Polity: Mike Hosking

Written By: - Date published: 8:44 am, July 24th, 2014 - 232 comments
Categories: election 2014, Media - Tags: ,

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Reposted from Polity.

Andrea Vance at Stuff reports:

The Labour Party is in a standoff with TVNZ over plans to use presenter Mike Hosking to moderate the live televised leaders’ debates.

The state broadcaster is refusing to budge, declaring: “Mike is our man.”

Leader David Cunliffe’s inner circle believes the Seven Sharp host is too close to National and has compiled a dossier of examples.

It includes Hosking dismissing Cunliffe as a “moron” – and his endorsement of Prime Minister John Key before a major political speech last year.

WTF!

Hosking hosting these debates for TVNZ is a complete joke. They have at least three other hosts who can do this job so much better: Corin Dann, Susan Wood, Rachel Smalley. Pick any of them, TVNZ, not a guy who actually endorsed our of the debaters in a political speech.

Later in the article, Hosking says he criticises everyone, and gets accused of bias from all quarters. Meaning he must, in fact, be unbiased.

Well, then, let’s see just how robustly Hosking critises others. As a starter for 10, can somebody please find a passage where Hosking talks about John Key in terms similar to this:

Is David Cunliffe incompetent or mad? Is he out to lunch or out of touch? Is David Cunliffe deluded or living in a parallel universe?

232 comments on “Polity: Mike Hosking ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. Mark 1
    24 July 2014 at 8:47 am

    So its ok for John Campbell and his left bias to host debates on Tv3?

    • Tom Jackson 1.1
      24 July 2014 at 10:30 am

      Campbell has proven in the past that he’s capable of putting his personal preference to one side. It’s called professionalism.

      Hosking has proven himself incapable of doing that.

      In addition, Hosking is a twat.

      • yabby 1.1.1
        24 July 2014 at 11:03 am

        The formula for these things is very his turn/your turn and it’s more a policy platform and a Key v Cunliffe than interviewer Hard Talk.

        • Colonial Viper 1.1.1.1
          24 July 2014 at 11:10 am

          Hosking has screwed a major career opportunity here by being that twat, and over such a demonstrable long and extended time period. It also shows what a bunch of Twats TVNZ are these days.

          Proud of Labour for standing firm on this.

          One other issue with Hosking: although NZ voters tuning in will be doing so to see Key vs Cunliffe, Hoskings approach on the evening will be to grandstand and self-promote to the extent that he might as well be running for PM himself.

          • Jenny 1.1.1.1.1
            24 July 2014 at 4:32 pm

            Proud of Labour for standing firm on this.

            One other issue with Hosking: although NZ voters tuning in will be doing so to see Key vs Cunliffe, Hoskings approach on the evening will be to grandstand and self-promote to the extent that he might as well be running for PM himself.

            Colonial Viper

            Couldn’t agree more.

            If Labour agree to go in to a debate with Mike Hosking as moderator – I don’t care how unbiased Hosking acts on the day, the last thing this country needs, is to normalise the American type of Right wing ‘Hate Radio’ style of broadcasting that Hosking exemplifies.

            If they do they will be creating a rod for their own back.

            I agree with CV that giving this public pulpit to Mike Hosking he might as well be running for PM himself. It will certainly give him a hugely undeserved and powerful public profile and media presence.

            Does this country really need or deserve its own version of Rush Limbaugh?

            TVNZ have up to now excused Mike Hosking’s public on air low brow insults as the harmless actions of a ‘Joker’ and not to be taken seriously. And on this basis have excused outrage after outrage.

            Now TVNZ want us to dignify this Right Wing misogynist bigot, not as a clown, but as a serious “unbiased” broadcaster, this is a serious escalation and change in direction in getting us to accept that Mike Hosking’s views are now to be taken seriously.

            What is Mike Hosking, an infotainment shock jock clown? Or a serious broadcaster?
            He can’t be both.

            As Shakespeare once said: “Many a true word is spoke in jest”. I believe that under the cover of humor (so called) Mike Hosking has said things that no respectable journalist would. Are we now to accept Mike Hoskings unbalanced attacks on Maori on Women on the Labour Party and the Greens as serious viewpoints?

            This is not normal, it is abnormal and aberrant.

            In the many burning issues that this country needs to discuss in the coming years we cannot to afford to have Mike Hosking at the heart of it. Because he will give everything his cynical Right Wing twist.

            Like Colonial Viper I am proud of Labour for standing firm on this.

            I expect no less.

            Labour are not powerless they don’t need to take this lying down.

            If TVNZ continue to insist that Mike Hosking be given this powerful undeserved role in our media, then Labour should call on all their prospective support parties to join them in a total boycott of TVNZ. In this way Labour would not only be displaying leadership but show that they can work with their prospective support parties.

            No interviews, no debates, no statements, no news releases to TVNZ. Zero, zip.

            And in a show of solidarity the prospective support parties for Labour must also stand firm and boycott this broadcaster.

            For his attacks on Maori, on Women, on the Left, Mike Hosking is no way acceptable to any of us as a serious media commentator, or media moderator.

            • Jenny 1.1.1.1.1.1
              24 July 2014 at 6:59 pm

              On Television New Zealand tonight the Green Party leader Russel Norman tells Labour to get over it.

              Is the Green Party leader ditching principal to score a petty hit on the Labour Party?

              If asked would the Green Party and its leaders join a boycott against TVNZ?

              Or will the Green leaders scab on Labour instead of joining a boycott of TVNZ?

              Are the Greens really prepared to give the misogynist Right Wing Mike Hosking an undeserved platform as a serious broadcaster?

              Are the Greens OK with permanently lowering the bar on journalistic integrity in this country?

      • Mark 1.1.2
        24 July 2014 at 1:46 pm

        Rubbish Campbell is left and bias as.
        Hosking is far more talented than Campbell who is way past his use bydate.

        • Colonial Viper 1.1.2.1
          24 July 2014 at 4:08 pm

          Hey Mark. Nice declarative statements. Now back them up with some argument, please. You know, if you can.

        • Jenny 1.1.2.2
          24 July 2014 at 5:27 pm

          Rubbish Campbell is left and bias as…

          Mark

          Don’t you remember “Corngate” Mark. In 2002, friends of mine who were in the Labour Party were spewing. The air would turn blue with swearing at the mere mention of John Campbell’s name.

          “A vicious enemy of the Labour Party”, “biased”, “Right Wing”, are few of the printable accusations that they made against John Campbell. Helen Clark herself publicly attacked John Campbell as a “sanctimonious little creep”.

          Hosking is far more talented than Campbell who is way past his use bydate.

          Mark

          Hosking has no talent and no sense of humor. His smutty innuendo and school boy jokes that he passes off as humor are unfunny, and in my opinion are usually a cover for his Right Wing barbs aimed at the Left or Maori or Women. I am sure that they get sniggers from the racists and misogynists and extreme Right that have very few chances to express themselves openly these days without risk of condemnation. No doubt such people probably find it hilarious that Mike Hosking can get away with it on national television.

        • Rodel 1.1.2.3
          24 July 2014 at 7:13 pm

          Rubbish Hosking is right and bias as.
          Campbell is far more talented than Hosking who is way past his use bydate.

          …….And so the meaningless right wing monologue discourse continues.

      • big bruv 1.1.3
        24 July 2014 at 6:09 pm

        Campbell puts his personal preferences to one side?…..You’re kidding right?

        Campbell makes Hosking look like a hard left communist. He (Campbell) has been on a crusade for six years against the government yet you guys see nothing wrong with him moderating a leaders debate.

        Your hypocrisy is breath taking.

        • whateva next? 1.1.3.1
          24 July 2014 at 6:49 pm

          it’s not Campbell we are talking about, so stop trying to distract from the issue

        • One Anonymous Bloke 1.1.3.2
          24 July 2014 at 6:51 pm

          Campbell gave Helen Clark a hard time too. That’s his job: to hold incumbents to account. Not to overtly endorse one side over the other.

          That said, I think debate moderators ought to be acceptable to both sides. I’d also add teams of fact checkers with electric cattle prods for the lying Prime Minister, and a Capill-Garrett meter to measure audience revulsion and contempt.

          • srylands 1.1.3.2.1
            24 July 2014 at 7:46 pm

            TVNZ is a commercial broadcaster. It can do whatever it wants. That includes walking away.

