugger all to do with evaluating the opinions, they become pretty clear very fast. As far as I can see there is only one possible motivation and that is to do a Cam style stalk. But I guess that is what the national smear research unit want, so that is why there is this insatiable obession on the topic.

As I said, just look at Cam’s stalking of my previous employer.
Robinsod 115

7 December 2008 at 11:39 pm

I’ve gotta say Lynn – it’s got a bit dull around here lately. Even the trolls are being polite… At this rate I may have to go elsewhere to satiate my taste for ridiculing the right!
Tim Ellis 116

7 December 2008 at 11:45 pm

sd,

I think there are probably genuine reasons why some people don’t like posting under their own names. It gives them a degree of freedom to express what they would really like to say without having to be called on it, for sure. You would think that people who have the courage to post under their real names moderate their behaviour accordingly. DPF is pretty moderate and so are Tony Milne and Russell Brown, to name a few. I haven’t seen Matthew Pilott here for a while, but he’s a very thoughtful guy with some strong arguments who adds a lot to debate.

On the other had, exceptions to the rule appear to be Chris Trotter, who doesn’t seem to have a self-moderation setting in his brain, and Matthew Hooton. I liked the contrasting mix on that combined blog because they frequently came up with such preposterously extreme arguments. Perhaps I’m getting a bit conservative but Cam is a bit much for me, and not just his political opinions. It tends to be the little things that annoy me in his case. He did a post a while back with a photo of a triple-bunked room as a model for an ideal prison. When I saw that photo all I could think of was Auschwitz and I was just appalled.

Among the anonymous bloggers, I don’t have any idea who Dancer is, but s/he comes up with thoughtful, moderate posts that stir debate, often with new insights on issues that aren’t often covered. Lew is a highly intelligent, structured, logical debater who is a real challenge to talk through issues with. Gomango, on the other side, is also very interesting to read.

I enjoy the debate here. I think I’m coming to the view that anonymous or not, each commenter and poster has a certain identity, with various degrees of authenticity (some being more a projection rather than a reality), and what they contribute to debate has less to do with who they are or what their background is, but how seriously they engage others. It seems to me to be a bit of a cop-out to shout somebody down with “oh you would say that because you work in the Prime Minister’s office” or “yes that’s what we expected of a National Party stooge”. I don’t care what a person’s background is and from my observation it has little to do with the content of their argument. It’s just lazy to dismiss what people say by shouting CROSBY-TEXTOR! or COMMUNIST!

I think we can all judge who is here for serious discussion, and who isn’t. Those who come by throwing around allegations about other people and try to disrupt really say more about the weakness of their own argument than they do about the other person.
illuminatedtiger 117

7 December 2008 at 11:49 pm

Well you’re always welcome back with us ‘sod 🙂
sweeetdisorder 118

7 December 2008 at 11:57 pm

Lprent

I disagree with your conclusions as to why posters at the standard want to remain anon. But, I can see we will have to agree to disagree on that one.

Robinsod

Firstly I think AYB can respond for himself, don’t you?

“But while we’re on the subject of identities – how about you tell me who you are?”

Sure, my name is Steve, I am a Sagittarius and I like long walks on the beach. I don’t belong to any political parties but have an interest in politics. I like 80’s music and have traveled extensively. Anything else you would like to know I am sure you can dig through my rubbish to find out.

“that’s â€˜cos it’s only the standard that lays down the hits on the National party and its bloggers and â€˜cos it’s only the standard that has gone to second biggest blog in its first year and a half.”

In my opinion the standard was, to a part responsible for labours loss; the constant theme of attacking Key. so, from my pov, keep on doing what you are doing, it is doing the opposite from what you desire.
lprent 119

8 December 2008 at 12:00 am

‘sod: I suppose that it is a problem. However I prefer to read comment that is readable. Of course you could post at your own blog?

TE: “I think I’m coming to the view that anonymous or not, each commenter and poster has a certain identity, with various degrees of authenticity (some being more a projection rather than a reality), and what they contribute to debate has less to do with who they are or what their background is, but how seriously they engage others”

Exactly. That is what has happened in every net comms channel I’ve ever been on from the fumbling attempts to get inter-university comms running in the early 1980’s (and the intra-university multi-player star trek games at 3am) to the current blogs.

I’m pretty harsh at moderating on some types of commentators purely because I’ve seen the cumulative effects of their behavior destroying some forums. Others get a lot of leeway (like the ‘sod or sweeetd or burt have in the past). While they often appear cranky and act very close to trolls, periodically, they contribute with ideas of value (like the ‘sods Guest post analysis of Wisharts book).

Besides I prefer not to moderate, it is a lot of persistent work.

Talking about persistent work, I’d better finish this caching plugin… (and the washing)
Tim Ellis 120

8 December 2008 at 12:01 am

I realize that DPF would probably like to put this smear technique behind him. But personally it will take quite a while before I work the accumulated irritation about his appalling behavior out of my system.

LP I realise this has hit a raw nerve for you and it is your blog so you can do whatever you like, but trying to use the blog to exercise your frustration just looks petty and it doesn’t do you justice. Mutual deterrence doesn’t work in blogging, because no matter what you do, there is always somebody out there crazier than you who will try to virtually mug you when you’re walking down the street and least expect it. Mutual deterrence might have been a good idea in the cold war when only two powers had a large nuclear arsenal where they could assure each others’ total annihilation. It made them careful. Blogging is much more democratic than that. It’s the equivalent of gifting nuclear warheads to everyone. When you do that you know that not everyone will behave appropriately. Some people will set the bugger off.

Turn the other cheek. If you need catharsis, go to the driving range and whack the cover off a golf ball. Evidently you have got very annoyed with Cam so you have two options. You can either dip into the sewer with him, or act like an adult. If you do the former you won’t be dignifying yourself. If you do the latter then he’ll get bored with winding you up and ignore you.

