Kumbaya

Written By: - Date published: 10:01 pm, September 24th, 2014 - 88 comments
Categories: thinktank - Tags:

We have a situation where 4 or 5 blokes with longstanding one-day-i’ll-be-the-prime-minister fantasies all pathetically fight each other for a go as captain of the titanic.

I suggest we lock them up in a room with a keg of Emersons so they can get drunk, beat the shit out of each other, cry, have a group hug and come out singing kumbaya.

88 comments on “Kumbaya ”

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  1. Paul 1
    24 September 2014 at 10:07 pm

    270 000 in child poverty.
    And the Labour caucus has more important things to discuss.

    • David H 1.1
      25 September 2014 at 9:22 am

      Yep the Caucus has more important things to discuss. Like who will be the next leader. And who will be the next under cutters and media leakers. Important jobs all.

      Fuck the lot of them. They lost my vote and on the way they are acting they won’t get it back anytime soon!

  2. Paul 2
    24 September 2014 at 10:08 pm

    National about to gut the RMA.
    And the Labour caucus has more important things to discuss…..

  3. Paul 3
    24 September 2014 at 10:09 pm

    National about to undermine labour laws.
    And the Labour caucus has more important things to discuss…..

  4. Paul 4
    24 September 2014 at 10:09 pm

    National about to sign the TPPA.
    And the Labour caucus has more important things to discuss…..

    • chris73 4.1
      24 September 2014 at 10:36 pm

      National on track for four terms
      And the Labour caucus has more important things to discuss…..

      [lprent: and you are astroturfing. I’m tired of it. 4 weeks ban. ]

      • AmaKiwi 4.1.1
        24 September 2014 at 10:56 pm

        Can I ask what “astroturfing” is?

        • Colonial Viper 4.1.1.1
          24 September 2014 at 11:02 pm

          rather not real, false, insincere commentary and/or concern trolling

        • AmaKiwi 4.1.1.2
          24 September 2014 at 11:16 pm

          “And the Labour caucus has more important things to discuss…..”

          Personally, I suggest they all follow David Parker’s lead and go on holiday for a week. They’ve earned it. They need it to clear their heads.

          Politics is a brutal business. I am glad someone else is willing to do it. One way evil triumphs is when people of integrity decide the political struggle is not worth the personal price.

          Stop beating them up or we’ll really have a parliament of incompetents.

        • lprent 4.1.1.3
          24 September 2014 at 11:40 pm

          In essense repeating the same message over and over again almost regardless of what they are responding to. It is a way of meme building. I will tolerate quite a lot of it iff it is done imaginatively and woven into the debate.

          However if I suspect it (ie I look at comments and start thinking repitition), look at the persons comments in isolation and see it, and I think that the sentiments aren’t genuine, then I find that an effective counter is a long ban. This seems to stimulate the imagination about presentation when they return. If not then they get a lot more cautious.

          The name comes from the repetive way of rolling out artifical grass to create fake scenery.

      • Huginn 4.1.2
        25 September 2014 at 9:41 pm

        lprent

        Thanks for moderating.

    • halfcrown 4.2
      25 September 2014 at 6:56 am

      Great comments Paul, and how bloody true.

  5. Ant 5
    24 September 2014 at 10:10 pm

    Can we put Mark Hunt in the room to do the beating?

  6. RedLogix 6
    24 September 2014 at 10:16 pm

    Yes. Yes fucking yes.

    • Colonial Viper 6.1
      24 September 2014 at 10:45 pm

      In the movie, they also chuck a blade into the room with the kids before locking the door shut.

  7. Hamish 7
    24 September 2014 at 10:20 pm

    Bookbinder?

  8. brian 8
    24 September 2014 at 10:32 pm

    @ Paul (1) (2) (3) (4)

    In case you missed the election results, National won an absolute majority of the seats. If the Labour caucus put aside all the more important things to discuss, you imply you are concerned about, it will not make a difference to the actions of National.

    Yes, Labour do have some very important stuff to sort out. I look forward to Kumbaya at the end of that process.

    And panic? Election results are not finalised for a couple of weeks. I’ve got faith that the caucus can adequately handle their opposition duties when that is required, along with the important stuff they are sorting out now.

    I would not describe Jacinda Ardern as a “bloke” ~smile~

    (I actually like your series of posts)

    • Lanthanide 8.1
      24 September 2014 at 10:35 pm

      “If the Labour caucus put aside all the more important things to discuss, you imply you are concerned about, it will not make a difference to the actions of National.”

      Well that’s not true. National are signalling they’re going to do something about child poverty (probably not enough, but at least something), which is a direct result of Labour and probably more likely the Greens campaigning on the issue.

      Similarly, National are passing extended paid parental leave and free doctors visits for children under 13, both of which were Labour policies first.

  9. mac1 9
    24 September 2014 at 10:41 pm

    Considering that “Kumbaya, my Lord” means “Come by here, my Lord”, wouldn’t it be good if the good Lord came down and taught them a thing or two about what muscular Christianity is about, as He did in the Temple with the money changers.

    For applied Christianity was what Michael Joseph Savage called his form of left wing thinking. Doing unto others as you’d have them do to you does imply doing something about it, something that’s acceptable, something that works, something that everyone shares.

    Even outside of Christian thinking, the Golden Rule is still good. There was also something about “Blessed are they that mourn for they shall be comforted.” And there’s a bit of that mourning happening within and without Caucus.

    Expect the denial, the anger, the bargaining, the blame within them and ourselves.

    I think I am beginning to understand why the statement attributed to Michael Cullen so angered those losing an election in his time not so long ago- “We won; you lost; eat that.”

    • RedLogix 9.1
      24 September 2014 at 11:35 pm

      Yes all those things are true.

      But these are grown men who have pretensions of either being PM or senior Ministers. When faced with total defeat you keep a straight face, breath through your nose and do your grieving in private.

      Anything else merely compounds the loss.

      • s y d 9.1.1
        25 September 2014 at 9:42 am

        Nah mate, when you come off total defeat, you blame the captain and the coach, the ref, the linesman, the weather, the hotel cook.

        These guys are poor losers. This is a team game, being played as if it’s tennis.

        The labour caucus are fighting over who gets to sit at the back of the bus, who will play the guitar, what song?

    • Draco T Bastard 9.2
      25 September 2014 at 12:13 am

      In modern parlance The Golden Rule is: He with the gold, rules. National apply it ruthlessly.

