A trip down faulty memory lane
Written By:
- Date published:
8:45 pm, October 17th, 2012 - 69 comments
Categories: john key, Minister for Photo-ops, slippery -
Tags: GCSB, kim dotcom, lies
One of the fishy elements of the GCSB-Dotcom-Key saga (along with the literally unbelievable ineptitude of the GCSB, the timing of Key’s visit to the White House coinciding with the denial of Dotcom’s OIO application, time timing of the ministerial certificate when Key was again out of the country in the US, and the ‘oversight’ of Neazor) is Key’s suddenly very faulty memory. This is a guy who will quote you stock and exchange prices from 25 years ago but can’t remember basic facts in this major issue. Here’s a partial list of things Key can’t recall, isn’t sure about, or doesn’t know – just from his answers in the House and just the last 3 days he has answered questions.
- Whether staff from other Departments that he is minister of were involved in the Dotcom raid
Dotcom Case—Actions of Government Communications Security Bureau – 26 September 2012
David Shearer: Is he aware of any involvement by staff from the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, the SIS, or the National Assessments Bureau in the Dotcom case; if so, what involvement was that?
Rt Hon JOHN KEY: I am not sure about the latter two, the SIS and the National Assessments Bureau. The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet may have been advised. I do not know that—I would have to go and check that—but it is possible it would have known in that period when I was told on Monday the 17th.
- Whether he received advice from other Departments that he is minister of in relation to the Dotcom raid
Dotcom Case—Actions of Government Communications Security Bureau – 26 September 2012
David Shearer: Did he receive any advice from those agencies in the past 12 months in relation to the Kim Dotcom case?
Rt Hon JOHN KEY: Not in relation to this issue. I was informed of that only on 17 September. Whether there was earlier advice on extradition and other matters, I am not sure. I do not think so.
- When English told Key’s chief of staff about the Ministerial Certificate
Government Communications Security Bureau—Prime Ministerial Responsibility – 26 September 2012
Rt Hon Winston Peters: When was his chief of staff first informed about the Deputy Prime Minister signing a ministerial certificate on 16 August, which withheld information from the public regarding Government Communications Security Bureau operations in the Dotcom raid?
Rt Hon JOHN KEY: I do not exactly know, but to the best of my knowledge it was on Monday the 17th when I knew.
- That he had been told about the GCSB’s illegal involvement in the Dotcom raid on February
Dotcom Case—Government Communications Security Bureau Briefings – 16 October 2012
Rt Hon JOHN KEY: I seek leave to make a personal explanation to correct answers I gave to oral questions during the last sitting week.
Mr SPEAKER: Leave is sought for that purpose. Is there any objection? There is no objection.
Rt Hon JOHN KEY: A number of oral questions put to me and the Minister answering on my behalf in the House between 25 and 27 September were based on public statements by me that the first I knew of the Government Communications Security Bureau’s involvement in the Dotcom matter was on 17 September. That response was based on my recollection. It was shared by the director of the bureau.
A subsequent review of all material held by the bureau found that on 29 February I had viewed a presentation that was not related to the Dotcom file, during a visit to the bureau. I am advised that the talking points for the presentation included a short reference to the Dotcom arrest as an example of cooperation between the bureau and the police. The cover slide was a montage of 11 small images, one of which was of Dotcom. Neither the presentation nor the talking points were provided to me in hard copy. Neither the director of the bureau or I can recall the reference to the Dotcom matter during the visit, but I accept that it may well have been made.
I wish to make it clear that I was not briefed by the bureau on its role in the Dotcom matter, nor any issues of potential illegality, until Monday, 17 September. This information affects the answers to three specific supplementary questions during oral question No. 1 and oral question No. 10 on 26 September, and oral question No. 2 on 27 September, but I also accept that it did impact on the questions that were asked during the course of the week. My answers to questions were based on my recollection at the time and the view of the director. There was no intention to mislead the House.
- When GCSB worked out its actions were illegal
Dotcom Case—Actions of Government Communications Security Bureau – 16 October 2012
David Shearer: On what date did the Government Communications Security Bureau first become aware that its surveillance of Kim Dotcom was illegal?
Rt Hon JOHN KEY: The first day that I was briefed by the Government Communications Security Bureau about it being illegal was likely to be the 17th.
David Shearer: Point of order—
Mr SPEAKER: I think I can predict the Leader of the Opposition’s point of order. The member actually asked on what date the Government Communications Security Bureau became aware that its investigation may have been illegal, not the date on which the Prime Minister was advised of that.
Rt Hon JOHN KEY: I do not have that date to hand.
- Which two other ministers he discussed the GCSB’s illegal actions with, in addition to the Attorney-General
Dotcom Case—Actions of Government Communications Security Bureau – 16 October 2012
David Shearer: In light of his answer to written question No. 8353, where he confirmed that he discussed the Government Communications Security Bureau’s illegal surveillance of Dotcom with the Attorney-General but was unable to recall which other two Ministers he raised the issue with, can he now recall and tell the House who those other Ministers were?
Rt Hon JOHN KEY: No.
- The surname of his
driverpolice guard who went to work for Dotcom last year and, Peters says, told Key about it (is this the serving Police Officer who was working for Dotcom at the time of his arrest?)
Dotcom Case—Government Communications Security Bureau Staffing – 17 October 2012
Rt Hon Winston Peters: Is he saying as Minister that a member of the Prime Minister’s protection squad with a record of 15 years’ service to Prime Ministers, including himself, never told him as Prime Minister of his intention to leave the Diplomatic Protection Squad to go to work for Kim Dotcom?
Rt Hon JOHN KEY: The member is referring to a chap whose last name I do not know; his first name is Regan. He does not work for the Diplomatic Protection Squad; he works for—or he used to work for—VIP Transport Services in Auckland, and, no, I was not aware that he went to work for Kim Dotcom.
- Which other ministers he discussed the GCSB’s unlawful actions with in addition to the Attorney-General
Dotcom Case—Actions of Government Communications Security Bureau – 17 October 2012
David Shearer: Which of his ministerial colleagues, other than the Attorney-General, did he discuss the Government Communications Security Bureau’s unlawful surveillance of Mr Dotcom with prior to the bureau’s actions being made public?
Rt Hon JOHN KEY: I do not know the answer to those questions.
- Actually, he’s not quite sure the Attorney-General was there, either, he thinks so (bear in mind, this meeting was in the last month and is surely recorded in ministers’ diaries)
Dotcom Case—Actions of Government Communications Security Bureau – 17 October 2012
David Shearer: How, then, can he be sure he actually spoke to Ministers if he cannot actually recall who they were?
Rt Hon JOHN KEY: I remember having a discussion; I think it was with the Attorney-General. I am sure there were another couple of Ministers there, but I do not recall who they were.
