Brownlee’s savage attack on Chch business owners

83 comments on “Brownlee’s savage attack on Chch business owners ”

• Comments are now closed

1. Pascal's bookie 1

   4 June 2011 at 12:13 pm

   Parliament gives him the power to do pretty much anything, and he acts like this when the people he was given that power in order to help, ask for some.

   If their request for help is so sneer worthy, he should give that power back.

   Resign, arsehole.
2. Hilary 2

   4 June 2011 at 12:18 pm

   I think it is very sad what a poor response the government has had to Chch. If it is safe for celebrities it should be safe enough for bus or walking tours of those locals who need to and want to see their own city for their grieving process. And there is still no govt programme for intensive skills training for rebuilding, which should have started last September. Where things have worked (like getting schools re-opened) it is where dedicated public servants and services were already in place (something which the govt is cutting savagely).

   The overseas insurance companies seem to be allowed to draw out the settlement processes without any government intervention. Shows how good a scheme ACC is. Imagine if every case of injury had to be litigated for months before treatment and payout.
3. prism 3

   4 June 2011 at 12:33 pm

   Gerry the Butt has no intention of serving the Christchurch people, the NZ people, the NZ economy, so why is he in an important position in government? Now he is complaining and criticising because hard working citizens want some useful work out of him. He may have to get off his butt. What a jerk!

   And what are his credentials for his present job? Was it that upper decile St Bedes was the right school for a Nat hopeful? It appears that Ilam which is one of the ‘comfortably off’ suburbs, is as sheepish as Epsom in Auckland. The brand is the thing for the class and lifestyle conscious, not the quality.

   This from wikipedia: Born in Christchurch, Brownlee has lived there ever since. After leaving high school, he worked in his family’s timber business, and received training in carpentry. Later he qualified as a teacher. He then taught woodwork and crafts at high-school level at Ellesmere College, and later at St Bede’s College (which he himself had attended as a pupil). At St Bede’s he taught woodwork and graphics.

   His politics – first – Sydenham electorate, where he campaigned (in 1993) — unsuccessfully — against Jim Anderton of the newly-formed Alliance. In the 1996 elections he contested the nearby seat of Ilam, and won by a comfortable margin. He has remained the MP for Ilam since that point, although his majority declined until making a strong recovery in the 2005 election.

   He can count on the undiscriminating for support and banner waving. This from whaleoil on google past – Politician of the Week – Gerry Brownlee —
   1 Mar 2011 … Quite frankly people have died in this last earthquake trying to save old buildings. We’re not going to do that any more.

   I have a feeling that there is a cabal of lower South Island politicians dominating the NACTs. It would explain the takeover of the irrigation, the huge payments to a failed financer.
   • KJT 3.1

     5 June 2011 at 10:50 am

     Nothing wrong with a good woodwork teacher. Most have been successful tradespeople and craftspeople.

     Normally a carpenter would be a good qualification as most tradesmen/women need a high level of skills and business nous to make a living. Teachers in State schools are mostly highly competent people..

     Teaching at a high decile or private school attracts the time servers and lazy who could not survive in an ordinary school without hand picked students.
     The family firm was obviously not too challenging either.
   • Kevyn 3.2

     7 June 2011 at 1:57 pm

     I suspect you have been conned by some subtle reverse psychology. These seemingly pro-South Island actions have raised the hackles of the left, especially the North Island left. The backlash will play into the hands of the Queen St monopoly players who are the real puppetmasters behind this government. The SCF assets preserved by the taxpayer bailout will end up in their hands at bargain basement govt gauranteed prices. Ditto the farmers loans needed to take advantage of the irrigation scheme which should mean that in 5 or 10 years Fontera will end up on the stock exchange so the dairy farmers can sell their shares to pay their debts.
     It also explains the exageration of almost every “cost” of the Canterbury earthquakes by $3bn. Have a close look at Treasury’s reports (you’ll need your calculator), you wont find any mention of the two earthquakes reducing GDP by $5bn or of reducing tax by $3bn or of the $3bn payment to EQC being to rebuild Christchurch (its actually to pay off Govt debt to the Natural Disaster Fund) which means the Govts nett borrowing for the earthquake recovery is also $3bn less than claimed. This will keep everybody happy till after the election when the banks will start demanding insurance payouts be spent repaying mortgages instead rebuilding buildings and new mortgages in Christchurch will be unaffordable because the Chch economy is munted and maybe all the commercial building owners and their tennants should just agglomorate in Auckland (or in Wellington where there will soon be heaps of vacant office space.)
     Slightly cynical, admittedly, but with this Cabinet you have to be.
4. Colonial Viper 4

