On Dame Susan Devoy

Written By: - Date published: 7:28 am, March 22nd, 2013 - 393 comments
Categories: Politics - Tags:

Rather than add my two cents to the debate about whether she’s up to the job or not (she’s clearly not), I’d like to point out that this is essentially Judith Collins telling liberal New Zealand it can go f**k itself.

Given this fact, the question to ask isn’t so much why put such an unqualified person in such a sensitive position so much as why does Collins feel the need to yell “look at me” so loudly right now?

Is it because her main opponent, Steven Joyce, has been rebuilding his image off the back of the novopay debacle? Or is it that she’s been shut out by Key who, as I understand it, has privately voiced concern about a potential Collins leadership of the party (once he’s finished of course).

Whatever the reason, the smug vindictiveness of this move will ultimately damage Collins in her attempts to appear more leader-like despite how much her faction will enjoy the bloody red-meat being thrown their way.

393 comments on “On Dame Susan Devoy ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. lprent 1
    22 March 2013 at 7:38 am

    That seems like a reasonable assessment. Certainly more reasonable than other inane posturings of Collins since the announcement.

    • IrishBill 1.1
      22 March 2013 at 7:46 am

      You’ll note she always smirks when she makes those statements. She knows what she’s done and she’s happy for people to know (as long as she maintains plausible deniabilty).

      • lprent 1.1.1
        22 March 2013 at 7:58 am

        And the decisions are almost uniformly dumb and quite stupid because they’re always so superficial, short term, and appear to be made for no other purpose than to garner headlines as if she was merely paid to seek attention. In fact most of them remind me of Cameron Slater…

        You know – that “look at me, I’m being such a dick” look.

        • IrishBill 1.1.1.1
          22 March 2013 at 8:23 am

          Unsurprising given Slater and Lusk are in Collins’ team. I think they’re out of luck though – Key has essentially aligned himself with English’s more moderate faction and they’re the ones with the numbers in caucus (but no clear leadership candidate now Power is gone and Parata is fatally damaged) which means it’ll be this faction that is given poll position when Key steps down.
          But they need a leader which leads me to believe Key will stay throughout his third term (yes I think the odds are high that National will win – probably with an NZ first deal but they may not even need those numbers) if only to ensure that some of the younger English faction talent develops far enough to leap-frog the current contenders.
          If that doesn’t work out the moderates will do a deal with Joyce because there’s not the personal animosity and distrust that comes with Collins. I also think her way of doing politics is reaching the end of its shelf-life (as is the similar way Phil and Trevor operate). Either way she’s out in the cold.

          • lprent 1.1.1.1.1
            22 March 2013 at 8:37 am

             I also think her way of doing politics is reaching the end of its shelf-life

            Yeah, a style of flashy empty gestures designed for talkback radio for the last decade. Most voters are more concerned with real world problems these days than cheap entertainment.

          • Socialist Paddy 1.1.1.1.2
            22 March 2013 at 9:04 am

            What about Aaron Gilmore?

            The guy is a star in the making with a real life story and he is a non politician sort of guy …

          • Liberal Realist 1.1.1.1.3
            22 March 2013 at 9:15 pm

            “If that doesn’t work out the moderates will do a deal with Joyce because there’s not the personal animosity and distrust that comes with Collins”

            Does anyone really think Joyce is electable? Methinks no. He’s at least as slippery as Key, slimier than Slater and not much brighter than Brownlee…

      • Tim 1.1.2
        22 March 2013 at 3:59 pm

        It’s crass on SO many levels isn’t it? Susan De-void – Race Relations “concilliator”. I thought it was a joke at first. That fella Irriot/Savant has pointed out potential illegality (not that this would worry Nekshnull). I’m not so worried however, other than the reign of this regime has trivialised/trashed/fucked over “stue-shuns of State” [PUBLIC institutions] and De-mock racey in general.
        One should remember though that the harder they rise, the hardest they fall.
        Airhead Devoid ffs! She’s already almost admitted she ain’t qualified by her media statements to date.
        You’ve got to wonder where the former fathers of the NATs stand ( I notice Donald McK is back in the country), and even those now serving (Krus Finlayson).

        None of them worry much about the legacy they’re going to leave or how their offspring might be perceived or treated – if they were decent human beings, they would.

        Susan Fucking Devoy FFS: Race Relations Concilliator! It is a joke obviously – either that or the biggest 2 finger salute to the role and intention of what the role stands for.
        Possibly its a test – what’s perceived as a role that isn’t the most important on Koiwoi’s day-today agenda filled by someone that “isn’t a racist, cos sum of her best frenz are Murrays” appointed – a test to see just how popular such an appointment is.

        Has anyone heard about how Uncle Tom Shambles-for life, or Pokarekare Auntie Turei feel about it?
        I’m thinking they’d better strump up with an opinion super soon or their demise might very well be hastened! Mana-less specimens the both of them! (Shame though because once in a lifetime, once were reasonably decent people – before Key’s cargo cultism struck)

        ICK! ERK!

        Long term thinking has never been a strengtht of NActs – but I am surprised at some politicians one could have thought of as reasonable people.

        Roll on election time. The result will be a telling one for me: whether or not to abandon a birthplace in favour of one where people, community, compassion, ethics and principle are more important than an individual’s ego, status, class, bank balance, relative position, possessions, et all.

        Excuse me while I go vomit.

    • Murray Olsen 1.2
      22 March 2013 at 4:28 pm

      Pretty much my thoughts. Collins is giving Kiwis the finger in a very WhaleSpewish manner – “We’ve won, we’re in charge, and there’s nothing you can do about it.” Sadists should not be in charge of social policy.

  2. Pascal's bookie 2
    22 March 2013 at 8:13 am

    All her statements on this have been loaded to the eyeballs with the good old fashioned sensible and fantastic balanced what’s all this PC gone mad korero.

    It’s almost as if she’s rebuilding her stocks with those who may have been disapponted by her marriage equality about face.

    • ghostrider888 2.1
      22 March 2013 at 1:18 pm

      gotta put this here;
      Devoy on her own ethnicity; “not even sure if she is part maori”
      but hey, followed by “I think you are as Maori as you feel”
      and then,
      “this is not a platform for me to voice my own views”
      and to paraphrase; “I have a strong moral compass, able to come to my own view…” blah blah blah

  3. mickysavage 3
    22 March 2013 at 8:14 am

    Scott Yorke has blogged about a fictional appointment which in terms of suitability of the appointed candidate is comparable …

    http://www.imperatorfish.com/2013/03/david-tuas-new-challenge.html

    • felix 3.1
      22 March 2013 at 8:52 am

      Quite scary that it’s not immediately obvious that Scott’s announcement is satire and Judith’s isn’t.

  4. just saying 4
    22 March 2013 at 8:32 am

    There may be an element of the kind of political game that you refer to, in this decision, IrishBill.
    But it is also completely in line with all the other appointments to such watchdog and human rights bodies, along with the legislative changes National has made to strip away the few rights, and very meagre representation accorded those most marginalised.

    I think the most salient and frightening feature of this, the latest in a long line of outrages, is how National appears to be getting bolder and bolder. It no longer seems impossible that, say, the government would appoint Greg O’Connor as the new Health and Disability commisioner, or Leighton Smith, to head the Police Complaints Authority. Every time they get away scot-free their power grows. Every time the opposition cedes its ground to populism and bigotry, their power weakens.

    Stargazer at ‘The Hand Mirror’ has a powerful blog on how those affected by these assaults are, by their very dependence on such appointees, powerless to fight in their own interests, and on just how important officers such as the Race Relations commissioner, can be to the lives of those affected:

    I guess the place to start is that this a difficult thing for me to talk about. because i’m dependent on the person who will be race relations commissioner in so many ways. i need to depend on her being the voice standing up for people of colour. i need to count her being willing to step in and stand up and fight when i can’t fight or when my voice isn’t loud enough or strong enough to be heard.

    because her voice is strong enough to cut through – it carries the full weight of her office and the institution that stands behinds her. it opens doors that aren’t accessible to me, in that she is much more likely to be granted entrance into organisations or given interviews with people than i am. she has access to funding and support structures that i don’t have access to, at least not in the same way. in fact, sometimes she gets to be a gatekeeper in regards to my ability to access that support.

    http://thehandmirror.blogspot.co.nz/2013/03/hoping-for-best.html

  5. tarkwin 5
    22 March 2013 at 8:37 am

    Why don’t we just let ger get on with the job. She can’t be worse than that tosser Joris De Bress who thinks calling people white mother fuckers and house niggers is O.K.

    • lprent 5.1
      22 March 2013 at 8:39 am

      When did Judith Collins do that? She is much more into implying it than actually saying what she thinks.

      Did you read the actual post rather than just drooling up a stock comment?

    • chris73 acualy is Dolan 5.2
      22 March 2013 at 8:41 am

      She is worse, in fact shes the devil. A high achieving married with children women who isn’t a card-carrying leftie. This is not what the left approves of.

      • lprent 5.2.1
        22 March 2013 at 9:03 am

        I mostly notice her because she makes high profile meaningless and ineffectual decisions – some of which like this one that could cause real damage. Tell me – how many boy-racer cars have been crushed? Wouldn’t you call that a meaningless waste of everyone’s time?

        • BM 5.2.1.1
          22 March 2013 at 9:15 am

          How many need to be crushed?
          Maybe the threat was all that was needed, compared to 5 years ago there’s fuck all boy racers around.
          The much tougher aproach of allowing the police to jump up and down on their faces with jack boots seem to have done the trick.

          • chris73 acualy is Dolan 5.2.1.1.1
            22 March 2013 at 9:23 am

            Pretty much sums it up really, what was the aim of her legislation? To crush cars or to discourage boy racers.

            Thats a win to Judith Collins for the car crushing and a big win because Dame Susan Devoy is someone highly respected around NZ (so will rub off on National)

            • One Tāne Huna 5.2.1.1.1.1
              22 March 2013 at 9:34 am

              Yes! Boy racers are so discouraged!
              Not.

              • rosy …
                22 March 2013 at 9:43 am

                So discouraged they’re even going to protest about it

                Boy racers are planning to strike back at police tonight with a coordinated protest outside the new central city police station in Christchurch.
                Police have been targeting areas frequently used by boy racers over the last month as part of Operation Hammer, to deter them from causing havoc on the roads and to put a stop to antisocial behaviour.
                Canterbury road policing manager Al Stewart said a small portion of boy racers displayed a “pack mentality” and were more “aggressive” toward police, who were seen as targets.

                Seems the earthquake damage did more to stop them than the threat of crushing the cars.

            • Murray Olsen 5.2.1.1.1.2
              22 March 2013 at 5:06 pm

              Some Kiwis realise that ability at sport doesn’t translate to much else except ability at sport. Some don’t, and they tend to support National. While Susan Devoy may be highly respected as a squash player, her posturings on race issues show that she doesn’t deserve any respect there at all. She reflects the worst sort of Pakeha casual racism – that which is racist because of “common sense” or “why can’t we all just be New Zealanders?” She has never even thought about the issues. Her intellectual posturings belong on talkback radio, not as head of an organisation which should bring some rigour, awareness, and even optimism to the problems we all face. I think she’ll be widely seen to be worse than useless and hopefully this will rub off on National.

              • AmaKiwi …
                22 March 2013 at 9:06 pm

                If you want to kill a government program, put an incompetent in charge of it.

                “I think she (Devoy) will be widely seen to be worse than useless and hopefully this will rub off on National.”

                More likely many National supporters see the whole Race Relations concept as a waste of tax money and therefore are rubbing their hands together with glee.

                They are killing many gov. departments by getting rid of the most experienced people. Some of the damage they have done to DOC can never be repaired.

          • lprent 5.2.1.1.2
            22 March 2013 at 10:14 am

            …there’s fuck all boy racers around.

            Christchurch right? Where there was recently a series of earthquakes? I noticed that there was a dark cloud over most leisure activities when I was down there at the start of the month.

            There has been no observable difference in Auckland.

            • BM 5.2.1.1.2.1
              22 March 2013 at 10:31 am

              Hardly any left in Hamilton or they’re just keeping a very low profile.

              • Saarbo …
                22 March 2013 at 11:47 am

                Get real BM, the reduction in boy racers is due to the plight of young people in our tanked economy combined with the demise of easy credit from dodgy finance companies.
                8 years ago a 17 year old could walk into Western Bay Finance and come out with a 30k loan to spend on a EVO plus subs…too easy. They didnt even need to pay it back.

                • Pascal's bookie …
                  22 March 2013 at 2:49 pm

                  To be fair, young people with cars wouldn’t be long in Hamilton.

                  • felix …
                    24 March 2013 at 7:23 pm

                    Lolz. But nah, there are still heaps in Hamilton. BM is talking out of his large bore exhaust.

                    I reckon they try to leave but get confused by all the roundabouts.

