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: , ,

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 driver police 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

69 comments on “A trip down faulty memory lane ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. toad 1
    17 October 2012 at 8:51 pm

    I guess the #JohnDotBanks disease is contagious.

    And Key has caught it big-time.

  2. ghostwhowalksnz 2
    17 October 2012 at 8:57 pm

    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.

  3. Te Reo Putake 3
    17 October 2012 at 9:28 pm

    DunnoKeyo is my word of the day. Feel free to use it liberally, Standardistas.

  4. Clashman 4
    17 October 2012 at 9:58 pm

    It’s quite simple, he’s a liar.

    • tracey 4.1
      18 October 2012 at 5:17 pm

      he doesnt remember how he voted on the drinking age either. perhaps he and banks can get a discount on a brain scan

  5. Bob 5
    17 October 2012 at 10:00 pm

    It is very obvious isn’t it some people call it porkies
    Winston referred to it as lying on National Radio today!

    • Wychbych 5.1
      18 October 2012 at 9:06 am

      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!

  6. Fisiani 6
    17 October 2012 at 10:09 pm

    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.

    • TightyRighty 6.1
      18 October 2012 at 6:30 am

      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. ]

      • Dr Terry 6.1.1
        18 October 2012 at 9:57 am

        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. ]

    • bbfloyd 6.2
      18 October 2012 at 11:13 am

      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….

  7. PlanetOrphan 7
    17 October 2012 at 10:09 pm

    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.

  8. blue leopard 8
    17 October 2012 at 10:28 pm

    I enjoyed Gerry Brownlee’s unusually astute comments in yesterday’s urgent debate:

    I am also very much in admiration of the Minister [Paula Bennett] for being so upfront in saying exactly what it is—an appalling breach of private security—and not trying to create any degree of obfuscation through various excuses that might have previously been offered by other Ministers…

    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…

  9. ianmac 9
    17 October 2012 at 11:19 pm

    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

  10. BLiP 10
    17 October 2012 at 11:46 pm

    .

    Emergency services rushed to the Beehive this evening after a smoke alarm went off on the ninth floor of the Beehive.

    “Fortunately there wasn’t much to be worried about,” a spokesperson for the Fire Service said afterwards, “it was just a small blaze started when a pair of pants caught fire.”

  11. Josh 11
    18 October 2012 at 1:47 am

    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.

  12. Glg 12
    18 October 2012 at 6:03 am

    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)

    • Red Rosa 12.1
      18 October 2012 at 7:39 am

      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.

    • Craig Glen Eden 12.2
      18 October 2012 at 9:27 am

      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!

      • idegus 12.2.1
        18 October 2012 at 11:24 am

        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…

  13. Jenny 13
    18 October 2012 at 7:08 am

    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.

    • One Tāne Huna 13.1
      18 October 2012 at 7:29 am

      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.

      • felix 13.1.1
        19 October 2012 at 12:38 am

        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.

        • McFlock 13.1.1.1
          19 October 2012 at 12:57 am

          Robertson’s next question time: Does the Prime Minister have any confidence in the competence of John Key?

  14. Dr Terry 14
    18 October 2012 at 10:03 am

    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.

  15. Ted 15
    18 October 2012 at 10:12 am

    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).

    • Glg 15.1
      18 October 2012 at 10:38 am

      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.

  16. Red Rosa 16
    18 October 2012 at 11:13 am

    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?

    • Fisiani 16.1
      18 October 2012 at 11:31 pm

      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.

      • felix 16.1.1
        19 October 2012 at 12:48 am

        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.

      • mike 16.1.2
        19 October 2012 at 1:02 am

        Wow, it’s like you think we’re foolish for not being as stupid as you are.

  17. Plan B 17
    18 October 2012 at 1:06 pm

    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

  18. Maggie May 18
    18 October 2012 at 2:54 pm

    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.

    • Colonial Viper 18.1
      18 October 2012 at 3:00 pm

      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.

