Well that pretty much blows Tim clean out of the water. Everything, I mean everything he said was untrue or deceitful. And it makes the Herald look like sleazy lying little grubs.
I can understand Farrar and tyhe likes doing political campaigning on the issue. But the Herald and Tim? They owe us apologies.
The ad is legal because it states his name and residential address along with his opinion. No restriction on free speech under the electoral finance act….
all_your_base
Is it because you are anonymous that you offer no opinion, only a .jpg authorised by somebody else?
Nice one burt . The lefty’s just keep digging a bigger hole for that Liarbour coffin . When lefty’s start turning on each other, as in this case, some would argue that a mutiny has occurred or a division in the socialist ranks .Without solidarity and direction I can rightfully predict that the party is rapidly heading down the political plug hole and all I can say to that is ; good riddance to bad karma.
For anybody to say they are “pro labour ” is beyond belief, because it is a fact that these people are pro corruption .
Labour are criminals and many of them should be in prison .
Good to see someone taking that fool Shadbolt to task for his ridiculous hysterics. Good to see you righties falling for his appalling spin – you lot really are a bunch of suckers.
This shows just how partisan the New Zealand news media is – the fact that the truth about Shadbolt’s bullshit was not investigated by ANY of the newsmedia shows just what a joke they are.
Shadbolt’s the class clown – we should expect this sort of crap from him. The newsmedia should have done some investigation into this rather than swallow Tim’s rhetoric hook, line and sinker.
I think, Insider, that you’ll find the media is not partisan but that it is inept and lazy and that there are structural reasons for that (such as the fact most newsrooms in NZ are driven by profits and the fact that journos are paid very little – the average “communications advisor” gets roughly twice as much as a similarly skilled and experienced journo: why would anyone competent stick around?). Witness the lack of news at the moment (and every silly season) – partly it’s because things are a little quiet but also it’s because the nation’s spindoctors are on holiday.
I’ve been waiting for someone to check out what the hell Shadbolt was saying. It’s incredible that a concerned citizen has to do the research, although a fantastic use of free speech.
Newspapers and TV , WHY AREN’T YOU FACT CHECKING!!!!!!!!!!! ??????
“Andy Moore
Danna, from what you have said, your mother abused you – this is obviously not ok, – a smack applied to a child’s hand or bottom by a loving parent however, is a different thing – and acceptable – http://www.politik.co.nz has march information plus more.”
Do a DNS lookup on http://www.politiks.co.nz – an extremist Christian anti-section 59 website – and lo, its registered in Christchurch (home of Andrew Moore, Christian libertarian)
Sorry to stray off topic, but can you please go on record and tell us if anyone from ‘The standard’ are getting paid or otherwise remunerated to blog? It would be very helpful as there is a lot of speculation right now.
fairfax owned our free speech a long time ago. Murdoch influenced an Aussie election and his type are out to do the same in NZ. A freely thought out vote – what a joke, when we have to rely on far right conservative Nationalowned newspapers and now the Listener to give us objective information for election 2008
Sorry to stray off topic, but can you please go on record and tell us if anyone from ‘The standard’ are getting paid or otherwise remunerated to blog?
Phillp R, as I recall it’s been made quite clear by the site owners that no one here is being paid to blog. The fact blogging duties are shared out among half a dozen or so different people would tend to confirm that.
There’s only one paid blogger in NZ that I know of – his name’s David Farrar and he’s employed at National Party HQ.
Santi, that’s crap and you either know it or are simply too young to have any meaningful knowledge about politics or Hard News. Russell’s clear about his politics but unlike Farrar he is actually a journalist who isn’t dependent upon any political party for his career. You might not agree with him, but he’s no apparachik.
Lucky for Russell that its just the lefties that attack the messenger rather than try to debate the issues (just go to Kiwiblog if you don’t believe me, they said it so it must be true).
Russell Brown is a sell my soul to the highest bidder socialist coward.
I have no doubts that many bloggers on this site are well paid .
Andy Moore is a personal friend of mine and if want a fight please give me a call, as I am only too happy to accommodate any concerns or frustration’s you might have .You all know my details as my blog is often overwhelmed with your cowardly venomous bile. You jellyfish creeps should get a real job .
One last word to the pathetic disgrace to manhood Russell Brown – owner of the Paris Hilton blog theatre . Are you still sacred and frightened of me ?
DPF is not on the Nat payroll to blog… he’s a blogger who happens to also have a job. Much the same, I suspect, a great deal of the members of thestandard.org.
“DPF is not on the Nat payroll to blog. he’s a blogger who happens to also have a job.” A job with the National Party of New Zealand. Just thought I’d mention that bit.
Everyone is frightened of you and for you. You possess a hatred that seems to know no bounds. Why don’t you use your short time on this planet to help people understand you and not constantly seek to intimidate people.By the way never assume you are the only person who has heavy shit to deal with. Do what that Jesus guy suggested for once.
What a bummer that the Nats have come out and disowned the rabid, motley bunch of anti-EFA melcontents. That’s the smartest piece of politics from any side of the past few years.
I’d hoped that they would have been all vocal togther for once the public is made aware of the connected dots of D4J, Whale Oil, Andy Moore and the like and the nature of their vitriolic rantings it will kill any supposed groundswell of support for the right.
The public at large has no idea of how fucked up this rent a mob are. If they are considered to be the voice of the right then ta ta come election time.
No wonder National are distancing themselves for the likes of D4J and Whale Oil can only lose the election for them, not help win it. They are major liabilities despite what their egos tell them.
It will be a right laugh however, if any financial, administrative or strategic lkink is outed between National and any “third party” such as the Hortons. Having now taken the holier than thou position it will kill them once any duplicity is discovered. There is no going back – the rod for the Nat backbone of jelly has just been created.
There is no hyperlink from your name to a blog, I’ll assume that you don’t have one, or that it’s not related to politics and you therefore choose to keep it seperate. So, there’s a difference between someone who chooses to comment in their idle (or not-so idle 🙂 ) time at work, and someone who is in the employ of the National party and clearly devotes a great deal of their time to writing a staunchly pro-National blog.
Your Government Department may not be aware of your blogging, do you think you can say the same for National and Kiwiblog? I think not; it’s disingenuous to suggest a parallel between your commenting, and DPF’s blogging and the commenting he does upon his blog throughout the day.
I’ll accept it was a tenuous link, but I think the point remains relevant.
Does DPF still have that market research business on the side?
Do you think his other clients know about Kiwiblog?
Do you think DPF is, therefore, writing “staunchly pro-client” blogs?
Alternatively, what of those bloggers who also work for the Greens or the Labour Party? Surely there must be a few, and are we to tarr them all with the same biased brush?
“That allows him up to 10 significant posts a day. It’s a good job for some eh.”
Well, he owns the business, he does a lot of his writing early in the morning and times it for release throughout the day. Not only that, he has been blogging for a long time, and comes from newsgroups before that. Its called experience.
“Does DPF still have that market research business on the side?
Do you think his other clients know about Kiwiblog?
Do you think DPF is, therefore, writing “staunchly pro-client” blogs? ”
Given that his blog posts aren’t necssarily related to his Curia clients, I couldn’t say. If he, for example, did volunteer work for the Red Cross I wouldn’t be trying to string a link between them, as there woundn’t be one.
I’m not saying he is a paid blogger per se, (I disagree with that comment for lack of evidence) but that there is a strong link between National party and Farrar, and the National party and the content of his blog; this much is clear.
I can’t think of any other such prolific blogger who is strongly aligned with a political party, but then I haven’t specifically gone out looking or taken an interest. If there are those out there, I would expect them to be strongly representative of the party of which they are a member – you wouldn’t write a political blog that was ideologically opposed to a party you had voluntarily joined!
Going back to your original comment – it’s up to the readers to infer (if they choose to take an interest) to what extent Farrar’s blog is aligned with the National party. I can only say it’s natural to assume there is a strong link given the content, Farrar’s background and current employment.
MP- it’s also worth noting the fact that Farrar’s spin is almost always exactly the same as the party’s. As someone who’s worked inside the party for more than a decade Farrar understands that the key in this game isn’t good analysis, it’s being able to stay on message with the party and repeat the same partisan lines relentlessly – and he does that very well. That’s why I don’t take Farrar seriously. His employment is just the kicker.
“he does a lot of his writing early in the morning and times it for release throughout the day”
wow, you seem to know a lot about it. How many DPF’S are there? I’m sure he posts and writes during the day.
Funnily enough I’m starting to think he fattens up his threads with
various versions of himself. There’s angry conservative businessman, nice “anti socialist” mum, and “i use to vote labour but not anymore” guy . DPF, what a writer.