Moreover as much as this feud might be important to you (and granted it is your blog), I just don’t think it makes interesting reading for others. It just looks petty. You guys do a really good job filtering out the most obnoxious behaviour here by setting a good standard of debate. I can’t speak for others, but I don’t come here to read about what nasty things LP has to say about CS today in retaliation for what nasty things CS has said about LP the day before. I know you’re a reasonable person LP, and I listened to you on publicaddress radio a few weeks back and had a new level of respect for your contribution to the blogosphere. You’ve obviously done some fantastic work setting up this forum. Don’t undermine it by letting others get under your skin.
illuminatedtiger 121

8 December 2008 at 12:05 am

How the hell was The Standard responsible for Labour’s loss? I think you’re making blogs out to be a bigger influence than they are. If blogs had any real influence on elections National would be down to 25% on the count of Farrar alone.
Tim Ellis 122

8 December 2008 at 12:06 am

LP wrote:

Others get a lot of leeway (like the ‘sod or sweeetd or burt have in the past).

I agree. Sometimes they come off as a group of hecklers at a meeting. They generally aren’t very abusive (although sometimes are) and are often very amusing. I find them entertaining and a few times ‘sod has made a dig at me because I’ve been a bit pretentious or long-winded and he’s brought me down to earth and I’ve laughed out loud.
lprent 123

8 December 2008 at 12:22 am

TE: It is not so much of a feud as an obligation. If the type of behavior is not made costly. then it will result eventually in real problems as it escalates. I’ve seen it before in other forums and it is part of the inherent nature of the net.

This time it impacted on me and this site. Next time it could impact on someone who is less able to take care of themselves. It is better to stop it now with a controlled escalation. In this case it means turning the tactics on the perpetrators. The history of the net is replete with this type of conflict. Another area that this type of problem is being fought out is in places like the social networking sites, eg bebo. Previous examples are things like viruses, spam, denial of service attacks, RPC’s, usenet forums, etc

BTW: Do you have a link to the publicaddress radio thing – I don’t think I’ve ever heard myself on radio? Russell Brown was a bit short so I filled a gap. Found it… Here. That was interesting. Definitely not one of my major skillsets
r0b 124

8 December 2008 at 1:28 am

Definitely not one of my major skillsets

I thought you did just fine!
Rex Widerstrom 125

8 December 2008 at 1:32 am

Funny you should mention what happened to other fora, Lynn.

I saw nz.politics (to which I used to contribute) turn into an unusable flame pit, and thanked the dieties when blogs started appearing. No one who finds The Standard interesting and stimulating wants to see it meet that fate (and your moderating is the only thing standing between the blog and and a sewer outfall, I appreciate that, and commend you on the work you put in to keeping it usable).

So maybe it’d be a good idea if a_y_b didn’t set off exactly the sort of thing you claim to condemn by writing inflammatory, poorly researched, ad hominem posts, then.

What Whaleoil did in relation to yourself was totally unacceptable, IMHO. But as Tim Ellis says, choosing to go for a quick dip in the same sewer might make you feel better, but doesn’t do much for your overall standing. Having said that, I know how you feel – I’m probably lucky I’m several thousand miles away from Ron Mark and am not about to waste an air fare on him, or I’d have done something pretty undignified too (and probably ended up being shot by the DPS).

Tim Ellis: Since we’re trying to douse the fire with sugar water, I should mention I find you to be someone whose arguments are always worth reading and considering, and in particular your comments above are very apt, I think.
Tigger 126

8 December 2008 at 9:24 am

Farrar reminds me of one of those people who would love to be a politician but simply don’t have the skills – sort of like an uncle I had growing up who was always going on about how boobies and chicks but who was hopeless with the ladies.
relic 127

8 December 2008 at 2:19 pm

Spot on Tigger, reminds me of Trevor Louden on New Zeal sniffing his way through the underwear of the left, always outside looking in, destined never to know what it is really like at the centre of the action.
Kimble 128

8 December 2008 at 3:47 pm

So we are all in agreement then?

The evidence AYB presented is worthless and his entire post is nothing more than easily discredited speculation. It makes him and everyone who agrees with him look like fools.
Kimble 129

8 December 2008 at 3:59 pm

“In my opinion the standard was, to a part responsible for labours loss; the constant theme of attacking Key…”

Perhaps responsible isnt the right word. Certainly the attitude and character of The Standard is reminiscent of the attitude and character that caused people to turn away from Labour.

The muck-raking was a big part of it, and that is almost all that The Standard is; it is just one big muck raking group blog. It wasnt a pro-Labour site, it was always simply anti-National.

The Standard is just a gossipy little fart of a site that never provides any discussion of alternatives, it never takes a position that is the opposite of Labour policy (even on blatantly corrupt policy).

Labour was out of ideas mid way through their second term. The Standard started out with no ideas and regressed from there.

Its posters exhibit the sort of arrogant incompetence people associate with the last Labour government.

Eventually you have to stump up with more than “its all Nationals fault”. Labour didnt realise that and were doomed because of it. The Standard will never realise it and that is why it will remain nothing but an echo chamber.

[lprent: Curious, if you believe all of those things, why do you keep coming back, over and over again? Have a written flatulence problem perhaps? If you ask, I could assist in helping you to resist the temptation. It really is little effort (rather like the level of thought you put into your comments).]
Phil 130

8 December 2008 at 5:39 pm

…why do you keep coming back, over and over again?

Why do people slow down when going past traffic accidents?
lprent 131

8 December 2008 at 7:13 pm

Looks like we’re getting under the skin of a certain puerile blogger. As per normal he can’t resist lying

Lie: “The self rated best sysop in the world”
Never said it, never would. There are always going to be better sysops.