              • The Al1en …
                22 March 2013 at 6:54 pm

                “Hardly any left in Hamilton or they’re just keeping a very low profile.”

                Or you’re deliberately not seeing them.

                • BM …
                  22 March 2013 at 6:59 pm

                  Well, they must have all moved out my the area that I live in, thank fuck.
                  Compared to what it was like 5 years ago it’s like living in some off the beaten path,no exit cludersac.

      • QoT 5.2.2
        22 March 2013 at 8:49 pm

        Yes. We feminists do truly hate women who have raised families while maintaining careers.

    • just saying 5.3
      22 March 2013 at 8:41 am

      Damn straight Tarkwin, white people need far more power and representation. Who is looking after our interests?

      • chris73 acualy is Dolan 5.3.1
        22 March 2013 at 8:53 am

        So what would you call Joris De Bres?

        Also you don’t think women need representation? I’m shocked at the blatant misogyny you’re spouting, I thought you were better than that. 😉

      • bad12 5.3.2
        22 March 2013 at 8:55 am

        Exactly what are these interests of ‘white people’ that need ‘looking after’, you can still purchase white sheets and as far as i am aware burning crosses on your own property is not illegal unless there is a fire ban in place…

        • just saying 5.3.2.1
          22 March 2013 at 8:58 am

          Wow.
          A bit scary that it wasn’t obvious I was being sarcastic.

          • chris73 acualy is Dolan 5.3.2.1.1
            22 March 2013 at 9:20 am

            I see your obvious sarcasm and raise you a smiley face (to show I’m not being 100% serious)

          • bad12 5.3.2.1.2
            22 March 2013 at 9:22 am

            A sarc/ at the end of your comment would have made it ‘obvious’, i ususally read and respond to comments without always looking at who has wrote the commment…

            [lprent: That is a bad idea. You may find a net experienced respondent who views people doing that as an opportunity to practice stripping your ego bare and doing a delicate flaying of motivations. For instance I’m known for using such comments for those kinds of training purposes. ]

            • bad12 5.3.2.1.2.1
              23 March 2013 at 1:11 am

              Are you just addressing me on the advice of the use of /sarc to indicate that a commenter is being sarcastic,

              Or, are you addressing me for stating that sometimes i read the comments in a post without looking at who the author is…

          • Murray Olsen 5.3.2.1.3
            22 March 2013 at 5:09 pm

            I agree. Many of us on the left can be a little too earnest at times. Sometimes we should just lighten up. Or even light up, if that’s what rocks your boat.

    • stargazer 5.4
      22 March 2013 at 12:05 pm

      [citiation needed}

      please provide any evidence where joris said this was “ok”. in fact, if you bother to do some research, you’ll find that he said something quite different.

        • Pascal's bookie 5.4.1.1
          24 March 2013 at 9:43 pm

          Let me quote that for you:

          “Race Relations Commissioner Joris de Bres said he believed the email Mr Harawira sent was “offensive”, but did not breach the Human Rights Act because it was a freedom of speech.”

          Do you think it breached the human rights act? Is “offensive” now a synonym for “ok”?

          • Populuxe1 5.4.1.1.1
            24 March 2013 at 10:07 pm

            I think it’s a very selective given that there is no statute or positive rule of the common law recognising and protecting freedom of speech and expression in New Zealand. New Zealand law prohibits hate speech under the Human Rights Act 1993. Section 61 (Racial Disharmony) makes it unlawful to publish or distribute “threatening, abusive, or insulting…matter or words likely to excite hostility against or bring into contempt any group of persons…on the ground of the colour, race, or ethnic or national or ethnic origins of that group of persons.” Section 131 (Inciting Racial Disharmony) lists offences for which “racial disharmony” creates liability. In that, I think Joris was off the mark.

            • Pascal's bookie 5.4.1.1.1.1
              24 March 2013 at 10:10 pm

              You are aware that the “white motherfuckers” phrase wasn’t introduced to the (email) conversation by Hone though right?

              • Populuxe1 …
                24 March 2013 at 10:36 pm

                The “someone else did it first” excuse doesn’t hold water in primary school and it doesn’t here. So Hone, if such and such jumped off a cliff, would you follow after? I personally don’t believe that it should exceptable for any member of one group to use that sort of language about any other group.

                • Pascal's bookie …
                  25 March 2013 at 7:14 am

                  You might want to review the arguments you have been making all over this thread if you think “somone else did it too” is such poor form.

                  You also might want to dig into the deatails of what was going on in that email exchange, and understand the context.

                  And if you want to ban speech, good on you for taking a stand on something I guess.

                  But the point of this little side bar is that Joris de Bres didn’t say it was “OK”.

  6. tarkwin 6
    22 March 2013 at 8:50 am

    Yes I can read. I was simply pointing out your article would far rather take a negative aproach in attacking Collins and trying to invent a National Party power struggle conspiracy theory rather than discussing Susan Devoy’s suitability for the job.

    • quartz 6.1
      22 March 2013 at 8:54 am

      National party staffer says “nothing to see here!”

    • felix 6.2
      22 March 2013 at 8:55 am

      Who’s inventing conspiracies? You’re the one complaining about hidden motives and underhanded behaviour.

    • lprent 6.3
      22 March 2013 at 9:01 am

      ….rather than discussing Susan Devoy’s suitability for the job.

      Yes and that was the point of the post wasn’t it. That there were a *lot* of posts around on the subject of Devoy’s lack of suitability for the role. Just jump in on the feed on the right or in OpenMike.

      However the question that Irish was posing was who was the fuckwit politician who made such dumb decision. If you want to discuss your topic as a diversion then I will be happy to move the entire thread to OpenMike as being off-topic.

      However we could always leave it here and discuss why you are so desperately wanting to run diversion? Because I’m pretty sure that is what is going to happen.

    • RobertM 6.4
      25 March 2013 at 5:26 pm

      Well crushing the young bogans cars and appointing Susan Devoy are definitely acts of contempt for liberals. In terms of car crushing I think I was suggesting it in the odd blog in say 2009 before Collins first advocated, it. And probably many other people as well. The boy racers were a particular annoyance around Christhchurch on the main drags and in pelipheral country areas and maybe even dangerous. Young working class idiots that were probably trainee mechanics they were the same type of young lout and prick who hung around outside bars in the Oxford Tce strip and SOL bar area- generally harrassing people and being general pests. Crushing their cars is a gesture of annoyance- for people who ruin everyone elses enjoyment. Obviously their hot cars are related to their inchoate and clumsy interest in booze and girls but maybe the relationship between those things needs to be divorced.
      Unfortunately for Collins , Tolley with her new surgically slim body, trousers and high heels looked better at the only actual crushing.
      In terms of Susan Devoy she will favour social cohesion and ordinary people of whatever races right not to be offended. That will mean some individuals and unusual people probably won’t have their right’s respected- maybe you and I.
      My own view of Collins is that at a certain level she has a similar country conservative post 1999 NZ view in someway similar to Clark’s. Anger from the country farm background. I’m definitely not a fan of Judith Collins because I don’t think she’ll prove in any way the sort of liberal market reformer that Shipley and Richardson were. To me support for market liberalism only works if it is accompanied by support of a fairly socially free and liberal society. Thatcher, Major and John Howard were all moving very much away from tight social control to a generally liberal society- ie liberal licensing and freedom on the streets. I see Collins as a Social Conservative not a market liberal.

  7. felix 7
    22 March 2013 at 9:01 am

    My only complaint about Dame Susan being appointed to this job is that she’s a bit old.

    If we’re going to have celebrities running the country, can we at least get some younger prettier ones please? Someone actually on telly?

    FFS she hasn’t been on telly for ages.

    • kiwi_prometheus 7.1
      22 March 2013 at 9:21 am

      Actually Devoy has been an elite athlete, top in her field, 4 times world champion.

      More than you have ever achieved in life, Ms Felix.

      • bad12 7.1.1
        22 March 2013 at 9:26 am

        Yes that’s all well and good, hat tip to Susan for Her 4 world championships, BUT, how does that qualify Her in any way for such a sensitive position,

        Her skill is at ‘winning’ which has little to do with Race Relations in particular and even less to do with a role inherent in ‘concilliation’…

        • kiwi_prometheus 7.1.1.1
          22 March 2013 at 9:49 am

          It demonstrates she has discipline, focus, determination, courage in the face of adversity, self belief…

          Excellent qualities for any position of responsibility, plus she has governance experience.

          Anyway see my post further below for what really seems to be the problem for the Far Left.

          • quartz 7.1.1.1.1
            22 March 2013 at 9:52 am

            Why would anyone here listen to the opinions of a hard right-winger like you?

          • BM 7.1.1.1.2
            22 March 2013 at 9:53 am

            But is she as qualified as this guy?
            http://keywiki.org/index.php/Joris_de_Bres

            • kiwi_prometheus 7.1.1.1.2.1
              22 March 2013 at 10:02 am

              Great, he is a Marxist left over from the 1970s.

              That makes him more “qualified” does it?

              • BM …
                22 March 2013 at 10:07 am

                Not at all.
                If anything he was far too biased in his views to hold the position of Race Relations Commissioner.

                When he was appointed It was essentially Helen Clark telling right wing New Zealand it can go f**k itself.

                • stargazer …
                  22 March 2013 at 12:08 pm

                  can you give examples of this bias please? because i haven’t seen it. i think the only bias is yours, in that he wasn’t saying what you would have said in similar circumstances. but that only proves that there is a very good reason why you aren’t race relations commissioner and he has been an extremely good one.

                  • Pascal's bookie …
                    22 March 2013 at 12:30 pm

                    Biased against racists. Much more sensible to split the difference between racists and the complainents. Upsetting racists is what causes racism don’t you know.

                • Colonial Viper …
                  22 March 2013 at 6:23 pm

                  When he was appointed It was essentially Helen Clark telling right wing New Zealand it can go f**k itself.

                  Why, because the Right Wing hate the idea of competence and sensitivity in race relations?

            • Jim in Tokyo 7.1.1.1.2.2
              22 March 2013 at 1:06 pm

              That website is priceless BM!

              http://keywiki.org/index.php/Joris_de_Bres

              In 1965-68, while attending Auckland University, Joris, also known as “George”, was active in the Student Christian Movement , and he also persued many left- wing causes, including protesting against the Vietnam War; the aparthied system in South Africa; the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service ; nuclear power; racism and so on.[1] In 1969, de Bres wrote an article for the Auckland University students newspaper called Craccum (Number 1) about a Melbourne anti-conscription march.

              I can only hope that in order to redress this gross imbalance, our new race relations commissioner persued [sic] many right wing causes such as supporting the Vietnam War, maintaining the aparthied [sic] system in South Africa, promoting the SIS, supporting nuclear power, promoting racism and so on. It would be particularly nice if she pushed for conscription a bit in her spare time.

          • joe90 7.1.1.1.3
            22 March 2013 at 10:02 am

            Loudon’s hate site, charming.

            • Te Reo Putake 7.1.1.1.3.1
              22 March 2013 at 11:43 am

              What a terrific website it is! So up to date! Loved this gem: ” … veteran leftist Rob Campbell, “.

              That’s the same Rob Campbell that left the union movement decades ago and went into business and most recently demonstrated his real politics when he resigned from the board at POAL because they wouldn’t follow his smash the union strategy anymore.

                • ghostrider888 …
                  22 March 2013 at 1:27 pm

                  some gems
                  “not even sure if she is part-maori”
                  “I think you are as Maori as you feel”
                  however,
                  “this is not a platform for me to voice my own views”
                  “At the end of the day, I have a really good moral compass…so long as I know that in my mind I am doing the Right thing.”
                  Puh-lease!

                  • Populuxe1 …
                    22 March 2013 at 4:32 pm

                    Well actually that has long been the general consensus for Urban Maori who don’t know their whakapapa or are not affiliated to an Iwi. Relying on blood quanta or appearance is actually a Pakeha/Western construct. Instinctively Devoy seems to know more about Maori identity than you do. How jolly.

                    • ghostrider888 …
                      22 March 2013 at 4:49 pm

                      my whanau and neighbours might disagree with you

                    • Colonial Viper …
                      22 March 2013 at 6:31 pm

                      Devoy is instinctive about Maori issues! Great! No need for actual experience, training, or even immersion!

                      In fact, I bet some of her BEST FRIENDS are MAORI!

                    • Populuxe1 …
                      23 March 2013 at 5:29 pm

                      CV, you know the rules. Always assume I’m being sarcastic.
                      Ghostrider, presumably they know their whakapap. There is a significant demographic who don’t, but that doesn’t stop them being Maori.

                • Tim …
                  23 March 2013 at 12:11 am

                  That would imply that she has the capability of rational thought, critical analysis and logic as opposed to learned ideology wouldn’t it?

                  Does anyone know if she’s written an autobio? As in a kind of “Moi Loif” – and if I can do it – anyone can!.

