Bracing for the book
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- Date published:
10:40 am, August 13th, 2014 - 104 comments
Categories: accountability, capitalism, democracy under attack, election 2014, john key, Spying, us politics -
Tags: nicky hager, surveillance
Nicky Hager has certainly got the attention of political circles in NZ, by announcing his (untitled) book launch today at 5.15pm – time to make the 6pm TV news.
John Key is bracing for the release, suspecting, like many of us, that the book will relate to the GCSB, 5 Eyes and the Edward Snowden leaks.
Hager has had a journalistic interest in the Snowden leaks, the “Echelon network” (otherwise known as the 5 Eyes, US, Canadian, UK, Australia, NZ surveillance network).
Key has tried to blunt any potentially damage the book may do to him, by smearing Hager.
Tracey Watkins reports on Stuff:
The Government is bracing itself for revelations about the extent of New Zealand’s role in the Five Eyes spy network as author Nicky Hager prepares to unveil his latest book.
Hager is keeping silent on the subject of the book but Prime Minister John Key yesterday said he could not rule out the likelihood that Hager had obtained leaked documents from former American defence contractor Edward Snowden.
[…]
The Government appears certain that Snowden has documents detailing New Zealand’s spying activities as part of the United States-led Five Eyes surveillance network and that they will eventually come out.
[…]
Key said it was well known that Snowden had accessed a huge number of files, some of which related to New Zealand and Five Eyes. Asked if Hager was likely to reveal New Zealand had spied on other countries, he responded: “He might do.”
[…]
Key said he did not believe it was a coincidence that Hager was releasing his book now.
“Most people know that Nicky Hager is a screaming Left-wing conspiracy theorist. He’s hardly an authority on these matters . . . I’m not terribly worried.”
However, contrary to Key’s claims, Hager is a thorough research of international repute.
Back in December last year, security and strategic analyst, Paul Buchanan, warned:
It is not a matter of if but when Snowden makes damaging revelations about New Zealand’s role in the 5 Eyes network, including whom the GCSB spies upon at home and abroad. Prime Minister Key has already admitted as much, but maintains that he is unconcerned.
[…]
Given that possibility, the Government needs to prepare contingency plans for the diplomatic fallout that inevitably lies ahead.
There are many things about NZ’s current state surveillance services that are of concern: the lack of sufficient oversight (checks and balances that it is operating for the benefit of all Kiwis, in ways that do not undermine democracy); mission creep from a focus on security that protects against physical attacks on/in NZ, to a focus on “economic security” in ways that privilege multinational corporates; and from focus on external threats, to concerns about spying on New Zealanders.
While waiting for the launch, many have been tweeting possible Hager book tittles, as reported by Toby Manhire. Suggested titles include:
Smiley Wavey’s People
2 Hollow 2 Furious
An Agent at My Table
O Brethren, Where Art Thou
‘Seeds of Distrust – A Manual for the Sceptical Gardener’
[update: Livestream of book launch]
So far it sounds like a lot of squeaky to me.
Update #2] Title is “Dirty Politics” Iwas wrong.
It’s on attack politics, Key, Slater, Jason Ede.
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- Further humanitarian aid for Türkiye and SyriaAotearoa New Zealand will provide further humanitarian support to those seriously affected by last month’s deadly earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria, says Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta. “The 6 February earthquakes have had devastating consequences, with almost 18 million people affected. More than 53,000 people have died and tens of thousands more ...17 hours ago
- Community voice to help shape immigration policyMigrant communities across New Zealand are represented in the new Migrant Community Reference Group that will help shape immigration policy going forward, Immigration Minister Michael Wood announced today. “Since becoming Minister, a reoccurring message I have heard from migrants is the feeling their voice has often been missing around policy ...18 hours ago
- State Highway 3 project to deliver safer journeys, better travel connections for TaranakiConstruction has begun on major works that will deliver significant safety improvements on State Highway 3 from Waitara to Bell Block, Associate Minister of Transport Kiri Allan announced today. “This is an important route for communities, freight and visitors to Taranaki but too many people have lost their lives or ...20 hours ago
- Ginny Andersen appointed as Minister of PolicePrime Minister Chris Hipkins has today appointed Ginny Andersen as Minister of Police. “Ginny Andersen has a strong and relevant background in this important portfolio,” Chris Hipkins said. “Ginny Andersen worked for the Police as a non-sworn staff member for around 10 years and has more recently been chair of ...2 days ago
- Government confirms vital roading reconnectionsSix further bailey bridge sites confirmed Four additional bridge sites under consideration 91 per cent of damaged state highways reopened Recovery Dashboards for impacted regions released The Government has responded quickly to restore lifeline routes after Cyclone Gabrielle and can today confirm that an additional six bailey bridges will ...2 days ago
- Foreign Minister Mahuta to meet with China’s new Foreign MinisterForeign Minister Nanaia Mahuta departs for China tomorrow, where she will meet with her counterpart, State Councillor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang, in Beijing. This will be the first visit by a New Zealand Minister to China since 2019, and follows the easing of COVID-19 travel restrictions between New Zealand and China. ...2 days ago
- Education Ministers from across the Pacific gather in AotearoaEducation Ministers from across the Pacific will gather in Tāmaki Makaurau this week to share their collective knowledge and strategic vision, for the benefit of ākonga across the region. New Zealand Education Minister Jan Tinetti will host the inaugural Conference of Pacific Education Ministers (CPEM) for three days from today, ...2 days ago
- State Highway 5 reopens between Napier and Taupō following Cyclone GabrielleA vital transport link for communities and local businesses has been restored following Cyclone Gabrielle with the reopening of State Highway 5 (SH5) between Napier and Taupō, Associate Minister of Transport Kiri Allan says. SH5 reopened to all traffic between 7am and 7pm from today, with closure points at SH2 (Kaimata ...2 days ago
- Special Lotto draw raises $11.7 million for Cyclone Gabrielle recoveryInternal Affairs Minister Barbara Edmonds has thanked generous New Zealanders who took part in the special Lotto draw for communities affected by Cyclone Gabrielle. Held on Saturday night, the draw raised $11.7 million with half of all ticket sales going towards recovery efforts. “In a time of need, New Zealanders ...3 days ago
- Government delivers a $3 million funding boost for Building Financial Capability servicesThe Government has announced funding of $3 million for providers to help people, and whānau access community-based Building Financial Capability services. “Demand for Financial Capability Services is growing as people face cost of living pressures. Those pressures are increasing further in areas affected by flooding and Cyclone Gabrielle,” Minister for ...5 days ago
- Education New Zealand | Manapou ki te Ao – new Chair and memberMinister of Education, Hon Jan Tinetti, has announced appointments to the Board of Education New Zealand | Manapou ki te Ao. Tracey Bridges is joining the Board as the new Chair and Dr Therese Arseneau will be a new member. Current members Dr Linda Sissons CNZM and Daniel Wilson have ...5 days ago
