The Credibility Stakes: John Key vs Nicky Hager

Written By: - Date published: 2:12 pm, August 15th, 2014 - 58 comments
Categories: john key - Tags: , , ,

What a surprisingly even-handed opinion piece from the New Zealand Fox News Herald political commentator John Armstrong about the coming consequences of Nicky Hager’s “Dirty Politics”. In part, Armstrong writes . . .

. . . If John Key wishes to avoid being labelled the Richard Nixon of New Zealand politics, he is going to have to do more than deny knowledge of what was going on in a neighbouring office. The same applies to any attempt to denigrate Hager – as Key did on Tuesday – by describing him as a “screaming left-wing conspiracy theorist”. The left-wing bit is correct. But no one has ever produced the evidence to question the veracity of the content of Hager’s books.

In short, Hager is credible. It is thus Key’s credibility against Hager’s . . .

So, lets take a closer look at that Hager vs Key credibility match up with a review of past performances and current form.

Documented Lies Told By author and investigative journalist Nicky Hager

Zero, zip, nada . . . not one.

Documented Lies Told By the Prime Minister of New Zealand John Key

  1. I promise to always be honest
  2. we are not going to sack public servants, the attrition rate will reduce costs
  3. there’s no way one in five New Zealanders will lose their jobs
  4. we are not going to cut working for families
  5. I firmly believe in climate change and always have
  6. We seek a 50% reduction in New Zealand’s carbon-equivalent net emissions, as compared to 1990 levels, by 2050. 50 by 50. We will write the target into law.
  7. National Ltd™ will provide a consistent incentive for both biofuel and biodiesel by exempting them from excise tax or road user charges
  8. there is no truth in Nicky Hager’s book “The Hollowmen”
  9. I didn’t know about The Bretheren election tactics
  10. If they came to us now with that proposal [re trans-Tasman Therapeutic Goods regime], we will sign it
  11. I can’t remember my position on the 1981 Springbok Tour
  12. Tranzrail shares
  13. I did not mislead the House (1)
  14. Lord Ashcroft
  15. National Ltd™ would not have sent troops into Iraq
  16. Standard & Poors credit downgrade
  17. the double-down grade doesn’t really matter and its only about private sector debt
  18. I did not mislead the House (2)
  19. I didn’t say I want wages to drop
  20. I can’t remember why I voted against increasing the minimum wage
  21. lifting the minimum wage to $15 an hour will increase unemployment
  22. the real rate of inflation is 3.3 percent.
  23. the tourism sector has not lost 7,000 jobs
  24. no I have never heard of Whitechapel
  25. I won’t raise GST
  26. people who are on the average wage and have a child are $48 a week better off after the rise in GST
  27. the purchase of farmland, by overseas buyers will be limited to ten farms per purchase
  28. the Pike River Mine was consented to under a Labour Government
  29. no promises were made to get the remains of the miners out of the Pike River mine
  30. I did not provide a view on the safety of the Pike River coalmine
  31. I did not mislead the House (3)
  32. capping, not cutting the public service
  33. raising the minimum wage to $15 per hour will cost 6000 jobs
  34. north of $50 a week
  35. privatisation won’t significantly help the economy
  36. wave goodbye to higher taxes, not your loved ones
  37. I never offered Brash a diplomatic job in London
  38. Tariana Turia is “totally fine” with the Tuhoe Treaty Claim deal
  39. Kiwisaver
  40. National Ltd™ is not going to radically reorganise the structure of the public sector
  41. tax cuts won’t require additional borrowing
  42. New Zealand does not have a debt problem
  43. New Zealand troops in Afghanistan will only be involved in training, not fighting
  44. the wage gap between New Zealand and Australia has closed under my National Ltd™ government
  45. It took 9 years for Labour to make a complete and utter mess of the economy
  46. National Ltd™ has changed the Overseas Investment Act to include 19 different criteria
  47. the price of goods and services has risen by 6 percent since the last election, while the after-tax average wage has actually gone up by 16 percent
  48. no, although its a week ago and here I am being interviewed on television about them, I havn’t seen Gerry Brownlee’s comments regarding demolitions in Christchurch and which caused such outrage, but I can talk all about them
  49. our SAS soldiers were not involved in the Kabul Hotel gunfight
  50. the use of the Vela brother’s helicopter was required so I could attend meetings relating to national/international security concerns
  51. the DPS makes the decision about accompanying the Prime Minister or not, I had no choice but to take them on holiday to Hawaii
  52. I did not mislead the House (4)
  53. oh, maybe our SAS soldiers were in the Kabul hotel gun fight but they weren’t wounded by friendly fire
  54. New Zealand has lost $12 billion from GDP due to the Christchurch earthquake . . . oh, it might actually be around $15 billion from GDP due to the Christchurch earthquake . . . Blinglish said what?
  55. 10,000 houses will have to be demolished in Christchurch due to the earthquake
  56. 14,000 new apprentices will start training over the next five years, over and above the number previously forecast
  57. our amendments to the ETS ensure we will continue to do our fair share internationally
  58. we are committed to honouring our Kyoto Protocol obligations
  59. any changes to the ETS will be fiscally neutral
  60. New Zealand has grown for eight of the last nine quarters”
  61. National Ltd™ will tender out the government banking contract
  62. we will be back in surplus by 2014-15
  63. Nicky Hager’s book “Other People’s Wars” is a work of fiction
  64. unemployment is starting to fall
  65. we have created 60,000 jobs
  66. we have created 45,000 jobs
  67. the 2011 Budget will create in the order of 170,000 jobs
  68. I don’t know if I own a vineyard
  69. no, I did not mislead the House (5)
  70. the Isreali spy killed in the Christchurch quake had “only one” passport
