National goes dirty

Written By: - Date published: 10:37 pm, September 24th, 2013 - 131 comments
Categories: brand key, dpf, same old national - Tags:

It’s not been surprising to see National’s dirty tricks machine groan back to life over the last week – in the last week of the leadership campaign a good source close to the Nat’s research unit told me that they’d picked David Cunliffe as the likely winner and they were already digging through his past. At the time they were trying to find “rightwing” comments he’d made that they could use to wedge his left support base from him.

Similarly it’s no surprise they waited until John Key was out of the country before sending Mathew Hooton on a kamikaze attack on Cunliffe on Nine to Noon – after all it’s important they keep Key’s brand well away from that kind of muck. It’s all they’ve got left.

What has been surprising is how hamfistedly it’s been done. Hooton sounded like he was hysterical when he started shouting his smear on the wireless, on the same day Vance managed to get very specific comment from an anonymous “industry player” on the story a little too quickly, and David Farrar has been unusually unsubtle about trying to build it up. I mean check this out:

Some people have suggested that the scrutiny is unfair and part of an attempt to knock Cunliffe down. I think they forget that John Key went through exactly the same thing in 2008.

The NZ Herald had reporters spend months investigating John Key’s background. They talked to former colleagues and acquaintances of Key’s from around the world. They eventually published their findings in a multi-page feature.

It’s like a begging letter to the MSM. Unsurprisingly there’s been little pick up.

What all this tells me is the dirty tricks machine that National once (quietly) prided itself on has got very rusty. Well, that and they’ve not realised that running this kind of campaign when you’re in government and you’ve clearly got no popular policy just looks dirty and desperate (*cough* H-fee *cough*).

I understand we’ll see more of this over the next week or so. The nats are looking to damage Cunliffe’s reputation before he establishes himself fully in the public’s mind (at which point it will be a much harder task for them). They know they can’t go head to head on policy – because nobody actually likes their policies – so they’re going personal.

The problem they’ve got is they’re not doing a very good job of it. Add to that the fact they’re increasingly looking like they’ve got no vision of their own and I think they’re putting themselves in line for significant blow-back. It’ll be interesting to see what their next move is.

131 comments on “National goes dirty ”

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  1. geoff 1
    24 September 2013 at 10:43 pm

    Is it possible that Key has lost control of the party? That the rustiness is partly due to an internal breakdown, ie the Collins division not playing ball?

    • Tracey 1.1
      25 September 2013 at 5:04 am

      geoff, read Hollow Men, Key is no innocent bystander.

      • geoff 1.1.1
        25 September 2013 at 7:34 am

        Tracey, I’m not implying that Key is innocent, I’m suggesting that maybe the dirty tricks that he’s attempting are not working as well as they used to because of factional divisions in the party who no longer jump as high for him as they used to.
        Also, I have read the hollow men.

  2. mickysavage 2
    24 September 2013 at 11:03 pm

    Cunliffe is the perfect anti Key. Another rags to riches story with a wealthy intelligent wife at the cutting edge of environmental law and a house in Herne Bay. But he is sticking to his beliefs and not moving.

    He is brighter than Key. He may not be as good at the funny stuff but let him dissect Key’s utterances and show where he is wrong and Key may have met his match.

    The attacks are puerile and so predictable. This Government really is behaving like a third term government in its second term.

  3. McFlock 3
    24 September 2013 at 11:44 pm

    I suspect that an effective slagging campaign is a perishable skill.
    They’ve spent five years simply saying “labour left us with it”, “labour did it too”, or just outright lying and saying “it’s going great”. Now it’s dawning on them that 2014 will be a hard slog, and they’re panicking.

    I suspect their strategy is to try and keep the labour vote as low as possible for the start of the campaign, but the problem is that by the time they get good at slight-of-slag, it will be an old trick and they’ll need something new.

    And their current desperation suggests that they haven’t found a king-hit skeleton anywhere yet – if you have an ace up your sleeve, you don’t needlessly sacrifice your bishops or rooks because they don’t exactly grow on trees… 🙂

  4. Colonial Viper 4
    24 September 2013 at 11:52 pm

    This is just National’s opening salvo. Their artillery is going to keep opening up, and they have their spotters (internal pollsters) zeroing in on the most effective targets as we speak.

    Having said that Cunliffe can use a very simple strategy for counter-attack. Keep smashing the Government where it hurts – their lack of vision for the nation and the many credibility strains showing in their management of the economy for the top 5% wealthy.

    • mickysavage 4.1
      24 September 2013 at 11:55 pm

      Yep keep reminding people about crony capitalism and never ever get diverted …

      • Peter 4.1.1
        25 September 2013 at 7:56 am

        Yes, produce the numbers to back up the statements – eg how many millions have gone to the middlemen (compared to the cost of a referendum) as a result of assets sales, how little actual NZ mum and dads invested ( and lost so far), how much of asset ownership has headed overseas, how much revenue the Government has given up, how the budget is being balanced by selling revenue generating assets to pay for non-revenue generating assets.

        Simple and truthful numbers that explain how we are being fleeced will bring in the votes required.

        • AmaKiwi 4.1.1.1
          25 September 2013 at 10:58 am

          +1

          I can tolerate a lot but when you steal from me, you’re finished.

          My formula for victory would be to demonstrate that the Nats have STOLEN hundreds of million money from all of us and given it to their rich cronies.

          • marty mars 4.1.1.1.1
            25 September 2013 at 11:13 am

            + 1 Yes and the only thing I’d add is that Key stole it – that lying fake.

            I think you are all right from cv down. The fight will get dirty because they have to keep the left (all parts including the part Labour plays) out so they can continue to exploit our land for their overseas mates. It doesn’t get lower than that and when you think like that your morality imo is barely low enough to count so you’ll do anything and everything to further selfish self interest. Hootens, aptly named kamikaze, attack was a probe using an expendable minion – I don’t think they’ll be happy with this fizzer, more desperate plans will be afoot.