      • Rogue Trooper 18.1.1
        18 October 2012 at 5:18 pm

        After todays revelations I’m gonna soberly finish up here Viper.
        Thanks
        (beware entrapment in the net)
        🙂

  19. Herodotus 19
    18 October 2012 at 8:17 pm

    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 !!

    • McFlock 19.1
      18 October 2012 at 8:35 pm

      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. 

    • mike 19.2
      19 October 2012 at 1:13 am

      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.

  20. prism 20
    18 October 2012 at 9:20 pm

    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?’

    • ianmac 20.1
      18 October 2012 at 11:31 pm

      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.

  21. xtasy 21
    18 October 2012 at 11:16 pm

    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!

    • lprent 21.1
      18 October 2012 at 11:35 pm

      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.

    • mike 21.2
      19 October 2012 at 1:21 am

      Preparations for the revolution are in their final stage. For more details go to http://www.burnitalldown.com/

  22. tracey 22
    19 October 2012 at 1:34 pm

    He’s the only adult in NZ in 1981 who can’t remember what view they held on the Springbok Tour…

  23. jaymam 23
    19 October 2012 at 1:37 pm

    http://www.DunnoKeyo.com and http://www.DunnoKeyo.co.nz are both available. They could be useful next election.

  24. weka 24
    19 October 2012 at 11:15 pm

    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?
     

    • weka 24.1
      19 October 2012 at 11:19 pm

      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

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  • Bernard’s Saturday Soliloquy for the week to July 27

    Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: My top six things to note around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the week to July 27 were:1. The Minister for Ford Rangers strikes againTransport Minister Simeon Brown was again the busiest of the Cabinet ministers this week, announcing an ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    24 mins ago
  • Ticket To Anywhere

    You got a fast carAnd I want a ticket to anywhereMaybe we make a dealMaybe together we can get somewhereAny place is betterYesterday’s newsletter, Trust In Me, on the report of abuse in state care, and by religious organisations, between 1950 and 2019, coupled with the hypocrisy of Christopher Luxon ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 hour ago
  • Stories of varying weight

    Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on anything you may have missed. Share Read more ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    6 hours ago
  • Balancing External Security and the Economy

    New Zealand is again having to reconcile conflicting pressures from its military and its trade interests. Should we join Pillar Two of AUKUS and risk compromising our markets in China? For a century after New Zealand was founded in 1840, its external security arrangements and external economics arrangements were aligned. ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    18 hours ago
  • Weekly Climate Wrap: The unravelling of the offsets

    The ‘50 Shades of Green’ farmers’ protest in 2019 was heavy on climate change denial, but five years on, scepticism and criticism about the idea that pine forests can save us is growing across the board. File photo: Lynn GrievesonTL;DR: Here’s the top six news items of note in climate ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    23 hours ago
  • What makes us tick

    This morning the sky was bright.The birds, in their usual joyous bliss. Nature doesn’t seem to feel the heat of what might angst humans.Their calls are clear and beautiful.Just some random thoughts:MāoriPaul Goldsmith has announced his government will roll back the judiciary’s rulings on Māori Customary Marine Title, which recognises ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    1 day ago
  • Foreshore and seabed 2.0

    In 2003, the Court of Appeal delivered its decision in Ngati Apa v Attorney-General, ruling that Māori customary title over the foreshore and seabed had not been universally extinguished, and that the Māori Land Court could determine claims and confirm title if the facts supported it. This kicked off the ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    1 day ago
  • Gordon Campbell on the Royal Commission report into abuse in care

    Earlier this week at Parliament, Labour leader Chris Hipkins was applauded for saying that the response to the final report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care had to be “bigger than politics.” True, but the fine words, apologies and “we hear you” messages will soon ring ...
    WerewolfBy lyndon
    1 day ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Friday, July 26

    TL;DR: In news breaking this morning:The Ministry of Education is cutting $2 billion from its school building programme so the National-ACT-NZ First Coalition Government has enough money to deliver tax cuts; The Government has quietly lowered its child poverty reduction targets to make them easier to achieve;Te Whatu Ora-Health NZ’s ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • Weekly Roundup 26-July-2024