“there is a strong link between National party and Farrar, and the National party and the content of his blog; this much is clear”
Mmmm lets see. In the past DPF has openly disagreed with National policy. Not just MP misbehaviour, not just statements in the house. POLICY.
Has The Standard?
In the past DPF has complimented the Labour party on its actions and policy.
Will The Standard ever compliment National for anything? The evidence so far doesnt seem to indicate so.
You KNOW who DPF is, you know his background. We dont know anything about the people behind The Standard. And a declaration of independence from someone that remains anonymous doesnt mean too much.
Daveo – I know what you mean but here everything gets taken very literally so I meant that as it’s not his specific contracted job to write kiwiblog, as far as I understand it. Although in truth I don’t know what he does for the Party over and above what is mentioned on his blog. I don’t need to 🙂
I agree with your latest though, that’s what I meant by ‘there is a strong link between … the National party and the content of his blog‘.
yeh, Kimble , DPF occasionally has a go when National isn’t as right wing as he’d like. It’s hardly the spotlight he torches Labour with.
and obviously Kimble you write to the herald complaining about their anonymous editorials.
Most right wing commentators openly use their ‘freemarket” beliefblogs in coordination with their commerce so using their name actually is of benefit to them. It is difficult to question business practise in this blog country without being presented as a anti-capitalist socialist/communist/ fascist. It’s intimidating and detracts from the message. The abuse is too much. Many of us have very important ties to the infrastructure of business and are very strategic with them.
This channel doesn’t actually require names, it requires rational progresive ideas and debate. That’s why it’s revolutionary.
“Will The Standard ever compliment National for anything? The evidence so far doesnt seem to indicate so.”
Well, if the National Party actually ever does anything commendable I’ll certainly commend them for it. I’m not going to hold my breath waiting for them to do so though.
I’m just pleased National has distanced itself from these mouth-foamers. Really they are the party’s achilles heel. I hate to think what embarrassing thing these people are going to do next.
Probably most here hope they will continue in the same vein 😉
The ‘public at large’ is listening right now and will be happy to circulate any new information about D4J, Whaleoil and the like.
Matthew Pilott
From some of the users’ abusive attitudes and given that some of them are in a position to influence any one of our lives I would strongly dissuade anyone from giving their full name.
But what really amazes me is that these are the very people who are screaming out that free speech will disappear and yet they’re trying to take away mine and anyone else’s voice that disagrees with them.
Really it doesn’t make much difference to me who wins this year. Politics doesn’t affect my everyday life, but I enjoy being involved in it – you meet interesting people :-).
Nothing much is going to change if the Nats win – I just think it’s time for someone else to buy the beer – same in the US.
Don’t play victim and make false statements, Jum. Nobody is curtailing your freedom of speech. Quite the contrary.
So why have the anonymous bloggers of the standard stopped blogging about NZ politics, surely not because they would need to provide their full names and residential addresses if they want to express their political opinions…. must be some other reason… either that or the rancid EFB has completely shut them down.
I guess we will know once they resume their anti John Key and anti National party banter. I’m waiting….
—————————————————————–
Hey standard anon blog authors – Don’t vote Labour… what have you got to say about that?
From some of the users’ abusive attitudes and given that some of them are in a position to influence any one of our lives I would strongly dissuade anyone from giving their full name.
Precisely. Apart from the obvious fact that people might have very valid reasons why they feel freer to comment if they don’t have to use their real name, there are people on the right who are so damn creepy and abusive you’d have to fear for your safety if they had your full name and address.
So why have the anonymous bloggers of the standard stopped blogging about NZ politics
Possibly because most of then are still on holiday? Just a hunch…
Burt you drunken old prick. I see you’re still not taking your ritalin and you’re still obsessed with bolding random statements. Now, while you’re mouthing Farrar’s lamentably ignorant dog-whistle talking points about anonymity you may wish to consider this: you post anonymously. If you want to bitch and whine about others failing to use their real names then you might want to lead by example. Or alternatively I could find out who you are (I’m getting pretty good at this) and let folk know. Whaddya say Burt? I was hoping you’d’ve asked santa for a bit of self-reflexivity this xmas but it seem we’re gonna have to face another year of your yapping.
I’ve heard DPF mention that he sets up a lot of posts to time-release, so they don’t all pile on to the site at once.
Yeah I saw DPF claiming that as well so I had a look and as far as I can tell there is no facility in wordpress (or plug-in for it) that allows this to be done. I personally doubt that the Nats would use Farrar for polling because he’s simply too stupid to do it properly. There is no way any major party would entrust the gathering of its raw data to him. In my honest opinion he is getting paid to blog via his “Curia contract”. I mean have you seen the curia website? It’s barely a place holder and I’ve not seen him advertise anywhere – that’s because he doesn’t need to. It’s also why he’s responded so badly to the standard and blogblog – his blogging is his bread and butter, it pays his mortgage. The more he’s shown up the more likely the party is to drop him. Here’s to a bloody and vicious 2008…
“Or I could find out who you are (I’m getting pretty good at this)..”
Really Robinson? I didn’t know that to your eloquence and fine writing abilities, you also add the hound-dog touch.
You’d have done well in Germany of the 30’s.
Hey robinsod – you are a abusive wee #### aren’t you . Wonder if your so lippy man to man ? I would love to find out one day ,and j you are that pathetic I know why I call this site the sub standard sewer .
Hey robinsod and you twisted lefty nutbars – Go #### yourselves – you scum of the earth . Russell Brown like you foaming dogs are pure communist filth . You’re selfish gravy train of government funds makes you deluded righteous creeps and in reality you are just up yourself pricks who are going down this time .
Yes I post anonymously and I post about political issues. It was legal last year – is it legal this year ? What changed Robinsod? Oh that’s right some self serving pricks passed some laws that shut down free speech…..
Or alternatively I could find out who you are (I’m getting pretty good at this) and let folk know..
Waaaa hooo – an anonymous blogger threatening to out another anonymous blogger… Such is life under the EFB I guess, unable to debate the issues the highly pissed off anonymous bloggers start to turn on each other and shooting the messenger is all that remains when the message is off limits….
How about we meet for a beer one night and lets see if you still have the balls to call me a drunken old prick ?
Are you threatening me Burt? I mean, I don’t mind if you are but at least have the guts to say it outright rather than hiding behind the old “meet for a beer” line you coward.
Oh and Burt? Of course it’s legal to write about politics on a blog. Only a fool would think otherwise…
I’m not threatening you at all Robinsod – are you paranoid? It’s simple – if you are obsessing about who I really are then it would be much easier if we meet face to face. If you out me it only proves that what you think is OK for you is not OK for me – which is to be expected from a do as I say not as I do Labour supporter.
If it’s legal to write about politics on a multiple anonymous author blog then why have the authors here at the standard stopped doing it since the EFB passed.
Whaleoil (I know you don’t take anything he says seriously – but he can’t be wrong 100% of the time) seems to think that multiple anonymous author blogs are captured by the EFB – If he correct then this certainly explains why the standard have suddenly stopped posting about NZ political issues.
“Only a fool would think otherwise.” – Time will tell Robinsod – if the authors here at the standard get back to their previous form somebody might just want to take it as a test case. Very embarrassing for the standard having defended the EFB if it’s shut them down.
OK Burt – use the old trick of making a veiled threat and then backing out of it if you want but that just shows everyone here what a total coward you are. I’m sure the standard would welcome a test case but let’s face it anything that retarded chimp Whale comes out with is 99% likely to be wrong so I can’t see it happening in the near future.
As far as outing you goes Burt – I have no intention of doing so (though I’ve been doing ok since I was outed by the aforementioned chimp). Oh and Burt? There’s no way you could do as I do – you lack the basic intelligence to even approach what I do.
use the old trick of making a veiled threat and then backing out of it if you want but that just shows everyone here what a total coward you are.
That after: “Or alternatively I could find out who you are (I’m getting pretty good at this) and let folk know..” followed by “As far as outing you goes Burt – I have no intention of doing so”.
Pots and kettles…. Guess you realised what a hypocrite you were posing anonymously threatening to out other anonymous posters.
Oh and Burt? There’s no way you could do as I do – you lack the basic intelligence to even approach what I do.
I do agree I’d need to work pretty hard to make as much of a fool of myself as you just did – but I think it was a lack of intelligence that you didn’t notice you were doing exactly what you were incorrectly denigrating me for doing.
Keep it Robinsod, the short bus will be along shortly to take you to remedial reasoning classes.
I always thought the sub standard ward must have a resident psychiatrist .It is very useful to have a Sigmund loop doctor close by . I’ve got one and she is called my shadow . Cool I can handle that and I hope you don’t stock no hinamanu psychotic wind up drugs in this unit over here? Because I just got a month sin bin over at kiwiblog for threating to punch the ####’# lights out .