        • Mary 4.1.1.2
          25 September 2013 at 11:19 am

          Yes, with a dash of how the abandonment of democratic principles paves the way for the agenda, adhered to so strictly, but with a strategy based on change by stealth so as not to scare the horses. Selfish, uncaring, greedy men.

    • Red Rosa 4.2
      25 September 2013 at 7:48 am

      National’s slickest trick is to keep referring to their government as ‘centre-right’.

      In fact it is Extreme Right. Latest of course ACT’s charter schools, from the creationist Banks. The ultimate Parata folly, and an insult to NZ education.

      Dredging up policy from the depths of UK Tories and the US Repubs, then foisting it on NZ, has been the hallmark of this government.

      But it looks like Spying and Lying will be Key’s nemesis, with the final DotCom showdown still some months away. Meantime twisting slowly, slowly in the wind….

      • AmaKiwi 4.2.1
        25 September 2013 at 11:00 am

        To quote mickysavage: “Kim Dotcom, the gift that keeps on giving.”

      • Populuxe1 4.2.2
        25 September 2013 at 12:27 pm

        Don’t be ridiculous – if you think Key is Far Right, you are woefully ignorant of history. He’s scum to be sure, but he ain’t no Hitler, Pinochet, Peron, Franco etc. He’s not even a Thatcher.

        • Chris 4.2.2.1
          25 September 2013 at 1:48 pm

          “but he ain’t no Hitler, Pinochet, Peron, Franco etc. He’s not even a Thatcher”

          Yet…

        • peterlepaysan 4.2.2.2
          25 September 2013 at 9:00 pm

          He and Thatcher are cloned from the same gene pool.

          Fairness, equality, ethics are irrelevant. Only money,power and winning matters, whatever the cost.

          Very Americas Cup really.

        • karol 4.2.2.3
          25 September 2013 at 9:17 pm

          Depends on the definition of “far right” of which there is not total agreement.

          Basically, it is not necessary synonymous with fash1sm or naz1-ism

          Some see extreme “neoliberalism” as far right.

          There’s this definition as well.

          According to Elizabeth Carter, the two defining features of a right-wing extremist party are: a rejection of fundamental human equality, which she asserts is what makes the party right-wing,[20] and a rejection of the fundamental democratic values of the state, which makes it extremist.

          I do think Key’s government is more radical than they try to pretend.

          A plutocracy in “centre right” clothing.

      • Wayne 4.2.3
        25 September 2013 at 5:50 pm

        Its 5 schools, hardly the end of public education as we know it.

  5. Murray Olsen 5
    25 September 2013 at 1:20 am

    I think (and hope) that at least part of their problem is that their attack dogs, like WhaleSpew, Penguin, and Horton have become too obvious as biased and untrustworthy typists for hire. Or, in WhaleSpew’s case, cutter and paster for hire. While died in the wool Tories won’t care that it’s bullshit, anyone who actually thinks about whom to vote for is growing tired of the same old garbage all the time. The NActs and their copywriters are becoming less popular by the day.

    • Tracey 5.1
      25 September 2013 at 5:07 am

      average punter doesnt know who farrar and hooten are though, do they? Which is why Labour labelling them by their previous national connections may be important to neutralise them f the media will pick up their comments/.

      • felix 5.1.1
        25 September 2013 at 5:36 am

        Yep. And even further than that, I’d label them as what they really are: right-wing extremists.

        It’s getting boring hearing the media refer to “political blogger David Farrar” and in the next breath “LEFT WING BLOG The Standard” as if David is some sort of neutral bystander.

        • Tracey 5.1.1.1
          25 September 2013 at 12:50 pm

          exactly. by all means use these guys as sources and guests but everytime reveal their connections and therefore jaundiced views.

        • Murray Olsen 5.1.1.2
          25 September 2013 at 10:31 pm

          Yeah, it’s not right that they can be passed off as neutral commentators when they push far right drivel. Then they call this a Labour Blog, which I find a little disturbing. Perhaps they should have to wear their sponsors’ clothing, like the yachting guys.

  6. miravox 6
    25 September 2013 at 5:58 am

    And this is why the NActs are worried:

    Labour’s support has jumped under new leader David Cunliffe to the extent that he could form a coalition government and become Prime Minister, if today’s Herald-DigiPoll survey figures were translated to an election result…

    …Mr Key’s support as preferred Prime Minister has fallen 9.4 points to 55.8 per cent. Since becoming Prime Minister he has been in the 60s and sometimes 70s. He has never been down to the 50s. Mr Cunliffe scored a respectable 16.8 per cent in his first appearance as Opposition leader in the preferred Prime Minister stakes.

    A lot of people were tired of Key a long time ago, they just had nowhere for their vote to go. Now they have. If the NActs can’t nip Cunliffe’s credibility right now they won’t be looking forward to the next few polls.

    Tight control and a message for people to believe in, Labour, and the next election is yours to lose. Be brave.

  7. North 7
    25 September 2013 at 6:55 am

    Did Shouty Hooton have forewarning of this poll result ?

    One might think he did, he (according to himself ) being so impeccably connected, authoritative, omnipresent and all that.

    That would explain Monday’s calculated yet risibly thin “liar liar” rave on Nine to Noon. It would also explain the extraordinary meltdown offered up when no one clapped.

    In the grips of panic. Hilarious.

    • Tracey 7.1
      25 September 2013 at 12:52 pm

      Shooten Up said HE helped in the formation of Fonterra. Did he mean by selling the idea of it, which is not actually helping its formation at all. If he has kids I hope he has brought them up to do as he says not as he does.

  8. Jenny Kirk 8
    25 September 2013 at 7:05 am

    ” What all this tells me is the dirty tricks machine that National once (quietly) prided itself on has got very rusty.”

    Don’t kid yourself, Irish Bill. That Hooten stuff was just a pinprick, and probably a test to see if using him was/is feasible.