  71. the Police will not need to make savings by losing jobs
  72. I voted to keep the drinking age at 20
  73. New Zealand is 100% Pure
  74. I’ve been prime minister for four years, and it’s really 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year
  75. baseball in New Zealand is attracting more government support
  76. the decision to buy brand new BMWs was made by the Department of Internal Affairs without reference either to their minister or to me
  77. I didn’t have a clue that Ministerial Services, which I am in charge of, was going to buy brand new BMWs
  78. even though four of my ministers knew all about it, I didn’t have a clue that brand new BMWs were being bought.
  79. even though my Chief of Staff met with officials to discuss purchase of the the brand new BMWs, I didn’t have a clue
  80. even though I personally signed papers discussing the matter, I still didn’t have a clue
  81. Labour forced us into buying the brand new BMWs, its their fault
  82. ummm, look, sorry about that BMW thing , it was because I was so upset
  83. I did not describe David Beckam as thick as batshit
  84. I did not mislead the House (6)
  85. the public demanded that we change the labour laws for The Hobbit
  86. “The Hobbit” created 3000 new jobs
  87. we have delivered 800 extra doctors in the public service
  88. I did not mislead the House (7)
  89. I wasn’t working at Elders when the sham foreign exchange deals took place
  90. I was starting School Certificate exams in 1978
  91. I don’t know who arrived on the CIA jet to visit the spies I am responsible for
  92. reducing barriers to property developers will increase the availability of affordable housing
  93. Labour left the economy in poor shape
  94. forecasts show unemployment will fall
  95. we have closed the wage gap with Australia by $27
  96. Ngati Porou and Whanau Apanui are not opposed to mining
  97. I have not had any meetings with Media Works
  98. our [NZ’s] terms of trade remain high
  99. the TPPA is an example of democracy
  100. the TPPA will still have to be ratified by Parliament
  101. National Ltd™ will use the proceeds of state asset sales to invest in other public assets, like schools and hospitals
  102. New Zealand troops will be out of Afghanistan by April 2013
  103. overseas investment in New Zealand adds to what New Zealanders can invest on their own
  104. overseas investment in New Zealand creates jobs, boosts incomes, and helps the economy grow
  105. National Ltd™ will build 2000 houses over the next two years
  106. there are only 4 New Zealand SAS soldiers in Bamiyan and all working in the area of logistics and planning only
  107. selling state assets will give cash equity to those companies
  108. the Sky City deal will provide 1000 construction jobs and 800 casino jobs
  109. all five bidders for the convention centre were treated equally
  110. my office has had no correspondence, no discussions, no involvement with the Sky City deal
  111. I did not mislead the House (8)
  112. I can’t remember what was discussed at my meeting with the SkyCity Chief Executive on 14 May 2009
  113. I have no record of the 12 November 2009 email from Treasury advising that the SkyCity deal was dodgy and needed to be referred to the Auditor General
  114. there was nothing improper about the Sky City deal
  115. SkyCity will only get “a few more” pokie machines at the margins
  116. any changes to gambling regulations will be subject to a full public submission process
  117. Sky City has approached TVNZ about the purchase/use of government-owned land
  118. I did not mislead the House (9)
  119. this government has been very transparent about all its dealings with SkyCity
  120. I did not mislead the House (10)
  121. the Auditor General has fully vindicated National over the Sky City deal
  122. I did not mislead the House (11)
  123. the Deputy Auditor General supports the view that there was nothing inappropriate about the Sky City deal
  124. I did not mislead the House (12)
  125. I did not breach the confidentiality of the Auditor General’s Report into the Sky City deal
  126. the Labour Government did exactly the same sort of deal back in 2001
  127. Labour has promised to not revoke the Sky City legislation
  128. there’s a 50/50 chance the Hobbit is going off shore unless we do something
  129. David Shearer has signed up for the purchase of shares in Mighty River
  130. Solid Energy asked the government for a $1 billion capital investment
  131. fracking has been going safely on in Taranaki for the past 30 years without any issues
  132. no frontline positions will be lost at DOC
  133. Iain Rennie came to me and recommended Fletcher for the GCSB job
  134. I told Cabinet that I knew Ian Fletcher
  135. I forgot that after I scrapped the shortlist for GCSB job I phoned a life-long friend to tell him to apply for the position
  136. I told Iain Rennie I would contact Fletcher
  137. I haven’t seen Ian Fletcher in a long time.
  138. I did not mislead the House (13)
  139. I have no reason to doubt at this stage that Peter Dunne did not leak the GCSB report
  140. I called directory service to get Ian Fletcher’s number
  141. the new legislation narrows the scope of the GCSB
  142. the GCSB has been prevented from carrying out its functions because of the law governing its functions
  143. because the opposition is opposed the GCSB law ammendments, parliamentary urgency is required
  144. the increasing number of cyber intrusions which I can’t detail or discuss prove that the GCSB laws need to be extended to protect prive enterprise
  145. it was always the intent of the GCSB Act to be able to spy on New Zealanders on behalf of the SIS and police
  146. National Ltd™ is not explanding the activities of the GCSB with this new law
  147. cyber terrorists have attempted to gain access to information about weapons of mass destruction held on New Zealand computers
  148. the law which says the GCSB cannot spy on New Zealanders is not clear
  149. it totally incorrect that the Government effectively through GCSB will be able to wholesale spy on New Zealanders