   4 June 2011 at 12:34 pm

   Time to quote this all around The Press and make sure that it’s very clear that National is not the party of SME’s, and has not been for a very long time.
   • sean maitland 4.1

     4 June 2011 at 12:57 pm

     Its not as if Labour did anything at all but make things worse for SME’s during their reign is it?

     Additionally, you guys conveniently forget that the bailouts such as SCF were all thanks to the Labour government signing that off when they were in power.

     This is a problem between these companies and their insurers, NOT a government problem. When the government is borrowing $380 million a week to cover the welfare state that Labour put in place, where is the extra money going to come from?

     Howabout we get rid of KiwiSaver, KiwiRail, interest free student loans, sickness benefit, accomodation supplement, invalids benefit, working for families, or fire the 10,000 extra pen-pushers Labour hired? How about making some of the 340,000 beneficiaries in NZ do some actual productive work? Then we could fund it easily – but you guys would be up in arms about the gravy train being cut off then……
     • bbfloyd 4.1.1

       4 June 2011 at 1:07 pm

       way to compound your abysmal historical ignorance with a plan to finish the rout of our economy… how often do you have to change your trousers after forgetting to pull them down before, rather than after?

       it’s idiotic rubbish like this that makes it hard to have a grownup discussion on important issues…
     • Eddie 4.1.2

       4 June 2011 at 1:17 pm

       “how about making some of the 340,000 beneficiaries in NZ do some actual productive work”

       you mean like under Labour, when there were 100,000 fewer people on benefits? I’m all for that.

       The hates involuntary unemployment, it’s a waste of potential and crushing to the human spirit. To the Right it’s just a ‘lagging indicator’
     • Eddie 4.1.3

       4 June 2011 at 1:19 pm

       the day national reverses the tax cuts for the rich that will cost $1 billion in borrowing over four years, then you righties can bitch about excessive borrowing for social services and investment.
     • William Joyce 4.1.4

       4 June 2011 at 1:39 pm

       “Additionally, you guys conveniently forget that the bailouts such as SCF were all thanks to the Labour government signing that off when they were in power.”
       Sean, you are the one conveniently forgetting. You forgot the advice to the incoming government from day one, that SCF was failing. Not only did they not appoint a statutory manager to save this “too big to fail” company, they signed it up to the guarantee scheme – and more than once!
       That is a “mistake” that has cost the people of New Zealand over a $1 billion dollars + the interest on  the borrowing.
        
       And do they take responsibility for that? NO.
       Do they contribute to repaying that? NO!
       Instead they expend thousands on fly to photo opportunities, double dip on their expenses, making loans friends from our money, and give themselves tax cuts.
       Or have you conveniently (and strategically) forgot these things?
       • Deadly_NZ 4.1.4.1

         4 June 2011 at 11:25 pm

         No it was put to Blinglish that this finance company was tanking, however that advice was ignore and the guarantee was opened to SCF and was signed off by none other than Bill English and treasury loved it. some reading to educate you sean

         http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10670415
         http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10704032
         http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/comment/4115030/SCF-bailout-in-the-interests-of-whose-economy

         what it all means is that English and Key knew it was going to fail, treasury had been telling them that for months. BUT the still went ahead and e enrolled them in the 2009 and 2010 guarantee nothing to do with Labour thank you very much. But a word of caution sean maitland if you want to stir the shit then I would either 1: read up on the subjects that you want to stir on. 2: unplug your computer and put it back in the boxes it came in and send it back.
         or 3: feck off
         • Peter 4.1.4.1.1

           5 June 2011 at 9:25 am

           Dead right he needs to get his facts right.

           Lets see if he can bother to do some research and get his facts right. Here is your challenge Mr Maitland. Which Government, since 1990, has been the worst performing in terms of Real Economic growth?
     • Draco T Bastard 4.1.5

       4 June 2011 at 4:59 pm

       Additionally, you guys conveniently forget that the bailouts such as SCF were all thanks to the Labour government signing that off when they were in power.

