Author Archive

Vid of Nicky Hager talk tonight, Waikato

Written By: - Date published: 9:11 pm, September 8th, 2014 - 32 comments

Nicky Hager’s talk at the University of Waikato was very well attended. It was livestreamed.  A video of it is now available online,

Where is Jason Ede?

Written By: - Date published: 10:54 am, September 8th, 2014 - 19 comments

Jason Ede’s disappearance from public view suggests a cover up in response to Hager’s Dirty Politics.  The book implicates Ede (past PM staffer) in a coordinated black ops smear machine working with blogs like Whale Oil. Key may need to come clean soon about some of Ede’s activities.

Airbrushing the VRWC

Written By: - Date published: 10:10 am, September 7th, 2014 - 111 comments

In today’s Sunday Star Times, is an article on a Matthew Hooton & the VRWC (Vast Right Wing Conspiracy). Hooton criticises John Key, does a couple of mea culpas, but ultimately, airbrushes the whole disgusting mess of dirty politics. [Updated: comment from Bill]

Slater’s bid- fail!

Written By: - Date published: 5:40 pm, September 5th, 2014 - 121 comments

TV3 News reports Slater’s bid to gag the media has failed. High Court decision is that media can report on previously published material, & material they already have. doesn’t apply to previously published material. Rawshark had already given remaining material to the media and departed. [Updated]

‘Dirty Politics’ symposium, streaming today

Written By: - Date published: 11:34 am, September 5th, 2014 - 16 comments

The University of Otago had a symposium on Nicky Hager’s Dirty Politics book now. The event has ended but video on youtubeInterviews with Hager, speakers, panel.

Spinning the media: commericial imperatives

Written By: - Date published: 10:55 am, September 2nd, 2014 - 24 comments

The main problems with dirty media-blogger connections, as exposed by Dirty Politics lie with the commercial dominance of our news media. Mediawatch focuses on issues raised by the book. Online Standards Authority is not the answer.

Condolences: safety at work

Written By: - Date published: 12:57 pm, September 1st, 2014 - 76 comments

My condolences to those close to the victims of the horrific actions in Ashburton today.

Labour’s broadcasting policy: public service TV-RNZ

Written By: - Date published: 10:03 pm, August 31st, 2014 - 40 comments

Labour’s broadcasting policy includes setting up a new public service TV channel, to be located with RNZ, incorporating RNZ values.  The Greens are open to the idea. NZ First has a similar policy.  Laila Harre makes some good points about public broadcasting and industrial relations. [Update: RNZ report; video clip added]

For a better way…

Written By: - Date published: 4:53 pm, August 30th, 2014 - 10 comments

The NACT way is Not Our Way. We need a better way of governance and democracy.  One that is for all the people. I joined the hardy souls who went to the Not Our Way rally and march in Auckland.

‘Malevolent males’, ‘Mistress Collins’ & a ‘free press’

Written By: - Date published: 5:00 pm, August 29th, 2014 - 7 comments

Dirty Politics shows the need for a reformation of our media, broadcasting and related online content. It’s about democracy.   Lucy lawless agrees. Laila Harre and Colin Craig have been added to the line up for Sunday’s Broadcasting Debate in Auckland.

Tapping the media: subverting democracy

Written By: - Date published: 11:16 pm, August 25th, 2014 - 32 comments

Dirty Politics shows why we urgently need a revitalised public service broadcasting & online media. The domination by corporate media is poisoning democracy, providing openings for ruthless manipulators like Cameron Slater.  An article by David Fisher provides some insights.

Greens, Labour, NZH Hot Seat: coalitions

Written By: - Date published: 9:53 am, August 22nd, 2014 - 13 comments

In the NZ Herald panel interviews, Green & Labour Party leaders come across extremely well.  The leaders are confident, considered and ready to govern.

Mr Clean talks Dirty Politics: Key standup transcript pt2

Written By: - Date published: 1:30 pm, August 20th, 2014 - 12 comments

In this part of the transcript of John Key’s Aug 14  standup, Key repeats dubious spin lines, & tries to maintain his Mr Clean image. Topics include Jason Ede, Judith Collins, Bronwyn Pullar. Key tries to implicate left wing blogs, naming The Standard

“Mr Slater’s made it quite clear”: Key standup transcript pt1

Written By: - Date published: 1:10 pm, August 19th, 2014 - 26 comments

How slippery is John Key? Part one of transcript of Key’s press standup last Thursday. On accessing Labour’s website private details, OIAs to the SIS, Dirty Politics, Nicky Hager and Mr Slater. [Updated]

Valuing child care: beyond ‘show me the money!’

Written By: - Date published: 10:36 am, August 19th, 2014 - 10 comments

Simon Collins has published a very good article comparing various parties policies on social security.  As is the current trend, he doesn’t fully examine the deep and lasting contribution good child care & education make towards society & the economy.  It’s about material and social well-being.

Jordan Williams words & Nat sexism

Written By: - Date published: 11:51 am, August 18th, 2014 - 42 comments

Jordan Williams and Simon Lusk

Helen Kelly tweeted an image of an extract from Dirty Politics, highlighting some very nasty misogynistic writing by Slater and Jordan William.  Williams replied.

