Nat conference protests

58 comments on “Nat conference protests ”

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1. travellerev 1

   24 February 2012 at 12:42 pm

   Help purgatory, to many links I fear!!!

   [OK that’s really odd.

   This was a comment by Burt that read “you know you’ve lost the political argument when you protest outside a party conference” – or words to that effect.

   lprent – I had a mouse slip and clicked the new “moderate” link. I then clicked “undo”. The comment turned in to this old comment from tracellerev from February. There’s something funny going on with comment indexing… r0b]
   • bbfloyd 1.1

     21 July 2012 at 12:07 pm

     No i don’t… could you explain just how you came up with that pearl of wisdom little bort….? Or is this another case of tory cliche triumphs over sense?
     • burt 1.1.1

       21 July 2012 at 12:13 pm

       You’re a lover of big government and self serving corrupt politicians using parliament for their own gain – I don’t expect you to understand much bbfloyd. Take a red pill and pat yourself on the back for supporting a political party that encourages fat cat union bosses to earn truck loads of money from low paid workers.
       • alex 1.1.1.1

         21 July 2012 at 12:47 pm

         Burt is in remarkably dull form today. Quite uninspired trolling.
       • Jilly Bee 1.1.1.2

         21 July 2012 at 12:49 pm

         Evidence please Burt.
       • Matthew 1.1.1.3

         21 July 2012 at 12:50 pm

         I dont think bbfloyd supports National though…..speaking of self-serving corrupt politicians….
         but it didnt take long for burt’s obviously right-wing patronising attitude to come to the fore….anyone who doesnt think like he does is obviously uneducated & simple…. shame the stats generally dont back that up…
       • r0b 1.1.1.4

         21 July 2012 at 1:08 pm

         Speaking of muppets, interesting to consider burt’s views on protests that he goes to, vs those that he doesn’t.
         • burt 1.1.1.4.1

           28 July 2012 at 10:40 pm

           That’s rather an interesting link you provided in the context of protesting at a political party conference rOb. Firstly it’s got nothing to do with a political party conference and secondly, it was about a law that even Labour were glad to see the back of once they weren’t in power.

           So speaking of muppets rOb, it’s your thread and you don’t even seem to understand it’s about protesting a party conference not protesting against a specific fatally flawed piece of legislation.
           • felix 1.1.1.4.1.1

             29 July 2012 at 8:38 am

             It’s so weird how usually burt likes to compare everything with everything else for consistency (‘If cycle helmets are so important why didn’t labour require them for mucking out the pigpen?’ etc) but when his own consistency is analysed you can’t even compare a protest with a protest.
             • burt …

               29 July 2012 at 9:23 am

               It’s weird indeed felix, weird that rOb was so desperate to undermine my position that if you are protesting a political party conference you have lost the battle that he highlighted how I attended a protest against self serving legislation introduced by Labour.
               • felix …

                 29 July 2012 at 9:36 am

                 I think the most important word in that sentence is the last one.

                 It was totally unnecessary to the point you thought you were making, but deliciously reveals the truth you were hiding.
                 • burt …

                   29 July 2012 at 5:00 pm

                   The truth wasn’t that hidden felix, I said earlier in the thread;

                   You’re a lover of big government and self serving corrupt politicians …

                   It was obvious I was talking about Labour…. and remember the context… protesting the National party conference…. Not protesting about legislation that was fatally flawed to the point that Labour voted for it to be repealed when they were in opposition.
       • bbfloyd 1.1.1.5

         21 July 2012 at 1:39 pm

         Claivoyance now bort!! Amazing!! Your slips showing….. And you need a better tutor..The one who supplies your lines is out of touch….

         Answer the question…..
       • Kotahi Tane Huna 1.1.1.6

         21 July 2012 at 2:18 pm

         Union members are the highest paid workers. Poor Burt fails the reality check once again.
       • mike e 1.1.1.7

         21 July 2012 at 5:23 pm

         Burt you have been living in a yurt for to many years.
         The unions are largely all busted thats why wages are so low like your BS blows.
         So your quite happy for our taxes to be wasted on Con sultants that cost 10 to a 100 times what the same uncorrupted (NZ has the least corrupt civil service in the world) civil servant.
         Where are all these over paid union bosses.
         No trouble fining the troughing bloated back handing corrupt Con-sultants they are at the National party conference spouting redneck BS.taking to many of your red pills I suppose.
         Trying to divide by spreading gossip aye burt childish amateur politicing.
   • burt 1.2

     21 July 2012 at 1:03 pm

     rOb

     Perhaps you should comment in the thread rather than vandalise individual comments.