  150. we self identified that there was a problem with the GCSB spying on Kim Dotcom
  151. the illegal spying on Kim Dotcom was an isolated incident
  152. The advice I have had in 4 years as a Minister is that in no way ever has there been an indication of unlawful spying
  153. the Ministerial Warrant signed by Bill English did not cover anything up
  154. I wasn’t briefed about the raid on Kim Dotcom’s home.
  155. first I heard I heard about Kim Dotcom was on 19 January 2012
  156. first I heard about the illegal spying on Kim Dotcom was in 17 September
  157. I did not mislead the House (14)
  158. I won’t be discussing Kim Dotcom during my Hollywood visit.
  159. The Human Rights Commission couldn’t get its submission on the GCSB legislation in on time.
  160. it would cost too much to for the police and SIS to carry out the spying on New Zealanders that this new legislation will permit
  161. critics of the GCSB legislation, including the Law Society, the Human Rights Commission, and the Privacy Commission, are all uninformed
  162. no, I did not mislead the House (15)
  163. I do not know how Mr Henry is conducting the Enquiry
  164. no, I did not mislead the House (16)
  165. the Henry Enquiry had permission to view Ministers’ emails
  166. no, I did not mislead the House (??)
  167. we do not spy on journalists
  168. the passing of phone records to the Henry Enquiry was an error on the part of a contractor
  169. I wasn’t aware that my own Chief of Staff was instructing Parliamentary Services to hand over information concerning journalist Andrea Vance
  170. National Ltd™ has never tried to impinge on the role of the media
  171. I had nothing to do with information on a journalist being handed over to the inquiry into the leaking of the GCSB report
  172. the terms of the enquiry made it clear to everyone that it was only the phone records of parliamentary staff and ministers that were to be provided
  173. I have the utmost respect for the media and the role it plays in New Zealand’s democracy
  174. the Henry Enquiry did not access a journalist’s building-access records
  175. the Henry Enquiry did not ask for phone and email records
  176. no, I did not mislead the House (17)
  177. the Greens are opposed to the GCSB and the SIS even existing
  178. the GCSB needs to spy on New Zealanders because there are al-Qaeda terrorists in New Zealand
  179. John Minto is in the Green Party
  180. the GCSB needs to spy on New Zealanders because of the terrorist threat, even though official reports released over my signature say there is no risk and the SIS has the matter in hand
  181. the GCSB Bill does not give the GCSB the power to look at the content of communications as part of its cyber-security functions
  182. no, I did not mislead the House (18)
  183. there will be no mining on Conservation land in the Corromendel
  184. no, I did not say we would follow the US and Australia into a war against North Korea
  185. New Zealand has an arrangement to have asylum seekers processed in Australian detention camps
  186. I did not mislead the house (19)
  187. I paid for that lunch and I’ve got the credit card bill to prove it
  188. I am honest and upfront
  189. the only way net new jobs can be created is by private investors putting their money into businesses in New Zealand
  190. you can’t hide if yuu’re Prime Minister
  191. an increase in the number of people looking for work indicates that confidence is returning to the economy
  192. the 10 percent of taxpayers in New Zealand who are the top earners pay 76 percent of all net personal tax.
  193. I did not mislead the House (20)
  194. Aaron Gilmour was >a href= http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UHlarcvmR7U&feature=youtu.be> one of a number of people in a group who were badly behaved
  195. the substantial wage growth under Labour was eroded by inflation
  196. National Ltd™’s 2010 tax changes were fiscally neutral
  197. I did not mislead the House (21)
  198. the bulk of New Zealanders earn between $45,000 and $75,000 a year
  199. Pike River Coal did not put profits and its production ahead of the safety and lives of those 29 workers.
  200. Radio Live had sought advice from the Electoral Commission about my show just before the election
  201. it is because of National Ltd™’s policies that the price of fresh fruit and vegetables has dropped.
  202. the length-of-the-country cycleway will create 4000 jobs.
  203. police training for next year has not been cancelled
  204. National Ltd™ has only cut back-office jobs in the health service
  205. The Crown’s dividend stream from the Meridians, the Mighty Rivers of the world is large and there is no motivation to sell assets; actually we’re about creating assets not selling assets.”
  206. National believes employment law should treat all parties fairly. It should . . . Protect employees and employers.
  207. I am not trying to tackle such issues in a “fearful” way ahead of the next election
  208. Wellington City is dying.
  209. National Ltd™ has been working on a number of things with New Zealand First on a number of things one of which has a financial component but I can’t talk about it
  210. the best way to get growth in the economy is to reduce public debt
  211. New Zealand mum and dad investors will be our number one priority in the allocation of Mighty River shares
  212. we won’t let “cowboy” oil exploration companies operate here in New Zealand
  213. the Green Party is racist by not allowing Chinese residents in New Zealand to buy a house
  214. the Labour Party is promising a four-bedroom house in Auckland for $300,000
  215. the food in schools programme is in the 2013 budget
  216. the meat exports are being held up in China because of issues in relation to the Chinese looking to trace counterfeit meat
  217. its notoriously difficult to win three elections in a row
  218. I am deeply concerned about every child in New Zealand who is in poverty
  219. there is no manufacturing crisis in New Zealand
  220. the government’s exposure to MediaWorks’ going into receivership is reasonably limited