  10. Colonial Viper 10
    24 September 2014 at 10:47 pm

    Look, I’ll even buy the fucking keg of Emersons, if it will help.

  11. mickysavage 11
    24 September 2014 at 10:50 pm

    Me too. As many as are needed …

  12. shona 12
    24 September 2014 at 11:14 pm

    You’re on to it Geoff. Most practical suggestion I’ve heard in days.

  13. AmaKiwi 13
    24 September 2014 at 11:26 pm

    This is NOT the end of the Labour Party. Key had us borrow $60 billion dollars so we would feel happy and secure about our economy and re-elect the incumbents. He bought the election with OUR money.

    You can really feel happy (and vote for the incumbent) when every NZ working person gets $20,000 of borrowed money?

    When people discover it has to be repaid, National will be on 24%. Our time is coming. Patience, my friends.

    P.S. By my count it is NOT the worst Labour result in 92 years. Labour/Greens are Siamese twins. Labour 24% + Greens 10% = 34%

    • Colonial Viper 13.1
      24 September 2014 at 11:35 pm

      Hmmmm good thinking, although I suspect there were plenty of other left wing parties on the scene in 1922 as well.

      Yes, National kept money flowing into the economy via debt debt and more debt. But that is the only acceptable (to the financial fraternity) way of money supply these days.

      • DS 13.1.1
        26 September 2014 at 3:27 am

        1922 was a three party system:

        – Reform (Government): rural Tories.
        – Liberal (Opposition): the old progressive party on the decline.
        – Labour (Third Party): the new progressive party on the rise.

    • Mark 13.2
      25 September 2014 at 6:29 am

      “P.S. By my count it is NOT the worst Labour result in 92 years. Labour/Greens are Siamese twins. Labour 24% + Greens 10% = 34%”

      There is always an optimist who can give you a laugh to lift the start of the day.

  14. Adrian 14
    25 September 2014 at 6:46 am

    National got 48.1% of 69.7% (approx) of eligible voters.
    That’s 33.something of eligible voters, the same percentage that was their core vote in the days when there were only Nat and Labour.
    Don’t believe the landslide bullshit.

    • adam 14.1
      25 September 2014 at 7:27 am

      But that misses a very big and nasty elephant in the room. Those that did not vote. The days when you can sit there and blame apathy or personal responsibility are over. This great majority of people who did not vote are an angry mass. A disempowered, frustrated, angry mass – why do you think Key and co have been playing it calm and cringing at the media’s cowing over the victory? Actually it’s the one time I’ll give a modicum of respect to Key.

      How do you think it looks to the non-voters – labour talking about walking away from them even more. Because quite frankly that what this bullshit of moving to the centre really means and guess what, working people aren’t that stupid.

      • phillip ure 14.1.1
        25 September 2014 at 7:33 am

        @ adam..

        “..How do you think it looks to the non-voters – labour talking about walking away from them even more..”

        + 1..

        • Akldnut 14.1.1.1
          25 September 2014 at 9:53 am

          I know someone’ll jump and scream but I’m thinking F@$K the non voters………… it would serve their self interested arses right if National ramped up screwing the bejesus out of them and the country, and the decimated carcasses of the only political parties that even tried to help them couldn’t get off the ground because people they were trying to help couldn’t tell shit from clay.

      • KJT 14.1.2
        25 September 2014 at 10:23 am

        Which is why I am disappointed Hone, John Minto and Annette Sykes did not get in.

        We can have them in Parliament, or we can have them with pitchforks outside.

        Even Craig has his constituency. And the left wing ideas of the first $20 000 income tax free, and citizens democracy.

        • Colonial Viper 14.1.2.1
          25 September 2014 at 11:24 am

          This is the insane thing about too many in the 1% (and the 0.001%). They can protect their privilege by ensuring that relatively small concessions to the bottom 50% are made.

          But of course, the very wealthy and powerful only know the definition of “more” and don’t know the definition of “enough.”

  15. Richard 15
    25 September 2014 at 6:52 am

    Yes Geoff, labours worst enemy is themselves, as usual to much thinking not enough doing.

    If we gave them all guns and locked them in a room, all that would happen is 4 people would accidentally shoot themselves whilst trying to shoot at each other. Like bumbling idiots. If we threw in a keg of Emersons they would shoot holes in it first , all the beer would go to waste then they would shoot themselves.

    The best answer for the press would have been to say nothing do nothing about the result apart from say, well the media lost us the election, again, we thank the MSM for it’s continued support of National and look forward to being ridiculed next election as usual, good bye.

  16. Adrian 16
    25 September 2014 at 6:58 am

    And another thing, if Shearer thinks he’s the answer after giving up 15 months ago, he’s dreaming.
    If Robertson thinks he’s the answer to bring back the 50% of men that walked away after the stupid “gender-mandering” of the list then he’s dreaming.
    If Nash thinks he’s the answer after only winning ( and even being there ) because he needed Garth Mcfucking Vicar then he’s completely deluded.
    If Ahern thinks she’s the answer after not being able to beat useless Nicky Kaye 3 times she’s dreaming too.
    Nash and Ahern may well be the future, but that’s not yet.
    Get over yourselves you deluded wannabes and develop a bit of self awareness.
    The problem as the voting public has been telling you is that constant change at the top is electoral suicide.

    • Colonial Viper 16.1
      25 September 2014 at 7:30 am

      Yep. All seriously deluded.

      Ardern btw.

    • Harry Holland 16.2
      25 September 2014 at 7:36 am

      Which only leaves David Parker?
      .
      And now for one of those ‘good grief’ stories…
      Lefty wife had a ladies night dinner last night and the consensus was Labour needs a ‘good looking’ leader – i.e. physically attractive. The ladies are apparently much more likely to vote for a handsome or attractive leader or at least a witty humorous one. That’s why some of them like John Key (apparently they find him handsome) and they also like Jacinda.
      Millenia of genetic conditioning. We are subject to forces beyond our ken.
      So my tongue in cheek question to the ladies of thestandard is, how do you rate David Parker on looks? (Just doing my bit to lift the quality of the debate).

      • RedLogix 16.2.1
        25 September 2014 at 7:42 am

        Well given that most women are at least potentially bi-sexual (subject to forces beyond their ken and all) – that makes Jacinda my pick of the bunch.