            • Murray Olsen 1.1.3.2.1.1
              25 July 2014 at 2:57 am

              You can too. Walk back to Australia. You add nothing here except neoliberal slogans, probably hardwired into your head with a chip from Crosby-Textor.

              Of course TVNZ can do what it wants, but if what it wants upsets too many potential viewers, it loses market share.

        • Tom Jackson 1.1.3.3
          24 July 2014 at 7:51 pm

          Look, we know that you have problems with things like reason and basic literacy, but it’s pretty evident that Campbell is quite willing to go after a popular Labour PM. Indeed, he’s probably still on Helen’s death list.

          But I’m unaware of him actually coming out and backing a side. Hosking has publicly declared himself a National partisan.

          It would be equally inappropriate to have Brian Edwards, a former Labour candidate and adviser to Helen Clark, moderate the debate, even though Edwards could easily play the neutral.

          The problem for Hosking is that not only is he publicly partisan in favour of the National Party, but he’s also an incredibly glib, supercilious douchebag.

        • john 1.1.3.4
          24 July 2014 at 8:21 pm

          So odds are the bookies giving that the first celebrity gay marriage in NZ with be John Campbell and Kim Dotcom?

    • Hanswurst 1.2
      24 July 2014 at 11:50 am

      Has Campbell ever expressed anything like the Hosking quote in the post in connection with John Key?

    • whateva next? 1.3
      24 July 2014 at 6:14 pm

      people can choose NOT to attend if they don’t feel they’ll have a fair hearing from J.C. How does the Leader of the opposition choose NOT to attend the LEADERS debate?
      Only an idiot would put themselves in front of Hoskins of they weren’t in his club, he’s as blatant and crass as Henry

    • phillip ure 1.4
      24 July 2014 at 6:21 pm

      hosking has always been clear that he channels perigo…

      ..he is a rightwing ratbag..every inch of him..

      ..he is our o’reilly….our coulter..

      ..he has never attempted to be anything else but a rightwing ratbag..

      ..i guess a left equivalent wd b having minto run the debates..

      ..(which wd/cd b fun..eh..?..minto snarling ‘bullshit!’ @ key…heh..!)

      ..for tvnz to pretend hosking is the right person for the job..that he will be ‘objective’..

      ..is s sick joke…

      ..and only designed to plse their masters in the govt…

  2. fambo 2
    24 July 2014 at 8:52 am

    He hates the Greens too, and I assume IMP

    I reckon Labour should boycoutt the debates if TVNZ refuses to budge. They can’t have a debate without Cunliffe and he has far more to lose from being in one with Hosking than not being in one at all. Time for Labour/Cunliffe to have some gumption and not give in all the time.

    • Ennui 2.1
      24 July 2014 at 8:58 am

      Howzabout Labour announce a policy on the total restructure of TVNZ in which media salaries will be aligned with reality.

      • Richard McGrath 2.1.1
        24 July 2014 at 2:33 pm

        The best restructuring would be to remove taxpayer funding from TVNZ and make it user pays.

        • One Anonymous Bloke 2.1.1.1
          24 July 2014 at 2:42 pm

          No, it wouldn’t. The evidence is in. Well funded public broadcasting is a raging success the world over.

          I know you hate our achievements and want to destroy them, and it’s time you got over it. No-one believes your dogma any more.

          • Richard McGrath 2.1.1.1.1
            28 July 2014 at 5:41 pm

            But… if public broadcasting is such a raging success why does it need subsidising? Just cut the taxpayers free from being forced to fund it, and let all its supporters contribute willingly as I’m sure they would. Hardly fair to make those who don’t use it have to pay for it, like making Catholic taxpayers find abortions in state hospitals.

            • McFlock 2.1.1.1.1.1
              28 July 2014 at 5:53 pm

              Those people who don’t use it don’t pay for it.
              They pay for the shit they do use. It’s just more efficient and all-round cheaper to not issue everyone in the country a retrospective itemised bill for what they used that year.

        • Northshoreguynz 2.1.1.2
          24 July 2014 at 5:39 pm

          Which is exactly what the Nats are doing to TVNZ and Nat Rad. Deliberately run them down. Then disengenuously state that to thrive they need to be in private hands.

    • james 2.2
      24 July 2014 at 9:38 am

      That would be brilliant.

      Cue Debate. “Hi All, Sorry we only have National here to talk for an hour because Labour boycotted the debate because they dont like me, your presenter. Over to you John.”.

      So Im with you fambo. Labour should boycott it.

      • Tracey 2.2.1
        24 July 2014 at 9:43 am

        Like when key challenged Cunliffe to a debate and then ran away from it? Like when he promised an apology to the victim of an alleged rape, and then ran away, it hasn’t hurt Key?

        • James 2.2.1.1
          24 July 2014 at 11:27 am

          The polls would indicate that you are correct. It didnt hurt Key.

          • McFlock 2.2.1.1.1
            24 July 2014 at 12:00 pm

            indeed.
            For some reason key’s reported popularity has nothing to do with his [poor] behaviour and [in]competence.

            I wonder if some other factor explains key’s reported popularity – like maybe who does the reporting.

            Or the who is the mc.

            • TightyRighty 2.2.1.1.1.1
              24 July 2014 at 12:44 pm

              i wonder if some other factor, like labour’s perceived incomeptence relative to national and the multi headed hydra of idiocy that is the left bloc in general could be behind John Key and Nationals popularity.

              • fender …
                24 July 2014 at 12:55 pm

                Yeah this multi headed stuff will be fun, presume you are referring to the Maori Party and Colin Craig being so compatible

                • TightyRighty …
                  24 July 2014 at 1:21 pm

                  I personally detest both the maori party and the conservative party. both for different reasons. the thought of colin craig near the levers of power isn’t enticing. but it’s still more enticing than letting

                  A) david cunliffe – a man who would name himself president for life within the first term if elected prime minister. whether or not that was constitutionally possible
                  B) The wuss and the obese princess – vote green, get red. she lives in a fucking castle and he is an import who failed at aussie politics. he must be piss poor if he failed at aussie politics
                  C) Hone Harewera – not an honest bone in his body.
                  D) KDC – that no one sees the travesty of a fat german with no interest in politics besides not getting deported suddenly starts throwing money round to be seen as “progressive politics youth symbol”, shows how much the left truly value democracy and how much store they set by big money in politics
                  E) winston – well, it’s either him or craig if national need it. perhaps winston is a better option. better the devil you know and all that. but what happens when he carks it and there is a by election? or do the loopy nz first list members come up through the ranks

                  this is all hypothetical. it’s looking like national won’t need anyone else. that will be cemented if david cunliffe chucks his toys and won’t even consent to be moderated.

                  • fender …
                    24 July 2014 at 1:28 pm

                    I read your crap up to where you said “The wuss and the obese princess” then decided you need to be given a holiday, wanker.

                    • McFlock …
                      24 July 2014 at 1:52 pm

                      a few words later TR recycled the “castle” line.

                      Next he’ll be saying one cannot address poverty in the country unless you’re wearing opshop rags.

                    • fender …
                      24 July 2014 at 2:04 pm

                      I do have a little sympathy for TightyRighty because it could have fallen from a height onto its head as an infant.

                      The name does make me laugh though, I picture a creep who when passing a charity collecting donations at the mall explaining: “no sorry, I’m a TightyRighty”

                  • freedom …
                    24 July 2014 at 2:18 pm

                    A) is just a dumbarse brain fart
                    B) http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11195535
                    C) Wow, have you any citation for this ‘opinion’ ? anything ?
                    D) http://www.nzherald.co.nz/national/news/video.cfm?c_id=1503075&gal_cid=1503075&gallery_id=144347
                    E) During this term, no other politician has stood up more often to defend other parties in the House with valid and important Points of Order than Mr Peters.

                    Reality is some other country for you isn’t it? But tell you what, the best part of living there is people like you stay away from it because they can’t handle the view.

              • McFlock …
                24 July 2014 at 1:19 pm

                Ah, but what causes the perception – fact, or merely a misrepresentation of the facts by the various media that are conduits between those facts and the voter?

        • Mary 2.2.1.2
          24 July 2014 at 12:09 pm

          No it hasn’t hurt john key, and his refusal to respond to questions about the Hauiti issue or to apologise to Tania Billingsley and a thousand other examples of the nasty and deceitful and undemocratic things key and his mates have done and continue to do will increase his support. This should be a warning to us about the cultural impact that values espoused by key and his government are having on New Zealand society.