    Kia ora. These are some stories that caught our eye this week – as always, feel free to share yours in the comments. Our header image this week (via Eke Panuku) shows the planned upgrade for the Karanga Plaza Tidal Swimming Steps. The week in Greater Auckland On ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    1 day ago
  • God what a relief

    1. What's not to love about the way the Harris campaign is turning things around?a. Nothingb. Love all of itc. God what a reliefd. Not that it will be by any means easye. All of the above 2. Documents released by the Ministry of Health show Associate Health Minister Casey ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    1 day ago
  • Trust In Me

    Trust in me in all you doHave the faith I have in youLove will see us through, if only you trust in meWhy don't you, you trust me?In a week that saw the release of the 3,000 page Abuse in Care report Christopher Luxon was being asked about Boot Camps. ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 day ago
  • The Hoon around the week to July 26

    TL;DR: The podcast above of the weekly ‘hoon’ webinar for paying subscribers last night features co-hosts and talking about the Royal Commission Inquiry into Abuse in Care report released this week, and with:The Kākā’s climate correspondent on a UN push to not recognise carbon offset markets and ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Friday, July 26

    TL;DR: As of 6:00 am on Friday, July 26, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:Transport: Simeon Brown announced $802.9 million in funding for 18 new trains on the Wairarapa and Manawatū rail lines, which ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • Radical law changes needed to build road

    The northern expressway extension from Warkworth to Whangarei is likely to require radical changes to legislation if it is going to be built within the foreseeable future. The Government’s powers to purchase land, the planning process and current restrictions on road tolling are all going to need to be changed ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    1 day ago
  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #30 2024

    Open access notables Could an extremely cold central European winter such as 1963 happen again despite climate change?, Sippel et al., Weather and Climate Dynamics: Here, we first show based on multiple attribution methods that a winter of similar circulation conditions to 1963 would still lead to an extreme seasonal ...
    Skeptical Science
    2 days ago
  • First they came for the Māori

    Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when publishedFirst they came for the doctors But I was confused by the numbers and costs So I didn't speak up Then they came for our police and nurses And I didn't think we could afford those costs anyway So I ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    2 days ago
  • Join us for the weekly Hoon on YouTube Live

    Photo by Joshua J. Cotten on UnsplashWe’re back again after our mid-winter break. We’re still with the ‘new’ day of the week (Thursday rather than Friday) when we have our ‘hoon’ webinar with paying subscribers to The Kākā for an hour at 5 pm.Jump on this link on YouTube Livestream ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Will the real PM Luxon please stand up?

    Notes: This is a free article. Abuse in Care themes are mentioned. Video is at the bottom.BackgroundYesterday’s report into Abuse in Care revealed that at least 1 in 3 of all who went through state and faith based care were abused - often horrifically. At least, because not all survivors ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    2 days ago
  • Will debt reduction trump abuse in care redress?

    Luxon speaks in Parliament yesterday about the Abuse in Care report. Photo: Hagen Hopkins/Getty ImagesTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy today are:PM Christopher Luxon said yesterday in tabling the Abuse in Care report in Parliament he wanted to ‘do the ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Olywhites and Time Bandits

    About a decade ago I worked with a bloke called Steve. He was the grizzled veteran coder, a few years older than me, who knew where the bodies were buried - code wise. Despite his best efforts to be approachable and friendly he could be kind of gruff, through to ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    2 days ago
  • Why were the 1930s so hot in North America?

