Be afraid!
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- Date published:
8:24 am, November 4th, 2016 - 19 comments
Categories: Abuse of power, accountability, defence, law and "order", rumour -
Tags: be afraid, GCSB, Spying, Surveillance state, terrorism
After the “Jihadi brides” beatup got busted, how to keep the “terrorism in NZ” threat alive? Like this?
Terror threat to New Zealand revealed in security handbook
New Zealand’s top security systems were activated to deal with a serious domestic terrorism threat, it has emerged.
Concrete evidence has emerged that there has been an actual attempt to carry out a terrorist attack on New Zealand soil.
The security services will release no details of how the plot was foiled or when it emerged….
“Concrete evidence” of which we have “no details”. Hooookay.
I don’t want to be too flippant about this, maybe our security stopped someone nuking Auckland, in which case, cheers, thanks very much. But without details it is a bit hard to take seriously. Folk on twitter had fun with it – see #KiwiTerrorPlots including:
• Someone conspired to steal all the Pineapple Lumps.
• Screening Sevensharp on every single TV channel in NZ.
• Peas are added to Mac&Cheese.
• Novopay responsible for EVERYBODY’s paycheck.
• Trapped in a room full of NZ male political bloggers.
and so on…
In other news, something to be actually afraid of, and angry about:
Spying files missing, incomplete – was the law broken?
Our electronic surveillance agency might have illegally spied on New Zealanders to a greater extent than previously revealed, Parliament has been told.
But the scale of any illegal surveillance by the Government Communications Security Bureau might remain hidden because documentation which detailed it was either not kept or is missing.
The few details of the GCSB’s latest legal problem are revealed today in the annual report of the Inspector General of Intelligence and Security, Cheryl Gwyn.
The revelation opens the bureau again to allegations of sloppy handling of the world’s most sophisticated surveillance technology which it uses through a partnership with the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia and Canada. …
Well that’s just great isn’t it.
The issue emerged through an internal GCSB investigation, which is part of its obligation to ensure it is compliant with its own laws.
That’s a good sign at least. But it isn’t the first time:
There is nothing in the annual report to reveal how the new issue emerged more than three years after then-Cabinet secretary Rebecca Kitteridge authored a report which revealed poor systems and illegal practice by the GCSB.
The report is here (pdf).
How long do we put up with a broken spy agency functioning illegally? Why hasn’t the government fixed it? (Do they fix anything, ever?) Oh don’t worry – John Key says we have more to fear from Google and Facebook than the GCSB. So that’s OK then.
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- 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
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- 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
- Release: Winston Peters must apologise
The Deputy Prime Minister should apologise to the public servant he named and blamed for something they did not do, and for misusing the rules of Parliament. ...2 weeks 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 ...16 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 ...17 hours ago
- Critical milestones for earthquake buildings review
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- State of the art radiology machine for Auckland
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- Foreign Minister to visit Europe
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- First arrests made under gang patch ban
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- Better support for victims of sexual violence
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- Government moving forward with Regional Deals
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- MSA pilot participant update
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- Attendance rates increase, again
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- Improving the lives of young New Zealanders
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- 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
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- 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
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- 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
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- Police stats show promising change
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- 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
- NZ signs trade deal with Costa Rica, Iceland and Switzerland
Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay has signed a pioneering trade agreement that prioritises New Zealand’s sustainable exports at a ceremony during APEC in Peru today. “The Agreement on Trade and Sustainability (ACCTS), between Costa Rica, Iceland, and Switzerland was concluded in July of this year and opens up significant ...6 days ago
- Government and iwi work together on aquaculture
Five new Aquaculture Settlement Areas will help ensure Ngāi Tahu shares in the opportunities aquaculture offers for Southland’s economy, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. “The Aquaculture Settlement Areas (ASAs) I’m announcing today set aside space so the Crown and Ngāi Tahu can assess their potential for aquaculture development. ...7 days ago
- Government launches review to ensure electricity market is fit-for-purpose
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- Speech to Social Investment Hui: Jack and his whānau need our help
Kia ora koutou katoa. Nau mai, haere mai, piki mai. Ki te mihi atu ahau, ki te manwhenua nei, Te Atiawa, Ngāti toa rangatira, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou katoa. Thank you, Andy, for your introduction. Let me acknowledge you as the new Chief Executive of the Social Investment ...7 days ago
- Minister of State for Trade heads to Brisbane for PACER Plus meeting
Minister of State for Trade Nicola Grigg has travelled to Australia to attend the PACER Plus Ministers Meeting in Brisbane. “Trade plays a critical role in driving employment, economic growth, and improving the standards of living in the Pacific Region. The Government is strongly committed to supporting Pacific Island countries ...7 days ago
- Proposals to modernise conservation released
Toitū te taiao – Our environment endures The Government is consulting on proposals to modernise New Zealand’s conservation management system, aiming to protect relevant natural areas while supporting sustainable growth in tourism and regional economies, Conservation Minister Tama Potaka says. “Today, the Department of Conservation – Te Papa Atawhai is ...1 week ago
- Knowing superstitions aren’t real doesn’t stop us behaving superstitiously – why?