Sod that wasn’t bad wit and satire and it is great to see you and burt going for it hammering and tongs . Must go pills to take, another zombie day in Helengrad . Cheers big ears .
If it’s legal to write about politics on a multiple anonymous author blog then why have the authors here at the standard stopped doing it since the EFB passed.
Whaleoil (I know you don’t take anything he says seriously – but he can’t be wrong 100% of the time) seems to think that multiple anonymous author blogs are captured by the EFB – If he correct then this certainly explains why the standard have suddenly stopped posting about NZ political issues.
“Only a fool would think otherwise.” – Time will tell Robinsod – if the authors here at the standard get back to their previous form somebody might just want to take it as a test case. Very embarrassing for the standard having defended the EFB if it’s shut them down.
Burt you don’t understand the EFB, and nor does Whale. Blogs are exempt, in fact specifically so.
And the reason we weren’t posting was because we were on holiday. Some of us still are. Hmmm, when you look back that’s kind of an embarrassing diatribe you’ve got there, eh?
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Faced with a barrage of criticism over the promised tax cuts from usually supportive commentators, Finance Minister Nicola Willis yesterday reaffirmed her intention to include them in this year’s Budget. The Government is up against it over the cuts just about every way it turns. Commentators like Fran O’Sullivan, Matthew ...
Here’s my pick of today’s substack posts as of 6:26pm on Monday, March 25: writes via his substack that Market-rate housing will make your city cheaper writes via his substack about the problems talking to double-cab ute (truck) drivers about their vehicles. today about moments of radicalisation in ...
Buzz from the Beehive Just before Christmas, Finance Minister Nicola Willis delivered something that was pitched as a mini-budget and brayed about the decisive action being taken to repair the Government books and support income tax relief in Budget 2024. In a statement headed Fiscal repair job underway. she introduced ...
My sister Belinda asked Dad yesterday what one word would describe Mum best. He said: vivacious.If you only knew her from the photos on the slideshow we've made for today,you might wonder about that, because the camera tended to lie with Mum.If ever she saw a camera pointed at her, she ...
There are two major public consultations closing in the next week, Auckland Council’s Long Term Plan (LTP), and the draft Government Policy Statement on Land Transport (GPS). Closing dates and times: LTP closes Thursday 28 February, at 11.59pm – a minute to midnight! GPS closes Tuesday 2 April, at 12pm noon – note that’s ...
From Kiwiblog’s David Farrar – Bryce Wilkinson writes: Senior Fellow Bryce Wilkinson’s analysis reveals that since March 2009, New Zealand has spent $158 billion more overseas than it has earned, but its NIIP has only fallen by $32 billion.Statistics New Zealand shows that receipts from overseas reinsurers have ...
Is she hinting that the Coalition Government will have to back down on key promises it made in Opposition? Brian Easton writes – The Minister of Finance, Nicola Willis, is telling an evolving story about her fiscal challenges. In Opposition she was confident that she could ...
Dear Nicola Willis,Right now you’ve probably got lots of competing demands coming at you. Ministers who’ve inherited quite a mess, or so you’ve told us, looking for money in the budget to improve things. I imagine that’s why they came to parliament - to make things better.You’ll have to make ...
The Local Government, Transport and Auckland Minister hasthreatened councils with intervention if they don’t merge water assets to take them off balance sheet, just as the now-repealed Three Waters plan directed. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: My six things of note this morning for Monday, March 25 include:Simeon ...
A listing of 36 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, March 17, 2024 thru Sat, March 23, 2024. Story of the week Thanks to John Mason having the stamina to sit down to watch "Climate - the Movie" ...
This morning the Q&A programme had Simeon Brown on to talk about National’s replacement for Three Waters. In case anyone’s forgotten the three are - drinking water, waste water, and sewerage. It’s quite important not to get them mixed up. In much the same way that you wouldn’t want to ...
Today’s newsletter comes with a mini-podcast conversation between me and my buddy Liv Tennet, talking about her time as a child actor in Lord of the Rings. It’s a conversation with a lot of giggles as she talks about falling off a horse, and becoming a meme. Read ...
The Desmog Climate Disinformation Database documents, "individuals and organisations that have helped to delay and distract the public and our elected leaders from taking needed action to reduce greenhouse gas pollution and fight global warming." It's a who's who of the organised climate change denial movement, in other words. In ...
Bob Edlin writes – A High Court judge has decided miscreants who have mana – or who claim to have mana – should be treated differently from miscreants who have none. It’s a ruling that suggests indigenous law-breakers have a better chance of securing a discharge without conviction ...
Welcome to the first, and possibly last, edition of Brickbats, Bouquets and Bull’s Wool. In which I’ll take a look at the events of the last week or so, and rate them.In such ratings the numbers usually have more to do with the opinions of the reviewer, than the actual ...
Roger Partridge writes – My earlier column this month, New Zealand’s highest court could be facing a turning point, prompted a flood of feedback from business readers and lawyers alike. A common query was what Parliament can do to restrain an overreaching judiciary. This week I discuss two steps Parliament ...
TL;DR: In today’s ‘six-stack’ of substacks at 6.16pm on Friday, March 22: writes about New Zealand's Building Boom—And What the World Must Learn From It over at his substack. challenges the Auckland Council’s use of a 3.8 degrees of warming forecast to oppose a wave-park and data centre project ...
Is she hinting that the Coalition Government will have to back down on key promises it made in Opposition?The Minister of Finance, Nicola Willis, is telling an evolving story about her fiscal challenges. In Opposition she was confident that she could deliver her promised income tax cuts. Appointed minister, she ...
Buzz from the Beehive Ministers of the Crown have drawn attention to one sector of the science sector which is unlikely to be subjected to heavy spending cuts, a state-funded broadcaster which is doing nicely, thank you, and a sporting event that had $5.4 million from the public purse puffed ...
Abbott’s Freestyle Libre sensors allow continuous glucose monitoring (CGM). The sensor is applied to the back of the patient’s arm, with a thin filament under the skin measuring glucose levels constantly. But it costs around $100 per sensor and must be replaced once every 14 days. Photo by BSIP/Universal Images ...
The Inspector General of Intelligence and Security (IGIS) recently released a report in which he exposes the existence of a foreign intelligence partner-controlled technological “capability” inside the headquarters of the GCSB, NZ’s 5 Eyes-affiliated signals intelligence collection and analysis agency. … Continue reading → ...
Peter Dunne writes – Nearly three decades after the introduction of MMP and multiparty governments there should be a greater level of understanding about their finer points than often appears to be the case. The reaction to the despicable outburst from the Deputy Prime Minister at the weekend highlights ...
The sweet kisses from fruit of summerHave slowly been turning dullerYou say, "those times"And "remember the daysWhen we went outside and there still was the shade?"Taking no reason into play…Autumn. Clear, blue days shortening to longer nights, growing colder. Aotearoa.That’s us. The temperature dropping, the looming car crash - so ...
Bryce Edwards writes – “It is often said that behind every great man is a great woman”. This is the pitch by the National Party Botany electorate branch to attend their “Ladies Afternoon Tea with Amanda Luxon”. For $110 including GST, you can turn up on Saturday 20 April ...
David Farrar writes – The Electoral Commission has published the expense returns for political parties for the 2023 election. I’ve put them in a table with how many votes a party got so we can see the spend per vote. National only spent $3.34 for every vote they got, almost ...
Winston Peters’ headline-making actions over the past week may have been a show of political power intended to strengthen his hand in Budget negotiations. It was no accident that his State of the Nation speech was as it was. He made it as New Zealand First Leader, not as Deputy ...
Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The five things that mattered in Aotearoa’s political economy that we wrote and spoke about via The Kākā and elsewhere for paying subscribers in the last week included:Former Labour Finance Minister Grant Robertson bowed out of politics this week, giving a series of exit ...
Graham Adams writes — If you love the law or sausages, as the saying goes, best not to look too closely at how they are made. And after watching the orgy of self-pity when Newshub’s closure was announced on February 28, television journalism should definitely be added to the list of those ...
Venerable New Zealand political commentator, Chris Trotter (https://bowalleyroad.blogspot.com/), is a sad creature these days. Once one of the most reliable Leftist writers out there – Economic Left at that – Trotter seems to have absorbed the worldview of Auckland culture-war obsessives. It is not for me to categorise what he ...
The cruelty of short-term memory loss is that each time you ask where she is, you get the fresh shock and grief of the news. That was Dad's day yesterday.Comfortingly, it seems to be less so today. Last night he looked crumpled, today he seems more settled. There's a card ...
Photo by Alvan Nee on UnsplashIt’s that new day of the week (Thursday rather than Friday) when and I co-host our ‘hoon’ webinar with paying subscribers to The Kākā for an hour at 5 pm. Jump on this link on YouTube Livestream for our chat about the week’s news ...