    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Jeff Masters and Bob Henson Those who’ve trawled social media during heat waves have likely encountered a tidbit frequently used to brush aside human-caused climate change: Many U.S. states and cities had their single hottest temperature on record during the 1930s, setting incredible heat marks ...
    Skeptical Science
    2 days ago
  • Throwback Thursday – Thinking about Expressways

    Some of the recent announcements from the government have reminded us of posts we’ve written in the past. Here’s one from early 2020. There were plenty of reactions to the government’s infrastructure announcement a few weeks ago which saw them fund a bunch of big roading projects. One of ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    2 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Thursday, July 25

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 7:00 am on Thursday, July 25 are:News: Why Electric Kiwi is closing to new customers - and why it matters RNZ’s Susan EdmundsScoop: Government drops ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • The Possum: Demon or Friend?

    Hi,I felt a small wet tongue snaking through one of the holes in my Crocs. It explored my big toe, darting down one side, then the other. “He’s looking for some toe cheese,” said the woman next to me, words that still haunt me to this day.Growing up in New ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    2 days ago
  • Not a story

    Yesterday I happily quoted the Prime Minister without fact-checking him and sure enough, it turns out his numbers were all to hell. It’s not four kg of Royal Commission report, it’s fourteen.My friend and one-time colleague-in-comms Hazel Phillips gently alerted me to my error almost as soon as I’d hit ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Thursday, July 25

    TL;DR: As of 6:00 am on Thursday, July 25, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day were:The Abuse in Care Royal Commission of Inquiry published its final report yesterday.PM Christopher Luxon and The Minister responsible for ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • A tougher line on “proactive release”?

    The Official Information Act has always been a battle between requesters seeking information, and governments seeking to control it. Information is power, so Ministers and government agencies want to manage what is released and when, for their own convenience, and legality and democracy be damned. Their most recent tactic for ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    3 days ago
  • 'Let's build a motorway costing $100 million per km, before emissions costs'

    TL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy today are:Transport and Energy Minister Simeon Brown is accelerating plans to spend at least $10 billion through Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) to extend State Highway One as a four-lane ‘Expressway’ from Warkworth to Whangarei ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • Lester's Prescription – Positive Bleeding.

    I live my life (woo-ooh-ooh)With no control in my destinyYea-yeah, yea-yeah (woo-ooh-ooh)I can bleed when I want to bleedSo come on, come on (woo-ooh-ooh)You can bleed when you want to bleedYea-yeah, come on (woo-ooh-ooh)Everybody bleed when they want to bleedCome on and bleedGovernments face tough challenges. Selling unpopular decisions to ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago
  • Casey Costello gaslights Labour in the House

    Please note:To skip directly to the- parliamentary footage in the video, scroll to 1:21 To skip to audio please click on the headphone icon on the left hand side of the screenThis video / audio section is under development. ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    3 days ago
  • Why is the Texas grid in such bad shape?

    This is a re-post from the Climate Brink by Andrew Dessler Headline from 2021 The Texas grid, run by ERCOT, has had a rough few years. In 2021, winter storm Uri blacked out much of the state for several days. About a week ago, Hurricane Beryl knocked out ...
    Skeptical Science
    3 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell on a textbook case of spending waste by the Luxon government

    Given the crackdown on wasteful government spending, it behooves me to point to a high profile example of spending by the Luxon government that looks like a big, fat waste of time and money. I’m talking about the deployment of NZDF personnel to support the US-led coalition in the Red ...
    WerewolfBy lyndon
    3 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Wednesday, July 24

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 7:40 am on Wednesday, July 24 are:Deep Dive: Chipping away at the housing crisis, including my comments RNZ/Newsroom’s The DetailNews: Government softens on asset sales, ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • LXR Takaanini

    As I reported about the city centre, Auckland’s rail network is also going through a difficult and disruptive period which is rapidly approaching a culmination, this will result in a significant upgrade to the whole network. Hallelujah. Also like the city centre this is an upgrade predicated on the City ...
    Greater AucklandBy Patrick Reynolds
    3 days ago
  • Four kilograms of pain

    Today, a 4 kilogram report will be delivered to Parliament. We know this is what the report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in State and Faith-based Care weighs, because our Prime Minister told us so.Some reporter had blindsided him by asking a question about something done by ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Wednesday, July 24