- Scholarships honouring Ngarimu VC and the 28th (Māori) Battalion announcedFifteen ākonga Māori from across Aotearoa have been awarded the prestigious Ngarimu VC and 28th (Māori) Battalion Memorial Scholarships and Awards for 2023, Associate Education Minister and Ngarimu Board Chair, Kelvin Davis announced today. The recipients include doctoral, masters’ and undergraduate students. Three vocational training students and five wharekura students, ...5 days ago
- Appointment of Judge of the Court of Appeal and Judge of the High CourtHigh Court Judge Jillian Maree Mallon has been appointed a Judge of the Court of Appeal, and District Court Judge Andrew John Becroft QSO has been appointed a Judge of the High Court, Attorney‑General David Parker announced today. Justice Mallon graduated from Otago University in 1988 with an LLB (Hons), and with ...5 days ago
- NZ still well placed to meet global challengesThe economy has continued to show its resilience despite today’s GDP figures showing a modest decline in the December quarter, leaving the Government well positioned to help New Zealanders face cost of living pressures in a challenging global environment. “The economy had grown strongly in the two quarters before this ...5 days ago
- Western Ring Route CompleteAucklanders now have more ways to get around as Transport Minister Michael Wood opened the direct State Highway 1 (SH1) to State Highway 18 (SH18) underpass today, marking the completion of the 48-kilometre Western Ring Route (WRR). “The Government is upgrading New Zealand’s transport system to make it safer, more ...5 days ago
- Briefings to Incoming MinistersThis section contains briefings received by incoming ministers following changes to Cabinet in January. Some information may have been withheld in accordance with the Official Information Act 1982. Where information has been withheld that is indicated within the document. ...5 days ago
- Teaming up for a stronger, more resilient FijiAotearoa New Zealand Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta reaffirmed her commitment to working together with the new Government of Fiji on issues of shared importance, including on the prioritisation of climate change and sustainability, at a meeting today, in Nadi. Fiji and Aotearoa New Zealand’s close relationship is underpinned by the Duavata ...6 days ago
- Investment in blue highway a lifeline for regional economies and cyclone recoveryThe Government is delivering a coastal shipping lifeline for businesses, residents and the primary sector in the cyclone-stricken regions of Hawkes Bay and Tairāwhiti, Regional Development Minister Kiri Allan announced today. The Rangitata vessel has been chartered for an emergency coastal shipping route between Gisborne and Napier, with potential for ...6 days ago
- Next steps developing clean energy for NZThe Government will progress to the next stage of the NZ Battery Project, looking at the viability of pumped hydro as well as an alternative, multi-technology approach as part of the Government’s long term-plan to build a resilient, affordable, secure and decarbonised energy system in New Zealand, Energy and Resources ...6 days ago
- Statement from the Prime Minister on Stuart NashThis morning I was made aware of a media interview in which Minister Stuart Nash criticised a decision of the Court and said he had contacted the Police Commissioner to suggest the Police appeal the decision. The phone call took place in 2021 when he was not the Police Minister. ...7 days ago
- CPTPP Trade Ministers coming to AucklandThe Government’s sharp focus on trade continues with Aotearoa New Zealand set to host Trade Ministers and delegations from 10 Asia Pacific economies at a meeting of Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) Commission members in July, Minister for Trade and Export Growth Damien O’Connor announced today. “New Zealand ...7 days ago
- Govt approves $25 million extension for cyclone-affected businesses$25 million boost to support more businesses with clean-up in cyclone affected regions, taking total business support to more than $50 million Demand for grants has been strong, with estimates showing applications will exceed the initial $25 million business support package Grants of up to a maximum of $40,000 per ...7 days ago
- More than 160,000 new Kiwis to call NZ home80 per cent of 2021 Resident Visas applications have been processed – three months ahead of schedule Residence granted to 160,000 people 84,000 of 85,000 applications have been approved Over 160,000 people have become New Zealand residents now that 80 per cent of 2021 Resident Visa (2021RV) applications have been ...7 days ago
- Scholarships propel Kiwi students to NASAThe Government continues to invest in New Zealand’s burgeoning space industry, today announcing five scholarships for Kiwi Students to undertake internships at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in California. Economic Development Minister Stuart Nash congratulated Michaela Dobson (University of Auckland), Leah Albrow (University of Canterbury) and Jack Naish, Celine Jane ...7 days ago
- New Zealand to attend regional security meeting in AustraliaThe Lead Coordination Minister for the Government’s Response to the Royal Commission’s Report into the Terrorist Attack on the Christchurch Mosques travels to Melbourne, Australia today to represent New Zealand at the fourth Sub-Regional Meeting on Counter-Terrorism and Transnational Security. “The Government is committed to reducing the threat of terrorism ...7 days ago
- Health and safety action plan for portsThe health and safety practices at our nation’s ports will be improved as part of a new industry-wide action plan, Workplace Relations and Safety, and Transport Minister Michael Wood has announced. “Following the tragic death of two port workers in Auckland and Lyttelton last year, I asked the Port Health ...7 days ago
- Bikes and scooters to be exempt from FBTBikes, electric bikes and scooters will be added to the types of transport exempted from fringe benefit tax under changes proposed today. Revenue Minister David Parker said the change would allow bicycles, electric bicycles, scooters, electric scooters, and micro-mobility share services to be exempt from fringe benefit tax where they ...1 week ago
- Foreign Affairs Minister to reaffirm our close relationship with FijiForeign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta will hold bilateral meetings with Fiji this week. The visit will be her first to the country since the election of the new coalition Government led by Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sitiveni Rabuka. The visit will be an opportunity to meet kanohi ki ...1 week ago
- New legislation to streamline Cyclone recoveryThe Government is introducing the Severe Weather Emergency Legislation Bill to ensure the recovery and rebuild from Cyclone Gabrielle is streamlined and efficient with unnecessary red tape removed. The legislation is similar to legislation passed following the Christchurch and Kaikōura earthquakes that modifies existing legislation in order to remove constraints ...1 week ago
- Cost of living package: More bread and butter support for Kiwi familiesApproximately 1.4 million people will benefit from increases to rates and thresholds for social assistance to help with the cost of living Superannuation to increase by over $100 a pay for a couple Main benefits to increase by the rate of inflation, meaning a family on a benefit with children ...1 week ago
- Freeing up more government bandwidth and money to focus on the cost of living$1 billion in savings which will be reallocated to support New Zealanders with the cost of living A range of transport programmes deferred so Waka Kotahi can focus on post Cyclone road recovery Speed limit reduction programme significantly narrowed to focus on the most dangerous one per cent of state ...1 week ago