       Stop repeating the lie. NAct signed SCF into the RDGS after they knew that it was fucked.

       When the government is borrowing $380 million a week to cover the welfare state that Labour put in place, where is the extra money going to come from?

       1.) NAct are borrowing $380m/week because of tax cuts
       2.) They could raise the taxes again

       Howabout we get rid of KiwiSaver, KiwiRail,…

       And then we’d really be on the way to a becoming a poverty stricken country.
       • weka 4.1.5.1

         4 June 2011 at 6:31 pm

         “Howabout we get rid of KiwiSaver, KiwiRail,…”
         Why is that such a rightist mantra? Who would counsel someone to sell their assets as a way of reducing debt rather than learning how to budget properly and live within one’s limits?
          
     • Colonial Viper 4.1.6

       5 June 2011 at 1:02 am

       When the government is borrowing $380 million a week to cover the welfare state that Labour put in place, where is the extra money going to come from?

       Good question

       FIRST: put income tax rates back up, introduce a new higher tier for those on over $150K p.a. and implement a CGT and asset tax.

       SECOND: get rid of the losers English and Key, and bring in a left wing Government with a plan to grow the economy, not strip it down.

       Any other smartass questions from the clueless team?
     • jcuknz 4.1.7

       5 June 2011 at 9:52 am

       One should not give Labour all the credit for the welfare state because National has supported and developed the system during its terms in office. Muldoon would have people retiring at the age of sixty for instance.
       • bbfloyd 4.1.7.1

         5 June 2011 at 10:53 am

         for the most part, successive national governments have steadily undermined the welfare system.. the changes, untill the richardson years of lunacy, have been incremental, but still a dilution none the less.

         history lesson, Q; who introduced the “cradle to the grave” social welfare network?

         A; the labour government of Micheal Joseph Savage!

         if you wish to argue that, be my guest.. i have no problems with you exposing your ignorance.
         • jcuknz 4.1.7.1.1

           5 June 2011 at 5:09 pm

           “Cradle to the grave” is a nice political catch phrase which heralds the first Labour Governments wishes but not what it actually implemented and is in place today. It reads as if you think Ruth Richardson developed social security which isn’t my memory of the times..
           • Colonial Viper 4.1.7.1.1.1

             5 June 2011 at 5:09 pm

             Yeah, forgetting that Savage only had 5 years to implement what he did; the project he started should have continued for a full 20 years, but it was tragically cut short.
       • Colonial Viper 4.1.7.2

         5 June 2011 at 5:18 pm

         Muldoon would have people retiring at the age of sixty for instance.

         Your ignorance is showing.

         The modern National party may have once been old fashioned Conservatives, like Muldoon and Holyoake. Under Richardson, Shipley, Key and English they are just a load of American style free market neoliberals who dont give a shit about anything except stripping the country bare of its most valued possessions for the profit of their own small cadre.
         • jcuknz 4.1.7.2.1

           6 June 2011 at 4:48 pm

           People who write stuff like that simply do not command my lasting attention or belief. You will have to try better to convince me of the merit of your argument.
     • prism 4.1.8

       5 June 2011 at 11:25 am

       Another useful thing for the government should do is to supply a free educational course on political history and the purpose and value of social welfare for sean maitland and similar dabblers at commenting intelligently on current matters.

       Also how good law can be undermined by the way it is delivered by poorly trained, biased staff with missions and targets that create moral hazards for the department, and how good intentions can be stymied by poorly formulated legislation. Get out of your NACT highchair baby and learn about the real world which real adults try to face up to.
5. prism 5

   4 June 2011 at 12:49 pm

   An economic term is “opportunity cost” which describes what happens when a decision is made on a problem. The one thing that is decided on, or if a decision is left in abeyance, precludes all the other possibilities that could have been chosen and implemented. In Christchurch Gerry the Butt’s inaction and then lack of judgment on decisions he does make, mean that there is a very high opportunity cost for the city which may just become irreversible for every category of concern.
   • sean maitland 5.1

     4 June 2011 at 12:58 pm

     There isn’t a lack of action, he said “No”.

