Open mike 19/10/2014

Written By: - Date published: 7:30 am, October 19th, 2014 - 137 comments
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137 comments on “Open mike 19/10/2014 ”

  1. AsleepWhileWalking 1

    Comedian Russel Brand on “The Trews” commenting on those in the media who have right wing opinions on welfare. I thought the guy was a little nuts but have found his analysis of media enjoyable.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Hj8pTdpxQI

  2. any other elizabeth warren fanboys/girls out there..?

    ..i want warren to be the next president of america..

    ..she is all of our best hope..

    ..for some positive change..

    (here is a warren primer/archive..to get you started..)

    http://whoar.co.nz/?s=elizabeth+warren

    • Chooky 2.1

      thanks for that on Elizabeth Warren…..some hope for the USA yet….and certainly a way better than Hilary Clinton!

      • phillip ure 2.1.1

        the idea of clinton getting the democratic nomination makes me shudder…

        ..and so far warren hasn’t put a foot wrong in her slow but steady growth of her support-base..(more power to her..!..)

        ..warren is a seriously impressive person..

        ..and says much that resonates with me like a ringing bell..

        (..and maybe..if she loses..we cd invite her down here to lead the labour party..?..)

  3. go and watch the labour candidates debating on q & a..

    ..and feel/watch yr heart sink..

    ..hear them all speak meaningless aspirational bullshit..

    ..see their charisma-bye-passes on the wide-screen…

    ..see the greens overtake labour in the polls..

    ..in the very near future..

    ..and mahuta comes across as the most honest..

    ..seriously..!

    ..the rest are saying absolutely fucken nothing..

    • Belladonna 3.1

      Not at all inspirational. Seems they would all choke if they had to use the word
      ‘beneficiary’. Activists were mentioned, presume they dont mean any from The Standard as I cant imagine any activist support coming from TS.

    • and the rightwing-trouts seem to have accepted int-mana as a useful scapegoat/whipping-boy..for their defeat..

      ..what a sad sad outing this has been..

      ..this is what the labour party has become..eh..?

      ..and this gaggle of neo-lib also-rans (truculent in their rightwingedness)..is the best they have..eh..?

      ..so uninspiring..you could almost bottle it..

      • phillip ure 3.2.1

        cd i kick off the ‘bring back cunliffe!’ movement here/now/today..?

        ..it just seems timely..

        ..i have seen the future..and it isn’t looking too crash-hot..eh..?

        ..if they don’t..2017..and until then..

        ..will be a trainwreck in oh so slow motion…

        .tell me how it won’t..

    • David H 3.3

      All busy saying exactly nothing to make me want to come back and vote for them.

    • Clean_power 3.4

      @Mr Ure: I have to agree with you. It was rather depressing.

    • amirite rawshark 3.5

      Phillip, if I remember correctly, Key used to go on about similar “aspirashunal” crap in the lead to 2008?-2011 election, which makes Labour MPs aspiring to a Leader’s role blind followers of the same RW bullcrap.

      • phillip ure 3.5.1

        ’14 was ‘aspirtional’ for key/national..too..

        ..no policy..

        ..just the secret agenda..

        ..two bits of which we have seen..so far..

        ..sell off all the state houses..

        ..and go to war..as americas’ spear-carrier..again..

        ..and i am still reeling from the revelation that goff/the clark govt. sent the top military people to america..

        ..to beg for us to be included in the afghanistan-adventure…

        ..how fucked up is that..?

        ..so key didn’t sell out our ‘foreign policy independence’..

        ..that was already long gone..

        ..by the time he turned up/hoved into view….

        • Molly 3.5.1.1

          From what I remember from Nicky Hager’s book, top military men from NZ were meeting US military without the knowledge of Helen Clark, and some of these meetings were kept completely secret.

          And they lied to the Helen Clark government as well.

          Haven’t got the book with me, so can’t check. Maybe someone else can.

          • Murray Rawshark 3.5.1.1.1

            In some cases they were, yes. Air Force officers were also giving treasonous lectures at ADFA about how Helen Clark was a socialist lesbian who didn’t support freedom and the Kiwi economy would be stuffed without the TPPA and other free trade agreements. The military do not seem very patriotic at all sometimes.

          • phillip ure 3.5.1.1.2

            @ molly..

            ..r u saying those military people took us into the afghanistan invasion without clark/goff knowing about it..?

    • Chooky 3.6

      yes Nanaia Mahuta is Labour Party’s only hope!

      ….but never mind if they dont elect her as leader …..then the Greens will take over as the lead party on the Left !

    • Once Was Tim 3.7

      I can’t @ PU. I don’t have a widescreen and I’ve no plans to get one until the current cathode ray tube craps out OR I put a sledge hammer through it. (I’ve been known to drop them from great heights to watch them implode, but I suspect if I did so, these days I’d have the AOS at the front door)
      No doubt the MSM will give their interpretation, and I’ll get a fairly good idea of the content when I put it through my ‘nzmsm translator’ (in the digital age, it basically converts zeros to ones, and ones to zeros, applies a few other alogorithms NRZ and NRZI), and I get a pretty good idea. (the translator is pretty good really because I don’t have to suffer a bunch of pillocks out to exercise their egos – there are plenty of other platforms for them to do that)

  4. Tony Parker 4

    Rod Oram’s column in the SST today is excellent. Hits the nail right on the head with regard to Dirty Politics, Slater and the influence of the powerful.

  5. Rosie 5

    Lols. Hows your local branch of National Front doing these days? Looks like they are on a membership drive if yesterdays organising activity was anything to go by.

    Was at work yesterday when a bunch of them came past waving huge NZ flags and putting leaflets under the windscreen wipers of parked cars. Boss went out and got a leaflet so we could see what it was all about.

    They are organising around the topic of the NZ flag, they don’t want it changed. Ok, but here’s a tip for the NF – If you don’t want to be laughed at, apart from the usual reasons people laugh at you, and you want to be taken seriously, get some one to proof read your flyer before you print it.

    Eg: “Don’t let the Politians change our flag with something that looks like it was cut from a rugby shirt”. Yes, it was “politians” and “with” instead of “to”.

    Also, from their membership application form: “I authorise the secretary of the National Front to release this application form the the Electrol Commission for the purpose of registering New Zealand National Front under the Electrol Act 1993”.

    Yes it was “electrol”.

    If, next year Key gets really busy with his diversionary LALALALALALA!!!!! lets change the flag buzz, your 6pm news could become quite entertaining if the NF gain some traction with their campaign.

    • karol 5.1

      “electrol” – ah, we have a few of those around here.

      • Rosie 5.1.1

        My thoughts too karol. I had to smile when I read the leaflet.

        • Colonial Rawshark 5.1.1.1

          small note: they will be getting new members and motivation from this flag thing.

          • Rosie 5.1.1.1.1

            Exactly CV, it is clearly an organising activity with the goal of increasing membership and profile. The flag thing just happens to be a perfect vehicle for organising – they will aim to reach “patriots” who are not necessarily active white supremacists, and who are not aware of what the NF are really about.

            With a broader membership base they can pretend they represent “ordinary” NZer’s and distance themselves from their core activity of expressing hatred. The flag agenda is perfect foil.

          • Murray Rawshark 5.1.1.1.2

            I suspect they’ve lost a lot of members to Winston First already. Most of their policies are pretty much the same. They just go a bit overboard with the race hatred stuff, whereas Winnie just talks about huge mansions out in Howick and the sale of farmland to non-American foreigners.

  6. Morrissey 6

    The government’s dodgy “Chief Science Advisor”

    Another excellent item by Wayne Brittenden on Radio NZ National this morning, this time about a disturbing government campaign against outspoken scientists like Dr Mike Joy. Leading the campaign is the grandiosely titled “Prime Minister’s Chief Science Advisor” Dr Peter Gluckman, who has come up with a “Code of Ethics”, which would forbid academics from speaking or writing about anything other than their own narrow research interests.

    Dr Gluckman, however, sees no need to apply the same standard to himself. A political zealot, he often strays way beyond his own level of competence when he speaks publicly….
    http://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-27032011/#comment-313255
    http://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-01082011/#comment-358776

    I sent the following email to Wallace Chapman…..