  221. the money from the sale of state assets will not be used to prop up Solid Energy
  222. I don’t see a place for a Winston Peters-led New Zealand First in a government that I lead. It’s not a matter of political convenience, it’s a matter of political principle.
  223. The vast majority of the buildings in Christchurch came through the earthquakes in good shape
  224. the commemoration of New Zealand’s involvement in the Korean War will not be used to bolster trade talks
  225. third generation Chinese New Zealanders will be required to present their passport before buying a house under the Labour government
  226. the Labour housing policy is an attempt by David Shearer to save his leadership
  227. the Labour housing policy is in breach of free trade agreements
  228. only 2% of the proceeds of the sale of Mighty River will be spent on the sales process
  229. David Cunliffe is lying to you
  230. Labour wants to nationalise the super market industry
  231. The government will engage in no further negotiations with Rio Tinto
  232. Without a government subsidy of hundreds of millions of dollars Chorus will go broke
  233. No, I did not mislead the House (??)
  234. the justice system is already adequate for handling situations involving new evidence
  235. my Minister Nick Smith was not aware of the content of the leaked draft submission on the Ruataniwha situation until 17 September
  236. New Zealand First will nationalise a host of industries and businesses
  237. I have no responsibility for the statements I make
  238. Mark Mitchell was just gossiping at a cocktail party when he tipped Webster off about Len Brown’s affair
  239. it was a lack of external analysis and accountability which put Solid Energy into its debt crisis
  240. the Commerce Commission misinterpreted the law when deciding the price for access to the Chorus copper infrastructure
  241. no analyist predicted that the cost of access to the copper infrastructure would go down
  242. there has been only one problem with oil drilling in the Gulf of Mexico
  243. If it was my vote, it would be no pay increases for Mps
  244. Greenpeace are just scare mongering about any oil leaks off the New Zealand coast
  245. For every election for the last five elections , we have had royal visitors to New Zealand.
  246. No decision has been made on the timing of the sale of Air New Zealand shares
  247. its not true that in New Zealand the rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer
  248. This summer is the most active season ever for oil and gas exploration, with the industry spending up to $750 million. At the same time, the Government is strengthening the regulations that govern drilling, particularly in deep water.
  249. Labour is trying to mislead people about eligibility for Best Start because they don’t get the payment while they also get paid parental leave.
  250. A mountain of evidence shows that the quality of teaching – inside the classroom – is the biggest influence on kids’ achievement
  251. Governor General Jerry Mateparae has been jostled while walking onto Te Tii Marae at Waitangi .
  252. Cameron Slater, who I speak to regularly and who told me about Winston meeting Kim Dot Com, has got absolutely nothing to do with the National Party.
  253. Cameron Slater rang me
  254. What I do know is that when this Government came in, there were predictions that unemployment would rise to over 10 percent.
  255. The Cabinet Office had cleared Judith Collins of a conflict of interest
  256. The golf tournament in which I played the chairman of Oravida was for charity.
  257. The Cabinet Office has cleared Collins of a conflict of interest after it translated comments on Oravida’s website which stated that she had praised its products
  258. My Justice Minister, Judith Collins, didn’t lie to Parliament, she just didn’t understand the question.
  259. The [MFAT] paperwork shows right through this that not only did the Minister have a very busy programme, all on judicial and justice issues, but, secondly, all the way through it talks about a private dinner.
  260. No, I did not mislead parliament. (??)
  261. No, I did not mislead the House(??)
  262. The Unions decide the leadership of the Labour Party and picked David Cunliffe
  263. Unions give the Labour Party millions of dollars a year
  264. The economic mess inherited by the Abbott government in Australia can be likened to the economic mess inherited by National Ltd™ when it came into office in 2008.
  265. National Ltd™ inherited an economic mess from Labour
  266. National Ltd™ inherited an economic mess from Labour in 2008
  267. No, I did not mislead the House(??)
  268. Twelve percent of New Zealand households pay 76 percent of all net tax in New Zealand
  269. Natinal Ltd™ ignored the plight of babies living in the poorest famililies because there is other assistance available
  270. the Malaysian government declined to waive diplomatic immunity for the man charged with burglary and attempted rape
  271. the UN officials visiting down south are focussing on sustainable agriculture
  272. I would apologise to the woman if I knew who she was
  273. My government has led the charge on the transperancy of MPs’ spending
  274. Only 1 percent of New Zealand farm land is in foreign ownership
  275. Internet Mana put together the video depicting a burning effigy of me.
  276. Under National Ltd™ the prison population has gone down.
  277. National Ltd™ has been nowwhere near the Labour party computer system
  278. The OIA request to the SIS about Phil Goff’s briefing on the Isreali spies had nothing to do with my office.
  279. National Ltd™ talks to the MSM exactly the same way we talk to the MSM
  280. The allegations in Nicky Hager’s book are all wrong.
  281. Nicky Hager has got nothing to prove any of the allegations.
  282. All this stuff in “Dirty Politics” is coming from the left.
  283. National Ltd™ is not using blogs as attack sites any more than anyone would do
  284. The release of “Dirty Politics” is part of a coordinated attack from the left because it is unable to win the discussion on the issues that matter.
  285. Very little of the book “Dirty Politics” is about me.