                  Actually I can see Devoid (in her position as RRC) recommending any dispute resolution type activity being resolved by the ‘power of positive thinking’ and the use of a library of ‘self-help’ books (authored by dem folks she knows)!

                  Why do people like Susan want to end up destroying their reputations and past achievements by undertaking activities they’re just SO fucking unsuited to!
                  Baffles me.

          • MaxwellS 7.1.1.1.4
            22 March 2013 at 10:09 am

            “It demonstrates she has discipline, focus, determination, courage in the face of adversity, self belief…”

            All excellent qualities that many dictators throughout history have had. Would that qualify them as good race relations commisioners?
            FYI, you’re an idiot.

            • kiwi_prometheus 7.1.1.1.4.1
              22 March 2013 at 10:20 am

              “All excellent qualities that many dictators throughout history have had.”

              All excellent qualities that many Democratic leaders through out history have had.

              You’re what the old socialist dictators referred to as an “useful idiot”.

            • Tim 7.1.1.1.4.2
              23 March 2013 at 1:48 pm

              Pity the kids! [Putty the kuds]. Pity the De-voids.

              Truly a horror story – but check back in 10 years time. There’ll be a “Paul Holmes – like scenario – ripe for the TSM (trivia-stream media) I’ll bet.

              In ten years time, I’ll lick her leopard-skin boots amidst a cast of her right-wing frenz if any of her up-comming decisions aren’t subjected to ridicule. Pulla Bent can play the role of ‘Best Woman’ [rather womb-MAN].

              DEVOID – elite ethleet (and all that goes with achieving that – YES. Experience and qualifications for RRC role NO – but roll the dice and spin the BSspiel-deck anyway – Methyou Hoots has pre-loaded some juicy phrases for your convenience)

              KEY – elite money market foin enshul trader hooz coleegz cud hardly unnaStan him let alone deal with the guy rolling the dice and comming up poztiv – YES. Qualifications and speeryince for NewZull Proim Munsta – NO

              It’s tempting to pick em off one by one (ESPECIALLY Krus Finlayson)

          • bad12 7.1.1.1.5
            22 March 2013 at 10:09 am

            Yes that appears to be the ‘problem’ with Her appointment, the self-beliefs She has previously expressed would sit well with the expressed beliefs of NZFirst’s Richard Prosser…

            • kiwi_prometheus 7.1.1.1.5.1
              22 March 2013 at 10:22 am

              Nonsense, her opinion on the burka is very much mainstream.

              • framu …
                22 March 2013 at 10:34 am

                whoopdee friggity doo – since when has “heaps of people agree with me” been a part of the job description for race relation commissioner?

                heaps of people thought slavery was just dandy as well

                • kiwi_prometheus …
                  22 March 2013 at 10:45 am

                  Her views are not extreme is the point you are trying to avoid.

                  • framu …
                    22 March 2013 at 11:12 am

                    christ your being dense! Is it deliberate?

                    since when has “heaps of people agree with me” been a part of the job description for race relation commissioner?

                    its a pretty easy question

                    • kiwi_prometheus …
                      22 March 2013 at 12:32 pm

                      You are dense, ideologically blinded in fact.

                    • framu …
                      22 March 2013 at 1:44 pm

                      stop being a dick and answer the question please. Im not talking aobut ideology at all and for one who keeps shouting “but im not a rightie” its a bit rich for you to start in on that angle

                      and for the record im called your behaviour dense – not yourself – seeing as you dont know shit about me can you drop the insults?

                      i will ask you again, for the third time, since when has “heaps of people agree with me” been a part of the job description for race relation commissioner?

              • bad12 …
                22 March 2013 at 2:36 pm

                Mainstream??? my belief is that you are just stupid, please stop attempting to provide the proof,

                Where have you adjudged this mainstream to be??? who does it consist of??? where i live there is a relatively sizable community of i believe Somali’s some of whom wear the full face covering and some just the head covering,

                i see these people in the Supermarket and on occasion walking round the suburb, no-one takes any more notice of them than they do the next person, my personal view of them is to usually wonder how they see the country they have wound up in, NZ must look fascinating through their eyes,

                what you are talking of is the tyranny of ‘talk-back radio’ being inflicted upon the beliefs of others which also appears to be the belief of Richard Prosser and to a lesser extent? Susan Devoy,

                i for one am entirely comfortable with any of the ethnic groups in New Zealand portraying their religious/cultural faith through the clothing they wear…

            • Populuxe1 7.1.1.1.5.2
              24 March 2013 at 9:02 pm

              So you have no qualms at all about women wearing sacks – not talking about a hijab but the full swathed in black looking through a letterbox slot. You don’t consider that a form of patriarchal oppression in any way?

          • Murray Olsen 7.1.1.1.6
            22 March 2013 at 5:15 pm

            Champion sportspeople often demonstrate single mindedness and a desire to win at all costs. Some of them even cheat. In a sport like squash, they don’t even need to know about working as a team. While these qualities might arguably be desirable for the superintendent of a prison (probably not, actually), I don’t see how they help in an area as complex as race relations. If anything, they’re about as transferrable as ability at currency speculation is to the prumstershup.

      • MrSmith 7.1.2
        22 March 2013 at 10:24 am

        That’s right KP she became the champion of hitting a little black ball against a white wall, 4 times in-fact, mainly because nobody else was dumb enough to play the fucking stupid sport.

        The mistake people especially Tory’s make all the time is just because they are successful at one thing they think they will be good at everything, she should stick to what she is good at, hitting black balls against white walls! Maybe collins thought that experience would make her perfect for the job.

        • kiwi_prometheus 7.1.2.1
          22 March 2013 at 10:51 am

          “she became the champion of hitting a little black ball against a white wall”

          I would like to see you try, first hit would probably bounce the ball straight back and give you a black eye, Then after about 30 seconds of physical exertion you would be rushed to hospital with heart palipitations.

          “just because they are successful at one thing they think they will be good at everything”

          I’ve already listed some of the qualities an individual must possess to be an elite athlete, I believe these are transferable to any position.

          • framu 7.1.2.1.1
            22 March 2013 at 11:28 am

            heart surgeon?

            astronaught?

            lion tamer?

            how big does this list go?

          • MrSmith 7.1.2.1.2
            22 March 2013 at 12:04 pm

            “I would like to see you try, first hit would probably bounce the ball straight back and give you a black eye, Then after about 30 seconds of physical exertion you would be rushed to hospital with heart palipitations.”

            Your making Assumptions K/P and I expect Dame susan will do exactly the same.

            “I’ve already listed some of the qualities an individual must possess to be an elite athlete, I believe these are transferable to any position.”

            Everyone possesses qualities to become what ever they want K/P including a Dick!

        • AmaKiwi 7.1.2.2
          22 March 2013 at 9:14 pm

          “Maybe collins thought that experience would make her perfect for the job.”

          No, Collins WANTS her to ruin the Race Relations office. From a Key-Collins- Natioanal point of view Race Relations is not an essential function of government and should be done away with.

    • chris73 acualy is Dolan 7.2
      22 March 2013 at 9:26 am

      In all seriousness shes in not bad nick for someone her age and with 4 kids…could give some lessons to some in the Labour and Greens me thinks

  8. MaxwellS 8
    22 March 2013 at 9:06 am

    This is Judith Collins’ personality, she’s vindictive and, much as it seems a shallow thing to say, I think a big part of this vindictive behaviour is because, physically (ok ok and psychologically), she is incredibly ugly.

    The Right used to go on about how unattractive Helen Clark is but next to Judith Collins she looks like a supermodel.

    [lprent: Who cares? It isn’t like we elect them for their looks. If you really want to go down that path then I’d suggest that the sewer is a good place to go. ]

    • quartz 8.1
      22 March 2013 at 9:22 am

      I don’t think she’s ugly at all. Her politics is ugly tho.

      • chris73 acualy is Dolan 8.1.1
        22 March 2013 at 9:29 am

        No I have to disagree with that, maybe shes carrying a few extra kilos (who isn’t) but she suits it. I think your distaste for her politics is distorting your view.

        • MaxwellS 8.1.1.1
          22 March 2013 at 10:02 am

          It’s not really the extra kilos, it’s that she looks like the offspring of a bulldog and The Joker.

        • QoT 8.1.1.2
          22 March 2013 at 8:56 pm

          This just in: whether you think Judith Collins’ weight “suits her” doesn’t mean shit because she isn’t an object whose value is based on your opinion of her fuckability.

    • bad12 8.2
      22 March 2013 at 9:29 am

      Vindictive uglyness is a prequisite to becoming a National Party MP…

    • dumrse 8.3
      22 March 2013 at 6:50 pm

      Beauty is the eyes of the beholder. Shame your fucking blind.

  9. marty mars 9
    22 March 2013 at 9:06 am

    I think this move will increase her support and bolster her leadership ambitions and chances because imo she actually believes (re Waitangi Day etc) that what devoy has said is correct and she believes many others also believe it is correct – this appointment is designed with multiple objectives including distraction, division and longer term positional development. Collins might be stupid but shes not thick and this classic tactic will work because shock, horror, many in this country DO agree with her and until that is adjusted, tangata whenua and those disadvantaged by our society are fucked.

    • kiwi_prometheus 9.1
      22 March 2013 at 9:25 am

      ” because shock, horror, many in this country DO agree with her and until that is adjusted”

      That’s right, white NZ is sick and tired of the Waitangi circus. They have every right to be.

      Meanwhile the Neo Marxist/Social Constructivist Standardistas go on pretending that Waitangi Day is just fine, its the white controlled media who are to blame.

      Sigh.

      • marty mars 9.1.1
        22 March 2013 at 9:56 am

        grow up and btw ‘white nz’ doesn’t exist unless you live in a dark cave and only come out at night that is.

        • kiwi_prometheus 9.1.1.1
          22 March 2013 at 10:07 am

          “btw ‘white nz’ doesn’t exist”

          Yes it does.

          • marty mars 9.1.1.1.1
            22 March 2013 at 10:16 am

            who signed the treaty bright boy?

            look around your enclave, notice the graduations of skin colour?

            there is no whitenz but there are those who want there to be to get the advantage of privilege derived from that construct

            • kiwi_prometheus 9.1.1.1.1.1
              22 March 2013 at 10:37 am

              ” get the advantage of privilege derived from that construct”

              Spouting a whole lot of Social Constructivist nonsense there, marty mars.

              • marty mars …
                22 March 2013 at 10:48 am

                sure but it is true whereas you keep pushing the same discredited rubbish – don’t you get a bit sick of being wrong so much or at least bored with it a bit?

                • kiwi_prometheus …
                  22 March 2013 at 10:55 am

                  No, Social Constructivism is VERY poor philosophy, unfortunatley it has spread throughout the University Literature and Social Science Departments throughout the West resulting in a dramatic collapse in Academic standards.

                  • marty mars …
                    22 March 2013 at 11:16 am

                    yawn – sorry tuned out there a bit what was your non-point again

                    • kiwi_prometheus …
                      22 March 2013 at 12:36 pm

                      Looks like marty is only parroting what others say without any understanding of terms like ‘[social] construct’ and the ideology behind them.

                    • marty mars …
                      22 March 2013 at 12:44 pm

                      as if i care what a sexist, racist nobody like you thinks – piss off noddy

                    • infused …
                      22 March 2013 at 4:47 pm

                      I love when they run out of arguments.

                    • vto …
                      22 March 2013 at 9:05 pm

                      yep, playing the man not the ball – it is very common when the argument is weak or the poster possesses certain characteristics.

                    • marty mars …
                      22 March 2013 at 9:59 pm

                      what lovely right wing chorus full of the usual shit. Just because I choose to disengage with a ideologue doesn’t mean there are no more arrows of argument in my quiver, it means i have better people to argue with – that’s why i don’t bother with you two right wing wankers.

          • framu 9.1.1.1.2
            22 March 2013 at 10:30 am

            this isnt some blood quotiant thing is it?

      • framu 9.1.2
        22 March 2013 at 10:01 am

        “They have every right to be.”

        why exactly?

        • kiwi_prometheus 9.1.2.1
          22 March 2013 at 10:05 am

          Have you not being keeping uptodate with events at the Waitangi Day circus?

          • framu 9.1.2.1.1
            22 March 2013 at 10:22 am

            what circus bright spark – the real events of the day or the sensationalist pap in the media?

            and then once youve defined that go on to explain why “white NZ” have a right to be sick and tired of it.

            white nz? seriously? you claim to not be a right winger, but you do seem to be showing the same grand dragon delusions that kyle chapman is prone to

            • kiwi_prometheus 9.1.2.1.1.1
              22 March 2013 at 10:31 am

              “the real events of the day or the sensationalist pap in the media?”