          • framu 2.2.1.2.1
            24 July 2014 at 12:39 pm

            its also a warning to us about the mindset of those who cheer key on

            looking at james in particular

            • Mary 2.2.1.2.1.1
              24 July 2014 at 4:41 pm

              That’s precisely what I’m saying, but there’s an aspect to the damage key and his mates are causing which is about what we value culturally and as a society, and includes creating acceptance, whether blind acceptance or active support, for the things key does like, for example, refusing to be questioned on Hauiti because he hasn’t “asked for the information”. All his “brainfades” and all of that “teflon john” stuff that we’re all aware of. The point is that his support increases as a result of every undemocratic thing he does. key’s and national’s support increases when he does bad things. The damage key’s doing is self-propelled because the more damage he does the more acceptance he gets for doing it. This is what the Left needs to concentrate on attacking, which in turn means that the Left needs to argue for a change in cultural values, a return to a fair and caring society that we saw the final vestiges of destroyed in the 1990s. The Left can never win by competing with the right for “the middle ground”. That strategy can never, ever work because that is precisely what the strategy of the right feeds on.

              • Murray Olsen …
                25 July 2014 at 3:05 am

                If the left in general, and Labour in particular, want a return to a fair and caring society, they have to purge every vestige of Rogernomics and neoliberalism, including the cheerleaders still in caucus. Until Labour takes that needed step, they are competing on a field marked out by NAct and the 1%.

    • David H 2.3
      24 July 2014 at 9:57 am

      I did wonder how TricKey would be able to beat Cunliffe in the debates. Now I know. Mike the ill mannered, unshaven, tatty, one eyed, biased, (Am I being harsh here?) Hoskins. However it could backfire on them if Hoskins is his usual boorish self, and keeps butting in when ever Cunliffe starts to speak.

    • TightyRighty 2.4
      24 July 2014 at 12:42 pm

      jesus, you are going to allow the right to frame the issue that easily? “David Cunliffe scared of John Key because the abitrator may vote national.” please, boycott this debate. it’ll be hilarious

  3. tsmithfield 3
    24 July 2014 at 8:54 am

    By the same argument, John Campbell shouldn’t be able to host political debates either.

  4. Ennui 4
    24 July 2014 at 8:56 am

    Hosking is to use his terminology a “moron”. One has to wonder about (putting aside any political motivation) the level of collective intelligence in the leadership team at TVNZ in appointing this semi evolved simian. We are paying these idiots exorbitant salaries to make crap decisions. They must be as brain dead as their TV channel.

  5. phillip ure 5
    24 July 2014 at 8:58 am

    “..Corin Dann, Susan Wood, Rachel Smalley…”

    ..no..no!..and no..

    ..kim hill..i reckon…

    • Bearded Git 5.1
      24 July 2014 at 9:06 am

      Maybe 2 people? Hill and Hoskin?

      • Matthew Hooton 5.1.1
        24 July 2014 at 11:54 am

        Cameron Slater and Greg Presland

        • fender 5.1.1.1
          24 July 2014 at 12:05 pm

          There’s no equivalent to the foul Slater (except Key himself perhaps).

          Slater occupies a space only sewer rats can stomach.

        • greywarbler 5.1.1.2
          24 July 2014 at 12:06 pm

          @Matthew 11.54
          You are being very shy and retiring Matthew – why not you and Greg Presland. You could hold up the right wing end as well, or better, than Mr Slater.

        • unsol 5.1.1.3
          24 July 2014 at 12:22 pm

          Oh come on Hooton, no need to stir the hornets nest with such nonsense……we all know how that kind of pairing would end up….a big ole bitch fest where the voter would just become more disconnected than they already are. Plus, Slater has a face for radio & I don’t think the digestion of primetime viewers could ever recover from looking at his mug for a whole hour. Not to mention his voice….who knew it was so effeminate! Plus he’s far too busy – apparently he’s taking the NZ media by storm now that he has a buddy with 6 figures to keep him in the lifestyle he has always dreamed of & never actually worked for……..!!!

          No.

          The key is to have someone who is smart on politics without being sank.

          Hosking has improved somewhat over recent years, but I remain skeptical. He is of course a far better option than John Campbell or Paul Henry.

          But no, I think if we want to have a decent debate then it should be led by a left/right pairing that includes someone reasonably well known…

          So how about you & Mike Williams? You do OK on Radiolive?

          Or what about Kathryn Ryan?

        • anker 5.1.1.4
          24 July 2014 at 12:36 pm

          Hi Matthew,

          I heard that you said on Q and A that David Cunliffe has a narcissistic disorder. If this is true and I believe it is because the person who stated this on the website is reliable, then I have to tell you you are on very shakey ground.

          I am not aware you hold any qualifications in psychiatry or mental health, but please correct me if I am wrong. I do hold such qualifications and I can assure you this is extremely unlikely that Mr Cunliffe suffers from such a disorder. I am in the position to make that call and you are not. In my opinion Mr Cunliffe would have very good grounds for discussing this with his lawyer.

          Please reply so I know you have read this. Otherwise every time I see you on this website I will have to raise it with you.

        • Richard 5.1.1.5
          24 July 2014 at 2:01 pm

          Lets outsource the hosting role……how about Stephen Sackur?

        • SpaceMonkey 5.1.1.6
          25 July 2014 at 9:38 am

          Ha ha… nice to see you have a sense of humour!

          I like the Kim Hill suggestion… she rocks and doesn’t take any bullshit!

          • Chooky 5.1.1.6.1
            26 July 2014 at 2:43 pm

            +100 Kim Hill is a far more intelligent, accomplished (and a brilliant international award journalist) than the fruit and vege reporter Mike Hoskings

            …Mike was actually very good reporting on what was available from the fruit and vege market.!..he should go back there

            TVNZ should do us all a favour…we are not dumb….New Zealanders deserve better than Mike Hoskings….appoint Kim Hill as moderator in all the political debates….she gets to the crux of the issues , she asks the hard questions and she will give us a far greater , in-depth understanding of the policies and issues from the mouths of Key and Cunliffe …and all the representatives of the political parties on offer

            If TVNZ can not do better than what it is doing….. heads should roll once the Left Coalition wins this election! …TVNZ is NOT good enough!…it is short changing New Zealanders…and it is short changing our democracy

        • Stuart Munro 5.1.1.7
          26 July 2014 at 2:27 pm

          Don’t be an ass Hoots – the moderator’s role is not to be obtrusive. Slater would create an incident and the issues would simply be lost. Gravy for Key, who can’t handle issues.

          Ban Ki Moon. Neutral as they come.

    • Paul 5.2
      24 July 2014 at 9:06 am

      Susan Wood is another completely biased media puppet.

  6. emergency mike 6
    24 July 2014 at 9:04 am

    I’m not biased, people call me biased everyday.

  7. Populuxe1 7
    24 July 2014 at 9:07 am

    National is rapidly turning the country into Venezuela

    • JonL 7.1
      24 July 2014 at 10:06 am

      You mean, as in taking account of the less fortunate in society………..?

      Dickhead!

      • Populuxe1 7.1.1
        24 July 2014 at 10:22 am

        No, I mean the media being pro-right wing agitators who call for the deaths of left wing leaders

        Cretin.

        • Tracey 7.1.1.1
          24 July 2014 at 10:25 am

          the re-emergence on this blog by some commentators of “Green Taliban” speaks volumes…

          • Populuxe1 7.1.1.1.1
            24 July 2014 at 11:57 am

            Wait, wut? Because I thought I was making a comparison between Venezualan private controlled reactionary right wing media and what TVNZ seems to be becoming

  8. Charlieboy 8
    24 July 2014 at 9:07 am

    David Beatson.

  9. ianmac 9
    24 July 2014 at 9:28 am

    Borrow Paul Henry from TV3?

  10. Craig Glen Eden 10
    24 July 2014 at 9:32 am

    The person who should MC this debate is of coarse Shane Taurima. He is the only media person who has had a recent investigation to look at weather he is politically biased or not and the review found that he had never been politically biased in his political stories or questioning of politicians.

    So if TVNZ want Hosking they should first carry out an investigation to see if in his role as a Journalist he has or has not shown political bias with his statements or narratives regarding political stories.:)

    • Tracey 10.1
      24 July 2014 at 9:40 am

      touche

    • ghostwhowalksnz 10.2
      24 July 2014 at 10:27 am

      Even though he was biased by being a member of labour party , he was found to be even handed in his interviews, and certainly wasnt so over the top as Hosking

  11. infused 11
    24 July 2014 at 9:33 am

    That’s going to backfire on Labour…

    Can’t handle a debate. Have to switch mods.