     Are you suggesting the government borrows a few billion more to prop up these businesses?
     • bbfloyd 5.1.1

       4 June 2011 at 1:12 pm

       you really need to listen to yourself sean. facile, reactionary bigotry doesn’t qualify you to comment on real issues.

       switch off the reality filter once in a while… you’ll be better for it..
6. Jim Nald 6

   4 June 2011 at 1:00 pm

   A improvisation on Rule #5 (thanks, Sweeney, .. Jackal et al) – Sidetrack opponents with name calling and ridicule:

   ” This is also known as the primary or attack the messenger ploy, though other methods qualify as variants of that approach. Associate opponents with unpopular titles* such as [etc etc]. This makes others shrink from support out of fear of gaining the same label, and you avoid dealing with issues. ”

   * Gerry Bullee, using positive terms in reverse and the subjunctive, adds to these with his latest phrase of “If they are such clever, gifted, and forward-looking entrepreneurs it’s pretty sad that … ”

   Great, Gerry ! You win again.
7. weka 7

   4 June 2011 at 1:07 pm

   I agree that Brownlee is an arsehole, no doubt about that.
    
   “Christchurch business owners”. They’re not business owners, they’re property owners.
   • Draco T Bastard 7.1

     4 June 2011 at 5:02 pm

     /agreed
8. William Joyce 8

   4 June 2011 at 1:08 pm

   I am no friend of that arrogant woodwork teacher but, under the dismissive comments, is a bit of sense.
   The country is expecting to spend a shit load of money on rebuilding of Chch – and so it should. However, there comes a point where moral hazard should kick in. The very tax breaks that they are asking for are the same taxes we are all already paying to rebuild the city.
   Too many people (mostly through ignorance) had no disaster recovery plan. They assumed that the risk of such an event was low and therefore took the risk by not covering themselves for it.
   As a former sys admin, it was an essential part of my job to have a current, workable plan in the event of a disaster. Most people in SME’s don’t have that sort of training to be prepared – so I understand the ignorance they have operated under. But their ignorance doesn’t change the outcome.
   As one engineer said to me when we found out that three months of backups were useless – “That’s life, Jim”. I could have hit him but he was right. It was my fault for not ensuring that the verifications were being done. Moral Hazard.
   Businesses will go under and assets not covered will be lost. There will be a delay in recovery as capital is lost or leaves. But the city will recover.
    
   However, all of that being said, there is a problem with equity of treatment by the government.
   – A financial guarantee and payout for SCF to people who were either crooked, naive or bet more than they were prepared to lose.
   – $5 million Taxpayer funded gift to a private enterprise to rebuild of the turf at AMI stadium
   – $1 billion dollar guarantee to AMI because it was run badly and was “too big t fail”
    
    
    
   • Pascal's bookie 8.1

     4 June 2011 at 1:15 pm

     The point is the substance of his dismissal. He has been given what even dpf describes as dictatorial powers. He was given them for a reason. He should have some sort of clue about how he is going to get things happening beyond. ‘not the government’s problem’.

     If it’s not the government’s role to be helping things to happen, then why did they give him those powers?
     • William Joyce 8.1.1

       4 June 2011 at 1:27 pm

       And from what I can tell he is using his powers to get things done. He’s just not going to take responsibility for this.
       As weka rightly points out. These are property owners with a collective investment of around $1 billion (if I remember rightly). With an investment that large you would think that they would have the smarts to cover their ass-ets.
       They are going to have to take a hit like everyone else.
       • Eddie 8.1.1.1

         4 June 2011 at 3:03 pm

         whether they are just in the property ownership business or own the premises of their business, they’re business owners.

         they have insurance, they’ve been responsible, but they can’t get payouts or their payouts are delayed, due in part to limited access to the red zone.

         they’re only asking the government for some loans. the cost to the taxpayer will be minimal. the cost of doing nothing is killing off businesses who will need to be driving the rebuild when it finally begins.
         • weka 8.1.1.1.1

           4 June 2011 at 9:58 pm

           “whether they are just in the property ownership business or own the premises of their business, they’re business owners.”
            
           Technically yes. But in the context of this post it would be more useful to be differentiating between various groups. CORE membership is restricted to CBD property owners. That’s not a problem, I just think calling them ‘business owners’ implies the group serves a wider part of the community than it actually does.
            