    TL;DR: As of 7:00 am on Wednesday, July 24, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:Beehive: Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced plans to use PPPs to fund, build and run a four-lane expressway between Auckland ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • Luxon gets caught out

    NewstalkZB host Mike Hosking, who can usually be relied on to give Prime Minister Christopher Luxon an easy run, did not do so yesterday when he interviewed him about the HealthNZ deficit. Luxon is trying to use a deficit reported last year by HealthNZ as yet another example of the ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    3 days ago
  • A worrying sign

    Back in January a StatsNZ employee gave a speech at Rātana on behalf of tangata whenua in which he insulted and criticised the government. The speech clearly violated the principle of a neutral public service, and StatsNZ started an investigation. Part of that was getting an external consultant to examine ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago
  • Are we fine with 47.9% home-ownership by 2048?

    Renting for life: Shared ownership initiatives are unlikely to slow the slide in home ownership by much. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy today are:A Deloitte report for Westpac has projected Aotearoa’s home-ownership rate will ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • Let's Win This

    You're broken down and tiredOf living life on a merry go roundAnd you can't find the fighterBut I see it in you so we gonna walk it outAnd move mountainsWe gonna walk it outAnd move mountainsAnd I'll rise upI'll rise like the dayI'll rise upI'll rise unafraidI'll rise upAnd I'll ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago
  • Waimahara: The Singing Spirit of Water

    There’s been a change in Myers Park. Down the steps from St. Kevin’s Arcade, past the grassy slopes, the children’s playground, the benches and that goat statue, there has been a transformation. The underpass for Mayoral Drive has gone from a barren, grey, concrete tunnel, to a place that thrums ...
    Greater AucklandBy Connor Sharp
    4 days ago
  • A major milestone: Global climate pollution may have just peaked

    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections Global society may have finally slammed on the brakes for climate-warming pollution released by human fossil fuel combustion. According to the Carbon Monitor Project, the total global climate pollution released between February and May 2024 declined slightly from the amount released during the same ...
    Skeptical Science
    4 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Tuesday, July 23

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 7:00 am on Tuesday, July 23 are:Deep Dive: Penlink: where tolling rhetoric meets reality BusinessDesk-$$$’s Oliver LewisScoop: Te Pūkenga plans for regional polytechs leak out ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Tuesday, July 23

    TL;DR: As of 6:00 am on Tuesday, July 23, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:Health: Shane Reti announced the Board of Te Whatu Ora- Health New Zealand was being replaced with Commissioner Lester Levy ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • HealthNZ and Luxon at cross purposes over budget blowout

    Health NZ warned the Government at the end of March that it was running over Budget. But the reasons it gave were very different to those offered by the Prime Minister yesterday. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon blamed the “botched merger” of the 20 District Health Boards (DHBs) to create Health ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    4 days ago
  • 2500-3000 more healthcare staff expected to be fired, as Shane Reti blames Labour for a budget defic...

    Long ReadKey Summary: Although National increased the health budget by $1.4 billion in May, they used an old funding model to project health system costs, and never bothered to update their pre-election numbers. They were told during the Health Select Committees earlier in the year their budget amount was deficient, ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    4 days ago
  • Might Kamala Harris be about to get a 'stardust' moment like Jacinda Ardern?

    As a momentous, historic weekend in US politics unfolded, analysts and commentators grasped for precedents and comparisons to help explain the significance and power of the choice Joe Biden had made. The 46th president had swept the Democratic party’s primaries but just over 100 days from the election had chosen ...
    PunditBy Tim Watkin
    5 days ago
  • Solutions Interview: Steven Hail on MMT & ecological economics

    TL;DR: I’m casting around for new ideas and ways of thinking about Aotearoa’s political economy to find a few solutions to our cascading and self-reinforcing housing, poverty and climate crises.Associate Professor runs an online masters degree in the economics of sustainability at Torrens University in Australia and is organising ...
    The KakaBy Steven Hail
    5 days ago
  • Reported back