        Or maybe it was a mistake to give the vote to women after all. 🙂

        • Colonial Viper 16.2.1.1
          25 September 2014 at 7:47 am

          Note how the position of some very vocal left leaning feminist activists doesn’t even reflect the attitudes of significant ‘average Kiwi’ segments of their own gender. Key chooses a caucus with the fewest women in it…and he gets the thumbs up from lots of Kiwi women based on his easy going but still distinguished good looks and success with money.

          Giving the vote to non property owning men of colour who don’t go to church was also fucked.

          Just over 1 in 8 pakeha men voted Labour this time around is my rough estimate btw.

          • RedLogix 16.2.1.1.1
            25 September 2014 at 7:51 am

            And look at Tony Abbott’s Cabinet and you can see exactly which church they have to belong to.

            • Colonial Viper 16.2.1.1.1.1
              25 September 2014 at 8:13 am

              Yep. Still gets in.

              The other thing which is interesting is this: if Labour ever had a result where just over 1 in 8 women voted for it, the feminists would be up in arms. Major emergency, need urgent overhaul of things etc.

              But because it’s pakeha men, all I read from the feminist activists is…patriarchal men who don’t like it can just fuck off to the Trotter party / 3 old white cis men in a row losers at leading Labour / Labour dudebros complain a lot about Labour but they can’t campaign worth shit etc.

              The funniest thing is that this is coming from a group of lefties who are oh so into Labour as a ‘broad church’ in society.

              • BM …
                25 September 2014 at 8:37 am

                Lots of facts in this post.

                • miravox …
                  25 September 2014 at 9:10 am

                  “Lots of facts in this post”

                  Facts?
                  CV clearly states 1 in 8 is an unexplained personal guess.

                  • Colonial Viper …
                    25 September 2014 at 11:10 am

                    It will fall somewhere between 1 in 7 and 1 in 8 pakeha men (including unenrolled voters I should add).

                    Using the inverse framing, almost 7 out of 8 pakeha men went with an option other than NZ Labour.

    • phillip ure 16.3
      25 September 2014 at 7:39 am

      @ adrian..

      ..in arderns’ defence..

      ..as elsewhere..the greens and labour unable to work out how to work together to ensure victory..(!)..(the major-problem for progressives to my mind..i’d throw them in a tent with a keg of booze..to finally work it out..)

      ..anyway..that split the vote..

      ..and kaye walked thru the middle..

      ..and until labour and the greens get that sorted out..

      ..up and down the country..

      ..we’re fucked..

      ..and doomed to successive rightwing govts..

    • lurgee 16.4
      25 September 2014 at 8:04 am

      And another thing, if Shearer thinks he’s the answer after giving up 15 months ago, he’s dreaming.
      If Robertson thinks he’s the answer to bring back the 50% of men that walked away after the stupid “gender-mandering” of the list then he’s dreaming.
      If Nash thinks he’s the answer after only winning ( and even being there ) because he needed Garth Mcfucking Vicar then he’s completely deluded.
      If Ahern thinks she’s the answer after not being able to beat useless Nicky Kaye 3 times she’s dreaming too.

      And if Cunliffe thinks he’s the answer after getting less than 25% …

      Which isn’t to have a pop at Cunliffe. But you seemed to have missed him off the list.

      The point is that the leader is not the answer.

      • lprent 16.4.1
        25 September 2014 at 8:47 am

        The point is that the leader is not the answer.

        That is my fundamental issue as well. The biggest single problem that the NZLP has is that they can’t settle on a consistent direction to fix their systems and communications because the caucus keep playing stupid dominance games.

        By the look of this “review” and the many other failed ones before it, it still isn’t this time either. There won’t be any mention of the silo campaigns in electorates by many MPs or the shameful neglect of critical systems like eTrac over the first two years of the last term.

        What will happen instead is that this will be used as an opportunity to change dominance in caucus and a chance to turn over staffer positions to personal favourites. I can see the rather useless Patrick Leyland practically gloating in the side bar

        Nett effect – another election lost in 2017

        • BM 16.4.1.1
          25 September 2014 at 8:55 am

          Do you see a party split, if Cunliffe goes or just a mass exodus of members.?

          Or do you think it will descend into a fight to the death, cage match type scenario.

        • Tautoko Viper 16.4.1.2
          25 September 2014 at 11:40 am

          +! Two directions- the solution is 2 parties or more of the same.

          • BM 16.4.1.2.1
            25 September 2014 at 6:47 pm

            I agree, I don’t think common ground will ever be reached, too much animosity.

            It’s going to be one or the other.

    • Richard 16.5
      25 September 2014 at 5:32 pm

      Ardern In a short dress see through top and a bridle, she’d get my vote..:) forever.

      In fact you stumbled on the answer to beat the ladies favourite man key, we need a man magnet, and they come In the form of sexy ladies, Just please don’t put King up :/

  17. Ffloyd 17
    25 September 2014 at 7:28 am

    When my kids were fighting toddlers I did on occasion put them together in the smallest room in the house. (toilet). When at close quarters they just ended up laughing.

    • AmaKiwi 17.1
      25 September 2014 at 8:50 am

      @ Ffloyd

      Thanks. That’s the most useful information I’ve read here since the election. I’ll try it next time they act up.

  18. Not a PS Staffer 18
    25 September 2014 at 7:55 am

    Cunliffe has to stay as Leader.
    There is no-one else who can lead us to a platform for victory in 2014.

    Shearer had his chance until Maryanne Street led the pusch to dump him.
    Robertson, who manipulated and humiliated Shearer, is not fit to be a leader.
    Ardern never won a seat.
    Nash? Whatever the question he is not the answer.

    Cunliffe has what it takes. The membership has what it takes.
    Cunliffe needs to build the party machine necessary to win an election based on Labour values.

  19. RRM 19
    25 September 2014 at 8:47 am

    Wow, you guys deliver comedy gold sometimes. Labour just got the worst spanking in decades from the electorate, but you still think the lurch to the left was a good idea and you still think all the non-voters would surely vote left, if only you went far enough left to reach them.

    Meanwhile, Lprent bans whatever he doesn’t want to hear.

    Labour – Nine years in opposition at least. Long may this delusional state of denial continue, it’s good for New Zealand. 🙂

    • KJT 19.1
      25 September 2014 at 10:27 am

      Why should Labour take any notice of advice from the National party cheer squad.

      Haven’t you already done enough damage to the country by talking up National into absolute power?

      Labour would be well advised to ignore “helpful” advice from the right wing.

      The constant attacks on David Cunliffe are because he has shown he can take the fight to Key, and he has some concern for New Zealanders.