     [It’s my blog burt – have a week off. r0b]
2. higherstandard 2

   21 July 2012 at 1:58 pm

   Usual rent a mob inside and outside.
   • Colonial Viper 2.1

     21 July 2012 at 5:27 pm

     That’s actually funny.
     • Anne 2.1.1

       21 July 2012 at 7:09 pm

       +1
3. Luva 3

   21 July 2012 at 2:14 pm

   The funny thing about protests outside of National party functions is both sides of the political spectrum look forward to them.

   Those on the left feel proud and pat themselves on the back that they are exercising their democratic right to stand on streets and abuse public servants.

   Those on the right view it as comedy gold when the same old hacks, Bradford, Minto and their dishevelled mob of whingers act faux outrage at whatever the trendy issue of the day is.

   It would be a dissapointing day for all if these sideshows stopped.
   • Colonial Viper 3.1

     21 July 2012 at 5:09 pm

     It would be a dissapointing day for all if these sideshows stopped.

     The biggest sideshow of the day was Sideshow John.
4. Dr Terry 4

   21 July 2012 at 3:19 pm

   Thus Luva does not believe in legitimate and democratic rights to protest. Without such rights of protest, dare we even imagine where society would be? What is there to say that “abuse” is involved? More than likely, discernment is shared. Reasoned criticism is highly desirable. I suppose you regard the plight of families and children in dire poverty as a “trendy issue of the day”. How greatly you might benefit from the brain-power and motivated action of those you slight.
5. lefty 5

   21 July 2012 at 4:14 pm

   I have just returned from the protests.

   It was good to see students getting themselves organised and a whole new generation of young people demonstrating some sense of social responsibility and caring for something bigger than themselves.

   I couldn’t help thinking we need another 10 years or so of tory government to stimulate a political awakening and an appetite for real change.

   The last thing we need is a whimpy Labour/Green government taking the steam out of political thought and action and leaving us stuck on the ever downward spiral of weakened democracy all over again.
6. Dave Kennedy 6

   21 July 2012 at 4:23 pm

   I’m just wondering who wouldn’t be wanting to protest when there could be potentially the following groups represented who have grievances with this Government: the 60-70% of New Zealanders who don’t want assets sold, all those who want good public transport, most Maori, state servants, Grey Power, early childhood teachers, primary teachers, students, beneficiaries, unions, most families, Christchurch residents paying high rent, 53,000 Housing New Zealand residents who can’t get their phone calls answered, thousands of ACC claimants who were unreasonably refused support…
   …so who’s left?
   • OneTrack 6.1

     21 July 2012 at 9:41 pm

     The greater than 50% of the vote at the last election?
7. mickysavage 7

   21 July 2012 at 5:09 pm

   I just came back from the march.  It was a noisy passionate march.  Numbers were not great but there has been so much happening lately that some fatigue is evident.

   What was unusual is the police presence.  There were a huge number of officers there.  The last time I saw this many police present was during the Springbok Tour.

   Key getting nervous? 
   • Anne 7.1

     21 July 2012 at 7:13 pm

     The ‘police state’ that is gradually being set up under this government is getting nervous methinks ms.
     • OneTrack 7.1.1

       21 July 2012 at 9:47 pm

       The only police states I am aware of all seem to have been in socialist/communist countries. Key isn’t quite there yet.

       Maybe the police were there because they have seen Bradford, Minto, rent-a-mob in action before, (using their god-given right to attack the enemy, I mean “protest”)
       • Anne 7.1.1.1

         22 July 2012 at 10:31 am

         One Track, your sense of awareness is seriously limited. What about the neo-fascist leaning military/police states that are far more prevalent in today’s world than the communist states of yore. We even have one at our own front door. It’s called Fiji.

         One Track is a very good pseudonym for you mate.