- What he discussed with Simon Power in June 2011, although he’s sure it wasn’t Dotcom because he would have remembered for some reason, although he forgot that other time he was told about Dotcom
Dotcom Case—Actions of Government Communications Security Bureau – 17 October 2012
Rt Hon Winston Peters: How can the Prime Minister possibly give an assurance that that matter was not raised by the Hon Simon Power with him back in June 2011, as he just did, when in his formal writing to me in a written answer he said: “There is no record of what was discussed … and I have no recollection of the discussion.”? How can he reconcile those two statements: the one today and the written one in the House?
Rt Hon JOHN KEY: Quite easily because I do not recall the exact conversation of why Simon came to me on that particular occasion, but I know for a fact it was not about Kim Dotcom.
- The cost of a Bill that would help lift quarter of a million kids out of poverty if he would back it
Income Tax (Universalisation of In-work Tax Credit) Amendment Bill—Prime Minister’s Statements – 17 October 2012
Metiria Turei: Is the Prime Minister aware that my bill is an opportunity to lift 100,000 children out of poverty, but would have no effect at all on millionaires and the rich, who would remain ineligible for the in-work tax credit, just as they are now?
Rt Hon JOHN KEY: Yes, broadly I am aware of it, although I am also advised that if the in-work tax credit equivalent was paid to beneficiary families, it would cost more than $1.5 billion over 4 years. I do not know the financial costs of the member’s payment.
11 memory lapses in 3 question times. So, what do you think: does the Prime Minister have a serious memory problem that is impairing his ability to do his job, or is he lying to you?
Update: got to tip my hat to Te Reo Putake’s name for the PM: DunnoKeyo
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As the Hikoi against it swells into the tens of thousands, KCs call on National to kill off ACT’s divisive Treaty Principles Bill. Photo: Getty ImagesKia ora. Long stories short, here’s my top things to note in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, climate and poverty on Thursday, November 14: The ...1 week ago
- Release: Government should be transparent on live exports
Targeted consultation on reinstating live cattle exports by sea won’t allow the New Zealand public to have their say. ...4 hours ago - NZ’s global climate rankings plummet as Govt removes agriculture from ETS
The Government has passed legislation to remove agriculture from the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) while Aotearoa’s reputation on climate action plummets. ...19 hours ago - Failed boot camp experiment must end
As legislation to set up boot camps passed its first reading, the Green Party urged the Government to abandon this failed policy experiment for the good of our rangatahi. ...20 hours ago
- Gender-affirming care must centre evidence and health needs, not political posturing
The Ministry of Health has today released an evidence brief regarding the use of puberty blockers in gender-affirming healthcare, amid moves by the government to limit access. ...20 hours ago
- Release: National doesn’t care about manufacturing
The National Government is walking away from our manufacturing sector with constant reports of closures and job losses. ...22 hours ago
- Release: David Parker speech – Piketty, Inequality and Climate Change
David Parker's speech from the University of Auckland's forum on Piketty, Inequality and Climate Change in September 2024. ...22 hours ago
- Release: Youth mental wellbeing no longer a priority for Child Poverty Minister
Louise Upston has revealed her diminished vision for vulnerable youth against a backdrop of snubbed advice, scrapped priorities, shifted goal posts and thousands more children projected to fall into poverty. ...23 hours ago
- Release: National’s lack of climate action taking NZ backwards
National Government’s backward-looking climate policy has seen New Zealand fall seven places on the Climate Change Performance Index to 41 out of 63 countries measured. ...23 hours ago
- Release: Simple reason for drop in emergency housing
When the Government says it has reduced the number of people in emergency housing, what it means is it is stopping people from accessing it in the first place. ...1 day ago
- Govt’s child wellbeing strategy ‘shallow and shameful’
The Government is turning its back on children by not only weakening child poverty reduction targets, but also removing child mental wellbeing as a priority focus in their Child and Youth Wellbeing Strategy. ...1 day ago
- Release: A historic win for Samoan communities
Labour warmly welcomes the Restoring Samoan Citizenship Bill as it passes its third reading, before becoming law. ...1 day ago
- Government plan to reinstate live animal exports a “national disgrace”
The Government has taken a giant step backwards by reinstating live animal exports. ...2 days ago
- Pasifika justice as Member’s Bill passes final reading
Teanau Tuiono’s Member’s Bill, the Citizenship (Western Samoa Restoration) Amendment Bill, has passed its third reading and will become law. ...2 days ago
- Release: Minister of Education thinks New Zealand ends at the Bombay Hills
The Minister of Education has shown complete disregard for rural communities and their school bus routes in Question Time today. ...2 days ago
- Economists sound alarm on Government’s slash-and-burn approach
A group of prominent economists has released an open letter to the Government, raising grave concerns about the far-reaching consequences of its fiscal policy. ...2 days ago
- Release: Smoking numbers up under Costello’s watch
National’s repeal of Labour’s smokefree legislation has taken New Zealand further away from achieving a Smokefree 2025 and a smokefree generation. ...2 days ago
- Release: Call for Palestine recognition by NZ, Australian and Canadian MPs
Parliamentarians from Australia, Canada and New Zealand have written an open letter to their respective Prime Ministers calling on them to recognise Palestine. ...2 days ago
- Justice Select Committee opens floor for Treaty Principles submissions
Today, the Justice Select Committee has decided to officially open submissions for the controversial Treaty Principles Bill. ...3 days ago
- Power of the people on full display as hīkoi approaches Parliament
Today, Hīkoi mō te Tiriti arrived in Wellington, with thousands gathering to march in unity against the divisive Treaty Principles Bill. ...3 days ago
- Hypocrisy as Te Whatu Ora contractor bill balloons
Te Whatu Ora’s bill for contracting and consulting staff has ballooned by nearly 20 percent under the National Government, breaking a promise they made during the election campaign to cut contractors. ...4 days ago
- Release: Growing pressure to scrap Section 7AA Repeal Bill
The newly released Section 7AA Repeal Bill's select committee report is further evidence that the Government should scrap it. ...5 days ago
- Government’s move to monetise access to nature a slippery slope
The Green Party is voicing serious concerns over the Government’s proposal to charge for access to public conservation land, released today. ...1 week ago
- Green Party condemns the passage of Treaty Principles Bill
The Green Party condemns the passing of the Treaty Principles Bill at first reading, and is clear that the fight is not over. ...1 week ago
- Stand Up for Te Tiriti
Te Tiriti o Waitangi is our country’s founding document. It forms the basis of the relationship between Māori and the Crown – and the Aotearoa New Zealand we live in today. ...1 week ago
- Release: Over 15,000 sign Labour’s open letter to Luxon
As the hīkoi to Parliament continues, Labour has sent an open letter to Prime Minister Christopher Luxon in a last-ditch attempt to get him to kill the Treaty Principles Bill. ...1 week ago
- Fast Track Bill threatens environment, climate and reputation
The fast-track legislation passing its second reading in Parliament is another step towards environmental ruin. ...1 week ago
- Greens join King’s Counsel in calling for Treaty Principles Bill to be abandoned
The Prime Minister must answer the call from a group of senior lawyers of the King’s Counsel to abandon the divisive Treaty Principles Bill. ...1 week ago
- Chris Hipkins’ apology statement to state and faith-based care survivors
...1 week ago
- Release: Labour formally apologises to state and faith-based care survivors
Labour joins with the Government in unreservedly apologising for the abuse, neglect and trauma including torture in state and faith-based care and for ignoring the voices of survivors for too long. ...1 week ago
- Green Party stands in support of survivors of abuse in care
Today, the Green Party stands alongside the survivors of abuse in state care and faith-based care as the Government issues an historic apology. ...1 week ago
- Green Party calls for conscience vote on Treaty Principles Bill
The Green Party has written to the Speaker of the House requesting he enable a personal vote on the Treaty Principles Bill. ...2 weeks ago
- Govt move to exclude journalist risks chilling effect