    The NActs will come up with some very very nasty tricks. They’ve got John Adshead and Crosby-Textor onside and they’ll come up with the goods for them. Remember Dancing Cossacks and Iwi/Kiwi.

    Labour is in for a very tough and nasty fight from here on in.

    • IrishBill 8.1
      25 September 2013 at 7:11 am

      I don’t doubt it’s going to be nasty, and I expect the Nats will adapt, but they’ve got off to a bad start. Also, I don’t rate C/T that highly – a lot of their success has been off the back of weak opponents. Cunliffe and his team are not weak opponents.

    • risildowgtn 8.2
      25 September 2013 at 7:16 am

      That is why we must fight back
      Start calling these media whores out on their lies….

      Twitter is great for springing them as a bunch of liars…… coz once ya do ,the truth is OUT there…….

      I might even join the LP if they keep this up…….

      • David H 8.2.1
        25 September 2013 at 11:53 am

        That, and formal complaints to Radio NZ, don’t hurt either. I must admit tho Gower never did reply on twitter, when I called him out for making shit up.

  9. chrissy 9
    25 September 2013 at 7:17 am

    Labour rises in the polls. Key faints.

    • Sanctuary 9.1
      25 September 2013 at 7:58 am

      The first line in the Herald is pure unintentional comedy gold:

      “…Prime Minister John Key has taken ill soon after arriving in New York, having to rest in a nearby pub…”

      Ah yes, THAT kind of ill…

  10. chris73 10
    25 September 2013 at 7:26 am

    Yes because Labour never tried to find dirt on Key or do we not remember Mike Williams little trip to Australia

    Here let me remind you all:

    “Labour is trying to avoid the fallout from the so-called “H-bomb” it has dropped on John Key as it emerges taxpayer funds have been used in the attempt to find dirt on the National Party leader.”

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/696924/Labour-tries-to-dodge-bomb-fallout

    • IrishBill 10.1
      25 September 2013 at 7:28 am

      I mention the H-fee in the post, you moron.

    • Tracey 10.2
      25 September 2013 at 9:29 am

      yes but Chris I thought all Key’s supporters thought it was dirty, beneath contempt and not something they would do? You are rolling out the “but Labour did it defence”. Is that what you wanted from your government, to be like Labour?

    • One Anonymous Knucklehead 10.3
      25 September 2013 at 9:39 am

      What a piss poor pathetic display of hypocrisy.

      Did that excuse work for you in the army, Chris? “But but but LLLLLaaaaaabbbbbboooooouuuuurrrrrr”.

      Plus what Irishbill said, moran.

      • Rogue Trooper 10.3.1
        25 September 2013 at 11:47 am

        not confusing chris73 with any Dylan I hope. “But..but…but, the officers are allowed in there…”

      • Greywarbler 10.3.2
        25 September 2013 at 12:01 pm

        OAK
        Was that Dylan Moran – Irish comedian (who can make anything funny)?

        • One Anonymous Knucklehead 10.3.2.1
          25 September 2013 at 5:12 pm

          Ah. The definition of “moran” in this case is provided by the urban dictionary: “the way a moron spells moron”, as immortalised in the phrase “Get a brain morans! Go USA!”. It is commonly used ironically.

  11. North 11
    25 September 2013 at 7:52 am

    It’s their reaction to the questioning of their ludicrous sense of superiority and entitlement will do them in. Shouty Hooton on Monday is the latest delicious example.

    The semi-precious brooch of ShonKey Python’s one time 62% as preferred PM is falling off the cold bosom. Wonder what silver bullet the likes of Chris73 will bring to the discussion now ?

    Wait for more in the vein of child-like rage and resulting gaffes.

    As says the old fulla on Dad’s Army………”They do not like it up ’em !”

    Meanwhile Judge Judy is sitting knitting.

    • North 11.1
      25 September 2013 at 7:59 am

      Old hat stuff Chris73 @ 10 above. Dead and gone long ago. As irresonant and irrelevant as the 3.5% Helen Clark is currently pulling in the preferred PM stakes which have ShonKey Python down 8%.

      You’re not gonna tell me that’s your silver bullet are you ? How artless can you be ? October 2008 ? My God !

  12. David H 12
    25 September 2013 at 8:51 am

    Well here’s my little gift to Shouty Shooten A formal complaint to Radio NZ.

    You have a so called professional political commentator screaming over everyone, Calling the newly elected Labour Leader a Liar. All in all not a very good look for any radio station, especially one that is thought of as the one last bastion of free speech, and truthful reporting.

    And not repeating the mental writhings of someone who sounds definitely unwell.

    • karol 12.1
      25 September 2013 at 9:36 am

      Well done, DH. I did email them my complaint on the day, but unlike TRP I haven’t had a reply,. is it because I used this pseudonym and its email & not my birth name?

    • Wayne 12.2
      25 September 2013 at 5:57 pm

      David,

      I guess you missed the irony in your post, “bastion of free speech”. Hooten is a commentator for the Right (sometimes overly strident), he is not a neutral analyst. And it is live radio – people say what they say, the audience judges it.

      • peterlepaysan 12.2.1
        25 September 2013 at 9:18 pm

        Its 5 schools taking money away from schools that need the money to do something meaningful that is accountable.

        5 schools promoting John Banks perverted and corrupt view of society is hardly a legacy the Nats would be proud to own.

      • peterlepaysan 12.2.2
        25 September 2013 at 9:32 pm

        So the audience judged that Bradbury was banned for life?

        So the audience judged that Hooton is allowed to stay?

        I do not think so.

      • karol 12.2.3
        25 September 2013 at 9:35 pm

        How can Hooton be a “commentator” and a “Lobbyist”/PR person?

        Plus, the slot is meant to have a commentator from the right and one from the left giving alternative views. The Hooton shouted over Ryan and Williams, preventing any other view than his liar, liar outburst.

        He should be banned for that violation of the debating process.