    Whoever is in charge within Labour of all this stuff is a fucking moron.

    • Tracey 11.1
      24 July 2014 at 9:39 am

      Like when key challenged Cunliffe to a debate and then ran away from it? Like when he promised an apology to the victim of an alleged rape, and then ran away, it hasn’t hurt Key?

      • infused 11.1.1
        24 July 2014 at 9:44 am

        Better to save destroying cunliffe at the debates.

        Where did he promise to make an apology?

        • Tracey 11.1.1.1
          24 July 2014 at 9:47 am

          “On 3 July, when Ms Billingsley’s name was not in the public domain, Mr Key was outraged by the way the case had been handled.

          “I don’t know her name. Obviously it’s a matter of privacy, but I think there’s been plenty of public comments that would echo what I’ve just said,” he said.

          Asked whether he would apologise if he did know her name, Mr Key said: “Yes, in so much that I believe that she shouldn’t have had to go through what she went through.”
          “

          • infused 11.1.1.1.1
            24 July 2014 at 9:51 am

            Again, where did he promise to make an apology?

            • mickysavage 11.1.1.1.1.1
              24 July 2014 at 9:57 am

              I presume that you are saying that Key saying he would do something is not the same as promising that he would do something?

              • Tracey …
                24 July 2014 at 10:14 am

                prom·ise
                noun ˈprä-məs

                a statement telling someone that you will definitely do something or that something will definitely happen in the future

                an indication of future success or improvement

                a reason to expect that something will happen in the future

              • Tracey …
                24 July 2014 at 10:23 am

                I presume he is saying that nothing key says can be trusted or relied upon. That’s okay with him/her and he/she is bringing up their children with the same value set

                • You_Fool …
                  24 July 2014 at 4:45 pm

                  To be fair I don’t trust anything #TeamKey says either, but then I am not voting him in the next election either

                  But the point stands, John Key only promised something if you believe he is trustworthy in the first place. If you know that everything he says is a barefaced lie then this is completely as expected

            • Tracey 11.1.1.1.1.2
              24 July 2014 at 10:13 am

              you must have very very tiny feet

            • framu 11.1.1.1.1.3
              24 July 2014 at 10:20 am

              “Asked whether he would apologise if he did know her name, Mr Key said: “Yes, ”

              fucks sake

              • Seti …
                24 July 2014 at 10:29 am

                “Yes, in so much that…”

                He said something after yes.

                • freedom …
                  24 July 2014 at 10:39 am

                  umm Seti, the string of words which followed the “YES” was an explanation of why he considered an apology was warranted.

                  Please, in simple words, so us dimmer folk understand, what did you interpret the words following the “Yes” to mean?

                  “Yes, in so much that I believe that she shouldn’t have had to go through what she went through.”

                  • framu …
                    24 July 2014 at 11:10 am

                    yes – im really struggling with this other form of language that the apologists are using lately

                    because it certainly isnt english

                    • framu …
                      24 July 2014 at 11:11 am

                      SETI – do you see how saying “yes” then explaining why you said yes works now?

          • srylands 11.1.1.1.2
            24 July 2014 at 10:55 am

            Tracey I have already explained to you yesterday why an apology is not appropriate. Why do you keep on repeating this crap?

            • framu 11.1.1.1.2.1
              24 July 2014 at 11:07 am

              you dont set the rules, and frankly why do you think anyone should give your litany of insults and rudeness from yesterday any consideration beyond wiping it of their shoe like an offensive piece of dog shit?

              you THINK its not warranted

              you do you think you are? jesus?

              • McFlock …
                24 July 2014 at 12:13 pm

                No, he thinks dunnokeyo is Jesus. SSpylands merely believes himself to be Moses, guiding us all to the promised land.

                • framu …
                  24 July 2014 at 12:20 pm

                  but not if it mean having to share a bus with icky poor people

                • freedom …
                  24 July 2014 at 12:20 pm

                  Srylands is more like Pontius Pilate
                  washing his hands of any responsibility for his own contributions.

        • greywarbler 11.1.1.2
          24 July 2014 at 10:19 am

          @infused 9.44
          You like Key don’t you infused because he is so smart and wily that he always manages to twist away slightly so he puts a get-out clause in his statements and apparent promises. That’s clever in your mind, and you admire it.

    • james 11.2
      24 July 2014 at 9:40 am

      You are right – already it is playing out in the press just how “precious” labour are over this. It makes them look scared.

      Anyway – its just another day with Labour in the paper for all the right reasons.

  12. Brian 12
    24 July 2014 at 9:42 am

    This seems fairly typical of all the MSM. Now older DC and Labour are struggling in the polls – they never get a fair hearing.
    Hosking is an idiot. He has the personality of cold lasagne and the intellect to match.

    • Naki man 12.1
      24 July 2014 at 1:21 pm

      “Hosking is an idiot. He has the personality of cold lasagne and the intellect to match”

      Brian 500,000 people tune in every night to watch Hoskins

      only 220,000 watch Commie live. It sounds like you are the idiot.

      • Brian 12.1.1
        24 July 2014 at 5:32 pm

        Nope – The fact that you think this is any sort of endorsement of Hosking’s ability simply demonstrates that you are one of the 500k idiots out there that watch the moron.

        • Colonial Viper 12.1.1.1
          24 July 2014 at 5:50 pm

          Hey, there’s a Justin Bieber video on YouTube with over 70M views. Must be Naki man’s fav for hosting the election debates.

          • SpaceMonkey 12.1.1.1.1
            25 July 2014 at 9:43 am

            He’d do a better job than Hoskings and he might attract the younger voters to watch.

      • Rodel 12.1.2
        24 July 2014 at 7:15 pm

        “Hosking is an idiot. He has the personality of cold lasagne and the intellect to match”

        Brian 500,000 people tune in every night to watch Camplell

        only 220,000 watch Hoskings It sounds like you are the idiot.
        Ho hum same old same old stuff….

  13. James Thrace 13
    24 July 2014 at 9:45 am

    I think this is quite clever of Labour actually. Gets the front foot before the debate and starts sowing the seeds of doubt about the impartiality or otherwise of the MC in the publics mind.

    Then when they watch the debate they’ll be note focused on whether hosking is being biased or not

    • JanM 13.1
      24 July 2014 at 10:07 am

      Yes, there is just a chance that this pre-publicity will encourage Mr Hosking to mind his manners, though it beats me how a person who, according to his own admission, regularly describes people as morons, ever came to hold a position of responsibility like this. At the very least it shows him as a person of limited vocabulary!
      We live in interesting times

    • Tracey 13.2
      24 July 2014 at 10:16 am

      Remember when key was not expected to do well against Clark in the debates? Because he performed better than expectation, he was perceived to have won. I wonder if labour is doing something similar.

    • James 13.3
      24 July 2014 at 11:30 am

      Indeed – very clever. All the press on this at the moment seems to be “Yeah Labour have a great point here” as opposed to the “Labour are moaning minnies over the debate.”

  14. freedom 14
    24 July 2014 at 10:01 am

    In a country where the idea of a well informed public is anathema to the political status quo
    every decision has simple origins

  15. greywarbler 15
    24 July 2014 at 10:07 am

    Mike Hosking is pragmatic. He has decided being a pretty boy saying outrageous stupid things about matters that seriously affect people’s lives, not with the intention of shocking people into action to repair the fault, but to cause controversy and derisory laughter from the shallow and conceited, is where his future and money lies.

    And he is in tune with the master minds that have risen to the top of the steaming heap that was our beloved and respected and enjoyed, all those things, publicly owned and funded television station.

    Just another Paul Henry, clever apparently at his job, delivering smart pap to the hedonists and self-made-and-proud-of-it bourgeois.

    @DavidH 9.57
    I don’t like this picture. ‘if Hoskins is his usual boorish self, and keeps butting in when ever Cunliffe starts to speak.’

    I don’t think that David would gain any brownie points at all if this happened. He would look weak. Dennis Connor got up and walked away when he was disgusted with the questions asked. I think the same from Labour would be called for. Something definite with steel behind it, not trying to be polite in a situation where brawling better fitted the tone.

    • Anne 15.1
      24 July 2014 at 10:39 am

      You can be assured of one thing. Key will try to turn it into a brawling match knowing the media will blame Cunliffe. Cunliffe needs to retort sharply (he’s good at that), chastise Key and even tell him to ‘grow up’ if its appropriate but he mustn’t brawl back!