- State of National Emergency to end for Tairāwhiti and Hawke’s BayThe remaining state of national emergency over the Tairāwhiti and Hawke’s Bay regions will end on Tuesday 14 March, Minister for Emergency Management Kieran McAnulty announced today. Minister McAnulty gave notice of a national transition period over these regions, which will come into effect immediately following the end of the ...1 week ago
- Government delivers on Dawn Raids commitmentThe Government is today delivering on one of its commitments as part of the New Zealand Government’s Dawn Raids apology, welcoming a cohort of emerging Pacific leaders to Aotearoa New Zealand participating in the He Manawa Tītī Scholarship Programme. This cohort will participate in a bespoke leadership training programme that ...1 week ago
- New plan to increase productivity and high wage jobs across advanced manufacturing sectorIndustry Transformation Plan to transform advanced manufacturing through increased productivity and higher-skilled, higher-wage jobs into a globally-competitive low-emissions sector. Co-created and co-owned by business, unions and workers, government, Māori, Pacific peoples and wider stakeholders. A plan to accelerate the growth and transformation of New Zealand’s advanced manufacturing sector was launched ...1 week ago
- Aotearoa New Zealand supports Pacific countries to combat animal disease New Zealand will provide support for Pacific countries to prevent the spread of harmful animal diseases, Associate Minister of Agriculture Meka Whaitiri said. The Associate Minister is attending a meeting of Pacific Ministers during the Pacific Week of Agriculture and Forestry in Nadi, Fiji. “Highly contagious diseases such as African ...2 weeks ago
- Government delivers better public transport for ChristchurchThe Public Transport Futures project will deliver approximately: 100 more buses providing a greater number of seats to a greater number of locations at a higher frequency Over 470 more bus shelters to support a more enjoyable travel experience Almost 200 real time display units providing accurate information on bus ...2 weeks ago
- Cyclone Gabrielle: Why many in Muriwai can't move on
A month on from Cyclone Gabrielle, many residents in Muriwai are still living in limbo, unable to return to their homes "I can't look back because it's too sad. I can't look forward because it is too daunting." Kat Corbett's Muriwai home remains out-of-bounds more than a month after ...52 mins ago - TOP and the not terribly Teal Deal
TOP leader Raf Manji talks to Nikki Mandow about going teal, and the opportunity for a party that’s pro-business and pro-environment ...52 mins ago - Govt should explain why it rejected our advice – Climate Commission
The Climate Change Commission's chair says the Government's decisions to ignore its advice could weaken the country's most important climate policy. ...52 mins ago - Central Otago subdivision buyers lose the plot
A wave of council rule rewrites drives section buyers to give up and look elsewhere ...52 mins ago - Beware of coconut oil salesmen
Coconut plantations are far from being ‘natural’ environments, coconut oil is high in saturated fats, and, despite the advertising, most of the global supply of coconut oil doesn’t come from the Pacific Islands either Opinion: Coconut oil has gained a halo as a natural health product, with claims it can ...52 mins ago - New Orleans’ lesson on fallible flood defences: Let's not ‘build back better’
Post-cyclone, where we rebuild and where we don't is the first challenge ...52 mins ago - Sympathy cards and the lessons of birds
An author on the death of a baby and "a calm respectful grace" The normal world was out there. The clocks and the jobs and the traffic and the mortgages and the death. Especially the death. Death in suburbia means funerals with piped fake Celtic music despite the fact ...52 mins ago - The long road to Paris' rebound
One of New Zealand’s brightest young netball talents, Paris Lokotui has returned to the court 10 months after a knee reconstruction. Now she hopes her tough journey back paves a better way for other Māori and Pasifika players. Paris Lokotui remembers the moment time stood still. The 21-year-old was playing ...52 mins ago - Newsroom daily quiz, Wednesday 22 March
Loading...(function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){var ql=document.querySelectorAll('A[quiz],DIV[quiz],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. ...2 hours ago - Daily crossword, Wednesday 22 March
...2 hours ago - Some Pacific nations ‘won’t survive’ if NZ and world drop the climate ball
By Hamish Cardwell, RNZ News senior journalist There is “is much to win by trying” to take action on climate change — that is a key finding in a major new international climate report the UN chief is calling a “survival guide for humanity”. It is something of a mic ...8 hours ago - Hipkins and Luxon hit the road: A taste of campaign 2023
A pōwhiri, a pie, and a grilling from primary school kids: Today was the day the boy from the Hutt who grew up to be prime minister went home for a visit. ...10 hours ago - How can Australia pay $368 billion for new submarines? Some of the money will be created from thin a...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Peter Martin, Visiting Fellow, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University Australia’s decision to buy three nuclear-powered submarines and build another eight is so expensive that, for the A$268 billion to $368 billion price tag, we could give a million dollars ...12 hours ago
- Australia’s 116 new coal, oil and gas projects equate to 215 new coal power stationsSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Richard Denniss, Adjunct Professor, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University Australia has 116 new coal, oil and gas projects in the pipeline. If they all proceed as planned, an extra 1.4 billion tonnes of greenhouse gases would be released into ...13 hours ago
- Chris Hipkins and Justin Trudeau discuss 'shared priorities'Prime Minister Chris Hipkins spoke with his Canadian counterpart Justin Trudeau this afternoon. ...13 hours ago
- Public Sector Managers Growing At Twice The Rate Of Frontline Workers
Figures unearthed by the New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union reveal that the growth in public sector managers is almost twice that of frontline social, health and education workers. Since 2017, the frontline workforce for social services, health and education ...13 hours ago - What Australia could learn from New Zealand about Indigenous representationSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Dominic O’Sullivan, Adjunct Professor, Faculty of Health and Environmental Sciences, Auckland University of Technology, and Professor of Political Science, Charles Sturt University A referendum will be held later this year to enshrine a First Nations’ Voice to Parliament into the Australian constitution. ...14 hours ago
- Taoist rituals via video call and Tarot readings over WeChat: China’s spiritual market is going di...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Haoyang Zhai, PhD Candidate, The University of Melbourne Alexander Schimmeck/Unsplash Since its inception in 1921, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has officially promoted an atheist and materialist ideology. But belief systems in China are making a comeback – and ...14 hours ago
- Scott Robertson appointed the next All Black coach (after the current one)
Scott Robertson has been announced successor to Ian Foster as head coach of the All Blacks, completing a controversial and highly idiosyncratic appointment process. He will assume the role in 2024, following the world cup at the end of this year. The contract for the breakdancing current coach of the ...14 hours ago - Concerns Expressed For Anti-Trans Activist Plans For New Zealand VisitMulticultural New Zealand (MNZ) has expressed concern about events scheduled to take place in Auckland and Wellington on March 25th and 26th, respectively. The events will feature British anti-transgender activist, Kellie-Jay Keen-Minshull. MNZ is ...14 hours ago
