Open mike 04/12/2013

Written By: - Date published: 6:49 am, December 4th, 2013 - 199 comments
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For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose.

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Step right up to the mike …

199 comments on “Open mike 04/12/2013 ”

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  1. CC 1
    4 December 2013 at 7:04 am

    For the WTF column: http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/9472548/Trek-to-stop-benefit-cut-off. Time Paula Beneficiary-Basher had a bit of the same treatment.

    • bad12 1.1
      4 December 2013 at 7:39 am

      Such nastiness will not be confined to just the small South Waikato town of Putaruru either, beneficiaries all over the country will be suffering the same ‘punishment’ and it should be the duty of WINZ to send a case worker to these towns where there is no permanent office on one or two days a week so as to enable those in such towns to be able to fulfill their ‘obligations’ in a manner befitting human beings in the year 2014…

      • vto 1.1.1
        4 December 2013 at 8:22 am

        Yep, nasty nasty nasty

        nasty

        nasty

        nasty

        what a horrible nasty Minister.

        horrible and nasty

        mean

        compassionless

        welcome to New Zealand, National Party style…….. no thanks

      • Garbageman 1.1.2
        4 December 2013 at 3:07 pm

        So you are telling me 20yrs of welfare bludging should be applauded and Winz officers should now be runing to the welfare dependants, maybe they should pick up their ciggies,booze and groceries while they are at it
        To poor to afford the bus was she must be Paula Bennets fault as well

        • McFlock 1.1.2.1
          4 December 2013 at 3:20 pm

          I’m sure nobody could tell you a damned thing.

          Well, nothing that will get through the armour of stereotyping stupidity that you have placed between yourself and reality, anyway.

          • Garbageman 1.1.2.1.1
            4 December 2013 at 4:05 pm

            So she hasnt been on the dole for 20years and no buses run to Tokoroa,has no friends that own a car a bike etc, this is a bullshit media beatup, putting me down just shows you for the insulting idiot you are instead of contributing or debating you abuse me, my “reality” is based on the facts given to us btw

            • Rogue Trooper 1.1.2.1.1.1
              4 December 2013 at 4:10 pm

              grouch

            • greywarbler 1.1.2.1.1.2
              4 December 2013 at 4:26 pm

              Garbageman
              Look just stick to what you are good at. Picking up the garbage – and that is an important job and an admirable one. But don’t wear yourself out trying to think about social matters. You haven’t got a caring bone in your body or a real brain that can understand and assess a problem. So go with your strengths and go and lift something that isn’t living and therefore can’t get hurt.

            • framu 1.1.2.1.1.3
              4 December 2013 at 4:29 pm

              no your reality is based on your ignorance, prejudice and hypocrisy

              1) everyone, including the winz staff memebrs in tokoroa would know theres no bus service
              2) its the punitive one size fits all policy set by the govt that created this situation.
              3) perhaps she had other means of transport available to her, just not on the exact same day and time winz demanded she trun up
              4) you complain about people putting you down and abusing you – yet thats exactly what you opened with.

              maybe get over your hatred and holier than thou stance and understand that this woman was doing what was demanded of her – and it was a situation that could have easily been rectified with a bit of common sense and mutual organising. Thats the point

            • fender 1.1.2.1.1.4
              4 December 2013 at 4:40 pm

              Your disgusting attitude is “putting you down” plenty enough. There are beneficiaries isolated simply because they live on social security. You sound like the type to ditch friends should they become welfare dependant, although I wouldn’t be surprised if you have none except for some of those clones of you commenting on that Stuff article. ‘Garbage’, ‘Rubbish’, ‘Trash’.. certainly….’.Man’… not so much.

              • Garbgeman …
                4 December 2013 at 8:57 pm

                more of a man than you will ever be Fondler you just stick to slapping people on the back that agree with you and attacking people personally that dont agree with you, i have noticed its an ongoing theme on this site, try attacking the issue for a change, more than likely another dole bludger must be if you are happy to be paying taxes for 20 years to any welfare recipient it is supposed to be used for a helping hand to future employment not a lifestyle

                • fender …
                  4 December 2013 at 11:49 pm

                  The woman from that article doesn’t need garbage dump loiterers throwing trash at her, making judgements about her imagined habits and sobriety; she looked perfectly sober on the news. I applaud her for raising four children alone, that’s an admirable feat and something you seem unable to comprehend.

                  Love the way you attacked her then advocate only attacking the issue when your refuse gets returned, your wheelie-bin is overflowing.

                • framu …
                  5 December 2013 at 8:34 am

                  perhaps you should stop attacking people first

                  you little whine about people being totes mean to you rings rather hollow, its neither accurate or original

                  And you obviously havent noticed that the issues do get debated back and forth quite readily – just not with fools who think that manners is a one way street

                  • greywarbler …
                    5 December 2013 at 10:45 am

                    Garbageman
                    You say ‘ try attacking the issue for a change,’ because we criticise you. But you are part of the issue. You don’t see bringing children up as a job? You don’t think that children and teenagers are important and need good caring support as they grow up? Because you don’t appreciate or value what parenting you had, which may have been little, it doesn’t mean that others shouldn’t have better.

                    Good on you for walking 40 minutes to your job. I hope when you get home you don’t have to do the housework, cook, and get the children to do their homework and to bed ready to get up and go to school another day. Also pay the bills out of small resources, and try to find some work that fits in with the children’s needs. And the constant jobs, mending their clothes, trying to get second hand school uniforms, finding shoes they can wear for sports again because the last pair got stolen from their school locker, it goes on and on.

                    You apparently imagine that a good fairy does all that, or you never had that sort of care and have no memories of what is involved in doing a good job as a parent. You just like hating and criticising, and want to kick someone because your life is unhappy, so look enviously on someone who, in your imagine, is getting a better deal.

        • Murray Olsen 1.1.2.2
          4 December 2013 at 9:21 pm

          Could you walk that far in the time she does? I’m impressed by the effort she puts in to meet some stupid bureaucratic requirement. I’m not impressed by your repetition of the same shit garbage that you fools come out with all the time. Garbage is right.

          • Garbageman 1.1.2.2.1
            4 December 2013 at 9:31 pm

            Actually i walk 40 mins to and from work every day,so you are impressed thats nice i personally would be more impressed if this lady put as much effort over the last 20 years into getting a job and yes Garbage is right thanks

            • lprent 1.1.2.2.1.1
              4 December 2013 at 11:09 pm

              I’d be impressed if your 20 minutes each way amounted to a marathon distance. However it was more like what? 2-3kms

              • Garbage man …
                5 December 2013 at 8:34 am

                Actually its 40 mins each way every day to work which i guess isnt really relevant just clearing that up thanks

            • framu 1.1.2.2.1.2
              5 December 2013 at 8:37 am

              so you cant do 25k down a main highway? – what a patheitc wimp! There i was thinking you were a randian superman – im somewhat disappointed

              • Garbage man …
                5 December 2013 at 8:45 am

                LOL actually i would jump in my car or on my bike maybe get the bus if i had to or cadge a ride from someone and to show im not the heartless prick you lot seem to be trying to make me out to be im very happy she has had many offers of support and rides if needed but like i said initially its still just a bullshit media beat up

                • framu …
                  5 December 2013 at 9:22 am

                  You arent her – your abilities, resources and opportunities (as well as mine) are irrelevant to the issue of someone with out any form of transport at that time, (other than walking) being required to travel a round trip of 25k over a state highway to get to an appointment that could have been rescheduled!

                  i would believe your not a heartless prick if you went back to your previous heartless comments, apologised for them and comprehended exactly why you got the reaction you did.