      • gobsmacked 12.2.4
        25 September 2013 at 10:14 pm

        Wayne

        You are a smart guy so I can only guess that you have not actually heard the relevant rant. I recommend that you do. Shouting “liar” constantly is not “commentary”, and not worth defending.

        Of course he is legally – and rightly – free to do this, but no radio station is legally obliged to give him a platform to do it. I can shout “John Key is a liar!” on the street, or on a blog, but I cannot insist that Radio New Zealand employs me to do so every week – and why should they have to?

  13. karol 13
    25 September 2013 at 9:34 am

    It may not just be that the NAct smear machine is rusty, but the blogosphere has changed since they began their Commn1st Lesbian D1ktator smears of Clark.

    Then smear stories were seeded through KB, WO and talk-back, and ultimately picked up by the MSM.

    Today, while not treated as de fact journos like Farrar & WO, TS does get read by journos, and The Daily Blog also has become a major force for the voice of the left. Good to have more than one platform to strongly articulate the strength of the collective left.

    Hooton’s rant was based on superficial research. It may have worked in the past. But if you look back at Open Mike to the day of the rant, you will see at least 3 of us dug up evidence that Hooton was wrong, in a pretty short time.

    The collective base is the strength of the left, and the best way to combat the NAct top-down, plausible deniability, smear machine.

    Note: I’m logged into the main page of TS, but it says I’m not logged in on this thread.

  14. Sable 14
    25 September 2013 at 11:33 am

    Oftentimes it not the quality of the message but how frequently its repeated that changes peoples minds for better or for worse. Think about WMD’s, war on terror, utter codswallop but the public of the US swallowed it. Why? Because it was said, again and again and again by dodgy right wing politicians and their stooges in the mainstream media.

    The opposing coalition need to fight fire with fire it they want to win here. Simply writing this off as nonsense from National and ignoring it is a HUGE mistake. They need to keep reminding people of Keys and co’s human rights violations, fiscal mismanagement, general lack of transparency and more if they want to win.

  15. amirite 15
    25 September 2013 at 11:35 am

    This morning Radiolive falsely reported that Cunliffe’s bio about the Harvard qualification on the Labour website has been edited. Cunliffe then had a swipe at Hooton for calling him a liar several times, said he”ll prove him wrong and added that the Nats are panicking after the new poll results.
    So it has started, the dirty war on Labour.
    If that’s all the media and the Nats can come up with, we’re sweet.

    • Sable 15.1
      25 September 2013 at 11:42 am

      How do people learn, by repetition. The quality of the message is secondary, keep that in mind. Labour need to deal with these detractors harshly and without mercy and do so repeatedly.

    • Tracey 15.2
      25 September 2013 at 12:46 pm

      you cant be right because national doesnt believe in dirty shots or personality politics, just politics.

      I keep waiting for that Tui sign, but they dont DO anti right wing tui signs.

  16. Jax Taylor 16
    25 September 2013 at 12:17 pm

    Thank-you. Not a Labour member here, but saw this coming a London mile off..
    As Lianne Dalziel intimated in that wonderful speech, even Duncan Garner praised..Politics not for the * faint of heart* , nor for the really black hearts either though, when the winds starts blow-back the other way!
    The prevailing ones I am picking up on, really want change everywhere. Here, London, N.Y even Iran. Not more of the same. Some in the NZ mainstream are getting as nasty and toey as one or two of those bloggers and their shills everywhere… Attack can actually be the poorest form of defence when it all goes horribly wrong.. Lessons taken from: Thatcher Days 101.
    .
    Just seen the ‘rocket’ in those polls too.. Enough to make someone faint?
    Memo to self.. Put on ak-ak flak bodice before venturing out in mini..
    😀

  17. karol 17
    25 September 2013 at 12:24 pm

    Andrea Vance is leading the smears re-Cunliffe’s CV, and she sms to have a direct line to Hooton.

    Doesn’t do much good to Vance’s image.

    Andrea Vance, News of the World, corporate shill, throws up yet another Hooton branded smear re-Cunliffe’s CV.

    Aren’t there more pressing political issues for you to focus on Andrea?

    • Sosoo 17.1
      25 September 2013 at 12:31 pm

      It’s getting even more pathetic.

      Mind you, that article basically thumps Hooton’s original claim.

      • gobsmacked 17.1.1
        25 September 2013 at 2:01 pm

        that article basically thumps Hooton’s original claim.

        Yes, Hooton caves.

        But this perfectly illustrates how this tactic works. Hooton’s climb-down gets less publicity than the original claim. So, no loss for the Right, Key is clean, some mud may stick to Cunliffe.

        For the Hooton/Slaters, truth is irrelevant. It’s up to Radio NZ and other media to call them out, Sadly, they probably won’t.

    • Tracey 17.2
      25 September 2013 at 12:37 pm

      it wont help cunliffe either, only the beltway know who shooten up is.

      btw, to the silent t brigade… there is life in cunliffe.

    • David H 17.3
      25 September 2013 at 1:42 pm

      Yeah but vance’s latest clam to fame is one of what ? Swapping pics of body parts, with a has been politician.

  18. amirite 18
    25 September 2013 at 1:03 pm

    From Twitter:

    Steve Braunias ‏@SteveBraunias 1m
    Startling new baseless accusation has it that David Cunliffe is a militant Islamic freedom fighter, a woman, and died four years ago

    🙂

  19. karol 19
    25 September 2013 at 2:15 pm

    And Blinglish gets in an attempted slur, referencing Cunlife’s CV, in replying to Cunliffe in question time – thereby showing that National is part of the shoddy, ill-judged smear campaign against Cunliffe.

    • Tracey 19.1
      25 September 2013 at 2:20 pm

      English’s idea of a housing policy is getting subsidised to have his family live in luxury in Wellington.