              There you go, pretending it was all absolutely fabulous darling! Helen balling her eyes out, that other National number ended up with mud in his face. The petty scrapping about who escorts the PM on to the marae…

              Not a circus you reckon? LOL

              • framu …
                22 March 2013 at 10:42 am

                “absolutely fabulous darling” never said that so stop being a dick

                would you agree that for the vast number of people and events (inclduing waitangi) round the country, waitangi day goes off without a problem?

                or are you just going to jump up and down and act like what the media chooses to focus on is all that happens?

                Are you one of the fools that cant realise that constantly going on about protest is perpetuating, and being the very thing you say you dont like? Seeing as you obviously dont like that aspect, considering that the level of protest has settled down, that waitangi day IS the appropriate time to raise such issues, that a huge amount of what the media goes on about is all part of the protocol and traditions around a marae, and that most people are having a good time on the day why do you let it have such power over you?

                seriosuly KP your being really shrill and coming across like a complete loud mouthed ignoramus on this one – settle down man.

                Now after all that – care to explain why “white NZ” has a right to be sick and tired of it. Explain yourself

                • kiwi_prometheus …
                  22 March 2013 at 12:43 pm

                  “would you agree that for the vast number of people and events (inclduing waitangi) round the country, waitangi day goes off without a problem?”

                  You are being disingenuous.

                  The day is all about what happens at Waitangi, that’s why it is called Waitangi Day, that is why all the PM goes there instead of to any of those other parts of the country where there it “goes off without a problem.”

                  Waitangi is a circus event, stop trying to shift blame to the media, white NZers have every right to be sick and tired of it. And they are.

                  • One Tāne Huna …
                    22 March 2013 at 12:53 pm

                    Yes, because moving the date would surely improve race relations and fix the massively distorted equality and employment statistics, wouldn’t it, and “White New Zealand Day” or whatever you want to call it wouldn’t attract just as much protest or anything.

                    Totally.

                  • framu …
                    22 March 2013 at 1:56 pm

                    well im a white NZer, a pakeha in fact – so dont ever fucking presume to speak for me!

                    im not being disengenous, im asking some pretty simple questions of you – every single one which youve failed to answer

                    Is your view of waitangi informed via the media – or through being there? Thats the whole point of the questions i was asking you, you colossal moron. Where have i blamed the media? can you point it out? – all ive claimed is that they distort things via sensationalism.

                    You are the one being disingenuous (and astoundingly thick to boot) and youre behaving like a nasty little racist with your “white NZ” bullshit

                    and you STILL havent explained why your mythical white nzer has any right to be sick and tired of it – you might have a point but no-one knows what it might be because you refuse to back any of it up!

                    • One Tāne Huna …
                      22 March 2013 at 2:38 pm

                      White NZ has a right to be sick and tired of bigots like Kiwi Prometheus who represent nothing and stand for nobody.

                  • felix …
                    24 March 2013 at 7:58 pm

                    You are being disingenuous.

                    The day is all about what happens at Waitangi, that’s why it is called Waitangi Day, that is why all the PM goes there instead of to any of those other parts of the country where there it “goes off without a problem.”

                    Even at Waitangi almost everything goes off without a problem. The media like to show the 30 seconds or so of set piece theatre and pretend that’s the whole day and you’re dumb enough to fall for it, but most of what happens at Waitangi is people with their families enjoying the sunshine and the beach and some good food and games with the kids and music and appreciating this wonderful place we live in etc etc.

                    You know, the stuff the “we need our own day” crowd talk about wanting a day for.

      • Murray Olsen 9.1.3
        22 March 2013 at 5:40 pm

        White NZ? Yeah, it would have been better if we’d never let those useless bloody Mowrees move here.
        Waitangi Day is not just fine, but it is important. It’s not a circus, as much as a clown like yourself might want it to be.

  10. Tigger 10
    22 March 2013 at 9:25 am

    My favourite piece of hypocrisy here was Collins on the radio touting the ‘first woman’ line and saying that ethnic women would benefit most by Devoy’s appointment. Because no one knows how hard ethnic people have it like a white person…

    • kiwi_prometheus 10.1
      22 March 2013 at 9:28 am

      Oh right, the Race Commissioner should be a position for non whites only. Way to go Tigger.

      Let me guess, you think only an angry black lesbian Leftist Marxist radical of modest means and a student debt from her Sociology major in Social Constructivism/Post Modernism/Queer Theory is good for the job.

    • joe90 10.2
      22 March 2013 at 9:48 am

      Collins gratuitous insult directed at Annette Sykes was bloody disgraceful. Awful woman.

  11. tarkwin 11
    22 March 2013 at 9:30 am

    I suggest you remove you left leaning jam jars and read the article and then my post more carefully before firing insults. Play the ball not the man.

    • framu 11.1
      22 March 2013 at 10:04 am

      which post? you havent used the reply button so its a bit hard to tell

    • lprent 11.2
      22 March 2013 at 10:06 am

      Learning to how to use the reply button would probably make this a more meaningful comment. We’d be able to glean some very important information – like which person you were addressing.

  12. vto 12
    22 March 2013 at 9:40 am

    strange

    what it does confirm though is that this national and act government continue to haul as heavily as they can on the levers of power to turn the ship of NZ in the direction that they and only they want. Everybody else can get fucked is their motto.

  13. One Tāne Huna 13
    22 March 2013 at 9:52 am

    Prediction: Devoy makes stupid offensive remarks in the role.

    Collins gets to grandstand and strut around in the media some more.

    Collins sews up the mindless bigot vote. All the while grinning inanely.

    • bad12 13.1
      22 March 2013 at 10:20 am

      Yes Collins of all the National Government front bench seems to thrive on any attention and Labour in the House would probably do better to where possible ignore Her as much as possible,

      Off topic but of interest is that this week it has been Collins and Joyce that are the focus of attention in the House while Slippery, Bill, Ryall, Bennett, and, Parata having provided the Opposition with the ammunition have all been conspicuous by their absence leaving Collins to make the diversionary announcement of Devoy as Race Relations Concilliator and Joyce to smugly waffle on endlessly in answering questions in the House for the other Ministers whom the points are being scored against…

    • Anne 13.2
      22 March 2013 at 10:37 am

      Prediction: Devoy makes a stupid decision and offends thousands of citizens of an ethnic background.

      Legal action is taken against her by those directly affected.

      Collins defends her and gets to grandstand about the tyranny of the minority.

      Collins sews up the conservative, paranoid vote.

      Postscript: after the election the court comes down in favour of the complainants and Devoy is forced to step down. Nobody cares because they’ve forgotten what the fight was about in the first place.

      • Anne 13.2.1
        22 March 2013 at 11:02 am

        Addendum: I note her appointment starts on April 1. A fitting date.

      • Murray Olsen 13.2.2
        22 March 2013 at 5:51 pm

        And Susan steps down with a half million dollar payout, rapidly followed by the government saying that we can’t afford luxuries such as the RRC in the present economic climate, and then abolishing the office. KP’s white NZ would be proud of them, but not in a right wing way, of course. KP is not right wing, oh no!

  14. vto 14
    22 March 2013 at 10:13 am

    yep
    edit: meant to be reply to BM above

  15. vto 15
    22 March 2013 at 10:17 am

    It will certainly be interesting to watch what she does. She will definitely come out with some clangers that’s for sure – she seems too over-confindent in her views. But if she generates some genuine and credible debate around the Treaty then that will be positive because imo there is much that is unsettled around it.

    • One Tāne Huna 15.1
      22 March 2013 at 10:27 am

      The Treaty provides a framework for the relationship between the crown and tangata whenua. That relationship is ongoing.

  16. tarkwin 16
    22 March 2013 at 10:19 am

    I did! Don’t think it’s working – sorry about that, comes up error on page.

    [lprent: Sorry about that. Looks like a bug in the newly reinstated wsiwyg editor. Turning it off. Ignore my alter-ego’s comment. 😈 ]

  17. prism 17
    22 March 2013 at 10:20 am

    I think Collins was looking for a person with a prominent image and knows Dame Susan. Collins like Devoy has I think the same dismissive attitude to Maori rights and culture. Devoy having the right style that a glossy magazine would like for a story, would no doubt influence Collins.

    • BM 17.1
      22 March 2013 at 10:26 am

      Peter Leitch would have been a better choice.
      I’d bet money he was Collins first choice but must have been unavailable or his health wasn’t up to it.

      • fender 17.1.1
        22 March 2013 at 11:28 am

        Yeah cos cutting up meat is an important prerequisite.

        • prism 17.1.1.1
          22 March 2013 at 11:51 am

          Oh you mean he’s The Mad Butcher?

          • fender 17.1.1.1.1
            22 March 2013 at 12:44 pm

            Yes Peter Leitch started the meat chopping madman chain.

            Maybe BM is MB, though I doubt he would be here trying to get the job, most likely he has a key to the Beehive already.

        • Populuxe1 17.1.1.2
          24 March 2013 at 9:36 pm

          Yeah, and raising that money for charity, the unmitigated bastard! Honestly, the level of baseless nastiness here is positively nauseating.

          http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Leitch_(Mad_Butcher)

          • Colonial Viper 17.1.1.2.1
            24 March 2013 at 9:54 pm

            You do know that being good at fundraising and being a race relations specialist are not necesssarily the same thing, right? Just like being a squash champion and being a race relations specialist are not necessarily the same thing.

            • Pascal's bookie 17.1.1.2.1.1
              24 March 2013 at 10:08 pm

              He’s saying that if you think someone wouldn’t make a good RCC, then you are saying you hate them and everything they have ever done. Or maybe not. He’s not very clear.

            • Populuxe1 17.1.1.2.1.2
              24 March 2013 at 10:14 pm

              Perhaps not, but bashing people who have demonstrated a great deal of compassion and concern for the less fortunate because they don’t appear to vote the way you’d like, is shitty behaviour and simply furthers the impression of a “Nasty” Left.

  18. vto 18
    22 March 2013 at 10:39 am

    Of course it is oth, but clearly there are issues far wider than that, which have been made plain on here many times before.

    edit: what going on with reply button? Not working…

  19. fender 19
    22 March 2013 at 11:07 am

    About time Susan Devoy got some work, it’s been a long time since her role as Hilda Ogden on Coronation St. ended.

  20. chris73 acualy is Dolan 20
    22 March 2013 at 11:08 am

    Lets be honest here, you don’t like her because shes a successful, high profile married with children woman who doesn’t tow the left line.

    I’m sure I could go through Labour and Green MP bios and find people less qualified than Dame Susan but its really to no end.

    Most NZers (and I bet a whole heap of Labour supporters) view the race relations conciliator as a joke whereas now there’s someone in the position they’ve heard of and respect which means they may well listen.

    This is a clever move by Judith Collins (the next National leader) and you all know it.

    • quartz 20.1
      22 March 2013 at 11:17 am

      I hope she is the next National leader. The party would rip itself to pieces and she’d be unelectable.

    • fender 20.2
      22 March 2013 at 11:21 am

      So when National appoint Sonny Boy Williams as the next Governor General you will clap even harder?

      • chris73 acualy is Dolan 20.2.1
        22 March 2013 at 11:31 am

        I’ll wait to see what he does with his life after sports before I answe that, Susan was CEO of Sport BOP and raised a heap of money for charity whereas I’m not sure what Sonny Bill has done

        • fender 20.2.1.1
          22 March 2013 at 11:36 am

          You are right, in these tough economic times we need a fund raising Race Relations Commissioner, might help Drippy Dipton reach surplus.

    • framu 20.3
      22 March 2013 at 11:21 am

      i would put my money on people not liking devoys appointment to the position because she had no experience or history in such matters, shows a stunning lack of knowledge (both modern and historical) of the issues involved and her appointment hasnt followed correct procedures or meet stated criteria and shes just been gifted a very nice taxpayer salary because Collins seems to want to run down and belittle the role of race relations commisioner for rather blatant ploitical reasons

      because thats what people are actually saying

      and since when has “heaps of the public think X” been any kind of measure of a candidate appropriatness for a high level public servant role?

      you talk of honesty then proceed to stuff peoples mouths with your own strawmen?

      • chris73 acualy is Dolan 20.3.1
        22 March 2013 at 11:27 am

        When the court of public opinion finds in my favour (and it will) don’t worry about it I’ll be sure to let evryone know on here

        • fender 20.3.1.1
          22 March 2013 at 11:30 am

          Yeah I’m sure the 47 odd % will agree with you.

          • chris73 acualy is Dolan 20.3.1.1.1
            22 March 2013 at 11:38 am

            If its enough to give National power then its all good by me

            • fender 20.3.1.1.1.1
              22 March 2013 at 11:43 am

              Yeah all good buy you, selling NZ down the river is what matters.
              National are drunk on this power you endorse.

              • chris73 acualy is Dolan …
                22 March 2013 at 11:47 am

                Lets see we have MMP which is geared in the lefts favour and yet you lot still bitch and moan that National get in.

                Why don’t you just come out with it and say you don’t want democracy, you only want one party elections, you’ll feel better for it.