                  Few here would actually know each other in real life – so all anyone has to go on is what is written.

                  You started by attacking the person, spouted a whole lot of ignorant stereotypes, complained about people being mean right back at you and ignored the actual substance of any reply to you that attempted to examine or refute your claims

                  now youve got what?, Bragging about how far you walk to work and “LOL”?!

              • Murray Olsen …
                5 December 2013 at 10:17 pm

                He should be able to make the road as he walks on it, and all without slowing down.

  2. Paul 2
    4 December 2013 at 7:23 am

    Did anyone hear Simon Mercep’s weak interview with Hekia Parata over declining international standing of NZ in education?
    I felt he failed to ask her any of the key tricky questions?
    Deliberate or incompetent?

    • logie97 2.1
      4 December 2013 at 7:47 am

      We cannot blame National Standards for this one.

      However, the next report will almost certainly show a further decline for which the Standards should be implicated. It’s the paperwork, paperwork, …
      Teachers have had to change their focus to produce a heap of “irrelevant” paper in the last decade to satisfy the statisticians at the expense of focusing on the children in front of them.

      There has also been a significant increase in the number of children arriving at the school gates, tired and under-nourished – hardly in a fit state to learn.

    • Morrissey 2.2
      4 December 2013 at 8:15 am

      Deliberate or incompetent?

      Timid and incompetent.

      • greywarbler 2.2.1
        4 December 2013 at 4:29 pm

        Morrisey
        Unlike your good self. You could be a good guy on a panel. There could be a guest spot available on Radio Live or wherever JT and WJ usually hang out. You could get people going for sure. With the right amount of irritation to produce some lively talk.

        • Morrissey 2.2.1.1
          4 December 2013 at 6:13 pm

          Thank you, greywarbler, but I’d be a dud. I’m absolutely sure I’d end up bending over backwards to be polite to the likes of Hekia Parata. I excoriate Simon Mercep for it, but I know I wouldn’t be any better than he is.

          • greywarbler 2.2.1.1.1
            5 December 2013 at 10:26 am

            Morrissey
            Good point. Striking the right balance – neither sycophantic (which makes the rest feel sick) or incisive and attacking (which results in drawn knives and cries of foul from the other side) is a hard thing. I didn’t realise that Maggie Barry was such a right wing gal till after she had left – she covered up so well from my perspective.

            But don’t talk yourself down, you could have a role in stirring what can be a festering murky brew on some talkback, to mix some sunlight in. Or even add different colours to change the hue, some spilt blood red for instance. Then a touch of blue blood. Spin that colour wheel like a pizza cutter. wheee!

  3. Flip 3
    4 December 2013 at 7:26 am

    ‘Mr Dunn is a serial leaker’ Winston Peters, RNZ.

    Pot and Kettle.

  4. Draco T Bastard 4
    4 December 2013 at 7:35 am

    If you were still thinking that GMO was a good idea then think again:

    “If this silences the same gene in us that it silences in the wheat — well, children who are born with this enzyme not working tend to die by the age of about five,” stated Professor Carman.

  5. wyndham 5
    4 December 2013 at 7:49 am

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11166500

    Split in Destiny church.

    god will be really upset about this.

    • Draco T Bastard 5.1
      4 December 2013 at 8:06 am

      Just another person following the advice that, supposedly, L. Ron Hubbard got: If you want to become rich, start your own church. And why not? It obviously worked for Hubbard and for Brian Tamaki.

      • Not a PS Staffer 5.1.1
        4 December 2013 at 8:33 am

        …and Henry VIII. However the Tudors had the smarts to make their under-lords rich also. Brian is failing to share out the filthy lucre that his gang is pilfering from the poor.

  6. greywarbler 6
    4 December 2013 at 8:54 am

    We hear that chartered accountants are attracted to all sort of figures but at the end of the day they don’t add up to much.

  7. greywarbler 7
    4 December 2013 at 8:55 am

    We hear that chartered accountants are attracted to all sorts of figures but at the end of the day they don’t add up to much.

  8. Morrissey 8
    4 December 2013 at 9:02 am

    “This is where I STOP being a liberal!”
    “After a comedy show, one is often mobbed by the ladies…”
    Mediocrity Watch No. 9: ANDREW CLAY

    On yesterday’s Open Mike, our friend and colleague Murray Olsen asked: “Who is Andrew Clay and should I be worried?”…
    http://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-03122013-2/#comment-738655

    Well, Murray, have a gander at an appearance he made on Jim Mora’s show earlier this year…

    “After a comedy show, one is often mobbed by the ladies”
    Angry boyfriends target Tall Poppy Andrew Clay
    The Panel, Radio NZ National, Thursday 28 April 2013
    Jim Mora, Andrew Clay, Lisa Scott

    Andrew Clay is a comedian, who a couple of years ago was paid to go to Afghanistan, ostensibly to entertain New Zealand’s occupation troops, but in fact to ensure he never again uttered a critical word about government policy. His comedic comrade MIKE KING was similarly co-opted, and even made a ridiculous television program about his trip. Clay likes to say he is a liberal, but every time he appears on The Panel he manages to froth and rave against such irritating trivialities as prisoners’ rights, or even human rights in general. Maybe he’s been out drinking with soldiers too often….

    JIM MORA: We start with the very sad story of Jesse Ryder, who is in an induced coma after a very bad assault in Christchurch early this morning.

    ANDREW CLAY: This is where I STOP being a liberal! I don’t CARE about the human rights of people who do this! Part of me just wants to HURT the people who did this to Jesse Ryder! Now I know I shouldn’t say that, but that’s the way I feel.

    MORA: Mmmm, mmmm.

    LISA SCOTT: Mmmmm.

    ANDREW CLAY: We shouldn’t talk like that about people but….

    LISA SCOTT: It’s okay for scum.

    JIM MORA: Hmmmmmm…. We have this ugly thing in the New Zealand male psyche that makes us pick fights with sports stars, don’t we.

    LISA SCOTT: It’s the Tall Poppy syndrome isn’t it.

    ANDREW CLAY: It sure is. I’ve experienced it myself. After a comedy show, one is often mobbed by the ladies, and I have more than once felt the angry looks of male punters. Although I’ve never actually been assaulted, I’ve felt in imminent danger on several occasions and had to walk away. It’s the Tall Poppy syndrome.

    JIM MORA: [politely dubious] Hmmmmmm….