         PS. I’m in moderation. Mentioned the f word. No not that one, the other one. 🙂
     • Bunji 7.1.2

       21 July 2012 at 10:31 pm

       A hardy few decided to protest friday night apparently. 8 protestors, 3 police vans full of police…
       Overreaction?
   • fender 7.2

     21 July 2012 at 7:24 pm

     Yes Key got very nervous when he saw them and wondered if they were coming to arrest him and his gang of gambling den supporters and financial terrorists.
     • marsman 7.2.1

       21 July 2012 at 7:42 pm

       Can’t shake off the image from American Gangster Movies, the Mafia having meetings in the backrooms of gambling dens. Shonkey Don Key?
   • xtasy 7.3

     21 July 2012 at 7:53 pm

     m savage: Yes, I saw them lining up inside the convention centre, on the Albert St entrance side, according to television news even “occupying” or “seizing” a next door hair salon, “in case some protestors may get through there”?!

     They were so hyped up, looking like angry gorillas, some of these yellow vested, solidly lined up cops behind the row of windows, it was indeed an impressive show, almost really “menacing”. The convention attendees were also glancing from the top floors out of windows, some were looking from a kind of passage way over Federal Street down to the crowd, I am sure they are getting paranoic.

     Sadly there was only Phil Twyford as MP (thanks for that Phil!), but I saw no other pollies in charge of education or social matters.

     So perhaps rethink your priorities next time, dear Green Party and Labour Party members and MPs in the House? With the Maori Party now comfortably selling their last principles, Hone and Mana must feel very, very happy and gain more votes in coming elections!
     • Anne 7.3.1

       21 July 2012 at 8:36 pm

       They were so hyped up, looking like angry gorillas,

       Reminds me of the Springbok tour matches. At least the police had something to be hyped up about then.

       So why were they hyped up? This attitude is starting to become an ominous trend… like the anti Vietnam/anti nuclear marches of the 1970s and early 1980s. It needs to be noted… they only occur under National governments!
     • mickysavage 7.3.2

       21 July 2012 at 8:42 pm

       Agreed Xtasy.  I heard of this protest through Facebook today and my wife who is a Primary School Teacher heard about it last Thursday.

       We really do need to have an organizing body to let all the different groups hear the news as soon as possible. 
8. mickysavage 8

   21 July 2012 at 7:41 pm

   I just watched TVOne news, delayed.

   It was reported that there were only 400 delegates at the conference.

   The day that the protesters and the police outnumber the delegates is a significant event.  Be afraid National, be very afraid … 
   • infused 8.1

     21 July 2012 at 8:27 pm

     yawn, yeah, they are really afraid -_-

     Do you guys ever listen to yourselves?
     • mickysavage 8.1.1

       21 July 2012 at 8:43 pm

       400 Nat delegates?  Their organization is wafer thin …

       Without all the money they are nothing … 
       • OneTrack 8.1.1.1

         21 July 2012 at 9:49 pm

         Why are you do focused on money Micky. I thought money wasn’t important.
         • Colonial Viper 8.1.1.1.1

           23 July 2012 at 12:03 am

           What are you talking about? We live in a capitalist economy, and capital rules all in this economy.
9. xtasy 9

   21 July 2012 at 7:42 pm

   Was there and was a great march and challenge at the doors outside the “ooh so nice” Sky City Convention Centre (soon to be extended “free of charge” to the tax payer, but at the expense of gambling addicts filling the coffers and paying the bill for years to come)!

   What a stunning co-incidence, for Key, English and beneficiary hating Bennett (I know she hates herself), to hold their annual conference right there, where the dice are thrown, where the money goes round, just like it did in 1987, when John Key was speculating with other gambling “chips”, that was the NZ Dollar!

   So I heard the news on “Radio Live”, being now nothing by “Radio Goebbels Joyce Propaganda Channel”, that “up to a hundred” protestors marched to the Sky City Convention Centre, where National was holding their conference, and, according to Propaganda Ministry reports of THAT radio station, the protestorts “threatened to push their way into the building”!

   Now, let us get this straight! The protest was vocal, resolute, noisy, well numbered, ended at the very doors at Albert St, where lots of chanting, the coffin representing the “end of free, affordable education in NZ” was put at the door-step, but NEVER was there any attempt of any protestors to “force their way in”!

   There was another standoff on Federal Street at the entrance there, chants again, vocal opposition to education cuts, resolute positioning against a row of cops, who blocked the street, while protestors demanded free movement on the street! It was the Police blocking the ways!

   Nobody did consider or threaten to break the lines and force themselves into the building at any time!