58 comments on “The Credibility Stakes: John Key vs Nicky Hager ”

  1. mickysavage 1

    Thanks BLiP. I would love to see you and others give the latest Key excuse for the book video the treatment. The video is a must see …

    http://www.3news.co.nz/Video-John-Key-talks-Nicky-Hagers-Dirty-Politics/tabid/370/articleID/356848/Default.aspx

  2. Bob 2

    1.”I promise to always be honest” Terrible link! It cuts out what he was actually asked to promise too, then has him promising “I’ll do my best”, that’s not promising to always be honest, in fact it is almost impossible to go through life being 100% honest without living with constant black eyes from every time your wife asks if she ‘looks good in this’.

    3.”there’s no way one in five New Zealanders will lose their jobs” How is this a lie?

    4.”we are not going to cut working for families” He didn’t, all he did was make changes to the marginal tax rate and he said he was going to do that in the same article you linked to!
    “I have long held concerns, in addition, about high effective marginal tax rates acting as a disincentive to people under WFF, but we are confident that this issue will be addressed by our tax package.”

    5.”I firmly believe in climate change and always have” why is this a lie? Even in your link all he says is “and I am somewhat suspicious of it”, that doesn’t mean he doesn’t firmly believe in it. I firmly believe that Fluoride is good for your teeth, but I am somewhat suspicious of it.

    So that is 4 of the first 5 that I can put into my BLip is a liar list? I hope you didn’t spend too much time putting this list together because it certainly feels that way.

    I should add, point 2 was a lie, but this is based on the fact no-one could have predicted the depth of the GFC at the time he said this, so even though it is a lie it is a justifiable one.

    • BLiP 2.1

      Thanks, I’ll take out number 3 . . . keep going, you’re doing a great job.

    • Tracey 2.2
      1. No it doesnt. Listen again

      “do you promise you’ll always be honest?”

      John key: ” yea” nods his head

      The i will do my best is NOT in answer to promising to be honest, as you state but rather is an answer to if a journalist forgets to ask a question he will answer anyway.

      Dont know if you just have bad hearing or were deliberately miarepresenting what key said to try and discredit BLiPs list.

      I do look forward to your challenge to the rest of the list.
      i believe one thing from hollow men was challenged and conceded by hager. Everything else factual.

    • Tracey 2.3

      so the guy whose boss described him as having an uncanny ability to know wgat the currency would do before everyone ( johm key), didnt know the gfc was coming despite it beginning in December 2007? Interesting hypothesis.

    • McFlock 2.4

      wow.
      Gotta love the way you’re reduced to a semantic argument about whether “suspicion” implies a lack of belief or not.

      synonym of suspicious:>

      doubtful, unsure, dubious, wary, chary, sceptical, distrustful, mistrustful, disbelieving, having reservations, apprehensive, cynical, jaundiced;
      informaliffy

      • Tracey 2.4.1

        Or im firmly implies immoveable

      • Hanswurst 2.4.2

        Yeah, especially since the example used is suspicion of fluoride as a health concern. So the analogy with suspicion of climate change would be that Key “firmly believes in climate change”, but is “somewhat suspicious” that it might wreck the environment and ruin civilisation as we know it? Somehow, I don’t think that’s what Key means by “suspicious”.

        • BLiP 2.4.2.1

          Your wriggling is delicious. Now that you think you have partnered John Key on the semantic shuffle through the natural meaning of “somewhat suspicious” how about taking on the next one . . .

          ” . . . “The impact of the Kyoto Protocol, even if one believes in global warming—and I am somewhat suspicious of it—is that we will see billions and billions of dollars poured into fixing something that we are not even sure is a problem. Even if it is a problem, it will be delayed for about 6 years. Then it will hit the world in 2096 instead of 2102, or something like that. It will not work,” explained the then eco-sceptical Mr Key . . .

          Don’t get me wrong. I appreciate your efforts in helping correct the list but, at this stage, it looks like the lie still stands.

          • Hanswurst 2.4.2.1.1

            Eh? You’re misreading me. My statement was supporting you, not trying to debunk you. I was saying that Bob’s fluoride analogy doesn’t hold water, since he’s using a different meaning of “suspicious”.

  3. Dont worry. Be happy 3

    For me one of the most serious and dubious things that Key says often is his opinion that Kim Dot Com is in politics to stop his extradition.

    This case is before the Court so no one should be voicing their opinion of what stands between KDC and freedom let alone the man currently in the highest position of power within the country.

    Surely the PM expressing this opinion is putting undue and extraordinary pressure on the justices who will decide what happens?

    Surely it is prejudicing a fair trial? Surely, it has prejudiced a fair trial already!

    And isnt it not a bit telling that he continues to claim that KDC is only in politics to prevent his own extradition…its almost as if he is accidentally telling us his own twisted and deviant version of the Truth.

    In reality, should this government get thrown out and a left wing Government be elected, KDC will still go before the Court and it is the Court which will decide his fate not whoever is in Government.

    But Key seems to be saying that if the Government changes, KDC is home free.

    Is he actually implying that if the Government doesnt change, then KDCis off to the USA?

    Because if he is implying that then he is usurping the power of the law of this land and we are further down the road towards a dictatorship than we have feared.

    I am clearly not trained in this area….but I am wondering just where are the legal profession….the judges and lawyers and faculty staff of the various law schools?

    What do they have to say? Dont they care when a Prime Minister prejudices a case?

    Or do they worry that he might have something on them in his “top drawer” passed onto him by the spy agenencies he controls?

    • BLiP 3.1

      Yep – John Key’s utter disdain for any form of due process which he finds inconvenient is blatant. As well as his incessant attacks on a person who’s case is currently before the courts, he recently called for the sacking of an official before an enquiry was even under way. That was after he was caught out lying about the circumstance surrounding the Malaysian diplomat accused of attempted rape who left the country.