  20. Tracey 20
    25 September 2013 at 2:19 pm

    What is to be gained by being on the security council? Money apparently

    “Ten of the fifteen seats on the U.N. Security Council are held by rotating members
    serving two-year terms. We find that a count ry’s U.S. aid increases
    by 59 percent and its U.N. aid by 8 percent when it rotates onto the council.”

    http://www.hbs.edu/faculty/Publication%20Files/06-029.pdf

  21. Puckish Rogue 21
    25 September 2013 at 2:48 pm

    I’d suggest Cunliffe just starts telling the truth as its much easier to remember and maybe he should go through his CVs and “refresh” (I’m using quote marks to suggest that refresh means something different in case anyone was wondering) them before more of his “embellishments” come out

    • Tracey 21.1
      25 September 2013 at 2:52 pm

      Are you saying lies matter to the electorate? Cos Key’s popularity suggests otherwise.

    • karol 21.2
      25 September 2013 at 2:56 pm

      Gotta hand it to the righties – their lack of evidence keeps getting exposed & they keep right on with the same failed smear campaign.

      And that’s all you’ve got?

      Weak.

    • Rogue Trooper 21.3
      25 September 2013 at 3:10 pm

      x.

    • lprent 21.4
      25 September 2013 at 3:11 pm

      Puckish Rogue – just another moronic dickhead jerking off.

      This campaign by John Key against Cunliffe with his sock-hand up Hootens arse is simply pathetic.

      • Tracey 21.4.1
        25 September 2013 at 3:14 pm

        is this why national claimed cunliffe didnt bother them cos of the CV of cunliffe??? This is like Mike Williams in 2008.

    • ghostrider888 21.5
      25 September 2013 at 3:24 pm

      How’s that handle workin’ out for ya’. Maybe your mid-summers’ dream needs editing.

    • karol 21.6
      25 September 2013 at 3:31 pm

      Haha! And Cunliffe has used the Birther/Kenya_sarc attack in his speech in the general debate today.

        • ghostrider888 21.6.1.1
          25 September 2013 at 3:41 pm

          some humour in there karol, ‘specially the allegation David only has Joy Division on CD, not the original vinyl (was on TDB as well).

        • Tracey 21.6.1.2
          25 September 2013 at 3:42 pm

          nice one.my faves

          “Giovanni Tiso ‏@gtiso

          Hooton currently going through Cunliffe’s kindergarten art folders, checking the paintings he signed were all his.”

          Philip Matthews ‏@secondzeit

          Matthew Hooton raises further questions after learning that David Cunliffe only has Joy Division on CD not the original vinyl.

          Martyn Bradbury ‏@CitizenBomber

          UNBREAKING: @MatthewHootonNZ rushed to hospital after choking on rage that Labour under Cunliffe jump up 6.8% – “Lies” he screamed

  22. chris73 22
    25 September 2013 at 5:05 pm

    Whaleoil helpfully found this:

    http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:Lr9-zoPemccJ:https://www.facebook.com/Labour2014/info+&cd=24&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=nz

    “I was a Fulbright Scholar at Harvard University’s John F Kennedy School of Government and Harvard Business School, where I graduated with a Master of Public Administration.”

    – See that suggests he graduated from the Harvard Business School which is quite a well known and impressive school (I’ll admit it impressed me)

    “He held a Fulbright Scholarship at Harvard University’s John F Kennedy School of Government in 1994-1995, earning a Master of Public Administration.”

    – This is sounds quite different though I’m sure the John F Kennedy School of Government is impressive in its own right

    Cunliffe should hope he hasn’t got anymore embellishments lurking as he’ll start to suffer the death by a thousand cuts

    • Tracey 22.1
      25 September 2013 at 5:08 pm

      like Key has from his lies you mean?? Has Whale Oil posted a link to BLiP’s post on honest man, you know to show balance and that he is an even-handed commentator? Have you posted BLiP’s post over there chris, since you developed this aversion to leaders lying??

      • chris73 22.1.1
        25 September 2013 at 5:25 pm

        Why would he do that? Hes right-wing and doesn’t hide it just like this site is left-wing and doesn’t hide it either and thats the way i prefer it, he and this site are more honest then journalists because at least you know where they stand unlike journalists

    • McFlock 22.2
      25 September 2013 at 5:27 pm

      Chris, if he had, say, failed to complete an MPA at a community college and claimed an MBA from Harvard, toridom would have a clear point.

      But he has an MPA from Harvard, attended HJFKSG as well as HBS, and really his only fault in the matter was to leave a little bit of semantic leeway for hoots and blowfish to invent a lie.

      If those are the worst lies you guys can invent, thinks are looking rosy red and bright green for 2014.

      • chris73 22.2.1
        25 September 2013 at 10:18 pm

        Ackshully I get the feeling Cunliffe will provide more hits for National aided and abetted by the ABC club (which is where this stuffs coming from)

    • lprent 22.3
      25 September 2013 at 5:46 pm

      Just as a point of reality (as much as I hate to introduce that strange concept to people so obviously addicted to the blue pills)…

      Most MPAs share courses, parts of courses, and lecturers with MBAs across the whole damn world – including Harvard. While there are quite a lot of differences between the commercial and public administration, they are characterised more by how similar their course content is than by their differences.

      What you’re really saying is that Cam Slater is a as thick as two short planks and would never be able to get a MBA or a MPA except off a diploma mill

      I guess you must fit into the same category? Dumbarse munter?

      • karol 22.3.1
        25 September 2013 at 6:21 pm

        Has there been any WO attempted smear that ever really worked in the last few years?

        • lprent 22.3.1.1
          25 September 2013 at 6:59 pm

          Not really. These 2008 style raptor attacks just cause me to start escalating the ban button. A couple for discussion is ok. When they try to do the stupid self-reinforcing crap then I just get irritated. They are as boring as the indignant whining on talkback

          • chris73 22.3.1.1.1
            25 September 2013 at 9:39 pm

            Of course they work, if they didn’t work politicians wouldn’t use them and blogs (including this one) wouldn’t spend so much time discrediting those that use them (and vice versa of course)

            • karol 22.3.1.1.1.1
              25 September 2013 at 9:43 pm

              I wasn’t referring to politicians using them, just WO. Why he keeps using such strategies when he fails more than he succeeds is a mystery to me.