    LISA SCOTT: [skeptical] Mmmmmmm…

    Read more about Andrew Clay, including an extraordinarily embarrassing overshare about his ignorance of the Khmer Rouge….
    http://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-28032013/#comment-611053

    Mediocrity Watch aims to keep you informed of—or, to quote the epically mediocre Simon Dallow, to be “right across”—the shoddiest, least professional, most insulting journalism and taxpayer-subsidised-sensitive-singer-songwriting from all over the world, but especially New Zealand. It is produced by DeakerWatch®, a division of Daisycutter Sports Inc.

    More mediocrities….
    No. 8: Ed Sheeran “I See Dire”
    http://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-071113/#comment-723312
    No. 7: Paul Little: [Russell Brand] is “petulant, ungracious and unfunny” and a “cut-rate Chomsky”.

    No. 6: David Farrar: “Things were generally very relaxed in this area.”

    
No. 5: Jordan Williams: ““Capping rents seems like a recipe for disaster.”


    No. 4: Prof. Robert Patman: “Hezbollah is totally a creature of the Iranian regime.”

    No. 3: Jeremy Wells: “What evidence is there that secondhand smoking does any harm? Where is the evidence? WHERE IS THE EVIDENCE?”
    

No. 2: Gavin Gray: “…never been any problems associated with the name King George.”
    

No. 1: Susie Ferguson: “If, as you say, this has all been done before, why do it all again?”

    • Murray Olsen 8.1
      5 December 2013 at 10:14 pm

      I remember seeing Mike King in Timor Leste, teaching young kids to say “Aussie wanker”. It was cringeworthy stuff.

  9. phillip ure 9
    4 December 2013 at 9:02 am

    on my rounds this morn..i found this tasty musical-treat..

    “..Everyone knows Police and Thieves – but there was more to Junior Murvin than that one song.

    Here’s the proof..”

    http://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2013/dec/03/junior-murvin-five-great-performances-police-and-thieves

    (hope that rocks yr morn..

    phillip ure..

  10. greywarbler 10
    4 December 2013 at 9:03 am

    My experience with ts this morning. I wrote a comment and submitted with an involuntary double click and got duplicate message. Went back to my comment and it was back in editing mode, so I did that, and submitted again and got the closed sign. Then I went back and refreshed with Home and there it was in the Comments list.

  11. phillip ure 11
    4 December 2013 at 9:04 am

    on my rounds this morn..i found this tasty musical-treat..

    “..Everyone knows Police and Thieves – but there was more to Junior Murvin than that one song.

    Here’s the proof..”

    http://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2013/dec/03/junior-murvin-five-great-performances-police-and-thieves

    (hope that rocks yr morn..)

    phillip ure..

  12. greywarbler 12
    4 December 2013 at 9:05 am

    My experience with ts this morning. I wrote a comment and submitted with an involuntary double click and got duplicate message. Went back to my comment and it was back in editing mode, so I did that, and submitted again and got the Connection closed by remote server page. Then I checked if I was still under submitting control. Then I went back and refreshed with Home and there it was in the Comments list.

  13. greywarbler 13
    4 December 2013 at 9:12 am

    Now I have double comments in moderation about the moves I had to make to get on ts this morning. Sigh. Bye for now. I’ll get on with my day.

  14. phil 14
    4 December 2013 at 9:14 am

    Re Simon Merceps interview of Parata. Simon’s first question was, paraphrasing, “isn’t Labour just as much to blame?” He repeated this point in the same interview. It would appear he could be an apologist for the governments line. I have noticed Geof Robinson do the same thing when a government minister declined to be interviewed and he, by default, found himself taking the government line. Bizarre really.

    • phillip ure 14.1
      4 December 2013 at 9:58 am

      @phil..

      ..if you accept..as i seem to be hearing..that much of this rankings-slump is down to poverty/inequality..

      ..that it is an outcome/symptom from the dickensian-horrors that is a life of grinding/abject-poverty..

      ..with no end in sight..

      ..then the rogernomics/clark labour govts most certainly are ‘as much to blame’..

      ..as the current band of tory opportunists/class-warriors/asset-looters..

      ..how can they not be..?

      ..(‘working for (some) families’..?..anyone..?..)

      ..phillip ure..

  15. Morrissey 15
    4 December 2013 at 9:21 am

    Chomsky not impressed by Bob Dylan’s incoherent rambling
    June, 1994

    Just the other day I was sitting in a radio studio waiting for a satellite arrangement abroad to be set up. The engineers were putting together interviews with Bob Dylan from about 1966-7 or so (judging by the references), and I was listening (I’d never heard him talk before — if you can call that talking). He sounded as though he was so drugged he was barely coherent, but the message got through clearly enough through the haze. He said over and over that he’d been through all of this protest thing, realized it was nonsense, and that the only thing that was important was to live his own life happily and freely, not to “mess around with other people’s lives” by working for civil and human rights, ending war and poverty, etc. He was asked what he thought about the Berkeley “free speech movement” and said that he didn’t understand it. He said something like: “I have free speech, I can do what I want, so it has nothing to do with me. Period.” If the capitalist PR machine wanted to invent someone for their purposes, they couldn’t have made a better choice.

    http://www.chomsky.info/letters/199406–.htm

    • phillip ure 15.1
      4 December 2013 at 10:05 am

      ok..a stoned-rant in/from 1966..

      ..got anything else..?

      phillip ure..

      • Rogue Trooper 15.1.1
        4 December 2013 at 10:18 am

        a stoned rant from 2013 suffice?

      • Morrissey 15.1.2
        4 December 2013 at 12:03 pm

        Stoned or not, Dylan’s political naïveté and the lack of intelligence is a sad fact of life for too many pampered American musicians. Here’s another fool who doesn’t seem to have much idea about anything….
        http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JygWoIeW224

        • Rogue Trooper 15.1.2.1
          4 December 2013 at 2:44 pm

          certainly not The Ghost of Tom Joad and a long way back to The River .

        • fender 15.1.2.2
          4 December 2013 at 2:57 pm

          It’s true that the wonderful word play, various interpretations/ meanings of a Dylan song outshine his ability to make sense with his spoken word more often than not. Many artists are better off letting their art do the talking.

          • Jokerman 15.1.2.2.1
            4 December 2013 at 3:00 pm

            Talk Talk

          • Morrissey 15.1.2.2.2
            4 December 2013 at 6:22 pm

            You could have a valid point there. Perhaps Shakespeare was an indolent thinker and an incoherent dolt in his everyday discourse. Certainly Martin Amis is. As was his father Kingsley. And Bruce Springsteen.

            In fact, it’s hard to think of a singer or a writer who does have the ability to express him/herself coherently, and who has actually done some serious reading and thinking.

          • Morrissey 15.1.2.2.3
            4 December 2013 at 6:33 pm

            It’s true that the wonderful word play, various interpretations/ meanings of a Dylan song outshine his ability to make sense with his spoken word more often than not.

            Dylan made perfect sense, even though, as Chomsky observed, he was clearly under the influence of drugs at the time. The problem is not that his thinking was so muddled; the problem is that it is so threadbare, so irresponsible, and so contemptuous of people who did actually care about something other than themselves. Dylan was not stupid, he was indolent. Judging by some of his recent utterances, nothing has changed in forty-seven years.