    The hypocrisy of Dr Peter Gluckman

    Dear Wallace,

    It is rich irony to hear that the Prime Minister’s Chief Science Advisor Dr Peter Gluckman is leading a campaign against academics who “go beyond their remits and stray into advocacy.” Dr Gluckman has several times on National Radio expressed extreme and prejudiced views about Israel, painfully demonstrating he has done little or no serious reading on the subject. if he followed the rules he wishes to inflict on our scientists, he would have remained silent.

    Yours sincerely,

    Morrissey Breen
    Northcote Point

    • Kiwiri - Raided of the Last Shark 6.1

      What are Peter Gluckman’s ties to the National Party?
      Has he fully declared them yet?

      • Morrissey 6.1.1

        As we have seen with the recent comments by Messrs Goff and Shearer, one does not have to actually belong to the National Party in order to cooperate fully with it.

    • Chooky 6.2

      +100 Morrissey …yes superb dissection piece by Wayne Brittenden as usual ( Gluckman is Orwellian in that he is there to close down debate in the name of science)

      …in fact Wallace Chapman’s whole programme is thought provoking and intelligent ( best of radionz these days)

      …media watch asks provoking questions about ISIS/terrorism laws and a new Media outlet backed by Slater and friends?

      http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/mediawatch/audio/20153945/mediawatch-for-19-october-2014

      this item on white collar crime is also worth listening to…certainly puts beneficiary fraud in perspective

      http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/sunday/audio/20153949/the-cost-of-economic-crime

      • Rodel 6.2.1

        Had to laugh at media watch’s discussion of the new news media outlet–watisit ?’ ‘freed’ or something? involving some benefactor entrepreneur and Cameron Slater considering Slater’s resurrection of ‘Truth’ “”newspaper””.

        I just wonder who would apply to work for such people..Maybe the Kyle Chaman the guy from ‘Keep NZ White?’ Not Paddy Gower, Hoskings or Henry surely.They’re too professional. (Sarc)

    • Once Was Tim 6.3

      Jeeeeeez @ Morissey! I wonder what Glukman’s area of expertise and limitations should apply to his own son. @ PU – perhaps you might have an opinion?
      I suspect he thinks a respectable period of time has elapsed – one that’s only applicable to the ‘in crowd’.

      There but for the Grace of God go you Mr Glukman – you fucking hypocrite pillock

  7. Rosie 7

    “We look after our own”.

    Jason Ede gets a job at Teamtalk, owned by the brother in law of Amy Adams, plus other assorted dodgy Nat links:

    “Ware’s wife Belinda Milnes is an adviser to Social Housing Minister Paula Bennett, having quit this week as Families Commissioner, and her sister is Communications Minister Amy Adams.

    Former National deputy leader Roger Sowry is the independent chair of Teamtalk. Prime Minister John Key’s Official Information Act gatekeeper Sarah Boyle, who worked alongside Ede, is listed as holding shares in Teamtalk worth about $300,000. Ware said she was trustee of his family trust and also godmother to Ware and Milne’s daughters.”

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/10634251/Political-influence-denied-in-Edes-work

    I’ve been away from politics for two weeks. Has Sarah Boyle had a spotlight shone on her for her role in the politically motivated release of OIA requests?

  8. small thing 9

    The flag- it – situation
    Keys new distraction to get people looking at him because everyone know who he is now- the perpetrator of the new americanisation of NZ
    Maybe Key should declare the TTPA in his version of the flag by stating with their flags on ours, the countries that will own us after the agreement goes thru
    Stick your flag in your mouth Key and chew on that- mite keep you from telling anymore lies

    • blue leopard 9.1

      I support a change in flag but only as long as “Propaganda rulz o.k. #sellouts” are required to be on all the options. 🙂

      [+1 Small Thing ]

  9. Not a PS Shark Sashimi 10

    Referendum: protect our Housing NZ Stock

    Referendum: to TPPA or Not?

    • Tautoko Mango Mata 10.1

      Absolutely NaPSSS

      • greywarshark 10.1.1

        What about a referendum on how to keep closer watch on the health of our financial system and the extent of fraud?
        As we know from previous research, welfare is way down the bottom of offenders.
        And I don’t know if they have added in overpayments, which are being repaid from current payments.
        http://www.radionz.co.nz/audio/player/20153949
        http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/257185/economic-crime-costs-up-to-$9-point-4bn-draft-report

        Economic crime is costing New Zealand up to $9.4 billion a year according to a draft Serious Fraud Office (SFO) report obtained by Radio New Zealand.
        At the beginning of last year the then Minister for the SFO, Anne Tolley, was reported as saying that a number of Government ministries had been working for two years on a report quantifying the cost of economic crime and it would be presented to Cabinet in the near future.
        But the report did not make it to Cabinet and was not released.

        (RadioNZ has set itself to generate news about the government and other matters through following up on OIA material. And this is interesting. And also how there is a slip between cup and lip! The pollie may pronounce on something as if it is under way and oversight, but then it may never be heard of again, as apparently in this case. But Radionz has unearthed it for us. Take note when dissing Radionz.)

        lprent if you could bring up the image when you have time that would be good.
        This is the Image Location if that’s what’s needed – the item url is at the top.
        http://www.radionz.co.nz/assets/news/26285/eight_col_sfo-economic-crime.png?1413530776

  10. Tautoko Mangō Mata 11

    So Grant Robertson says the Labour party “should’ve been clearer about their unwillingness to work with the Internet Mana party during the election campaign.”
    I actually wonder if this is correct.
    What if Labour had come out in support of Mana and defended Mana’s right to use DotCom’s money as long as there were no strings attached and pointed out that National donations seem to come with strings attached to corporations, honours lists, contracts etc. Maybe saying that National were just sore because they didn’t get DotCom’s financial backing (which was supporting good social, environmental and clean tech policies) may have at least shown that the Left was more cohesive. Labour kicking DotCom was confusing, plus the rather manufactured blue-green move in the last week gave the appearance of a group of parties in no position to form a stable coalition.

    • blue leopard 11.1

      I agree with this TMM

      I’m getting really worried about these comments coming from the Labour leader contenders – it is like they have learned nothing. 🙁

      I disagree with those who are saying ‘it wasn’t made clear enough’ because it was very clear that IMP were not going to be invited to the table of power.

      There is all this talk of Labour needing to appeal to blokes, or people who are disturbed by Dotcom, or ‘centrists’ – but there are very few comments on how taking such a stance might put other sections of NZ off supporting them – and maybe even voting altogether. I would like to see that this aspect is being considered in the discussion too – but I haven’t any evidence that it is.

      I really hope Labour isn’t going to keep indulging in these halfbaked theories and half-baked strategies. It really hasn’t worked for the left at all.

      Dear Labour Leader Contenders,

      Please show us there is more than just thoughtless knee-jerk reactions being discussed in the formulation of your theories and strategies.

      Thanks

      • Draco T Bastard 11.1.1

        I’m getting really worried about these comments coming from the Labour leader contenders – it is like they have learned nothing. 🙁

        They haven’t leaned anything, specifically, they haven’t learned to stand on their own their own principles and keep borrowing National’s lack of principles.

        • blue leopard 11.1.1.1

          +111 Well said

          Would you check out the suggestion I made in my comment to Tautoko @11.1.2.1 below?

      • Tautoko Mangō Mata 11.1.2

        I felt that Labour bought Into the National Party narrative on Dotcom. He (KDC) has not broken the law in this country but the GCSB did. When you are chasing the centrist vote, then you lose control of the narrative and end up copying rather than formulating your own. Labour should never regard other potential coalition parties as opponents but rather as potential partners. Surely this is one of the biggest lessons to be learnt from this last election.

        • blue leopard 11.1.2.1

          +111 I thoroughly agree. It would be ‘neat’ if leftwing pollies would read these comments.

          …maybe a question could be posed to Parker today, to get the message across?

          You into it? Or DTB? If not, perhaps I will, but am a bit over asking questions of these people.

          • red blooded 11.1.2.1.1

            Oh, come on, people! We criticised National when they were being funded by the 7th Day Adventists – people using their money to sway the voting public, but not actually voting themselves. Well, KDC did the same thing. He was more open about it, but his motivations were somewhat muddled (let’s recall that he basically has right wing views – buddied up with John Banks pretty damn quickly and only looked elsewhere when he had personal reasons for wanting to bring down Key).