The Coalition Government’s plan to ‘get Auckland moving’ is a cuts cover-up that will ultimately cost Aucklanders more to move around the city, says Labour Auckland Issues spokesperson Shanan Halbert. ...
Slashing the Ministry of Pacific Peoples by 40% will have a devastating impact on pacific communities and further highlights how little this government cares about anything other than cutting taxes for the wealthiest few. ...
Labour has proposed an urgent inquiry to investigate the ever-increasing profits of supermarkets, aiming to lower costs for shoppers and food producers alike, says Labour Spokesperson for Commerce and Consumer Affairs Arena Williams and Primary Production Spokesperson Cushla Tangaere-Manuel. ...
With 14% of jobs on the line at the Ministry for Ethnic Communities, the responsible Minister Melissa Lee is failing to stand up for the very communities she’s meant to be representing. ...
COURT OF APPEAL: TRIFECTA OF VICTORY FOR NZ FIRST, TRIFECTA OF FAILURE FOR OPPONENTS For the third time since April 2020, New Zealand First has defeated the Serious Fraud Office and all those complicit in a malicious attack against a political party going about its lawful business in a lawful ...
The Green Party stands with people who live in public housing, people in dire housing need, experts and advocates in demanding better than the Government’s archaic approach to housing those who need our support the most. ...
New Zealand has recently lost the hosting rights of some major international sporting events including the America’s Cup, the Rugby Championship, Netball World Cup, and the Wellington Sevens. We are now at a huge risk of losing SailGP as well. And it won’t stop there. The recent issues with SailGP ...
A Member’s Bill drawn this week would modernise insurance law and make things fairer and more transparent for consumers, Christchurch Central MP Duncan Webb said. ...
The Minister for Disability Issues has confirmed she was aware of funding issues in mid-December and did nothing to stop it. On 14 March, she signed off on changes that were announced and implemented on 18 March without any consultation with disability communities. ...
Green Party MP Julie Anne Genter says her members' bill is an opportunity for the coalition government to plug the gap in electric vehicle incentives. ...
The National Government continues to talk about irresponsible tax cuts that will only drive up inflation, despite the country entering a technical recession. ...
The Minister for Disability Issues must act urgently to reinstate flexibility around the funding for disability support and apologise to disabled carers. ...
This story has been initiated by a leftie shill reporter who proactively sought to call a member of a former band, which disbanded twelve years ago, give their biased appraisal of what was said in my speech, and concocted a ham-fisted attempt at a story that does nothing but show ...
The Government has accepted Labour’s change to the Road User Charge (RUC) discount for hybrid vehicles, meaning there will still be some incentive for people to buy greener vehicles. ...
Many in the mainstream media have taken what was said in New Zealand First’s State of the Nation Speech in Palmerston North on Sunday and deliberately, deceitfully, and ignorantly misrepresented what I said and why I said it. The headlines and commentary on the news stated that I compared ‘co-governance ...
Kicking the most vulnerable people out of state housing and pushing them towards homelessness will result in a proliferation of poverty and trauma across our most vulnerable communities. ...
Te Pāti Māori co-leader and MP for Waiariki, Rawiri Waititi has penned a letter asking MPs to support his members bill to remove GST from all food. The bill is expected to go through its first reading in parliament this Wednesday. “I’m calling on all political parties to support my ...
Good afternoon. Thank you for, in your very busy lives, turning up to this meeting today. On October 14th last year New Zealanders overwhelmingly voted for change. That is exactly what this new government is bringing. New Zealand First campaigned to ‘take back our country’ and stop the disastrous economic ...
This year is about getting real with Kiwis and discussing the tough issues, as the National Government exacerbates inequality and divides New Zealand, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said ...
The Government adding Significant Natural Areas (SNAs) to its already roaring environmental policy bonfire is an assault on the future of wildlife that makes Aotearoa unique. ...
After 12 years of fighting to protect our moana we are finding ourselves back at square one and back at court. Today, the Environmental Protection Agency is sitting in Hawera to reconsider an application from Trans-Tasman Resources to dig up 50 million tonnes of the seabed in South Taranaki. This ...
Minister Shane Jones’ decision to step away from a seabed mining project is evidence of the murky waters surrounding the Government’s fast-track legislation. ...
The growth of Treaty of Waitangi clauses in legislation caused so much worry that a special oversight group was set up by the last government in a bid to get greater coherence in the publicservice on Treaty matters. When ministers first considered the need for tighter oversight in 2021, there ...
The growth of Treaty of Waitangi clauses in legislation caused so much worry that a special oversight group was set up by the last government in a bid to get greater coherence in the publicservice on Treaty matters. When ministers first considered the need for tighter oversight in 2021, there ...
The Coalition Government’s miscalculation saga continues as it has forgotten an eyewatering $90 million gap in its interest deductibility cost figures, say Labour Finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds and Revenue Spokesperson Deborah Russell. ...
He Pou a Rangi Climate Change Commission has today released advice that says if the Government doesn’t act now New Zealand is at risk of not meeting its climate goals. ...
The Coalition Government has today confirmed it is abandoning first home buyers who are struggling to get ahead, says Labour Finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds. ...
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed the passing of legislation to move light electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) into the road user charges system from 1 April. “It was always intended that EVs and PHEVs would be exempt from road user charges until they reached two ...
New Zealand is strengthening its ability to combat illegal fishing outside its domestic waters and beef up regulation for its own commercial fishers in international waters through a Bill which had its first reading in Parliament today. The Fisheries (International Fishing and Other Matters) Amendment Bill 2023 sets out stronger ...
Economists Carl Hansen and Professor Prasanna Gai have been appointed to the Reserve Bank Monetary Policy Committee, Finance Minister Nicola Willis announced today. The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) is the independent decision-making body that sets the Official Cash Rate which determines interest rates. Carl Hansen, the executive director of Capital ...
Apartment owners and buyers will soon have greater protections as further changes to the law on unit titles come into effect, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. “The Unit Titles (Strengthening Body Corporate Governance and Other Matters) Amendment Act had already introduced some changes in December 2022 and May 2023, and ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters will travel to Egypt and Europe from this weekend. “This travel will focus on a range of New Zealand’s traditional diplomatic and security partnerships while enabling broad engagement on the urgent situation in Gaza,” Mr Peters says. Mr Peters will attend the NATO Foreign ...
Transport Minister Simeon Brown is encouraging all road users to stay safe, plan their journeys ahead of time, and be patient with other drivers while travelling around this Easter long weekend. “Road safety is a responsibility we all share, and with increased traffic on our roads expected this Easter we ...
About 1.4 million New Zealanders will receive cost of living relief through increased government assistance from April 1 909,000 pensioners get a boost to Superannuation, including 5000 veterans 371,000 working-age beneficiaries will get higher payments 45,000 students will see an increase in their allowance Over a quarter of New Zealanders ...
Ensuring social housing is being provided to those with the greatest needs is front of mind as the Government restarts social housing tenancy reviews, Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka says. “Our relentless focus on building a strong economy is to ensure we can deliver better public services such as social ...
The Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary will not go ahead, with Cabinet deciding to stop work on the proposed reserve and remove the Bill that would have established it from Parliament’s order paper. “The Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary Bill would have created a 620,000 sq km economic no-go zone,” Oceans and Fisheries Minister ...
Dam safety regulations are being amended so that smaller dams won’t be subject to excessive compliance costs, Minister for Building and Construction Chris Penk says. “The coalition Government is focused on reducing costs and removing unnecessary red tape so we can get the economy back on track. “Dam safety regulations ...
The coalition Government is expanding the medium-scale adverse event classification to parts of the North Island as dry weather conditions persist, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced today. “I have made the decision to expand the medium-scale adverse event classification already in place for parts of the South Island to also cover the ...
The passing of legislation giving effect to coalition Government tax commitments has been welcomed by Finance Minister Nicola Willis. “The Taxation (Annual Rates for 2023–24, Multinational Tax, and Remedial Matters) Bill will help place New Zealand on a more secure economic footing, improve outcomes for New Zealanders, and make our tax system ...
Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Judith Collins and Tertiary Education and Skills Minister Penny Simmonds today announced plans to transform our science and university sectors to boost the economy. Two advisory groups, chaired by Professor Sir Peter Gluckman, will advise the Government on how these sectors can play a greater ...
The Budget will deliver urgently-needed tax relief to hard-working New Zealanders while putting the government’s finances back on a sustainable track, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The Finance Minister made the comments at the release of the Budget Policy Statement setting out the Government’s Budget objectives. “The coalition Government intends ...