            • fender 15.1.2.2.3.1
              4 December 2013 at 7:29 pm

              He seemingly hasn’t moved on from trying to shock and offend the way he did in the ’60’s when he wanted to shake off the “voice of a generation”, “prophet” etc. labels people tried to pigeonhole him with. He’s the quintessential troubadour and would be best to keep to that field of expertise. i.e. Blind Willie McTell

    • joe90 15.2
      4 December 2013 at 1:22 pm

      Bob and John incoherent, – pissed or stoned.

      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jSlZvfsWdOc

      edit: Bob’s been busy too.

  16. X 16
    4 December 2013 at 9:33 am

    http://thedailyblog.co.nz/2013/12/04/colin-craig-now-denies-moon-landing/

    I cannot figure what strategy Colin Craig has in mind in making non-committal statements about science. Attention seeking? Is he simply reflecting his constituency?

    I hope there are not too many people out there which the education system has failed given that we live in a democracy.

    Maybe it is all part of a master plan to not educate people well so the powers that be can rule with impunity.

  17. Draco T Bastard 17
    4 December 2013 at 10:04 am

    the Minimum We Can Do

    In my work with T. William Lester and Michael Reich, we use nearly two decades’ worth of data and compare all bordering areas in the United States to show that while higher minimum wages raise earnings of low-wage workers, they do not have a detectable impact on employment. Our estimates — published in 2010 in the Review of Economics and Statistics — suggest that a hypothetical 10 percent increase in the minimum wage affects employment in the restaurant or retail industries, by much less than 1 percent; the change is in fact statistically indistinguishable from zero.

    More research coming out showing that raising the minimum wage has no effect upon employment.

  18. Te Reo Putake 18
    4 December 2013 at 10:10 am

    Banks has called a press conference for 11am. Boscowan in attendance.

  19. Rogue Trooper 19
    4 December 2013 at 10:16 am

    Dr Doom (no, not Victor) -Nouriel Roubini
    on NZ and other international Housing Bubbles:
    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11166353
    “policy-makers will not have the tools of 2008 to cushion the fall”. (just a little pin-prick…there will be some aaargh ) 😎

    • phillip ure 19.1
      4 December 2013 at 2:38 pm

      i will claim to have possibly been the first in nz to predict the g.f.c…and the reasons for it..(in sept ’06 @ whoar..)

      ..and i was relying on the words/predictions of roubini..in making that call..

      ..so..if roubini sez we have an about to burst housing bubble..

      ..i’d tend to believe him..

      ..eh..?

      ..he has quite the record for being accurate..

      http://whoar.co.nz/?s=roubini

      phillip ure..

  21. gobsmacked 21
    4 December 2013 at 10:34 am

    Cunliffe on Radio Live with Plunket just now: 10.20-10.30 (audio on their website 1 hour later).

    Really strong and clear. And Plunket is no pussy cat.

    Tweet – owns it, no waffle, no BS.

    Craig – will not be a coalition partner, period. And asked the same Qs (moon landings, chem trails etc) Cunliffe’s answers are unequivocal and – thank goodness – sane.

    Banks – toast.

    Anyone who has any lingering doubts about Cunliffe vs Key (or Shearer, or whoever) should listen.

  22. andy (the other one) 22
    4 December 2013 at 10:37 am

    Banks to hold Press conference at 11am this morning.

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11166756

  23. The Gormless Fool formerly known as Oleolebiscuitbarrell 23
    4 December 2013 at 10:48 am

    Travellerev may have to vote for Colin Craig, if he keeps this up.

    • ghostrider888 23.1
      4 December 2013 at 11:09 am

      funny, yet unlikely.Craig would be more supportive of the AQ thesis

      • The Gormless Fool formerly known as Oleolebiscuitbarrell 23.1.1
        4 December 2013 at 11:19 am

        I hear Colin Craig is not sure if gravity exists, although he is inclined to believe it.

        He has not investigated whether electricity is real, either.

        • Rogue Trooper 23.1.1.1
          4 December 2013 at 2:54 pm

          shocking revelation as credibility plummets to Hades;
          Styx and stones may break our bones, yet fools leave us in stitches. 😉

        • framu 23.1.1.2
          4 December 2013 at 4:33 pm

          those two are rather good 🙂 – have you taken up a post at the civilian?

        • Rogue Trooper 23.1.1.3
          4 December 2013 at 5:03 pm

          maybe someone could provide him with a chair (ok, that’s two ‘contexts’ for the price of one) 🙂

      • felix 23.1.2
        4 December 2013 at 6:55 pm

        “funny, yet unlikely.Craig would be more supportive of the AQ thesis”

        He was asked about this just the other day by Sean Plunket. He reckons “probably terrorists but who knows” or words to that effect.

  24. ianmac 24
    4 December 2013 at 10:49 am

    Ho Ho! Mr Banks will not seek re-election in 2014. Wow! Surprise. But it seems he will not resign. So he will continue to be a thorn in Key’s side?

  25. ianmac 25
    4 December 2013 at 10:50 am

    Ho Ho! Mr Banks will not seek re-election in 2014. Wow! Surprise. But it seems he will not resign. So he will continue to be a thorn in Key’s side?

  26. ianmac 26
    4 December 2013 at 10:56 am

    Crikey. Reply getting carried away – twice- again!

  27. Tracey 27
    4 December 2013 at 11:12 am

    Read this link. It’s why we are in the state we are because almost all out pollies try to do the opposite

    http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1P83hd_hvX8/SbnUWo7nxCI/AAAAAAAAAG4/-jpyXk1XPIQ/S240/Jefferson_believed.jpg

    • Draco T Bastard 27.1
      4 December 2013 at 1:08 pm

      And as long as we continue with representative democracy we will have politicians continuing to try and prevent the people from having a say in their own governance. First they will continue to ensure that the people don’t have enough information (TPPA) and then they’ll ignore what the people say anyway (Asset sales).

      • Flip 27.1.1
        4 December 2013 at 1:29 pm

        Bring on an informed participatory citizen democracy.

      • greywarbler 27.1.2
        4 December 2013 at 4:20 pm

        I’m wondering if we could cut out some of the middlemen and put our names down to be on a panel for our locality interviewing the operational head of a department who would travel the country to be interviewed by a stratified random panel, with others in as observers. They would then have to follow a job description made up by we the peeps with input from them.

        The politicians don’t seem to be interested in their electors and they don’t want to have any control over their workers, saying to any queries ‘Oh I couldn’t comment, it is an operational matter’. They are worse than useless because they will take a functioning system and discard it, or replace it. So something better is required.

        As far as running things by referendum is concerned as another way, I don’t really like the It becomes another tax evasion system where people will go for the cheapest option unless it’s urgently necessary to have something done in their own neighbourhood.

    • QoT 27.2
      4 December 2013 at 7:27 pm

      They missed the word “owning” before “the people”.

  28. lprent 28
    4 December 2013 at 1:17 pm

    Testing comment bouncer.

    That worked…

    • lprent 28.1
      4 December 2013 at 2:05 pm

      Test it again..