    • Bob 3.2

      “Is he actually implying that if the Government doesnt change, then KDCis off to the USA?”
      I doubt that this is the case, it was more a case of trying to KDC looking like he is trying to buy his way out of an extradition case by getting a voice in parliament, but at the same time you are right in saying Key shouldn’t be talking about cases in front of the court! I can’t believe he hasn’t been taken to task on this!
      Has a date been set for the trial yet?

    • Stuart Munro 3.3

      The case to extradite Dotcom could well be dismissed at a change of government -without prejudicing the court process at all. Ordinarily, civil cases like copyright cannot generate extradition. The anomaly has been the behaviour of the Gnat government, not Dotcom or the courts.

  4. disturbed 4

    Hey BLiP

    http://www.3news.co.nz/Video-John-Key-talks-Nicky-Hagers-Dirty-Politics/tabid/370/articleID/356848/Default.aspx

    Since you sent that video link I went on to it and Key’s head filled my screen and I had a feeling of instant gut reaching nausea come over he, and had to shut the video down.

    I must be allergic to him now fortunately, and hope this sudden illness feeling is contagious unless the doctor can order a remedy.

    • BLiP 4.1

      Yeah, John Key has definitely got his “I’m not bovvered” face on in that video. Note also that the last nine lies on the list come directly from that performace, although I used the RNZ audio link. When John Key tells one-off lies it can sometimes be put down to “brain fades” and he’s often able to dance out of the accusation of lying using his patented “semantic shuffle”, but when he’s in real trouble, the lies come in clusters. See, for example, his lying about the BMWs cock-up, or his dodgy SkyCity deal, and, of course, the GCSB saga.

    • Tracey 4.2

      I am up to chapter 5

      I can see supporting evidence that ede was involved in oias and other stuff but no direct evidence of the sis stuff. It must have come from somewhere and the pattern is supported by comparison with other behaviour but that is not evidence. Please correct me if i am wrong.

      I wasnt at the standard when labour was in govt. Did the standard have a history of breaking stories before the msm, so as to suggest info being fed from govt deprs or ministers?

      • Lanthanide 4.2.1

        “Did the standard have a history of breaking stories before the msm, so as to suggest info being fed from govt deprs or ministers?”

        No. The only thing, as Lynn mentioned in his interview with Guyon, was the “h-fee scandal” which blew up in Labour’s face because they couldn’t find any evidence.

        • Tracey 4.2.1.1

          So the comparison of slaters actions to the standard has only one factual similarity in how many years?

        • lprent 4.2.1.2

          Yeah and I’m still pissed off that a post went up on The Standard to push it. It got canned pretty damn fast as well.

      • karol 4.2.2

        Was the SIS incident, to do with an investigation into alleged Israeli spies in Christchurch, and Slater sent the OIA in 2011?

    • Ffloyd 4.3

      Get a bucket and watch all of this video, it’s hilarious. Probably the saddest thing about it is that this is the person charged with the running of our country. So embarrassing. His nose isn’t going to last much longer if he keeps on with the lying. Every time he fibs he pulls it so hard it lengthens by at least three inches. You probably need to make sure your household insurance is up to date as you might get an overwhelming urge to throw something heavy at your t.v.

      • Tracey 4.3.1

        i thought he was looking haggard with big bags under his eyes before the book came out

    • dave 4.4

      i no the feeling iam just so angry at the moment stuff polls ,slater gate ,corruption ,these bastards are stealing our future wreaking our country every time i see John key on a hording i just want to destroy it ,labour has got some wonderful ideas to improve our lives , hagers book just proves how much the game is rigged. i want new government and new beginning not this corrupt shit we have know .

    • David H 4.5

      It’s not TricKeys face you should be watching it’s the Radio Live Journo and the Blonde Journo behind him. The look on their faces is priceless. They KNOW he’s lying, and they are obviously not allowed to call him on it. Tho’ the last question about the shine of Brand key said it all to me. Just jump to the last 90 secs of the video.

      But yes should have a take anti nausea medicine before watching, warning…

      • mickysavage 4.5.1

        I thought so to. The guy was getting really animated obviously because he could not believe what Key was saying. I bet his bosses are not too pleased …

  5. Papa Tuanuku 5

    Listen folks as Guyon turns the mike off when he disagrees with what she says. Is this the next story – media shutting supporters of Hager up?

    http://www.radionz.co.nz/audio/player/20145775

    • grumpystilskin 5.1

      Just under 6 minutes on morning report is good.
      Don’t forget live media run to a script, everything is timed to the second. There’s no conspiracy here, just they had another story scheduled after 6 mins.

    • BLiP 5.2

      Oh, I dunno. To me, it didn’t seem to be anything other than an interview going over time. The worrying aspect is Espinner’s membership of the “Political Hacks Who Got Shown Up By Nicky Hager Club”. All members appear to have been briefed at whatever brothel bar they gathered at on Wednesday night and are now united in their attempt to foist a false analogy onto the public. The idea that political parties openly tipping media off to potential stories of genuine public interest is the same as the National Ltd™ inner sanctum’s subterranean attempt to destroy critics with coordinated “hits”, complete with “plausable deniability”, are the same thing is disingenuous, at best.

    • Rodel 5.3

      Interesting in the interview how often Guyon’s voice becomes louder and Meteria’s voice becomes faint when she says things he doesn’t want to hear.
      Do they do that on radio with a a fader when the interviewer wants to voice over with his interruptions?
      If so it seems like trickery to me.