      Of course it suits some to keep Labour as National(tm) light, so their gravy train of shareholdings in ex State assets, immigration designed to keep property speculators, and financiers, profits high and wages low, and their lucrative cosy deals with dodgy foreign companies continues, when everyone is sick of National.

  20. Andrew Welsh 20
    25 September 2014 at 9:03 am

    ‘I suggest we lock them up in a room with a keg of Emersons so they can get drunk, beat the shit out of each other, cry, have a group hug and come out singing kumbaya’

    That is a slur against a great beer, A bottle of ‘aged Claytons’ would be more appropriate.

  21. Adrian 21
    25 September 2014 at 9:52 am

    CV, you’re right, too early in the morning, apologies to Jacinta ARDERN. ( I’ve got a note to ring a bloke called Ahern today.
    Lurgee, I hadn’t left David C out, I was making the point that only about a year ago, all the people who do all the leg work, money raising and heavy lifting for Labour at election time choose him overwhelmingly.
    Phillip, I think looking at the numbers as many Greens as could be expected voted for Jacinta, and Helen Clark was vehemently opposed to MMP because she said that it eventually leads to centre governments, making them unwinnable from a firm left wing stance.

    • phillip ure 21.1
      25 September 2014 at 11:08 am

      @ adrian..

      “..Helen Clark was vehemently opposed to MMP because she said that it eventually leads to centre governments, making them unwinnable from a firm left wing stance..”

      ..shame she was so ‘right’..eh..?

      • Richard 21.1.1
        25 September 2014 at 5:42 pm

        Helen is a god! A freaking god. Oh god come back, please, come back, all was good with you and Cullen.

        People at work call her a dyke, say Denis was a poof, but loved her.

        Keys the same. Shit will have to get pretty bad for him, before we(the public) take it in. Helens worst moment was speeding to the ruggers keys had so much more and still came out smelling of roses.

        Face it folks if your not a Nat supporter prepare to lose for awhile. Pray for a bigger GFC but no doubt English will fall on his sword to protect Dear leader.

        Welcome to the Keyopoly.

        • phillip ure 21.1.1.1
          25 September 2014 at 7:12 pm

          @ richard..

          “..all was good with you and Cullen..”

          ..no it wasn’t..

          ..as just a few examples contradicting that claim..

          ..the country got more polluted..

          ..the rivers got dirtier..

          ..the poor were just left to rot..

          ..for nine long years..

          ..(would you like me to polish yr rose-coloured lenses..?..there..?..for you…)

          • Richard 21.1.1.1.1
            25 September 2014 at 8:02 pm

            please don’t spoil my adoration of the god that is Helen Clark.

            Even though through that labour term hep C was off the treatment funding list and I was just left infected for ten years until about the time National got in.

            I was not peeved with national for curing me, it was the fact Bennet took me for a lingerer and Winz forced me back into full time work after chemo and ten years sick without even giving me time to recuperate and get my muscles back or ride out the effects of interferon and get my mind back to normal.

            They thought just because I had Hep C it was no reason to be on a benefit and the possibility of me infecting others outweighed my tax burden.

            They are uncaring female genatalia and need a good cattle prod up the rectal cavity. The nasty bastards.

            and example of their female genalatiaship credentials lies in their hiding and supporting business saving money by not retrieving the Pike river miners. That’s a freaking viginourmous genataliaship.

  22. shorts 22
    25 September 2014 at 10:19 am

    Emersons should not be the beer of choice for a prospective Labour leader – it reeks of middle class snobbery…. so in this case it really is quite apt

  23. Tom Gould 23
    25 September 2014 at 10:45 am

    One theory circulating suggests that Robertson would the best choice at this stage to move beyond the identity and gender politics mire they are stuck in, simply because he is who he is. Might be too subtle for the electorate, but on the other hand, maybe not? Who knows?

    • Ant 23.1
      25 September 2014 at 11:14 am

      I think the Nats will use his career history for a very effective “out of touch” meme, it will be an easy outlet for all Grant’s “otherness” — gay, no kids etc without people having to confront their bigotry.

      That said, if he can get the democratic backing of the party he has a mandate to try.

      • Colonial Viper 23.1.1
        25 September 2014 at 11:22 am

        it will be an easy outlet for all Grant’s “otherness” — gay, no kids etc without people having to confront their bigotry.

        Those more obnoxious avenues of attack will be peddled out by the rest of the National smear machine.

  24. Adrian 24
    25 September 2014 at 11:02 am

    Arse, Grant Robertson IS identity and gender politics personified.
    You’re not looking at this from the perspective of the very people that Labour has always relied on for its mandate.
    They not rednecks or any other diminutive you want to stick on them, they’re probably quite happy to have a beer and a yarn with a gay bloke and almost certainly support him getting a fair go but don’t nesseccarly want themselves to be represented by a gay as PM. That may well change but not just yet.

    • Richard 24.1
      25 September 2014 at 6:09 pm

      Is Robertson the gay one? Cripes one of them fooled me, wouldn’t have known if he hadn’t been so upfront about it. Then again I care so much about sexual preferences I cannot remember who it was.

      What is it with them, that they feel some need to announce their sexual preferences as if they dare the world to say something about it. Cripes get over it, I couldn’t give a hoot. Next time I’m at the office talking to the receptionist I must remind myself to tell her I’m heterosexual and proud of it. Wouldn’t want her to not know who I like to bed.

      Labour need to tone down that. the only people who care , don’t like homosexual men.

      I agree axactly with Adrian. I couldn’t give a hoot about them. As long as they do the job they are elected for. However the PM job has a bigger role, international etc. Last thing I need is a camp PM. Probably the very reason I don’t think Keys Fit for the Job, to camp, to clowny, to jokey , he a statesman and PM, freaking act like one.

      If key acted like Cunliffe, I’d probably like the dick. But I get three more fkn years of ackshully, gutsy feely, laugh it off, can’t remember camp shyte.

      as i write this

      I am obviously one of the few who like Cunliffe as on TV now many voted electorate labour but national party vote due to the left to individual and some said Cunliffe as leader, sadly maybe i’ll have to concede for the left to win cunliffe must go. But i see no one but Annett king as replacement sadly.

      Fuck it, i was away in the late 80’s and all 90’s, i am definitely missing some political history, how is Culiffe so hated? what has he done in the past?

  25. Marksman33 25
    25 September 2014 at 5:59 pm

    Ok, I hear on RNZ this arvo the caucus want Robertson and Ardern, so let the wagers begin. How many weeks out from 2017 election will Robertson be seen leaving a male bathhouse ? ( doesn’t have to be true ) .