            While I think there’s room for some version of the Internet Party and that the Snowden revelations deserve public enquiry and action, the fact is that people didn’t like feeling like KDC was pulling the strings and trying to use their votes for his own purposes.

            • Colonial Rawshark 11.1.2.1.1.1

              Well, KDC did the same thing. He was more open about it

              It’s therefore NOT the same thing at all. All political parties have wealthy funders, and Dotcom’s approach was more transparent than most. And completely unlike the Closed Brethren who tried to wage some kind of covert campaign.

              Where IMP got it wrong was that they thought Dotcom’s celebrity status was a plus during their campaign, when in fact by the last month, it was becoming a big minus.

            • blue leopard 11.1.2.1.1.2

              That is just it, Red Blooded – you are quite happy to conclude that ‘people didn’t like it’ – yet where are you really engaging with the clear message from the public that ‘people don’t mind’ vested interests when it is a right-wing phenomenon.

              Or, actually, I am not sure what the pivotal factor is that classes the right-wing use of money as acceptable – and what Dotcom did as unacceptable.

              Was it, as I implied earlier, because it is o.k that the right do it, but when the left do it it is unacceptable?

              Is it because the right-wing hide it? That ‘people’ prefer the whole lacking-of-transparency way the right deal with their finances? That being open about it is what ‘people’ didn’t like?

              Maybe it was because Dotcom is a German? That was cited plenty of times.

              Because he is overweight? Owns a book by Hitler?

              Or perhaps these are just actually all weak excuses that people use for supporting the right over the left?

              One thing is for sure, it can’t have been because he donated to John Banks, which was rather off-putting for me, because that would be incredible that people would run toward a government where a party that John Banks had been in had a chance at power.

              Really, who knows why there is such a striking double standard?

              Or maybe it is that the right-wing are much better at commanding the narrative than the left?

              This last point brings the discussion to the point I, and others, are making.

              i.e. you can simply decide ‘people didn’t like it’ or look a bit deeper as to what factors went into this dislike – was this opinion solely ‘from the people’ or fomented by spin? (You know, like linking a German with Hitler and stuff like that) Was there anything the left could have done to calm this dislike or was the response we got – buying into the spin – the best course of action?

              • Manuka - Ancient Order of Rawsharks

                KDC could have done with a personal adviser, when he thought to get into politics.

                Some of it was his own doing. Why on earth would he hang onto a copy of Mein Kampf?? I don’t care what it’s worth, lose it! Get rid of it. Or sell it and donate the money to charity.

                I tripped over a copy once at the Tip. I had picked it up before I realised what it was. It was very old, good condition – It burnt itself out of my hands faster than I could do more than read the title and author. Some things evoke such deep revulsion that they contaminate all that surround them.

                • Molly

                  Re: Mein Kampf – I’m the counter to you.

                  Found the book in a box of throwouts, and brought the copy home to read one day. It has not yet made it to my bedside table.

                  When I do get round to it, it is because I want to understand what arguments and ideas he used that made a nation complicit with such horrific human rights violations.

                  … am becoming less certain that I need to read it, after going through NZ’s last election.

                  • Manuka - Ancient Order of Rawsharks

                    … am becoming less certain that I need to read it, after going through NZ’s last election.

                    Yes. It has been a learning curve. 🙁

                • Colonial Rawshark

                  KDC could have done with a personal adviser, when he thought to get into politics.

                  I think that was what Bomber was there for.

              • Manuka - Ancient Order of Rawsharks

                Blue Leopard, The single most significant thing that Labour could have done to turn things around was to not run an electoral candidate in Te Tai Tokerau.

                I know that is not exactly what you are asking, but if that had not happened we would be looking at a rather different scenario right now. And the people who’s right it should be to answer the questions you’re asking, and who are best suited to do so, namely Hone and Laila, would be able to speak out in ways that everyone could hear.

                • blue leopard

                  Yeah, that’s a funny one for me. Due to being influenced by [only] a few comments that relayed people in that electorate would not respond well to having their choice removed, I thought Labour were right to have a candidate but Davis should have been way higher on the list.

                  I absolutely recognise this idea is a pretty manipulative, game playing approach, and perhaps removing the candidate would have been fine, I really don’t know and am simply sharing the thoughts I have had on the matter.

                  Regardless of the ‘how’ I do wish something more strategic had been pursued and that Hone & Laila were in parliament this term because, as you say, they are very good at speaking out in ways that everyone can hear.

                  And I do wonder how many voted for IMP that were first time voters, and how they feel to having no representation after having voted. Will it put them off voting?

              • Manuka - Ancient Order of Rawsharks

                was the response we got – buying into the spin – the best course of action?

                Buying into the spin was an absolute disaster for Labour!

                What people saw/ read or heard was “Dear Leader” calling the shots, tugging the reins and the obedient horses drawing him along, veering in whichever direction he wished!!

                News in the leader-media one day: ‘ “Labour is lurching to the left!” ..says dear leader.’
                Obedient compliance by Labour the next, “No, no, dear leader, we are not at all. Look — we want nothing to do with those awful IMP ratbags!! No, no … You are right dear leader, they are certainly not the way to go and we obey you too!”

        • phillip ure 11.1.2.2

          they have learnt nothing..

          ..parker brushed away that question..

          ..with the farcical claim that labour would beat them all..

          ..and wd get back to 40% under him..(w.t.f. is he smoking..?..and can i have some..?..)

          ..and i predict labour will plunge into the teens in the polls..

          ..and that will happen soon…

          ..this leadership contest is more of a wake…

          ..than anything else..

          ..and isn’t it all happening so fast..?.

        • Chooky 11.1.2.3

          +100 TMM

        • Manuka - Ancient Order of Rawsharks 11.1.2.4

          Totally agree with your post TMM, on all points.

      • wekarawshark 11.1.3

        “I disagree with those who are saying ‘it wasn’t made clear enough’ because it was very clear that IMP were not going to be invited to the table of power.”

        What Robertson, Little and co appear to mean is that IMP should have been excluded from any agreement, not just part of the power game. I thought DC was clear enough – IMP wouldn’t be part of any coalition, but he left the way open for support on C and S.

        Ironically Little refused to give a clear answer when asked directly if Mana held a seat and would make the difference between Labour being able to form govt or not, would Little choose Mana or to be opposition? He actually gives such a weaselly answer that I have to take the whole “it wasn’t made clear enough” stuff as rhetoric.

        http://thestandard.org.nz/qa-with-andrew-little/#comment-908883

        • blue leopard 11.1.3.1

          Actually, what you have shared highlights the exact point that Tautoko made at comment 11.1.2 & DTB’s point too.

          They are actually boxing themselves into a very awkward corner by pursuing this narrative re IMP

          • Colonial Rawshark 11.1.3.1.1

            They are buying into, and extending, the right wing’s framing on IMP. Everyone is desperate to be onside with what they think is the top 20% of NZ society.

        • Chooky 11.1.3.2

          @ weka ….yes at least David Cunliffe was honest…but even he could have said thankyou very much IMP for your support ( unlike his ‘buddies’ who seem to think IMP is the devil incarnate)

          …and it was a non issue as to whether Mana/int would be included in caucus because they only ever wanted to be in a position to support a Labour led Left coalition govt !…( Harre and Harawira made this very clear)

          …the Labour Party by its insularity and male competitiveness and buying into the right wing propaganda has shot its own voters down and alienated further once Labour voters (now nonvoters) ….and destroyed any chance it had of forming a Labour led coalition govt…..pathetic !

          Mahuta as leader is the Labour Party’s only chance left

      • RedBaronCV 11.1.4

        “There is all this talk of Labour needing to appeal to blokes, or people who are disturbed by Dotcom, or ‘centrists’ – but there are very few comments on how taking such a stance might put other sections of NZ off supporting them”

        Now this is a statement that I couldn’t agree with more. There seems to be all this emphasis on chasing the male vote, but frankly everytime someone sounds off about gaggles of gays, feminists , man bans etc, do they think that people who fit these demographics and vote for Labour are going to continue to do so in the face of their interests being sledged?

        If it is a position the party is comfortable with then defend it and go over to the attack. ” Well Nact manages to have an effective woman ban, Best person for the job=Murray McCully ROFL “

        • KJT 11.1.4.1

          Yep. always thought they should just front it, instead of apologising.