The Green Party is alarmed by the Government’s move to exclude a journalist from covering this week’s apology for the survivors of abuse in state and faith-based care. ...2 weeks ago
- Without action, an apology will be empty air
For tomorrow’s apology to survivors of abuse in state and faith-based care to hold any water, the Government must not pursue the same policies that drove the abuse in the first place. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Concerns remain over tobacco interference
Concerns about the tobacco industry’s ability to interfere in government policy making remain, despite the inability of the Office of the Auditor-General to investigate the Government’s decision to halve the excise tax on heated tobacco products. ...2 weeks ago
- Urgent wake-up call on climate
The Climate Change Commission’s latest advice indicates Aotearoa needs to be stepping up on climate action. ...2 weeks ago
- Green MP’s Meme-ber’s Bill set to save the world
Break out the punchlines and dust off your meme folder: Green Party MP Kahurangi Carter’s Copyright (Parody and Satire) Amendment Bill was pulled from the Ballot yesterday. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Poroporoaki: Ta Robert (Bom) Gillies
Kua hinga te manawa kairākau o Te Rua Tekau Ma Waru Tiwhatiwha te po! Kakarauru i te po! Ka rapuhia kei hea koe kua riro! Haere e te Ika a Whiro ki o tini hoa kua ngaro atu ki te Pō ...2 weeks ago
- Labour, Greens and Te Pāti Māori call on the Prime Minister to block the Treaty Principles Bill
The opposition parties stand united for an Aotearoa that honours Te Tiriti, rather than seeking to rewrite it. Labour, the Greens and Te Pāti Māori are working together against the Government’s divisive Treaty Principles Bill. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Labour, Greens and Te Pāti Māori call on the Prime Minister to block the Treaty Principle...
The opposition parties stand united for an Aotearoa that honours Te Tiriti, rather than seeking to rewrite it. Labour, the Greens and Te Pāti Māori are working together against the Government’s divisive Treaty Principles Bill. ...2 weeks ago
- NZ must pursue independent foreign policy
The Green Party says the need is greater than ever for Aotearoa New Zealand to pursue an independent foreign policy. ...2 weeks ago
- Record number of submissions received on granny flat proposal
Nearly 2,000 submissions have been received on the Government’s proposals aimed at making it easier to build a granny flat of up to 60 square metres without a resource or building consent, RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk say. “This is the highest number ...54 minutes ago - District Court Judge appointed
Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Rebecca Guthrie as a District Court Judge. Judge Guthrie was admitted to the bar in 1997 following her graduation from the University of Canterbury in 1996 (LLB, BA). She commenced her legal career in Hastings in 1997 before moving to London in ...1 hour ago
- Appointments strengthen Predator Free 2050
The latest Predator Free 2050 Board appointments will help to strengthen biodiversity efforts across Aotearoa New Zealand, Conservation Minister Tama Potaka says. Mr Potaka today announced two appointments to the Board of Directors of Predator Free 2050 Limited, a key player in the wider Predator Free 2050 Programme. “The Predator ...3 hours ago
- New facility in Christchurch will improve the lives of young New Zealanders
Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey today opened Kahurangi, an innovative and much-needed facility for Canterbury’s Child, Adolescent, and Family Mental Health Services. “The new state of the art outpatient facility opened today will be a gamechanger for the way mental health is delivered for young people in Canterbury,” says Mr ...3 hours ago
- Driver safety screens to be installed on Auckland buses
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed news from the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) that bus driver protection screens will be installed across Auckland’s bus fleet by 2026.“The Government is committed to improving the safety of working environments for bus drivers, and Budget 2024 allocated $15 million of Crown funding over ...3 hours ago
- Government action provides Southland farmers more time to meet plan requirements
The Government is taking action to ensure Southland farmers and growers are not affected by unreasonable regional farm plan deadlines, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay, Environment Minister Penny Simmonds and Associate Environment Minister Andrew Hoggard say.“Cabinet has agreed to provide more time for farmers and growers to comply with regional rules ...20 hours ago
- Bill reaffirms Government’s commitment to crack down on serious youth offending
The Oranga Tamariki (Responding to Serious Youth Offending) Bill had its first reading at Parliament today. The Bill reaffirms the Government’s commitment to crack down on serious youth offending, Minister for Children Karen Chhour says. “In recent years we have seen an unacceptable spike in youth offending. “This Bill makes ...20 hours ago
- Critical milestones for earthquake buildings review
Fairer, more sensible rules about managing earthquake risks are a step closer with the passing of legislation and the appointment of an independent chair to provide expert advice, Minister for Building and Construction Chris Penk says. “The Government is committed to reinvigorating our cities and regions to support economic growth, ...21 hours ago
- State of the art radiology machine for Auckland
People in Northland and Auckland will benefit from a new machine for cancer treatment installed at the Regional Cancer and Blood Service at Auckland City Hospital. The MV5 linear accelerator, or LINAC machine, officially opened today targets cancer tumours with pinpoint accuracy. Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says this new, ...21 hours ago
- Foreign Minister to visit Europe
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Winston Peters will travel to Europe for high-level talks with France, Germany and the United Kingdom next week. "Since taking office almost a year ago, the Coalition Government has emphasised the importance we place on New Zealand's traditional and likeminded diplomatic and ...22 hours ago
- First arrests made under gang patch ban
Police have made their first arrests under the new gang patch legislation, with two gang members arrested, says Police Minister Mark Mitchell. “Just before 11 this morning, Police in Wairoa apprehended a gang member for wearing a patch to the supermarket. He has been arrested and will now face enforcement ...23 hours ago
- Better support for victims of sexual violence
The Government is proposing two major changes to name suppression laws that will put the views of victims of sexual violence first, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says. “We are committed to restoring law and order and these two proposed changes will help ensure the victims of crime are put at ...24 hours ago
- Government moving forward with Regional Deals
Cabinet has agreed to invite all regions to submit proposals for Regional Deals between central and local government that drive economic growth and deliver the infrastructure our country needs, Local Government Minister Simeon Brown and Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop say. Inviting all regions to propose a Regional Deal that boosts ...1 day ago
- MSA pilot participant update
One of the ten young men selected to participate in the Military-Style Academy Pilot has allegedly reoffended. Children’s Minister Karen Chhour is disappointed but says it would be naïve to think that none of these young men would reoffend. “I’m saddened that this young person has not taken this opportunity ...1 day ago
- Fighting for Kiwis in Trade
Delivered at Auckland Trade and Economic Policy School Good morning and thank you Deputy Vice Chancellor Lithander for your warm welcome and for inviting me to open Auckland Trade and Economic Policy School today. A Special thanks to the University of Auckland, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and ...1 day ago
- Attendance rates increase, again
Associate Education Minister David Seymour says that school attendance is continuing to rise. In Term 3 of 2024 51.3 per cent of students attended school regularly, an increase of 5.3 percentage points from 46 per cent in Term 3 of 2023. “This Government has prioritised student attendance and it is ...1 day ago
- Improving the lives of young New Zealanders
Ensuring New Zealand is the best place in the world for children and young people is the vision at the heart of the Government’s new Child and Youth Strategy, Child Poverty Reduction Minister Louise Upston says. “Childhood represents a huge opportunity to set people on a positive path towards living ...1 day ago
- Government continues work to reinstate livestock exports by sea
The Government is reinstating the trade of livestock exports by sea while ensuring the highest standards of animal welfare, says Associate Minister of Agriculture Andrew Hoggard.“The Government will introduce legislation changes to reinstate the trade, enhance oversight, and strengthen requirements for exporters to identify risks and manage the welfare of ...2 days ago