    • Richard 25.1
      25 September 2014 at 6:20 pm

      Nothing will be said for 2 years, 11 months Marksman33, then the Heralds, John Armstrong, will announce their is an eleven year old photo of Robertson writing a letter of subscription to a gay magazine, called leather spankers, for and on behalf of Simon Bridges and he must therefore resign 🙂

      Then Armstrong will come out saying how National and Simon Bridges supports gay men as he did not cancel the subscription. They will then return with a majority Gay vote. key and bridges will be seen at the big Gay out skipping up the road holding hands.

      after what I’ve seen this election in way of surprises anything is possible.

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    The latest labour market statistics, showing a rise in unemployment. There are now 134,000 unemployed - 14,000 more than when the National government took office. Which is I guess what happens when the Reserve Bank causes a recession in an effort to Keep Wages Low. The previous government saw a ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    12 hours ago

  • Bryce Edwards: Discontent and gloom dominate NZ’s political mood
    Three opinion polls have been released in the last two days, all showing that the new government is failing to hold their popular support. The usual honeymoon experienced during the first year of a first term government is entirely absent. The political mood is still gloomy and discontented, mainly due ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    12 hours ago

  • Taking Tea with 42 & 38.
    National's Finance Minister once met a poor person.A scornful interview with National's finance guru who knows next to nothing about economics or people.There might have been something a bit familiar if that was the headline I’d gone with today. It would of course have been in tribute to the article ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    13 hours ago

  • Beware political propaganda: statistics are pointing to Grant Robertson never protecting “Lives an...
    Rob MacCulloch writes – Throughout the pandemic, the new Vice-Chancellor-of-Otago-University-on-$629,000 per annum-Can-you-believe-it-and-Former-Finance-Minister Grant Robertson repeated the mantra over and over that he saved “lives and livelihoods”. As we update how this claim is faring over the course of time, the facts are increasingly speaking differently. NZ ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    13 hours ago

  • Winding back the hands of history’s clock
    Chris Trotter writes – IT’S A COMMONPLACE of political speeches, especially those delivered in acknowledgement of electoral victory: “We’ll govern for all New Zealanders.” On the face of it, the pledge is a strange one. Why would any political leader govern in ways that advantaged the huge ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    13 hours ago

  • Paula Bennett’s political appointment will challenge public confidence
     Bryce Edwards writes – The list of former National Party Ministers being given plum and important roles got longer this week with the appointment of former Deputy Prime Minister Paula Bennett as the chair of Pharmac. The Christopher Luxon-led Government has now made key appointments to Bill ...
    Point of OrderBy xtrdnry
    14 hours ago

  • Business confidence sliding into winter of discontent
    TL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy at 10:06am on Wednesday, May 1:The Lead: Business confidence fell across the board in April, falling in some areas to levels last seen during the lockdowns because of a collapse in ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    15 hours ago

  • Gordon Campbell on the coalition’s awful, not good, very bad poll results
    Over the past 36 hours, Christopher Luxon has been dong his best to portray the centre-right’s plummeting poll numbers as a mark of virtue. Allegedly, the negative verdicts are the result of hard economic times, and of a government bravely set out on a perilous rescue mission from which not ...
    Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
    16 hours ago

  • New HOP readers for future payment options
    Auckland Transport have started rolling out new HOP card readers around the network and over the next three months, all of them on buses, at train stations and ferry wharves will be replaced. The change itself is not that remarkable, with the new readers looking similar to what is already ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    17 hours ago

  • 2024 Reading Summary: April (+ Writing Update)
    Completed reads for April: The Difference Engine, by William Gibson and Bruce Sterling Carnival of Saints, by George Herman The Snow Spider, by Jenny Nimmo Emlyn’s Moon, by Jenny Nimmo The Chestnut Soldier, by Jenny Nimmo Death Comes As the End, by Agatha Christie Lord of the Flies, by ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    1 day ago

  • At a glance – Clearing up misconceptions regarding 'hide the decline'
    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
    1 day ago

  • Road photos
    Have a story to share about St Paul’s, but today just picturesPopular novels written at this desk by a young man who managed to bootstrap himself out of father’s imprisonment and his own young life in a workhouse Read more ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    1 day ago

  • Bryce Edwards: Paula Bennett’s political appointment will challenge public confidence
    The list of former National Party Ministers being given plum and important roles got longer this week with the appointment of former Deputy Prime Minister Paula Bennett as the chair of Pharmac. The Christopher Luxon-led Government has now made key appointments to Bill English, Simon Bridges, Steven Joyce, Roger Sowry, ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    1 day ago

  • NZDF is still hostile to oversight
    Newsroom has a story today about National's (fortunately failed) effort to disestablish the newly-created Inspector-General of Defence. The creation of this agency was the key recommendation of the Inquiry into Operation Burnham, and a vital means of restoring credibility and social licence to an agency which had been caught lying ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    1 day ago

  • Winding Back The Hands Of History’s Clock.
    Holding On To The Present: The moment a political movement arises that attacks the whole idea of social progress, and announces its intention to wind back the hands of History’s clock, then democracy, along with its unwritten rules, is in mortal danger.IT’S A COMMONPLACE of political speeches, especially those delivered in ...
    Bowalley Road
    1 day ago

  • Sweet Moderation? What Christopher Luxon Could Learn From The Germans.
    Stuck In The Middle With You: As Christopher Luxon feels the hot breath of Act’s and NZ First’s extremists on the back of his neck and, as he reckons with the damage their policies are already inflicting upon a country he’s described as “fragile”, is there not some merit in reaching out ...
    Bowalley Road
    1 day ago

  • A clear warning
    The unpopular coalition government is currently rushing to repeal section 7AA of the Oranga Tamariki Act. The clause is Oranga Tamariki's Treaty clause, and was inserted after its systematic stealing of Māori children became a public scandal and resulted in physical resistance to further abductions. The clause created clear obligations ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    1 day ago

  • Poll results and Waitangi Tribunal report go unmentioned on the Beehive website – where racing tru...
    Buzz  from the Beehive The government’s official website – which Point of Order monitors daily – not for the first time has nothing much to say today about political happenings that are grabbing media headlines. It makes no mention of the latest 1News-Verian poll, for example.  This shows National down ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    1 day ago