          Say. “Left wing parties are about inclusion, not exclusion. We are for everyone, not just for a few wealthy foreigners, and their NZ employees”.
          (unlike National Inc)”.

          • blue leopard 11.1.4.1.1

            KJT,

            Unsure whether the comment re ‘wealthy foreigners’ would have worked with regard to the Dotcom hysteria (lol) but your example shows how simple it actually is.

            Which begs the question, why aren’t they doing it??

            • KJT 11.1.4.1.1.1

              I saw Labour back down so many times, when “public opinion” really the opinion of a few self appointed media gurus, had a go at them.

              (Pam Corkery was correct).

              Cunliffe’s “holiday” was a good example.

              But it happened on so many other things that it must have been an undermining from within. I don’t think any of the guilty should be rewarded with the leadership.

              • Colonial Rawshark

                You point to lots of big problems. The wrong advisors giving the wrong advice; and Cunliffe himself trying to play the cautious (and ultimately weak looking) “I promise I’ll never do it again” tack too often instead of coming out and front footing issues with gusto.

                • greywarshark

                  colonial rawhark 9.15
                  Winston could have led Labour okay certainly with him “front footing issues with gusto.” Either Labour join up with NZF or members who want to get a Party that is ABL should think about going to him. He might not be tops, he is likely to be better, he could not be worse.

                  • Colonial Rawshark

                    I think the research is showing that a fair number of Labour voters have started to move to Winston First. But what happens when he disappears, after one or two more terms?

                    • Kiwiri - Raided of the Last Shark

                      The ‘new’ generation of oldies can establish the Robertardern Party?

                    • Colonial Rawshark

                      Grant Robertson Leader, Jacinda Ardern Deputy, David Parker Finance. Crosby Textor will be down on their knees every night praying that this happens.

                    • Kiwiri - Raided of the Last Shark

                      Ok, this will be a mouthful: the Robertardenker Party.

                      Maybe easier just to call it the Gracinda Party.

                      I might even put make a donation for a kickstart.

                    • Colonial Rawshark

                      Definitely hard to swallow.

                    • Kiwiri - Raided of the Last Shark

                      Thanks for the reference to the comment here on The Standard from Twitter [https://twitter.com/Tat_Loo/status/524036381496991744].

                      I can confirm that I had never come across (heard, read or been told by anyone) the portmanteau ‘Gracinda’. It arose in the course of my comments above. Before I typed it, I did also google to find out if anyone else had come up with it in NZ (answer: no).

                      Having said that, it would have been quite possible that someone else had mentioned it, offline or online. It is not uncommon for two or more people to think up the same thing, whether next to each other or some distance apart, at about the same time.

                      I do not have any need for acknowledgments, although it would be nice for The Standard to get some publicity since it is an influential blogsite … which some politicians do not read.

                      As an aside, I did think up various other portmanteau, eg Jacant (but that sounded like vacant, which some might think quite appropriate but I didn’t have the heart to have the two of them stigmatised), Grandern (a bit too majestic for my taste) and even Grajac (that didn’t roll off the tongue very smoothly, unless if the ‘j’ was pronounced more like a ‘y’, but it still risked having ‘off’ attached to it). So I rejected those formulations.

                    • Kiwiri - Raided of the Last Shark

                      Oh by the way, has anyone seen the copy of Woman’s Day with Gracinda as sartorially coordinated puppy twins in mint?

                    • Colonial Rawshark

                      Ah-ha thanks for the insight into your creative process. And yeah, that mint green thing was a bit ill. In several respects.

                      Got to hand it to Grant though, the guy knows about the importance of soft media, and prepares well in advance for it. (That shoot must have been done several days ago, surely).

                    • Kiwiri - Raided of the Last Shark

                      For the record, Grinda was considered but was dismissed straight [hah] away.

                      Grinda would have sounded too much like the gay dating app, Grindr (launched circa 2009) which preceded Tinder (circa 2011).

                      As you can see, quite a bit of creative thought, and weighing of pos & neg had gone into all this during a recreational moment late yesterday evening!

                      Gra+ might consider that tying up his political fortunes with +cinda might be an advantage but somehow that seems quite doubtful when it comes to really unifying Labour’s broad-base of membership-union-caucus.

                    • greywarshark

                      Colonial rawshark
                      That’s then. Drowning men grasp at straws. Who knows where we’ll be in one or two terms? Radical rethinks are needed now.
                      We don’t even need a bailey bridge, just some stepping stones will get us above and away from the outgoing tide.

        • blue leopard 11.1.4.2

          +1 RedBaron & LOL re that McCully comment!

  11. greywarshark 12

    @ blue leopard 12.25 pm
    I think Labour should spell out their policies on a level playing field basis. Set out the policy headings in which they will be directing their interests and then list what they will be working on under.
    These vague promises ‘ a pocketful of mumbles’ that leave them fairly free to play pooh sticks and run to the other side of the bridge to pick out which comes floating up first, don’t cut it with the peeps.

    So how would that go:
    1 Workers –
    Safety for physical workers, ie forestry, mine – looking at physical danger.
    Dairy workers etc looking at problems from food and water borne diseases.
    Health -Plenty there
    Remuneration – living wage
    Anti-social hour addition to wage
    Making wages a preferential item in failing businesses
    Wages to be paid daily for casual workers
    Wages to be paid weekly for those on rosters
    Wages to be paid in whole or part weekly for contractors
    Salaries to be paid weekly or monthly at the wish of the recipient over $50,000
    2 Housing
    3 Transport
    4 Health
    5 Employment, volunteer work, training, interactive community assistance ie old to
    youth and vice versa.
    6 Taxation, ways of distributing GST for distribution to regions infrastructure,
    petrol tax, tourism tax, bio border taxes. Portion of taxes to be available for
    human investment – training youth, assisting entrepreneurship, vitality in the
    economy etc
    7 Human relationships – assisting co-operation, managing personal emotions –
    less outbursts of anger, intolerance, violence.
    Fair treatment related to need, women’s health and wellbeing, men’s and
    children’s.
    Welfare – a proper treatment of beneficiaries, so each person is putting something into the Country’s social system as they can manage. Parents should be getting plenty of help and receive training in parenting, which would gain them NCEA credits and be relevant to the ages of their children. They should be respected.
    Jail – the whole punishment system be looked at again. Most would be learning while in jail, educational, emotional IQ and skills of all useful sorts.
    8 Retaining business and jobs in the country. Understanding big business
    objectives and capping or assisting them as suitable.
    Small business – micro individuals and encouraging them to be effective
    and honest. Mid-small – enabling them to increase market share, plan and
    gain recognition in their area or region and assist in building angel funds
    from citizens around them, who would then have agreements to have first
    option on the sale of a business. (This to stop business shifting away or
    falling into foreign ownership with profit becoming debt or going offshore.)

    And so on. These are just from the top of my head. Have we ever seen this sort of list issued to the public by political parties? Summarised, with bullet points and more details available on line for each bullet point. With an invitation to belong to an interest group that could bring up pros and cons and their own vision to help think through the focus groups perhaps knee jerk feelings about policies.

    Seeing the thoughts and intentions written would put paid to the idea that it was a one-trick pony Party, only concerned about unions, ‘identity politics’, and ultimately have no muscular
    ideas for creating a thriving, prosperous country. And would provide something solid for the bovine NZ male to tackle and which would stand up to spear tackles that would kill off brittle, ideological policies full of only hopeful thinking.
    edited

    • blue leopard 12.1

      Oh heck, I couldn’t stop laughing re your phrase ‘a pocketful of mumbles’ lol that so sums it up.

      An easy-to-read list of policies sounds good but there is part of me that feels this was much what was available on their website and there was something that Andrew Little said about not having a policy for everything that struck a chord for me.

      I mean, just look at what National presented – nothing but ‘Trust me [John Key], I/we know what I am/we are doing’ and New Zealanders bought it! 🙁

      Just playing with ideas here – I personally like a clear list but have a bit of doubt due to realising what I like and what a majority of NZ voters seem to like are quite, well, incompatible…

      • greywarshark 12.1.1

        Blue l 2.17
        Yes true. But laying it out under those headings would get rid of the ferals ‘we want a reel man’ thing. The next thing they go on about is concentrating identity politics, and there are a few in town who think that. It would be important to prove to everyone that you were going to be able to walk and chew gum at the same time.