   At least other MSM have not fallen for the same accusations and total misinformation, where there were actually 400 highly committed, motivated and vocal protestors of unions, advocacy groups, education sector employees, naturally also many supporters and of course many students present.

   It is time to tell the bloody truth and challenge the rotten, lying media in this country about what really goes on in NZ!

   Keep up the fight, tomorrow is another time to be counted, at 11 am, outside the Sky City Convention Centre, to take a resolute stand against draconian, unjust and inhumane welfare cuts and changes. Tonight Bennett did on TV news threaten forced sanctions to those not cooperating to the reforms to be put into place.

   The dictatorship in NZ is being established, and sadly most do not realise what goes on, wake up NZ Aotearoa, or it will be too late, once you are faced with welfare and other cuts.
10. mickysavage 10

    21 July 2012 at 8:16 pm

    Hi Xtasy agree with you entirely.

    1.  There were at least 400 protesters there.
    2.  They were very well behaved. No one threatened to push their way into the building at either entrance.

    There were a number of young people who will be stronger and more insistent because of their experience today.

    Kia kaha. 
11. xtasy 11

    21 July 2012 at 8:48 pm

    NZ appears to be moving towards the “Chilean model”, creating a system benefiting the wealthy, financially able and thus privileged students (with often parents that can afford to assist them), while Chilean students are fighting to go exactly the other way.

    Where do we bloody live? Are we supposed to be DUMB?

    Watch this, if you can understand Spanish:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nqcJlkemAnw&feature=related
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBih0c689cI&feature=related
12. xtasy 12

    21 July 2012 at 8:53 pm

    We need a NZ Camilla Vallejo, but even without, we must take heart, learn and stand strong and totally united, as that is what others do in other countries, e.g. Chile, they have a great history, many leftist NZers will relate to. Let us learn, perhaps have more connections and invite revolutionary leaders from Chile and other countries to visit and share their experiences with local people!
13. xtasy 13

    21 July 2012 at 9:26 pm

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2eo9coAursQ&feature=related

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rfy18_J15rE&feature=related

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g1QJ-y_xUmk&feature=related

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WoXVwf54M7w&feature=related

    BASTA! viva!
14. Penny Bright 14

    22 July 2012 at 2:13 am

    PROTEST AGAINST CORRUPT CRONY CASINO CAPITALISM!!!
    Sunday 22 July 2012 1 -3pm
    Outside Sky City Convention Centre
    (Straight after the Auckland Action Against Poverty protest from 11.30am – 1pm against WAR ON THE POOR!

    What role did NZ Prime Minister John Key – former Head of Derivatives for Merrill Lynch play in the repeal of the Glass Steagall Act (which helped to keep a wall between safe, boring commercial banking and more risky exciting/dangerous investment banking)?

    The Glass Steagall Act was repealed in November 1999.

    Where was John Key at that time?

    Head of Derivatives for Merrill Lynch and a Foreign Exchange Advisor for the New York Federal Reserve.

    The effect of the repeal of the Glass Steagall Act (and other legislation) was to leave the derivatives market completely unregulated.

    What is the main reason for the current global financial meltdown?

    The collapse of the derivatives market.

    How much is John Key personally responsible for the global financial crisis – given his former pivotal role at a pivotal time in helping to establish and promote/enable the derivatives market?

    (I did ask John Key this question in an ‘Open Letter’ in 2011 during the election campaign – but did not get a reply. 🙁

    I will ask again outside the Sky City Convention Centre at this protest against CORRUPT CRONY CASINO CAPITALISM!

    Why did John Key start a political career back in New Zealand in 2001?

    To work in the interests of NZ ‘mums and dads’ or to help open up NZ for foreign investors and his BANK$TER mates?

    There will be more……..

    Hope to see you – if you can make it!

    🙂 Penny Bright
    ‘Anti-corruption campaigner’
    http://www.dodgyjohnhasgone.com
    • mike e 14.1

      23 July 2012 at 5:20 pm

      Penny the Rat left the ship before it hit the fan.
      Two very senior currency traders were prosecuted in 2001.
      Key has claimed he knew nothing that,s a lie.
15. Carol 15

    22 July 2012 at 7:12 am

    Well, even Tracy Watkins has noticed the police’s heavy-handed approach, and it looks like they were spurred on by the police:

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/7324570/Hardline-Key-to-rivals-Bring-it-on

    National is telling opponents to bring it on, taking a hard line on its most contentious policies.