Lie: “You would think with the lack of blogging a_y_b would have had time to update the site since he managed to keep his job, albeit in a different office now that has a view that isn’t quite so appealing.”
a_y_b is still in his origional office that he has been working in since I’ve known him. He is one of the few authors on here that I do know. Of course if you lie the first time, then a liar has to keep following the same stupid line.

Ok I stand corrected – he does not lie all of the time.
Partial truth: “I have been banned from responding because Lynn (that surely is a girls name) thinks I am technically illiterate and because I am a creep.”
Yes I do think that he is technically incompetent and a creep. The latter appears to be a common perception. However he has been banned because he wastes my time and I don’t think he adds anything to this site. The mere fact I detest him helps admittedly.
Jum 132

8 December 2008 at 10:02 pm

David Farrar
December 7, 2008 at 1:55 pm

You just had to use the word ‘key’ didn’t you. Did you get paid for that?
Jum 133

8 December 2008 at 10:16 pm

burt re your need to know
December 7, 2008 at 10:27 pm

re my need to know

Tell me who donated money into National’s secret trusts. It was Key and NZBusiness Roundtable wasn’t it. He bought his Act-place in National.
Jum 134

9 December 2008 at 8:19 am

Phil
Re December 8, 2008 at 5:39 pm

People go slow past traffic accidents out of respect and care for the injured, dead and dying.

Anyone not doing that are the very people who caused them. Which group are you in?

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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
1 day 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
1 day 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
1 day 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
1 day 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
1 day 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
2 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
2 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
2 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
2 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
2 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
3 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
3 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
3 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
3 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
3 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
3 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
3 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
3 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
3 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

What is Mexico doing about climate change?
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections The June general election in Mexico could mark a turning point in ensuring that the country’s climate policies better reflect the desire of its citizens to address the climate crisis, with both leading presidential candidates expressing support for renewable energy. Mexico is the ...
Skeptical Science
4 days ago

State of humanity, 2024
2024, it feels, keeps presenting us with ever more challenges, ever more dismay.Do you give up yet? It seems to ask.No? How about this? Or this?How about this?When I say 2024 I really mean the state of humanity in 2024.Saturday night, we watched Civil War because that is one terrifying cliff we've ...
More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
4 days ago

Govt’s Wellington tunnel vision aims to ease the way to the airport (but zealous promoters of cycl...
Buzz from the Beehive A pet project and governmental tunnel vision jump out from the latest batch of ministerial announcements. The government is keen to assure us of its concern for the wellbeing of our pets. It will be introducing pet bonds in a change to the Residential Tenancies Act ...
Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
4 days ago

The case for cultural connectedness
A recent report generated from a Growing Up in New Zealand (GUiNZ) survey of 1,224 rangatahi Māori aged 11-12 found: Cultural connectedness was associated with fewer depression symptoms, anxiety symptoms and better quality of life. That sounds cut and dry. But further into the report the following appears: Cultural connectedness is ...
Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
4 days ago

Useful context on public sector job cuts
David Farrar writes – The Herald reports: From the gory details of job-cuts news, you’d think the public service was being eviscerated. While the media’s view of the cuts is incomplete, it’s also true that departments have been leaking the particulars faster than a Wellington ...
Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
4 days ago

Gordon Campbell On When Racism Comes Disguised As Anti-racism
Remember the good old days, back when New Zealand had a PM who could think and speak calmly and intelligently in whole sentences without blustering? Even while Iran’s drones and missiles were still being launched, Helen Clark was live on TVNZ expertly summing up the latest crisis in the Middle ...
Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
5 days ago

Govt ignored economic analysis of smokefree reversal
Costello did not pass on analysis of the benefits of the smokefree reforms to Cabinet, emphasising instead the extra tax revenues of repealing them. Photo: Hagen Hopkins, Getty Images TL;DR: The six news items that stood out to me at 7:26 am today are:The Lead: Casey Costello never passed on ...
The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
5 days ago

True Blue.
True loveYou're the one I'm dreaming ofYour heart fits me like a gloveAnd I'm gonna be true blueBaby, I love youI’ve written about the job cuts in our news media last week. The impact on individuals, and the loss to Aotearoa of voices covering our news from different angles.That by ...
Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
5 days ago

Who is running New Zealand’s foreign policy?
While commentators, including former Prime Minister Helen Clark, are noting a subtle shift in New Zealand’s foreign policy, which now places more emphasis on the United States, many have missed a key element of the shift. What National said before the election is not what the government is doing now. ...
PolitikBy Richard Harman
5 days ago

Fast-track submissions period must be extended
The Green Party has joined the call for public submissions on the fast-track legislation to be extended after the Ombudsman forced the Government to release the list of organisations invited to apply just hours before submissions close. ...
Greens
7 hours ago

Release: Progress on climate will be undone by Govt
New Zealand’s good work at reducing climate emissions for three years in a row will be undone by the National government’s lack of ambition and scrapping programmes that were making a difference, Labour Party climate spokesperson Megan Woods said today. ...
Labour Blog
7 hours ago

Release: Dark day for Kiwi kids as a third of Govt cuts affect them
News that 1000 jobs at the Ministry of Education and Oranga Tamariki could go is devastating for future generations of New Zealanders. ...
Labour Blog
2 days ago

Release: Alarm as Government signals further blow to school lunches
More essential jobs could be on the chopping block, this time Ministry of Education staff on the school lunches team are set to find out whether they're in line to lose their jobs. ...
Labour Blog
3 days ago

Release: Quick, submit – stop Govt’s dodgy approvals bill
The Government is trying to bring in a law that will allow Ministers to cut corners and kill off native species, Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said. ...
Labour Blog
3 days ago