- Speech to the National Quality Forum 2024
Tēnā koutou katoa – it is a pleasure to be here today. I would like to begin by acknowledging the important leadership role you all play in ensuring a quality health system New Zealanders can trust. There is enormous clinical expertise in this room covering a wide range of disciplines. ...2 days ago
- New Zealand’s COP29 National Statement
Tēnā koutou katoa. Mr President, Excellencies, Delegates. New Zealand, and all nations represented here today, are already dealing with the impacts of climate change. Our households, businesses, and economies are bearing the costs of its effects. The choices we make now will shape the severity of these impacts for generations ...2 days ago
- Latest Quarterly Investment Report released
The Government has released its second Quarterly Investment Report (QIR) which shows substantial work still to be done by agencies to improve investment reporting and meet the Government’s expectations, Infrastructure and Acting Finance Minister Chris Bishop says. “New Zealand has significant infrastructure and investment needs. The Government is determined to get ...2 days ago
- New Zealand supporting loss and damage fund
Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced New Zealand will contribute NZ$10 million to the new Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage while at the annual United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan. “New Zealand is joining the global effort to address the significant challenge of responding to ...2 days ago
- Gang crackdown begins at stroke of midnight
The free ride for gangs is over when the clock strikes midnight tonight, with tough new laws officially coming into effect, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith and Police Minister Mark Mitchell say. “Gang patches will no longer be able to be worn in public. To earn the right to wear a ...2 days ago
- LGFA increases borrowing capacity to support high growth councils
The Government is welcoming the decision by the Local Government Funding Agency to increase access to financing tools for fast growing councils to support greater investment in critical infrastructure, Local Government Minister Simeon Brown says.“Communities across the country are facing an infrastructure deficit and significant population growth is projected in ...2 days ago
- Temporary Traffic Management costs revealed
The Government has revealed that over the past three years, the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) has spent an eyewatering $786 million of taxpayers’ money on road cones and temporary traffic management (TTM), Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.“When I became Minister, I was surprised to learn that that NZTA did ...2 days ago
- Jurisdiction of Disputes Tribunal to double
Legislation that will double the financial jurisdiction of the Disputes Tribunal from $30,000 to $60,000 has passed first reading in Parliament today, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith. “We need to improve court timeliness and access to justice so that Kiwis and get on with their lives. Court delays affect everyone, the ...3 days ago
- Protecting New Zealand from foreign interference
Legislation that will specifically criminalise foreign interference and strengthen espionage offences has passed first reading in Parliament today, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says. “It is normal and appropriate for states to interact and work to influence one another. This encourages cooperation and can have mutually beneficial outcomes. “However, the reality ...3 days ago
- Significant milestone for Canterbury Road of National Significance
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed news that the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) Board has approved funding towards pre-implementation and early works on the State Highway 1 (SH1) Belfast to Pegasus Motorway and Woodend Bypass Road of National Significance (RoNS). “Reaching this significant milestone is a reflection of our Government’s ...3 days ago
- Health survey results to help drive change
Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says findings from the annual Health Survey highlight the need to continue driving better health outcomes for New Zealanders. The New Zealand Health Survey is an annual snapshot of key metrics measured from July 2023 – July 2024. Findings released this morning include: In 2023/24, ...3 days ago
- Final push needed to get to Smokefree 2025
A renewed effort to get people to quit smoking will build on what has worked to date and target the groups who most need support, Associate Health Minister Casey Costello said today. “The latest New Zealand Health Survey results show the daily smoking rate at 6.9 per cent and we ...3 days ago
- New diplomatic appointments
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has announced four new diplomatic appointments. “Our diplomats play an important role in ensuring New Zealand’s interests are maintained and enhanced across the world,” Mr Peters says. “It is a pleasure to announce the appointment of these senior diplomats from the Ministry of Foreign ...3 days ago
- Next steps for Regulatory Standards Bill
Regulation Minister David Seymour has today announced the next steps in the Government’s plan improve the quality of regulation by opening consultation on a proposed Regulatory Standards Bill. “New Zealand's low wages can be blamed on low productivity, and low productivity can be blamed on poor regulation,” says Mr Seymour. ...3 days ago
- Red Tape Tipline goes live
Minister for Regulation David Seymour has today announced that the Ministry for Regulation’s Red Tape Tipline is now live. “We want to hear about your red tape horror stories. From today, New Zealanders will have a say on how they are regulated through an online portal,” says Mr Seymour. The ...3 days ago
- Youth Parliament 2025 announced
The Minister for Youth Matt Doocey has today announced the eleventh Youth Parliament will be taking place in 2025. “Youth Parliament offers a unique youth development opportunity to young people from across New Zealand to experience the political process and learn about how government works,” says Mr Doocey. “The two-day ...4 days ago
- Police stats show promising change
After nearly a year in Government, Kiwis have seen significant change across law and order with promising early results shown across some Police statistics, says Police Minister Mark Mitchell. “In August 2023, I told New Zealanders that if they had not started to see a change in public safety within ...4 days ago
- Better coordination of anti-scam efforts
With the launch of Fraud Awareness Week, the Government is committing to new coordination efforts across industry and government to combat online scams, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly says. “Online financial scams are a growing problem for New Zealand. New data released today shows that Kiwis lost nearly ...4 days ago
- Minister to consider 7AA select committee report
Minister for Children Karen Chhour will consider the recommendations made by the Social Services and Community Committee in its report back to Parliament on the Oranga Tamariki (Repeal of Section 7AA) Amendment Bill. “I want to thank the people who made submissions and those who appeared before the committee in ...4 days ago
- Defence Minister to attend ASEAN meeting
Defence Minister Judith Collins will this week attend the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus in Vientiane, Laos. “We need to take every opportunity to engage with our international partners, given the increasingly unstable geo-political situation,” Ms Collins says. “New Zealand has a long-standing commitment to this ...4 days ago
- Launching the White Ribbon Ride
The Minister for the Prevention of Family and Sexual Violence, Karen Chhour, was on hand to wish riders well at the start of the North Island leg of the White Ribbon Ride in Whakatāne this morning. The ride helps mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, ...5 days ago
- Construction to begin on next stage of Papakura to Drury
Construction on the next stage of the SH1 Papakura to Drury project will begin early next month, with the contract for works awarded to Fulton Hogan, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. "SH1 Papakura to Drury is a key project that will drive economic growth and productivity, reduce congestion, and enable people ...6 days ago
- Gang patch ban: The first 24 hours
The first arrest was made just three minutes after midnight, with 11 more to come. ...1 hour ago - New Zealand Government Urged To Back ICC Arrest Warrants For Israeli Leaders Without Equivocation
“We are waiting for our government to announce it will arrest Netanyahu and Gallant immediately if they set foot in Aotearoa New Zealand” says PSNA National Chair John Minto. ...1 hour ago - Justice Committee Makes Further Decisions About Submissions Process For The Principles Of The Treaty...