      • unsol 15.1.1
        24 July 2014 at 12:30 pm

        No you can be assured of two things: both politicians will turn it into a brawl match & I would suggest your advice would actually guarantee that.
        These debates are merely for entertainment value only, they are just absolute BS when it comes to producing sound & relevant policy.
        I think the only time we had anything close to a real debate was Clark VS Key – she was one of our best political debaters & brought out the best in Key as he held is own.
        Problem is Labour has not had a leader anything close to that kind of calibre & I doubt we ever will if the current line up is anything to go by. She left behind a huge hole in NZ politics. I couldn’t stand her policies, but she was still my favourite politician.

        • Colonial Viper 15.1.1.1
          24 July 2014 at 5:53 pm

          Nonsense. Debates aren’t there to “producing sound and relevant policy.” They are there to test the mettle of the two leading contenders, allowing them to show their ability to think quickly, speak convincingly and lead from the heart.

  16. Puckish Rogue 16
    24 July 2014 at 10:09 am

    Did anyone really think this so through? The people of NZ by and large don’t like whingers, whiners and moaning

    So Hosking has a bias so what? You don’t see National complaining about Campbell or anyone else

    Labour are acting like a bunch of spoilt, whiney brats which will help turn more undecided voters towards National

    Which opens themselves up to hits like this:

    http://keepingstock.blogspot.co.nz/2014/07/tweet-of-day-24-july-2014.html

    • framu 16.1
      24 July 2014 at 10:19 am

      do you seriously think that the way hoskings conducts himself on air is in any way the same as campbell?

      yes – everyones biased. Big frickin deal – the issue is hoskings lets his bias get in the way of any kind of jounalistic ethics and conduct

      its professional conduct – not personal opinion thats is the issue here

    • Tiger Mountain 16.2
      24 July 2014 at 10:20 am

      The Nat politicians complain via their absence from numerous radio and TV programmes while they obtain urgent upgrades from their minders. Notorious for not front footing hot issues personally they regularly duck RNZ and Campbell Live interviews.

      But they fill in with “not news” by placeholders on Whaleboil and Radio Live.

    • Tom Jackson 16.3
      24 July 2014 at 10:35 am

      The people of NZ by and large don’t like whingers, whiners and moaning.

      More flagrant bullshit from you.

      Have you ever listened to talkback radio? The whinging and moaning is incessant.

    • Anne 16.4
      24 July 2014 at 10:50 am

      You don’t see National complaining about Campbell…

      Oh yeah? Well Key doesn’t sound too happy with Campbell in this article.

      Actually it’s worth another read: we now know virtually everything he says here were lies.

      http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11259123

      • Puckish Rogue 16.4.1
        24 July 2014 at 11:40 am

        Keys already dealt to Campbell once so I’m pretty sure Campbell doesn’t want another spanking on live TV

    • anker 16.5
      24 July 2014 at 1:26 pm

      PR @16. The people of NZ like fairness. At least the decent ones.

  17. tinfoilhat 17
    24 July 2014 at 10:21 am

    Shaking my head at the people within the Labour strategy team who thought it would be a good idea to create another sideshow 2 months out from the election.

    Can I encourage all those so inclined to vote for a real party of the left that manages to concentrate on things that matter.

    • McGrath 17.1
      24 July 2014 at 6:16 pm

      WTF is Labour thinking!!! Picking a fight with the media in election year is just stupid! Threatening to boycott a debate is even more stupid! Someone please tell me how is this in any way positive? Yet another sideshow for the media to feast upon…National will be loving this!

  19. emergency mike 19
    24 July 2014 at 10:51 am

    Jeremy Wells nails Mike Hosking.

  20. Blue 20
    24 July 2014 at 11:05 am

    Were Cameron Slater, Matthew Hooton and Michelle Boag all unavailable that night?

  21. NZJester 21
    24 July 2014 at 11:08 am

    Why is it that those lines read far more true if you edit them like this “Is Mike Hosking incompetent or mad? Is he out to lunch or out of touch? Is Mike Hosking deluded or living in a parallel universe?”

  22. Sable 22
    24 July 2014 at 11:09 am

    The standard of journalism in NZ is total drek. If I were Cunliffe I’d refuse to take part and I’d be quite emphatic as to why.

    Its time we do what people are doing in the UK and openly renounce the dubious standards of journalism in NZ.

  23. swordfish 23
    24 July 2014 at 11:36 am

    Yeah, I remember reading a Listener interview with Hosking not long after he started co-hosting RNZ’s Morning Report in the mid-90s. He made it abundantly clear that his personal politics were very much of the Right-Wing, Neo-Liberal persuasion. So, his ideological proclivities have certainly been known for quite some time.

  24. anker 24
    24 July 2014 at 11:46 am

    Time for a letter writing campaign to TVNZ. This has got serious. I looked for a link on their website, but couldn’t see if as I only had a second.

    I think we need to email them on mass. I personally will stop watching tvnz if they go ahead with Hoskings.

  25. anker 25
    24 July 2014 at 11:51 am

    http://tvnz.co.nz/tvnz-corporate-comms/feedback-form-4935039

    This is one feedback form I have found if you think tvnz have breached broadcasting standards.

    Lets’ do it!

    And for all the trolls on this post, I am not even going to waste my time on you. Go back to Whale Oil

  26. Twocan 26
    24 July 2014 at 12:11 pm

    So right wing people in the media are bias yet left wingers are professional??? Seriously? Yeah we all have our view points but surely you lot can see that the above argument doesn’t wash with people you aren’t strongly politically motivated.

    • framu 26.1
      24 July 2014 at 12:24 pm

      “So right wing people in the media are bias yet left wingers are professional??? Seriously? ”

      NO – thats NOT the issue

      and its because many arent strongly politically motivated is the reason why such blatant cheerleaders like hoskings shouldnt be doingnthe debates

      why? because he cant leave his bias at the door and behave with any integrity

  27. fender 27
    24 July 2014 at 12:14 pm

    If he has any maturity whatsoever Hosking will take the feedback on board and maybe reassess the way he conducts himself on both TV and on torytalkZB.

    Man up Mike, you don’t want to be remembered for being a propagandist during one of the most regressive periods in NZ history.

    • Once was Pete 27.1
      24 July 2014 at 12:30 pm

      ‘one of the most regressive periods in NZ history’… Wow the hyperbole is amazing. As a currently disengaged Labour voter this is one of the problems I have with Labour. Stuck in a time warp, and unable to see merit in any other point of view.
      So Labour doesn’t like the compere….suck it up and stop whinging. All these wounds are entirely self inflicted. So much for Labour staying on topic and not getting distracted by the small stuff.
      Labour is fast become more of a ‘joke’ than a credible alternative government. At mid 20’s % support only the stalwarts are left. Doesn’t this tell you something?
      I am nearly 70 and voted Labour most of my adult life. I won’t be coming back until I see some evidence of a more credible party to vote for. What a waste.

      • fender 27.1.1
        24 July 2014 at 12:37 pm

        “I am nearly 70 and voted Labour most of my adult life. I won’t be coming back……”

        Typical wording employed by a concern tr0ll, or maybe you’re just a Roger Douglas fanboy.

        • Once was Pete 27.1.1.1
          24 July 2014 at 4:14 pm

          Think what you like if it helps you avoid reality. As for the Douglas remark, I bet virtually every current Labour supporter old enough, voted for the Lange government, including those who now like to bag it!
          There are a lot of disaffected Labour voters out there. So bag us if you like. It just reinforces the view that labour is currently in no shape to govern. You are right to fear the debates. On current showing it will be a disaster. Lacking in coherent policy, lacking in traction, lacking in focus, lacking in loyalty amongst caucus and expecting left of centre voters to support a rag tag, hotch potch of parties in some grand coalition. Why would you?
          So you can get all angry if you like, but this emotion would be better focused on the Labour party to make them get their act together so that the country can have a credible alternative.

          • fender 27.1.1.1.1
            24 July 2014 at 5:03 pm

            “You are right to fear the debates”

            Quite the contrary, I’m looking forward to Cunliffe having the opportunity to show those who never see Parliament TV just how intelligent and knowledgeable he is, and how juvenile Key is when he has no counter argument other than lame schoolboy jokes.