Government throws coal on the climate crisis fire
The Government’s policy announced today to ease consenting for coal mining will have a lasting impact across generations. ...
Greens
3 days ago

Release: Public transport costs to double as National looks at unaffordable roading project instead
Cancelling urgently needed new Cook Strait ferries and hiking the cost of public transport for many Kiwis so that National can announce the prospect of another tunnel for Wellington is not making good choices, Labour Transport Spokesperson Tangi Utikere said. ...
Labour Blog
4 days ago

Release: Cost of living in Auckland still not a priority
A laundry list of additional costs for Tāmaki Makarau Auckland shows the Minister for the city is not delivering for the people who live there, says Labour Auckland Issues spokesperson Shanan Halbert. ...
Labour Blog
5 days ago

Greens look to fast-track submissions on harmful law
The Green Party has today launched a step-by-step guide to help New Zealanders make their voice heard on the Government’s democracy dodging and anti-environment fast track legislation. ...
Greens
1 week ago

Release: Govt should stop making people’s lives harder and build more homes
The National Government’s proposed changes to the Residential Tenancies Act will mean tenants can be turfed from their homes by landlords with little notice, Labour housing spokesperson Kieran McAnulty said. ...
Labour Blog
1 week ago

Release: Melissa Lee missing in action on media
The action Melissa Lee promised to protect democracy and the media sector is missing, Media and Communications spokesperson Willie Jackson said. ...
Labour Blog
1 week ago

Landlord Government leaves little hope for renters
The Government’s announcement on tenancy rules prove that it does not care about renters. ...
Greens
1 week ago

Opportunity to build a more sustainable economy
Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson is calling on all parties to support a common-sense change that’s great for the planet and great for consumers after her member’s bill was drawn from the ballot today. ...
Greens
1 week ago

Significant step forward in fixing cruel and unjust past
A significant milestone has been reached in the fight to strike an anti-Pasifika and unfair law from the country’s books after Teanau Tuiono’s members’ bill passed its first reading. ...
Greens
1 week ago

Missed opportunity but NZ will surely one day recognise the right to a sustainable environment
New Zealand has today missed the opportunity to uphold the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment, says James Shaw after his member’s bill was voted down in its first reading. ...
Greens
1 week ago

Release: Don’t cut our lunches – clear message sent to Government
Tens of thousands of people are demanding the Government commits to fully funding free and healthy school lunches. ...
Labour Blog
1 week ago

Release: Govt makes U-turn on Suicide Prevention Office
Labour welcomes the Government’s U-turn on the closure of the Suicide Prevention Office, says Labour Mental Health spokesperson Ingrid Leary. ...
Labour Blog
1 week ago

CCC issues warning over further climate delay
Today’s advice from the Climate Change Commission paints a sobering reality of the challenge we face in combating climate change, especially in light of recent Government policy announcements. ...
Greens
2 weeks ago

Luxon targets are lousy example of leadership
If talk is cheap, Chris Luxon’s “targets” are bankrupt. ...
Greens
2 weeks ago

Luxon targets lame and lousy example of leadership
If talk is cheap, Chris Luxon’s “targets” are bankrupt. ...
Greens
2 weeks ago

Release: Commitment to disability communities missing from Govt priorities
Minister for Disability Issues Penny Simmonds appears to have delayed a report back to Cabinet on the progress New Zealand is making against international obligations for disabled New Zealanders. ...
Labour Blog
2 weeks ago

Methane target review is dangerous duplication
The Government’s newly announced review of methane emissions reduction targets hints at its desire to delay Aotearoa New Zealand’s urgent transition to a climate safe future, the Green Party said. ...
Greens
2 weeks ago

Release: Government must commit to school building project for disabled students
The Government must commit to the Maitai School building project for students with high and complex needs, to ensure disabled students from the top of the South Island have somewhere to learn. ...
Labour Blog
2 weeks ago

Release: National must take mental health seriously
Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey and his Government colleagues have made a meal of their mental health commitments, showing how flimsy their efforts to champion the issue truly are, says Labour Mental Health spokesperson Ingrid Leary. ...
Labour Blog
2 weeks ago

Referendums for Māori wards a racist step backwards
The Government's imposed referendum on Māori wards is a racist step backwards for Māori representation, and disregards Te Tiriti o Waitangi. ...
Greens
2 weeks ago

Release: Job losses at Health not worth it for tax cuts
New Zealand will feel the harm of the National Government’s reckless cuts to jobs at the health ministry for generations, says Ayesha Verrall. ...
Labour Blog
2 weeks ago

Press release: No Māori initiatives in Government’s nothing plan
Māori are yet to see anything from this Government except cuts, reversals and taking our people backwards, Māori Development spokesperson Willie Jackson said. ...
Labour Blog
2 weeks ago

Thirty six point PR spin
The Government’s ‘36 point’ plan for the next three months is as pointless as it is hollow. ...
Greens
3 weeks ago

Thirty six point PR spin
The Government’s ‘36 point’ plan for the next three months is as pointless as it is hollow. ...
Greens
3 weeks ago

Thirty six point PR spin
The Government’s ‘36 point’ plan for the next three months is as pointless as it is hollow. ...
Greens
3 weeks ago

Release: Social housing off Government’s to-do list
The Coalition Government’s refusal to commit to ongoing funding for social housing is seeing the sector pull back on developments and families watch their dreams of securing a home fade away, says Labour Housing spokesperson Kieran McAnulty. ...
Labour Blog
3 weeks ago

Release: Less money in most people’s pockets this April
Changes to minimum wage and benefit indexation means many New Zealanders will get less this year, as the Government gives a big tax break to landlords instead. ...
Labour Blog
3 weeks 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
7 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
9 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
10 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
11 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
11 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 ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
11 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
14 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 ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
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
1 day 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
1 day 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
1 day 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
1 day 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 ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
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
2 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
2 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
2 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
3 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
4 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
4 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
4 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
4 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