  6. disturbed 6

    BLiP, PT Some dirt on Key already self confessed.?

    What’s this about?

    What’s good for the goose is good for the gander too?

    http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/john-key-admits-keeping-dirt-file-labour-mps-5655555

    Add the dirt file John Key said he has.

    He will write a book with those details as “facts” of fiction as according to his latest vicious attack on Hagers book as fiction so will his be also regarded by MSM as fiction. NO.
    How about sending the reporter a challenge who covered Key’s expose’.

    Someone can do some shit on this double standards here please.

  7. Mr Mediaocrity 7

    LOL

    Community service for largest recorded snapper catch breach
    Published: 3:14PM Friday August 15, 2014 Source: ONE News

    Is this related to John Key?

    [lprent: I don’t know. You haven’t provided a link. I feel that stupidity may feature strongly in your genotype so I’d suggest you read the policy. ]

    • BLiP 7.1

      Is this related to John Key?

      Seems unlikely . . . but I can see why you are concerned. Its certainly fishy, alright.

  8. AmaKiwi 8

    If Hager cannot be disproven, Key will have plenty of time to write in jail.

    This is far worse than Watergate. As the threat of conviction moved higher and higher up the White House pecking order, fewer people were willing to fall on their swords to protect Nixon. The threat of prison time tends to get one’s attention.

    • David H 8.1

      If it looks that dodgy. Key will resign leave the NATS in disarray, and piss off back to Hawaii toot suite, where he can continue his attacks on NZ from the safety of the US. I hope the fall out is so bad that the Yanks extradite him, now that would be justice!

  9. Tracey 9

    I want you all to be calm as you read what i am about to write. It will shock many. So brace yourselves

    In the electorate of epsom today, on a smal public park ALL billboards were down except two,

    Both belonged to

    ACT

    I expect the outraged right have reported it to the police and demanded an investigatin into the targetted vandalism.

    • Isn’t that just typical of “the right”?

      They’re too scared to talk about the “issues that matter to New Zealanders” so they resort to “dirty politics”.

      John Key must feel very ashamed given he is part of “the right” 🙂

  10. Foreign waka 10

    Talking to the average people in average places with average expectations is sobering. Firstly, most people are not interested in politics and secondly, most will vote the same party as last time. Main reason is confusion and holding on to a “secure” choice. It is sad that Nzlanders in large numbers are completely ignorant of what a civic society is, let alone what it takes to be one. Due to that lack of knowledge the outcome of the election is pretty much predictable. Niki Hagers book will not change that. I am surprised however, that there isn’t an independent review under way already. But then again, cousis will not nark on their fellow cousis.

  11. disturbed 11

    Puuddlegum, Can we get Key to answer this way then??

    Reported last year 2013. Key admits to dirt file.

    http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/john-key-admits-keeping-dirt-file-labour-mps-5655555

    Why did the TV reporter not go and again question Key this year now this subject came up again?

    The dirt file John Key said he has in his office desk, was already there last year.

    Key was so (brash) — sorry for the pun), and here was the same man now saying national had nothing to do with it????

    Where did he get that file? Did he already have a file given him by his staffer, the file on Labour?.

    Key said he will write a book with those details as “facts” of fiction as according to his latest vicious attack on Hagers book as fiction so will his be also regarded by MSM as fiction.

    NO.

    How about sending the reporter a challenge who covered Key’s expose’. Someone can do some shit on this double standards here please.

    Hot off Prime tonight. Hager wants to release some files.

    • David H 11.1

      “How about sending the reporter a challenge who covered Key’s expose’. Someone can do some shit on this double standards here please.”

      Yeah right they are all too busy kissing TricKeys arse.

  12. Mr Mediaocrity 12

    LOL

    Iprent, Oi, lighten up: Your comment in square brackets

    [lprent: I don’t know. You haven’t provided a link. I feel that stupidity may feature strongly in your genotype so I’d suggest you read the policy. ]

    Hell Iprent, I was making a joke John Key goes on about snapper all the time, then the book dirty politics comes out, then this

    “Community service for largest recorded snapper catch breach
    Published: 3:14PM Friday August 15, 2014 Source: ONE News

    Is this related to John Key”

    Here is the link you wanted:
    http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/community-service-largest-recorded-snapper-catch-breach-6058151

    Love your humour though, genotype, awsome…. I dont have opposable thumbs but can still type.
    No its not related, but yeah in some way it is, just John and his crew are just a little bit fishy, thats all… nothing more to add.

  13. yeshe 13

    @LPrent .. on Prime tonight Sean Plunket asked ( more like accused) Grant Robertson that the Labour Party ran The Standard along the lines that National is accused of in Dirty Politics … you can probably find it on their website if you have Sky and they will let you find a replay.

    • David H 13.1

      Well Plonker is just another arse kissing Radio Live, TV3 jonolist, just like Garner, and Paddy (I make shit up) Gower. But I must admit the Radio Live jouno watching Keys 20 minute bullshit session did look more than a little sick

  14. Lloyd 14

    The difference between Whaleill and The Standard was clearly set out on National Radio this morning.

  15. KJS0ne 15

    Incredible. Looks like a lot of hard work went into documenting and sourcing 285 lies told by John Key. Colour me impressed as hell.

  16. Harry Holland 16

    So it’s a few days late and buried at the bottom of the page, but at least Stuff is talking about John Key’s lies in Tracy Watkins’ “Hager’s book raises legitimate questions”.