        And about the election and National’s lack of anything solid. Labour was in the traditional role of the woman, having to be twice as good to be considered and appreciated. Coming in second was not an option, clever thinking, persuasive committed upbeat needed rather than earnest. Positive was the right feeling to emphasise, but it should have applied to the tone of voice that the policies were presented in. As a slogan, it was a lot less than the catchphrase remembering WW1 or 2 – Keep Calm and Carry On.

        Pocketful of mumbles – Paul Simon The Fighter/Boxer

        • Colonial Rawshark 12.1.1.1

          Labour did not lose the election because of policy. An extra 100K votes between Labour and Greens, and the left would have owned that election. Oh yeah, cutting deals to bring in IMP and get rid of Dunne would have been very helpful as well.

  12. lprent 13

    At the kings arms. Didn’t know it was here.

    • Kiwiri - Raided of the Last Shark 13.1

      Your standard [pun] Sunday arvo moderating at the same ol’ place. As happens, Grant chose that venue. Has he come up to say hello?

    • lprent 13.2

      Young crowd. Very few old hands.

      • Bill Drees 13.2.1

        YOUNG in Labour means what age band to you?
        Under 50?
        Nash claims to be young at nearly 50!

        • greywarshark 13.2.1.1

          Nash looked younger than that to me. I was a bit puzzled as to how he had managed so much backing for a young guy. But now I find he’s about 50. Does he dye his hair?

    • lprent 13.3

      Education predictably gets a cheer.

      • Kiwiri - Raided of the Last Shark 13.3.1

        I cheered when Laila Harre announced Internet Party’s education policy too. I wonder how different Grant’s position is from IP’s.

        • lprent 13.3.1.1

          I will see if they have a ecopy of their speech notes.

          • Kiwiri - Raided of the Last Shark 13.3.1.1.1

            Thanks.

            I am trying to figure out what they might have been cheering about, besides hearing the word ‘education’, from the speech that has been uploaded:

            http://www.grantrobertson.co.nz/campaign_launch_speech

            • karol 13.3.1.1.1.1

              Robertson can make some very impressive speeches. But I can’t help thinking this launch is more image than substance.

              And Robertson use of Ardern seems to highlight his weakness – ie that he won’t be able to win the leadership on his own – needs her image at his side.

              • Kiwiri - Raided of the Last Shark

                It was the launch of Aucklington’s most famous super politico-couple with the names of the two dynamic politicians to be combined to forge a new beltway moniker: Gracinda.

                • Colonial Rawshark

                  You are bad, bad, bad. Gracinda! lol

                  And Robertson use of Ardern seems to highlight his weakness – ie that he won’t be able to win the leadership on his own – needs her image at his side.

                  I don’t get this. One little bit. Ardern has no support in caucus independent of Robertson. Grant picking her shifts absolutely zero caucus votes his way, off Little, Parker and Mahuta.

                  So he must think that naming Ardern will bring over general membership votes and/or union delegates votes. Really? Why? Because she is a woman and brings gender balance to the top table?

                  I think its a serious miscalculation.

    • lprent 13.4

      He has the right idea about when you start a an election campaign. Right now.

      Announced Jacinda as preferred deputy.

    • lprent 13.5

      Good stump speech by J…

  13. bearded rawshark 14

    Go the Greens in the UK!

    http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/oct/18/green-party-general-election-12-seats-england

    This acts as a reminder that with 10.7% the Greens here can get 14 seats out of 120.

    In the ridiculous FPP system in the UK they are dreaming of getting 12 seats out of of over 600.

  14. Clean_power 15

    Despite of the format, Robertson was the most convincing of the candidates this morning. Little came across badly and will have to improve his presentation skills. Mahuta was a non-event, while Parker came second.

    My prediction: Robertson to win the leadership contest. Ardern will be his Deputy.

    • Lanthanide 15.1

      Robertson will have an up-hill climb with the unions.

      Robertson and Little’s support in Caucus and Members will likely mirror each other. Nanaia likely to come 4th, with DP 3rd, and their subsequent preference votes are probably more likely to go to Little than Robertson.

      So in the end, I think Little will pull through a little ahead of Robertson, due to the unions,

      • Colonial Rawshark 15.1.1

        I seriously doubt that Robertson will get the most first preference votes from the membership, too. Lots of insiders realise that he was right at the heart of the leadership instability over the last few years.

  15. ExStatic 16

    Fascinating over at The Blog That Shall Not Be Mentioned, Slater on a crusade against National and Key. Apparently a paid hit by Collins. This will get interesting……

    • BM 16.1

      Slater is now persona non grata and isn’t taking it well.

      Expect more of the same drivel from Slater, which will only make his situation worse.

      • Paul 16.1.1

        Don’t read his blog.

      • ExStatic 16.1.2

        His “mods” appear sociopathic, the whole thing is falling over.

        • It’s a clickbait farm, except for the paid PR pieces or nasty hit jobs. Avoid.

          • ExStatic 16.1.2.1.1

            Fascinating, some of his regular commenters asked him if his attack on Key is a paid hit by Collins. Nek minnit they’re all banned! Must be true then?

            • BM 16.1.2.1.1.1

              His blog is shit now, the majority of his “articles” are just stories from the herald or stuff where he’s added a sentence or two giving his opinion on the linked story.

              The only original stuff he does is where he writes a piece on how awesome he is and how he’s the all knowing grand master of politics who makes or break governments, lol what an ego.

              He’s either losing/lost his marbles or is completely fucking deluded.

              • RedLogixFormes

                I suspect he relied on material substantially sourced by others.

                Yes he may have given some of it a ‘once over lightly’ to put his own spin and style on it – but if you think about it, Slater could never have sustained that level of posting if it has been all his own work.

                • Hager’s books shows that Slater does exactly that: nice fluffy press releases published verbatim from paying clients, or character assassination to order.

                  The MSM love his cartoonish villain antics and made-to-order “leaks”. Sucked in by the lure of the big scoop, and too thick to stop and think “Cui bono?”

                  Key has probably seen the writing on the wall and told Slater to fuck right off along with his mate Crusher. So Slater has spat the dummy.

      • ExStatic 16.1.3

        He is poison.

        • Rodel 16.1.3.1

          Keep telling us what’s going on with the Slater. I won’t log in to his site but still have a schadenfreudeish interest by proxy.

  16. Dan1 17

    My wife and I worked our arses off for Labour this last election.
    None of the present candidates look to unite the Labour Party of old. We might go fishing instead.
    Head office has much to answer for.
    When local candidates in the Christchurch area spend election meeting time rubbishing Cunliffe, I think we are stuffed.
    I am not a Cunliffe supporter necessarily but he was our elected leader.

  17. les 18

    so Robertson is running on Ardern as his dep…its a race for Mahuta…between Parker and Little as dep.

  18. Draco T Bastard 19

    Real broadband

    While AT&T and Verizon argue over an FCC proposal that would set 10Mbps as America’s new minimum speed to qualify as “broadband,” South Korea is positioning itself to introduce 10Gbps fiber service.

    Now you have some idea as to what we’re missing out on due to privatisation.

  19. Clemgeopin 20

    WHY RICHARD BRONSON TURNED VEGETARIAN:

    Very interesting article here:

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/well-good/teach-me/10635011/Why-Richard-Branson-beefs-about-giving-up-meat

    One study earlier this year found that eating less red meat would be a better way for people to cut carbon emissions than giving up their cars. Becoming a vegetarian is just one option. Looking at sustainable meat-production practices, including lab-grown meat, is another.

    “Today we maintain a global herd of 60 billion animals to provide our meat, dairy, eggs and leather goods,” says bioprinting entrepreneur, Andras Forgacs in this TED talk about “culturing” meat and leather without the animal. “And over the next few decades, as the world’s population expands to 10 billion, this will need to nearly double to 100 billion animals.”

    • Colonial Rawshark 20.1

      The world population isn’t going to reach 10B. Or if it does, it will only stay at the level briefly: maybe one generation.

      Liquid fossil fuels to become unaffordable for most circa 2040, coal circa 2060, and massive climate change effects hitting around the same time. That will mark the end of industrial food production and global mass food trade.