    The Finance and Expenditure Committee has reported back on National's Local Government (Water Services Preliminary Arrangements) Bill. The bill sets up water for privatisation, and was introduced under urgency, then rammed through select committee with no time even for local councils to make a proper submission. Naturally, national's select committee ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago
  • Vandrad the Viking, Christopher Coombes, and Literary Archaeology

    Some years ago, I bought a book at Dunedin’s Regent Booksale for $1.50. As one does. Vandrad the Viking (1898), by J. Storer Clouston, is an obscure book these days – I cannot find a proper online review – but soon it was sitting on my shelf, gathering dust alongside ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    5 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell On The Biden Withdrawal

    History is not on the side of the centre-left, when Democratic presidents fall behind in the polls and choose not to run for re-election. On both previous occasions in the past 75 years (Harry Truman in 1952, Lyndon Johnson in 1968) the Democrats proceeded to then lose the White House ...
    WerewolfBy lyndon
    5 days ago
  • Joe Biden's withdrawal puts the spotlight back on Kamala and the USA's complicated relatio...

    This is a free articleCoverageThis morning, US President Joe Biden announced his withdrawal from the Presidential race. And that is genuinely newsworthy. Thanks for your service, President Biden, and all the best to you and yours.However, the media in New Zealand, particularly the 1News nightly bulletin, has been breathlessly covering ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    5 days ago
  • Why we have to challenge our national fiscal assumptions

    A homeless person’s camp beside a blocked-off slipped damage walkway in Freeman’s Bay: we are chasing our tail on our worsening and inter-related housing, poverty and climate crises. Photo: Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • Existential Crisis and Damaged Brains

    What has happened to it all?Crazy, some'd sayWhere is the life that I recognise?(Gone away)But I won't cry for yesterdayThere's an ordinary worldSomehow I have to findAnd as I try to make my wayTo the ordinary worldYesterday morning began as many others - what to write about today? I began ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago
  • A speed limit is not a target, and yet…

    This is a guest post from longtime supporter Mr Plod, whose previous contributions include a proposal that Hamilton become New Zealand’s capital city, and that we should switch which side of the road we drive on. A recent Newsroom article, “Back to school for the Govt’s new speed limit policy“, ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    5 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Monday, July 22

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 7:00 am on Monday, July 22 are:Today’s Must Read: Father and son live in a tent, and have done for four years, in a million ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Monday, July 22

    TL;DR: As of 7:00 am on Monday, July 22, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:US President Joe Biden announced via X this morning he would not stand for a second term.Multinational professional services firm ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #29

    A listing of 32 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, July 14, 2024 thru Sat, July 20, 2024. Story of the week As reflected by preponderance of coverage, our Story of the Week is Project 2025. Until now traveling ...
    Skeptical Science
    6 days ago
  • I'd like to share what I did this weekend

    This weekend, a friend pointed out someone who said they’d like to read my posts, but didn’t want to pay. And my first reaction was sympathy.I’ve already told folks that if they can’t comfortably subscribe, and would like to read, I’d be happy to offer free subscriptions. I don’t want ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    6 days ago
  • For the children – Why mere sentiment can be a misleading force in our lives, and lead to unex...

    National: The Party of ‘Law and Order’ IntroductionThis weekend, the Government formally kicked off one of their flagship policy programs: a military style boot camp that New Zealand has experimented with over the past 50 years. Cartoon credit: Guy BodyIt’s very popular with the National Party’s Law and Order image, ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    6 days ago
  • A friend in uncertain times

    Day one of the solo leg of my long journey home begins with my favourite sound: footfalls in an empty street. 5.00 am and it’s already light and already too warm, almost.If I can make the train that leaves Budapest later this hour I could be in Belgrade by nightfall; ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    6 days ago
  • The Chaotic World of Male Diet Influencers