- Race Relations Day To Focus On Empowering Inspirational Leadership From YouthRace Relations Day is celebrated annually in New Zealand on March 21st to promote and celebrate diversity, inclusivity, and harmony among different cultural, ethnic, and religious groups. As part of Race Relations Day 2023, Multicultural New Zealand ...14 hours ago
- Mayor Wayne Brown’s Comments Concerning Says Library AssociationAuckland Mayor Wayne Brown’s suggestion to make council budget cuts by reducing staffing hours and replacing librarians and library assistants with volunteers is concerning says New Zealand’s library association. “Limiting access to the valued ...14 hours ago
- Google and Microsoft are bringing AI to Word, Excel, Gmail and more. It could boost productivity for...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Mohiuddin Ahmed, Senior Lecturer in Cyber Security, Edith Cowan University Shutterstock Google and Microsoft are on a mission to remove the drudgery from computing, by bringing next-generation AI tools as add-ons to existing services. On March 16, Microsoft announced an ...15 hours ago
- Wayne Brown’s interviews since being elected mayor, rankedThe Auckland mayor’s decision to keep the media at arm’s length makes every interview he does grant a rare and exciting event, like a new Avatar movie. Stewart Sowman-Lund ranks them all from least to most exciting. Wayne Brown has a well-reported lack of affection for the media. In his ...15 hours ago
- Papuan liberation group calls for more ‘serious’ global efforts to end violenceTabloid Jubi in Jayapura The United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) has called on the international community to “pay serious attention” to the escalated violence happening in West Papua. Head of ULMWP’s legal and human rights bureau, Daniel Randongkir, said that since the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) ...16 hours ago
- IPCC report: world must cut emissions and urgently adapt to climate realitiesANALYSIS: By Bronwyn Hayward, University of Canterbury This decade is the critical moment for making deep, rapid cuts to emissions, and acting to protect people from dangerous climate impacts we can no longer avoid, according to the latest report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). The synthesis report ...16 hours ago
- Labour now leads National across five pollsAcross five of the latest polls for which results are published, Labour now has an edge over National. A new Talbot Mills poll, as reported by the Herald, has Labour up four points to 37%, with National down two points to 34%. The results, which draw on fieldwork across the first ...16 hours ago
- WWF Calls For The Government To Accelerate Action To Phase-out Fossil Fuels, Slash Emissions, And Re...Statement from Dr Kayla Kingdon-Bebb, WWF-New Zealand CEO Today's IPCC’s Sixth Assessment Synthesis Report (AR6) highlights that an accelerated phase-out of fossil fuels is the best way to avoid the planet overshooting 1.5°C and risking total climate ...16 hours ago
- A day in the life of a children’s librarianThe first in a two-part series revealing insights into the working life of a librarian. For privacy reasons, all names – including place names – have been changed. Te Whare Pukapuka o Poutama is a composite library. It’s 9.30AM on a mid-January Monday, high summer, school holidays. Kaitiaki Pukapuka ...16 hours ago
- Our mysterious night parrot has terrible vision – but we discovered it might be able to hear like...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Elen Shute, Researcher, Flinders University One bird bucks the stereotype of Australia’s raucous parrots – the mysterious and critically endangered night parrot (Pezoporus occidentalis). Rather than flying around in noisy flocks or eating fruit in trees, the night parrot roosts all day ...16 hours ago
- No, gamblers don’t ‘need’ cash. Our research isn’t an argument against cashless gaming refor...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sally Gainsbury, Deputy Director, Gambling Treatment and Research Clinic, Senior Lecturer, School of Psychology, University of Sydney shutterstock The Perottett government’s promise to introduce mandatory “cashless gambling” in New South Wales by 2028 – something for which anti-gambling activists and public-health ...16 hours ago
- Funding For Roads At Lowest Levels In A DecadeLocal Government New Zealand (LGNZ) is warning that the state of our roads could be the next infrastructure crisis if the Government does not adequately fund maintenance costs. LGNZ commissioned a report by one of the country’s leading economists, Brad ...16 hours ago
- Police Minister Ginny Andersen vows to focus on community safetyGinny Andersen, who was named in the role yesterday, says she will be working every day to make sure New Zealanders feel safer. ...16 hours ago
- Consumer Pulse: Kiwis Tighten Spend As They Face Financial StressToday Canstar is proud to release its second Consumer Pulse report, which delves into the financial worries, hopes and dreams of more than 20,000 New Zealanders over the past two years. The report, released annually, tracks Kiwis’ finances and reveals ...17 hours ago
- Australia’s electric vehicle numbers doubled last year. What’s the impact of charging them on a ...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Thara Philip, E-Mobility Doctoral Researcher, The University of Queensland The number of electric vehicles (EVs) in Australia doubled in 2022 and Tesla’s Model 3 emerged as the best-selling mid-size car, the first time an EV has held this title. Despite these headlines, ...17 hours ago
- A Greyhound Will Face Full Tail Amputation Following A Race Meeting In ChristchurchSAFE is again urging the Government to ban greyhound racing sooner rather than later, following a raft of severe injures in Christchurch yesterday. Sugar rose suffered a severe tail injury yesterday at Addington raceway. Her tail was partially amputated ...17 hours ago
- PM Chris Hipkins speaks to media after visiting his old primary schoolPrime Minister Chris Hipkins is speaking to media following a visit to his old primary school. ...17 hours ago
- Industry Lobbying Influence A Major Brake On Government Action – GreenpeaceIn the wake of revelations that Chris Hipkins' chief of staff, Andrew Kirton, lobbied against the Container Return Scheme on behalf of the liquor industry shortly before the scheme was scrapped by the Prime Minister, Greenpeace is calling for the scheme ...17 hours ago
- Why peace negotiations haven’t gained any traction in the Ukraine war – and how the stalemate co...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Paul Komesaroff, Professor of Medicine, Monash University Libkos/AP/AAP A year after Russia’s invasion, Ukraine is in ruins. At least 8,000 civilians have died, with millions displaced. Generations of infrastructure have been destroyed. Large tracts of the environment and agricultural land ...18 hours ago
- Watch live: PM Chris Hipkins speaks to media after visiting his old primary schoolPrime Minister Chris Hipkins is speaking to media following a visit to his old primary school. ...18 hours ago
- The Opportunities Party Announces A $1.5b Investment In Our Future Generations With The Teal DealThe Opportunities Party have proposed a new Teal Deal between taxpayers and young Kiwis - which includes fully-funded healthcare and public transport, and a Kiwisaver kickstarter in exchange for national civic service. Raf Manji, Leader of The Opportunities ...18 hours ago