The committee plans to hold hearings in the week starting Monday, 27 January and the weeks starting 10, 17 and 24 February 2025. ...2 hours ago
- Watch live: Christopher Luxon faces questions during power station visit
It comes as Labour accuses National of not listening to evidence about boot camps. ...2 hours ago
- Survivors of abuse in care know how redress should work – will the government finally listen?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Stephen Winter, Associate Professor in Political Theory, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau Getty Images When Prime Minister Christopher Luxon stood in Parliament last week to apologise to survivors of abuse in care, his words were among many fine speeches by ...2 hours ago - Review: The Day of the Jackal is a riveting and ridiculous ride
Eddie Redmayne’s globe-trotting assassin thriller on TVNZ is worth putting your phone down for. This is an excerpt from our weekly pop culture newsletter Rec Room. Sign up here. This is a vulnerable thing to say as someone who often writes about television for a job, but boy am I really ...2 hours ago - RNA editing is the next frontier in gene therapy – here’s what you need to know
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Flora Hui, Research Fellow, Centre for Eye Research Australia and Honorary Fellow, Department of Surgery (Ophthalmology), The University of Melbourne IoanaB/Shutterstock The United States Food and Drug Administration has just approved the first-ever clinical trial that uses CRISPR-Cas13 RNA editing. Its ...4 hours ago
- Yes, you still need to use sunscreen, despite what you’ve heard on TikTok
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Katie Lee, PhD Candidate, Dermatology Research Centre, The University of Queensland Karolina Grabowska/Pexels Summer is nearly here. But rather than getting out the sunscreen, some TikTokers are urging followers to chuck it out and go sunscreen-free. They claim it’s healthier ...4 hours ago
- Humans are killing off the old and wise animals that hold nature together. Here’s what must change
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Keller Kopf, Senior Lecturer in Ecology, Charles Darwin University Laxmikant Ameenagad, Shutterstock In humans and other animals, ageing is generally associated with a decline in biological function. But scientists are now discovering older animals perform vital roles in populations and ecosystems. ...4 hours ago
- A man scouring Google Earth found a mysterious scar in the Australian outback – and now scientists...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Matej Lipar, Adjunct Research Fellow, School of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Curtin University Author provided/Google Earth Earlier this year, a caver was poring over satellite images of the Nullarbor Plain when he came across something unexpected: an enormous, mysterious scar etched ...4 hours ago
- Design as a movement: how First Nations people take ownership of their cultural stories through fash...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Treena Clark, Chancellor’s Indigenous Research Fellow, Faculty of Design, Architecture and Building, University of Technology Sydney Once located 250 metres to the east of the Art Gallery of South Australia, the grand beaux-arts style Jubilee Exhibition Building was constructed to house the ...4 hours ago
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The Association of Salaried Medical Specialists says a third medical school and more students in Auckland and Otago are both needed. ...4 hours ago
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Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Annette Greenhow, Assistant Professor, Faculty of Law, Bond University Linda George/Shutterstock The ten-year anniversary of the death of much-loved Australian cricketer Phillip Hughes falls on November 27. The 25-year-old’s life was tragically cut short in 2014 when a bouncer ...4 hours ago
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Treasury likely to downgrade economic forecast while Chris Bishop says the government won’t be ‘a slave to a surplus’, writes Anna Rawhiti-Connell in this extract from The Bulletin. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign up here. Recession will be deeper and last longer — Treasury At a recent Spinoff ...5 hours ago
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Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Stephanie Gomes-Ng, Senior Lecturer of Psychology, Auckland University of Technology Getty Images Former New Zealand prime minister John Key has three white rabbits painted on his helicopter, a nod to his “massively superstitious” habit of repeating “white rabbits” three times at ...6 hours ago
- Government slammed for pushing ahead with boot camps while trial still under way
The coalition has "absolutely no intention of listening to the evidence that comes out of their experiment", Labour MP says. ...7 hours ago
- Smoke and mirrors in heated tobacco debate
Labour claims Government is ‘cherry-picking’ smoking trends data to hide decade-first increase in daily smokers The post Smoke and mirrors in heated tobacco debate appeared first on Newsroom. ...7 hours ago - Smoke and mirrors in tobacco debate
Labour claims Government is ‘cherry-picking’ smoking trends data to hide decade-first increase in daily smokers The post Smoke and mirrors in tobacco debate appeared first on Newsroom. ...7 hours ago
- Treasury bangs the drum on ‘unsustainable’ superannuation
The Government’s economic adviser is sending a message it doesn’t want to hear – superannuation is increasingly unaffordable The post Treasury bangs the drum on ‘unsustainable’ superannuation appeared first on Newsroom. ...7 hours ago
- Victims of sex offending welcome shift on name suppression laws
A man abused by a former political figure is "immensely relieved" at a government proposal to end secrecy around sex offenders' identities. ...7 hours ago
- This week three parties stood together – can they withstand the storm to come?