    • lprent 28.2
      4 December 2013 at 2:08 pm

      Ok, due to a neat little trick in .htaccess, I’m now reflecting any attempt to leave comments without a referrer back to the Ip that it is calling from.

      The effect is to block stupid spambots.

      A few more of those and the current deluge of spam might stop clogging the servers.

      • Draco T Bastard 28.2.1
        4 December 2013 at 8:16 pm

        Back to being slow and getting lost when commenting.

        • lprent 28.2.1.1
          5 December 2013 at 1:06 am

          Working on it now. Unfortunately I really have to do this stuff when the number of users online is low..

        • lprent 28.2.1.2
          5 December 2013 at 4:50 am

          Ok. Partially a problem with akismet, and it looks like a routing problem on a server to the database.

          I’m going to try a more passive anti-spam system that doesn’t involve squirting message data around the world.

          Off to bed.

  29. Flip 29
    4 December 2013 at 1:30 pm

    Colin Craig provides further evidence for falling educational standards

  30. greywarbler 30
    4 December 2013 at 2:08 pm

    Bouncer? You getting heavy lprent?

  31. amirite 31
    4 December 2013 at 2:32 pm

    This site is awfully slow to load lately, why?

    • greywarbler 31.1
      4 December 2013 at 4:10 pm

      amirite
      You could try searching for lprent and all the things that are being done to the site and for it will come up. Which helps to keep up with the latest. Lynn said recently that there was a lot of spam coming through and overwhelming the system. I’m having some problems and think it possible that its partly my phone connections and/or my hardware.

    • infused 31.2
      4 December 2013 at 4:55 pm

      hosted overseas

  32. amirite 32
    4 December 2013 at 5:06 pm

    I’m still laughing: Colin Craig said he had “no idea” whether moa are still alive in remote parts of New Zealand but some people might believe that.

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11166736

    Key trying to prove that his potential coalition partner is not just a joke.

    • Ake ake ake 32.1
      4 December 2013 at 5:44 pm

      Key is getting more desperate for Crazy’s support.
      So, coming to you all next – Key providing cover, excuses and apologies for Crazy.

    • chris73 32.2
      4 December 2013 at 6:16 pm

      Its possible but extremely unlikely, the Takahe was also thought to be extinct until it was rediscovered in the late 40s, but it seems to me his big problem seems to be with answering questions too honestly

      I wouldn’t mind betting that some (most?) of the MPs we have now probably have some extremely bat-shit crazy views but are smart enough to keep them to themselves

      Although it seems to me that those with religious views almost seem to want to be ridiculed as it reinforces their views…almost like they’re martyrs or something so they’re probably cheering CC on

      (I apologize to those on here who are religious but arn’t bat-shit crazy for lumping them all in together)

      • fender 32.2.1
        4 December 2013 at 6:28 pm

        Nah mate, the bat-shit crazy lot in power at present have been turning their warped views into law/policy, ffs .

      • felix 32.2.2
        4 December 2013 at 6:48 pm

        Nah, it’s deliberate and there’s nothing honest about it. Craig is targeting his secondary market, plain and simple.

      • North 32.2.3
        4 December 2013 at 9:26 pm

        Piss73. “Batshit” was never a word. Please.

  34. Brett Dale 34
    4 December 2013 at 6:06 pm

    Even that writer moi, knows you dont campaign on a election day. Perhaps Cunliffe can share a cell with Banks.

    • chris73 34.1
      4 December 2013 at 6:23 pm

      https://twitter.com/katieabradford

      – While I don’t think what he did is all that bad but it really does just illustrate politicians lax views towards electoral rules (left and right), surely hes telling fibs that he didn’t know yet he knows he can quite clearly get away with doing it because the police probably won’t do anything about it

      • Colonial Viper 34.1.1
        4 December 2013 at 6:32 pm

        Thanks for an insight into the way you think.

        • chris73 34.1.1.1
          4 December 2013 at 6:41 pm

          Well theres not going to be any repercussions for him are their so theres no need for him or anyone else to be bothered with the electoral commission

      • Pascal's bookie 34.1.2
        4 December 2013 at 6:38 pm

        surely hes telling fibs that he didn’t know yet he knows he can quite clearly get away with doing it

        Fair enough trying make a deal out of it, but honestly, doesn’t the fact he deleted it quick enough that hardly anyone even got a screen grab, and then informed on himself about it, kind of indicate that it was more cock up than intent to ‘get away with it’?

        What was the plan? I’ll tweet something, delete it real quick so hardly anyone sees it, turn myself in, aah, win?

        • chris73 34.1.2.1
          4 December 2013 at 6:50 pm

          Its more concerning that he and everyone else involved apparently didn’t know it wasn’t allowed, I mean its pretty basic stuff that isn’t it?

          • karol 34.1.2.1.1
            4 December 2013 at 7:03 pm

            Curious to see the desperation of some righties – a 10 second tweet is all you’ve got?

            • chris73 34.1.2.1.1.1
              4 December 2013 at 7:16 pm

              http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/9192790/Cunliffe-to-refresh-online-CV

              “Refreshing” is such a nicer term then got out telling porkies isn’t it

              “Mr Cunliffe alleged Ms Adams went to “great lengths” to keep the information from the public, telling Parliament there was a “very low” risk of a large scale oil spill occurring.”

              – Turned out the report was on-line the whole time

              Anytime Cunliffe pledged support to Goff or Shearer and the exaggeration over the extent of his work on the formation of Fonterra

              • Pascal's bookie …
                4 December 2013 at 7:40 pm

                Yeah, that’s the sort of thing karol was talking about I guess.

                • karol …
                  4 December 2013 at 7:48 pm

                  Jesus complex from the righties, Pb. Trying to turn water into wine; a few loaves and fishes into food for the thousands.

                  They seem to think if they endlessly repeat trivia, with or without embellishments, it’ll somehow become a major crime against humanity.

                  Painful to keep reading such desperation.

              • karol …
                4 December 2013 at 7:57 pm

                When did Cunliffe break his promise to support Goff or Shearer?

                CV embellishment – if you are soooo concerned about such things, when/if Hooton announces he’s standing for parliament, I expect to see your full outrage against the CV embellishment that has long been in his work website. (after Bradbury tweeted about Hooton potentially standing for ACT leader, Hooton tweeted a couple of hours ago,

                MatthewHootonNZ’s avatar
                Matthew Hooton @MatthewHootonNZ

                I may have more to say on the @actparty issue on Friday

                )

                Now that point about Adams report is just extreme total desperation.

          • Pascal's bookie 34.1.2.1.2
            4 December 2013 at 7:06 pm

            Very concerning yes. Deeply, terribly concerning. #concerned

          • Draco T Bastard 34.1.2.1.3
            4 December 2013 at 8:12 pm

            There’s a difference between purposefully breaking the law and trying to get away with it and making a mistake and owning up to it within minutes.

        • QoT 34.1.2.2
          4 December 2013 at 7:30 pm

          What was the plan?

          Oh, it’s a dastardly one, PB. He’s going to convince us all that he’s upfront and trustworthy, even when he makes mistakes, by acting in an upfront and trustworthy way after he makes a mistake. Fuckin’ Machiavellian, that.