- Why is it so hard to combine biking with public transport in Auckland?There are plenty of practical ways the city could make multi-modal transport more accessible – but have they all been consigned to the too-hard basket? How can Auckland start mitigating its impact on the climate crisis? Our biggest city’s sustainable solution must start with transport, its number one source of ...18 hours ago
- Parliament Must Seize Chance To Unlock Natural Health Products’ Billion-dollar PotentialLong overdue legislation to unlock the economic and export potential of natural health products must not accidentally add more red tape that harms the growing sector and consumers, industry body Natural Health Products New Zealand told Members of ...18 hours ago
- Bryce Edwards’ Political Roundup: Shining a bright light on lobbyists in politicsAnalysis by Dr Bryce Edwards. Political Roundup: Shining a bright light on lobbyists in politics Political scientist, Dr Bryce Edwards. Four out of the five people who have held the top role of Prime Minister’s Chief of Staff since 2017 have been lobbyists. That’s a fact that should worry anyone who ...18 hours ago
- Chernobyl was history’s worst nuclear disaster. Now it’s teaching geologists about the history o...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Denis Fougerouse, Research Fellow, School of Earth and Planetary Sciences and The Institute for Geoscience Research (TIGeR), Curtin University Shutterstock Thirty-seven years ago, on April 26 1986, the reactor of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant suffered a catastrophic meltdown. In ...18 hours ago
- NZ Chiropractors Voice Opposition To Therapeutic Products BillThe New Zealand Chiropractors’ Association (NZCA) will today (21st March 2023) tell Parliament’s Health Select Committee that the profession opposes the proposed Therapeutic Products Bill in its entirety in its present form and in particular its ...18 hours ago
- The Bulletin: Multiple options for avoiding worst of climate breakdownThe final Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report on the climate crisis came out this morning. The report contains no new science but is a summary of eight years of research by hundreds of scientists and the last three IPCC reports published in August 2021, February and April 2022 ...19 hours ago
- Police accept IPCA report into incident at Tauranga CourtBay of Plenty District Commander Superintendent Tim Anderson: Police accept the findings by the Independent Police Conduct Authority into an incident involving an officer who tasered a man in the cells at Tauranga District Court in February 2019. ...19 hours ago
- Womad review: Summer finally gets a festival worth shouting aboutFew festivals have escaped the summer of 2023 unscathed. Before the sun blessed Womad with a rare guest appearance, the Taranaki festival got a drenching too. According to my pink and blue wristband, we were partying like it was “2022”. That was the first sign that things haven’t been going ...19 hours ago
- https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO2303/S00159/.htm...19 hours ago
- PVA To Appear At The Health Select Committee Today To Express ‘Grave Concern’ About Therapeutic ...Patient Voice Aotearoa’s Dr Malcolm Mulholland will today at 3.30 appear before the Health Select Committee to voice opposition to parts of the Therapeutic Products Bill on behalf of Kiwi patients. “The Bill threatens to obstruct access to unfunded ...20 hours ago
- Banking Union Calls For Levy On Bank ProfitsFIRST Union, the union for bank workers across New Zealand, is supporting calls for an immediate inquiry into bank profits and proposing a levy on excess profits to fund the establishment of a Ministry of Green Works . The March 2023 KPMG Financial ...20 hours ago
- Prime Minister Chris Hipkins responds to revelations chief of staff led lobbying firmPrime Minister Chris Hipkins says there is a need for "transparency and vigilance" around lobbyists and their relationships with politicians. ...20 hours ago
- IPCC report: the world must cut emissions and urgently adapt to the new climate realitiesSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Bronwyn Hayward, Professor of Politics, University of Canterbury Earth Negotiations Bulletin, CC BY-ND This decade is the critical moment for making deep, rapid cuts to emissions, and acting to protect people from dangerous climate impacts we can no longer avoid, ...21 hours ago
- Why isn’t cervical screening free for everyone?There is a growing campaign to remove the costs associated with cervical screening in Aotearoa. Alex Casey explains. What’s all this then? In July, Aotearoa is getting a big shiny new cervical screening programme after years and years and years of delays. The dreaded three-yearly smear test will be exchanged ...21 hours ago
- Satellites and space junk may make dark night skies brighter, hindering astronomy and hiding stars f...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jessica Heim, PhD researcher, University of Southern Queensland ESA Since time immemorial, humans around the world have gazed up in wonder at the night sky. The starry night sky has not only inspired countless works of music, art and poetry, ...21 hours ago
- Labor is odds-on for a narrow victory in NSW election, but it is far from a sure betSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Andy Marks, Pro Vice-Chancellor, Strategy, Government and Alliances, Western Sydney University Bianca de Marchi/AAP A gambler would probably feel the odds favour a Labor win at the upcoming New South Wales election. But, as Scott Morrison proved in 2019, underdog ...21 hours ago
- How bad is vaping and should it be banned?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nicole Lee, Professor at the National Drug Research Institute (Melbourne), Curtin University nery zarate/unsplash, CC BY-SA Vaping regularly makes headlines, with some campaigning to make e-cigarettes more available to help smokers quit, while others are keen to see vaping products ...21 hours ago
- NZ universities are not normal Crown institutions – they shouldn’t be ‘Tiriti-led’Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Dominic O’Sullivan, Adjunct Professor, Faculty of Health and Environmental Sciences, Auckland University of Technology, and Professor of Political Science, Charles Sturt University Shutterstock As part of its aspiration to be “Tiriti-led”, the University of Otago has embarked on a consultation ...21 hours ago
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I’d call it “Damp Squib”
you would! (@PR) Standard procedure.
infused and others are busy consulting their spin doctors and holding evening prayers – with or without Jamie Lee or his disciples. (Jamie Lee is unavaliable and still taking instructions from above)
Jason and Blubber have got past thinking “shit!”, and are now thinking – “how do we get out of this?” – Answer: KEEP BULLSHITTING, ramp up the spin – nothing to lose (Nicky H is a well known conspirissy theeerist, etc., etc. – Mind the lithp Dear Leader – some people might think you’re g-g-GAY)
Pop is still clutching his pearls and thinking of something ‘deep and meaningful’ to comment on – being the expert on all and sundry, and the master/mistress of the Universe, and in consideration of how his/her ‘minority’ status might pass the RW prejudice test – sugar daddies aside. (never mind – wipe it up wipe it up with XLO …… next …. next ….. get back to the stove bitch)
john and a few others are a bit challenged – but Yeah, but Nah – couldn’t happen here – we’re decent blokes
troll
troll
troll
Pardon the reference to ‘Pop’, but he’s the ultimate vanity project
I reckon Karol knows exactly what’s in the book, otherwise why risk so much credibility on a guess?
Anyway, the only thing needed to be done to justify GCSB and SIS surveillance is to print the photo of the 7yr old Aussie kid holding a guy’s head.
you reckon do ya grumpy? I reckon you are wrong. Or are you saying you reckon John Key knows too?
“the photo of the 7yr old Aussie kid holding a guy’s head.”
It was a soldiers head.