              WO probably WO only succeeded at all back in the days when there really weren’t any sizable left wing blogs to discredit his shoddy smears and diversions. They only work at all if they provide the only views circulating and if they are allowed to fester on blogs like this, causing smokescreens and diversions.

              • chris73 …
                25 September 2013 at 10:00 pm

                Heres the thing, lefties spin and the lefties on here believe it, the right spin and the righties believe it but its not what we who frequent blogs believe its what the general public believe

                For example the left have been spinning like mad the last few years that JK wants to sell NZ out to his american banker friends (he doesn’t by the way) and the left believe this and the right don’t but in the end the public have decided JK is the right person to lead NZ

                Now that Cunliffe is the leader of Labour hes going to go under justifiable scrutiny (as he may well end up leader of the country) to see what type of person he is and it looks like if he doesn’t outright lie on his CV then hes certainly guilty of embellishing it (which we all do) but its not the lie that ends you its the cover up (just ask Gilmour)

                If the righties can spin it enough that the people of NZ don’t trust Cunliffe then National will win and of course the left will be spinning to counter act…just remains to be seen who’ll win

                and winning is everything

                • geoff …
                  25 September 2013 at 10:02 pm

                  God you’re an idiot.

                • karol …
                  25 September 2013 at 10:11 pm

                  Pathetic, Chris73. What part of failed smear don’t you understand.

                  It’s Hooton that has ended up looking like a fool, and the only one under pressure for his dodgy tactics right now is Nick Smith.

                  • chris73 …
                    25 September 2013 at 10:37 pm

                    I’m sorry Karol I didn’t realise that you decided when a smear attack on the left was working or not so in future I’ll consult with you first

                    gotta go I’m “refreshing” my CV 🙂

                    • felix …
                      25 September 2013 at 10:58 pm

                      If by “worked” you mean that half a dozen morans like yourself are still fapping, then yeah, sure it worked.

                      However the facts are that Hooten didn’t find a shred of proof for his utterly unbelievable lies, and he spent a whole day “explaining” himself to the media, who ultimately reported it as a failed smear attempt.

                    • karol …
                      25 September 2013 at 11:01 pm

                      Ha! Chris! So you acknowledge it was a “smear attack”!

                      Double fail, mate – for admitting the aim, and trying to keep it going even when other righties and the MSM have given up on it.

                • Huginn …
                  25 September 2013 at 10:11 pm

                  No chris73, we don’t all ’embellish’ our c.v.’s.

      • chris73 22.3.2
        25 September 2013 at 9:44 pm

        Dancing on the head of a pin really

        He said he went to a particular institution:

        “Harvard Business School”

        and now its been removed

        I know you all love Cunliffe and believe him to be the messiah reborn but things like this (to the general public) looks like hes making shit up

        The question you really should be asking is who in the Labour caucus is supplying Andrea Vance…

        ABC = All Behind Cunliffe with a knife maybe

        • karol 22.3.2.1
          25 September 2013 at 9:51 pm

          BS. It’s Hooton et al who have been shown to be dancing on the head of a pin. And has exposed the pathetic little attempt to use underhand means to divert from significant issues, and do a bit of personality politics smearing.

          All Cunliffe has done is clarify.

          The MSM really hasn’t run with this weak little smear attempt. Yet, a few like you keep trying to re-ignite the sparks of dying embers.

          Is that all you’ve got?

          • chris73 22.3.2.1.1
            25 September 2013 at 10:07 pm

            So hes “refreshed” his CV twice so far, how many more times will it take for him to “refresh” his CV before you start to think that maybe sometimes is a bit iffy…don’t worry I already know the answer

            • karol 22.3.2.1.1.1
              25 September 2013 at 10:11 pm

              And how many times has Hooton had to back pedal?

              • chris73 …
                25 September 2013 at 10:25 pm

                Hootens not trying to become PM of NZ (at least not at this moment)

                • Colonial Viper …
                  25 September 2013 at 11:03 pm

                  Yet you admire his “credibility” and “sincerity”, which I can only describe as deficient judgement on your part.

                  • chris73 …
                    26 September 2013 at 7:33 am

                    No not really but I want National to win and this will help Nationals chances…I guess that sometimes the ends justified the means (something lefties are all too familiar with)

                    • Tracey …
                      26 September 2013 at 7:41 am

                      then dont say you admire integrity and sincerity which are contrary to Machievelli’s rules as Ramsey so eloquently pointed out yesterday while masquerading as a left leaning supporter.

                      Why will Cunliffe’s “lies” help National when Key’s lies help National? Is there something else at work? Are you saying National “work” the lies better?

    • Huginn 22.4
      25 September 2013 at 10:02 pm

      No, it doesn’t.

      It sounds like Cunliffe is a Fulbright Scholar who was accepted into Harvard University and studied towards his Masters in Public Admin at Harvard’s John F Kennedy School of Government as well as the Harvard Business School.

      It’s all Harvard, Chris73. Cunliffe is a Harvard grad. Now stop embarrassing yourselves.

      Note:
      The John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University is a public policy and public administration school, and one of Harvard’s graduate and professional schools. Wikipedia

      • chris73 22.4.1
        25 September 2013 at 10:10 pm

        Hes been found guilty of embellishing his CV which fortunately (for most of us) isn’t illegal but does call into question his integrity whatever way you want to spin it

        • karol 22.4.1.1
          25 September 2013 at 10:12 pm

          chris73, all that’s happening is you have been found guilty of embellishing a non-smear.

        • Huginn 22.4.1.2
          25 September 2013 at 10:13 pm

          What, you’re saying he didn’t graduate from Harvard?