      • North 34.1.3
        4 December 2013 at 9:22 pm

        Piss73 – they (the upper echelons of the Police) actually might prosecute Cunliffe……..having learned their lesson about playing sucky politics – right wing sucky as it happens. McCready humiliated them. Ups to him.

        Let’s suppose they do prosecute Pisso. An artful law student could probably word up a diversion submission before second appearance. Botox is headed for a jury Piss. That’s the diff’.

        Piss attempt at painting moral equivalence there Piss.

    • Morrissey 34.2
      4 December 2013 at 6:28 pm

      Banks is on trial for electoral fraud. The other fellow tweeted a straightforward message, and didn’t try to lie about it.

      Yet another lamentable lapse of judgement by you.

    • karol 34.3
      4 December 2013 at 6:34 pm

      Perhaps Cunliffe can share a cell with Banks.

      Cunliffe’s “crime” would only get a fine – up to $20,000.

    • Zorr 34.4
      4 December 2013 at 9:30 pm

      I am starting to believe that the RWNJs are seeing the act in this light because even they are not blind to the writing on the wall for John Key. With their beloved hero, back against the wall, appealing to NZ not to vote him out next year and to vote in his only chances for electoral victory in the forms of Colin “Chemtrails” Craig and an as yet unnamed ACT representative (showing just how likely *that* is) – their only hope is that Cunliffe is removed.

      Expect to see every single misstep from him represented in these preposterous terms all the way until election day – and the more they repeat it, the less the electorate will listen because it will become a continuing narrative of irrelevance from the Right as they focus on non-issues.

  35. Lionel 35
    4 December 2013 at 6:07 pm

    When I saw that Key called Banks a thoroughly honest guy I are you freaking serious thought do you believe what you are saying he’s got to go

  36. gobsmacked 36
    4 December 2013 at 9:19 pm

    Radio Live is now broadcasting The Conspiracy Hour. No, I am not making this up!

    Callers are invited to outline their conspiracy theory in 90 seconds. There’s a prize for the “best” (craziest).

    First up – 9/11.

    Second caller – Johnny, says by 2024 there will be a One World Government. Something to do with UFB and digital TV. “Connect the dots” says Johnny.

    More soon.

    • gobsmacked 36.1
      4 December 2013 at 9:29 pm

      Billy says something about a rocket going to Venus, but he may have been taking the piss (or on it).

      Next. Tracey, she believes in lots of them … Twin Towers, something about the Titanic not really sinking, a couple more, but – she emphasises – she does like Colin Craig.

      Next guy also lists all of them. Must be heavy sarcasm. Well, maybe.

      Mike says all the victims of 9/11 were paid to destroy the buildings from the inside. Plus something about Marilyn Monroe.

      Who needs Rush Limbaugh, we got Radio Live!

      • gobsmacked 36.1.1
        4 December 2013 at 9:38 pm

        More conspiracies …

        The next caller links the Christchurch earthquake(s) and Israel. Because Bob Parker went to Israel. Obviously.

        Mark – 6,000 years ago there were the floods of Noah. The dinosaurs were killed off. Dragons survived in Wales and Loch Ness, but most were killed. The Bible is right, basically.

      • gobsmacked 36.1.2
        4 December 2013 at 9:46 pm

        Next one – not enough fuel to get to Moon and back. So there.

        Tim has a law degree. Believe in the Bible, Jesus is Lord, and a whole lot more.

        OK, now they’re coming thick and fast. Illuminati, the anti-Christ is behind everything bad.

        Common theme so far: God.

    • Ake ake ake 36.2
      4 December 2013 at 10:14 pm

      Is Radio Live helping compile a long list of candidates for Crazy’s party list as well as assisting with policy development for the Crazy party?

    • Zorr 36.3
      4 December 2013 at 10:34 pm

      WHERE ARE THE LIZARD PEOPLE!

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  • Bernard's pick 'n' mix of the news links at 6:06 am
    The top six news links I’ve seen elsewhere in the last 24 hours as of 6:06 am on Wednesday, April 17 are:Must read: Secrecy shrouds which projects might be fast-tracked RNZ Farah HancockScoop: Revealed: Luxon has seven staffers working on social media content - partly paid for by taxpayer Newshub ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago

  • Fighting poverty on the holiday highway
    Turning what Labour called the “holiday highway” into a four-lane expressway from Auckland to Whangarei could bring at least an economic benefit of nearly two billion a year for Northland each year. And it could help bring an end to poverty in one of New Zealand’s most deprived regions. The ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    2 days ago

  • Bernard's six-stack of substacks at 6:26 pm
    Tonight’s six-stack includes: launching his substack with a bunch of his previous documentaries, including this 1992 interview with Dame Whina Cooper. and here crew give climate activists plenty to do, including this call to submit against the Fast Track Approvals bill. writes brilliantly here on his substack ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago

  • At a glance – Is the science settled?
    On February 14, 2023 we announced our Rebuttal Update Project. This included an ask for feedback about the added "At a glance" section in the updated basic rebuttal versions. This weekly blog post series highlights this new section of one of the updated basic rebuttal versions and serves as a ...
    Skeptical Science
    3 days ago

  • Apposite Quotations.
    How Long Is Long Enough? Gaza under Israeli bombardment, July 2014. This posting is exclusive to Bowalley Road. ...
    Bowalley Road
    3 days ago

  • What’s a life worth now?
    You're in the mall when you hear it: some kind of popping sound in the distance, kids with fireworks, maybe. But then a moment of eerie stillness is followed by more of the fireworks sound and there’s also screaming and shrieking and now here come people running for their lives.Does ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago

  • Howling at the Moon
    Karl du Fresne writes –  There’s a crisis in the news media and the media are blaming it on everyone except themselves. Culpability is being deflected elsewhere – mainly to the hapless Minister of Communications, Melissa Lee, and the big social media platforms that are accused of hoovering ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago

  • Newshub is Dead.
    I don’t normally send out two newsletters in a day but I figured I’d say something about… the news. If two newsletters is a bit much then maybe just skip one, I don’t want to overload people. Alternatively if you’d be interested in sometimes receiving multiple, smaller updates from me, ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago

  • Seymour is chuffed about cutting early-learning red tape – but we hear, too, that Jones has loose...
    Buzz from the Beehive David Seymour and Winston Peters today signalled that at least two ministers of the Crown might be in Wellington today. Seymour (as Associate Minister of Education) announced the removal of more red tape, this time to make it easier for new early learning services to be ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    3 days ago

  • Bryce Edwards: Will politicians let democracy die in the darkness?
    Politicians across the political spectrum are implicated in the New Zealand media’s failing health. Either through neglect or incompetent interventions, successive governments have failed to regulate, foster, and allow a healthy Fourth Estate that can adequately hold politicians and the powerful to account. Our political system is suffering from the ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    3 days ago

  • Was Hawkesby entirely wrong?
    David Farrar  writes –  The Broadcasting Standards Authority ruled: Comments by radio host Kate Hawkesby suggesting Māori and Pacific patients were being prioritised for surgery due to their ethnicity were misleading and discriminatory, the Broadcasting Standards Authority has found. It is a fact such patients are prioritised. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago

  • PRC shadow looms as the Solomons head for election
    PRC and its proxies in Solomons have been preparing for these elections for a long time. A lot of money, effort and intelligence have gone into ensuring an outcome that won’t compromise Beijing’s plans. Cleo Paskall writes – On April 17th the Solomon Islands, a country of ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago

  • Climate Change: Criminal ecocide
    We are in the middle of a climate crisis. Last year was (again) the hottest year on record. NOAA has just announced another global coral bleaching event. Floods are threatening UK food security. So naturally, Shane Jones wants to make it easier to mine coal: Resources Minister Shane Jones ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    3 days ago

  • Is saving one minute of a politician's time worth nearly $1 billion?
    Is speeding up the trip to and from Wellington airport by 12 minutes worth spending up more than $10 billion? Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The six news items that stood out to me in the last day to 8:26 am today are:The Lead: Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago

  • Long Tunnel or Long Con?
    Yesterday it was revealed that Transport Minister had asked Waka Kotahi to look at the options for a long tunnel through Wellington. State Highway 1 (SH1) through Wellington City is heavily congested at peak times and while planning continues on the duplicate Mt Victoria Tunnel and Basin Reserve project, the ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    3 days ago

  • Smoke And Mirrors.
    You're a fraud, and you know itBut it's too good to throw it all awayAnyone would do the sameYou've got 'em goingAnd you're careful not to show itSometimes you even fool yourself a bitIt's like magicBut it's always been a smoke and mirrors gameAnyone would do the sameForty six billion ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago

  • What is Mexico doing about climate change?
    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections The June general election in Mexico could mark a turning point in ensuring that the country’s climate policies better reflect the desire of its citizens to address the climate crisis, with both leading presidential candidates expressing support for renewable energy. Mexico is the ...
    Skeptical Science
    3 days ago

  • State of humanity, 2024
    2024, it feels, keeps presenting us with ever more challenges, ever more dismay.Do you give up yet? It seems to ask.No? How about this? Or this?How about this?When I say 2024 I really mean the state of humanity in 2024.Saturday night, we watched Civil War because that is one terrifying cliff we've ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 days ago

  • Govt’s Wellington tunnel vision aims to ease the way to the airport (but zealous promoters of cycl...
    Buzz from the Beehive A pet project and governmental tunnel vision jump out from the latest batch of ministerial announcements. The government is keen to assure us of its concern for the wellbeing of our pets. It will be introducing pet bonds in a change to the Residential Tenancies Act ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago

  • The case for cultural connectedness
    A recent report generated from a Growing Up in New Zealand (GUiNZ) survey of 1,224 rangatahi Māori aged 11-12 found: Cultural connectedness was associated with fewer depression symptoms, anxiety symptoms and better quality of life. That sounds cut and dry. But further into the report the following appears: Cultural connectedness is ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • Useful context on public sector job cuts
    David Farrar writes –    The Herald reports: From the gory details of job-cuts news, you’d think the public service was being eviscerated.   While the media’s view of the cuts is incomplete, it’s also true that departments have been leaking the particulars faster than a Wellington ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • Gordon Campbell On When Racism Comes Disguised As Anti-racism
    Remember the good old days, back when New Zealand had a PM who could think and speak calmly and intelligently in whole sentences without blustering? Even while Iran’s drones and missiles were still being launched, Helen Clark was live on TVNZ expertly summing up the latest crisis in the Middle ...
    Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
    4 days ago

  • Govt ignored economic analysis of smokefree reversal
    Costello did not pass on analysis of the benefits of the smokefree reforms to Cabinet, emphasising instead the extra tax revenues of repealing them. Photo: Hagen Hopkins, Getty Images TL;DR: The six news items that stood out to me at 7:26 am today are:The Lead: Casey Costello never passed on ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago

  • True Blue.
    True loveYou're the one I'm dreaming ofYour heart fits me like a gloveAnd I'm gonna be true blueBaby, I love youI’ve written about the job cuts in our news media last week. The impact on individuals, and the loss to Aotearoa of voices covering our news from different angles.That by ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago

  • Who is running New Zealand’s foreign policy?
    While commentators, including former Prime Minister Helen Clark, are noting a subtle shift in New Zealand’s foreign policy, which now places more emphasis on the United States, many have missed a key element of the shift. What National said before the election is not what the government is doing now. ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    4 days ago

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

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

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

    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    5 days ago

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

  • Fact Brief – Did global warming stop in 1998?
    Skeptical Science is partnering with Gigafact to produce fact briefs — bite-sized fact checks of trending claims. This fact brief was written by Sue Bin Park in collaboration with members from our Skeptical Science team. You can submit claims you think need checking via the tipline. Did global warming stop in ...
    Skeptical Science
    5 days ago

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • Comprehensive Partnership the goal for NZ and the Philippines
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr.  The Prime Minister was accompanied by MP Paulo Garcia, the first Filipino to be elected to a legislature outside the Philippines. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon and President Marcos Jr discussed opportunities to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    8 hours ago

  • Government commits $20m to Westport flood protection
    The Government has announced that $20 million in funding will be made available to Westport to fund much needed flood protection around the town. This measure will significantly improve the resilience of the community, says Local Government Minister Simeon Brown. “The Westport community has already been allocated almost $3 million ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    14 hours ago

  • Taupō takes pole position
    The Government is proud to support the first ever Repco Supercars Championship event in Taupō as up to 70,000 motorsport fans attend the Taupō International Motorsport Park this weekend, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. “Anticipation for the ITM Taupō Super400 is huge, with tickets and accommodation selling out weeks ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    15 hours ago

  • Cost of living support for low-income homeowners
    Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced an increase to the Rates Rebate Scheme, putting money back into the pockets of low-income homeowners.  “The coalition Government is committed to bringing down the cost of living for New Zealanders. That includes targeted support for those Kiwis who are doing things tough, such ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    17 hours ago

  • Government backing mussel spat project
    The Coalition Government is investing in a project to boost survival rates of New Zealand mussels and grow the industry, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has announced. “This project seeks to increase the resilience of our mussels and significantly boost the sector’s productivity,” Mr Jones says. “The project - ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    18 hours ago

  • Government focused on getting people into work
    Benefit figures released today underscore the importance of the Government’s plan to rebuild the economy and have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “Benefit numbers are still significantly higher than when National was last in government, when there was about 70,000 fewer ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    21 hours ago

  • Clean energy key driver to reducing emissions
    The Government’s commitment to doubling New Zealand’s renewable energy capacity is backed by new data showing that clean energy has helped the country reach its lowest annual gross emissions since 1999, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealand’s latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory (1990-2022) published today, shows gross emissions fell ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    22 hours ago