There is plenty yet to play out, but the next election is at this rate shaping up as trio versus trio, writes Toby Manhire. A subplot of this week’s historic hīkoi mō te Tiriti has been the sight of the three opposition parties presenting a unified front. Te Pāti Māori ...8 hours ago
- All 33 malls in Auckland ranked from worst to best
From the low lows of abandon empires to the high highs of a mall done just right. This is the second in the Malls of New Zealand series, where we rank the malls in major centres. Next week: Wellington. A note from the editor: This is the hardest ranking we’ve ...8 hours ago
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As part of our series exploring how New Zealanders live and our relationship with money, a 27-year-old apartment-dwelling marketing exec explains her approach to spending and saving. Want to be part of The Cost of Being? Fill out the questionnaire here. Gender: Female. Age: 27. Ethnicity: Pākehā. Role: Marketing exec at ...8 hours ago
- This week’s bestselling books – November 22
FICTION1 Kāwai: Tree of Nourishment by Monty Soutar (David Bateman, $39.99)Sample dialogue, all from one chapter:“That can’t be,” replied Taona doubtfully.“You were right. The pā is unnervingly quiet,” Taona murmured.“The Hākuwai,” Motukia breathed. “Our grandfathers told us they rarely saw the Hākuwai in daylight,” Motukia muttered.“Their fight would have been futile ...8 hours ago
- Burma the flying elephant
After about two and a half years of planning and waiting, New Zealand’s last elephant has moved to her new home at Monarto Safari Park in South Australia.Burma and her “human herd”, that is, her keepers, arrived last week, and she’s settling in well, according to Auckland Zoo’s Andrew Coers.“Something ...8 hours ago
- NZ’s membership of Beyond Oil and Gas Alliance in jeopardy
Senior ministers in the coalition suggested NZ’s membership will be re-evaluated if it restarts offshore oil and gas drilling The post NZ’s membership of Beyond Oil and Gas Alliance in jeopardy appeared first on Newsroom. ...8 hours ago
- Raw Politics: Six months in a leaky Bill
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon did not meet the Treaty Principles Bill hikoi crowd, sees “nothing” of merit in the Act-proposed law but the Parliament his Government dominates will spend six months debating a “divisive” measure.That’s because he has accepted there needs to be “aeration” of people’s views on the Treaty, ...8 hours ago
- Taken to the brink, Govt is now close to selling big Whakapapa ski field
Bidder Whakapapa Holdings walked away from the sales process last year, but says it’s now ‘95% there’ on a purchase agreement – so who blinked first? The post Taken to the brink, Govt is now close to selling big Whakapapa ski field appeared first on Newsroom. ...8 hours ago
- Newsroom daily quiz, Friday 22 November
Loading…(function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){var ql=document.querySelectorAll('A[data-quiz],DIV[data-quiz]'); if(ql){if(ql.length){for(var k=0;k<ql.length;k++){ql[k].id='quiz-embed-'+k;ql[k].href="javascript:var i=document.getElementById('quiz-embed-"+k+"');try{qz.startQuiz(i)}catch(e){i.start=1;i.style.cursor='wait';i.style.opacity='0.5'};void(0);"}}};i['QP']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){(i[r].q=i[r].q||[]).push(arguments)},i[r].l=1*new Date();a=s.createElement(o),m=s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];a.async=1;a.src=g;m.parentNode.insertBefore(a,m)})(window,document,'script','https://take.quiz-maker.com/3012/CDN/quiz-embed-v1.js','qp');Got a good quiz question? Send Newsroom your questions.The post Newsroom daily quiz, Friday 22 November appeared first on Newsroom. ...8 hours ago
- Daily crossword, Friday 22 November
The post Daily crossword, Friday 22 November appeared first on Newsroom. ...8 hours ago
- China likely to strengthen regional relationships in response to another Trump term
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I guess the #JohnDotBanks disease is contagious.
And Key has caught it big-time.
I think we have a case of the ‘rat brain’ taking over of Keys memory functions from the normal ‘reasoning brain’. Doesnt sound like the same person who rose to the top of his profession, in a highly competitive and intellectually demanding role in the heart of Wall St.
DunnoKeyo is my word of the day. Feel free to use it liberally, Standardistas.
Cute!
Don Key becomes DunnoKeyo. Very nice.
Cheers, r0b, Cv and eddie. I’m hoping Dunnokeyo sticks, it nicely combines both his supposed memory loss and his actual lies. A chocolate fish to the first MP to use it in question time!
just slipped it quietly onto on a friend’s wall (a Nat fan) and got one hellofalot of nasty noise back for doing so before it got firmly deleted so I guess it works a treat! Yay you!
Noice, Te – was playing round with Keynesian Misfit for the arty set but….nah, Dunnokeyo rocks.
Fabulous!
Beats Shonkey Johnkey and Key John Il hands down. 🙂
Then we had better sprinkle this word liberally amongst the general population in the hope that is sticks in the minds of a few.
HAHAHA I just Googled it
https://www.google.co.nz/search?q=DunnoKeyo&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a
It’s like a mudslide, once it’s started…
Fantastic, David, so this is how meme’s start, eh? Great that Ianmac has used it on Red Alert, the offer of a choccy fish still stands for any MP’s who want to pick it up!
DunnoKeyo is perfect Te Reo! Hat off to you. Have put the pic with the name on Facebook.
Hahaha
That is brilliant Te Reo.
Everyone should use it here and hopefully the MSM cottons on to it and starts referring to him as that as well.
He is becoming a comedy act. The whole country is laughing
Reminded me of this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rd1rXB0rGiE
In fact, I think Key is using some direct quotes.
Hahaha The Puppet/Muppet
It’s quite simple, he’s a liar.
he doesnt remember how he voted on the drinking age either. perhaps he and banks can get a discount on a brain scan
It is very obvious isn’t it some people call it porkies
Winston referred to it as lying on National Radio today!
And Winston said it on the news last night – ‘He’s a liar and he can sue me if he wants’ (paraphrasing).
Interesting he’s the only one to really call him out!
Keep up the good work guys. Hours banging away and getting nowhere. You are almost close to nailing John Key. Please keep up the posts.
the epmu and the opposition parties just had anAWESOME jobs summit, the public are responding to the jobs issue, the education issues, the issues around the fuck up at MSD, and all labour want to do is try and score some minor points on an issue no one cares about. They can’t even do it right but have vested so much in this outcome that cheerleaders like eddie are ordered to keep waving the flag, even if it has become a stone round their necks.
[lprent: I think that I or mike might be able to order Eddie to do something if it involved the good of the site like litigation. I don’t think anyone else could. And we don’t do it for editorial direction.
And you are banned for two weeks. Reread the self-martyrdom offenses in the policy. ]
TR shows clearly his intelligence when he describes a flag as being a stone!
[lprent: I think he showed it when he attacked an author not for what they had said but for something that is his pure speculation about the motivations of an author. He was just damn lucky I saw it after breakfast and couldn’t be bothered seeing if he’d been banned or warned about it before.
If I’d seen it right now then he could have gotten 2 months. I’m much more cranky, have a better memory, and am more assiduous after programming for while. ]
Keep up the transferrance young fisssi……(or is that hissy)…You must have spent YEARS banging away for no more reward than to be publicly humiliated, and exposed as an ignoramus….