                • fender …
                  22 March 2013 at 12:03 pm

                  Yes I’ll feel better when National are defeated, can’t be too long to wait for sleepy hobbits to wake up and see the damage Nact have caused, and the disconnected non-voters to realise their stay home protest bit them on the butt.

                  • chris73 acualy is Dolan …
                    22 March 2013 at 12:13 pm

                    Still can’t accept that maybe people don’t want Labour in power, at least until they grow up, stop acting like little kids and start presenting a team to the people of NZ

                    • fender …
                      22 March 2013 at 12:27 pm

                      Better to have Labour fighting between themselves in order to achieve an outcome everyone has contributed towards than the dictatorial method National prefer in their war against the 90-99%.

                • Pascal's bookie …
                  22 March 2013 at 12:26 pm

                  How is MMP geared to towards the left’s favour?

        • framu 20.3.1.2
          22 March 2013 at 11:34 am

          “public opinion finds in my favour’
          on what exactly – your strawmanning of the complaints or that being on the right side of the pub mind set qualifies someone for senior public service roles?

          I dont give a shit what the court of public opinion thinks – i want people who are appointed to well paid public service roles to be appointed because they 1) have the relevant experience and qualifications and 2) because the proper selection process has been followed

          these people arent elected – they are appointed by the govt of the day – so proper processes and requirements are put in place for a damn good reason

          Would you be happy if labour got in and appointed barney the purple dinosaur to a senior govt role because he, you know, sings songs and stuff? (not that i wouldnt rule that out with labour)

    • Colonial Viper 20.4
      22 March 2013 at 3:03 pm

      Lets be honest here, you don’t like her because shes a successful, high profile married with children woman who doesn’t tow the left line.

      Which of these do you see as her quals for race relations conciliator?

  21. millsy 21
    22 March 2013 at 11:33 am

    The RRC should be someone that unites, not divides.
    Good sportsperson she may have been, she fails to meet the above test.

    I cannot think of anyone who would suit the job, so does anyone else have any suggestions?

    • chris73 acualy is Dolan 21.1
      22 March 2013 at 11:50 am

      There is no one because anyone right leaning will be hated by the left and anyone left leaning will be viewed with suspicion by the right.

    • BM 21.2
      22 March 2013 at 12:03 pm

      How about Peter Dunne?
      He’s a down the middle sort of guy.

      • fender 21.2.1
        22 March 2013 at 12:11 pm

        Dunne is busy looking in your window checking to see if you are using your employer supplied ipad to answer a personal email.

        Besides he a right winger pretending to be down the middle, unless of course he needs the left to keep his job, at which point he will dig out another hat to wear.

        Forget Dunne for anything, he has nothing to offer NZ.

      • The Al1en 21.2.2
        22 March 2013 at 7:07 pm

        “How about Peter Dunne?
        He’s a down the middle sort of guy.”

        Just like all c*nts.

    • tinfoilhat 21.3
      22 March 2013 at 12:20 pm

      Pete George ?

  22. Pascal's bookie 22
    22 March 2013 at 12:28 pm

    Seems like just the other day this blog was full of righties all outraged at the suggestion that the right was a bit bigoted and shit and here we are with them hip horraying to the idea that the Race Relations Commission should be a bit less biased against racists.

  23. kiwi_prometheus 23
    22 March 2013 at 12:59 pm

    The New Zealand Human Rights Commission is delighted to welcome Dame Susan to the Commission. Dame Susan is an exceptional New Zealander who has contributed incredibly to the ordinary lives of New Zealanders in her community work, in governance and chief executive roles, most often as a volunteer. Her community work has spanned health, disability and community sport.

    Chief Commissioner David Rutherford said, “We are delighted that she has accepted this key role. Dame Susan will strengthen the integrity and reputation of the Human Rights Commission. She will lead the Commission’s work in encouraging harmonious relations between the diverse peoples of New Zealand by encouraging respect for human dignity and the realisation of the human rights of all people in New Zealand.”

    http://www.hrc.co.nz/2013/9247

    There you go, Standardistas, and note the ALL people bit, yeah that’s right, WHITE people too.

    • Pascal's bookie 23.1
      22 March 2013 at 1:33 pm

      Something for you to go to tomorrow mate:

      https://mobile.twitter.com/secondzeit/status/314896516198330369/photo/1

    • chris73 acualy is Dolan 23.2
      22 March 2013 at 1:35 pm

      No no its bad because she was appointed by Judith Collins so shes bad, get it? Shes Bad.

      That is all.

      • ghostrider888 23.2.1
        22 March 2013 at 1:40 pm

        actually, consideration of her discourse would suggest that she is not very bright, aware or open-minded; a fair amount of obsessionality involved in high-level competitive sport

        • chris73 acualy is Dolan 23.2.1.1
          22 March 2013 at 2:15 pm

          Wow thats quite a sweeping statement…David Kirk might disagree with that, Arthur Porritt would have something to say, Chris Laidlaw and Jack Lovelock also

          All competed in high-level competitive sport and all Rhodes scholars

          Bit of a generalization to say shes likely to be not very bright, aware or open-minded because shes a successful sportsperson, sounds quite discriminatory really…

          • Populuxe1 23.2.1.1.1
            22 March 2013 at 2:43 pm

            Ah, yes that’s a fairly common pseudointellectual response – be rude about sport and athletes out of a false impression it makes you look all clever and superior. Genuinely intelligent people don’t feel the need to attack something that a lot of very intelligent people also quite like.

            • Pascal's bookie 23.2.1.1.1.1
              22 March 2013 at 2:53 pm

              Do genuinely intelligent people misrepresent the things they are criticising, or is that a pseudointellectual trick?

              • Populuxe1 …
                22 March 2013 at 3:16 pm

                Then why mention it at all as though it were some kind of fact? *cough cough Chris Laidlaw cough*

                • Pascal's bookie …
                  22 March 2013 at 3:45 pm

                  Do you dispute that elite sports people are often quite obsessional? Doesn’t seem to controversial to me.

                  If they are smart, and prone to a bit of writing, I would think that it would show in the writing. As it does with Laidlaw, Oliver, and numerous others.

                  But we aren’t talking about the others, we’re talking about Devoy.

                  Read what she has written. It doesn’t sing intelligence, and that’s ok. Sports people don’t have to be intelligent. Doesn’t matter if they’re not.

                  But it does matter if the RCC is not particularly intelligent, I think. But that’s just me being condescending I guess, hey she won 4 world champs, isn’t that enough? Apparently it is, according to the Minister.

            • ghostrider888 23.2.1.1.1.2
              22 March 2013 at 3:28 pm

              slipping again Pop; keep up please

            • Murray Olsen 23.2.1.1.1.3
              22 March 2013 at 6:07 pm

              I know plenty of highly intelligent people who excel at one thing, often due to an obsessiveness which borders on sociopathy. Most of them are scientists, not sportspeople, but getting to the top of your field in any one thing is not a guarantee that you will do well at much else. In the case of the sportsperson Susan Devoy, there is plenty of evidence to suggest she won’t.
              Disclaimer: I have no desire to look all clever and superior. I’m happy being thick as pigshit, but I do have a strong desire for all our people to have the opportunity to reach their potential. Susan Devoy reached hers, and has now been appointed to a post well beyond it. This is a recipe for disaster, and I believe it’s deliberate.

              • BM …
                22 March 2013 at 6:32 pm

                I agree, absolute experts on the bowel movements of some obscure snail, but complete dumb arses on anything else.

          • One Tāne Huna 23.2.1.1.2
            22 March 2013 at 2:48 pm

            Except that Ghostrider didn’t say she isn’t very bright because she’s a jock. Learn to read.

            “Consideration of her discourse…”

            I agree. Have you read any of her drivel?

            • Populuxe1 23.2.1.1.2.1
              22 March 2013 at 3:18 pm

              I try not to read drivel, but then I also try to keep my confirmation bias in check as well. And again, there was a strong whiff of anti-jock bias or else why mention it as though it were relevant.

              “a fair amount of obsessionality involved in high-level competitive sport”

              A fair amount of obsessionality in the arts, sciences and politics too.

          • ghostrider888 23.2.1.1.3
            22 March 2013 at 3:31 pm

            yes, Tane, some of these folk seem to read a lot more into a comment than what is presented, while overlooking what is latently implied.

          • Professor Longhair 23.2.1.1.4
            22 March 2013 at 3:45 pm

            “David Kirk might disagree with that….”

            What a flimsy, ridiculous methodology you have employed to assess the worth of an individual.

            David Kirk is not particularly bright, as you would know if you weren’t so over-awed by that spurious “Rhodes Scholar” tag. His public statements about race are pretty much the same as “Dame” Susan Devoy’s, i.e. crude, bigoted and ignorant.

            Let’s face it, Kirk got his Rhodes Scholarship because he could play football well. Intellect and even common sense had nothing to do with it.

            • Populuxe1 23.2.1.1.4.1
              22 March 2013 at 3:56 pm

              I fail to see how not holding an opinion in accord with yours equates with being stupid – not an assumption an intelligent person would ever make, and while Kirk may have got over there largely because he was a good rugby player, Oxford doesn’t just hand out PPE degrees unearned.

              • Morrissey …
                22 March 2013 at 7:29 pm

                I fail to see how not holding an opinion in accord with yours equates with being stupid…

                I think the problem was not that Kirk holds a different opinion, but that his opinions, such as they are, betray a poverty of both imagination and intellect.

                … not an assumption an intelligent person would ever make, and while Kirk may have got over there largely because he was a good rugby player,

                He got over there SOLELY because he was a famous footballer. So did Chris Laidlaw, who to his credit transcended the boorish and philistine culture of sporting Oxford. Could you please point to something he has ever said or done that shows even a scintilla of intelligence? Even in rugby-related matters, which are not exactly the domain of the world’s leading intellects, Kirk has offended people with his foolish and racist statements, most notably of course his windy cri de coeur about “too many dark faces in the All Blacks”.

                Oxford doesn’t just hand out PPE degrees unearned.

                Actually, it does. This is how freshmen applying for one Oxford college, renowned for its rugby teams, used to be selected: one of the dons threw a football at the nervous applicant. If he dropped or fumbled it, he went no further. And of course it’s not only rugby football that serves as a springboard to a lifetime of perk jobs, entrenched political careers and windy cries of anguish about “dark faces”—other pretend-student/athletes to benefit from a Rhodes Scholarship were such intellectual luminaries as Pete Dawkins, Bill Bradley and Pat Haden.

                Of course, all of this doesn’t mean that Oxford is not one of the world’s outstanding universities, but it does mean that your belief in the integrity of its processes is misplaced.

            • chris73 acualy is Dolan 23.2.1.1.4.2
              22 March 2013 at 5:32 pm

              I’m sorry you were picked last for sports teams and lost girls to jocks but maybe its time to get over it (I’m assuming you’re an adult)

              • Pascal's bookie …
                22 March 2013 at 5:42 pm

                I’m sorry the best years in your life were at high school (I’m assuming you made it that far).

              • Murray Olsen …
                22 March 2013 at 6:40 pm

                Haha. I never bothered much with sports and jocks lost girls to me. If you were one of them, I’m not really sorry, but you should get over it. Take you American prom film fantasies somewhere else, please.

    • Morrissey 23.3
      22 March 2013 at 8:20 pm

      So one David Rutherford is “delighted to welcome Dame Susan to the Commission”, is he?

      David Rutherford?

      DAVID RUTHERFORD is the Chief Commissioner of Human Rights?

      David “Rueful” Rutherford’s utter incompetence was one of the reasons that John O’Neill was able to steal New Zealand’s RWC sub-hosting rights away in 2002.

      It comes as no surprise at all to see David “Rueful” Rutherford, this ambling pile of angst-ridden incompetence, this walking disaster zone, this eternally-apologizing plaything and target of Australian rugby bosses, endorsing Dame Susan’s controversial and inexplicable installation—the most spectacularly inappropriate appointment since Christine Rankin was foisted on WINZ.

  24. Roy 24
    22 March 2013 at 1:37 pm

    “Dame Susan is an exceptional New Zealander who has contributed incredibly to the ordinary lives of New Zealanders”
    Really? I must have an extraordinary life then, because she has contributed nothing to my life.

    • Populuxe1 24.1
      22 March 2013 at 4:22 pm

      I’m glad you don’t have muscular dystrophy, but perhaps her sterling work for New Zealanders with mental illness might apply.

      • Colonial Viper 24.1.1
        22 March 2013 at 6:45 pm

        Devoy’s work with mental illness qualifies her to deal with complaints made by coloured people.

        Do say more.

        • Populuxe1 24.1.1.1
          23 March 2013 at 5:41 pm

          I believe the point was how she has impacted on other people’s lives, and not specifically race relations. If you can’t actually resond to context, shhhhhhhhh.