  • Listening To The Traffic.
    It Takes A Train To Cry: Surely, there is nothing lonelier in all this world than the long wail of a distant steam locomotive on a cold Winter’s night.AS A CHILD, I would lie awake in my grandfather’s house and listen to the traffic. The big wooden house was only a ...
    Bowalley Road
    1 day ago

  • Comity Be Damned! The State’s Legislative Arm Is Flexing Its Constitutional Muscles.
    Packing A Punch: The election of the present government, including in its ranks politicians dedicated to reasserting the rights of the legislature in shaping and determining the future of Māori and Pakeha in New Zealand, should have alerted the judiciary – including its anomalous appendage, the Waitangi Tribunal – that its ...
    Bowalley Road
    1 day ago

  • Ending The Quest.
    Dead Woman Walking: New Zealand’s media industry had been moving steadily towards disaster for all the years Melissa Lee had been National’s media and communications policy spokesperson, and yet, when the crisis finally broke, on her watch, she had nothing intelligent to offer. Christopher Luxon is a patient man - but he’s not ...
    Bowalley Road
    1 day ago

  • Will political polarisation intensify to the point where ‘normal’ government becomes impossible,...
    Chris Trotter writes –  New Zealand politics is remarkably easy-going: dangerously so, one might even say. With the notable exception of John Key’s flat ruling-out of the NZ First Party in 2008, all parties capable of clearing MMP’s five-percent threshold, or winning one or more electorate seats, tend ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago

  • Bernard’s pick 'n' mix for Tuesday, April 30
    TL;DR: Here’s my top 10 ‘pick ‘n’ mix of links to news, analysis and opinion articles as of 10:30am on Tuesday, May 30:Scoop: NZ 'close to the tipping point' of measles epidemic, health experts warn NZ Herald Benjamin PlummerHealth: 'Absurd and totally unacceptable': Man has to wait a year for ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago

  • Why Tory Whanau has the lowest approval rating in the country
    Bryce Edwards writes – Polling shows that Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau has the lowest approval rating of any mayor in the country. Siting at -12 per cent, the proportion of constituents who disapprove of her performance outweighs those who give her the thumbs up. This negative rating is ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago

  • Worst poll result for a new Government in MMP history
    Luxon will no doubt put a brave face on it, but there is no escaping the pressure this latest poll will put on him and the government. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on Aotearoa-NZ’s political ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago

  • Pinning down climate change's role in extreme weather
    This is a re-post from The Climate Brink by Andrew Dessler In the wake of any unusual weather event, someone inevitably asks, “Did climate change cause this?” In the most literal sense, that answer is almost always no. Climate change is never the sole cause of hurricanes, heat waves, droughts, or ...
    Skeptical Science
    2 days ago

  • Serving at Seymour's pleasure.
    Something odd happened yesterday, and I’d love to know if there’s more to it. If there was something which preempted what happened, or if it was simply a throwaway line in response to a journalist.Yesterday David Seymour was asked at a press conference what the process would be if the ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    2 days ago

  • Webworm LA Pop-Up
    Hi,From time to time, I want to bring Webworm into the real world. We did it last year with the Jurassic Park event in New Zealand — which was a lot of fun!And so on Saturday May 11th, in Los Angeles, I am hosting a lil’ Webworm pop-up! I’ve been ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    2 days ago

  • “Feel good” school is out
    Education Minister Erica Standford yesterday unveiled a fundamental reform of the way our school pupils are taught. She would not exactly say so, but she is all but dismantling the so-called “inquiry” “feel good” method of teaching, which has ruled in our classrooms since a major review of the New ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    2 days ago

  • 6 Months in, surely our Report Card is “Ignored all warnings: recommend dismissal ASAP”?
    Exactly where are we seriously going with this government and its policies? That is, apart from following what may as well be a Truss-Lite approach on the purported economic “plan“, and Victorian-era regression when it comes to social policy. Oh it’ll work this time of course, we’re basically assured, “the ...
    exhALANtBy exhalantblog
    2 days ago

  • Bread, and how it gets buttered
    Hey Uncle Dave, When the Poms joined the EEC, I wasn't one of those defeatists who said, Well, that’s it for the dairy job. And I was right, eh? The Chinese can’t get enough of our milk powder and eventually, the Poms came to their senses and backed up the ute ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago

  • Bryce Edwards: Why Tory Whanau has the lowest approval rating in the country
    Polling shows that Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau has the lowest approval rating of any mayor in the country. Siting at -12 per cent, the proportion of constituents who disapprove of her performance outweighs those who give her the thumbs up. This negative rating is higher than for any other mayor ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    2 days ago

  • Justice for Gaza?
    The New York Times reports that the International Criminal Court is about to issue arrest warrants for Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, over their genocide in Gaza: Israeli officials increasingly believe that the International Criminal Court is preparing to issue arrest warrants for senior government officials on ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    2 days ago

  • If there has been any fiddling with Pharmac’s funding, we can count on Paula to figure out the fis...
    Buzz from the Beehive Pharmac has been given a financial transfusion and a new chair to oversee its spending in the pharmaceutical business. Associate Health Minister David Seymour described the funding for Pharmac as “its largest ever budget of $6.294 billion over four years, fixing a $1.774 billion fiscal cliff”. ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    2 days ago

  • FastTrackWatch – The case for the Government’s Fast Track Bill
    Bryce Edwards writes – Many criticisms are being made of the Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill, including by this writer. But as with everything in politics, every story has two sides, and both deserve attention. It’s important to understand what the Government is trying to achieve and its ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago

  • Bernard’s pick 'n' mix for Monday, April 29
    TL;DR: Here’s my top 10 ‘pick ‘n’ mix of links to news, analysis and opinion articles as of 10:10am on Monday, April 29:Scoop: The children's ward at Rotorua Hospital will be missing a third of its beds as winter hits because Te Whatu Ora halted an upgrade partway through to ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago

  • Gordon Campbell on Iran killing its rappers, and searching for the invisible Dr. Reti
    span class=”dropcap”>As hideous as David Seymour can be, it is worth keeping in mind occasionally that there are even worse political figures (and regimes) out there. Iran for instance, is about to execute the country’s leading hip hop musician Toomaj Salehi, for writing and performing raps that “corrupt” the nation’s ...
    Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
    3 days ago

  • Auckland Rail Electrification 10 years old
    Yesterday marked 10 years since the first electric train carried passengers in Auckland so it’s a good time to look back at it and the impact it has had. A brief history The first proposals for rail electrification in Auckland came in the 1920’s alongside the plans for earlier ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    3 days ago