Rousing farewell for Kiwi doctors flying out to Gaza aid flotilla
Kia Ora Gaza A passionate haka reverberated through Auckland International Airport as a medical team of three New Zealand doctors received an emotional farewell from a big crowd of supporters before flying to Turkey to join the international Freedom Flotilla to Gaza. The doctors, who left Auckland yesterday, hope to ...
Evening ReportBy Asia Pacific Report
1 hour ago

Communities Against The Fast-track Heartened By ‘Overwhelming’ Public Response; Disgusted By ‘...
With submissions closing today, Macassey-Pickard says groups around the country have been supporting a huge range of people to make their submissions. ...
Scoop politics
3 hours ago

Renters Rights To Drastically Reduce Under Landlord Government
The Government’s announced changes around tenancy rules set renters’ rights back by nearly a decade. ...
Scoop politics
3 hours ago

NZPI Submission on Fast Track Approvals Bill
Our response to the new legislation is informed by targeted conversations with practitioners working in the system and through an implementation lens. ...
Scoop politics
3 hours ago

Fast Track Invite List Includes Most Destructive Industries In New Zealand
The new ‘Fast-track Approvals Bill’ would give just three Ministers the power to approve or deny development projects. They would avoid the usual checks and balances that are in place to protect rivers, land, the ocean, and communities. ...
Scoop politics
3 hours ago

Eugene Doyle: Helen Clark on why AUKUS isn’t in New Zealand’s national interest
COMMENTARY: By Eugene Doyle Helen Clark, how I miss you. The former New Zealand Prime Minister — the safest pair of hands this country has had in living memory — gave a masterclass on the importance of maintaining an independent foreign policy when she spoke at an AUKUS symposium held ...
Evening ReportBy Asia Pacific Report
3 hours ago

Government releases list of organisations shoulder-tapped for fast-track consents
The government's released the list of organisations provided with information on how to apply - just hours before public submissions on the bill close. ...
Radio NZ – political
5 hours ago

The Week in Politics: Job cuts surge and Waitangi Tribunal trouble
Analysis - It's been a grim week for public servants, while trouble is also brewing between the government and Waitangi Tribunal. ...
Radio NZ – political
5 hours ago

It never rains but it pours: intense rain and flash floods have increased inland in eastern Australi...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Milton Speer, Visiting Fellow, School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, University of Technology Sydney Before climate change really got going, eastern Australia’s flash floods tended to concentrate on our coastal regions, east of the Great Dividing Range. But that’s changing. Now ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
6 hours ago

Watch: Christopher Luxon speaks to media in Manila
The PM has defended how he's talked up NZ trade on his trip to Southeast Asia, after criticism from his own delegation. ...
Radio NZ – political
6 hours ago

‘It could be the death of the museum’: why research cuts at a South Australian institution have ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Elizabeth Finkel, Vice-Chancellor’s Fellow, La Trobe University Sia Duff / South Australian Museum In February, the South Australian Museum “re-imagined” itself. In the face of rising costs and inadequate government funds, CEO David Gaimster, who took the reins last June, declared ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
6 hours ago

Government signs off $41m clean energy deal with Asian Development Bank
The government has committed $41 million to clean energy transition at the Asian Development Bank's Energy Transition Mechanism. ...
Radio NZ – political
6 hours ago

Are 2 mid-career AFL retirements a sign Australian athletes are taking brain health more seriously?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alan Pearce, Professor, School of Allied Heath, Human Services & Sport, La Trobe University, La Trobe University This week, Collingwood AFL player Nathan Murphy announced his retirement, brought on by his concussion history and ongoing issues. The 24-year-old’s seemingly sudden retirement, ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
8 hours ago

Luxon: Waitangi Tribunal comments from coalition parties 'ill considered'
Comments from ACT and NZ First ministers about the Tribunal were "ill considered" and "that message will be underscored" to them, the PM says. ...
Radio NZ – political
9 hours ago

Mental Health Foundation Facing Staff Cuts From Govt Funding Squeeze
The Mental Health Foundation provides support and resources for those facing the loss of their job, so it’s wrong in the very week the Government adds another 1000 jobs to its tally of cuts, that this is happening. ...
Scoop politics
9 hours ago

I wholeheartedly recommend The President: a brilliant revival of a play of decay, terror and revulsi...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alexander Howard, Senior Lecturer, Discipline of English and Writing, University of Sydney Daniel Boud/Sydney Theatre Company Decay, terror, revulsion. These are three of the central themes of Thomas Bernhard’s rarely performed play The President. The Austrian is one of the greatest ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
9 hours ago

How the coolest little capital is shrinking
It's not the first time a government has targeted public servants for job cuts, but this time Wellington is really feeling it. ...
Radio NZ – political
9 hours ago

Many prisoners go years without touching a smartphone. It means they struggle to navigate life on th...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ye In (Jane) Hwang, Postdoctoral Research Associate at School of Population Health, UNSW Sydney Shutterstock You’d be hard pressed to find any aspect of daily life that doesn’t require some form of digital literacy. We need only to look back ten ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
9 hours ago

Ministers accused of Cabinet Manual breach with threats to Waitangi Tribunal
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says threats by ministers Shane Jones and David Seymour to reform or close down the Waitangi Tribunal were “ill-considered”, as legal experts say the ministers may have breached Cabinet Manual conventions. “I think those comments are ill-considered and we expect all ministers to actually exercise good ...
NewsroomBy Marc Daalder
9 hours ago