    A heavy police presence was on hand yesterday as Prime Minister John Key opened National’s first conference since the election, promising more than 500 party faithful there would be no backdown on asset sales.
    […]
    But the fighting talk from the conference floor wasn’t matched on the street, where police almost outnumbered 100 or so protesters.

    As many as 80 police were counted around the SkyCity Convention Centre, where a command centre had been set up.

    Protest organiser, Jai Bentley-Payne, said the group would be out again today, and would be joined by the Auckland Action Against Poverty group and members of Aotearoa Is Not For Sale.

    But I also agree with those who say these protests should be publicised more in advance. I need at least a couple of weeks’ notice to be able to book time off work at weekends.
    • Jenny 15.1

      22 July 2012 at 8:53 am

      +1
    • xtasy 15.2

      22 July 2012 at 4:06 pm

      Well someone should tell that Tracey Watkins to learn how to count!

      It appears though that she was either not even there, and thus relied on the internal news ticker providing false, low figures, or she did not see the whole crowd that marched up Queen and Albert Streets and assembled outside the temple of gambling and lie telling conference attendees.
    • Henri C. 15.3

      23 July 2012 at 8:22 am

      We spent 6 weeks publicising this, We put posters up all over the city, sent out a dozen press releases, bought a URL, set up Facebook page, advertised in magazines, had interviews on the radio…had speakers at other events, I could go on. There are about a dozen of us, and most of us haven’t slept much… we were relentless… unfortunately we need more people and more resources. This all comes out of the pockets of young students who pretty much have nothing. Lots of people are happy to support us in principle from the internet though…
      • r0b 15.3.1

        23 July 2012 at 8:49 am

        Bravo to you and the dozen Henri C – good to know that student activism is still alive and well. Make sure we at The Standard get your press releases etc in future?…
16. UpandComer 16

    22 July 2012 at 1:39 pm

    Great protest. It was quite overwhelming. So many people. Such quality people. How many even understand the first thing about the sales? Probably not too many. Christopher Hitchens had something to say about people who give the signs of having never actually read the ideas/policies which they are opposed to.

    Great spectacle as Luva says, always fun watching the rent-a-mob angry that their own stupid decision making and attitudes means they can’t afford to buy any shares. They aren’t being kept down by anyone but themselves. This isn’t America. Cheers.
    • starlight 16.1

      22 July 2012 at 3:30 pm

      Obviously key has shut all media down from reporting today,no mention anywhere,
      dictatorship politics.
    • xtasy 16.2

      22 July 2012 at 4:14 pm

      Just another member of the regrettably too large “roll over New Zealand brigade”, that takes it all and treats its distress with the common shopping therapy. Shut off the brain, roll over and let the next hit come, who cares?! Comfortably numb kind of, I suppose.
17. xtasy 17

    22 July 2012 at 11:57 pm

    Smaller protest by AAAP and others took place today, as I hear. Again vast difference in numbers participating by various media. Today National Radio mentioned only 50, but surprisingly Radio Live mentioned about a hundred.

    I guess the pouring rain discouraged many not to go, same as the huge number of police officers present, which got a few worried already yesterday.

    So does anybody still doubt that NZ is heading to become a kind of “police state”? Especially younger and female protestors must feel increasingly intimidated and fearful to participate.

    Add the fact that many affected by the social policies of this government, so they have no spare money to catch a bus or train into the city to participate, and then we get the situation we have.
    • Rob 17.1

      23 July 2012 at 5:05 pm

      Well, we will just have to make sure that the Government in the future provides high quality wet weather gear for these participants. Also a Government provided transport service needs to be co-ordinated so that all the would be participnats can be picked up from their homes prior to the event and delivered to the protest start point. These transport services need to be waiting on hand to deliver particpants home.

      Also given that young and female protesters are feeling initimidated and fearful to participate then we need to construct a full proof 360 degree OH & S plan that will enable these people to participate in these activities in a compleltly safe environment. A complete procedure needs to be developed on how best to yell in peoples faces, sit in the middle of the road, wave signs at people , abuse conference attendees etc.
      • xtasy 17.1.1

        24 July 2012 at 11:15 pm

        Il Duce has cynically spoken, I suppose?!

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