  • Earthquake-prone buildings review brought forward
    The Government is bringing the earthquake-prone building review forward, with work to start immediately, and extending the deadline for remediations by four years, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “Our Government is focused on rebuilding the economy. A key part of our plan is to cut red tape that ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Thailand and NZ to agree to Strategic Partnership
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his Thai counterpart, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, have today agreed that New Zealand and the Kingdom of Thailand will upgrade the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership by 2026. “New Zealand and Thailand have a lot to offer each other. We have a strong mutual desire to build ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Government consults on extending coastal permits for ports
    RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Transport Minister Simeon Brown have today announced the Coalition Government’s intention to extend port coastal permits for a further 20 years, providing port operators with certainty to continue their operations. “The introduction of the Resource Management Act in 1991 required ports to obtain coastal ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Inflation coming down, but more work to do
    Today’s announcement that inflation is down to 4 per cent is encouraging news for Kiwis, but there is more work to be done - underlining the importance of the Government’s plan to get the economy back on track, acting Finance Minister Chris Bishop says. “Inflation is now at 4 per ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • School attendance restored as a priority in health advice
    Refreshed health guidance released today will help parents and schools make informed decisions about whether their child needs to be in school, addressing one of the key issues affecting school attendance, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour. In recent years, consistently across all school terms, short-term illness or medical reasons ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Unnecessary bureaucracy cut in oceans sector
    Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is streamlining high-level oceans management while maintaining a focus on supporting the sector’s role in the export-led recovery of the economy. “I am working to realise the untapped potential of our fishing and aquaculture sector. To achieve that we need to be smarter with ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Patterson promoting NZ’s wool sector at International Congress
    Associate Agriculture Minister Mark Patterson is speaking at the International Wool Textile Organisation Congress in Adelaide, promoting New Zealand wool, and outlining the coalition Government’s support for the revitalisation the sector.    "New Zealand’s wool exports reached $400 million in the year to 30 June 2023, and the coalition Government ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Removing red tape to help early learners thrive
    The Government is making legislative changes to make it easier for new early learning services to be established, and for existing services to operate, Associate Education Minister David Seymour says. The changes involve repealing the network approval provisions that apply when someone wants to establish a new early learning service, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • RMA changes to cut coal mining consent red tape
    Changes to the Resource Management Act will align consenting for coal mining to other forms of mining to reduce barriers that are holding back economic development, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The inconsistent treatment of coal mining compared with other extractive activities is burdensome red tape that fails to acknowledge ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • McClay reaffirms strong NZ-China trade relationship
    Trade, Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay has concluded productive discussions with ministerial counterparts in Beijing today, in support of the New Zealand-China trade and economic relationship. “My meeting with Commerce Minister Wang Wentao reaffirmed the complementary nature of the bilateral trade relationship, with our Free Trade Agreement at its ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Prime Minister Luxon acknowledges legacy of Singapore Prime Minister Lee
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon today paid tribute to Singapore’s outgoing Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.   Meeting in Singapore today immediately before Prime Minister Lee announced he was stepping down, Prime Minister Luxon warmly acknowledged his counterpart’s almost twenty years as leader, and the enduring legacy he has left for Singapore and South East ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • PMs Luxon and Lee deepen Singapore-NZ ties
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. While in Singapore as part of his visit to South East Asia this week, Prime Minister Luxon also met with Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and will meet with Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.  During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Antarctica New Zealand Board appointments
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has made further appointments to the Board of Antarctica New Zealand as part of a continued effort to ensure the Scott Base Redevelopment project is delivered in a cost-effective and efficient manner.  The Minister has appointed Neville Harris as a new member of the Board. Mr ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Finance Minister travels to Washington DC
    Finance Minister Nicola Willis will travel to the United States on Tuesday to attend a meeting of the Five Finance Ministers group, with counterparts from Australia, the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.  “I am looking forward to meeting with our Five Finance partners on how we can work ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Pet bonds a win/win for renters and landlords
    The coalition Government has today announced purrfect and pawsitive changes to the Residential Tenancies Act to give tenants with pets greater choice when looking for a rental property, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “Pets are important members of many Kiwi families. It’s estimated that around 64 per cent of New ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Long Tunnel for SH1 Wellington being considered
    State Highway 1 (SH1) through Wellington City is heavily congested at peak times and while planning continues on the duplicate Mt Victoria Tunnel and Basin Reserve project, the Government has also asked NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) to consider and provide advice on a Long Tunnel option, Transport Minister Simeon Brown ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • New Zealand condemns Iranian strikes
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Foreign Minister Winston Peters have condemned Iran’s shocking and illegal strikes against Israel.    “These attacks are a major challenge to peace and stability in a region already under enormous pressure," Mr Luxon says.    "We are deeply concerned that miscalculation on any side could ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Huge interest in Government’s infrastructure plans
    Hundreds of people in little over a week have turned out in Northland to hear Regional Development Minister Shane Jones speak about plans for boosting the regional economy through infrastructure. About 200 people from the infrastructure and associated sectors attended an event headlined by Mr Jones in Whangarei today. Last ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • Health Minister thanks outgoing Health New Zealand Chair
    Health Minister Dr Shane Reti has today thanked outgoing Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora Chair Dame Karen Poutasi for her service on the Board.   “Dame Karen tendered her resignation as Chair and as a member of the Board today,” says Dr Reti.  “I have asked her to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • Roads of National Significance planning underway
    The NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) has signalled their proposed delivery approach for the Government’s 15 Roads of National Significance (RoNS), with the release of the State Highway Investment Proposal (SHIP) today, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.  “Boosting economic growth and productivity is a key part of the Government’s plan to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • Navigating an unstable global environment
    New Zealand is renewing its connections with a world facing urgent challenges by pursuing an active, energetic foreign policy, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.   “Our country faces the most unstable global environment in decades,” Mr Peters says at the conclusion of two weeks of engagements in Egypt, Europe and the United States.    “We cannot afford to sit back in splendid ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • NZ welcomes Australian Governor-General
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has announced the Australian Governor-General, His Excellency General The Honourable David Hurley and his wife Her Excellency Mrs Linda Hurley, will make a State visit to New Zealand from Tuesday 16 April to Thursday 18 April. The visit reciprocates the State visit of former Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • Pseudoephedrine back on shelves for Winter
    Associate Health Minister David Seymour has announced that Medsafe has approved 11 cold and flu medicines containing pseudoephedrine. Pharmaceutical suppliers have indicated they may be able to supply the first products in June. “This is much earlier than the original expectation of medicines being available by 2025. The Government recognised ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • NZ and the US: an ever closer partnership
    New Zealand and the United States have recommitted to their strategic partnership in Washington DC today, pledging to work ever more closely together in support of shared values and interests, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.    “The strategic environment that New Zealand and the United States face is considerably more ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Joint US and NZ declaration
    April 11, 2024 Joint Declaration by United States Secretary of State the Honorable Antony J. Blinken and New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs the Right Honourable Winston Peters We met today in Washington, D.C. to recommit to the historic partnership between our two countries and the principles that underpin it—rule ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • NZ and US to undertake further practical Pacific cooperation
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced further New Zealand cooperation with the United States in the Pacific Islands region through $16.4 million in funding for initiatives in digital connectivity and oceans and fisheries research.   “New Zealand can achieve more in the Pacific if we work together more urgently and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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