    • Tim 24.2
      23 March 2013 at 12:31 am

      Or mine – other than occasional amusement.

  25. Populuxe1 25
    22 March 2013 at 2:11 pm

    I don’t think anyone has actually outlined the qualifications one DOES need to do the job, because quite clearly a diversity of people have filled the role over the years. Also it’s a bit of a patsy position with very little real power to fuck anything up, and I’m actually prepared to see how she goes before I pass judgment – I haven’t yet seen anything that immediately says she isn’t up to it. The Waitangi thing was a bit odd, but then a lot of people think it should be a day of quiet contemplation of history and not a celebration of nationalism.

    • chris73 acualy is Dolan 25.1
      22 March 2013 at 2:20 pm

      First qualification: Must be left wing

    • Pascal's bookie 25.2
      22 March 2013 at 2:51 pm

      The Waitangi thing was a bit odd, but then a lot of people think it should be a day of quiet contemplation of history and not a celebration of nationalism.

      Pretty sure she was lamenting that it wasn’t a celebration of nationalism, and that is what she would like to have.

    • QoT 25.3
      22 March 2013 at 9:05 pm

      As outlined in No Right Turn’s excellent post, the Minister must have regard to the appointee’s “appreciation of issues or trends in race relations arising in other countries or internationally”

      … and “the Waitangi thing” included Dame Susan Devoy lamenting that Waitangi Day isn’t more like Australia Day.

      You may now connect the obvious dots.

  26. AsleepWhileWalking 26
    22 March 2013 at 2:14 pm

    New Zealand, a nation where sporting achievement is considered an essential and stand alone qualification for just about any position of public office imaginable.

    • Roy 26.1
      22 March 2013 at 2:43 pm

      That’s a major problem, right there.

    • Populuxe1 26.2
      22 March 2013 at 2:44 pm

      So Gerry Brownlea was a synchronised swimmer in a former life? Your pretension is really rather ammusing.

      • Colonial Viper 26.2.1
        22 March 2013 at 3:01 pm

        So you have a better idea what quals Devoy has for the position? Don’t keep us waiting man. Let us in on it.

        • Populuxe1 26.2.1.1
          22 March 2013 at 3:30 pm

          New Zealand Patron on the Muscular Dystrophy Association.
          Prominent TV campaigner to counter the stigma and discrimination associated with mental illness. Oh dear, what an evil bitch she is!
          Chief Executive of Sport Bay of Plenty – obviously no political or organisational skills needed there.
          Curiously she’s in favour of a Republic, interestingly enough – see, you have something in common.
          I would also not that her column is in, not the New York Times, not The Times of London, but the Bay of Plenty Times, so if you expect her to generate profound insights there, you’re asking a bit much.
          Waitangi – well more than a few Maori are also unhappy with the theatrics that go on there, especially as regards Hone’s mum and her grandstanding. On the subject of burkas, I wouldn’t go so far as to ban them because a woman has every right to schoose what she wants to wear, but if you don’t think they are a brutal tool for the oppression of women and harbour some uncertainty about whether they should be legal, you might need to refresh your feminism.

          • ghostrider888 26.2.1.1.1
            22 March 2013 at 3:38 pm

            “Burka” = a transliteration
            “Burka” = (Caucasus) = dress made from short, curly fur of young lambs; felt, from your friendly neighbourhood suedehead; open another bottle of whine…

            • Populuxe1 26.2.1.1.1.1
              22 March 2013 at 4:02 pm

              *sigh*
              http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burqa

              As you can see it is actually a perfectly acceptable transliteration, “A burqa (Urdu: بُرقع ‎), (Arabic pronunciation: [ˈbʊrqʊʕ, ˈbʊrqɑʕ]; also transliterated burkha, burka or burqu’ from Arabic: برقع ‎ burquʻ or burqaʻ)” – though admittedly my Arabic is only conversational.

              • ghostrider888 …
                22 March 2013 at 4:09 pm

                better than mine; this pseudo-intell. characterization? honestly, it is wide of the mark; I am just a humble gardener. 🙂

          • Populuxe1 26.2.1.1.2
            22 March 2013 at 3:43 pm

            Whereas Joris de Bres’ previous qualifications are General Manager, External Relations in the Department of Conservation and head of industrial relations for the New Zealand Public Service Association. That doesn’t immediately scream expert on race relations to me.

            • Pascal's bookie 26.2.1.1.2.1
              22 March 2013 at 5:01 pm

              “General Manager, External Relations in the Department of Conservation ”

              What do you think that might involve? Would a pretty solid understanding of what the hell iwi mean when they are being consulted about water mountains rivers forests wildlife etc be kind of necessary?

              Probably not eh, just wing it.

              • Populuxe1 …
                23 March 2013 at 7:40 pm

                And only white people play sport?

                • Pascal's bookie …
                  23 March 2013 at 8:32 pm

                  Please.

                  No disrespect to Sport Bay of Plenty, but their relationship with local iwi and hapu seems to amount to ‘helping Maori become more active’ (Hey, maybe it’s them who think “only white people play sport”, see what I did there? And it wasn’t even a strawman argument). I don’t think it’s in the same league as DOCs relationships to be honest. But go ahead and actually make an argument if you like. Any old time you please.

                  Or perhaps you could enjoy some more of Dame Devoy’s writing:

                  http://www.bayofplentytimes.co.nz/news/dame-susan-devoy-why-be-outrageous-and-rude-to-be-/1052029/

                  Nothing really controversial there, and that’s ok. Just bask in the subtlety of her thought processes. The Rhodes people really missed a trick.

                  • Populuxe1 …
                    24 March 2013 at 9:27 pm

                    Goodness me, and here was me thinking that the sporting prowess of Maori and Pasifika people was the backbone of most of our international prowess in team sports – though the Left’s suspicion of team sports, bordering on the superstitious, is well known:

                    http://inthesetimes.com/article/14305/in_defense_of_the_spectacle/

                    Her was me also thinking that while the Maori-Pakeha binary is central to New Zealand identity, but the other ethnicities an dcultures in New Zealand seem to be getting missed out in this conversation.

                    As for subtlty of thought, I can’t recall Joris ever saying anything that wasn’t doctrinaire, bog standard political correctness. One doesn’t have to be a genius to trot out the party line and ignore anything complicated such as potential conflicts between cultural traditions and human rights for example.

                    • Pascal's bookie …
                      24 March 2013 at 9:58 pm

                      Are you actually capable of making an argument of some sort?

                      What the hell is this supposed to mean?

                      Goodness me, and here was me thinking that the sporting prowess of Maori and Pasifika people was the backbone of most of our international prowess in team sports – though the Left’s suspicion of team sports, bordering on the superstitious, is well known:

                      Are you actually going to make a defence of Devoy that doesn’t amount to snide dishonest bullshit?

                      Do you think she seems up to it?

                      Have you read her interviews since the announcement? The latest one I saw had her saying that once she finds her feet she doesn’t think she’ll be falling for this ‘political correctness’ stuff in her role as RCC.

                      Call me a snob, but I think people who use the PC phrase as an unironic dismissal of their opponent’s views are pretty much intellectually lazy fuckwits.

                      But no worries eh. Nothing for liberals to be concerned about. How gauche of them. What does it matter?

                    • Populuxe1 …
                      24 March 2013 at 10:51 pm

                      “Are you actually capable of making an argument of some sort?”

                      That’s what I appear to be doing, yes. I can’t help it if you are labouring under the impression that only white people play sports in New Zealand because it fits your snotty elitist bullshit.

                      I actually don’t know if she’s up to it or not because she hasn’t had any chance to perform yet. Yes, National appointments lend to be populist and somewhat conservative, but then Labour appointed Jim Bolger to Kiwibank and I believe he did an excellent job. Prejudging people pased on political prejudice is bullshit.

                    • Pascal's bookie …
                      25 March 2013 at 7:06 am

                      So what is the argument you are making?

                      Where did I suggest “only white people play sports in New Zealand “?

                      What do you know about my involvement in, and attitude towards, sports?

                      And what do you mean, exactly, by populist?

                      Is that something that liberals would be concerned about in this appointment?

          • Professor Longhair 26.2.1.1.3
            22 March 2013 at 3:51 pm

            One Populuxe1 seems a tad bewildered when he writes (in apparent high seriousness) that “her column is in, not the New York Times, not The Times of London, but the Bay of Plenty Times, so if you expect her to generate profound insights there, you’re asking a bit much.”

            I don’t think anybody who has heard her speak or read her dull column would expect Dame Susan to “generate profound insights”. The concern is not about her lack of profundity, the concern is about her pattern of indulging in stupid and crude bigotry.

            • ghostrider888 26.2.1.1.3.1
              22 March 2013 at 3:53 pm

              😉

            • Populuxe1 26.2.1.1.3.2
              22 March 2013 at 4:07 pm

              Which no one has conclusively demonstrated beyond the fact that she is disapointed Waitangi Day isn’t a joyful occasion recognising a multicultural New Zealand
              http://www.bayofplentytimes.co.nz/news/dame-susan-devoy/1261032/

              “We are a nation of many cultures and identities and this is not reflected on February 6.

              We need a day that doesn’t necessarily replace Waitangi Day but complements it.

              That doesn’t mean we lose sight of the significance and meaning of the Treaty but an opportunity to recognise that New Zealand is a multicultural society continuing to evolve as a nation of many people and not just Maori and Pakeha.”

              And that she has qualms about culture being used to justify women wearing sacks in public.

              • Pascal's bookie …
                22 March 2013 at 4:30 pm

                That’s not a very intelligent summary of the piece Pop.

                “Waitangi has been hijacked and if it can never be really seen as a day of national celebration then perhaps the time has come to choose another true New Zealand day.”

                She seem to be arguing that it’s all the fault of Maori protesters that Waitangi day isn’t a joyous celebration along the lines of Australia day.

                As if it’s self evident that Waitangi Day should be like Australia day.

                As if it’s self evident that protesters are ‘hijacking’ the day off ‘everyone else’.

                The whole tone of the piece is that it’s a bit of a shame that Waitangi day is used to discuss the current actual relationship, and that this gets in the way of a true New Zealand day where we would I don;t know, ignore all that stuff.

                Now such a day might have merits. But what merit is there in the idea that Waitangi day should be that day while iwi are still feeling the need to protest about the state of the relationship with the crown?

                Do you think there are any clues in the piece as to her presuppositions?

              • s y d …
                22 March 2013 at 4:49 pm

                look, stop bagging the bay of plenty times. Only today I received the opportunity to write a guest column in this esteemed organ for which they expected payment of $518 + GST. I’m not sure how much Dame Susan had to pay to get her views published but I suspect a bit less than that.

                • ghostrider888 …
                  22 March 2013 at 4:54 pm

                  that is very funny s y d

                  • s y d …
                    22 March 2013 at 4:58 pm

                    it would be funny, but as it’s the truth….not so much

                    “WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE OUR ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN GUEST COLUMNIST ?

                    EXCITING NEW FEATURE – BUILD & DESIGN (QUARTERLY)

                    We are introducing a new BUILD & DESIGN feature on a quarterly basis. The feature will run as a special 12 page feature in the Bay of Plenty Times….
                    We will have one page dedicated to Architectural Design. Would you like to be our Guest Columnist and let our readers know the latest trends in Architectural Design?

                    It is easy!!

                    With the booking of the anchor solus advertisement on the dedicated Architectural Design page you will automatically become our guest columnist. Be quick as the first person to book will be our guest columnist for our first issue on March 26.

                    What does it entail:

                    1. Booking the anchor advertisement – ¼ Page Horizontal (9cm deep x 25.4cm wide) $518+gst…..”

                    Imagine the opportunity to be Race Relations Commisioner!!

          • chris73 acualy is Dolan 26.2.1.1.4
            22 March 2013 at 5:13 pm

            Don’t go around pointing out why Dame Susan Devoy might actually be a good choice. The narrative to follow is: National bad, Judith Collins bad therefore any appointment by Judith Collins is bad, hence Dame Susan Devoy is bad

            That is all

            • thecard 26.2.1.1.4.1
              22 March 2013 at 5:36 pm

              I suspect she is the Mad Butcher in disguise…….if they ain’t with us they is agin us !

      • Roy 26.2.2
        22 March 2013 at 3:32 pm

        Not half as funny as your inability to spell.

  27. vto 27
    22 March 2013 at 2:58 pm

    Does anyone know what the justification or reasons for her appointment were? What did Collins stated ?

    • Pascal's bookie 27.1
      22 March 2013 at 3:12 pm

      She “likes her spine” and her views on Waitangi Day are “fantastic”, and that the burka thing is fine too because she did say she wouldn’t go so far as actually outlawing the wearing of it.

      • QoT 27.1.1
        22 March 2013 at 9:07 pm

        And we only criticise her appointment because we hate Judith Collins, ergo her appointment is good.