Good news: midlife health is about more than a waist measurement. Here’s why
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Rob Newton, Professor of Exercise Medicine, Edith Cowan University Pexels/RDNE stock project You’re not in your 20s or 30s anymore and you know regular health checks are important. So you go to your GP. During the appointment they measure your waist. ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
9 hours ago

The Friday Poem: ‘Mitochondrial Problem’ by Evangeline Riddiford Graham
A new poem by Evangeline Riddiford Graham. Mitochondrial Problem I. It was long drive to Kansas for the man and his dog but you have to understand he said She doesn’t fly. Which calls to mind not carsick shitting barking or whining but a dog who chooses not to as ...
The SpinoffBy Evangeline Riddiford Graham
10 hours ago

The Unity Books bestseller chart for the week ending April 18
The only published and available best-selling indie book chart in New Zealand is the top 10 sales list recorded every week at Unity Books’ stores in High St, Auckland, and Willis St, Wellington. AUCKLAND 1 Hemingway’s Goblet by Dermot Ross (Mary Egan Publishing, $38) Hot off the press, this debut ...
The SpinoffBy The Spinoff Review of Books
10 hours ago

Department of Conservation closing Dunedin centre, but no jobs lost
Visitor habits are changing and DOC needs to adapt in a financially sustainable way, its operations director says. ...
Radio NZ – political
10 hours ago

Unions Collaborate With Thousands Of Job Cuts
With New Zealand officially in recession, a swathe of mass sackings is currently sending shockwaves through the entire working class. ...
Scoop politics
10 hours ago

Watch live: Christopher Luxon speaks to media in Manila
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is speaking to reporters in Manila after pledging greater defence cooperation with the Philippines. Watch live. ...
Radio NZ – political
10 hours ago

Government sent please explain letter to Wellington City Council over transport disagreement
The contents were revealed in correspondence from Simeon Brown and Chris Bishop to Wellington's Mayor. ...
Radio NZ – political
10 hours ago

Some families push back against journalists who mine social media for photos – they have every rig...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Laura Wajnryb McDonald, PhD candidate in Criminology, University of Sydney Less than 24 hours after Ashlee Good was murdered in Bondi Junction, her family released a statement requesting the media take down photographs they had reproduced of Ashlee and her family without ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
10 hours ago

Mental Health Foundation staff cuts loom, with funding falling behind rising costs
Chief executive Shaun Robinson said it has not had any government funding cut, but government-funded contracts have not kept pace with rising costs. ...
Radio NZ – political
11 hours ago

The ‘devil comet’ 12P/Pons-Brooks has finally become visible from Australia. What can we expect?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jonti Horner, Professor (Astrophysics), University of Southern Queensland Pons–Brooks visible from Utah, March 9 2024. James Peirce/Flickr, CC BY-NC-ND If you’re a fan of all things space, you’ve doubtless heard about the “devil comet”, which has been captivating keen-eyed observers in the ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
11 hours ago

Rugby stadiums are sold as an economic asset – but NZ needs to ask if they’re really worth it
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Robert Hamlin, Senior Lecturer in Marketing , University of Otago A multi-billion dollar stadium precinct has been proposed for Auckland, one of three proposals in front of Auckland Council for a new stadium in the city. The council is also considering revamping ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
11 hours ago

Auckland dog attacks: Callouts for attacks on other animals going up
Roaming dogs are responsible for more than a thousand attacks on animals each year, and the number is growing. ...
Radio NZ – political
12 hours ago

What access to puberty blockers means for trans young people and their whānau
The Ministry of Health has delayed the release of its evidence brief on the safety, reversibility and mental health and wellbeing outcomes for puberty blockers. While we wait, Julia de Bres speaks to those with firsthand experience. Best practice gender-affirming healthcare is based on trans people’s self-determination and agency. The ...
The SpinoffBy Julia de Bres
12 hours ago

NZ and Philippines pledge defence cooperation amid rising tensions
The commitment came after a sit-down meeting between Christopher Luxon and President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Romualdez Marcos Jr overnight. ...
Radio NZ – political
13 hours ago

How superblocks can help reimagine city life
Barcelona’s city streets have gone from traffic-clogged to pedestrian-friendly. How? Superblocks. Ellen Rykers explains. This is an excerpt from our weekly environmental newsletter Future Proof. Sign up here. Last week I read a great interview with renowned urbanist Janette Sadik-Khan by The Spinoff’s Wellington editor Joel MacManus: “You can reimagine streets, ...
The SpinoffBy Ellen Rykers
13 hours ago

Fire engineering expertise may take a big hit with job cuts at MBIE
The public sector cuts are poised to take out a big chunk of expertise at the country's building regulator. ...
Radio NZ – political
14 hours ago

“Fast-track Law To Kill Kiwi”: Students Say Fight Against Anti-democracy Legislation Is Only Jus...
Student groups ‘Climate Action VUW’, Schools Strike 4 Climate and VUWSA will be on the street in Wellington today, the last day for submissions on the Fast-track Approvals Bill, with a message that the fight against the Government’s ‘War on ...
Scoop politics
14 hours ago

‘We have thousands of Modis’: the secret behind the BJP’s enduring success in India
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sofia Ammassari, Research Fellow, Griffith University Since 2014, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s popularity has grown exponentially – and so has the formidable organisational machine of his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). These two factors will be key to delivering the BJP a ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
14 hours ago

Online schooling is not just for lockdowns. Could it work for your child?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Brendon Hyndman, Associate Professor of Education (Adjunct) & Senior Manager (BCE), Charles Sturt University During COVID almost all Australian students and their families experienced online learning. But while schools have long since gone back to in-person teaching, online learning has not gone ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
14 hours ago

Hear me out: You can shove your reusable period products
Yes, they’re better for the environment. No, that’s not a good enough reason for me to use them. Once every 26 days or so, my period arrives, and if struck by an act of God, I am caught red-crotched without products. How, after 17 years of this, do I still ...
The SpinoffBy Kristin Kelly
15 hours ago