           Aren’t the landlords in question of an income bracket and class that uses its priviledges under capitalism in ways that aren’t necessarily good for the country? I don’t know about the group Brownlee has said no to, but I do think it bears closer inspection. This isn’t to say that their requests aren’t valid.
            
           Here’s the CORE submission from their FB page
            
           http://www.facebook.com/notes/core-city-owners-rebuild-entity/core-submission/178343008885628
            
9. fatty 9

   4 June 2011 at 1:30 pm

   The real problem here is that KFC released the doubledown burger just as the rebuilding should be getting underway.
   Brownlee got sidetracked
   • William Joyce 9.1

     4 June 2011 at 1:47 pm

     Aide : “…but minister, the old are freezing to death!”
     Brownlee : “Is that chicken I smell? Hmmmm, chicken.”
     • ianmac 9.1.1

       4 June 2011 at 2:53 pm

       mmmmmm 🙂
       • Robert Atack 9.1.1.1

         4 June 2011 at 5:03 pm

         Which makes me think ……If they can put Homer in charge of a nuclear power plant, what is wrong with Gerry?
         • Deadly_NZ 9.1.1.1.1

           4 June 2011 at 11:40 pm

           Well Homer is a cartoon, and Unfortunately Gerry is a real, useless fat deaf prick. And Homer is way more popular.
10. Robert Atack 10

    4 June 2011 at 1:42 pm

    “The government’s position on peak oil, therefore, continues to be that oil production will not change significantly until 2030, or until some later date” Gerry Brownlee June 2010 – Quoting IEA-

    “We peaked in 2006” Dr. Fatih Birol – Chief Economist and Head of the Economic Analysis Division of the Paris-based International Energy Agency. on Radio NZ last week.

    I think the reason Gerry has such a fat arse is because his fat head is up it.

    The idiot obviously didn’t know this report was being written at the time he was uttering such utter rubbish
    http://oilcrash.com/articles/wake_up2.htm
    He was the minister of energy at the time, don’t they talk to each other in the Beehive?

    Why is anyone surprised he will turn Chch into a refugee camp?

    Clearly the inmates are running the asylum
    • Deadly_NZ 10.1

      4 June 2011 at 11:45 pm

      What you actually believe that Gerry the hut actually reads anything???? or can even read. I have a bet that nothing will be done before November, no matter how much fat Gerry throws around.
11. freedom 11

    4 June 2011 at 1:44 pm

    How is there even a question whether the owners are right to voice the concerns of this group. Collectively, they make up a large part of the physical property that has been damaged and destroyed. If they don’t have a right to ask questions then who does? There are many businesses who are using the services of these property owners that Christchurch will not want to lose and some of the larger Companies are undoubtedly reconsidering their decision to remain in Canterbury.

    + ever notice how Stuff’s ‘comments’ tool is never switched on for a Gerry Brownlee story
    • Draco T Bastard 11.1

      4 June 2011 at 5:08 pm

      Collectively, they make up a large part of the physical property that has been damaged and destroyed. If they don’t have a right to ask questions then who does?

      Having more of the property doesn’t give them any more rights than anyone else.
      • freedom 11.1.1

        4 June 2011 at 9:54 pm

        I see how it could be read that way but that is not the intention of my comment. I was mentioning how groups of people who are most directly affected by a situation are a valid voice. Honest communication is vital to the rebuilding of Christchurch, and so far the bs detector is pinging in Canterbury
    • Deadly_NZ 11.2

      4 June 2011 at 11:45 pm

      They could not handle that much traffic.
12. ropata 12

    4 June 2011 at 2:35 pm

    Labour showed unity with the Government’s initial attempts to handle the disaster, now they must expose the Nats incompetence at stimulating a recovery. Seems all that Key’s mob understand is asset stripping and selective white elephant spending
13. Puddleglum 13

    4 June 2011 at 6:32 pm

    This is the interview on Checkpoint about this group’s ideas for a ‘tax free zone’ in the CBD, as William Joyce mentioned in comment 8. Their ideas go beyond cheap loans.
14. Chris 14

    4 June 2011 at 10:54 pm

    If National is so bad why is Labour polling so low ?
    • ropata 14.1

      5 June 2011 at 1:06 am

      Marketing, genius.
      Same reason everybody got suckered by finance companies, people want to believe that jolly smiley people will take care of them and everything will be OK.
      Nobody wants to face the cancerous reality.
      • felix 14.1.1

        5 June 2011 at 8:22 am

        Pfffft, next you’ll be trying to say McDonalds don’t actually make the BEST HAMBURGERS IN THE WORLD…
        • Jim Nald 14.1.1.1

          5 June 2011 at 10:31 am

          A shonkey-ronald mcdonald would be quite cute.