Using a 7 year old is certainly child abuse.
How many children have the Israeli government just intentionally killed in Gaza grumpy?
horse dung
It may well have been a “soldier” but ISIS have also been hacking children’s heads off too. I realise you are quite pro Hamas but are you also pro their allies, fellow Sunni terrorists ISIS?
Actually I don’t believe pretty much all the shit that comes out of those places, and nor do I believe the shit that comes out of Washington or Canberra or the Herald or the Times or whatever.
What I do believe is that hundreds of children were deliberately killed in Gaza last week.
I also believe the word “terrorist” is bullshit in almost all cases including the one you just mention.
I mostly believe that from our little corner of the world it is virtually impossible to take sides in most conflicts around the world – unless one still believes in cowboys and indians, which is about the level of knowledge, debate and consideration around these issues imo.
Explain how the secret services of the world helped that soldier
The soldier has helped the world. He has exposed the true evil facing civilisation. The Australian jihadist’s use of his 7yo son shows that we need to be super vigilant of the extremists in our midst. This is why Australia is ramping up it’s anti terrorist laws and why the vast majority of Kiwis want the same.
So, go ahead with this anti GCSB/SIS ranting, it just drives New zealand further way from the left.
I totally agree grumpy.
The book will be published.
NZ spies on the bad guys.
The bad guys are really bad.
The world likes NZ for spying on the bad guys.
Hagar likes the bad guys Quelle surprise……
5eyed fishy so if Key used 5eyes for his own political gain that would thrill you no doubt!
You were so Right Fishy Hager likes the bad guys !
i.e. John Key is the bad guy using the SIS to usurp democratic processes can’t wait for McCready with crowd sourcing to prosecute!
Cameron Slater should be arrested along with John Key for breaking the laws of the land this is far worse than a couple of cheques!
you used the awful beheading of the soldier to justify gcsb spying on us to keep us safe but you didnt answer my question about how spying to keep us safe, kept the soldier safe. It failed him didnt ir?
Because that family, the father, his brother and now his children will now be constantly monitored by our allies, including Australia. As Australian citizens, they have free access to New Zealand so it is good to know that they, and hundreds of others like them will be identified and stopped at the border. Likewise, those already in our midst, as shown at the anti Israel demo, will now be identified, tracked and monitored.
Good thing!
So in the 70’s there was a poster around of an American soldier in Viet Nam holding the head of an enemy (civilian or combatant unclear cause it’s only a head) with the caption:
Join The Army – Get A Head
I also remember pictures of US soldiers with collections of ears.
I assume that exposed the true evil facing civilisation as well.
Or maybe go and watch The Act Of Killing and be reminded us of the evil right wingers who tortured and killed those of the left in Indonesia.
All wars are shit and both sides in all wars can do (maybe even must do, cause it’s war for goodness sake) shitty things.
It seems to me that picking out one particular group of extremists on one side is rather odd.
With you all the way on your posts on this spying issue Grumpy!!
Well, grumpy, you now have given me a very good idea of how much credibility to attach to your opinions/guesses.
You really do wildly mis-understand my lack of powerful connections to the likes of Nicky Hager. That is way out of the realms of my networks.
Note in my post, I said there is an important security role for the state surveillance services.
Do you have any comments about the parts of my post that refer to mission creep, sovereignty, and poor level of oversight of the surveillance services.
Well……I can say that I EXPECT our government to keep tabs on those who would destroy our country and way of life. I realise that attitude might not be popular on this site but the extreme hatred displayed at the anti Israel march and the threat of radical Islamism mean any government would be negligent not to “spy” on citizens who are a threat.
I EXPECT our government to keep tabs on those who would destroy our country and way of life. I realise that attitude might not be popular on this site
Again – did you read (and comprehend) the parts of my post on that.
And (alleged) threats of radical Islam would destroy our country and way of life, how?
he prefers to deflect which is why he editted his first post to add something about the boy and thexhead to seem on topic
Now you really making shit up. I did not edit that post.
apologies. I didnt recall the bit about that awful man wi th his nephew holding a head when i first read your post
About as awful as this. Which is why we need security services.
catallaxyfiles.com/2014/08/12/a-victim-of-tyranny/
The real world, coming to you soon.
Now do you see why we need the GCSB and SIS?
Grumpy are they really more evil than us?
What does history have to say about this?
apologies. I didnt recall the bit about that awful man wi th his nephew holding a head when i first read your post
“I EXPECT our government to keep tabs on those who would destroy our country and way of life.”
Unfortunately those who are keeping tabs on us ARE those who would destroy our way of life. The TPPA, which will destroy our way of life by inflicting US Corporate Rules on NZ by writing many of our laws, is being pushed by the US to gain control over our country. The NSA, with its puppet GCSB, will be tracking those activists who are putting up resistance against this “economic colonialism” (Idiot Savant’s apt term.)
Grumpy- you are looking in the wrong direction.
Most blokes (as we have seen in UK and Aussie) are quite adaptable and don’t have any strongly held religious beliefs. We could eaasily join the Caliphate, Islam is quite a cool religion for guys (unless you like booze a bit much). However for the rest, women, gays, bible bashers etc. the outlook is not so rosy.
Islam is a religion for guys, made by guys, if you feminists are happy with that, then fine…………..
WTF!?
is anyone else confused about what exactly grumps is saying here in relation to the comment it replies to?
Nope…..
What extreme hatred displayed at the Gaza Peace march? Demanding that Zionists stop killing civilians is hatred? Saying “God is great” is hatred?
I didn’t see any calls for anyone to be gut shot. That would be hatred. Oh, and FJK.
“You really do wildly mis-understand my lack of powerful connections to the likes of Nicky Hager. That is way out of the realms of my networks”
And who would be scared of your connections? Bring them on I say
Why are you trying to impress cos it doesn’t impress me . Like climate changes, etc you are full of unproved and incorrect theoretical rubbish.
Mate, you really have misunderstood my comment – My point was, I don’t have any such powerful connections. So there’s nothing to be impressed by. It was grumpy who was implying that I do have such powerful connections.
If you read my posts, you will see that I usually base my arguments on evidence and information that is in the public domain.
In the case of Hager’s about to be launched book, I am not basing my posts on any secret insider information. I am just going with the main body of opinion, as available online, that Hager’s book will be of some significance, and that it more than likely will focus on surveillance issues.
you understand what the words “lack of” actually mean ?
This attempted smear is so funny now we know the book has nothing to do with GCSB/Five Eyes/Snowden.
““Most people know that Nicky Hager is a screaming Left-wing conspiracy theorist. He’s hardly an authority on these matters . . . I’m not terribly worried.”
Worth noting he made this statement before the others attributed to him about it having Snowden stuff… so not terribly worried to spending time surmising what it might be about, and sharing it with the media.