  28. felchwadmonopsony 28
    22 March 2013 at 5:40 pm

    What a hateful little blog this is !

  29. Pascal's bookie 29
    22 March 2013 at 5:47 pm

    Damian Christie tweets:

    https://twitter.com/damianchristie/status/314960460610945026

    “She is quite racist” – my friend who has interviewed Sue Devoy on a number of occasions.

  30. North 30
    22 March 2013 at 6:44 pm

    It’s very simple. Some time ago Dame Susan Devoy entered into the fray with her comments about Waitangi Day. She thereby embraced the facile “One Nation” concept over the legal and moral legitimacy of racial and cultural variance practised without harrassment from racists.

    Dame Susan has unfortunately declared a preference for assimilation over co-existence

    Common sense says that if she approaches race relations from an assimilationist angle she will demean the office and will be an abject and dangerous failure.

    I hold out the hope that pending her public acknowledgment that her Waitangi day comments were facile and founded on a patently eurocentric ignorance, she will not demean the office nor cause damage.

    How realistic is that hope ? Well, her acknowledgment that she knows nothing about race or race relations is a start I suppose.

    All of that said at present I find her appointment only slightly less ridiculous than appointing Garth McVicar to the Parole Board.

    Hang on……..with a Minister of Justice like the loathsome Collins that may have already occurred.

    • xtasy 30.1
      22 March 2013 at 8:08 pm

      “ONE NATION” is clearly something like wearing the same (brownish) uniforms, an armband with a popular Hindu or Indian symbol on it, that reaches out in four directions, and that have all march in ordered line chanting from the same song book, day in and day out, right?

      • Populuxe1 30.1.1
        24 March 2013 at 9:46 pm

        And demonstrating Godwin’s Law is the best you can manage?

        • Frank Macskasy 30.1.1.1
          24 March 2013 at 9:48 pm

          Populuxe1 – are you saying we should overlook the first half of the 20th Century?

          • Populuxe1 30.1.1.1.1
            24 March 2013 at 10:26 pm

            I think it’s fucking hilarious that someone is comparing the atrocities of the Nazis to the liberal democracy of twenty-first century New Zealand.

            • xtasy 30.1.1.1.1.1
              24 March 2013 at 10:38 pm

              Listening to certain talk back (e.g. with Michael Laws) exposes well, that there are an abundance of people around, who share the same basic mindset of the ones that did once cheer on fascist leaders in Central Europe. That is a fact, it is only due to political correctness, a self censoring media and some applying the law in force, that they do not dare to step further, than a smallish bunch of nutters in central Christchurch the other day.

              Always be aware, democracy is not something to be taken for granted!

              • Populuxe1 …
                24 March 2013 at 10:57 pm

                Nor does the extreme Right have exclusive monopoly on wanting to do away with Democracy.

                • xtasy …
                  25 March 2013 at 12:50 am

                  Only an independently, sufficiently well informed voting public can be considered a democratic society, but given the state of the almost exclusively commercially driven, increasingly very biased, in fact very poorly informing NZ MSM, this country and society are not a well functioning, true democracy anymore.

    • Murray Olsen 30.2
      22 March 2013 at 9:44 pm

      +1
      She reminds me quite a bit of Pauline Hansen. The same “I’m not racist, but they just have to learn to be like us” approach.
      As to who would do a better job, I can think of a few. John Minto, Anne Salmond, James Belich, Mua Strickson-Pua, Sukhi Turner, Bic Runga, Oscar Kightley, …. there are plenty of people who recognise and celebrate our differences and appreciate culture in Aotearoa as a mosaic of different colours and flavours. Some of them might even be acceptable to some people in National. The main qualification as I see it is that they don’t think that “brown people” should just stop talking funny, stop eating weird food, and join in the quarter acre pavlova paradise.

      • Colonial Viper 30.2.1
        22 March 2013 at 9:53 pm

        + get a job and get to PTA evenings on time.

      • xtasy 30.2.2
        22 March 2013 at 10:06 pm

        “The main qualification as I see it is that they don’t think that “brown people” should just stop talking funny, stop eating weird food, and join in the quarter acre pavlova paradise.”

        No, not “brown people”, but they would love the ones that used to wear “brown uniforms”, especially in Central Europe between 1933 and 1945.

    • ghostrider888 30.3
      23 March 2013 at 2:52 pm

      Excellent North

  31. dumrse 31
    22 March 2013 at 6:47 pm

    Fucking moan man moan. Be constructive and give us 300 words on who the left think it should be.

    • Colonial Viper 31.1
      22 March 2013 at 6:49 pm

      Be REALLY constructive and throw these assholes out of power

    • North 31.2
      22 March 2013 at 8:11 pm

      Dumrse ! You miss the point but that’s your burden.

      Dumrse, your choice of anonym is more identifying than your name and date of birth, while your enema of a contribution is an outstandingly honest confirmation of your status.

      Dumrse, many thanks for that.

    • fender 31.3
      22 March 2013 at 8:22 pm

      I’m surprised National didn’t pick John Ansell dumrse.

    • xtasy 31.4
      22 March 2013 at 9:20 pm

      Maybe Jim Bolger, aka “bulged pants”, who wanted NZ to become a republic, served as embassador, headed Kiwi Bank or NZ Post, and thought that NZ is now an “Asian country”? As a presumed NAT supporter that should please you, right?

    • Murray Olsen 31.5
      23 March 2013 at 1:56 am

      We had a vote and picked you, dumarse. Now please give us 23 words on how you will approach the job.
      Signed
      The Left

  32. Colonial Viper 32
    22 March 2013 at 6:48 pm

    Someone commenting on this thread has a cute little Susan Devoy crush from his youth!

    Who could it be?

  33. xtasy 33
    22 March 2013 at 7:59 pm

    Susan Devoid is a typical choice by National for such public offices. They want office holders not rocking the boat they steer, they want people not getting into legalistic interpreations, they want figure heads facing to the also largely brainwashed, uninformed, indifferent public to keep up a facade, and to “relate” to the rednecks that do claim they are not that, by hiding behind all kinds of pseudo arguments to justify their personal bias and selective thinking.

    So Susan Devoid is just that, the best picking for Collins and a NatACT government that want to shut intellect up, which is mostly present in the left of centre spectrum.

    If you have no brains and smartness, if you cannot even pretend you have, you choose an idiot that is useful to cover up deficiencies and to hold out the head for any criticism. If that does not work, they can always come up with another choice down the line.

    Dumb, dumber the dumbest the standards are set, the copetition is there, and candidates are welcomed to qualify. Collins and National are keen to talk to you, if you have little experience or education, but if you have status and a mouth that repeats what they love to hear.

    Deal done, sign the dotted line, you are now a Commissioner.

    So wait for the next appointments for Ombudsmen and more, it will be really interesting. Even the ones still in office are cracking up under the pressure while complaints have sky-rocketed under this government. They need another dumby to front such offices, to just fob off, forget files and cases, to serve as mouthpiece and crap on people that want to take accountability and transparency and responsibility by government and its agencies seriously.

    The DICTATORSHIP OF AOTEAROA is WORKING!

    • Colonial Viper 33.1
      22 March 2013 at 8:34 pm

      This thing is going to come back and bite Collins in the ass big time. She’s taken a very unnecessary personal risk with this appointment.

      • Ross 33.1.1
        22 March 2013 at 9:11 pm

        What risk? The position of Race Relations Commsisioner could be abolished and it would be no loss.

      • UpandComer 33.1.2
        22 March 2013 at 9:14 pm

        Sorry what’s actually the issue with De Voy? I don’t know her at all.. who would you guys have picked just out of interest. Yeah I agree with a lot of you on Collins. She isn’t a pleasant or very self-aware/intelligent lady although she has improved since Bill English called her out on her incompetence a few years ago.

        • Colonial Viper 33.1.2.1
          22 March 2013 at 9:20 pm

          Plenty of links in this thread mate, go read and weep

        • xtasy 33.1.2.2
          22 March 2013 at 9:27 pm

          Finlayson for you Nat lovers or lavatory lovers???

          He is gay, seems to get on well with Maori treaty settlements and wants to be cosmopolitan, what else could you wish for? I do not like his party book, but he may be suited, definitely more than Susan Devoid. But then he has his present job, so the Nats do not want to lose him and keep him there.

          Indeed there are many, many better people suited for such a job, and it is not as insignificant at all, given NZ has faced the largest scale migration for years, in and out, over recent 10 to 20 years, so integration, acceptance and fair respect also for the interests of born and bred NZers are paramount.

          Susan Devoid is a stupid and nonsensical choice. Having played squash overseas does not qualify you for this role, nor for embassador or minister of trade or whatever.

          • Tim 33.1.2.2.1
            23 March 2013 at 12:50 am

            Yep. I’ve often wondered why Krus Finlayson stays on amidst the current cabal of Nats. I think he has some romantic notion of the National Party as it once was – amongst the likes of the ‘old money’ brigade, (and that fella that just returned from o’seas).
            I recall him saying how he grew up ‘left’ till he saw sense. That may once have been a reasonable position for an educated fellow amidst the more sensible Nats capable of reason and critical thought, but he really should reconsider.
            From what I can gleen? glean? from ‘bitter old queens’ – he’s on track to become a bitter old queen.

  34. Tom Bennion 34
    22 March 2013 at 8:24 pm

    Surprised no one has gone to the source of Collins inspiration on this one:

    That Mitchell and Webb Look – Lindsay Davenport. Obviously the best candidate for any job.

  35. UpandComer 35
    22 March 2013 at 9:08 pm

    Just wondering, why is Susan Devoy so awful? I don’t know that much about her?

    Wasn’t that last guy a South African white male? Shouldn’t that be an awful description to start with?

    Seriously would be good to know, I don’t know anything about this woman.

    • Colonial Viper 35.1
      22 March 2013 at 9:11 pm

      Plenty of links above mate, read and weep.

    • Ross 35.2
      22 March 2013 at 9:19 pm

      It’s obvious why her appointment is awful – she’s a woman and women just aren’t cut out for this sort of work. That might explain why Labour (and National) have never appointed a female Race Relations Commissioner. On top of that she’s a sportsperson and all sportspeople are as thick as two short planks. It’s obvious really.

    • rosy 35.3
      22 March 2013 at 10:17 pm

      She’s not awful, good squash player, seems like a great daughter and mother, has worked hard. She’s just not suitable for this job – knows nothing about it and has to go ‘read up’ on things.

      She probably could have started at a lower level, like most people, if it was her calling. But it’s not. She’s been parachuted into a top level job that she doesn’t know how to do. We all know how most parachute jobs turn out… it usually involves a golden handshake at the hard landing.

  36. Ross 36
    22 March 2013 at 9:16 pm

    Maori Party co-leader Pita Sharples said Dame Susan’s appointment was “fantastic”.

    Pfft, what would Pita know about race relations?

    • Colonial Viper 36.1
      22 March 2013 at 9:21 pm

      Ahhhh did you hear the house niggers say something?

      • Ross 36.1.1
        22 March 2013 at 9:26 pm

        I can seriously recommend Django Unchained if you haven’t seen it already. 😉

      • xtasy 36.1.2
        22 March 2013 at 9:31 pm

        This is rude and offensive CV, have you not rather thought of “house servants of suitably and appropriately owned tinted complexion? Even that is offensive, and we should not go down that way, I think.

        • Colonial Viper 36.1.2.1
          22 March 2013 at 9:42 pm

          Just paraphrasing an MP whom I think sometimes hits the mark dead-on

          • xtasy 36.1.2.1.1
            22 March 2013 at 9:57 pm

            I like Hone for that, but do not always agree with him. At least he is an outspoken and honest shooter, and I wish more MPs from other parties would be also. But then again I come from a cultural background where letting off steam is quite acceptable, in NZ is feel at times emotionally and otherwise “overly restricted” or “castrated”. So I have no issues with idiots like Hooton and Farrar, but that is exactly why we should feel justified and proud of Bradbury and others.

            Speak up and out, say what you think and feel, and when the response comes, take it and deal with it. All OK with me. I just got worried about the PC observations we all are exposed to.

      • marty mars 36.1.3
        22 March 2013 at 10:37 pm

        just because Hone said it (wrongly imo) doesn’t make it acceptable for you to say it and then say you were just paraphrasing him cv and I think you know that.

      • Beryl Streep 36.1.4
        23 March 2013 at 1:07 am

        ———-
        Colonial Viper 36.1
        22 March 2013 at 9:21 pm
        Ahhhh did you hear the house niggers say something?
        ———-

        Wow, that’s a pretty racist thing to say whatever the context. I’m glad I took a screenshot before you sobered up and deleted it.

        Do you use the term ‘Uncle Tom’ in casual conversation as well?

        Condescending fuckwit.

        • Colonial Viper 36.1.4.1
          23 March 2013 at 1:28 am

          Meh.

          I’m glad I took a screenshot before you sobered up and deleted it.