          Photoshop beckons William Joyce? (The double dipton cangue is appreciated. Maybe make it a double cangue, vertically, with gerry on the top .. just to be sure double dipton on the bottom does a bit of work.)
15. weka 15

    5 June 2011 at 12:00 am

    So what’s with all the fat abuse? Is it really necessary to equate fatness with laziness, gluttony and general evilness? I doubt that Brownlee’s body size has anything to do with him being an arsehole and useless at his job.
    • Galeandra 15.1

      5 June 2011 at 10:32 am

      Worthwhile point,Weka. Too much shrill jeering on this site, and it’s cost The Standard a lot of credibility.
      • Colonial Viper 15.1.1

        5 June 2011 at 10:40 am

        Queen Brownlee the Gluttonous telling Christchurch business owners going broke after the earthquake to “Go Eat Cake, It’s Not my Problem”
        • weka 15.1.1.1

          5 June 2011 at 10:50 am

          What’s your point CV?
      • Jim Nald 15.1.2

        5 June 2011 at 10:41 am

        Quotation:

        “Don’t look too hard in the mirror. Maybe your ethical skin will be thickening at the same rate as your waistline.”
      • weka 15.1.3

        5 June 2011 at 10:44 am

        I don’t mind the shrill jeering so much. But attributing evil to fatness creates evil in society. Imagine if Brownlee had a psychiatric diagnosis, or a gimpy leg. Or was underweight. Or gay. Would we be attaching his bad behaviour to those things? We should know better here.
         
        The other one I notice is people going on about Brash’s age. Unless he has age related cognitive problems (and how would we know?), his age has nothing to do with him being a rwnj. Or are we saying that all people his age are incompetent?
        • prism 15.1.3.1

          5 June 2011 at 11:58 am

          Gosh weka, if all your pc points come into play nobody will be able to make critical comment of anybody.

          As for Brash, as an older person I do note a certain concreting of brain function and high opinions of oneself and one’s peer group, difficulty in considering the points of view of people considered lesser. The tendency of near-seventies to cling to the high positions they have gained is not a good trend. There is often a nostalgic desire to hark back to a better past which if examined is not rosy at all. Worst of all there is the opportunity cost when near-seventies occupy top positions of preventing experienced middle-aged people being able to attain top jobs. They should be able to rise in an organisation, gaining increasing experience, capability and seniority ready to supply skills and understanding of current and future problems. There can be a power vacuum when the great man steps down, is forced out or dies and then a often a total reorganisation of mission is necessary to match real world present and future needs.

          The Peter Principle that a person rises up through an organisation till he/she reaches their level of incompetence also implicitly carries the message that such a person may recognise this but be unwilling to step down. Such a person will have become adept at delegating and using the skills of talented people lower in the chain to supply any lack in performance and understanding.
        • felix 15.1.3.2

          5 June 2011 at 2:00 pm

          Who goes on about Brash’s age?

          The most frequent criticism I’ve seen of Brash is that he’s a heartless zombie with no empathy or morals.
16. jcuknz 16

    5 June 2011 at 10:04 am

    The more people who leave Christchurch the more opportunities for people who stay the distance.
    The government is already doing and has done a huge amount for CHCH and its people while a group of property owners who didn’t prepare for the ‘bad event’ want special treatment. It wasn’t very PC of Brownlee but then of course the left are all PC and nothing else these days so naturally they cause a fuss.
    • Colonial Viper 16.1

      5 June 2011 at 10:16 am

      Ahhhh…the “more businesses, skills, people and money leaving Christchurch, the better off everyone else will be” mentality.

      Since more than 1 in 6 New Zealanders have already moved overseas long term, how well do you think that strategy is really working for us?

      The government is already doing and has done a huge amount for CHCH and its people while a group of property owners who didn’t prepare for the ‘bad event’ want special treatment.