  20. Murray Rawshark 21

    This is very interesting, and has the ring of truth. As far as military stuff goes, I think I agree with the war nerd.
    http://pando.com/2014/10/16/the-war-nerd-nobody-could-have-predicted-islamic-states-retreat-from-kobane-except-me/

  21. r0b 22

    Note that David Parker has dropped back in to his Q&A post for some final comments at 40.1

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  • A Powerful Sensation of Déjà Vu.
    Been Here Before: To find the precedents for what this Coalition Government is proposing, it is necessary to return to the “glory days” of Muldoonism.THE COALITION GOVERNMENT has celebrated its first 100 days in office by checking-off the last of its listed commitments. It remains, however, an angry government. It ...
    3 days ago
  • Can you guess where world attention is focussed (according to Greenpeace)? It’s focussed on an EPA...
    Bob Edlin writes –  And what is the world watching today…? The email newsletter from Associated Press which landed in our mailbox early this morning advised: In the news today: The father of a school shooter has been found guilty of involuntary manslaughter; prosecutors in Trump’s hush-money case ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    3 days ago
  • Further integrity problems for the Greens in suspending MP Darleen Tana
    Bryce Edwards writes – Is another Green MP on their way out? And are the Greens severely tarnished by another integrity scandal? For the second time in three months, the Green Party has secretly suspended an MP over integrity issues. Mystery is surrounding the party’s decision to ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago
  • Jacqui Van Der Kaay: Greens’ transparency missing in action
    For the last few years, the Green Party has been the party that has managed to avoid the plague of multiple scandals that have beleaguered other political parties. It appears that their luck has run out with a second scandal which, unfortunately for them, coincided with Golraz Ghahraman, the focus ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    4 days ago
  • Bernard’s Dawn Chorus with six newsey things at 6:46am for Saturday, March 16
    TL;DR: The six newsey things that stood out to me as of 6:46am on Saturday, March 16.Andy Foster has accidentally allowed a Labour/Green amendment to cut road user chargers for plug-in hybrid vehicles, which the Government might accept; NZ Herald Thomas Coughlan Simeon Brown has rejected a plea from Westport ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • How Did FTX Crash?
    What seemed a booming success a couple of years ago has collapsed into fraud convictions.I looked at the crash of FTX (short for ‘Futures Exchange’) in November 2022 to see whether it would impact on the financial system as a whole. Fortunately there was barely a ripple, probably because it ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    4 days ago
  • Elections in Russia and Ukraine
    Anybody following the situation in Ukraine and Russia would probably have been amused by a recent Tweet on X NATO seems to be putting in an awful lot of effort to influence what is, at least according to them, a sham election in an autocracy.When do the Ukrainians go to ...
    4 days ago
  • Bernard’s six stack of substacks at 6pm on March 15
    TL;DR: Shaun Baker on Wynyard Quarter's transformation. Magdalene Taylor on the problem with smart phones. How private equity are now all over reinsurance. Dylan Cleaver on rugby and CTE. Emily Atkin on ‘Big Meat’ looking like ‘Big Oil’.Bernard’s six-stack of substacks at 6pm on March 15Photo by Jeppe Hove Jensen ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • Buzz from the Beehive Finance Minister Nicola Willis had plenty to say when addressing the Auckland Business Chamber on the economic growth that (she tells us) is flagging more than we thought. But the government intends to put new life into it:  We want our country to be a ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago
  • National’s clean car tax advances
    The Transport and Infrastructure Committee has reported back on the Road User Charges (Light Electric RUC Vehicles) Amendment Bill, basicly rubberstamping it. While there was widespread support among submitters for the principle that EV and PHEV drivers should pay their fair share for the roads, they also overwhelmingly disagreed with ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago
  • Government funding bailouts
    Peter Dunne writes – This week’s government bailout – the fifth in the last eighteen months – of the financially troubled Ruapehu Alpine Lifts company would have pleased many in the central North Island ski industry. The government’s stated rationale for the $7 million funding was that it ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Two offenders, different treatments.
    See if you can spot the difference. An Iranian born female MP from a progressive party is accused of serial shoplifting. Her name is leaked to the media, which goes into a pack frenzy even before the Police launch an … Continue reading ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    4 days ago
  • Treaty references omitted
    Ele Ludemann writes  – The government is omitting general Treaty references from legislation : The growth of Treaty of Waitangi clauses in legislation caused so much worry that a special oversight group was set up by the last Government in a bid to get greater coherence in the public service on Treaty ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • The Ghahraman Conflict
    What was that judge thinking? Peter Williams writes –  That Golriz Ghahraman and District Court Judge Maria Pecotic were once lawyer colleagues is incontrovertible. There is published evidence that they took at least one case to the Court of Appeal together. There was a report on ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Bernard's Top 10 @ 10 'pick 'n' mix' for March 15
    TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read: Climate Scorpion – the sting is in the tail. Introducing planetary solvency. A paper via the University of Exeter’s Institute and Faculty of Actuaries.Local scoop: Kāinga Ora starts pulling out of its Auckland projects and selling land RNZ ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • The day Wellington up-zoned its future
    Wellington’s massively upzoned District Plan adds the opportunity for tens of thousands of new homes not just in the central city (such as these Webb St new builds) but also close to the CBD and public transport links. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Wellington gave itself the chance of ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • Weekly Roundup 15-March-2024
    It’s Friday and we’re halfway through March Madness. Here’s some of the things that caught our attention this week. This Week in Greater Auckland On Monday Matt asked how we can get better event trains and an option for grade separating Morningside Dr. On Tuesday Matt looked into ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    5 days ago
  • That Word.
    Something you might not know about me is that I’m quite a stubborn person. No, really. I don’t much care for criticism I think’s unfair or that I disagree with. Few of us do I suppose.Back when I was a drinker I’d sometimes respond defensively, even angrily. There are things ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago
  • The Hoon around the week to March 15
    Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The five things that mattered in Aotearoa’s political economy that we wrote and spoke about via The Kākā and elsewhere for paying subscribers in the last week included:PM Christopher Luxon said the reversal of interest deductibility for landlords was done to help renters, who ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • Labour’s policy gap