Rip It Up And Start Over – Fast-Track Approvals Bill Needs To Be Scrapped
“It will cause significant harm to our environment and communities. It is completely at odds with New Zealanders’ relationship with nature and our need for a low-carbon, sustainable economic future." ...
Scoop politics
15 hours ago

Maori Authority Warns Government On Fast Track Legislation
The Chair of the National Maori Authority, Matthew Tukaki, has warned a Parliamentary Select Committee that fast-tracking legislation is a perilous practice that undermines the core tenets of democracy, transparency, and accountability. ...
Scoop politics
15 hours ago

Why the government’s haste in changing the health system could come back to haunt it
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tim Tenbensel, Associate Professor, Health Policy, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau Getty Images Since coming into power, the coalition government has adopted a simple but shrewd see-how-fast-we-can-move political strategy. However, in the health sector this need for speed entails ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
15 hours ago

Many suicides are related to gambling. How can we tackle this problem?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Anastasia Hronis, Clinical Psychologist, University of Technology Sydney Darya Sannikova/Pexels Whether you’re watching TV, attending a footy game, or eating a meal at your local pub, gambling is hard to escape. Although the rise of gambling is not unique to Australia, ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
15 hours ago

Things that go buzz in the night – our global study found there really are more insects out after ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Mark Wong, Forrest Fellow, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia Have you ever wondered if there are more insects out at night than during the day? We set out to answer this question by combing through the scientific ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
15 hours ago

Why don’t Australians talk about their salaries? Pay transparency and fairness go hand-in-hand
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Carol T Kulik, Research Professor, University of South Australia IR Stone/Shutterstock In Australia, it’s not the done thing to know – let alone ask – what our colleagues are paid. Yet, it’s easy to see how pay transparency can make pay ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
15 hours ago

‘Character’ And Its Impact On Immigration Status
The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) is sounding a warning to migrants, that running foul of the law may see them leaving the country prematurely. ...
Scoop politics
15 hours ago

20,000 more on jobseeker benefits than this time last year
The government’s plan to get 50,000 people off jobseeker support by 2030 has had a rocky start, writes Catherine McGregor in this excerpt from The Bulletin, The Spinoff’s morning news round-up. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign up here. Beneficiary numbers are up – and so are ...
The SpinoffBy Catherine McGregor
16 hours ago

All of the Raglan Roast cafes in Wellington, ranked from worst to best
Raglan Roast is a staple of Wellington coffee culture. But with five branches across the capital, which one is the best? I am a die-hard Raglan Roast fan. It’s consistently the most affordable cafe in Wellington, and one of the only places you can get a coffee after 3pm. So, ...
The SpinoffBy Zoë Mills
19 hours ago

Auckland uni students threaten rent strike over rising accommodation fees
Residents of University of Auckland halls are being urged to withhold their accommodation fees from May 1, in a bid to force the university to take student concerns over rent hikes seriously. The University of Auckland is facing a strike from students over the cost of on-campus accommodation. The Students ...
The SpinoffBy Stewart Sowman-Lund
19 hours ago

Newsroom daily quiz, Friday 19 April
Loading…(function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){var ql=document.querySelectorAll('A[quiz],DIV[quiz],A[data-quiz],DIV[data-quiz]'); if(ql){if(ql.length){for(var k=0;k<ql.length;k++){ql[k].id='quiz-embed-'+k;ql[k].href="javascript:var i=document.getElementById('quiz-embed-"+k+"');try{qz.startQuiz(i)}catch(e){i.start=1;i.style.cursor='wait';i.style.opacity='0.5'};void(0);"}}};i['QP']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){(i[r].q=i[r].q||[]).push(arguments)},i[r].l=1*new Date();a=s.createElement(o),m=s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];a.async=1;a.src=g;m.parentNode.insertBefore(a,m)})(window,document,'script','https://take.quiz-maker.com/3012/CDN/quiz-embed-v1.js','qp'); Got a good quiz question? Send Newsroom your questions. The post Newsroom daily quiz, Friday 19 April appeared first on Newsroom. ...
NewsroomBy Newsroom Puzzles
19 hours ago

Financial literacy should be on all of us
Opinion: With maths understanding at 42 percent for Year 8 students, there’s no doubt something has to be done. But how? The post Financial literacy should be on all of us appeared first on Newsroom. ...
NewsroomBy Bryce Marsden
19 hours ago

Missy rustles to stardom in Canada
Hineaupounamu ‘Missy’ Nuku has been scaling mountains in Canada for her college basketball team, the Lakeland Rustlers. Alberta is currently home for the 20-year-old point guard, who is in her first year of a scholarship at Lakeland College, where she is studying for a business degree. She has certainly made ...
NewsroomBy Aiden McLaughlin
19 hours ago

Emissions fall again – now NZ needs to up the pace
Official figures confirm New Zealand produced less climate pollution in 2022 than in any other year in the 21st century The post Emissions fall again – now NZ needs to up the pace appeared first on Newsroom. ...
NewsroomBy Marc Daalder
19 hours ago

Warning of death from a million cuts as Oceans Secretariat dissolved
Shane Jones says people voted for change, but opponents say small cuts such as ending a special oceans secretariat are starting to add up The post Warning of death from a million cuts as Oceans Secretariat dissolved appeared first on Newsroom. ...
NewsroomBy Andrew Bevin
19 hours ago

Defence deal to counter Beijing’s aggression in South China Sea
New Zealand and the Philippines have signed a new maritime security agreement and stated their concerns over activity in the South China Sea, as Chinese vessels continue to flout international law. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Philippines President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos committed to signing a Mutual Logistics Supporting Arrangement by ...
NewsroomBy Laura Walters
19 hours ago