      Christchurch stadium owners wanted special treatment and they got it
      Foreign SCF investors wanted special treatment and they got it
      MediaWorks shareholders wanted special treatment and they got it

      So it just depends if you have mates in Cabinet I suppose.
      • jcuknz 16.1.1

        5 June 2011 at 5:20 pm

        Well a gentleman whose name I mentioned above made the comment “People leaving NZ for Aussie raise the IQ level of both countries”.
        It has always depended on who you know which is why most businesses donate to both parties.

        Really we are better off without those so called businessmen without the nouse to have back-up copies of their busineses away from the central business area so that they could operate from outside the CBD in emergencies. Perhaps taking over a few of those caravans which were reported to be sitting idle or erecting a tent to house fresh stock, or perhaps containers … shown some good business sense in other words.
        • Colonial Viper 16.1.1.1

          5 June 2011 at 5:25 pm

          Hey you’re going to get your wish, Christchurch is depopulating very nicely as we speak, enjoy.

          With over 1 in 6 Kiwis deciding to live overseas maybe you think we should aim to get rid of 1 in 5, right?

          I’m sure you don’t need to see your grandchildren or great-grandchildren any more. After all its only the stupid ones who have left and raised Australia’s IQ, yeah?
        • felix 16.1.1.2

          5 June 2011 at 5:34 pm

          the nouse to have back-up copies of their busineses away from the central business area so that they could operate from outside the CBD in emergencies.

          You are fucking insane.
          • jcuknz 16.1.1.2.1

            5 June 2011 at 5:41 pm

            I’d say you have no brain but that would be rude … I’m sure you have one but not using it to see the sense of what I’m writing about.
            • felix 16.1.1.2.1.1

              5 June 2011 at 7:37 pm

              So you mean what you said? Back-up copies of businesses?

              You’re a mentalist.
              • weka …

                5 June 2011 at 9:29 pm

                He’s talking about computer backups. This is an important issue – I dealt with a business elsewhere in the SI the week after the big quake and they couldn’t do emails or access records because everything was stored on their Chch office’s computers (they got access after a few days). I would guess there are many people with lost data.
                • felix …

                  6 June 2011 at 7:04 am

                  He’s talking about computer backups.

                  Then he should say so because the way he wrote it made no sense whatsoever.
    • prism 16.2

      5 June 2011 at 11:27 am

      Did you leave uk and open up a brave new world for those left there jcuknz? If that was your idea it doesn’t seem to have worked for the Brits.
      • jcuknz 16.2.1

        5 June 2011 at 5:38 pm

        LOL I left for reasons I won’t go into but I’d guess that a fair number of the others on the ‘Captain Cook’ were leaving because they could see how the unions were ruining the country with their demands and even Thatcher wasn’t able to really correct the situation. Open immigration has been another problem …I went back for a couple of weeks last year and was very happy to get away again. Too many people in too small a country, too many cars in a country designed for foot traffic and horse n’ cart days, people abusing the welfare system etc and etc. At least I know how lucky I am to live in New Zealand despite what the moaners go on about on this forum and elsewhere. If people are silly enough to emigrate then good luck to them.
17. Chris 17

    5 June 2011 at 1:29 pm

    Quote: “If National is so bad why is Labour pollings so low”

    Reply:

    “Marketing, genius”

    Golly ! is only it was that simple !

    Of course one would have to ask the obvious question ‘what is wrong with Labours marketing strategy’ or lack there of – as it does not seem to be working that well.

    Of course of it was just ‘marketing’ National are doing a good job – of course one has to assume all Kiwis are stupid and easily suckered in as you say.

    Lets ignore the fact that just maybe Labour have been an ineffectual opposition party for 2 1/2 years with an equally ineffectual opposition leader ? I guess no one wants to face the cancerous reality of that either.

    Just a thought.
    • ropata 17.1

      5 June 2011 at 2:01 pm

      OK sure it’s much more than marketing, it’s a well oiled media machine, and an economy captured by foregin corporations, and yes an underperforming opposition. But why the fuck is it Labours fault that National Inc. are getting away with asset stripping, sacking public servants, imbalancing the economy with useless tax cuts, backhanders for their corporate mates, or wrecking democracy in Auckland and Christchurch?
    • felix 17.2

      5 June 2011 at 2:10 pm

      Of course one would have to ask the obvious question ‘what is wrong with Labours marketing strategy’ or lack there of – as it does not seem to be working that well.