In the past Hager has focused on issues and from his investigations highlighted people’s behaviours, be they Helen Clark (Corngate) or Brash, key, Joyce, Hooton) The Hollow Men and so on.
I don’t expect it to be some kind of rabid assault on John Key. I do expect it to have been researched and to have evidence to back his assertions.
it will be good if he lists all those nz’ers who have been spied on..
Agreed, that would give us a great basis for discussion.
My guess is the left will say its a game breaker and John Key must resign, the right will say its nothing and business as usual, the media will stoke the fires of controversy as much as possible and the general public will be bored of it after a couple of days
Yeah you wish, Puckish Rogue
Does anyone not interested in politics (ie most of NZ) really care about the hollow men book?
Nope. People wouldn’t even know the name.
Enough to put an end to Don Brashs career
I’m always interested in Hager’s writings, whatever the topic. He is one of the best, if not THE best, investigative journalists in NZ.
Such journalists are essential to democracy.
Have you forgotten about Ian Wishart 🙂
Ian Wishart doesn’t even come close. He did some good work in his younger days, but became more of a tabloid journalist after that. His hatchet job on Clark was part of a homophobia and misogynist-pandering smear campaign.
His evidence was thinly stretched associations that went well beyond even being in the realms of circumstantial evidence.
So you like who you agree with politically?
I have read the Wishart book quite closely and looked at his evidence. It doesn’t hold up.
And you seem to be praising him purely because of his politics. Hager has a strong international reputation as an investigative journalist. Wishart, on the other hand, is a legend in the minds of a few NZ right wingers.
Clark was Hager’s target in 2002.
He was okay until he became a born-again (read fundamentalist) christian.
You mean the guy who [deleted]
[lprent: That is defamatory. Banned 6 weeks. Read the policy. ]
Ian Wishart!!!
The man’s a complete and utter fool!
You can take ANYTHING he writes and know that the complete opposite is most likely true.
Wishart is a delusional nutter. I suspect that, whatever his condition is, it has been worsening. At the end of his winebox writings he started making some weird claims that seemed full of paranoia. Everything he has written since (that I’ve looked at) has gotten worse. You can see the progression. I think the voices in his head interview each other.
Nicky Hager, on the other hand, is very careful with his research and what he claims. He is getting better with time.
yup, he shines a light into dark places that make grumpy and puckish feel uncomfortable ( so prefer to prefer to avert their gaze).
His naysayers seem to overlook the documents he posts in support.
xox
Or it could be titled ” The Spy Who Shagged Us”
Is that some subtle reference to Wikileaks?
Anyone who thinks that the surveillance state and its paramilitary gangs of faceless cybermen are there to protect us from Islamists needs to think again.
The ‘threat’ of radical Islam has been carefully constructed and these images coming out of Syria are very useful to a government which is trying to change its already strong ‘anti-terrorism’ laws.
The US and its allies have used radical Islam in their attacks on any forces that they deemed to be detrimental to ‘western’ interests: Iran, Indonesia, Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, Syria and Israel, given that the Israeli state provided arms to Hamas in its sectarian struggle against the PLO.
The problem with religious fanatics is that they have a habit of biting the hand that armed them – but for the warmongers it’s win win – because the threat that extremists pose (some real, some fictitious) are then used to justify the erosion of democracy, the increase in surveillance and the militarisation of the police.
which might explain the inability to save those 300 girls in africa…. Not a territory they give a shit about.
Bollix, take your blinkers off for a change.
“Nigeria is the 12th largest producer of petroleum in the world and the 8th largest exporter, and has the 10th largest proven reserves. (The country joined OPEC in 1971). Petroleum plays a large role in the Nigerian economy, accounting for 40% of GDP and 80% of Government earnings.”
So yeah its a territory they probably do care about but more importantly Nigeria didn’t invite the USA in to rescue the girls
Had the americans invaded Nigeria (without the permission of Nigeria thats what it would have been) it would have been an act of war and then lefties all over the word would have had something extra to whinge about
how long after they were kidnapped did the west start to notice? When was the last update? 300 black girls.
I thought Michell Obama had that sorted with he card with #bringourgirlsback on it. The extent of leftie concern.
I thought you had dismissed the whole affair by asking what were they wearing and had they been drinking.
Like this you mean?
catallaxyfiles.com/2014/08/12/a-victim-of-tyranny/
“The ‘threat’ of radical Islam has been carefully constructed…”
That might be very true in relation to ourselves here in NZ but I don’t think we can underestimate the appalling tragedy that’s unfolding throughout some of the middle eastern countries and asian countries
http://www.fpa.org.il/index.php?categoryId=73840
and african
What a waste of time all this rubbish is.
We are getting “spied” on everyday through CTV in cities and towns, malls, banks etc. Following the use of EFTPoS and mobile phones is continuous and these avenues are used to solve many crimes and finding lost people.
It all goes to keep me safe as I go about my LAWFUL business and long may it last!!
history test graeme
Has there ever been a single point in history, in any country, where the state used vast powers of monitoring and information gathering for the purposes of 1) demonising those it disliked or spoke up against the state – 2) maintaining power and – 3) controlling the general populace through fear and intimidation?
Is it foolish to consider that those who lust for and attain power havent really changed that much over the years?
for the crowd who love to whinge about getting the state out of your personal life you lot are really weird about the state doing the exact opposite
Graeme You are using a pathetic propaganda technique using a 1/2 truth to spin out a lie!
Using the spy network for one sides political gain where paid bloggers try and undermine free speech
The leader of the country uses the network for his own political gain proves we need more transparency around the GSCB.
After all you Conmen keep saying its all about defending our freedoms Yeah Right wing nut jobs!
We don’t need freedom anymore. Haven’t you heard?
The world is perfect.
There is no need to dissent.
We have no need for radical ideas which challenge the status quo.
We don’t need journalists to be able to protect their sources when uncovering the wrongdoings of the powerful. Those willing to reveal such wrong doings are traitors to Dear Leader and must be punished!
We must not question Dear Leader.
We must not disagree with the prevailing orthodoxy.
We must trust that those in power know what is best for us.
We must understand that those in power make these decisions behind closed doors in order to keep us safe.
We must understand that they have our best interests at heart, and – unlike you and I – Dear Leader is perfect and infallible and never makes a mistake: Not of policy. Not of identity. Not of implementation.
We must understand that Dear Leader’s men will find security flaws in every day systems we all rely on to transact and communicate securely. We must understand that in the interests of keeping us safe those security flaws will not be fixed.
We must trust Dear Leader when he tells us who the enemy is. After all, he is perfect and must be correct.
We must understand that never in history has a powerful spying apparatus been used for political ends.
Never in history has a previously legal action or belief subsequently become illegal or a cause for persecution.
Never in history has a detestable character risen to power and attempted to use that power to eliminate those they consider to be inferior. We must know that that would never happen in a democracy.