Wellington’s ebb and flow of public servants
The thousands of government “back-office” job cuts are causing widespread pain in the capital city. In today’s episode of The Detail, we speak to three journalists and a think tank researcher, looking at the larger picture around the cuts and what effect it will have on Wellington, a city that’s ...
NewsroomBy Tom Kitchin
19 hours ago

New Zealand transport planning has gone off the rails
Opinion: The famed American architect and urban designer Daniel Burnham once said, “Make no little plans. They have no magic to stir men’s blood!” Burnham wouldn’t have been referring to the transport plans in Aotearoa New Zealand over the past five years; projects so big they hadn’t the credibility to ...
NewsroomBy Dr Timothy F Welch
19 hours ago

Daily crossword, Friday 19 April
The post Daily crossword, Friday 19 April appeared first on Newsroom. ...
NewsroomBy Newsroom Puzzles
19 hours ago

Brakes on transport and logistics sector as demand for freight slows
The transport sector is currently in the slow lane The post Brakes on transport and logistics sector as demand for freight slows appeared first on Newsroom. ...
NewsroomBy Emma Hatton
19 hours ago

Grattan on Friday: Ethnic tensions will complicate the Albanese government’s multicultural policy ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra When ASIO boss Mike Burgess delivered his annual threat assessment earlier this year, he stressed the rising danger posed by espionage and foreign interference. “In 2024, threats to our way of life have surpassed ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
1 day ago

Group plans work to improve safety of female MPs
New research shows harassment of elected officials - especially women - is on the rise. ...
Radio NZ – political
1 day ago

Ukraine warns of WW3 ahead of long-stalled Congress aid vote
Ukraine's Prime Minister says his country desperately needs the US to approve long-stalled security assistance. ...
Radio NZ – political
1 day ago

PSA astonished Education Minister expects hiring of contractors to review curriculum
Hiring contractors is an appalling solution when people who could do the work are losing their jobs, the PSA says. ...
Radio NZ – political
1 day ago

Crown lawyers attempt to block Waitangi Tribunal summons to Minister for Children
The Tribunal had called on Minister for Children Karen Chhour to provide evidence at an urgent inquiry into the repeal of Section 7AA of the Oranga Tamariki Act. ...
Radio NZ – political
1 day ago

Luxon refuses to guarantee public consultation on AUKUS Pillar 2
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says it's "far too premature" to be confirming whether the public would be consulted on joining AUKUS Pillar 2. ...
Radio NZ – political
1 day ago

Visualising the 1800s or designing wedding invitations: 6 ways you can use AI beyond generating text
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By T.J. Thomson, Senior Lecturer in Visual Communication & Digital Media, RMIT University Midjourney image by T.J. Thomson As more than half of Australian office workers report using generative artificial intelligence (AI) for work, we’re starting to see this technology affect every ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
1 day ago

Falls, fractures and self-harm: 4 charts on how kids’ injury risk changes over time and differs fo...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Lisa Nicole Sharwood, Injury epidemiologist | Expert Witness, UNSW Sydney Sergey Novikov/Shutterstock Injuries are the leading cause of disability and death among Australian children and adolescents. At least a quarter of all emergency department presentations during childhood are injury-related. Injuries can ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
1 day ago

Choice and control: will NDIS reforms mean people with disability don’t get to decide who they liv...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Di Winkler, Adjunct Associate Professor, Living with Disability Research Centre, La Trobe University Shutterstock/Ground Picture Many Australians with disability feel on the edge of a precipice right now. Recommendations from the disability royal commission and the NDIS review were released late ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
1 day ago

Asbestos in playground mulch: how to avoid a repeat of this circular economy scandal
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Salman Shooshtarian, Senior Lecturer, School of Property, Construction and Project Management, RMIT University Salman Shooshtarian Asbestos has been found in mulch used for playgrounds, schools, parks and gardens across Sydney and Melbourne. Local communities naturally fear for the health of their ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
1 day ago

Could Albanese’s bet on homegrown green industries be the boost our regions deserve?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Madeline Taylor, Senior Lecturer, Macquarie University Cloudy Designs/Shutterstock Right now, there’s a global race underway. The goal: bring back manufacturing and energy jobs as the energy transition speeds up. In 2022, America launched its mammoth Inflation Reduction Act and the ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
1 day ago

Watch: Prime Minister Christopher Luxon won't say if government will consult public on joining ...
Asked multiple times if the public will be consulted on joining the defence pact, Luxon repeatedly said that was yet to be worked through. ...
Radio NZ – political
1 day ago

Watch live: Prime Minister Christopher Luxon speaks in Philippines
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is speaking to reporters on the third leg of his Southeast Asia trip, from Manila in the Philippines. ...
Radio NZ – political
1 day ago

Māori lawyers call Shane Jones' Waitangi Tribunal comments 'inappropriate'
The Māori Law Society says his comments breach the principle of the separation of powers and the Cabinet Manual. ...
Radio NZ – political
1 day ago

Abortions Increase 25% Since Law Change
Family First says that the latest abortion statistics make grim and upsetting reading, with a 25% increase in abortions since the decriminalisation of abortion in March 2020. According to an Official Information Act request received by Right to Life ...
Scoop politics
1 day ago

Over Half Of New Zealanders Feel That The Country Is In Decline And That Our Society Is Broken
Ipsos New Zealand's inaugural participation in a global study on populism reveals a pervasive sense of societal and economic decline among New Zealanders. MORE DETAILS AND FULL REPORT HERE Ipsos New Zealand's inaugural participation in a global study ...
Scoop politics
1 day ago

Farrar back on the PS payroll?

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Farrar back on the PS payroll?

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