  • Coalition's dirge of austerity and uncertainty is driving the economy into a deeper recession
    Right now, in Aotearoa-NZ, our ‘animal spirits’ are darkening towards a winter of discontent, thanks at least partly to a chorus of negative comments and actions from the Government Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago

  • Disability Funding or Tax Cuts.
    You make people evil to punish the paststuck inside a sequel with a rotating castThe following photos haven’t been generated with AI, or modified in any way. They are flesh and blood, human beings. On the left is Galatea Young, a young mum, and her daughter Fiadh who has Angelman ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago

  • Of the Goodness of Tolkien’s Eru
    April has been a quiet month at A Phuulish Fellow. I have had an exceptionally good reading month, and a decently productive writing month – for original fiction, anyway – but not much has caught my eye that suggested a blog article. It has been vaguely frustrating, to be honest. ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    3 days ago

  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #17
    A listing of 31 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, April 21, 2024 thru Sat, April 27, 2024. Story of the week Anthropogenic climate change may be the ultimate shaggy dog story— but with a twist, because here ...
    Skeptical Science
    3 days ago

  • Pastor Who Abused People, Blames People
    Hi,I spent about a year on Webworm reporting on an abusive megachurch called Arise, and it made me want to stab my eyes out with a fork.I don’t regret that reporting in 2022 and 2023 — I am proud of it — but it made me angry.Over three main stories ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    3 days ago

  • Vic Uni shows how under threat free speech is
    The new Victoria University Vice-Chancellor decided to have a forum at the university about free speech and academic freedom as it is obviously a topical issue, and the Government is looking at legislating some carrots or sticks for universities to uphold their obligations under the Education and Training Act. They ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • Winston remembers Gettysburg.
    Do you remember when Melania Trump got caught out using a speech that sounded awfully like one Michelle Obama had given? Uncannily so.Well it turns out that Abraham Lincoln is to Winston Peters as Michelle was to Melania. With the ANZAC speech Uncle Winston gave at Gallipoli having much in ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago

  • 25
    She was born 25 years ago today in North Shore hospital. Her eyes were closed tightly shut, her mouth was silently moving. The whole theatre was all quiet intensity as they marked her a 2 on the APGAR test. A one-minute eternity later, she was an 8.  The universe was ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 days ago

  • Fact Brief – Is Antarctica gaining land ice?
    Skeptical Science is partnering with Gigafact to produce fact briefs — bite-sized fact checks of trending claims. This fact brief was written by Sue Bin Park in collaboration with members from our Skeptical Science team. You can submit claims you think need checking via the tipline. Is Antarctica gaining land ice? ...
    Skeptical Science
    4 days ago

  • Policing protests.
    Images of US students (and others) protesting and setting up tent cities on US university campuses have been broadcast world wide and clearly demonstrate the growing rifts in US society caused by US policy toward Israel and Israel’s prosecution of … Continue reading → ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    5 days ago

  • Open letter to Hon Paul Goldsmith
    Barrie Saunders writes – Dear Paul As the new Minister of Media and Communications, you will be inundated with heaps of free advice and special pleading, all in the national interest of course. For what it’s worth here is my assessment: Traditional broadcasting free to air content through ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago

  • Bryce Edwards: FastTrackWatch – The Case for the Government’s Fast Track Bill
    Many criticisms are being made of the Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill, including by this writer. But as with everything in politics, every story has two sides, and both deserve attention. It’s important to understand what the Government is trying to achieve and its arguments for such a bold reform. ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    5 days ago

  • Luxon gets out his butcher’s knife – briefly
    Peter Dunne writes –  The great nineteenth British Prime Minister, William Gladstone, once observed that “the first essential for a Prime Minister is to be a good butcher.” When a later British Prime Minister, Harold Macmillan, sacked a third of his Cabinet in July 1962, in what became ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago

  • More tax for less
    Ele Ludemann writes – New Zealanders had the OECD’s second highest tax increase last year: New Zealanders faced the second-biggest tax raises in the developed world last year, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) says. The intergovernmental agency said the average change in personal income tax ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago

  • Real News vs Fake News.
    We all know something’s not right with our elections. The spread of misinformation, people being targeted with soundbites and emotional triggers that ignore the facts, even the truth, and influence their votes.The use of technology to produce deep fakes. How can you tell if something is real or not? Can ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago

  • Another way to roll
    Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on the past week’s editions.Share ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    5 days ago

  • Simon Clark: The climate lies you'll hear this year
    This video includes conclusions of the creator climate scientist Dr. Simon Clark. It is presented to our readers as an informed perspective. Please see video description for references (if any). This year you will be lied to! Simon Clark helps prebunk some misleading statements you'll hear about climate. The video includes ...
    Skeptical Science
    5 days ago

  • Cutting the Public Service
    It is all very well cutting the backrooms of public agencies but it may compromise the frontlines. One of the frustrations of the Productivity Commission’s 2017 review of universities is that while it observed that their non-academic staff were increasing faster than their academic staff, it did not bother to ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    5 days ago

  • Luxon’s demoted ministers might take comfort from the British politician who bounced back after th...
    Buzz from the Beehive Two speeches delivered by Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters at Anzac Day ceremonies in Turkey are the only new posts on the government’s official website since the PM announced his Cabinet shake-up. In one of the speeches, Peters stated the obvious:  we live in a troubled ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    5 days ago

  • This is how I roll over
    1. Which of these would you not expect to read in The Waikato Invader?a. Luxon is here to do business, don’t you worry about thatb. Mr KPI expects results, and you better believe itc. This decisive man of action is getting me all hot and excitedd. Melissa Lee is how ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    5 days ago

  • The Waitangi Tribunal is not “a roving Commission”…
    …it has a restricted jurisdiction which must not be abused: it is not an inquisition   NOTE – this article was published before the High Court ruled that Karen Chhour does not have to appear before the Waitangi Tribunal Gary Judd writes –  The High Court ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago

  • Is Oranga Tamariki guilty of neglect?
    Lindsay Mitchell writes – One of reasons Oranga Tamariki exists is to prevent child neglect. But could the organisation itself be guilty of the same? Oranga Tamariki’s statistics show a decrease in the number and age of children in care. “There are less children ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago

  • Three Strikes saw lower reoffending
    David Farrar writes: Graeme Edgeler wrote in 2017: In the first five years after three strikes came into effect 5248 offenders received a ‘first strike’ (that is, a “stage-1 conviction” under the three strikes sentencing regime), and 68 offenders received a ‘second strike’. In the five years prior to ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago

  • Luxon’s ruthless show of strength is perfect for our angry era
    Bryce Edwards writes – Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has surprised everyone with his ruthlessness in sacking two of his ministers from their crucial portfolios. Removing ministers for poor performance after only five months in the job just doesn’t normally happen in politics. That’s refreshing and will be extremely ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago

  • 'Lacks attention to detail and is creating double-standards.'
    TL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the two days to 6:06am on Thursday, April 25:Politics: PM Christopher Luxon has set up a dual standard for ministerial competence by demoting two National Cabinet ministers while leaving also-struggling ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago

  • One Night Only!
    Hi,Today I mainly want to share some of your thoughts about the recent piece I wrote about success and failure, and the forces that seemingly guide our lives. But first, a quick bit of housekeeping: I am doing a Webworm popup in Los Angeles on Saturday May 11 at 2pm. ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    6 days ago

  • What did Melissa Lee do?
    It is hard to see what Melissa Lee might have done to “save” the media. National went into the election with no public media policy and appears not to have developed one subsequently. Lee claimed that she had prepared a policy paper before the election but it had been decided ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    6 days ago

  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #17 2024
    Open access notables Ice acceleration and rotation in the Greenland Ice Sheet interior in recent decades, Løkkegaard et al., Communications Earth & Environment: In the past two decades, mass loss from the Greenland ice sheet has accelerated, partly due to the speedup of glaciers. However, uncertainty in speed derived from satellite products ...
    Skeptical Science
    6 days ago

  • Maori Party (with “disgust”) draws attention to Chhour’s race after the High Court rules on Wa...
    Buzz from the Beehive A statement from Children’s Minister Karen Chhour – yet to be posted on the Government’s official website – arrived in Point of Order’s email in-tray last night. It welcomes the High Court ruling on whether the Waitangi Tribunal can demand she appear before it. It does ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago

  • Who’s Going Up The Media Mountain?
    Mr Bombastic: Ironically, the media the academic experts wanted is, in many ways, the media they got. In place of the tyrannical editors of yesteryear, advancing without fear or favour the interests of the ruling class; the New Zealand news media of today boasts a troop of enlightened journalists dedicated to ...
    Bowalley Road
    7 days ago

  • “That's how I roll”
    It's hard times try to make a livingYou wake up every morning in the unforgivingOut there somewhere in the cityThere's people living lives without mercy or pityI feel good, yeah I'm feeling fineI feel better then I have for the longest timeI think these pills have been good for meI ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    7 days ago

  • “Comity” versus the rule of law
    In 1974, the US Supreme Court issued its decision in United States v. Nixon, finding that the President was not a King, but was subject to the law and was required to turn over the evidence of his wrongdoing to the courts. It was a landmark decision for the rule ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    1 week ago

  • Aotearoa: a live lab for failed Right-wing socio-economic zombie experiments once more…
    Every day now just seems to bring in more fresh meat for the grinder. In their relentlessly ideological drive to cut back on the “excessive bloat” (as they see it) of the previous Labour-led government, on the mountains of evidence accumulated in such a short period of time do not ...
    exhALANtBy exhalantblog
    1 week ago

  • Water is at the heart of farmers’ struggle to survive in Benin
    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Megan Valére Sosou Market gardening site of the Itchèléré de Itagui agricultural cooperative in Dassa-Zoumè (Image credit: Megan Valère Sossou) For the residents of Dassa-Zoumè, a city in the West African country of Benin, choosing between drinking water and having enough ...
    Skeptical Science
    1 week ago

  • At a time of media turmoil, Melissa had nothing to proclaim as Minister – and now she has been dem...
    Buzz from the Beehive   Melissa Lee – as may be discerned from the screenshot above – has not been demoted for doing something seriously wrong as Minister of ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    1 week ago

  • Minister acknowledges passing of Sir Robert Martin (KNZM)
    New Zealand lost a true legend when internationally renowned disability advocate Sir Robert Martin (KNZM) passed away at his home in Whanganui last night, Disabilities Issues Minister Louise Upston says. “Our Government’s thoughts are with his wife Lynda, family and community, those he has worked with, the disability community in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    8 hours ago

  • Speech to New Zealand Institute of International Affairs, Parliament – Annual Lecture: Challenges ...
    Good evening –   Before discussing the challenges and opportunities facing New Zealand’s foreign policy, we’d like to first acknowledge the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs. You have contributed to debates about New Zealand foreign policy over a long period of time, and we thank you for hosting us.  ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    8 hours ago

  • Accelerating airport security lines
    From today, passengers travelling internationally from Auckland Airport will be able to keep laptops and liquids in their carry-on bags for security screening thanks to new technology, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Creating a more efficient and seamless travel experience is important for holidaymakers and businesses, enabling faster movement through ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    10 hours ago

  • Community hui to talk about kina barrens
    People with an interest in the health of Northland’s marine ecosystems are invited to a public meeting to discuss how to deal with kina barrens, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones will lead the discussion, which will take place on Friday, 10 May, at Awanui Hotel in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    16 hours ago

  • Kiwi exporters win as NZ-EU FTA enters into force
    Kiwi exporters are $100 million better off today with the NZ EU FTA entering into force says Trade Minister Todd McClay. “This is all part of our plan to grow the economy. New Zealand's prosperity depends on international trade, making up 60 per cent of the country’s total economic activity. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    16 hours ago

  • Mining resurgence a welcome sign
    There are heartening signs that the extractive sector is once again becoming an attractive prospect for investors and a source of economic prosperity for New Zealand, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The beginnings of a resurgence in extractive industries are apparent in media reports of the sector in the past ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    18 hours ago

  • Ō-Rākau Remembrance Bill passes first reading
    The return of the historic Ō-Rākau battle site to the descendants of those who fought there moved one step closer today with the first reading of Te Pire mō Ō-Rākau, Te Pae o Maumahara / The Ō-Rākau Remembrance Bill. The Bill will entrust the 9.7-hectare battle site, five kilometres west ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Government to boost public EV charging network
    Energy Minister Simeon Brown has announced 25 new high-speed EV charging hubs along key routes between major urban centres and outlined the Government’s plan to supercharge New Zealand’s EV infrastructure.  The hubs will each have several chargers and be capable of charging at least four – and up to 10 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Residential Property Managers Bill to not progress
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