We need only to trust that Dear Leader will keep us safe, that the things they do in secret are necessary and proportional, and that they do not require any oversight for they act solely in our interests.
We need not think the thoughts they do not want us to think.
We need not read the books they do not want us to read.
We need not freely discuss whatever we wish, with whomever we wish, whenever we wish.
If we can all close our eyes and blindly believe what we are told, we will be safe from those whom Dear Leader labels “terrorists.”
(It’s just a shame Dear Leader can’t do anything about stair cases – after all, stairs injure more people than terrorists. Perhaps we should invest billions of dollars replacing all stairs with elevators? Then we can all feel really safe!)
Politi no satire either by orders of granny
but graeme it doesnt keep you safe at all
none of those would stop anyone from perpetrating some awful act on you , it only assists in their prosecution AFTER the fact..
so your dreams of security are just that , dreams…
Some have already scored on the Nicky Hager Spin Bingo card. I expect a lot more before the next day or two are over.
Both Labour and National will look bad in the book. The public are over GSBC stuff anyway.
Wow you may want to review this comment soon.
I don’t understand this paranoia about the GSCB by Hager & co when 100s of thousands if not millions of kiwis willingly give away information about themselves to corporate entities every time they go on the internet
The book is called dirty politics and it is about the use of Farrar and Slater by the National Party and John Key to promote an extremely vile sort of politics.
3 News Livestream as linked in my updated post – has Hager talking on it.
Going by the audio of that Livestream, I would say that the book is an expose of ShonKey being an Amphibious Shape-shifting Alien bent on World Domination, and is written in the language of his home planet. He only denied being Reptilian, not the “Shape-shifting Alien bent on World Domination” part.
Release the vet records now, if you dare!
This Livestream is better (less garbled, but very quiet sound:
http://www.3news.co.nz/Livestream-Nicky-Hager-book-launch/tabid/1568/articleID/345796/Default.aspx
Yes, I updated my past to use that link.
Oh wow!!
I’m so glad Nicky has had the guts to write the story. Only caught the last bit of his interview but we’ve all known there was very dirty, underhand and probably illegal activity going on in the back-ground and that they included the top floor of the Beehive.
I have found it distressing at times – especially not being able to do anything about it.
Hurrah for Nick Hager!!
Edit: and thank-you again to the decent, principled members of the National Party who have apparently (once again) helped him to reveal the truth.
When Slater’s site was hacked and went down. Someone came away with thousands of documents they gave to Hager.
Oh the irony!
Thank you Nicky Hager. Shine that sunlight…
Yep r0b there must be a god!
Oh WOW ! !
he who speaks least says the most
I’ve been out of the political loop (rebuilding my house, no power or internet at various times). But I’m nearly done, and about ready to start taking an interest in politics again. Hager’s book certainly puts a cat amongst the pigeons!
Hopefully Hager will be pushing Cameron and Farrar off the MSM and back to their blogs. Key will have to distance himself from the lot of them.
Good luck with finishing the house r0b. It will be good to see you back.
breaking now on Prime News .. it’s on dirty politics .. Jason Eade and the two nasty bloggers ///
Yes. I’ve published another post on the book as the topic is not what I expected – see, Grumpy – I had no inside knowledge at all.
You should be flattered that random wingnuts on the internet think you’re more of an insider than you are. They’d only think that because you’re effective in your advocacy.
Slater aint said a word yet bahhahahahahaha ,
Whats wrong o great lump ?
I see he’s in Israel. Don’t know if he’s going to Gaza.
It says Korea on his site…?
In response to tinfoilhat 6.2 – no-one can understate the tragedy of the MIddle East, my point is who is primarily responsible for it.
The Americans and their allies have been happy to use radical Islam, which is essentially reactionary, to counter movements that were perceived to be a threat to US interests – i.e. nationalists, communists, socialists.
In the eyes of extreme fundamentalist Muslims (a tiny minority) secular political movements are heretical and they easily persuaded that fighting/killing heretics is their religious duty. Arm them and point them in the direction of people deemed to be apostates, sit back and watch the mayhem and then try to take political and military advantage of it. It doesn’t always work out as planned of course – but what always does happen is that innocents die – millions of them and often horribly.
Now that radical Islam has become a nuisance, it has been labelled a threat to our way of life – to our very existence – and in the ensuing heat of moral outrage and panic – governments grant themselves powers they would never dare attempt in more temperate times.
Only a fool or an ideologue would deny the possibility of those powers being used to stifle legitimate dissent.
We must guard democracy and we must counter anti-Islamic propaganda because the only way we all get to win is if all shades of intolerance, bigotry and religious / political extremism lose.
And in response to Puckish Rogue 6.1.1 “Bollix, take your blinkers off for a change.”
5 giant multinationals (US, Anglo-Dutch and Italiian) dominate oil production in the Niger Delta – and run the dirtiest, most polluting oil fields in the world in one of the most ecologically sensitive regions. Gas flares in the Delta are reckoned to be the largest single emitter of greenhouse gases – as well as pumping out vast clouds of toxins and carcinogens which are impacting hugely on local human and animal populations. Because of the wasteful and ecologically harmful way oil production is managed, the country’s increasing reliance on the product and the appropriation of profits by a economic and political elite instead of reinvestment in the country, agriculture has declined as oil exports have risen. Agriculture employs 90% of the rural population so its decline is causing a depopulation of the rural areas and massive poverty and unemployment. The wealth from oil does not even trickle down to the base of Nigerian society – it goes into the pockets of western investors and technocrats and the Nigerian elite while 61% of Nigerians live in poverty.
The country has high unemployment and poverty, a huge gap between rich and poor, endemic corruption and intense ethnic and religious divisions. The kidnapping of Christian girls by Islamic militants did not result in western intervention or even extensive use of the situation as fuel for anti-Islamist propaganda because intervention by the West could spark off a civil war – and a civil war, (for at the moment at least) in Africa’s largest oil producer which exports most of its oil to the US, is to be avoided at all costs.
The world is run by and for a bunch of vile and venal bastards – not to put too fine a point on it.
Nicky is one of a few very courageous writers we have . We need more . All power to him and those as brave. I will be buying the book tomorrow .
Was expecting more to be honest.
Kind of a let down.
If the allegation that Key fed Slater info he got from the SIS proves true, then I’m afraid Dear Leader has committed a criminal offence.
I’m looking forward to the excuses flowing thick and fast and affecting the verdict not one jot 🙂
Even if that was true, Key wouldn’t be that stupid. No one of that ‘power’ directly engages in this sort of stuff, for this exact reason.
So far here, no one has read it. Will wait to see what comes out.
And back to the topic. It’s very interesting that TV3 did a poll (it was also Yahoo!Xtra’s news poll) on National’s reliance on the Key factor just in advance of Hager’s book release.