            Any lack of coherent policy on display will be Nationals, but Key will avoid talking about his policies because he has very little to offer. It will be good though to see Key explain how he could get his nutcase mate Colin Craig and the Maori Party to agree on anything, and this will need answering because one thing is certain, National will not get the votes to govern alone.

        • Rodel 27.1.1.2
          24 July 2014 at 7:23 pm

          I’m nearly 102 and I’ve voted Obama and Labour all my life ..never again ..Oh f**k wrong country, wrong trolling., wrong party..who was it now? Oh yeah was it Rodney Hide or Donna Awatere?
          Oh sh*t who cares?

  28. framu 28
    24 July 2014 at 12:26 pm

    has any one else noticed a sever drop in the comprehension and language abilities of certain righties lately?

    • Anne 28.1
      24 July 2014 at 12:32 pm

      No. Righties have always had severe problems with comprehension, language and you forgot to mention spelling. They spell by sound eg. never become neva… system becomise sistim… justice become justis and so on…

      • framu 28.1.1
        24 July 2014 at 12:42 pm

        oh i know – its just seems to have gotten even more idiotic

        why just yeaterday (and even today) theres still people who dont understand the meaning of the word “yes”

    • unsol 28.2
      24 July 2014 at 12:34 pm

      “sever drop”….hmmmmm, own goal there 🙂

    • greywarbler 28.3
      24 July 2014 at 1:03 pm

      @framu 12.26
      Language ability of once was pete – he used the word hyperbole correctly. Sounds like a retired bourgeois teacher. They tend to be a bit superior to the rest of us, have deep knowledge of a few things, but often don’t know what they don’t know and don’t know that.

      He says he is nearly 70 and won’t vote for Labour till it pulls its socks up. Better give it a go now mate if you care at all otherwise you’ll pop off and never know the rapture.

  29. repateet 29
    24 July 2014 at 12:40 pm

    “For TVNZ to say that Mike Hosking is professional and would act in an unbiased fashion in leaders debates is daft.”

    For TVNZ to have say that Mike Hosking is professional and would act in an unbiased fashion in leaders debates means that Hosking is unsuitable for the job.

    For TVNZ to even have to consider saying that Mike Hosking is professional and would act in an unbiased fashion in leaders debates suggests that Hosking should no longer be considered for the job.

  30. Saarbo 30
    24 July 2014 at 12:43 pm

    Its time for Labour to make a stand, I have had some interesting twitter conversations with some traditional National voters and they acknowledge that Labour is getting a pretty unfair deal from our APN and Fairfax owned media…I would have expected a bit more from TVNZ though. I guess as soon as Campbell became the TV3 debate host then they had to breath in and take a gulp and announce that Hosking would be theirs. Hosking has always been the epitome of what is f%$ked in society, a prize wanker. Loved the Radio hauraki parodies of him.

  31. Bill O'Reilly 31
    24 July 2014 at 12:52 pm

    Current State of NZ Public Broadcasting Song?: So impartial

    Lets sing a song Kids (Garage Band 120 tempo: House Drum Machine: Bass drum: Boom, Boom, Boom, Boom):

    Ready kids 1, 2, 3, 4:

    •Banks, Banks, Booze, Booze, Meat, Meat, Cooperate Media
    •Banks, Banks, Booze, Booze, Meat, Meat Cooperate Media
    •Banks, Banks, Booze, Booze, Meat, Meat, Cooperate Media
    •Milk it, Milk it, Cooperate Media, Milk it
    •Milk it, Milk it, Cooperate Media, Milk it
    •Occasional charity just for good measure

    Repeat 1000x

    End of Song.

    Of course, no way related are:

    Minister of Broadcasting Craig Foss

    TVNZ (Boards etc)
    Kevin Kenrick
    Wayne Walden
    Joan Withers
    Roger MacDonnell
    Alison Gerry
    Barrie Saunders

    RNZ: (Boards etc)
    Richard Griffin
    Josh Easby
    Gary Monk
    Sheena Henderson

  33. rain33 33
    24 July 2014 at 1:01 pm

    Stop trying to draw comparisons between Hosking and Campbell. As far as I know Campbell has never endorsed a PM. Hosking however, when introducing Key before his ‘State of the Union Address’ said ….

    “I’ve done my own state of the nation…

    As I see it, all things considered we are doing pretty bloody well. We box above our weight,” he said.

    “We have bright prospects for the future, so long as you keep them in Government,” Hosking said.

  34. Chooky 34
    24 July 2014 at 1:13 pm

    TVNZ is a disgrace!

    ‘Dear Seven Sharp – after learning Hosking will be the leaders debate moderator – NO I will not give you the pretence of balance & I refuse to appear on your show’

    By Martyn Bradbury / July 24, 2014

    In light of this decision by TVNZ to give someone as biased as Hosking the moderator role in the all important leaders debates, I have decided that I will decline Seven Sharp’s offer because it will be nothing more than a manufactured pathetic attempt at balance….

    I have to be honest, I had made the decision last night to accept Seven Sharp’s hastily offered opportunity to appear on their show after I savagely criticised the bullshit whitewash story they did on John Key’s favourite far right hate speech merchant, Cameron Slater….This morning I wake to the appalling news that Mike Bloody Hosking will be the moderator of the TVNZ leadership debates???

    No. Fucking. Way.

    Hosking is to the right of Caligula, allowing him to moderate the debate would be like appointing Cameron Slater to sit on the Broadcasting Standards Authority! It’s one hate crime against public broadcasting to allow Hosking to host Seven Sharp in the first place but to allow him to moderate the leaders debate is an outright abomination. Hosking moderating the leaders debates will be as credible as asking him to do a critical story on his corporate benefactor Sky City.

    Why is it different to John Campbell moderating the debates on TV3? TV3 is a private company who can do what they like, TVNZ is supposed to be the Public Broadcaster and as such have a demand on balance far higher than TV3. Shane Taurima was rightfully crucified for his bias inside TVNZ (despite the fact that it was Management’s incompetence to bring him back in the first place), but his stupidity has allowed TVNZ to conduct a witch hunt for reds under the bed within the news room while foaming right wing fanatics get to front current affairs programs with no questions asked.

    30 years of neoliberalism has pulled the Political centre so far to the right that the shrill beige brigade of Espiner, Hosking, Henry, Garner and Gower are enabled to construct one vast unchallenged narrative arch where the Right are always right and the Left are criminally insane.

    In light of this decision by TVNZ to give someone as biased as Hosking the moderator role in the all important leaders debates, I have decided that I will decline Seven Sharp’s offer because it will be nothing more than a manufactured pathetic attempt at balance. I’m a Campbell Live supporter and would hate to do anything that would turn attention away from real current affairs to a sick joke like Seven Sharp.

    See more at: http://thedailyblog.co.nz/2014/07/24/dear-seven-sharp-after-learning-hosking-will-be-the-leaders-debate-moderator-no-i-will-not-give-you-the-pretence-of-balance-i-refuse-to-appear-on-your-show/#sthash.dx854Uu0.knxfJXoJ.dpuf.

    • infused 34.1
      24 July 2014 at 2:01 pm

      Great news for all viewers then. We don’t have to see/hear that pompous idiot.

      • tinfoilhat 34.1.1
        24 July 2014 at 4:49 pm

        Gawd I’m going to have to agree with infused.

        Bomber is a nauseating egotistical twerp and the less we see of him during the election campaign the better as I’m sure he loses far more votes for the left than he ever brings to the cause.

    • freedom 35.1
      24 July 2014 at 1:33 pm

      Thank you for the link Populuxe1. Did you sign it ? or are you just being a good neighbour?

      p.s. over 50 new signatures since the link was posted here 20 minutes ago, guess you could say it is getting some attention

  36. Bill 36
    24 July 2014 at 2:05 pm

    If debates revolved around and explored issues of policy then it wouldn’t matter a rats arse who ‘hosted’ the damned things. The problem isn’t Hosking or anyone else.

    The problem is that the so-called debates degenerate into a point scoring personality contest between two (or more) performing monkeys in front of ‘hosts’ who use infantile school yard tactics to intimidate and trip.

    • greywarbler 36.1
      24 July 2014 at 4:04 pm

      @Bill 2.05
      And these personality contestants have worms! Perhaps tvs Light Entertainment Unit will bring in fairground features like an octopus that will lay its tentacle on an electrical point for one of the contestants that will ring a bell and send a pointer swinging over the head of the loser and a golden crown to light up over the one who won the point.