The coalition Government will look at options to address a zoning issue that limits how much financial support Queenstown residents can get for accommodation. Cabinet has agreed on a response to the Petitions Committee, which had recommended the geographic information MSD uses to determine how much accommodation supplement can be ...
Cabinet has agreed to a short extension to the final reporting timeframe for the Royal Commission into Abuse in Care from 28 March 2024 to 26 June 2024, Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden says. “The Royal Commission wrote to me on 16 February 2024, requesting that I consider an ...
The coalition Government is delivering an $18 million boost to New Zealanders needing to travel for specialist health treatment, Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says. “These changes are long overdue – the National Travel Assistance (NTA) scheme saw its last increase to mileage and accommodation rates way back in 2009. ...
The Government is recognising the innovative and rising talent in New Zealand’s growing space sector, with the Prime Minister and Space Minister Judith Collins announcing the new Prime Minister’s Prizes for Space today. “New Zealand has a growing reputation as a high-value partner for space missions and research. I am ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government. “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity, attributed to groups sponsored by the Chinese Government, targeting democratic institutions in both New ...
Independent Reviewers appointed for School Property Inquiry Education Minister Erica Stanford today announced the appointment of three independent reviewers to lead the Ministerial Inquiry into the Ministry of Education’s School Property Function. The Inquiry will be led by former Minister of Foreign Affairs Murray McCully. “There is a clear need ...
State Highway 1 across the Brynderwyns will be open for Easter weekend, with work currently underway to ensure the resilience of this critical route being paused for Easter Weekend to allow holiday makers to travel north, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Today I visited the Brynderwyn Hills construction site, where ...
Introduction Good morning to you all, and thanks for having me bright and early today. I am absolutely delighted to be the Minister for Infrastructure alongside the Minister of Housing and Resource Management Reform. I know the Prime Minister sees the three roles as closely connected and he wants me ...
New Zealand stands with the United Kingdom in its condemnation of People’s Republic of China (PRC) state-backed malicious cyber activity impacting its Electoral Commission and targeting Members of the UK Parliament. “The use of cyber-enabled espionage operations to interfere with democratic institutions and processes anywhere is unacceptable,” Minister Responsible for ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Defence Minister Judith Collins today announced New Zealand will provide logistics support for the upcoming Solomon Islands election. “We’re sending a team of New Zealand Defence Force personnel and two NH90 helicopters to provide logistics support for the election on 17 April, at the request ...
The European Union Free Trade Agreement Legislation Amendment Bill received Royal Assent today, completing the process for New Zealand’s ratification of its free trade agreement with the European Union. “I am pleased to announce that today, in a small ceremony at the Beehive, New Zealand notified the European Union ...
Public consultation on the terms of reference for the Royal Commission into COVID-19 Lessons has concluded, Internal Affairs Minister Hon Brooke van Velden says. “I have been advised that there were over 11,000 submissions made through the Royal Commission’s online consultation portal.” Expanding the scope of the Royal Commission of ...
Hardworking families are set to benefit from a new credit to help them meet their early childcare education (ECE) costs, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. From 1 July, parents and caregivers of young children will be supported to manage the rising cost of living with a partial reimbursement of their ...
A specialised Independent Technical Advisory Group (ITAG) tasked with preparing and publishing independent non-binding advice on the design of a "green" (sustainable finance) taxonomy rulebook is being established, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. “Comprising experts and market participants, the ITAG's primary goal is to deliver comprehensive recommendations to the ...
Defence Minister Judith Collins has thanked the Chief of Army, Major General John Boswell, DSD, for his service as he leaves the Army after 40 years. “I would like to thank Major General Boswell for his contribution to the Army and the wider New Zealand Defence Force, undertaking many different ...
25 March 2024 Minister to meet Australian counterparts and Manufacturing Industry Leaders Small Business, Manufacturing, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly will travel to Australia for a series of bi-lateral meetings and manufacturing visits. During the visit, Minister Bayly will meet with his Australian counterparts, Senator Tim Ayres, Ed ...
Government commits almost $3 million for period products in schools The Coalition Government has committed $2.9 million to ensure intermediate and secondary schools continue providing period products to those who need them, Minister of Education Erica Stanford announced today. “This is an issue of dignity and ensuring young women don’t ...
Good morning, it’s great to be here. First, I would like to acknowledge the New Zealand Institute of Building Surveyors and thank you for the opportunity to be here this morning. I would like to use this opportunity to outline the Government’s ambitious plan and what we hope to ...
Minister for Pacific Peoples Dr Shane Reti has announced the Government’s commitment to the Auckland Secondary Schools Māori and Pacific Islands Cultural Festival, more commonly known as Polyfest. “The Ministry for Pacific Peoples is a longtime supporter of Polyfest and, as it celebrates 49 years in 2024, I’m proud to ...
Before moving onto the substance of today’s address, I want to recognise the very significant and ongoing contribution the Breast Cancer Foundation makes to support the lives of New Zealand women and their families living with breast cancer. I very much enjoy working with you. I also want to recognise ...
New Zealand has notched up a first with the launch of University of Canterbury research to the International Space Station, Science, Innovation and Technology and Space Minister Judith Collins says. The hardware, developed by Dr Sarah Kessans, is designed to operate autonomously in orbit, allowing scientists on Earth to study ...
Introduction Thank you for inviting me to speak with you today and I’m sorry I can’t be there in person. Yesterday I started in Wellington for Breakfast TV, spoke to a property conference in Auckland, and finished the day speaking to local government in Christchurch, so it would have been ...
The Coalition Government is contributing more than $1 million to support the establishment of an emergency multi-agency coordination centre in Northland. Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell announced the contribution today during a visit of the Whangārei site where the facility will be constructed. “Northland has faced a number ...
New Zealanders have enjoyed a broader range of voices telling the story of Aotearoa thanks to the creation of Whakaata Māori 20 years ago, says Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka. The minister spoke at a celebration marking the national indigenous media organisation’s 20th anniversary at their studio in Auckland on ...
Commercial catch limits for some fisheries have been increased following a review showing stocks are healthy and abundant, Ocean and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The changes, along with some other catch limit changes and management settings, begin coming into effect from 1 April 2024. "Regular biannual reviews of fish ...
Analysis by Keith Rankin. Keith Rankin, trained as an economic historian, is a retired lecturer in Economics and Statistics. He lives in Auckland, New Zealand. My earlier article – Can ‘Good’ be the Greater Evil? – looked at the issue of how wars should end, and how Good versus Evil ...
The only published and available best-selling indie book chart in New Zealand is the top 10 sales list recorded every week at Unity Books’ stores in High St, Auckland, and Willis St, Wellington.AUCKLAND1 AMMA by Saraid de Silva (Moa Press, $38)A stunning debut novel reviewed by Brannavan ...
From Steve Martin to Ricky Stanicky, a pick’n’mix of things worth watching and listening to this long weekend. This is an excerpt from our weekly pop culture newsletter Rec Room. Sign up here. If you’re at a loss for something to occupy yourself with this Easter, don’t panic: The Spinoff’s got ...
Jesus had dinner with his 12 disciples right before he died. Noted historian Madeleine Chapman finds out who really deserved to be there.First published in 2018 but let’s be honest, the subject is timeless. As you sit on your couch this Easter Sunday, eating a chocolate egg you know ...
The newly-promoted Northern League club is on a mission to return to the National League for the first time in two decades. Plenty about domestic football in New Zealand has changed in that time – but the sense that this amateur competition is not an entirely level playing field remains. ...
Comment: Every year on February 2, a dozen men in tuxedos and top hats approach the burrow of a groundhog in Gobbler’s Knob, Pennsylvania and entice the beaver-like rodent to emerge and predict the weather. If the groundhog, named Punxsutawney Phil, sees its own shadow when it is summoned, legend ...
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Auckland Council has put a deadline on new weather-impacted property owners applying for categorisation as government funding looks set to run out. Councillors have voted to support a deadline of September 30 for property owners who haven’t accessed support to come forward and engage with the council’s recovery office. It ...
NONFICTION 1 BBQ Economics by Liam Dann (Penguin Random House, $40) “It’s official,” wrote Dann nine days ago in the Herald, where he works as business editor at large, “we’re in recession.” Yeah, great. He delivered the bad stats: “GDP fell 0.1 percent in the December 2023 quarter, compared with ...
By Anneke Smith, RNZ News political reporter A petition urging the New Zealand government to provide urgent humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian people has been tabled in the House. More than 200 people gathered on Parliament’s forecourt today and they were met by MPs from Labour, the Greens and Te ...
Pacific Media Watch The Paris-based global media freedom watchdog RSF (Reporters Without Borders) has appealed for information about the “disappearance” of Palestinian journalist Bayan Abusultan. She was reportedly last seen on March 19 among people “sequestered” in this week’s raid and siege of Al Shifa hospital by Israeli troops in ...