Any day now, you will have nailed the title of “most incurable sociopathic tory dittohead” … And believe me, the competition for that particular gong is intense….There are a LOT of tory meatheads around trying to pretend they know things….
Indeed, if they start checking all the “Tabled” documents, they should be able to slaughter JK on anything.
He’s always done this, for some reason it’s only starting to be “apparent” mainstream, although some media/journalists/reporters have highlighted it for some time.
QA/Accountability is the real problem.
I enjoyed Gerry Brownlee’s unusually astute comments in yesterday’s urgent debate:
I was rather amused, astounded-yet relieved-that he would take a moment to be so frank in reference to his Dear Leader and Co…disappointing that he felt the need to add: “… and I speak about Ministers from other Governments in the past.”
I guess this was to be expected in order to keep up [delusional] appearances, although I like to think that the first part of his comment really must have been his inner truth-speaker coming out uncontrollably for a few moments…
That he felt the need to add a qualifier is telling enough.
+1
Another very recent Brain Fade for DunnoKeyo reported on Red Alert.
Key said on TV3 that he voted for 20 Drinking Age.
He must have forgotten that he voted for the 18 option.
http://blog.labour.org.nz/2012/10/17/another-john-key-brain-fade/#comments
.
Wait a minute…
“The surname of his driver who went to work for Dotcom last year and, Peters says, told Key about it”
Watch the video: http://inthehouse.co.nz/node/15538
Key never said the “VIP Transport Service”. He said “VIPs in Auckland”. I thought he was referring to the VIP Protection Squad – see: http://www.policeassn.org.nz/newsroom/publications/featured-articles/-day-life-diplomatic-protection-service
Bear in mind that a ‘serving police officer’, said to have served with the DPS, was working for Dotcom’s security team at the time of the raid: http://www.smh.com.au/technology/technology-news/dotcom-in-prang-as-over-the-top-raid-scrutinised-20120810-23y6k.html
There has to be something more to this story. For a start, why would the NZ Police be providing Dotcom with personal protection? And second of all, how did Key know the person Peters was referring to? This just gets murkier.
Its called moonlighting, cops especially do it all the time
Simon Powers resignation came at an unusual time in the electoral cycle. It is very convenient for Key that it was Power who prevented Dotcom from buying the Coatsville property, and it is possible Powers was more involved in the Dotcom case than we currently know.
Interestingly one of Keys first responses to questions about What Powers knew was ” I dunno, and he’s gone now”…………..(Campbell Live)
Good thinking. Would DotCom have bought his way into NZ, against Simon Power’s objections, and then the US pressure would have come on?
This case is all about money, and political influence at the highest level, via Banks and Key. DotCom got legal residence and been law abiding. His legal problems are with the US. The NZ illegal surveillance is just that – illegal. And DotCom has the money to hire serious lawyers. He can’t be intimidated like Bennett’s Bennies.
Hard to believe that Key would not have been involved in this case, possibly right from DotCom’s arrival onwards. People like him do not arrive in NZ every day.
And people like DotCom, arriving in spectacular fashion right in your electorate, and raising a ruckus with the locals and the FBI – to be ‘unaware’ of this is truly unbelievable.
A carefully crafted scenario of ‘plausible deniability’ for Key is falling apart.
The next chapter will be what ‘Agent CX’ has to say. Presumably the Official Secrets Act does not apply to acts of illegality in NZ?
Certainly a space to watch.
Power left way to early and also look where he ended up Westpac. Well bugger me fancy that. Simon Power a junior lawyer that became a MP and Cabinet minister ends up with a high flying job in Finance? How convenient!
John Campbell also said all enquiries to John Keys Helensville office reagarding anything to do with Dotcom was referred to Simon Power (before the bust). So Powers was def involved in the loop(s).
Its also incredible John Key can get away with not remembering who the other 2 ministers were that he talked to with Chris Finlayson.
I thought Key would go with the BMW lies, seems a long time ago now…
In Key speak, “I dunno”, has a different meaning to “I don’t know”. The latter is statement of fact. The former an arrogantly dismissive, I have decided not to tell you what I know.
Look at the body language when he says it. The shoulder shrug, the dismissive glance away.
I am lying and I don’t care if you know it.
I think the Prime Minister has things that he knows privately that he doesn’t know officially – it’s all about wiggle room.
Thus “I dunno” translates as “The Prime Minister has received no official advice on this matter.”
What he’s forgetting to do is advise himself.
He’s going to say anything rather than give open and honest answers to these questions. The answers must be pretty bad.
Either that or the rumours he wants out and has been refused permission are true, so he’s deliberately doing the worst job he possibly can in the hope they’ll sack him.
PS: I see old Harry Palfrey’s been put out to pasture.
Yes I’ve been thinking this lately too. He’s riding on the idea that as the prime minister he doesn’t necessarily know about all the things that John Key knows about.
Robertson’s next question time: Does the Prime Minister have any confidence in the competence of John Key?
Key does not care a damn who knows that he is always lying. The only thing that matters is that the constant lying seems to be working so well for him. His supporters ethical values do not embrace the sin of lying.
Key has an agenda, it is being pushed through – in fact most of the his plans are already completed if we look back – so he couldn’t care less what anyone thinks.
He just sips in another breath, shrugs his shoulders and slithers away. No one has really laid a glove on the man – and it won’t until after he’s gone and there is an enquiry that will take 3 years to complete (ala Blair).
Seriously, Key will complete this term and disappear to a top job at a bank somewhere – he couldn’t give a toss. Perhaps he will end up in the US (if civil war hasn’t broken out).
My first thought when I read about Key not trying any more was “whatever reward he was expecting, he got it while overseas, and doesn’t have to maintain the facade”. I think he got US Citizenship. (no proof or evidence at all to back that up, by the way). I can’t think what else his US masters could do for him?
I also think he’d be gone by lunchtime, but he needs to cover up the Dotcom thing or his knighthood might be in danger.
There seem to be two direct and well documented challenges this week to government credibility.
1. Bennett’s statement to parliament that she had not released any personal data on beneficiaries, when the Privacy Commissioner found that she had.
2. Peters’ accusation of Key’s lying, on the TV news last evening. Breathtaking stuff.
Difficult to see how these can be avoided. And if they can’t be refuted, what then?
It is not often in NZ that there are (serious) calls for the government to resign. Perhaps the time has come.
Maybe someone can supply chapter, verse and the links for the above?
Get it right. Paula Bennett was accused in parliament of leaking information. She did NOT leak it, She was quite upfront about correcting a the wrong impression given by the media.
The terminology in the question was “release”, not “leak”.
She answered that she didn’t “leak”, which to an idiot sounds like she answered the question.
She did that because she’s a deceptive person. And you fell for it because you’re an easily deceived person.
Wow, it’s like you think we’re foolish for not being as stupid as you are.