          • chris73 22.4.1.2.1
            25 September 2013 at 10:29 pm

            His wording strongly suggested his qual came mainly from the Harvard Business School, hes now “refreshed” his CV and the Harvard Business School is gone

            So no I’m not saying he didn’t get his qual, I’m saying he made it sound as though he get it from a more well-known and prestigious institution…in other words embellishing

            • Huginn 22.4.1.2.1.1
              25 September 2013 at 11:38 pm

              But they ARE the same institution.

              Harvard’s John F Kennedy School of Government and the Harvard Business School are all Harvard, chris73.

              Harvard’s John F Kennedy School of Government’s MPA is inter-disciplinary, so he needed to tell us where else at Harvard he had had studied for it. It’s a wonk thing – but ok for him to drop it when people began to mix the MPA up with Harvard’s MBA program which people know about watching TV.

              You’re embarrassing yourself with this.
              You guys are on much safer ground with the Royal Forest & Bird revelations. Fancy David Cunliffe telling everyone that he was a member when he clearly had not paid his subs. What a scoundrel! I bet he’s in Al Qaeda too.

              You should go and check his birth certificate . . . straight away.

              • Colonial Viper …
                26 September 2013 at 12:21 am

                It appears that chris73 knows jackshit about

                a) Harvard University
                b) using wikipedia

                • chris73 …
                  26 September 2013 at 7:35 am

                  You know as well as I do that people will read the headline and skim the article (TLDR) which means an image of Cunliffe embellishing his CV is starting to build

                  and if he embellishes this what else does he embellish…

  23. Benghazi 23
    25 September 2013 at 11:32 pm

    Chris which word allows you to leap to ‘mainly’? It’s clear on any interpretation of either version of the CV that Cunliffe graduated with an MPA from Harvard. The degree comprised of papers taken at both the Kennedy School and the Business School. Quite likely there were other papers from other specialist areas. That’s what happens at universities all over the world every year. And as for your assertion that the Business School is more prestigious and well known, that is merely your opinion.

  24. felix 24
    26 September 2013 at 6:50 am

    chris73 this is a message from Control.

    Please stop.

    Message ends.

    • Tracey 24.1
      26 September 2013 at 7:10 am

      I think everyone is being unfair to chris73. Afterall havent we been waiting for Key’s supporters to give a shit about lying or embellishing or misleading? If he is frothing this much over the CV of Cunliffe he must be crying himself to sleep over Keystone Cops “embellishments.

      “looks like hes making shit up”

      “which fortunately (for most of us) isn’t illegal but does call into question his integrity whatever way you want to spin it”

      ” maybe you could teach Cunliffe some ethics then”

      We have a convert, we should be welcoming him. Can someone point me to the posts he has made on other blogs in the last couple of days dissecting Key’s misleads/lies/embellishments? I would even venture to WO’ site to read that.

      Well done chris, your original notion that everyone embellishes CV’s seems to have given way to an almost obsessive need to prove a lie from Cunliffe. Hold the leaders to account is what I say. Expect higher standards from them than us.

      By the way, I look forward to reading your point by point condemnation of these embellishments and the links to where they have been corrected or acknowledged. If you need the weekend to complete it, I can wait.

  25. Tracey 25
    26 September 2013 at 7:29 am

    More comments from chris73 on standards he expects from our leaders. he has moved his stance over the past few days though. So good on him, change is hard, especially ideology:

    “So Cunliffe was either economical with the truth (again) or embellished his CV (again) and the MSM dutifully reported it (again)

    Not a good rep to have in the lead up to an election”

    “To quote Dr House

    “Everybody lies””

    ” I don’t think its that bad I mean everyone embellishes their CV and people expect politicians to tell porkies”

    “Hootens not trying to become PM of NZ (at least not at this moment)”

    He probably wont vote Labour, he wont vote ACT (Banks breaches his code) and he clearly has abandoned National… He is facing an ideological crisis and we need to exten a supportive hand to him

    • Huginn 25.1
      26 September 2013 at 6:55 pm

      I know, I know. My heart went out to the flakey little guy when he made this sad but revealing admission about:

      ’embellishing [one’s cv] (which we all do)’

      He’s definitely trying to make himself some sort of a path to self reconstruction.

      chris73 – if you’re reading this – I want you to give yourself permission to embellish yourself into whatever you want to be. Don’t hold back – you must let yourself embellish your self into the grand, powerful and splendid creature that you know you want to be.

      Big hugs from your friend Huginn

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    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
    2 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
    2 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
    3 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
    3 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
    3 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
    3 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
    4 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
    4 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
    4 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
    4 days ago

  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #15
    A listing of 31 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, April 7, 2024 thru Sat, April 13, 2024. Story of the week Our story of the week is about adults in the room setting terms and conditions of ...
    Skeptical Science
    4 days ago

  • Feline Friends and Fragile Fauna The Complexities of Cats in New Zealand’s Conservation Efforts

    Cats, with their independent spirit and beguiling purrs, have captured the hearts of humans for millennia. In New Zealand, felines are no exception, boasting the highest national cat ownership rate globally [definition cat nz cat foundation]. An estimated 1.134 million pet cats grace Kiwi households, compared to 683,000 dogs ...