EDITORIAL:The Jakarta Post It happens again and again; indigenous Papuans fall victim to Indonesian soldiers. This time, we have photographic evidence for the brutality, with videos on social media showing a Papuan man being tortured by a group of plainclothes men alleged to be the Indonesian Military (TNI) members. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Robyn J. Whitaker, Director of the Wesley Centre for Theology, Ethics, and Public Policy & Associate Professor, New Testament, Pilgrim Theological College, University of Divinity A strange and eclectic range of activities takes place across these few weeks of the year. Some ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Panizza Allmark, Professor Visual & Cultural Studies, Edith Cowan University It’s Easter weekend, which means many of us will be kicking back with the greatest hits on repeat. But whether you’re a boomer, or an ‘80s or ’90s kid, you might be ...
RNZ Pacific Fiji’s Acting Public Prosecutor has filed an appeal against the sentences of former prime minister Voreqe Bainimarama and suspended police chief Sitiveni Qiliho in their corruption case. Bainimarama was granted an absolute discharge for attempting to pervert the course of justice while Qiliho received a conditional discharge with ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Arosha Weerakoon, Senior Lecturer and General Dentist, School of Dentistry, The University of Queensland Casezy idea/Shutterstock How does toothpaste work? What did people use before toothpaste was invented? – Amelia, age 7, Meanjin (Brisbane) Thanks for your ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Brett Hallam, Associate professor, UNSW Sydney IM Imagery/Shutterstock Solar SunShot is well named. The Australian government announced today it would plough A$1 billion into bringing back solar manufacturing to Australia, boosting energy security, swapping coal and gas jobs for those ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Clare Dix, Research Fellow in Nutrition & Dietetics, The University of Queensland Easter is the time for chocolate. The shops are full of fantastically packaged and shiny chocolates in all shapes and sizes, making trips to the supermarket with children more challenging ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Emma Felton, Adjunct Senior Researcher, University of South Australia Even in a stubborn cost-of-living crisis, it seems there’s one luxury most Australians won’t sacrifice – their daily cup of coffee. Coffee sales have largely remained stable, even as financial pressures have ...
Mining company Trans-Tasman Resources has unexpectedly withdrawn its application for a consent to suck the valuable metals vanadium and titanium from the Taranaki seafloor, as it apparently wagers on the Government’s new fast-track process. It had spent two-and-a-half days putting its case to the Environmental Protection Agency’s decision-making committee, at ...
Contrary to the Associate Minister of Education’s claims, analysis of Healthy School Lunches Programme - Ka Ora, Ka Ako assessments has revealed it provides excellent value for the taxpayer dollar, as a groundswell of public opposition to Government ...
Greenpeace says wannabe Taranaki seabed miner Trans-Tasman Resources is likely banking on Christopher Luxon’s fast-track process to side-step proper scrutiny of its Taranaki seabed mining proposal by bailing out of the Environmental Protection Agency hearing ...
Kiwis Against Seabed mining today slammed Australian owned would-be seabed miner Trans Tasman Resources (TTR) for abandoning its application to the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) to mine the seabed of the South Taranaki Bight. The company ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Katie Attwell, Associate Professor, School of Social Sciences, The University of Western Australia Ground Picture/Shutterstock Months after COVID vaccines were introduced in 2021, governments and private organisations mandated them for various groups. Health and aged care workers were among the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Andrew Dzurak, Scientia Professor Andrew Dzurak, CEO and Founder of Diraq, UNSW Sydney Diraq For decades, the pursuit of quantum computing has struggled with the need for extremely low temperatures, mere fractions of a degree above absolute zero (0 Kelvin or ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian Beaumont, Election Analyst (Psephologist) at The Conversation; and Honorary Associate, School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne A national Essential poll, conducted March 20–24 from a sample of 1,150, gave the Coalition a 50–44 lead including undecided, a reversal ...
The Taxpayers’ Union has today made a formal request under the Regulations of the People’s Republic of China on Open Government Information () for information held about how New Zealand Members of Parliament are spending taxpayer ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Robert Nelson, Honorary Principal Fellow, The University of Melbourne A Byzantine depiction of the Eucharist in Saint Sophia Cathedral, Kyiv.Jacek555/Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA A nasty quarrel arose in the 11th century over what kind of bread should be used in holy ...
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Well that pretty much blows Tim clean out of the water. Everything, I mean everything he said was untrue or deceitful. And it makes the Herald look like sleazy lying little grubs.
I can understand Farrar and tyhe likes doing political campaigning on the issue. But the Herald and Tim? They owe us apologies.
The lead article in today’s SDT outlines councillers concerns over his actions and the editorial tells him to pull his wolly head in
So…
The ad is legal because it states his name and residential address along with his opinion. No restriction on free speech under the electoral finance act….
all_your_base
Is it because you are anonymous that you offer no opinion, only a .jpg authorised by somebody else?
Nice one burt . The lefty’s just keep digging a bigger hole for that Liarbour coffin . When lefty’s start turning on each other, as in this case, some would argue that a mutiny has occurred or a division in the socialist ranks .Without solidarity and direction I can rightfully predict that the party is rapidly heading down the political plug hole and all I can say to that is ; good riddance to bad karma.
For anybody to say they are “pro labour ” is beyond belief, because it is a fact that these people are pro corruption .
Labour are criminals and many of them should be in prison .
A Labour supporter supporting less spending on education!?!
Quick, take him out to be slowly drowned.
Good to see someone taking that fool Shadbolt to task for his ridiculous hysterics. Good to see you righties falling for his appalling spin – you lot really are a bunch of suckers.
This shows just how partisan the New Zealand news media is – the fact that the truth about Shadbolt’s bullshit was not investigated by ANY of the newsmedia shows just what a joke they are.
Shadbolt’s the class clown – we should expect this sort of crap from him. The newsmedia should have done some investigation into this rather than swallow Tim’s rhetoric hook, line and sinker.
I think, Insider, that you’ll find the media is not partisan but that it is inept and lazy and that there are structural reasons for that (such as the fact most newsrooms in NZ are driven by profits and the fact that journos are paid very little – the average “communications advisor” gets roughly twice as much as a similarly skilled and experienced journo: why would anyone competent stick around?). Witness the lack of news at the moment (and every silly season) – partly it’s because things are a little quiet but also it’s because the nation’s spindoctors are on holiday.
I’ve been waiting for someone to check out what the hell Shadbolt was saying. It’s incredible that a concerned citizen has to do the research, although a fantastic use of free speech.
Newspapers and TV , WHY AREN’T YOU FACT CHECKING!!!!!!!!!!! ??????
And meanwhile, Russell Brown exposes the lies of Andy Moore…
http://www.publicaddress.net/system/topic,906.sm?p=39172#post39172
Typically, none of the Herald’s “journalists” bothered to do a simple DNS look up.
Ah yes good ol’ Whale – the truth is that info about who’s behind DVL has been kicking around since the first of Jan ( http://kiwiblogblog.wordpress.com/2008/01/01/contriving-martyrdom/#comment-4156 ) yet eight days later the Herald is still misattributing the site’s ownership. What a fuckin joke.
And since the Herald’s journalists won’t do their job, try this on for size:
From:
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/feature/story.cfm?c_id=1501154&objectid=10431152&pnum=0
“Andy Moore
Danna, from what you have said, your mother abused you – this is obviously not ok, – a smack applied to a child’s hand or bottom by a loving parent however, is a different thing – and acceptable – http://www.politik.co.nz has march information plus more.”
Do a DNS lookup on http://www.politiks.co.nz – an extremist Christian anti-section 59 website – and lo, its registered in Christchurch (home of Andrew Moore, Christian libertarian)
registrant_contact_name: mybook
registrant_contact_address1: P.O. Box 8979
registrant_contact_city: christchurch
registrant_contact_country: NZ (NEW ZEALAND)
registrant_contact_phone: 64 3 3574599
registrant_contact_email: *****@gmail.com
%
admin_contact_name: mybook
admin_contact_address1: P.O. Box 8979
admin_contact_city: christchurch
admin_contact_country: NZ (NEW ZEALAND)
admin_contact_phone: 64 21 1140751
admin_contact_email: *****@gmail.com
%
Ring the mobile number and lo, one is answered by the voice mail of… Andrew Moore.
Hi Guys,
Sorry to stray off topic, but can you please go on record and tell us if anyone from ‘The standard’ are getting paid or otherwise remunerated to blog? It would be very helpful as there is a lot of speculation right now.