    “Key, for instance, claims Ede’s job is to brief journalists as much as bloggers. He may do, but of the six journalists in the Fairfax office, none has had a call from Ede in years.”

    Watkins however completely misrepresents Hager’s justification for using hacked emails. Also she says “There are people employed on the other side with equally murky positions.” If there are then you’d have to say they aren’t much good. It turns out to be a reference to an incident in 2008. That’s 6 years and 3 Labour leaders back.

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/10388172/Hagers-book-raises-legitimate-questions

    It’s not balanced, but we have been conditioned with such imbalance that even an article like this which has only moderate bias seems welcome.

    • geoff 16.1

      ….but we have been conditioned with such imbalance that even an article like this which has only moderate bias seems welcome.

      sad but true.

  17. Simon 17

    John Key clearly wanting to avoid looking into Collins’ actions. Question is why??

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HFivEa4E_po

  18. karol 18

    Evidence of a mis-truth that Key spoke in that TV3 stand up video, is about to be made public.

    The Labour Party is going to release correspondence from the National Party in 2011, that shows the National Party admitting one of there’s was involved in accessing Labour Party confidential material online.

    Speaking to media this afternoon Labour leader David Cunliffe said: “The Labour Party is today releasing correspondence from the National Party, dated 2011, which confirms that at least one of its staff were involved in infiltrating the Labour Party’s website.”

    Mr Cunliffe said he expected Prime Minister John Key to apologise to New Zealanders.

    “Mr Key has recently denied that, so we are providing the correspondence from the National Party, which takes responsibility for it.

    “I would now like to see an apology from the Prime Minister and an admission that he misled the public in the last 48 hours.”

    • Tracey 18.1

      moira coatsworth has released an email from the national party saying one of their people did access and take info.

  19. NZJester 19

    I’m just glad you limited the John Key list of lies to his most prominent ones in the media and did not include all his half truths and selective figure ones as well in that list. I don’t think I would have had time to read a post with a few thousand examples listed in it!

  20. Blake 20

    The liars, corporate/elitist bankster criminals and crooked politicians are being exposed worldwide and they have no where to hide. Clearly their suicide rates will go up. Poor little General Stephen Joyce, who is the real leader, as John Key is just the mouthpiece puppet, like Obama. The corporations run the governments and the lies keep flowing to defend the greed and cover up any ugly indiscretions. The poop is hitting the fan and now watch them scramble to kill the messengers, defend the jerks and lie about the rest of it. Too bad that more voters are not aware and driven out to vote so we can put these deadbeats out to pasture. They could care less about our quality of life or what is best for all New Zealanders and our environment, etc. Is all about PROFIT BEFORE PEOPLE for them. Upper 1% madness and greed. Thanks Nicky Hager for all your good work and efforts to help us again see the ugly side of politics.

  21. Blake 21

    Dream on if we think we are ever going to get a sincere and genuine apology for any of the lies that come out of John Keys mouth. He feels he is above it all and above us and just does not have the time or inclination to be ethical. How many asleep sheeple NZ voters does it take to vote him back in? Please wake up NZ. We deserve better than a leader like Stephen Joyce, ooops I mean John Key. Both are so arrogant and dismissive that it makes my blood boil sometimes.

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  • 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
    4 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
    4 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
    4 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
    4 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
    4 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
    5 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 ...
    5 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
    5 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
    5 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
  • There’s a name for this
    Every year, in the Budget, Parliament forks out money to government agencies to do certain things. And every year, as part of the annual review cycle, those agencies are meant to report on whether they have done the things Parliament gave them that money for. Agencies which consistently fail to ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    6 days ago
  • Echoes of 1968 in 2024?  Pocock on the repetitive problems of the New Left
    Mike Grimshaw writes – Recent events in American universities point to an underlying crisis of coherent thinking, an issue that increasingly affects the progressive left across the Western world. This of course is nothing new as anyone who can either remember or has read of the late ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago
  • Two bar blues
    The thing about life’s little victories is that they can be followed by a defeat.Reader Darryl told me on Monday night:Test again Dave. My “head cold” last week became COVID within 24 hours, and is still with me. I hear the new variants take a bit longer to show up ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    6 days ago
  • Bernard's Top 10 @ 10 'pick 'n' mix' for March 13
    TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read: Angus Deaton on rethinking his economics IMFLocal scoop: The people behind Tamarind, the firm that left a $500m cleanup bill for taxpayers at Taranaki’s Tui oil well, are back operating in Taranaki under a different company name. Jonathan ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago
  • AT Need To Lift Their Game
    Normally when we talk about accessing public transport it’s about improving how easy it is to get to, such as how easy is it to cross roads in a station/stop’s walking catchment, is it possible to cycle to safely, do bus connections work, or even if are there new routes/connections ...
    6 days ago
  • Christopher's Whopper.
    Politicians are not renowned for telling the truth. Some tell us things that are verifiably not true. They offer statements that omit critical pieces of information. Gloss over risks, preferring to offer the best case scenario.Some not truths are quite small, others amusing in their transparency. There are those repeated ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    6 days 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
    4 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
    6 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
    7 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
    20 hours 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
    5 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
    7 days 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
    1 week ago
  • 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
    1 week ago
  • Pacific Language Weeks celebrate regional unity
    This year’s Pacific Language Weeks celebrate regional unity and the contribution of Pacific communities to New Zealand culture, says Minister for Pacific Peoples Dr Shane Reti.  Dr Reti announced dates for the 2024 Pacific Language Weeks during a visit to the Pasifika festival in Auckland today and says there’s so ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

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