          You have an issue with me quoting the phrase “house niggers”? lol.

          • Colonial Viper 36.1.4.1.1
            23 March 2013 at 1:29 am

            BTW please feel free to take another screen shot, but my comment will be here this time tomorrow as well so don’t rush buddy.

          • Beryl Streep 36.1.4.1.2
            23 March 2013 at 1:50 am

            You didn’t quote it. There were no quote marks or an attribution, you used the words as your own.

            Yeah, I do have an issue with you using the phrase ‘house niggers’. Pita Sharples is entitled to an opinion without you responding with a racist slur.

            um… lol?

            • Colonial Viper 36.1.4.1.2.1
              23 March 2013 at 2:08 am

              You didn’t quote it. There were no quote marks or an attribution, you used the words as your own.

              Now you’re going to give me a lesson on APA referencing?

              Enjoy your little moralistic standover tactics.

              It’s hardly my problem that you are ignorant of who I was quoting or why it was directly relevant to Pita Sharples.

              • Beryl Streep …
                23 March 2013 at 2:19 am

                Oh, I get that Hone Harawira once called the Maori Party MP’s “house niggers”. He copped a bit of flak for it too, rightly so.

                What I don’t understand is why you would think it’s ok for you to call Pita Sharples a ‘house nigger’.

                • Colonial Viper …
                  23 March 2013 at 2:21 am

                  Why don’t you give me a lesson in proper quotation and attribution like you promised, so I don’t confuse you the next time I make a political reference, eh?

                • Colonial Viper …
                  23 March 2013 at 2:24 am

                  And take a couple more screenshots, it’ll help you feel more secure in your moralistic standover/stalking tactics.

                  • Beryl Streep …
                    23 March 2013 at 3:00 am

                    I still don’t understand why it’s ok for you to call Pita Sharples a ‘house nigger’ and that isn’t racist because Hone Harawira said it first.

                    Anyway, I’m going to sleep on it, it might make more sense in the morning.

      • Populuxe1 36.1.5
        23 March 2013 at 5:50 pm

        Oh dear, how awful of those bloody Maoris not to all sit tidly in the same box like carboard cut-outs just to back up the arrogant opinions of Mr Pakeha. Don’t they know their place is to smile and nod whenever a white leftwing liberal says anything.

    • xtasy 36.2
      22 March 2013 at 10:02 pm

      It will be the first time that Pita Sharples is likely to agree with the National Front, I suppose.

      • Tim 36.2.1
        23 March 2013 at 1:06 am

        Pita Sharples now realises he’s lost all credibility and mana that he’s now resorting to shock horror comments in order to retain a public profile.
        A pathetic piece of politician, and wasted intellect.
        I know of NOone that once supported him (with all their very being) that now considers the guy as anything other than a joke – even IF publicly they show a degree of respect by way of ‘politeness’.
        Pita seems to think his best option is to go down with the ship as though THAT somehow is a statement of commitment.
        He’d be better off taking some JK spin doctor advice and ‘re-imaging’. He’d stand a better chance of been seen as relevant.
        Poor fella aye – Oh how hard done by!! Displaying such loyalty and devotion to T all these years – right up until she realised there was more to life and left him out in the cold.

  37. North 37
    22 March 2013 at 9:18 pm

    The National Party has this extraordinary tendency to stack public office and confer distinction on people in whose glow they think they might bask – recall Key’s gratuitous offer of a knighthood to Richie McCaw about which he (Key) went public as –

    ON DAMES AND KNIGHTS AND OTHER BULLSHIT

    I heard a dirty story
    It’s truly damned horrific
    Shyster Boy Smiley Key
    Is flogging honorifics

    First he went to Richie
    ‘Cos he’s a real man
    Said Shyster Boy to Richie
    “Richie, lend a hand…..”

    Take this crappy medal
    It’s such a thing to show
    And ‘cos I gave it to you
    I’m basking in your glow

    Richie he’s a cagey guy
    He sussed the slimey game
    He yelled out loud “Piss off you ponce….
    Go find yourself a Dame”

    Tari proved no problem
    For this she’d always itched
    “Dame Toryana Torya”
    The Whispering Old Witch

    “Pita” “Peter” take your pick
    Demands he had a few
    Pension with the knighthood
    And Bee Em Double U

    This was getting crazy
    The people thought it stank…..
    Shyster Boy pulled out the sword
    Sir Botox Bloody Banks…..!!!

    Anon

  38. vto 38
    22 March 2013 at 9:24 pm

    I guess what Devoy’s appointment does is ensure that race will become an election issue (for all the wrong reasons) when she drops a clanger a few months out from the election allowing the politicians to ride the clanger for all its worth….

    • Colonial Viper 38.1
      22 March 2013 at 9:43 pm

      I’m betting that Key didn’t clear this appointment, or if he did, he did it in ignorance and now some alarm bells are starting to ring.

  39. peterlepaysan 39
    22 March 2013 at 9:47 pm

    It may be a Collins appointment, and change from “conciliator” to “commissioner”,but the Key Kabinet nodded it through.

    They are all culpable. That is why Collins is smirking.

    Trotter may well be right (oops I meant correct) when he contended on Moragh’s show that it is a digital salute to the previous ( now extinct) conciliator.

    No doubt Hooton, Farrar et al will be smirking as well as Key’s cronies back in Wall St and Hollywood (where Key’s real power lies).

    Devoy is pawn in a political marketing exercise.

    Human rights and race relations are irrelevant to holding on to power. Ask Assad.

    Devoy is reported to be interested in the disabilities human rights areas (this is very understandable).

    There will be tears……………. (probably before tea).

  40. RedBaronCV 40
    22 March 2013 at 10:35 pm

    Not smart enough to realise that she is there to be another Hekia. Take the hit for the team to keep the boys’ reputations pristine.

  41. Ross 41
    22 March 2013 at 10:48 pm

    “On Waitangi Day most Kiwis opt for a barbecue, go to a concert or take the chance to go to the beach like any other day off. They make a point of making the day quite ordinary, and I understand why. They don’t see the appeal of a celebration if it’s going to be a day where the focus is on argument and protest. But what we have had does not have to be what we will have forever.”

    Who was the idiot who said this? Sounds like something Susan Devoy would say. Actually, David Shearer said it earlier this year. Smart guy, that Shearer.

    • xtasy 41.1
      23 March 2013 at 12:13 am

      Ross – you raise a valid point, and that is why I consider the wider NZ public as not being too bright. But then again, we may have more right wing “democracy”. BS democracy.

    • Colonial Weka 41.2
      23 March 2013 at 10:34 am

      Where did this idea come from that Waitangi Day is meant to be a celebration?

    • felix 41.3
      23 March 2013 at 10:34 am

      That statement from Shearer seems a pretty accurate observation.

      The only thing I would add is that the “focus on argument and protest” is almost entirely media-created and a very very small part of the Waitangi celebrations. It just happens, by a bizarre coincidence, that every year the media decide that out of an entire day of thousands of people peacefully celebrating together, the 5 minutes of carefully staged aggro is the only thing worth showing on telly. And made to look as if it goes on all day.

      And the dicks wonder why they get banned.

      • marty mars 41.3.1
        24 March 2013 at 12:54 am

        The fact is that the equality promised by the Treaty has not come about and that is deliberate by the crown – you might note that the potential of Waitangi Day is lost on most because that promise has not been delivered – sure the media beat the story up but the story is still there nevertheless – protesting on Waitangi Day is entirely justified, should be encouraged, and is essential to raising awareness of the broken promises and undelivered equality – until that inequality is addressed we are living in a fools paradise.

        • felix 41.3.1.1
          25 March 2013 at 5:58 pm

          “protesting on Waitangi Day is entirely justified, should be encouraged, and is essential to raising awareness of the broken promises and undelivered equality”

          No argument from me there.

          But the media beat-up does nothing to raise awareness of the broken promises and undelivered equality. It’s more along the lines of “Look at these bloody murrays being all disrespectful”.

          It’s not the protest I was complaining about but the coverage of it.

  42. Ross 42
    23 March 2013 at 7:06 am

    And what about this comment…

    “It was in response to the cultural vandalism that led to the destruction of the Bamiyan Buddhas by the Taliban regime in Afghanistan…The colonisation of New Zealand was a sorry litany of cultural vandalism.”

    No, it wasn’t Susan Devoy. It was former trade unionist and Race Relations Commissioner Joris De Bres. I suggest that all those criticising Devoy’s appointment cut her as much slack as they cut poor deluded Joris. If and when Devoy refers to the Taliban when discussing race relations in this country, then might be a good time to question Collins’ judgment.

    • Morrissey 42.1
      23 March 2013 at 9:33 am

      You ignorant twit, the colonisation of New Zealand WAS a sorry litany of cultural vandalism. Obviously you have read nothing and know even less about the history of this country.

      Why don’t you go away and read a book, or preferably ten books, and then come back here when you have something intelligent to say?

      Off you go now.

      • Murray Olsen 42.1.1
        23 March 2013 at 8:54 pm

        Even half a book would seem better than googling stuff that Joris might have said, that’s if there isn’t already some collection of them somewhere. He might even begin to realise that comments taken out of context are pretty meaningless, that Joris is leaving the job, and that some of us don’t get our views on Waitangi Day from Shearer.

      • xtasy 42.1.2
        24 March 2013 at 3:30 am

        Well, Ross may think, I can’t eat or drink a book, so it is not appealing to me. That is the problem some have, an aversion against reading, learning and true education. Yet opiniated many of such are, especially such that listen to Michael Laws on Radio Live.

    • Pascal's bookie 42.2
      23 March 2013 at 10:28 am

      A good place to start would be reading the Tuhoe settlement. Find out a bit about our actual history Ross.

      • Ross 42.2.1
        24 March 2013 at 1:22 pm

        Surely all I need to read is the history of the Taliban…what do you know about the history of the Taliban?

        • Pascal's bookie 42.2.1.1
          24 March 2013 at 10:06 pm

          Fair bit. But the comparison made was only with regard to one factor. So you need to know if our history has that factor too.

          Here’s the relevant section of the speech:

          It is timely to recall why UNESCO and the United Nations decided to focus this year on cultural heritage. It was in response to the cultural vandalism that led to the destruction of the Bamiyan Buddhas by the Taliban regime in Afghanistan. This was an appalling example of people of one culture wielding their power to destroy a site that was special to people of another. The world was outraged.

          But while we rightfully shake our heads in incomprehension and condemnation, the destruction of the Buddhas also challenges us to think of our own country and to examine our own record.

          The colonisation of New Zealand was a sorry litany of cultural vandalism. Governments, egged on by land-hungry settlers, rode roughshod over Maori cultural relationships with their environment, threw some of their most visionary and peaceful cultural leaders and elders into gaol without trial, belittled their culture and actively discouraged the use of their language. This cultural vandalism was accompanied by environmental vandalism, and vast expanses of New Zealand’s indigenous ecosystems were unnecessarily destroyed.

          I still think you have to be pretty precious to take offense at that. He wasn;t saying we were just like the Taliban. he was saying that the Taliban’s destruction of the statutes were the reason UNESCO was talking about cultural vandalism, and that we have cultural vandalism in our history that is worth reflecting on.

    • felix 42.3
      23 March 2013 at 10:47 am

      I guess it’s no surprise that if you’re totally ignorant of the history of race and cultural relations in this country you might not understand why the job is important.

      This WhaleOil thread is pretty funny. A really, really racist post by Slater about how being well-known is the most important qualification for the job and how most of the previous appointees were only in the job because they were black/maaree/jewish etc etc, followed by a whole thread of straight out racists whinging about how the job isn’t even required ‘cos there’s no racism anyway if there is it’s all against them.

      Actually it’s not funny at all, it’s utterly tragic, but this is how Judith Collins’ supporters really think.

      http://www.whaleoil.co.nz/2013/03/sledge-of-the-day-46/

      • Pascal's bookie 42.3.1
        23 March 2013 at 12:11 pm

        Hey. It’s funny how that thread you describe is pretty much an untidied up version of what Ross has been saying.

      • Mike Steinberg 42.3.2
        24 March 2013 at 8:59 pm

        @ Felix,

        A major shortcoming in the analysis I’ve seen is the assumption that but for equal oportunities groups would all have similar outcome. Only a creationist can believe that diverse cultures and physical environments would shape groups in identical ways over thousands of years. Yet, otherwise sensible people like Simon Cunliffe seem to think this. It’s amazing. It’s like they believe in evolution but not the implications. They should read Peter Singer’s A Darwinian Left.

        • One Tāne Huna 42.3.2.1
          25 March 2013 at 9:55 am

          Or the condensed version…

          Singers work has been criticised for “credulous retailing of sociobiological speculations”, a fine turn of phrase if ever there was one 🙂

The server will be getting hardware changes this evening starting at 10pm NZDT.
The site will be off line for some hours.