Cheers
fairfax owned our free speech a long time ago. Murdoch influenced an Aussie election and his type are out to do the same in NZ. A freely thought out vote – what a joke, when we have to rely on far right conservative Nationalowned newspapers and now the Listener to give us objective information for election 2008
Sorry to stray off topic, but can you please go on record and tell us if anyone from ‘The standard’ are getting paid or otherwise remunerated to blog?
Phillp R, as I recall it’s been made quite clear by the site owners that no one here is being paid to blog. The fact blogging duties are shared out among half a dozen or so different people would tend to confirm that.
There’s only one paid blogger in NZ that I know of – his name’s David Farrar and he’s employed at National Party HQ.
“And meanwhile, Russell Brown exposes the lies of Andy Moore.”
Who is Russell Brown but a well known Labour operative? His opinion is as important as Tane’s, meaning close to nil.
Santi, that’s crap and you either know it or are simply too young to have any meaningful knowledge about politics or Hard News. Russell’s clear about his politics but unlike Farrar he is actually a journalist who isn’t dependent upon any political party for his career. You might not agree with him, but he’s no apparachik.
Lucky for Russell that its just the lefties that attack the messenger rather than try to debate the issues (just go to Kiwiblog if you don’t believe me, they said it so it must be true).
So have any of the blog authors commented on this advert or is the EFB holding them back?
Russell Brown is a sell my soul to the highest bidder socialist coward.
I have no doubts that many bloggers on this site are well paid .
Andy Moore is a personal friend of mine and if want a fight please give me a call, as I am only too happy to accommodate any concerns or frustration’s you might have .You all know my details as my blog is often overwhelmed with your cowardly venomous bile. You jellyfish creeps should get a real job .
One last word to the pathetic disgrace to manhood Russell Brown – owner of the Paris Hilton blog theatre . Are you still sacred and frightened of me ?
Daveo,
DPF is not on the Nat payroll to blog… he’s a blogger who happens to also have a job. Much the same, I suspect, a great deal of the members of thestandard.org.
“DPF is not on the Nat payroll to blog. he’s a blogger who happens to also have a job.” A job with the National Party of New Zealand. Just thought I’d mention that bit.
D4J ,
Everyone is frightened of you and for you. You possess a hatred that seems to know no bounds. Why don’t you use your short time on this planet to help people understand you and not constantly seek to intimidate people.By the way never assume you are the only person who has heavy shit to deal with. Do what that Jesus guy suggested for once.
“he’s a blogger who happens to also have a job”.
That allows him up to 10 significant posts a day. It’s a good job for some eh.
Do what that Jesus guy suggested for once.
That made me snort with laughter, somewhat to the surprise of my workmates. 🙂
What a bummer that the Nats have come out and disowned the rabid, motley bunch of anti-EFA melcontents. That’s the smartest piece of politics from any side of the past few years.
I’d hoped that they would have been all vocal togther for once the public is made aware of the connected dots of D4J, Whale Oil, Andy Moore and the like and the nature of their vitriolic rantings it will kill any supposed groundswell of support for the right.
The public at large has no idea of how fucked up this rent a mob are. If they are considered to be the voice of the right then ta ta come election time.
No wonder National are distancing themselves for the likes of D4J and Whale Oil can only lose the election for them, not help win it. They are major liabilities despite what their egos tell them.
It will be a right laugh however, if any financial, administrative or strategic lkink is outed between National and any “third party” such as the Hortons. Having now taken the holier than thou position it will kill them once any duplicity is discovered. There is no going back – the rod for the Nat backbone of jelly has just been created.
j,
I’ve heard DPF mention that he sets up a lot of posts to time-release, so they don’t all pile on to the site at once.
Matthew,
I have a job with a government department. Therefore, anything I might choose to blog MUST be government department spin, right? err…
(Captcha; “Trotter Money”… hehehe)
Phil,
There is no hyperlink from your name to a blog, I’ll assume that you don’t have one, or that it’s not related to politics and you therefore choose to keep it seperate. So, there’s a difference between someone who chooses to comment in their idle (or not-so idle 🙂 ) time at work, and someone who is in the employ of the National party and clearly devotes a great deal of their time to writing a staunchly pro-National blog.
Your Government Department may not be aware of your blogging, do you think you can say the same for National and Kiwiblog? I think not; it’s disingenuous to suggest a parallel between your commenting, and DPF’s blogging and the commenting he does upon his blog throughout the day.
I’ll accept it was a tenuous link, but I think the point remains relevant.
Does DPF still have that market research business on the side?
Do you think his other clients know about Kiwiblog?
Do you think DPF is, therefore, writing “staunchly pro-client” blogs?
Alternatively, what of those bloggers who also work for the Greens or the Labour Party? Surely there must be a few, and are we to tarr them all with the same biased brush?
“That allows him up to 10 significant posts a day. It’s a good job for some eh.”
Well, he owns the business, he does a lot of his writing early in the morning and times it for release throughout the day. Not only that, he has been blogging for a long time, and comes from newsgroups before that. Its called experience.
“Does DPF still have that market research business on the side?
Do you think his other clients know about Kiwiblog?
Do you think DPF is, therefore, writing “staunchly pro-client” blogs? ”
Given that his blog posts aren’t necssarily related to his Curia clients, I couldn’t say. If he, for example, did volunteer work for the Red Cross I wouldn’t be trying to string a link between them, as there woundn’t be one.
I’m not saying he is a paid blogger per se, (I disagree with that comment for lack of evidence) but that there is a strong link between National party and Farrar, and the National party and the content of his blog; this much is clear.
I can’t think of any other such prolific blogger who is strongly aligned with a political party, but then I haven’t specifically gone out looking or taken an interest. If there are those out there, I would expect them to be strongly representative of the party of which they are a member – you wouldn’t write a political blog that was ideologically opposed to a party you had voluntarily joined!
Going back to your original comment – it’s up to the readers to infer (if they choose to take an interest) to what extent Farrar’s blog is aligned with the National party. I can only say it’s natural to assume there is a strong link given the content, Farrar’s background and current employment.
MP- it’s also worth noting the fact that Farrar’s spin is almost always exactly the same as the party’s. As someone who’s worked inside the party for more than a decade Farrar understands that the key in this game isn’t good analysis, it’s being able to stay on message with the party and repeat the same partisan lines relentlessly – and he does that very well. That’s why I don’t take Farrar seriously. His employment is just the kicker.
“he does a lot of his writing early in the morning and times it for release throughout the day”
wow, you seem to know a lot about it. How many DPF’S are there? I’m sure he posts and writes during the day.
Funnily enough I’m starting to think he fattens up his threads with
various versions of himself. There’s angry conservative businessman, nice “anti socialist” mum, and “i use to vote labour but not anymore” guy . DPF, what a writer.
“there is a strong link between National party and Farrar, and the National party and the content of his blog; this much is clear”
Mmmm lets see. In the past DPF has openly disagreed with National policy. Not just MP misbehaviour, not just statements in the house. POLICY.
Has The Standard?
In the past DPF has complimented the Labour party on its actions and policy.
Will The Standard ever compliment National for anything? The evidence so far doesnt seem to indicate so.
You KNOW who DPF is, you know his background. We dont know anything about the people behind The Standard. And a declaration of independence from someone that remains anonymous doesnt mean too much.
Daveo – I know what you mean but here everything gets taken very literally so I meant that as it’s not his specific contracted job to write kiwiblog, as far as I understand it. Although in truth I don’t know what he does for the Party over and above what is mentioned on his blog. I don’t need to 🙂
I agree with your latest though, that’s what I meant by ‘there is a strong link between … the National party and the content of his blog‘.
“Mmmm lets see. In the past DPF has openly disagreed with National policy. Not just MP misbehaviour, not just statements in the house. POLICY.”
This I gotta see! Got a link?
yeh, Kimble , DPF occasionally has a go when National isn’t as right wing as he’d like. It’s hardly the spotlight he torches Labour with.
and obviously Kimble you write to the herald complaining about their anonymous editorials.
Most right wing commentators openly use their ‘freemarket” beliefblogs in coordination with their commerce so using their name actually is of benefit to them. It is difficult to question business practise in this blog country without being presented as a anti-capitalist socialist/communist/ fascist. It’s intimidating and detracts from the message. The abuse is too much. Many of us have very important ties to the infrastructure of business and are very strategic with them.
This channel doesn’t actually require names, it requires rational progresive ideas and debate. That’s why it’s revolutionary.
“Will The Standard ever compliment National for anything? The evidence so far doesnt seem to indicate so.”
Well, if the National Party actually ever does anything commendable I’ll certainly commend them for it. I’m not going to hold my breath waiting for them to do so though.
“We dont know anything about the people behind The Standard.”
Come up valiant and corageous people from the left. Print your names and addresses ala DPF before you continue berating himm.
At least, he has the balls to do it. Will you?