    It was not so much the Labour Party but really the Chris Hipkins party yesterday at Labour’s caucus retreat in Martinborough. The former Prime Minister was more or less consistent on wealth tax, which he was at best equivocal about, and social insurance, which he was not willing to revisit. ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    5 days ago
  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #11 2024
    Open access notables A Glimpse into the Future: The 2023 Ocean Temperature and Sea Ice Extremes in the Context of Longer-Term Climate Change, Kuhlbrodt et al., Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society: In the year 2023, we have seen extraordinary extrema in high sea surface temperature (SST) in the North Atlantic and in ...
    5 days ago
  • Melissa remains mute on media matters but has something to say (at a sporting event) about economic ...
     Buzz from the Beehive   The text reproduced above appears on a page which records all the media statements and speeches posted on the government’s official website by Melissa Lee as Minister of Media and Communications and/or by Jenny Marcroft, her Parliamentary Under-secretary.  It can be quickly analysed ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    5 days ago
  • The return of Muldoon
    For forty years, Robert Muldoon has been a dirty word in our politics. His style of government was so repulsive and authoritarian that the backlash to it helped set and entrench our constitutional norms. His pig-headedness over forcing through Think Big eventually gave us the RMA, with its participation and ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago
  • Will the rental tax cut improve life for renters or landlords?
    Bryce Edwards writes –  Is the new government reducing tax on rental properties to benefit landlords or to cut the cost of rents? That’s the big question this week, after Associate Finance Minister David Seymour announced on Sunday that the Government would be reversing the Labour Government’s removal ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • Geoffrey Miller: What Saudi Arabia’s rapid changes mean for New Zealand
    Saudi Arabia is rarely far from the international spotlight. The war in Gaza has brought new scrutiny to Saudi plans to normalise relations with Israel, while the fifth anniversary of the controversial killing of Jamal Khashoggi was marked shortly before the war began on October 7. And as the home ...
    Democracy ProjectBy Geoffrey Miller
    5 days ago
  • Racism’s double standards
    Questions need to be asked on both sides of the world Peter Williams writes –   The NRL Judiciary hands down an eight week suspension to Sydney Roosters forward Spencer Leniu , an Auckland-born Samoan, after he calls Ezra Mam, Sydney-orn but of Aboriginal and Torres Strait ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • It’s not a tax break
    Ele Ludemann writes – Contrary to what many headlines and news stories are saying, residential landlords are not getting a tax break. The government is simply restoring to them the tax deductibility of interest they had until the previous government removed it. There is no logical reason ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • The Plastic Pig Collective and Chris' Imaginary Friends.
    I can't remember when it was goodMoments of happiness in bloomMaybe I just misunderstoodAll of the love we left behindWatching our flashbacks intertwineMemories I will never findIn spite of whatever you becomeForget that reckless thing turned onI think our lives have just begunI think our lives have just begunDoes anyone ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago
  • Who is responsible for young offenders?
    Michael Bassett writes – At first reading, a front-page story in the New Zealand Herald on 13 March was bizarre. A group of severely intellectually limited teenagers, with little understanding of the law, have been pleading to the Justice Select Committee not to pass a bill dealing with ram ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell on National’s fantasy trip to La La Landlord Land
    How much political capital is Christopher Luxon willing to burn through in order to deliver his $2.9 billion gift to landlords? Evidently, Luxon is: (a) unable to cost the policy accurately. As Anna Burns-Francis pointed out to him on Breakfast TV, the original ”rock solid” $2.1 billion cost he was ...
    5 days ago
  • Bernard's Top 10 @ 10 'pick 'n' mix' for March 14
    TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read: Jonathon Porritt calling bullshit in his own blog post on mainstream climate science as ‘The New Denialism’.Local scoop: The Wellington City Council’s list of proposed changes to the IHP recommendations to be debated later today was leaked this ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • No, Prime Minister, rents don’t rise or fall with landlords’ costs
    TL;DR: Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said yesterday tenants should be grateful for the reinstatement of interest deductibility because landlords would pass on their lower tax costs in the form of lower rents. That would be true if landlords were regulated monopolies such as Transpower or Auckland Airport1, but they’re not, ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago
  • Cartoons: ‘At least I didn’t make things awkward’
    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Tom Toro Tom Toro is a cartoonist and author. He has published over 200 cartoons in The New Yorker since 2010. His cartoons appear in Playboy, the Paris Review, the New York Times, American Bystander, and elsewhere. Related: What 10 EV lovers ...
    6 days ago
  • Solving traffic congestion with Richard Prebble
    The business section of the NZ Herald is full of opinion. Among the more opinionated of all is the ex-Minister of Transport, ex-Minister of Railways, ex MP for Auckland Central (1975-93, Labour), Wellington Central (1996-99, ACT, then list-2005), ex-leader of the ACT Party, uncle to actor Antonia, the veritable granddaddy ...
    Greater AucklandBy Patrick Reynolds
    6 days ago
  • I Think I'm Done Flying Boeing
    Hi,Just quickly — I’m blown away by the stories you’ve shared with me over the last week since I put out the ‘Gary’ podcast, where I told you about the time my friend’s flatmate killed the neighbour.And you keep telling me stories — in the comments section, and in my ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    6 days ago
  • Invoking Aristotle: Of Rings of Power, Stones, and Ships
    The first season of Rings of Power was not awful. It was thoroughly underwhelming, yes, and left a lingering sense of disappointment, but it was more expensive mediocrity than catastrophe. I wrote at length about the series as it came out (see the Review section of the blog, and go ...
    6 days ago
  • Van Velden brings free-market approach to changing labour laws – but her colleagues stick to distr...
    Buzz from the Beehive Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden told Auckland Business Chamber members they were the first audience to hear her priorities as a minister in a government committed to cutting red tape and regulations. She brandished her liberalising credentials, saying Flexible labour markets are the ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago
  • Why Newshub failed
    Chris Trotter writes – TO UNDERSTAND WHY NEWSHUB FAILED, it is necessary to understand how TVNZ changed. Up until 1989, the state broadcaster had been funded by a broadcasting licence fee, collected from every citizen in possession of a television set, supplemented by a relatively modest (compared ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago
  • Māori Party on the warpath against landlords and seabed miners – let’s see if mystical creature...
    Bob Edlin writes  –  The Māori Party has been busy issuing a mix of warnings and threats as its expresses its opposition to interest deductibility for landlords and the plans of seabed miners. It remains to be seen whether they  follow the example of indigenous litigants in Australia, ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago

  • Government moves to quickly ratify the NZ-EU FTA
    "The Government is moving quickly to realise an additional $46 million in tariff savings in the EU market this season for Kiwi exporters,” Minister for Trade and Agriculture, Todd McClay says. Parliament is set, this week, to complete the final legislative processes required to bring the New Zealand – European ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 hours ago
  • Positive progress for social worker workforce
    New Zealand’s social workers are qualified, experienced, and more representative of the communities they serve, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “I want to acknowledge and applaud New Zealand’s social workers for the hard work they do, providing invaluable support for our most vulnerable. “To coincide with World ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    9 hours ago
  • Minister confirms reduced RUC rate for PHEVs
    Cabinet has agreed to a reduced road user charge (RUC) rate for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. Owners of PHEVs will be eligible for a reduced rate of $38 per 1,000km once all light electric vehicles (EVs) move into the RUC system from 1 April.  ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    11 hours ago
  • Trade access to overseas markets creates jobs
    Minister of Agriculture and Trade, Todd McClay, says that today’s opening of Riverland Foods manufacturing plant in Christchurch is a great example of how trade access to overseas markets creates jobs in New Zealand.  Speaking at the official opening of this state-of-the-art pet food factory the Minister noted that exports ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    12 hours ago
  • NZ and Chinese Foreign Ministers hold official talks
    Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Wellington today. “It was a pleasure to host Foreign Minister Wang Yi during his first official visit to New Zealand since 2017. Our discussions were wide-ranging and enabled engagement on many facets of New Zealand’s relationship with China, including trade, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Kāinga Ora instructed to end Sustaining Tenancies
    Kāinga Ora – Homes & Communities has been instructed to end the Sustaining Tenancies Framework and take stronger measures against persistent antisocial behaviour by tenants, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “Earlier today Finance Minister Nicola Willis and I sent an interim Letter of Expectations to the Board of Kāinga Ora. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Speech to Auckland Business Chamber: Growth is the answer
    Tēna koutou katoa. Greetings everyone. Thank you to the Auckland Chamber of Commerce and the Honourable Simon Bridges for hosting this address today. I acknowledge the business leaders in this room, the leaders and governors, the employers, the entrepreneurs, the investors, and the wealth creators. The coalition Government shares your ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Singapore rounds out regional trip
    Minister Winston Peters completed the final leg of his visit to South and South East Asia in Singapore today, where he focused on enhancing one of New Zealand’s indispensable strategic partnerships.      “Singapore is our most important defence partner in South East Asia, our fourth-largest trading partner and a ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Minister van Velden represents New Zealand at International Democracy Summit
    Minister of Internal Affairs and Workplace Relations and Safety, Hon. Brooke van Velden, will travel to the Republic of Korea to represent New Zealand at the Third Summit for Democracy on 18 March. The summit, hosted by the Republic of Korea, was first convened by the United States in 2021, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Insurance Council of NZ Speech, 7 March 2024, Auckland
    ICNZ Speech 7 March 2024, Auckland  Acknowledgements and opening  Mōrena, ngā mihi nui. Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Nor Whanganui aho.  Good morning, it’s a privilege to be here to open the ICNZ annual conference, thank you to Mark for the Mihi Whakatau  My thanks to Tim Grafton for inviting me ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Five-year anniversary of Christchurch terror attacks
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Lead Coordination Minister Judith Collins have expressed their deepest sympathy on the five-year anniversary of the Christchurch terror attacks. “March 15, 2019, was a day when families, communities and the country came together both in sorrow and solidarity,” Mr Luxon says.  “Today we pay our respects to the 51 shuhada ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Speech for Financial Advice NZ Conference 5 March 2024
    Speech for Financial Advice NZ Conference 5 March 2024  Acknowledgements and opening  Morena, Nga Mihi Nui.  Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Nor Whanganui aho. Thanks Nate for your Mihi Whakatau  Good morning. It’s a pleasure to formally open your conference this morning. What a lovely day in Wellington, What a great ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Early visit to Indonesia strengthens ties
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters held discussions in Jakarta today about the future of relations between New Zealand and South East Asia’s most populous country.   “We are in Jakarta so early in our new government’s term to reflect the huge importance we place on our relationship with Indonesia and South ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • China Foreign Minister to visit
    Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters has announced that the Foreign Minister of China, Wang Yi, will visit New Zealand next week.  “We look forward to re-engaging with Foreign Minister Wang Yi and discussing the full breadth of the bilateral relationship, which is one of New Zealand’s ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Minister opens new Auckland Rail Operations Centre
    Transport Minister Simeon Brown has today opened the new Auckland Rail Operations Centre, which will bring together KiwiRail, Auckland Transport, and Auckland One Rail to improve service reliability for Aucklanders. “The recent train disruptions in Auckland have highlighted how important it is KiwiRail and Auckland’s rail agencies work together to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Celebrating 10 years of Crankworx Rotorua
    The Government is proud to support the 10th edition of Crankworx Rotorua as the Crankworx World Tour returns to Rotorua from 16-24 March 2024, says Minister for Economic Development Melissa Lee.  “Over the past 10 years as Crankworx Rotorua has grown, so too have the economic and social benefits that ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Government delivering on tax commitments
    Legislation implementing coalition Government tax commitments and addressing long-standing tax anomalies will be progressed in Parliament next week, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The legislation is contained in an Amendment Paper to the Taxation (Annual Rates for 2023–24, Multinational Tax, and Remedial Matters) Bill issued today.  “The Amendment Paper represents ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Significant Natural Areas requirement to be suspended
    Associate Environment Minister Andrew Hoggard has today announced that the Government has agreed to suspend the requirement for councils to comply with the Significant Natural Areas (SNA) provisions of the National Policy Statement for Indigenous Biodiversity for three years, while it replaces the Resource Management Act (RMA).“As it stands, SNAs ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Government classifies drought conditions in Top of the South as medium-scale adverse event
    Agriculture Minister Todd McClay has classified the drought conditions in the Marlborough, Tasman, and Nelson districts as a medium-scale adverse event, acknowledging the challenging conditions facing farmers and growers in the district. “Parts of Marlborough, Tasman, and Nelson districts are in the grip of an intense dry spell. I know ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Government partnership to tackle $332m facial eczema problem
    The Government is helping farmers eradicate the significant impact of facial eczema (FE) in pastoral animals, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced.  “A $20 million partnership jointly funded by Beef + Lamb NZ, the Government, and the primary sector will save farmers an estimated NZD$332 million per year, and aims to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • NZ, India chart path to enhanced relationship
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has completed a successful visit to India, saying it was an important step in taking the relationship between the two countries to the next level.   “We have laid a strong foundation for the Coalition Government’s priority of enhancing New Zealand-India relations to generate significant future benefit for both countries,” says Mr Peters, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Ruapehu Alpine Lifts bailout the last, say Ministers
    Cabinet has agreed to provide $7 million to ensure the 2024 ski season can go ahead on the Whakapapa ski field in the central North Island but has told the operator Ruapehu Alpine Lifts it is the last financial support it will receive from taxpayers. Cabinet also agreed to provide ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Govt takes action to drive better cancer services
    Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says the launch of a new mobile breast screening unit in Counties Manukau reinforces the coalition Government’s commitment to drive better cancer services for all New Zealanders. Speaking at the launch of the new mobile clinic, Dr Reti says it’s a great example of taking ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Govt takes action to drive better cancer services
    Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says the launch of a new mobile breast screening unit in Counties Manukau reinforces the coalition Government’s commitment to drive better cancer services for all New Zealanders. Speaking at the launch of the new mobile clinic, Dr Reti says it’s a great example of taking ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Work begins on SH29 upgrades near Tauriko
    Unlocking economic growth and land for housing are critical elements of the Government’s plan for our transport network, and planned upgrades to State Highway 29 (SH29) near Tauriko will deliver strongly on those priorities, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “The SH29 upgrades near Tauriko will improve safety at the intersections ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Work begins on SH29 upgrades near Tauriko
    Unlocking economic growth and land for housing are critical elements of the Government’s plan for our transport network, and planned upgrades to State Highway 29 (SH29) near Tauriko will deliver strongly on those priorities, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “The SH29 upgrades near Tauriko will improve safety at the intersections ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Fresh produce price drop welcome
    Lower fruit and vegetable prices are welcome news for New Zealanders who have been doing it tough at the supermarket, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. Stats NZ reported today the price of fruit and vegetables has dropped 9.3 percent in the 12 months to February 2024.  “Lower fruit and vege ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Statement to the 68th United Nations Commission on the Status of Women
    Tēnā koutou katoa and greetings to you all.  Chair, I am honoured to address the sixty-eighth session of the Commission on the Status of Women. I acknowledge the many crises impacting the rights of women and girls. Heightened global tensions, war, climate related and humanitarian disasters, and price inflation all ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Speech to the 68th United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW68)
    Tēnā koutou katoa and greetings to you all.  Chair, I am honoured to address the 68th session of the Commission on the Status of Women. I acknowledge the many crises impacting the rights of women and girls. Heightened global tensions, war, climate related and humanitarian disasters, and price inflation all ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Government backs rural led catchment projects
    The coalition Government is supporting farmers to enhance land management practices by investing $3.3 million in locally led catchment groups, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced. “Farmers and growers deliver significant prosperity for New Zealand and it’s vital their ongoing efforts to improve land management practices and water quality are supported,” ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Speech to Auckland Business Chamber
    Good evening everyone and thank you for that lovely introduction.   Thank you also to the Honourable Simon Bridges for the invitation to address your members. Since being sworn in, this coalition Government has hit the ground running with our 100-day plan, delivering the changes that New Zealanders expect of us. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Commission’s advice on ETS settings tabled
    Recommendations from the Climate Change Commission for New Zealand on the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) auction and unit limit settings for the next five years have been tabled in Parliament, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. “The Commission provides advice on the ETS annually. This is the third time the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Government lowering building costs
    The coalition Government is beginning its fight to lower building costs and reduce red tape by exempting minor building work from paying the building levy, says Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk. “Currently, any building project worth $20,444 including GST or more is subject to the building levy which is ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Trustee tax change welcomed
    Proposed changes to tax legislation to prevent the over-taxation of low-earning trusts are welcome, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The changes have been recommended by Parliament’s Finance and Expenditure Committee following consideration of submissions on the Taxation (Annual Rates for 2023–24, Multinational Tax, and Remedial Matters) Bill. “One of the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Minister’s Ramadan message
    Assalaamu alaikum. السَّلَام عليكم In light of the holy month of Ramadan, I want to extend my warmest wishes to our Muslim community in New Zealand. Ramadan is a time for spiritual reflection, renewed devotion, perseverance, generosity, and forgiveness.  It’s a time to strengthen our bonds and appreciate the diversity ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Minister appoints new NZTA Chair
    Former Transport Minister and CEO of the Auckland Business Chamber Hon Simon Bridges has been appointed as the new Board Chair of the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) for a three-year term, Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced today. “Simon brings extensive experience and knowledge in transport policy and governance to the role. He will ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Speech to Life Sciences Summit
    Good morning all, it is a pleasure to be here as Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology.  It is fantastic to see how connected and collaborative the life science and biotechnology industry is here in New Zealand. I would like to thank BioTechNZ and NZTech for the invitation to address ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Progress continues apace on water storage
    Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says he is looking forward to the day when three key water projects in Northland are up and running, unlocking the full potential of land in the region. Mr Jones attended a community event at the site of the Otawere reservoir near Kerikeri on Friday. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Government agrees to restore interest deductions
    Associate Finance Minister David Seymour has today announced that the Government has agreed to restore deductibility for mortgage interest on residential investment properties. “Help is on the way for landlords and renters alike. The Government’s restoration of interest deductibility will ease pressure on rents and simplify the tax code,” says ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
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  • Minister to attend World Anti-Doping Agency Symposium
    Sport and Recreation Minister Chris Bishop will travel to Switzerland today to attend an Executive Committee meeting and Symposium of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). Mr Bishop will then travel on to London where he will attend a series of meetings in his capacity as Infrastructure Minister. “New Zealanders believe ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
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