Muddying the waters: transcript Key on RNZ

Written By: - Date published: 9:31 am, August 18th, 2014 - 81 comments

Guyon Espiner’s interview on Radio NZ today, exposes the moral failings of John Key’s leadership -as Key attempts to divert, & justify the dirty game that NZ politics has become under his watch.  Partial transcript of the interview: to be continued  Updated: Transcript completed

TVNZ’s Vote Compass

Written By: - Date published: 9:00 pm, August 17th, 2014 - 59 comments

TVNZ has launched a new interactive online tool, to encourage voters to match their priorities with those of political parties.  TV NZ aims to use the data from the responses for their election coverage. [Updated]

The Left on policies and values

Written By: - Date published: 7:53 pm, August 16th, 2014 - 6 comments

In spite of what John Key & some of the media claim, Labour & the Greens have continued to campaign positively on policies and values throughout the week.  The Greens officially launch their campaign tomorrow.

Helen Kelly on Vote Chat: Questions for PoA & Key?

Written By: - Date published: 1:35 pm, August 16th, 2014 - 17 comments

Helen Kelly is interviewed on Vote Chat.  Kelly raises questions about the Ports of Auckland & Key’s role in Dirty Politics. She has read some of Dirty Politics, & was axed from today’s the Nation Panel, then replaced by Josie Pagani.[Updated]

Shadow play: Key’s 2-track politics

Written By: - Date published: 11:31 am, August 16th, 2014 - 40 comments

Nicky Hager’s Dirty Politics tells of the “two track strategy” of John Key’s leadership of the National Party & the country: a smiley nice front, & vicious, covert black ops behind the scenes.  Key has overseen one of the darkest, nastiest periods in NZ politics. Vote Left for necessary, democratic change, for people-centred governance.

GCSB, privacy & Facebook messaging

Written By: - Date published: 2:42 pm, August 15th, 2014 - 7 comments

How private are communications on social media platforms such as Facebook?  It is claimed that the GCSB law’s definition of “privacy” leaves a loophole for warrantless surveillance of messaging by Kiwis on platforms like Facebook.

“Dirty Politics” in tweets

Written By: - Date published: 10:51 pm, August 13th, 2014 - 10 comments

There’s obviously a few people reading “Dirty Politics” tonight. One of the biggies, looks to be evidence of Slater’s collusion with Ports of Auckland.  Other tweets show Slater in a very bad light.

Hager’s “Dirty Politics”

Written By: - Date published: 5:30 pm, August 13th, 2014 - 189 comments

So the book is an expose of the Slater-Ede-Key Dirty Politics machine, based on data acquired and leaked to Hager. Will Update: Update: Hager to be on Campbell Live tonight.

Bracing for the book

Written By: - Date published: 10:40 am, August 13th, 2014 - 104 comments

Nicky Hager has certainly got the attention of political circles in NZ, by announcing his (untitled) book launch today at 5.15pm. J[update: 3 news Livestream of book launch] Update: Title “Dirty Politics” – on attack politics – implicates John key & Slater]

Hager, fear & the surveillance state

Written By: - Date published: 12:55 pm, August 12th, 2014 - 82 comments

Nicky Hager’s latest book will be unveiled tomorrow. I look at his research interests, & his approach to investigative journalism; plus Hager’s speech on the GCSB Bill, & opposition party policies on state surveillance services.

Roads ‘n’ rules

Written By: - Date published: 10:18 am, August 12th, 2014 - 20 comments

The Kumeu candidates debate last night covered topics ranging from the very local, to the global: local roads and round-a-bouts, through the internet, poverty, health, jobs and education, to climate change, the TPPA, and the GCSB. Roads and rules were a recurring theme. [updated: stuff video; links to Green Party speeches]

Get out the vote!

Written By: - Date published: 10:24 am, August 11th, 2014 - 3 comments

11,000+ voters enrolled in the last week – great work, more to be done.  For democracy & NZ’s sake, now and in the future, enroll, vote, vote left!

Leading voices: TV debates

Written By: - Date published: 12:17 pm, August 9th, 2014 - 101 comments

There’s much to discuss on the two election-focused TV debates conducted over the last 24 hours. Prime TV’s new show: Prime Time with Sean Plunket – Bennett & Turei on poverty/inequality (Prime TV Fridays 9.30pm): TV 3’s The Nation: Saturday 9.30am

Fuck inequality! Fuck poverty! Fuck the Nat govt!

Written By: - Date published: 12:00 pm, August 8th, 2014 - 267 comments

There are sobering & harrowing stories coming out of AAAP’s Action Impact at Mangere this week. It exposes the vast inequalities & poverty existing in NZ.  Vote to end this destruction of humanity & democracy! Vote for compassion, caring & sharing! VOTE LEFT!

Counting the cost – long time dying

Written By: - Date published: 8:00 am, August 6th, 2014 - 54 comments

How much longer do we have to live with this”neoliberal” nightmare?   It should have died with the global financial crisis, caused by the unfettered greed of the banksters & socially callous.  “Paying the Price” on Al Jazeera; AAAP Mangere Action Impact this week.

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