Come up valiant and corageous santi. Print your name and address ala DPF before you continue berating himm.
santi, DPF may very well be using anonymous posts????
“At least, he has the balls to do it. Will you?”
Pretty much says it all. Santi, it’s not some juvenile pissing-contest.
I’m using my name, you’re not.
By your logic, you have no balls.
Care to take a mature position in this discussion?
I’m just pleased National has distanced itself from these mouth-foamers. Really they are the party’s achilles heel. I hate to think what embarrassing thing these people are going to do next.
Probably most here hope they will continue in the same vein 😉
Ruth
Loved your barbecue story. It made me laugh.
It’s a shame you’re National but heh, you can’t be perfect.
Snelly
The ‘public at large’ is listening right now and will be happy to circulate any new information about D4J, Whaleoil and the like.
Matthew Pilott
From some of the users’ abusive attitudes and given that some of them are in a position to influence any one of our lives I would strongly dissuade anyone from giving their full name.
But what really amazes me is that these are the very people who are screaming out that free speech will disappear and yet they’re trying to take away mine and anyone else’s voice that disagrees with them.
WHAT HYPOCRITES
“.. yet they’re trying to take away mine and anyone else’s voice that disagrees with them.”
Don’t play victim and make false statements, Jum. Nobody is curtailing your freedom of speech. Quite the contrary.
Thx Jum!
Really it doesn’t make much difference to me who wins this year. Politics doesn’t affect my everyday life, but I enjoy being involved in it – you meet interesting people :-).
Nothing much is going to change if the Nats win – I just think it’s time for someone else to buy the beer – same in the US.
Santi
So why have the anonymous bloggers of the standard stopped blogging about NZ politics, surely not because they would need to provide their full names and residential addresses if they want to express their political opinions…. must be some other reason… either that or the rancid EFB has completely shut them down.
I guess we will know once they resume their anti John Key and anti National party banter. I’m waiting….
—————————————————————–
Hey standard anon blog authors – Don’t vote Labour… what have you got to say about that?
From some of the users’ abusive attitudes and given that some of them are in a position to influence any one of our lives I would strongly dissuade anyone from giving their full name.
Precisely. Apart from the obvious fact that people might have very valid reasons why they feel freer to comment if they don’t have to use their real name, there are people on the right who are so damn creepy and abusive you’d have to fear for your safety if they had your full name and address.
So why have the anonymous bloggers of the standard stopped blogging about NZ politics
Possibly because most of then are still on holiday? Just a hunch…
Burt you drunken old prick. I see you’re still not taking your ritalin and you’re still obsessed with bolding random statements. Now, while you’re mouthing Farrar’s lamentably ignorant dog-whistle talking points about anonymity you may wish to consider this: you post anonymously. If you want to bitch and whine about others failing to use their real names then you might want to lead by example. Or alternatively I could find out who you are (I’m getting pretty good at this) and let folk know. Whaddya say Burt? I was hoping you’d’ve asked santa for a bit of self-reflexivity this xmas but it seem we’re gonna have to face another year of your yapping.
I’ve heard DPF mention that he sets up a lot of posts to time-release, so they don’t all pile on to the site at once.
Yeah I saw DPF claiming that as well so I had a look and as far as I can tell there is no facility in wordpress (or plug-in for it) that allows this to be done. I personally doubt that the Nats would use Farrar for polling because he’s simply too stupid to do it properly. There is no way any major party would entrust the gathering of its raw data to him. In my honest opinion he is getting paid to blog via his “Curia contract”. I mean have you seen the curia website? It’s barely a place holder and I’ve not seen him advertise anywhere – that’s because he doesn’t need to. It’s also why he’s responded so badly to the standard and blogblog – his blogging is his bread and butter, it pays his mortgage. The more he’s shown up the more likely the party is to drop him. Here’s to a bloody and vicious 2008…
“Or I could find out who you are (I’m getting pretty good at this)..”
Really Robinson? I didn’t know that to your eloquence and fine writing abilities, you also add the hound-dog touch.
You’d have done well in Germany of the 30’s.
Ah, another talented left-winger and socialist!
Hey robinsod – you are a abusive wee #### aren’t you . Wonder if your so lippy man to man ? I would love to find out one day ,and j you are that pathetic I know why I call this site the sub standard sewer .
Hey robinsod and you twisted lefty nutbars – Go #### yourselves – you scum of the earth . Russell Brown like you foaming dogs are pure communist filth . You’re selfish gravy train of government funds makes you deluded righteous creeps and in reality you are just up yourself pricks who are going down this time .
Ah, another talented left-winger and socialist!
Yep.
Robinsod
Yes I post anonymously and I post about political issues. It was legal last year – is it legal this year ? What changed Robinsod? Oh that’s right some self serving pricks passed some laws that shut down free speech…..
Waaaa hooo – an anonymous blogger threatening to out another anonymous blogger… Such is life under the EFB I guess, unable to debate the issues the highly pissed off anonymous bloggers start to turn on each other and shooting the messenger is all that remains when the message is off limits….
How about we meet for a beer one night and lets see if you still have the balls to call me a drunken old prick ?
Are you threatening me Burt? I mean, I don’t mind if you are but at least have the guts to say it outright rather than hiding behind the old “meet for a beer” line you coward.
Oh and Burt? Of course it’s legal to write about politics on a blog. Only a fool would think otherwise…
I’m not threatening you at all Robinsod – are you paranoid? It’s simple – if you are obsessing about who I really are then it would be much easier if we meet face to face. If you out me it only proves that what you think is OK for you is not OK for me – which is to be expected from a do as I say not as I do Labour supporter.
If it’s legal to write about politics on a multiple anonymous author blog then why have the authors here at the standard stopped doing it since the EFB passed.
Whaleoil (I know you don’t take anything he says seriously – but he can’t be wrong 100% of the time) seems to think that multiple anonymous author blogs are captured by the EFB – If he correct then this certainly explains why the standard have suddenly stopped posting about NZ political issues.
“Only a fool would think otherwise.” – Time will tell Robinsod – if the authors here at the standard get back to their previous form somebody might just want to take it as a test case. Very embarrassing for the standard having defended the EFB if it’s shut them down.
OK Burt – use the old trick of making a veiled threat and then backing out of it if you want but that just shows everyone here what a total coward you are. I’m sure the standard would welcome a test case but let’s face it anything that retarded chimp Whale comes out with is 99% likely to be wrong so I can’t see it happening in the near future.
As far as outing you goes Burt – I have no intention of doing so (though I’ve been doing ok since I was outed by the aforementioned chimp). Oh and Burt? There’s no way you could do as I do – you lack the basic intelligence to even approach what I do.
Robinsod
You are priceless.
That after: “Or alternatively I could find out who you are (I’m getting pretty good at this) and let folk know..” followed by “As far as outing you goes Burt – I have no intention of doing so”.
Pots and kettles…. Guess you realised what a hypocrite you were posing anonymously threatening to out other anonymous posters.
Robinsod
I do agree I’d need to work pretty hard to make as much of a fool of myself as you just did – but I think it was a lack of intelligence that you didn’t notice you were doing exactly what you were incorrectly denigrating me for doing.
Keep it Robinsod, the short bus will be along shortly to take you to remedial reasoning classes.
You are priceless.
Why thank you Burt – I had thought yoy were completely obtuse but it seems you have some sense after all.
Chicken, chicken, cluck, cluck.
Congratulations burt for unmasking the feeble robinson.
Hey santi and/or Burt – email me at mickyporton[at]hotmail.com we’ll go on a date.
Romance – ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
Sorry Michael Porton but I don’t do pinko-socialists.
Oh no – you’re breakin my heart wee man.
Robinsod
So what do you do Robinsod?
I’m a practicing psychiatrist Burt, and Doctor Robinsod says “Burt! Quick! Take your Ritilin!”
I always thought the sub standard ward must have a resident psychiatrist .It is very useful to have a Sigmund loop doctor close by . I’ve got one and she is called my shadow . Cool I can handle that and I hope you don’t stock no hinamanu psychotic wind up drugs in this unit over here? Because I just got a month sin bin over at kiwiblog for threating to punch the ####’# lights out .
Sod that wasn’t bad wit and satire and it is great to see you and burt going for it hammering and tongs . Must go pills to take, another zombie day in Helengrad . Cheers big ears .
Burt said:
Burt you don’t understand the EFB, and nor does Whale. Blogs are exempt, in fact specifically so.
And the reason we weren’t posting was because we were on holiday. Some of us still are. Hmmm, when you look back that’s kind of an embarrassing diatribe you’ve got there, eh?
Ummm, did anyone bother to check on who Carl Pascoe is? A member of the Chch Polytech Council, amongst other things…conflict of interest anyone?
Or does that only apply to anti-EFA supporters?