    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    4 days ago

  • Or is that just they want us to think?
    Nice guy, that Peter Williams. Amiable, a calm air of no-nonsense capability, a winning smile. Everything you look for in a TV presenter and newsreader.I used to see him sometimes when I went to TVNZ to be a talking head or a panellist and we would yarn. Nice guy, that ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    5 days ago

  • Fact Brief – Did global warming stop in 1998?
    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. Did global warming stop in ...
    Skeptical Science
    5 days ago

  • Arguing over a moot point.
    I have been following recent debates in the corporate and social media about whether it is a good idea for NZ to join what is known as “AUKUS Pillar Two.” AUKUS is the Australian-UK-US nuclear submarine building agreement in which … Continue reading → ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    5 days ago

  • No Longer Trusted: Ageing Boomers, Laurie & Les, Talk Politics.
    Turning Point: “What has turned me away from the mainstream news media is the very strong message that its been sending out for the last few years.” “And what message might that be?” “That the people who own it, the people who run it, and the people who provide its content, really don’t ...
    Bowalley Road
    5 days ago

  • Mortgage rates at 10% anyone?
    No – nothing about that in PM Luxon’s nine-point plan to improve the lives of New Zealanders. But beyond our shores Jamie Dimon, the long-serving head of global bank J.P. Morgan Chase, reckons that the chances of a goldilocks soft landing for the economy are “a lot lower” than the ...
    Point of OrderBy xtrdnry
    6 days ago

  • Sad tales from the left
    Michael Bassett writes –  Have you noticed the odd way in which the media are handling the government’s crackdown on surplus employees in the Public Service? Very few reporters mention the crazy way in which State Service numbers rocketed ahead by more than 16,000 during Labour’s six years, ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago

  • In Whose Best Interests?
    On The Spot: The question Q+A host, Jack Tame, put to the Workplace & Safety Minister, Act’s Brooke van Velden, was disarmingly simple: “Are income tax cuts right now in the best interests of lowering inflation?”JACK TAME has tested another MP on his Sunday morning current affairs show, Q+A. Minister for Workplace ...
    Bowalley Road
    6 days ago

  • Don’t Question, Don’t Complain.
    It has to start somewhereIt has to start sometimeWhat better place than here?What better time than now?So it turns out that I owe you all an apology.It seems that all of the terrible things this government is doing, impacting the lives of many, aren’t necessarily ‘bad’ per se. Those things ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    6 days ago

  • Auckland faces 25% water inflation shock
    Three Waters became a focus of anti-Government protests under Labour, but its dumping by the new Government hasn’t solved councils’ funding problems and will eventually hit the back pockets of everyone. Photo: Lynn Grieveson/Getty ImagesTL;DR: The six news items that stood out to me at 8:06 am today are:The Government ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago

  • Small accomplishments and large ironies
    Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on the past week’s editions.Share Read more ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    6 days ago

  • The Song of Saqua: Volume VII
    In order to catch up to the actual progress of the D&D campaign, I present you with another couple of sessions. These were actually held back to back, on a Monday and Tuesday evening. Session XV Alas, Goatslayer had another lycanthropic transformation… though this time, he ran off into the ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    6 days ago

  • Accelerating the Growth Rate?
    There is a constant theme from the economic commentariat that New Zealand needs to lift its economic growth rate, coupled with policies which they are certain will attain that objective. Their prescriptions are usually characterised by two features. First, they tend to be in their advocate’s self-interest. Second, they are ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    6 days ago

  • The only thing we have to fear is tenants themselves
    1. Which of these acronyms describes the experience of travelling on a Cook Strait ferry?a. ROROb. FOMOc. RAROd. FMLAramoana, first boat ever boarded by More Than A Feilding, four weeks after the Wahine disaster2. What is the acronym for the experience of watching the government risking a $200 million break ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    7 days ago

  • Peters talks of NZ “renewing its connections with the world” – but who knew we had been discon...
    Buzz from the Beehive The thrust of the country’s foreign affairs policy and its relationship with the United States have been addressed in four statements from the Beehive over the past 24 hours. Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters somewhat curiously spoke of New Zealand “renewing its connections with a world ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    7 days 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
    7 hours 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
    12 hours 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
    13 hours 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
    15 hours 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
    16 hours 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
    19 hours 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
    20 hours 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
    1 day 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
    2 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
    2 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
    3 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
    3 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
    3 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
    3 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
    4 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
    4 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
    7 days 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
    7 days 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
    7 days 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
    7 days 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
    7 days 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
    7 days 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
    7 days 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
    7 days 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

  • Government redress for Te Korowai o Wainuiārua
    The Government is continuing the bipartisan effort to restore its relationship with iwi as the Te Korowai o Wainuiārua Claims Settlement Bill passed its first reading in Parliament today, says Treaty Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith. “Historical grievances of Te Korowai o Wainuiārua relate to 19th century warfare, land purchased or taken ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Focus on outstanding minerals permit applications
    New Zealand Petroleum and Minerals is working to resolve almost 150 outstanding minerals permit applications by the end of the financial year, enabling valuable mining activity and signalling to the sector that New Zealand is open for business, Resources Minister Shane Jones says.  “While there are no set timeframes for ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Applications open for NZ-Ireland Research Call
    The New Zealand and Irish governments have today announced that applications for the 2024 New Zealand-Ireland Joint Research Call on Agriculture and Climate Change are now open. This is the third research call in the three-year Joint Research Initiative pilot launched in 2022 by the Ministry for Primary Industries and Ireland’s ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Tenancy rules changes to improve rental market
    The coalition Government has today announced changes to the Residential Tenancies Act to encourage landlords back to the rental property market, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “The previous Government waged a war on landlords. Many landlords told us this caused them to exit the rental market altogether. It caused worse ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Boosting NZ’s trade and agricultural relationship with China
    Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay will visit China next week, to strengthen relationships, support Kiwi exporters and promote New Zealand businesses on the world stage. “China is one of New Zealand’s most significant trade and economic relationships and remains an important destination for New Zealand’s products, accounting for nearly 22 per cent of our good and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Freshwater farm plan systems to be improved
    The coalition Government intends to improve freshwater farm plans so that they are more cost-effective and practical for farmers, Associate Environment Minister Andrew Hoggard and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay have announced. “A fit-for-purpose freshwater farm plan system will enable farmers and growers to find the right solutions for their farm ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • New Fast Track Projects advisory group named
    The coalition Government has today announced the expert advisory group who will provide independent recommendations to Ministers on projects to be included in the Fast Track Approvals Bill, say RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Regional Development Minister Shane Jones. “Our Fast Track Approval process will make it easier and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

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