      Err yeah, the success of National’s marketing compared to Labour’s was precisely the point of the comment you’re replying to. How did you miss that?

      No really. How did you miss that???

      Of course of it was just ‘marketing’ National are doing a good job – of course one has to assume all Kiwis are stupid and easily suckered in as you say.

      Nah, that’s just how we respond to marketing. What you’re doing is confusing the marketing with the product itself.

      Maybe National DOES have great policies. And maybe Gaga makes great records, and maybe McDonalds makes great hamburgers.

      But it’s irrelevant because you aren’t actually talking about, or praising, or criticising them on their policies Chris. You’re just excited about the success of the marketing.
18. Gina 18

    5 June 2011 at 4:40 pm

    The media protect Mr Key. There are some very important stories about him that there are facts to back up but the media don’t tell them.

    The corporate media have been praising Key and pummelling labour and Phill Goff for 3 years. Thats media infleuence for you. If phill says anything at all it is attacked with the help of media. Its unbelievable what a Kangaroo court we are watching on our screens.
19. Gina 19

    5 June 2011 at 4:41 pm

    I think Labour are doing incredibly well considering that the media allows Key to tell outright lies repeatedly without question.
20. dad4justice 20

    5 June 2011 at 5:30 pm

    Fat C##T brownlee will be responsible for the death of the soul of Christchurch. Hundreds of business owners are flying away Mud Guts Brownlee you corrupt fat prick! You are going to make a Ghost town you fat fucked up fool!

    Another disgrace for St Bedes! Along with those other useless pollie liarbour liars Mp’s!
21. jcuknz 21

    5 June 2011 at 5:45 pm

    Why bother about the media Gina when we have The Standard to correct matters … Yeah Right!
22. Chris 22

    5 June 2011 at 5:49 pm

    Gina and others – gotta to love your optimism ! but ‘Labour are doing incredible well’ ? I hate to see them do badly. But yep lets blame the media – its all their fault. The real truth why the Nats. are doing so well. They have the fourth estate in their pockets. That’s a great strategy to have – lets blame someone else for Labours current lousy polling and election failure. Of course Labour can bask in their moral superiority and cleanliness as they spend yet another 3 years on the back benches. At least the dynamic and truly charismatic Mr. Goff will make an easy fall guy in November – just a pity that the recrimiantions, soul searching and blame could not happen this side of the election – but of course that takes a party with some back bone.
    • felix 22.1

      5 June 2011 at 7:44 pm

      Did you bother to read any of the responses to your comment?
23. Gina 23

    5 June 2011 at 6:29 pm

    I wouldn’t write off November. Look at the Auckland Mayoral roll polling. If Labour can get 95 % of its voters to the poll and National only 85% on the day then we have a very different situation. Writing labour off without a major fight to get your voters to the polls is foolhardy and will just encourage Labour voters to stay home like the polls are designed to do.Turn out is everything.

    I think when the word gets out about the increase in the minimum wage you are going to have 300 000 voters determined to get to the polls. Make sure everyone knows about it. A lot of workers get home too late for the 6 pm News and haven’t heard yet. That will also get beneficiaries who want work to the polls as long as they know. I haven’t had one negative response from workers to that policy. They are all very pleased about it and determined to vote “Labour”. You might even get some extra volunteers this election such is the joy at that policy.
    I don’t think poorer Labour voters will be staying home this election so lets not join the media write off. The campaign hasn’t even started.
    • weka 23.1

      5 June 2011 at 7:10 pm

      Nice one Gina. The election is still some months away too and much can happen in that time.
24. dad4justice 24

    5 June 2011 at 8:02 pm

    RIP Christchurch. Thanks Nutional you wimpish gits!
25. Tombstone 25

    9 June 2011 at 9:23 am

    I’m from Christchurch and I agree, I wish Gerry Brownlee would fuck off and resign. He’s done nothing for this city. It’s a wasteland and is dying a slow agonizing death with people growing increasingly disillusioned and angry over the long drawn out process that has become the rebuilding of our city. Open up the red zone, let people see it and get it torn down so we can get on with rebuilding. I’m ready to go Gerry so let’s get the fuck on with it pal! Put down that menu and start earning your keep chump!

• Comments are now closed

• Log in
• Donate
• Contribute post

• Articles RSS