    Hi,We’ll get to the horrific world of male diet influencers (AKA Beefy Boys) shortly, but first you will be glad to know that since I sent out the Webworm explaining why the assassination attempt on Donald Trump was not a false flag operation, I’ve heard from a load of people ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    6 days ago
  • It's Starting To Look A Lot Like… Y2K

    Do you remember Y2K, the threat that hung over humanity in the closing days of the twentieth century? Horror scenarios of planes falling from the sky, electronic payments failing and ATMs refusing to dispense cash. As for your VCR following instructions and recording your favourite show - forget about it.All ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago
  • Bernard’s Saturday Soliloquy for the week to July 20

    Climate Change Minister Simon Watts being questioned by The Kākā’s Bernard Hickey.TL;DR: My top six things to note around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the week to July 20 were:1. A strategy that fails Zero Carbon Act & Paris targetsThe National-ACT-NZ First Coalition Government finally unveiled ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Pharmac Director, Climate Change Commissioner, Health NZ Directors – The latest to quit this m...

    Summary:As New Zealand loses at least 12 leaders in the public service space of health, climate, and pharmaceuticals, this month alone, directly in response to the Government’s policies and budget choices, what lies ahead may be darker than it appears. Tui examines some of those departures and draws a long ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    1 week ago
  • Flooding Housing Policy

    The Minister of Housing’s ambition is to reduce markedly the ratio of house prices to household incomes. If his strategy works it would transform the housing market, dramatically changing the prospects of housing as an investment.Leaving aside the Minister’s metaphor of ‘flooding the market’ I do not see how the ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    1 week ago
  • A Voyage Among the Vandals: Accepted (Again!)

    As previously noted, my historical fantasy piece, set in the fifth-century Mediterranean, was accepted for a Pirate Horror anthology, only for the anthology to later fall through. But in a good bit of news, it turned out that the story could indeed be re-marketed as sword and sorcery. As of ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    1 week ago
  • The Kākā's Chorus for Friday, July 19

    An employee of tobacco company Philip Morris International demonstrates a heated tobacco device. Photo: Getty ImagesTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy on Friday, July 19 are:At a time when the Coalition Government is cutting spending on health, infrastructure, education, housing ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Friday, July 19

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 8:30 am on Friday, July 19 are:Scoop: NZ First Minister Casey Costello orders 50% cut to excise tax on heated tobacco products. The minister has ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Weekly Roundup 19-July-2024

    Kia ora, it’s time for another Friday roundup, in which we pull together some of the links and stories that caught our eye this week. Feel free to add more in the comments! Our header image this week shows a foggy day in Auckland town, captured by Patrick Reynolds. ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    1 week ago
  • Weekly Climate Wrap: A market-led plan for failure

    TL;DR : Here’s the top six items climate news for Aotearoa this week, as selected by Bernard Hickey and The Kākā’s climate correspondent Cathrine Dyer. A discussion recorded yesterday is in the video above and the audio of that sent onto the podcast feed.The Government released its draft Emissions Reduction ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Tobacco First

    Save some money, get rich and old, bring it back to Tobacco Road.Bring that dynamite and a crane, blow it up, start all over again.Roll up. Roll up. Or tailor made, if you prefer...Whether you’re selling ciggies, digging for gold, catching dolphins in your nets, or encouraging folks to flutter ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago
  • Trump’s Adopted Son.

    Waiting In The Wings: For truly, if Trump is America’s un-assassinated Caesar, then J.D. Vance is America’s Octavian, the Republic’s youthful undertaker – and its first Emperor.DONALD TRUMP’S SELECTION of James D. Vance as his running-mate bodes ill for the American republic. A fervent supporter of Viktor Orban, the “illiberal” prime ...
    Bowalley Road
    1 week ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Friday, July 19

    TL;DR: As of 6:00 am on Friday, July 19, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:The PSA announced the Employment Relations Authority (ERA) had ruled in the PSA’s favour in its case against the Ministry ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago

  • Joint statement from the Prime Ministers of Canada, Australia and New Zealand

    Australia, Canada and New Zealand today issued the following statement on the need for an urgent ceasefire in Gaza and the risk of expanded conflict between Hizballah and Israel. The situation in Gaza is catastrophic. The human suffering is unacceptable. It cannot continue.  We remain unequivocal in our condemnation of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    18 hours ago
  • AG reminds institutions of legal obligations

    Attorney-General Judith Collins today reminded all State and faith-based institutions of their legal obligation to preserve records relevant to the safety and wellbeing of those in its care. “The Abuse in Care Inquiry’s report has found cases where records of the most vulnerable people in State and faith‑based institutions were ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    20 hours ago
  • More young people learning about digital safety

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says the Government’s online safety website for children and young people has reached one million page views.  “It is great to see so many young people and their families accessing the site Keep It Real Online to learn how to stay safe online, and manage ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    21 hours ago
  • Speech to the Conference for General Practice 2024

    Tēnā tātou katoa,  Ngā mihi te rangi, ngā mihi te whenua, ngā mihi ki a koutou, kia ora mai koutou. Thank you for the opportunity to be here and the invitation to speak at this 50th anniversary conference. I acknowledge all those who have gone before us and paved the ...
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  • Employers and payroll providers ready for tax changes

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  • Experimental vineyard futureproofs wine industry

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  • Funding confirmed for regions affected by North Island Weather Events

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  • Indonesian Foreign Minister to visit

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  • Strengthening partnership with Ngāti Maniapoto

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  • Test for Customary Marine Title being restored

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  • Opposition united in bad faith over ECE sector review

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  • Backing mental health services on the West Coast

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    4 days ago
  • NZ support for sustainable Pacific fisheries

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  • Students’ needs at centre of new charter school adjustments

    Associate Education Minister David Seymour says proposed changes to the Education and Training Amendment Bill will ensure charter schools have more flexibility to negotiate employment agreements and are equipped with the right teaching resources. “Cabinet has agreed to progress an amendment which means unions will not be able to initiate ...
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  • Commissioner replaces Health NZ Board

    In response to serious concerns around oversight, overspend and a significant deterioration in financial outlook, the Board of Health New Zealand will be replaced with a Commissioner, Health Minister Dr Shane Reti announced today.  “The previous government’s botched health reforms have created significant financial challenges at Health NZ that, without ...
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    5 days ago
  • Minister to speak at Australian Space Forum

    Minister for Space and Science, Innovation and Technology Judith Collins will travel to Adelaide tomorrow for space and science engagements, including speaking at the Australian Space Forum.  While there she will also have meetings and visits with a focus on space, biotechnology and innovation.  “New Zealand has a thriving space ...
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    5 days ago
  • Climate Change Minister to attend climate action meeting in China

    Climate Change Minister Simon Watts will travel to China on Saturday to attend the Ministerial on Climate Action meeting held in Wuhan.  “Attending the Ministerial on Climate Action is an opportunity to advocate for New Zealand climate priorities and engage with our key partners on climate action,” Mr Watts says. ...
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  • Oceans and Fisheries Minister to Solomons

    Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is travelling to the Solomon Islands tomorrow for meetings with his counterparts from around the Pacific supporting collective management of the region’s fisheries. The 23rd Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Committee and the 5th Regional Fisheries Ministers’ Meeting in Honiara from 23 to 26 July ...
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    7 days ago
  • Government launches Military Style Academy Pilot

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    1 week ago
  • Update on global IT outage

    Acting Prime Minister David Seymour has been in contact throughout the evening with senior officials who have coordinated a whole of government response to the global IT outage and can provide an update. The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet has designated the National Emergency Management Agency as the ...
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  • New Zealand, Japan renew Pacific partnership

    New Zealand and Japan will continue to step up their shared engagement with the Pacific, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.    “New Zealand and Japan have a strong, shared interest in a free, open and stable Pacific Islands region,” Mr Peters says.    “We are pleased to be finding more ways ...
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  • New infrastructure energises BOP forestry towns

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  • 'Pacific Futures'

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