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 ...2 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. ...3 hours ago - Smoke and mirrors in heated tobacco debate
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A man abused by a former political figure is "immensely relieved" at a government proposal to end secrecy around sex offenders' identities. ...4 hours ago
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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. ...4 hours ago
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The server will be getting hardware changes this evening starting at 10pm NZDT.
The site will be off line for some hours.
If they are not going to tell us anything about it, why say anything?
I guess we can now look forward to a further erosion of our personal ‘freedoms’ to keep us safe and warm.
“If they are not going to tell us anything about it, why say anything?”
They couldn’t find the panda?
“If they are not going to tell us anything about it, why say anything?”
They’re taking lessons from Comey.
Perhaps another suitcase containing a Penthouse magazine and a meat pie went missing.
To be fair, I think Comey was between a rock and a hard place.
Option 1, he says nothing and someone within the FBI leaks that they have found more emails and are investigating them (or not) Trump can say I told you that the establishment is trying to rig the election by burying evidence etc. This would possibly prompt his supporters to riot etc and it would probably be worse in terms of appearance for Clinton.
Option 2, Do what he did and face condemnation.
I think me made the right choice given the options in front of him.
Option 3:
Make it VERY clear in the letter exactly why he was sending it, and what information was known and what information was not known, so that the media, Trump and Clinton could not project their own meaning into the letter.
Option 4:
Send the letter at the start of October when his department first knew about the new emails, not the end of October. This requires him to have used foresight to tell his underlings that anything about Clinton’s emails should be brought to his attention immediately.
They( the gnats ) have to justify there actions somehow but didn’t they say our terror risks were assessed as ‘very low ‘ and then they said our terror risk was now a ‘low risk’. All of a sudden they say we had a real terror threat. The problem is when you have been told so many lies and spin it is difficult to know what and who to believe. This is the kind of people we now have ruining/running our country
Because they want to stir up fear and uncertainty, because fear and uncertainty creates right-wing voters.
we have nothing to fear except fear itself
ie not being told jack shit about what the govt knows or doesnt just to fill up the msm when we are taking our favourite substance of choice to avoid hbeing upset from what little peace we have in our lives since bloody JONKEY Took over our country for his homeland security bosses
fuckin zionist
Love it, the spies can’t have lost the documentation or didn’t bother doing it on their illegal spying. surprise surprise. Nothing to see here, (yet again) move on, move on.
Maybe the security scare was Brownlee circumventing the airport security again…
Or the free visas for high wealth gamblers via China Airlines at Sky City let in a few suitcases of meth and more…
Yes, I thought that, too.
Christchurch airport security was supposedly sufficient to cope with world-class security risks, but they’ve had to add an extra door lock (alarm?) and a turnstile, to protect the country from its own government!
The next time Gerry Brownlee wishes to circumvent airport security because he’s “in a hurry”, let him. Funnel him out onto the hardstand and hope he’ll be sucked into a jet engine. This will allow both Christchurch, and the national pie stockpiles to sufficiently recover from the drubbing they’ve been subjected to under his delicate ministrations.
Strange that the Report covers material from 2014 and yet is issued at the end of 2016.
I have a suspicion that NZSIS has fought tooth and nail with lawyers to get this report watered down, much like McCully did and those in the PMs office did when they were investigated for their role in the Goff affair.
Another interesting point
2.2 “…they had not specifically demonstrated how those
activities were primarily directed towards the statutory purposes of the Act, as distinct from other ancillary purposes.”
Would this be about the Police operation against Hagar or other politicals ?
Turned out to be Munter McMutton and his exploding sheep.
Is it because Key heard that a rogue Nat MP was threatening to go honest from now on and tell the truth on everything?
Am I warm?
I guess reading the standard. Will put you on some black list somewhere
we have more to fear from facebook
do tell us more John and what the f are you doing about that ?
giving them all of the country ?
What is there left for ISIS?
– Wreck our education system?
– Trigger a borrowing programme so vast it will take a generation to pay off?
– Force a large proportion of kiwis and kiwi families to live on the street, or in cars?
– Deprive the country’s largest city of a world-class public transport network, causing gridlock for hours each day?
– Sign up NZ to a supposed free trade deal that has arguable benefits and significant obligations, such that neither Republican nor Democrat candidate support it?
– Sell off publicly owned infrastructure investments that generated double-digit returns to taxpayers?
– Play mind games with mining families, promising to do whatever it takes to recover the bodies of their relatives, then sealing the mine up?
– Change the tax system to promote a wider gap between rich and poor, then promise to do it again?
– Control the recovery of Christchurch from two earthquakes and a flood, such that 6 or more years later the city is still not rebuilt?
– Take away freedom of thought with 1984-style spying on everyones emails, just in case the information is needed later, if the government spy agency decides to label someone a subversive?