      One wonders what television will stoop to to turn the debate into a spectacle, give free 3D glasses to the audience and a free glass of bubbly. Now that would create spectacles.

      Democracy is doomed, doomed.

    • Ergo Robertina 36.2
      24 July 2014 at 10:36 pm

      Agree with that, the problem is not Hosking – the same shrill tenor will be struck if moderated by Smalley or any of the other possibilities suggested today.
      I recently watched the ’84 leaders debate moderated by Ian Johnstone and was impressed by its lack of gimmickry and the performance of Lange and even Muldoon, notwithstanding the latter’s histrionics and annoying repetitions.

      • Colonial Viper 36.2.1
        24 July 2014 at 11:49 pm

        Smalley would do a pretty good job. She’d also defuse some of the bloody political testosterone in the room.

        • Ergo Robertina 36.2.1.1
          25 July 2014 at 11:18 am

          She would do as good a job as anyone.
          But the fact a debate can be high-jacked by a jibe like ‘show me the money’ is because there is no real contest of ideas as both parties subscribe to the same economic framework.
          The Lange-Muldoon debate is worth watching. I was too young at the time, and when I watched it recently had expected Muldoon to be a dysfunctional basket-case and was surprised by the quality of debate compared with today. Lange’s appeal to Muldoon to work with him to get the country out of its dire position is poignant, given what happened afterwards (both parties have effectively worked together for common ends but to the detriment of the people, which was not Lange’s intent).

  37. Graham 37
    24 July 2014 at 2:06 pm

    Look are you guys nuts
    This has to be the most stupid election strategy ever
    But please don’t change it because I am stocking up on popcorn

  38. RED 38
    24 July 2014 at 3:16 pm

    Be kind to Hosking. Has the guy a form of Tourette’s ?? Check out the continual pulling down of his cuffs and tugging the lapel area of his jackets.

  39. Graham 39
    24 July 2014 at 3:48 pm

    Just pretend that john keys staff wrote down every unkind thing john Campbell said about John key
    Then told 3 news we want someone else or we won’t do the tv debates
    This post would then be called
    ” shonkey runing scared”
    Are labour trying to lose on purpose?

    • greywarbler 39.1
      24 July 2014 at 3:56 pm

      Is that a rhetorical question? Or wish fulfilment? Thanks for your concern though.

  40. Tautoko Viper 40
    24 July 2014 at 4:37 pm

    Kim Hill, Kim Hill, Kim Hill, Kim Hill
    She would do the job well and the debate would be fair.
    Mike Hoskings needs to watch Al Jazeera and learn a few skills.

  41. Tanz 41
    24 July 2014 at 4:51 pm

    Does it matter who the moderator is? Mike Hosking at least has common sense and is direct.

  42. feijoa 42
    24 July 2014 at 5:15 pm

    Is Maori TV doing any debates does anyone know?
    Would John Key actually turn up to Maori TV????????
    THAT would be the one to watch

  43. philj 43
    24 July 2014 at 6:17 pm

    xox
    What is the fuss about Mike Hiskin?. He is the perfect representative of the joke that is public broadcasting. An un funny clown.

  44. teWhareWhero 44
    24 July 2014 at 6:48 pm

    There’s no way that Hosking can be impartial and choosing him to moderate the debate is a calculated insult to Labour – it’s just taking the proverbial and is exactly what I’d expect from the bunch of clod-poles who run TVNZ.

    The wee man is not only terminally smarmy, he’s so lightweight he has to have lead weights in his trousers to keep him earthbound.

    On reflection that makes him the perfect choice for moderating a political debate between a currency trader turned politician whose ersatz public persona has been constructed by spin doctors and promoted by a compliant media – and a slightly awkward but honest and very capable opponent whose public persona has been just as carefully caricatured by the same media.

    • Chooky 44.1
      24 July 2014 at 10:08 pm

      +100…so should Cunliffe agree to the debate with Hosking as moderator…. or insist on a better quality interviewer for the sake of the voting New Zealand public?

      If TVNZ refuses to ditch Hosking for a more impartial moderator …..and the Labour coalition wins the Election…there should be a big shakeup in TVNZ and in Radionz imo…the New Zealand public are being sold short

  45. Gruntie 45
    24 July 2014 at 7:47 pm

    Is It true that Hosking is on the National Party list …. Or am I mistaken?

  46. Foreign Waka 46
    24 July 2014 at 8:11 pm

    If anything, Mr Hosking would turn the undecided into labor voters.

  47. Leroy 47
    24 July 2014 at 8:12 pm

    TVNZ are a joke…here is a copy of an email I sent them last night through their ‘feedback channels’…no response back (not that I expected one)!

    Hi,

    I have some feedback/questions for you following your show on Tuesday 22 July and the interview with Cameron Slater. Can you help me understand a couple of things please:

    1. Why is my tax payers money going on an interview with this guy?
    2. Are you that hard up for stories you have to interview someone who called a person “feral” after they died in a car crash, or someone who described a Kings student who drank himself to death as “a toffee-nosed school boy, a dead thief and a liar who couldn’t handle his piss. I always said King’s boys were poofs.” Need I go on?
    3. Why are you not profiling/interviewing someone in society that is actually making a difference? i.e. a GP in Gisborne, or a Nurse who’s come off a 15 hour shift in ICU, or the teacher who goes home from school after finishing marking at 10pm, having started at 7.00am , or the Volunteer helping our at Rape Crisis, or the Solo mum working two jobs to just put food on the table etc etc.

    I would hope in the future that you think twice about interviewing media people – in your world they may be important, but in the scheme of really making a significant difference for New Zealand, they don’t even feature. I am sure there are hundreds more professions and individuals with standards and integrity too, that you could interview.

    Disappointing to say the least and one lesser viewer now!

    • srylands 47.1
      24 July 2014 at 10:06 pm

      “Why is my tax payers money going on an interview with this guy?”

      They would have stopped reading right there. Explain how “taxpayers money” was used to fund the interview. It is a commercial programme.

      • Leroy 47.1.1
        24 July 2014 at 10:33 pm

        Seylands, your are right…it is a commercial programme! However, as I’m sure your aware TVNZ is owned by the government which is ultimately funded by the tax payer.

        http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Television_New_Zealand

        That aside, what a total waste of money interviewing an idiot and creep like Slater…the guys lacks morals!!!!!

        • srylands 47.1.1.1
          24 July 2014 at 10:47 pm

          That is bullshit – Do you think Air New Zealand is “funded by the taxpayer” because the Government is a shareholder? Hint – this is where you say “No of course not”. So what is different about TVNZ? It does get Government funding but only to purchase specific products – just like TV3 does!

          TVNZ will run its programmes to maximise revenue – they are not answerable to you.

          Cameron Slater runs the most popular, award winning blog in the country.

          http://www.canonmediaawards.co.nz/winners-2014

          Of course they are going to interview him. I expect Slater to be appointed to the TVNZ Board the next time there is a vacancy. Are you going to whine about that too?

          • McFlock 47.1.1.1.1
            24 July 2014 at 11:29 pm

            Even if we ignored the infrastructure that TVNZ built upon from its days 100% government funded and directly government operated, cameron slater is a propagandist for the governing party who was given extensive positive and uncritical airtime by the government-owned broadcaster.

            But, being a sociopathic tory, you don’t see a problem with that.

            Maybe you should just admit that you have a complete inability to register ethical and emotional issues like a normal human being would. Each comment you make just illustrates your perverted moral compass.

          • Colonial Viper 47.1.1.1.2
            24 July 2014 at 11:43 pm

            Hey Shitlands. More and more people are seeing through you. Just sayin’

          • fender 47.1.1.1.3
            25 July 2014 at 12:02 am

            “I expect Slater to be appointed to the TVNZ Board the next time there is a vacancy.”

            Thanks for the laugh Shrunken-glands, classic. What next?? Key playing for the All Blacks?? You becoming the next Australian PM?… you’re a fair dinkum nut-job but an equal opponent for your PM Abbott.

          • Weepus beard 47.1.1.1.4
            25 July 2014 at 12:12 am

            @trollands. Slater’d fuck up TVNZ like he fucked up The Truth. Fact.

  48. Chooky 48
    24 July 2014 at 8:19 pm

    ‘UNBREAKING: The list of questions Mike Hosking will use in first TVNZ leader debate’

    By Martyn Bradbury / July 24, 2014 / 9 Comments

    “Good evening ladies and gentlemen and welcome to the first TVNZ leaders debate being held live in the gloriously beautiful Sky City ball room. It’s such a beautiful building boys and girls, we are so blessed to have Sky City here, they do such amazing charity work and their Wednesday night Texas Hold ‘Em tournaments are some of the best in country. Thank you, thank you, thank you Sky City.