Re the GCSB Camera in the cafe- cameras these days are computers- with internal memory
1. Has it been confirmed the there was a camera present?
2. Is the location of the camera right now known?
3. If so it may be possible to look at the internal (non removable)memory of the camera to look at the log and see when it was recording- not this would mean that someone had set the clock correctly on the camera in the first place-
So if the camera exists and if the camera’s clock had been set when they got it then the camera could be easily analysed to see when it was used- i.e. when it was recording.- even if the clock is wrong it would still be able to be determined when it was recording
Ok some big ifs in there. Maybe worth getting it checked out by an expert
The National government has one Minister with onset Alzheimers and a Prime Minister with brain fade….
One would think both medical conditions would rule them out for being the offical carers of a country of four and a half million souls in the year of 2012.
What is going to be the future of our country, souless leaders will create a souless nation- perhaps a souless nation is easier to control and that’s the plan.
It’s broken, souless people who are easiest to control.
That’s why they smash away at employment and housing security, smash away at education and training prospects, smash away at the job market and at wage levels, smash away at peoples’ sense of self worth and self confidence.
After todays revelations I’m gonna soberly finish up here Viper.
Thanks
(beware entrapment in the net)
🙂
The Prime Minister has today apologised for misleading the public after comments in a 3 News story last night on the drinking age.
Read more: http://www.3news.co.nz/Key-apologises-for-drinking-age-brain-fade/tabid/1607/articleID/273258/Default.aspx#ixzz29dF0odyF
At least Key is learning to take ownership of when he is made aware that on a few occasions he gets it wrong/caught out
Makes you wonder about this.
http://auckland.scoop.co.nz/2012/08/national-mp-admits-about-alcohol-industry/
“Following the purchase age debate last night, expect a government charm offensive to begin, aimed at convincing everyone that the government remains serious about alcohol-related harm and the urgent need for reform.”
Or as in the S59 petition the question that was asked in parliament was ambiguous and many politicians were thinking that they voted one way (increasing the drinking age) and in fact were voting against their intentions (status quo)???
At least Key is becoming very predictable in his behavior, we know what we are getting now !!
At least Key is learning to take ownership of when he is made aware that on a few occasions he gets it wrong/caught out
Lol.
Yes, he is exceptionally honest when clear evidence of a barefaced lie has caught him like a rat in a trap.
At least the John ‘brain-fade’ Key meme is catching on in the MSM. Once that starts happening you don’t get many strikes before you’re out. Which has do be a worry for ol’ memory lapse since that been his go to card lately.
A you tube clip of a yes minister piece on the confused memory of politcians and how civil servants manage the taking of minutes of meetings. Sir Humphrey instructs Bernard, and asks what he wants from the exercise. Bernard says ‘A clear conscience’. Sir Humphrey asks seriously “And when did you get such a taste for luxury?’
Yes Prism. Very apt. Pity about emails and video cameras and archives these days. Must make a Prime Minister like ours sleep poorly at night. Tough John.
EDDIE and others: Who gives a damned crappy whatever, this what you clearly and well present here MATTERS NOT!
You are still a “fringe media”, “social media”, of which maybe a few hundred or a couple of a thousand “informed” and hopefully “intelligent” people know and bother to look up on.
The MAINSTREAM dumbing down media continues with their agenda, and they are what still 3 quarters of the population rely on for “news”, like it or not. They listen to the propaganda from “ONE News”, “TV3” and other channels, under the regime of modern day “Goebbels” like media professionals in the background.
So you raise valid points, but it does not reach enough, and it never will, with this approach, no matter how sincere and well-meaning it all is.
This does NOT work I am afraid! It is a lost battle. More needs to be done.
Maybe have initiative groups established to “re-claim” and occupy the public media that is supposed to be in public hands. What about an occupation of TVNZ? Throw the corrupt lot out and take over what is supposed to be the people’s broadcaster?
But of course, you live in gaga land, the youth are all coward, busy to plan uni and other careers and their eventual OE exit (some for good). There are racial, ethnic, religious and political, certainly social divisions, which do not help. All are number one focused, so how are you going to change this.
You have NO answers, I am afraid. Time for a REAL REVOLUTION! That takes more than talking and writing, I am afraid!
Your numbers are somewhat low. According to google analytics, there have been 28 thousand plus unique people reading the site over the last 30 or 31 days. Bots are excluded. Well over 95% from within NZ. It is somewhat lower than an election year, but a damn sight more even with some double counting by google than a few thousand.
Preparations for the revolution are in their final stage. For more details go to http://www.burnitalldown.com/
He’s the only adult in NZ in 1981 who can’t remember what view they held on the Springbok Tour…
He’s waiting for the next TV3 Poll before he commits M8!
http://www.DunnoKeyo.com and http://www.DunnoKeyo.co.nz are both available. They could be useful next election.
I’ve registered the Twitter account. Nothing up on it yet, though.
Is that nose growing bigger by the day, or is it my vivid imagination?
I can feel a musical coming on…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TxJ2sy299eg (you probably have to be over 40 to appreciate this)
Do you love me Dunnokeyo?
Tell me lies and your nose will grow
With that poor wooden part
That you call a heart
Do you love me Dunnokeyo?
You are just a Dunnokeyo boy
In the shape
Of a marionette toy
But if I cut the strings
And let your heart sing
Will you give me life full of joy?
Do you love me Dunnokeyo?
Tell me lies and your nose will grow
With that poor wooden part
That you call a heart
Do you love me Dunnokeyo?
You are just a Dunnokeyo man
In the grip
Of Gupetto’s hand
But if I cut the twine
Will you say your mine
And share all the things that we planned
Do you love me Dunnokeyo?
Tell me lies and your nose will grow
With that poor wooden part
That you call a heart
Do you love me Dunnokeyo?
And then there is this 👿
Pinocchio does excellently in school and passes with high honors. The Fairy promises that Pinocchio will be a real boy next day and says he should invite all his friends to a party. He goes to invite everyone, but he is sidetracked when he meets a boy named Romeo—nicknamed Lampwick because he is so tall and skinny. Lampwick is about to go to a place called Toyland, where everyone plays all day and never works. Pinocchio goes along with him and they have a wonderful time in the land of Play—until one morning Pinocchio awakes with donkey ears. A Squirrel tells him that boys who do nothing but play and never work always grow into donkeys.
Within a short while Pinocchio has become a donkey. He is sold to a circus and is trained to do all kinds of tricks. Then one night in the circus he falls and sprains his leg. The circus owner sells the donkey to a man who wants to skin him and make a drum. The man throws the donkey into the sea to drown him—and brings up a living wooden boy. Pinocchio explains that the fish ate all the donkey skin off of him and he is now a marionette again.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Adventures_of_Pinocchio#As_a_donkey
@ Weka
hmm..do you think that Toyland is a suburb of Planet Key by any chance? Sounds related somehow…
Billy Thorpe & The Aztecs – Most People I Know Think That I’m Crazy