    I love you.

    Now to the first leaders debate between National Party leader John Key and that fucking commie David Cunliffe.

    John Key – How do you keep your skin so soft and unblemished Prime Minister?

    David Cunliffe – Are you going to apologise now or after this debate you socialist wimp?

    John Key – Oh Lord, why is the economy so amazing under your incredible leadership?

    David Cunliffe – Stuart Nash told me you hate babies, why are you hiding your baby hating?

    John Key – My love, is it difficult healing sick children with just your smile every day?

    David Cunliffe – My buddy Cameron Slater says you are a smelly dirty pinko. Why are you such a smelly dirty pinko David Cunliffe?

    John Key – Sweet Prince, this country has prospered under your benign and loving care, why do the Green Taliban and Labour communists want to burn it to the ground? Why must they hate the children?

    David Cunliffe – Matthew Hooton tells me you love to torture sweet cute fluffy bunny rabbits, why do you hate animals so much David Cunliffe?

    John Key – Your big beautiful eyes sparkle like the dancing soul of a unicorn. How can heaven bear to be without you Prime Minister?

    David Cunliffe – If elected you will allow unionists the right to shoot and kill anyone with a subscription to the NBR, why do you hate aspiration so much?

    Here’s the petition to TVNZ to remove Hosking from the debates.

    • Colonial Viper 48.1
      24 July 2014 at 11:40 pm

      Not much point watching the actual thing now, I suppose. Foregone conclusion eh? 😀

  49. Kat 49
    24 July 2014 at 8:45 pm

    Cunliffe’s office should just say ‘no’ and if you want a leaders debate get a more acceptable MC.

    Guess what the reply will be.

    For ‘commercial’ reasons ‘of course’.

  50. Dale 50
    24 July 2014 at 9:01 pm

    Maybe Cunliffe should grow a pair and man up. Key wouldn’t have a sook if Campbell was to moderate. This makes Cunliffe look very weak indeed. Que apology “I’m sorry for letting all my supporters down again”.

    • McFlock 50.1
      24 July 2014 at 9:22 pm

      key’s already refused one debate with cunliffe, regardless of who was going to be moderating.

  51. Dumrse 51
    24 July 2014 at 9:59 pm

    “… Corin Dann, Susan Wood, Rachel Smalley. “. All better than Hosking, you gotta be pissed, they are so far bent left they will never roll out of bed. And, whilst I’m at it, “…what shall we all say about Gerry Brownlee….. Nothing, let’s focus on what’s important. So Hosking is important?
    God give me strength.

  52. Dale Cross 52
    24 July 2014 at 10:47 pm

    Mike Hosking is not a right wing nut case like Slater. Campbell is more left than Hosking is right. I think this is yet another own goal by Cunliffe. Why not remain positive and say OK bring it on! I can’t recall if Hosking has hosted one of these before so what are Labour afraid of? Campbell has and it would never be questioned. Also TV stations will always use their best in these debates because they are popular and professional . It’s not about the hosts it’s about the message.

  53. meconism 53
    24 July 2014 at 10:52 pm

    So lets propose a replacement; I propose Geoff Robinson, he would be great, civil, fair, still got all his faculties. Any others?

    • srylands 53.1
      24 July 2014 at 11:08 pm

      John Stossel

      • Weepus beard 53.1.1
        24 July 2014 at 11:32 pm

        I think this post defines the problem we have with srylands.

        a. He’s serious and believes John Stossel is a man of integrity and one that would do a good job in the NZ leaders debate.

        b. He’s joking, but it’s not just not funny, it’s a pathetic american import not funny. One which real New Zealanders do not care for one bit.

  54. Weepus beard 54
    24 July 2014 at 11:55 pm

    I think DC needs to keep the John Key: Leader of the pack Rugby News cover as ammo for the debates.

    There’s nothing more sacred to the New Zealand man that the sanctity of the All Blacks jersey and the depth of commitment required to get it. Then look, the NZ dollar damaging, yanky currency trader is wearing one and claiming to be the leader of the All Black pack, all for political advantage.

    Ahead of Richie who has failed and risen, and risen again for that jersey.

    John Key just placed himself ahead of Richie McCaw on the cover of a special RC issue of Rugby News and he needs to be gently reminded of that between now and September 20.

    https://nz.news.yahoo.com/a/-/top-stories/24543211/peters-questions-keys-all-blacks-photo-job/

  55. john 55
    25 July 2014 at 12:08 am

    Attacking Key for wearing an All Black jersey on a magazine cover will look as weak and desperate as threatening to pull out of a debate cause you’re scared the moderator might not be fair.

    It would also show someone obsessed with whinging about trifling minutiae while missing the big picture.

    • McFlock 55.1
      25 July 2014 at 12:19 am

      … and if Labour had bought or been gifted a front cover ad on the same magazine, you and your ilk would be screaming about corruption in the amount of tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars.

      • john 55.1.1
        25 July 2014 at 12:33 am

        There’s bigger issues than red scarfs, three days holiday, being sorry for being a man, and spitting the dummy over a moderator..

        But keep it up the self destruction anyway – 95% of the population wouldn’t have even known about the cover until the bleating started.

        • Colonial Viper 55.1.1.1
          25 July 2014 at 12:38 am

          1) The TV debate moderator is a huge issue – an election changing one. Of course, you know that.

          2) I hope a whole lot more people get to see the front cover of that magazine.

          • McFlock 55.1.1.1.1
            25 July 2014 at 12:44 am

            the Photoshop PM.

            • Colonial Viper 55.1.1.1.1.1
              25 July 2014 at 12:52 am

              Someone give that man two handshakes.

            • john 55.1.1.1.1.2
              25 July 2014 at 12:53 am

              You mean like the air-brushed election picture of someone who vaguely resembled Helen Clark?

              • Colonial Viper …
                25 July 2014 at 1:02 am

                You know what the critical difference is, John? Helen Clark isn’t running for election on Sept 20.

              • fender …
                25 July 2014 at 1:04 am

                Yeah Helen was with the Silver Ferns or was it the Black Ferns 🙄

          • john 55.1.1.1.2
            25 July 2014 at 12:50 am

            Your mates are spitting tacks about it, and you think it’s damaging.

            Amazing that you can have opposite opinions, and yet still both manage to get it so wrong.

            You’d have to find that tiny portion of the population with an IQ so low that they’re mentally retarded before you’d find anyone to change their vote over a picture of the PM wearing an all black jersey.

            You continual focus on irrelevant minutiae is a sign of a party that’s already lost before the votes are even counted.

            • Colonial Viper 55.1.1.1.2.1
              25 July 2014 at 12:59 am

              Key’s fucked himself with this bit of false All Blacks PR. John Key hasn’t earnt that top, unlike everyone else on the cover.

              In fact, my team is going to go door knocking with copies of it, and make that exact point.

              • Dumrse …
                25 July 2014 at 7:53 am

                Desperate is what desperate does. Is it important ? should we focus on it ? will it turn the tide ?

                Obviously yes………

    • Colonial Viper 55.2
      25 July 2014 at 12:34 am

      Key wearing an All Black jersey on a magazine cover will look quite weak and desperate

      fify

  56. Whateva next 56
    25 July 2014 at 12:12 am

    Key has created a political desert, the leaders debate should be an oasis, but state controlled media are trying to make it a mirage instead.
    Stand firm, it is not whingeing, it is simply logical that some one suitable for job is employed, same as every other job.

  57. SPC 57
    25 July 2014 at 8:48 am

    The issue of political partisanship can be dealt with by asking for independent oversight of the topics and questions for Hosking to adhere to.

    The problem then remaining is the level of personal abuse of Cunliffe made by Hosking –

    dismissing Cunliffe as a “moron” and “Is David Cunliffe incompetent or mad? Is he out to lunch or out of touch? Is David Cunliffe deluded or living in a parallel universe?”

  58. Vaughan 58
    25 July 2014 at 11:46 am

    Ahhh yes, the Mike ‘I’m so Right’ & ‘Perfect’ Hosking. One can only hope that when Mike pops in for his next plastic surgery upgrade, he pops out the other side looking ten times worse than the Kenny Rogers face-lift misadventure . . .

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